-Chapter Seven-
Apparation Tests
Harry awoke in his bed the next morning. He turned to the alarm clock to see that it was seven O'clock. Today, he would get his Apparation license, if he past that is.
He got up to see a tawny owl pecking at the window. Harry walked over to the window opening it to the let the owl in. Harry looked down at the garden to see the decorations and chairs still sat there.
Harry let the tawny owl in and took the letter from its beak. There was one for Ron as well. Harry walked over to Ron throwing the letter on him. Ron's eyes flicked open and he looked up at Harry.
"What?" he groaned.
"You got a letter," Harry replied, tearing his envelope open. He took out a piece of parchment, which read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
I am writing to inform you that since you are now seventeen and legally of age to obtain your Apparation license you may now take your apparations test.
Arthur Weasley, Head of Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects, has already enclosed a date for you to take your test today. This letter is to tell you the time of your test which will be at 12 noon. Do not be late!
Yours Sincerely
Mr W. Twycross
Head of the Apparation Testing Department
"Twelve O'clock, eh?" Ron yawned looking over Harry's shoulder reading his letter, "mine's at ten to 12."
"When is your dad going to work?" Harry asked.
"Early, but, they've give him a few days of for the wedding," Ron replied, "we'll probably be leaving around ten or eleven."
Ron was right. No sooner did they walk down the stairs were Mr Weasley and Mrs Weasley sat at the kitchen table. Mr Weasley sat in his usual wizarding robes and Mrs Weasley in her green dressing gown.
"What do you want for breakfast you two?" Mrs Weasley said holding her wand.
"Just toast," they both said sitting down as Mrs Weasley flicked her wand two plates of toast sitting in front of them.
Harry and Ron wolfed them down like a pack of wild dogs. Mr Weasley stood up as they finished the last bit of crumbs. "Well, I think we should head off," Harry and Ron nodded and followed Mr Weasley out into the front yard. "Take my hand," Harry and Ron did. Mr Weasley turned to Harry, "we'll be apparating this time." Before Harry felt the familiar constrictions of apparation he distinctly saw a look of disappointment in Mr Weasley's face.
Harry looked to see that the Burrow had disappeared and the chicken infested lawn nowhere to be seen. Standing before him was the damaged windowless phone box, which led to the Ministry of Magic. Harry walked in the phone box; it was cramped with Mr Weasley and Ron in Harry having to move to the side to get comfortable. Mr Wesley took the receiver nearly hitting Ron, while turning the dial.
A cool voice appearing from the receiver.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
"Arthur Weasley, Head of Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive spells and Protective Objects, here to escort Ron Weasley and Harry Potter to their Apparations test."
"Thank you," said the cool voice, "Visitor, please take the badge and place it at the front of your robes."
Two badges fell out of the metal chute where coins usually discarded from. Harry took them passing one to Ron and pinning his which said: Harry Potter, Apparation Test.
"Visitors are required to submit their wands for registration at the security desk in the Atrium."
The earth shuddered and darkness surrounded them as the floor began to descend. Harry watched apprehensively as a golden light shone from the floor as the elevator reached its destination.
"The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day," said the woman's voice.
Harry walked out of the elevator as the doors sprung open. He looked at the Atrium in which he had witness a titanic battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort. The same dark polished wooden floor and peacock blue ceiling with gold symbols moving overhead. Fireplaces could be seen set into the dark wooden panelled walls.
Harry looked at the middle of the Atrium to see the golden statues of the noble-looking witch and wizard. The Centaur, Elf and Goblin also stood with them in a circular pool of water. Harry remembered how Dumbledore had conjured them to protect Harry in his battle with Voldemort. Harry walked around the pool throwing a galleon inside.
They walked over to the unshaven security guard wearing blue peacock robes at the desk next to the golden gates leading to the elevator.
"I'm escorting some visitors," Mr Weasley said.
"Step over here."
Harry and Ron walked over to him. He scanned them with a gold rod almost like a car aerial. They both gave him their wands. He examined it in a brass of scales. He gave it back as the parchment shot of it.
