"Mr. Potter," Professor Gadrev called out as she was giving back last week's pile of homework. "Congratulations on your win against Hufflepuff. You've got Marinella on her toes that last match but she's still confident Ravenclaw will bag the Quidditch Cup this year."
"Not a chance," Harry boasted.
"That's what I told her." The sharped gray eyes smiled back. "Another A plus wave to add in your track record. Just out of curiosity, I wondered where you got your resources? I don't seem to recall the library has access to such extensive accounts of Lethifolds."
"The Room of Requirement. It's where my mates do our homework most of the time. It's quite easy to go about there than the library," Harry replied with a grin.
"Ah, the come and go room? Yes, Minerva said something about it. Very smart," The gray-eyed goddess wondered fondly. "Anyway, I heard from Horace that he invited you and your friends to a dinner party? I'm assuming you're going?"
"Unwillingly."
"Well, I have good friends from the International Magical Law Enforcement who were invited. I thought I would introduce you to them knowing your interest as an Auror for a career," Professor Gadrev said knowingly her lips almost curved into a smile.
"I don't want to intrude – "
"Nonsense. If anything, they're the ones who are interested to meet you."
"I – well… that'd be brilliant," Harry said sheepishly.
"I'm glad I've given you something to look forward to. We know how Horace's parties can be quite tedious. Run, along now," She waved a slender hand at him.
Harry felt anticipation bubbling inside him as he made his way back to his seat. He didn't know much what it meant to be an Auror although he had a pretty good idea of what they do since he knew almost half of the Auror's in the Auror Office.
"That took longer than usual. She didn't give you a bad grade now, did she?" Ron asked trying to look over Harry's homework.
"No, got a pretty good one actually," Harry replied as he passed his papers to his friend.
"Nice one, mate. So what took you so long?"
Harry filled in his friend.
"Nice! At least it's not all old useless famous people Slughorn invited to the party," Ron remarked as they left class.
"Useless famous people?" Hermione who was catching up with them asked, Ginny beside her.
And the two boys filled them in about Professor Gadrev's friends being invited to the upcoming dinner party that Slughorn was hosting.
As the upcoming weeks progressed the weather has turned for the better however the amount of homework doubled and the things discussed in class were getting more and more complicated. Most of the seventh years have drifted off to a routine of waking up and rushing to finish off half made homework. Gone were the long breaks spent playing Exploding Snap or chess. If not for the mealtimes (which were voluntarily albeit regrettably cut off short to finish more homework) they would have spent the whole day in the library.
"Ha! They think they're suffering. Wait 'til you reach seventh year," Ron commented as a group of frowning fifth years headed for their dormitories, each carrying a stack of homework.
"To each his own, Ron," Ginny replied from her corner in the common room. "I can't wrap my head around all these Muggle transportation regulations."
"I can't wrap my head around why you took Muggle Studies for NEWTs."
"Better Muggle Studies than Herbology."
"And yet you got an E in your OWLs," Hermione said without looking up from her Runes homework.
"Only because Luna helped me. She has a thing for nature," Ginny replied, picking up another book to add to her reference.
"Yeah, apparently her, Robbs, and Padma are the only seventh years who are taking Care of Magical Creatures!" Ron exclaimed.
"So you're not planning to become an Auror then?" Hermione asked her tone casual.
There was no response from Ginny. Hermione looked up from her homework to the redheaded girl who was sitting across her. Ginny didn't seem to hear her question and continued to write down her homework. Beside her, Ron seemed to look at his share of homework with more concentration than usual.
"Is there something you're – ?" Hermione started. But the portrait hole suddenly opened and Harry came in carrying an armful of books.
"Hey," Harry said while relieving himself from the heavy tomes. "Got more books from the Room of Requirement. Managed to get these for you two." Harry handed Hermione a thick battered Arithmancy text and passed Ginny an old but well-kept tome. "Ana, recommended those."
"Thanks, Harry! I'll thank Ana tomorrow." Hermione said as she added the text on her stack of books.
The night passed by quietly with only the sound of their scratching quills and inaudible murmurs of written texts, ingredients, and incantations. It was well after midnight that they decided to head for bed.
"At least it's the Easter holidays next week," Ron said, rubbing his eyes.
"I don't think it'll be spent lounging around, mate," Harry replied ruefully.
"At least we have Slughorn's party. That ought to be exciting," Hermione comforted. "I heard the new Head of the Auror Office would be there, Aila Urquhart. And the Captain of the Holyhead Harpies and Caerphilly Catapults."
