Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten

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I told you I might have a chapter out by Wed.
I really like this chapter but it is long. This is the last
Set-up chapter, the next chapter has more action in it.
Thanks to everyone who for their support you guys are
Amazing!!!!!!

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LogicalRaven@insightbb.com

Read and Review
Nothing is my Own

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The Academy



Harry felt the wind subside against his angry redden face as he reached the destination of his apparation. As the room came into focus he felt himself sink into a muddy like substance up to his knees. As he glanced around the dark room he heard the loud croak of a frog close to him.

"What in Merlin's name?" Harry asked as he tried to pull his leg from the muddy vacuum of goo.

A high-pitched scream sounded from the next room and made Harry's head pop up. He quickly began to wonder if he had even apparated to right place. It looked like Grimmauld Place, except for the new swamp like addition. He made a few long strides and finally managed to pull himself to the edge of what looked to be one of Fred and George's portable swamps.

Harry no sooner opened the door when he caught sight of a petrified looking man who was holding his hands across his face.

"Keep it away," he pleaded as Fred Weasley tossed a shiny object back and forth between his hands.

"Come on Mr. Steppin, don't you think our brain freezer would be a perfect way to convince people to vote for Harry?" George Weasley asked with a confused looking expression.

"No I do not! You fellows are mad, you're nuttier than a werewolf during the full moon!" the man said quickly as he eyes grew wide with fright.

"What is going on?" Harry demanded.

"Partner, we weren't expecting you home for a couple more days," Fred said quickly with a cheeky grin.

"Who are you?" he asked the now trembling man.

George Steppin face was washed over with relief as he caught sight of Harry, "Oh thank heavens, I think these two wizards were trying to kill me."

"Kill you? If we'd have wanted you dead we would have made it so," Fred explained as he pulled a dangerous looking prickled silver orb from his bag.

"Who are you?" Harry repeated.

"Harry, allow us to introduce you to your campaign manger," George Weasley said in an announcer like tone, "Mr. George Steppin."

"George and I had been trying to be rid of this bloke for nearly an hour now," Fred explained, "Hermione's orders."

"Why do I have a campaign manager?" Harry asked now scanning the man attempting to collect himself.

"I was hired by the Order of Merlin to conduct your campaign for Minister of Magic," George Steppin said as he allowed one of his political smiles to beam across his face.

Harry crinkled his face in disgust as he thought of the words to express his anger.

"I see you've discovered our War Room, Harry," Fred noted as he glanced at Harry's mud covered legs.

"As amusing as your swamp decorations are, they do not constitute a proper 'War Room,"" George Steppin said rather bravely for a man who had just been begging for mercy.

"I don't need a 'War Room' or a Campaign Manager. I'm not running," Harry spat.

"Now Harry, allow me to present my argument," George Steppin said waving his hand at Harry's comment.

"What don't you understand? I'm not interested in being Minister of Magic. Not now, not ever!" Harry said hatefully with a glare.

"Imagine what you could accomplish. You could make a difference in our world," Steppin argued.

"He's already made a difference. Now, allow us to show you the door," George Weasley said taking George Steppin by the arm.

"Unhand me!" George Steppin said bitterly.

"Good day Mr. Steppin," Harry snapped.

George Steppin nodded, "My assistant is drawing up the wedding plans for you and Miss. Chang. I'll also have my media source publish a few more favorable articles to boost your popularity. You'll come around, they always do." With a final bow he picked up his briefcase and made his way out the front door.

"Bravo Harry!" Fred clapped.

"Err, thanks. Would you mind removing the swamp from the library?" Harry replied.

"Don't like the swamp look ?" George said with a smirk.

"No," Harry said shortly.

Harry closed his eyes as his brain throbbed against his skull. This was turning out to be an absolutely terrible day.

"You got rid of him," Hermione observed as she entered the room.

Fred nodded, "Persistent little bugger, but we had him begging for mercy."

"Harry?" Hermione said as she noticed Harry's presences, "What are you doing back?"

Harry frowned, "Our weekend was cut short."

"Why?" Hermione pushed.

Harry took a deep breath, "Draco Malfoy is being released."

"What?" Fred asked amazed.

Harry frowned, "I was just at the Ministry. Apparently Malfoy cut some type of deal."

