Harry Potter and the Circle's End by madscientist

Here we go, just like the title says...Thanks once again for the splendiferous work by Lady Starlight on this chapter... And yeah, I still don't own anything really.
Chapter 41: An Unexpected Offer
****************************Ministry of Magic****************************

February 15, 1998
10:00 am.

Harry appeared silently in a trash-strewn alley next to a battered and broken phone box. Several panes of glass were missing from the graffiti-covered box, the receiver was dangling from a mostly severed cord, and the door seemed to be hanging by one hinge. Harry looked to his right as Hermione appeared next to him, soundlessly, and gave him a small, melancholy look. He waved her to the booth, and held the door open for her before he squeezed into it next to her. Under other circumstances...

I'm glad you didn't get such ideas fifth year, Hermione retorted with a tiny smile. Her expression faded as she realized what she had said. Harry just shook his head and squeezed her hand, before twisting enough to dial 6-2-4-4-2 on the ancient, rotary dial.

A soft, feminine voice filled the booth, "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your names and reasons for your visit."

"Harry Potter and Hermione...Granger," Harry replied into the receiver, catching himself in the nick of time, "Meeting with Auror Tonks."

Two badges fell from the change tray, "Please wear the badges at all times within the Ministry. All visitors are required to submit their wands for examination at the Security Desk at the end of the Atrium." The booth began to slowly lower into the ground, "Have a nice day and welcome to the Ministry of Magic."

The booth reached the Atrium and opened, and the two of them stepped out. Ron had not wanted to come, as he wanted to return to Quidditch practice for his game the next weekend. He was rather pleased as he had Ginny back to play, even though the majority of her housemates still refused to talk to her. She was taking the silence stoically. Ron had returned to Hogwarts with Ginny, Neville, Parvati and Lavender this morning. Remus had arrived moments later, taking Draco to wherever the Lycan had set up for the keeping of the ex-Slytherin. In the end, it had been decided that it would have been much less cruel to Kedavra Draco, than have him return to school, and Harry was adamant that Draco would not stay in Grimmauld if he were not there.

Hermione took his hand and allowed him to lead her past the Fountain of Magical Brethren, which she glared at, and towards the Security Desk. A sharp breath escaped from Harry's throat as he looked up and saw not only Tonks, who today, was in her 'natural' form, long black hair tied back in a tail, revealing multiply pierced ears, but another pair of familiar faces standing with her at the Security Desk, waiting for them. Her black eyes glittered softly as she glanced up at the tall, black wizard next to her, and then at a thin, balding red-haired man in simple black robes on her other side.

An old witch glowered at Harry and Hermione as they finished crossing the distance to Tonks, Kingsley and Arthur, muttering under her breath about 'Muggle-lovers'. A comment probably attendant to the fact that both teens were wearing jeans and t-shirts, a short white one in Hermione's case, and a black one with the WWW logo in Harry's case under armored Dragonhide jackets. Hermione glared at the old crone, the witch shut up, rapidly boarded a lift and vanished into the depths of the Ministry.

Harry gave Tonks a smile as he approached the desk. He started to draw his wand, "That won't be necessary, Eric," Arthur said quietly to the guard, "Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, are to have class A security access from now on, please log it." The guard turned and looked at the new Minister skeptically, but nodded and noted the order in the log. Hermione looked to Harry, her jaw hanging slightly slack, her eyes wide. Tonks and Kingsley did not seem surprised, however. They just nodded and turned towards the lifts as Arthur took a step towards Harry and Hermione. He frowned for an instant, before he reached out and pulled the two of them in for quick hug, "Come with me to my office, I would like to speak with you both."

Harry looked to Hermione, with a puzzled expression as they boarded the lift with the two Aurors and the Minister of Magic. Hermione reached over and brushed her fingers against his, Harry...Class A security clearance is the same as an active Auror...it entitles the bearer to skip the security checks in the Ministry. Harry's inquisitive look hardened and she shrugged, and waved towards Arthur.