A/N: My apologies for being a day late with this. Work was not a kind mistress this week. It seems like we have been tying up loose ends now for several chapters, but I believe it had to be done. A little more touchy-feely in this chapter, and my take on what an Apparition test would look like. I hope you enjoy it, please leave a review and let me know!
I do not own these characters, I just like to try and make them a bit better than they were!
Chapter 11
Testing, testing, One, Two, Three
On the morning of his Apparition test, Mr. Weasley had offered to take Harry to the Ministry of Magic with him. It reminded Harry of the time when he had to go for his hearing. At least he knew what the outcome would be this time. They arrived with plenty of time to spare, and Mr. Weasley left Harry in the Atrium after making Harry promise he would let him know how he had done. After Harry registered his wand with Ernie, he headed down to level six and found the door that said `Apparition Test Center'. He entered the tiny office and registered himself with the stern looking witch behind the counter.
Soon, he heard "Potter, Harry," and jumped up. He turned and saw it was Wilkie Twycross, the same teacher they had lessons with at Hogwarts. He smiled at Harry, and beckoned for him to come with him.
"Follow me please," he said.
`Destination, Determination, Deliberation,' Harry though as he followed the instructor.
They went down a hall to a door with the number seven on it. Mr. Twycross opened the door, to a large room, about the size of a Quiddich field at Hogwarts. There were several raised platforms around the room, and the room had been magically transformed so it looked like they were standing in a large meadow somewhere. Harry could see trees off in the distance, and feel a slight breeze against his face. If he hadn't known he was on the sixth level under ground, he would have thought they were really outside.
"Now, Mr. Potter," Mr. Twycross said, "I am going to give you instructions for your Apparition test. You will follow these instructions to their completion, at which time I will be able to assess your ability to Apparate. Do you have any questions at this time?"
"Uh…no," said Harry.
"Good. Then let's get started shall we? As you can see, each platform had a number. You are to Apparate to each platform in this order," he handed Harry a piece of paper. "As you Apparate, I will be informed if your entire body made it to the next platform, and if you are following the correct order. If any piece of you is splinched, the Emergency Apparition will come into effect, and you will be returned back to the starting point to connect with all of your missing parts, the test will be terminated, and you will fail."
Harry nodded, looking at the paper and then looked for the numbered platforms.
"Whenever you are ready, Mr. Potter," Mr. Twycross said as he moved back.
Harry stepped up to the first platform and looked for the number three.
Three D's, he thought, as he focussed on the platform and imagined himself there.
With a small pop, he was standing on the platform. He smiled to himself as he looked for platform number five, and with a small pop, he was gone again. He quickly went through each platform and found it was getting easier as the test wore on. Before he knew it, he was back at the first platform, tired, but satisfied.
"Well done Mr. Potter! Well done! And so quick! I am happy to announce that you have arrived complete, and that you have passed. Congratulations," Mr. Twycross grinned, as he signed the parchment. "Take this back to the front office so they can register you. You are now legally allowed to Apparate. Make sure you pick up a brochure on your way out that gives you more safety information about Apparating."
"Thank-you, sir," Harry said as he left. He picked up the brochure, `The Responsibilities of Safe Apparition', and headed for Mr. Weasley's office. After congratulations from Mr. Weasley and Kinglsey Shacklebolt, he decided to Apparate back to the Burrow. He went to the Apparition point, and arrived just outside the Quiddich field a few minutes later. Ron, Ginny, and Hermione watched him from the porch as he walked towards the house with a huge grin on his face. It disappeared, though, when he saw that Ginny was trying to wipe her red swollen eyes. Hermione shook her head slightly, and Harry stopped, as Hermione led Ginny into the house. Ron jumped off the porch and came towards him.
"Congratulations, mate," said Ron slapping him on the back. "Knew you'd pass. Brochure's a waste of time though," he said nodding at the pamphlet in Harry's hand.
"I'm amazed you still have both of your eyebrows," Hermione teased as she came back out, "obviously you haven't read the whole brochure."
Harry laughed, as Ron turned red and absently rubbed his eyebrow. "It was only one eyebrow," he mumbled.
"Ginny…" Harry started. He wondered how much she had told them about the break up.
"She'll be okay," Hermione said. "Its just hard sometimes when you've been hurt."
Harry felt awful. "Maybe I should go talk to her," he said.
"No," Hermione said shaking her head. "You'll just make it worse."
Ron snorted. "Girls and their emotions are so bloody confusing. You're better off being single."
Harry glanced at Hermione who looked like she was ready to clobber Ron.
