51 Practical Magic
"I hate magic travel," Harry grumbled from the floor as he looked up at a chuckling Amelia Bones. As with the last time he had traveled by floo, he had been ejected with prodigious force. Looking over at his wife stepping daintily out of the fire after him caused more groaning. "Of course you follow my spectacular fall with a perfect entrance."
"Of course," his grinning wife agreed as she looked around before helping Harry back to his feet. "Where's Susan?"
"She's over at Hannah's today. I figured the fewer people who knew about this the better."
"Enough chit chat, let's get this over with." Harry looked at the slightly stoop shouldered witch standing behind Amelia. "We are going to have to rush to get this done as it is."
"Ah, Harry, Hermione, may I present Griselda Marchbanks, Head of the Department of Education at the Ministry and general pain in Dumbledore's side."
"A glowing recommendation if I've ever heard one," Harry smiled as he shook the elder witch's hand.
"Flattery will get you nowhere," Griselda grumped. "Now these are going to be a bit different from normal OWLs. Due to the time crunch, we will be using oral questions and dictaquils supplied by myself for the testing. Per request of Madam Bones, your practical will also be more involved."
"How so ma'am?" Hermione asked as she too shook the witch's hand.
"Normally the practical is a couple of items, taking maybe fifteen minutes per student." Marchbanks turned and started to lead them away. "Yours will be more inclusive and detailed. Both because of the time available and I understand there will be some observers."
"Observers?"
"The Mastery board asked to observe your practical spell work," Amelia provided. "I saw no reason not to allow it, do you?"
"No," Harry paused. "So what is the schedule like?"
"Today will be your written portions, given by myself and Mr Tofty," Marchbanks explained as she led them into an open room with only a pair of desks and an older wizard waiting for them. "Tomorrow we will do all the practicals. Let's begin."
Harry groaned as he flopped into their bed, savoring the softness beneath him. Hermione giggled a bit as she lay beside him. Feeling the bed shift as she lay down, Harry opened his arms and sighed happily as she slid into his embrace. It was several minutes before they spoke, each just enjoying the other's presence.
"You know," Harry finally broke the silence, "Those tests weren't nearly as hard as I was afraid of."
"Yeah," the beautiful witch in his arms agreed, "I usually get much more antsy before a test, but those weren't bad."
"You think it was the way they were set up, talking it out, or that we were just that ready for them?"
"Maybe a bit of both?" Her tone was hesitant. "One thing that bugged me though was how they asked for things they shouldn't have."
"What do you mean?" Harry shifted to look at her more directly.
"Some of those questions were NEWT level, especially the Defense ones." Hermione snuggled closer, adjusting to the new position.
"You mean like the Patronus questions? They did know we could cast them so maybe they felt it was fair to ask."
"Maybe, but it wasn't just the Patronus questions. I mean, you've read some of the fifth year texts, you have an idea what we'll cover this year. How much of what we were asked would be covered by the end of the year?"
"I dunno," Harry paused as he considered her question. It was difficult to differentiate what they were taught in class versus what Flitwick and McGonagall had covered in their special sessions, but eventually he continued. "I guess only about three quarters. Maybe two thirds, it's hard to remember what was classwork and what McGonagall and Flitwick taught us."
"Exactly." Hermione huffed, "These are supposed to be OWLs but I'm wondering if they didn't let it go further."
"You mean push us to see just what we really know?"
"Maybe," Hermione chewed her bottom lip, and Harry had to fight not doing it for her. "I don't know, it just feels different."
"Well, we have the practicals tomorrow, so we'd better rest. We can ask them in the morning, ok?"
"Can we just stay here for a bit? I don't feel like getting up yet."
"Of Course."
Half an hour later, Anne entered the room to check on the pair, and simply had to smile. Stepping further in, she took a blanket from the foot of the bed and covered the couple, smiling as she watched them sleep peacefully in each other's arms.
It was good they got such good sleep, because the next day they were put through their paces. Starting just after breakfast, they traveled to Bones Manor and were promptly led to the same room as the day before. There, waiting for them, were half a dozen witches and Wizards. Both Marchbanks and her assistant Professor Tofty were back, but joining them were three more wizards and two Witches they didn't know, as well as Auror Shacklebolt.
"Mr and Mrs Potter these are the Masters Board for Defense against the Dark Arts." Madam Bones introduced them. Indicating each in turn.
