Chapter 306 - The Ministry of Magic (2/2)
”Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium.”
The floor of the telephone box shuddered. All three of them were very slowly sinking into the grounds as Rowan grumbled under her breath, ”The Doctor's booth was way cooler.”
After a minute, a chink of golden light illuminated them as the woman said, ”The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day,” said the woman's voice.
The door of the telephone box sparing open as the three of them got out in relief. Reginald briskly says, ”Come along children,” while Rowan drags the stunned open-mouthed figure of Severus behind her.
Severus stares at the peacock blue ceiling that has golden moving symbols, before whirling away to stare at the glistening Fountain of Magical Brethren lies halfway down the Atrium as a group of golden statues, depicting a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf, spout water into the surrounding pool of water. The pool is filled with coins all of which will be given to St. Mungos.
Only then to stare at the green flaming fireplaces. At this hour the main lobby gilded fireplaces connected to the Floo Network are flashing as ministry members are arriving for work. Most of them carry the Daily Prophet, while others are mid eating, and some are busy staring at paperwork. The right side of the gilded fireplaces rare light up as a few night birds on the night shift are heading back home to sleep.
While a stream of Ministry employees heads for the golden gates, the three of them stepped over to a desk on the leftover which hung a sign saying SECURITY. A younger, tired poorly shaven wizard in peacock-blue robes yawns, Eric Munch.
”We're here for the C.S.A.E., the Comprehension Student Apprenticeship Exam,” Reginald said as he narrowed his eyes at the yawning, unshaven guard.
Munch flinched at the stern gaze, before saying, ”Step over here.”
All three of them walked over as Munch holds up a long golden rod, thin and flexible as a car aerial. ”One wand at a time,” Munch instructed as he placed the golden instrument down.
Rowan produced her wand and handed it over. Munch then took out a strange brass instrument, which looked something like a set of scales with only one dish. It began to vibrate. A narrow strip of parchment came speeding out of a slit at the base. Munch tore the slip off and read it out loud.
”Elder with a Thestral core. 13 inches. Been in use roughly for three years, is this correct?”
”Yes,” Rowan replied as Munch slipped the slip of parchment on a small brass spike, before thrusting her wand back at her.
”Thank you,” Rowan politely said, before Severus went next, and then her grandfather.
”You'll be heading to the first floor and then you'll want to go right, and then left. It'll be the fifth door on your right,” Munch instructed them, before waving them on through.
Reginald nodded his head at him in thanks, before leading the children through and past the golden gates. Making sure they weren't jostled by the crowd, he led them through the small hall where twenty lifts stood behind wrought golden grilles. With a great jangling and clattering a lift descends in front of them as they moved inside with the rest of the crowd.