Day One "Physical Fitness Test" (500 m swim, 42 pushups, 8 pull-ups, 50 sit-ups, 1.5 miles cross-country race run)

Hermione's Opposite watched with amusement, as she nibbled on her lower lip and tapped with the finger of her right hand on the desk. He counted silently to 10, and indeed, it followed the expected look at her wristwatch. Harry laughed softly. Hermione looked questioningly up from the file. Harry pointed to the right hand and asked smirking: "Nervous?". Hermione closed her hand quickly into a fist and sighed: "This stupid contact ban - if I could just speak briefly to him. You know, to see, if he's OK." Harry leaned forward and pressed her to a fist clenched hand reassuringly: "It be all right".

She looked at the frame with the picture of her boyfriend and whispered: "I hope so!". Harry cleared his throat and asked mischievous: "So, what are your plans for the free week after Ron's exams?", He leaned back in his chair and looked dreamily at the ceiling, "I know a really romantic hotel.." Hermione took the frame in her hands and ran her hands gently over the picture: "Actually the week is already allocated, you know, with flat-hunting, buying furniture, etc."

Shaking his head, her friend stood up from his chair: "Tsss, you could use the week certainly better", he winked, "I mean, you've him seen in the last three years, well maybe 12 - 15 times, also you guys have a lot, mh, to catch!". Hermione blushed: "Harry!" He waved cheerfully and quickly left the office. She glanced at the picture and whisper tenderly: "A lot, lot to catch!"

Ron could feel every bone in his body and wanted only one thing sleep, sleep, so he removes his trainers and dropped in his full sports outfit on his bed.

"He, Ron, " Michael Clarkson, his roommate nudged him, "come on, time for eating!" – "I wnt o fod ..ly slep!" Ron replied. Michael pulled Ron's head up by the hair: "Could you repeat that, please, I could you with the pillow in the mouth namely not understand!"–

"No food, just sleep" Ron muttered, half asleep. Michael grinned and let Ron's head fall back on the pillow.

Day two "Survive and strike through" (Teambuilding, the common solving problems, under continuous stress and time pressure):

David Granger saw engrossed on the chessboard, while he smoked his pipe comfortably: "I just can not figure out, how he has set me the last time checkmated!" His wife laughed: "You say that after every game", then she looked at her daughter, who obviously was lost in her thoughts. "Not an interesting book?", she asked gently. Hermione was startled out of her thoughts: "Oh, yes, very interesting!", but after seeing the knowing glance of her mother, she admitted: "I can't concentrate!" She snapped the book shut and watched the fire. "How long takes this test usually?", her father asked curiously. – "24 - 28 hours", Hermione glanced up from the fire and added quietly, "without food or breaks!" Jean Granger cast a look at the mantel clock, 20.00 o'clock, still 2 hours.

The warm water of the shower tingled on his body. In the adjacent shower Michael sang with top of his lungs: "We are the champions, my friends, and we will keep on fighting, till the ….." Ron had to laugh and then both sang: "We are the champions, we are the champions.."

Day three "Concealment, Disguise, Stealth and Tracking" (with lightning-fast friend and foe identification, dueling, interrogate)

There was the usual chaos in the burrow, although today only with nine adults and two small children. Molly watched with shaking head her son George: "Honestly, another piece of cake?" George looked at his mother with puppy dog eyes. Angela grinned: "He could easily eat the whole cake!" George replied with a full mouth: "Don't be envious!"

His girlfriend whispered conspiratorially to Hermione: "I swear, one day, Ron and George eat us out of house and home!" Hermione just smiled. George pushed her slightly with the elbow: "Speaking of cake, concealment and stealth, that should be for our Ronniekin only be a piece of cake, he!"

"That was only a piece of cake, right!", Michael yawned. Ron replies tiredly: "The worst part is coming tomorrow!" – "Just one more day…" and then only loud snoring was to hear from both.

Day four "the theoretical part/psychological test (Retentiveness, Intelligence (IQ), -Spatial imagination, Practical understanding, Concentration)

When the elevator door opened, Arthur was faced with a dead-tired Hermione. "Long day?", he asked sympathetically. She nodded and rubbed her forehead "It's only three more days, then I have a week off!" – "Harry said, Ron and you want then look for a flat?" – Hermione joked wearily: "You have no idea, where we can find a cheap but cozy flat?", she rolled her eyes and added, "Ron would love to live near the station.." – "But you don't!", Arthur smiled understandingly. Hermione snorted: "Definitely not! Near the ministry would be nice." – "I'll ask around!" Arthur promised and waved goodbye as he left the elevator.

Ron was sitting dazed on the bench in the canteen of the Academy. Except him, none came from the examination room yet. "Merlin," he shut his eyes and gulped, "that's not good!"

