Okay. It's not my standard to do this, but I feel I owe it to you all. If you're reading this, then, wow, you're dedicated. I've not touched this story in months, and I apologize deeply. I've been very swamped, and I swear I have some sort of disease where I can't stick to one story more than five chapters. (I've started about two dozen seperate stories since I abandoned this.) Anyway. I'm back, as I stumbled across my own story while searching for some Harry Potter fanfiction and was inspired magically. So! Thank you for those of you who are dedicated enough and like this story enough to continue reading. And once again, sorry for the very, VERY long wait!

-Mr.SturgisPodmore

Chapter Six: Kingsley Shacklebolt

Harry awoke with a groan and rolled over unconsiously, hitting his head of the leg of Ron's bed. He cursed quietly and rubbed his head and opened his eyes. He was looking at Ron's Chudley Cannons poster and the player whose name Harry couldn't remember was waving at him. Pigwidgeon was hotting merilly from his cage, zooming around in it and knocking it about. Harry wasn't surprised that Ron hadn't woken up from the racket, he had always been a deep sleeper. Almost like a zombie. It was still dark outside, Harry noted as he looked outside the window. He checked the watch fastened to his which told him that it was just passed three in the morning.

Pigwidgeon gave a particularily loud hoot as he noticed that Harry was awake and smashed himself into his cage, which came near to falling off of Ron's dresser. With another groan, Harry picked himself up, grabbed Pigwidgeon's cage and walked him over to Ron's window. He lifted the cage up to his face height so that he could look Pigwidgeon in the face.

"Now, if I let you out, you don't tell Ron, right?" he said to the owl who gave a small, merry little hoot and hopped up on his perch in the cage. "Fine," said Harry unlatching the window and letting Pigwidgeon soar out into the open sky. Harry watched the tiny owl go, feeling sorry for Hedwig for the first time in a long time.

Giving his watch another glance, and then switching his gaze to the cot beside Ron's bed, Harry decided that it would be easier to stay up the rest of the morning then trying to get back to sleep only to be woken up by Mrs. Weasley's shrill voice telling him breakfast was ready. He opened the door quietly, trying not to wake up Ron though the feat was nearly impossible, Harry doubted whether a troll could wake Ron up, and headed down the stairs. He hesitated at Ginny's door, wondering if it would be too inapropriate to wake her up, but decided not to and continued down the stairs and into the kitchen.

He was surprised to see a light on at the foot of the stairs coming from the kitchen, and as he descended he heard a coffee mug hitting the wooden table and the sound of a chair scraping across the floor. Harry poked his head around the corner and found Hermione sitting at the table, sipping her coffee and looking sadly out of the window. She didn't seem to notice him and Harry looked at her.

She seemed to be thinking about something, and looked deep in thought. He wondered, too, whether a troll could snap her out of her stupor, but, unfortunately, he didn't have one on him. A troll wasn't exactly something you could pull out of your pocket. Hermione's hair, Harry observed, was untamed and unbrushed, and Harry was reminded humorously of Hagrid and his wild hair and beard, though Hermione was lacking the latter. There were dark circles under her eyes and she looked as though she hadn't slept in days.

Harry took a step off of the stairs and walked into the kitchen. Hermione noticed him now, though he didn't avert her gaze from the window. "I just made the coffee, if you want to join me," she said quietly.

Harry looked at her with concern. What was wrong? There was something wrong with the way she was speaking. "Sure."

Hermione waved her wand in a sort of swishing action and a mug zoomed out of the cupboard, which had opened by itself, and began filling itself up with coffee. Afterwards, the pot returned to the stove and Harry's mug flew slowly towards him. It landed on the table, lay there for a moment, and just as Harry was about to reach for it, it raised itself up from the table about an inch and a coaster flew out of nowhere and went on the table, and the mug landed sfotly on the newly arrived coaster.

"I know I'm not usually big on that sort of thing," said a voice, "but I figure, why not?" Both Harry and Hermione turned towards the stairs to find Mrs. Weasley standing at the foot of the stairs wearing a weary smile, her wand pointed at the table. Her hair, too, was rather untamed and, though Harry felt sure he was imagining it, looked a little greyer. She looked about ten years older than the woman Harry remebered less than a year ago.

