I entirely left the spot where I meant to say what career track Hermione was on blank! Well, I actually read an interview with Jo yesterday that said she now works in Magical Law Enforcement. I have edited the chapter where it should've been, because she mentions it in this one. Enjoy!

The week after Christmas went by in a flash.

There was so much to say to each other and do together that it seemed there was no time at all for trivial things like eating and sleeping. There were lots of laughs and lots of fond comments during the week, but all too soon it was New Year's Eve. It was time for Harry, Ron, and Hermione to go back to work. The Ministry was entirely different now than it had ever been before, and a much better and fairer place, but, of course, one thing that didn't change was that working there required a lot of hard work and dedication. All three of them had to get back to their working lives and their flats many miles away.

"At least we'll all get to see each other more once you're both Aurors," said Hermione hopefully, as she, Harry, and Ron stood on the front lawn and tried to put off leaving. "Law Enforcement works with the Auror Department all the time."

"Yeah," said Ron sadly, still not happy about leaving them all to go back to the vigorous training program. "I sure hope so."

"Cheer up, mate," said Harry, never discouraged. "Don't worry. We'll see them again soon. We become Aurors at that big ceremony tomorrow. They're all coming. Remember?"

"Oh, yeah!" cried Ron. "That's right. We'll see everyone again tomorrow."

And the three of them laughed and laughed.

"Anyway. We'd all better go home. My mentor wanted to meet before the thing tomorrow," said Harry several minutes later.

"Yeah," agreed Ron and Hermione.

Harry left them to say goodbye while he went to find Ginny and do the same.

Then they all went home for the afternoon. It was good to take getting back to work slowly, decided Harry. It was nice that they didn't have to work tomorrow, and would get to see Ron's family again, but that they had to work a little tonight. Ease their way back into it, in a way.

The next day, they arrived at the ceremony two hours before it was scheduled to begin, as was required of all new Aurors. The ceremony would take place in one of the courtrooms, just to make everything seem more official and important. After meeting with their mentors and being told how to receive the award, Harry and Ron made nervous small talk while they waited in their seats alongside the judge's seat, which would today serve as a podium for the Head of the Auror Department, who would be giving out the awards.

About half an hour before the ceremony, they saw the Weasleys and Hermione file into the courtroom, not first and not last, right on time. As the Weasleys took their seats in the middle of the benches, Hermione smiled and waved jokingly at them. Ron started to wave back, but Harry grabbed his hand, and they saw Hermione laughing across the courtroom.

They sat in mock-dignified but really nervous silence until the Head of the Auror Department stepped up onto the podium. He cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Can I have your attention, please," he called. "Please be silent at this time."

The quietest of silences fell over the courtroom as he paused to give everyone time to settle. Then he continued.

"Thank you. Today is a very special day for all the young men and women you see sitting here beside me. This is something they have worked at all their lives, something they probably all have been told at one point or another that they couldn't do. But, nevertheless, you see them before you. They did what many have tried to do. They have done what they set out to do. They have become Aurors."

The words had a different meaning for Harry. For him, this moment was about much more than becoming an Auror. It was about there being an Auror Department at all, or even a Ministry. It was about he himself still being alive. It was about defeating Voldemort. The words "something they have worked at all their lives", "something they have probably all been told that they couldn't do", "what many have tried to do", "what they set out to do"- they all seemed so fitting for Harry in particular. They all applied to what his life had been centered around for a very long time now. His quest to defeat Voldemort.

"Today is the most important day of their lives in many, if not all, cases," continued the man. "They are about to take part in an eternal quest to help and save mankind. I know what you're thinking. 'He's being pretty dramatic, isn't he?' But the answer …" he paused. "… is no. I may be using strong words, but they do fit the occasion. This is a hugely important job. I certainly hope that all of the trainees have realized that by now. They're probably a little nervous right now, so they probably don't know that they know that-" the crowd chuckled- "-and are probably panicking right now and considering running out of the room."

Harry noted that Ron was pale and sweating.

"However, there's no reason for that. All of them have been trained in our newly modified program. It takes much less time, but trains these young people so well that it actually lets me sleep better at night than our other program, even though it is so much shorter." He paused again, then turned to look at the trainees. He turned back to the audience. "I trust them," he announced firmly. "I really do. And now, without further ado, I will present the awards to our '97 Aurors!"

And so the story ends! There you have it, everyone! There will be no more updates. The story is over and I hope you enjoyed it. I know I enjoyed writing it. Want more? I will still be updating a story that I am writing called "Ginny Weasley and the Deathly Hallows"- it's the Deathly Hallows from Ginny's POV. I would like to thank my best friend Sarah for getting me back into writing and all of you for continuing to encourage me just by reading! Thanks guys!