Disclaimer: All characters, places etc. belong to JK Rowling, apart from my own characters

Chapter 10 – Back To The Ministry

Harry woke early on the morning of the 10th September. Today was the day! Finally! He had waited for this for so long! He didn't quite know what to expect but he knew that this was what he wanted above all else. The only thing he wanted more was to be with Ginny.

Harry got dressed and went downstairs, pausing briefly outside Ginny's room, wishing that she could be there. However he knew that she was happy where she was and that she would be thinking of him today. He knew though that Hermione was still using Ginny's room and knocked on the door softly.

"Hermione?"

There was no answer so Harry quietly opened the door. Hermione was sat on the edge of her bed, gazing out of the window. She turned when Harry came into the room.

"Hi." She had been crying again, although it didn't seem to be as bad this time.

"Hi. You ok?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, it's just that... You and Ron, Aurors! I wish my parents could be here to see it." She suddenly realised what she said. "Oh Harry I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking!"

"It's fine." Harry said. "I know my parents would have been proud of me. Actually I think they are, you know? It... this just feels right. Like it's what I've been working towards all my life."

Hermione smiled, the curl of her mouth a stark contrast to the tear tracks running down her cheeks. "Harry you're the best wizard out of all three of us. You'll be great. Ron will as well. I mean he knows he's not as good as you but I know he's still going to be fantastic. Actually I..." She looked down then carried on. "I was thinking of applying to the Ministry myself. Oh not for the Auror department," she said quickly off Harry's look, "For Law Enforcement or something like that. I don't know, I'd just rather be doing something productive."

"Maybe you could make a Department of SPEW." Harry said and they both laughed. Hermione shook her head.

"Go on get downstairs. You've both got an important day ahead of you."

...

Later that morning Harry and Ron found themselves standing outside the red public telephone box which served as the Ministry of Magic's visitor entrance. Harry couldn't help but remember a day two years ago when he, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Neville and Luna used this same entrance in an attempt to save Sirius from Voldemort. He shook his head. He couldn't afford to dwell on the past, especially not today. He thought instead about the letter Ginny had sent him that morning, wishing him luck and assuring him that there was nothing to worry about.

Inside the phone box Harry dropped in a coin and pushed the numbers 6, 2, 4, 4, 2. A voice replied asking his business.

"Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Auror Training." he said. Two badges dropped out of the phone and he and Ron put them on as the box descended to the main atrium. When it stopped Harry and Ron made their way to the Ministry's reception desk.

"Ah, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley." The wizard on the desk checked their names off on a list. Harry sneaked a look at the parchment. There didn't seem to be all that many names on it. The wizard carried on talking. "If you could just register your wands and then go through that door on your left there. The other candidates are waiting there as well."

Inside the indicated room Harry saw that there were about five other people gathered. He didn't know two of them, a man and a girl, but instantly recognised Neville and waved at him. The people Neville was speaking to turned round as well and Harry felt his mouth open in surprise.

Dean Thomas and Justin Finch-Fletchley.

They came over and shook Harry's hand. Harry was surprised to see Seamus wasn't present. He said as much. Dean answered.

"Yeah Seamus got a letter too but he wanted to go back to work with his mother. She's running a potion making business. Hopefully he won't blow anything important up." They laughed as they remembered Seamus's knack for setting even the simplest things on fire. They stopped when the door opened and Kingsley Shacklebolt entered the room. He was followed by a man Harry had never seen before. This man had obviously seen action as he had a grizzled look and a scar down one cheek.

Kingsley spoke first. "Good morning everyone. Well I'm sure I don't need to tell you why you are here. This is Pearson, one of our best Aurors and your training supervisor. I think it best if I let him take over." With that he left the room. Harry heard Neville gulp behind him.

