Millicent leaned forward slightly, her gaze soft but resolute. "Your humility is commendable, Alex, but let me explain."
Barty cleared his throat and took over. "The wizarding world is still reeling from the aftermath of the war. While Voldemort has been defeated, many Death Eaters remain at large, hiding in the shadows and causing unrest. People are caught in a mix of relief and fear—relieved that the Dark Lord is gone, but anxious about the dangers that still linger."
Millicent Bagnold spoke plainly, her tone firm yet earnest. "The truth is, you're a Muggle-born wizard, and with the turmoil caused by the Dark Lord, many Muggle-borns have been living in fear. A lot of them even migrate seeking refuge abroad. The number of wizards in the country has significantly decreased since the war, and this arrangement is meant as a reassurance—a signal to those wizards that they are valued and safe."
She paused, glancing at Alex. "I hope you understand. Speaking so directly may come off as too utilitarian, but the British wizarding world is in the process of rebuilding. We need positive news to restore confidence in the Ministry of Magic."
Millicent's forthright explanation left no room for misinterpretation. Her honesty was refreshing, showing the minister's candid side—or perhaps her disdain for deception, even when addressing a young wizard like Alex. Alex nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, and thank you for your honesty. If that's the case, I'm honored to accept this award from the Ministry of Magic."
He recognized the reasoning behind it. To him, it was a strategic move—setting an example and creating a role model. It was reminiscent of his past life, where governments often made symbolic appointments for the sake of appearances. It didn't hurt him to go along with it; in fact, it was an opportunity.
Millicent seemed pleased with his response. Alex, after all, was an ideal candidate. His involvement in battles against Death Eaters with the Order of the Phoenix proved his unwavering stance. He had earned the respect of individuals like Mad-Eye Moody and other members of the Order, showcasing his strength and resourcefulness, whether through personal skill or alchemical tools.
The minister herself had initially considered pushing Moody for this role. However, his intimidating appearance might have sent the wrong message. Alex, with his clean image, was simply a better fit for the task at hand.
"In that case," Millicent continued, "you should go back and prepare. The celebration is scheduled for next week. We'll announce it in the Daily Prophet and The Wizarding Times shortly. If you need anything, feel free to contact Moody."
She glanced at Moody, who gave a quick nod and gestured for Alex to follow him. "Come on, lad, let's talk." Moody clapped a hand on Alex's shoulder and led him out of the minister's office.
Once they reached Moody's office, the grizzled Auror laid out the details of the upcoming celebration. Alex listened carefully, though the sheer grandeur of it left him uneasy. "Isn't this a bit over the top?" Alex finally asked. "They're inviting so many important people—even most of the Wizengamot. Isn't that excessive?"
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Moody chuckled dryly. "To be blunt, the award and the celebration are secondary. The real aim is to put pressure on the pure-blood families. If only Torquil were still alive, we wouldn't need all this fuss. We'd just use the Travers family as an example, take their seat in the Wizengamot, and watch the rest of them fall in line."
Alex tilted his head, intrigued. "Torquil? What happened to him?"
"Dead," Moody growled, his face darkening. "We were gearing up for his interrogation when he suddenly dropped dead. Could've been cursed or poisoned—my money's on poison. But no one's found any evidence, not even a clue. Damn frustrating."
Alex felt a wave of relief wash over him. Moody's sharp instincts were spot on, but he had no way of knowing about the cyanide Alex had cleverly used. Still, he kept his expression neutral. "If Torquil was poisoned, doesn't that make me a potential target?"
"Ha! They wouldn't dare." Moody's magical eye swiveled toward Alex, his regular one narrowing. "You're under Dumbledore's wing, and you'll soon be a decorated war hero. They'd need nerves of steel and a death wish to come after you."
Despite his confidence, Moody's protective instincts kicked in. "Still… let's not take chances. I'll get you a double-sided mirror—one of those we can use to communicate instantly if there's trouble."
Alex waved off the offer, pulling out a small, intricately designed charm. "No need. I've got this."
Moody's brow arched. "What's that, then?"
"Messaging Amulet 2.0," Alex said with a grin. "It's an improved version of my old design. This one has a built-in locator. If I'm in danger, it'll emit red light, a loud alarm, and show my location. For regular messages, it glows blue and sends a signal without the location."
Moody examined the charm, clearly impressed. "Brilliant. Alright, if I get your signal, I'll know where to find you—or I'll head straight to Longbottom's if it's a regular call."
After a quick test to ensure it worked, Alex bid Moody farewell and returned to the Leaky Cauldron via Floo. Once there, he treated Vanessa to a hearty meal, savoring the rare moment of peace amidst the whirlwind of preparations. He than bid farewell to Vanessa and Tom and returned to the Longbottom house. Augusta, completely unaware of what had transpired that day, greeted him at the door with her usual composed demeanor.
"So, let me get this straight—today, you took down five Death Eaters and even received an award from the Ministry of Magic?" Augusta stared at Alex, her expression oscillating between shock and disbelief.
"Not too shabby, right?" Alex stretched, feeling the weight of the day's events catch up to him. "Oh, and the Ministry is throwing a celebration banquet for me next week."
"Merlin's beard! Are you serious, or is this one of your jokes?" Augusta's voice was filled with both worry and amazement.
"Didn't you listen to the wizarding radio? It's all over the news. The arrest of five Death Eaters is a pretty big deal," Alex replied nonchalantly, as if it were just another day.
Augusta's face turned pale as she examined him closely, her worry evident. "But you weren't hurt, were you? Weren't they dangerous? I mean, Death Eaters! They're terrifying."
"Relax, I'm fine. If I wasn't, I'd be at St. Mungo's right now," Alex reassured her. Then, remembering something, he added, "By the way, the Ministry is allowing me to invite guests to the banquet. You're coming too."
"Of course, of course. I wouldn't miss it." Augusta finally seemed to calm down as she processed the news. "But goodness, Alex, you need to be more careful in the future."