Job Interviews
Harry Potter
"Kingsley?" Harry asked.
"Come in, Harry Potter," offered Kingsley.
The Interim Minister's personal assistant, Marsha, waved her wand so that Harry could enter the majestic room that had been designated as the Minister's Office.
It was just two weeks after Harry Potter had defeated Lord Voldemort (yeah, no one had a problem saying his name now that he was dead), and he was riding on veritable tsunami of glory.
The past two weeks had been something out of a dream. Harry sometimes wanted to pinch himself when he realized for the millionth time that Lord Voldemort was no more, that this new world was for real.
He hadn't done a thing for the past two weeks besides relax at the Burrow, hug everyone he loved, and reconnect with one his true love, Ginny Weasley. There had been some tough moments – like when he'd had to help plan funerals for Fred Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, and Remus Lupin – or when he'd had to make sure that Teddy Lupin would be taken good care of by his grandmother Andromeda. But for the most part, his life was pure bliss.
"How are you, Harry?" asked Kingsley, as he got up from behind his desk to give Harry a firm, but warm and welcoming handshake.
Oof, that was a loaded question. He was deliriously happy that the war was over, sad at the many deaths he'd witnessed, content with the state of his life at present, worried for the wizarding world in the future, proud of his accomplishments, embarrassed about the sky-high levels his fame had taken on, nervous at the implications of becoming a famed hero that the entire Wizarding World basically worshipped, clueless about what he was supposed to do with his life now, and also completely apathetic about his vocational future because after he'd destroyed the most formidable dark wizard in all of history, he just wanted to relax – and snog Ginny. But mostly, he still just needed a nap.
But of course, Harry Potter hated talking about his feelings, so he just replied. "Oh, I'm fine, Minister. How are you?"
"You can still call me Kingsley, Harry," reassured the new minister with a gentle smile. He clapped Harry on the back and showed him to the visiting chair in front of his desk, where Harry took a seat. It was good to see that Kingsley wasn't letting his new promotion get to his head.
He sat down behind his majestic oak desk – making his already imposing appearance even more so. But he had a gentle twinkle in his eyes, and Harry knew he would do the Wizarding World a lot of good before his term, however long it lasted, was up. "Now, the reason I called you is-"
Marsha chose that moment to appear in the doorway Harry had just entered through. "Minister Shacklebolt, the Muggle Prime Minister would like to move your appointment with him up to today. It's important that you advise him of the end of the Wizarding War."
Kingsley waved aside her objection. "The prime minister can wait, Marsha. Harry Potter is much more important."
Harry grinned involuntarily. There were definitely perks to being the Hero of the Wizarding World.
"What I wanted to ask you is whether you've seen the news that the Auror Program is opening new applications to qualified applicants. But because we need more Aurors after so many of them were killed in the Second Wizarding War, I have somewhat relaxed the guidelines, regarding Hogwarts grades and educational attainment."
"Oh, yeah," said Harry. He himself didn't care to read the Daily Prophet, but it hardly mattered when Hermione was also there at the Burrow to summarize all the key headlines for him. "And I got your letter about it, too."
"Good, now have you heard that several of your friends are interested in applying? I have gotten letters from many of your friends from Hogwarts. Neville Longbottom, in particular, was wondering if you had applied as well."
"Oh. Well… I haven't?" said Harry, shrugging. What could he say, he'd been a little too busy playing Quidditch with the Weasleys, de-gnoming the garden at The Burrow, and enjoying the endless smorgasbord of Mrs. Weasley's cooking.
"That would be a shame, considering that I was immensely looking forward to hearing – if not a full application – then at least some statement of interest on your part."
"Oh. Well, great. I want to be an Auror. There's your statement of interest?"
Kingsley rolled his eyes. "Mr. Potter, I realize that saving the fate of the entire Wizarding World over this past year has been very exhausting for you, but you'll have to muster up a bit more enthusiasm if you want me to believe you'll put your all into being the Head of the Auror Office."
Harry could practically feel his own head spin. "Wait, you want me to be the head of the whole bloody Auror Office?"
"Well, I think you would be a remarkable Head of the Auror Office. When you created the organization Dumbledore's Army during your fifth year at Hogwarts, you showed remarkable leadership capability. And of course, the skills you had to employ in defeating Lord Voldemort are unparalleled. We'd be thrilled to have you!" Kingsley then calmed his excitement and then added, "But you mustn't make me beg."
"I'd be thrilled to become Head of the Auror Office! But I have a couple of questions first."
Kingsley raised his eyebrows and shrugged, inviting Harry to ask them.
"First of all, I don't know anything about the inner workings of the Ministry, so I'd need to figure that out."
"My new senior Undersecretary, Percy Weasley and I would be happy to help you get accustomed to things. Do you have any other questions?"
"Just one," said Harry. He knew what the answer to this question was probably going to be, but he had to ask it, just to be sure. "What about my criminal record?"
"Well, I guess you could take it up with Dolores Umbridge," said Kingsley, grinning slyly as he pulled a pink, scented (yeah, Harry could smell it from here) envelope from his desk drawer. The thing even had a frilly little bow on it in place of a postage stamp.
"Wait, how'd she manage to send you that from Azkaban?!" marveled Harry.
"Merlin only knows," sighed Kingsley, shoving the piece of parchment away from him and plugging his nose at the overly-sweet smell. "To answer your question, Harry, your entire criminal record has been completely reviewed and the Wizengamot declares you to be cleared of all charges. As for how you deal with Dolores Umbridge's complaint letter… well, that is up to you."
"I'm going to take it home to The Burrow and incinerate it using some of my favorite fireworks from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes! Do you want to come over tonight and watch?"
"I'll see if I can make it" said Kingsley drolly. "I admire the maturity you'll bring to this office, Mr. Potter. Shall I meet with you tomorrow to discuss the start to your Auror training and the start to your new job as Head of the Auror Office? I would discuss it with you today, but I fear my meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister cannot wait any longer."
Harry stood up to shake Kingsley's hand and Kingsley stood up too, before he shook Harry's hand, clasping it warmly between both of his own. "Yeah, absolutely," said Harry, whose head was still spinning from his surprise at the job offer.
"Excellent. I very much look forward to working with you, Harry Potter."