Chapter eighteen

Harry stepped into the auror office and knocked on his bosses door, heard him call to come in, so Harry shut the door behind him.

'Something happening since you are supposed to be at Hogwarts with the minister?'

'Yes, Amycus Carrows grandson tried to kill me, Susie got him. But I need to tell you something. I'm not making excuses or trying to explain my actions away, but I wasn't paying attention. Kingsley, Minerva and I were talking, well they were winding me up. It was just lucky that Susie kept her eyes open, she jumped in front of me and Kingsley as she stunned him. I blame myself as I knew better, no matter what the minister said.'

'Look, I can tell your being too hard on yourself Harry, yes you should have known better. But we all know that Hogwarts has been safe so this wasn't expected and probably wouldn't have happened if you weren't there since you said he went after you, not the minister. So one way to look at this Harry is Susie caught someone that was willing to kill, kill you and not the minister who you were guarding. I've guarded Kingsley and I admit it does sometimes get hard since we've been friends for years, but that's the way he likes it. He doesn't like to be to official and it lets him relax and do his job while we do ours.'

'So you're not going to suspend me when I think I deserve it?'

'No, I'm not, because I've done the same thing and why we always have two aurors around the minister, if he needs or wants to talk to one of us, the other is always keeping watch. Susie did her job Harry and you spoke to the minister which is what he wanted, so no punishment or suspension.'

Harry relaxed his stance, 'Thank you, but I still believe I should have some sort of punishment. Okay, one good thing though, Susie did her job, she never hesitated once. I knew she could still do this job, she just had to make herself believe it.'

'Yes, she did even if this wasn't the way I would have liked. You said she jumped in front of you and the minister. That was truly dangerous but shows she does belong here and can do the job. Alright, try not to be too hard on yourself Harry and fill out your report. Oh before you go there is something I want to discuss with you. You know of course we need a new auror, I've got a new trainee starting next week. Now the others might be a bit stand offish with him, because really he is taking Colin's desk and job. You can put that aside and make him comfortable if the others are a bit distant with him. So you'll have the job of training him until the others get use to him.'

'I get that with the others, but I'll treat him like any other trainee, so what's his name?'

'Dennis Creevey,' Michael nodded, 'Yes I know he was in your DA and his brother died the night of the fighting. He explained all that when he came in for the interview. That is his reason for becoming an auror, he wants to keep helping. I gave him all the tests, so I believe he really is here because he can do the job.'

'Dennis was a good kid, I haven't seen him since the funeral for Colin. But he did good in the DA boss, he wasn't much behind everyone else and he was a lot younger than all of us.'

'I know you were teaching sixth and seventh year spells and he was in third year right?'

'Right.'

'Then what you said is good and shows he will do a good job. Okay, go fill out your report and only the facts Harry, not that you were slacking off or anything.'

Harry nodded, 'Thanks boss,' Harry stepped out and sat at his desk.

'You told him, didn't you Harry?' Susie asked.

'Yes, he deserved to know I wasn't paying attention.'

'Oh blimey, what happened Harry?'

'Nothing Ron, the minister, Minerva and Harry were talking, that's all. I was keeping watch, but Amycus Carrows grandson tried to kill Harry, not the minister. I was able to deflect the spell towards the roof. So really Harry, it's not like you didn't do your job, he wasn't going after the minister, he was going after you.'

'I know, but I still feel guilty, but you saved my arse Susie, thanks.'

'Well it's a cute arse, needed saving,' Susie chuckled making everyone laugh as Harry scowled but he ended up laughing as well. Then they finally got stuck back into their work.

The following week, all the aurors were at their desk when Michael and Dennis stepped out of his office.

'Everyone, this is auror trainee Dennis Creevey, I'll let you all introduce yourselves. Harry, you know you're taking charge of Dennis' training, so get him sorted at his desk then start him on the law.'

'Yes boss, come on Dennis,' Harry pointed to the desk that had belonged to Colin, 'It's been a long time since I've seen you Dennis, how's your parents?'

'Good Harry, they said to say hello and they hope you're still not blaming yourself.'