"Are they using him to catch his father?" Hermione asked quickly, nothing got passed her.

Harry nodded in disgust.

"Where is Cho?" Hermione asked.

Harry cringed at the sound of his girlfriend's name, "She's still at the Ministry. She had to run an errand with Eros."

"Still trying to steal your girl, huh mate?" Fred asked.

George grinned sadistically, "We could give him a dose of our new improve 'Red Lust Hots' then lock him in a room with McGonagall."

Hermione narrowed her eyes as she looked at the two Weasleys annoyed.

"Bloody Hell!"

"Looks like the rest of the Weasleys have finally arrived," Fred beamed as Ron and Ginny emerged from the library covered in mud.

"A portable swamp, honestly," Ginny sighed.

"It was Fred's idea," George said quickly.

Ron gave Harry a worried expression, "Did you have the pleasures of meeting George Steppin?"

Harry frowned.

"We tried to get rid of him," Fred said quickly. "You think after the Electrocution Tarts he would have thrown in the towel."

"You gave him Electrocution Tarts?" Ginny asked.

"Of course little sister. Shocking results," Fred said as George nodded in agreement.

Ginny shook her head, "I'm surprised you didn't give him a Blurry Muffin."

"We tried, he learned he shouldn't take food from us after the Electrocution Tarts," George explained.

"What took the two of you so long?" Hermione finally asked.

"Err," Ron said looking at Harry nervously, "Dad had some interesting news from the Ministry."

"About Malfoy?" Harry asked.

"You know?" Ginny said quickly.

Harry nodded, "Why do you think I'm back so soon?"

"I better go free Neville," Hermione said quickly as she remembered where she had left him.

"What did you do to Neville?" Ron asked with a raised brow.

Hermione grinned shyly, "I couldn't get him to stop making buttons so I placed him in a full body bind."

"Hermione Granger," Ginny said with a semi shock expression.

Harry frowned as the rest of the group laughed lightly at the thoughts of the shenanigans of the evening. He just didn't find any humor in it. As soon as everyone's heads were turned he made his way out of the room and up to his bedroom.

Harry's eyes fluttered shut almost as quickly as he head hit the pillow. His mind drifted into dreams of Cho's father and the Order of Merlin demanding him to transfigure the London Bridge into the Great Wall of China. He kept telling him that it was not only impossible, but against magical creed.

He woke in a jump he glanced around his nearly pitch dark room. He shook his head miserably. Not only had he had to live through the tragedies of the day, he also had to dream about it. A small movement on the bed besides him caused his eyes to shift down to a figure curled up on his bed beside him.

Cho Chang was still in her Auror robes as he pulled Harry's thin sheets up towards her chin. She let a small whimper escape her as she shifted slightly. He pushed a strand of her dark hair away from her face as he glanced at her perfect complexion in the moonlit room. She was beautiful.

For a brief moment he considered waking her, but the moon must have casted a spell over him because he didn't. Instead he wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes, and he fell into the most peaceful sleep he had had in years.

****




A glass shattered against the wall as December O'Riley narrowed her eyes and let out a loud moan of frustration. How could this happen? She was a well-respected Auror and yet her opinion had been swept aside and ignored.

"Bloody hell," December ranted, she didn't see what Sirius use to get out of smashing things. At the moment she felt no better, the broken glass had fixed nothing.

She let herself fall back into her couch as she threw her hands into her face. She couldn't get Harry's digested face out of her mind. She had let him down.

"December, are you home?"

She turned her attention towards the head now floating in her fireplace and sighed.

"Yes, I'm home," she replied flatly.

Remus Lupin pulled the rest of himself through the fireplace and dusted the soot off his tattered robes, "You didn't show up for lunch today."

December sighed, "I'm sorry Remus, a situation came up at the Ministry."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Remus asked as he took a seat on the armchair near her.

December let a sarcastic laugh escape, "Don't you ever get tired of being the friendly ear or voice of reason?"

Remus considered for a moment then grinned, "No."

December shook her head as she straightened her position, "The Council freed Draco Malfoy tonight."

"And you don't agree with this decision?" Remus deduced as he caught sight of the broken glass on the floor.

"Are you mad. I think any Death Eater deserves to rot away in Azkaban for the rest of their natural life," December said bitterly, "He is responsible for no telling how many deaths."

