Chapter eleven

'Kingsley's coming for dinner, I hope you don't mind. I told him I was going to do it Tonks so he wants to get stuck into training.'

'I had a feeling you would Harry, once you realised there was nothing to worry about at Hogwarts,' Tonks leaned over and kissed him tenderly. 'So I need to speak with Mum, I might ask if she wants to come to dinner as well.'

'Good idea, does that mean you're going to do it with me?'

'Of course I am, as long as Mum will take Teddy through the day. I'll go floo her now.' Tonks leaned over and kissed Harry fiercely, then walked over to the fireplace.

Harry looked down at Teddy. 'You know Teddy, I love your mother very much.' Harry couldn't stop smiling as he played with Teddy.

'She'll be here soon.' Tonks said as she sat down next to Harry and Teddy.

Harry and Tonks sat on the floor playing with Teddy when Andromeda stepped out of the fire. They both stood and gave her a kiss, then she sat on the couch.

'Now, what did you want to ask me Dora?'

'Well, Kingsley told us this morning that they lost most of the Aurors in the battle and he wants me and Harry to do guard duty at Hogwarts through the day. I was hoping you might look after Teddy and if you did it here, Kreacher could give you a hand?'

'You know I'll look after him anytime, but who is Kreacher?'

'Oh, my house elf, Kreacher,' Harry called and with a pop the elf appeared in front of them and Teddy giggled again. 'Kreacher, this is Tonks' mother, Andromeda.'

'Hello Mistress Tonks' mother.' Kreacher bowed to her.

'Now if we're not here and Andromeda is here looking after Teddy, I want you to do whatever she asks, is that alright Kreacher?'

'Of course Master Harry,' Kreacher bowed again.

'Thanks Kreacher, how long before dinner?'

'Half an hour Master Harry,' Harry nodded to him and he went back to the kitchen.

'See Mum, and Teddy loves him. So if you want to look after Teddy here, he'll help in any way you want.' Tonks smiled at her mother.

'Well it makes sense Dora, so okay. So I take it that this will be from the first of September?'

'Yes, but we also have to get Harry up in all the training and laws. Kingsley will be here soon for dinner, then he's going to start training Harry, I'll be helping as well. So that's another thing, not every day just yet, but could you also look after Teddy a couple of hours through the day so I can help Kingsley with the training?'

'Of course I will, you know I love looking after my grandson.'

Just then the fire turned green and Kingsley stepped out. 'Hello everyone,' he said happily and received hi from the three people sitting there.

'I've just been explaining to Mum about everything Kingsley. She's happy to help by watching Teddy.'

'That's wonderful, thanks Andromeda.' Kingsley smiled at her.

'You welcome Minister.'

'Please Andromeda, it's Kingsley.' she nodded and gave him a smile, then Kingsley turned to Harry. 'So we'll go through some duelling practice later, then tomorrow we'll take you through some of the laws and techniques used to interrogate. We'll do different things every day.'

'Anything you want Kingsley.'

The four adults and Teddy sat around talking until dinner was ready. Then they all enjoyed a wonderful cooked dinner that Kreacher had prepared. After they finished, Kingsley took Harry outside to see what he could do. Tonks and Andromeda sat outside watching and Teddy sat on his grandmother's lap.

Kingsley and Harry circled each other, before firing spells at one another. They kept going for an hour until Harry had Kingsley on the ground. Tonks looked shocked as she watched Kingsley slowly stand up.

'Well Harry, I can see you're not going to need a lot of duelling practice, so we might just concentrate on law and interrogation.'

'Whatever you think Kingsley, but that was fun. I haven't had that much fun in ages. I forget how much I enjoyed duelling when your life doesn't depend on it.'

Kingsley looked from Harry to Tonks then back again. 'Fun, do you realise what you just did Harry?'

Harry shook his head as they made their way over to the two women and sat down with them.

'Tonks, why don't you explain to Harry what he just did that was so extraordinary.' Kingsley said panting heavily.

'Harry, Kingsley has never lost a duel, you're the first one to ever do it, why do you think he used to be head of the Auror department.' Tonks grinned at him, then laughed when he saw the shocked look on Harry's face.

