Chapter twenty five

Over the next couple of weeks Harry was pleased with the way Draco behaved, and handle the job. He knew they still might never be friends, but they were able to get along fairly well and Draco always did whatever Harry asked of him. Harry had spoken to Kingsley about Draco joining the Aurors and he said he'd check into it for him and let Harry know.

Harry stepped out into the atrium and went to the lifts and a memo landed on his shoulder. He opened it and saw it was from Kingsley asking him to go to his office. So he left the lift and went to the Minister's office.

'Hi Karen, Kingsley asked to see me.'

'Go straight in Auror Potter, he's expecting you.'

'Thank you.' Harry said then entered Kingsley's office. 'Hi Kingsley, what's up?'

'Just wanted to give you this,' Kingsley handed him a piece of parchment and Harry read it and smiled.

'That's great Kingsley, thanks. So we only have to wait until we start with the new recruits.'

'Yes and if everything goes alright until then, you've got an extra Auror in training.'

'Thanks again for that. I better get in there. I've got to get to Hogwarts soon.'

'Alright, I'll see you later Harry.'

Harry left the office and went to the Auror offices. 'Draco, can you come in to my office for a minute please?'

'Yes Sir,' Draco got up and followed Harry into his office and he closed the door.

'Now, I spoke with Kingsley and he just handed me this.' Harry handed the parchment to Draco and saw the smile come to his face. 'So it looks like you'll be joining the new recruits in September.'

'This is wonderful, thank you. I can't believe this, I really can't.'

'One thing though, Ron will be one of the new recruits and you will have to learn to work together. One thing with Aurors, you need to trust the Aurors that are around you. Now I've already spoke to Ron about you, he said if you stop being a git, then he's fine.' Harry smiled. 'But seriously Draco, it's important for everyone's safety that you get on. Now I'm not saying you have to be friends, far from it. Just to talk, watch each other's back when you might be partnered together, those sorts of things.'

'I'm fine with that Sir, I'll do anything to have a good life and put my old life behind me. One thing I'd like to mention.'

'What's that Draco?'

'I've seen the Aurors train and sometimes they only have short sleeve shirts on. I've got that on my arm and it can't be removed. Will that be a problem for anyone seeing it?'

'Oh, the dark mark, no, I'll explain when the time comes. Anyway, I need to go, I've got to get to Hogwarts. Just finish up those submissions and work on any appointments for Friday. It'll be the only day I'll be able to spend most of the day here.'

'Yes, Sir and thank you again,' Draco nodded and left the office. Harry grabbed his things, then left his office going down to the atrium's apparition point where he apparated to Hogwarts and walked up the drive. Not long after he walked in the door, Tonks arrived as well.

'Hi beautiful, wondering how long you were going to be.'

'Yes, mum was a little late. I think Kingsley stayed with her last night. Luckily I've got an understanding boss.' Tonks smirked at him.

'Very understanding,' Harry grinned, 'I thought he looked a little tired when I saw him earlier. I've got to relieve Martin. I'll see you when I bring her down.' Harry kissed Tonks, then headed up to the Gryffindor Tower, the portrait opened instantly for him so he spoke quietly to Martin, he left and Harry stood near the portrait whole. Harry knew that most of the students now know what happened and why there was an Auror around Ginny the whole time. Her close friends never treated her any different, but she did get some snide remarks from others, especially some of the Slytherin's.

Ginny came down the stairs with Hermione and Ron came down right after them and all three walked over to Harry.

'You ready to head down to breakfast?' Harry asked.

'Yes, all ready.' Hermione smiled, took Ron's hand and Ginny walked with them as they all made their way down to the Great hall. Harry walked with them until they reached the Gryffindor table, then joined Tonks at the staff table.

'She seems to be coping, let's see how she does when you escort her today. Make sure you tell me if she does or say anything to you that she's not supposed to.'

'Don't worry Harry, I think she'll be fine with me. I looked at her when you walked over and she never gave me a dirty look, she never smiled either, but at least it's a start. Mum told me this morning that she and Kingsley have organised the wedding for two weeks and they just want us there, along with Minerva, Molly and Arthur.'

'I'm happy for them, I really am. Kingsley's been alone for too long and your mum deserves to be happy. But are you sure you're okay with this Tonks. I know it hasn't been that long since your Dad was killed.'

'I'm fine Harry. But it was longer then when we got together. I still feel guilty about that sometimes.'

'I'm sure Remus would be fine, he would want you to be happy.' Harry leaned over and gave her a kiss. 'If it wasn't for one of us having to be with Ginny today, I might have snuck you back into a classroom.'

'I'll pretend I didn't hear that.' Minerva said as she sat down.

'Sorry Minerva.' Harry said but couldn't stop the smile coming to his face and Tonks went pink.

