Draco Malfoy stood at the entrance for Auror training for only a moment before he entered. This was not the time to show, or to feel, any nervousness over his decision. He had passed the basic training- practicing hundreds of mindless spells, battle techniques, and physical preparations. This was the last year of training, and really, the upcoming partner training should not have given him this strange dread. But it did. For one reason. (Well, two.) Harry Potter, and the red-headed side-kick, Ronald Weasley.
Fuck
There were three reasons he'd decided to become an Auror. The first- it got the birds. Everyone loves a man in uniform, and Draco loved being loved. Second- it would restore some measure of lost awe to the Malfoy name. Narcissa was busy throwing balls to show how much money the Malfoy's still had- how much power they still had in the upper class, and Lucius was trying to worm his way back into the ministry, showing how much power they still had in the government. Neither of these efforts, however, stopped people from looking down their noses at the once powerful purebloods. That was up to Draco to fix.
The third reason he'd become an Auror was that he, quite simply, didn't quite know what to do with his life. He'd oscillated between different ideas before he'd seen the notice that anyone who'd participated in the battle of Hogwarts could sign up for training- and learned that he could, indeed, become an Auror he had decided to do it. And why not?
Other than, of course, the aforementioned Potter and Weasley.
This Ministry sanctioned Auror training facility seemed, to all within, to be a sitting room. There were wide windows, and various portraits of old ministers on the wall. There were a few bookshelves around, and several large chairs, couches, and corner tables. There was a large open space in front of a fire place, where John Dawlish stood at a podium.
"Ah- welcome, Mr. Malfoy, please take a seat. I believe you are the last of prospects, so let's begin, shall we?"
Draco wandered over to an empty arm chair, towards the back with a good view of Dawlish.
"I'd like all of you," the man began, "to make a list for me. There is charmed parchment on the podium, and quills… around. You will be making two lists," he held up two fingers as if to make sure they all knew how many he meant, "one with top three people in the room, with whom you would like to be partnered- and one of the top three with whom would not like to be partnered. This way, we can ensure you will all be doing your best in training. Now- come here and get your parchment. Wait until I tell you to start writing."
Draco rolled his eyes as all the others stood to mob around Dawlish's podium. "Accio Parchment" he intoned. A single sheet flew to him.
The others in the room turned to him.
He shrugged. He did not, as he once would have, said "What- was I the only one who was raised to be a wizard?" No, this new Draco- one who made friends with people- even if they were below him.
A few of the brighter recruits followed his example, but Draco smirked as Weasley stalked up to the front, then glared at back at Draco as he got his parchment. Finally, when everyone was once more seated, Dawlish instructed everyone to go around the room and introduce themselves- so if you didn't know someone's name after two years of Auror training with them you could still put them on your list- since you obviously felt so strongly about them.
Draco sighed. Who did he want to work with? None of them had the same skill in combat, or well-bred manners, as a Malfoy. But there were a few who were… good enough. First was Arnica Simons, obviously. She was a willowy brunette who'd been a dab hand at the hand to hand combat they'd done- supple, she was. And she the reddest, poutiest lips he'd seen since... well, that one night in Belgium. The second, James Madley, was a dark man, bit mysterious, bit dangerous looking, Draco had worked with him doing defense spells- he was a quiditch player, and had an ass of granite. Draco took his time with the third. There was a generic sultry red headed girl, and a short, but beefy, blond he had decided were tied.
The red head though, worried him, because of the resemblance to the Weasleys. He didn't want to end up paired with some distant relative of the wonder twins and little-boy-weasel. The blond boy, a Stephen Cornfoot, was thus the third name on Draco's first last.
The second list was easy enough. Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, and… did he really need a third? There, Joshua Monkleigh. Little American freak.
Draco smiled and twirled his quill as he waited for the other trainees to finish introducing themselves. When Potter introduced himself Draco snorted, who didn't know the Boy-Who-Lived-To-Rub-it-in-our-Noses?
Dawlish stood, after the last trainee, Amanda Zygmon, and spoke. "When you have completed both lists the names will be transferred to an Arthimancer in the department who will compile your names with each other, so both partners are satisfied."
Draco noticed then, at the bottom of his parchment, in small letter, "Is this your final answer?" and had two boxes- a yes and a no.
Draco check "yes."
The parchment faded until it was completely blank, and then shimmered out of being.
Neat.
Around him, others where finishing, their papers shimmering away as well. When everyone had finished, there was a knock at the door.
It swung open to reveal Hermoine Granger, bushy hair and all.
"We- you're finished already?" Dawlish exclaimed.
"Erm, yes well, I wrote the algorithm earlier, and it solved itself as each name was entered."
Show off.
"Oh, well. In that case- trainees, you will be paired with three partners for two months each. The remaining six months will be done with an assigned partner based on skill level. Miss Granger will give you your pairs. You may find yourself surprised. "
Fuck.
Draco tried not to sulk as he walked to the final third of the dream team. She smiled at him, he could tell it was forced, and said in her prim, swotty, know it all voice "Your first partner will be Arnica Simmons, second will be… Ronald Weasley, and third will be Daphne Carter."
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
At least it wasn't Potter.