Chapter Two: The Interview
After the Graduation, Harry, along with Hermoine and Ron, headed to the Burrow with the rest of the Weasley family. Once there, Bill brought out the fire-whiskey and they made a toast to the three graduating wizards/witch.
Molly along with Fleur, who had arrived shortly after they did, along with Andromeda Tonks and baby Teddy Lupin; brought in some gifts.
While Bill brought Hermoine a book on Magical Law Enforcement, Ron was given a basic book on Dragon Keeping by Charlie.
Harry, on the other hand hadn't received much, other than some more formal robes.
"Well, you haven't given us much on you wanted to do, Harry." Said Mrs. Weasley.
Harry nodded.
"Say, who was that you were talking to at the Graduation, Harry?" Asked Mr. Weasley.
"Huh, oh, that was Mr. Robards, Head of the Auror's Division. He wants me to come to the Ministry, tomorrow."
Everyone went silent and then Ron clapped Harry on the back, "That's excellent, mate! You'd be great at it!"
Hermoine beamed, "He's right, Harry."
Harry shook his head, "I'm still unsure. Last time they approached me was when they wanted me to be their poster-boy and tell everyone that the Ministry was doing a bang-up job."
Both Ron and Hermoine nodded.
"Well, that could be one thing, but then again, Harry, you could look at it as them needing your help to make the Ministry better." Said Bill.
Mr. Weasley concurred with his eldest son, "He's right, Harry. Don't jump to any conclusions until you know for sure that their intentions are."
Harry nodded.
Later that evening, Harry flooed back to his new home number 12 Grimmauld Place, upon arrival, Kreacher, who had been waiting for Harry, bowed.
"Welcome home, Master, how was your evening?"
Harry handed him his coat and smiled, "It was good, Kreacher. Yours?"
Kreacher made another bow. "All's been fine and well, Master. Mr. Potter has a guest tonight."
Harry stopped and turned to him.
"A Guest? Who?"
Before Kreacher could answer, Ginny appeared around the doorway.
"Hi, Harry."
Back at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley was walking around calling her daughter.
"Ginny! Ginny, dear! Now, where on Merlin's Holy Land could that child be?"
Ron soon appeared in his nightclothes.
"Ron, have you seen your sister, tonight?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Ron shook his head, "Sorry, Mum. Why?"
Mrs. Weasley sat down in a chair in the livingroom and let out a deep sigh; "I can't seem to find her."
Hermoine appeared, dressed for bed as well.
"What's going on?" She asked the two, seeing Mrs. Weasley distraught.
Ron turned to her, "Have you seen Ginny?"
Hermoine thought for a moment.
"I thought I heard her mention to Luna earlier today that she was going to drop by Harry's."
Mrs. Weasley stood straight up, "She what?! At this hour!"
Hermoine soon understood the implication of what she had said, and she tried desperately to defuse the situation.
"I'm sure, Mrs. Weasley, that Ginny's going to come back tonight; she isn't going to be staying over at Harry's."
Mrs. Weasley hadn't heard her, or appeared to have ignored her, as she waved her wand and said, "Accio coat!"
Ron called on his own jacket; Hermoine quickly went up to him.
"You're going too?"
Ron nodded, "I need to talk to Harry about this, make sure he understands that he can't do this with my sister."
Hermoine rolled her eyes, "Ron, she's sixteen. I'm sure that she's old enough to make her own decisions."
Ron shook his head; "She's my sister."
Both hadn't realized, through their back and forth discussion, that Mrs. Weasley had already flooed her way out.
Kreacher had brought both Harry and Ginny tea while they sat at the large dining table.
It had taken Harry over a month, with the help of Ron and Neville, to clean the place up from the overturn that the Death Eaters had done to the place. With the Elder Wand, shortly of traveling and placing it back to where it belonged, Harry had managed to make some adjustments to his new home.
