An Auror's Work is Never Done

An Auror's Work is Never Done

Chapter 1 Dinner, Training, Planning, and Tryouts

"Miss Aurora! So nice to see you again."

"You too, Mr. Tom. How's business?"

"Good. Always picks towards the middle of summer with all the Hogwarts students. What can I get you? I just got in some of that raspberry tea you like."

"Sounds divine. Moody put us through the wringer today."

A few minutes later he sat the hot tea and a plate of buttered scones in front of me. "Here you go."

"You're the best. You're too good to me, Mr. Tom."

"Ehh. Nothing's too good for my favorite customer. Now tell Ole Tom what's the matter."

"Mr. Tom, if I told you..."

"I know, I know. You'd have to kill me." The toothless, ornery old man cackled at this exchange as always. We'd had the same conversation twice a week for the last month when I came in to unwind. Underneath the gruff exterior beat the heart of a teddy bear.

"So, how's that partner of yours? Haven't seen him lately."

"Same as always. He's been apartment, I mean flat hunting.

"I remember the first time I saw him in here. Right horrible little brat he was."

"He still is. Well, Hermione will be getting off in a few minutes. I'd better get going."

"See you Tuesday, miss."

I left a galleon on the table for the English tea and entered the back alley. Tapping the bricks I smiled thinking back to my first visit to Diagon Alley with Aunt Molly. Had it really only been a year earlier?

I walked into Florish and Blotts and found my query half hidden behind a stack of tomes.

"Mouse!"

Hermione must have jumped a foot. "Dancer, don't do that!" she admonished.

"Sorry. You ready?"

"Almost. Whose place are we eating at again?"

"Ours. Dragon mentioned something about coq au vin."

"Sounds delicious. I never would have pictured him as a cook."

"He prefers the term 'Food Artiste'. Besides anything's an improvement over what Red cooked last week. What was that by the way?"

"I'm still not sure. I was scared to ask."

We both broke out in giggles. I helped her close up shop and we apparated home. (Draco was staying with Hermione, Shawna, and me until he found a place of his own. It was a good thing Shawna and I didn't mind bunking together.) The delightful aroma of wine simmered chicken greeted my nose when we arrived.

"That smells utterly sinful, Dragon."

"Thanks, Sis. Ron and Harry should be here soon. Want to"

"Mix the salad? Sure thing. Is Shawna home yet?"

"She's in the shower. Some kid threw up on her. She couldn't get the scent out of her robes."

"Ew, gross." Shawna was a volunteer in the children's ward at St. Mungo's. She and Hermione would be starting medical school in August.

"So, Mouse, have you decided about the research position Moody offered you?" Draco asked.

"I owled him today with my acceptance. It is only 16 hours a week and it'll look great on my resume."

"Why do you think I volunteer at St. Mungo's, Herms?" Shawna quipped walking in.

"It's not the glamour I promise."

"You do it because you love kids."

"Oh, yeah. There is that. So, what's cooking, good looking?"

"Coq au vin wid a salade," Draco said in a horrible French accent.

"Anyone home?" a voice called from the living room.

"In the kitchen, Harry."

"How's my favorite girl?"

"I better be your only girl," I teased pulling him into a kiss.

"Not again. Mate, can't you even go two minutes?" Ron complained following Harry in.

"How was training?"

Draco answered. "Rough. I'm convinced Moody sits at home every night thinking of new ways to torture us."

"Next week'll be worse. We start Occlumency."

"If either of you need help let me know," Harry offered.

"We'll keep it in mind," Draco and I both said at the same time.

"I hate when you two do that," Ron grumbled.

"Sorry, mate. Can't be helped," Draco commented.

One month after leaving Hogwarts Draco and I had gone the next step in our brother/sister relationship. After discussing it with Professor Dumbledore and Dad we had performed the Sibling Blood Bond. It was the Wizard's version of the Blood Brother pact. We had gotten small rune tattoos on the inside of our right wrists. Mine translated to 'Sister' and Draco's read 'Brother'. While the tats were still bleeding we had rubbed them together, mixing our blood, and vowed to always be there for the other, to claim each other as blood. The ritual had created a deeper bond then anyone had anticipated. We could read the other's thoughts and feelings if we concentrated hard enough. Auror training had only increased the ability. Our friendship grew stronger with each passing day. The Marauders sometimes jokingly referred to us as The Other Twins.

"That was really good, Draco," Harry said putting his empty plate in the sink.

"Delish but your waffles are still my favorite," Shawna complimented.

"No, no. His beef stew," Hermione disagreed.

"I liked the lasagna he made two weeks ago," I replied.

"Oh, that WAS good," Shawna seconded.

"Girls, I'm glad you enjoy my cooking so much but I'm sure Harry and Ron would rather hear about my new flat."

