Chapter 60: To The Ministry of Magic

At the Three Broomsticks pub the following morning, Tonks and Claire arrived with their Floo Powder in hand. While Claire wore a gray secondhand business suit that her mom had given her, Tonks wore a white dress shirt over denim slacks. They saw Madam Rosmerta nearby, and approached her.

"Hello, Madam Rosmerta," Claire greeted. "We were wondering if—

"Could we use one of your fireplaces to travel to the Ministry of Magic?" Tonks interrupted. "It's for an off-campus assignment to explore possible careers, though I'm definitely planning to be an Auror!"

"How delightful!" Rosmerta exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you two."

"Thank you," Claire said.

"So can we use your fireplace, then?" Tonks asked again.

"Just remember to watch your step, keep your arms by your sides, speak loudly and clearly, and don't track in any ashes when you return," Rosmerta said. "I don't want to have to clean up another mess."

"We promise," Claire nodded.

"That goes doubly for you, Tonks," Rosmerta added, looking at Tonks sternly.

"Okay, I'll try not to make an ashy mess," Tonks said.

"Good," Rosmerta nodded. "I'm sure you'll both do brilliant work at the Ministry!"

While Rosmerta left to deal with a customer, Claire and Tonks walked over to a fireplace near the back that wasn't lit. But halfway there, Tonks stopped.

"Claire, what if I turn out to be a rotten Auror?" Tonks muttered.

"You'll be an excellent Auror, Tonks," Claire said encouragingly. "Is something wrong? You were all excited just a moment ago."

"I don't know," Tonks responded. "I just feel all…jittery, like when Snape yells at me for breaking something in class."

"Well, it is a big deal that we're leaving Hogwarts on official business and not sneaking off to deal with Cursed Vaults," Claire admitted. "Plus, there's the pressure of making a good first impression at the Ministry. Not just for us, but for Hogwarts as well. I'm sure you'll do great, though. You've wanted to be an Auror for as long as I've known you, so don't give up now!"

Tonks took a deep breath and said, "You're right. I am an amazing witch and I'm determined to be an Auror, no matter what!"

"Glad to see the Tonks I know," Claire smiled.

"Thanks, Claire," Tonks smiled back. "Now let's stop talking and get going, or we'll be late!"

So Tonks walked straight over to the empty fireplace and stood on top of it. She then took out a handful of Floo Powder and said, 'Ministry of Magic!' before dropping the powder and vanishing in a flash of green flames.

"Well, I hope she made it there okay," Claire said to herself. "Best be heading off myself."

"Not so fast."

Tensing up, Claire turned around and saw Mad-Eye Moody standing behind her.

"How did you know I was going to be here?" Claire asked, though she already knew the answer.

"No time for questions," Moody insisted. "You're going to the Ministry of Magic, correct?"

"Yes, and I've made a friend who's going to watch Merula while I'm gone," Claire said.

"Good to hear," Moody acknowledged. "But I've got a warning for you. I believe 'R' has agents inside the Ministry. Need you to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Fortunately, I've got contacts at the Ministry helping me out."

"Can you tell me their names? I'll be sure to get in touch with them while I'm at the Ministry."

"Too many ears here to tell you right now. Just be careful on who you trust at the Ministry, okay?"

"Sure thing, and thanks for the warning."

"Good luck on your first off-campus assignment, Claire."

Moody then gently shoved Claire over to the fireplace, and she used the Floo Powder to transport herself to the Ministry of Magic. Once the green flames vanished, she found herself in a large underground chamber with many witches and wizards going about. There were also several circular areas with golden statues and multistory structures with glass windows lit by lamps from inside. Off to the side were several brass elevators constantly going up and down.

"Wow," Claire murmured. "This place is bigger than I thought, and darker. Now, which way is the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?"

"Halt!" Cried a tall man wearing a blue uniform, a conical hat with a big 'M' embroidered in gold on the brim, and a gold badge on his left pocket. He immediately walked over to Claire. "Now hold still."

From his robe, the man took out a gold antenna and waved it all around Claire's body.

"Is that a Probity Probe?" Claire asked.

"Fascinating," the man muttered, not answering Claire. Then he held out his hand. "Wand."

Claire winced. "What about my wand?"

"Give it here," the man ordered.

"Okay," Claire said, and held out her wand.

The man took it in his gloved hands and examined the wand carefully. "Eleven-and-a-quarter inches, ebony, with a dragon heartstring core, used for two years, correct?"

"Yes."

"Credentials?"

"Um, I don't have any. Professor Dumbledore said I would be able to pick them up here."

"No credentials means no further entry into the Ministry. You must leave now."

"But, I'm here for a reason. My name is Claire Krystal, and I need to get to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for an off-campus assignment through Hogwarts. There are several other Hogwarts students that should be here as well: Barnaby Lee, Nymphadora Tonks, Ben Copper, Liz Tuttle, and Charlie Weasley. Have you seen them?"

"All the Hogwarts students have been collected for their off-campus assignments, because they have their proper badges for arriving on time," the man claimed.

"I'm only a little late, though," Claire insisted.

"And I'm the Queen of England," the man replied sarcastically. "You need to leave, now!"

"Claire, is that you?"

Looking to her right, Claire saw Bill and his father Arthur walking up to her.

"Bill, Mr. Weasley," Claire sighed. "Thank goodness you're here."

"Is Mr. Munch giving you trouble?" Arthur asked, glancing at the tall man.

"Well, to be fair, I don't have my credentials yet," Claire said.

"Again, no credentials means no entry," the tall man Mr. Munch reiterated.

"I can vouch for Claire's credibility, Mr. Munch," Arthur declared.

"So can I," Bill chimed in.

"Goes against protocol," Mr. Munch said sternly.

"But you'll have to fill out the necessary paperwork," Arthur brought up.

"Paperwork," Mr. Munch groaned. "Fine, vouching for her credibility will do for now. Proceed to the All-Purpose Room, Miss Krystal."

To be continued…