Harry awoke to a crystal fall day. They let him sleep in. After speaking to Chloe Harry fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. Harry got out of bed and pulled some of his clothes from the trunk he had left with the Weasleys. He came across his old school robe and held it to his nose. He breathed in. For a moment he was back in his room at Hogwarts.
"What are you doing?" Asked Ron from the hall.
"Nothing." Harry said.
"Moms got breakfast for you." Ron said
"OK. I'll be down in a minute." Harry answered.
At breakfast Harry noticed that only the three large Aurors remained with him. Ginny and Hermione sounded anxious to get back to school. Hermione was missing a test in Advanced Potions. She said the new teacher was just as demanding as Professor Snape was. He didn't intimidate his classes, but he had a demanding schedule for completing the formulas. He also insisted every formula was to be sampled by its creator. Hermione imitated the professor's voice 'Every potion is meant to be taken, so you must take them.' The students found out first hand if they made a mistake. Neville had hair that changed color every four hours due to a disguise potion gone wrong. Misty Sandlewood spent 3 days carrying a blanket around school when an anti-aging potion went too far.
Ron was the only one who seemed less anxious to be back at school.
Ron said, "What do you think they'll teach you first. I wondered what Auror training is like?"
"The ministry never promised to make me an Auror." Harry said and picked at his food again.
"But everyone at Hogwarts just assumed that's what you'll do. You know. What else." Ron insisted.
"Maybe, I don't know."
Harry tried to eat but the knot in his stomach kept him from it. Mrs. Weasley cleared his plate again with a sad look.
Mr. Weasley sat down with him and said, "Ok Harry, Here's what we need to do. Since the security at the Ministry won't allow entrance by portkey, we'll have to travel the old fashioned way; by tube. They feel it's the safest."
"Yes, sir." Harry answered.
"In case of any trouble a single use portkey has already been placed in the car where we'll be traveling. It's a wad of gum under the seat directly opposite the third car's door. I know it's a little gross but we wanted to be sure no one would touch it. The Aurors will make sure we get a seat there. Do you understand?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Yes sir."
"Harry, we're on a bit of a schedule so if you don't mind"
Harry thought this good-bye to his friends would be different, but they parted with the same good-bye as any other ending of a school. They gave him the usual 'good lucks and 'Keep in touch and See yas'. They left the Weasley's home and headed on foot to the nearest underground station. Mr. Weasley noticed Harry wiped his eyes as they walked.
Mr. Weasley tried to comfort him, "Harry, don't worry, You'll be alright. The Ministry calculated there's only a 5 chance Voldemort would attack you alone and in the open like this."
"It's ok. I know. The next time he takes me down, it's going to be public." Harry said stoically.
The rest of the journey passed in silence. They came to a familiar phone booth. Harry had entered here before for a previous trial. The Lobby of the Ministry had changed. It was a wide-open space, with polished stone walls. Messages of unity were etched above them. Their footsteps echoed as they approached the desk. Their names appeared on a board behind the people seated at the desk. Their identities checked before they even reached the guards.
The first guard spoke. "Your wands please."
Mr. Weasley repeated. "Harry, your wand."
"I don't have it."Harry said flatly.
"Harry, don't kid around. Give them your wand."
"I said, I don't have it."
In a moment Harry's hands were spread against the desk. The Aurors searched him for his wand.
"He doesn't have one." The Auror said.
"Harry, where is it?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Someplace safe."
The guards let them into the building.
"Harry, I'm telling you this as a friend but you have to understand. The Ministry expects your absolute cooperation. Any sign your holding back will look very bad so please tell me. Where is your wand?" Mr. Weasley said.
"I'm sorry, sir but I won't say."
"Well, I'm sorry too, Harry."
The Ministry wasted no time in letting the word out that Harry Potter had joined them. They held a press conference to reassure the people, that now that Harry had joined them, Voldemort would soon fall. Harry was not allowed to speak. Ministry Officials answered all questions. Harry posed stone-faced for the photos.
After the press conference Harry was hustled to an office buried deep in the Ministry's records department. It had one narrow window equipped with multiple security devices. The walls were covered with a dark wood paneling. The office was furnished with a large wooden desk and worn leather couch.
Mr. Larkspur from the Ministry's information center escorted him when they arrived at the office he said, "Harry, we've left you Professor Snape's notes and books from Hogwarts. We'd like you to look at them again to see if you can find any information in them that the Ministry might find important."
"Ok." Harry said.
They left him alone. Harry saw through the large windows in front of the office, that the two Aurors remained posted outside his door. The office looked out onto an open work area filled with people busy at their desks. Harry opened the first book on the desk and found Professor Snape's lesson plans for remedial potions. Harry knew the Ministry wouldn't trust him but he didn't think they would start him out on such a meaningless task. Harry sat down and paged through the books without reading a word. Harry grew tried of the parade of workers slowing their pace as they passed he office to stare in. Harry tried to close his blinds but the Aurors told him he couldn't.
The day wore on and Harry started to pace and page through the books at the same time. He noticed the workers beginning to leave for home. The hours of isolation had racked his nerves raw. Not a single worker missed the chance to look in at Harry before they went home. Frustrated Harry threw down a book on the desk. The two women at the window backed away and shook their hands. He felt like a fox in the hours before the hunt, not knowing the hour he'll be turned out, but waiting just the same.