Author's Notes: This is the fourth part of a continuation after chapter 36 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, for no good reason except that I wanted to read a little more. Not knowing the rating system very well, this is for anybody who could read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I probably won't change anything due to criticism, constructive or not, because this was written strictly for my pleasure. Flames will be used to light the burnbarrel. Flattery may end up on my resume.
Author's Notes for previous chapters: The description of Voldemort's wand is from a picture of the official licensed reproduction from the insert in the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire DVD. "The Tale of the Two Brothers" is quoted in The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters; I recommend starting at the beginning of the "Amelia Peabody" mysteries, personally. I also refer the reader to the original story of the Stravinsky ballet The Firebird for another Horcrux- type plot device.
Re- spelling used Snitches is my idea; the process would remove or mask the flesh- memory charm referred to in Book 7 and recharge the equivalent of the batteries. They'd be good for practices afterward, although needing recharged often. Most Snitches would be recycled this way, except for the odd ones saved for sentimental reasons. It also takes care of the discontinuity in the first movie, where Harry handles a Snitch with his bare hands. In the first book he trained with golf balls.
In Book 5 it says that Auror Training requires a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s.
This part is where extrapolation really begins, and where characters of my invention must enter. I do not apologize for describing Quidditch-- any other sport I know would spend more words-- or for delving into Magical Theory.
In any case, enjoy. (Disclaimer at the end.)
Resumption
"I must ask something of all of you. Please set down everything you can remember about the events of this past school year. I believe strongly that such information will prove the best defense we have against such as Grindelwald and Voldemort. I was barely out of school when Grindelwald was defeated; I remember the fear, and the rejoicing when he was imprisoned, although it happened so far away. The wizarding community thought that that was the end of such evil in their lifetime, even as the next dark wizard was already here at school and planning his own rise to power.
"But now, let the feast begin."
It sounded strange, hearing the words in Professor McGonagall's voice, but the food was just as good as ever. The company was different, though. It was good to be able to sit with Luna and the others from the DA as well as Gryffindors, but it was only the latest anomaly of the day.
Harry had not really been surprised to learn that the Ministry was lending cars to the Weasleys again. In a departure from tradition they were slightly early for the train, and he noticed several alert wizards with serious expressions both in the station and standing on the platform. Harry sensed the relief of the others when the train pulled out of the station and they were on their way to Hogwarts once again.
They had a compartment to themselves, except for the waves of visitors. Ron and Hermione found themselves patrolling as prefects, which was not a major task since the train was not as full as normal. When they returned, they were full of speculations. Of those absent from the Hogwarts Express, Draco Malfoy and Gregory Goyle were the most noticeable. Eventually, though, the conversation turned to N.E.W.T.s. Hermione, as usual, had been considering. She announced her intention of concentrating on two or three subjects for N.E.W.T.s, leaving the rest for next year; she would decide which ones for certain after a week or so of classes.
"Charms, I'd think," suggested Harry. "And you know more about Defense Against the Dark Arts than I do, really--"
"We've had this conversation before--"
"You do, though. You planned our defenses all that time we had to camp out, and you were the one who found out about Horcruxes and everything."
"Will you be taking it?"
Harry grinned, thinking of what Ginny had said a week ago. "I'm not sure. I might pass but, well, I couldn't be sure it was honest, if that makes any sense. There's too much I know I don't know. By next year maybe the furor will have died down. But I don't know what I should take yet. Maybe you should, though, Ron."
"Dunno yet. I think I'll wait a few days too. I know I shouldn't try Potions or Herbology yet. And I doubt I'll be able to do Transfiguration."
Harry found his thoughts wandering that afternoon. It was a pleasant change, not having anything to worry about for the rest of the ride. He and Ginny spent their time catching up over Exploding Snap when Ron and Hermione were on duty, and Harry remembered the hour or so last evening that they had been able to spend together. Not that he begrudged George her company; of all her brothers, she had been closest to the twins.
He also remembered Viktor Crum and his fan club. It had been hard enough last year, getting any privacy. He wondered how effective his Disillusionment charms were, his cloak not being quite big enough for two anymore. Ginny had laughed at that.
Late that afternoon Demelza and Ritchie and Jimmy had tapped on the door to ask if Harry would be Quidditch Captain again next fall, and stayed to talk. Demelza, encouraged by the others, told them how she had spent the winter with friends of her parents in Brittany, finding Potterwatch and generally feeling homesick until the wireless had put the word out about the battle. She had had to borrow a broom from her hosts, at night and without permission, and had spent freezing hours flying across the Channel and as far north as she could, finding Hogsmeade only by the good luck of seeing and following another broom until arriving just after dawn.