Pearson stepped forward. "My name is Pearson. Not 'sir', not 'boss', not 'mister', just Pearson. And I know who each of you are. Each of you has been chosen for this opportunity because you have demonstrated skills which I think we can use here. This programme will take the following form: Two days of assessment, after which you will be assigned to the Auror branch I think you are most suited for. After which you will be under your new section head. Any questions?"

There were none. Neville had gone positively pale. Harry didn't know if he liked this Pearson but he knew experience when he saw it and this man obviously had a lot of it.

"Then follow me." With that Pearson led the group out of the room towards one of the many lifts. Once inside, Pearson pushed a button. The lift started moving and again Harry was reminded of previous visits to the Ministry. He wondered which floor they were heading for when the lift suddenly stopped and the doors opened.

"Auror quartermaster's office." Pearson said by way of explanation. "Here you will be issued with your Auror gear." He led them to another room containing a desk, with a short bald wizard with spectacles stood behind it, and a series of coathooks, each bearing a long brown coat. Pearson said something to the short wizard and he retrieved one of the coats. Pearson looked at the group.

"Put your wands on the desk." They did so. Pearson continued. "Let's see now... Potter you'll do. Come here." No please or thank you, Harry noticed. This man was used to giving orders and having them obeyed. He stepped forward and accepted the coat which Pearson held out to him. Putting it on he found that it was about five sizes too big. The sleeves dangled past his hands. He looked at Pearson questioningly. To his surprise the short wizard smiled. Harry assumed he was the subject of a joke until he felt the coat constrict and shrink. After about a minute it was the perfect size for him. He also noticed that the colour of the coat had darkened. His astonishment obviously showed on as the short quartermaster wizard grinned widely.

"The coat identifies your build and alters itself to fit." he explained. "Now no-one else can use that coat." He was almost jumping up and down with enthusiasm. At a nod from Pearson he carried on. "Put your hand in the coat's pocket."

Harry was about to say that there wouldn't be anything in there but instead he did as instructed. He was surprised to find something vaguely cylindrical. He pulled it out. It was a bottle of some sort of potion. He opened the bottle and sniffed it. It was Polyjuice Potion.

The short wizard noticed. "The latest thing! The coat determines what you might have need of and summons items to its pockets! But that's not the best thing! Here, pick up your wand." Harry did so. "Now hold it at about shoulder height... no higher... that's it! Ok now drop your wand. Just open your hand and let it fall."

Harry did as he was told. It was surprisingly difficult to deliberately drop something but he managed it. Instead of falling to the ground he was amazed to see it disappear into the coat's sleeve as if it had been sucked in. He felt around the cuff but he could find no sign of his wand. The wizard was practically squealing with delight.

"Now curl your fingers, as if you were holding your wand." Harry did this and his wand shot back out from his sleeve and landed neatly in his fist. The wizard continued explaining, his voice getting higher and higher, like a child showing off a new toy. "Undetectable Extension Charm in the cuff. Makes it impossible to lose your wand. Of course it'll only work with your specific wand but it can reduce the time it takes to draw your wand to practically nothing."

Harry was impressed. He practised this a few times as the rest of the group were given their coats. Neville was surprised to find seeds in his pocket. His knowledge of Herbology meant he knew instantly what they were.

"Devil's snare and tentacular seeds! The things I could do with these!" Obviously excited, he put the plant seeds back into the pockets and picked up his wand to practice drawing and hiding it in his sleeve.

The rest of the day was spent with Pearson conducting a tour of the different Auror sections and explaining what they did. At the end of the day he told them to report to him at nine o'clock the next day for skill assessment.

Harry and Ron returned to the Burrow in high spirits. Pearson had told them that since an Auror was deemed to be on always on duty, they were to keep the coats with them at all times. They spent the evening experimenting with the coats. Ron still couldn't get over the idea that he could never now drop his wand. Eventually they went to bed, hardly able to wait for the next day.

...

The next morning Harry and Ron were back at the Ministry of Magic, along with Dean, Neville, Justin and the two other Auror candidates, who Harry had learned were brother and sister. Their names were Edward and Eleanor Howers, although they insisted on being called Eddie and Ellie respectively.