"Oh, good morning Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione awkwardly, looking around the kitchen.

"Morning. Late night, you two, or early morning?"

"Late night," said Hermione.

"Early morning," said Harry simultaneously.

Mrs. Weasley's hands fell to her hips and she walked over to the stove and waved her wand, pouring herself a cup of coffee for herself. "Well, I suppose the time has passed where I could send you both to bed, seeing as you're both adults now, so, I can't do much about it. Where's Ron?" she asked curiously, looking at the empty chair between the two of them as though she suspected that he was under the invisibilty cloak or a disillusionment charm.

"Sleeping," replied Harry. "Like the dead."

Mrs. Weasley nodded wisely. "I remember one time ... Ron nearly made us all late for my cousin's wedding by sleeping in, even when I told him to go to bed early. He's dead hard to get up."

Both Harry and Hermione grinned slightly, though both were too tired to laugh. Harry got the impression that Mrs. Weasley was trying to make Ron sound somehow more impressive, though he couldn't think why, nor did that make much sense to him.

"Yes..." she said a bit dreamily. "He's a deep sleeper." She took a sip of coffee and sat herself down in the chair between them hesitantly, as though she wanted to make absolutely sure that Ron wasn't with them - invisible.

"Is Ginny going back to school, Mrs. Weasley? Do you know?"

"No, I'm afraid I've no idea," said Mrs. Weasley looking thoughtful. "There hasn't been much time to discuss it...I would assume she would like to. And are you two?" she asked rather disapprovingly. Harry knew that it had been against her wishes that the three of them drop out.

"No, I don't think so," said Harry immediately. "Though, I've no idea what I could do for a profession."

"I'm sure something will turn up," said Mrs. Weasley confidently, giving Harry an encouraging smile. "You're Harry Potter, after all." Harry didn't quite know what to say to that so he just smiled. "What about you, Hermione?"

"Oh, I certainly will," said Hermione quickly, glancing out the open window. "I sent an owl to Hogwarts, telling them I would be returning. I mean, if I didn't go back to school I don't think there's much I could do. Not what I wanted, anyway."

Mrs. Weasley nodded, following Hermione's gaze out the window. "What are you looking at, dear?"

Hermione looked at Mrs. Weasley sharply, who seem surprised at the reaction, and then Hermione seemed to snap out of it. "Oh, nothing, just waiting for my owl from Hogwarts."

Harry doubted that this was the real reason, but Mrs. Weasley seemed satisfied. She glanced off out the window, too, her eyes scanning Fred's gravestone. Both Hermione and Mrs. Weasley, who were staring out the open window, jumped and Hermione gave a small shriek as a large barn owl flew through the window and landed on the table, sticking out his leg to which a letter was attatched. The owl was in the center of the table, so everyone was unsure who's it was, and Hermione reached forward to untie the letter. When she had done so, the owl gave a small hoot and flew off.

Hermione turned the envelope over and gave a small gasp and then wordlessly handed it to Harry across the table. Harry looked at the Ministry of Magic insignia in the corner. His name and the Weasleys' adress was written in black ink by a neat hand, though unmistakeably male.

"Well don't just stare at it, Harry," said Mrs. Weasley with a smile, "open it."

Harry tore open the envelope and letter fell out which Harry opened up quickly and read. He read it through twice, to make sure that his brain processed it all.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I would first like to congratulate you on your defeat of the Dark Lord Voldemort. This is an informal letter, Harry, sent from one friend to another, and, for the duration of this letter, I am merely Kingsley Shacklebolt rather than the acting Minister for Magic. I would like you to know, Harry, that Dumbledore would be very proud of you, and the entire wizarding community owe you their lives. I, on behalf of the Magical Community, thank you for the great deed you have done us all.

Now, let's can the formality, shall we? I know I promised you informal, but that little spiel was necessary. You are, after all, a great hero in the magical community, probably the greatest there ever was and ever will be, and deserve to be praised. If you wouldn't mind, Harry, I would like to speak to both you and Ronald Weasley this morning at eleven, if it is agreeable with you. It's nothing terribly urgent, but delaying this would not be prudent.