One of the things he did was made the spell that held the drapes over the Mrs. Black portrait permanent and he managed to give the place a little more homely feel. Both he and Neville managed to change the lighting so there was more, thus getting rid of the dankness of the place, and took out all of the Elves heads that were mounted on the walls. This caused Kreacher to have mixed feelings, but rest assured his demeanor hadn't changed.
Sipping the Earl Grey tea, watching Ginny as Kreacher soon brought them biscuits; Harry was still wondering as to what the purpose of her unannounced visit.
Ginny soon took notice of him looking at her.
"Love what you did with the place, Harry."
Harry nodded, "It took some work, but with Ron and Neville's help I managed to get it done."
She nodded and took another sip.
Still watching her, her flowery scent flooding his nostrils and enticing his mind, Harry took a deep breath as he set down his cup and leaned forward.
"Ginny…why are you here?"
She set down her own cup and leaned forward as well.
"Harry…I'm worried."
Harry sat back, his eyebrows arched. "Of what?"
Ginny took a deep breath, "What's going to happen to us when I'm in Hogwarts and you're out here in the world?"
Harry was taken back. The question of what would happen between the two of them had never factored into his mind.
Ginny continued, "Harry…"
They soon were interrupted as a sound came from the livingroom and soon Mrs. Weasley appeared.
"Ginny! Do you realize how late it is!"
"Mum!" Ginny exclaimed, "What gives you the right to burst in like this!"
Kreacher soon came in, apologetically ringing his hands as he shakily said, "M-Master, you…you have another visitor."
"Thank you, Kreacher." Harry said.
Mrs. Weasley waved her wand and Ginny's coat appeared, "Ginny, we're leaving. Harry has an interview with the Auror's office tomorrow and I'm sure he needs his sleep."
Harry walked forward and gave Ginny a kiss goodbye.
"Want to talk tomorrow?" He asked.
Ginny smiled and nodded.
As soon as Ginny went to the fireplace and disappeared through a burst of green light, Mrs. Weasley looked to Harry.
"Harry, good luck on your appointment tomorrow. I'll have Arthur meet with you at the Ministry."
Harry nodded and watched as she too left.
Arriving at the Ministry the very next day, Harry looked around him and was happy to see the changes made since the last time he had been there.
The flushing device used to transport people into the Ministry had been removed, as did the unfriendly statues, in their stead was the previous golden witch, wizard, centaur, and elf.
Looking at the direction of the massive figureheads, Harry found something different as well as he passed them. Behind them stood two other statues, also gold.
One was of Dumbledor, his half-moon specs crooked against his crooked nose. There was a sign below the statue, its letters glittering: "In loving memory of Albus Dumbledor, in his memory we stand to remain strong and wise."
Harry stood in front of the statue looking up at the man. Several different feelings coursed through him and only a smile could surmise.
Taking a look passed the statue, Harry found himself shocked beyond belief as he gazed upon the statue behind Dumbledor's.
This statue, being shorter than Dumbledor's was still impressive by all means.
Harry glanced up and recognized the accurately positioned lightening shaped scar on the statue's head.
This was Harry.
Again, a sign had been made at the base: "The boy who lived and who has taught all of us to live again. Harry Potter, Vanquisher of the Dark Lord."
The statue seemed very noble and a little bit over done, in Harry's opinion.
People passing by Harry, only a handful paused upon seeing him, whispering to those next to them.
One of them, Arthur, came running up to Harry.
"Ah, Harry! Good to see you here, ah, I see you've noticed the little…uh, thing they've done."
Harry nodded, not looking at Arthur but still at the statue.
"How long has this been here?" Harry asked.
"They put it up about a month ago. Personally, I was against it. I felt that you've had enough exposure and this is a little distasteful."
Harry shrugged, "Well, as long as it has a positive influence, I'm ok by it."
Mr. Weasley nodded, "Let's hope. We'd better get going if I'm going to get you to your scheduled appointment."
