Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series.

A/N: This chapter contains Irish dialogue. It is very simple and is all translated, as well as kept to a minimum.

12: A Day Out

"The key to perfect Transfiguration is concentration." Professor Williamson said. "You need to be concentrated and you need to focus. For example, if I want to transfigure this table to a, say, chair, then I need to concentrate on the table and a visualisation of the chair. He flicked his wand and his desk changed into a hard backed wooden chair. "It is very easy to change the shape of objects when you attempt to transfigure them into something that is made of the same material. For example, my desk was wooden and this chair is wooden. Rather than had I wanted a metal chair, it would be significantly more difficult. That is why anything you transfigure will be of the material and make up." He said as the bell sounded, signalling the end of class.

"How come when he gives us lectures he always finishes two seconds before the bell?" Luke asked. "It's bloody scary"

Hufflepuff had narrowly overcome Ravenclaw in the season's second Quidditch match. The following Monday, the Hufflepuff's walked happily while the Ravenclaw's were also proud of their effort, ultimately being one hundred and thirty points ahead, their Seeker's effort to catch the Snitch was poor. The Hufflepuff Seeker clasped the Snitch fairly uncontested, flying the broom at a canter.

Albus' day had begun with a double Transfiguration and was soon, he hoped, to end with another double, this time; Potions. The day passed and Albus was yet to receive and homework. He, along with the rest of his classmates, was on a high: they were looking forward to a free evening, unless they had any homework to complete for tomorrow's class, which, fortunately for Albus, he didn't.

"Now sit down. Now, I am Head of Slytherin House, but that doesn't mean that you Ravenclaws don't have to listen. This could be beneficial. Yes, I know it's only the middle of November but in late March or April, you will all have to pick a minimum of two subjects to take on at the start of your third year. Students usually take three subjects, more can be… problematic. We will spend this class talking about subjects and the other class doing some theory." Professor Kelly began pacing around the room. "These subjects are important choices. Pick subjects you think you will like and do well enjoy. If you don't have interest, don't pick a subject. If you don't pick a subject for your O. , then you won't be able to do it at N.E.W.T level. Now, don't get all worked up about your subject choices, you have months yet but don't wait until the last minute either. Give these subjects a think. There are five subjects to choose from and these are: Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures and Divination. Potter, you have a brother in third year. Correct?" he asked.

"Yes sir" Albus replied.

"And which subjects did he pick?" Professor Kelly probed.

"Eh… Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies."

"And, how is he getting on in these subjects?"

"I'm not too sure, sir" Albus told the Professor.

"Well, I hope he is getting on better in them classes than he is in my classes." Professor Kelly retorted. There was a smattering of laughter in the room.

"Seriously, this is very important. People may think that because they're only in second year and will be choosing subjects that have no impact on their life. It is the complete opposite. I'm not going to lie, it is important. As I've previously said, if you don't know what you want to do after school and aren't sure what subjects to choose, choose subjects you like because more than likely, after school you will end up doing something that you like and enjoy." he reiterated. "There are only a few minutes left in class so we will begin Potions now" he announced after a few minutes of silence. "Take out your books. Open page forty two." he said. "Today, we are going to learn about the importance of having your Potion at the correct temperature when you are brewing it. You all may think that you should have learned this last year but many of the Potions you brewed last year was done at a steady temperature. I mean that there wasn't change rather than a few of the potions you will brew this year will have temperature fluctuations. Can anyone tell me the importance of having the correct temperature?" he asked.

The class fell silent. Professor Kelly rose from his desk and began pacing the classroom. "Nobody?" he asked. "How about you, Mr Potter?" All the heads turned to Albus and Albus turned around to face the Professor.

"Well... if you don't have the right temperature then you're brewing a different Potion" Albus responded.

"Yes... yes. I've never heard it phrased like that before. Albus is right. If the temperature is incorrect, you are, in essence, brewing a different Potion. Now, some Potions' strength can vary depending on the temperature you brew them at. So, the temperature changes are very important. Ms Wilson, temperature is one important aspect of Potions, can you give me another?" Professor Kelly asked.

"Eh... the... the amount of each ingredient you put in" she replied tentatively.

