Chapter 4
The Apparation Exam

Author's Note: This will be the first chapter that I will switch Point-of-Views between characters. This chapter will be in Ron's Point-of-View. Enjoy...

Ron woke up the next morning with his head full of thoughts. He remembered the fight he had with Hermione yesterday. The fight he knew would come if he had told Hermione not to go to Australia. He had left the conversation having stormed out of the Burrow. He hadn't talked to Hermione the rest of the day. He didn't even bid her a good night. Ron had heard Hermione's last words to him before he walked out of the Burrow. They were echoing in his head like a broken record. "You can come with me!" Hermione had said. It was true. Ron wanted to go with Hermione to Australia. It would have given him some time alone with her. He wanted that desperately.

Ever since he and Hermione had become a couple, they hadn't had very much time alone. At Hogwarts, people had talked to him a lot, wishing him their best and giving him their prayers. Letting him know how much they cared. Here at the Burrow, his mother was around a lot and Ron knew that she wouldn't let him have private time with Hermione. Ron doubted that his mother knew about his relationship with Hermione. What would she say if she found out? She would be happy, of course. But she would keep an eye on him and Hermione. She didn't want any of that romantic stuff in her house. She had too much of it when Bill and Fleur were together in the house.

If Ron went to Australia with Hermione, she would be too worried about her parents, and Ron would be too worried about Hermione. It would be the same if he stayed at the Burrow and she went to Australia. Ron knew that Hermione was going to go no matter what Ron said. But could Ron go, even if he wanted to? His mother wouldn't want him to go. She knew as well as he did that the war was not over. The wizarding world was still a dangerous place.

Ron looked up at the ceiling of his bedroom. What was he going to choose? Inside his mind, the choices were dueling it out, trying to figure out what was the better decision. Go to Australia with his girlfriend and help her find her parents, or stay at home where he would be safe, but he would also be worried about Hermione.

Ron sat up. There was only one real choice in the matter. He was going to have to go to Australia. And if he was going to do that, he was going to have to make up with Hermione. He began to get dressed. A few minutes later, he walked out of his room and began to walk down the stairs toward Ginny's room. But as he was walking down, Hermione was walking up.

"Hermione?" Ron said.

"Ron," Hermione said, "What are you doing up so early?"

"I have to get up early," Ron said, "I have to take the Apparation test today, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember, Ron," Hermione said, "But even your dad isn't even up yet."

"Mum is," Ron said, taking in the scents of the food that his mother was cooking for the morning breakfast, "Why are you up so early anyway?"

"I get up this early a lot," Hermione said.

"Listen, Hermione," Ron said, "I need to talk to you. Can you come up to my room?"

Hermione didn't answer.

"Please?" Ron asked.

"Fine," Hermione said.

Ron and Hermione walked up the stairs toward Ron's room.

"Sorry about the room," Ron said, when they walked in. "It hasn't smelled the same since the ghoul was in here."

"It's fine," Hermione said.

Ron sat down on his bed, and beckoned Hermione to come over. She sat down and Ron smiled.

"I want to apologize for what I said yesterday," Ron said.

"No, Ron, don't," Hermione said, taking Ron's hand. "I understand why you said those things. I wanted to hear you say that. It means that you care about me."

"Of course I do," Ron said.

"But I am still going to go to Australia, Ron," Hermione said, "I made up my mind on that a long time ago."

Ron sighed and looked at Hermione's hand that was holding his.

"You know," Hermione said, "Harry talked to me after you walked out of the Burrow. He offered to go with me."

"Oh, he did, did he?" Ron asked.

"Yeah," Hermione said, "But I said he couldn't go. Do you know why?"

"Because you knew that Ginny wouldn't let him?" Ron said, chortling.

"No," Hermione said, "Because I didn't want to put too much into the task of restoring my parents' memories."

"So I can't go for the same reason?" Ron asked.

"When did I ever say that?" Hermione replied, "Have I ever said that?"

"No," Ron said, "You said the complete opposite."

"Exactly," Hermione said.

"But wouldn't it put too much into the task if I went with you?" Ron asked.

