Auror Apprentices
Chapter 1
Summary: Aurors are protecting Hogwarts, and they offer a special training. Of course Harry, Ron and Hermione participate, but so do Ginny, Draco and Blaise. Pairings: GW/DM, BZ/LL, HP/HG
Disclaimer: Only the plots mine, the characters belong to Rowlings. I don't intend to earn money with this work.
Chapter 1
Ginny Weasley strode through the Hogwarts Express, pushing her way through the crowd. By now she was seriously annoyed by everyone around her, and all she wanted was an empty compartment to find some peace. But even as she found it, there was no peace for her, not for long.
„Hey guys, Ginny saved us a compartment, come on!"
Ginny rolled her eyes, wanting to throw her brother out who had so rudely intruded her private space.
„Thank's Gin" said Hermione. „Everywhere else it's totally packed."
And then, the resident boy-hero marched in. Ginny hadn't seen Harry over the summer, she had been at a distant relative in France. Harry had grown a bit, he was nearly as high als Ron, and all in all he looked quite a bit more muscular. He was definitely some eye candy, but the fact that Ginny was able to greet him totally normally, without the ever present stuttering she had done all those last years, showed her that she truly had overcome her stupid crush on the boy.
„So how was your holiday Gin? You never really told me about it" inquired Hermione, the only one who would notice a certain stress in the compartment.
„And how should I have?" asked Ginny, giving Hermione a sweet smile. She liked the girl, actually, but Hermione was ways more part of the golden trio than one of her closest friends. „We only met seconds ago. But it was quite fine, went to France and..."
„Hermione, you must look at this!" Ron showed a Quidditch magazine under the girls nose, pointing out some of the newest racing brooms. Hermione cast Ginny an apologetic look and concentrated on Ron's words. Ginny understood her and wasn't even angry, Hermione and Ron were dating since summer.
So Ginny just rolled her eyes, she seemed to do that an awful lot around the golden trio. „I'm going for a walk" announced the girl, and when no one answered, she left the compartment and found herself once again pushing through the crowd.
„No one want's you to sit with them? Pathetic, really, but what to expect from a Weasley?"
„Trying to be witty Malfoy?" shot Ginny back, looking at the platinum blond boy, as always accompanied by his cronies.
Malfoy just sneared at her, pushing past her.
Ginny continued her way through the train until she found a rather empty compartment, only Luna Lovegood, the slightly crazy but still lovable Ravenclaw was sitting inside. She greeted Ginny friendly, but was more interested in her reading then in talking to Ginny, what was fine with the girl.
--//--//--//--//--//--
The first-years had been sorted, and the feast had begun. The food was delicious, as always, but Ginny wasn't really in the mood to eat. She was getting up, but the nearly headless Nick stopped her. „I wouldn't leave now Miss Weasley. Professor Dumbledore has some interesting news to share with the school, and I'm sure you'd like to hear them."
Ginny just shrugged, sat down again and decided that, if she had to wait, she could eat a little more. And the pudding looked delicious.
„Students, may I have your attention?" called Professor Dumbledore and immediately everyone calmed down and looked at him expectantly. „Thank you. As you all are aware of, Lord Voldemort has returned. The ministry has send some Aurors to guard Hogwarts and to offer a special course to all of you in fifth year or above. This course contains combat skills, defence, advanced potions, transfiguration and charms, stealth and some other classes. Because it is a very demanding course, those of you who are interested in joining have to come to the great hall tomorrow morning for a little testing, because the Aurors are afraid that not everyone is up to the extra stress. If you are accepted into the program, you will have those special classes in your spare time. This is a good opportunity for everyone of you to enhance their skills, and I would like to see as many of you participating in tomorrows testings. That's said, I wish you all a good night, don't stay up too long and have a wonderful new year of learning."
„Isn't that awesome Ginny?" asked Nela Prewett, as they were making their way back into the tower. „I'm definetly going to the testing."
Ginny was somewhat of a loner, and even though people generally liked her, she had few actual friends, but Nela could be considered one of them. „Yeah, I'm sure going. Sounds like fun, don't you think?"
„You're crazy" muttered the other girl good naturedly. „Only you can think learning more and having even more homework can be fun. Even though I haven't ever seen you struggling with homework before?"
„Schoolwork comes easy to me" explained Ginny. „Flubberworm!"
The fat Lady smiled at the girls, and opened the entrance to the Gryffindor tower. „Welcome home, dears!"
„So, what are we going to do tonight?" asked Nela, basically bouncing up and down on her bed.
