Chapter 46

"Right, your first task we call 'Hide and Seek'." The Auror in charge told the gathered prospective trainees. "Quite simple, you'll enter a simulated room and you've got two minutes before two of our qualified Aurors," he gestured to where they stood. "Enter the room to find you." He looked at the five interviewees. "Got it?"

They all nodded.

"Good." He looked down at his clipboard. "We'll start with…Potter."

"Yes, Sir." Harry said nervously and followed the man to the door of the testing room.

"You've got two minutes in there on your own. We won't watch. The only rule is you can't leave the room. Otherwise, you can use any of the skills or resources you have at your disposal. At the end of the two minutes a horn will sound and the Aurors will enter. They will look for five minutes and then leave. The horn will then sound again and the door to exit will flash so you know to come out. Of course if they are able to locate you, the test will end at that point."

"Sure."

"Ready?" Harry nodded. "Alright then. Let's see what you've got, Potter."

The door was opened and Harry was ushered inside, only 'going inside' appeared to be stepping outside. He heard the click of the closing door but when he turned back he couldn't see the door, he couldn't even see the wall. Before him was a vast space with the appearance of a city street. It reminded Harry of the Room of Requirement, only on a much larger scale, and of course, Harry didn't know if this place could change on a whim like the Room could.

Harry shook himself back to the task at hand. He had only two minutes in which to make his decisions and put them into action before the Aurors came looking for him, and Harry had one big decision to make.

In the pocket of his cloak Harry had, perhaps, the biggest advantage he could – an invisibility cloak. He hadn't known what he would be asked to do, of course, Harry simply took the cloak with him everywhere, shrunken inside his robes. It was partly security, a leftover paranoia from their days on the run, but it was also for privacy. When he went out in public in the Wizarding World he tended to be mobbed by the appreciative and adoring public. Harry understood their sentiment, but it could be overwhelming and, when all he wanted was to run errands at the bank or pop into the joke shop, it was sometimes easier to dart into an alley and disappear beneath his father's cloak.

The question was whether it was ethical to use it. The other candidates weren't likely to have an invisibility cloak on them, certainly not one of such a quality as his. But they had said the only rule was that he couldn't leave and that they could use the resources at their disposal. His cloak was at his disposal now and if he should become an Auror, Harry would have his cloak on him at all times then also.

He would use the cloak, he concluded, but he would need to do more than that. He cast a disillusionment spell on himself as an initial step. They tended to leave obvious signs in the air around someone disillusioned, but it would be better than a visible foot appearing from beneath the cloak. He would need to silence himself to stop any sounds of him moving or breathing and after that he would fix his cloak to himself with a sticking charm so it couldn't be summoned from him. Before all that however, Harry had to get somewhere out of the way.

He scanned the fabricated surroundings once more. There were dark alley ways with large dumpsters but that was too obvious. Harry wanted somewhere out of their eyeline, where it wouldn't even occur to them to look. Tilting his head back, he looked upwards and spotted a ledge, probably three stories up, where the decorative architecture had the wall extended outwards in order to hold gargoyles placed intermittently along the side of the building. There was enough space between them for Harry to lie precariously on the ledge.

Guttering and ridges in the brickwork from the second story up would provide Harry enough grip to climb the wall, but he was going to struggle to reach the first ridge. He looked around again and his eyes rested on the alley he had seen when he first walked in.

Harry walked in and pushed on the dumpster experimentally. It moved with reasonable ease as Harry discovered it was on wheels and surprisingly light. He wheeled it over to the wall he wanted to climb and by lifting himself on top of the lid he was able to use it as a step up to reach the decorative carved stone that he could fit his hands and feet in to scale the wall.

Guessing that he did not have much time left, Harry climbed quickly, quicker than it took to be cautious, and though there were a couple of heart stopping moments where his foot slipped, Harry made it to the ledge where he intended to hide out. He hauled himself onto the space and laid on his side so he could look down into the street below.

Once there, Harry fished out his wand and vanished the dumpster below, knowing it would give away his location if he left it there. He draped his cloak over his partially illusioned body and cast the silencing and sticking spells with just seconds to spare.

The conceded door opened and two Aurors entered. They were quick to get to work, scanning the area and checking what Harry assumed were frequent hiding spots. Harry watched them with interest as they tried various revealing spells

"Hey," Harry heard one of them call over to his partner and saw him nod into the alley where he had found the skip he had used to climb on.