"My parents refused to register me, of course, so they sent me away. It wasn't too bad with the Richmonds; they're the ones who noticed I was a witch when I was little, and told Mum and Daddy all about it. They kept me at my schoolwork, so maybe finals won't be as dismal as I thought. But I spent the past week returning their broom and getting back the usual way," she explained. "I really caught it from my parents; of course; they had no way of keeping up with wizarding news, but fortunately the Ministry never really seemed to work out telephones or computers. That was an advantage to being Muggle- born. I was able to keep in touch pretty well. The Richmonds were a lot more understanding, I can tell you. They moved away the last time Voldemort was in power, despite Mr. Richmond being pureblood."
"Y'know, we just spent a lot of the week writing about what happened to us," said Harry, grinning. "You ought to put all that down before McGonagall makes it an assignment."
"I bet there's a lot of people had the same sort of stuff happen, though. Anyway, you're Harry Potter! Of course people want to know what you did!"
"Um... well, a lot of people will be astounded to find out how boring most of it was. There's so much more. We have to get Lee Jordan to tell us more about Potterwatch, just for one."
The carriages had been waiting for them all, but this time many of the staff had been waiting with them. Harry's suspicions were confirmed when their carriage was chosen by Professor Slughorn. As always they wound their way up the long drive from Hogsmeade; but instead of the occasional villager standing aside for the procession through a darkened lane, tonight the sun had not quite set and a crowd of residents had turned out to cheer, as if it were a parade. Harry did his best to smile and made no effort to hide his amazement, though it was no surprise that the cheering was loudest when he passed. He heard Slughorn sigh as they passed through the gates to the school grounds, and finally asked a question.
"Was this all just a precaution, or is there some threat we haven't heard about?"
To his credit, as Harry saw it, Slughorn did not try to dismiss or evade him. "Nothing specific, dear boy, no. But surely you've heard about Upper Flagley on Wednesday morning-- yes, I'm sure Arthur told you as soon as he heard. I must admit, we at Hogwarts had no idea that the village would be so demonstrative, but I'm very sure they were looking out for strangers in the midst of the festivities. But I see that the gates have closed. I'm afraid that most of the same defenses will be in place, though the dementors are gone, and good riddance."
A familiar guilty feeling assaulted Harry then. As he opened his mouth, Slughorn anticipated his question.
"Don't think that you are putting us in danger here, my boy. You will be a target to any would- be Dark wizard no matter where you are, and this is the best and safest place for you and your friends to be. In any case, the Ministry assures us that Death Eaters are being apprehended daily. It will take time for your celebrity to pass, but pass it will, and perhaps by next term it will have dwindled to little more than you were used to. You have never sought that sort of attention, as I recall, but you will not be able to avoid it entirely. And do not forget that Hogwarts itself, not to mention many of the students who fought, have earned their own enmity."
And now, in the conversation over dinner, there was more to consider. Professor McGonagall, as Headmistress, could no longer serve as head of Gryffindor. Harry had hoped briefly that Hagrid would be taking her place, but knew that he would not be willing to leave his groundskeeping duties and probably wouldn't fit in her old rooms anyway. Instead Professor Babblings, the Ancient Runes teacher, would be the new Head of House. Muggle Studies was canceled for the year as a class; as McGonagall put it, absolutely nothing taught that year had any value whatsoever. Final tests were canceled for Muggle Studies and Dark Arts. A wizard from Hogsmeade who turned out to be the father of two Ravenclaws in their first and fourth years would teach Transfiguration. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was an iron- haired ex- Auror from the Wizengamot who, they heard, had fled abroad over a year before, being sympathetic toward Muggle- borns. And Professor Slughorn, although he was still the Potions master, had stepped down as Head of Slytherin, yielding his place to Professor McIvor, the new Transfiguration teacher. He had given no reason, but everyone suspected that he felt thoroughly disgraced by his House's defection the week before. Harry overheard several older students telling the younger ones about seeing Slughorn fighting Voldemort himself, right alongside McGonagall and the new Minister.