"Excellent." he said, clapping his hands together. "Now, the quantity of ingredients is important, again as the same reason as the temperature. Too much or too little of an ingredient can cause you to be brewing a different potion or a different strength potion than you require. Temperature and ingredients quantity are the two most important aspects to correctly brewing a potion. So, for homework I want you all to write an essay on the importance of temperature and quantity of ingredients in potion making."

"How long, sir?" one of the male Hufflepuff's asked. Albus wasn't sure of his name.

"Well, I believe one of your Professor's says 'quality over quantity' so that will apply here. Be warned, if you write a short essay but it does not come up to scratch, I will not be so lenient next time. It's due Friday."

The class began to pack up their bags and they all turned to face their professor, hoping we would allow them to go early. "Go on" he said, waving the class out of the room. They rushed out of the room and through the narrow dungeon hallways. Slytherin house second years had the rest of the day off, they were being brought on a field trip to the Ministry of Magic, along with the Gryffindors. They knew that they couldn't let their rival house ruin the day. They would break for lunch before meeting at the Entrance Hall, where they would be brought in groups of five to theHeadmistress' office to Floo to the Ministry. Each group would be brought around the Ministry seperately as the school had been asked to keep the groups small. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were going to the Ministry next week.

The three boys, Albus, Luke and Scorpius, ate a quick lunch and joned with the rest of the group in the Entrance Hall. Professor Kelly and Professor Longbottom showed up and each took a group with them to the office. Professor Kelly took a group of Slytherins which included Brian, Chloe, Zoey and two Gryffindors, both of whom were friends with Brian. The group of five Gryffindrs included Rose, Conor Kavanagh, Alex and Alison Noone and one other boy who Albus didn't know. Professor Potter was the next teacher to arrive. "Albus, Scorpius, Luke, Ashley and Emily. Come with me" he said. The five followed him without delay. He talked back to the group as they followed him. "We're Flooing from my office and I, along with a colleague, will be showing you around the Ministry."

"Why can't you show us around by yourself, Professor?" Emily asked.

"Well, there's a neew trainee in the Ministry so not only will you be learning about the Ministry, but she will too. Not to mention her English isn't too good. She's from Ireland and wherever she lived, they only spoke Irish. So, either her English isn't too good or she doesn't like to speak English."

"Oh, I can speak Irish" Luke said.

"Did she not go to school here?" Ashley asked.

"No, homeschooled. And Luke, I didn't want to ask if you could speak Irish or not. Good to know you can, our translator for the day." Harry joked.

They arrived at his office. "Has everyone here Flooed befroe?" he asked and they all nodded in agreement. He withdraw a jar of Floo powder from a nearby bag and offered it to each of them. "You must say 'Ministry of Magic Atrium'" he told them. "If you don't say that, we're not sure where you might go. Line up and off you go."

Luke went first, followed by Ashley, Emily, Albus and finally Scorpius. They were soon joined in the great dark wooded atrium by their Professor and supervisor for the day. They were each greeted by the Irish woman Harry had told them about. "Dia duit" she said.

"Dia is Muire duit" Luke replied. "Cad is ainm duit?" he asked.

"Siobhán Ní Neill is ainm dom agus tú féin?" she asked.

"Luke O'Briain. Ca bhfuil tú i do chónaí?"

"Conamara agus tusa?"

"Contae na hIarmhí. An labhraíonn tú Béarla?"

"Labhraím ach ní maith liom ag caint Béarla" she said.

"Bhuel, an mhaith leat do phost?"

"Is aoibhinn liom mo phost"

"Béarla a labhairt ansin" Luke told her. She appeared to be deep in thought.

"Welcome to the Mnistry of Magic. I will be your tour guide today, assisted by Mr Potter. My name is Siobhán O' Neill."

"Hey" they all replied. Harry bustled towards Luke and hunkered down beside him.

"What did you say to her?" he asked.

"I asked her of she liked her job and she said yes so I said she has to speak English. I was going to tell her that she would be sacked if she kept talking in Irish but she seemed to get the message without me having to say too much." he told him.

"Well done" he said. "Okay" he said to the group and not just to Luke. "We're heading to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement first, that includes the Auror office. We will have a tour of my office, a tour that the other groups won't have. Follow us then" The leading pair walked through the atrium, they passed the lifts and stopped in front of a desk where a security guard was sitting, reading a book. Harry coughed to get his attention.

