CHAPTER 1-1998

The fall of Voldemort brought long-awaited peace to the wizarding world. When Voldemort died, everyone's worst fears and worries died along with him. Harry, Ron and Hermione kept in touch with each other over the next few months, Ron and Hermione began dating sometime in October. Harry already was dating Ginny. Harry moved into the Burrow around Halloween, Hermione followed suit.

"It's so good to have you around, Harry." Mrs. Weasley said as Harry helped her move the furniture in the living room.

"No problem Mrs. Weasley" Harry replied.

They were moving the furniture around to make room to accommodate Harry and Hermione for the long term. After the furniture was moved Harry went up to Ron's room.

"Hey, no that we don't have school and Voldemort's gone what do you reckon we're going to do?" Ron asked.

"I don't know about you, but I'm thinking about getting a job and living a normal life for a change." Harry replied.

"Yeah, I guess that would be nice. Considering you've been in the spotlight since you were one."

"Exactly. What are you going to do?"

"Well, bear with me here. I was thinking of going to the Chudley Cannons try-outs in November. I mean, you never know if you don't try right?"

"Right. Hey, if that's what you want to do you have my support, Ron. I'm not going to try to stop you from pursuing your dreams. Does Hermione know about it?"

"No, and I'm not sure if I will tell her. I'm not so sure she'd support it."

"Well, come up with a back-up plan and I think she will."

"Back-up plan?"

"Listen, I think you stand a good chance of making the team but, have a back-up plan just in case it doesn't go your way."

"Oh, I've already got that figured out. I mean, we took all of the same classes in school, I helped you with bringing down Voldemort so I figured that I was just as qualified as you are to be an Auror."

"That's a very good point, Ron. I guess you could get a job as an Auror."

At that moment, Hermione came into the room.

"Hello. Ron, your Mum wants you to help set up for dinner."

"She always does."

Ron got up and left the room leaving Harry and Hermione together.

"You were standing outside the door, weren't you?"

"Maybe."

"How much did you hear?"

"Most of it. I can't believe he didn't think I'd support him."

"It wasn't that. He wasn't sure if you would think it was a wise move."

"Well, you were right. I don't think I'd be as accepting of it if he didn't have a back-up plan. I mean, I'd still accept it and support him, of course, but...considering the circumstances that caused him to get on the House team..."

"You mean when you jinxed Cormac's broom?"

"Yes, he wouldn't have made it otherwise."

"It would have been a tough decision but, I think I would've given it to Ron anyway."

"Really?"

"Yes, if that shot had gone in, it would've been only one more than Cormac let in but, Cormac had a terrible attitude. I don't think that the rest of the team would've played their best with him on the team."

"But, do you think he's good enough for the Chudley Cannons?"

"I think so. They have been last place the last two years and Keeper is their weakest position so he should be able to make a valid try at it."

"Hm, I'm still not sure."

"Just believe in him, or at least make it seem like it."

"Of course I will! Honestly, what kind of girlfriend do you think I am?"

"Sorry...I'll go help set up for dinner."

"Hm."

Harry walked out of the room and down into the kitchen.

November came and, true to his word Ron left for the Chudley Cannons try-outs.

"Good luck Ronnie." Mrs. Weasley said.

"Well, good luck, mate."

"Hope you make it, Ron."

"Thanks, I really appreciate it."

Ron kicked off of the ground and flew off into the distance. The tryouts would last for three days and then he'd be back. Mr. Weasley arrived around supper time.

"Where's Ron."

"He left for the try-outs."

"Oh, they started today did they?"

"Yes."

"What are you planning on doing for a career Hermione?"

"Well, I'm going to continue working with S.P.E.W. And try to get rights for house-elves."

"Oh, that's right, you've already told me that. What about you, Harry?"

"Actually, I'd been meaning to talk to you about that Mr. Weasley. How would I go about becoming and Auror."

"Well, you could talk to Kingsley about getting a spot. If you ask me it should be yours as soon as you ask for it."

"Thanks Mr. Weasley. How will I see Kingsley though?"

"I'll set up an appointment for you to talk to him about it tomorrow if you'd like."

"I'd appreciate that very much, thanks."

"Hey, Harry. What chance do you think Ron has of making the Cannons?" asked George.

