Aftermath – Chapter 6 – Auror Headquarters
Harry had been in the Ministry of Magic before, most recently last fall as he, Ron and Hermione had disguised themselves as Ministry employees and had taken the locket of Salazar Slytherin off Delores Umbridge, causing a mad scene as they had fled the building. Now as he and Percy and Mr. Weasley entered the crowded main hallway from a fireplace, his reception was much different from last time. As Harry brushed ash off his clothing, suddenly there were whispers and a few shouts and then almost everyone stopped and was looking at Harry.
One old wizard stepped forward and shook Harry's hand. "Bless you, Mr. Potter, bless you!" said the old wizard with tears in his eyes and then more people were approaching and then there was applause and shouts of joy and Harry soon found himself raised on people's shoulders and he was being carried around the hall. Mr. Weasley and Percy looked on in amazement, Percy with a still pained look in his face. Harry saw joy on most faces, but a few did not join the celebrations, a few frowned, and a few even scowled in his direction. As he had been told, not everyone was celebrating the victory over Voldemort.
Finally, Mr. Weasley managed to calm the crowd down and tell them Harry had important things to attend to. Harry was flustered and couldn't stop grinning as they walked toward the elevator bank. It took forever to get there as many more stopped to shake his hand, or slap him on the back, and even one beautiful young witch, who Harry vaguely remembered as being in seventh year at Hogwarts when he was in first, gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
Mr. Weasley winked at Harry as they finally managed to get on an elevator. "No worries. I'll make sure Ginny never hears about that," he said as Harry was furiously rubbing lipstick off his cheek. Soon they were on the right floor, said goodbyes to Percy, and headed to the Auror headquarters office. Harry remembered it from the time he come to the Ministry for his hearing on the use of underage magic. It hadn't changed much, still the heavy oak door entrance and the rows of cubicles with wizards and witches in most. Posters of known Death Eaters still at large adorned the walls, with Greyback prominent among them, even though the vicious werewolf wasn't officially a Death Eater. Harry would make sure to get all the information he could on each at large Death Eater.
They stopped at one cubicle that had a little sign that said "Training". A wizard a bit younger than Mr. Weasley's age sat there and jumped to his feet as Harry and Mr. Weasley approached. He had jet black hair, a little thinning, thick eyebrows, and brown eyes, was of average height, with broad shoulders and looked to be in very good shape.
"Here you are, Arthur," he said in a happy tone. "Ah, Mr. Potter! Welcome! You're my first student in over three years now."
He seemed so enthusiastic that Harry was taken aback for a bit. "Ah, hello, Mr….?"
"This is Charlie George, Harry," Mr. Weasley said. "He'll be in charge of your training, which I guess you have already gathered."
"Yes," Harry said as he shook hands with the man who had two first names, both of them names of Weasley brothers. Harry was sure he wouldn't forget this man's name.
"Well, I must be off," said Mr. Weasley. "Many things to do."
He made his goodbyes and was gone.
"Poor man," said Charlie George in a sympathetic voice. "A parent should never have to bury their children."
"No," said Harry in a hoarse voice, a lump in his throat. Charlie George looked at him steadily for a moment, as if sizing him up. He pulled up an extra chair and motioned for Harry to sit with him. Around them was a continuous chatter from the many wizards and witches in the area and in the occupied cubicles.
"Death is part of our business, Mr. Potter, as you well know more than most."
"Yes, Mr. George."
"Please, call me Charlie."
"Only if you call me Harry. Professor McGonagall always called me Mr. Potter at school. Made me feel old."
Charlie George grinned. "She still there? Blimey, I think she taught my Mum. Right. Then Harry it shall be," Then he turned more serious. "So, death. We are Aurors, and hopefully you shall soon be one of us, and our business is to protect people and, if necessary, bring down dark wizards. Sometimes we fail and sometimes we succeed. Death is part of both success and failure. Know this now and make certain that you want to be here."
He said it as if Harry had a choice and of course Harry did have a choice. He could go off and finish his seventh year at Hogwarts and maybe get a nice job doing something boring and obscure, maybe even become a teacher at Hogwarts. But no, he knew this is where he belonged.
"Charlie, I've lived with death all my life. And I know how painful it is. So, I'd like to do my best to make sure no others have to go through what I went through."