"Master Auror Proudfoot." The indicated wizard was tall and dark haired. There was just a hint of grey in his goatee, and a slight tilt to his stance, indicating something in his past had not healed perfectly. There was also a slight twitch to his expression, like he was fighting some strong emotion.
"Mr Jameson," The red haired wizard nodded to both, showing a happy go lucky smile as he did so. Shorter than Proudfoot, and a little thicker, the only other distinguishing feature was a nasty scar along his left cheek.
"Miss Braunstein," The shortest of the group, the silvery haired witch simply nodded. Her dark eyes never left them, and a slightly dark look stayed on her face. The semi stink eye made both uneasy, but shrugged it off.
"Mr Garrison," The iron grey haired wizard had the hardened look that reminded them of what they imagined a young Moody might look like. Several scars crossed his face, and a light streak in his hair told of a large scar below.
"Miss Severino," The dark skinned and haired witch also nodded her acknowledgement, though hers was far warmer than Braunstiens'. Also short and sturdy, this witch seemed the friendliest of the visitors.
"And this is Senior Auror Shacklebolt." The tall bald African smiled at the couple, but his smile fell when they didn't return it.
"I apologize, but if you are going to observe, there will be some conditions." Harry said darkly, then held his hand up to forestall their objections. "It is our understanding that the testing will be designed to push us, to expose all of our abilities. Is that correct?"
"Yes Mr Potter." Marchbanks agreed.
"Well not only am I, and therefore my wife, the target for a resurrected Dark Lord and his Death Munchers, but others are far too interested in me. It is because of that that I will ask for a vow not to tell anyone not in this room the details of our testing. That includes any abilities beyond a normal fifth year. The exception is my patronus. My wifes' patronus will be covered by the vow however."
"Is there a particular reason you're asking this now Mr Potter?" Madam Bones asked, glancing at her guests.
"Auror Shacklebolt is known to be a member of Albus Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore has made himself far too involved in my husband's life, often to his detriment." Hermione explained. "He also trusts a known death eater with secrets that he should not. We're not willing to risk him knowing all our secrets. We're fairly sure at least some things have leaked from his council despite his assurances he trusts everyone he says he does."
"I think that's fair," Marchbanks said with a nod, "We'll have to cover enough to satisfy your tests, but beyond that, I see no reason not to accommodate you."
"I don't either," Bones agreed, glaring at Shacklebolt who at least had the decency to look abashed. "I'll start wording the oath while you go over the OWL level charms and transfigurations. It should be ready well before you cover anything more advanced."
"That sounds more than fair." Harry agreed, pulling his wand out.
And so it began. Changing colors, making an egg cup dance. Transfiguring beetles into buttons and turtles into teapots. Each task was simple, yet covered all their schooling, from first year to stuff Flitwick and McGonagall covered in their advanced sessions. Each perfectly executed, and each completed with a little extra flourish. Making the Egg cup do backflips as well or embellishing the decoration on their teapots.
"OK Mr and Mrs Potter, I believe that is it for the standard transfiguration and Charms sections." Griselda stopped them an hour later. "Are we ready to continue?"
"Madam Bones?" Hermione asked, moving over to look at the oath she'd written. A minute passed as Hermione took a quill and made a correction. After looking it over, Amelia nodded and oaths were taken by all.
"Ok, now let's see the real-"
"Stop."
Everyone turned to look at Harry, who had his head cocked, ears up and tail flicking just the tip back and forth rapidly. Hermione cocked an ear, then tensed herself. Her ears swiveled, and her tail began to swish back and forth, slowly. At a glance they separated, each moving along the edge of the room, the movements fluid and graceful, yet with the distinct impression of prowling.
About halfway around the room, Harry paused before striking. One moment he was paused, as he'd done several times before, the next he uncoiled and pouced. He ducked low and then thrust up against a wall, and he'd hit something, because his hand stopped about 20 cm from the wall.
"You have five seconds to explain yourself." He growled, and everyone in the room scrambled to draw their wands. Everyone except Hermione, who had somehow appeared behind Harry with her wand tip glowing, a spell barely restrained. Whatever he'd caught seemed to move, and he barked, "Slowly!"
Everyone in the room gasped as the air before Harry shimmered before a head seemed to appear just above Harry's hand. A wry smile graced the grey haired man's face as Harry eased him down and pulled the invisibility cloak off of him as he withdrew.
"Croaker!" Madam Bones barked, "What the bloody blazes do you think you're doing?"
"Apparently finding a flaw in our invisibility cloaks." The man sighed, "Care to tell me what gave me away?"
"Care to tell me who you are?" Harry countered.
