Order of the Hidden Dragon

Yang didn't know what to think about recent events. The Knocker hadn't said much during the last days, but from the many changes in location, it was clear that someone was hunting him. He had even left most of the Beasts behind, after almost being caught again.

Yang wondered if it was the Ministry that was hunting him, but he doubted it. How would they have found him? They hadn't done so all this time. He didn't even know if they had written him off as dead.

He thought he recognised the building that they eventually ended up in. Wasn't this where they had been before? Though it was probably a warehouse that looked a lot like it. He had no strength left to ponder such unimportant things. The constant Apparitions, sometimes without warning, had sapped him for much of what strength he had gained from not being constantly shocked. When the Knocker conjured another, smaller cage to hold him in, he flopped down on the floor of it without protest. He didn't even register the chains that nailed his feet to the edge of the cage. He didn't notice those until he woke up several hours later. They made it impossible for him to stand up, if he had strength for anything like that. There was no sign of his captor, but a surprisingly large meal was left at the edge of the cage. After shuffling around a bit, he was able to reach it. He didn't even stop to worry if it was tampered with in any way. He was too hungry, and he no longer cared about what happened to him.

Yang sat up and studied his surroundings, for the first time in a while. It really did look like yet another warehouse, with a series of cages. The difference was that most of them were empty. How fast would he be able to get new creatures to sell? Was that what he was out doing right now? He wished he knew.

It took a while, but eventually he also saw the contraptions that hung over the exit. It seemed it was a trap for whoever would be first through the door. That meant his captor probably expected whoever hunted them to find this place as well. Was he the bait? He had no idea who would come through that door, but he hoped they were prepared. There was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't even get out of this cage. On the desk in the corner, he saw what looked like a mirror, but all it showed was shadows lurking in the background. Was that a foe-glass? Was that how he knew when enemies were approaching? Yang tried to reach for it, but he couldn't even stretch his arms out fully. He soon gave in to the exhaustion again.

***

Sophia was nervous as she walked after the Minister back to her office. She hoped the Minister wasn't aware of just how she managed to track the man they were searching for. It was probably illegal. Or at least it was illegal for Muggles. Would the Minister for Magic arrest her for a Muggle crime? Would she actually do that, after having let her go when they arrested the whole group just a week ago? She hadn't gone into details then, maybe she had done more research by now. It took all her willpower to not just blurt out her crime and apologise, but that would leave no doubt. She had to try to say as little as possible and hope that her recent aid would be enough to get her a pardon.

"I wanted to talk to you about your use of Muggle technology," Hermione said, confirming her fears. "I must say, from what Albus, Rose and Scorpius have said, it sounds impressive. Not many people would be able to find such well-hidden information, let alone so quickly. I say you know more about computers than most of the people I have who are supposed to be experts."

Sophia didn't know what to say to that, but it was probably meant as a compliment.

"Thank you. I've always been interested in computers. Before I knew I had magic, I was determined to learn as much about technology as possible. It has always fascinated me."

"Yes, Albus mentioned that. But I wonder, while your current setup seems impressive, have you given up the thought to work for the Ministry?"

Sophia looked down on the floor. Once, that had been all she wanted to do. When she heard that there was a Department of Technology at the Ministry for Magic, it sounded like exactly the place she wanted to be at.

"I tried that," she said reluctantly. "But I was told that my ideas and ways to work were unorthodox and borderline illegal. I was shown the door within half an hour." She tried to not sound bitter as she said that, but it still stung. It was many years ago now, but she still hadn't quite recovered from having her dreams crushed so abruptly. She was lucky to have found the Order shortly after, or she might have given up on the Wizarding World altogether and started working for a Muggle tech firm instead. That would require several more years of schooling though and she didn't really want that.

Hermione frowned. "Let me guess, it was Mr. Smythe that interviewed you?"

"Yes," Sophia said, surprised. Hermione sighed.

