The Minister's Tale

CHAPTER 6- A DECISION IS MADE

"When I heard that Dumbledore had hired Remus Lupin as his new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I was convinced that I would have to tell you then. I felt my good friend would see you and know instantly that you were the son of Caradoc Dearborn. I waited for you to come home and ask me about Remus. You never did. Perhaps Lupin was distracted about the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban prison. Perhaps he was concerned about the safety of Harry Potter. Or perhaps because you wore hair so long that year, he never noticed your face. You came home at the end of the school term and told me that Lupin was dismissed because of an 'undisclosed ailment' and that was all you ever said about him."

"The next year the Ministry was in an uproar about the Tri-well actually Quad-wizard Tournament. As a result, the disappearance of a ministry employee was never fully researched. I pressed Cornelius Fudge for a full investigation. I wanted to send our best agents to Albania. Fudge turned my request down." Caradoc made a small noise from the back of the throat. He turned to his son and spoke in the velvet tone of the former Minister of Magic.

"Well, Adrocca I am DEEPLY concerned as you are. But our budget is tight and we don't want to send anyone on a wild goose chase, do we? And besides, if not as if Bertha Jorkins hasn't gotten lost before. She will turn up." Caradoc made another sound and the soft Irish brogue returned.

"Well Tierney, the tournament ended in tragedy and discord. When Fudge came back from Hogwarts after the third and final task, he was furious at Dumbledore. He ranted and raved for a full five minutes at a Senior Staff meeting about how Dumbledore was telling everyone how The Dark Lord had returned, that Harry Potter claimed to have seen him and that Potter was claiming Young Mr. Riddle caused the death of Cedric Diggory. He was using all the old sayings. I must have heard 'He Who Must Not Be Named' fifteen times. He was in fine form when I made what some would call a career-ending mistake."

Tierney spoke from deep in his chair. "What did you do?"

"I told the minister that I believed Dumbledore. I told him that the Ministry should not dispute the greatest headmaster in the history of Hogwarts. I told him to increase the number of Obliviators and Aurors immediately. Fudge looked at me and said nothing. The next day he called me into his office." Caradoc stopped for a second. He glanced up at the portraits of the former Head Obliviators and smiled. He looked back down at his son.

"Fudge softly closed the door and began to scream at me. He said it was clear I was not thinking clearly and asked me if I really wanted to be re-assigned to a less stressful division. He so badly wanted to fire me right then and there but because he had lost Barty Crouch and was down one Senior Staff person, he couldn't afford to lose another. He told me I had hurt him deeply for my lack of loyalty to him. After a few minutes of whining and yelling, he dismissed me asking that I not be in his line of sight for a while. I went back to my office and I had an owl waiting for me. It was from Dumbledore. Simply put, he heard that I had allied myself with him within the Ministry and that though there was an opening in the Order of the Phoenix, I could serve the Order where I was. He wanted me to stay and report on the doings of the Minister. He felt that with both Arthur Weasley and I at the Ministry we would be able to keep the Order informed. So I became a spy for Dumbledore and for the Order."

Tierney quickly moved forward in his chair. His voice could not contain his pleasure

"So all this time you have been in touch with Dumbledore? Impressive."

Caradoc face showed no pleasure. He looked down at his desk. Tierney leaned back in his chair looking confused at his father's reaction.

"I wanted to quit, but Dumbledore ordered me to remain here. I did what he asked of me. Thought I was on Fudge's long list of bad employees, I told him about the day-to-day events of the ministry. He, in return, told me about the events at Hogwarts. And he told me about you. He told me what an outstanding student you are, clearly a much better student that me. He noted that both his friends and his enemies had noticed your potential. I knew that soon, I would have to tell you everything. I was planning to tell you last spring but the break in at the Department of Mysteries occurred. Tell me Tierney, how much do you know about that night?"

Tierney leaned forward in his chair and spoke up to his father.

"Only that Fudge said Voldemort had indeed returned and that you spent a lot more time alone after that. What really happened?"

