Disclaimer: I own nothing. Well, not nothing. But I certainly don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 15

Harry apparated to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. After dropping off Draco's application directly to Kingsley, he had made up his mind to skip work and see Ginny at Hogwarts. He walked down the road, remembering walking along there years ago with his two best friends. He heard a few camera clicks behind him, but it didn't bother him since he was used to being harassed by groups of reporters. He made his way up towards the road that would lead him to the school and hoped that McGonagall would be able to stop the reporters from following him there.

He continued up the path until he reached the castle, ignoring the constant muttering and was happy to see Professor McGonagall at the gate waiting for him. She smiled warmly at him when he approached her.

"Potter, it's nice to see you here again."

"It's good to see you too, Professor." He lowered his voice and asked, "Is there anything you can do about the reporters?"

She shot a stern look at the group behind them. "Don't you have any sense of privacy? It would be best if you showed some respect for the man who saves us all." She turned back to Harry. "Come on, I don't think they feel very proud of themselves right now," she added lightly.

They began walking towards the castle. Harry could see most of the reconstruction had begun. He and Ginny had donated a fair amount of money to help rebuild Hogwarts. "I'm sorry to disturb you. I know classes are still being held, but I haven't seen Ginny in a while and I was wondering if I could see her."

"Go on in, Mr. Potter. Mrs. Weasley should be in Potions." She smiled at him again before they went their separate ways. Harry took his time heading to the Potions classroom. He stopped every now and then to reminisce but eventually he reached his destination. He waited by the open classroom door, watching her work on a potion. A smile formed on his lips when he saw her helping another student with her potion. Quietly, he walked to the professor and asked is Ginny could be excused. When he got the professor's approval, he made his way to Ginny. He was aware of the other students' gasps and whispers when they noticed him, but he only had eyes for his wife. She turned around to see what the rest of the class was looking at. She grinned and threw her arms around him.

The couple walked around the castle with no particular destination. They talked about what school, work, and everything in between, except Ron and Hermione. It was always hard for Ginny to admit her favorite brother and her best girl friend were out of her life.

"I saw Malfoy yesterday," said Harry as they reached the lake.

"Oh? How'd that go?"

"It wasn't bad, actually. I left his house a few hours ago, actually."

"Didn't you say you saw him yesterday?"

"Well, we sort of had a few drinks..."

Ginny laughed. "Were you scared to tell me, Harry?"

"Just a bit." He grinned sheepishly.

"My husband," she said quietly, "You're amazing. You deserve to go out and have a few drinks, even if it is with a ferret."

"He's not that bad. I'm helping him with his Auror training application."

"What? He wants to be an Auror? How's he going to pull that off? What about his criminal record?"

"That's why I took his application to Kingsley. I kind of asked for a favor."

"You used your name for Malfoy?" she asked incredulously.

"I think he'll make a good Auror."

Ginny sighed. "I've always trusted your judgement, Harry. If you say he will, then I trust you. It just surprised me. Mum asked you to ask Kingsley to help Ron get his spot back and you refused..."

"You know why I couldn't do it, Gin." They sat down by the edge of the lake.

"I know, i know. I'm just saying, Malfoy must have shown you a different side of him. You used to hate him."

"I don't think I ever hated him, just didn't understand him. Have you heard anything from Ron, by the way?"

"Not since he sent mum that howler. Did you hear something?"

"No, no. I was just thinking about Hermione."

"I'm sure she's fine." Ginny took his hand in hers and squeezed it lightly.

"But what if she's not? And I'm not doing anything to find her?!"

"Then let's do something about it, Harry. It's that simple."

He smiled at her. He didn't know how he had gotten lucky enough to be married to an amazing witch like Ginny. "Come on, Gin. Let's sneak off to Hogsmeade."

Dear Mr Malfoy,

I am happy to inform you that your application has been selected (among hundreds of others) for the Auror training program at the Ministry of Magic. Your training will begin November 16th at promptly 9 o'clock. Please report to the Investigation Department on the date and time specified. Thank you.

Gawain Robards
Head Auror

"Bloody hell, he actually did it..." Draco had fallen asleep shortly after Harry had left his house. He was woken up a few hours later by an owl pecking his arm. He was surprised that he'd gotten a response that same day, but he was even more stunned that he'd actually been accepted. Great, he thought, Now I have to thank Potter.

He had been feeling hurt by Hermione's lack of response, but he took this letter with enthusiasm. It had been a dream of his since childhood, and thanks to an unexpected someone, it was finally within his reach.

After a short shower, he dressed himself in a suit, and set off to the Three Broomsticks. He was hoping to reconnect with a few of his Slytherin friends, but they were no where to be found. The Three Broomsticks used to be a hangout for Slytherin Alumni, but he only saw a few familiar faces and many unfamiliar ones. He decided on having a few butterbeers alone.

"Oi! Malfoy!" he heard a witch's voice call out to him. He looked over by the entrance and saw Ginny and Harry.

"Potter, are you following me?" he asked jokingly.

"I'm a married man, Malfoy. I have no reason to follow you." Harry and Ginny took the seats next to Malfoy at the bar.

"So if you weren't married, you would be?"

"Shut it, Malfoy."

"I always knew I was wanted all over our world," he said proudly.

"Shut up, Malfoy!"

"Ha! You two argue like sisters!"

Both Harry and Draco frowned at her, which only made her burst out into laughter.

"Alright, Weasley. I think that's enough of that. Let me buy you two some drinks. I need something stronger than this." Draco waved over the bartender and they took their turns ordering. "Potter, thank you."

"For what? You're paying."

"Obviously that wasn't what I was talking about."

"Well be more specific next time."

"That's what I was getting to-"

"Then get on with it!"

"Shut up, Potter!"

Ginny burst out into giggles again. "I swear, if I didn't know any better, I would think that you two had been friends for years."

"Forget it!"

"I'm sorry! Don't get all offended. I'm just having fun!"

"As I was saying, Potter. Thank you for helping me out last night. I got an owl from Robards. I start on the 16th."

"Really? You got in?!" asked Harry.

"Yea, why the tone of surprise?"

"No reason. This calls for a toast, don't you think?" Harry raised his glass to Malfoy. "To Malfoy, hopefully you won't screw this up!" Draco feigned a sad look but then they all laughed.

"What's all this then?!" asked a familiar voice behind them. They all turned around to see Ron standing behind them, a furious look on his face.

A/N:
Thank you TheFantabulousPotterHead, ashleyobrien509, A7XsLeaf, and MrsMillyMalfoy for the reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!