Harry sprang up the stairs; making thumping sounds so load no one could still be asleep. He was skipping steps, taking three at a time. Once he passed the open door to his and Ginny's room; noticing the she indeed was not in there. So he continued up the hall towards the attic. The stairs to the attic were indeed drawn down, out of the ceiling. Slowly and cautiously Harry walked up the old creaking steps. "Ginny are you in here?" Harry called out.
"Harry, is that you?"
"Yes Ginny it's me. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Come on up."
"Why are you up here? We were all worried, you were in the room then you just disappeared."
"I heard something, and came to follow it. Once I got up here it disappeared and I can't get down."
"What do you mean you can't get down?" his head poking into the floor of the attic.
"I can't leave this spot, it's like I'm stuck here. And no one can hear me scream for help. How'd you now to look here?"
"I had a gut feeling. I know how to get you down. But first, let me get rid of the dementors."
"That's why I can't leave? Dementors? Here but why?"
"Ya there here, I can feel the happiness leaving me. Why, I have no clue." Harry drew out his wand, "Expecto patronum!"
And his stag patronus came running around the attic, and dementors flew everywhere. There had to be at least five or six of them up there. He being the Minister at the moment continued by bidding them back to Azkaban, and told them never come back there unless asked. Slowly but surely they all left.
"You should be able to come down now Ginny." And he was right; Ginny came walking down the stairs to the attic, and into Harry's arms.
"Thank goodness Harry, I'm glad you are here. I was afraid no one would find me."
"I'm glad I'm here too." Giving a little laugh. "If you are alright, your mums' in the kitchen cooking."
"Harry isn't your test soon? You've got to hurry up."
"I'll be fine, I'm Minister, and I'll get there on time."
"Are you sure, you're cutting it close this time."
"I'll be fine Ginny, let's get downstairs before your mum freaks. She and Hermione are so worried. And I can only be sure that if Ron's up he's worried also." Ginny didn't even respond to Harry, instead she pulled herself closer to him, Harry could only assume for warmth. But out of no where Harry gave her a piece of chocolate. "Here eat this you'll feel better instantly." She took it from her, took a bite and felt better just as Harry had said. They walked their way slowly down the hall towards the kitchen.
"Harry you're gonna be late!" yelled Mrs. Weasley. "EAT! You have little to now time. Hello Ginny dear are you alright?"
"I'm fine mum, Harry gave me some chocolate. Harry you really should hurry up. What kind of example are you setting everyone at the Ministry if you're late?"
"Alright I'll eat fast, and I'll go. You two are right." At that Harry shovelled his breakfast into his mouth, and off he went.
He arrived just in time for his test. People standing by the doorway waiting for him to come out with his results. For some reason he wasn't nervous, not a bit. And Harry knew nerves all to well, facing his death not too long ago in the Forbidden Forest. After doing that, this test would be easy. Of everything he'd done while at Hogwarts, walking into his death was the hardest, it could even possibly be the reason he's still alive. He like no others before him faced his death as a young man, full force. Not wanting the ones he loved to die because of him and because of this he and the others were still alive.
Harry walked into the room, with its white walls, and a small desk with two quills and ink, parchment rolled up in the corner. The desk was of the same size as the ones used for Hogwarts exams. A man sat in the corner. Harry recognized him as the last head of the Auror office. The test was made of two parts, a written test and a practical test, the practical test was separated into sub-divisions. Suddenly Harry wondered that if the dementors that came to the House of Potter were part of this practical exam. Completely satisfied if it was, for he got rid of them, and sensed it before he even got there.
"Please sit Minister; you have two hours to finish the written test. You've already passed part of your practical exam, with full marks. After the written portion, we will be going into another room to finish the practical portion." Noticing that Harry had sat down he finished by saying, "You may begin."
Looking at the first question Harry knew he would pass. Defence Against the Dark Arts had always been one of Harry's best subjects at Hogwarts. Even with some of the worst teachers you could ever have. One who died, the other can't even remember who he is, Lupin, who now works at Hogwarts again, one who wasn't who it was suppose to be, and lastly one who was a evil Ministry worker, plus Snape. Never had they had a teacher last more than a year in that subject- Harry was hoping he'd be the first. He didn't want to stay there forever, but until things got to a normal state. Or as normal as possible an all Wizarding school could get.
Question 1- How do you get rid of a boggart? Harry knew this one; he had learned it from Lupin in his third year. You laugh, and imagine it as something it isn't, they hate laughter then you shout 'riddickulus'. Question 14- Name two Ministry level four rated beasts (at least level four). Easy Harry thought Dragon, and Basilisk (King of Serpents). Both of which he has fought. His last question- What are the three unforgivable curses? Harry thought for some time-Avada Kedavra, Imperius and Cruciatus. Wonderful, now the rest of the practical exam Harry thought silently to himself.
"Well Mr. Potter, I mean Minister you've passed the writing portion with full marks, something that has never been done the first time." The man looked utterly surprised. "Now please follow me for your practical exam, right this way." stated the man, who never told Harry his name.