Harry followed Mr. Weasley to the magical lift, all the while people stopping in their tracks, muttering, pointing, and some clapping.
Amos Diggory, who Harry hadn't seen since he, Ron, and Hermoine infiltrated the Ministry to seek out Dolores Umbridge, turned Harry, abruptly, around and shook his hand.
"Mr. Potter! Can't tell you enough how happy I am that we'll be having you in the Ministry. I'm sure Cedric would be proud as well if he were here."
Harry smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Mr. Diggory."
"Amos, if you don't mind, I need to get Harry to his appointment." Mr. Weasley said, trying to pull Harry into the lift.
Amos nodded and went a different direction as the doors closed.
Thinking about his last time here, Harry looked to Mr. Weasley.
"Sir, please tell me that they've sacked Dolores Umbridge. She isn't working here still, right?"
Mr. Weasley smiled, "Better than that, Harry. She was forced to give up her wand. Apparently, after the Ministry was reclaimed, she along with a few tried to force out Kingsley and the others. Some were debating as to whether or not she should have been sent to Azkaban along with the Death Eaters. However, Cornilius made an appeal on her behalf and she was sentenced, instead, to retire from Ministry work and to go to her home in Bath, where she is ordered to stay."
Harry felt content with this news, although a part of him felt that Umbridge deserved to spend time with those that she gladly consorted with.
The lift's doors soon opened and they walked through a massive hallway where the marble floor continually changed colors. On the walls were many Witches and Wizards all looking at Arthur and Harry with smiles, one even spoke.
"Glad to have you with us, Mr. Potter."
"Thank you, Derfius." Arthur replied.
They soon walked down further until they approached two massive two doors. A golden plate next to it had in stenciled lettering: Department of Auror's and Magical Investigation.
Mr. Weasley turned to Harry.
"Well, I'll be letting you off now. Incidentally, Harry, should you want to spend your lunch hour with me, feel free to come by. Molly has sent lunches to my office."
Harry smiled and nodded; "I'd love to, sir."
Mr. Weasley nodded and put a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Good luck."
After Mr. Weasley had left, Harry still remained in front of the two doors. Taking a deep breath, Harry walked forward and pulled the ringed knob forward and opened the door.
Upon entering, to Harry's surprise, he found the place mostly emptied.
Desks lined in a straight row that seemed to go on for a mile forward; were only filled by two Wizards and two Witches. All of them seemed to look toward Harry as the doors closed behind him.
Every one of them got up and filed toward Harry, arms outstretched as they each took a turn to shake his hand and introduced themselves with great enthusiasm:
"Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Potter! Name's Falconswerve. Deidrich Falconswerve, but people call me "Savage" around here." Said a very tall dark haired man.
"Pleasure to meet'cha, Harry! I'm Isabelle Proudfoot. I think you know my niece, Susan Bones? She talks a lot about you." Isabelle was short and had long flowing blonde hair.
Another Witch shook Harry's hand; she was as tall as "Savage".
"It's wonderful you've chosen to join us, Mr. Potter. I'm Lorna, Lorna Williamson."
A Shorter man bowed to Harry, "Mr. Potter, it's wonderful to see you again. I'm not sure if you remember me but I'm Dawlish, John Dawlish."
Harry nodded to him, "I haven't forgotten."
Dawlish nodded, "I must apologize for Robards, but he is in Kingsly's office getting a briefing. He'll be with us shortly."
Lorna and Deidrich showed Harry around the room. The walls were littered with wanted posters, the faces of the criminals either shouting or clenching their teeth and grimacing; Harry recognized only some of them.
Harry noticed some things he hadn't seen in a long time. A few Remem-balls lay on one desk, the clouds inside spinning, waiting for its owner. A Wizard's Chess set lay opened, many mangled and destroyed pieces lay scattered about.
Lorna led Harry to front of the department where there were several large books settled on a raised platform.
"These, Harry, are the most complex and useful spells, charms, counter-curses, and hexes we are given as Aurors."