Harry and Ron followed Mr Weasley to the elevators. He walked in after him and Ron. The lifts closed with a clang and the lift descended slowly the same cool female voice from the telephone box speaking.
"Level Seven, Department of Magical Games and Sports, incorporating the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, Official Gobstones Club and Ludicrous Patents Office."
The lift opened and people walked in. Perkins, the timid-looking old wizard walked into the lift. He looked up at Mr Weasley.
"Alright, Arthur," Perkins said nodding at Mr Weasley.
"Alright Perkins," Mr Weasley said happily, he motioned at the papers in Perkins hand. "What do you have there?"
"Oh, someone's bewitched a ticket machine down in Paddington Station," Perkins said looking down at the papers. "Every time someone tries to put a ticket in it fires millions back at them."
"Really?" Mr Weasley said beaming.
Harry looked at his watch as the lift descended. It was twenty to eleven. Ron's test was in ten minutes. The cool voice appeared again.
"Level Six, Department of Magical Transportation, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office and Apparation Test Centre."
Harry walked out with Ron and turned to see Mr Weasley talking with Perkins excitedly about the ticket machine. "Dad!" Ron shouted, "Come on!"
Mr Weasley bade his goodbyes to Perkins. He turned walking ahead of Ron and Harry a little dismal. "Your dad seems upset," Harry whispered to Ron.
"He misses working with Perkins," Ron whispered, "Perkins helped him when he first started and was his best friend and was almost as muggle obsessed as Dad."
They stopped outside a cubicle saying: Apparation Test Centre. A portly young woman popped her head out. "Err... Ron Weasley."
Ron gulped nervously walking over to her. He disappeared behind the cubicle. Harry sat there with Mr Weasley a small nervous twinge in his stomach. A small pop could be heard from the cubicle. Harry looked around to see people sitting there waiting also nervous. One in particular was Neville Longbottom and his fussy old Nan. Harry could see some DA Members there as well with their parents.
Harry heard another pop fifteen minutes later. Ron bombed out of the cubicle smiling, "Harry! I did it! I passed!"
Harry stood up smiling. "That's great, mate," Harry smiled, "well done."
"Harry Potter," came the voice of the portly woman. Harry smiled at Ron nodding and walked into the cubicle. It was much larger than Mr Weasley's. Many papers were scattered all over the desk. She shook his hand, "I'm Madam Miffney. I'll be your examiner for today."
She sat down. "Right, no need to be nervous," she added when she saw Harry's nervous expression. "First, I want you to apparate from were you are standing to were I am."
Harry kept his mind on the objective; he focused on his destination, determination and deliberation. Crack, Harry appeared in front of Madam Miffney. She nodded walking over to where Harry was standing. "Very good," she said marking it down.
"Now, I'm going to give you a picture of a place to go and you have to apparate to it," she said sitting down. She took out a moving picture of the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry though his destination his deliberation and determination again as he kept the Leaky Cauldron in his mind. Harry didn't know why he was so nervous he'd apparated before.
Pop, Harry appeared outside the dingy pub known as the Leaky Cauldron. He looked around nervously hoping no one had saw him. But, then most people didn't really notice the Leaky Cauldron so he thought he was alright. He thought of the Ministry Office and with a pop he was standing in front of Madam Miffney. She clapped joyfully.
"Well done, Mr. Potter," She said joyfully, she flicked her wand, "here is your apparition license. Use it with care and don't lose it."
Harry smiled taking the card that had his picture on it. A huge weight lifted off of him as he walked out of the cubicle. He smiled at Ron happily.
"You did it," Ron laughed, "I knew you would."
"Well done," said some of the members of the DA who were there.
"Nice one, Harry," Neville beamed at Harry.
Harry felt happier than he'd been in a long time. Ever since Dumbledore's funeral he thought he never would. Strange how something so small can make you so happy, Harry thought smiling. A grin that could never be whipped away.
Suddenly, a high-pitched siren echoed through the room. Harry looked around there weren't any sirens anywhere. "Quick," barked Mr Weasley, "we're getting out of here."
"What's going on?"
"Death Eaters."
Harry looked in horror as the lift descended and at least ten Death Eaters barged out firing spell after spell at the unsuspecting families stood before them.