The Common Room was filled that evening. Schedules for those who had missed the whole year had been handed out after dinner rather than at breakfast the next morning. Harry and the other seventh- years had staked out the couch by the fireplace, passing textbooks and notes around and listening to their classmates who had stayed at school, trying to get an idea of what would be expected of them in Charms and Transfiguration the next day. Later in the week would come Potions, Herbology and Defense Against the Dark Arts; Hermione had a familiar tense look as she studied her Ancient Runes and Arithmancy texts. Harry was a little surprised at Neville, who offered to set aside time to help others with Herbology. Someone noted the similarity to Dumbledore's Army; everyone laughed when another voice suggested calling it Sprout's Garden; but no one declined the offer. Someone else asked Harry about the DA, but he wanted to see what the new teacher was like first. He felt it possible that the rest of the year would be devoted to reminding students that they couldn't use most of what Amycus Carrow had taught.
At breakfast the next morning, Harry was at first surprised to have three owls, then five, and at final count nearly two dozen letters from admirers; then he wondered at himself for forgetting the popular reaction to the Quibbler article two years before. There was a great difference, though, in content; many of the letters were from battered survivors, in addition to the usual well- wishers and the odd offer of marriage. There were far fewer detractors. The others helped him open and read the mail; as they finished, Professor McGonagall herself collected Harry and the others, leading them to a damaged classroom not yet in use. There was a pile of full canvas sacks in the corner. She stated her intention of having the seventh- year Defense Against the Dark Arts classes examine the contents for curses, with Mr. Potter's permission, since it was all his mail.
Their first Charms session on Monday morning set the tone for the rest of their classes that week. Professor Flitwick welcomed them all, but instead of merely practicing some new charm, he asked those who had been away if they had learned any spells; Harry, Ron, and Hermione each replied with protective wards they had used all winter, and Dean earned points for remembering Ted Tonks' application of the Summoning charm for catching a salmon; "but only to be used so in an emergency!" reminded Flitwick. "Not the point of fishing at all, no!" Nearly a dozen unfamiliar spells, some of them quite obscure, came to light. Flitwick had them practice certain ones in class, briefly reviewed Cheering Charms, and for homework set them to practice two spells common to the N.E.W.T.s. Harry was surprised to find that they came easily to him.
The new Transfiguration teacher and head of Slytherin turned out to be as pleasant in his way as Lupin. By that time they had heard the McIvor boys' story of how he had been Sorted into Slytherin; with four sisters already scattered throughout the other three Houses, he had wanted to be anywhere else. He had stayed in Hogsmeade after leaving school, setting up shop as a handyman. Hermione anticipated an emphasis on practical applications.
Potions was much the same as before, except that Professor Slughorn seemed more subdued than last year. There was a list of a dozen potions or more, many of which had been assignments that year but were once again banned from student practice; Harry was amused to see "Polyjuice Potion" near the top.
Herbology was exactly as they had feared; the Carrows had not interfered with it at all, and they were hopelessly behind.
Best of all, there was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Madam Margherita Staines seemed to be cast in the same mold as Professor McGonagall. She had not assigned any new books for her classes, instead following Flitwick's example of finding out what her students knew and improving upon it. As they had foreseen, there was a certain concentration on Magical Law. Someone had told her about the DA; she set its members a brief essay on what they had learned and why it had been necessary (Hermione's failed to be brief) and by the end of the next week its members found themselves with "official student organization" status, charged with tutoring younger students. In the meantime, Harry's mail had been checked in class, and they had learned several new spells for detecting curses and jinxes. Harry was determined to use all of them for all of his mail after a letter burst into pink flames almost in Seamus' face.
Friday afternoon saw two new notices on the board: one for a meeting for sixth- and seventh- years late Saturday afternoon, and the other announcing that Madam Hooch would begin broomstick-riding lessons for the first years on Saturday morning. Although it was far too late in the year for organized Quidditch, she was inviting informal teams to apply for practice times with the possibility of a match or two in a few weeks. Harry, Ron, and Ginny quickly decided that it wouldn't be practical to spend all their time studying; Hermione rolled her eyes when they said she could bring a book along. Harry found himself surrounded at supper by the Gryffindor Quidditch team, minus a Chaser. Seamus and Dean both excused themselves, between study and healing injuries; McLaggen, like Katie Bell, had finished last year "so we can't use him for a target, even," said Jimmy. "Pity Stewart's in Ravenclaw, he wasn't bad, he just never got a chance to play...."
"But it doesn't say House teams...."
"That's right! Where is he?"