"No," Hermione said, gripping Ron's hand tighter, but with more care. "It is the exact opposite. Look, you are my boyfriend. I love you, Ron."

Ron grinned at Hermione at this.

"I want my parents to know how much I care about you," Hermione said.

"Is that the truth?" Ron asked.

"No, it's the complete opposite," Hermione said, sarcastically.

Ron rolled his eyes.

"I have been reading a lot," Hermione said.

"No surprise there," Ron said.

"Let me finish!" Hermione said through gritted teeth. She punched Ron in the shoulder.

"Ow!" Ron grimaced.

"I have been reading a lot about Memory Restoration," Hermione said, "It says that restoring stuff that has to do with love is easy. Family is in that category. But so are relationships with people and being in love."

"So that means you can tell them about me and it wouldn't risk any side-effects?" Ron asked.

"There will always be a chance of risks," Hermione said, "We all take risks. Look... imagine that you lost your memory. What would you say if I told you that the reason you can't remember anything is because I didn't want you to be a part of a war that could ruin the world forever?"

"I dunno," Ron said, "I guess I would react pretty badly. I would panic. I wouldn't believe you maybe."

"Exactly," Hermione said, "Restoring something like that could be bad. Restoring something that is simple like... "You live in so-and-so. You have so-and-so children." It would be good to know that. You can go back and live the life you had."

"But Hermione," Ron said, "We can't lie to your parents. They need to know that you are a witch. That your best friend killed the most evil wizard in the world. That almost everything is back to normal."

"And they will," Hermione said, "In time. They can't be bombarded with so many things."

Ron paused for a moment to think about things. He finally spoke up.

"Hermione?" Ron said.

"Yes?" Hermione replied.

"I want to go with you to Australia," Ron said.

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Ron said.

"Well, then you better pass your Apparation Test today," Hermione said, "Because we will be going to Australia by Apparation on Saturday. I am going to take there with Side-Along Apparation, but I do not want to have to do that all the time."

"Don't worry, Hermione," Ron said. "I will pass the test today."

"You better," Hermione said.

"I will," Ron said, "Trust me."

"I do," Hermione said, smiling.

She moved her hand around in Ron's hand. Ron moved in closer to her, and kissed her on the lips, enjoying every moment of this. He hadn't been able to enjoy many of these moments. But the moment was interrupted by a light tapping on the door.

"Ron? Are you awake? Is Hermione in there with you?" a voice said. It was Harry's voice.

"Yes," Ron said, "I am awake."

The door opened and Harry walked in. Ron noticed that Harry was grinning.

"Oh!" Harry said, "Was I interrupting something?"

Ron was about to answer, but Hermione answered first.

"Maybe," Hermione said, "What did you want?"

"Ron, your Mum says breakfast is ready," Harry said, "She said that if you want anything to eat before your dad takes us to the Ministry, you better be downstairs pronto."

"Okay," Ron said, "We will be down."

"I take it that you are going to Australia, Ron?" Harry said.

"Yeah," Ron said.

"If he passes the Apparation Test today," Hermione said.

"I said I was going to," Ron said.

"Well, I will tell your Mum that you will be down in a bit," Harry said, "Gotta go wake up Ginny."

"She is awake," Hermione said.

Harry shut the door. Ron heard footsteps. He was sure Harry hadn't heard Hermione.

"Are you okay with Harry being with your sister?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione, you asked me that after I walked in on them kissing on Harry's birthday," Ron said.

"Yeah, and last year you yelled at Harry because he kissed Ginny," Hermione said.

"Because he had broken up with her," said Ron, "He wasn't supposed to kiss her if they weren't together. That can confuse a person."

"How do you know Ginny wasn't the one who started it?" Hermione said.

Ron raised an eyebrow. "Nah, she couldn't have," he said.

Hermione just grinned.

"Harry started it," Ron said.

Hermione stood up and walked toward the door.

"Didn't he?!" Ron asked, "Hermione!"

"Why don't you ask Harry?" Hermione suggested.

"I will then!" Ron said.

"Let's just go to breakfast," Hermione said.

"Harry started it," Ron said, standing up and following Hermione out the door.

"If you say so," Hermione said.