You may also inform Miss Granger that her acceptance into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy has been approved by myself and the new Headmistress, Mrs. Vanderhorn, you should have read about her lately, and that her letter will be arriving by owl shortly with a list of books and the other things she'll be needing.

I'm sorry I can't explain more, but the nature of your visit is, at it's core, fairly important, and there are still dangerous Death Eaters roaming about that could want to take a shot at you and the Weasley's, along with anyone else in the Order, and I can't risk this letter being intercepted.

I promise we'll talk more of this when you arrive.

Yours sincerely,

Kingsley Shacklebolt, acting Minister for Magic

Hermione held out her hand for the letter and Harry handed it to her saying, "Kingsley wants Ron and I to go to his office at eleven." Mrs. Weasley looked at him curiously.

"That's odd," she said evasively, as though she were hiding something. "I would have thought all this secret Ministry business was over with."

"So did I," admitted Harry.

"Did he say why?" asked Hermione, scanning the letter.

"No, just to come and that it was important." Mrs. Weasley muttered something Harry couldn't hear and walked over to the stove and began making breakfast. Hermione was reading the letter quickly and he saw her mouth tug upwards at the mention of her acceptance. When she was finished, she folded i up and placed it carefully on the table as though it was something very fragile.

"It's nearly seven in the morning now, Harry," said mrs. Weasley from the stove. "You should wake Ron."

Harry nodded and pushed himself up from the table, walking up the stairs and trying to not to make to much noise so as not to wake anyone. He walked passed Ginny as she descended the stairs, giving him a curious look. Harry pushed open Ron's door and shook him awoke.

"Ron," said Harry, shoving him a little. "Ron!" he hissed. "Get up!"

"S'matter?" mumbled Ron sleepily.

"Your mum wants you downstairs, breakfast's ready, and we've got an appointment."

Three and a half hours later Harry and Ron arrived outside the Visitor's entrance via apparation, where they had once jumped several people to infiltrate the Ministry. Ron gave the ground below them a look of disgust.

"Who knows where that bloke blew chunks," he said in a mutter. "Could be anywhere."

Harry and Ron walked in through the door's and received tags and had their wands checked. After they had gone through all the strenuous security measures, Harry and Ron reached an elevator that only occupied an elderly witch holding a teacup that seemed intent on biting her hand off. She had it caged in waht looked to be an old owl cage.

"Where is Kingsley?" asked Ron quietly as the elevator began to move, the woman above indicating which floor they were on and the different departments to be found. The woman got off at the Improper Use of Magic's Office, and Harry and Ron were left alone.

"I dunno. Where else would he be?"

"Well, he's acting Minister for Magic," said Ron. "So, is he in the Minister's Office, or-?"

The door opened and the woman above told them that this was the Auror's Office. Ron didn't need to finish his sentence because Kinglsey Shacklebolt was waiting for them outside the elevator. His earing wasn't in, and he looked very professional in robes of black, looking for all the world like the Minister for Magic.

"Harry, Ron," he said, offering them each a hand as though they had only just met. Which, of course, to everyone else in the Ministry, they had. Most of the Order had decided that, even after the fall of Voldemort, they would keep the Order quiet. There were still Death Eaters around, after all. And some, Kingsley had said, within the Ministry.

"Please, follow me," said Kingsley leading them down the hallway. They made several turns and sooner than he expected, Kingsley stopped and turned, "This is the auror office," he said seriously. "What we do here is confidential. You musn't say a word. Understand? Not to Arthur, and certainly not to Molly."

Both boys grinned slightly as Kinglsey nodded and opened the door. It was big, much bigger than Mr. Weasley's office that Harry had been crammed into during his hearing. There were rows of desks lined up along the aisles, and there were several windows which were showing a bright, sunny artifical day. Harry specifically remembered Mr. Weasley telling him that the weather was artificial. Kingsley was approached by several people whom Harry took to be aurors, though he only caught bits of what each was saying.

"-found a Death Eater, though we don't know-"

"A woman reported seeing Mulciber-"

"There's several messages waiting for you, Minister and-"

"-we can't know for sure until-"

"Yes, thank you," said Kingsley. "Thank you. Get back to work, I'll see each of you in turn. Hullen!" called Kingsley as the crowd departed. A short, balding man stayed put, Harry assumed he was Hullen. He was carrying several papers and promptly handed them to Kingsley. "Has there been anything new?"