And so Harry was introduced to a tiny fifth- year Ravenclaw, Gordon Stewart, who seemed willing to overcome a terrible shyness in order to fly, even to the point of suggesting very diffidently that there was enough light left after dinner to get his broom and try out. Half an hour later Ginny and Demelza pronounced themselves satisfied and willing to present themselves as a full side; Ron was out of breath; and Harry thought he might have a second reserve Seeker. Stewart was mounted on his own Nimbus 1700, and was incredibly agile in the air; he seemed to have a gift of knowing where everyone and every ball would be. He explained that his parents had finally permitted him to try out the previous year, but he had been chosen only as a reserve player. He also said that he had grown several inches taller since.
They didn't feel ready to settle down to studying just yet, so Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny hiked to the far side of the castle to find Hagrid at home, weeding the garden. It seemed that Kingsley had put another foot down, for Hagrid now had a new wand, a great oaken affair "jus' like the old one, except for the core," he said proudly. "Afraid my old umbrella bought it las' week. Decent man, the new Minister. Said that since I was cleared of settin' that basilisk loose, I shoulda been permitted a new wand five years ago, only Fudge and Scrimgeour an' that crew never got aroun' to it. Yeh'll want to wait 'til after your tests an' all now, but yeh all want to see the unicorn yearlings. Ginny here an' Luna got to be a dab hand wi' them, an' they even took to Neville."
It was just sunset when they reached the Common Room and started their homework. Harry was forming some ideas about N.E.W.T.s. He thought perhaps he could do well enough with Charms, as they had regularly used some of the spells they were to have learned anyway, and somehow he was finding new ones much easier to master now. Potions and Herbology would surely be hopeless. About Transfiguration he was simply uncertain.
Someone had mentioned Divination, and Ron made a joke about Professor Trelawney's skill with crystal balls.
Hermione snorted, but then said, "Actually, I'd like to ask Professor Firenze some questions. The centaurs seemed to have some ideas about all this; I'd like to know what they thought was happening."
"He's pretty good," said Ginny. "He was very roundabout, but the fifth- years said that they eventually figured out that the centaurs had predicted Voldemort's return and that it wouldn't last long. But aside from the war, they were puzzled about how it would end. He refused to say anything about you, which we took to mean he suspected something."
"I think," said Harry, "that I'd like to talk to him myself."
That was not an immediate concern, however. After half an hour or so watching the end of the flying lesson on Saturday morning, Harry's team and a crowd of hopefuls approached Madame Hooch about Quidditch practice, along with Professors McIvor and Babblings. Harry realized that they needed a crash course in Hogwarts Quidditch and would have to choose their Houses' Captains in a few months.
Somehow he was at the head of the line. Madame Hooch smiled as she took his name and those of his team, but asked them to stand off to one side. He had no idea why until he realized that there were two incomplete House teams from last year, and individuals and groups of students who wanted to play but had not formed teams. A thought struck him.
"Demelza," he asked, "are you thinking of sticking with Quidditch?"
"I hope so!"
"Well, listen," he said quietly, "you might want to trade to one of these groups. There's no Cup this year and they'll need another captain or two. It looks like six or seven teams here."
"Why me? I want to stay here, I can't lead a team. I've only had a year playing. Ginny or Ron could--"
"I think you all could." Harry tried to sound bracing. "But the thing is, we'll be going back to House teams next year. Ginny and Ron and I will all be gone after next spring. Ron and I might not even be back in the fall. Unless a lot of these older students are really good, you'll be the senior next summer, and you'll probably be picked as Captain. This might be a good opportunity to find some flyers."
"I'm not ready for this. If I try, we'll get flattened."
"I doubt it. Really. Look what's here-- there won't be a full slate of matches, I bet Madame Hooch is planning on having teams play each other according to how good they are. Let's see what happens."
Madam Hooch had everybody's name by then and was dividing them all according to how well they said they could fly. In a familiar ritual, she sent them flying around the pitch in groups. Twenty minutes later she had the ones who could fly well enough sorted into five teams not counting Harry's. There was a team of Slytherins, two that included the remains of last year's Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw House teams, and two others with mostly younger pupils of mixed Houses. As Harry had foreseen, neither of those had experienced players willing to lead them. Demelza sighed and volunteered when Madame Hooch asked, as did a Hufflepuff sixth- year. When the final shuffle was done, a fourth- year Hufflepuff girl was introduced as Edna Thurlstone. She had been in classes with Coote and Peakes but they didn't know her well, and she was obviously in awe of Ron and Ginny and especially Harry. But she could fly well enough and catch a ball. They invited her to sit at lunch with them, but had a hard time getting a word out of her. Harry wondered if it would work. They were slated for one evening and one early morning a week in the Quidditch pitch, with matches to be played in two weeks. With the DA members engaged in tutoring, Harry's schedule was becoming surprisingly full.