Charlie George smiled. "Very well said. I believe you have the makings of a fine Auror. Some come here thinking it is all fun and glory, that it would be 'cool' to be an Auror. Oh, they got good marks in school and know all the spells and stuff, but they just don't understand that it is sometimes life and death. Those are the ones that quit or get tossed out before the training is finished."
"I can get tossed out?" That was a bit of a shock.
"Certainly. But I don't think it will happen. I've been told you taught most of the students who took part in the battle and have been producing a full corporeal Patronus Charm since you were 13 years old. And, of course, you did bring down Voldemort."
Harry suddenly became aware that the chatter around him from the other cubicles died out as if everyone was waiting to hear what Harry would say next.
"Yeah. I did. Story's been in the Prophet."
Charlie George waited for him to say more but Harry kept quiet and soon the chatter began again. "Good," Charlie George said at last. "So, today I am just going to give you a few tests and then we'll see just how good you are. Then I have some books you need to read and I think a little bit of homework would be in order."
"Homework?" Harry said with a groan.
"Yes, after all, this is training. Now, just wait a moment and I'll see if I can arrange a place for us to test you."
He stood and went off along the lines of cubicles. Harry let his mind wander a bit, looking around and then at the items in Charlie George's cubicle. There was a picture of a pleasant looking older woman and two younger women sitting on a sofa, waving and blowing kisses. Both younger women looked a few years older than Harry. He thought he remember one of them from Hogwarts, but wasn't sure. This had to be a picture of Charlie George's family. To his surprise there was another picture, a Muggle picture, of a male footballer with unkempt black hair with the words "Charlie George, Arsenal, 1970-71" printed under the picture. Harry had never really followed Muggle football. His uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley took no interest in sport, that is until Dudley started boxing.
"Oh yes, my Dad is mad about football. Muggle you see, my Dad, I am a half-blood," said Charlie George as he returned and spotted Harry looking at the picture. "Crazy about Arsenal so much he named his son after one of the players. Least that's what he tells everyone, but I was born before Charlie George started playing. But you were raised by Muggles. Do you follow football?" he said this with some enthusiasm, and Harry got the sense that few of his co-workers were interested in football at all.
"No, sorry," Harry said. "It's Quidditch for me."
A small look of disappointment crossed Charlie George's face. "Ah, of course. Heard you are quite the Seeker. So, off we go, yes?"
They went off to a room on the same floor. Harry guessed the room hadn't been used in some time. It had a layer of dust on the floor and few desks were in there. With a wave of his wand, Charlie George moved the desks out of the way so that there was an open space in the middle of the room. Harry guessed that this space would be for dueling.
He was quite right and for the next two hours Charlie George tested him on every spell and jinx and counter jinx and shield he could think of. Most Harry knew and others were new and he even managed to impress Charlie George with some of the things he had learned from the Half-Blood Prince's potions book. He still had trouble with some non-verbal spells, however. For the final test he got Harry to produce a Patronus Charm and all Harry had to do was think of telling Ginny he loved her and kissing her this morning and his voice boomed out "EXPECTO PATRONUM!' and his silver stag shot out of his wand and cantered around the room.
"Marvelous! Simple marvelous!" Charlie George said after Harry had finished and the stag had disappeared. "Well, Harry, you passed. Not that I thought you wouldn't."
"Sorry? Passed what?"
"You didn't think we'd let you do Auror training without an exam first, do you?"
"Ah,...no, I reckon not."
"Good, good. Well, I think its time for a spot of tea, don't you?"
Suddenly Harry realized he was famished. 'Sounds nice. Where shall we..?"
"Oh, let's go to the cafeteria."
Soon they were in the corridors again and on an elevator. Harry would have to get a map of the Ministry to know where everything was. He was greeted with more handshakes and blessings as he walked and a few strange glances as they saw who he was with. He even heard one old witch say "Potter...an Auror?...Preposterous! He is too young!"
As it was almost lunchtime the cafeteria was getting crowded. A long hallway with many tables and chairs filled the middle space. On both sides were places where trays, dishes, and utensils could be picked up. Harry could not see food being served or cooked anywhere but the people at the tables were all eating. He followed Charlie George's lead and they each picked up a tray and a plate, bowl, tea cup, glass, and fork, knife and spoon. They were walking between tables, and soon people were looking at them and then Harry spotted Mr. Weasley and Percy and headed straight for them, Charlie George in tow. Harry did not relish sitting with more strangers, having to endure their stares and questions. Mr. Weasley said hello as Harry and Charlie George sat. He looked a little relieved at their company, and Harry could still see the sadness etched in his face.