Caradoc smiled. "Two unlikely groups broke into the Department of Mysteries. One of course was the Death Eaters. They were chasing a bunch of students from Hogwarts. I had heard about this 'Dumbledore's Army' but no one thought they would have the ability to get into the Ministry. A battle took place within these walls when the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix arrived. In the battle Sirius Black was killed. Witnesses say it was Bellatrix Lestrange that hit him. And I felt such pain, Tierney. It was like I was reliving your mother's own death. Because-- "

Tierney heard his father's voice catch. He expected his father to impersonate his lost comrade. Instead, Tierney heard his father's own voice, unsteady and cracking with emotion.

"Where was I that night? I was at home having a sherry and reading Dickens. My friends were fighting and dying and I was not with them. And this time, I couldn't say I was protecting you. You are not a baby anymore. You can make up your own mind.

Tierney wanted to say something but his father raised his hand. His voice was steadier and calmer.

"Let me finish. I felt ashamed. I should have been there, fighting that evil woman who so long ago wanted to raise you as her own. Instead Sirius took my place, he fought my battle, and he died. And all the grief I felt over your mother came back to me but it was worse this time because I felt I had failed you, your mother, Sirius, everybody. So I stayed in the study at home or in my office when I was here. I didn't answer any mail from Dumbledore for months. I wanted to be left alone with my grief and my self-pity. Then you sent me an owl saying members of Dumbledore's Army approached you and you wanted to join. I could sense the excitement coming up right from the parchment. And I realized that you had decided what side you were going to fight on, and I was proud of your decision. The decision you made was the same one I made years ago, and you made it without asking me what I thought. You had made this decision as a man. I knew I could tell you and I have. Now Tierney you know"

Tierney looked up his father. Caradoc Dearborn was smiling down on his son.

"Watching you grow up is the greatest gift I will ever own. You gave me a reason to live, even with my heavy heart and my mind full of tragic memories. Now watching you grow to manhood gives me a chance to give you my knowledge, my books and my experiences as an Auror in training. All that I have learned I will teach you. And I know you will use them wisely and well. For you are my son and I will always love you."

Caradoc extended his hand. Tierney reached out with his left hand. Father and son shook hands. Tierney then gave his father a slight pull. Caradoc left go of his hand to catch his balance and instead was embraced by his son. Tierney whispered to his father.

"I accept. Teach me. I am your student and you son and I have always loved you."

The two men held each other for a long moment. Caradoc stepped back for a second and looked at Tierney. He smiled and began to walk backwards. He spoke loudly and his voice echoed in his office.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I think I need a new job."

CHAPTER 7-GIFTS FROM A FATHER

Tierney heard some noises come from high over his head. He turned and realized that the portraits on the office walls were also listening to his father's story. As he made his announcement, the voices from the walls grew loud and angry. Some shouted WHY? One man in a long red robe and long blonde curls called out, "No, I won't allow you to leave". A woman in a long green gown had her hand on her hips. Caradoc raised his hands up and the portraits fell still.

"No, I am not leaving you. But I think my talents can finally be used in other ways." Caradoc reached into his jacket and pulled out a sealed parchment. He motioned for Tierney to come over. As Tierney neared him he handed him the parchment.

"Tierney, give this letter to your owl Angus. He will know where to fly. Have him return the reply to me here at the Ministry."

Tierney rolled the parchment in his hand. He stopped when he looked at the seal. The seal was a square shield of dark blue with two yellow lines rising from the bottom corner and meeting in the middle. The yellow lines created a roof over a triangle of blue. Underneath the shield was an open scroll with Latin words upon it.

"Father, what does this say? And what is this seal? It's not like the one I use at Hogwarts."

Caradoc smiled. "The owl post is to Remus. When I spoke to Dumbledore, he said it is time to let the Order know they have a new member. Or should I say an old member wishes to re-join them? I would love to see the look on his face when he reads it." Caradoc clapped his hands and laughed loudly. He walked over to his son and turned the scroll over to the seal.

"Of course, you have never seen it. That is the Dearborn family crest. Our motto is underneath. How good is your Latin?"

Tierney looked at the words and began to sound them out slowly. ""Non ministrari, sed ministrare". Not to be served, but to serve."

