Harry Potter and the Secret Horcrux

Chapter Thirteen: Birthday Apparation Test

Harry awoke with a start due to the fact that Ron had just tossed a rather large present onto his stomach.

"Happy birthday," Ron said with a forced grin

Harry groaned as he tried to pull the cover a bit further over his head. Even if this was his birthday, he wasn't ready to face another day with Hermione. Her secret mission, as it turned out, was to teach Harry how to master nonverbal magic. She wasn't an expert, but Professor Flitwick and McGonagall had both praised her as the best of her age they had ever taught in the skill.

The Order suddenly felt this particular ability was extremely valuable if Harry had any hope of surviving future Death Eater attacks. While they didn't know Harry was in fact 'The Chosen One,' Dumbledore had left clear instructions that the Order was to protect him at all costs.

When Hermione had first approached Harry concerning this task, he hadn't been very receptive. The last person to try teaching him nonverbal magic had been Snape, when they had dueled the night of Dumbledore's murder. However, Hermione pointed out that nonverbal magic was important and Harry couldn't argue with her logic. If he had been able to master it, he might have been able to stop his former Potion's Master from escaping.

Hermione was a tough teacher, and her lessons and practice sessions had been grueling. When he wasn't practicing nonverbal magic, he was working on Apparation. The Ministry owls had notified Harry and Ron that they would taking their Apparation test on Harry's birthday. Coincidently it was the same day Ginny would be finishing the last of her OWLs.

"I'm not moving," Harry protested. "If Hermione asks tell her you haven't seen me."

Ron snickered, though there was bitterness to his reaction. "I'm not going to cover for you even if it is your birthday."

Harry groaned again before uncovering his head. "You're just excited about the Apparation test."

Ron turned slightly pink. "Well...it's not that important, but I am ready to move past it."

"And you're tired of Fred and George teasing you about it," Harry added, feeling a slight frustration because of Ron's tone.

"I've done it since then. It's not like I can't Apparate," Ron said shortly under his breath.
Things had been gradually improving between Ron and Harry over the past couple weeks, but it would be a lie to say things weren't still tense. They had both silently agreed to move past their disagreement the night London was attacked and start talking. It was the second attack on London in less than a month, and according to Lupin it was part of Voldemort's campaign of terror. Mr. Weasley had called it the worst form of Muggle baiting.

Harry let out a sigh as he reached for the present Ron had just tossed at him. He peeled back the paper and smiled.

"Thanks, mate," Harry grinned, as he held up a blazing orange Chudley Cannon scarf and a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Ron nodded as he sorted through a few more of Harry's gifts. "Looks like Kreacher sent you something."

"Chuck it," Harry said quickly. "I'm not in the mood for any maggots."

Ron shrugged as he flung the package across the room towards the rubbish bin; both of them snapped their heads towards the bin when the package let out a squeal on impact.

"Good call," Ron commented.

He then returned to his rummaging through Harry's presents. He picked up a medium size flat box and raised his eyebrows.

"Hermione's, right?" Harry asked. He was willing to bet it was another book.

"Bet it's one on nonverbal magic," Ron said, as if he knew exactly what Harry was thinking.

Harry tore the packaging off and sure enough Hermione's gift was Edgor's Guide to Nonverbal Magic. Harry laid it off to the side before turning to his other gifts. Ron suddenly paused and his eyes caught Harry's.

"What?" Harry asked, as Ron frowned.

Harry glanced down at the box Ron had just paused at and picked it up.

Ron sucked in a deep breath. "It's from Ginny."

Harry grimaced at Ron's frigid tone. The moment was interrupted when somebody knocked at the door.

"Harry, I was hoping to have a word," Lupin greeted, as he peeked in.

Ron pulled himself to his feet. "I was just leaving."

He brushed by Lupin without glancing back at Harry. Lupin gave him an inquiring look, but Harry's expression made it evident that he didn't want to talk about it.

Lupin took a seat at the foot of Harry's bed and picked up the book Hermione had given him. "It's a good read, lots of helpful tips in mastering nonverbal magic."

Harry shrugged as he slipped the box Ginny had given him out of sight under his pillow.

Lupin smiled. "It's not everyday a man comes of age, and I've made you a promise."

"The Order?" Harry asked in a steady voice.

Lupin nodded. "I wish there were a more formal way of inviting you to join, but there isn't. Be that as it may, there will be stipulations to your membership."

"The same as Hermione's?" Harry asked.

Lupin hesitated for a moment. "Basically, we can't have our untrained members rushing off into battle. It's more important that you focus on your studies and NEWTs."

"Because when I face Voldemort he's going to want to know what my NEWT scores were," Harry retorted.

