Year Three at Hogwarts
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Chapter 14: Tyler's Growing Family
The seekers were completely paralyzed with surprise, shock and fear. Standing there with narrowed eyes and crossed arms was their own Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Squall.
"Proffffesssorr," Reggie stuttered.
"Err, this isn't what it looks like," Brad said extending his hands like he was pushing something.
'I can't believe that's the best they can come up with,' Tyler thought rolling his eyes and shaking his head in his hand.
"Professor Squall, we can explain everything," Jacke said stepping up.
"That won't be necessary Mr. Walker. From what I saw, I'd say that I saw four pre-teens playing with elemental powers," he said crossing his arms making the seekers flinch with fright. This almost made them grip their wands.
This wasn't good at all. One of the teachers saw them messing around with their powers. They couldn't do anything like the way they dealt with Arnold because not only was Squall younger than he was but he is a trained Auror and four students wouldn't have a chance against a good Auror like him.
"I mean, Tyler, you of all people should know better. I can just imagine the look on Simon's face if he finds out," he said shaking his head in amusement.
'Huh?' thought all the seekers at different tones and times. Something didn't fit right here.
"What?" Tyler said.
"It's best if we not talk here in the middle of the grounds. Let's head for my office to talk, all four of you."
After Squall said this, the seekers still didn't move because they were worried of what was going to be waiting for them. Tyler gripped his wand under his robes, Brad had his full attention to Squall hands to check if they go to his wand, Reggie was trying to calm himself down without taking his eyes of their defense teacher and Jacke moved closer to Tyler just in case Squall pulled an "Arnold" or something.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to attack you," Squall said after it became clear that he was aware of their resistance. "I just want to talk to you four and especially you Tyler on how careless you are," he said pointing to Tyler.
They started walking together, following Professor Squall to his office in silence. Tyler thought back and saw that playing around with their elements in plain sight was a downright stupid act. Of course they would be caught and now they were paying for it. But, something about Squall was saying that he wouldn't be in any trouble at all. He knew that he heard Squall say his father's name and he was talking about how his father would react if he knew of his carelessness. Did Squall really know his father?
When they got to his office, Squall shut the door and went to his desk. Reggie pulled out his wand from his wand holster.
"Err, Professor, would it be alright if I put a silence charm on the door?"
"No, go right on ahead Mr. Falkner."
After Reggie soundproofed the door, there was a bit more silence. Squall was bouncing his fingers of each other on his desk looking at them. The seekers tried not to move too much and each tried concentrating on the feel of their hands gripping the cuff of their robes.
"Okay, first let me tell you that your secret is safe with me," Squall said finally. "I have no intention of telling this to anyone."
"Why?" Brad said.
"Simply because I would never dream of hurting my family."
'Huh?' thought Tyler.
"What do you mean family Professor," Jacke said narrowing his eyebrows.
"Well, I mean Tyler here of course."
"What?" said the seekers simultaneously.
"Calm down," Squall said motioning his hands for them to relax. "I guess you would be surprised Mr. Solemn or should I say Mr. Slytherin."
At that moment, Tyler's eyes could've shot out of his sockets. Squall knew who he was. Jacke looked from Tyler to Squall without really thinking at all. Reggie just looked at Squall and started breathing a little too quickly; he still had his wand in his hand and he gripped it more tightly. Brad made motion for his wand pulled it out at Squall.
"I thought I said to relax boys. Tyler, didn't you wonder how I knew your dad's name?"
"Err," Tyler said after regaining himself. "Yeah, I did," he said softly.
"I know your father because he and I were friends when we were at school."
"You were?" Tyler said shocked.
"Yes, he and I were in slytherin house together. In the same year in fact. I was his best friend for many years and over time, he trusted me with his most greatest secret. I was even the best man at your father and mother's wedding. When I first saw you this term, I knew you were their son. You have your father's hair, face and your voice even sounded like him when he was your age."
"Wait, you also said that Tyler was part of your family. If you were his dad's friend then what do you mean?" said Reggie.
"Well, I did catch a glimpse of Tyler here when he was just born. Tyler, your parents made me your godfather. You're my godson."
Tyler looked down at his shoes thinking about what he just learned. Professor Squall was his…godfather? If he was then why didn't he hear about him until now? He couldn't believe what he just heard. Yet somehow, he knew it was true. He felt something warm and comforting every time he was around Squall like he was…someone he could count on. No, he knew that Squall wasn't lying to him, he felt this connection ever since he first met them but he couldn't help but have questions. Unfortunately, Jacke beat him to it.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?"
Squall pulled out one of the drawers in his desk and pulled out a picture. In that picture were himself and a man and woman with a baby that Tyler recognized as his parents.
"But?" Tyler started but Squall cut him off.
"Tyler, listen, I know you must have questions but they'll have to wait a little bit. I still have to talk to the four of you. Now, you three," he said indicating Jacke, Reggie and Brad, "from what I saw after I said Tyler's last name, I take it that you already know his secret, am I right?"
"Yeah, that's not a problem is it?" Jacke said a little defiantly.