'Well, sometimes, hard not to. Anyway, here's your book on all the laws, you have to have them memorised, but you do have time. You can take it home and study up on it and you will be tested on every one after the first year of training is up. Now let me introduce this lot to you. You know Ron,' Ron gave Dennis a wave, 'This is Abner, Claudia, Gabriel, Dalbert and Susie. Just so you all know, Dennis was a member of the DA along with his brother Colin who died in the fighting.'

'Weren't you a bit young when the DA formed?' Abner asked.

'I was thirteen, the youngest was twelve, my brother was fourteen. But if we didn't learn, we all could have died and we all trusted Harry.'

'How did you teach them when they were so young Harry?'

'Like what Dennis said Gabriel, if they didn't learn, they die. But they all did learn whatever I taught them. Yes, it's true that Dennis and Nigel took a little longer and that was only because of their age and I was teaching sixth and seventh year spells, but eventually got it and it didn't take him that long either.'

'So you would have gotten one of those Order of Potter awards?' Dalbert asked.

'Yes, even though I don't think I deserved it, I never fought that night, McGonagall had all the younger students evacuated even if we wanted to stay. My brother snuck back when he wasn't supposed to.'

'Well considering your age and you wanted to fight, you should have got it as you were a member of the DA. Just so you know though Dennis, Harry's a bitch to work for, so be warned,' Abner said seriously then laughed at Harry's face, 'Only joking Harry, you're okay.'

'Thanks a lot Abner, smart arse.'

'Just before I start this really thick book, I just want to say I'm not taking your friends place. Mr. Hinkly told me about Colin.'

'Well we realised what Harry and Ron said was true. Any one of us could die and what we do is dangerous. It's our job to protect the wizarding world from dark witches and wizards, so death is something you have to learn to live with. We all miss Colin and always will, but that is your desk and you still have to prove yourself.' Gabriel gave Dennis a smile.

'Now that's sorted, get stuck into the book Dennis, then I'll take you through some duelling.'

'Oh, does that mean you're going to stun me again?'

'Yep and I'll keep stunning you until you can block me or shield yourself, unless you can get me on my back.'

'No one has so far Harry, so Dennis, don't try, just block or shield, it's the best you can do when it comes to Harry,' Ron said.

'Hey, I've had Harry on his back,' Susie said seriously and with a straight face.

'When?' Harry asked looking surprised.

'In your bedroom remember.' Susie smirked making everyone laugh.

'Susie, cut that out, work remember, personals left outside these doors.'

'It's true, but okay, I'll keep that information out of here.'

'I have to ask, but Susie's a bit of a wild cat, is she in the bedroom?' Abner asked.

'You'll never find out and Harry's not the type to shag and tell,' Susie smirked.

'What she said Ab, sorry,' Harry grinned then went back to his desk.

'Um Harry, since everything is finally sorted between us, I thought I'd tell you that she started dating.'

'Well, I want her to be happy Ron and I knew she couldn't be with me.'

'I know that now, but it's someone you know actually, you haven't seen him in a while, but are friends with him.'

'It really doesn't concern me anymore Ron, but if you want to tell me, that's fine.'

'Okay, well, it's Lee Jordon.'

'Old Jordy hey, well they have got a lot in common, he commentates for a lot of professional quidditch games and Ginny plays professional quidditch. Lee's a nice bloke, he'll treat her right.'

'Seeing how you reacted showed you really don't love her, do you?'

'No, I don't, well I do love her as a friend, but I was never in love with her.'

'We wanted to make sure and Lee was a bit worried, he's the one that ask me to mention it.'

'Next time you see him, tell him I'm fine with him and Ginny. Now it's back to work, remember, nothing personal.'

'Yeah, work,' Ron nodded but watched Harry for a while, and the thought of him never becoming his brother-in-law finally hit home, something he always hoped for, but was never going to happen. But the one thing he was pleased about, Harry was still his friend, he'd forgiven him, like he'd done dozens of times before, even though Ron thought he didn't deserve to be forgiven, most of the time. Ron stared at Harry and thought if he went too far then one day Harry might not forgive him and he didn't want that, so even though Harry should not have slept with anyone while still engaged to Ginny, he was over it, just like his sister was. Now though, it was time to show full support and loyalty to Harry, something he should have done before.