At nine o'clock precisely the door opened and Pearson entered the room. "Good morning lady and gentlemen." he said, "Today we shall be conducting an assessment of your magical skills to determine what the best position for you will be. The simplest way to do this is a duel. Each of you will duel with one of our top Aurors. Let me make it clear you are not required to win your duel, but you are required to make the best of whatever abilities you have. These are experienced magic users and will not make it easy for you. Any questions?" Harry noticed Neville had gone completely white. Neville raised his hand. Pearson acknowledged him.

"Can we use things from our coat pockets?" Neville asked.

Pearson nodded. "You may use one item from your coat pockets but only one item. It can, however be any item you wish." There were no more questions after that but Neville looked slightly relieved.

They were led to a large room resembling a circular arena, with a viewing gallery around the top. Waiting for them were seven rather large hard-looking men. "These will be your opponents." Pearson explained. "To keep things as straightforward as possible we will go in alphabetical order." That meant Justin went first. "The rest of you will take seats in the viewing gallery to observe."

Justin tried his best in his duel and got some good hits in, but his opponent noticed that he very often favoured defence on his right side and his left side was wide open. He got caught with a Stunning spell to the left side of his chest and was thrown back against the wall. When he didn't get up after ten seconds Pearson nodded and made a note on a piece of parchment.

"Next one."

As Harry waited for his turn he found himself mentally evaluating the others' techniques. Eddie and Ellie both had the same problem. They favoured high attacks and defence and were both caught out by low Trip jinxes. Neville, however, did surprisingly well and won his duel. Because Pearson had made it clear what they were allowed to use Neville threw a Tentacular seed at his opponent and caused it to sprout in mid air. The Auror was unable to react quick enough and became entangled in the vines, at which point Neville brought him down by casting Petrificus Totalus. Harry couldn't help but notice some pride in Neville's voice as he cast the spell.

It was now Harry's turn. He made his way down to the arena and came face to face with a large man with a network of scars across his face. His mouth curled into a sneer.

"So this is the famous Harry Potter. My name is McKendrick, although that won't help you at all. So. Show me what you got."

He made no move to attack Harry, he just stood there waiting. Harry cast a Stunning spell at him which he easily blocked. Harry then tried Expelliarmus but McKendrick lazily dodged out of the way.

"Is that it? Stupefy!"

The spell hit Harry in the dead centre of his chest and he was thrown backwards, but found he was quickly able to get back to his feet. He had the nasty feeling McKendrick was toying with him.

McKendrick's sneer grew larger. "So this is the boy who defeated the Dark Lord? I don't believe it! I think you just took all the credit for other people's work. The Boy Who Lived. Pah! The Boy Who Wanted Attention more like." As he went on Harry was vaguely reminded of his Aunt Marge, who had made it her life's mission to insult him and his parents.

Something snapped inside Harry. He closed his eyes. He was not going to let this idiot beat him or humiliate him in front of people who had risked everything for him. At the same time he knew he was not going to win this by losing control. He could hear Snape's voice in his memory from his disastrous attempts at Occlumency. Empty yourself of emotion. Master yourself. Harry took a deep breath, assumed the ready position taught to him by Sirius and Remus – wand above his head, other hand stretched in front of him, opened his eyes and looked directly at McKendrick. He whispered two words, quiet enough so that only McKendrick could hear.

"Bring it."

...

In the viewing gallery Ron was worried. He knew Harry's temper and knew that McKendrick was baiting him deliberately. When Harry took up the classic ready position Ron breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that whatever happened Harry would give his best shot and not lose control. He sat back to watch.

Harry cast three Stunning spells in quick succession. They were all blocked by his opponent but as he blocked the last one Harry had already cast his next spell. "Impedimenta". McKendrick barely had time to leap out of the way but he just managed it. He responded by casting Incarcerous back at Harry who shouted "Protego!" and the spell impacted harmlessly against Harry's shield.