"Indirectly?" Remus questioned, allowing her to sort through her own feelings.

"Indirectly or not, the deaths of my friends and colleagues rest of the shoulders of his type," December said quickly.

Remus nodded, "I suppose everyone in Azkaban deserves to be there. Why would any one deserve a second chance?"

"Please don't compare Sirius's situation to this," December said shortly as she rolled her eyes.

Remus held up her hands, "I'm giving you something to think about."

"Well don't. I have enough on my mind," she snapped.

Remus studied her for a moment then rose and placed his hands on her shoulder, offering her a relaxing back rub.

"Harry knows about Draco's release, Remus," December said lightly as she leaned forward to give him a better angle of her back.

Remus felt his heart fluttering gently as his hands touched her bare skin hear her neck, "How did Harry take the news?"

December cut her eyes in his direction and caught his hand as it passed over her shoulder, "He's angry."

Remus shook slightly, "I sure he understands. James use to get angry, even if he knew that things were for the best."

December placed his hand on her face as she gazed up towards him with a soft expression.

"You still love me I know," she almost whispered.

Remus tried to swallow but he suddenly found his mouth abnormally dry.

December lowered her eyes and took a deep breath, "Remus, you are one of the most important people in my life. I can't lose you again. I care about you deeply, but we just have too much of a history between us. Our time has passed."

Remus wanted to argue with her, to tell her what a fool she was for denying his love for her, but nodded instead.

December smiled as she moved out from under Remus touch, "I've had a long day. I think I'm going to get some sleep."

Remus forced a smile in return; "I don't want to lose you again either."

December for the stairs that lead to her loft bedroom; "Goodnight Remus."

"Goodnight December."

****



The morning light burned red inside Harry's eyelids. Two weeks had passed since the release of Draco Malfoy, and although the situation was still grim, it was getting better.
Harry felt a heavy weight pinning down his arm as he turned to see the blurry figure of Cho laying in a peaceful slumber. She reminded Harry of an innocent little girl as she laid curled up in her pink pajama. He couldn't help grin as he thought of Mr. Chang was thinking when he told Cho she was sharing a bed with him.

He wasn't sure why they had started their new sleeping habits, but Cho hadn't spent a night in her bedroom since they had returned from their trip to China. The nights she stayed in Grimmauld place, she slept in Harry's bed. This would be the last time they'd share a night together for a while. Harry Auror training was about to begin.

"Cho," Harry nudged, "My arm is going numb."

She cracked her eyes as she gave him a small smirk, "What if I don't want to give it back?"

"I think I may need it for my training," Harry said softly as he slowly pulled it from beneath her.

Cho sighed in defeat, "What time is it?"

"Early," Harry responded as he sat up and put on his glasses.

Cho propped herself up on her elbows, "Are you excited?"

"Not really," Harry confessed as he pulled on a collared shirt.

Cho grabbed the tails of it and pulled him back onto the bed and placed her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss on his cheek, "I'm going to miss you!"

"I'm going to be in the same place you are," Harry said with a small grin.

Cho pulled back a frowned, "Technically, but I'm a rank six. I don't have to stay on campus every night."

"I don't have to call you Master do I?" Harry questioned.

Cho giggled, "No silly. I'm not a rank twelve yet. Once you get your rank five you don't have to call anybody a master anymore, it is more of a respect thing for the lower ranks. It makes you understand your place."

"Understand my place. I have an idiot campaign manager who is plastering 'Vote for Potter' signs all over Hogmeade and I'm suppose to learn my place," Harry laughed.

Cho shook her head, "I'll see you at the Academy."

She planted another quick kiss on Harry's cheek and snuck out of his room. Harry sighed as she disappeared from his view and pulled his new Auror robe around his shoulders.
Within a few minutes Harry was leaving his bedroom and heading down the stairs.

The smell of bacon and toast lingered up his ears. He made a mental note to tell Dobby how much he appreciated him when he saw him. Neville Longbottom was quick on his heels; apparently awaken by the smell of breakfast.

"Morning Neville," Harry greeted.

Neville rubbed his sleep filled eyes and gave a quick stretch, "I'm starved."

Molly and Ginny Weasley greeted the two as they entered into the kitchen.

"We were beginning to wonder if you were even going to bother waking up for breakfast," Molly said as she flicked her wand and flipped the cooking ham in the frying pan.