-------------------------------------------------------
After breakfast, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Ginny, and Mr. Weasley used Floo Powder and arrived at the Ministry of Magic. Hermione was going with them for moral support. As Ron walked out of the soot, he gasped as he noticed how different the Ministry had looked.

The "Magic is Might" statue had been removed and was replaced with a new fountain that was currently being built. The Ministry looked a lot brighter. Words in large letters were plastered on message boards around the Atrium. One of the messages said "Muggle-born Registration" and for a minute Ron thought that that whole commission thing was still going on. But under the two large words, there was another message: "Apply for jobs at the Ministry of Magic. Most jobs are open!" Ron grinned. So Muggle-borns were being considered for more jobs. The Ministry had changed and Ron knew it was for the better.

"Blimey," he said loudly, looking around.

"Quite a change, isn't it, Ron?" Mr. Weasley said.

"Yeah," Ron said, "Definitely."

"Some things are still the same," Mr. Weasley said, "Still have to sign in with security. Come on, you lot."

Mr. Weasley led Ron and the group to the security desk, where Eric the security guard was sitting.

"Ah, Arthur!" Eric said, "Got the lot with you today?"

"Apparation tests, Eric," Mr. Weasley said.

"Of course," Eric said, "Now, if you please…"

Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny all handed their wands over to Eric. A few moments later, he handed them back, then handed each of them a badge with the word "Guest" on each of them.

"Thank you, Eric," Mr. Weasley said.

"Anytime, Arthur," Eric said, "Good day to all of you."

Ron and the others followed Mr. Weasley through the crowd of witches and wizards talking amongst each other n the Atrium, until they arrived at the lifts. They walked into one of the lifts which was nearly empty except for two other wizards.

"Ah, Arthur," one of the wizards said, "Aren't you supposed to be meeting the Muggle Prime Minister today?"

"Yes, I am, Lloyd," Mr. Weasley said, "Just have to stop by the Apparation Test Center before I go."

"Ah, yes," Lloyd said, looking around at Ron and the others.

"How is it going with Augustus Rookwood?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Oh, well, we believe he is going to cooperate with us," Lloyd said, smiling. "We are trying to get him to tell us where the other Death Eaters are, but we believe that information may be blocked by the Fidelius Charm. We are trying to work our way around it."

"Is that possible?" Ron asked.

Lloyd looked over at Ron.

"We hope so," Lloyd said, smiling.

"Level two," said a cool voice over the speaker, "Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Ah, here is my stop," Lloyd said, "Good day."

The lifts opened and Lloyd walked out.

"Nice chap, that one," Ron said, as the lifts clanged shut.

"He is an Auror," Mr. Weasley said, "His specialty is interrogation."

"So Augustus Rookwood may be the answer to the actual end of the war?" Harry asked.

"Well, if you ask most of the Ministry officials, the war is technically over," Mr. Weasley said, "But the rest of us think that until every last one of the Death Eaters are off the streets, the war is still going on. But to answer your question, Harry, yes. The Aurors do believe Augustus Rookwood is the key to ending the war."

"What do you believe, Dad?" Ron asked.

"Level six, Department of Magical Transport: Floo network, Apparation Test center," said the cool voice.

"I believe that this is our stop," Mr. Weasley said, smiling. "Come on, you lot."

Ron wanted to get his father to answer his question, but he thought better of it. They walked down the hall, and a minute later, they stopped at a door. The sign on the door said "Apparation Test Center – Head Examiner Wilkie Twycross".

"This is where I leave you," Mr. Weasley said, "I must meet with the Muggle Prime Minister. When you are done, just use the fireplace to return to the Burrow. Good luck."

"Thanks, Dad," Ron said.

Mr. Weasley gave a warm smile and walked back down the hall toward the lifts. Hermione opened the door to the room, and Ron, Harry and Ginny followed her in. The room that they walked into looked a bit cramped, even though there was only a couple people in there beside them. One of the people was the clerk sitting at the desk. The other person was sitting on one of the couches. She had long blonde hair and was reading the Quibbler.

"Luna!" Hermione said.

"Oh, hello!" Luna said, brightly, looking up from the Quibbler. "Taking your Apparation Tests as well?"

