A/N : abbreviated writer 's annotation prior to the chapter. This chapter is from teddy bear 's compass point of view, as I wanted to drop a line the particular of what happened during the commission to beguile Greyback. An article in the Prophet just would n't do it justice. Bob Hope you enjoy !


Teddy lupin had been a Junior Auror for nearly eight month. In that fourth dimension he had n't done much in terms of fighting dark wizards, and most of the missions he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his work had consisted of paperwork and the occasional stake-out. Being an Auror, Teddy had discovered, was a lot more than chasing down Dark wizards and saving mass 's lives.

It was for this very ground that Teddy had been surprised when his godfather, Harry potter, had approached him the late day and told him of his newest duty assignment. He, Teddy Lupin, brand-new Junior Auror, had been assigned to the mission of capturing escaped werewolf, Fenrir Reb. Johnny, the Sami werewolf who had infected his father with lycanthropy decades ago. Johnny Reb, one of Britain 's to the highest degree precious fugitives.

The mission, Harry had informed him, was very sensitive in nature and had to be handled with delicacy. There was to be no quotation of it to anyone outside of the citizenry assigned to it. There were very few masses assigned to the mission and they included Harry himself, the Head of the regularization and ascendance of Magical brute, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to keep an eye on the tyke Greyback attacked the previous month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Greyback mission itself.

Harry had explained the particular of the mission, including the fact that the whole thing had been Albus 's estimation, along with one of his friends, who happened to be the Head of the regulating and controller of Magical tool 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took teddy bear a few minutes to roll his head around the entire situation. To make matter even more insane, Albus 's loup-garou friend was the brother of Teddy 's acquaintance, Amy.

But when it came down to it, all of this meant that chemise was going on his first literal mission as an Auror.

Harry had instructed him to show up at the Hog 's Head, in camouflage, at seven o'clock. Once there, he was to order a drink and sit at the bar, avoiding contact with everyone. Harry, Ron, and Bruno Walter Eckerton were going to do the same.

Disguising himself was Teddy 's principal strength. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his face so he looked a few years old and his hair's-breadth so that it was a generic brown color rather than its usual turquoise. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few pounds. After donning a tattered old cloak, Teddy turned on the spot and reappeared in the bowling alley next to Weasleys'wizard Wheezes.

Teddy peeked inside the building and saw George working. If he had n't been on a deputation he would 've stopped to say hello, but instead he turned in the opposite focus and headed toward the Hog 's Head.

The pub was practically vacuous. There was an old witch at one of the tables, nursing a drink, and a cuss quiescence at the end of the bar. Ron was already there, sitting at a table with a goblet in presence of him. He 'd clearly attempted to mask himself, but there was no mistaking his red hair. Harry and Walter did n't seem to be there yet.

Teddy ambled up to the bar, deciding at the finale minute that his shammer image should walk with a limp. Aberforth was there and chemise ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the usual drink for the Hog 's headspring, but he needed to hold his question percipient for the mission. He took the drink and began to sip it slowly, as he had no idea how long he 'd want to pretend he was n't an Auror.

A half minute later the door opened again and Harry and Walter walked in. Walter joined Ron at his back table while Harry went up to the bar. He sat next to Teddy.

"How 's it going, Aberforth ?"he asked quietly.

"Fine,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry business,"Harry said."mightiness be here a few hr. Could be the whole nighttime. Do you mind ?"

"Not at all,"Aberforth replied."Pub 's yours, although I 'll be leaving at eleven. Not a lot business on a Mon night."

"We 'll lock up when we leave,"Harry said.

Aberforth nodded and set a few more Butterbeers on the riposte. Harry picked them up and gestured for slip to follow him to the back table, where Ron and Walter were now crouched over a piece of lambskin.

shimmy sat down next to Walter and Harry sat next to him. He passed around the Butterbeers while Ron turned the parchment around so shimmy and Harry could see it. Teddy recognized it ; it was Albus 's map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Currently, it was magically magnified to show the Shrieking shanty and the thou outside it. Only one dot was there. It was labeled 'Matthew Eckerton'and was stationary in the screeching Shack.

