Here's a new story I've been working on.

With the exception of William Bibbles, all other characters in this chapter are really in the Harry Potter series. Gawain Robards was actually Head of Auror Office. I'm trying to take characters from the books to fill certain places in the story, instead of creating my own fictional characters.

Hope you guys like my story. Follow, review, favorite, etc. Thanks!

Chapter One: In which Hermione reminiscences

The sound of sirens filled the air, piercing the peaceful silence. It was about time for the police to arrive. The Magical Law Enforcement Patrol had already surveyed the scene an hour ago. Only a few Aurors remained behind, discussing heatedly about the latest crime committed by an up and coming magical terrorist group.

"I'm telling you that this was done by them," Hermione repeated. She was getting frustrated with her group. They just didn't think that the terrorist group was behind the latest Muggle attack. Hermione had examined the corpse carefully and her gut told her it was them. There wasn't much known about the group, other than they seemed to enjoy torturing Muggles using Muggle methods. If Hermione hadn't known that every Death Eater was locked away in Azkaban she would have assumed it was one of them.

So far the Aurors had been working together with the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol to catch any wizard with connection to the mysterious group. They had a few leads, but they were all dead-ends.

Hermione had been personally assigned to the mission and had even been granted permission to pick her team of Aurors. She was beyond pissed off with the fact that there was nothing to go on.

"Well, I think we'd better leave before the Muggle Law Enforcement Patrol arrives," Romilda Vane stated, glancing down the street. She wrapped her hair around a finger, pouting.

Hermione glared at the witch. When Hermione had been allowed to pick her team, there was only one exception, Romilda Vane. The witch had been pursuing Harry non-stop since he had broken up with Ginny Weasley. Although probably following him into the Auror department was a tad overdoing it. Harry had practically begged Hermione to take Romilda onto her team, so she would stop throwing herself on him. Hermione could sympathize with her friend. But that didn't make the desire to blast him lessen, as she'd realized what a true handful Romilda was.

The girl was bossy and overly self-confident. But she was also useful as an Auror, cunning and relentless. Like with the men she was into.

"For the last time it's police," Hermione growled. "Police!"

Romilda smiled widely. "Of course I know that."

"Oh did you?" Hermione barely restrained a snarl.

"My father's side of the family are Muggles," Romilda informed.

"Good to know."

"Eh, Hermione I think we'd better leave now," William Bibbles eyed her nervously. He had joined the Aurors a couple months ago. Hermione had a feeling he had witnessed one of her meltdowns. William was always polite and courteous, albeit slightly nervous around her.

"You're right," Hermione sighed. "I want all of you out of here in the next thirty seconds. Report back to Harry's office before you leave for the day."

Within a few seconds, the popping sounds of Apparition filled the air. Just in time before the police cars pulled up. The officers stared in horror at the sight before them. It seemed as if the man had tried to hang himself with a rope. It was done quite sloppily. But then that didn't explain the gunshot wounds to the chest.

"Marcus will have a field day with this one."

O~O~O

Back at the Ministry, Hermione scribbled away furiously on the papers on her desk. She had to get the report in by early tomorrow morning at the latest. The report consisted of the events that had taken place earlier that day.

Every few minutes Hermione read over the entire report, making sure it contained no mistakes. Not that Harry would notice, but still it never hurt to make sure. Harry had been promoted to Head of the Auror office earlier on that year. So far, there were no complaints. Other than that of Ron's who had the office across from Hermione.

It still amazed Hermione how Ron and Harry had managed to convince her to apply for a job as an Auror. They'd assured her she had all the qualifications and would be quite good. Hermione had decided to just fill out an application. And the next thing she knew an owl was scratching on the window of her new downtown flat.

Hermione enjoyed working as an Auror, working alongside Harry and Ron, beating villains like they had done at Hogwarts. But sometimes she wondered where else she could have been. She had been doing some work at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures as an assistant for a very old wizard. That was until Harry and Ron had convinced her to apply for a job at the Auror office over lunch.

"It'll be just like old times," Harry had said, smiling in memory.

"Yeah, Hermione. Just think about it. Here's the form." Ron then handed over the necessary papers, explaining the procedure.