Caradoc nodded his head. "Not bad for a first time. Excellent. I will be giving you new seals along with your other Yule Tide gifts. In fact I have a couple of them here. I think they will help you with your studies both at Hogwarts and here in London. I believe I have hidden them right over here." Caradoc walked over to the small bookshelf behind his desk. He reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out his wand. Leaning down he tapped the doors on the lower shelf twice. This time the doors swung in and a long metallic shelf came out. Tierney saw four packages of various shapes and sizes on the shelf. Caradoc leaned down and picked up a small silver box. The Dearborn seal was at the center of the box. He walked over to Tierney and gave it to him.

"Here are your new seals. Take them back to Hogwarts with you. You can start using them right away." He started to walk back to the remaining presents.

Tierney moved his hand from side to side and watched the candlelight reflect off his first gift. Without looking at his father, he said, "Father, how will I explain these new seals? And how do I explain my name change to my professors?" He stared at his new crest. "And whose crest have you been using? Have we been using, I mean?"

Without looking back Caradoc answered, "We have borrowed a crest from a very important person. Your next gift will explain."

Tierney watched his father reach for the largest package with both hands. He walked over to his son and extended the gift to him. "Its not exactly new, but it has been maintained extremely well. I know you have always wanted this and I want you to open it now, please."

Tierney bent down and touched a corner of the package. Instantly the wrapping paper began to disappear from sight. In a matter of seconds Tierney was looking at the most perfect broomstick he had even seen. The broom was a gleaming red mahogany shade. He grabbed the broomstick by the middle of its handle and began looking at the end. A familiar red and white seal shone out. He glanced at his father with a quizzical look and Caradoc nodded his head.

"Yes son the Broadren crest is actually your mother's. She rarely used her seal while she was at Hogwarts." He moved closer to his as Tierney began to look over the Comet 260. "Even Dumbledore said that time on the tower how much you reminded him of your mother on her broom. Organized chaos he called it. I promised you her broom when you were ready. Clearly you are. Use it in good health."

Tierney stared at the broom. He began walking very quickly to the back bookshelf. He raised the broomstick up so that the glass in the Wizarding photos reflected the rich colors of the Comet. Tierney looked at the middle photo and spoke to it.

"Is it OK, mom?" he asked. The woman in the photo smiled and nodded her head slightly. Her look was radiant. Tierney turned to his father next to him. Caradoc smiled as well.

"Maybe now with a real broom, you'll go out for the house Quidditch team. That'll do your mother proud." He slapped his hand on the younger man's back.

Both men looked down and saw two presents remaining. Caradoc picked up both of them, one in each hand. He walked back to his desk and placed both the gifts on it. One gift was loosely wrapped and seemed to change in shape. The second gift was rectangular in shape. As he put the second gift on the desk, a solid THWOCK was heard.

Caradoc reached for the loosely wrapped package and tossed it to his son. "Here, catch."

Tierney caught the package by reflex. As he did, the wrapping once again dissolved into the air. Tierney looked down in his hands and saw a fine piece of cloth, silvery-white in color. The material felt heavy and was cold to the touch. As he moved his hands, the fabric rippled like water disturbed by a pebble. Tierney was fascinated.

"Father, what exactly is this?"

Caradoc took a step closer to his son. "It's an Invisibility Cloak. No self respecting Auror goes about without one. I think I have an instructional manual with my other books. I recommend you read up on them before you use them." Caradoc walked over to the small bookshelf and tapped on it twice. The shelf withdrew and the doors closed quickly. He tapped once and the drawers opened showing old Auror textbooks once more. Caradoc bent down and moved a few books around. He tool out a thin hardcover book and blew dust off the cover. He walked back over to his desk and placed the book near the front of his desk.

"Yes I did keep it." Tierney put the cloak down on the desk and reached over to pick up the book. He read the cover out loud.

"HOW TO USE AN INVISIBILITY CLOAK DURING ENEMY ACTION. Sounds serious." He put the book back down and turned to look at his father. Caradoc motioned to the unopened box remaining on his desk.

"Aren't you curious as to what is in that box? I know you fell in love with it when we were on Diagon Alley last month. And I believe the attraction was mutual."

Tierney's face went blank for a moment. Suddenly the eyes grew wide as his father's meaning sunk in. He turned the box and found one clasp, then the other. He flipped each clasp up. The box opened and Tierney read the gold letters on the green velvet lining inside the box.

