AN: Hello there. I hope everyone is ready for the next chapter. This is just the calm before the Second Task which will be next week's post. As always, thanks for all your support. How popular this story has gotten has really blown me away, and I'm always humbled by everyone's kind words. Please keep it up. I enjoy the discussions, sometimes they feed ideas on how to improve future chapters, and the same is true for comments/critiques and constructive criticism. Thanks!
GreengrassRebel - No problem, it was a great suggestion! Next task will be next week. I'm happy to see you approve of Leash as Harry's date. I agree that she needed a bit more time to shine and this was a good time since I wasn't quite ready to start any relationships, and yep, perfect time to add a little worldbuilding. I enjoy all three chasers, and have really enjoyed developing them out for this story. When I first wrote a majority of this story, I hadn't included them much, but went back to add them in, and I'm really glad I did.
Yeah, I can't stand Harry/Hermione either. I really won't read something that has that pairing. I like Harry/Ginny, but I understand why others don't. While I get not caring for the pairing, I've never fully understood that hate that Ginny gets at times. It's a real bummer when there are some other great pairings out there, and to make it happen they usually bash the hell out of Ginny or Hermione to get there, like Harry can't be with anyone else without making Ginny and/or Hermione evil/manipulative/stupid as hell. I have grown to really like some other pairings, like Harry/Katie, Harry/Alicia, Harry/Angelina, Harry/Tonks, and Harry/Fleur, and I do like Harry/Daphne pairings. Sadly there aren't nearly enough fics for pairings with the chasers and Daphne's not much better. She and Tracey Davis are my favorite Slytherins to use, and while I'm not going with that pairing, they will get some love in this story.
Mando-Vet - Thanks! Oh, McLaggen definitely is not one to learn. Eventually he'll fuck around and find out. Yeah, Fourth Year Ron just isn't great, and I don't want to cut that out. He needs to mature a lot.
scrappy8 - Thanks! Yep, McLaggen sucks, but they'll get even.
stars90 - Thanks! I figured he should have some nerves, even with just taking a friend, but that's the fun of giving him some older friends who can help give him the advice he never got in canon.
ulttoanova - Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I always enjoy a chance to tear McLaggen up. He's one of my favorites to turn into a minor school villain, like Malfoy. Definitely going to keep building up the comradery between all the champions. I'll try to keep living up to expectations and keep you on your toes for all the reveals.
Nightwing2013 - Thanks! I always appreciate your comments and feedback. Always top notch. Yeah, I wanted Harry and Co to have a good ball, for the most part. They deserve it.
Arctic Wolf Fury - Repercussions from the teachers? Maybe a little. Repercussions from others? Oh, he'll get his just dues. Yeah, high school me would have generally hated going to something like this, but it's fun to read about. Adult me would enjoy a Ball. I picked up swing dancing in college and now I tend to enjoy events like this.
Jet22345 - Well, she may not be Harry's romantic partner for this story, but hopefully you'll enjoy her part in this story because she does come into the story more in the future.
Chapter 34
Everybody got up late on Boxing Day. The Gryffindor common room was much quieter than it had been lately, many yawns punctuating the lazy conversations. Hermione's hair was bushy again; she confessed to Harry that she had used liberal amounts of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion on it for the ball, "but it's way too much bother to do every day," she said matter-of-factly, scratching a purring Crookshanks behind the ears. She also had shrunk her teeth, like Harry suspected, but she said she'd wanted to do it for a while and had only held off because her parents (who were dentists) would be a bit disappointed with her.
Ron and Hermione seemed to have reached an unspoken agreement not to discuss their argument. They were being quite friendly to each other, though oddly formal. Similarly, Alicia, Katie, and Angelina were all less friendly with Ron, not having been impressed with his attitude the previous night, and while they seemed to be staying out of it, like Harry was, they also didn't seem in any particular hurry to talk to Ron outside of when they were all a group, not that Ron cared one bit, as far as Harry could tell.
For Harry though, he had two main areas of focus that morning. The first was checking on Katie.
"I'm doing fine, Harry," Katie said, smiling her normal, bright, energetic smile, sitting next to him on the couches in the common room, with Alicia, Angelina, and Ginny around them. "Ali and Lina had me crash in their dorm last night, and we spent plenty of time badmouthing McLaggen and making me feel better. Even Ginny joined us."
"I just wanted to make sure," Harry said.
"Thank you for that," Katie said, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him into a side hug, "and thanks for looking out for me last night."
Harry nodded, enjoying the comfort of her cuddling up next to him, and then asked something that had been bugging him.
"What - what did McLaggen mean when he said a muggleborn like you has few other prospects? Why did he feel like you should be grateful to be on a date with someone like him?"