"Are you kidding me?" Ginny asked the drowsiness completely erased from her face.
"Are you serious?" Ron echoed.
"No, I'm not kidding but that's just the rumor mill. I could be wrong," Hermione replied with a small smile.
"Well, let's just hope it's true then. We could use a every bit of some fun and inspiration around here," Harry said as he rolled his homework.
Harry and Ron had waited for the girls to come down for about an hour until Neville and the other Gryffindor DA members have left the common room for Slughorn's party.
"C'mon, how long does it take to powder one's nose?" Ron who was already lying down, weary from waiting, exclaimed. "And I'm hungry already!"
Before Harry was required to respond, Hermione's voice rang from the bottom of the dormitories' stairs "You're always hungry, Ronald."
From the corner of his eyes, he saw his best friend drew a sharp breath at the sight of Hermione. Harry knew exactly how he felt as Ginny descended down the stairs.
Hermione was dressed in a pale blue dress robes and her hair was sleek and pulled up in a relaxed knot. Ginny on the other hand was wearing a deep shade of green dress robes, her flaming mane in a long loose braid with a few softly curled tendrils shaping her face.
Almost instantly, Ron got up and straightened his navy dress robes to hand Hermione his arm that she took with a kiss on his cheek.
"You look beautiful," Harry whispered to Ginny's ear, making sure Ron and Hermione were well out of range walking some steps ahead of them.
"You're not so bad yourself, Potter," Ginny said leaning a bit closer to Harry.
As they entered one of the multi-purpose rooms in Hogwarts (Slughorn's office was too small to accommodate all guests) it was evident that the party was on full throttle. The room was decorated in a motif of gold and white and there were rather misplaced looking Easter decorations as well. House elves dressed in their white uniforms served the guests. Hermione was polite enough not to comment about it, although her lips thinned.
"Ah, Harry, our guest of honor! C'mere, boy! I have some old friends who are very much eager to meet you. You lot, follow me as well!" Slughorn grabbed Harry's shoulder and pulled him into a small circle of middle-aged men. Ginny and the rest trailed behind him.
After a few minutes of tedious talking about medieval collectors item Harry excused himself to get a drink while Ginny, Ron, and Hermione went to get food. Harry met Professor Gadrev by the punch bowl where she was with a tall slightly gray-haired woman.
"Mr. Potter, I've seen you've finally escaped Horace's clutches. This is Magda Michaels, a former colleague of mine," She gestured to the woman beside her who smiled and shook Harry' hand.
"A pleasure to meet the savior of the wizarding world. Mirasella here, can't stop gushing about her favorite student," Magda Michaels replied with laugh.
"Magda here is one of my friends who's in the International Magical Law Enforcement. Did I mention Mr. Potter aspires to become an Auror, Magda?"
"Now you've mention it, I just saw dear Aila with Orson and Irwin by the back. Probably wolfing down some of these fine food and mead. Care to join us, Mr. Potter?"
"I'd be delighted," Harry said trying to conceal most of his excitement. "Can I bring some of my friends?"
"Plenty of space for everyone. Better be surrounded with you young lot before I bore myself old," Magda Michaels replied with a wink.
Harry immediately sought after Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. As he arrived the buffet he spotted Ron and Hermione munching on some entrées.
"Hey guys! We got invited to sit with Aila Urquhart and her people. Gadrev's there as well. Where's Ginny?" Harry asked.
"Probably cornered Gwenog Jones to ask for an autograph," Ron replied with his mouth full.
"Don't worry about her, Harry. She can take care of herself," Hermione said looking disapprovingly at Ron. "Let's better not keep the Head Auror waiting."
As they headed to the backmost table in the room, Harry could feel his eagerness to meet the people he wanted to become in the future. On the large round table sat six people, Neville who was listening to an animatedly talking Magda Michaels among them. Beside Professor Gadrev was a bear looking man with a beard that touched his chest and wild white and auburn hair. He looked like what Harry could only imagine a Viking would look like. Beside him was a handsome aristocratic looking young man, not much older than Harry, who had pale white skin and dark hair.
"Mr. Potter." To his left greeted a fit middle-aged looking woman with a shock of gray and black hair tied in a tight bun. Her face was quite plain with a few wrinkles but her sharp blue eyes were a stunning feature. She wore not dress robes but the staple black uniform of an Auror.
"Auror Urquhart. A pleasure to meet you," Harry greeted with a firm handshake. "My friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."