"I think he could with a little luck. I really think his best shot is making the Finchley Firearms."

"Finchley? The minor league team? Want to put a wager on it? Just a small one."

"How much were you thinking?"

"No betting against your brother!"

"I'm not, I'm betting he'll at least make the reserve squad."

"And I'm betting he at least gets an offer to play for Finchley."

"So it's really a matter of where he makes it really, not if he makes it."

"Oh, fine then but no more than twenty Galleons, though. I don't want you betting your savings!"

"Fine, twenty Galleons it is."

"Fine."

Harry and George shake on it. Several days later Ron returns.

"I'm home!"

"Oh, Ron! How did it go?" asked Hermione.

"I made the reserve team!"

"Well done, mate!" congratulated Harry.

"Yes, very well done Ron." said George smiling at Ron and then Harry.

"What does it mean to be on the reserve team?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"It means that if their Keeper can't play because of illness or injury, then I fill in until he heals. Of course it's not final yet, the player who make it through try-outs still have to wait for the free agency to end for it to be official. But, they said that if I ended up being replaced by a free agent then I'd be welcome to play for Finchley."

Harry returns George's smile.

"But if that happens, I don't think I'll take the offer." Ron finished.

"Why not?"

"They make very little money in the minors, I could make more being an Auror with Harry."

"That's a very practical way of thinking, Ron." agreed Hermione.

"Thanks. I really do want to play for the Cannons though, so I may end up doing both."

"Ron, are you sure you could handle that?"

"Of course, the league schedule is only 12 weeks long and the Cannons' recent history shows that that's all it will be, I can play for them from April until July and then be a full-time Auror from July until the following April when the season starts again."

"I don't think the Ministry will agree to that, Ron." Mr. Weasley chimed in.

"Well, of course I won't stop being an Auror during the season, only if I make the Cannons' main squad will that happen. I've thought this all out and I can make this work, dad. I know I can."

"Okay, just don't do anything foolish."

"I won't."

"When does free agency end?"

"One week from today. And there are some good Keepers out there that the Cannons should have their eyes on."

Several days go by and there is no word from the Cannons. Harry's meeting with Kingsley was scheduled for that Friday. Harry entered the Ministry of Magic Friday morning, full of confidence.

"Hello, Harry. Right on time."

"Hello, Kingsley."

"So, I hear you want to be an Auror."

"Yes, I've been thinking about it since my fifth year of school."

"Well, we'd be happy to have you be an Auror. I'll just double-check your school records to make sure you took all of the required classes before you were forced out of school."

"I wasn't forced, to tell you the truth. I left voluntarily to fight Voldemort."

"Which was a necessary move at the time. You really didn't have a choice. You had to leave school to fight him or just sit back and let him take over. Everyone who knew you knew you weren't going to stay in school. Your school records seem to be in order. When can you start?"

"Well, if I can have a couple of more days to get ready for work that'd be great."

"Of course, you can. How's this Monday sound, you'll have the weekend off, like almost everyone in the offices."

"That'd be perfect, thanks."

Harry returned to the Burrow feeling happier than he had in a long time. He was employed and one step closer to being a normal wizard instead of practically being worshiped by everyone who passed him. Seriously, he defeated Voldemort four months earlier and people still treated him like a hero. People insisted on it, even after he'd told them he didn't want them to give him special treatment. Sure, he'd just allowed Kingsley to do so but, Kingsley had been in the Order, he was going to give Harry special treatment if he wanted it or not.

When he got back to the Burrow, no one looked happy at all.

"What happened?" Harry asked. Then he noticed the look on Ron's face. " They found a new Keeper, didn't they?"

"Yeah."

"Hey, don't worry about it, you can try again next year if you wish."

"No, I can't. I need to get a real job now and I can't just ditch it for a few days next year to go to Quidditch try-outs. I'd get fired."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that mate. You should've been allowed to be on the team. Wait a minute, isn't there still a chance you can make the reserve team? They can have you be an emergency reserve."

"Yeah but they can only keep three total."

"And why shouldn't you be one of the three?"

"They've already named two and the third will be announced tomorrow."

"Well, before we all get upset about this, we should wait and see if he makes the emergency reserves."

