"As I said earlier," Cornelius Fudge declared, one arm resting firmly on Rowan rcer’s shoulder, "the wrongful imprisonnt of Mr. Black was the result of mistakes made by a previous administration. While the responsibility does not fall on , I still feel profound regret as the current Minister."
His voice rose smoothly, polished by years of practice.
"Fortunately, today’s Ministry of Magic is not what it once was. We continue to improve. We have sharper oversight, better systems, and outstanding staff capable of identifying and correcting past errors. Rowan rcer is the perfect example of this new generation. He has already distinguished himself, even assisting in the capture of a Dark wizard during a trip to France, for which he received a dal for bravery."
The caras flashed relentlessly. Fudge smiled broadly, every word carefully aid.
"Therefore, the Ministry has decided to award Rowan rcer the Second Class Order of rlin, along with a reward of ten thousand Galleons."
Applause followed.
On behalf of the Wizengamot, Dumbledore presented Rowan with the dal. Dolores Umbridge, wearing an expression that was far too stiff to be sincere, handed over the official reward docuntation.
Then ca the interviews.
Rowan answered calmly, precisely, and without stepping on any political landmines. He never ntioned that he had officially joined the Ministry only that morning. He never contradicted the Minister or refrad the narrative.
It wasn’t necessary.
In a world where information traveled by newspaper ink, perception mattered more than fine details. As long as most witches and wizards believed the Ministry was competent and Fudge was a capable leader, the story would hold.
That was all Fudge wanted.
The next morning, Rowan saw the results while eating breakfast.
The Daily Prophet headline stretched across the front page:
TWELVE YEARS OF INJUSTICE ERASED!
UNDER A WISE MINISTER AND A BRILLIANT TWELVE-YEAR-OLD, SIRIUS BLACK REVEALED AS A HERO
Below it were two photographs. One showed Fudge smiling with an arm around Rowan. The other captured Dumbledore placing the Order of rlin around Rowan’s neck.
"So this is what it ans to be a public figure," Rowan said quietly, folding the paper with a faint smile.
Before this, his fa had been limited. He was well known at Hogwarts. There had been brief attention when he joined the English Quidditch scene, but without matches, interest faded. His bravery award in France had drawn little notice back ho.
This was different.
A twelve-year-old who achieved top marks across all subjects, graduated early, entered the Ministry, and cleared Sirius Black’s na in one move was not sothing the wizarding world could ignore.
By the ti Rowan arrived at work, the mood inside the Ministry had shifted completely.
Yesterday’s whispers about nepotism and secret patrons were gone.
Now the corridors buzzed with a different tone.
"So he really earned it."
"No wonder he was placed straight into Magical Law Enforcent."
"I thought he was so Minister’s pet. Turns out he’s just terrifyingly competent."
As Rowan walked through the halls, unfamiliar faces greeted him openly.
"Morning, Rowan."
"Good morning."
He returned every greeting with the sa calm courtesy.
Raw combat ability wasn’t everything. Many Ministry employees couldn’t cast a proper Shield Charm, but that didn’t make them useless. Research, theory, and innovation mattered just as much. Aurors were soldiers. Most Ministry staff were scholars. Wizards like Dumbledore, who excelled at both, were rare.
The Ministry, for all its bureaucracy, still gathered so of the sharpest minds in Britain.
"Morning, Mr. Weasley."
Rowan stepped into the lift just as Arthur Weasley hurried in, slightly out of breath.
"Oh, good morning, Rowan," Arthur said, adjusting his sleeves. "Congratulations on the dal and the reward. Ron and Ginny couldn’t stop talking about you at breakfast. They asked to check when you might visit."
"Next week, if I’m free," Rowan replied. "I’d love to co by."
Arthur brightened, and the two began chatting as the lift descended.
Arthur’s ideas on enchantnt and magical chanics were unconventional, sotis dismissed by others. Rowan, however, recognized their value imdiately.
There would be ti to talk properly at the Burrow.
For now, the Ministry doors were open, and the world had finally learned his na.
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