"Ah, Mr Potter, sorry. Wands please" he said. The security guard was old. He had a wrinkled face with grey hair, he looked quite small, but Albus wasn't sure if he was sitting or standing behind the desk.

"No problem, Eric" he said as each member of the group retrieved their wands from their cloaks. Ashley handed in her wand first. The security guard by the name of Eric took it and placed it on weighing scales type machine. A small piece of paper came out and he took it.

"13 3/4 inches, apple with a unicorn hair, supple, in use for since 2017. This correct?" he asked.

"Yeah" she replied, taking back her wand.

"Ashley, you and Siobhángo over to the elevator area." Harry told them. Albus handed in his wand next. The security guard did the same thing again. He looked at the slip of paper.

"13 inches, elder and dragon heartstring, hard, in use since 2017. Correct?" he asked.

"Yes sir" Albus replied and took back his wand. He was sent over to the elevator area and he and Ashley watched every other member of the group confirm their details were correct. "Ya know Ashley, I thought that my wand was big but yours is huge!" Albus exclaimed. "13 and three quarter inches!"

"What length is your wand?" she inquired.

"Thirteen" he told her.

The rest of the group came over to them one by one. Scorpius was first followed by Emily and Luke. Harry talked to the security guard for a few moments more before heading back towards the students with a disgruntled look on his face. "Wand identification for visitors" he muttered angrily under his breath. "I bloody work here" he continued to mutter.

"Follow me" Siobhán said. The seven people piled into a lift as the golden grate slid open, and, as soon as it closed the lift shot backwards. The lift began to slow and came to stop. A cool woman's voice announced

"Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement." The seven people stepped out of the elevator and into the entrance area of level two. Siobhán stepped in front of the group and Harry stood behind the five students.

"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement is considered the most important department in the entire Ministry of Magic. All other departments, except the Department of Mysteries, are answerable to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement" she said. "The Auror office is probably the most important office on this floor. First of all, we're going to take a tour of the Auror office first. I think Mr Potter will talk you through the office that he is head of"

"Thank you, Ms O' Neill" Harry said. "The Auror office only deals with criminal law. If you follow me, we will take a look around the Auror offices"

The group followed Harry and entered through the door marked
'Auror Offices'

Albus wondered why the door leading into the Auror offices was the only door not to have the head of the office and deputy head written on the door. "We are the only office not to have the head and deputy head of the office written on the door because my office is not actually located here. I am the only the Head of an office to have a separate office. It is located down that hallway" he said pointing to the hallway to the right of where they were currently standing. This floor was very similar to the atrium in design and in look except for the fact that there was a hallway with doors leading into different offices. Harry pushed the door open. It wasn't what Albus expected and by the look on is friend's face, they didn't expect this either.

The room was large and square. It was divided by small walls into cubicles. Each Auror, Albus presumed, had their own cubicles. The one closest to him was unoccupied. There was a desk and a chair. Decorating the walls were old wanted posters, obviously of criminals he had been tasked to catch. The desk was littered with all manner of items, most of which were tools that Albus had seen his father use before. One of the posters caught Albus' attention. He recognised the man's face and looked down at the name beneath it.

MICHAEL PARKER

WANTED FOR: TRESPASSING; ASSISING MURDER; THEFT
FORMER HOGWARTS PROFESSOR, DESCRIBED BY COWORKERS AS: MANIACAL; DANGEROUS
IF SEEN DO NOT APPROACH, INFORM MEMBERS OF AUROR OFFICES IMMEDIATELY

Albus turned back to face his father who had been watching them. "Each Auror has been assigned to a cubicle. As you can see, they usually put up posters of people they've been assigned to capture. If you look at this cubicle, it belongs to one of our most seasoned Aurors. He has been assigned to a classified location, a place where we believe his target is currently hiding." Harry said.

"Is the target Michael Parker?" Scorpius asked.

"Yes" Harry confirmed. "That's all I can say on that matter. If we move on, we'll talk to one of the most prominent Aurors in our office. They walked around the outside and Albus noticed that most of the cubicles were, in fact, empty.

"Dad, why are so many of the cubicles empty?" Albus asked.

