Tempus Magia
Part Four
Chapter 38: Orphans of War
Hermione Granger made a grave error during the final battle that resulted in Remus' death. Working as an unspeakable she spends two years working on a spell using powder from time turners to go back to Remus's greatest hour of need. What if Remus's greatest time of need wasn't in *this* war?
Saul ate a quick lunch, followed by firecall to Kingsley who confirmed their meeting later that evening and that a witch from the Prophet would be there for the first twenty minutes. At a quarter to one, he heard the loud boisterous whispers coming from the main entrance of his department. He left his office to find Mary studiously writing out several correspondences.
Hermione's door was shut firmly and her name tag was switched to read Jane Austen. Her office was the only door that was closed, the rest of the employees were poking their heads through their offices. There was even one short woman, Tahara May, from billing who was walking over to the excited group of fifth years.
A squattish boy with a smattering of freckles that was nearly identical to her rushed over and hugged her. She patted his cheek maternally, commenting fondly on his growth. Next to Tahara's son, stood a tall lanky blonde boy and a girl whose face was hidden beneath a mountain of familiar-looking brown curls. The two students were reading the name tags on all the doors within their eyesight, the extremely short girl standing on the edge of her toes to do so.
The boy was wearing the familiar signature blue and bronze that so many members of the DOM once wore. The girl, however, was wearing the silver and green that more often than not graced the polished floors of the Wizengamot. While they may have looked the same age, the two couldn't be any more different. Where the boy was tall and muscular the tiny girl had a delicate frame and disposition that screamed Pureblood princess. Even if Saul had not been present at the controversial trial, he would recognize Charlotte Rosier from the Daily Prophet covers she had been plastered on for weeks.
The underage witch had testified against her father and without her help, he would have gone free. Charlotte was not only able to testify the murders of at least forty muggles, but also several relatives of her classmates at Hogwarts to which she kept the deceased witches and wizards wands.
Her father had been one of the lead 'enforcers' for the Muggle-Born Registration Commission Office. So many people had gone missing on their way to Azkaban for stealing magic and it was some comfort to their families that they would have closure about the gruesome deaths of their loved ones.
The girl elbowed the boy and he turned around his back to the rest of the students, "I don't think his office is out here, Orion."
"Maybe it's deeper in, Charlotte? We'll keep an eye out." Amalaya was giving a speech in front of the group. The two students were straggling in the back, clearly trying not to be overheard by the Professors at the front.
"What if they don't take us deeper into the offices? The Guide mentioned something about a hunt?" The boy looked down sighed deeply while running his fingers through his blonde hair.
"Are we really going to sneak into the Department of Mysteries so you could meet Saul Croaker? Can't we just owl him like normal people?"
Saul, who had been more focused on Amalaya's speech, took steps towards them. The last time students broke into the Ministry….
"We won't touch anything, Orion. We just need to see if he's here! Professor Flitwick said he would probably be too busy to speak to us because of some internal review and-" Orion shook his head. It clearly wasn't the first time they were arguing about this. Charlotte crossed her arms against her chest stubbornly. "I said we wouldn't touch anything!"
Saul slipped into the crowd of students that were starting to move forward. Amalaya pointing out an award on the wall. He stopped directly behind the two who were not making an effort to join their peers. "I should hope not. We're still trying to fix the mess Auror Potter and his friends made in the Hall of Prophecies."
The two students whipped around.
"Unspeakable Croaker," Charlotte whispered. Orion fell silent his chestnut-colored eyes wide with shock. Uncomfortable by the clear adoration in their eyes, he cleared his throat.
"That would be me. Is there anything I can-" The two teenagers rushed forward enveloping him in a hug before he was able to draw his wand. "Er…"
Where the bloody hell was Mary and what the bloody hell were they teaching at Hogwarts?
"Not that it's not lovely to meet both of you, but would you mind terribly letting go. I'm afraid I ate a bit too much lunch and I'm in danger of losing it."
Charlotte withdrew first, her amber eyes filled with unshed tears. Orion followed but only after she yanked on his already torn sleeve. "I'm sorry. We've been trying to reach you for several months but you're the Head of the Department of Mysteries and it's impossible to get a hold of you."
Saul raised a confused brow. "Is this about the Seventh Year Research Project?"
"We're fifth years, sir," Orion responded, his shoulders were tense. Given the sheer amount of musculature on them, he was on the Quidditch team at Hogwarts.
"I'm aware, but that was the only correspondence I received from Hogwarts."
Charlotte laced her fingers into Orion's, the boy relaxed instantly. "We've been trying to reach you, privately. We… er… Orion?"
"We were the two Ravenclaws you saved in the Battle of Hogwarts, sir."