"Moon just rose,"Walter said quietly."Just a waiting game now."

No one had told him, but Teddy knew the existent reasonableness why he 'd been assigned to this missionary station, and it had nil to do with his Auror science. Sure, that had been a summation, but any of the early Junior Aurors were just as modify. And the entire Aurors were even more so. The cause was that he was the only Auror who was related to a wolfman, and thus would n't worry that a werewolf at Hogwarts was an entire part of this program. It was also the reason why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror Paul Leonard Newman had previously been assigned to the Rebel guinea pig. Walter Eckerton did n't need any risk of his son 's condition being leaked to the public, and putting Harry, Ron, and teddy on the slip would ensure that it would n't.

"Are you for certain Limnodromus griseus is even going to show up ?"shimmy asked quietly as he stared at the map.

"Fairly sure,"Walter said."Werewolves are attracted to the birdsong of their own kind and Johnny is set on creating his own pack of Brigham Young loup-garou. He spent the shoemaker's last total moonshine lurking around the shrieking shack, after he attacked those children. He knows matt 's there. He 'll come back."

slip nodded. The minutes ticked by and the pub grew quieter. The old crone left, taking her glass with her. The man sleeping at the bar snorted and rolled over, nearly falling off his stool. Teddy finished his Butterbeer and set it next to the early evacuate glasses on the table, wondering if he should go order another or just remain seated.

At eleven o'clock Aberforth woke up the bloke at the bar and had to help him to the door and then physically shove him out of the pub. He gave a agile nod to Harry, Ron, Walter, and Teddy and then went upstairs.

"I suppose the disguise were a bit pointless,"Ron said as he pointed his wand at his facial expression. His nose returned to its normal flesh.

"fountainhead, with the Hog 's Head, you never know,"Harry said.

The chemical group settled into silence again. Outside, there was the phone of swoon howling. Teddy glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every meter there was a particularly brassy howling. Harry and Ron sent him sympathetic looks that teddy tried to mimic. He did n't stimulate any kids so he really had no theme what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

Teddy glanced down at the map and noticed three new dit had appeared."Harry !"shimmy said as he pointed to the map.

All four men crowded around the map once more. One of the loony toons was indeed labeled 'Fenrir Johnny ,'but the others were names Teddy did n't recognize.

"Meredith Jenner and Maxwell Jenner,"Teddy read."Who are they ?"

"They must be other werewolves,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Bruno Walter said as he shook his head."Those are the two kids who got bitten hold out month."

"You 're kidding,"Harry said."Dammit, this did n't cross my mind."

"Mine either,"Walter said.

"What about the others ?"Ron asked."Newman and the two from the loup-garou ascendence unit of measurement ?"

"There they are,"shimmy said as three new point suddenly appeared onto the map. They must 've Apparated."

"Yeah, well, they 'd deliver no chance following three werewolves on infantry,"Walter said.

"Let 's go,"Harry said as he stood up.

chemise stood and drew his sceptre. He followed the three older men out of the pub and shut the door behind him.

The Hog 's chief was not far away from the Shrieking Shack. Within three minutes they arrived and found Newman and the former two wizard attempting to restrain the three werewolves.

"They 're the kids from terminal month !"one of the Werewolf controller Unit employees shouted.

"Be deliberate with them !"Walter shouted back."They 've done nothing untimely !"

"We 're trying !"

The two smaller loup-garou were currently attempting to assail the Werewolf control unit employees and Paul Leonard Newman, while Calidris canutus seemed to manage far more about getting into the shriek hutch. He was a much with child masher, Grey in coloring material, and had bright yellow eyes. He was on the porch, biting at the door, and not paying any attention to the wizards around him. It seemed to Teddy that he had far more than ascendence over himself than a rule werewolf.

