Chapter 3:: The Boy that Changed the World

It had been seven months since Michael Highmore had first revisited the institute, and this day he would be visiting the place for hopefully the last time. This was the day that Michael would become a parent to a girl he had only know for seven months. Now, adopting a child, especially one in this type of situation would have taken years of work to push through all the paper work, but magic is a wonderful thing. When Michael had returned home from that day, he immediately went to work. The Ministry of Magic was quite vast, several floors and corridors, but he went straight to his department. Surely there would have been someone there that knew what to do. Now the Ministry knew about every witch and wizard and where they were located, unless they didn't want to be found. New witches and wizards were located quite easily, and were tracked. Eva should have been spotted quite easily.

Michael talked to a friend (more like work associate) named Eugene. He was a wizard law enforcer that was forced to work a desk due to some discrepancies while in the field. This man knew just about every in and out of this establishment, which was probably why they would never fire him. Michael just happened to mention it to the man and he began to speak of conspiracy theories and such. Finally he clued Michael in on how to deal with the situation. Eugene told him to make an appointment with a second in command to the minister himself, just to clue him in on Eva's existence. If he thought it was important he would relay the information to the minister. So Michael did just that, except it was extremely difficult to get an appointment, so on a busy day when Michael needed a signature he made his way to Percy Weasley. He was around the same age as Michael but seemed to be doing much better for himself. They had attended Hogwarts around the same time and Percy had become a prefect and head boy in his years. His hair was a fiery red which was a common trait among the Weasley pureblood family. Michael quickly asked for his signature before starting on small talk as the man read through the paper.

"If this girl was going to be difficult to get a hold of, we would have already been notified and would have sent an official of the school to collect her," he said flipping through the pages and finding the x's where he needed to sign. His attitude had not seemed to improve.

"What if her powers were already showing and she was not going to be eleven for a while? I mean it would be dangerous to leave her with so many muggles," he questioned innocently.

"Master Highmore if such a witch existed the ministry would deal with it immediately."

" Of course, I am sure Eva will be taken care of," he said as the final paper was being signed but Percy had stopped, looking up at Michael.

"Eva," he said with a puzzling look, "how old did you say this girl was?"

"I am not sure, she is unable to remember much of her past including her birthdate."

"Where did you say she was located?"

Michael began to explain the events that had occurred, of his past with the institute and his fortunate visit to the building. Percy sat intrigued, listening to every word. As soon as Michael finished Percy sat back with a thoughtful look. Realizing that Michael was watching him, he signed the final paper as if not caring about the story.

"Yes, of course, well when I see the Minister I will ask him about it, if I remember" he said nonchalantly handing the files back. Michael thanked him and then left his office heading back to his department but turned back just in time to see Percy Weasley flying out of his office and down the hall.

Michael was starting to realize the Eva was much more than she seemed.

The day went by very slow after that, and Michael sat at his desk reading through a stack of files that an auror just happened to drop on his desk. Aurors are like wizarding police, being highly trained in all forms of magic. They deal with many dangerous and difficult tasks all to keep the wizarding world safe. Some of them were slightly too high up for their own good.

Other desk workers began to leave as the shift switch was beginning. Michael and one other worker Roberts unfortunately would have to finish the rest of their files before they could go. Within a few hours he had finished all but one. As he opened the folder something came flying towards him. He looked up suddenly to see a blue envelope weaving through the air coming straight towards him, but just before it was about to hit Michael nose it abruptly stopped and fell to his desk. He uncoiled from his tensed position and looked down at it. In gold script was Michael's name scribed neatly across the top. He picked it up and flipped it over looking at the seal on the back. It was also gold and had a large M embedded on it. Michael knew exactly where this had come from. He slowly ripped the seal and the letter went flying out of his hands to float in front of him. The letter soon turned into a face like creature and began to speak in a familiar voice.

"Michael Highmore, I would be very pleased if you could come to my office as soon as possible, there is something we must discuss. Give your last file to Roberts, I am sure he needs something to do."