"Never mind, then. Lets do something fun. I need a break." Harry said quickly, trying to distract them.
"Come on. Let's celebrate," said Hermione. "How about lunch by the pond?"
Mrs. Weasley packed a lunch while everyone else changed into swimsuits. They spent an enjoyable afternoon by the pond, the three of them practicing their Apparition skills while Ginny read the rules out loud in her most official sounding voice. Harry was relieved that she agreed to join the trio for lunch, even though she didn't really acknowledge that he existed.
`Well, it's a start,' he thought.
It was a great day. No evil Lords or henchmen to worry about. To Harry, this was what normal days were made of in the wizarding world, and that's what made it extra special.
Harry woke up early on the morning that they were scheduled to visit Professor McGonagall. He decided to go for a quick run before his shower. He headed out towards the Quiddich pitch and then around the perimeter of the Weasley's property. It was a beautiful summer day. The heat of the day hadn't arrived yet, which suited Harry just fine. He was amazed at how well he had been sleeping, since having Occlumency lessons. He did it without consciously thinking about it now, and Lupin was pleased with his results. His Legilimens lessons were getting better too. Lupin was finding it harder and harder to keep Harry out. He headed back to the house sweaty but satisfied with how he was feeling. It was time for that shower.
Wearing just his sweatpants, Harry was toweling his hair dry as he came out of the bathroom and ran smack into Hermione. He felt her hands on his bare chest as she tried to steady herself, and a jolt of electricity went through him. With the skills of a seeker, he grabbed her arms and stopped her from falling. They stood like that for a few seconds before Hermione, her face flushed, pulled her hands away like she had been burnt. Harry could still feel where her hands had been touching his skin.
"Good morning," said Harry, grinning at her obvious embarrassment. "I'm not too sure where you are off to in such a hurry, but you need to give a bloke a bit more warning so he can get out of the way."
Hermione looked up and saw amusement sparkling in his green eyes and felt herself become even more flustered. She started to back up away from him until she found the wall behind her.
"I…uh…well…"
Harry laughed. He had never seen Hermione look this embarrassed before. She slid past him and practically ran into the bathroom and closed the door. Grinning, Harry picked up the towel he dropped and headed for his room to change into some clean clothes. He rubbed the spot where her hands had lingered on his bare chest, and he knew she had been affected by it as well.
`Maybe,' he thought. `Maybe I could make her see that I am more than just a good friend.'
He sighed. Would he be putting her in danger like he thought Ginny would be? Would Voldemort try to use her? He didn't like that thought.
Hermione closed the door and leaned against the rough wood, her hand on her chest as she tried to slow her rapidly beating heart. She was shocked at how her body had reacted to his closeness, and how flustered she had become. The moment her hand had come in contact with his chest, the memory of that kiss flared to life in her mind. She had worked so hard at squashing it, tucking it away so that it wasn't in her every thought. She closed her eyes and licked her lips, allowing herself to get lost in the memory.
After a moment, she pushed away from the door and went to the sink, splashing cold water on her face. Harry was her closest friend, she should not be thinking about him in that way! They had a mission to finish, and there certainly wasn't time for complicating it with a relationship! As she stared back at the face in the mirror, she could swear she could hear that little inner voice having a tantrum and asking why not? She sighed and shook her head. She needed to be strong about this.
When Hermione had come downstairs later, she had completely composed herself, or so she thought. Harry caught her eye and she flushed. He grinned, and then dropped his eyes back down to his breakfast, the exchange going unnoticed by the others.
As the time for them to leave drew near, Harry could feel himself getting anxious. He didn't know what McGonagall wanted, and he was dreading going back to school. He hadn't been there since the funeral and he knew that returning was going to affect him.
They headed for the fireplace just before 9:00 am. There was only going to be a small time frame in which to use the Floo Network. Harry decided he was going to go first. He grabbed some floo powder, stepped inside and took a deep breath.
"Hogwarts," he said and disappeared.
He tumbled out of the fireplace, his eyes closed. He was afraid to open them and see Dumbledore's office and its memories. He finally got up and opened his eyes to find himself in McGonagall's Transfiguration office. Ron and Hermione followed, and they looked as surprised as he felt.
"Welcome Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger, I am pleased to see you on time. I felt that it would be better to begin our meeting here."
"Thank you," Harry said, appreciating her concern for their feelings.
Hearing the fireplace roar, he turned and saw Lupin, together with Tonks, step from the fire. He was surprised to see them.
"Good, now everyone is here. Please take a seat so we can begin."