"Harry, this is Saul Croaker," Amelia introduced the older man, "Director of the Department of Mysteries."
"I see," Harry turned his full attention back to the unspeakable. "And just what is your purpose here today, Director Croaker?"
"To see you two," Croaker explained, "The feats' associated with you two are quite extreme, as is the idea to give you two masteries. I came to see how true the stories are."
"And why didn't you just ask to come?" Hermione asked, her lit wand tip still pointed at him.
"Honestly, it never occurred to me." he shrugged, "We don't generally let anyone know who or what interests us."
"Well, there's the door," Harry pointed to the doorway. "I'm sure Madam Bones would be more than willing to escort you from her home. You are trespassing after all."
"Wait, please Mr Potter." The elder man pleaded, still holding his hands clear of his body. "If I agree to take your oath, would you allow me to stay?"
Harry glanced at Hermione, seeing and feeling her own conflicted thoughts on this. On the one hand, having an in with multiple Department directors, especially the DMLE and the DoM, was a great thing to have. On the other, he had abused their trust already. Harry felt the instant Hermione had an idea, and moved over to the parchment with the oath. Scribbling an additional line, she brought the parchment over and handed it to Croaker.
"I see you're as smart as they say Mrs Potter," Croaker laughed at reading the added line. "I agree, and to satisfy your curiosity, yes, I had thought of a way to violate the intent of the oath and not actually violate it."
"I'm guessing it has to do with your partner, the one standing as still as she can over by the bookcase?" Hermione asked, and everyone started again as a soft curse sounded from the direction indicated.
"Indeed Mrs Potter." Saul smiled. "Blaze, leave us. Return to the ministry and await me there."
"Yes sir," A disembodied voice answered, followed by the door opening and closing.
Following a much more restrictive oath, the Director of the DoM was allowed to observe as well. First the evaluators worked them through the standard Defense NEWT practicals, mostly what spell for what threat and demonstrate. They also added a lot of NEWT level Transfiguration and Charms stuff as well, usually things that were associated with defense in some way but not always. Then came the advanced testing.
"OK," Proudfoot said as they were winding down, "I have a request. Would you two care to duel? Say two on two, full tilt, non lethal spells only."
"Duel or fight?" Harry asked with a grin, "Cause there is a big difference between them."
"How so?" the auror challenged.
"In a duel there are rules," Hermione supplied, "In a fight, there's only one: if you're not cheating you're not trying, and probably dead."
"I'm not sure I've ever heard it put that way, but I can't deny your point. I was thinking about a duel." Proudfoot looked a little shook at her outlook, "Jameson and Severino versus the two of you?"
"Sure, European standard rules?" Harry asked, waving his wand to conjure a piste.
"You know them?"
"Flitwick taught us, said he was glad we weren't on the circuit when he was. Still want to do this?" The cockiness in Harry's challenge ensured their acceptance. It also fueled the evaluators' own arrogance.
As soon as Madam Bones counted the duel in, the two evaluators were casting. Powerful, but non-lethal spells one after another, barely non-lethal. Bone breakers, bludgeoning, and cutting curses chained together, and hit absolutely nothing. As soon as the count was done, both Harry and Hermione were moving. Jumping, rolling, twisting to avoid the spells, all the while not casting anything of their own.
It lasted two and a half minutes before spells started to be returned. Severino started to shield the pair, as Jameson continued their assault. It threw them a bit that the couple were tossing cantrips back at them, first and second year stuff. Jameson went to move out of the way of a stinger when it happened.
Among the spells tossed around were two in particular. One was an Aquamenti, the water shooting charm. It was dismissed as a nuisance spell, the observers just cast back while wet. The second was a freezing charm, Glacius. It was ignored because it was a clean miss, or so they thought. The problem with ignoring them was that when you freeze water, like the puddle beneath their feet, it turns to ice.
Jameson moved, and stepped right onto the ice the couple had formed, causing his attention to waver as he searched for solid footing. It was at that moment that Harry and Hermione both stopped using cantrips and started returning the attacks in kind. Bludgeoners, stunners, and cutters began getting returned. Jamesson went down first when he slipped right into the path of a stunner intentionally shot low. Severino continued valiantly for about ten more seconds before an overpowered bludgeoner shattered her shields and a disarming and a binding hex put her out as well.
Harry revived Jameson while Hermione released Severino amidst the clapping of the crowd. Neither looked very happy, but accepted their defeat with grace. Croaker however, wanted more.
