Chapter 13 – Auror Exams

"Let's see then", Tonks called.

"Alright", Hermione's voice was slightly muffled by the heavy drapes that separated her and Tonks.

She pulled the curtain aside and stepped out of the changing room.

"I'm not so sure about pink", she said and looked at herself in the mirror behind Tonks.

"I like it", Tonks said and straightened out the sleeves of the dress robe. "It's a bit too long but madam Malkins said she could hem it for you. But yes, okay, I see what you mean. Maybe pink isn't the right colour."

"It would be easier if you just told me why I need dress robes for Hogwarts this year", Hermione said and crossed her arms.

"Can't do that", Tonks smirked. "It's supposed to be a surprise."

Hermione sighed.

"I know; you keep telling me that."

"So stop asking then!" Tonks exclaimed and walked over to one of the tracks of dress robes for witches. "Do you want to try the green one?"

Hermione eyed the robes in Tonks' hand.

"Sure", she said and took it. "You're really not going to tell me?"

"Nope", Tonks said.

Hermione sighed but went back into the changing room.

"This doesn't fit very well", she called a minute later.

"Alright then", Tonks said. "Let's try something else, we have all day."

"No we don't!" Hermione protested and poked her head out. "You need to get home and study. The auror exams are really soon!"

"I know, I know", Tonks rolled her eyes. "But it will be fine, I – we – have studied all summer. By the way, if I pass I'll have to thank you for all my success."

"I'm counting on it", Hermione grinned. "Without me you would've put off studying until the last minute."

"I would not! But you certainly have made it a lot easier, so thank you."

"No problem. Studying is what I do best."

"You know you're so much more than a book-reader, right?"

Hermione smiled slightly but didn't answer.

"Let's try the other green one", she said. "Can you get it for me?"

"Sure", Tonks said and went to get the slightly lighter green one. She knew there was no point in arguing.

Behind the green one was a nice floaty blue one. Tonks shrugged and brought that one with her as well.

"I found another one as well", she told Hermione as she handed her the two dress robes.

"I like it!" she heard Hermione say.

A minute later the drapes were drawn to the side and Hermione stepped out wearing the blue one.

"I love it", Tonks grinned.

"I do too", Hermione said and twirled in a very un-Hermione-like-way in front of the mirror.

"Do you want to try the green one as well or do you just want to take this one?" Tonks asked.

"Isn't this too expensive though?" Hermione frowned.

"Nah. I'll be an auror soon, thanks to you, and then I'll make more money."

"Yeah, but you haven't been able to work at Aunt Hilda's this summer because of all the studying."

"It's fine, Hermione. Don't worry about it! You deserve it."

Hermione didn't say anything. Tonks could see she was unsure about the expense but that she also really wanted these blue robes.

"Hermione, seriously, it's fine", Tonks smiled at her. "We'll make it work."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes", Tonks said determined.

"Okay, thanks", Hermione's smile shone as she wrapped her arms around her sister.

After they had paid for the dress robes and after Tonks had peaked into the Owl store to buy some treats for Betsy, they went home. Hermione insisted on practicing for the auror exams right away and after a few minutes of discussion, Tonks burst out: "You're not the one taking the tests, I am!" before agreeing.

Studying came naturally for Hermione and though Tonks had studied her ass off in 5th, 6th and 7th year at Hogwarts, it didn't come as easy for her. It was really all thanks to Hermione that she got through those thick books full of spells, potions and of course some history of the Auror Department, this summer. Tonks viewed herself as an expert at this point.

It was not only Tonks but also Nick who were taking the tests this August. Damien had still some training left to do and would probably take the exams in October or November. Tonks figured it was because he still had young kids to take care of – the whole year – and probably took a few more days off and had less time to study.

If Tonks succeeded to pass the exams she would be a real auror by the end of the summer. The thought made her both happy and nervous and scared. This was what she wanted to do and she wanted to excel at it. She was going to be an awesome auror.

Though, she couldn't lie; she was pretty doubtful when she finally walked down the halls of the Ministry the day of the exams. She had always been quite clumsy; what if she failed Stealth and Tracking?