"Hullo, Harry, Charlie," said Percy, looking up from something he was reading, looking much better than this morning, but also still a little down in the mouth. He had a bowl of soup in front of him and a plate with a sandwich, a cup of tea, and a glass of apple juice. Harry suspected Percy and his father had had to endure many sympathetic people telling them how sorry they were, which was probable not the best thing for them but something they would have to put up with.
"So?" asked Mr. Weasley. "How did he do?'
"Passed with flying colors. Just a few kinks to work out, not to worry. Better than most when they started here."
"Well done, Harry," said Mr. Weasley proudly.
"You knew I was having a test?" Harry asked in surprise. "Couldn't've warned me, I suppose?"
"Didn't want you to get nervous or anything," Mr. Weasley replied. "And I see you did all right, so no harm done."
"Ah…I guess not," Harry said with a grin, feeling very pleased.
Harry felt pleased but also hungry and as he wondered where the food was, Charlie George picked up a menu that was next to the salt and pepper shakers. "What looks good today, Arthur?" he asked.
"I'd recommend the pork chops," Mr. Weasley said and Harry glanced at Mr. Weasley's plate and saw some pork chops, boiled potatoes and green peas, but it looked like he had barely eaten and wasn't in a hurry to finish.
"Bit heavy for me," Charlie George said. He looked at his plate and said. "Charlie George, Auror office. Green salad and cucumber dressing, chicken sandwich, light mayo, tea, milk, one sugar," and after a moment the food appeared. It was just like at the Yule ball years ago.
"Why did you say your name and office?" Harry asked.
"Oh, we must pay," said Charlie George. "The house-elves in the kitchens below here mark it all down and we get billed at the end of the month, taken from our salaries. No free meals at the Ministry, I'm afraid. But it's not very expensive, and the food is quite good."
"House-elves, here?' Harry asked in surprise.
"Yes," said Mr. Weasley, sounding a little uncomfortable. "And please don't mention it to Hermione, not yet anyways."
"Is that Hermione Granger you mean?" asked Charlie George as he ate some salad. "Right good article in the Prophet from her on all this Horcrux business. The head of our office said we should have her come in and give a lecture to the Aurors on it. What's she got to do with house-elves?"
"Thinks they ought to be paid wages and have pensions," said Percy without looking up from his papers, his cup of tea in his hand.
Charlie George almost laughed, but caught himself after the look he got from Harry. "A free house-elf saved my life and died in the process," Harry said quietly.
"Ah, yes, yes, I heard that," Charlie George quickly said. "Sorry, Harry, quite a sad thing. Brave fellow he was. But…Miss Granger, she knows house-elves are content with their lot, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," said Harry, not angry at Charlie George, just frustrated that so many people disregarded house-elves so easily. "Just…she's very determined to change things. Anyway, ah, how do I get some food? I don't work here." Harry wanted to change the subject, being reminded of Dobby making him feel sad all over again.
Mr. Weasley looked at him in surprise. "Oh, sorry, Harry. You do now. Just say your name and then say 'Auror-in-Training'. That should do it, right, Charlie?"
"Believe so," Charlie George said as he sipped some tea.
"So, I get paid?' Harry asked, a little surprised.
"Yes, yes," said Charlie George. "Of course you get paid. Sorry about that. I'll sort out the paper work later on for you. Most of us took three years to be properly trained as Aurors. Trainees need a source of income or we'd have very few applicants. You get half pay first year, and three quarters next two years, if it takes that long, then full pay once you finish. After that there are various pay grades depending on your branch of the Auror office and your number of years in service."
"Sounds good,' said Harry. Then he had a thought. "But…but where does this money come from?"
"The Ministry,' said Mr. Weasley as if it was so obvious.
"Right," Harry replied. "But, where does the Ministry get its money."
"Taxes, of course," said Percy, as if it was a stupid question Harry had asked.
"Wizards and witches pay taxes?"
"Oh, yes," said Charlie George said, a little unhappily. "About 10% of income per year. Not everyone likes it, mind you, but most pay, usually taken from their salaries directly. There's a whole office here just for the collection of taxes. Not well loved, as you can imagine. But necessary, for our salaries, for Hogwarts, other things."