'Let's just have breakfast, shall we. Oh, I wanted to tell you that, we have a new defence teacher. John Marsden decided it wasn't for him.' Minerva smiled at the couple.

'Are you going to tell us who it is Minerva?' Harry asked.

'No, I let you see for yourself,' she grinned, then the three of them ate, talking quietly together until Harry got a signal from Ginny.

'I have to go, I'll see you later love.' Harry kissed his wife, then went down and followed Ginny, Hermione and Ron out of the Great Hall and into the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Harry stood next to the door as Ginny, Hermione and Ron took their seats.

Just then the door opened and Charlie Weasley walked in and went straight to the front of the class, to shock looks from his siblings.

'Morning, I'm Professor Weasley, you're new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor.' Charlie grinned at the shocked looks on Ron and Ginny's faces, then he smiled at Harry as he shook his head. 'Now, what we're doing today is non-verbal shield charms. I know some of you can do them, but not all. So the one's that can, will team up with the ones that can't. But first I'll demonstrate. Auror Potter would you care to help with the demonstration?'

'Sure.' Harry said and walked up to the front of the class.

'Okay, we'll be only using stinging hexes. So if you produce the shield charm I'll do the hex.' Charlie said and they both pulled their wands. Harry was still too fast and had his shield charm up before Charlie produced the hex. 'Now, if Auror Potter never got his shield charm up in time, he would have felt a small sting, nothing major. Now we'll do opposite, I'll do the shield charm, while Auror Potter does the hex.' Charlie looked at Harry and Charlie shook his hand as the hex hit him and Harry grinned at him. 'I suppose it is a bit unfair as he is an Auror. Thanks Auror Potter.' Charlie smiled again and Harry went back to his spot at the door. Harry watched Charlie take the students through non-verbal shield charms and thought he was a good teacher. When the end of the lesson came, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny waited until everyone left.

'What are you doing here Charlie? I thought you were going back to Romania?' Ron said to his older brother.

'No, I wanted to hang around for a while.'

'You didn't do this for me did you Charlie?' Ginny asked.

'One of the reasons sis, but I've missed being home. Yes I'll miss the dragons, but I was really missing my family. When Minerva mentioned that the defence teacher didn't want to stay, I asked if I could take it and as you can see, she gave me the position. So Harry, you've taught defence, how did I go?'

'Really good Charlie, you make an excellent teacher. Sorry about the hex, you just need to get faster.' Harry grinned again. 'But these three really need to get to their next class. Congratulations Charlie.' Harry shook his hand, waiting until Hermione, Ron and Ginny hugged him and they left the classroom. After a few more classes, they all went back to the Great Hall for lunch. When they finished, Harry and Tonks walked over to the Gryffindor table. 'Ginny, Auror Tonks Potter will be taken over from now.' Harry said to her.

'Yes, okay.' Ginny said and gave Tonks a small smile.

'I'll see you later love.' Harry kissed her then watched as his wife walked out of the Great Hall with Ginny. Harry walked out not long after and started patrolling around the school.

When lessons finished for the day, everyone made it back to the Great Hall for dinner. Harry was at the staff table waiting for his wife, when Charlie sat down.

'How's your first day been Charlie?'

'Really good Harry, I see the Slytherin's haven't changed much.'

'No, I don't think will ever change Charlie. So how many points did they lose today?' Harry asked smiling at him.

'A fare few, but after today, I believe they know I'm serious. So how's Ginny been going Harry?'

'Good, really good Charlie, I'm waiting for them now. Tonks is with her at the moment, first time so I'm little worried.'

'Well, they look fine to me Harry, look.' Charlie nodded his head towards the door and Harry saw Tonks, Ginny, Hermione and Ron all walk in and they all had smiles on their faces.

Tonks walked over and sat beside Harry, giving him a kiss. 'So, how was it?' Harry asked his wife.

'Good, she actually spoke to me, politely as well. So I think everything is going to be fine Harry. Hey Charlie, how was your first day?'

'Really good, I was just telling Harry how I had to take a lot of points from the Slytherin's.'

The three of them started laughing, when Minerva sat down. 'What are you three laughing about?' She said trying to look stern, but couldn't hold it.

'Charlie and the Slytherin's,' Harry said, then they started laughing again, when the food appeared on the table.

'Will you three behave, you are a Professor and you two are Aurors, you're supposed to act accordingly.'

'Sorry Minerva, just couldn't help myself. But you forgive us though, don't you?' Harry asked smiling at her.

'Of course I will,' she said shaking her head, then they all started eating. When they finished Harry turned to Charlie.

'I'll see you tomorrow Charlie.' Harry shook his hand, then took Tonks' hand and went down to speak with Forest for a few minutes until they both walked out of the castle and down the long drive and apparated straight home.