"Mum thought it would be a nice gesture to make you breakfast on your first day of Auror training," Ginny said softly as she leaned close to Harry.

"This isn't necessary Molly," Harry said as he watched the two red headed women work.

"Nonsense. I've always said that a house elf could never cook as well as a mother," Mrs. Weasley responded as she cracked a few eggs into a large bowl.

"I thought I smelled mum's cooking," Ron said as he stumbled into the kitchen followed by Terry Boot.

"Morning boys," Mrs. Weasley greeted.

"Why are you here?" Ron asked his mum as he snatched a piece of bacon off the serving tray.

"Ronald Weasley, if you cannot behave yourself you can go without breakfast," Mrs. Weasley said sharply snatching the half eaten bacon out of his hand.

"We're here to cook for Harry and Terry," Ginny said with a sly grin as Ron gave a shocked look.

Ron frowned, "How come you never come cook me breakfast?"

"Because you haven't succeeded at anything," Ginny smirked.

Ron narrowed his eyes at his sister, "Oh, and what have you accomplished?"

Ginny grinned proudly and announced, "I made Head Girl."

"Congratulation Ginny," Harry offered as he poured himself a glass of Molly's fresh squeezed orange juice.

"And Quidditch Captain," Ginny added.

"What?" Ron asked looking shocked.

"Quidditch Captain," Ginny said using a tone as if she were talking to a young child.

"I heard you," Ron snapped, "How in the world did you make Quidditch Captain, much less Head Girl."

Mrs. Weasley walked by slapping Ron rather fiercely on the back of his head, "You could show a little support for your younger sister."

"Thank-you Mrs. Weasley, it looks wonderful," Terry said politely as Mrs. Weasley set a plate of eggs on the table.

"Well, eat up boys. You'll need your strength today," she smiled as Ginny set the last plate of ham on the table.

"Are you two excited?" Ginny asked Terry and Harry.

Terry looked at her rather nervously, "I wouldn't say nervous, more like petrified."

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Well, I can't wait until next year when I get into Auror training."

Harry almost choked at her words as he half spit up his bite of breakfast, "When did you decided you wanted to be an Auror?"

Ginny let out a small chuckle at the sight of Harry's expression, "Last year. Professor McGonagall said I'd make an excellent candidate.

Terry nodded politely at Ginny response, "I hear it is really difficult to get into Auror training. The only reason they took five students last year was because of the Dark Rising."

Ginny waved the comment aside, "I think I stand a fair chance at getting in. McGonagall said they'd still be in the rebuilding phase due to all the Aurors lost during the war."

Harry suddenly felt his appetite leave him. He had often wonder if one of the only reason he had been accepted was because they needed to build up the Aurors, due to all the ones who had been killed.

"I think it is wonderful that Tonks is going to be your mentor," Ginny continued, not noticing Harry's sudden drop out of the conversation.

"Yea," Harry muttered.

Mrs. Weasley took a copy of the Daily Prophet from the delivery owl as it propped itself up on the window seal. George Steppin hadn't given up yet, and the cover story for the day was comparing Harry to Minister Fudge with the headline Out With The Old, In With The New.

"Oh Heavens, look at the time. You boys better be going if you don't want to be late," Mrs. Weasley said quickly as she started gathering the dishes.

Harry shook his head as he followed Terry out of the kitchen and up the stairs. He gathered his last second belongings and tucked them neatly into his trunk. He casted a hovering charm and floated it behind him down the stairs.

Terry arrived a moment later.

"You two behave yourselves, and be careful," Mrs. Weasley said as she engulfed both of them in a hug.

Ron clasped his hand on Harry's shoulder, "Don't worry about your house mate. I'll make sure it's taken care of."

"Meaning he'll sit around doing nothing while Dobby cleans up after him," Ginny said sarcastically.

Harry smiled at Ginny, "Tell Dobby not to work too hard looking after these two."

Ron gave Harry a surprised look of hurt, "You're agreeing with her?"

"Take care," Harry laughed as he gave Ron a quick hug.

Ginny followed Ron's lead and gave Harry another Weasley hug followed by a quick kiss on the cheek.

"He has a girlfriend Ginny," Ron said as he gave his sister a suggestive grin.