Harry had a lot to learn about the wizarding world. But for now he was too hungry to ask more questions. He looked at the menu and then at his plate and said, "Harry Potter, Auror-in-Training. Pork chops, mashed potatoes and boiled carrots on the side, orange juice, tea, one sugar, and two biscuits, chocolate chip" and in an instant two fried chops with potatoes and carrots were there along with the rest of his food. Harry grinned as he dug in. He had a feeling he was going to like his new life.
The feeling was short-lived as he spotted two goblins at another table. They were staring at him intently, with none too friendly looks.
"Not to worry, Harry," said Mr. Weasley, seeing what was distracting Harry. "Kingsley is on the job. Promised them the Ministry would pay for the damage at Gringotts. Some magical architecture firm is taking care of it now."
"Harcourt and Bibbit," said Percy as he looked up from his papers again. "Same firm is up at Hogwarts now, surveying the damage."
"And Charlie – my son Charlie, not you Charlie George – he promised them a new dragon as soon as possible."
"Why are they giving me such dirty looks then?" said Harry with a touch of nervousness. He knew goblins could be vicious when they wanted to be.
"Well, you did break in, didn't you?" said Charlie George. "And get away? Hurt their pride a bit, I reckon."
"Yes, but we only did that to help bring down Voldemort."
Mr. Weasley took a sip of coffee. "Harry, when Voldemort found out you took the cup from the Lestrange's vault, he killed quite a few goblins."
"Oh…right," Harry said in a small voice. He had seen and felt Voldemort's wrath, the vision of his wand shooting green light and goblins and Death Eaters falling over came back to him quite clearly. Then he had another worry.
"But, my vault, at Gringotts? Is it safe?"
"Of course," said Charlie George as he sipped tea. "Much as they are angry the goblins would never touch the contents of a vault. However, they might still want you to move your money."
Harry sighed. He had so much of it now that he had inherited Sirius' money also. Fourteen years it had sat in Gringotts, collecting interest, along with all his parents had left him.
"What can I do?" He didn't relish the idea of lugging bags of gold around, worried if someone like Mundungus Fletcher might try to take it.
"Threaten to exchange the gold for Muggle money," said Mr. Weasley with a grin.
"Can I do that?"
"Of course, and they have to do it, much as they would hate to," said Percy, glad to show off how smart he was. "Bill said something about it last night...I think it was last night. Anyways, Bill says the goblins hate exchanging gold for pounds or Euros or dollars or whatever the Muggles use. First off, they don't have that much Muggle money on hand. And it has to be cash, none of these Muggle things like checks or wire transfers or…oh, Bill knows all this stuff. Second, by law they must give you the gold exchange rate as posted by the Muggles' central bank in London. This rate is quite high at the moment. Frankly, Harry, Bill estimates you could have more than a million British pounds worth of gold coins in your vault."
Harry just stared at Percy. Having grown up with Muggles, Harry knew what a million pounds was. "Unbelievable," he said in a quiet, awed voice and knew his uncle Vernon would have a fit if he had known Harry was sitting on such a fortune while he had been still Harry's guardian all those years. Harry knew he would find a way to tell him some day if they ever met again.
"Quite. So, you can see, Harry," Percy went on. "It would be a great blow to the goblins if you closed your account."
Harry felt much better and finished his lunch in a better mood. Afterwards he and Charlie George went off to another office, which turned out to be the Department of Accounting for the Ministry. A tough looking old witch was at the front reception. Many witches and wizards were here, seated in chairs.
"Take a number," the witch said, not even looking at them as she read Witch Weekly, and she waved her wand and a number on a piece of parchment appeared in thin air and Charlie George grabbed it quickly. Then they sat and waited their turn.
"Number 43! Cubicle 12!" the reception witch shouted and a young wizard got up and went off into the wide back area where there were numerous cubicles.
"What number are we?" Harry asked. He gave a groan as Charlie showed him: 71.
"Why is it so busy?" Harry asked.
Charlie George sighed. "A lot of people were absent for the last year, not wanting to serve under the new regime, or they were forced to flee. Most are demanding back pay. The Ministry is being very strict, only paying those who can actually prove they did something to help bring down Voldemort."
Harry was about to ask him what he had done in the past year, but suddenly someone was shouting his name. A tall, middle-aged, red-haired witch in purple robes came out of the cubicle area. "Harry Potter!" she said and many heads turned and whispering began. "No need to wait here," she said, shooting the reception witch a dirty look, as she turned and beckon Charlie and George to follow her .
