Death is but the Next Great Adventure

~Love~ but make it *Spicy*

In the last chapter: Harry evolves into his true bird form and spends the summer with his beak in a book. He makes lots of great progress and decided he's ready to go seek out Tom-cat.

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"Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?" Remus fluttered about nervously while wringing his fingers together. Harry gave the man a fondly exasperated smile and rubbed his hand up and down the man's arm soothingly.

"Thanks Remy, but it's probably best if I go on my own. Your guys' nerves are enough to send a whole room of aurors into hysterics!" The raven-haired wizard tutted and shook his head. "I'll just be heading there early, grabbing a bite to eat there, and then taking my test. No need to fret." Harry assured his dads confidently.

"If anything happens, you come straight home, alright? We can arrange for another test later if need be. Our priority is your wellbeing." Sirius dictated with all the authority and flare befitting the Lord of House Black. Harry nodded along and waved his hand dismissively as he turned towards the floo and scooped up a fist-full of shimmering powder.

"Seeya guys later. Love ya !" Harry stepped into the fireplace with practiced ease and pivoted to face his waving parents. "Ministry of Magic."

His world twisted and lit up in a plume of green flames. Harry bent his knees for his landing and was stepping out of the ministry floo before he had the chance to stumble. He stepped out of the way of any incoming travelers and with a wave of his hand, wandlessly wicked away any remaining floo powder or soot from his clothes. Harry looked himself over and straightened out his ensemble while admiring his choices in garments.

His usual tight black trousers and designer ankle boots, along with a gun-metal silver sleeveless top comprised of a silky material that felt like heaven against his skin in a cool whisper. It had a rather deep neckline that showed just the right amount of skin to make most men sweat at the collar. Harry also donned a deep wine-red velvet jacket that dropped to the backs of his knees and hugged his arms and shoulders in a rather flattering way.

And of course, Harry was dripping with simple silver and black jewelry, with the special addition of a piece that circled the base of his throat in a glittering silver choker that had another thin chain plunging down underneath his shirt where it connected to another dainty chain that wrapped around the small of his waist and from its center dangled a small black jewel charm right above his navel. No one would see more than the top half, but the suggestion of it and the cold caress of the chains around his torso left a zinging thrill in Harry's gut. It made him feel confident in himself, which he needed on such an important day.

However, he certainly hadn't dressed up for his St Mungo's testers. He had someone far more important to impress.

As always, the ministry atrium was a riot of noise as people rushed in all different directions to get somewhere else. A newspaper peddler shouted above the crowds the latest scandals and legislative updates. A few food stalls off to the side drew in desperate workers with barely a second to spare. Owls soared between the tall buildings with missives and documents tethered to their legs. The clatter of sharp heels and heavy soles on the glossy black stone floors was like a constant buzzing throughout the atrium.

He made quick work of checking in at the front desk to log in his wand, name, and purpose for being at the ministry. The desk lady may have spent a full minute peaking at him over the top of her clipboard as she mistakenly filled in his information— several times— before finally giving him a visitor's pass and releasing him. Was the outfit a bit too much?