Harry followed the man into a dark, cold room, through a door in the one they just left. There stood five Ministry Auror's, as well as Mr. Weasley, in the Minister's seat. They first asked Harry to contour a patronus. When he did there were murmurs amongst them, they all looked very pleased. Next they let out a boggart, which Harry had to get into a chest. Surprisingly the boggart turned into a dementor. But easily enough he got it into the chest. More murmurs matched the first. Once he'd finished the rest if the test; he sat waiting for the results, fingers crossed.
"Congratulations Mr. Potter, you've passed your test. We understand that you however will be teaching our young witches and wizards at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding. We are all glad to know we will have a qualifying teacher in Defence Against the Dark Arts. And we hope you find your time there great." said Mr. Weasley. Who showed no sign of being surprised that Harry had passed so well. Shortly after saying this, the room cleared out, Harry was the only one to get tested that day.
"Harry I'm so very proud of you. I'll have you know, that no one in eighty years has passed the first time taking the test so well. This will of course be in the Daily Prophet. As well as in our history books." Giving Harry the look that said 'not like that would matter to you, after what just happened.' "Harry if you want to go back home, go, I'll take care of things here. I'm sure everyone will want to know how you did on your test. Tonks already knows, she gives you her congratulations. Now go on, go home, get ready for the new semester."
"Thanks so much Mr. Weasley. You are staying for dinner tonight right? I'm cooking again, I thought I'd give Mrs. Weasley a break, she's been working so hard."
"I'd love to Harry. See you at home this evening then." Nodding to Harry Mr. Weasley was swept away for a meeting. Leaving Harry in the room, walking back to the hall of waiting Ministry workers, all of whom were hoping Harry passed. Once in the hall of twenty or thirty people waiting for him, cameras flashed and Rita Seeker started asking questions, "Minister, Minister, did you pass?"
"Hum, well if I didn't would I be smiling? Yes I passed, but my work here at the Ministry will end with the start of the new term. Any more questions Ms. Seeker?"
"Just one sir, you're not staying at the Ministry?"
"No I'm not, I'm going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. And hopefully I'll last more than one school year." Nodding courtly at the astonished faces, "Now if you'd please excuse me I must be on my way. Thank you and have a good day." He politely exited the hall, excepting pats of congratulations from those around him. Once at the end of the hall, he nodded, and apperated home.
Stopping just outside the door to enjoy the wonderful afternoon warmth given off from the sun, Harry steeped inside. "I'm home guys!" he shouted while hanging up his travelling cloak. Hearing footsteps coming down the stairs he could only guess who it was.
"Harry! Well how'd it go? Did you pass?"
"Glad to see you too. Yes I passed, the best score in eighty years, for a first time test taker. I was hounded by Rita Seeker who was asking whether I'd stay at the Ministry. But I told her as well as everyone else that I'm needed at Hogwarts."
"You know how many people try to get jobs at the Ministry? And they just handed you one, but you declined."
"I can imagine loads, but I want to be at Hogwarts, and longer than one year. I don't think I could stay at the Ministry even after I leave Hogwarts, after all Hogwarts was my first real home, the first place I belonged. I can't turn that down."
"Harry I am truly glad I'll have you as a professor this year. You will help me with my homework right? You know I'll have loads to do."
"As long a by help you really mean help, and not giving you the answers, then of course. My office will be open when I'm free. Most of my free periods I'm helping other teachers, like your class with Lupin, I'm teaching Animagi, and I'm helping Hagrid with Care of Magical Creatures. Even Malfoy asked for flying demonstrations."
"So you'll have a sign on your door of the times your free? That would be easier for any of your students."
"I just may do that. I get at least one free period a day, and only three classes to help with. The classes with Hagrid and Malfoy will only be when needed, Lupin's every Thursday before lunch, with your class. The other free periods I'll either be grading or helping students."
"Really, will anyone be helping in your class?"
"Lupin will be helping when we go over werewolves, he already volunteered, to help. Knowing that the students would ask many questions, that I can't answer, so that will only be roughly seven to fourteen classes total depending on how many questions are asked."
"Do you have lesson plans yet?" They had now made their way into the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley was cooking along with Kreacher and Winky.
"Hello Harry dear. I've already heard the good news, Arthur sent an owl as soon as you finished."
"Hello Mrs. Weasley. To answer your question Ginny, I have the first weeks lessons planned. I figured I could wing it from there."
"Ron should be down soon, along with Fred and George, they can smell food miles away. Fred and George decided to take today off, from the party last night." Hearing footsteps, Mrs. Weasley continued, "and here they come now."
"Hello mum."
"Afternoon mum."
"You've been cooking again, that smells delicious mum."
"Told you they can smell food a mile away. Where is Hermione?"
"I'm right here Mrs. Weasley, I had to save myself, I almost got run over by those three." Pointing at Ron, Fred and George who were shovelling food into their mouths.
"I'll be back in a moment Mrs. Weasley, please don't wait for me." stated Harry.
"Hurry back now dear."
Harry walked casually up the stairs in the hall, to his room. He had thought it over, he would go to Godric's Hallow before the new semester started, so he could spend more time with Ginny. Now he just needed to find an excuse to leave. He could say he must run some errands, alone. Which in the end he decided this would be the only way to get there. So he planned when he would go, the next morning after breakfast, a time when people usually run errands.