"Oh grow up," Ginny said slightly annoyed.

"Be careful Harry. Tell Michael and Susan hello for us," Neville said as he held out his cubby hand for Harry to shake.

Terry slowly held out the port-key the ministry had sent them, careful not to touch it with his bare hand.

"On three?" Harry asked.

Terry nodded, "One….Two…..Three…"

Harry reached out his hand and grabbed the golden pad lock port-key and felt the tug from behind his navel. As they reached their destination they tumbled on the cold tiled floor.

"Aright there Harry?" Terry asked as he rolled his truck off his arm.

Harry nodded, "I wish I knew the idiot that invented port-key travel."

"I wasn't sure if you two were coming?" asked a sarcastic voice.

"How was your vacation Susan?" Terry asked as he rubbed the bruise forming on his arm.

Susan Bones smile broadly, "Wonderful, my Auntie sent me on a trip to Italy as a present for making it into Auror Academy."

Susan Bones was perhaps the only one of the new recruits who had no desire to go into her chosen profession. She had applied to Auror Academy not to become an Auror, but to help her acquire a position in the Department of Wizarding Law Interpretation, where her Aunt Amelia began her career.

Harry took her hand as she helped him to his feet, "Is Corner here yet?"

Susan nodded, "He's making a pass at the new girl in the next room."

"New girl?" Terry asked.

Susan shrugged, "I don't know. I left before I could see Michel go into full charm mode. Come on Harry, our mentors will be arriving soon."

Terry waved goodbye to the two of them and went a bit further down the hall to where the Healers were gathering. The Academy looked very to be a cross between the Ministry and Hogwarts, but nearly as massive as either.

Susan and Harry entered into their specified room where Michael was sitting with a pretty raven-haired girl who looked like she was in desperate need for help.

"Harry!" Michael said quickly as he spied Harry, "How was your holiday mate?"

"It could have been better," Harry confessed.

Michael frowned, "Yea, Terry told me about that campaign bloke bugging you. I saw one of you election posters in Diagon Alley."

"He just won't take the hint that I'm not running," Harry said bitterly.

"Maybe you should run," said the girl who was sitting next to Michael suddenly.

Michael smile dreamily as she spoke, "This is Noel, she's from Germany."

"I'm from England, I just went to school in Germany," she corrected him quickly. "It's nice to meet you Harry."

No soon had she spoken, a group of six Aurors entered into the room, cloaked in their long black robes.

"Here we are, at the beginning of your journey," December O'Riley began as she scanned the room, removing her hood from her head, "Congratulations on making it this far into your quest to become one of the elite, but you have not made it yet. During the next three years you will be face with several trials and tribulations. How you rise out of each situation will determine whether or not you will make it to your rank twelve. You are not an Auror until you are a rank twelve. Until you receive your rank five, you will address anyone who is a rank twelve as Master. The first month of your training will be very intense. You will have classes seven days a week, and not be permitted to leave the Academy. You will have no interaction with anyone who is outside of training, you will not even be permitted to owl anyone. During the day you will have your educational courses in History, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Defense, Muggle Studies, Arithmacy, Herbology and Medical Magic. In addition to your core classes you will be allowed to choose two of the following electives. Care for Magical Beasts, Occlumency/Legilimency, Astronomy, Advanced Dark Arts, Ancient Runes, Magical Music or Hexes and Jinxes. We recommend you choose two elective you wish to be specialized in. During the evening you will have practicals with your Mentors. A Mentor has selected each of you. He or she will be the most important person during your training. During the next three years you will be required to do anything your Mentor requires of you, listen to them, for they will have the ultimate verdict at the end of your training, your success is their success."

Harry glanced over at Tonks who was desperately trying to keep a serious face.

"Any questions?" December asked, but nobody raised their hands.

"Very well, I'll leave you to your Mentors. Goodluck," she finished before turning to leave the room.

A middle age blond witch stepped forward to address the group, "Good day to you all. My name is Vanessa Hillup, you may address me as Master Hillup. Although I am only a mentor to one of you, feel free to come to me, or any of the other Mentors before you, if you have any questions or concerns. Next to me is Master Tonk, Master Smith and Master Blackfoot. During the first month of your training we will work very closely as group, after your first assessment we will branch out from one another a bit more. Today you will have brief run though of all your classes before lunch. Then you will be given the rest of the day to settle in. I suggest you all use that opportunity to rest. Now, will each of you select two electives to add to your main class load?"

