The Butcher of Hogsmeade

When the footsteps approached, Shen Hou instinctively felt nervous, but Gideon seemed to have known all along, glancing at the person rushing up the stairs before paying no more attention; so Shen Hou also relaxed.

A middle-aged man of about forty approached and said to Gideon, “What you did just now was not wise, Mr. Prewitt; Apparating into a potential battlefield when the enemy situation is unclear is an extremely dangerous act, strictly prohibited by the Auror Handbook. Your reckless behavior is completely unbecoming of an Auror’s professional identity.”

Gideon didn't answer, but shrugged nonchalantly to indicate that he had heard, and then introduced Shen Hou: "Rufus Scrimgeour, the Auror Office Director." He also introduced Shen Hou to the other party, though it was clearly somewhat superfluous.

“I know you, Mr. Shen,” Scrimgeour said. “An Asian face is still relatively rare in the Ministry of Magic, but what’s even more striking than your face is the Muggle weapon in your hand. It seems you’ve used it against Death Eaters again today?”

Shen Hou had been observing the Auror office director as he approached them; he moved with long strides, his expression serious, his gaze sharp, and his brown hair spread out like a lion's mane at the back and sideburns, giving him the air of a majestic lion. The man's voice was very firm; although there was a hint of admiration in his words, it sounded as cold and unapproachable as a rock.

"Hello, Director." Shen Hou was languid, his extreme mental exhaustion making him too lazy to speak, let alone care about his manners, so he simply imitated Gideon's attitude.

Scrimgeour nodded, then looked at the witch lying on the ground and asked, "Identity confirmed?"

Gideon replied, "Alecto Caro, that's her, no doubt about it."

Scrimgeour surveyed the corridor. Only then did the doors to the hospital rooms on both sides begin to open, and the refugees emerged from the doors, accompanied by a variety of sounds.

"One dark wizard and three werewolves—it seems these are all Mr. Shen's spoils of war." Scrimgeour glanced at the crowd and the wounded medical personnel scattered on the ground, immediately confirming that these people had little to do with the fruits of victory before him. Thus, his admiration for Shen Hou deepened.

"Is there a reward?" Shen Hou suddenly asked.

"What?"

"Antonin Dolokhov has a bounty on his head, and this witch is also a Death Eater, does she have a bounty?" Shen Hou struggled to overcome his fatigue, probably because of his anticipation of money. Upon hearing this, Gideon quickly turned his back, trying hard not to laugh out loud.

"I'm afraid not. Antonin Dolokhov has been a wanted criminal for a long time, and Alecto Caro... including her brother, until they were arrested tonight, they were outwardly... how should I put it, respectable people?" Scrimgeour's expression remained unchanged. He obviously knew that Antonin Dolokhov's bounty was being withheld due to "procedural issues," but the one holding up the process was the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, not his Auror office director.

"A 'decent person' means she can't contribute any bounty to my account." Shen Hou waved his hand. "Never mind, I've handed the person over to you. Just don't pin the blame for 'causing the Death Eaters to attack the hospital, causing chaos and casualties' on me."

Several Aurors came over and carried away the prisoners and corpses together. As for treating the wounded, they didn't need to worry about it; this was a hospital after all. Scrimgeour didn't leave; his men were busy with the cleanup work in the corridor, while he remained idle as if nothing had happened.

As Shen Hou and Gideon headed towards the emergency room to check on Fabian's condition, the head of the Auror's office followed closely behind, constantly scrutinizing Shen Hou with a sharp gaze. Only after Fabian was brought out of the emergency room and settled into a ward did Scrimgeour speak again: "Mr. Shen, would you be interested in working for the Auror's office?"

Shen Hou laughed. With so many Auror friends around him, he couldn't be unaware of the stringent requirements to become an Auror. "I don't have a NEWT certificate, Director."

"Of course, of course, certifications are important, but special cases can be considered. If someone has both practical abilities and has made outstanding contributions to combating dark wizards and criminal activities, the Auror Office can make a special recruitment." Scrimgeour tried to keep a smile on his face, but this seemed quite difficult for him.

"Practical ability, outstanding contributions—me?"

"Of course it's you! To be honest, before tonight I always thought the title of 'combat hero' was just for propaganda purposes, but now I have to change my mind," Scrimgeour said. "Including Antonin Dolokhov, you killed and captured three Death Eaters in less than ten days, while also subduing three werewolves and saving many medical staff and patients at St. Mungo's Hospital. In terms of fighting Death Eaters alone, your contribution surpasses that of most Aurors."

"Now that you mention it, my contributions have actually been that significant? But..." Shen Hou seemed hesitant, "Besides my contributions, are my actual abilities sufficient? You should have noticed that I still don't have a magic wand."

"Hmm, that is indeed a problem. Aurors need more than just combat skills; they need many other abilities as well." Scrimgeour seemed to have already considered this, and after agreeing for a couple of minutes, he offered a new and more comprehensive suggestion: "Even if you can't become an Auror immediately, you're more than qualified to be a striker. Strikers can work alongside full-fledged Aurors, and you happen to be good friends with the two Mr. Prewitts. After becoming a striker, you can apply to become a trainee Auror and participate in professional training; with your achievements, I'm sure no one can object."

Shen Hou was pleased, after all, they were praising him; however, he did not intend to accept the invitation, at least not now.

"Mr. Scrimgeour, you surely haven't shared your thoughts with the Minister yet?"

"Indeed, not yet, and there's no need. Recruiting a striker and an Auror trainee is entirely within my personal authority," Scrimgeour replied, his confidence tinged with a hint of doubt.

Shen Hou's smile deepened: "I suggest you go ask the Minister before making a decision. My position in the Office for the Prohibition of Muggle Items was personally arranged by her... So, you'd better ask her privately and quietly, without letting too many people know your thoughts."

Scrimgeour frowned slightly, realizing he had become entangled in a secret he was unaware of beforehand; he didn't ask anything more, nodded to the two of them, and turned to leave.

After the ward quieted down, Gideon said to Shen Hou, "Go back to Hogsmeade. I can take care of Fabian by myself. I'll send a letter to James and have him and Sirius come to pick you up. For the next while, they'll take over for Fabian and me."

"Do you think the Death Eaters will continue to take action against me, even after losing so many men tonight?"

Gideon's expression was grave: "Two Death Eaters plus a pack of werewolves are not many to them; I wouldn't be surprised if there were twenty more."