Lupin sighed. "Harry, you need more training, more education. We elected Hermione to work with you on nonverbal magic because we felt you might pay attention to her a bit more than you would a professional tutor. We can't have you rushing off on raids just yet. It doesn't matter about the prophecy or if you're the 'Chosen One', You Know Who is going to come after you again and you have to be ready. The Order must protect you at all cost."

"Because that is what Dumbledore wanted," Harry finished.

Lupin frowned. "Harry, if he has... Horcruxes...If we've underestimated what he's willing to do..."

"You have," Harry snapped. "It doesn't matter if I can Transfigure a chair or brew a draught. What I need, Hogwarts can't give me."

Lupin shook his head. "We had an agreement. I'm living up to my end and I expect you to live up to yours."

"I'm going to be able to sit in on meetings, but I'm still not allowed to do anything. From where I'm standing I don't see much change," Harry said bitterly.

"I didn't say you'd never be able to do anything," Lupin corrected. "The reason the Order works is because we all follow the tasks given us. There are no 'little' assignments."

"What about Ron?" Harry asked quickly. He was unsure if he should be angry or glad about being asked to join the Order. Lately, he felt the Order was as clueless as the Ministry when it came to this war, but he knew if he joined the Order and Ron wasn't allowed to that it would make their current situation worse.

Lupin grinned as he rose to his feet. "Arthur is working on it, but Molly isn't convinced.... yet."

"There is also the matter of your estate, and since you're officially of age, I can now tell you about Porter Glen," Lupin continued. "Now, I realize that you are already aware of this property. Hagrid will be by a bit later to hand you the keys and titles of your parents' remaining estate. Dumbledore entrusted him with all those effects as part of his responsibility as the Keeper of the Keys."

Lupin made a motion to stand. "Kingsley and Moody are going to escort you, Ron and Ginny to the Ministry for your testing." He paused. "Are you nervous?"

"No," Harry answered honestly. In truth he wasn't nervous. He was comfortable Apparating, even if he didn't like doing it.

Lupin smiled and made a gesture to leave. "Molly has cooked some breakfast downstairs, though personally, I find it easier to Apparate on an empty stomach."

Mrs. Weasley had out done herself in preparing breakfast, cooking a variety of Harry's favorites, including her famous bacon, eggs, toast and jam. At the table, Mr. Weasley sat reading a copy of the Daily Prophet next to Tonks, who was flipping through a file of some sort.

"Harry, happy birthday," Mrs. Weasley said kindly, as she engulfed Harry in a hug. "I know you're nervous about your Apparation test, but I'm sure you'll do fine."

Harry took a seat and grabbed some bacon without responding.

"Where are Ron and Ginny?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a heavy voice. "They're going to need to eat something to manage their strength."

"Wotcher, Harry," Tonks greeted when she looked up from her file. "Having a good birthday so far? Not everyday a young man comes of age."

Harry nodded. "Thank you for the Sugar Quills," Harry said, remembering the box of assorted Quills he had opened earlier.

Tonks shrugged. "I can't take the credit; Hermione suggested them."

Ginny appeared at the door, looking overly exhausted with a book under her arm.

"Long night, dear?" Mr. Weasley asked her.

Ginny grunted as she collapsed into a chair next to Harry and grabbed a crumpet off the closest tray. She passed Harry a tired look before snatching the bacon out of his loose grip.

"Hermione's been helping you study again?" Harry asked, but it was more of a statement than a question.

Ginny let out a sarcastic laugh as she poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice and snatched up another crumpet. Breakfast passed quickly, and it seemed like in no time at all, they were putting on their traveling cloaks and preparing to journey to the Ministry of Magic. They were taking a direct Floo Connection, which Moody had organized.

"I hope we get to Apparate back," Ron said bitterly, as he watched Ginny grab a handful of Floo Powder.

Ginny tossed the power into the fireplace and shouted, "The Ministry of Magic." A swirl of green flames twirled around her, and in an instant, she was gone. Ron went next, followed by Kingsley.

"You next, Potter," Moody barked.

Harry couldn't help but agree with Ron. While he didn't particularly like Apparating, he found it slightly more agreeable than Flooing. Harry watched the flames start at his feet and sweep him away. He came crashing out at his destination, landing on his knees before letting out an ash-ridden cough.

Harry quickly moved out of the way, realizing that Moody would be following close behind. A moment later, Mad-Eye Moody hobbled out of the fireplace. He quickly shook out his sleeves then jerked his head, an indication that they should follow him. The fireplace was located near the main lobby of the Ministry and when they reached the lobby, Moody went over to notify the witch behind the receptionist desk of their intentions.

"Hello," said a voice that Harry knew was too dreamy to belong to anybody but Luna Lovegood.