After lunch a note from the Headmistress directed them to a large classroom. When Ron opened the door they were surprised to see the Minister of Magic seated with Professor McGonagall, setting down a cup of tea. He rose and greeted them cordially, smiling and asking how they all were, and thanking them for the report they had sent him.
"I'm here at Professor McGonagall's invitation," he said. "Without betraying any confidence, she suggested that I might want to discuss your plans for careers after Hogwarts. I hope that means that you want to try for jobs in the Ministry. To be blunt, we have openings." They had to smile at that. "Now. What were you three considering when you chose your N.E.W.T. subjects? Harry?"
"I wanted to try for Auror training. I think we all did, two years ago."
"I hope that might still be the case. What about you, Ron?"
"I'm not sure anymore," said Ron slowly. Harry and Hermione looked at him, surprised. "I mean, yes, I'd like to, but I might need to put it off for a few years. George wants me to help in the shop over the holidays, and if business picks up to where it was last summer, he'll need more than just Lee Jordan and the help there. It was growing pretty fast."
"I remember that the Ministry ordered a lot of their anti- jinx hats and cloaks," said Kingsley thoughtfully. "Clever ideas, and unlike a lot of gimcracks at the time, they worked. Hermione, what are you thinking of doing?"
"I was thinking of trying for Auror training too. But something Minister Scrimgeour said makes me think I should try to go into Magical Law. If my Ancient Runes and Arithmancy aren't good enough for that, I should still have enough N.E.W.T.s to apply for the Auror program."
"I think," said Kingsley with a smile, "that you will end up with marks good enough to do whatever you like. I am relieved that all of you are still considering the Ministry after all it's put you through these past several years.
"Let me explain a few things. Firstly, of course, what you all have done has made you famous, Harry most of all. I expect you haven't finished your mail from the past week." Harry shook his head ruefully. "The Death Eaters in the Ministry have of course been arrested or have fled. But that has left huge gaps in every department, and we badly need more people. And I may be facing a minor mutiny if we can't get Harry, at least, into the Auror Department. But please understand that I don't want to use any of you as 'poster children,' as Scrimgeour tried to do with Harry. That means that you will still need to earn your grades, and return here next year if required. If you do receive good enough marks next month, I'd like to offer all of you positions as interns or perhaps even Auror trainees for the summer.
"There's another thing that will affect you most of all, Harry. If you haven't started to receive invitations for personal appearances yet, you will soon. The Ministry has already received several from foreign countries for you. I can promise that the Department of International Magical Relations will help you deal with all that, but as an employee all such requests for your time would have to be funneled through the Ministry, and right now that would certainly be a great help to you. I can't deny you'd probably be assigned a few events, but we're not out to make your life difficult."
"Do I really have to do that sort of thing? I mean, I have no idea what they'll want of me!"
"There are a few you wouldn't need to worry about. Visiting patients at St. Mungo's, for instance, and I hear that Godric's Hollow wants to hold some sort of celebration this summer; a lot of people who knew your parents and grandparents would like to meet you. And the Australian Ministry was quite firm on the subject. We can send someone along with you and Hermione there, if you like, more or less as a coach.
"But none of that will happen until summer. What were you thinking of doing about your tests?"
"We've been deciding," replied Harry, glancing at the Headmistress. "Splitting them between this year and next seems to be the best idea. I know I can't do a year's worth of Potions in a month, and I'm not sure about Defense Against the Dark Arts--"
The Minister sounded surprised. "I'd think that would be the obvious one to take this year."
"I might pass, and I learned a lot this winter. But I know I haven't learned things that every other Auror has had to learn at N.E.W.T. level. I mean, Hermione knows Disillusionment charms, but mine aren't good enough to pass my N.E.W.T. yet. And Ginny pointed out that I might pass because of who I am, and that wouldn't be fair."
"Indeed it wouldn't; you may be right to be concerned. But I hear also that Professor Staines wants all of you to serve as tutors."
"And the others that were in the DA."
