Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Four

"Oh. Hello Minister. Please come in?" I said, terribly confused and suddenly nervous. I opened the door and pulled out a chair at the table for him. "Would you like some tea?" I had never in my life hosted anyone before let alone a Minister of Magic, so I was completely making this up as I went.

"Yes. Please. A dash milk if you will." He stated like he was here in the cottage every day and just ordering a regular drink. I began to brew the tea.

"So, M-Minister Spavin? What brings you to Mrs. Bickle's home today?" I asked nervously while pouring his cuppa.

"Well, I should think it was obvious. They told me you were bright. I am here for you, Ms. Bennett." He stated matter-of-factly. His small beady eyes trying to get a hold of my character just by staring right into my large green eyes. I had a feeling he was finding me wanting.

"Oh. I'm sorry, I'm terribly confused. I feel as though I've missed a step. Did I know to expect you, Sir?" I said trying to close off my emotions, knowing they usually spilled through my eyes without my knowing.

"Well, it is not every day that a mere child of fifteen possesses a rare, secret and ancient magic and uses that magic without anyone knowing and essentially saves the whole Wizarding World from annihilation from an exceptionally dangerous goblin rebellion. So. I would say, yes. You definitely should have known to expect me." He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes but it was friendly enough. I tried not to bristle at the word "child." I stopped being a child a long time ago.

There was a light knock on the door. When I opened it, Professor Weasley stood there with books and papers in her hands looking at me with slight concern.

From behind me, Minister Spavin spoke, "Ah Matilda, good. We were just having tea. Please join us."

"Minister. I had a feeling you would arrive before me. Even though I specifically requested that you let me brief Ms. Bennett first before simply ambushing her." She smiled rather warmly at me and took a seat at the table. "Black tea m'dear." She stated in an undertone to me with a small wink.

As I brought a second cup to the table and sat down, I folded my sweaty palms in my lap. Awaiting someone to speak and fill me in.

"Well, Ms. Bennett, I have come obviously with your further assignments for the summer which we will discuss after our meeting with the Minister. I cannot have you falling behind in your studies with N.E.W.T.s just around the corner and since you have not had the traditional education our other students have had. Although you excelled at completing your Field Guide and all the extra work I gave you this year, I still worry it will not be enough to properly educate you and with your exceptional abilities, we cannot slack. Is that understood and perfectly clear?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, Professor."

Professor Weasley continued. "Minister Spavin reached out to Hogwarts after the events that unfolded below the Map Chamber expressing his concern for all involved and of course, inquiries were required. Afterwards, he expressed an interest in offering you an opportunity. Since you are still underage and have no guardians, I told him I would sit in as a temporary guardian to guide you in your decision and offer you advice." I'm sure I looked utterly baffled.

"The Ministry understands that magic like yours is entirely rare and as such should be treated with respect. I was informed that you were raised in a muggle orphanage with no knowledge of the wizarding world or of magic until you appeared in the Book of Acceptance at Hogwarts and received your letter. Is that correct?" The minister asked, looking straight into my eyes, trying to decipher the truth.

"Yes. Um. I was essentially a muggle, I guess you could say. There were a few strange things that began happening when I was fourteen though. I just thought that I was... weird... or imagining it. And then a letter arrived. From Hogwarts. And shortly after, P... Professor Fig arrived and explained more." I tried to give as many facts as possible without giving away anything I didn't want to, still stumbling over the good professor's name though.