"Jacke! I'm really sorry Professor."
"It's okay Mr. Falkner. Wait, is it okay if I call you by your first names as well now that we're in the same boat so to speak?" The three of them nodded their heads. "Okay, and no Jacke, that isn't a problem at all. From what I can see, I'd say that the three of you have been very loyal friends. I must say that you have quite a knack for finding friends Tyler. I figured that the four of you were very close seeing as how your friends even through all this house nonsense, but now I see you're all even closer friends than I thought."
"It's no big deal Professor," Reggie said crossing his arms.
"We're just your four ordinary band of friends," Brad said having his eyes look at the three of them.
"Yes, a band of friends that are careless in using powers in the middle of the day, at the middle of the grounds Brad," Squall said narrowing his eyes with a suddenly serious tone. "What if it wasn't me but another teacher or student who saw you. You all were lucky that I patrol around here this much so I was able to find you quickly."
"Why do you patrol around all the time?" Jacke asked.
"Well, I did tell you all that I am an auror and was here this year as a favor to Dumbledore correct? Aside from teaching defense, I was also brought here to keep an eye out for trouble, especially after the last two teachers in this position were either traumatized or disappeared without a trace. But that's beside the point, the point is that you four should show more sense and not recklessly show off your powers like that. I can see you're all nice boys and after knowing Tyler's father, I don't judge by position or abilities but not everyone is in the same boat. Promise me that you four will be okay," Squall said twiddling his thumbs looking at them with a very disappointed glance.
The four seekers looked back at how they were acting at the field and were ashamed of themselves even if Squall didn't scold them. They all nodded still looking at the floor ashamed and embarrassed at the same time.
"Excuse me Jacke, Reginald, Brad, could you please give me and Tyler a moment alone. We'll continue our discussions in the morning but your friend and I have a few personal matters to discuss."
"It's okay, I understand," Brad said shaking his head and heading out the door.
"Okay, good day Professor," Reggie said taking his friend's example and leaving.
"Bye Professor Squall." Jacke then turned to his friend. "See you tomorrow mate." Then he left the office too.
Tyler stood there a little unsure of what to do or say to his godfather that he was had only known his true connection with only for the past few minutes.
"Err, Professor Squall…"
"Tyler, when we're alone try calling me Timothy. After all, I call you by your name when we're alone."
"Okay…Timothy…well, if you knew who I was all this time then why didn't you say anything?"
"Well, I admit that I was a little hesitant to tell you. I wanted to know you a little better outside a personal relationship first. I thought that I might be able to know you better that way. Would you have been yourself I had told you I was your godfather from the start?"
"Probably not. But…where have you been all this time? Why didn't I see you before this time?"
"Auror life. It's been very difficult lately what with your dad's nephew, your cousin running around causing trouble."
"You know about our connection with Voldemort?"
Tyler noticed that when he said his cousin's name, Squall flinched a little but shrugged it off.
"Yes, your father told me that as well. He told me almost everything."
"Well, if he told you almost everything then I guess I can trust you with anything. I still can't believe that you were told everything though."
"He didn't tell me out of the first hour we met. He started telling me these private things around our last year at Hogwarts. After I absorbed what he told me about his real identity then he started telling me more over the years. That's one thing I see that you don't share in common with your father, your sense of security."
"What do you mean? I trust my fellow seekers completely."
"Seekers huh? I thought you guys were a group together. I'm not here to scold you about telling your secret; actually, I think you made a wise choice with Reginald and Brad. When I spoke to them during the match and heard how they supported both you and Jacke. With Jacke, I have concerns about but seeing as how he acted here then I say that he's also someone you could trust completely."
"Why did you have doubts about Jacke? Is it about him being in Gryffindor?"
"To be honest, yes. With your father and I being in Slytherin, Gryffindors often didn't give us the impression that we could trust them."
"Jacke's trustworthy. He's my best friend and so are Reggie and Brad. We've already been through a lot together and they proved to me that I could trust them to the end."
"Well, I can see that you and your friends have been through a lot which is more that I want to talk about."
"What?"
"Tyler, I have a feeling that the powers that you and your friends were showing has something to do with your family's secret chamber under your house, am I correct?"
"You know about that too?"
"Of course, well, not right away. Your father was a lot more cautious then you appear to be. He gave me all this information a little at a time. He told me that there were a lot of powerful enchantments, charms and books in there and seeing as you're involved then I'd say it was a safe bet that that's where you all learned it from. I also take it that your father knows nothing about this huh?"
"Are you going to tell him?" Tyler said feeling his insides freeze at the prospect.
"No, it's not my place to tell him. I'll leave that to you. I understand your feelings on this and I'll just have to take your word on Jacke. If you truly believe that your secret is safe with him then I won't argue. Your father might say something different though."
Tyler chuckled a little to himself on how protective his dad could get but Tyler had his mind wander. Obviously, his godfather, which still felt strange for him to even think, had something against him trusting Jacke because of his house. He was in Slytherin when he went to school here and so Tyler guessed that he had troubles with Gryffindors like any Slytherin would give them problems right back.
