Chapter 3 - The Family Secret Part 2

I was up in my room, playing around with... *ahem* ...commanding the presence of some toy soldiers. It had been about 2 hours since mother and I got back, and she and father were entertaining guests from some ministry. I am not sure why they are so excited, we have never been very religious before, but I am pretty sure it has to do with me. I could go spy on them, but honestly, I was promised a month of vacation and I am sure as hell going to take it and enjoy it! If they want me to meet with some religious peeps later, so be it...They better not be planning to send me to Catholic School... It was mid-July and my birthday was in less than a month on August 11th. This year, 2021, I would finally be 11! ...Whatever that meant. Mother and father were excited, so I guess I could pretend to be as well, for them.

Back to my super awesome game. The name of the game was...War...Ok, admittedly it is not the greatest original name, but I was eight when I made it, so sue me. It was a realistic war simulation game I created with dice, rulers, points, and "rules way too complicated for anyone reasonable to understand." (according to sister Susan) I was just lining up the arc of fire of an artillery cannon aimed at an enemy fortification made of cardboard with a protractor, ruler, and calculator, when there was a knock at my bedroom door. I looked up to the door, then down at the scattered pieces all about the room, on my bed, dresser, desk, carpeting the floor, and some even hanging from the ceiling on a string... (Paradrops were a thing in my game) It seemed I was in a bit of a pickle now, as I had no clear path to the door what with hundreds of plastic and cardboard combatants spread out all around me. I certainly didn't want to mess up their positions and formations, as it took nearly an hour for me to get this battle setup ready. Deployment, marching, logistics, morale, and too many other complicated factors and calculations painted a clear picture that this was the perfect time to strike...in the made-up game I created... "Oh well," I said quietly with a sigh as I addressed the person at the door,

"Will you be coming in? I will need to clean up the floor if so."

"I don't have to if you are busy." Said a refined female voice from behind my door, "I just wanted to meet you and talk briefly about the situation at the studio earlier."

Realizing this woman was from the church, I called, "One Second," as I began as I made a path to the door, scooting pieces and detailed cardboard structures aside. I can always reset these smaller ones. Sure, it may skew the battle in the attackers favor if I don't get them back to the proper positions, but that was a risk I had to take. I was curious about who this ministry official was and why she wanted to visit me directly. Picking up and putting aside the naval fleet of the defending army (also made of cardboard) I opened the door and put on my best fake smile to greet this important woman.

On the other side of the door was a middle-aged woman of average height with wavy brown hair that curled at the tips. She had sharp features that told me she was a serious person but, from the slight smile lines I could see around her mouth, it seemed she was friendlier than she first appeared. This was reinforced by the smile and kind look her brown eyes gave me as she looked over me and the room at large. Oddly, she wore a long black robe that seemed to be 100 years out of style. Maybe she is a nun?

"Hello Jordan, my name is Hermione Granger. It is a pleasure to meet you and I am very excited to see what is to come when you...go to...school..." she trailes off after seeing my room in such a state. She glances quickly at me and at my reddening face from embarrassment, before taking in the room once again.

She tries very hard not to laugh and passes it off as some small coughs reasonably well. I couldn't blame her. If I suddenly opened the door to a sea of crudely designed cardboard warships, planes, tanks, castles and forts, and pile and piles of army figures stacked as if they are just seconds from all-out war, I would laugh too! I could tell right away that she was not laughing at me, but rather the absurdity and magnitude of the fake battle I had progressing all over my room. I will try to hedge her off before she could start laughing out loud.

"Sister Granger, I apologize for the state of my room. You may laugh if you wish, as I understand it is more than a bit absurd," I start with a polite smile. "I was having a mock battle in the grand strategy game I created. I understand that some of it might look ridiculous, but I assure you it is based on much research and sound strategic planning. It is a bit of a hobby of mine, but please pay it no mind. Anyway, let's move to the hallway couch where we might be able to hold a proper conversation." I finish politely and wave her over to the couch on the opposite wall to my room. Crisis averted. Go me!

She chokes back her laughter and stares at me, now obviously both amused and confused "...Sister?"

I close the door to my room, walk out into the long and elegantly decorated hallway, and wave my hand as an indication to follow as I proceed towards a nearby plush couch lining the wall "You are a nun from some religious ministry, are you not? I figured that was the proper way to address you. I apologize if I got it wrong." I make it to the couch and sit down. I turn to face her, expecting that she has followed me, only to hear a bark of laughter back at my bedroom door. 'Well, that's new.' I thought as I saw the nun doubled over laughing and holding her stomach from my position on the couch.

I stare at the laughing nun, honestly a little worried about the woman's sanity, as 2 equally interesting and unknown men come down the hallway from around the corner. One was a middle-aged man with shaggy jet black hair, green eyes, and glasses, while the other was a tall black man that seems to be getting on in his years. While the first man wears the same black robes as the woman, (priestly robes?) the second wears a blue robe with purple and silver accents as well as a blue hat. They look confusedly between the now crying-in-laughter nun and me, who sitting awkwardly on the couch with a stiff smile.

"Erm...Hermione...What's going on?" The glasses-wearing man asks with an amused smile on his face.

"He...*Wheeze* He...thinks I am a nun!" The woman, who is apparently not a nun, yells between gasps for breath and small persisting giggles.

"He what?" The 4-eyed not-a-priest starts giggling to himself as well. Meanwhile, the black man in the colorful blue robe only smiles as they turn and look at me.

I simply wait for the laughter to die down, taking on a bit of my mother's famous cold smile. "I apologize for being incorrect, but can one of you please tell me what it is you need from me?"