"Because he's almost just as much a pureblood bigot as Malfoy and his lot," Katie said with a grimace. "I didn't realize it when I agreed to go with him, but he is. Unlike Malfoy, McLaggen has no issues interacting with muggleborns like Hermione and I, nor would he have an issue sleeping with Hermione or I, but I highly doubt he'd actually take a relationship with someone like me seriously. I'd just be someone for him to shag and nothing more, and he'd expect me to be grateful for what gifts he gave me, and for letting me shag him," Katie nearly spat out. "I doubt he'd even give someone like me a marriage proposal. Maybe a mistress, but more likely he'd just try to keep me as a side piece and whore."
Harry grimaced at that.
"I guess I understand that, vile as it is," Harry said slowly, "but I just don't understand the rest, I guess."
"Harry, by now you've realized that our world is biased, especially against muggleborns," Alicia said. "Unfortunately, while McLaggen isn't completely right, he isn't far off his mark either. Depending on what Katie wants to do, it's harder for her to get hired or for her to get promoted in most Ministry led, or Ministry governed fields and really any field where purebloods are in the top echelons . . . which are most of them, outside of starting your own enterprise, but even that generally leads to competing against purebloods, and they look out for their own."
"There are certainly people that have risen above that," Angelina took over. "Dirk Cresswell, the Head of the Goblin Liaison Office, which is a pretty big office, is an example, but across the board, most senior and even most mid-level Ministry positions are mostly reserved for purebloods or halfbloods that come from old pureblood families. An argument for Cresswell doing so well is that purebloods don't like goblins and don't care for that office, even though it is very important. Muggleborns tend to struggle at the Ministry. Obviously there are plenty of fields outside of Ministry control, but the Ministry is where change happens, and with muggleborns not able to rise in the Ministry, few go there and help create change. Even fields outside of Ministry control can be rough, since names carry power, and reputations speak for themselves."
Harry frowned. "Sometimes I just don't understand how this society has survived," Harry said. "I don't get how anyone can just let that keep happening?"
"Because it doesn't affect those in power," Angelina said with a sad shrug. "The purebloods with all the money and power certainly don't want to give it up, and the halfbloods trying to gain power, or at least have a good life don't want to piss off the powers at be for something that isn't negatively affecting them, or at least not majorly negatively affecting them. My dad's like that," Angelina finished bitterly, and Harry glanced at her, while Alicia hugged into Angelina's side, providing comfort.
"Your dad?" Harry asked, confused.
Angelina was as far from a bigot as Harry knew, so he couldn't believe she'd come from a family that believed in that garbage. Angelina grimaced.
"We've never really discussed my family, Harry," Angelina said quietly, "and perhaps that's not completely fair of me because you at least admitted to me what your family, before Dora, was like."
Harry stared at her, feeling a bit bad because she was right. He didn't really know anything about her family, other than the little he'd observed. She might say it wasn't fair of her, but it wasn't right of him that he hadn't really inquired. She deserved better from him. He'd always been a bit worried about her father, but he'd just assumed that he was neglectful, that he didn't care.
"My mum died when I was young," Angelina said, which Harry nodded at, knowing this part. "I never really knew her, though if she's like my grandparents, then I'm not sure I want to know her."
Harry's eyes widened.
"Dad's a workaholic, as you do know," Angelina muttered. "We're pureblood, but my family isn't like yours or even Ginny's and Rons. We aren't a Noble or Ancient House. Our ancestors weren't pioneers in the field of magic, leaders in the government, lords, warriors, or anything like that, so while we are pureblood, we're a small, relatively unknown pureblood house. My father doesn't like that. He wants the power that other purebloods have. He wants the prestige, the money, the glamour," Angelina continued to check off. "He has modeled his life on being like one of the rich, egotistical pureblood houses that we all hate."
"Then how are you the way you are?" Harry asked in amazement. "I've seen what Malfoy and a lot of the other Slytherins are like."
"Because I hated it," Angelina said simply, "and because he treated me like an object, and less like his daughter. He resents only having had a daughter, and he's too busy to find himself a new wife for another shot at a kid at the moment, so I'm all he has. If it's up to him, he'll arrange my marriage to someone of pure blood, and great wealth and status, likely as a mistress if he can so that any children I bare will still carry the Johnson name, regardless of how that could negatively affect me, which will help elevate himself, allowing him a chance at another wife, family, and hopefully a son. Even at a young age, I had to do my best to make sure dad was happy, make sure he had his peace and quiet, make sure I didn't disrupt him, make sure I was the dutiful, charming, brilliant daughter in public," Angelina mocked. "So, when I got to Hogwarts, and met other purebloods who weren't anything like my dad, when I met halfbloods who had caring parents, and when I saw how people like Warrington and Montegue treated others, I swore I'd never be like him or them, and I'd become who I wanted to be," Angelina said fiercely, and Harry smiled at that, before his smile fell slightly.
"So, you really don't enjoy going home over the holidays then, do you?" Harry asked, a bit irritated with himself for not noticing how much she probably suffered at home . . . more than she was admitting.