"Indeed. I came here to speak to them, as well. You will learn more and faster by teaching, so by all means oblige her. But here is what I'd suggest for all of you, if Professor McGonagall concurs. Take your Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfiguration N.E.W.T.s. If you can achieve 'Outstanding' in Defense Against the Dark Arts-- I do think you all can do that-- and 'Exceeds Expectations' in one of the others, you may be employed by the Ministry starting this summer, and will come back here for Potions and whatever other classes you need, or want, next year. If you do not get the scores you need next month, no one will be very surprised, and you will be able to come back here full- time next year and re- apply next summer. Is that satisfactory, Professor?"
"I believe so, Minister. The Governors are leaving practically everything in the hands of the staff as regards scheduling and attendance."
"Well, then. The closest thing to special treatment you'll get is receiving your scores within a week of taking the tests. And I promise that you'll still have all the help we can provide, no matter what you decide." He and McGonagall stood up.
"Ron, please let me know as soon as possible what you decide after N.E.W.T.s. Bear in mind that you should take them, even if you don't want to work for us immediately. Hermione, even you will have trouble if you try to swallow six subjects in a month; I think you can plan on being here full- time next year, so do try to enjoy yourself while you can. We'll be in touch about your Portkey to Australia. Harry, there's one other thing. You do have a good broom, correct?"
"Yes, a Firebolt--"
"Good. Keep up with Quidditch. Apparently the Warriors and the Thunderers are-- debating-- who gets to invite you first for a practice while you're in Australia, and the official invitation from Bulgaria mentioned that the Vultures' Seeker would enjoy flying with you. And leave the middle of August free; I think we can arrange to get you all to the World Cup. Good afternoon."
None of them said a word until they were halfway down the corridor. Then Ron whistled. "Not everybody gets a job like that handed to them, mate. You'll be about the youngest Auror ever."
"I haven't got it yet, and there's still school and three years of training to get through."
"Yes, you've got it, Harry," said Hermione. "I'll give him credit for having you work for it, but the truth is he could hire you right now and I bet no one in the Auror Department would say a thing against it. You beat Voldemort. They didn't."
"That's what I don't like! I haven't got anything near what I need to be an Auror!"
Hermione's patience finally wore thin. "Yes, you do, Harry! So what if your Disillusionment charms aren't perfect yet? They will be! So will all the other things you need to work on! And you aren't dealing with imbeciles who think you can do anything just because you're Harry Potter. You've got Kingsley and Professor McGonagall, and heaven help you, they'll work your fingers to the bone before they let you get into anything you're not prepared for! Oh, dear...."
She hadn't realized that she'd backed Harry up against the wall. Hermione hadn't really raised her voice, but it made little difference: the other sixth- and seventh- years, coming down the corridor for their own meeting with the Minister, were clapping and whistling as they passed. Ginny had materialized beside Ron, and they both merely stood and grinned, their arms crossed.
Then Harry smiled with them. She was right, after all. The Ministry would still use him, of course, and Hermione and Ron if they could; but at least Kingsley wouldn't try to use them to cover up the Ministry's mistakes or knowingly ask them to do anything wrong.
"Repello Muggletum is a harmless guard against Muggle intrusion. We could practice it all we want here, but we'd never know if we made it work. Hogwarts already has a very powerful, permanent Muggle- repelling spell at the boundary; so does any other purely magical home or neighborhood in this country, by law. Any Muggle who encounters a protected area will simply lose interest in going any farther; often he or she will remember or imagine some urgent business elsewhere. If a Muggle is already inside such a barrier, or is brought through by a magic- user, there are no ill effects and what was hidden will be visible unless otherwise disguised. However, we can perform Salvio Hexia here. It's a very basic ward, meant to protect an area from intrusion. Harry?"
"This next one we can practice too. You've already done a Shield Charm--you know, Protego. That defends you against both spells and physical objects, and you have to be careful because it can make things ricochet, or even knock you back if you're casting it against something too big or powerful. But to protect a place, you have to define it. That means you point your wand at the ground and walk around the area, making sure to go the whole way around and join up with the spell where you began. The incantation is Protego Totalum. You can do any of these other spells at the same time without interference. To protect Hogwarts during the battle, I saw Professor Flitwick use an even more powerful spell, Protego Horribilis, but I don't know how to do it. I do know that it isn't harmless like these others. Ron?"