At that the face left the letter and fell lifeless on to Michael's desk. At this point Roberts had woken from a slight daydream and looked at the letter, after hearing his name. Michael passed the file and the drowsy man and grabbed his cloak. He walked down the hall wondering what this could be about. Surely this would not be about Eva, he had only told Weasley five hours ago, and the Minister of Magic is quite a busy man. Perhaps it was paper he had filled out wrong. After a long quick walk he finally arrived at the office. The door was large and made of dark wood, the same emblem was carved into the door. He knocked once and the door opened wide. A welcoming voice ushered him in.

As Michael walked into the office the door closed behind him leaving him inside one of the most extravagant offices he had ever seen. Sitting at the black desk in front of him was a dark skinned man with bright eyes. He was dressed in all different shades of blues. That was Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic. He had been minister since Voldemort had been destroyed and had brought much prosperity to the wizarding world. Behind him, standing very astutely was Percy Weasley, his fiery hair standing out from the blue that Shacklebolt wore.

"Michael Highmore, it is good to meet you, thank you for coming promptly," Shacklebolt said motioning Michael to a seat in front of the desk. He sat down, now incredibly nervous sitting in front of the minister. "Now," came his booming voice again, "Master Weasley has told me about Eva and the situation she is in."

"Oh – er—yes sir," Michael fumbled out now realizing that his fears about Eva being special were true.

"I also understand that the owner of that establishment has agreed to allow you to adopt the child even if she is under psychiatric watch," Shacklebolt could see the hesitation behind Michael's eyes as he shifted in his seat. "You do want to adopt her, is that correct?"

Michael was about to agree, but something stopped him. Perhaps this task was far too difficult to take on. His job was stressful enough, but taking care of a child would be a whole other matter. After thinking about it for a while the image of Eva crying but with tears of happiness that all the things she dreamed about were real.

"If you do adopt her, the ministry would of course be more than willing to accommodate for the expenses in keeping her safe until she may be sent to school to be trained. If you do not want to adopt her, the proper authorities will take her into the custody of the wizarding—"

"Yes, I will adopt her," he burst out, the thought of leaving Eva with strangers made him ill. A smile grew on Shacklebolt's face. "But Dr. Augusta said that it would be incredibly difficult, it would take years to go through all the paperwork. By then the building could gone, if she isn't properly trained."

"Obviously we have thought of these things, and we will be more than happy to assist in releasing the child as soon as possible, with the help of magic of course."

Something wasn't sitting right with Michael and he looked at them questioningly. "Beg your pardon but why are you so interested in her. I mean, I was very surprised that my request had gone through so quickly."

The Minister sat back a grim expression growing on his face. The same for Wealsey, though he seemed to always have that expression. Suddenly a voice from behind him made Michael jump.

"The Ministry is here to provide aid to all witches and wizards that needs its help, sometimes there are many difficult situations with those who are muggle born or even muggle cared-for. Eva's case is highly uncommon and we want to help as much as possible," said the voice. It was man that seemed to have been lying on the couch the whole time they were there. He was quite skinny with dark shaggy hair. He would spectacles that were distinctly round in front of green eyes. Michael sat in his seat turned towards the man now making his way to the desk, his mouth wide open in shock. He could not believe who was standing in front of him now.

It was Harry Potter.

The boy that Michael once remembered gracing the halls of Hogwarts was now a full grown man. He was an auror, head of the aurors to be exact. Though they worked in the same department Potter had never seemed to show his face around the offices. It was probably because he was much too busy protecting the wizarding world like he had done for many years after he destroyed Voldemort.

"Harry Potter," Michael whispered under his breath. Potter made a slightly embarrassed smile making Michael fall out of his trance. "I don't think you would remember me, but we went to school together about—"

"Yes, your face does look very familiar. You were four years older than me I believe," he began but soon moved right back into the discussion. "Michael, it is very important to all of us that Eva gets the proper training that she deserves. An associate here will take on the case, and Eva should be ready for adoption in about a month or two. We will be keeping an eye on her until then."

Michael was still in shock but then turned back to the Minister. He nodded kindly but quickly asked that Michael leave them to continue their business. He began to leave and looked back once more to see them staring at him. As he walked out to the floo department for his journey home something felt rather strange beside that fact that he would be a father in less than a year.