Harry looked at the thickness of one of the books, which was roughly as thick as a king's size mattress, and looked to Lorna.
"Can I?"
She smiled, "Sure, go ahead."
Harry lifted the cover and squinted as he realized the text was unbearably small.
"How can you read print like this?" Harry asked.
Lorna took out her wand and waved it in front of the page.
"Enarga!"
Bringing her wand to each word, the words as she moved her wand along the sentences showed in a larger state.
Harry spent two hours talking with the remaining Aurors until Robards appeared.
By the looks of him, he seemed exhausted. His brown eyes sagging as he came in and hung his robe on an invisible hook.
However, upon seeing Harry, his spirits seemed lifted.
"Ah, Mr. Potter! Welcome. I hope the others have you up to speed on what's been transpiring here."
Savage nodded, "Just been telling Harry about our hunt for the remaining Death Eaters."
Robards nodded. "Good. So, tell me, Mr. Potter are you ready to help us with our work?"
Harry knew his face betrayed him, there was still doubt but he knew all of this seemed too exciting.
"Yes, sir." Harry replied.
Harry found lunchtime came sooner than he had expected and he headed to Mr. Weasley's Department.
He found Mr. Weasley and, surprisingly, Hermoine eating amongst the clutter that lay on Mr. Weasley's desk.
"Harry!" Hermoine called out.
Mr. Weasley smiled, "Look who popped in, Harry."
Harry summoned himself a chair and sat next to Hermoine as Mr. Weasley handed him a sandwich and a cup filled with Butterbeer.
After two bites, Harry turned to Hermoine and inquired as to her being in the Ministry.
"I'm interning." She said after taking a bite. "I'm working with Felton Harrlow in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
"How do you like it?" Harry asked.
After taking a draught of Butterbeer, Hermoine smiled, "So far, it's wonderful. Everyone's being so nice to me and Felton supports me on my ideas for House-Elf welfare; he thinks we should write it into law. However, I'm a little suspicious if everyone's being so nice to me just because I was one of the many who helped you vanquish Lord…I mean You-Know-Who."
Harry laughed, "Hermoine, I'm sure you can say his name by now. It's not like he's going to rise again just by mentioning his name."
Hermoine sighed, "I've just never been that comfortable saying his name."
Mr. Weasley smiled and patted her reassuringly on the shoulder.
"Don't worry dear. There are a lot of people here who feel exactly the same way."
Hermoine smiled out of thanks and resumed finishing her meal until she glanced at Harry's watch.
"Oh, no! I'm supposed to meet Felton soon! I'm sorry you two but I need to leave, see the both of you soon!" With the speed of a Firebolt, Hermoine took one last drink of her Butterbeer and then picked up her belongings and dashed out of Mr. Weasley's office.
Harry stifled a laugh, he felt coming. Even after Hogwarts, Hermoine would never change in her duty to making sure she was available for everything.
Soon, Harry too left Mr. Weasley's office and he was about to head to the lift when he accidentally stepped into someone carrying a tower of parchments.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry!" Harry said, quickly bending over and helping to retrieve the papers.
"No, it's my fault." Said a familiar voice.
Harry looked up and was face to face with Cho Chang.
"Cho?"
"Harry?"
"What're you doing here? Working for your mum?"
Cho smiled and nodded, "You?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm, uh, interviewing for the Auror's Department."
Cho's smile widened, "Harry, that's great! I wish I could be there with you."
With the wave of her wand, all of the papers, including of those in Harry's hands, came back into her's and stacked neatly.
Harry blushed and cursed himself to resorting to the slow muggle way of gathering.
Cho seemed to pick up on Harry chiding himself.
"Don't worry about it, Harry. I've done it myself, actually."
Harry smiled as she got up off the floor and walked away.
"See you later, Harry." She called over her shoulder.
The day had ended sooner than Harry had anticipated and he was happy to arrive at Grimmauld Place.