"Where is it?" One of them said.

"Gone, clearly. Why would he have got rid of it?"

Harry held his breath, worried they would figure out what he had done. Neither seemed to suspect him having scaled the building however, and they soon split up once more to scan the area.

"Two minutes left." He heard one of them say.

Harry couldn't believe only three minutes had passed, it felt as though he had been laid there awkwardly for far longer.

"Where is this kid?" Harry could detect the frustration in his voice.

"It's Harry Potter." The other shrugged. "It wasn't likely to be easy."

"I guess the hype has merit." The first decided.

"I'd be disappointed if it didn't." The other answered, checking his watch. "Time's up, let's go."

The Aurors left but Harry didn't move until he heard the horn, just in case it was a ploy. A moment later the horn did echo around the room and a golden thread of light bordered the previously concealed door.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief and then looked down at the ground in concern. He hadn't actually considered how he would get down.

Carefully, he removed the various charms on his body and slid the cloak off himself so he could tuck it away. Harry then began a cautious descent down the wall until he got to the last grips he could find and had to drop the last six feet.

When he left the enchanted room, the three Aurors turned to him. The one who had been frustrated not to find him looked grudgingly impressed.

"So how did you do it?" He asked.

"You don't have to tell him that." The Auror in charge interjected, so Harry just smiled and tapped his nose secretively.

The other Auror who had come to find him burst out in a loud and cheerful laugh. He clapped Harry on the shoulder, "Good to have you on the team, Potter!"

Harry wasn't going to count his chickens yet, he still had two more tests and the interview to get through. The second task, however, was so similar to the potions task Harry and Hermione had done to reach the Philosopher's Stone that Harry actually laughed out loud. He quickly calmed himself so that he didn't look insane in front of the Aurors, who were no doubt observing him from another room, and started examining the vials in front of him to see which might kill him. Harry didn't know whether to curse Severus for never having taught him anything in Potions class, or to thank the man, since his old copy of Advanced Potion Making had taught Harry everything he knew about potions. Through a process of elimination and some logical thinking that Hermione would have been proud of, Harry got through the task ok.

The final task was more suited to Harry's skill set; a dueling challenge with a time trial twist. He would duel against one opponent. If he survived for two minutes, a second opponent would be added and after another two minutes a third opponent would join. Their opponents were trainee Aurors who had gone through the same series of interview tasks a year previous. They were young, but after a year of Auror training, Harry wouldn't underestimate them.

The first two minutes were simple enough. Harry tried, unsuccessfully, to take his opponent out of the duel safely, but he held his own easily enough. The addition of the second dueler had Harry's heart racing as things became a bit more exciting. He loved this sort of challenge, it was just like when he dueled with his friends in the DA. He could have held them off with a simple shield, much like he had with the Death Eaters in the forest, but he wanted to show off some more of his spell casting skills. The third trainee Auror entering the duel, however, kept Harry on his toes and after a near miss with a leg-locking hex, Harry switched to a purely defensive strategy.

Not long after, Harry had pressed all the assessment tests and had made it through to the interview. The Auror who had led the tasks, Auror Brewer, invited Harry into his office.

Harry sat in the offered chair and rubbed his sweaty palms against his smart robes. He was far more nervous now than when he was dueling.

"Well, Potter," Brewer began. His voice was gruff with age and experience. "I don't think there's any doubt that you're being accepted onto the programme but we have to tick the box and go through the interview questions regardless."

"Of course, Sir." Harry insisted politely, "I should go through the same process as everybody else." He hated to think he would be given a place on the programme just because of his name and not because he deserved it.

Brewer gave him a strange look. "You're concerned that I am only putting you through because you are Harry Potter."

"I just want to earn my spot like everyone else."

Brewer leant forward earnestly, his forearms resting on the table and his fingers linked together. "First off, while those ponces in the Wizengamot might be willing to allow any witch or wizard of notoriety to come into this department, I actually need skilled individuals who can do the job and won't get themselves or others killed. I don't let any old Hogwarts graduate become an Auror." Harry had no doubt that he meant it. "And secondly," The war-weary Auror leant back suddenly with a raised eyebrow. "You scored the best marks on the assessment tasks that I've seen since, well, ever."

Harry's mouth dropped open a little in shock. "Really?"

The man snorted. "Potter, our usual recruits do not find it easy to hold their own against three simultaneous opponents."

"Oh."

"The last person I saw manage that on their interview was Sirius Black."

