In April, Ron could not believe that Malfoy had managed to catch up to Harry in the ten month auror training program, completing it in seven. The two had been assigned as partners once they matriculated the following month. Ron fumed about allowing that snake into the aurors and was sure Malfoy would stab Harry in the back the first chance he got. Upon learning his best friend had not fought the assignment and that Harry was in fact looking forward to working with Malfoy as opposed to any of the other trainees, Ron was apoplectic. Hermione was less surprised; she knew he'd always been just behind her in the class rankings, edging her out occasionally in potions and charms. She learned from Harry that Malfoy probably could have completed the program in even less time as he'd been forced to learn much of the spell work and techniques from Death Eaters. His other lessons and experiences combined with Harry's years fighting the Dark were likely to give them an edge over the other rookies.