9/7/15: Edits made

Chapter 7

Harry yawned and stretched his arms above his head as he walked downstairs to the kitchen the next morning. Ginny was already there, sitting at the table across from her parents. Mrs. Weasley was serving heaping spoonfuls of eggs onto Mr. Weasley's plate as Harry sat down next to Ginny.

"Good morning, Harry dear. I was just about to wake you. I figured you could go to the Ministry with Arthur this morning," she said, as she started to pile eggs and bacon onto his plate as well.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," he said, taking a bite from a piece of bacon. He turned to Ginny and gave her a smile, "G'morning, Gin," he said.

"Morning, Harry," she said, smiling back at him. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before continuing to eat her own breakfast.

Harry looked around the kitchen while eating, realizing that it seemed awfully empty. Bill was at Shell Cottage with Fleur; Charlie had left to Romania on another assignment; Percy had gone back to his flat in London; George was back at the shop; and Ron was in Australia with Hermione.

Harry sighed and continued to eat his breakfast when he looked up and saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley having a silent conversation with each other, with a lot of raised eyebrows and head gesturing towards he and Ginny.

"Is…. everything ok?" he asked tentatively.

Ginny looked up at her parents, who were still silently trying to decide who was going to talk first. "Mum? Dad? What's going on?"

"Oh, it's nothing dear, it's just that…well," began Mrs. Weasley, "We need to talk about some rules, seeing as how you and Harry are together and you're the only ones left staying at the house…."

"What do you mean by "rules"? There are no rules for any my brothers when they have girlfriends over," said Ginny, starting to get angry.

"Yes, well, that's because there are so many of you that we never really had to worry about that kind of stuff. But, now…" Mrs. Weasley looked hopefully at Mr. Weasley.

"But now we need to make sure... I mean, that we all agree on, um…." said Mr. Weasley, who looked back at Mrs. Weasley, obviously uncomfortable with this conversation.

"We're just taking precautions, dear, that's all," finished Mrs. Weasley.

Harry's face turned red, "Oh. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. There's nothing like that going on. I swear. I respect Ginny, and you two, too much, for any of… well, that to happen, especially under your roof. Not-that-we'd-sneak-out-and-go-do-that!" he added hastily, "I just meant, that that's not happening between us."

Mrs. Weasley gave him a smile and reached out to pat his hand. "That's very reassuring Harry, but be as it may, we should still probably set some ground rules…"

"Unbelieveable," muttered Ginny, who pushed her breakfast plate away and crossed her arms.

"First, we don't mind if you two hang out in each others rooms, but doors must remain open," began Mrs. Weasley.

Mr. Weasley, who had began to eat his breakfast again, nodded in agreement.

"Second, we don't mind, or care, that you two snog, just please keep it to a minimum in public."

"So, we can snog all we want, just not publicly, but we can't be anywhere private together," said Ginny angrily.

"There are plenty of private places around here, just not behind closed doors in our house."

"I can't believe this…" said Ginny, standing up, "I'm almost of of-age!"

"Yes, almost, but until then, you will respect our rules. Do you understand, young lady," Mrs. Weasley spoke those last words sternly, which caused Ginny to sit down.

"Yes ma'am," she mumbled.

"And lastly, if you two ever decide to… become sexual…"

Mr. Weasley choked on his coffee; Harry pailed, not believing he's having this talk with the Weasley's; and Ginny put her face in her hands, embarrassed.

"We have things you can use for protection. They are under the bathroom sink. With six boys in the house we've come to the conclusion that we'll replenish as needed and not ask questions. Or, if either of you prefer, there are potions… "

"Mum! Stop, please! We get it. Besides, I already take a monthly potion," Ginny said matter-of-factly.

"Oh?" said Mrs. Weasley, taken aback, "Well, good for you dear. Glad to see you have been taking precautions…"

Ginny laughed, "Mum, relax. I haven't done…. that, yet. With anyone. But I want to be prepared for whenever I do."

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat, only looking at the rest of his uneaten breakfast.

Mr. Weasley hurriedly finished his breakfast, then stood up, "Well, lovely talk. I'm going to go get ready for work. Er.. Harry, I'll meet you by the fireplace in about 30 minutes?" After Harry's nod of agreement, Mr. Weasley left the kitchen as fast as he could.

Harry cleared his throat, "I really should go get ready for my meeting. Um," he looked over at Mrs. Weasley, "Thanks for breakfast. I'll see you before I head out, Gin."

