Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Thirteen: Fortune's Fool

Chapter 13: Fortune's Fool

In the morning, Hermione didn't come downstairs for breakfast. Ron checked on her and Harry told him that she was still sleeping. So, the boys both left for their new jobs without saying good-bye to her. Harry was honestly relieved not to have to see her. He didn't know what to make of what had happened last night.

Still, as he walked to the lift in the Ministry, he replayed it in his mind. The jars of blue flames had made the memory dream-like. Had that really happened? How could he have seen Hermione nearly every day (except for the summers) for the last seven years and not have realized he felt like this toward her?

Well, there was the small fact that he'd always taken her for granted. It was hard to admit to himself but it didn't make it any less true. At Hogwarts, and even searching for Horcruxes last year, he never imagined that a day would go by where he wouldn't see Hermione first thing in the morning and last thing before bed. Ron was different. Their time in the woods together proved that.

Yes, Harry's best friend was Ron. The bond he had with Hermione was more than a best friend.

He'd definitely never lusted after Hermione. Never even had a sex dream about her. And now this. That kiss had been the most amazing thing he'd ever felt. If every kiss with Hermione were to feel the way it did last night, then breaking up with Ginny was for the best. Well, except for Ron.

Also, Harry doubted that it'd ever feel like it was 'for the best' when he thought about not being with Ginny...

It hurt his chest a little to know he'd lost his virginity to Ginny to only have her ditch him soon after. Maybe he wasn't any good at sex? He had thought he was falling in love with Ginny... He didn't know what to think about it. He briefly wondered if he shouldn't take Hermione's advice and talk to Ginny and let her explain.

The lift announced, in her cool disembodied voice, that he'd arrived at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's level. While he had ruminated during his ride, he hadn't noticed that he was the only person riding up.

Suddenly he was nervous. He automatically checked his pocket for his wand. It was there and wonderfully whole just as expected.

Harry hadn't been sure what to wear on his "first" day. He was second-guessing his muggle attire. Sure, he'd worn it when he'd visited with Kingsley before. But now, things were official. He wasn't just Harry Potter anymore, the Boy Who Lived and Defeated Voldemort, he was a part of the Ministry now. However, he hadn't thought to buy normal robes while he was in Diagon Alley and he'd left all his school robes behind at the Dursley's last year. So Muggle attire would have to do.

What would he do on his first day as a Novice Auror? Perhaps paperwork? Or maybe they'd just throw him right into the thick of things and have him go out and chase law-breakers?

The Aurors all had their own desks in a huge, open room. Squat windows lined the far wall. They looked like they needed to be cleaned.

"Harry, welcome," Kingsley Shacklebolt greeted him, with long purple robes billowing behind him as he strode forward.

"Hello, Kingsley," Harry said. They shook hands.

"So are you ready?" Kingsley clapped Harry on the shoulder and started leading him through the Department to the windows. Harry wondered for a minute if they'd stop or just walk straight through them.

"Ready for what?" Harry asked.

"The exam," Kingsley said. Harry glanced at Kingsley who was now looking back at him.