"Ollivander's. Fine wands for fine witches and wizards." He gently touched the lining and reached down. Out of the box came a beautiful ebony wand with a holly handle. Tierney brought the wand to eye level and looked down the wand stem looking for imperfections. The wand was perfect; he held it in his hand and moved it back and forth, slowly at first and then quickly. The wand felt sure and true.

"It feels as good as that day in the shop. I could not believe how natural it felt."

Caradoc put his hand on his son's shoulder. Tierney turned toward him. "Different name, different wand. Ebony and holly, 15 inches, essence of Griffin feather for the core. The holly handle's varnish has a sprinkling of Phoenix feather mixed in. I know you know the holly means life and vitality as holly was your mother's wand. Ebony symbolizes strength and magical energy. The core of your wand is the same as mine. Simply put, your wand is the best of your mother and me." The father smiled. "Even Ollivander was impressed at the combinations of materials and the core. He thought that only one other student started out with a similar wand."

Caradoc took his hand off Tierney' shoulder and he looked away at a point only he could see.

"Father, what do you do now? Your name. My name. You haven't answered that one."

The father of Tierney Dearborn coughed. When he spoke, his British accent had returned. Tierney frowned.

"For a little while longer son, I have to be Adrocca Broadren. I feel Fudge's days are numbered. Once a new Minister of Magic is selected, I will have a long conversation with him or her. I hope that our next leader is not a know-nothing head in the sand obstructionist like Fudge. We need leaders, Tierney. I hope the next Minister won't care who I am. Maybe then I can drop this façade once and for all"

"And what about me? What do I tell my friends at Hogwarts? What do I say to my teachers?"

Dearborn walked over to the shelf where the gifts were previously located. He bent down and extended his right arm to the very back of the shelf. He pulled his arm back and an old scroll was in his hand. He blew off the dust and untied the parchment. He walked back to his desk and rolled the scroll out. Tierney looked down and read the first few lines.

"I, Caradoc Dearborn, being of sound mind, body and soul do hereby instruct Adrocca Broadren to be the legal guardian of my son Tierney-". Tierney glanced quickly at his father. Caradoc began to roll the parchment back up. He was smiling broadly.

"The document further states that before your graduation from Hogwarts, I am to give you the option of using your real surname or the one I chose for you many years ago. It is perfectly legal. However, no one ever questioned my identity. So it has stayed here. You can tell everyone you have seen documentation that I took you in upon your father's disappearance. "

Tierney turned toward his father. Caradoc was staring straight at him. His blue eyes were alight in the reflection of all the candles lighting his office.

"Son, tell them you have discovered who your real mother and father were. You honor your parent's memory by using your real name. And you love me like the father you never knew. All those statements are true." He paused and spoke slowly as he stared at his ebony wand in his hand.

"Those who remember the Order will know a Dearborn once again walks the grounds of Hogwarts. They will remember Tom Riddle lost once before. And, with me alongside my long lost friends of the Order, he will lose again. This time, Tierney, I will stay and fight. And I will consider it an honor if you were alongside me when the next battle comes."

Tierney smiled. He slipped out his old holly wand and looked at it for a few seconds. He placed it in the wand in box, closed it and snapped it shut. Once again, he looked at his father.

"Father, I have one last question. If you expect me to be a full time Hogwarts student and learn about being an Auror--" he paused with a large grin splitting his face.

Caradoc put his hands on his hips. "What, son?"

The smile stayed glued to Tierney's face. "Well, if I'm so busy, how will I meet any girls?"

Caradoc threw his hand back and laughed and he laughed for a good long while. Finally, wiping tears from his eyes he walked over to his son.

"Well, mate what would you rather be? A ladies' man? Or an Auror?"

Tierney pretended to think for a moment. "Well, can't I be both?"

Caradoc started to laugh again. He looked at the book lying on his desk. "OK, both. What do you want to start on first?"

Tierney pointed his wand at the book. "ACCIO manual." The book jumped off the desk and flew into Tierney's open left hand. He put the wand in his jacket's inner vent. He walked to the front of the desk and pushed back a chair. Under the proud gaze of his father, Tierney Dearborn sat down, opened the book on Invisibility Cloaks and began to read.

FINIS ?