Angelina shrugged.
"Not summer, no. Christmas, honestly, I've spent the last couple Christmases with Ali or Katie, so I do enjoy spending the time with the Spinnets or Bells," Angelina said, smiling at the two girls in question who beamed at her.
"I'm sorry, Angie," Harry said. "I should have noticed, and I'm sorry I never asked."
Angelina frowned at him.
"It's not on you to save everyone from their lives, Harry. I honestly don't have it that bad at home. Like I said, dad's a workaholic. He's rarely home, and anymore, he simply expects a warm meal and a quiet evening when he is home. The meal I was already going to make for myself, and the quiet evening means I don't spend much time in his company, so it's really not that bad. I'm not important to him. I'm simply his goose egg to sell to the right buyer. Plus, I go to Ali's and Kate's a lot."
"It's lonely though," Harry said quietly. "I know it's lonely, even if you don't like your dad. You wish you did, and you wish you had more people in the house to talk to. Also, maybe it's not my job to save everyone, but you're my friend, and I still should have asked and still should have noticed more than I did."
Angelina shook her head fondly.
"I don't have much longer there, anyway, and I'm certainly not going to agree to any marriage contract, so it won't be long before I'm out of that house for good, and I'm not looking back."
**HP**
"Tonks, control your nervous energy or we're going to wear you out in the training hall," Kingsley scolded teasingly. "You're wearing out my floor."
Tonks sighed.
"Sorry, King, but it comes today!"
"Yes, yes, you find out you passed your Mastery exam, we know," Lexie said with a smirk.
"I don't know that I passed it!" Tonks protested. "It was really hard!"
"Of course it was," the third member of Kingsley's team, and the last one of their five man team that Dora (or any of them) could stand, Steven Knight said sarcastically. "It was a Mastery exam."
"But if I was Mastery level, it shouldn't have been hard!" Dora protested.
"Tonks, I thought the Transfiguration Mastery exam was hard, and I passed," Kingsley said patiently. "Everyone thinks it's hard. They literally ask you to do things that stretch the limits of your imagination and will power, and touch on the most complex theory imaginable. That's the whole point of the exam beyond the established spells."
"So it's possible I didn't pass!" Tonks shot back, and her boss and two friends all groaned, and she hid a smirk.
"I never thought I would think Sirius of all people was a saint, but he has to be to deal with your antics every day," Lexie said with a shake of her head. "I really pity poor Harry."
"Hey!" Dora protested. "I love Harry, but he's the insane one between us! Pity me!"
Further whining, complaining, and teasing were cut off as Savage wandered in, glancing at the three Aurors and one Auror Lieutenant.
"I've got some news. Where's Ross?" Savage asked.
"You know he doesn't like any of us," Lexie said with a snort. "He's also too important to do paperwork with us."
Savage sighed and nodded in understanding. Dora smirked. Lexie never beat around the bush when it came to her fellow Aurors. The Auror department was better than most departments in the Ministry because of the fairly rigorous testing requirements, but there were still a fair few Aurors that didn't have the same work ethic, same abilities, or same work schedule as the rest, especially among some of the older Aurors who had gotten in when demands had been high and standards lower, or some of the, older than Dora, but still younger Aurors that had skill but had gotten in due to familial connections when they probably wouldn't have survived the same standards Dora, Lexie, Kelly, and the last youngest Auror, Rand Jackson, had been held to.
While they were better in upholding standards, that didn't mean that every Auror was also friendly, professional, and frankly useful. There were also a few within the department that were suckups, trying to plan their political Ministry careers once their Auror days were over. Dora's fourth teammate, Cassius Ross, was one such individual who didn't enjoy having to work with beings of lower status, and he tended to look down on being asked to assist in tasks he felt were menial and beneath him.
Outside of Dora's team, there were five other Aurors who seemed to have that uppity pureblood mentality. Two of them, Corban Yaxley and Justin Travers, were two of the six Lieutenants, unfortunately. Beyond that, there were nine or so Aurors, including both the Head Auror and Assistant Head Auror, sadly, that were pretty much Ministry sycophants, and would do anything someone above them asked of them, as long as they were recognized for it.
Dora didn't like most of the Aurors that fell in those two groups, but she also didn't need to. Most were good at what they did, and did the job well, and there was some tenseness when teams worked together, but overall, there wasn't much of a leg for Dora or those like her to stand on.
"What's the news, boss?" Kingsley said, and Savage rolled his eyes, not one for formality most times, especially with Kingsley.
"Well, we're going to go through a slight restructure," Savage said, looking a mixture of happy and not. "Because of Tonks and O'Donnel passing training, and Black returning to the Force, we are at max capacity, which would have meant no more Auror training until someone left, for whatever reason. Old Bones managed to convince the Wizengamot to fund a third Auror company, not wanting to lose out on potential Auror candidates simply because we're not dying like we used to."
