Life As We Know It

The next morning, Ron and Harry arrived at work, back in their traditional work robes. Ron was still ranting over the latest Chudley Cannon's match.

"I can't believe that score! There's no way that Keeper could have blocked all those shots. The goals must have had a spell on them. The Wanderers should have never won. And besides, what kind of a mascot is a Wanderer? Someone who meanders around, not really doing anything? Ridiculous! They shouldn't be allowed to play Quidditch!"

Harry managed to not crack a smile at Ron's outrage as they rounded the corner into the Auror office. He knew Ron would be talking about the match all day, conversing through the cubicle wall that separated them. Their proximity at work was both a blessing and a curse.

Before they could sit down, they were confronted by Hermione and Cho Chang, who were leaving the office. "Emergency meeting, boys," Hermione said. "Entire department," she added, as Ron and Harry joined the girls on their way to the large meeting room down the hall.

"What's this all about?" Harry asked as they entered the hall and found seats.

Cho shrugged. "Beats me. Nearly got attacked by that damn memo as it came in, though, so I expect it's quite important."

Harry laughed. Flying memos were hazardous at times, depending on the urgency with which it was sent. When he and Ron got bored at work, they had been known to send memos hurtling at each other's heads. Or into Hermione's cubicle, which typically didn't please her. Of course, that didn't make it any less amusing for the boys. Ever since Ron decided he fancied Hermione back at Hogwarts, much of his time had been devoted to playfully torturing her. They had made a wonderful couple, as everyone noticed, especially at their last Yule Ball together. But when graduation arrived, not even love could hold Hermione back; she was off to travel the world. And of course, practical Hermione had decided that because of this, perhaps their relationship should end. Harry had suspected, of course, that when she returned, everything would go back to the way it was. The way it should be. And, as it appeared to him, the way it currently was, though his friends hadn't bothered to confirm his suspicions.

The back door to the hall opened and the Minister of Magic entered, followed by a group of wizards and witches. The room did not fall into silence; rather, the assembled began to whisper. It was never a good sign when the Minister of Magic himself presided over an emergency meeting.

Ron tried to get a closer look at the assembled group. There was Neville Longbottom, who worked for the Department of International Magical Cooperation. He appeared to be surrounded by counterparts from other countries. Not a good sign at all. Something caught his eye in the back group of people. A flash of red. He squinted, and then his eyes widened. He elbowed Hermione.

"Look," he hissed. "It's Ginny!"

She nodded, her eyes wide, placing a finger on her lips to silence him. Ron shook his head. On his other side, Harry looked just as bemused.

The Minister cleared his throat. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I do appreciate it. As you know, there has been a flurry of dark activity in recent weeks, and it seems to be building. A few weeks ago, we decided to do something about it." He gestured to the group behind him. "I would like to introduce you to my task force. It is comprised of witches and wizards from all areas of the ministry, and likely not those you would expect to see in such a group," he said, looking at Harry. "We wanted this group to be as unpredictable as possible."

Hermione looked at Harry and Ron in bewilderment. "I had no idea," she mouthed. "You?"

They shook their heads.

"Now," the Minister continued. "We have divided everyone up into groups for the next phase of our plan. Not a full blown attack, but more of a preventative measure. Some of you will be going out and following these dark wizards, others will stay here and help erect protective barriers. Each group will be advised by members of my task force, to be named later today."

He continued to speak, outlining the basic plan, though leaving all details to be discussed later. Less than an hour later, Hermione, Ron, and Harry walked out of the meeting together.

Ron just shook his head. "Who knew? I can't believe she didn't tell me. You didn't know either, Harry?"

He shook his head, appearing slightly angry. "No."

"Mi?" Ron asked

She also shook her head. "You'd have thought I'd have figured something out, noticed something, anything." Hermione wasn't used to being out of the loop.

"Yeah, well we've all been a little preoccupied, now, haven't we," Harry said with dark sarcasm before sitting down at his desk and pulling out a quill.

Hermione and Ron kept walking and raised their eyebrows at each other. What was up with him?