Harry's Future

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

It was well past midnight when Harry was finally ushered through the door of the Black house, his house in fact, by the house elf Kreacher. It had been a hectic, exhausting day. It began in the office of the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt where he was offered, and accepted, the position of Chief of Aurors. The proposal that Harry had prepared by direction of the Minister on how to reorganize the Magical Law Enforcement department had impressed the Minister and others so much that they insisted that he take on the task in full by becoming the Chief.

His agreement precipitated a series of events that had him in this conference room or that until only a few moments before he arrived home. After he had agreed to accept the position he was introduced to a middle aged wizard by the name of Abernathy Grimsson. He was the newly appointed Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The previous Director, the dour former Auror that had interviewed Harry the year before had only been a temporary appointee and the Minister had decided he had really overstayed his time. The conversation between Grimsson and Harry was one he would remember for a long time.

"Well, Harry, I have to say I'm very pleased to be working with you. We all know your legend but I've been given a thorough briefing by various Ministry employees who know you and I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with the department."

"Thank you, Mr. Grimsson. Are you coming from a different department here at the Ministry?" Harry asked.

"No, Harry, at least not now. I left this very department over ten years ago. I was having difficulties staying in step with how the other magical races were being treated and I've been in private law practice until the Minister contacted me last week about coming back. This is the important part, Harry. It's going to be my task to oversee the revamping of the legal system as regards the other magical races. I'm going to rely on you completely to handle restructuring your department and that includes bringing the other enforcement offices into the fold. If you need any help, come see me, but I'm expecting you to operate as independently as possible."

"Yes, sir, I understand," Harry replied.

"There is one other matter I'd like to discuss with you, Harry."

"Yes, sir."

"I'm given to understand that you are a good friend of Hermione Granger, yes?" Grimsson asked.

"Yes, sir. She is one of my two best friends. In fact it goes quite a bit further then just friends, she's practically family," Harry replied with a small grin.

"I see. Well, can you tell me, Harry, what you think of Hermione?"

Harry was somewhat taken aback by the question and had to think a moment. He had said things about Hermione in front of family and friends but never in a situation like this before. He took a breath and then said,

"Hermione is the most intelligent, dedicated and hardest working person I've ever known. In the years I've known her she's demonstrated courage and loyalty more times then I can count and I've said this before, she deserves every bit as much credit for the demise of Voldemort and the Death Eaters as I've been given. I'm glad for every day I've been able to call her my friend."

The new Director looked at Harry for a moment and then nodded briefly.

"I'm glad you said that, Harry. It's my intention to ask Hermione to accept a position as my special assistant. I read her report on the status of the other magical races and it impressed me a great deal. What you just said confirms what I had thought. Thank you."

"You're welcome, sir, I'm looking forward to working with you," Harry said.

After that he took part in a nearly continuous series of meetings as the Minister continued his revamping of the entire Ministry. It wasn't until almost six in the evening before he had a chance to sit down and gather his thoughts. He was doing this over a cup of tea and a sandwich in the small room that served as the canteen for the Ministry. Harry was getting the impression that whoever designed the building and its rooms must have thought the place was going to be used by house elves. He recalled the rooms they went through that terrible night that Sirius died were all pretty large but those for the average Ministry employee were barely more than closets. He finished his brief meal and made his way to his new office.