"You two were holding back," Saul said definitively, "Why?"
"It was a duel," Harry said simply, "Not a fight."
"Then let's fight." The old man said conspiratorially, "You and me."
"How about Me and Hermione," Harry glanced at the disapproving look on Proudfoots face, "Versus you and Auror Proudfoot?"
"I'll join him," Braunstein called, removing her cloak.
"Ok, all three of you," Hermione shrugged, moving back beside Harry. "This is a fight, just using nothing lethal, everything else goes."
"Go." Amelia called, and none of them moved. Each eyed the others, waiting, watching. Slowly they circled, each eyeing the other, evaluating every movement.
"This is Boring," Harry declared, and waved his off hand.
A smoky cloud rose from the floor, expanding to about head height before Proudfoot waved his wand, calling up a wind to dissipate the smoke. Harry and Hermione were gone. Braunstein swore, spinning and then landing hard on her arse as 250lbs of Feline Predator slammed into her. A soft double tap of the panther's paw told her he'd just 'slashed' her throat and she was dead. More cursing erupted as she realized this.
As soon as Proudfoot finished turning, he was blinded by a flash brighter than he'd ever seen. Still, instincts served him well and he rolled aside as a barrage of spells passed where he'd just been. Croaker had done the smartest thing, he'd apparated to the far side of the room, beyond where Harry and Hermione had started. He was almost unhurt. Unfortunately he caught the edge of a bludgeoning curse that missed Proudfoot. Catching it to his side, he almost swore as he felt ribs crack despite the dragon skin vest he wore.
Seeing an opening, Croaker tossed a trio of spells at Harry before searching for his partner. Glancing back to Harry, he saw what he would've sworn was impossible. His right hand busy tossing chain after chain of spells to keep Proudfoot off balance, Harry used his left hand to bat the spells from Croaker at the Auror, who finally apparated away to get a quick breath.
Still a little shocked, Saul barely moved in time to avoid the spell Hermione sent his way from his right. Point casting as he turned, he cursed as he realized he'd been duped. Instead of Hermione, Croaker had just cast at the reappearing Proudfoot. The stunner caught the recovering Auror in the side and dropped him, leaving Croaker alone against the couple.
"Very nice Mr Potter," Croaker smiled, "But now it's my turn."
Ignoring his wife for a moment, knowing it'd probably cost him, Croaker started to throw everything he could at the youth. Spell after spell was countered, dodged, or just batted away. All the while he kept seeing flashes of an illusion of a large panther at the sides of his vision. Finally he managed to slip a disarming hex through, but then the bastard just kept swatting spells away, even catching them and throwing them back. He managed to slip another spell through, this time a stunner, but other than a slight stagger it had no effect. The momentary hesitation when that happened was when it ended. From right in front of him, from his own bloody shadow, the panther pounced at him. Thinking it was still an illusion, he ignored it, right up until it slammed him into the wall he'd backed up against.
"MATCH!" Bones cried, and everyone stopped.
"Nice fight," Harry grinned as he revived Proudfoot. The auror groaned as he accepted a hand up.
"OK, how did you manage a solid illusion?" Braunstein demanded, "You two can't apparate and that bloody cat was there too fast. It had to be an illusion since you can't conjure a living creature and it was far too controlled to be transfigured."
"And where's your wife?" Croaker asked, "I expected her to get me in the end."
"She did." Harry chuckled and scratched Midnight behind her ears. "This is not an illusion. Look closer at her."
"A panther, so what?" Braunstein grouched.
"No, a Shadow Panther," Hermione said as she shifted back, grinning. "I used my shadow jump ability to get behind you."
"You're a magical Animagus?" Proudfoot exclaimed. Then he looked at the grin on Harry's face as well. "Both of you?"
"Yes, both Shadow Panthers, and duly registered with Madam Bones." Harry confirmed.
"Bully that," Croaker snarled, "Granted magical animagus forms are impressive, but what the hell were you doing with my spells?"
"And that is probably why we have magical forms." Hermione told him, "We're both at least partial wild wizards. We were using projected fields of pure magic to redirect the spells."
"Bollocks," growled Braunstein, "There hasn't been a wild wizard in centuries."
"Maybe, maybe not." Harry shrugged, "Haven't exactly been looking for them have you? Anyway, whether it's natural or a side effect, we sense magic. And we can manipulate magic without wands or incantations. Basically, what I was doing was redirecting the magic of your spells."
"Uh huh," Croaker smiled, then chuckled. "Well, I've seen enough. Want a job?"