Kreacher was waiting with some firewhiskey and immediately attended to Harry's clothes and drew him a bath.
Harry felt spoiled, but decided to allow it after today's adventure.
After his bath, Kreacher came and announced to him that Ron, Hermoine, and Ginny were to arrive shortly.
That was fast. Harry thought. He found out that he actually had been in the bathtub for more than over an hour.
While Ron and Hermoine aparated to Harry's Ginny took the floo network, seeing as how she wasn't seventeen yet and thus was the last to arrive.
Opening the front door, Harry burst out laughing as he saw Ron was covered in soot and his clothes were singed.
Hermoine gave him an "I told you so" look.
"Need to change, mate?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded and went up the stairs to Harry's room.
Letting in Hermoine, Ginny arrived just about the same time.
"How was the rest of your day?" Harry asked Hermoine as both she and Ginny sat.
Hermoine was beaming, "It was all so wonderful and yet all so complex! I have all these new wonderful books to read on classifications of Magical Creatures. How was yours?"
"Well, Robards seems good. I was surprised to see how little there is of staff. But, seeing how most were wiped clean last year, I guess it's to be expected. They gave me a complete list on whom they're tracking down." Harry then thanked Kreacher as he brought them some Butterbeer.
Harry then turned to Ginny, who was looking a little bored by the discussions.
"How's Hogwarts?"
"Oh, it's dull. Everyone there wants there to be some sort of death by the end of term or they're threatening to drop out. McGonagall, of course is trying to remind everyone that "peace is good"."
Ron was soon to join them, looking, if a little, better. The hair on the back of his head still charred.
"How was training Dragons with Charlie?"
Ron looked discouragingly at the table. "Terrible. Charlie nearly yelled at me when he realized I hadn't read the entire book he got for me, and three of those nasty little blighters nearly burnt my head off."
Hermoine patted his hand affectionately.
Ron looked between them, "I don't think I'll continue doing it."
"What? Why not?" Hermoine asked. "You've just had one bad day, you'll do better next time."
Ron shook his head, "Nah, I'd rather be helping out George with the Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Since Fred's gone, I'm sure he must need help."
Ron then turned to Harry, "How was your day?"
Harry told him everything about meeting with the Aurors to getting assigned with Savage to track down an escaped Death Eater.
"Oh, I forgot. I also ran into Cho today."
Both Hermoine and Ron looked surprised, while Ginny's brow furrowed.
"Is she working with her Mum?" Ron asked.
Harry nodded.
Ron took a deep sigh; "Maybe I should work at the Ministry. That way I'd be able to see you lot."
Harry looked to Ginny, whom he noticed looked depressed by that statement.
He took her hand, "Hey, we'll stop talking about this, if you'd like?"
She smiled and then kissed him. "Don't worry about it."
Harry smiled back and then Hermoine turned to Ginny.
"Have they put together the Quidditch teams, yet?"
Ron, Hermoine, and Ginny arrived back at the Burrow later that evening.
Ginny had said goodnight to both of them as she retreated to her room early.
Closing the door behind her, she took out her wand and muttered "muffialto."
She then walked to her dresser and pulled out two red, large, candles and placed them on her desk.
Taking out a picture of the Dumbledor's Army group photograph, she laid it on her desk. She then took out another photo, this one of her and Harry together standing outside the Burrow, Harry having Ginny in his arms.
Ginny laid this one next to the DA photo.
Lighting the candles with her wand, Ginny made a melodious humming sound and then waved her hand over the photographs which then tuned a bright blue color.
She then started reciting: "Those who have died of a broken heart, I beseech thee, let mine not break as have yours. I call thee to cast my lover blind against the girl whose presence dwells within his own."
Ginny then tapped her wand against the photo of Harry and then on the photo of Cho in the DA photo.
Ginny continued, "Should she try and force him to look upon her, I command those whose heart has been broken by another female's intervention, to have her disappear entirely."
To be Continued…