Last Day "Discussion of the result and personal final interview with the test commission"

Percy stuck his head through the door: "Have you already heard anything from Ron?" Hermione crumpled the draft law to a paper ball (her 10 attempt to bring a sensible thoughts on paper) and threw it in the direction of Percy, who avoided the paper ball cleverly. "This probably means No?!", he laughed.

Ron's fellow students wait in silence for him, because he was still in the exam room. Tony grinned: "Merlin, I'm glad my last name starts with a 'B'", I don't want to be tested as the last!" Suddenly the door opened and a pale, but overjoyed Ron stood before them. Michael asked only: "Passed?" – "YES!" Ron shouted and stretched his clenched fist high. Michael grinned: "You know what that means!" and then all recruits screamed together: "Party!"

Their training supervisor, Auror Sean O'Malley watched his students laughing. Tony called out to him: "Join us too, Auror O'Malley, I issue you a Fire-Whiskey!" Ron smirked and slapped Tony on the shoulder: "And that's saying something, for a Scotsman!"

Auror O'Malley winked cheerfully: "Maybe later! First off, I congratulate you all for the passed examination!" A huge cheer broke out. O'Malley waved Ron to the side: "Auror Weasley, before you celebrate with the others, I want to speak to you – and I promise, very briefly" Ron nodded in agreement.

Hermione looked expectantly up, when someone knocked on her office door, disappointingly it was not her secretary with a message from Ron, but Minister Kingsley Shackebolt. "Can I come in?", he asked kindly. She tried to get up, to welcome him, but he declined.

"Here!", he placed a piece of paper with an address on the desk. She looked at him quizzically. Kingsley pointed to the note: "A good friend of my family is seeking a tenant for his flat, which is in a good location, about 5 minutes from the Ministry, already free and renovated. The rent is indeed not quite low, but with your's and now Ron's Auror salary this should not be a problem!" Hermione took the note and glanced at the address: "Actually, that ….. wait" , she drew a deep breath, "s.. said you just.." Kingsley smiled slyly: "Yes, he has passed!" Hermione jumped from her chair, which fell backwards, and hugged the surprised Kingsley.

Two days later, Auror-Academy

The banquet hall of the Auror-Academy gradually filled with family members, friends of the recruits and official wizards/witches from the ministry. Ginny nudged Hermione and pointing at Professor McGongalls. George whispered to the two: "Look, the old dragon is also here " – "George!", scolded his mother – "Sorry, mum!". Hermione observed curiously the hall. The walls were decorated with flags, in the front row of the Tribune sat, among others, Minister Shackebolt with his secretary Percy and Professor McGonagall, on the left side of the stage were 15 chairs placed, in 3 rows of 5 chairs, in the in middle of the Tribune stood a lectern and on the right side were two chairs placed next to each other.

Suddenly resounded a bugle call and it became quiet in the hall. Through the side door came the Head of the Auror Office, Gawain Robards, and the training supervisor, Auror Sean O'Malley, onto the stage, both were greeted with loud applause. Gawain Roards stepped to the lectern.

He waited until the applause died down:

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome with us the new Junior-Aurors of 2002," he turned sideways and shouted: "Bailey, Tony!" with that, a grinning blond young man came as well through the side door onto the stage. He was greeted by loud audience applause. His supervisor fortified solemnly a badge on his suit jacket and shook his hand firmly. Then Gawain Robards handed him a certificate and shook his hand too. The young Auror waved proudly to the audience, and walked to the chairs on the left side.

Gawain Robards turned back to the lectern. One after another were called by name, always welcomed in the same way as Tony Bailey. As 14 chairs were already occupied with the Junior-Aurors, Hermione's heart began to beat rapidly. Harry takes her trembling hand and squeezed it reassuringly. Grateful she smiled at him.

Finally Robards shouted: "Weasley, Ronald-Billius" and then he came with firm steps, shining blue eyes and his famous smirk, dressed in a black suit, dark blue shirt and black tie, onto the stage. Next to her she heard the sobs of his mother, a whistling and howling, probably from his siblings and Harry. Hermione had only eyes for her Ron.

After his supervisor fortified solemnly the badge on his suit jacket, but in addition to his certificate, Gawain Robards presented him with a narrow wooden box.

Ron turned to the audience, waved short and walked to the others, who were standing in front of their chairs. All Junior-Aurors glanced to the left, until Gawain Robards nodded to them. Silently they sat down.

While G. Robards and later Sean O'Malley kept a moving speech, Hermione watched her boyfriend, as he opened the wooden box and admired at the contents looked. His seat neighbor, a young man with dark hair, looked curiously into the box and whispered something to Ron, whereupon he chuckled and handed him the box. Lost in thought, he looked into the audience. Suddenly their gaze met and there was only Ron and Hermione. She mouthed "I love you" and he put his left hand on his heart.