"Noel O'Riley, which electives do you select?" asked Tonks as she lifted her quill.

"Occlumency/Legilimency and Advanced Dark Arts," she said instantly without a seconds delay.

Harry blinked as he heard Noel's last name spoken for the first time, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was related to December.

"Michael Corner, your elective?" Tonks asked again, quill ready in hand.

"Hexes and Jinxes and Ancient Runes," Michael answered.

"Susan Bones, which do you choose?"

Susan paused as she considered for a moment, "Astronomy and Ancient Runes."

"Harry Potter, your electives?" Tonks asked finally.

Harry suddenly looked up realizing he had no idea what two electives he wanted to take. He thought for a moment, Care for Magical Creatures would be interesting and something he did find interest in. Then again he had experience in Occlumency, and he wanted to learn more about Dark Arts. Oh Hexes and Jinxes sounded useful as well.

"Harry?" Tonks asked.

"Hexes and Jinxes and Dark Arts," Harry said aloud, though he was questioning his choices himself.

"Very well, if you all will follow me, I'll lead you to your first class," Odin Blackfoot announced.

The students rose from their seats and started out the door.

"This sounds difficult," Michael whispered as the group followed, "At least we'll have Hexes and Jinxes together."

"I thought my Seventh Year course load was tough," Harry responded back.

Odin Blackfoot led the group into a massive potions lab. There were thousands of potions organized on shelves. Nothing was hidden or restricted; the group had full access to every ingredient imaginable. Harry caught sight of a jar of gillyweed, which was could only be found in Snape's private stash back at Hogwarts.

"Welcome, my name is Master Wallace," sounded a strong Scottish accent.

The group glanced around the room, but saw nobody.

"Don't look with your eyes, for if you do, you will fail this course," the voice warned.

"Wands and spells are the backbone of magical theory, but potions is where the true untapped power lies," the voice of Master Wallace continued, "No wand waving could make me invisible even to Mad-Eye Moody's magical eye."

The figure, of a burly wizard who was just a few inches shorter than Hagrid, appeared. He was wearing a long Auror robe and a traditional Scottish Kilt. He crushed a glass vial as he reappeared and let of a gruffly laugh.

"Amazing," Michael said, "He looks more interesting than Snape."

Harry nodded, but then caught the cold glare of his new Potions Master.

"Ah, the famous Harry Potter and Michael Corner. You two gentlemen seem quite interested in comparing me to Severus Snape," Master Wallace said coldly. "I prefer not no be compared to that particular individual, I'd suggest you remember that in the future. Yes, that is a threat."

Harry felt himself swallow hard as the Potions Master turned his glare away from the two, "We only have a few minutes today, by tomorrow I want you prepared to make me a Sense Intensifying Draft. Dismissed."

"Well, that was interesting," Susan, commented as the students found themselves in the corridors again. Odin Blackfoot lead them into their next classroom. Cho wasn't lying about the Defense books in the library. There were books that were so restricted that they weren't even allowed in restricted section at Hogwarts.

December O'Riley presented herself with a stern smile as the group entered into her Defense room. She flicked her wand a few times causing four books to fly from the shelves and land on the students' desks.

"I won't bore you with introduction, you all know what I expect from my pupils. You'll notice I referred to you as pupils, not students. You aren't children any longer, and I won't treat you as such. You'll be expected to hand in all assignment and complete all reading on deadline. No exceptions or extensions will be allowed. We only have about thirty minutes today, so I'll give you your assignment and you'll have the remained of class to start your required reading," December O'Riley sounded like the professor he had once hated at Hogwarts. Apparently it was just her teaching style.

Michael Corner smacked his head as they finally left December O'Riley's class, "A whole book in two days? Is she insane?"
"Master Blackfoot, where are we going next?" Susan asked as Odin led them towards another classroom in a dungeon like corridor.

"Transfiguration with Master Igulia," he responded as he tapped his wand on the stonewall, causing a door to reveal itself.

The group filed in and took a seat. The room was damp and dusky, nothing like the bright Transfiguration room Professor McGonagall taught out of.

"Where is the Instructor?" asked Noel O'Riley as ten minutes passed.