Dora and Lexie snorted at that, while Knight and Kingsley shook their heads in amusement.
"Bonesy managed to convince them by saying the third company would allow us to start assisting the ICW again, which would generate revenue from international cooperation and missions."
"Good for her," Kingsley said, impressed.
It was no secret that the DMLE had been taking budget cuts for the past decade, ever since people started feeling safe because Voldemort was gone. This was huge for the department.
"Well, brother," Savage said with a grin, "it means that there's a new Auror Captain's position opening up. They'll need three new Lieutenants, and of course all of our teams will be reorganized to fill those teams, meaning we'll all operate in smaller undermanned teams again."
"Which really won't be a problem," Kingsley admitted. "It's not like it will be hard to have multiple teams work together if we need more manpower, but anymore, we work in teams of two or three, and we get assistance from the Hitwizards and Hitwitches or the Law Enforcement Patrol if needed."
"Exactly," Savage said. "Bones, Scrimegeor, and Robards are meeting right now. Dawlish and I will be going in to join the meeting in a second to give our recommendations. New assignments will be given out by the end of day."
Dora's eyes widened, just like the rest of her team's did.
"So fast," Kingsley muttered. "That's surprising."
Savage nodded. "Just wanted to give you a heads up. I'll also be nominating you or Alexis to move up to that captain's position."
"They should give it to Alex," Kingsley responded and Savage rolled his eyes.
"King, first I'm not sure Alexis would want the job," Savage said. "So, I'm glad you're looking out for your big sister in all but name, but I'm going to go talk to her next because if she doesn't want it, won't take it, then it's a waste even nominating her. Second, you should have been made captain before I did. You're probably the most powerful and knowledgeable in the corps, not to mention that your stats speak for themselves. Third, I'd much rather you fill that position than some of the other lieutenants."
"He's right, King," Lexie said, her eyes narrowed. "We could really use you filling that position. Then, with you and Rick filling two of three positions, we'll have a real chance to make changes in the department in the next ten years, especially if either of you or both of you move into the Head and/or Assistant Head positions."
"Convince him," Savage said meaningfully at the three Aurors. "I'm going to go talk to Alexis."
**HP**
Dora stared at the new structure board. Sadly, favoritism had reared its head again with Corban Yaxley taking the new Auror Captain's position, and Kenneth Johnson taking one of the four Lieutenant positions (three new, and Yaxley's old slot). The other three Lieutenant positions had been filled fairly, to Dora, it seemed. June Caleb had been promoted, and while Dora hadn't worked with the black-skinned witch, she knew of her reputation as a rabid investigator and strategic thinker. Also promoted were Jack Bakers and Kane Witcher. Dora didn't know either of them very well either, but Jack also had a good reputation in the department, being very studious, and was often brought in to help with research assistance when odd branches of magic were suspected of being used. Kane was a Witcher, which spoke for itself, just like she'd told Harry at the Circuit. The Witchers were like the Moodys. They'd been serving as Aurors since the introduction of the Auror Corp and were legendary as warriors against the dark long before the Auror Corps. Kane had certainly impressed her at the Dueling Circuit.
Sadly though, with the new structure, the top bosses had evidently seen an opportunity to completely revamp teams, forcing people to work with new partners. Dora, to her slight disappointment, was no longer on Kingsley's team. On the bright side, she had been placed on Alexis's team, and while Dora didn't know Alexis very well, she did know her.
Alexis had been in the department since a little before the fall of Voldemort, and she had gained a reputation back during those times for being a hardass who didn't back down. If the war had continued, she would have probably eventually have been on par with someone of Mad-Eye's reputation, or at least that's what most people believed. Really, she should have been one of the people running the department, but she loved field work too much, and unfortunately that meant she'd passed up becoming a Lieutenant once, and while she did eventually take the job, it was rumored that nobody wanted to even offer her a higher position if it opened up. She was highly qualified, very cool-headed, vicious with a wand, and yet still had a friendly and warm demeanor.
Outside of her reputation, Dora had met Alexis many times. She was basically Kingsley's surrogate older sister, similar to how Dora was to Harry, so she was constantly ducking her head into their team meetings or approaching during conversations to talk with Kingsley and anyone he deemed worth talking to, which had been Dora. So, Dora had been treated to many instances of Alexis teasing Kingsley relentlessly like only a sibling could. Beyond Kingsley, she was also dating Sirius, and while Sirius seemed to be taking it slow with Alexis, Dora could still tell that they were going strong, not only through the dopey look Sirius would get, but also with the flirtatious banter that could be seen between them in the department. No, Alexis Montgomery was not someone that Dora was going to be sorry to work for.