"Okay. We can practice a Muffliato charm too. It's easy to recognize on its own; you'll see people talking but you won't hear them. We always used it with Disillusionment spells. There's loads of times it's really rude to use, and I don't think the teachers approve of it, but it might be useful when you need a little peace and quiet to study in. It won't stop anybody from walking in and interrupting, though. Okay-- you lot with me, you with Harry, you over there with Hermione, then we'll swap in a few minutes."
Professor Staines had organized the tutoring sessions so that two or three DA members worked with perhaps a dozen younger pupils, and had been quite firm that protection and disguise should be learned before offense when possible. She applauded the decisions of several more sixth- and seventh- years to try for Auror training after the Minister's meeting last Saturday.
Ginny wasn't one of them. She was tutoring a Defense group with Luna and Neville, but even before the first Quidditch practice she had proposed working with the other Chasers as time allowed. Harry reminded himself that Ginny wasn't facing N.E.W.T.s this year, and had spent most of the year in school already. And all three Chasers would now sit together, talking and laughing with the rest. Harry decided to keep his mouth shut.
A more immediate concern than even Quidditch was Transfiguration. Professor McIvor was not an experienced teacher. He was patient, genial and, as Hermione had said, very practical; much of the nonessential repair work about the castle was, in fact, being reserved for his classes. But although he was very proficient and enthusiastic about the subject at N.E.W.T. level and beyond, Harry and Ron as well as other N.E.W.T. students often found him a little hard to understand. Extra lessons had been scheduled for the three of them together; they were surprised and pleased to find that Professor McGonagall herself would be tutoring them.
The three of them were among the students permitted to drop both Potions and Herbology until the next term. Under the circumstances Harry was relieved; he wanted to be able to give both subjects proper attention. Even Hermione had realized the futility of trying to catch up in all of her subjects, and had let Arithmancy and Ancient Runes go for the time being.
The third weekend after the resumption of classes saw the return of Quidditch. Madame Hooch had scheduled that entire Saturday from nine in the morning on, and planned to have all three matches; with a limit of three hours for each game if the Snitch were not caught, it could be done, although there were grumbles about it not being real Quidditch, not with a time limit. Hermione noted that the grumblers were not taking O.W.L.s or N.E.W.T.s. Both Demelza and Emrys Toop, the Hufflepuff sixth- year, had done well enough with their teams. After one hour and fifty- three minutes of Dean Thomas' commentary and some rather slow flying the Snitch was caught by Toop, breaking a score tied at one hundred and sixty, and only two players had been sent to the Infirmary. Harry's team faced the mostly- Ravenclaw team an hour afterward. Madame Hooch had settled the minor issue of uniforms by unearthing old orange and purple practice robes, threadbare and sleeveless so as not to overheat anyone in the humid late- May weather, and passing them from one set of players to the next. Harry, watching Edna deftly take up Stewart's dragging orange hem and laughing at something Ginny had said about playing in Chudley Cannon colors, was enjoying the day immensely.
Ginny had done a marvelous job with the Chasers; twenty minutes in, the only fouls from his players were one apiece for Ginny and Edna being in the scoring area while Stewart was trying to score. Harry noted that the opposing Beaters were unevenly matched, though their Chasers were careful and had committed no fouls yet.
A flurry of action involving most of the Chasers and a Bludger hit into them by the weaker of the purple- robed Beaters occasioned the first time- out half an hour later. Harry called it when he saw Edna emerge from the muddle cradling her numbed left arm; it hadn't been broken, but she was made to retire until she could move her fingers properly. The Ravenclaws evened the score a few minutes afterward. The opposing Seeker suddenly went into full flight; Harry caught him up easily and deftly avoided being crowded into the stands. There was no sign of the Snitch, and Harry realized he'd just had his new broom tested. But then there it was-- high up, flitting down toward them. His team was a goal down now. He missed the first grab-- the purple Seeker had bumped him out of the way but missed the catch himself. Harry banked to his left and rose, then rolled and dove, but the Snitch had vanished through the mass of Chasers. Harry saw Ron make a save and immediately duck a Bludger; Harry slewed to avoid its return, and saw the Snitch nearly at ground level midfield. He was after it an instant before the other Seeker, and this time he did not miss.