Hermione had promised she'd think about it but hadn't paid the application much mind until she had come home one night, exhausted from work. Working as an assistant was quite boring. Although it had almost been two years since she'd arrived at the department, Hermione hadn't received a single promotion.

Tired and depressed after a long day of looking over, correcting, and finding several of Mr. Howl's reports, Hermione sat on her couch, digging into a tub of ice cream.

Several cartons later, Hermione noticed the form for an Auror position on top of the coffee table. A quill was lying on top of it. Shrugging her shoulders, Hermione picked up the form.

"Well I guess it can't hurt to fill this out," she said thoughtfully. Within seconds the application was filled out and sent off with Moonflight. Moonflight was an average-female screech owl Harry had gifted for her last birthday. She was quite shy and it was a while before Hermione could convince the screech owl to deliver a letter to Ginny.

The next day Hermione was woken up by the tapping on her window. Wondering who could be sending an owl this early in the morning, Hermione opened up her window overlooking Muggle downtown. A plain Ministry owl swooped in, startling Moonflight who had just woken up. Hermione untied the letter from the owl's foot and as quick as it had entered was gone.

Shutting the window, Hermione unfurled the letter. She stared in surprise at it, wondering how she had managed to do it. Tomorrow morning she had an interview with Gawain Robards. And then she would begin training as an Auror.

Later on that day, Hermione met up with Ron and Harry as usual for lunch at a small Muggle café, in downtown.

"That's great! I know you'll do well on the interview," Harry beamed. "And then I'll see if I can get Robards to let me or Ron train you."

"Well, I don't know," Hermione admitted.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Ron asked. "You said it yourself; you miss the adventure, the adrenaline, using your brain for something important."

"That's true." Life at the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures was getting too repetitive and she missed the adventures at Hogwarts. And that wasn't all; Hermione missed having her friends by her side. The only time she ever saw them was for lunch, unless they were on a mission. Maybe she should take this opportunity.

"All right. I have to talk to Mr. Howl first and then get all the necessary forms involving transfer done and handed in."

"Yeah, yeah," Ron muttered, playfully rolling his eyes as he shoved the other half of a sandwich into his mouth.

"This is going to be like old times," Harry smiled.

"Don't say that. It makes me feel old," Hermione complained.

"Merlin, you're only twenty-two-," Ron began.

"And single," added Harry.

"Oh stuff it." Harry and Ron had been pestering her about her relationship status ever since Viktor Krum had come back to England. They had met occasionally but it was nothing serious. Viktor had said he would be staying for a few years, with occasional trips back to Bulgaria.

He had casually mentioned he wasn't seeing anyone at the moment. But Hermione wasn't sure if she wanted a relationship yet.

"I still can't believe that git came back," muttered a disgruntled Ron.

"And I still can't believe you're jealous of Viktor," retorted Hermione.

"For your information I am not jealous of Vicky."

"Real mature, Ron."

"Well we have to get going, Hermione," Harry stated eventually. "Let us know how the interview goes. Are you coming to the Weasleys' Sunday Brunch?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

After Harry and Ron had left, Hermione rushed back to her department, informing Mr. Howl of her decision. He seemed quite upset at the fact she was planning on leaving, but wished her good luck. When Hermione mentioned the transfer paperwork, Mr. Howl had said he would handle it. Hermione didn't want to seem impolite and thanked him. She only hoped he didn't misplace the papers, or worse, make a mistake or misspell. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to look over it after he was done.

The next morning, Hermione was rushing around her apartment, looking for a nice outfit to wear. Even though she'd been acting nonchalantly about the whole thing, she wanted to make a good impression on her soon-to-be boss. Finally she decided on a gray vest over a crisp white button down shirt paired with pinstriped dress pants. It didn't look any different than her usual outfit to work, frowned Hermione as she pulled her unruly hair into a severe bun. As a last thought, she added a pearl necklace to her outfit.

The interview said nine and Hermione was a few minutes early. She decided to wait in Gawain Robards' office. She had met him a few rare times around the Ministry. He seemed a bit demanding, but by Moody's standards he was tame. After the Second Wizarding War, Robards remained Head of Auror department. From what Hermione heard of Robards he seemed quite competent as Head, but he held a certain dislike for Harry. Hermione had a feeling it had to do with Harry's refusal of Rufus Scrimgeour's offer and the wizarding world's speculation of Harry succeeding Robards as Head of the Auror Office.