The man shook his head. "Not recently. So far as we know the Death Eaters didn't really stick together, they all just fled."

Kingsley nodded thoughtfully. "Well, work on finding them, and we'll go from there."

The man nodded again and returned to his desk where he quickly waved his wand and watched as a pen began writing words he was speaking. Kingsley beckoned them forward and Harry and Ron followed, watching several aurors doing their work. He le them to a large office that Harry knew must be his.

The office was large, but cluttered. There were bookshelfs on magical law, and other such things. His desk was covered in memos and documents, and there was a garbage that seemed to be regurgitating it's contents.

"Damn thing," muttered Kingsely, waving his wand and forcing the crumpled bits of paper back into the can's mouth. It did not take it easily, and spluttered and coughed. When the last ball had left the floor, Kingsley had them sit in two chairs which he conjured, and they all sat down.

"Now, I suppose you're both wondering why you're here?" Harry and Ron nodded.

"Well, we're waiting for someone else, so I can't exactly get to that yet. He should be here soon." Kingsley shifted in his chair but found it difficult amongst the mess. "Oh, damn." He waved his waved and the room tidied itself up in one swift motion. Books straightened, papers fell into neat piles at the edge of the desks, and the pencil on the desk gave a little shiver and rolled on the desk and into Kingsley's hand.

There was a knock on the door and Kingsley waved his wand and it opened. Harry was surprised to see Neville Longbottom in the doorway, looking like he had only a few nights ago at Hogwarts. Kingsley conjured another chair and gestured for him to sit.

"Now that we're all here," he said, "we can begin." He straightened in his back. "I don't suppose any of you know the state of the Ministry as of now?"
All three boys shook their heads. "Well, as of now, I'm Minister. They're reccomending me to stay in the position permanently, but it's not a sure thing. The remaining Death Eaters, for now, aren't our primary concern, though they are one of them. The problem with the Ministry is trying to undo all the damage Voldemort did. There are families to be compensated, roads to be rebuilt, we've got to do memory charms on the Muggles, it's going to be hectic for quite some time.

"Now, I don't have many people to spare," he said carefully, "and the Death Eaters need to be rounded up. And I know all of you exhibited interest in becoming aurors, so..." Harry was listening carefully, but he could see a problem. "I've spoken with Molly, Ron, and she isn't thrilled, but she respects your position as an adult, and your ambitions. Harry, you're an adult as well, and Neville, I spoke with your grandmother and she's ecstatic." Harry knew all too well what Neville's grandmother would be like. A very proud woman, she hadn't been very nice to Neville in his earlier days at Hogwarts. "So, as of now, if you agree, you'll be temporary aurors. You'll need to undergo certain training, but we'll need to cut that short until another time when there's less to do."

"But Ron and I haven't acquired the necessary test results," said Harry.

"Me either," piped up Neville. "We didn't do much learning last year."

Kingsley smiled. "No, you certainly didn't. As for you and Ron, Harry, the Ministry is willing to give you jobs despite your lack of grades. Both of you had a great hand in defeating Voldemort, and would make excellent additions to the auror office. And as for you, Neville," he said turning to him, "you also proved yourself, and the Ministry is willing to offer you all jobs. Now," he said in a serious tone, "after all this Death Eater business is done you'll be hitting the books. You'll need to go through the training required of an auror, all the tests and things, and you'll need to be prepared for more schooling, because, even with your N.E.W.T.S. and your O.W.L.S., it is required that an auror, even one graduated from Hogwarts with all their years," he winked at harry and Ron, "needs to further their education."

"Well, I'm in," said Ron at once.

"Me too."

"And me," said Neville.

Kingsley nodded. "Good. There's some documents to fill out. You know, legal forms."

He waved his wand and three of the papers in his stack flew out along with pencils and Harry caught one and read the first thing he was to sign. 'In the event of severe injury, dismemberment, permanent transfiguration, death, and/or any imeasurable damage done by magic in the line of work is not obligitory to the Auror Office or the Ministry for Magic.'

Harry read this aloud and Ron snorted.

"Great," he said darkly and signed the form.