"Luna," Ginny greeted, as a girl with dark blond hair and a butterbeer cap necklace approached.

"Are you here to take your OWLs too? I hear they decided to make us take our OWLs at the Ministry because there is a Banshee problem at Hogwarts."

Ron gave Harry a skeptical look as Luna leaned in a little closer. "It's all being kept very secret because with all the chaos going on with the Death Eaters they don't want to cause any further panic. Personally, I'd rather take my OWLs here; the Tither Winkers were very distracting."

"Tither Winkers?" Ron asked slowly, glancing at Harry with a tinge of regret from asking.

"Oh yes, they're little light fairies that try to distract people who are taking tests. Hogwarts is infested with them," Luna explained. "Dumbledore had been trying to devise a charm to repel them for years."

Harry felt a hard lump develop in his throat at the mention of Dumbledore, and to his surprise, Luna placed a sympathetic hand on his arm.

"Don't worry, he's all right, you know," Luna said with a small smile before turning towards Ginny. "I suppose we should be going. We don't want to be late."

"I'll keep with them," Kingsley said firmly, as he escorted Ginny and Luna towards the lifts.

A few memos whizzed past them and Moody ushered them in the opposite direction.

They entered a small room with table and chairs that reminded Harry of the Leaky Cauldron. Moody pushed a scroll and pen into Harry's hand.

"You'll need to sign this," Moody barked before hobbling over to the fat witch sitting at a desk on the far side of room.

"I already signed one," Ron commented when Harry glanced over at him. "When I took my test the first time.

Beware That The Ministry of Magic Takes NO Responsibility for Accidents that May Occur During the Testing Process, and All Apparating Testing is Done at Your Own Discretion...

Rule #1 Apparating Licenses can be revoked at anytime, at the Ministry's Discretion

Rule #2 The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 percent. Anything higher will result in serious injury to the Apparator. Don't Drink and Apparate, you have been warned.

Rule # 3 Wizards and Witches are forbidden from Apparating into private homes of witches and wizards without granted permission. Such action will result in immediate termination of Apparating privileges.

Rule #4 Wizards and Witches are strictly forbidden to Apparate in the presence of Muggles who are unaware of the Wizarding world. A prison sentence of no less than two months is the punishment for such actions.

You understand and agree to the rules and warnings stated above

X_________________________________________________

Harry quickly signed his name and followed Moody and Ron. The fat old witch glanced at them with a questioning look.

"This is your second test, is it not?"

Ron nodded before blushing slightly.

"Very well, you may proceed," the fat old witch sneered as she pointed to a nearby door that said 'Testing.'

Ron gave Harry one last fleeting look before departing. She then turned towards Harry. She studied him closely, letting her eyes rest on his forehead, before picking at her teeth and pausing.

"Date of your seventeenth birthday?"

"I just turned seventeen today," Harry said.

The witch glanced at Moody who was leaning on the corner of her desk.

"The law states he has to be seventeen and he is," Moody growled. "Do we have a problem?"

"Do you understand that if something horrific happens, such as you end up splinching yourself in two, The Ministry of Magic and the Apparating Licensing Department is not responsible for any hospital bills or funeral charges incurred."

Harry blinked as he heard Moody snap. "He knows. Signed the paper, didn't he?"

'What the hell would I know," she muttered, taking his clipboard and hanging it on the wall behind her, "we'll call you when we're ready."

Harry followed Moody across the room and took a seat next to him on a bench. Moody snapped open his flask and took a swig before checking his pocket watch.

"Lupin told you about tonight then?" Moody asked.

Harry didn't answer. He assumed there was an Order meeting and that was what Moody was hinting about, but he didn't want to appear overly anxious. Moody's eye swirled around rapidly before he growled in a barely audible voice.

"You won't be the only new face tonight."

"What?" Harry asked before he could help himself.

Moody nodded before leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes. Harry took the hint that the conversation had ended and he shifted on the uncomfortable bench. The wait was painful and it seemed like an eternity had passed before Ron finally reappeared.

"I passed!" Ron announced. "Fred and George can't say anything about me not being able to Apparate now, perfect marks and everything."

Moody gave a brutal heave but showed no other emotion.

"Congratulations," Harry offered, but before he could say anything else a sickly looking man in a strange looking hat called his name.

"Mr. Harry Potter."

Harry gave Ron an unsure look before approaching the man. The man's eyes appraised Harry, resting briefly on his scar, before ushering him forward. Less than half an hour later Harry left through the same doorway he had entered.

"How'd you do?" Ron asked immediately.

Harry grinned. "You had doubts?"

"No time to dawdle, we have future engagements. Where is Kingsley?" Moody grumbled as he hobbled towards the hallway.