"I won't go into detail, but suffice to say, he doesn't work there anymore. He detested anyone who knew more about technology than he did, and he knew mainly the basics. And he had no wish for innovation or expansion."

That had been how Sophia had read it as well. The disappointment had been crushing.

"Now I wonder how many people like yourself he managed to turn away." Hermione sighed. "I have already spoken to the new head of Technology. You can get a job there, if you still want it. The feats you managed yesterday alone would be more than enough to prove that you deserve it."

Now it was Sophia that was speechless. But just as her heart soared, she remembered a few details.

"I… I would love that, but there are a few things you need to know…" she said, but Hermione interrupted again.

"If you mean that you've hacked some databases with magic and overridden a few firewalls, I had already guessed that. While that might be questionable as an independent player, that would not be a problem if you worked for the Ministry. In fact, it would make many of our tasks a lot easier. One of the main things the Department does is to find CCTV footage where magic is visible and delete it. We have worked on an algorithm of how to do that more efficiently for years, yet you are able to find and hack cameras without any problem and even convert the images to infrared. That was more than the best technology wizards were able to do, with the exact same footage. You don't need to decide now. Just let me know if you are interested in such a position."

"You mean I'm not in trouble for hacking?"

"Not with me. If you had been caught by some Muggle authority, you might have been. But like I said, if you work as an official Ministry employee, what you are doing wouldn't be illegal at all."

Sophia couldn't believe what she heard. She wasn't in trouble. The Ministry actually wanted to hire her.

"Anyway, take some time to think about it. I mainly wanted to let you know that the option is available, if you wish."

"If I wish? That's all I ever wanted! When the Ministry rejected my application, I had no idea what else to do with my life. I've worked so hard to try to find something to present to make you see my worth after all."

Hermione smiled. "Well, then I would say you have succeeded. If you bring half as much determination to the job, we will be lucky to have you. Come back tomorrow and we can sort out the details." Just then, a note landed on her desk. As the Minister unfolded it, Sophia noticed it as the expense report Rose had her sign. Hermione chuckled.

"We also need to have a discussion about salary," she said. "I hope you won't expect this sum every day."

"The sum was Rose's idea," Sophia hastened to say. "I really don't need…"

The Minister interrupted her.

"Relax, I was joking. To be honest, for the work you've done today, and yesterday, you deserve this much and more. I am sure you will be a real asset to the Ministry."

Sophia didn't even know what to say. She had gone from fear of being arrested to having her dream job in a matter of minutes!

"Thank you for the opportunity, Minister. I hope I won't disappoint you."

"I'm sure you won't. Now, I'm sure you have some people that are eagerly waiting to see if you returned safely. Go and tell them of your new position, then report to the Department of Technology at 8am tomorrow. I will notify them of your arrival. Potter may eventually want a report on your journey today, but that can wait."

How did you courteously end a conversation with the Minister? She had no idea what to do. Curtseying felt like a bit too much, but turning away without a word felt a bit rude. Luckily the problem was solved when the Minister's secretary knocked on the door.

"Sorry to interrupt, Madam Minister, but Potter and Potter want to brief you on the latest development on their effort to find their missing Auror."

"Send them in, Ethel. But please remind me afterwards to send a note to the Department of Technology to expect a new employee in the morning."

While they were talking, Sophia backed out of the office. She almost made it to the elevators, before being seen by Albus and Harry Potter on their way to the Minister's office. Albus stopped to talk to her.

"Why are you still here? I would have thought you had left already. Did you wait for me?"

"No, I was about to leave, but the Minister saw me and took me to her office for a chat."

"Hermione recognised you? What did she say?"

"It's a long story. Can we meet later?"

"I'm off for the day as soon as we finish this briefing. Why don't we meet at that restaurant for dinner? This probably won't take more than a few hours."

Sophia nodded. That would work just fine. At least if she could forget the last time they had dinner together. Then again, without that, she might not have ended up where she was now.