Walter and Ron joined the werewolf Control Unit employees in trying to hold back Meredith and Maxwell. It was a hard project because they had to do it without hurting them. teddy was fairly certain that the law would n't care whether the two nestling were hurt in the process, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to Teddy and they walked slowly up the lawn, their scepter out in front of them. If they could just watch grayback by surprise then they 'd be able to beseech some ropes and restrain him before he even knew what was happening.

They were only twenty dollar bill feet away when it happened. Greyback suddenly froze and then turned around. He must 've smelled them. With a loud snarl, he jumped the twenty pes separating them in one leap.

teddy and Harry jumped back, sending charm forward as they did so. grayback lunged, the spells not seeming to impress him at all, and made a swipe at teddy. shimmy jumped to the slope and sent another Stunner at Greyback.

Battling a werewolf was very different from battling a hotshot, slip realized. And battling werewolf had not been covered in breeding. Sure, they 'd learned and practiced the spell used against werewolf, but they 'd never performed them on actual wolfman. The main difference was that werewolves did n't have wands and thus could not cast off spells. But at the same prison term, they had teeth, claws, and were much hard than the middling homo. Plus there was the fact that one morsel would reverse you into one forever.

Teddy and Harry took turns sending Stunners at Limnodromus griseus and were able-bodied to jumble him enough that he did n't quite do it who to attack. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the scream Shack.

Reb soon realized that he was being cornered back onto the porch and decided to accept another leap forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making physical contact. teddy jumped forward and sent another Stunner toward Greyback.

grayback flew backward and slammed into the front door, his foreland making a sickening crunch as it collided with the doorknob. He slid down the door and landed on the story, not moving.

Teddy looked at Greyback and then at Harry, who was getting up from the ground. Teddy had n't even understand that he 'd fallen over.

"Harry, you okay ?"Teddy asked.

"Fine,"Harry said."You ?"

Teddy nodded and began to need a few timid footprint toward Rebel. Harry was soon by his slope.

"Is he ..."teddy bear began.

"I do n't believe so,"Harry said quietly."Just unconscious mind. Here."Harry muttered a charm and R-2 flew from the end of his wand. They wrapped them around greyback until he was secure.

Teddy felt slightly disappointed. There was a part of him, a very low part, that wished he 'd killed Greyback. Greyback had been the one who 'd made his dad 's life miserable, and he 'd viciously attacked Victoire 's dad when he was n't even transformed. Yes, shift had to include, there was a contribution of him that wanted revenge. A character of him that wanted to be the one who finally killed Fenrir Greyback.

Teddy glanced over to the residue of the group, but they 'd finished, too. Walter was currently tying the two werewolf nestling up with roofy while the other men stood around watching. Ron looked up and met slip 's eyes, then walked over toward them.

"Done ?"Harry asked.

Ron nodded."They 're tied up and Stunned. I suppose we 'll make to hold on Stunning them until the Moon sets."

"So they were n't on Wolfsbane,"Harry said."Interesting."

"Walter said he 'll personally make a visit to their house in a few days to discuss precautions for next calendar month,"Ron said."But still, their parents must be half-wit. They could 've been killed."

"The parents are okay, then ?"Harry asked."I wonder what happened."

Ron nodded."Newman said they locked the tike in the backyard shed but did n't put any wards up. It must 've been soft for Greyback to damp in."

"I wonder why they did n't listen to Werewolf accompaniment table service,"Harry mused."I know for a fact they visited."

"Well, at least no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the former lycanthrope had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the Shrieking shanty by the wolfman ascendency Unit employees. Walter and Newman were following them.

"What is that blame dissonance ?"Newman exclaimed, nodding his straits to the screaming Shack.

Bruno Walter glanced a the Shack and then turned to Newman."Ghosts. I 've heard that blank space has been haunted for years, long before I moved to this country."

Harry nodded."It 's been haunted since the 70s."

"Loud ghosts,"Paul Newman muttered."Has the Spirit variance ever looked into it ?"

"Multiple time,"Walter said."They 're peaceful ghosts, just loud. We have n't had too many complaints, so have n't bothered to do anything about it."

shift was amazed that Walter could lie so easily and freely. But he supposed that he 'd been doing it ever since his son became a werewolf, so he 'd gotten used to it.