"I already took mine," Hermione said, "But they are."

"Those who just entered and are taking the Apparation test may sign up over here," the clerk said, not looking up from the Daily Prophet she was reading.

Ron walked over to the desk with Harry and Ginny. Hermione continued to talk to Luna.

"Are you taking your test as well?" Hermione asked Luna.

"Oh, yes," Luna said, nodding, "I am here on other business, and I heard that the Head Examiner would be in today, so I thought I would come up."

"Other business?" Hermione asked.

"Haven't you heard?" Luna replied, "Oh, you must have. It was in the Daily Prophet. Those who were sent to Azkaban and were innocent are being taken here to be reunited with their families."

"Really?" Hermione said.

"Oh yes," Luna said, "So I am meeting my father here at half-past-ten."

"Wonderful!' Hermione said.

"Yes, it is," Luna said.

Ron finished signing up. A door, that Ron hadn't seen, opened behind the clerk's desk. An old man walked out, and Ron recognized him immediately.

"Luna Lovegood," Wilkie Twycross said, "I am ready for you now."

He looked over at Ron, Harry and Ginny.

"I will be with the three of you in a few minutes," Wilkie said.

"Good luck, Luna!" Hermione said.

"Thanks," Luna said, before walking with Wilkie back through the door.

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Twenty minutes later, Luna reemerged from the doorway holding up a laminated card.

"Passed!" Luna said, happily.

"Well done!" Hermione said.

"Any pointers?" Ron asked. He wasn't feeling very confident.

"I am afraid not," Wilkie said, as he walked through the door, "You must take the test with the knowledge that you already know. Follow me, you lot."

"Good luck," Hermione said.

Ron, Harry and Ginny all followed Wilkie through the door. There was three desks in the room with about five feet of space between them.

"Are we supposed to apparate from desk to desk?" Ron asked, eyebrows raised.

"Patience, my good lad," Wilkie said, "Patience. You will have a chance to apparate. But that comes in part two. Part one is the written exam."

"Written exam?" Ron muttered, looking at Harry and Ginny, "But I didn't take a written exam in Hogsmeade when I went for the test."

"Times change," Wilkie said, "Yes, a written exam. You must prove to me that you know the laws of Apparation. Without this knowledge, I cannot let you Apparate legally. Now, please take a seat."

Ron, Harry and Ginny each took seats.

"All right," Wilkie continued, "As, I said, this test will be taken in two parts. First is written. I hope you did your studying, because this test consists of ten questions. Some are multiple choice, but others are more complex. This will tell the Ministry if you know the regulations and rules when it comes to Apparation. Apparation is a very serious form of transportation, as you already know. Good luck. As with usual tests, all the usual precautions have been put into place, so to keep you from cheating. When you are finished, you may walk through that door, where I will be waiting."

Wilkie pointed to a door behind them.

"The first to bring me their test and pass with a minimal grade of 'Acceptable' will be able to continue," Wilkie said, handing them quills, ink and parchment. "Good luck!"

Wilkie walked to the other side of the room and through the door. Ron looked at his parchment. Questions appeared out of nowhere. Ron read the first question.

"What are the 3 D's of Apparation?" Ron said, under his breath, "Well, at least I know one."

He wrote down the answer and went to the next question: What is Splinching, and how do you avoid it?

"How do you avoid it?" Ron asked himself, "Focus and determination, but that can't be it."

For the next fifteen minutes, Ron, continued to answer the questions on the test. Some of the questions had to do with rules, when and when not to use Apparation, but there were tough ones as well. Such as the history of Apparation, which Ron felt that he had failed miserably at. When Ron finished, he looked up. Harry and Ginny were gone. He was so immersed in his test that he hadn't even noticed that they had gotten up.

Ron stood up and walked into the next room. Ginny was standing there. Harry or Wilkie weren't there.

"Where is Harry?" Ron asked.

"You'll see," Ginny said, grinning, "Or at least I hope you will."

Suddenly a CRACK was heard and Harry reappeared in front of Ron and Ginny. Another CRACK followed and Wilkie reappeared as well.

"Well done, Mr. Potter!" Wilkie exclaimed, "You passed!"