"I can assure you that the pleasure of meeting you is ours, Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger as well," the Auror replied with a smile.
The rest of the party was well spent with conversations about the working conditions in the Magical Law Enforcement. They found out that Orson was a recently retired Auror and Irwin was a new recruit of the Auror's Office having spent the first few years of his career as an intern in the MLE.
It was quite refreshing that everyone was comfortable to talk to despite the gap of age and experience. Harry was also glad that the topic of the war was never raised. Later that evening Anastasia and Hannah Abbott joined them in the table.
"So tell me, Harry, why did you not take Kingsley's offer for Auror training?" Auror Urquhart who was sitting beside Harry asked softly so that the others would not hear.
"To point the obvious, to finish my education. Ron and me actually considered it but Hermione decided to stay. We thought it would be a good chance to have at least one normal year," Harry replied evenly.
"Well, I'm not the best person to say so otherwise. In my most unbiased opinion, young man, I fairly think you will do very well in the Auror Office – NEWT level or not. You've got already more experience than half of our new recruits. But I advise you not to slack despite this advantage. Being an Auror takes on a lot of character and discipline and I'm sure you will not disappoint us, Potter," the Auror quipped.
"Oi, Michaels!" Orson barked from across the table. "Tell them kids about the new IMLE initiative. Ought to be out in some sort of career board anytime soon anyway."
"Ahh, will do, Orson," Magda retorted with a smile. "The IMLE since the end of the war has been working on a new training program with the Auror Departments across the world."
"About time too!" Auror Urquhart commented taking a sip from her goblet.
"Usually in Auror training there are different tests and simulations one should pass before one is sent out to field duty as a trainee or in a stakeout. This new initiative allows trainees to go on field in different locations."
"Different locations? Meaning different countries?" Neville asked.
"Exactly. Typically trainees are not allowed to go international because they're not professionals yet," supplied Orson. "And an Auror is only sent overseas if the culprit is on the most wanted list or following a very high profile case. A lot of countries are very iffy when in comes to jurisdiction. There were many feuds about prerogatives during the war. A lot of those good for nothing Voldemort followers got away because governments were taking too damned long arguing."
"The new training program placates the issue. Intelligence from both territories is shared to trainees so they will be able to clearly know their rights in extending their services in a different country. It also allows trainees to be familiar with the foreign country's realities such as logistics which is very crucial," Auror Urquhart explained.
"And all new trainees will go through this new program?" Ron asked.
"It was agreed that only a selected few from the training pool would be chosen for the program after first assessment," Auror Urquhart continued. "We can't have all our trainees running around different countries and this is one expensive program as well. The Ministry has agreed it would be a great investment but it has to go to the best people. The program adds to approximately six more months from the usual training."
Across the table Neville looked solemn with his brows furrowed absorbing the Auror's words. Ron had the same expression on his face and Hermione looked very impressed.
"Well, very well done by the IMLE and Auror Office then!" Anastasia praised. "It's is about time for countries to integrate on something especially that of concerning security."
Harry silently agreed feeling another bubble of excitement building in him.
As the party almost came to a close some guests had already left including that of the Aurors and Magda Michaels who some of the members of the DA were most fortunate to meet. Harry finally spotted Ginny just outside talking to a deeply tanned woman with some of the seventh years in her batch.
"Harry, there you are! Come meet Gwe –"
"Harry Potter," the woman extended a hand.
"Gwenog Jones," Harry shook the surprisingly callused hand of the popular Quidditch athlete.
"Nice grip. Ever considered being a Beater, Potter?" Gwenog asked.
"No but it doesn't mean I can't play the part," Harry replied lightly.
Gwenog gave a chuckle. "Cheeky. I understand why you like him, Weasley. However, I would love to stay and chat more but unfortunately I'm very well past my curfew and my manager will have my head," Gwenog said regrettably.
"Curfew?" A guy from Ginny's year asked.
"I know right? Out of Hogwarts, of age, a fully-grown woman, and I still have a curfew. But it was nice meeting you all," Gwenog said with a wave. "See you next Quidditch match, kiddos!"
"Next Quidditch match? What does she mean?" Harry asked a very awestruck looking Ginny.
"I'll tell you all about it later but first look what I got!" A slightly bouncing Ginny was waving a golden colored table napkin to Harry's face. It had loopy black pen mark on it of what could only be Gwenog Jones' autograph.
AN: Been a while. ~ E