The Red Door

Chapter 2

Monday afternoon came with a huge shock for Hermione when she arrived early on the training level. As she was walking in she saw Ron with a few of the new trainees standing around talking looking annoyed and behind them was the one and only Draco Malfoy talking with their instructor. Hermione walked straight over to Ron to find out what was going on.

"What the hell is he doing here" asked Hermione startling the group

Ron turned around and greeted her with a hug and a kiss to which she blushed and reminded him that they were at work.

"Don't know, he joined our group today" Said Ron

"He's not bad either" said another guy Hermione didn't know

"Hello Love" came a voice behind Hermione with a tickle to her side

She squealed and turned quickly only to see Seamus Finnegan grinning at her

"Oh Seamus" laughed Hermione giving him a hug "I didn't know you were training to be Auror" she said giving Ron a strange look curious as why he wouldn't have mentioned that a friend of theirs was in his training class.

"Ha he didn't tell you I was here did he? Probably didn't want you to know how awesome I am" he said pointing to the board that had their rankings and sure enough Seamus's name was at the top with a 94 next to it, Evidently the last year at Hogwarts had been very educational for Seamus. Hermione scanned the board to find Ron's name only 3 places higher than the white line indicating the cut off for people to stay, a 53 next to his name.

Spend a week under the white line and you were not allowed to continue. You could reapply in a year but only once. They were very firm about the level of Auror that would be accepted.

"Ron" Said Hermione gasping

"It's nothing Hermione relax" said Ron rolling his eyes at her horrified face.

She was about to say something but the end of training tone sounded. The tally board disappeared and all the trainees from the first group started to move towards the door.

As Draco walked past Hermione and the group she was standing with he looked over and winked "Thanks for the inspiration Granger" he said with his annoying smirk she was so accustomed to seeing.

Ron was instantly angered and grabbed Hermione's arm and spun her around "what the hell was that about" he snapped accusingly

"OUCH" said Hermione ripping her arm out of his grip "I have no idea Ronald, don't ever grab me like that again" she said and walked off to meet her friends

As Ron and the others were leaving the tally board for their group appeared showing Hermione at the top with 100 next to her name. Ron looked up at the board and started to turn Red.

"HA 16 weeks in a row Hermione well done" said a tall handsome guy who had just walked in the door. The others around Hermione were all congratulating her and each other as there were quite a few numbers in the 90s. The lowest score on their board was 83. They all worked really hard to be the best they could and Hermione was a great influence on her new friends.

"OH SNAP" said Seamus excitedly "looks like the Brains of the golden trio is going to kick all our arses"

"Shut up Seamus" Said Ron as he stalked out of the training hall.

Training continued as normal and sooner than they felt ready it was time for Graduation.

Only their final examination was left, they were given 2 weeks to study for their final assessment which as it turns out was somewhat of a decathlon.