"It was great for you telling me this. Is it okay to tell my father about you here?"
"Oh he already knows I'm here."
"He does?"
"Yeah, I owled him after my first week here. I told him how great you seemed to be and how I was looking forward to teaching you. He said that he hoped that if or when you found out about me that it would be good for you to know that you have another member of your family along with you. He also said that he's sorry he had to keep me a secret from you but he knew that you were smart enough to discover me on your own."
"He said that?" Tyler said amazed that his father had that much confidence in him.
"Hm hmm. Well, you should be off then. I guess I'll have to make up for all the Birthdays and Christmas' I missed. Although, you still have my old Silver Arrow with you."
"My broom used to be yours? But…my parents said…"
"They lied. They came to me earlier on your birthday before last and paid me a visit before they picked up your grandparents. They mentioned it was your birthday and so I couldn't pass it up. I told them to give you my old antique broom as your godfather's special repayment gift for missing you grow up all these years. They made up the collector story because they didn't feel it was right for you to know about a godfather that will hardly be around because of his duties. But I think it's the right time as any now."
Tyler was then walked out the door and wished a good day. The halls were still filled with sounds of the talks from the quidditch game an hour ago but Tyler had them all blocked out on his way to the Owlery for Pandy to make a delivery.
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As the seekers walked from the office, they went off to their own spot in the library.
"Can you believe it? Squall's been Tyler's godfather this whole time," Brad said still shocked from it all.
"Tyler must be really surprised. Did you see the look on his face? I wonder what they're talking about?" Jacke said looking to the direction where Squall's office was.
"Probably catching up. I mean, they have about 13 years of catching up to do. Anyway, Squall did vouch us and he did it for good reason. We shouldn't have fooled around with our powers like that. I just hope Tyler's dad won't find out or Tyler would be really in for it."
"He doesn't seem like the kind of guy to tell his father. Squall will keep it a secret. I hope at least."
"Brad, sometimes you really are too trusting for your own good," Reggie said looking at his friend with annoyance. "Now, we have to be extra careful. Now that Squall knows about our connection with Tyler, we'll have to be extra secretive if we're going for the Potion in two weeks."
"Well, at least Tyler has an excuse to stay with us for the holidays right?"
"What do you mean Jacke?" Brad asked his friend.
"He can tell them that he wants to know his godfather better. Oh and guys,"
"Yeah," Brad and Reggie said together.
"Let's give Tyler some time alone tomorrow. If it were me than I would want to be alone to think about this."
"Well that is no problem. Remember, I have a date tomorrow during the next Hogsmeade trip with Claudia Ments so I'll be able to give him his space."
"Settle down Reggie," Brad said patting his shoulder, which earned him an elbow. "I guess I'll hang around with Hawkster during the trip unless you want to come with us Jacke."
"No, I'll be alright. I'll be with Jenny and Max."
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With the startling revelation of Professor Squall and the impending journey for the Lost Potion of Fecundity, the two weeks went by miraculously fast. Reggie went on his first date and he had a good time. He started out a little stiff and nervous but was able to warm up as the date went on which was a shock since the weather was cold. Brad hung with Hawkster like he planned and had fun with chatting and playing around with him through the village. Jacke went with Jenny and Max trying to control his blush whenever Jenny looked at him or when Max caught him sneaking glances at her. Tyler decided not to go to Hogsmeade at all that time. Sam, Morgan, Matt and Regulus asked him why he wasn't going and he said that he felt tired and just wanted to take that Sunday just to rest. With the castle almost studentless except for second and first years, Tyler just sat quietly thinking about his godfather. He was driven from his lonely thoughts when Sam and his pal Lutz Napier went to try and talk to him. He didn't tell them exactly what was bothering him, just told them that he had family secret revealed to him that was a little overwhelming to think straight.
Over the next days, Tyler found it hard to focus in Defense classes. He would just look at Squall and not absorb one thing he said until something snapped his attention. The other seekers were also having this happen to them. They couldn't help seeing Squall not as their teacher but their friend's godfather. They did have out of class studying to help with keep from falling behind. Professor McGonagall soon passed around the list for people staying over the holidays and each of the seekers signed their names for the biggest adventure they've had yet.
When the day for people leaving for home started, all of the seekers stood with their house comrades and said their goodbyes. They wished them all a Merry Christmas and then started packing for in two days, they would face the unknown.
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End of Chapter 14Swollen Fridge: Good guess with who caught them in the fields. As for Tyler's rough style, he was taught to protect his snake partner no matter what it takes and so he forgot it was his friend he was fighting. Instead he just saw another enemy.
Tigercub15: Great to see you again. I was wondering where you where. What do you mean where did Morgan come from? She's been here since Chapter 12 of the last book.
I'm not a writer: Hello, I'm happy to see you love my stories. As for your analysis, you must've read my mind because you got a little too close for comfort on where I'm taking all this.
Author Notes:
Squall is Tyler's godfather! He has another member of his family. How will he play of and what will happen during the seeker's expedition into the portal to the potion? Wait and find out.
I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you all did as well.
Review!