Wilkie handed Harry a card.

"Bring this to the clerk up front and she will hand you your Apparation license," Wilkie said.

Ginny hugged Harry.

"Well done, mate," Ron said.

"Thanks," Harry said.

Harry then left.

"Miss Weasley," Wilkie said, "it is your turn. But I don't think I have ever given you a lesson before."

"My father taught me, sir," Ginny said.

"Really?" Wilkie said, "Arthur taught you? Well, he must have improved. It took him twice to pass his test."

Ron and Ginny looked at each other in surprise.

"Let's hope you have better luck, eh?!" Wilkie said, "Come, come!"

Ginny walked over to Wilkie, who muttered something to Ginny that Ron couldn't hear. Ginny then closed her eyes.

"I will meet you there, Ginny," Wilkie said, and disappeared with a CRACK!

Ron watched his sister silently. Suddenly she disappeared with a CRACK! Ron waited and hoped she had done it smoothly. A second thought came to him and he almost wanted her to fail. He, himself, hadn't passed his test the first time. If Ginny passed, it would make her better at Apparation then him.

Suddenly another CRACK was heard followed by one more. Ginny and Wilkie reappeared. Wilkie looked at Ginny for a second, then smiled.

"Well done, Miss Weasley!" he said.

Ginny squealed with excitement. Wilkie handed her a card and she walked out of the room.

"Now, Mr. Weasley," Twycross said, "Let's see that test of yours."

"Oh, right," Ron said, standing up, and handing the parchment to Twycross.

Twycross took the piece of parchment from Ron and looked at it. He muttered, talking to himself, as he looked through Ron's answers.

"Well, Mr. Weasley," Twycross said.

"I failed, didn't I?" Ron said.

"Seven out of ten," Twycross said, "That qualifies as a pass! Let's move on to the practical part."

Ron sighed. Seven out of ten? Well, it was a pass.

"Now," Twycross said, "This test will be to prove that you can Apparate. It will be a distance test. You will apparate from here to the Floo Network Office and back. These rooms have been designated as Apparation-Safe rooms. If you succeed, you will pass the test. I will meet you in the Floo Network to make sure you get there right. Good luck!"

Twycross disappeared with a CRACK!

Ron was left in the room alone. This made him very nervous.

"All right, Ron," he said to himself, "I am determined to pass this test. I know my destination. The Floo Network office. Come on, please do this."

Ron closed his eyes. A couple moments later, he felt his body pull in all directions. He could not breathe. Something inside him told him not to panic, that it was normal. Then...

"Outstanding work, Mr. Weasley!" a voice said.

Ron opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He looked around and saw Twycross.

"Hmm... everything seems to be in order," Twycross said, "Now you need to Apparate back."

Ron sighed. He closed his eyes and could barely hear Twycross saying good luck to him again. Suddenly he felt the familiar sensation of his lungs imploding. Then his ears popped, and he suddenly knew why there was a CRACK every time someone Apparated. He opened his eyes and recognized the room immediately, it was the room he had just left from.

CRACK! Twycross appeared next to him. He looked at Ron, and then smiled.

"Very well done, Mr. Weasley," he said, "You have passed."

"I-I did?!" Ron said.

"Yes, well done," Wilkie said, "Here you go."

Wilkie handed Ron the card. Ron left the room and went through the next room and into the office. Hermione, Harry and Ginny were all looking at him.

"I passed!" Ron said.

Hermione squealed with excitement.

"Way to go, mate!" Harry said.

"Ahem," the clerk said.

"Oh, right," Ron said.

He brought the card over to the clerk. The clerk looked at the card, then used her wand and turned it into a sheet of parchment. She gave the parchment to Ron.

"Ron Weasley," she said, "This permits you to use Apparation legally. Congratulations."

Ron thanked the clerk and everyone left the room and headed back to the lifts. Ron sighed deeply.

"I guess this means we are going to Australia on Saturday?" he asked Hermione.

"Of course," Hermione said, "I would have gone if you didn't pass."

Ron smiled and sighed again. Everything turned out right. Ron just hoped everything in Australia would turn out right as well.

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Another chapter done! Hope you liked it!

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