Auror O'Malley stepped from the podium and took his place on the chair. A pompous lady came on stage and sang a celebratory tune. George snorted, whereupon his mother him on the arm slapped. The performance has been honored with polite applause, and the lady disappeared through the side door. "Merlin Pants, I thought, she gives an encore!", muttered George eases.

Now Sean O'Malley stepped again to the lectern: "Ladies and gentlemen, before we meet in the entrance area, to celebrate with a little communal drink, we want to end the ceremony with a maintained tradition. The last word has as always our valedictorian student!" He turned to the completion students and called: "Auror Ronald Billius Weasley!", then he stepped aside and clapped his hands. Hermione looked speechless, as her boyfriend without hesitation went to the lectern. "Bloody Hell", whispered George impressed, "our Ronniekin".

Ron pulled a piece of paper from his suit pocket and place it in front of him on the desk, then he cleared his throat briefly and looked into the audience: "Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family members," he saw in his notes. As he wanted to continue, the silence was interrupted by a loud sob. Ron hesitated briefly, but then he looked up and grinned mischievously: "and mum!". The whole audience started laughing, while his mum sheepishly hid her face in her husband's shoulder.

Ron waited until his mother had calmed and continued more seriously:

"My greatest dream was, when I was a little boy (an angry glance from his mother, prevented George from a comment), to become a famous Quidditschspieler", he glanced up with a grin, " preferably by the Chudley Cannons. But then I met my best friend, whose dream was to become an Auror, and I thought: hell yes, Auror – that would be cool. The years and encounter with Aurors,", he took a deep breath, "as Nymphadora Tonks and Alastor Moody changed my view, but for me there was never any doubt, that I wanted to become an Auror, only strengthened by the thought of revenge," he paused briefly and continued in a husky voice, "revenge for my brother Fred, for Professor Albus Dumbledore, Tonks, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Dobby, Colin Creeveys, and for the many others.

I swore, that never again should a baby grow up without the parents, never again a mother must sacrifice herself for her child, never again, a mother needs to bury her child, never again a Muggle is persecuted for the origin.

Exactly three years ago, I was one step closer to my destination, and with me – he pointed with the hand to his fellow students – were dozens of other men and women, who had the same destination. Almost every one of them had lost a relative, friend or loved one in the last war.

So it was no wonder, that in our first weeks the fights and duels during training were characterized with rage. After a particularly, mh, savage duel", he rubbed his neck embarrassed, "one of our trainers, Auror Ryan Kerrigan, had enough. We had to gather in the Hall of fame, with all the pictures of the Aurors, who sacrificed their lives for others, like Alice and Frank Longbottom, Tonks and Mad-Eye Moody.

Auror Kerrigan told us, anger is the biggest enemy of a Aurors. Then he asked one of the students, I think it was Tony, to read aloud the words, which are written under every picture in the hall. The words are 'servare vitas'. Then he told us, that these words "to save lives" mean.

I think, it was me, who then said, that's why we're here. Our trainer simply replied, no, you are here, in order to kill, but your task should be to save lives! And then he pointed to the pictures and said earnestly, that each of them has followed this motto." Ron looked up and smiled briefly, "Then we had to run 6 Miles in the rain!"

He became serious again: "And every time one of us had during the training a low point, and wanted to exercise, a glimpse into the Hall of fame brought us back on track!" He pointed to his badge "'servare vitas', that is now our only task!" Ron put his notes back in the pocket, concluded by saying: "Thank you!" and stepped away from the podium.

For a moment it was so quiet you could have a pin drop to the ground to hear, but then a fanatical applause broke out. Hermione, who beamed proudly, and the others jumped to their feet and cheered enthusiastically. Ron blushed embarrassed.

Late at night, at the burrow

Most of the guests, such as Professor McGonagall, Kingsley, Percy and his wife, had already left the party. Hermione was sitting sideways on the lap of her boyfriend and admired once again his gift, a wand (mahogany, 9 ½, dragon heartstring), while he animatedly with Harry and George chatted. Ginny leaned her head wearily against the shoulder of her boyfriend and yawned. Harry twisted his head slightly to her and whispered: "Shall we go?" She nodded in agreement. He placed his hands on the table and said softly: "Alright, my lady is tired, I think it is time to go!" He slapped Ron's shoulder: "I see you in a week at the Ministry, Auror Weasely", and salute the other.

Ginny gave her brother a kiss on his cheek "Good job, big brother." and waved. Then both disappeared into the floo network.