"Oh," he said simply. What else was there to say? He barely remembered the faces of anyone around him, everything was a blur. Trying to protect students and then Auggie. Then fighting with Auggie to protect… these two students and several Hufflepuffs that had gotten stuck behind when the Hog's Head was set on fire. "How about we go into my office and have a chat."
He motioned to Professor Sprout, who was watching them with fascination. She nodded smiling kindly at him.
He took off towards his office, the two students following with their hands linked. Mary looked up from her parchment as he walked by. "Sir?"
"Please send tea and something sweet for these two students," the implied something a bit stronger for himself was picked up by his secretary immediately. She nodded sternly and left to the canteen.
Holding the door open, he guided the two inside his office leaving the door open. Orion slid into his chair, whilst looking around the room with curiosity. Charlotte sat with her ankles crossed and her hands in her lap. Her robes were pressed but like Orions, you could see the wear on them.
Orphans. They were the orphans Travis had told him about the day before. Was there no one to buy them new robes?
"Thank you for coming to see me," he said as he took a seat next to them in front of his imposing mahogany desk. It was unprecedented to sit in front but they hadn't come to see the Head of the Unspeakables. They had come to see the wizard that saved their lives during the Battle of Hogwarts. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Orion and Charlotte exchange a look. Orion nodded and Charlotte spoke.
"No, I mean. We wanted to thank you for coming back and rescuing us, in person. We know you aren't an Auror and you could have been safe inside the Ministry. It means a lot to the two of us and Tom, Donna, Joseph, Harry, Sandra, Derek, and Tiffany."
That would be the Hufflepuffs.
Saul nodded gravely. "While I appreciate the sentiment, I believe it is not needed. The adults, this Ministry failed our youth. We did not protect our people during the Second Great Wizarding War. While it was in fact the sworn duty of the entire staff of the Ministry to protect the children and our people. Our… fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts was our duty. I am thankful I found the nine of you when I did."
Charlotte grew quiet as she thought about his words. Likely, she had a lot of re-learning to do at Hogwarts given the home she grew up in. Orion looked over at Charlotte nervously, however, the young witch had her eyes trained on her polished fingernails. Saul was about to ask if the young wizard had something to say when he blurted it out.
"Also, Mister Rookwood," he shouted. Eyes widening, he clapped his hands over his mouth and lowered his volume repeating. "Also Mister Rookwood, sir."
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you are saying."
"Augustus Rookwood saved us from Death Eaters and helped us get to the emergency portkey and out of the Battle of Hogwarts. We all gave our testimonies after the war ended to the Auror department. Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout came with us because Professor Flitwick was working on fixing the third-floor corridor. You know, the one that the Weasley ghost says he died in?"
Saul's hand flew to his chest. Arthur's son was a ghost? "Fred Weasley didn't move on?"
Charlotte placed a gentle hand on Orion's. "No, sir. He is waiting for his brother to pass on and helps students study defense and prank teachers. He's the reason Filch barely gives out detention anymore. He can't catch anyone with the Ghost of the Marauders warning everyone."
"Ghost of the Marauders?"
Charlotte nodded. "That's what he calls himself. No one knows why. Someone in Gryffindor house said the name Marauders is carved in one the boys dormitories. We think it's some sort of secret society of pranksters."
"Not that either of us is pranksters," Orion added quickly. Rummaging through his pockets he pulled out several sheets of Hogwarts official documents and handed them to Orion. They were both at the top of their year or almost. Orion was already getting scouted by Quidditch teams and getting good grades. Charlotte was the top of the year in every class except Care of Magical Creatures. "We're very serious about our studies. Professor Sprout said you were very serious about academia when you were in Hogwarts. We thought we would bring you our transcripts. Mister Rookwood said you would be proud."
Charlotte sent a sharp look at Orion, who looked back sheepishly.
"Orione he said looking at the boy seriously. "Are either of you in touch with Mister Rookwood?"
Charlotte subtly stomped on Orion's foot. He winced as her heel made an impact with his toe. Saul resisted laughing as he was transported back to his awkward first date where his date stepped on his toe. What was her name? Rosie? Yes, Rosie Abbott. All they ever found of her were ashes leftover from fiendfyre.
"It's against Ministry regulation for a non-related minor to have correspondence with an Azkaban prisoner, sir," Charlotte responded sweetly. The witch was clearly the brains of the duo. Saul turned and gave her his full attention.
"Yes, it is the regulation for an Azkaban prisoner who is serving a life sentence. My… significant other, Auggie is not. He is up for parole within the coming months."
Their reactions were instantaneous. Charlotte shrieked with happiness, her hands covering her lips as they trembled. Orion jumped out of his seat and shouted punching the air, definitely a Quidditch player. He only stopped his small victory dance because he saw Charlotte's shining eyes.
He laughed as the two smiled at each other adoringly. The two were very clearly in love. "I'm glad to have caused you, two serious kids, this much joy. While it does make me happy that you two are getting good grades it would make me happier to know that both of you are happy. Grades aren't everything."