The Slytherin and mostly- Hufflepuff match started an hour after that. The Slytherins were fairly good; they played in their usual green House robes, with the Hufflepuffs (plus two Gryffindors and a Ravenclaw) in orange. It was the quickest of the three matches; although the Hufflepuffs far out- scored the opposing Chasers-- the Slytherin Keeper was his team's weak point-- the Slytherin Seeker caught the Snitch, winning by a mere forty points in less than an hour. Much to everybody's surprise there were very few penalties awarded.
They were done in time for supper. The Quidditch Cup remained in the trophy case, but bottles of butterbeer appeared for the winning teams and pumpkin juice for the rest, and dinner was not formally dismissed until the party died down. Harry raised no objection when Ginny took his hand and led him outside for a stroll before sundown.
The next day Harry and Ron started to pay more attention to homework. Hermione was, as usual, encouraging them-- in the dorm that night Ron said "bossing"-- to pursue regular study habits and, with the exhilaration of a day of Quidditch in the past, study could no longer be avoided. O.W.L.s had produced glazed eyes and desperate cramming; N.E.W.T.s were naturally worse for those with full schedules. With practically none of the Charms classwork behind them they joined the other seventh- years in the Common Room, who let them read parchment after parchment of homework until their heads swam.
"Untransfiguration, in its purest form, must specifically define both states of the subject. For instance, Miss Granger turned a tapestry to stone with the command Duro, and reversed her work with the directly opposing command, Tapeto ex duro, which specified that stone be turned to cloth. This is why Transfiguration is a fairly secure method of storing or transporting an item; if it is made into something common and easily concealed, another person might have to spend a great deal of time finding which object had been changed before being able to restore its original form. However, there is usually some small trace of magic perceptible around a competently Transfigured object, which will disappear when the spell is reversed or removed. Such a trace is more noticeable with spells that overextend the user's skill; it actually retains a sort of memory of the original form. For this reason a general spell such as "Finite Incantatem" or "Revelio" is often effective in such a case. You have seen me use those at the end of a class. As of your final examinations last year, you have mastered most of the Transfiguration work you will ever need; now you will need to Untransfigure your work and others'. We will review some exercises from previous years. Please select a card."
Professor McGonagall had put aside two evenings a week for extra Transfiguration lessons, and had suggested that more might be scheduled if needed. After the session Harry tentatively asked a question that had been at the back of his mind lately.
"Professor, with all of this being so important-- it's been bothering me a little-- why are we all here, instead of waiting 'til September? And why spend time on Quidditch?"
She looked surprised. "I would have thought it was obvious-- though you've been quite busy. You, and all your fellows who weren't here over the winter, are doing what you need to do for your futures, with people who need your company. As for Quidditch, after the rigors of the past year it really was necessary, even in such a limited form. The staff feels that the best way to heal such grief and pain as we have all been through is with activity and diversion. We all needed to enjoy something without reference to everything that has happened over the past year. Though I may never again believe that Hogwarts is absolutely safe, I will say that it is still the best place for you all to be just now. Most parents agreed as well, and so their children are here. They feel that there is some protection here from Death Eaters despite all that happened to the contrary."
"Hogwarts fought," said Hermione unexpectedly. "Even after all year with the Carrows. The Ministry didn't."
"Oh, but it did, Miss Granger. You won't have heard many details yet, of course. But the takeover last summer was masterfully done, and the Ministry failed in a most spectacular fashion. So indeed Hogwarts has much of which to be proud." She paused.
"As to why you three in particular are at Hogwarts, trying to pass two of your five N.E.W.T.s in an impossibly short time, the Minister is most anxious for Mr. Potter at least-- and hopefully all of you-- to help rebuild the Ministry in the coming years, practically from the ground up. You see, unlike in previous years, Mr. Potter, you are now famous entirely for something that you have done rather than for something that has happened to you. You will still need every bit of knowledge and skill that this school and the Auror Department can teach you, but you have already passed-- and surpassed-- any and every requirement for character and aptitude desired by the Auror Department. So have Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, and several others from Dumbledore's Army, although not all of you wish to become Aurors.
"At the risk of embarrassing you, it has very little to do with those few moments before Voldemort died; it has much more to do with your decision, made nearly a year ago according to the report you gave Kingsley, to abandon your schooling and even your friends in favor of fulfilling the task Dumbledore set you. More than that, you carried out that decision when the time came, and allowed others the chance to support you with their own gifts. It took every quality the Ministry requires, including logical thought and the capability to act quickly and decisively, to defeat Voldemort. And it took courage such as few Gryffindors ever know.
"And now, good evening to you all, until Thursday."
(End Part 4)
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