The ministry of magic.
James arrived at the entrance hall to the ministry of magic, which hadn't changed much since he was last there. People where popping in and out of the building like a subway. He received a few strange looks and he realized it was because of his outfit. James was wearing a brown suit with vest and everything just short of the jacket. He quickly remembered people here were not accustomed to muggle clothes. He fought the temptation to change but he knew it would draw more attention.
"Back for less than five minutes and already people are staring at you." Lupin chuckled.
James got the feeling that Lupin wasn't just talking about him. It was already common knowledge that Remus A. Lupin was a werewolf. James knew how much people didn't trust anyone of that nature, especially after all the trouble Greyback caused. It surprised James very much that Lupin was even allowed to work here.
"Come along then." Spoke Remus finally. James didn't recognize many of the faces that wondered the building but occasionally he would catch a whisper of a name that sounded familiar. As he went further along the corridor that led to the elevator he noticed a livelier mood in the building. The last few trips he made hear where under a lot of stress and busier times. Announcements where now strewn across the walls, announcements of parties and competitions, and even posters of Quidditch and other events. One particular poster caught his eye of a Quidditch player on a broom holding his arm up high triumphantly in a thunder storm. James thought he recognized the player momentarily but wasn't able to get a good look.
"Here we go." Lupin disrupted him as he guided James into the Lift. There were a couple of people already in the Lift and James noticed the magical paper air planes that would float from floor to floor. James tried to watch the notes but he was a little distracted by an elderly wizard who seemed to be sleeping in the elevator, and two witches who kept staring at Remus and giggling. They seemed to be having a conversation without ever moving their lips. James looked between Lupin and the girls several times but they seemed to not mind that he wasn't paying them any attention.
"Level seven," The elevator rang out. "Department of Magical games and sports, incorporation the British, Irish, and German Quidditch league headquarters, Official Gobstones Club, and Ludicrous Patents Office."
The two witches left giggling and occasionally looking back, along with two notes, another entered the lift. Remus seemed to be waiting for them to leave, and he took a quick peak back at the sleeping wizard. Satisfied that they had some privacy he talks with James.
"I'm sure you noticed we added Germany to our Quidditch league HQ Har… James. After everything cleared up and it was safe A small wizarding community in that area deci…"
Before Lupin could finish his sentence or the door to the lift could close, a golden snitch flew in.
"Bloody snitch!" Lupin shouted. James wanted to laugh. He watched it zoom just where Lupin's head had just been and it darted all over the lift as if looking for a way out. After about two seconds it was content to dart around the notes. James watched it and was getting the overwhelming feeling to catch it. Lupin noticing his eyes opened his mouth to protest.
"I wouldn't try it if I were you. Bloody thing has been in this building for weeks, its one of the Wizard Wheezes. Those Nuts have found a way to make one that can never be caught. It gets wilder and wilder the more you try. That's probably why it's always on the Seventh floor. I just pray it doesn't follow us."
James smiled and for the first time he felt as if he hadn't smiled like this in ages. The look must have caught Lupin off guard because he seemed to be smiling at James as well. Luckily the snitch left at level six and James wanted to laugh when he heard a shriek of agitation come from that floor just before the lift shut again.
The rest of the ride went smooth and James was surprised to notice the sleeping wizard in the lift had vanished at some point without either of them noticing. Lupin took no notice of this; he seemed to pass it off as a common thing.
"Ah here we are." Lupin announces just before the Lift's chime.
"Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters, and Wisengamot Administration Services."
James passed the familiar enchanted windows, It was decided today would be a breezy day from what he saw. They approached large wooden doors which James could only assume where new, and once going through James recognized the room full of cubicle instantly. It was as if the place had not changed once since his last visit, Laughter and chatter filled the room like smoke. Paper airplanes zigzagged every where, but to James's surprise in one of the corners there stood a troll, very much like the one He, Ron, and Hermione faced their first year at Hogwarts. He couldn't tell if it was real or not though because it wasn't moving in the slightest.
"Remus!" James heard the familiar voice shout across the Room. Kingsley Shaklebolt was rushing across the room with arms wide out. James stepped out the way and watched in confusion as Kingsley gave Lupin a hardy hug. He was riddled with the confusion of what may have caused such close friendship.
Lupin just patted Kingsley on the back and gave James and annoyed look. James could sense Lupin wanted to explain but couldn't at this moment. Kingsley let go and gave a sigh of refreshment while still holding the sleeves of Lupin's arms. For a second James caught sight of several people watching them but when he tried to look at them, their heads disappeared back into their cubicles.
"This is the individual I told you of." Lupin broke the silence. "Mr. James Black." James heard a low gasp that may have come from several eaves droppers. Kingsley Shaklebolt turned shook his shoulders and raised a hand and shook James's rather heartily.
"So this is the extraordinary wizard who received home schooling." Kingsley said with a glad tone. "It's amazing how many prodigies we've been getting with muggle parents these days. It's a shame they have passed I would very much have liked to meet them." Kingsley raised his voice so that the eavesdroppers could hear well. "I suppose we should be glad you are not from the Wizard Black family, all but a couple of their descendants where bad seeds."