Ginny smiled at the other girl, she was a definite troublemaker, much like Ginny herself, that's why they had become friends in the first place. „Nothing today. You heard Dumbledore, go to bed early." After seeing her friends unbelieving look she added: „And you want to be fit for tomorrow don't you? Somehow I can't imagine that all we have to do is taking a theoretical test."
It didn't take long and all five girls in the dormitory were sound asleep. Ginny opened her eyes, listened carefully and crept silently out of bed. She grabbed a bundle from under her bed and made her way through the sleeping castle. „I need a room where I can practice" was all she thought, while pacing through the corridor. Suddenly a door appeared next to her, and the girl smiled.
The Room of Requirement was opening up to her. The girl quickly changed into her training clothes, they were of the finest material, a present from her aunt in France. It consisted of a black trouser, a black short sleeved shirt, and, interesting enough a black mask. While being in France, her aunt had introduced the girl to an old martial arts teacher, who was now working in the Ministry of Magic as an Auror Instructor. Master Yinn had taught Ginny a lot in these two month, not only basic martial arts, but also the art of tracking someone down, spying at someone or something and so on. Sometimes it was absolutely important that no one would see your face, hence the mask.
Ginny held the mask in her hands, carefully feeling the fine material. With a sight she decided to put it on, since she couldn't see as well with it and it would count as extra training. Master Yinn had practically ordered her to stick to her training schedule, even when she was at school, and Ginny wasn't going to disappoint him on her first day back.
She was slowly running through the movements, strong and precise, and her mind was totally at ease. She had learned that training would soothe her mind, and she really enjoyed the calm around her.
--//--//--//--//--//--
The great hall was totally packed, it seemed like everybody was there, not only the fifth years and above. „What are they doing here?" asked Ginny, waving around her and glaring at a third year Hufflepuff.
„No idea, but I think Dumbledore said something along the lines of 'of course the younger students can watch'" answered Nela. „Are you excited?"
Ginny nodded. „Yup. Mainly because I don't know what they want from us."
Ginny looked around to see who else had come, apart from those younger students. The golden trio was standing in the front, talking to McGonagall, Dean, Seamus and some other sixth year students were moping in the back, not looking entirely convinced about being here, and of course Malfoy and his cronies were sitting at the Slytherin table. „Surprisingly much Slytherins over here" said Ginny. „One wouldn't think that they dare going near the Aurors!"
„And why would that be, Weasley?" drawled someone behind her, making her jump and scowl. „Sometimes I'm getting a feeling that 'being evil' is written in the job description for being a Slytherin."
„Ah Zabini, but you are all evil to the core" chirped Ginny. Blaise was most likely the only Slytherin there was, who could be considered of being halfway normal.
„If you say so. But I need to go now, being seen in public with a Weasley, even though it's the Weaslette is something one just shouldn't allow to happen!" And with a slight bow and a smirk in his face, the boy returned to the Slytherin table.
„What is this between you and Zabini?" asked Nela. „I noticed it last year, you're always throwing insults at each other, but I can tell that it's different with him. And with Malfoy too. Somehow your insults lack of real malignancy."
„Dunno" answered Ginny and watched Zabini as he joined his comrades at the Slytherin table. „I was stuck with him in the library last year. We had some pretty good conversations back then, and I guess we can say that we started liking each other."
„So you're friends with a Slytherin?" asked Nela, sounding truly shocked.
„You sound like Ron" answered Ginny and turned to her friend. „And I wouldn't say friends, more like acquaintances of some sort. Dunno."
FLASHBACK
„Everywhere is full, can I sit here?"
„Sure."
„Thank you."
The Slytherin and the Gryffindor had worked quietly. Ginny was working on a rather hard potions essay, while Blaise was reading a book about advanced charms.
Ginny decided to take a short break, simply because her hand was hurting. She studied the heavily concentrating boy next to her. His dark looks made him one of the most attractive boys in school, and his mysterious aura added quite a bit to it. No one really seemed to know anything at all about him.
„Like what you see, kitten?"
„What?"
„Well, you were ogling me like there was no tomorrow" explained Blaise, a grin in his face that made him look even more sexy.
„Idiot" murmured Ginny and continued her work.
After that, the two students had often met up again, simply to do their work together. As time had passed, they became friends, but decided to keep it a secret, mostly because Ron would throw a tantrum, and because it was a bit more fun like that.
Only few people knew about their friendship, Draco Malfoy being one of them, as he was Blaise's best friend, it was understandable. At first the blond boy had been totally appalled, but now even he tolerated Ginny.
