"As I said earlier," Cornelius Fudge declared, one arm resting firmly on Rowan Mercer's shoulder, "the wrongful imprisonment of Mr. Black was the result of mistakes made by a previous administration. While the responsibility does not fall on me, 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 Mercer 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 medal for bravery."
The cameras flashed relentlessly. Fudge smiled broadly, every word carefully aimed.
"Therefore, the Ministry has decided to award Rowan Mercer the Second Class Order of Merlin, along with a reward of ten thousand Galleons."
Applause followed.
On behalf of the Wizengamot, Dumbledore presented Rowan with the medal. Dolores Umbridge, wearing an expression that was far too stiff to be sincere, handed over the official reward documentation.
Then came the interviews.
Rowan answered calmly, precisely, and without stepping on any political landmines. He never mentioned that he had officially joined the Ministry only that morning. He never contradicted the Minister or reframed 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 Merlin around Rowan's neck.
"So this is what it means to be a public figure," Rowan said quietly, folding the paper with a faint smile.
Before this, his fame 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 home.
This was different.
A twelve-year-old who achieved top marks across all subjects, graduated early, entered the Ministry, and cleared Sirius Black's name in one move was not something the wizarding world could ignore.
By the time 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 Enforcement."
"I thought he was some 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 same 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 some 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 medal and the reward. Ron and Ginny couldn't stop talking about you at breakfast. They asked me to check when you might visit."
"Next week, if I'm free," Rowan replied. "I'd love to come by."
Arthur brightened, and the two began chatting as the lift descended.
Arthur's ideas on enchantment and magical mechanics were unconventional, sometimes dismissed by others. Rowan, however, recognized their value immediately.
There would be time to talk properly at the Burrow.
For now, the Ministry doors were open, and the world had finally learned his name.