Harry's chest squeezed around his lungs and heart. "Sirius?"

"He was rather more showy than you, mind." Brewer went on apparently oblivious to Harry's pain. "You beat him at potions though. That boy knew shit about potions."

That actually managed to get a snort of amusement out of Harry. No doubt if it weren't for Severus and his book, he too would have scored as poorly on the Potions test.

"So, if you're satisfied that you've 'earned your spot', Potter, can we get back to this interview so I can offer you a job?"

"Er, yeah, sure."

"Um, excuse me," Harry approached the secretary outside Kingsley's office as he scribbled furiously on the scattered sheets of parchment before him. "Is the Minister busy?"

"Well of course he's busy," the young wizard said impatiently, eyes still on his quill. "He's the –" He broke off suddenly as he looked up. "Bloody Baron."

Harry rose an eyebrow at the unique expletive. He guessed it was a Slytherin term.

"You're Harry Potter."

"I am." Harry confirmed. "Sorry, I know the Minister must be busy, but is he free to see me? He told me I should stop by."

"Of course! Of course!" I'm sure the Minister will have time for Harry Potter." The secretary almost tripped over himself in his eagerness to help the Saviour of the Wizarding World. He rushed over to Minister Shacklebolt's door and knocked, poking his head inside to speak to the Minister.

When the secretary popped back out, he beamed at Harry proudly, opening the door wider for him to enter. "The Minister can see you now, Mr Potter."

"Great, thanks." Harry graced the young wizard with a smile of gratitude as he passed him which caused the man to smile broader and blush slightly.

"Harry! Wonderful to see you." Kingsley greeted him warmly and stood from behind his grand desk to come and shake his hand.

"I hope I'm not interrupting; I know you must be busy."

Kingsley waved his concern away. "Oh, if I didn't pause the work to see a friend, I'd never speak to anyone of my acquaintance again. Sit, sit." He urged Harry into a chair. "How are you? How did the interview go?"

"Good. They offered me a place on the programme."

Kingsley smiled, "A lad as talented at defense as you, I should hope so. I'd have been having words with Brewer if he hadn't offered you a place. What did you think of Brewer?"

"I liked him. He reminded me a bit of Moody – only, without the raging paranoia."

Kingsley chuckled. "Yes, he does have a few Mad Eye traits. He's old school but he does a good job and he stays out of politics."

"Yeah, I'm not so keen on some of the other 'old-school' Aurors I've met." Harry couldn't help but grumble.

The Minister nodded in understanding. "I know you've had some run-ins with some of the old boys, particularly over Severus. That's not how all the Aurors are, I promise you." He assured. "The Department has just become stuck in the old times, it needs new blood and fresh ideas. I know you'll drag them into the 21st Century, Harry."

"Me? I'm just a trainee, a rookie."

Kingsley scoffed. "You're a leader, Harry. You know how to inspire people and how to get the best out of them. Those skills go with you no matter what position you're in."

Harry held his hands up. "Hey, just let me get through basic training and then we can talk about revolutionizing the Auror Department." He joked.

"Fair enough, I'll give you a year." Kingsley smiled.

They chatted a while longer, about Hogwarts and the Ministry. Harry had always liked Kingsley. The man's relaxed nature made him easy to be around. Harry felt calm around him.

"I'm glad you stopped by today," Kingsley said after a period of casual conversation. "I wanted to talk to you about some legal routes which are open to you with regard to prosecuting your relatives."

Harry's stomach clenched uncomfortably. "Um, I don't actually want – to prosecute – or anything."

"Oh." Kingsley frowned. "When Minerva and Severus spoke to me, I understood that –"

"Yeah, I know." Harry stopped him. "Severus said they'd spoken to you, but they were mistaken, I've got no interest in going through any legal stuff."

"Harry, are you sure?" Kingsley asked with gentle concern. "If you're worried about press coverage, I believe we have found a way to keep things private."

"No, it's not that, well maybe that's part of it, but mostly I just don't want to."

Kinglsey's head tilted thoughtfully as he appraised the young wizard before him, though it was missed by Harry who was now looking into his lap uncomfortably.

"Harry, this is all your decision of course, I just want you to be sure that you're saying no because that's what you really want and not because you're scared or," Kingsley's voice was soft and gentle. "Because you think you deserved what they did."

Harry's head came up fast. "That's not -. Really, Kingsley, it's just not something I'm interested in. Look, I know Snape must have said some things, stuff about my relatives, but he's just overreacting."