The only downside she saw was that the third member of their team was Jackson Carlson, as he was just as much of a prick as Cassius Ross, except that Carlson had no compunctions about trying to sleep with every witch he met, and turned rather ugly if you turned him down, and he had the connections to hurt people's careers if they weren't careful. Still, Dora figured she could handle him. She had people of her own to watch her back, and now that she was part of House Black, she wasn't so easy to push around politically either.
Knowing what Alexis was like, Dora made her way over to Alexis's office, and seeing that she was alone with her door open, Dora knocked on her door. Alexis glanced up at her and smiled.
"Tonks, come on in! Take a seat," Alexis said invitingly, and Dora entered and took the chair in front of Alexis's desk.
Alexis waved her wand and her door shut, making their conversation private, since Auror doors had silencing and privacy charms built into them.
"I'm glad to see you've already come over," Alexis said. "Shack's always spoken highly of you and your initiative. So, if you've got some time, let's do your initial counseling."
Dora chuckled.
"Are you the one that got Kingsley into doing that?"
Alexis smirked.
"Of course I am," she said, "but it's a good way to know your team and help them achieve their goals. Are you telling me you don't like it and won't use it yourself, if you find yourself in my or Shack's position someday?"
"No," Dora said. "I think it's great, and hearing some of the other Aurors, I wish it was mandatory."
"So do I," Alexis said. "Still, Shack and I are similar in many ways, but we still have different positions in this department. I understand you just took your Transfiguration Mastery exam, and have already published research. I'm told that you've passed, even if you don't believe it."
Dora sighed.
"The exam results are supposed to come in today, so it's not yet confirmed whether or not I've passed."
Alexis nodded, making some notes.
"I'm told your next goal was a Mastery in Offensive and Defensive Magic," Alexis said. "Is that still your desire?"
Dora shrugged.
"I think so. I would like to get a Mastery in Offensive and Defensive Magic, but admittedly part of me has considered trying to be an elemental instead or perhaps trying to get into one of the specialty courses."
Alexis made several more notes, nodding in approval.
"Those are both fine ideas, however, now that you are an Auror in full, and not a Trainee, and with this restructure you don't currently have an active case, so I believe this is a good time to have a discussion that Shack wasn't able to have with you. He would have been waiting until you got your Mastery results today, but he has faith, so I do. The question I have is what type of Auror do you want to be? Do you wish to specialize? Have you thought about it?"
"Not really," Dora admitted. "I'm not really sure what I would specialize in, to be honest. I know there are a bunch of courses that I could probably get sent to, but at the same time, how much do they really help with the cases I've been getting? I figured Masteries and possibly an element would help more."
"You're not completely wrong," Alexis said, "but your inexperience is showing. Yes, Masteries and elemental magic are good things to know to help as your duties but also to pad your portfolio. However, specializing doesn't remove you from doing normal Auror cases, it just front loads you for the cases you have a better understanding or qualification in, which then also pads your portfolio which might give you better opportunities for promotion or further professional development. Truthfully, while on Kingsley's team, you had more cases than other teams did because of Kingsley's specialization."
"Tracking," Dora said, realizing what Alexis was getting at, and Alexis smiled and nodded.
"He could probably write his own course now, but at one point he was sent to Brazil to attend their Pathfinder's course. That's something we could do for you. We can play to your strengths to help your specialization. From your file and Shack's notes, I can see that you are a gifted duelist, and that you excelled in Concealment and Disguises and the Advanced Offensive and Defensive Magic and Advanced Transfiguration Courses during Training. Given you are about to obtain your Transfiguration Mastery, there is little more to improve in that area. You certainly could go for an Offensive and Defensive Magic Mastery, but perhaps you'd like to eventually be a part of the company that will take more missions abroad? Our teams are certainly fluid, and with certain qualifications or specifications, you could find yourself reporting to someone else instead of me if they need you."
Alexis smiled at Dora's taken aback decision.
"Tonks, with abroad missions coming back, opportunities for different schools are now more readily available. You could get yourself fast tracked for all missions in certain environments and possibly even set up to lead Task Forces. For instance, you could attend the Jungle Combat and Survival Course in India, or the Arctic version in Russia, or the Mountain version in Switzerland, or even just the Small Unit Tactics Course, in the United States. All courses designed to survive, maneuver, and fight enemies in various terrains and situations. The last course is one of the premier tactics and operations courses in the world. If you're a hotshot on a broom and are interested in being assigned to Quidditch related cases, you could attend the Offensive and Defensive Aerial Combat and Maneuvers Course. If you want to improve on a weakness, while working on a strength, we could have you attend an infiltration or espionage course or maybe you want to learn how to do counter-espionage and counter other entities acquiring intelligence. These would help you become a specialized operative that could work for the ICW. Tying that in with flight, you could attend the HALO Infiltration School in the United States."
"I didn't realize how much was out there," Dora admitted, and Alexis nodded seriously.