"It was a bit different this time, no Apparating outside, he just had me Apparate through a wall," Ron started.

Harry nodded to indicate his test went about the same.

"I'm just glad we're done with the whole deliberation, divination and desperation or whatever the hell it is."

"Get a move on," Moody barked at them.

Kingsley approached looking a bit tired. "It's taking them a bit longer on their OWLs than expected. I'll bring Ginny back, you three go on ahead."

Moody raised his eyebrows before finally conceding with a jerk of the head. "Send word before you Floo. We can't be too careful."

Ron suddenly frowned. "You mean we have to Floo back?"

Moody's eye whizzed around and snapped still on Ron. "You think a wizard with a newly acquired Apparation License is qualified to Apparate into one of the most charmed locations in the wizarding world?"

"We've done it before," Ron retorted.

Moody barked with laughter before giving Ron a shove in the direction of the fireplace. Harry couldn't help but smirk at the sight and he had a feeling that the Flooing was more for entertainment than necessity this time around.

It was nearly noon when they finally arrived back at Grimmauld Place and the place was buzzing with Order members. Hagrid greeted Harry with an enormous bear hug before tearfully giving him his parents' remaining estate, which included the official key to the Potter vault in Gringotts and the deed to Porter Glen.

"Can't believe yer all grown up," Hagrid said weakly. "Seems like just yesterday you were comin ter Hogwarts for the firs' time."

"Thanks Hagrid," Harry said awkwardly as Hagrid blew his nose into an over-sized handkerchief.

"S'pose we'll be celebratin' yer birthday with the meetin," Hagrid said straightening up. "Might be a little surprise waitin. But yeh didn' hear tha' from me."

"Hagrid, can I have a word?" Charlie called from across the room and Hagrid moved his oversize hand on Harry's back and left to go chat with Bill.

"Wonder what surprise he's talking about?" Ron said over Harry's shoulder.

He looked bitter and Harry felt a sinking sensation that his fear was realized and Ron was not going to be allowed to join the Order. He glanced over his shoulder at Ron and saw Hermione sitting on the sofa, looking distraught.

Harry jerked his head in Hermione direction. "Did you two have another row?"

Ron frowned. "No, not really... She's just worried about you."

"About me?" Harry asked.

Ron nodded. "Now that you're of age she's afraid you're going to run off without telling anybody."

Harry blinked; did they really think him that daft?

"You aren't planning on running off, are you?" Ron continued, looking a tad anxious.

Harry shook his head quickly. "Of course not. Do I look insane? Where would I go?"

"I think a lot of people are worried about you taking off on this quest. Probably why they're all so anxious to let you join the Order."

"They let Hermione join too," Harry supplied, instantly regretting it.

"Yeah, well it's not like I'm not involved in this... Order or not," Ron replied, looking as if Harry had just slapped him across the face.

Harry gave Ron an apologetic smile. "Yeah, mate, you're in this with me and I'm not running off. Besides, last time I left I took you with me, didn't I?"

"Hello boys," Mr. Weasley greeted. "Harry, if you don't mind."

"Not at all."

Harry started over towards Hermione when a pair of arms seized him from behind and flung him into a hug.

"You passed," Ginny said hastily. "Kingsley just told me."

"Yeah, err... so did Ron," Harry replied, wondering why Ginny had decided to greet him with a hug. She looked as if she expected Harry to say something, but he couldn't figure out what it was he was supposed to say.

Ginny's smile faded a bit. "Bill's here. He said he has some news about the medallions. He's going to tell me after the meeting tonight."

"Did he say anything else?" Harry pushed.

Ginny shook her head, "Nope, I wish I was allowed to attend the meeting tonight. I'm so tired of being 'left out' of everything."

Harry noticed her place emphasis on the phrase 'left out' but he wasn't foolish enough to respond. He liked being on friendly terms with Ginny again and he wasn't anxious to be drawn into the same old argument again.

Moody hobbled towards the kitchen door and Harry noticed everybody starting to follow him. Hermione took hold Harry's hand and started pulling him along.

"Come on, the meeting is about to start," Hermione insisted as Harry resisted her tug.

Harry suddenly felt the urge not to go. Joining the Order was something that didn't seem important anymore and he couldn't see how his membership would benefit anybody, especially if he wasn't going to be able to go on any raids or missions.

Hermione studied him, "Everything all right?"

"I don't know," Harry said honestly in a whisper. "What if they only want me in the Order so I'll tell them about you know what?"

"Don't be ridiculous. They know you aren't going to tell them," Hermione retorted as he gave Harry's hand another tug. Even though he didn't feel much better about Hermione's logic, he gave in.