"Yeah, Harry's right. There is still a chance. Even though it is a very small one."

The following day, the entire Weasley family was crowded in the living room listening to the radio as the Chudley Cannons Announced their entire roster for the 1998 season.

"Our roster for the 1998 British and Irish Quidditch League season is: Keeper Clinton Kreidler, Beater Lonnie Tosh, Beater Neil Crissman, Chaser Lance Lemmond, Chaser Darren Orear, Chaser Christian Dolce, Seeker Allan Corsi, Reserve Keeper Cody Vernell, Reserve Beater Erik Blea, Reserve Beater Darryl Locklin, Reserve Chaser Julio Mooneyhan, Reserve Chaser Jamie Alberty, Reserve Chaser Darren Corr, Reserve Seeker Javier Bergey, Emergency Reserve Lonnie Belmont, Emergency Reserve Clayton Etienne and Emergency Reserve Ronald Weasley."

It took a few seconds for the final two words to register. After everyone realized what had been said, the Weasley living room erupted with cheers. Mrs. Weasley conjured decoration that were colored a violent shade of orange. Everyone had a good time that night at a thrown together party. He'd done it, Ron had made a professional Quidditch team.

"Hey Ron, what are you going to do while you're not playing Quidditch? Still going to follow through being an Auror?"

"Of course. Emergency reserves are only called in to be on the sidelines if there is an injury. It's still very unlikely I'll play but, I get to be on the posters and everything!"

"Well, I can talk to Kingsley for you Monday."

"Monday? You got the job?"

"Of course I did, you think they'd turn down the guy who killed the Darkest wizard in history?

"Good point. I guess I just didn't think it would be so quick."

"Yeah, I didn't either."

"You got the job, Harry?"

"Yes, Ginny, I did."

"Oh, congratulations." Ginny said, the look on her face contradicting her words.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, being an Auror is a really dangerous job to have, Harry. I'm just a little worried."

"Don't be, Ginny."

"Yeah, Ginny. May I point out that Harry getting a job as an Auror is about the last thing you should've been worried about."

"What do you mean?"

"You weren't worried when he saved you in the Chamber of Secrets?"

"I was unconscious."

"How about when he was in the Triwizard Tournament."

"I was already in a relationship."

"When Voldemort came back? When Harry dueled him in the Ministry? When Harry dueled him at Hogwarts?"

"Hey, I won that one!"

"I know you did. I was just pointing out that you've done many things in recent years that she should be worried about and you being an Auror will be a cakewalk by comparison."

"Yes, Ron. I guess you make a good point. But, can you blame me for worrying? There are still a bunch of Death Eaters on the loose. You know they have to be trying to figure out some way to bring their master back."

"But there isn't any way they can. Not even the darkest magic can bring someone back from the dead."

"I know but..."

"But what?"

"Well, all those spells the Half-Blood Prince made, couldn't they..."

"Snape never explained how he did it. For all we know he accidentally stumbled across those spells instead of actually making them himself."

"I guess so. I'm sorry, Harry I..."

"Don't Ginny, I understand if you are worried about me. It's perfectly okay an normal. Ron's just being a bit insensitive."

"Hey!"

Ginny smiled and threw her arms around Harry's neck, pressing her lips to his.

The following Monday, Ginny was there to see Harry off to his first day of work. When Harry arrived at the Ministry he walked straight to Kingsley's office. He knocked on the oak door.

"Hello, Harry. Ready to begin work?"

"I am. I just have a few questions first."

"What are they?"

"Well, first of all, I'd like to know what it is I'll be doing exactly."

"Well, basically you'll be sitting around here waiting for something to come in, when you're not looking into leads about the whereabouts of the remaining death eaters."

"Okay, and second, my friend Ron was interested in becoming an Auror."

"Is he qualified?"

"Same as me."

"Then he can start whenever."

"Just one thing about him though, he..."

"I know about the Cannons. I was listening in. He will have no problems from me. If he gets on the team then I'll grant him the leave to play."

"Okay. I'll tell him when I get home. He'll probably be able to start tomorrow."

"Great. I'll see him then."

"Thanks, Kingsley. I'll get to work."

Harry got up and left the office. Kingsley always was an understanding man.