"Morning, Miss Granger," greeted Robards, drawing Hermione's attention to the door.

"Morning, Mr. Robards," replied Hermione, shaking the Auror's hand. She waited for him to start the interview.

He asked a round of questions. From what she had studied during Hogwarts from sixth year to what she enjoyed to do during her spare time. Robards expressed mild interest in her adventures during Hogwarts and exploits during the war. Hermione answered each question as best she could, not revealing more than she thought was appropriate.

"While studying at Hogwarts, Miss Granger, you expressed a certain disregard for rules?"

It wasn't a question. Hermione knew that she had to answer the question carefully. She wondered how hard of a time Robards had given Harry when he'd applied for the position of Auror.

"I was quite aware of the rules. But in certain circumstances you must admit rules have certain exceptions to them, if it is in best interest for all those involved. When I have disregarded school rules, I have received appropriate punishment."

Robards continued on with the questions. Until finally, "Well done, Miss Granger. As an Auror under my authority, I hope you know that I do not appreciate any disregard for my rules. Regardless of the interest for those involved. Congratulations, you will start training immediately. Meet Mr. Potter outside my office."

Hermione thanked Robards and exited the office, launching into Harry's arms. She wondered how Harry had managed to convince his-their boss into allowing him to train her. "I passed."

Harry laughed. "Of course you would. Ron's on a mission right now, but he said he'd stop by the training room when he was done."

"Where's the training room?" Hermione asked. She wasn't aware there was a place at the Ministry where new recruits were trained.

"Well, it's not exactly a room. It's more of an open space where new Aurors are trained and it's great for practice," Harry explained.

"I assume we travel by Portkey?"

Harry made a face. "Yeah. Before we get there, though, I have to explain a few things. There's two parts to the training. The first one is a chase, using several Portkeys. The second is an open battle. In the first part I will disguise myself as a Dark Wizard. You will be given a vague description of what I appear to be. Using a Portkey, you'll be transported from the training room to an unspecified location. You'll have to track me down within an hour. But here's the hard part: at the location there will be one other Portkey. Your goal is to either find that Portkey before I do or follow me into the next location. The same for every location after that. Once you've caught me before the time limit is finished, we'll use another Portkey back to the training room where we immediately engage in a duel. That's part two. No use of Unforgivable Curses. That's the only exception."

Hermione nodded, absorbing all the information, tucking it into the front of her mind. "I'm ready."

Harry grinned. They were now on Level Six, waiting outside the Portkey Office. Eventually they were called in and greeted by a friendly witch. She pointed them towards a rusty, old key chain. "Give it another minute."

Soon the familiar feeling of having a hook yank them back took root. In a few moments they were standing in a wide open rocky terrain. The sun was rising in the sky, Hermione noticed. They must not be in Britain anymore. Probably somewhere in mid-west America, Hermione thought to herself. A thought struck Hermione.

"Harry, is the training room always in the same place?"

"Good question. Actually we change locations every year," answered Harry.

Promptly at ten, Harry told Hermione that the training would begin. There was a crack as Harry Apparated. Hermione was approached by an elder wizard dressed in black. Even though Harry had made no mention of the exact details, Hermione was on her guard. She clutched her wand tightly.

"Excuse me, you must be-Expelliarmus!" shouted the wizard, brandishing his wand.

Before the spell had even a chance to hit Hermione, it bounced back on the wizard, rendering him wandless. She quickly bound him tightly with conjured rope. In a few minutes the wizard was struggling helplessly against his restraints.

Hermione pointed her wand at the wizard. "You know what I want."

The wizard's blue eyes widened. He nodded, "The wizard was dressed in Muggle attire. He had brown hair, dark eyes, and a slight scar on his left forearm."

Hermione nodded, wondering if she should unravel the poor wizard. But then she remembered his earlier attempt at attack. So she quickly ran towards an old abandoned boot. As soon as she touched it the yanking sensation was back. This time she was transported to a crowded county fair.