"It's about bloody time! If you don't get out of this house soon these three will have you wearing nail polish any minute," Ron charged.

"I already do. Dancer did it yesterday. What do you think?" He showed off his newly acquired manicure and Midnight Escapades black nails.

"You let her..."

"You're wearing..."

"Hey! Women seem to love it. I had three gorgeous young ladies ask ME out today."

Shawna glared at him. I wasn't certain what was going on between the two. They flirted constantly but had yet to go out on a date.

"Anyway, I found a flat. It's four blocks from here. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, huge kitchen."

"When do we get to see it?" Hermione asked.

"Monday when you all help me move in. The people in it haven't left yet."

"Hopefully he'll turn back into a man without the girls' bad influence," Harry stage whispered to Ron.

"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," Draco pouted, flipping his silvery blonde hair over his shoulder.

"Trust me, we don't, Dragon."

We finished the evening listening and dancing to the Wizard's Wireless.

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Morning came no sooner than when I had closed my eyes it seemed. At least it was Friday. I got ready and walked sleepily into the kitchen.

"Your cappuccino, mademoiselle."

"Have I told you lately, Dragon, I adore you?"

"Hmm...not that I can recall."

"What am I going to do when you move out? You have me totally spoiled."

"You'll manage." Looking up at the clock Aunt Molly and Uncle Arthur had given us as a housewarming he said, "We need to hurry. Grab some toast."

We flooed to the Ministry of Magic and took the elevator to the second floor where Auror headquarters were located to report for duty.

"Today we will continue our physical training. I want all of you newbies to run 10 miles before lunch. Get going!" Moody barked. We ran.

After an hour break for lunch we went through the obstacle course twice, put in two hours of weight training, and one of self-defense. Relaxing in the hot sauna when classes were over I asked Draco, only half kidding, to tell me why we were killing ourselves again.

"Very funny. We both know you love it."

"Yeah. What can I say? I'm a masochist."

"I knew it! Ready for Occlumency Monday?"

"Not even. Like I want someone else delving that deep into my mind." Aurors Moody and Shacklebolt had both noticed early on Draco and my unusual ability. They had encouraged us to learn all we could about the Bond to strengthen it. Moody had told us it would serve us well on the field, giving us the advantage of stealth over our adversary since we didn't have to talk to communicate.

"I think we should talk to Harry. I don't fancy some bloke barging into my private thoughts either."

"Wonder who'll be teaching us?"

"Probably Shacklebolt. I hear he's good."

"Hmm. Well, I'm going to change. See ya at home."

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"Okay, let's see. We've invited all the Weasleys, Moony and Padfoot, everyone in the Order, all our Gryffindor friends, and a few people that helped in the Battle...That's 64 people!" Hermione counted. We were planning a surprise 18^th birthday party for Harry and Neville.

"That's a lot of food. Sandwiches and finger foods would be easiest."

"Draco's right. We can prepare it ahead and put freshness charms on it."

"Ginny and Neville are coming by for an early dinner around 4. Ron and Harry should be back from tryouts by then."

"I'll be in charge of entertainment," Shawna said.

"You can entertain me." Draco wriggled his eyebrows.

"You couldn't handle me, English boy."

"Behave or I'll separate you two."

"Yes, ma'am," they mocked.

Hermione, Shawna, Draco, and I finalized the party plans over the next forty minutes. Just as we put away the incriminating evidence Ron burst through the kitchen door. Running over to his girlfriend, he picked her up and swung her around.

"We did it! We made the team!"

"Wood must be more desperate than I'd realized," Draco smirked, trying to get a rise out of his redheaded friend.

"He was disappointed you two didn't show," Harry said walking in. "He actually told me I'd let the team down by letting you join the Auror program."

"Same old Wood," Hermione giggled. "Wait a minute. I thought Oliver played Keeper."

"He switched positions at the start of last year's season. He said he can direct plays easier as a Beater."

"Congratulations, guys. I'll have to cook something special. How's homemade pizza sound?"

"I knew I dated you for a reason," Harry joked, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Ha ha. Are y'all still trying out for the Cannons?"

"Uh huh. Wood said he'd give us two weeks to decide. He offered some very nice incentives too. Seven of the ten games are at home, the pay's excellent, we get a bonus when we sign on and if the team wins the championship."

"Don't forget if we make it to the World Cup next year."

"That's quite a benefits package. How is Oliver by the way?"

"Like you said Mouse, same old Wood only with a bigger Captain complex than before," Harry answered with a wry grin. "He yelled at us for 5 minutes when he realized Ron and I were alone. Ranted about what a great reserve Seeker Draco would've made and how the team's owner had fell in love with the way Aurora played in our last Gryffindor game."

"Poor baby. I guess he'll just have to get over it."