Harry woke bright and early Monday ready to start his new job at the Ministry. Actually, he was very nervous. He was about to embark on an adventure that would prove whether he really deserved to be "The Chosen One" or it was all just a fluke. He didn't care about that, but he knew the rest of the wizarding world did.

Slowly, he climbed out of his bed and dressed in his best jeans and shirt. He didn't have any Ministry robes, so he felt this was the best thing to do. Walking by Ron's closed door, he hoped his friend would wake soon so they could leave together and not be late, but he was not going to wake him. Stepping into the kitchen, Harry received a surprise. Sitting in one of the chairs at the kitchen table, sipping tea and clutching a piece of parchment, was Ginny Weasley.

"Good morning, Harry." She smiled.

"'Morning," He replied, kissing her deeply.

"Good morning, Master Harry. Would you like breakfast?" Kreacher asked.

"Just tea and toast, thanks." Harry sat down next to Ginny and turned his attention to her. "So, what are you doing here so early?"

"I wanted to see you before your first day at the Ministry." She sipped her tea. "Mum's not too happy with me flooing over here all the time. It's nothing to do with you," she added when she saw the look on his face. "She says I'm using too much floo powder. Either I can start paying for it myself or I can stick with Apparition."

"You do have your license," Harry said as Kreacher places his breakfast in front of him.

"Yes, but," Ginny hesitated. "I'm not able to Apparate inside here. Using the floo is easier!"

Harry grinned.

"What's that parchment?" He nodded to the parchment Ginny held firmly in her left hand.

"Oh, it came by owl post this morning. It's from the Harpies." Ginny indicated to the unbroken seal on the back. "You open it, Harry. I'm too nervous." She pushed the letter towards him.

Carefully, Harry broke the seal and unfolded the letter.

"Dear Miss Weasley—" Harry read. "We are pleased to inform you that you have been named a Reserve Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies…"

"I'm a Harpy!" Ginny squealed, jumping up and knocking her chair over. Harry stood up and engulfed her in a big hug. "I'm a Harpy!"

Ron entered the kitchen at that moment. Ginny ran to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. His hand immediately made for the spot where his sister's lips had been.

"What you do that for?" He asked.

"I'm a Harpy!" Ginny pulled the letter out of Harry's hands.

"You made the team?" Ron asked.

"Yes, I'm a Chaser on the Reserve Team."

"Blimey, my sister's a professional Quidditch player."

Ginny giggled.

"When do I get my Ginevra Weasley poster?" Harry asked causing Ginny to giggle more.

Once Harry and Ron finished their breakfast they left for the Ministry and Ginny went back to the Burrow.

After flooing into the Atrium Harry stood there. This was the very first time he entered the Ministry of Magic as an employee. He watched the wizards and witches bustle by gathering in the excitement.

"Ron! Harry!"

Harry turned around to see Hermione step out of one of the fireplaces and run towards them. The way she acted one would not have thought she had been over to their house just yesterday for lunch. Ron grabbed his girl and gave her a quick good morning kiss.

"Have you two registered your wands yet?" She asked.

"Four years ago as a visitor," Harry said.

"As an incoming employee you have to register your wand again." Hermione led the boys through the throng of glum looking employees to the security stand next to the set of golden gates.

"Can I help you?" Eric Munch, the security watch wizard, said absentmindedly.

"We have two new employees who need their wands registered."

"Wand," he grunted.

Ron handed him the wand in his possession. He certainly didn't want to call it his wand, but it was the one he used. Munch dropped the wand onto the strange brass instrument, which began to vibrate. He tore off the parchment that sped out of the base of the instrument.

"9.25 inches, Dragon Heartstring core, previously used by Peter Pettigrew. Correct?"

"Yes," Ron said slightly nervous. Munch placed the parchment in a folder and handed the wand back to Ron.

Harry handed over his wand and Munch went through the process again. His eyes darted to Harry's forehead. Harry hoped he remembered their last meeting and wouldn't say anything.

"11 inches, Phoenix Feather core, been in use 8 years. Correct?"

Harry nodded and was given his wand back.