"That's just the tip of the iceberg. There are courses on advanced interrogation, schools dedicated to gathering intelligence by learning to read people or interpret data, images, or even location, and investigation ranging from human to financial crime. There are combative courses, weapons courses, demolitions or explosives courses, courses on long range combat and spell use, defensive fortifications, water combat, combat medical training, and the ones most people know about, like warding, curse breaking, learning various languages, and the Aurors Instructors School. Working on a Mastery is something to strive for, but if you want any of these schools, we should get on it now while the gold is there to get this expeditionary company flying, even if you don't want to join the expeditionary company."
"Can I – Can I get into any of them?" Dora asked, stunned.
Alexis shrugged.
"All we can do is apply and see if they have spots. You've got people willing to give you letters of recommendation. Mad-Eye would do it, and his reputation carries a lot of weight in this community, including the international one. Shack would write one, as would I. I'm sure we could even get Bones to write one as well, not to mention some of your Professors from Hogwarts. Here's a copy of every available class, with information on dates, length, and requirements. Just mull it over tonight and think about it. Think of your strengths, weaknesses, and what you might want to focus on. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to go to many of these courses in your life, but you might only get one, or you might only get a progression generated from this one, meaning you'll only take classes that are continuations or adjacent with this one."
Dora nodded slowly. This was a huge opportunity and she knew it. With a lot to think about, Alexis ended their discussion there, promising another discussion once she'd made a decision and Dora made her way to the Auror library figuring doing a bit of research into each path she could choose might be helpful. By the time she came out of the library, it seemed the department was mostly empty, or at least all of her friends were gone, which was why it was almost sad, even if she was ecstatic to see an owl come winging into the department and fly towards her. It was rare to see owls in the Ministry and seeing one meant it was a personal delivery, outside of Ministry work.
Dora took the package from the owl, who hooted after being relieved of its package and immediately took back off to leave the building. With slightly shaky hands, Dora opened up the manila envelope gasping at the framed diploma, with a handwritten letter resting against the glass.
Dear Master Nymphadora Tonks,
We are happy to present you with your diploma thus naming you a Master of Transfiguration and Transmutation.
Congratulations on your exemplary performance and efforts during your examination. Few pursue the title and qualifications of a master, but not only have you pursued, but you have performed incredibly well, showcasing one the strongest understandings of the subject, even among those of your caliber. Once again, congratulations, and we here at the Department of Education look forward to your future pursuits.
Yours truly,
Madam Griselda Marchbanks
Director of the Department of Education.
She did it. Dora stared at the diploma, a giddy feeling rising up. SHE DID IT! Too bad there was nobody here to celebrate with. Figuring she'd go home, write a letter to Harry and see if Sirius or Remus were around, she joyfully made her way out of the Ministry, and apparated back home.
When she entered the house, she was a bit disappointed not to see Sirius anywhere, but she was happy seeing Remus sitting at the table writing a letter. He smiled when she walked in and she felt her already good mood rise. While she'd had many supporters, he'd been very helpful with her studying and had gone out of his way to help her when she needed it. It had been very sweet, and she was happy she'd get to celebrate with him.
"Good evening, Dora," Remus said. "Just writing a letter to Harry, trying to give him advice about how to deal with Hagrid, since he's been avoiding them since Skeeter's last article."
Remus glanced at her more closely.
"You seem to be in a rather good mood," he remarked.
"I got a lot of good news today," Dora said brightly, and she moved forward and handed off her diploma to Remus who looked at it and his eyes widened as did his smile.
"You did it!" he exclaimed, beaming at her, and getting up he pulled her into a hug and she laughed as he picked her up.
"I DID IT!" she screamed letting her joy out, and Remus laughed.
"We all knew you could of course, but this is wonderful," Remus said. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you," Dora said smiling.
"Well, we have to celebrate," Remus said matter of factly. "Sirius is out, and he'll be sorry he missed this, but dinner is on me. Wherever you want to go."
"Remus, you don't have to . . ." Dora said slowly, but Remus grabbed her hand, and she couldn't help but think his hand felt nice.
"I want to," he said simply, his eyes boring into hers and she nodded, blushing slightly, and feeling rather bold with her joy, she moved forward, grabbed his shirt and pulled him into her, planting her lips firmly on his. He froze at first before his arms wrapped around hers and he returned her kiss, and she felt wonderful feeling the passion with which he kissed her.
"It really is my day," Dora said, pulling back, grinning dopily, and Remus smiled widely before his smile faded somewhat.
"Dora . . . I - I'm not sure," he started and she stopped him.
"Remus, I don't care about any of that," she said, knowing exactly what he feared. His disease and his age. "I like you, and I'm not exactly the conventional type of witch. I'd like to give this a shot, if you would? I'm not saying we need to commit to anything, but at least give it a try. What do you say?"
Remus gazed into her eyes, and he nodded slowly, and rasped out. "Okay . . . okay, we can try."