End FLASHBACK
„Dear students!" It was once again amazing to see how quickly all conversations died out when the headmaster talked to them. „For those of you who are in fourth year and below, we have created boxes, to get there, go to professors Flitwick and Snape. Concerning everybody else, I have put groups together, consisting of six students each."
Dumbledore started calling names, and Ginny's mind started to wander, until she heard her own name being called.
„Miss Weasley, Mister Potter, Miss Granger, Mister Weasley, Mister Malfoy, Mister Zabini. Please go to the charms classroom!"
Ginny sighed, of course Dumbledore wouldn't dare to separate the golden trio. She was sick of being always paired with them, it was difficult enough to convince people that she was no longer having a crush on Harry Potter.
„Ah, Weaslette, stop fuming, you're face could become as read as your hair, and even though I thought that everything would help by now, that wouldn't be an improvement". Zabini grinned at her.
„Stuff it Zabini" scowled the girl. „So how was your holiday?"
„Pretty okay, I'd say. Your's?" The handsome dark skinned boy looked at the girl, and she was surprised to see some real interest in his eyes.
„Nice. I've been in France, learning stuff" answered Ginny. „The golden trio is coming, do you mind going? I don't really want to talk to them right now."
„Course not. May I?" and he offered her his arm. Laughing, the two students entered the charms classroom.
„Blaise? You do notice that there's a blood traitor attached to your arm?"
„What? I can only see a drop dead gorgeous girl" answered Blaise with one of his bashful grins. „I'll better side with your enemy" whispered the boy in Ginny's ear and left her to talk to Malfoy.
Shortly after them the golden trio entered the room, and Ron immediately began to reprimand Ginny. „You should have waited for us, they are Slytherins and not to be trusted!"
„Good day students! My name is Lancia Eggerten, I'm an Auror first class and I am going to test you" said a young woman, who had entered right after the golden trio. „At first, I'm going to test your knowledge of spells and your dueling skills. Please pair off!"
Ron and Harry, and Blaise and Draco had immediately paired. Ginny smiled at Hermione.
„Good. Weasley, Potter. I'll count until three, then begin. The first on the floor has lost. 1, 2 ... 3!"
Ron tried his best, but Harry won only seconds later. Next pair was Draco and Blaise, they were both really talented duelers, and it took quite some time until Draco won. Then it was Hermione's and Ginny's turn and the red haired girl surprised everyone with beating Hermione in a matter of seconds.
„Where have you learned to duel like that?" asked Hermione quite shocked, but Ginny just smiled.
„Very well done" exclaimed Lancia. „Now I want to see basically the same, just without you throwing spells. I want to see how you fight without a wand. But this time I'm going to pair you. Potter with Zabini, Granger with Mr. Weasley, and Malfoy with Miss Weasley."
„Great" thought Ginny and threw Draco an overly sweet smile. Draco responded with a smirk, his equivalent of a smile.
Blaise was able to beat Harry, but it took him a long time, since neither of the boys was trained in this type of fighting. Harry was really quick and had some good reflexes, but Blaise was bigger and stronger.
Hermione won against Ron, mainly because the boy didn't dare to hurt a girl. Ginny knew that Draco would have no objections in a show combat against her.
And she was right. Draco didn't spare her a bit. Ginny lost, mainly because of being smaller and weaker, and because she didn't want to show the golden trio that she was trained in martial arts. But even though she tried not to show anything, sometimes her reflexes were quicker then her thinking and the curiosity that shone in Draco's eyes told her that he knew that she had held back.
„Very well done, again" praised Lancia. „Now, about your fitness..."
The six students had to do push ups, run through the corridors and do other fitness exercises, and they felt near collapsing by the time Lancia called it off. „To give you a short break, I decided to let you have your written test right now. There are questions about every subject that is tought here. You've got an hour, begin."
The written exam had been easy, at least in Ginny's opinion. She could see Ron and Harry struggle at certain parts. After the hour was up, the six students delivered their sheets of paper to Lancia. The woman collected them and studied them carefully.
„Now for the most interesting task. I happen to know that those students watching you are quite eager to see you performing this last task."
„Excuse me, but how are the younger students watching us?" It had been Hermione who had asked, naturally, simply because the girl couldn't bear not knowing.
Lancia regarded her with a slight smile. „It is a charm that works pretty much like Muggle television" explained the auror. „They are all sitting in their boxes, seeing a film of your progress. Now, back to your last task. Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini and Mr. Potter, please leave the room for a moment."