'You're kidding me.' Harry said and Kingsley and Tonks both shook their heads. 'Well, that makes me feel loads better than.'

'I know you used your wand the whole time and I appreciate that Harry, but tomorrow I might see what sort of things you can do without it.'

'No problem Kingsley. So what time do you want me there?'

'Say ten, that way we can do a couple of hours, have some lunch, then take you through some of the interrogations techniques, how's that sound?'

'Great and I'm really looking forward to it. Anyway, I'll be right back.' Harry leaned over and kissed Tonks and walked inside.

'Tonks, after seeing what Harry can do, I need to tell you something and I hope you don't take offence and I don't want Harry to know just yet.'

'Alright, but I don't like the idea of keeping things from him Kingsley.'

'I know, but this is good news, I just know Harry. What I want to tell you is that, Harry is the most powerful Auror there will be once he finishes his training. So I was going to make him Head Auror. All the others are nowhere near his skill.'

'I agree with you Kingsley and I don't take offence. Harry will make a great Head Auror, but yes, he will think he's being treated special when you tell him.'

'Yes, that's why I don't want to tell him yet. Once he sees what the other Aurors are like, he might understand more.'

'Yes I think that will work. Let's go inside and have a cup of tea. I need to put Teddy to bed anyway.'

'Let me put him to bed Dora, I've missed him so much lately.'

'Alright Mum.' The three of them got up and went inside. Kingsley and Tonks into the living room where Harry joined them not long after while Andromeda took Teddy into his room. They all enjoyed a wonderful night, catching up and not having to worry about dark wizards for a change. After Kingsley and Andromeda left, Harry went to have a shower and got into bed and waited while Tonks had hers, then she joined him.

'That was great duelling Harry, you are just so fast.'

'Thanks Tonks, that's a great compliment coming from an Auror.'

Tonks and Harry cuddled up talking about what Harry will learn over the next few weeks, until they both fell asleep, still holding each other.

The next morning, Harry and Tonks walked into the Ministry. Harry had his arm around her as they made their way to the lifts and he noticed everyone stopped what they were doing and watched him as he went past. They got into the lifts and went to meet Kingsley at the Auror offices.

'Morning Harry, Tonks. How are you both?' Kingsley said smiling at them.

'Good Kingsley, how about you.' Harry smiled as he shook Kingsley hand, then he kissed Tonks.

'I'm great, ready to get started Harry?'

'All set Kingsley.' Harry couldn't stop smiling as they made their way to the back of the Auror offices and through a door into a large room the almost the size of the Great Hall but without any tables.

'Right Harry, first I just want you to duel with a couple of the Aurors that are here. We'll start with two of them against you and see how you go, alright?'

'No problem.' Harry took his cloak off and pulled his wand from his back pocket and couldn't help laughing.

'Something funny Harry?' Kingsley asked.

'Yeah, I just remembered what Mad-Eye said to me once. Do you remember Tonks, about keeping my wand in my back pocket?' Tonks started laughing and Harry couldn't stop either. 'He told me that people have lost buttocks by keeping their wands there.' Then Kingsley couldn't help laughing as well. When they calmed down, Harry walked into the middle of the room and faced two Aurors that weren't much older than him.

The three of them started to circle each other and within a few minutes Harry had them bound tight. He released them before he walked over to Kingsley.

'Please tell me these aren't the best you've got Kingsley that was way too easy.' Harry said looking stunned.

'Well they haven't been Aurors for long and like I said, we've lost a lot at the battle. So how about you take on four this time.'

'Sure.' Harry said shrugging and he walked back out and waited until four new Aurors joined him. Some of these were a little older so Harry thought he might be in for a bit harder time, they might give him a bit more of a challenge. They all started of warily as they circle, threw a couple of spells, that Harry blocked easily, then they started getting faster and again Harry had the four of them bound tight within half an hour. He released them and walked back over to Kingsley. 'So far yours has been the most challenging Kingsley.'

'Yes, I knew it would be. That's why I need to speak with you about something important. Tonks do you want to train a bit or come into my office?'