Harry and Ron followed Hermione and joined the glum looking employees through the gates into the smaller hall where stood many lifts. They joined the crowd surrounding one of them.

"Meet us for lunch, will you?" Ron asked Hermione.

"12:30?"

Ron nodded as the golden grille opened and the crowd entered the lift. Harry stood next to a rather short wizard with bad breath. Fortunately, the wizard looked straight ahead and did not speak.

After several other stops the doors opened and the cool voice said, "Level Four, Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures incorporating Beast, Being, and Spirit Divisions, Goblin Liaison Office and Pest Advisory Bureau."

"That's me." Hermione patted Ron's arm not wanting to kiss him or show any other public display of affection in the lift, even though she had no problem with it in the Atrium. She stepped off the lift like she'd been doing it all her life.

The men ended up being the only two left as they rode the lift for two more levels until the cool voice spoke, "Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters and Wizengamot Administration Services."

Harry and Ron looked at each other.

"That's us," said Harry.

They stepped off the lift and into a corridor lined with doors. Harry glanced out the window and noticed it was raining. He wondered what made Magical Maintenance decide on this weather. They turned the corner, walked through heavy oak doors, and emerged in a cluttered open area. Harry sighed. This was it. He took in his surroundings and noticed this time the sign on the nearest cubicle reading "Auror Headquarters" was no longer lopsided.

"Ah, hello, hello." An older wizard walked up to the two. "I'm Gawain Robards, head of the department. Let's step into my office."

They entered Robards rather small office. Sitting in a chair was Neville Longbottom. Standing behind him were two wizards and a witch.

"Have a seat," Robards requested. "Here we have our newest recruits—Neville F. Longbottom, Harry J. Potter, and Ronald B. Weasley. I've notes on the registration of your wands. Am I to assume you won yours in a duel, Weasley?"

"Not really," he muttered and then remembering he was speaking to his boss said, "No."

"I would advise you as an Auror you use a wand that shows true allegiance to you." Robards turned his attention back to everyone in the room. "Behind the trainees are your trainers. Longbottom you will be with William Uric, Potter you've Elliot Robins, and Weasley you're with Iva Prang. Your training will be different than in the past. Our department is severely understaffed at the moment. We will allow you on missions with your trainer while you're training. We simply cannot afford you or your trainer out of action. As you three are new employees of the Ministry you will need Ministry robes. I'll have you go with Robins to Madam Malkin's in Diagon Alley for that. I want to see you here after lunch to get acquainted with your trainer and to pick cubicles."

Harry followed Ron, Neville, and the three veteran Aurors out of Robard's office. Elliot Robins made for his cubicle, picked up a few things, and then led the three men out the door.

They floo'd into Diagon Alley and made for Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Harry spotted Quality Quidditch Supplies and thought of something he needed to do.

"Hello," Madam Malkin called out, walking from the back of the shop, when the four men entered.

"We've three new Ministry employees," Robins said.

A bright smile appeared on Madam Malkin's face. She clapped her hands together. "That I can do. Who goes first?"

Harry stepped on the stool ready to get it over with. Madam Malkin pulled the Ministry robes over his head causing his black hair to become even more unruly. She began pinning it to the right length.

"There you go," she said to Harry. "Who's next?"

Ron went through the same process and then Neville.

"Wear those robes and you should get respect as Ministry employees, although not everyone respects Ministry employees," Robins said as Neville stepped off the stool donning his new robes. "You can get one and only one free robe a year. Any more and you'll have to pay." They exited the store and Robins headed toward Ollivander's. "If you don't mind, we'll get Weasley's wand now."

Ollivander was happy to see the men having spent a good time with Harry and Ron while recovering at Shell Cottage from his imprisonment in the Malfoy's cellar. It took Ron an unusual amount of time, but eventually the wand; Ash, Dragon Heartstring, 11 inches found him.

Having purchased Ron's wand they were off until 1 PM. Harry had an errand to run and Ron wanted to send Hermione an owl to meet them at the Leaky Cauldron. He wanted to send a message Patronus, but he had not yet learned how to do that.

