Over the next couple of weeks, Harry spent his time trying to do his research into the possible career paths he was interested in, mainly teaching and auror training. As he didn't have much information on either of these career paths at his house, he spent a lot of the time owling Ron and Hermione asking them to do the research for him, and to his surprise they managed to come up with a lot of information for him, which helped him to confirm that these were the options that he was going to look more closely at before deciding what to do for his 6th and 7th year.
He however was not the only one doing his research, it seemed that the majority of the future 6th years were doing the same. After doing their research it seemed that Hermione was interested in Teaching or Mediwitch/Healer Training; Ron –Magical Creatures Carer or Auror Training; Neville –Teaching (Herbology of course); Draco –Auror or Defence Teacher. The others however were mainly undecided.
It came as a surprise to many but Ginny and Luna were also given the option to become a part of this program. As they were the brightest students in their year they were given permission to sit for their OWLs early (just before the start of the introductory program) and then should they pass these, permission to enter this program.
On the 19th July, Ginny and Luna started sitting for their OWL exams and, as both decided that they were doing fairly well, decided to take up the opportunity to attend the introductory program. On the 31st July, Ginny and Luna completed their exams and immediately got their results –they had passed with all Outstandings, and Exceeds Expectations. They were officially future 6th and 7th years along with the students who had completed their OWL exams the year before.
On the 1st of August, Harry woke up bright and early to ensure that he was ready when the bus came, as he had not received any indication as to what time it would arrive to pick him up. This turned out to be a good idea, as at 6am a horn blasted outside the house and Harry looked outside to see a school bus outside, so he hurriedly gathered his gear, said a quick farewell to the Dursleys and ran outside to the bus, where he was greeted by Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagoll, who proceeded to help Harry get his trunk onto the bus, and get settled into an armchair (which had replaced normal school bus seats) before they left Number 4 Privet Drive.
Not long after they had left Privet Drive, Harry asked the Professor's why they had picked him up so early, and they said it was because of the number of students who had decided to take up the offer of this introductory session. Almost every future 6th year student (including Ginny and Luna) had taken up the opportunity.
The next couple of hours was spent picking up the other students who had taken up the opportunity, and in the meantime all the students were excitedly talking about the new opportunity which had been presented to them, and what exciting new things they could possibly be learning.
Once all of the students had been picked up, Professor Dumbledore stood up and addressed them. "Welcome, to this exciting new program, we will soon be arriving at Hogwarts, you will be spending the next couple of weeks in your house dormitories, whilst the remodeling of the house structure takes place, once the final decision has been made about which program you will undertake, you will be placed into the respective houses. The Gryffindor dormitories will contain those undertaking Teaching Training, the Hufflepuff dormitories will contain those undertaking Magical Creatures Carer Training, the Ravenclaw dormitories will contain those undertaking Mediwitch/Wizard or Healer Training and the Slytherin dormitories will contain those undertaking Auror training. Do not let this, however, influence your decision, as this is just how it has been necessary to do things, otherwise it would have meant remodeling the whole castle. Please use the next couple of days to do some more research into what you think you might like to focus on, and on Monday you will begin the Introductory Program. Please also, ensure that you have completed the necessary paperwork and readings in your introductory package which you will find in your dormitories. Also, if once you decide which program you wish to undertake, you realise that you may not be able to afford the necessary requirements, do not let this make you change your decision, as there are a number of scholarships and such which will ensure that your requirements are paid for. Best of luck with this program and let this be an exciting new opportunity for all."
Once the bus pulled up at Hogwarts, the students piled out and headed for their respective dormitories. Once there, they sorted out their equipment and had a look at their introductory packages realising that these would take them the majority of the weekend to complete, and therefore deciding to get an early night and start on them first thing in the morning.
In the next chapter –The beginning of the Introductory Program, further insight into what each of the programs would entail, decisions over what program they would undertake, and who would be their mentor.