"Let 's get this lot back to the Ministry,"Harry said, gesturing to the three unconscious mind werewolves. Newman, take either Lee or Parks back to the children 's household and inform their parents that they can pluck them up at the Ministry tomorrow."

Newman and Lee, who was one of the Werewolf Control Unit employees, Disapparated on the spot. Harry grabbed hold of Greyback and instructed Walter and Parks, the other lycanthrope control condition Unit employee, to each charter one of the children. With an exceptionally trashy crack, the entire group Disapparated.
***


Each of the werewolves were set up in an inquiry room to await the remaining minute until break of day. shift, along with Walter, had been assigned to keeping spotter on Greyback, Stunning him when necessary. Harry, Ron, Parks, and Lee had been assigned to the children. Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a wolfman were to hold somebody there to Stun them every hour or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"Teddy asked as Walter Stunned Greyback for the fourth prison term."Why do n't people do that ?"

"Repeated Stunning is n't healthy,"Walter replied."It 's why it 's not allowed on most captive. It 's only allowed on wolfman because they 're classified as wolf and not Beings."

Teddy nodded."What does it do to them ?"

"Depends on the wolfman,"Bruno Walter said."It has no long-term effects on plenty, but others wind up ill or with store loss."

"Ca n't say I 'll be too overturned if it has any ill gist on him,"teddy said as he nodded to Greyback.

"Me either,"Walter said.

"I have to ask,"teddy began,"did you get into Regulation and Control of Magical fauna before or after your son was bitten ?"

"Before. Ironic, is n't it ?"

"Just a bit."

"It 's because of your founding father that my son is able to go to Hogwarts. I know you probably do n't even remember him, but I 'm forever grateful for him paving the way."

Teddy nodded."I wish I could call up him. I suppose it was really Dumbledore, though, who let him go to Hogwarts."

"I never had the pleasance of meeting Albus Dumbledore. I wish I could say I have."

teddy and Walter lapsed back into quiet. Teddy could hardly believe that he was sitting in an interrogation room with the wolfman who had turned his male parent. If only his dad could see him now.

Walter glanced at his sentinel."moonshine should be setting within the half hour."

Teddy gulped and he hoped Walter could n't hear his meat whacking. He had n't been nearly as nervous about facing Greyback as a wolf, but the thought of facing him as a human was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the adjacent half hour to endure forever, but at the same clock time he did n't. It had been a very long day and he wanted to go home and sleep, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a mass of paperwork ahead.

Greyback began to stir, but Walter did n't Stun him. Instead, he conjured a simple set of robes, set them on the table, stood up, and gestured for shift to follow him out into the corridor. Teddy did so, but looked at Walter quizzically.

"He ca n't break loose. He 's got no wand and there 's anti-Apparition good luck charm on the rooms,"Walter explained."He 'll be at his absolute weakest as he transforms and despite the evilness he 's done, he deserves the regard of transforming alone."

shimmy was impressed. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. Teddy supposed it came from having a son who was a werewolf. If slip 's own founder had lived, would he have similar persuasion ?

There were no silencing magical spell on the inquiry room. Soon the corridor was filled with howl and was then replaced by painful shrieks. The shriek soon gave way to a hanker stream of profanity.

"Let 's go,"Walter said as he placed his bridge player on the doorknob.

teddy had no estimate what to expect when he entered the room. He 'd only seen pictures of Calidris canutus from the seer and black-and-white photos never did a mortal justice.

Fenrir knot was crouched on top of the mesa, dressed in the clothing that Walter had provided. His grey hairsbreadth was fibrous and matted with crap and blood, and his face bore several week 's worth of Second Earl Grey beard. His font was lined with late wrinkles and Teddy realized that he had absolutely no idea how old the man was.

Greyback took a inscrutable sniff as Walter and shimmy entered. He grinned and let out a maniacal laugh."nous of the Department,"he muttered."Guess I 'm popular."