Dora beamed and pulled him back into a searing kiss.
"Good, now it's really time to celebrate. You can help me think about whether I should apply to a specialty school or pursue a different field of study," she said, and then started telling him about her other opportunity as she dragged him out the door and off to their first date.
**HP**
"Bloody hell," Harry muttered in awe, staring down at the letter Hedwig had just delivered.
"Language!" Hermione scolded, but Harry's words had caught others' attention.
"What's up, Harry?" Ginny asked, staring at him.
"Just got a combined letter from Sirius and Dora," he said. "They both got approved for two of those speciality courses . . . each!"
Angelina whistled appreciatively.
"So what did they get into?" Ron asked, looking interested. Apparently Auror speciality schools were schools worth talking about.
"Dora landed Small Unit Tactics in the United States," Harry said, impressed. "She and Kingsley both said it's one of the hardest schools to get. Supposed to be brutal, but you come out of it an expert in leading a team through all sorts of combat situations. She also somehow got approved to go to the Long-Range Spell Casting Course, also in the States. She leaves a couple days after the Third Task and will be gone for three and a half months total. Dora says that DMLE approved a lot of schools. Seems to be hoping to boost England's reputation by putting our people back on ICW missions."
"That's awesome," Katie said, looking highly impressed. "She's already a badass, but she's going to come back on a whole new level!"
"What did Sirius get?" Alicia asked.
"He's going to a Pathfinder Course and an Infiltration Course," Harry said, intrigued.
"Pathfinder?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"It's a course that deals with tracking magic, but also with concealment magic. It's basically an advanced version of the Stealth and Tracking module during Auror Training. It's two weeks, and that's in Brazil. Starts a week after the Second Task. Then he'll have two weeks off before he goes to a course that's hosted somewhere here in England, and that course lasts two months, where he'll learn all about sneaking into places, and breaching protections quietly. Apparently he got it because of his escape from Azkaban and his break-in into Hogwarts."
"I'm sure he likes that," Ginny said with a snort, and Harry agreed with a smirk, looking through the letter more.
"Oh shit, Lexie and Kelly both got courses too!" Harry said, and then frowned. "Wow, Lexie applied for and was accepted into the Mossad Covert Agent's course. Basically espionage and counter-espionage. It's held in Israel. She'll be gone for a year, starting in three weeks."
"That's a long course," Ron said with a grimace. "Imagine being forced to learn something like that for a year. Isn't espionage spying? A whole year just to learn how to spy on someone."
"I can't imagine it's as simple as that," Angelina said. "I'm sure we can't even imagine what she'll learn there."
"I'm going to miss seeing her this summer though I'm sure she's excited for the course," Harry admitted. "Kelly's gone the intelligence route," Harry continued. "Her school is four months and it's in Australia. She's leaving in a week."
"Well, it's great to know that they're all getting to further their professional development," Hermione said, "but I think we should focus back on trying to help you with the Second Task. It's next week afterall. Plus, we still need to worry about the Third Task, that's just over a month away."
Harry saw Neville's face falter slightly, since he was definitely their weakest link, but Neville had improved in the weeks they'd been working together, and he had helped quite a bit with their Herbology review. It had only taken one meeting before they all realized part of Neville's problem, something the Professors had likely noted, but been unable to change.
(Flashback ~ 1 month prior)
"Come on, Neville, you just need more confidence," Katie said, showing the patience of a saint.
"Yeah, mate, you're getting better. You're trying," Harry said. "I can really tell. You just need more confidence. You've got the wand movements down, and you've got the words down for these basic defensive spells. You just need to believe they will work."
"It's always the same," Neville said glumly. "I'm just not good at magic. All my family thought I was a squib for the longest time. That's why my grandma sent me here with my dad's old wand. She hoped his magical abilities would transfer through the wand."
"Wait, that's not your wand?" Alicia asked with a frown.
"Yeah," Neville said with a frown.
"Pretty common in old pureblood houses," Ron said with a shrug. "For some, like my family, it's because wands are expensive, for others it's tradition."
"Yeah, but there are issues with that," Alicia said. "The wand chooses the wizard as Ollivander says. You might not get as good of results from a borrowed wand. Sometimes you do, but sometimes you don't."
"So, you're saying if we get him his own wand, he might have a better grasp on his magic," Angelina said, looking interested at the thought.
(End Flashback)
A quick conversation with McGonagall confirmed Alicia's theory, something that had been told to Augusta Longbottom, but ignored. However, a few quick letters and soon Neville was getting his own wand, since Sirius had intervened, combined with Neville's newfound position in helping Harry with the Triwizard Tournament, and Augusta felt honor bound to get Neville his own wand just in case it would actually help his magic.
Alicia's thought process had proved spot on, and sure Neville wasn't night and day, but the results were better, and as he continued to get better and better results, his confidence continued to grow, and now a month later, Harry felt the shy boy wasn't nearly the hindrance with a wand he had been.