Finally, they entered The Leaky Cauldron—Ron with his new wand, Harry with an item he bought running his errand, and Ron, Harry, and Neville wearing their Ministry robes. The first thing they noticed was George sitting at a table by himself with a half empty glass of firewhisky.

"He's been here for the past hour." Hannah walked over to the group.

"How much—how much has he had?" Ron asked.

"He's been working on that same glass."

Ron walked over to the table and sat down. Harry, Neville, and Robins followed. George looked up at his brother. He looked worn down.

"Who's watching your shop?" Ron asked.

"Lee and Verity. It's not that busy." George paused. "She doesn't want me. She wants Fred."

"She who?"

"Angelina!"

"You—you—I thought she was just a friend."

George did not respond. He sipped his firewhisky and looked away from Ron.

"Did she say she'd rather have Fred instead of you?"

"You saw her bolt from the party. I haven't seen her all weekend. Damn Lavender for daring us to kiss!" He paused and said softly, "I'd rather have Fred, too."

"You two sit here and have your girl talk. I'm getting food," Robins said.

---

After lunch they went back to the Ministry to meet with their trainers. The department was pretty empty when they returned. Ron and Neville met up with their trainers leaving Harry with Robins.

"We'll start training tomorrow," Robins spoke. "Today you'll pick out your cubicle and we'll get to know each other."

Robins pointed to a row of empty cubicles. Harry didn't care which one was his. He wasn't picky. As long as it wasn't located under the stairs he would be fine.

"I'll take," Harry closed his eyes and pointed," that one." He opened his eyes to see he was pointing at the third one in the row.

"Ah, this used to be Nymphadora Tonks's."

Harry felt a pang of guilt. If not for him it would still be Tonks's. If not for him they would be working together right now. Maybe she'd be his trainer, although she was fairly new herself.

"Judging by that look on your face, I know what you're thinking." Robins led Harry to the cubicle. "It's not your fault Tonks died. You know her; you know she can't stay at home when it's time to fight. That's why she became an Auror."

Harry sat down in the chair imagining Tonks and her pink hair sitting at the cubicle. He wondered what pictures she had on the walls. Perhaps one of Lupin.

Elliot Robins and Harry Potter spent the rest of the day getting to know each other. Robins had been an Auror for ten years and ended up breaking his leg at the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry would not tell much about fighting Voldemort. Robins was most interested in Harry teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts to the D.A. his fifth year.

"You're an exceptional wizard, Harry." Robins hopped off the desk he'd been sitting on. "It will be fun training you."

---

After work, Harry floo'd to the Burrow with Ron right behind him. Mrs. Weasley was busy making dinner and even though she had her clock did not expect anyone to come out of the Floo Network at the moment.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley." Harry stepped out of the Floo causing her to drop her wand.

"Oh my, I didn't expect anyone at this time. Arthur doesn't get off work til later." She ran to the fireplace and wrapped her son and Harry in bone crushing hugs. "Are you staying for dinner?"

Harry looked at Ron before replying," Yes, that would be great. Where's Ginny?"

"In her room, I reckon."

Harry walked up the flight of stairs to Ginny's room and slowly knocked on the door.

"Come in," he heard her call.

He slowly opened the door to see her sitting at her desk, writing.

"Harry!" She smiled. "Nice robes.

"I'm an official Ministry employee." He walked over to her and gave her a kiss. "Who're you writing to?"

"Luna. She sent me an owl. She's currently in central Europe."

"Yeah. Neville received a letter from her, too. Said she thinks she discovered a new type of insect." Harry and Ginny laughed.

"She's working on an article for the Quibbler. I love Luna. She's odd, but she's great," Ginny sighed.

"I got you something today." Harry pulled the package out of the pocket of his robes.

Ginny opened the box and carefully pulled out the brand new Chaser gloves. Harry watched her finger them, turning them over, and examining them.

"I love you!" She wrapped her arms around Harry and kissed him full on the mouth. "I've never had new gloves before. You know you didn't have to do this." She tried the fingerless black gloves on. "They're beautiful."

"You deserve something new. It's a gift for making the team. Because I love you, too." He wrapped his arms around his red headed girlfriend and kissed her again.