"Merlin," whispered Hermione as she found herself surrounded by dark-headed people. How was she going to find Harry in this place? She had approximately an hour left. The best thing to do would be to search from high up. Hermione glanced around, looking for a tall building. But the only thing tall enough was the Ferris wheel. Hermione felt a bit nauseous looking at the swaying contraption.

She made her way to the front of the line, transfiguring her necklace into a ticket. Hermione made sure that no one was looking as she took her necklace off and turned it into one of those blue tickets she'd seen in the hands of a group of children.

"Ticket, please," said the pot-bellied man at the gate of the Ferris wheel.

Hermione handed the man the ticket, thankful that she hadn't decided to wear the real pearl necklace her grandmother had gifted her on her sixteenth birthday. She requested a carriage only for herself. The man grumbled, but acquiesced eventually.

Hermione braced herself as she felt the carriage tremble. Slowly she rose in the air, scanning the crowd for a lone brunette-haired man. She spotted several men, but they all were meeting up with a family. Hermione sighed. This was pointless. Maybe it'd be better to find the Portkey.

As she wandered the fair, Hermione glanced at all the litter covering the grounds. If she were a Ministry official what would she create a Portkey from? Hermione remembered discussing with Percy Weasley about items used as Portkeys. He'd mentioned the most popular ones were boots, coat hangers, old newspapers, flashlight, and whistles.

Looking around the area, Hermione realized a newspaper would be the perfect item that would blend right in with all the trash. She hid behind a wall and conjured all the newspapers to her. The muggles barely noticed the newspapers.

"Look, dad, a flying newspaper!" shouted an excited little boy.

His father shook his head, "Don't be ridiculous, James. It's just the wind. Now come along. Your mother is waiting for us by the car."

Hermione let out a sigh of relief, but couldn't feel a tad disappointed at the refusal of muggles to see what was clearly right in front of them. She flipped through the newspapers eventually finding one dated from 1978.

"Found it," she smiled. Hermione made sure that she didn't touch the newspaper. All she had to do was have Harry track down the Portkey. He would be able to use his wand to navigate his way through the crowd. And that was when Hermione would capture him.

Soon enough a muggle man with brown hair parted through a crowd of teenagers. His sleeve was pushed up past his elbows. And sure enough on his left forearm was a slight scar.

Making sure she was hidden from muggle sighting, Hermione drew her wand and muttered "Stupefy!"

A group of muggles passing by gasped as the man collapsed. Hermione stepped out of the shadows and ran towards her fallen opponent.

"Did you see that?"

"There was a flash of red light!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Harold. The poor man just fainted."

"Oh, dear should we call an ambulance?"

"There's no need for that," Hermione spoke up, parting through the crowd. "That's my brother. I'll take care of him."

The people cast a few glances back at Hermione, before the left. Hermione heaved Harry up, slinging his arm around her shoulder. She dragged him towards her refuge behind the wall, away from prying eyes. "Incarcerous." Within seconds, Harry was bound and sitting upright against the wall.

"Rennervate!" Within seconds the brown-haired man opened his eyes, blinking groggily. "Alright, Harry. Now we're going to take you back to the training room."

"Harry? Blimey, who the bloody hell are you?" The man asked, staring up into her face. "And where the hell am I?"

"Give it up, I caught you. Now I need you to come back with me to the training room. The boot was somewhere around the Ferris wheel. Hopefully, it's still there," Hermione mumbled to herself. It would be troublesome if a muggle disposed of the boot.

"You've gone bonkers, lady!" shouted the man, struggling against the ropes.

"You're not Harry," frowned Hermione. She realized she'd been tricked. Harry knew her too well. Hermione hated to do what she did next. "Obliviate!"

As the man lolled his head in a dazed stupor, Hermione untied his ropes and set him on his feet. "Are you all right, now?"

"Uh, yes. But who are you?" said the man slowly as he came to his senses.

"You collapsed out there. Thought you needed some shade. I trust you'll be fine now?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, yes. Uh, thank you," the man said, looking around confusedly. He headed back to the county fair.

The muggle had only been a distraction, Hermione realized. Harry must have noticed something was amiss when she had summoned all the newspapers to her. And then to catch her off-guard he had confounded the brown-haired man into acting as a decoy. Clever, Hermione thought with a smile.

In the next chapter Harry, Ron, and Hermione receive an unexpected visitor.