James was a little taken aback. Lupin hadn't run this story by him yet and he didn't know how to play along without ruining the cover.
"Tragic car accident, I'm sorry to say." Lupin blurted, noticing James's slightly stumped expression. James looked up at Lupin a little upset that this story was being used again, but he knew Lupin had no idea of the similarities to what he was brought up to believe before Hogwarts. Lupin could tell he said something a little disturbing and was debating what to say next. Kingsley Shaklebolt saved him the uncomfortable silence. Misinterpreting the look on James's face he quickly changed the subject.
"Let me show you where your office will be once you pass the Aurors exam. I'm very sure you will pass the exam." Kingsley was trying to promote a cheery mood again.
Lupin and James Walked a good few steps behind him and Lupin whispered.
"Sorry about the terrible excuse, I hope it didn't upset you to much."
"No." James replied. "Its just before I ever knew of this place or Hogwarts, I was led to believe that was the way my parents really died. My muggle guardians were very sadistic."
"I'm sorry to hear that, your guardians where quite rude. I met them once. I could tell they were glad to be rid of you, they seemed terrified at the thought you might show up again." Lupin said this with kind of a humored tone.
"The Dursleys can rest easily. I hope to never contact them again. I don't intent to tell them though; the thought of them afraid I may one day return brings me comfort." James chuckled.
James's office looked to be the size of any other cubicle but upon entering it was as big as an average business office. There was even a large magical window with creatures fluttering across the windows in the wind.
"It's not much now," said Kingsley "But give it a couple of days and you won't be able to walk in." James remembered Mr. Weasley's office and wondered if it was once like this before it became as full as he saw it. He was certain it was just small, but now he was plagued with the question of whether he still worked here.
"I was wondering if the individual in charge of misuse of muggle artifacts is…" James couldn't finish his sentence before Shaklebolt answered him.
"Weasley is the one in charge of that department that's who you would talk to." He could tell Kingsley didn't seem to have any fondness of that department anymore. James remembered many wizards didn't care much about muggle business. He also wondered how Mr. Weasley felt about taking back his old job again.
Lupin was giving him a disapproving look. James sensed Lupin suspected him of giving his identity away already.
"Don't worry Remus." He told Lupin. He must have taken it as an acceptable answer, because he smiled and turned his head to look out the cubicle.
"Yes, don't worry Lupin." Kingsley was misinterpreting again. "He'll pass the test" Kingsley tried to put his hands on both their shoulders but only managed to brush Lupin's.
Two days Later James took the Aurors exam and found it surprisingly easy. History was a breeze. His last encounter with Voldemort passed on a surprisingly good knowledge of history and a library of new spells. Everything else went just as well, but his dark arts test left the testers in a nervous agitation. He had to endure a four on one battle and he got the feeling he used more power than he should have. Not a single spell or jinx affected or even hit him.
The results for the Aurors exam arrived that very night and James's pay expectancy was extremely high. Kingsley looked at the scores and with a nervous grin told James.
"I don't think we can afford the recommended pay you were promised, but I can cover most of it."
"That's fine!" James answered. "I'll be glad to work here either way." James didn't much care about the pay either way. He had withdrawn a large amount of gold from Gringots before going into hiding so he had plenty.
Kingsley seemed happy by this and made no hesitation to complete the hiring scrolls. He folded the scroll into a plane addressed it to the resources department and with a small enchantment it floated away. James made a mental note of the enchantment for later use.
James's first day of work wasn't too bad. He spent most of the day pulling cases on death eaters, and criminals that he might want to look into. He met three other Aurors, including one that looked remarkably like Lucius Malfoy , but his face was much thinner and his nose longer. He spoke with Lupin later that day to find that Moody was going to be out of town for a while to investigate some possible hiding places for death eaters. He would have to wait a bit to tell Moody.
He learned that Aurors receive many of the wizard magazines and papers free, to help their cases. One of these papers not surprisingly was the Daily prophet. He was really shocked to see an ad of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in every stack.
James was very happy to learn the twins were still doing well even after all that happened. He started to arrange a good selection of cases to work on, and he made sure to avoid anyone he truly didn't want to run into. He was sure he wasn't ready to confront some of the faces from his past just yet. He learned Bill was also working for the ministry of magic now, but he was only manager of magical sporting events and merchandise. He was interested in finding out how he went about getting that job.
His last surprise for the day was that Hermione was a journalist for the Daily prophet. Her words were so well chosen he could almost hear her talking to him as he read her articles, on Deatheater sightings and muggle interventions. James didn't want to think of it but the thought of how far everyone had grown apart after he left was a little depressing. He doubted Hermione knew where Ron was now, and if either of them even still talked.
James placed the last of the papers down and finished organizing his desk when he decided to call it a day. Tomorrow he would start a new beginning, and try to put the past behind him until he was comfortable facing it.
