The canonical characters from the "Harry Potter" books and movies belong to Joanne K. Rowling, as does the Wizarding World and all associated concepts. Ms. Rowling is utterly unaware that I or my stories exist, and is probably happier for it. This story is written to serve as nothing more than an outlet for one of my hobbies. I'm doing it because I felt like it and am not planning to realize any sort of monetary award for it.

The plot for "Harry Potter & The Search For Peace" is mine.

THE CHOSEN ONE'S CHOSEN ONE

Harry Potter, known to many people as The Boy Who Lived or The Chosen One, has rarely been out of news since the defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. While the Hero of the Wizarding World has rarely been seen anywhere, something or other has kept the public interest in him going. He has joined the Auror forces lately and many are of the opinion that he would rise quickly to higher levels in the Ministry.

While the Wizarding World has been dying to catch a glimpse of their Hero, it seems like Harry Potter is busy with someone else. Our sources tell us that Mr Potter has taken special interest in his friend, Miss Hermione Granger, a muggle-born, who is currently in her final year at Hogwarts. Mr Potter had visited Hogwarts yesterday and was seen by many with his lady love.

Miss Granger is known by many as the Brightest Witch of her Age. She had accompanied Potter last year for their adventure before they together brought the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. They spent months alone. Even during their time at Hogwarts, the two were rarely seen without each other. Miss Granger was also the one who dated the Bulgarian Seeker, Viktor Krum, probably in an attempt to make Harry Potter jealous.

One wonders why, despite their blooming love, are Mr Potter and Miss Granger at two different places – at the Ministry and Hogwarts.

-Rita Skeeter

"What sort of rubbish is this?" Harry growled, burning the newspaper with a flick of his wand. He and Ron had been practicing non-verbal magic and had become quite good at it. His eyes went to Ginny's letter, which had originally prompted him to read this article. Ginny had written about the excitement it had caused at Hogwarts and had told him to keep his head cool. She had reminded him that she trusted him and so did all the people who really mattered.

Harry rubbed his eyes and looked around. He and Ron were sitting in the Ministry Canteen. He could see people staring at him. How could people believe such articles. Hermione was a sister to him. He had even given the mandatory warning to Ron when the two of them had started dating (Harry had been warned by all of Ginny's elder brothers, George doing it twice on Fred's behalf).

"Don't think about it too much," Harry heard Ron tell him, "Skeeter is just frustrated with you because you didn't let her have a go at me in May. Ginny and everyone else are well aware that you had gone to meet Slughorn and not Hermione."
"What I don't understand is," Harry spoke, "why has she not mentioned that you had also accompanied me to our wonderful adventure last year? And why has she not mentioned that I met not only Hermione but also Ginny? I also met Neville, Luna and all our professors. Stop smiling."
Ron chuckled, "Leave all that. Tell me. Slughorn agreed, didn't he?"
Harry nodded, "He has no reason to disagree. He will keep an eye on the potions in our absence but we will have to go to Hogwarts for adding ingredients and all. He has also agreed to do the stirring in case we can't always reach on time."
"Potter, Weasley, come to my office," the friends heard Gawain Robards.

"Now Hogwarts feels a little normal to me," Hermione said to Ginny as the two of them walked towards their Transfiguration classroom. People had been staring at her all morning, reminding her of her previous years of Hogwarts. "Brings back the memories of the fourth year, when Rita Skeeter had written about the so-called love triangle."

Ginny laughed in response to her statement as they both settled down in the Transfiguration classroom waiting for their Professor Macdonald. The new Professors had settled in quite well at Hogwarts. Professor Hope reminded her of Remus Lupin; she was knowledgeable and motivated the students to so better. Professor Macdonald, while nowhere as good as Professor McGonagall, was a fairly decent teacher. In addition to it, she had not made any attempt to meet Harry.

As the class began, Hermione's attention turned to the lesson. They were practicing human transfiguration. She had done those things last year, when trying to change the appearances of Ron. The past year's memories still troubled her although not as much as before. She was glad Ginny was in her year (or rather she was in Ginny's year). It helped to have a known face when you wake up in the morning.

As the class came to an end, everyone started walking towards the Great Hall. "Miss Granger, please stay back," Hermione heard the professor say. So, finally the day had arrived.

"Settle down, both of you," Robards told them as they entered the cabin. Harry and Ron sat in front of him, waiting for him to speak. Two weeks of training under the Head Auror had taught them that he liked to do things in his own time.

"I don't think I need to tell you that the Auror force is not looking very good at the moment. The Senior Aurors are all wary and Trainees do not trust us. I have thought of a solution for this. Potter, I want you to take charge with the Trainees. They trust you, most of them do. You have taught them before in Dumbledore's Army. Weasley, you will be his second. This is how I want it to be. When I retire, Potter, you will be talking my place as the Head Auror with Weasley as your second-in-command."

"Won't the Senior Aurors complain?" Harry heard Ron ask.
"They need to prove themselves to earn the positions. You don't mind being second, do you Weasley?"
"Nah! I'd rather be second to Harry than be first without him."
"And I rather have you as my second," Harry said, "than have the best auror."
"That is my point. You two trust each other and can be lethal together. I have seen you practice duelling. You cover each other well and are well aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses. Good reflexes too."

"When are the trials starting?" Harry asked. The offenders of the Second Wizarding War were being kept at the Ministry holding cells while Azkaban as well as the Wizarding World rebuilt. Their wands were not yet snapped and they could meet their family members under strict supervision. After what had happened to Sirius, Kingsley had refused to let anyone be punished without a trial.

"They will start next week. I want both of you there. You will be testifying in many of them. Start making a list of Death Eaters who escaped. And think of how we can get this Greyback?"
"Has anyone ever seen Greyback use magic?" Ron asked, "I remember him carrying a wand but he didn't exactly use it did he?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't think he did. This means we can overpower him using magic."

Harry and Ron left the cabin happily, walking towards the Record room. They took out a few files and sat down in a corner. "Muffliato," Harry muttered and they began looking at Greyback's records. The feeling of disgust filled their hearts as they read about the vile creature.

"He is horrible," Ron groaned, shutting the records. He stretched his hands and with sudden inspiration said, "We should become Animagus." Harry looked at Ron, wondering what had caused this sudden excitement. "It would be brilliant, Harry. Our forms could be useful in Auror missions."
"We will have to register them," Harry reminded him.
"We are Aurors. Our records will not be easily accessible, not even to our fellow Aurors."

Harry thought about it. Ron did have a point. They could use it in Auror missions and being an Animagus would make Harry feel a little closer to his father and godfather.