Molly came with a cake into the living room, which she proudly in front of Ron placed: "Here, your favorite cake!" Ron shook his head and slapped his stomach: "Mum, I'm really full," but when he saw her disappointing glance, he quickly added, "but I will it with me!"

A beaming Molly took the cake from the table, to pack it, although George was about to take a piece. He saw after his mum with an open mouth. Hermione got up from Ron's lap and followed Molly in the kitchen.

"Molly, it's okay if we got too? My parents wanted to congratulate Ron, and it is already late?", she asked Molly timidly. George shouted from the living room: "Who it believes!" – "George!", scolded his mother, then she hugged Hermione motherly: "Please give them our kind regards!"

Hermione pulled her boyfriend up from the chair: "Come lazy fur, we have to go!" George beat Ron with his fist on the shoulder and whispered in his ear : "have fun with Miss Granger!" Ron grabbed his suit jacket and hugged his mother, who broke out in tears. His father, who had fallen asleep in his chair hours ago, woke up. Ron gave him over the head of his mum a help-seeking glance. Arthur took Molly out Ron's arms and mouthed to him: "go!"

His girlfriend waited before the house. She grinned and took his hand: "Side-Along?" Ron squeezed her hand and nodded, smiling. With a small faint pop they arrive at… "Where are we?" Ron asked, surprised. Hermione beamed: "That, my love, could be our home!" She grabbed his hand: "I'll show you around!"

After the tour

Ron was standing at the window of the living room and admired the view. Hermione hugged him from behind and leaned her head on his shoulder. She whispered into his ear: „And, what do you think?" He turned his head very slightly, to look at her lovingly: "I think we, I mean Kingsley, have found our Flat!" Hermione shrieked and kissed him on the cheek in full fervor.

Then she stepped back and grinned mischievously: "I have another surprise for you, I'll be right back!" She hurriedly went into the next room and came back with her bag. Ron watched curiously, as she two bottles of butterbeer, a large plastic bag, a strange thing (to which a hose was attached), a blanket, a pillow, bed sheets, candles and a radio – she gave him a salacious glance and whispered: "For my very romantic boyfriend" (he rolled his eyes), unpacked.

Ron pointed to the strange objects and asked: "What do we with these?" She pulled out of the plastic bag a kind of rubber blanket, which she spread on the floor: "This is an air mattress", then she held up the thing with the hose, "and this is a foot pump. With the foot pump you can inflate the air mattress. See!", Hermione stuck the end of the hose into the air mattress and then stood with one foot on the pump. She stepped with her foot on and off the pump. Her boyfriend saw fascinated, how the mattress filled with air. "Wow, Muggle's are awesome! Let me help you." He pulled his suit jacket off and rolled up his sleeves. While Ron the mattress inflated, Hermione took Ron's jacket from the floor and laid it neatly. 5 Minutes later she exclaimed: "Stop, enough air. So, now you have to be careful pulling the hose out of the mattress and quickly close the valve. Perfect! Ready is our bed!" Ron shot her and then the mattress a skeptical view: "Are you sure, that we can sleep on it?" She nodded happily.

A still not convinced Ron lay himself tentatively down on the mattress. Meanwhile Hermione distributed and lit the candles. She watched with amusement from the corners of her eyes, how her boyfriend from one side to the other turned. Ron was now lying on his back, his hands clasped behind the head, and looked relaxed at the ceiling. She knelt with a grin beside the mattress and stroked tenderly with her fingertips his face. Then she leaned forward and kissed him gently. Ron returned the kiss passionately, while he caressed her back with one hand.

Abruptly Ron broke the kiss and he asked, panting: ""What about your parents? Surely they are waiting. " Between little kisses all over his face she muttered: "I lied – kiss – my parents – kiss – are in France – long kiss – on vacation!" Ron stopped Hermione by holding her shoulders. Apparently shocked he repeated: "You lied to my mother?" She grinned sheepishly and replied in a husky voice: "a half lie, my parents really want to congratulate you - by me!" They both looked at each other and began to laugh heartily.

As the laughter died, Hermione loosened Ron's tie and whispered seductively: "You look in a suit totally sexy.. " – "And you in your dress, Merlin, I'm a goner" Ron interrupted her. – "Thank you, but today is all about you," she threw his tie carelessly into the room and opened the top button of his shirt, "my handsome", the second button, "sexy", the the third button, "strong", the fourth button, "stunning", the fifth button, "Auror", the sixth button, "Weasley", the last button.

A while later (the candles were burnt)

Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssss sssssssss

Hermione mumbled sleepily: "Love, can you hear that too?" Suddenly she felt, how Ron was shaking with laughter under her. He snickered "I think, the air mattress is leaky!". "Hmm, okay, love you!", she replied calmly.