"Auror's Oath"
by Christine Anderson
aka Lilly Malfoy

She remembers feeling a lot of things on that day, and pride not least of all. But at the start there was mostly only nervousness, anxiety, and not a little fear.

She's reading when it begins, when Alastor comes to see her.

"Hey, sweetheart."

She looks up with a smile. "Hi."

"The Aurors' Council wants to see us- Well, you, actually."

Her hands shake as she sets the book aside. "The Council? Me?"

"Yep. Full formal robes required." For the first time she notices that he is wearing his; dress robes in Auror blue, and the formal cloak to which his badge is pinned.

"Full formal-? Alastor, what's going on?"

"Can't tell you that. Orders."

Penelope sighs, but she finds his tone and expression both reassuring. He isn't worried about this, and that tells her she shouldn't be, either.

"Alright. I'll go change."

He catches hold of her hand as she brushes past him. "Trust me, sweetheart."

"Always," she says.

He kisses her hand. "It'll be alright."

She doesn't doubt him, but it's hard to face the Aurors' Council without fear. These people hold the power to deny Penelope Clearwater her greatest dreams, and it is impossible to forget that. She stands before them trying not to shake, as Alastor takes his seat amongst the other senior Aurors who make up the council.

She knows these people, some of them quite well, but friendship and even love do not matter so much in this room. Amelia Bones, the chair of the council, is regarding her now as if she is a stranger.

"You are Apprentice Auror Penelope Clearwater?"

"Yes, ma'am," Penelope answers.

"You are a student of council member Alastor Moody?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Amelia Bones nods. "The council has been reviewing your record of late, Ms. Clearwater."

Her heart is pounding. She's always tried to do well, but she knows she's made mistakes. There are, Penelope realizes, any number of things in her record which the council might take exception to... But Bones is going on, and there is no hint of reprimand in her tone.

"As your teacher, it falls to Auror Moody to inform you of our decision. Alastor?"

Amelia Bones sits, and Alastor Moody stands. Unlike Bones, he moves around the table to stand with her.

He speaks, and she almost can't hear him for the blood that's pounding in her ears.

"Apprentice Clearwater, would you raise your right hand, please?"

Penelope feels her hand lifting of its own accord, so accustomed has she become to following orders spoken in that voice, an Auror's tone of command.

Not a reprimand at all, she realizes, stunned.

"Will you swear yourself to the defense of the wizarding world, against all dark forces that might wish to harm it or its citizens?"

"I will," she says.

"Will you swear yourself, in heart, in mind, in body, and in soul, to the opposition of the Dark forces in any and all guises they might take?"

"I will."

"Will you swear to uphold the Aurors' Code, and strive to embody its tenants to the best of your ability?"

"I will."

"Then repeat after me..."

She knows the words to this oath by heart, has been studying them for years in preparation for this moment. But a part of her has feared- stupidly, illogically, and she's Ravenclaw enough to realize that- that this day would never come.

"I, Penelope Cassandra Clearwater, do solemnly swear..."

When she has spoken the oath, Alastor carefully pins a silver Auror's badge to her cloak. "Congratulations, Penelope."

"Thank you," she whispers. Glancing down at her badge, running her fingers over it as if she's not sure it's real. She isn't, really. "...Am I dreaming?"

He laughs. "No, sweetheart, you're not."

Penelope hears Amelia dismiss the council without really hearing it. Her feet feel so far off the ground that right now, she wouldn't need a broom or a levitation spell in order to fly.

And then she is flying, as Alastor lifts her up in his arms and spins her around. Penelope laughs, her head thrown back. "Alastor!"

"Hmm?" he asks, grinning.

Penelope, still laughing, shakes her head. "Would you like to put me down now?"

He chuckles. "Not really." Alastor kisses her forehead and sets her back on her feet. "I am so proud of you, Auror Clearwater," he says. "You should be, too."

Penelope smiles. "I am."