Chapter Ten - Meeting with Kingsley

It took them about fifteen minutes after Harry had returned inside before Mrs. Weasley actually let them go, making them take the quicker route of flooing into the Ministry instead of apperating in, as she had cried about how her boys were growing up. As they were leaving she gave them both giant hugs and sent them each off with packed lunches so that she knew they would eat properly today. Harry left first via floo and had to wait a good five minutes before Ron joined him and they set off to Kingsley's new office as Minister. As people passed them they would tip their hats or stare at them as they passed muttering their praises or else shouting that "HARRY POTTER IS REALLY HERE" causing Harry to go red in the ears every time. Finally they made it to the Minsters office and were led into a small waiting area where they saw Percy Weasley exit Kingsley's office a huge grin spread across his face to which both boys wondered what was going on.

Kingsley's secretary said he was running a little behind on another meeting and it would only be another half hour and he would be with them. While they waited Harry and Ron both discussed what they would be talking about to today or what they would have to be doing as this had never been known to ever happen especially in the Auror department. To the boys it felt like ages before Kingsley finally opened his office door and led them into his spacious office. There were two chairs seated in front of his desk which he motioned for them to sit in before offering the pair each a drink of tea which they both accepted happily. Finally, he sat down behind his desk and folded his hands in front of him and looked at them a huge grin on his face.

"Boys first off thank you so much for deciding to join forces with the Auror department, we could definitely use some good witches and wizards with the skills you both already have. Not many wizards or even witches have had the same experiences that either of you have had when they come into training heck most wizards my age haven't gone up against what you have. Now with that being said you have a lot of training you will still have to go through." He cleared his throat and took out two rolls of parchment and handed them to both Harry and Ron. "It takes three years to become a proper Auror and there are absolutely no exception to that rule" he added as he saw Ron about to say something. "We have bended the rules enough. We have enough Aurors left that are in good standing that can still help train you up. Speaking of training it starts today."

"What?!"

"All you need to do is sign those pieces of parchment. Neville should be here soon to join you."

"Kingsley we were not expecting to start today." Harry said flabbergasted as he looked at the parchment he had to sign and signed it after a moment of reading.

"The Auror department is all about surprises. Your first month of training is widely viewed as the fight or flight month." They both looked up at him a bit confused at what he meant. "You will see soon enough."

"Ginny is gonna kill me" Harry commented as he handed the parchment back to Kingsley with Ron who nodded in agreement.

"Harry you will soon learn that your personal life is going to take a beating the first three years and every year after that as an Auror." He smiled warmly at Harry something that reassured him. "However, I do know Ginny well enough to know she expects this that is why an owl was already dispatched telling her that you won't be able to see her for a month."

"A month?"

"I am joking don't worry you will be home in time for dinner, you just have some basics to go over today. You will have a month this summer of intense training where you will be staying at the Auror compound and can't leave unless it is for training."

"Please tell me it ends before September first" Harry begged.

"It ends before that, but I cannot tell you when it will occur just that there will be no notice of it." He smiled at them as Harry sank back in his chair thinking of a way to tell Ginny before long though Kingsley started laughing and Harry looked up at him. "I am only kidding about the month it doesn't actually happen that is later on in training."

"What will training consist of?" Ron asked as he leaned back in his chair and began to sip on his tea.

"You will be trained in a variety of different subjects each honing a skill every Auror must know and then tested at the end of training. I already know you will both be excellent at defensive magic though you will need to be trained more in combative fighting to fine tune your already impressive skills. There are of course the basics in healing magic, potion making is a big part of being an Auror for reasons you will find out and to my knowledge your skills need a lot of practice."

"That is an understatement" Harry said being completely honest to which the other to laughed.

"You'll manage" there was a knock at the door and Kingsley yelled for them to enter. "Ahhh perfect Proudfoot and Savage thank you for coming up."

"Anytime Minister" Savage said coming into the room his curly blond catching in the light as he stood beside Harry and Proudfoot, a tall dark skinned man, stood beside Ron.

"These two will be your main trainers. You will stick to these men like glue during training and listen to every word they say, both have great knowledge that you will learn from."

"As we will learn from you" Proudfoot added to both Harry and Ron. "You two have done things we could never have imagined."

"Yes well you four can head down to the Auror office now and set the boys up, Neville will be there shortly. Good luck boys you will need it."