"Well, today is a day off for anyone not assigned on field work. Even though they have a day off, I'm sure you know that they have to be ready to take a call at a moments notice." Harry answered. They walked around the outside of the cubicles before coming to narrow opening in the cubicles. Harry turned down it and the third cubicle on the left, Albus wasn't sure though, was a man sitting at his desk, reading through documents.

"Dad" Ashley said surprised.

"This is John Wilson" Harry said. "He is the Deputy Head Auror..."

"I thought Ron was going to be the new Deputy Head Auror!" Albus exclaimed. "

"Well, he was but he told me he didn't want so much responsibility, so I watched all the Aurors at work and decided that John here, should get the job." Harry told them.

"Mr Potter, I heard you were going to be here today" a deep voice said. They all turned to see Kingsley Shacklebolt walking towards the congregated group. He wore a deep blue robe and hat, his customary golden hoop ear ring and smiled as he walked.

"Minister, what can I do for you?" Harry asked.

"Well Harry, I came to congratulate you on your offices' work with the Hogwarts ghosts last year." his deep voice boomed.

"I thought that guys only dealt with criminal law" Luke said

"We usually do but Minister Shacklebolt felt that some of the wizards and witches in this office possessed the necessary skill to do what was required."

"To get rid of the ghosts?" Scorpius asked. "I haven't seen any since we started"

"No, it would be a shame to get rid of the ghosts from Hogwarts" Kingsley said. "The ghosts are essentially invisible. They wander around the school as normal but they can't be seen by any of you. They can't interact with any of the students unless they are summoned, or less summoned, but if their name or nickname is said. This goes for that poltergeist as well."

"Interesting" Scorpius said. "It's a good plan, well thought out"

"That was what we wanted, Mr Malfoy" Kingsley said. He congratulated the two men and walked off. "I must return to my office. I have a meeting" he told them.

"I'm going to let John tell you about the work he does."

"Gather round mates" he said. Albus thought that Ashley had a strong accent but her father's was much more prominent. "Now, I'm currently looking through everything Michael Parker left behind him at Hogwarts and at his home house to see if they areany clues to where he would go. I have to read through sheets upon sheets of parchment and decipher locations, codes etc. This information is classified but I can tell you that we have Aurors located in areas that we believe he would go, according to everything he left behind. The biggest flaw of criminals on the run is never covering their tracks"

"Did you volunteer to do this or were you assigned to it?" Emily asked.

"A bit of both" he replied. "I was asked would I do it and I accepted. Your professor here seems to think that I have the best mind in the office. Or so he said." John told them smiling. Harry also smiled.

"I think it's time to move on, Mr Potter, we have to finish up by four and it is now two forty-five" Siobhán said.

"Quarter to three?" Harry asked.

"Yes sir"

"We were here much longer than I thought."

They proceeded to take quick tours of all the department floors, talking to the head of each department and learning what each department does and the offices contained on the floor. The Departent of Magical Accidents and Catasrophes was first, headed by a woman named Lia Jenkinson, then onto the Department for the Regualtion and Control of Magical Creatures, headed by an elderly man named Timothy Dempsey, next was the Department of International Magical Cooperation, headed by a young woman named Michaela Wilkshere, then came the Department of Magical Transportation, headed by a man kniwn as Hanson, and finally came the Department of Magical Games and Sports, headed by a man that Albus recognised from his youth. He was a former Kenmare Kestrals player Chaser. He was Gareth Rickards, a man his mother was good friends with as they played at the same time. They spent the longest amount of time wandering around the sports department.

They returned to the atrium at 3.59pm. "Whoo" Harry said as he heaved a sigh of relief. "Just made it in time."

"Are we not going to the Department of Mysteries, professor?" Scorpius asked.

"No. I was told that it was strictly off limits. As you may know, they are known as 'The Unspeakables'" Harry said as they trotted to the fireplaces to return to Hogwarts. They all Flooed back to Hogwarts after being waved goodbye by their tour guide, Siobhán.

"Thanks professor" they all said as they left Harry's office and headed for their Common Room.

"No problem." Harry rpelied, smiling at the five students.

A/N: I have completely forgotten about the Hogwarts ghosts while writing this until I received a message on Twitter about it so I decided to put in an explanation as to why they haven't been in it, rather than just simply saying 'I forgot about them and I'm going to start including them now'.