Charlotte looked as if he had just told her oxygen wasn't needed for breathing. "How will we get a job? The Ministry only accepts outstandings and Professor Flitwick said that…."
Charlotte went off in a ramble about grades and classes and extra credit. Merlin, she sounded like him.
"... and I really want the internship for the summer so that I can-"
"Internship?"
"Yes, all of the students that don't have living families stay at Hogwarts year round. It's not that I'm not grateful but it's suffocating always being in school surrounded by teachers. Professor McGonagall said that any student that got high enough grade on the OWLs had a chance to get into the summer internship for the Ministry. Professor Sprout's apprentice, Professor Longbottom's wife own the Leaky Cauldron and she's offering free lodging the students so they can get to the Ministry and-"
"Breathe, Charlotte. You're going to pass out."
It was like going back in time. Merlin.
"Charlotte, are you not comfortable at Hogwarts?"
Charlotte paled.
"No, sir. I'm very thankful they took me in. There are plenty of war orphans that had nowhere to go. I heard that Euphemia Rowle was taking in orphans at one point," she shivered. "I'm grateful to Hogwarts and the Professor there but my father… My father is responsible for the deaths of a lot of people. I'm not well liked and I'm usually fine. Orion keeps the real bullies away, but I'm always at Hogwarts."
Orion nodded seriously. "I have some muggle family in France but Professor McGonagall said that unless Charlotte has an adult's permission, she isn't allowed to leave the country."
"When were you planning on going?"
"For Easter break," Orion shrugged. "I won't leave Charlotte behind though. The bullying has gotten out of hand at Hogwarts. The Slytherins get it the worst."
Saul stood and sat down behind his desk just as Mary walked in with tea and an assortment of colorful cookies and frosted cupcakes. "Mary, please bring me article 17b section 2317.89 - 99231 of the Magical Family Services."
Mary nodded and set down the tray in front of the teens. They thanked her and she hurried out to retrieve the documents.
"Please, eat some of this sugar before I do it all myself. Merlin knows, my Healer will have a heart attack if he hears how much sugar I ate."
They laughed before digging into the treats. He wondered if they knew where the kitchens were at Hogwarts and that a small compliment to the house elves would guarantee any food or dessert they wanted.
He asked about their hobbies, while they ate and found that he had a lot in common with the two of them. Charlotte was an avid chess player and wicked at charms. Orion reminded Saul of Benjy, with his obsession with Quidditch and Defense.
He even demonstrated his near-corporeal Patronus, which for a fifth year was unheard of. When Saul asked what his happy memory was the two teenagers giggled and blushed. He smiled that war had not taken all of their youth.
"Sir?" Mary stood at the door. He summoned the folder from her noting that she had retrieved both of their files and filled out a preliminary form for him.
"Thank you, Mary. Have you taken lunch today?"
"No. I was going to go now if that's alright?"
"Yes, please. Thank you for all your hard work." Mary nodded and left the office. Charlotte and Orion were looking over his desk curiously. He smiled, knowing that all they were seeing was gibberish.
"Can't see what I'm reading?" he asked.
"No," they replied.
"You know the anti-cheating charms that Hogwarts uses? Auggie and I invented them."
"No way!"
"That's so cool but also why would you do that?" Orion looked only slightly put out. "Potions is the worst."
Saul chuckled and looked back at the papers. "Okay, I have temporary guardianship papers here. They're filled out on my end. I'm going to send them back with you and you can talk them over with Minerva or Pomona. I would be like a temporary guardian while school isn't in session. The muggles call it a foster parent. Essentially, I would give you somewhere to stay and clothes and supplies, should you need it.
"Charlotte, you don't have to go crazy with your grades. I can get you an internship wherever you want. Orion can join the pickup Quidditch in the community I live in. We also have a community pool and a muggle football field. I can also sign the paperwork for you to go to Orion's family for Easter."
His explanation was met with deafening silence.
"Is something wrong?" he asked finally.
"I don't understand," Charlotte whispered.
"What don't you understand, dear?"
"I… why would you want me? I'm… My father… And he… Why?"
Saul stood and walked back to his seat in front of the desk, depositing the filled out parchments in front of them on the desk. "There is no reason anyone wouldn't Charlotte."
Charlotte snapped her mouth closed as tears began to stream down her cheeks. Saul's heart broke in his chest. He was about to cover her hand with his own when Orion gripped her fingers in his. He was white knuckled and dazed.
"Sir, why would you waste your galleons on us? You don't even know us."
Saul smiled kindly. "Waste my galleons? I'm over fifty and have been a bachelor for most of my life. I think the goblins in Gringotts might have a heart attack when they see me but I have nothing to save my gold for. I have no heirs and won't be having any.
