Having momentarily forgotten about Arthur now that he'd found Theo, Hawke cast an appraising gaze over his younger brother, relief pouring over him as the slighter man seemed to be in one piece. "I'm sorry," were the first words out of his mouth, though he wasn't really sure what he was apologizing for.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"I lost track of you during the attack,"</span>he explained,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"> "One moment you were shaking the Minister's hand, and the next . . . people were dying and I was terrified I'd find you on the floor."</span>He released a heavy sigh, the subconscious restlessness leaving his body along with it. He suddenly understood what he'd apologized for, because if Theo had died during the attack, then Hawke would have failed in his responsibilities as a big brother.<br/><br/>Theo's eyes held an unplaceable expression, one that Hawke almost classified as guilt, but it was gone in an instant.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"I can take of myself, Hyp" </span>his brother insisted, but it wasn't with the same ferocity as their argument before. Theo was trying to reassure him, rather.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"I helped clear a path into the study for the Minister and then when it was all over they wouldn't let me leave the room until the ceremony hall had been cleared of . . . the dead. Of course afterwards Ophelia told me where I might be able to find you." </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"I guess you can take care of yourself after all," </span>Hawke admitted, albeit a little reluctantly. Of course he wouldn't be backing down from the role of protector any time soon.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"And I'm proud of you," </span>he laughed, punching the other playfully on the shoulder.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"Not every Auror gets to guard the Minister on his first day." </span>Merlin, Theo had been an Auror for all of five or six hours.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"But I'm sure you know not everything we do is exciting," </span>Hawke cast his gaze around the panicked employees and heartbroken families that had piled into the atrium, likely looking for answers that he would not be able to give them. Not yet, anyways, but he was determined to find out who'd committed this disgusting act of violence.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"> "It's gonna be a long night, wrought with the dangers of paperwork and crowd control," </span>he sighed.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"I suggest you go home and get some sleep while you can. I'll have to stay here and help with the investigation." </span>He wasn't tired, at all, actually, driven by the need to do everything in his power to help bring these people some solace. Then again, he supposed, their loved ones were never coming back, but perhaps knowing who'd killed them might bring these families some resemblance of closure. He knew that from experience . . .<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"I'm not going anywhere,"</span>his brother insisted.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"I understand,"</span>he motioned towards a weeping woman being consoled near the fountain.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"She needs to know who killed her husband . . . just like you and I both lay awake some nights wondering which Death Eater scum bag killed Mom."</span>Hawke was at a loss for words, Theo taking the thoughts directly from his own head, but this wasn't usually something the pair ever talked about. Just something they swept under the rug and tried to ignore. And even though Hawke comforted himself with the reassurance that the aforementioned scum bag was very likely either dead or rotting in Azkaban, Theo was right. He'd be able to rest more easily knowing exactly who's killing curse had stricken Thea Hawke to the ground that night in the forest nearly four years ago. He knew the bastard's voice by heart, though . . .<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"And besides, I've already chosen a mentor and if he's not leaving then neither am I," </span>Theo informed him.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"He's one of the best, and I plan to learn everything he can teach me. Even the paperwork." </span>Hawke's heart sank slightly, having hoped that maybe Theo would choose him as his mentor, but obviously the younger Hawke had already approached someone else. He wondered who this Auror could be, whose skills had enamored his brother so.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"Well, whoever you've chosen as your mentor, I'm sure he's a great choice. Especially if you think he's one of the best,"</span>Hawke grumbled, his pride slightly offended that even his own brother had overlooked Hawke for field experience. Theo was laughing now, only serving to confuse the older blond further.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000"> "It's you, Stupid. That is if,"</span>Theo suddenly seemed unsure of himself.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000"> "That is if you accept, of course." </span>Hawke didn't think his grin could grow any wider, happiness filling him to the brim to know that his brother needed him for a change.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"As if that's even a question. Of course I'm still not happy you're in this line of work,"</span>he teased. But it was the truth, he was more worried for his brother now than ever, especially after tonight's attack, but at least this way, as Theo's mentor, he could keep a close eye on him.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"> "Well, your first assignment as my trainee is to make me a cup of coffee."</span>Theo was still laughing at Hawke's apparent stupidity.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"> "No really . . . I'm not joking about the coffee."</span>His brother's mirth disappeared, replaced by an expression of annoyance.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff8000">"Seriously?"</span><br/><br/>As he and Theo turned back towards the lift, Hawke was pulled back into reality as he recalled rescuing Arthur from Muggle Liaison, a brief flashback from their conversation flashing through his mind.<i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#5900b3">"I mainly keep record of witches and wizards in relationships. Making sure that everyone is keeping with the Statute of Secrecy..."</span></i>Which meant dear Arthur likely had filed the paperwork on Hawke's father, had maybe even been the one to confirm his obliviation. At least the intern seemed to have the decency not to bring it up, Hawke conceded as he glanced about in search of the intern that was now nowhere to be seen.<i>Suppose he left,</i>Hawke shrugged mentally. It was probably in Mr. McClagin's best interests anyways. The Ministry was still not a safe place even despite the fact that the attack was over. And obviously the timid office worker was unfit to keep himself out of trouble.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000">"And Theo," </span>he nudged as he and his brother stepped into the lift to head back up to Hawke's office,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b30000"> "Whenever you have the time, can you track down an employee's records for me? A Mr. Arthur McClagin." </span>His brother gave him a curious look, as if questioning why Hawke would bother with such as this, but he nodded all the same. Hawke mainly wanted to know the make of Mr. McClagin's wand . . . just in case someone found it in the building. And perhaps, since it seemed Arthur might know a little more about the Hawke family then he'd led Hyperion to believe, Hawke wanted to do a little digging of his own. And besides, what kind of Auror would Hawke be if he didn't cross every 't' and dot every 'i'? He hadn't forgotten about the whispers he'd heard . . .