Everyone took a chair around McGonagall's desk. Harry was really curious now.
"First things first, "said McGonagall. She steepled her fingers together and let her eyes fall on everyone in the room over the top of her glasses before coming to rest on Lupin and Tonks. "I am presuming that since you are here Remus and Nymphadora, that you have agreed to accept the positions?"
Harry turned and looked at them as they nodded their head in agreement, Tonks wincing at the use of her first name.
"Excellent," Professor McGonagall turned and looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Professor Lupin and Professor Tonks will be our new Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration teachers. Now, we need to talk to you three, and especially you, Mr. Potter," she said, looking Harry straight in the eye.
`She's trying to temp me with Lupin and Tonks!' he realized. Before she could say any more, Harry put his hand up to stop her.
"I know you want me to come back and finish my studies, Professor, but I made a promise that I intend to keep. Ron and Hermione, on the other hand, are free to come back, and I hope they do so."
"Harry!" Hermione said angrily as Ron snorted, "I thought we discussed this!"
"We did Hermione, but I need the freedom to go after Voldemort. Could you see me saying, `excuse me Professor, there's some bad guys I have to fight, I'll be back later to take that test'. I don't want him anywhere near this place, and you know why," he looked from Ron and Hermione to Lupin, "I don't want to be responsible for any more deaths."
Lupin sighed. "I don't know what this promise is that you want to keep, but I can guess it had something to do with Professor Dumbledore. Why you want to go off chasing Voldemort is beyond me, but to do it now, well, I thought James's son would be a lot smarter than that."
Harry looked at him angrily. "And how is wanting to keep hundreds of students safe being stupid? You know he is going to be looking for me, and any location I'm at will be dangerous"
"Because," said Lupin firmly, "You are not ready, Harry. I thought you would know that by now. Why do you think I agreed to this posting? Grown men with a lot more training than you, have died at his hands. We are trying to give you a fighting chance, Harry. We know you can't commit to a full schedule with the idea of doing NEWTS, but you still need training, and Hermione is right. This is the best place to do it. As for the others, well, first I don't think there will be as many as usual. Secondly, I think that we should be able to come up with something to help them in an emergency."
"Actually, sir, I've been thinking about that," Hermione interrupted excitedly, "What about emergency Portkeys? Something that can be carried or worn and can only be used in an emergency situation?" She was breathless now, and the excitement shone in her eyes. Harry watched her, and felt a sense of pride at her brilliance.
"It's an intriguing idea Miss Granger, however, we do have wards in place to protect Hogwarts and I assure you we are quite safe."
"But what if the wards failed, Professor?" Hermione asked.
"That's ridiculous. We are no threat to the Death Eaters or their master. At least not now," McGonagall said, her voice breaking a bit. "Besides-"
"He wants Hogwarts," Harry interjected quietly.
"I beg your pardon?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Voldemort wants Hogwarts. He let it slip to me when he was gloating about Dumbledore's death," Harry replied.
Professor McGonagall paled and looked at Lupin for confirmation. He nodded in agreement with Harry. Shocked, McGonagall slumped back in her chair for a moment. Harry saw her look vulnerable for a brief second, before that steely-eyed gaze was back as she sat forward again.
"Then we have a lot of work to do. It seems, Mr. Potter," she said looking at Harry. "It appears that we will need you as much as you need us. I have a proposition to make to you," She looked to Ron and smiled apologetically. "Mr. Weasley, I know that in the past the Prefects usually become Head Boy and Head Girl, however, some changes need to be made. I would like you to remain as a Prefect, as it gives you the opportunity to have a little freedom, and I would like Mr. Potter to be Head Boy this year."
Harry was shocked. Two years ago he would have been jumping at the chance to take the position. But now?
"I can't Professor, that's too much responsibility. I don't even know if or when I would be around."
"I understand that. But with the position of Head Boy and Head Girl comes all of the perks of the position, including," her eyes twinkled mischievously, "your own dorm and common room. You would be free to come and go as you please, without anyone being the wiser. You, of course Miss Granger would be Head Girl, and yes, that means you can get into the restricted section of the library without breaking any rules. I am sure we can arrange it for Mr. Weasley to have a room in your dorm as well. We usually don't house the Head Boy and Head Girl together, but I am willing to make a compromise with the understanding that you will be expected to behave in an appropriate manner," she looked between the three of them, settling her eyes finally on Harry. She looked at him over the top of her glasses.
"The choice, as you have reminded us, is yours. However, before you make your decision, I have arranged for tea for us and, there is someone who had been patiently waiting to see you again, Mr. Potter."
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