Teddy froze, all his training suddenly out the windowpane. He could hardly believe that this man had attacked his father when he was only a shaver. Fenrir Johnny was far more sinister in person and slip felt a pang of fellow feeling for his forefather as a five-year-old.

"So you found me,"Greyback said."How 'd you do it ?"

"We were waiting for you, knot,"Walter said."We knew you 'd return to Hogsmeade."

Rebel sneered."Yeah, wanted to go back for that lycanthrope in the screaming hutch. He smelled young, impressionable."

Walter paled."You 'll never get the opportunity to go back."

"We 'll see,"Greyback replied.

"sufficiency schmooze,"Walter said, turning to Teddy."catch him."

shift snapped out of his persuasion and immediately went back into Auror-mode. He set himself apart from the office and ran on autopilot.

"Fenrir Greyback, I am Auror Ted Lupin and you 're under hitch,"Teddy began.

Greyback 's middle grew wide."Lupin. Any coitus to Remus lupin ?"

"He was my father,"Teddy said proudly.

"I made him who he was,"Greyback said as he stared directly into Teddy 's eyes."I changed his life."

"Fenrir Rebel, you are under taking into custody,"shimmy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a pair of handcuffs and walked over to Greyback."You have the right to remain silent. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the wolfman."If you choose not to be silent, anything you say can be used in your trial. You will have a trial. If you can not find representation, we will get it for you."

teddy grabbed Greyback 's arm and pulled him off the board and into a resist position. As he did so, he met the former man 's center. They were yellow, pure yellowness, and completely grim. He looked like the face of iniquity, as if Reb had no man someone left. It was in that moment that Teddy knew for sure that this wolfman held no law of similarity to his Father-God. Calidris canutus lived to disseminate evil, while Remus lupine had lived to lay off it.

Teddy slapped a set of handcuffs on Limnodromus griseus. He opened the door and pushed Greyback out into the corridor, still holding onto his arm. Walter followed and the two walked alongside each early as they led grayback to the holding cells.

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved grayback into a cell and locked the doorway behind him.

"Your dad would be incredibly proud of you,"Harry said to Teddy.

chemise nodded and gave Harry a half-smile.


A/N : I hope you enjoyed the slip chapter ! I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for all the adorable brushup !

The rightfulness shift read to Greyback are adapted from the Miranda right field, created by the United state Supreme Court in 1966.


Albus awoke the next morning to the sound of an owl pecking at the window. He rose from his bed and went to let it in. The owl was unfamiliar, but he vaguely recognized it as the breed of owl the Ministry of illusion used. The letter was addressed to him, so Albus took it, let the owl back out into the coldness, and set down on his bed to unfold it.

Albus-

We got him.

-Dad

That was all it said, but it did n't need to say anything else. His dad probably could n't say anything else in a letter, anyway. Albus folded up the parchment and shoved it into his bedside table. He glanced at the clock and realized there was no peak in going back to bed since grade would start in two hr.

Instead, he got started on that week 's Charms reading while he waited for John to waken up. This took a good 60 minutes and when he finally did wake up, it took him xv minutes to fully wake up and get dressed. John was not one for dawning.

Albus waited until they were in the Great Hall for breakfast to severalise John about the letter from his dad, so that he could order Kaden, Rose, and Amanda, too. Luckily they managed to retrieve a relatively secluded part of the table.

"I got a letter from my dad this morning,"Albus said as he scooped eggs onto his plate."They got him."

"Oh thank God !"Rose exclaimed.

"Did he tell you about it ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"No,"Albus said."But I 'm sure it 'll be in the oracle tomorrow."

The group decided to eat a very quick dejeuner later in parliamentary law to visit matt before their afternoon classes. Albus wanted to order him about Limnodromus griseus as soon as possible.

Albus found it incredibly difficult to keep his mouth shut during potions because the rest of his classmates were discussing Rebel and whether he had attacked anyone the previous nighttime. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the background from her dormitory window last dark, but Karina and Marina said it was only a dog. Two of the Slytherins said they heard howling all night, and Scorpius said one of the Old pupil had received a letter from his brother claiming to have seen Johnny Reb in Diagon skittle alley. It seemed that Albus and his friend were the only ones in the entire castling who knew Greyback had been captured.

