Chapter 14: Auror Training Begins
Harry sat up. He was lying in bed. His glasses were on a table beside him. He put them on. "Where am I?" he asked, to no one in particular.
"You're at Andros," said a voice. "Ron iss in the showver."
"What's the time?" asked Harry.
"Half past sefen," replied Rudolf, who was listening to the wireless. "How are you? You collapsed avter you crashed the broom."
"I'm OK, I think," said Harry. "It seemed so – real."
"Yes, they model it on real life."
"Oh," said Harry. "Yeah, that would be why –"
He stopped. He'd just heard something on the wireless. "Thomas Millstew has not been seen for several days," it crackled. "It is believed that he is making his way towards Andros Auror Training College, Staffordshire, where Harry Potter is currently residing. Any sightings of Millstew should be reported immediately to the Ministry."
Rudolf looked at Harry. "Vot vos that about?" he asked.
Harry turned off the wireless. "I dunno. This guy wants to kill me for no reason." He felt the holes under his lip, which were beginning to heal. "He's already tried once."
Harry washed and got into clean robes, then went to the dining hall for breakfast at eight o'clock. He filled his bowl with cornflakes and took a pot of tea, bacon and eggs from the house-elf at the hatch. It took him only about fifteen minutes to eat. When he had finished he went and sat in the common room, trying to keep as far as possible from the older students playing on the Tri-X. He had brought Create Your Own Magic with him and was beginning to learn the basics about making his own spells.
"Want to play?" asked the sporty-looking second-year student Harry recognised as George Ollerton. "We've got a new game."
Harry wanted to say no, but felt it would be considered rude, so he got up resignedly and walked over to the Tri-X. Alex Ramsbottom and Pegasus Equiner were sitting around it whilst Max Shimpling played the game. Harry and George sat down. The hero was a red-robed wizard who reminded Harry of Professor Confessus. "What's the game?" he whispered, trying not to disturb Max who was trying to navigate his way across a swamp.
"Melkius Karrelus," replied George. "A sort of wizarding James Bond really. I'm Muggle-born," he explained.
Harry nodded and turned to the Tri-X. Melkius Karrelus appeared to be in some sort of duel with another wizard. It looked very realistic. "It's good," he said.
"Yeah," said George. "Better than Jimmy Hatchett. You get turned into a Muggle and have to survive in the Muggle world. It's a bit boring really."
Mr. Weasley would love it, thought Harry. "Can I play?" he said aloud.
"Anytime," replied Max, whose computer game figure had just been blasted by a powerful spell and collapsed on the floor. "Anyone can play whenever they like."
Harry played the game for the next half hour. He was quite good at it – it was very similar to real life. He presumed that at the end of his Auror training he'd be just like Melkius Karrelus. He had to save the game and come off at five to nine so that he could go to his first lesson.
He found Ron, Rudolf, Lizzy and Hannah already in the classroom. There were six small desks – Harry sat down in one of the two empty ones – all facing a blackboard. They talked quietly for a few minutes, then Professor Gabriel strode in.
He was a tall man with a bald head but a blond beard. He used his wand to move the empty desk to face the others, and sat down. "Good morning, new students," he said. His voice was not as deep as Kingley's but it was close. "I am Professor Gabriel, your Year Tutor. If you have any problems, ask me and I will attempt to sort them out. Now, I hope we are all here – yes? Good. Then we'll begin.
"There are four one-and-a-half-hour periods every day at Andros, with a fifteen minute break between each one, although this is extended to an hour at lunchtime. You will study various different courses, which are detailed in the sheets in front of you." He waved his wand and the sheets appeared. "Now, at Andros we do not operate a strict timetable and you will attend whatever lessons I, you teachers and yourselves feel you need to. However, you will be expected to attend at least three lessons every day and attend each lesson at least once at week. The first period of each week will be a tutor period where you will talk with me about any matters that may have arisen. The last period will be assembly in the dining hall. You must attend at least one of these periods every week.
"At the end of each term you will sit exams, both practical and theoretical. These will give you some idea of how you are doing. At the end of each year your exams will depend on whether or not you stay on at the college. If you fail, you will be asked to leave. Very few of our students manage to complete the course and become qualified Aurors, and some drop out of their own accords.
"We operate a system of punishments and rewards here not dissimilar from those of your schools. Good work will gain you points and misbehaviour will cause you to lose them. Unlike schools, however, you are gaining points for yourself, not your house. The student with the most points will gain a reward at the end of the year. For serious misbehaviour we give detentions where you will perform certain difficult tasks.
"I am sure you are aware that many of the items on your school list require special licences from the Ministry of Magic for their use. Therefore, if they are misused in any way you will be expelled immediately. We – will – find – out. With the exception of our part-time teachers, we are all professional Aurors. Any questions?"
Harry put up his hand. "Madam Hooch teaches Flying at Hogwarts. What does she do here?"
"She is only part-time in both establishments," replied Professor Gabriel. "She will be your Physical Trainer. Strength and fitness are very important to Aurors."
They spend the rest of the period copying down notes about lessons and deciding what they should take for the rest of the week.
"Your first lesson will be Spell Creation," said Professor Gabriel. "In the paddock with myself. Please follow me."