apples and scented candles • h.potter ✓

• twenty eight •

Corben felt oddly elated when Audra announced that they were to join a few Aurors on an operation they were going to go on in two hours. They had had only one such field training before, and he had enjoyed it immensely, although it had left him feeling slightly insecure about himself when he had witnessed firsthand how skilful those Aurors were, and he doubted he could ever be like them.

But the diet he was following seemed to have increased his confidence. Granted, it hadn't brought much change to his health - he was just as skinny as ever - but he felt more lightheaded and energetic. He felt ready to face whatever the field trip had in store for him and he listened intently as Audra told them the rules.

"There will be three Aurors there," she explained. "Each of you will be assigned to one of them, and you are to listen to whatever they tell you. Don't leave their side, but follow them closely; watch their steps, try to understand their thought process, ask yourself why they made the decisions they have made. Being an Auror isn't just about learning spells and having the instinctual talent to shoot them. It's about quick thinking, working under pressure. A lot of things about being an Auror, you won't learn here, I can never teach you that. I cannot give you nerves, I cannot teach you how to balance your morals to make tough decisions, I cannot make you brave to venture into the unknown. You will gain them through experience. This is why field training is so important. Don't take them lightly just because you aren't given scores for your performance here. This is purely for learning, and without this you can never truly appreciate what being an Auror is like."

Corben suddenly thought of how Harry said he and Ron were accepted into the Auror department without having to go through any sort of training. The then Head of the department, Kingsley Shacklebolt had thought that fighting a war was training enough. Corben hadn't really liked that idea; it had seemed unfair to him. But now watching Audra speak about how Auror training inside the safety of the Ministry building was merely a scratch in the surface of what this job really entailed, he began to understand why Kingsley had made that decision.

Two hours later, Corben, along with Patrick and Alex, was taken out of the training hall and into the corridor outside.

"Wait here," said Audra and hustled off. She returned a few minutes later and said, "They'll be here shortly. Remember what I said. This field training is all about learning. This is something I cannot force you to do, so you must have complete determination to do it yourself. If you're not interested to learn, you might as well leave now."

But no one moved. They stood side by side and stared ahead of them, shoulders stiff and sure, eyes set in firm determination. Audra gave a little humph of approval.

The Aurors arrived, looking busy. They began to speak to Audra, and it was only when their conversation ended and they turned to look at the trainees, that Corben recognised the red hair and the freckled face. It was Ron. Their eyes met, but he quickly looked away, hoping against hope that he wouldn't be paired with him.

Audra pinned a badge to each of their chests. Corben peered down and saw his name written on his, under which was written, in smaller letters, Trainee.

"You're with me," said a gruff voice to him, and Corben was relieved when one of the Aurors who was not Ron gestured for him. He was tall and muscly with neatly trimmed beard. He looked intimidating and seemed like someone you wouldn't want to cross. Corben had only begun to wonder if it was a mistake wishing that he wasn't with Ron when the large Auror bustled off hurriedly and he was forced to run after him, unable to keep up with his long strides.

•••

Harry woke up that morning with a throbbing headache.

He had had nightmares all night, witnessing his loved ones dying for him again and again and again. He wasn't sure how many hours of sleep he had actually got, but judging from the grogginess all over his body he could tell it wasn't much.