The job fair proceeded in an orderly manner. Young wizards entered the cubicles, submitted their resumes, and engaged in conversations with Ministry of Magic interviewers. As they exited the rooms, some wore worried expressions, while others were full of joy, heading toward their next target.
The vast majority of them had prepared in advance, marking their positions of interest on the pamphlets provided by the school. Some more meticulous ones had even planned their route ahead of time.
Once his business with Amelia was settled, Tom suddenly found himself with nothing to do. He wandered aimlessly around the place, thinking of waiting until lunchtime to eat.
In the midst of his stroll, Tom spotted the Quidditch team captain, Richie, sitting calmly on the edge of the stands, holding a drink in his hand. He seemed out of place in that bustling event.
"Yodel," Richie greeted Tom warmly upon seeing him, apparently in good spirits.
"I didn't expect to see you here at the job fair. How's it going for you?" Richie invited Tom to sit beside him, and they began to chat.
"Enchantments and Potions certificates are very important. I see that most positions require those two courses," Tom mentioned, sharing what he had discovered while wandering aimlessly.
"That's true," Richie responded cheerfully. "We're wizards, how could we not use spells?"
"Captain, did you finish your interviews today?" Tom noticed Richie's expression and guessed that he had done well in the interviews.
"Yeah," Richie seemed very pleased. "I got a pretty good job in the Department of Magical Sports, and I've almost finished discussing it; I'm just waiting for the trial."
"Congratulations. But didn't you plan to join a Quidditch team after graduating?"
Richie shook his head and didn't say anything more. Unlike Wood, the obsessed Gryffindor Quidditch captain, Richie had evaluated his own level and thought he'd be lucky if he landed a reserve spot on a second-tier team after graduating. There were no real prospects, so he chose to work directly in the Ministry of Magic.
"Take it easy; I'll head back to the common room to rest for a bit." Richie, who had finished his drink, was no longer as excited after the interview. Fatigue had set in. Every pore of his body seemed to be begging for a vacation.
After bidding farewell to Tom, he left.
It was still a while until lunchtime, and Hermione was nowhere to be seen. Tom was bored and had nothing to do. He idly flipped through the small pamphlet Richie had left him when a job offer caught his attention.
[The Azkaban Liaison Office, a division of the Department of Aurors, has been officially established!]
[Job requirements: 'Satisfactory' or higher qualifications in Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration, ability to cast the Patronus Charm]
[Join us and become the hero who maintains security in the wizarding world]
Tom raised an eyebrow; joining that department seemed like bad luck. Although he was currently under the Department of Aurors, it seemed like a very good option. However, he would soon be transferred to the unknown Department of Magical Creature Regulation and Control. He would be the head of the department, and as a result, he would be absent for a long time...
Even he himself felt that this department had no prospects for the next two years, but everything could change once he started to expand it vigorously.
"The 21st century will be the century of the Azkaban Liaison Office," it seemed like a good slogan.
Lunchtime arrived, and many interviewers stopped working, took out their packed lunches, and began to enjoy their meal. Working during lunch? That was thinking too much! Besides, from nine in the morning until now, almost all the vacancies had been filled, and the students who had come had more or less gained something. Therefore, the climax of the job fair had already passed. Students were leaving, and the place was becoming notably quieter.
Hermione appeared out of nowhere.
"I'm done with mine. How did it go for you?" Hermione asked, with no trace of anger on her face. Excitedly, she shared her morning experience with Tom.
"I talked to her, and she thinks I have a lot of potential to work at the Ministry of Magic... I've also thought about it. Next school year, I won't enroll in the Muggle Studies course anymore..." After a year of study, Hermione considered that the Muggle Studies course no longer added value for her and wouldn't significantly affect her employability. After a thorough look around the place, she realized that there were only fewer than ten positions that required that certificate. Taking the course or not had almost no influence on her employment.
After chatting incessantly for a while, Hermione's stomach suddenly made a sound, causing her to blink a bit embarrassed. She had rushed here in the morning and hadn't eaten breakfast. Besides, facing the interviewers in the morning had left her a bit drained. At this point, Hermione's stomach was completely empty.
"I think it's time for lunch," Hermione said calmly, inviting Tom to have lunch together.
When they returned to the castle, the Great Hall was filled with young wizards.
Tom had just sat down and served himself a plate of roast beef when an owl landed in front of his table and pecked at his wrist with its beak, catching his attention.
"Oh, thank you..." Tom took the envelope from the owl, which then grabbed a large chicken thigh and flew away.
Tom opened the envelope and found a note inside:
[Dear Tom and Hermione,
Could you join me for tea around six in the evening? Harry and Ron will also come.
Wishing you well, Hagrid]
"It must be something related to Buckbeak," Tom speculated.
After waking up in the afternoon, Tom and Hermione left the Ravenclaw Tower and headed to Hagrid's cabin.
Tom knocked on the door, and a noise behind it was heard, like a mix of hawk screeches, dog barks, and human voices.
The door opened, revealing Hagrid's bearded face, accompanied by Fang's enormous head, which seemed eager to get out but was restrained by Hagrid.
Once inside Hagrid's cabin, Tom immediately saw Buckbeak lying on Hagrid's bed. His large wings were folded to the sides of his body, and his talons were underneath him. He was feasting on a plate of dead ferrets in front of him.
Harry and Ron were already there, sitting by the table with a large cup of tea in front of them and a plate of bread in the center of the table.
"How's Buckbeak's case and the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures going?" Tom asked after sitting down. "Were the books I lent you helpful?"
Harry and Ron, who were sitting nearby, shifted uncomfortably. They had completely put Buckbeak's case aside, as the Firebolt had captured all their attention.
"I just received a letter from the Ministry of Magic. The case has been expedited," Hagrid said, rubbing his hands nervously.