"No favors here for the 'Chosen One'," Harry thought he heard the reception witch mutter with a sneer under her breath as he and Charlie followed the tall witch to the back. They went straight to a big roomy office, not one of the narrow cubicles, and Harry and Charlie sat on comfortable chairs across from her desk where she sat.
"Melissa Welsh, Chief Accountant for the Ministry of Magic" she said as she stuck out her hand to Harry. "So very pleased to meet you, Mr. Potter."
"Ah,…likewise," said Harry, shaking her hand, starting to realize that his fame meant he would unlikely have to wait for very long in any office reception area the rest of his life, at least in the wizarding world.
"What can I do for you?" she asked in a more official tone, the question directed to Charlie George, who already seemed to know her.
"Harry needs to apply for Auror-in-Training status, Melissa. Already passed his test, just needs to do the paper work."
"Ah…," she said and her smile disappeared. "The Minister told me you might be dropping by today. I'm afraid we have run into a bit of a snag with Mr. Potter."
"Snag?" Harry and Charlie George asked as one. "What snag?" Charlie George continued.
"The fact that Mr. Potter has not finished his education, not passed any N.E.W.T. examinations. This means he cannot, officially, be paid by the Ministry."
Harry's shoulder's sagged. He knew it was too good to be true. Charlie George was livid.
"Now just a moment here, Melissa! Kingsley himself recommended Harry for Auror training. Just find a way around the paper work and sort it out!"
"Don't you dare shout at me in my own office!" Melissa Welsh shouted back.
"Stop, please!" Harry said, trying to bring peace to the situation. "Look, thanks Charlie, but if they don't want me, then I'll just shove off, make my way in the world some other way."
He was already up and ready to leave, Charlie George with a look of horror on his face, his only student in three years about to quit, when Melissa Welsh spoke again. "Oh, Mr. Potter, do forgive me," she said. "I did not mean you couldn't train or work here. I just meant, well, we can't pay you."
"Oh," said Harry in a small voice, suddenly realizing he didn't have to leave. "Well, that's no big deal."
"It bloody well is to me," snarled Charlie George. "I'll just have a word with Kingsley about this. If it wasn't for Harry we'd all be still out in the cold. Oh, right, you've never been out in the cold, have you? You stayed with that lot, didn't you?"
She flustered and turned a bit red. "Someone had to mind the shop while the rest of you ran away!"
"Mind the shop?" Charlie George said with contempt. "Is that what they call helping Death Eater scum these days?"
"How dare you accuse me….of…of…!!"
"Please!" Harry shouted and they stopped again. "Just, let's go Charlie. I am sure Ms. Welsh will work it out if it's possible. If not, no worries."
"This isn't the end of this," Charlie George snarled to Welsh as they left the room.
"Bloody woman!" Charlie George muttered as they walked through the halls again. "Thinks because she controls the purse strings she can lord it over us. You'll get your money Harry, not to worry."
"I have money," Harry said.
"No matter. It's the principle. All staff get paid. Especially us. Dangerous business. My wife wanted me to quit for years, but no. If not us, then who, Harry, who? Likes of Melissa Welsh? Not bloody likely!"
Finally they arrive at a new room near the Auror Headquarters office which looked more like a proper classroom. There was a blackboard and several desks and bookshelves lined with many books on defensive magic and on Auror training.
"Right," said Charlie George as he finally calmed down. "Back to business."
Harry sat at a desk and Charlie sat in a chair next to a large teacher's desk up front. "This is where we will work from now on. 9 AM sharp every weekday. Mornings we will spend on theory and spell work, afternoons on practical training. One hour for lunch, 12 to 1, and classes end at 5 PM. When I feel you are ready, then I will pair you with other Aurors to go on field missions."
"Field missions?"
"Yes. First, some tasks in concealment, stealth, and tracking. Then protective details for the Minister, other officials, and visiting foreign dignitaries, home invasions of suspected Death Eaters, and escort of prisoners to and from Azkaban, things like that. Oh, not to worry, we'll take baby steps, simple things at first, nothing too dramatic. Now, here are your books."
With a flick of his wand six books flew off the shelves and landed on Harry's desk. He looked at the titles: Auror Training: the Basics; A History of Dark Magic; Jinx and Counter Jinx; Concealment and Stealth, Level 1; Magical Tracking, Level 1; and lastly Protective Details: Saving Lives More Important than Yours.
