Job Interviews
Harry Potter
Note: An earlier version of this had Harry Potter interviewing, with him looking at becoming head of the Auror Office, but as the astute reviewer Vandimmom pointed out, hero or not, having Harry go right to running a department that he isn't even yet a member of would just be silly. So I have corrected this chapter accordingly and Harry is now simply interviewing to get trained as an Auror.
"Kingsley?" Harry asked.
"Come in, Harry Potter," offered Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Interim Minister of Magic.
Kingsley'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 he no longer had to worry about defeating the dark wizard who'd been determined to kill him since he was only a year old.
Of course, Harry knew that the Magical World needed to be rebuilt from the destruction of the war and that he really ought to take part in this effort to rebuild, but he hadn't gotten out to do that yet. He just didn't have the energy. Instead, he spent the past two weeks relaxing at the Burrow, hugging everyone he loved, and reconnecting 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. For the first time in his life, Harry felt like he didn't have to toughen up and fight, which meant that for the first time, he could actually be completely honest about his feelings without worrying about his next fight with an adversary.
So… How was Harry Potter actually feeling? Well, to start a list: 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 already legendary 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. And also, he felt like he really needed a nap.
But of course, this was a lot of feelings for Harry Potter to admit to having, let alone talk about, 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. You need to meet with him again to discuss more of the implications of the end of the Wizarding War."
Kingsley waved aside her announcement. "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. Oh, and snogging Ginny. Obviously.
"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 Auror training. You may be an accomplished wizard, but the training is very intensive and you still have an awful lot to learn."
Harry nodded, duly chastised. "Right. Of course. I do want to start training. Being an Auror is the only thing I've ever wanted to do professionally, really."
"Right. Well, then, my new senior Undersecretary, Percy Weasley will help sign you up for training. Do you think you're actually ready to start? And before you start, 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 without having to lean close) 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."
"You know it," laughed Harry.