Chapter IV - Moving Forward

Sydney was dark. And chilly. At first, Harry couldn't think why. Then he realised that Australia was in an entirely different time zone. The first signs of dawn were appearing on the horizon as Harry, Ron, Hermione, George, Bill, Fleur and Ginny walked up a tree lined avenue. On either side were big, modern houses that looked eerie in the moonlight.

"This is it," Hermione whispered, stopping infront of the last house on the right.

She approached the front door and entered. It had been agreed beforehand that only she should enter as her parents would probably wake up the entire street if they were to find a group of strangers holding bizarre looking sticks in their house.

Hermione emerged a few minutes later with her parents following nevously behind carrying several large suitcases. They looked rather bewildered.

"You remember Harry and Ron and Ginny and George, don't you mum?" Hermione said brightly, but her parents just frowned and looked confused.

"Hermione what on earth is going on ,dear?" her father asked, still examining the people in front of him, some of which he remembered vaguely.
"I'll explain when we get back dad, by the way, this is Ron and Ginny's brother Bill and his wife, Fleur," Bill held out his hand and Mr. Granger shook it awkwardly. All of them then aparated directly back to the Burrow, Mr. and Mrs. Granger by side-along-appirition.


After a long explanation and several glasses of firewhiskey, the Grangers returned home, along with Hermione who had decided to stay with them for a few days before returning to the wizarding world where she was needed.

A week after their trip to Australia, Charlie returned to Romania to continue his work with dragons. Bill and Fleur also left for Shell Cottage as Mrs. Weasley appeared to be coping better with her loss. Percy had left the day of their trip.

And so it was that only Ron and Ginny and George remained at the Burrow of the Weasley children. Harry and Hermione both stayed, partly as they had to help in the wizarding world and partly because Mrs. Weasley had insisted they do so.

A fortnight after returning Mr. and Mrs. Granger to England, Harry, Ron and Hermione received a letter by owl requesting their presence at the ministry of magic to meet the minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Mr. Weasley accompanied them that morning. The atrium was vastly different to what it had been the last time they had been there. Last time...it felt like a million years ago. They piled into a lift and shot up towards the sky. The other occupants in the lift were eager to speak to Harry and shake his hand. Harry granted them this, if rather awkwardly.

"Level 4," As the cool female voice announced what departments were on this level, the doors opened and several people exited. Harry saw Percy in the distance. He smiled and waved.

"What position does Percy have now?" Harry enquired.

"Senior Under-Secretary, and quite pleased about it too." Mr. Weasley replied, trying to keep the smile from his lips.

"Senior Under-Secretary? That was Umbridge's job, wasn't it? What happened to her in the end?" Hermione wondered aloud.

"Sent to Azkaban for crime against humanity. Life sentence. Serves her right if you ask me."

They all nodded in agreement.


Kingsley Shacklebolt sat behind a large mahogany desk. Papers were scattered across the room and the bin was piled high with waste paper. The minister was bending over these papers, his faced creased in deep concentration. He looked up and, upon seeing his visitors, smiled and waved his wand causing the papers to form in three neat piles.

"Harry! Ron! Hermione!" He shook hands with each of them and gestured at the chairs in front of his desk. He then seated himself behind the desk."I hope this invitation didn't come as an inconvenience to you," Once they had assured him it had not, he continued.
"I wished to discuss with you some matters of importance, the first of which is your careers," The trio nodded, they had discussed this topic before amongst themselves but had not yet come to any conclusion.
"I have heard you wish to become aurors, and I would like you to know that I would be more than happy to grant you this without any training, I dare say you've more experience than all the aurors here put together."

For Harry and Ron,these words were exactly what they wanted to hear. They agreed immediately. Hermione, however, declined the offer.
"Thank you Kingsley, your offer is very kind but I would like to return to Hogwarts in September and complete my education," Kingsley nodded in approval.
"Well Hermione, once you have done your N.E.W.T.s, we'll be more than happy to give you a job in whichever department suits you, that is if you would like to have a job in the ministry?"
Hermione answered "Thanks, Kingsley I'm not sure what I'd like to work as yet but I was thinking along the lines of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures? You see, I have this organisation, S.P.E.W., and I-"

"Hermione!" Both Harry and Ron groaned.

"Anyway," She continued irritatedly, "I would like to help rebuild the ministry, so maybe- so point further into the future- I might consider Magical Law Enforcement."
"Excellent choice!"

Kinglsey was about to proceed with the other matters of importance, when Ron spoke.

"I would love to be an Auror, Kingsley, but first, I promised George that I would help him with the Joke Shop, just until he can employ some new people." Harry, Hermione and Kingsley were slightly surprised, but Kingsley promised him a job in the ministry for when he had finished.


They were leaving the Atrium when somebody crashed into Ron. Papers flew everywhere and the trio immediately began to pick them up.

"Thanks, I'm so-"

"Neville!" The three of them exclaimed.

"Harry! Ron, Hermione! It's great to see you again, what have you been doing?"

"We just came to see Kingsley about some stuff- Harry and Ron are going into the Auror department!" Hermione explained.

"The Auror department?! I guess I'll see you at work then?"

"You've decided to become an Auror?" Ron asked. Neville nodded.

"My Gran's pleased of course, says I'm finally becoming like my father, but I haven't told her that I plan to go into Herbology afterwards!" Neville turned a bit red at this.

"Well, we'll see you next week then! I'm afraid we have to go- we're already late for lunch!" Harry said, checking his watch.

"Bye, then!"

Author's Note: I have come back and rewritten this chapter- the most important change is that Neville is working as an Auror. Please let me know how to improve, I need some pointers!