After Harry left the kitchen, Ginny looked at her mom, then started to giggle. "I can't believe you just tried to give Harry Potter, the "boy who lived" the sex talk. Geeze Mum."

Mrs. Weasley's face flushed briefly, then she shrugged as she started clearing the table.


Harry dressed in a white button down shirt, black tie, and pants under his black dress robes for his meeting with Kingsley. He wasn't sure how formal this meeting was supposed to be, but he figured he'd better dress for the job, just incase.

He met Mr. Weasley in front of the fireplace, where they each said goodbye to Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. Harry hastily gave Ginny a chaste kiss goodbye, but she grabbed his face and kissed him, hard, before wishing him good luck.

They each took turns taking the Floo to the Ministry; Harry went first, then Mr. Weasley. The first thing Harry noticed upon walking into the entrance of the Ministry, was that the "Magic is Might" statue had been removed. And even though there seemed to be less people than usual, it seemed busier than the last time Harry had been there.

Mr. Weasley led Harry to Kingsley Shacklebolt's office then bade Harry good luck and left for his own office. Harry took a deep breath and knocked on the Minister of Magic's door.

"Come in," he heard Kingsley call.

Harry opened the door and looked around. On one side of the wall were bookshelves, crammed with all types of books imaginable, while the other had a fireplace, with rows of file cabinets on either side. Straight ahead was a giant window and in front of that was a huge mahogany desk. Sitting at the desk was Kingsley, writing quickly on a piece of paper. He looked up and greeted Harry with a smile, "Ah, Harry Potter. Good to see you. Come in, come in. Have a seat," he waved his wand and a chair appeared in front of his desk, "I just have to write this quick memo and I'll be right with you."

Harry sat down as Kingsley went back to writing. When he was finished, he folded the note into a simple paper airplane, then tapped it. The memo flew around his office and then out through a tiny window above the door, disappearing to its destination.

"Sorry about that," he said, standing up to shake Harry's hand. "It's good to see you, Harry. I'm glad you came in. I'll cut straight to the point: I think we can really use your help at the Ministry."

"Me, sir? How so?" Harry asked, sitting back down in his seat.

"Well, there was a lot of corruption going on within these walls the last few years, I'm sure you know all too well of that." Harry nodded, absently rubbing the faint scars on the back of his hand his hand, as Kingsley continued, "We are currently working our way through each department and seeing how we can fix everything and catch those involved in all wrongdoings. We've lost a lot people; some have died in battle; others are on the run because they think they can get away with what they did. Either way, we need to start re-hiring, in all departments. That's where you come in. We need Aurors. We need to revolutionize the system within these walls and get things back to the way they should be. We need help rounding up Death Eaters that have gotten away from us. You've already proven you're perfect for the job. What do you say, Mr. Potter, do you want to work for the Ministry and become an Auror?"

"Yes, sir!" said Harry enthusiastically, "When can I start? I can start today if you like."

Kingsley chuckled, "Well, you'll first need to go through some training and then a few aptitude tests, just to see where you are skill wise. Training usually takes up to three years, but, to be honest, we just don't have the time to train everyone for that long. It's very rare that we hire new Aurors to begin with, but, with the numbers we have now, the fact of the matter is, we need people. The remaining aurors will begin to train you, starting next week, and see how well you do. You might want to brush up on Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Herbology. Of course, Defense Against the Dark Arts is also a must, but you've already exceeded well beyond your years in that department."

Harry nodded, "Right. Hermione probably still has her books, so I will begin studying when I get back to the Weasley's."

"Speaking of the Weasley's, is Ron also interested in becoming an Auror?"

"Yes, sir. Very much so," said Harry.

"I understand he is out of the country, correct? Make sure he comes in to see me when he returns, ok?"

Harry nodded, "Will do, sir."

"Is there anyone else who you think might also be a good fit? Maybe Mr. Longbottom?" asked Kingsley.

Harry nodded, "Nevill will definitely be a great asset. He did say something about going back to school next term though."

"Well, I'll send him an owl and we'll see what he decides," said Kingsley, jotting down a note on his desk.

Harry and Kingsley talked for a few more moments before Kingsley received a memo that reminded him of a meeting he must attend. They bade each other goodbye and Harry made his way back to the Burrow.

As he stepped out of the fireplace, he saw Ginny sitting nearby, waiting for him. When she saw him emerge, she walked over to him "So?" She asked, "How did it go?"

Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist, picking her up and spinning her in a circle. She laughed as he twirled her, and when he set her down again, she was dizzy with delight, "Does that mean it went well?"

Harry smiled and grabbed her face, kissing her hard, "Very well. Let me just change out of these clothes and I'll tell you about it."


Ron,
Had my meeting with Kingsley today. It went great! He wants us to help "revolutionize the Ministry" and become aurors to help catch those who corrupted it in the first place. I already accepted the job and I start training next week. And he wants you to go in and talk to him when you get back.
Oh, and heads up, there will be aptitude tests to see where we are at skill-wise, so we need to brush up on stuff. Tell Hermione I am borrowing some of her books.
Speaking of Hermione, how's the search for her parents?
Tell her I say 'hello'.
See you soon,
-Harry

"Here are the books you asked for," said Ginny, dropping a pile of books in front of Harry, who was sitting at a little table in Ron's room. "Hermione had them all piled in a stack next to her bed. Thankfully she didn't take them with her to Australia, though I can't seem to find 'Hogwarts, A History'."

"She probably took that one with her. She always has that book on hand," he said, folding up his note and stuffing it into an envelope. He called for Pig, Ron's owl, and the little bird fluttered around the room excitedly.

"Come here you, crazy little owl," said Harry laughing, trying to jump up and catch him.

Ginny laughed at the sight, "Come here, Pig," she said, holding out her arm. The little owl landed gently on her arm, hooting softly and she rubbed his head.

"Thanks, Gin. Little bugger never sits still for me or Ron," said Harry, tying the letter to Pig's little leg.

Ginny shrugged, "He listens to me just fine," she said, stroking his wing.

"Ok Pig, take this letter to Ron ok? He's in Australia somewhere," Harry gave him an owl treat, which the little owl took with enthusiasm, nipping Harry's finger in the process, then flew out the window.

Harry watched the little owl fly away, wondering how long it would take him to get to Australia, when Ginny walked up next to him and said, "Um, Harry? You're dripping some blood on the floor."

"Huh?" said Harry, looking at the floor, then his hand. The little nip that Pig had given him had broken flesh and droplets of blood were running from his finger.

"Oh I didn't even notice," he said, grabbing and old t-shirt to wipe the blood from his finger. Ginny came over and took his hand, "Here, let me help," she took her wand and muttered a spell under her breath; the wound closed up and stopped bleeding instantly.

"Thanks, Ginny."

"No problem. With as many kids around here that there is, I've heard Mum utter this spell countless of times. Works well for minor scrapes and cuts."

Harry went over to the blood on the floor, kneeling down to clean it up with his wand, when he recalled a particular bloody scene at Hogwarts during the battle; broken and dead bodies all over the place; yelling and screaming coming from all directions.

"Harry? Harry!" he heard Ginny yell, which snapped him back to reality. "Harry? Are you ok? You went pale and slumped over."

Harry nodded, "I'm fine. For some reason seeing the blood on the floor…" he trailed off. "I'm OK. I swear." To prove to Ginny, and to himself, he got up from the floor and pointed his wand at the mess, "Scourgify," he said. In an instant, the blood was gone.

Ginny looked at him skeptically, "If you say so," she went over to the little desk, took out a piece of chocolate she knew was hidden in there, and handed it to him, "just in case though, here, eat some of this."

"Gin, I don't need chocolate.." he began.

"Just humor me Potter, ok?" she said, almost pleadingly.

Harry sighed, taking a bite of chocolate. Even though he convinced himself that he felt fine before, he did start to feel a tiny bit better after taking a bite.

"Happy?" he asked, trying to break the tension with a smile.

"A little. I'd be happier if you'd tell me the truth whenever you're having an issue with something though."

"Gin, I told you, I'm fine-"

"You don't always have to be 'fine' you know. You're allowed to have problems and you're allowed to talk about them. Especially with me, ok?" She walked closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist, and resting her head on his shoulder. "You went through so much, Harry. I worry about you. You may not like that someone worries about you, but I do. So if you ever need to talk, whether it's today, tomorrow, next week, next year… or a few years from now. I'll be there. Always. Ok?"

Not knowing what to say, Harry wrapped his arms around her and they stood by the window together, just holding each other, until her mother's voice was calling out for them. They broke apart, smiled warmly at each other, and followed the sounds of Mrs. Weasley to the kitchen for dinner.