"Bit grim, this title, isn't it?" Harry said, holding up the Protective Details book.
"Not really," Charlie George said without any mirth. "Would you step in front of a Curse to save the Minister?"
"Ah...I never thought of it."
Charlie George nodded. "Not an easy question to answer. Most wizards or witches wouldn't. Welsh certainly wouldn't. But as an Auror, some day you may have to Harry."
"I understand," Harry said. He knew he would do it to save any of his friends, and Kingsley if he was still Minister. But a stranger? Harry wasn't so sure. Then he remembered all the Aurors that he guarded him over the last few years, taking him to Diagon Alley, to King's Cross, standing outside of Hogwarts. Would they have died to save him? In an instance he knew the answer because some of them did die, fighting for him, including Moody and Tonks.
"Anyways," said Charlie George. "That's enough for today. Read the first chapter of all those books tonight and we'll start fresh tomorrow."
"Ah, Charlie, I've been called as a witness to a trial in a few days."
"Oh? Well, I guess that isn't too surprising. Well, just let me know when you are not available and we'll rework your schedule."
As he was about to leave Harry had a sudden question pop into his mind. "Charlie, about what you and Ms. Welsh were arguing about. Said you ran away? And she stayed? And well, you're an Auror. Where were you during the battle at Hogwarts? I don't remember seeing you there."
"That's because I wasn't there, Harry."
"Oh…I mean…oh…" Harry felt very embarrassed.
Charlie George smiled. "I guess no one has told. No, of course not. Arthur was told not to mention it. Suppose you're one of us now, so no harm done. We had a small battle of our own here at the Ministry. After Scimgeour's death last summer, all of the Aurors had to flee. Being Dark Wizard catchers we were none too loved by the new regime. Others left also, but most of the rest of the Ministry employees stayed, either because they supported Voldemort or because they felt they had no choice. Hard to say no to Death Eaters when they know where you live and your kids are under the thumb of their own kind at Hogwarts. And some, well, some just carried on as if nothing had happened, did their jobs and didn't lift a hand to help anyone but themselves."
"Like Umbridge. I saw her helping that Death Eater Yaxley accuse Muggle-borns of stealing magic."
"Yes, I've heard that. She…well, her future is uncertain. There is going to be a big shakeup here in the next few days. Mind, it won't concern us."
Harry would love to see Umbridge get the sack for all the misery she had caused. As he imagined this he remembered Charlie George said there had been a fight. "So…the battle you had?"
"Right. I was in hiding with my family for most of the last year. Kept in touch with Kingsley. When he told us what was happening at Hogwarts he asked some of us to come here and stop as many Voldemort supporters as we could from reaching Hogwarts."
"And what happened?"
"Oh, we had a bloody hell of a fight. Few people died, no one that will be missed. A few of ours got hurt. It was about midnight, so most of the employees were not here, and a lot of Death Eaters had already gone to Hogwarts. But we stopped some of them. We rounded up all those Death Eaters that survived the fight. Well, not all. A few managed to Disapparate or escape in the Floo Network. There was a big battle in the main hallway as they tried to escape. They just cleaned up the main hallway yesterday. Was quite a mess, almost as bad as when Dumbledore and Voldemort fought. Anyway, so you can tell your friends that we did our part here."
"I most certainly will. But…there was nothing in the Prophet about it?"
"No, no, Kingsley's orders. Must keep a sense of the Ministry being a place of order and calm, all that rubbish. Anyways, I guess soon everyone will know what happened. Oh, is that the time?"
Charlie George stood. "Well, that's it for today. We'll start full training tomorrow. Harry, very nice to have met you. I'm sure we'll have you a full fledged Auror in no time. And I'll straighten out that Welsh if it's the last thing I do today. See you tomorrow."
With that he left the room, leaving Harry to his thoughts. Charlie George was quite a good wizard, and Harry was glad he was his teacher. Harry looked at his watch that had been a gift from the Weasley's on his seventeenth birthday. It was just after 1:30 PM. He had a few hours before Mr. Weasley and Percy would be finished work and decided to wait for them. He knew he would not have much time to study once he returned to the Burrow so he got started on his reading homework.
About thirty minutes later, as Harry sat absorbed in the first chapter of Auror Training, he heard someone open the door. He looked up and there stood Narcissa Malfoy.