Chapter 2 - Harry's Apparation Test

The morning of Harry’s apparition test arrived; Tonks watched Harry slump down the stairs nervously and attempt to eat carpet-toast in vain.

“Harry you’ll be fine, I failed miserably but I was really rubbish at Apparating before.” Tonks tried to comfort Harry, but he didn’t seem to hear a word she said.

“Tonks, do you honestly think he’s going to pass this test?” asked Lupin, appearing suddenly and taking her to one side.

Tonks didn’t know what to say. Harry was good enough to pass the test, but he didn’t have the confidence.

“Oh Remus, I wish there was some way to boost his confidence!” she whispered in reply. “Can you say something to him?”

Remus looked slightly hesitant at the idea of approaching Harry with comfort at this time.

“What would I say? I’m not Siri-“ But Tonks cut him off.

“Don’t you dare say that! Besides, you’re as good as, now go! Do your comforting thing that parental-like people do.”

Tonks watched Remus walk timidly over to Harry, pointlessly nervous. She sighed and smiled, Remus was awfully cute sometimes.

“Erm… Harry I… I’m sure you’ll do fine on this test,” said Lupin. Harry looked up.

“On what evidence do you base that opinion?” he asked, looking pitifully hopeless.

“Oh Harry, there’s no need to go all High-Court-Judge on me. You’re good at Apparition and… well… I believe in you.”

Tonks found herself suppressing a laugh.

How cheesy can you get? She thought. Harry looked like he wanted to laugh as well.

“Well erm… if you say so… I’ll give it my best shot,” Harry smiled.

Remus cheered, “Excellent! Exactly the attitude! C’mon, it’s time to go, good luck! Tonks is going to be there for you!”

Tonks stood up and stumbled over the table-leg in Harry’s direction.

“Ready?” she asked. Harry nodded and walked out of the kitchen, a slight essence of confidence in his step. Tonks winked at Remus on her way out and saw him blush slightly, winking back.

Harry was exceptionally quiet on the way to the ministry, his nerves increasing with every step he took. It seemed only a few seconds after leaving that Tonks and Harry were standing in front of an examiner, on top of a random hill in the country outside the ministry.

“Righto, which one of you is taking the test?” asked the examiner. Harry raised his hand slightly; he seemed unable to speak.

The examiner pushed Harry into a line next to the other young men and woman taking the test. Tonks stood on the outskirts, watching curiously.

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I am Mr. Karlyle, you apparition examiner. There’s no need to be afraid, everything will be fine!” Mr. Karlyle smiled at everyone in front of him patronisingly, then picked up a pile of wooden hoops.

“The first test will be very simple and safe, just to make sure all of you remember how to apparate. I am placing these hoops 5 metres in front of you. You must apparatye into the hoop with as much control as possible, if you get my meaning…”

Before anyone could register what Mr. Karlyle had said, he was counting down from five. Tonks watched Harry panic, then ready himself, concentrating hard on the hoop.

“3… 2… 1!” Tonks took a sharp breath in and watched Harry turn on the spot. She closed her eyes and waited for that distinct popping sound.

She opened her eyes and saw a rather surprised looking Harry twisting around in a green hoop. She laughed out loud at the look on his face and he looked at her as if to say: “shut up…”

“Excellent excellent,” said the examiner, smiling at them all again. “Now onto the REAL test! There is a rather nice little rose garden a little way from here, you can just see it from up on this hill. I would like you all to Apparate by the fountain in the center, take your time!”

It took a few moments for these words to sink in. Why was he making the test so hard, so suddenly? Tonks knew that the test was hard, but she gave Harry an encouraging wink. He smiled slightly and began concentrating on the rose garden.

Tonks watched him for several minutes. A few other’s suddenly popped away into the distance, whether they splinched or not she didn’t know. But Harry was obviously taking great care.

Suddenly, Tonks blinked and Harry as gone. She jumped and peered into the distance. Harry had been the last to apparate, hopefully he hadn’t gone wrong… She and Mr. Karlyle apparated into the Rose garden and looked around. Around half of the people being examined were scattered around the fountain. Other’s appeared out of hedges nearby, looking thoroughly annoyed. Professor Karlyle was already tending to few a legs that seemed to have misplaced their bodies. But where was Harry?

“Erm… I think I concentrated on the fountain a little too much…” said a voice above Tonks’ head. She looked up and her mouth fell open.

Harry was standing on top of the fountain, smirking slightly. Tonks burst out laughing as Mr. Karlyle peered up at him, also smirking slightly.

“Well… I suppose that counts… yes I can count that! Which means you’ve passed, well done!” he said.

Tonks was still laughing at Harry. He looked like someone in a great position of authority, trying not to look too pleased with himself. Mr. Karlyle waved his wand and a certificate appeared in Harry’s hand, along with a license. Giggling tremendously, Tonks watched Harry climb down from the fountain and Apparated back to the Burrow.

As soon as Tonks appeared, Remus charged forward.

“Did he pass? What happened?”

Tonks didn’t answer, but smiled. A small popping noise came from behind her and Remus cheered. Harry was restricting his muscles so he didn’t beam like a child, a golden certificate sparkling in his right hand.

Remus ran forward and hugged Harry briefly, congratulating him along with others.

“See Remus, I knew you could do it,” Tonks whispered in Remus’ ear.

“Do what?” he asked, looking confused.

“He couldn’t have done it if you hadn’t said just a few words to him this morning. I know it seems like so little to you, but I saw it in his face. He really appreciates you y’know!”

Tonks smiled kindly at Remus, then left he and Harry to feel pleased with themselves without anyone else knowing how secretly proud they were.