"Right," Hermione says, finally calming down and looks over towards me with a smile, "Sorry about that Jordan. You just gave me the best laugh I've had for the last several years. I am not a nun, nor am I from a religious ministry. Quite the opposite, really, if you take churches at their word...Anyway, we just wanted to meet you and explain that you are not in trouble in the least for what happened at your photography studio."

I let a huge sigh of relief out at that. So these people must be paranormal investigators or supernatural police then. That energy I shot from my mouth was surely not a natural occurrence, and it is good to know I am not in trouble. Though I really wish I knew what it was and how I did it... "This is Harry Potter," she pauses as if waiting for a reaction. When none comes, she continues, "and he is head of the..." she shakes her head and shares a look at the other two before continuing, "He is head of the law enforcement branch that covers situations like this."

Mr. Potter then offers his hand and I stand up to shake it. "Beside him is... Kingsley Shacklebolt. He joined us here as a consultant since this is the first time I have had to deal with something of this magnitude since taking over.

Mr. Shacklebolt nods and says in a deep voice, "Very nice to meet you Jordan. We are expecting big things from you."

"Indeed!" Mrs. Granger says, "I hope we can work together well in the coming years." She finishes with a smile.

I sigh tiredly and look at the three. I get it now. This is what always happens. The helped me out so I need to help them out. I rub the bridge of my nose as I look back at the three robbed people who stare at me with more than a little concern at my attitude change. "You want my autograph or a photo for your department, right?" I said in almost a defeated tone. "Why else would the head of two departments in the "Ministry" come to see me directly. Do you want to take some photos with me for your PR team? You don't have to beat around the bush and I promise I won't try and charge you anything. I know that I could have been in a lot of trouble if you didn't help out, so just tell me what and how much you want." I finish looking at them with expectant eyes.

"Jordan that isn't..." Mrs. Granger starts, but I cut her off.

"I don't mind, you are making this easier for me after all! I am used to this. It happens more than you would think. If you just give me a second, I will go change into..."

"Jordan!" I jump at my mother's voice and turn to see her smiling tightly at me. My father is standing next to her and is looking a bit nervously at the three ministry officials. "Don't be rude! They are not here for that. Just greet them properly..."

"Please, Mrs. Leoren, if you will allow me?" Mr. Potter says and looks at my mother who nods. He then gets down on one knee to look me in the eye directly. I notice he has a sad smile as he speaks to me in a soft and calming voice.

"Not a fan of the fame and all that comes with it, Jordan?" Mr. Potter says with a bitter laugh and a knowing look. "I can fully understand that. My situation is different, but I have had to deal with my fair share of unwanted attention and people trying to use me in the past. Don't worry, we are not here to use you or to try and gain anything from you or your family. We honestly just wanted to meet you, ensure you knew you were in the clear, and wish you the best for your 11th birthday. I am sorry if we upset you." He says and stands to turn to Mrs. Granger, "I think we should head out now."

She nods and looks back at me with far more compassion and understanding in her eyes than I have ever seen in an adult who is not my family. "Depending on the circumstances, we may be back after your birthday. I wish you a very happy birthday and hope that you enjoy your time off away from your stressful career."

"Oh...sure," I say awkwardly and look at them each in turn as they nod. This, frankly, surprises me. I am not used to adults showing me anything but their greedy intentions.

Turning to my parents, Mr. Shacklebolt continues, "Agreed, there is still much to do. If he is admitted, the school will need to be informed..." he pauses and looks at me, then back at my parents, "Though only the Headmistress and those she deems worthy will know the truth of it."

My parents nod and thank them as the 3 ministry officials start walking back down the hall. I watch them go, a bit stupified by the whole situation, and jump when Mrs. Granger turns back around and addresses me. "Jordan, If we meet again, I would love to learn more about your game. It seemed to be very detailed and well put together. Take care now." With that last, and a small wave, they turn down the hallway heading for the foyer stairs and the front door.

"Honey," my mother whispers softly as she spins me around and pulls me in for a hug, "Not everyone wants to use you or is just being nice to gain something from you. What you said and did was very rude and we are lucky they took it as well as they did. I know you have had bad experiences in the past, but you can't let that influence all of your interactions in the future or you will have a difficult time making friends."

She is right, of course. I shouldn't have said those things...but I am just...so tired of being used, and so used to being tired. Adults only ever tried to manipulate me in the past, why should these powerful and influential people be any different? Yet...they were. And I was unnecessarily harsh to them. I would need to apologize if I get to meet them again in the future.

"The good news is," my father continues where my mother left off, "that you will most likely not have to deal with adults like that in the future. If you get into the school we hope you will, it is likely very few will know you from your modeling and acting career."

I looked back at him surprised. "Are you sending me overseas?"

"No, sweetheart." My mother answers with a soft chuckle. "You will know soon enough, but for now you can relax and enjoy this month off. The important part is that you are safe and not in trouble with the Ministry. Let's go out to eat tonight to celebrate! We can get a private room just for ourselves, what do you say?" She asks and gives me a gentle kiss on my forehead. I nod once and mother smiles. Linking arms with father and me, she leads us towards the foyer. "We haven't visited Garcia's in a while, is his daughter doing better? I know we gave him a couple of months off of rent so that...."

As my parents dive into the game of "Where do you want to go to eat tonight, honey?" I am lost in thought. Something doesn't make sense here. What is the Ministry? Somehow in this whole crazy night, that was never answered. Also, why would the heads of 2 departments come and visit a 10-year-old just to tell him he is not in trouble? This doesn't seem to add up. I know they are not trying to use me now, or at least strongly believe that they aren't, but then why would they go through so much trouble? *Sigh* Adults are weird.