'I might train for a while. I'm a bit out of shape, especially after seeing Harry and if I'm going to be helping him, I'm going to need to get back into shape.' Tonks grinned at the man she loved.

'Alright, Harry, let's head up to my office.' Kingsley said and Harry kissed Tonks before following him out of the room missing the looks the other Aurors were giving him. Some awed and some jealous, but they all knew that if they had Harry Potter join the Aurors, they were going to be in good shape.

Kingsley and Harry stepped into the Ministers office and sat down on the couches and waited until he's secretary brought them in some tea.

'Now as you just saw Harry, you've got a lot more experience than they have. You still need to learn everything else that goes with being an Auror, but I want to tell you something and please don't think I'm treating you special or any different to anyone else.'

Harry looked a little puzzled, 'Alright Kingsley, I'm not sure what you're talking about but yes, those Aurors need more duelling practice, even the older ones.'

'Okay, now even though you still need to learn everything, I'm going to appoint you as Head Auror Harry.'

Harry sat looking at Kingsley not really sure he heard right. 'You're what, do you think you can say that again because I'm not sure I heard you properly?'

'You heard me right Harry. I'm going to appoint you Head Auror. You're the only one that can take that position. As you just experienced yourself, none of the others are up to scratch even Tonks agreed when I mentioned it to her.'

'You talk to Tonks about this.'

'Yes, but I asked her not to say anything until I saw what you could do today. She didn't like the idea of hiding things from you, but she knew if I mentioned it last night you wouldn't have understood why I'm offering you that position.'

'You're serious Kingsley, you really want me as Head Auror when I'm not even an Auror yet?'

Kingsley got up from the couch and walked over to his desk and grabbed a piece of parchment, then sat back down. 'I know you still have a few things to learn, but here.' Kingsley handed Harry the parchment.

'This says I'm already an Auror Kingsley.' Harry looked up at him.

'Yes, I knew after last night that you wouldn't need much training. So I had it prepared for you and your office is being prepared as well and you're new Auror robes that are a little different from the others as you are the Head. Look Harry, I know this has all come pretty fast and you're probably in shock at the moment. But we need you here Harry and if you take this, I can guarantee we will get more applicants for people to join the Auror department.'

Harry looked down at the parchment in his hand, then back at Kingsley. 'I really don't know what to say Kingsley.'

'Just please say you'll take it harry. You'd be doing me a great favour if you did. Now just before you tell me, there's one more thing. Normally the Head Auror wouldn't be the one at Hogwarts, but as I already told you, parents want you there so they know their kids will be safe. I will have to notify the Daily Prophet about your appointment as well.'

'You do that and people will think I am getting special treatment Kingsley. I'm only eighteen and Head Auror.' Harry said shaking his head.

'Not the way I'll release it. Once everyone knows that we lost most of the Aurors in the battle and you have more experience than the ones that we have left, I think they will understand.'

'I can understand after seeing what the Aurors could do, or should I say couldn't do. So if I take the position as Head, who will be my Deputy Head?' Harry smiled at Kingsley and saw him grin back at him.

'Of course it will be Tonks, she's the next when it comes to experience. Now unless something major happens, you and Tonks will be at Hogwarts for the year. Then if you think it's necessary to keep Aurors at Hogwarts after the year, then you can appoint others to guard there. If something big happens, you will need to come straight back and a couple of other Aurors will stay at Hogwarts until you can return. So what do you say Harry, are you going to help me out and take it?'

'After listening to everything you've said, yes, I'll take it. How can I turn you down Kingsley.' Harry said still shaking his head as Kingsley pulled him up and hugged him.

'Great, thanks Harry, now that's taken a lot of stress off me. Let's head back down and I'll introduce you to all your Aurors and show you your office.'

Harry couldn't help laughing at Kingsley's enthusiasm as they left the office and walked back to the Auror offices and into the training room. Harry and Kingsley stood there watching Tonks duelling two of the Aurors and Harry knew straight away she was really good. Not long after she had them bound, before releasing them. As Kingsley explained when they were walking back, they had to rush a lot of people through training as they were losing so many to Voldemort and his death eaters. Now though, they could take the time to really train and hopefully the Aurors will be back as the elite that they were known for.