And then it was truly on.

They cast spells and jinxes and counter-jinxes, ducking and dodging and blocking faster than Ron could keep track of. An attempt by McKendrick to set fire to Harry's coat resulted in a face full of water from Harry's Aquamenti. Harry's quick-shot Stupefy continuously rebounded against McKendrick's shield spell.

Ron glanced over at Pearson who had put his parchment down and was leaning forward in his seat, not taking his eyes off what was happening below. Ron looked round at the others. They were just as riveted, especially Eddie and Ellie who had never seen Harry in action before. Ron quickly realised they weren't alone as more people had come to join them. Evidently word of Harry had spread around the ministry and even Kingsley Shacklebolt had come to watch the duel.

Ron turned his eyes back to the fight below him, mentally urging Harry on but also worried about how long he could last. His heart skipped a beat when Harry stumbled, but it soon became obvious that it was a feint and McKendrick was nearly caught off guard. Then Harry did something unexpected. He cried out "Expecto Patronum" and his stag Patronus appeared and charged at McKendrick. Ron knew the spell couldn't harm McKendrick and he wondered what Harry was doing. It soon became clear though.

McKendrick slashed at the stag, causing it to vanish, but as his attention was on the stag he didn't notice the stunners heading his way until the last minute. He dodged two but the last took him in his shoulder, hurling him back. It was a testament to his strength that he almost immediately got back on his feet. Harry seemed shocked by this. McKendrick drew his wand back, obviously intending to finish the fight once and for all. Ron couldn't see how Harry could win against that.

...

Harry was not shocked by McKendrick's recovery. In fact, as McKendrick prepared his final spell, Harry grinned. This was what he had been waiting for. Harry concentrated all his will towards his opponent's wand.

McKendrick thrust his wand forward. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Harry was ready. "Expelliarmus!"

The two spells collided and, as Harry had been expecting, fused into a single stream of energy connecting both his wand and McKendrick's wand.

Wandlock.

McKendrick tried to tear his wand away but through sheer force of will Harry maintained the lock. He smirked to himself. Ever since repairing his wand with the Elder Wand it had become more powerful, as he had seen at the memorial service at Hogwarts when he was able to lift that five ton plaque by himself. He suspected the Elder Wand had transferred some of its powers across, but for now it didn't matter. Against a wand like McKendrick's there was no contest.

Finally, Harry tore his wand away and McKendrick stumbled backwards, his own wand flying out of his hand and clattering to the floor some distance away. In the same smooth movement Harry spun round, pointed his wand at McKendrick and cried out in a loud voice "Stupefy!". The spell hit McKendrick dead centre of his chest and he was blasted back against the wall. He didn't get up again.

The onlookers erupted into cheers and applause. Harry looked up and saw that there were many more people there now. Even Pearson was smiling as he made a note on his parchment. Ron, Neville, Dean and Justin were on their feet cheering and whistling and Eddie and Ellie were amazed at what had just happened. Harry waved at them all.

Pearson held his hand up for silence. When he got it he spoke.

"Thank you Potter. Next?"

...

After the last two duels ended with Ron winning his duel and Dean and his opponent knocking each other out, Pearson returned them to the waiting room to announce the results.

"Finch-Fletchley, Howers and Howers, you will be assigned to the Forensic Magic section of the Aurors. Report to Ames at nine o'clock tomorrow for your first assignment." Harry noticed that Justin was quite pleased. Not surprising really, he had seen Justin stealing glances at Ellie all day. "Potter, Weasley, Longbottom and Thomas, you are assigned to Criminal Investigation under myself. All of you, welcome to the Aurors!"

They all cheered, Harry louder than anyone. He had done it. He was now Harry Potter - Auror.

A/N If anyone wants to know my reasoning on how Harry was able to force that wandlock let me know and I'll try to explain

Next Chapter: Harry Potter - Auror