He was still the weakest duelist on the Team, but before Harry would have honestly put his abilities down with a third year, maybe even just an advanced second year, but now he was firmly doing second and third year defensive spells and was finally starting to show some promise with the spells he'd been learning from Mad-Eye in class all year.
He certainly wasn't ready for any of the spells that Harry and his original studymates were working on, nor even the fifth year spells that Ron was working to master, but still, not too shabby, since he had everything he needed to keep things simple and defeat an opponent. The shield charm was really the only thing that Harry felt was left that Neville needed to learn. With what he knew, he could duel most people. Sure, his spell choice would be limited, but he could still possibly win, but without a shield, he'd be in trouble. That was all he really had left to learn before the task, and it was coming along.
"I think we're pretty good for the Second Task," Ginny said, shooting a slightly disapproving look at Hermione. "We've been working hard on dueling and fitness as a whole, been practicing working in groups, and we've even got a good plan on where to place the flag and how to defend it."
"Little sister is right," Fred said.
"We've been working night and day on this," George added.
"Hermione, we've studied more in the past two months than we studied in all of third year combined," Ron said, and Harry snorted at that, and even Hermione's lips twitched and she shot them a poor attempt at a disapproving look, but Ron got a rather rare look of approval from his two older brothers.
Hermione sighed.
"Perhaps you're right, but what about the Third Task then? It's only a month away."
"I think we're about as good as we're going to get for the Third Task, too," Angelina said
"Hermione, he's learned the Bubble-Head Charm, so he's got a spell to work if we can't find a better method," Alicia pointed out.
"We've been forcing him to swim nearly every day for the past two months," Ginny added, before smirking, "though that hasn't exactly been a trial for the rest of us."
Angelina, Katie, and Alicia laughed while Harry blushed at Ginny's wink towards him. He still marveled at how much more comfortable she was around him, which meant that she often gave him flirtatious compliments or insinuations like that, and he didn't know if she meant anything by them, but he couldn't deny they made him think about her in ways beyond what he used to.
"He's also practiced magic underwater, and has gotten really good at nonverbal magic," Angelina pointed out. "There isn't a spell he can't do nonverbally anymore, and that includes new spells after he learns them."
Harry noticed Neville shifting slightly. They'd tried to bring him into their group more often, but sometimes he clearly still felt like the odd man out. They had pretty much kept information about the Third Task away from him, wanting him to focus on his spellwork and not worrying about something that wouldn't affect him.
"I still think we should find something other than the Bubble-Head Charm," Hermione said.
"I don't have any complaints about that, Hermione," Harry said, "but we haven't exactly found anything, have we? I mean, there's water elemental magic, but there's no way I could learn that in the short time I have, even if I'd had the whole year to work on it, there's no guarantee. We've found spells to enchant people to sleep under water, and I'm sure there is some sort of diving charm, but it seems to me that the Hogwarts library doesn't have that information available. I don't feel comfortable enough using Transfiguration, especially with how much can go wrong. I don't know where else to look. Our Potions and Herbology research hasn't yielded any results."
"Er, you have to stay underwater for an hour?" Neville interjected, and they all glanced at him and he blushed. "I mean, I knew you had been working on swimming and nonverbal casting, but you have to stay underwater for one hour?"
"Yep, he does," Alicia said. "You have a better idea than the bubblehead charm?"
"Well, I don't really know what that charm is," Neville said slowly, "but you could always use gillyweed."
"Gillyweed?" Harry asked with a frown and looking around he saw blank looks.
"Yeah, it's a water plant. It - well - it allows you to breathe underwater, and supposedly you'll grow gills and webbing for the duration of the effects," Neville said nervously. "There's debates on how long it lasts, depending on fresh water versus salt water and how much of course, but yeah, it should work. There are some potions made from it for underwater exploration as well, but the plant itself will work, if more crudely."
"That sounds brilliant!" Angelina said. "Where could we get some of that?"
Neville grimaced.
"Well, here at Hogwarts, probably only Snape's private stores, though you could probably try and owl order some from one of the apothecaries, though it's a bit rare, only having specific uses in potions and such, so I don't know where else. I guess maybe another potions expert?"
Harry nodded slowly.
"Alright, let's head to the Owlery and I can send out a letter to each of the main apothecaries and hope they can help me out."
"What if they don't have it?" Katie asked.
"A potions expert," Harry muttered, and every glanced at him. "Penny. Dora's friend Penny Haywood has her Mastery in Potions. She might be able to help with a potion. I could write to her, but I worry that even if there is a potion, it will be too complicated or take too long to make. Still, she might have some ideas or be able to help us get some gillyweed."
"Well, we have a new way forward," Angelina said. "Let's get our focus back on the Second Task. It's right around the corner afterall.