No, she told herself. You are going to do this. You are going to pass these itty bitty tests and become an auror.

And that's what she did. It went like this:

She walked in with confidence.

She wrote like a mad man in the writing parts of the exams.

She thanked Hermione quietly in her mind over half a dozen times.

She tripped and/or knocked some stuff over when she shouldn't have…

… But made up for it with quick reactions and well-aimed spells.

She had a lot of fun in the Concealment and Disguise part.

… Where she very much shocked a senior auror who didn't know she was a metemorphmagus.

She and Nick avoided looking at each other the whole time.

Afterwards she stumbled out of the Ministry, apparated home and collapsed on the couch. She was exhausted.

"Did it go alright?"

Tonks' head snapped up. She hadn't noticed Hermione when she'd walked in. But there she was, sitting in the armchair peering at her over a thick book.

"Yes, I think so", Tonks said and buried her face in the cushion again.

Hermione smiled. Of course Tonks would do well; she was born an auror!

"Did you eat anything for lunch?" Hermione closed her book and put it away.

Tonks head lifted slightly and Hermione could see her frown.

"No, I don't think so", Tonks said. "It's all a blur."

Hermione had to laugh at her sister's expression. Tonks growled and threw a pillow at her.

"I was concentrating!" she insisted.

"I know", Hermione said. "But you still look funny. Anyway, I'll make an early dinner for us."

"You're my hero, Hermione", Tonks mumbled.

Hermione rose to her feet and walked out to the kitchen.

"Did you receive all the thank-yous I sent you in my mind?" Tonks shouted.

"Right now? For making dinner? You know, you could just say thank you to me…"

"No, I mean my thank-yous from earlier, during the writing part of the test."

"Oh, of course", Hermione laughed and proceeded to boil water for the pasta.

"Good, because I really meant them", Tonks was still shouting from the other room. "If I pass, it's all thanks to you."

"Not if you pass; when you pass", Hermione corrected.

"Right."

When Hermione walked back into the living room a couple of minutes later she found that Tonks had buried her face in Crookshanks' fur – probably because of the lack of pillows near the couch. Surprisingly the cat didn't seem to mind. Hermione shook her head, amused, and went to retrieve the smaller pot that always disappeared into the living room since Tonks sometimes used it when carrying a particularly hot cup of tea, probably because she was afraid of spilling the hot liquid on herself and/or other things.

The pot later stood on the table with nice warm pasta sauce in it.

"Dinner, Dora", Hermione called and placed the bowl of pasta on the table.

"Coming!"

Tonks came trailing into the kitchen and threw herself down on a chair.

"This looks amazing", she said and immediately began piling up on her plate.

"Basic pasta sauce", Hermione said. "But thank you."

"So what have you done today?" Tonks asked.

"Not much", Hermione shrugged. "Wrote to Ron and Harry. Read."

"Sounds good."

"Yeah. Have you heard anything more about Mad-Eye?" Hermione asked.

Tonks shook her head sadly.

"It seems like he's definitely retiring, probably even before the summer ends", she sighed.

"So what's he going to do then? I can't really see him sitting still and playing chess or so."

"Me neither", Tonks laughed. "I don't know what he'll do. We'll see."

Hermione nodded and reached for the sauce bowl.

"You know what?" she then suddenly said. "I just remembered; Ron wrote earlier and said that his dad might get tickets for the Quidditch World Cup. He asked if I, or we, wanted to come along. Wouldn't that be fun?"

"And here I thought you didn't even like quidditch", Tonks laughed.

"I don't really", Hermione said truthfully. "But it'll be fun hanging out with the Weasleys and I'm sure Harry will come too. And I imagine the atmosphere will be amazing."

"Yeah, that would be great", Tonks nodded. "I think Charlie and Bill might come home for that so it will be fun seeing them again. It feels like it's been a while."

Hermione smiled and nodded.

"So what do you say?" she asked.

"I say; I'll write to mr Weasley and ask him about the details and we'll see."

"Great!"