"As for not knowing you, did you know me when you sought me out?" Orion shook his head. "See, it's fate. As it so happens I have a spare bedroom that can be split into two and I made wicked pepper egg pie."
Charlotte snorted and Orion raised his eyebrows in fear. "What in Merlin's saggy ball sack is an egg pie?"
Charlotte whacked Orion's shoulder as Saul burst into laughter. "Can you not be vulgar for more than five minutes at a time?"
Orion grabbed her still-attacking fingers and kissed each one. Yeah, they were both getting separate rooms with charms on them. "You love me, Char."
Sensing that they were about to escalate, he cut in. "Egg pie is really tasty. It's vegetables, egg, milk, and cheese. I bake it-"
"You mean a frittata?" Charlotte asked.
"No. I call it pepper egg pie."
Charlotte detached herself from Orion. "It's called a frittata."
"I made it. I name it. Those are the rules of cooking."
"No, it isn't. That's the opposite of the rules of baking!" Orion and Saul chuckled while Charlotte vented about proper name usage and the fall of modern English.
"Okay," Saul cut in finally, "While I now know more about proper nouns and their roots than I ever planned on knowing, I have a speech to give."
Copying each of the papers, he handed one to each of them. "Speak to your heads of house and the Headmistresses. I was in a similar situation to both of you when I was in school. You can owl me, I'll have Mary keep an eye out for any letters from you two."
Charlotte hugged him tightly before he escorted them back to the rest of their bustling peers. He gave a short speech about their department before inviting them all to the canteen so they could ask questions and take home their souvenirs.
He waved goodbye to the group as they left for the Court levels behind Mary to create mini Patronus necklaces. He winked at Charlotte and Orion who were gripping their parchments happily. Charlotte had already taken Professor Flitwick aside and based off of the approving smile from his old teacher, she had already spoken to him about the papers.
After thanking his staff, he settled back into his office. He spent several minutes tidying up his office for his meeting with Kingsley, Gawain, and the reporter. He was especially careful to remove his few personal possessions besides a framed photo of him and his father at the Hogwarts Express in his first year.
"Sir?" Mary called from the door.
"Yes, Mary?"
She was wearing her outer cloak and was holding a neat stack of parchment. "I have a prior engagement tonight or I would be staying for the reporter, sir."
"That's quite alright, Mary. Go and enjoy your youth."
Mary smirked and handed him the color-coded documents with a wrapped sandwich in stasis on top. "The reporter sent over a sample of her questions and I have some clippings of her work. I spoke to several people she interviewed and apparently, she doesn't stay on topic or use the questions she sent over. I included them as well as a bio of her, just in case."
Saul nodded and quickly scanned the information, "Thank you, Mary. Have a good evening."
He browsed the information quickly but thoroughly. Parvati Patil had made a name for herself as a cutthroat but honest reporter. Saul wasn't aware those two things were mutually exclusive but it wouldn't be the first time he was wrong about something.
Saul looked over the rest of his itinerary for the evening and was glad she included the sandwich. He still had twenty minutes until Kingsley arrived, so he tucked into his roast on rye.
Before his life had gone to shit and his mother abandoned him, they would have Sunday picnics. He would help his mother cut up fruit and make roast on rye sandwiches. It was one of the only meals his mother could make and that was only if you gave her all the ingredients.
He chuckled at what she would say if she found out he was going to be a magical guardian for Hogwarts students. He hadn't heard from her in eight years. She was still alive and on her fifth marriage. She had reached out fifteen years back under the guise of reuniting with her son. She had actually only reached out for money. When he turned her down she tried for several more years before she cut him off entirely.
He sighed, vanishing the remains of his dinner. He was better off without her in his life. She was a leech and unless he cut her out, she would only take from him until he had nothing left to give.
Saul donated to charities and stuff but there was a line he never crossed. Only a handful of people had been in his flat and his mother was not one of them. Figures, his house ruse worked on Death Eaters and his mother. She, like most of the Ministry, was under the impression he lived in a rook Ottery St Catchpole.
Sure, the house and it's extensive grounds belonged to him on paper but he had actually loaned it to a friend from the Order's widower, Xenophilius Lovegood. He had actually been the one to stay with Luna in the Hogwarts Infirmary until Xeno returned from a Hunting trip.
His home was his sanctuary. Everything in its cream-colored walls was hand-picked by him and Auggie. Over the years, Saul still hadn't changed much, only necessities that were required like new a tub when it broke or bed when it sunk dangerously deep. A safe place that had only been available to him and Auggie. Except it wasn't anymore was it?
Staring down at the guardianship documents, it hit him. He had changed something. Finally, after twenty years he had changed something in his home by checking with Auggie first.
He thought of Radomir Slytherin and Auggie's reaction to their offer and wondered if his newfound independence was a good sign for their relationship or a very very bad one.