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The Night Shift

The village of Hogsmeade was silent and dark. The shops were quiet and their owners were all asleep. Nothing was to be seen lurking about the calm village. The moon illuminated the otherwise pitch-black sky. All seemed quiet and peaceful.

Harry surveyed the area from underneath his invisibility cloak. The cloak was the main factor that influenced Robards to give Harry the majority of the night shifts. It was a dull and dreary job. Harry had to patrol the deserted streets of Hogsmeade. The most interesting creature to appear in the street was a black cat. It prowled the streets, its bright green eyes sharp and alert. Harry sighed and turned his back on the cat. That was going to prove to be a grave mistake.

The black cat stealthily made its way towards Harry, its paws not making the slightest sound. Slowly, the cat crept behind Harry until it was within pouncing distance. However, the cat did not pounce. Its eyes narrowed and gleamed. The cat began to transform, its body elongated and bent upwards, its whiskers shrunk to become a small moustache and the black fur receded to form a black cloak. The vivid, green eyes remained plastered to the face of the man who stood in the cat's place.

Harry, who was oblivious to the remarkable transformation his back had witnessed, turned to find a wand a few inches from his invisible throat. His hand instinctively reached towards his wand, which was in his pocket. He was just about to draw his wand when he remembered that he was invisible. He tried to edge away from the unknown wizard. Harry couldn't see much of the wizard's face because said wizard was wearing a triangular mask that covered his face. The only things that were visible were his moustache and green eyes.

"Don't move!" a raspy, excited voice issued from the man's mouth. "I know you're there!" Harry drew his wand and pointed it at the man. "You want to duel?" The man seemed amused.

'No, I want to give you my wand' Harry thought sarcastically. The other wizard drew in his wand and flicked it. A blue light emerged from the tip of his wand and flew at Harry. Harry managed to deflect it with a stunner. The wizard growled and sent a barrage of spells at Harry. Harry deflected a few of the spells and dodged the rest. The wizard did not relent and continued his onslaught. Harry responded in kind, throwing every spell he knew at the unknown assailant. Eventually, the wizard tired. Harry sent a stunner at him, which he barely blocked. The wizard staggered. Cursing, he straightened and, glaring at Harry, disapparated.

Harry was bent over with fatigue. His breathing was short and erratic. He was peppered with small cuts. A rush of adrenaline shielded him from the sensation of pain. Daybreak was approaching; the faintest light could be seen. Harry winced, the rush of adrenaline abandoning him and he was starting to feel the brunt of the many cuts on his body. Harry took of the invisibility cloak and stuffed it into his pocket.

However, the surprises weren't over for Harry. As he caught his breath, he heard a soft, mocking, female voice whisper, "Aw! Is the baby auror hurt? You disappoint me Mr. Potter. I was expecting more of the wizard who defeated Lord Voldemort. Oh well, I'll just have to kill whoever the Auror Department churns out. I'll be seeing you soon Potter." A subtle crack announced that the witch had disapparated. Harry's brain registered the witch's words sluggishly. Harry shook his head in an attempt to regain control of his senses and disapparated. Hogsmeade awakened with the sun, the shopkeepers opened their shops, completely unaware of the events that had transpired that night..

Harry appeared in the Atrium. It was still early in the morning so very few people were present. Harry strode towards the elevator and rode it down to the Auror Department. Harry walked to the conference room where Robards, Kingsley and Proudfoot were discussing something. Proudfoot was now the Head Auror. Harry knocked on the door and went in.

"Ah Potter, I see you've finished –" Robards stopped short taking in Harry's battered appearance. "Sit down Potter, Proudfoot, get a healer here." Harry fell into an empty chair. After a brief pause, Robards asked Harry to recount the night's events. Harry told Kingsley and Robards of the wizard who had attacked him and the woman who had delivered the ominous message. The two men paled at the mention of the woman and glanced at each other. Robards sent a Patronaus to senior aurors, asking them to report to the ministry immediately. By this time, Proudfoot had returned with a healer who patched Harry up. Robards, looking stressed and anxious, said, "Potter, I want you to take a two week break effective immediately. No arguments. Your team will also be relieved of its duties for two weeks. Rest and recuperate with family. Am I understood?" Harry was still too tired to respond, so he merely nodded his head. Robards inclined his head in approval and left.

"I have something to give you, Harry" said Kingsley, speaking for the first time. He handed Harry a small, golden key. "This key opens Potter's Palace, your family's ancestral home." Kingsley smiled grimly at Harry before leaving the room. Harry got up, feeling much better. He returned to the Atrium and disapparated.

At the Burrow, Molly, Arthur, Ron, Hermione and George were about to enjoy breakfast, when the sound of apparition caught their attention. Molly rose and made her way to the door to let Harry in. A chorus of 'Good Morning' greeted him.

"Good Morning, everyone" said Harry. He sat down on a chair that George drew up next to him. Mrs. Weasley set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him. Harry thanked her and the meal continued.

It was only when Ron and Hermione got up to go to work that Harry remembered that his team had a two week break.

"Actually Ron, I don't think you have to go in today or for two weeks for that matter" said Harry. The statement was met with a confused expression on Ron's part and an inquisitive expression on Hermione's part. Harry was pondering whether to tell them of his night shift when a crack distracted everyone. Molly rushed out to discover her daughter, supported by Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell. Harry and Ron eased Ginny from Alicia and Katie and helped her inside, where they laid her down on the couch. Katie and Alicia explained what had happened to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ginny had been hit by a bludger during the morning's practice. The team's healer had fixed the major damage, but Ginny's leg was still mending. The healer had advised her to take it easy for two weeks. Mrs. Weasley entered the living room, muttering about dangerous sports. In light of Ginny's injury, Harry decided against telling everyone about his night shift.

"Robards wants us to read up on recent dark wizard activity. He says our team won't be needed much anyway and he doesn't want to risk an injury that can be avoided", lied Harry. The lie seemed to satisfy everyone, though Hermione was still a tad suspicious. "Anyway, I insist that all of you come with me to my family's house to spend this unexpected break." Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were a bit hesitant to accept the invitation, but eventually agreed to come. Hermione said she had to check with Amos Diggory. George agreed at once. Since school had started, the Hogsmeade branch of Weasleys' Wizards Wheezes, which had replaced Zonko, was more profitable and Lee Jordan was in charge of that shop. The Weasley family, Harry and Hermione would set off to Potter's Palace the next day.