Harry shrugged, "It does seem rather odd that he hasn't shown up yet."

A large lizard let its snake like tongue taste the surrounding air.

"Should we go ask Master Blackfoot where our instructor is?" Michael asked.

Harry nearly jumped out of his seat as his eyes suddenly caught sight of a dark looking women sitting on the corner of the desk where the Iguana had just been sitting. Her skin was pale and rather scaly and her hair white and wiry. Even her eyes were round like the lizard.

"Perception, never trust your eyes," she said quietly, "I am your Transfiguration Instructor, Master Igulia. I am an Animagi, as you might have just guessed. Transfiguration is a difficult subject and not all of you will excel in my class. For those who do master Transfiguration, the possibilities are endless. I start my class off very quickly. We will be study Animagi for the first two weeks. Not many wizards show the talent required to become an Animagi, this will be a test to see if any of you posses the necessary talent to master the difficult spell."

Harry raised his eyebrow curiously, "Master Igulia, are you saying that if we have the necessary talent we'll be trained to be Animagi?"

"Yes Mr. Potter, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. In the past twenty year I have only met one student that possessed the necessary talent," Master Igulia said in barely more than a whisper. "Now, tomorrow we will be transfiguring one another into animals. That is the first step in the process. Under your chair is a spell book with the incantations for the first process. Please review it tonight and prepare yourself for tomorrows activities."

Michael pulled his spell book out first, blowing dust off the cover. Harry followed suite as he looked over the hundreds of spells to transfigure practically every object a wizard could think of.

"Would anybody like to try a practical?" Master Igulia asked after about five minutes.

Harry glanced around the room and laughed slightly as Michael sunk his nose deeper into his spell book.

"I'll try Master Igulia," replied Noel as she rose from her seat and drew her wand.

The Auror Instructor nodded as she levitated a book off her desk and lead it over to Noel, "Turn it into whatever you wish."

Noel nodded as she flicked her wand in a strange pattern. The book shuttered and turned into a small fox that dashed under Master Igulia's desk.

"Excellent," the instructor said softly, "Class dismissed."

Michael gave a lopsided grin as the group started out of the class, "That was amazing, you didn't even use an incantation."

"You can do any spell without an incantation if you know the correct wand movement," Noel explained briskly as she pushed further ahead to avoid Michael conversation.

Michael looked back over toward Harry, "Mate, I am so in love."

****



Nearly three hours later the students emerged from the Medical Magic's class with heavy eyes. Master Webb from their Medical Magic course was about as exciting as Professor Binns.

"I'm so hungry," Michael, said with a yawn as he took a seat at the circular table in the kitchens.

Harry nodded, "This is different than I expected."

A couple of house elves rushed a few plates of food in front of the dragging students and dropped off couple pitchers of pumpkin juice.

Susan picked careful at her chicken with a turned up nose, "It would have to be chicken."

"Don't like chicken?" Michael asked with a semi-mouth full.

Susan frowned, "You're apparently not particular."

Harry grinned as he sprinkled a tad of salt on his lunch.

"Why don't you want to run for Minister?" asked Noel out of nowhere.

Harry lifted his eyes towards her, "Why would I want to run for Minister?"

"To make a difference, isn't that the reason you want to be an Auror?" she continued.

Michael watched Harry with a cautious eyes, knowing how delicate Harry was about these subjects.

"Harry already has made a difference," Susan replied, sparing Noel from Harry's wrath.

Noel shrugged, "I was just curious. If you were Minister of Magic you could keep Death Eaters in Azkaban."

"Like Draco Malfoy," Michael offered without thinking.

Harry suddenly froze, "O'Riley?"

"December O'Riley is my Aunt," Noel replied casually.

"I always like Professor O'Riley," Michael offered.

"Master," Susan corrected.

Harry narrowed his eyes curiously, his mind swimming with thoughts.

"Look Harry, your girlfriend," Michael teased as Cho approached with a group of Auror students.

Harry turned towards them with a forced smile. All he could think of at the moment was Noel O'Riley's words. She was right, if he was Minister, Draco Malfoy would never be freed.

*****

Another Chapter. I should have the next chapter out on Sunday, but I might be a little late because this update wasn't planned. Thanks again everyone for all the support.

Next Update: 03/28/04 (hopefully)