"Well, there's no reason why you need to decide now." Kingsley said calmly. "You can think about it. The option will remain open to you."

"Yeah, okay, thanks."

Harry dropped in at Number 12 and then went to Andromeda's for dinner with her and Teddy, who was now growing ridiculous amounts each day. It wasn't until after dinner, therefore, that he returned to Hogwarts. He went straight to the 8th Year dorms to find Ron and Hermione and tell them the good news. They both hugged him fiercely and congratulated him on getting the job.

"I knew you could do it, Harry." Hermione said in his ear.

"Of course he could!" Ron agreed. "I bet you aced the tasks."

Harry decided he should probably let Snape know he was back too and headed down to his office. He had checked the map, so he knew the man was in there, as always. It didn't take long for the Professor to appear at the door after Harry had knocked.

"Hi, just wanted to let you know that I'm back."

"Evidently." Severus' eyebrow rose and he stepped back. "Come on in then, Mr Potter."

Harry smiled and relaxed into his usual seat. Severus summoned their favourite Moroccan mint tea and Harry's smile widened at the obvious invitation to stay.

"Well?" Severus asked expectantly.

"Well, what?"

Severus gave him a look. "Were you planning on telling me how the interview went? Will you be wearing the Navy uniform of the Auror Department or is it time to apply for a job as conductor of the Knight Bus?"

"Ha. Ha." Harry rolled his eyes but still smiled at the man's dry humour. "Yes, I got the job."

Severus smiled. "Congratulations." He said sincerely, though he still hated to think of Harry throwing himself into more danger. He was pleased for the boy regardless and was genuinely proud of his achievement.

"Thanks." Harry grinned but ducked his chin, suddenly bashful.

"You had a good day then?"

"I did." Harry confirmed. "The dueling task was actually quite fun. I –" He hesitated. "I went to see Kingsley."

"Oh, he is well, I trust?" Severus asked, feigning disinterest though he could tell from Harry's cautious tone that he had something more to say than just that he had seen the Minister.

"Yeah, he's good. Really busy, but good." Another pause which Severus waited out. "He told me about – about a legal route he thinks I can use to prosecute the Dursleys."

Severus tensed. The last time they had discussed this topic it had ended explosively and Harry wouldn't speak to him for over a week. He didn't know where Harry was going with this.

The Gryffindor sighed. "I don't want to argue about it again. Can we just talk about it calmly?"

"I will be calm," Severus promised. "But I will still tell you my opinion."

Harry huffed out a laugh. "Yeah, I assumed you would."

"Kingsley has found a way to do things quietly then?" Severus asked to get them back on topic.

"He thinks so." Harry nodded before admitting, "I told him I'm not interested."

Severus stopped himself before he could say something rash. He took a breath and sighed wearily. "Why?"

"Why? Because I'm not interested."

"Harry," Severus put a hand across his face and rubbed his eyes, fighting to remain calm through the very thought of the Dursley's abuse sent his blood pressure rising. "The Dursley's neglected and abused you, they deserve to be punished."

"It's just not me, Severus. I don't want revenge. I don't care about them, I just want to move on."

"I'm not talking about revenge," though truly Severus could think of nothing better than visiting those despicable Muggles and making them pay. "I'm talking about justice. The same way you got justice for hundreds of families by testifying at the Death Eater trials. They broke the law and they should be held accountable for that." Harry went to speak, but Severus stopped him with an upheld hand. "I know you think that it's different for you, that it's more complicated because you're you and maybe they never wanted you and they were scared, but it's really not. It's simple actually. You were a child and they were the adults and they hurt you." He jabbed his finger into the desk to emphasize each word. "That is illegal."

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "Putting aside our differing views on what happened. If I prosecute, I would have to attend the trial and relive every moment of that time. It was miserable enough the first time, why would I want to rehash it? I've moved on," he said again. "I just want to forget about it."

Severus eyed him for a moment and Harry squirmed under the scrutiny. "If you truly are not interested in prosecuting them, I cannot force you to do so. Not discussing what happened, however, is not the same as moving on. I am satisfied to leave the Dursleys be and I will not push you to prosecute them anymore, provided that we continue to speak about your time in that house."

Harry huffed out a breath. He did not want to agree to any more conversation about the Dursleys, but he did not want to argue with Severus, and he knew this was the best offer he could get from the man. "Fine."

Severus gave him a nod. "Good."