The three students looked at her curiously, but they left without asking.
Lancia looked at the three remaining students. „You will hide, somewhere in the castle. I don't care where. The other three will try to track you down, if they find you, run. You can still escape being caught by them, because they have to immobilize you in any way to be successful."
„Is someone searching for me personally, or is it all three of them against all of us?" asked Hermione.
„You, Miss Granger will be hunted by Mr. Potter, you Mr. Weasley by Mr. Malfoy, and you Miss Weasley, by Mr. Zabini. You've got ten minutes until I'm sending the other ones out, then they have half an hour to track you down and capture you. Good luck to you all, go now!"
The three students left the class room and immediately ran in different directions to hide. Ginny new the perfect place to hide, and was currently trying to fit behind a statue of a man looking rather ugly. The girl decided against looking at the statue too closely, because she was sure that there were things in life she really didn't need to know about. On her way to the hiding spot, Ginny had encountered some other students, obviously left with the same task. But so far her corridor was totally deserted, the ten minutes had to be over already.
„Weasley, come out, come out wherever you are", hummed Blaise while he wandered through the castle. He had found Ginny's magical signature quite quickly, he had always known that the spell would come in handy somewhen. He followed the bright blue line that was showing the way Ginny had taken last.
„Fuck, aura" swore Ginny silently. She remembered Blaise talking about it somewhen ages ago. It took her a quick and complicated wand movement until she was sure that all signs of her magical aura had been erased. Blaise had, seconds ago, triggered an alarm the girl had set, and the only explanation for him finding her so quickly was him seeing her magical signature.
Blaise cursed silently. Obviously Ginny had figured out how he had been tracking her, because suddenly all signs of her were gone. But he was sure that he was near already. „You can't hide from me forever" whispered the boy and pointed his wand at the empty corridor. He quickly cast a charm that helped him detecting body heat.
Ginny, who could see Blaise from her hiding spot, was able to tell the charm he had cast. „Shit!" The girl jumped out from her spot, knocked Blaise over and disappeared as quickly as possible, not bothering with something as futile as stairs, simply jumping down next to them. Blaise reacted before he could think and he followed her as quickly as he could.
Ginny used her wand to throw things behind her, effectively hindering Blaise in coming to near. And then, suddenly, the girl had disappeared.
„Damn it Ginny, where are you hiding now" murmured Blaise, looking carefully around himself. Then it was more an instinct then anything else that made him casting a shield.
Ginny's Stupor bounced harmlessly off his shield.
„What the hell are you doing?" screamed Blaise, holding his shield. „I'm supposed to catch you, you're supposed to run. Don't you start throwing curses at me!"
„But then I would no longer have to run" argumented Ginny and send a lot of curses quickly at Blaise until his shield collapsed under them.
Her next „Locomotor Mortis" came through and Blaise was lying on the floor.
„You lost deary" announced Ginny brightly and grinned at the boy. Blaise was capable of rolling his eyes, but that was the only response the girl got.
Ginny levitated Blaise into the great hall where many of the other students were. Only shortly after her arrival, the time was up and everybody entered the great hall. Harry and Draco had obviously been able to track their partners down.
Lancia smiled at her group. „Very well done Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. I have seen your performance, quite outstanding, both of you."
The two students reddened a bit.
„Mr Weasley, you had really good ideas, quite the strategist. But you'll need to work on your wand movement. Mr. Malfoy, good work, even though you should maybe try some less dark curses next time."
Ron too had reddened a bit, but it had more to do with being captured by Malfoy. Draco, on the other hand, looked unbelievably smug.
„Mr. Zabini I can't remember the signature detector spell being thought at Hogwarts."
„It isn't" answered Blaise, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. „I learned it from a book, somwhen last year."
„Good work. There aren't many students who could have done it. But still, you were too full of yourself, next time, try not to underestimate your opponent. Miss Weasley, I'm quite surprised at you."
Ginny smiled slightly.
„You're only in fifth year?"
The girl nodded.
„Interesting. The spells you used where partly NEWT level. And you dared to attack your pursuer, no one else did. Very good work indeed."
„All of you have done very well today, I'm quite proud of you!" announced Dumbledore, clapping his hands, thus getting all the attention. „Everyone of you will be noticed tomorrow by owl. If you have been accepted in the programm, the owl will cary your new time table. Now go to bed, try to get some sleep! Good night to all of you."
A/N.: So, what do you think? Please let me know!!!