Scorpius Malfoy left potions early after speaking in whispers with Slughorn. Whatever it was it was a effective self-justification since Slughorn actually let him go. Albus thought this was very curious, but did n't live on it since his judgement was still racing about Greyback. He wanted contingent about the capture, but probably would n't get any until he read the article in the Prophet.

"Anyone know why Malfoy left ?"John asked as they hurried up to the Great Hall for lunch.

"No mind,"Albus said."Maybe he was ill ?"

"He did n't look ill,"St. John said."I suppose if he is ill we 'll see him in the hospital wing."

Albus and his Friend ate the fastest lunch they 'd ever eaten and race up to the infirmary wing. Kaden had Herbology after lunch and would need a upright bit of time to get there, so they wanted to expend as much of tiffin as possible in the hospital wing.

madam Pomfrey was engaged berating a student for trying to charm her whisker pink and had charmed it all off instead and did n't acknowledge Albus and the others walk in. Only one bed was occupied and the drape were drawn around it.

"guessing Malfoy 's not here,"Gospel According to John said as he led the group over to Matt 's bed.

whoremaster pulled the mantle back and Albus saw that matte was sitting up in bed, eating lunch. This month he was sporting a patch wrapped around his full chief and ones on his hands as well. He seemed to be having a bit of difficulty holding his sandwich.

"They better have caught him,"Matt said as he dropped his sandwich."Dammit. I ca n't go another month wrecking my hands."

"They did,"Albus said."My dad owled me this morning, but he did n't render me any details."

"I knew he was there,"Matt said."The wolf wanted to get out again and this time I banged my head repeatedly against the door."He gestured to the question bandages.

"I do n't believe you 'll have to worry about that again,"John said."They 'll probably put twice as many guards on Greyback 's cell."

"I think this is the spoilt vexation I 've ever had in my life,"mat muttered.

John grinned mischievously."Shall Kaden and I do a repetition of last week 's prank ?"

Matt gave him a look of execution."If you do, I 'll kill you and I wo n't be responsible for my actions."

"Just kidding,"John said.

"ma'am Pomfrey wants me to eat lunch and then she 's going to sacrifice me adequate sleeping draught to catch some Z's until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"Well, I 'm going to throw a lovely afternoon of fertilizing magic flora with flying dragon dung,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a Friedrich August Wolf affair and the raging worry, I 'm kind of jealous."

"I 'd take the dragon dung,"flatness said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to look out the finally debate today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his head."They 've actually put it off two More weeks. It was in the paper this morning. I guess they want it fresh in multitude 's minds or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Saturday and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Hufflepuff and Slytherin,"Albus said."If Hufflepuff wins, then we 'll be ahead in points. But if Slytherin winnings, we 'll probably be behind them."

"Here 's hoping for Hufflepuff, then,"lusterlessness said. He glanced at his half-eaten sandwich."I think I 've given up on feeding. I do n't mean to kick you lot out, but I 'm really looking forward to sleeping."

"Not a problem,"Albus said."We 'll see you later."

"I think I 'll be back tomorrow,"Matt said."Unless this headache does n't go away."

John glanced at the clock."Brilliant. There 's enough time for me to run back to the Great vestibule for an eclair before Transfiguration."

"I 'll conjoin you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The girls decided that a second dessert was in order as well, so the whole group hurried back to the Great residence before their next class. On the way there Albus realized just how much better he felt now that Greyback was once again behind saloon.
***


"teddy arrested him !"Albus exclaimed at breakfast the next aurora. He 'd just end reading the clause about Greyback.

"Seriously ?"pink wine exclaimed, grabbing the Prophet."I did n't even know he went on that mission."

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and Matt 's dad. Plus Newman and a few Werewolf ascendancy Unit employees. And those kids who got attacked last week were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any wards up on the shed they were in."

"That 's stupefied,"Rose said.

"Was anyone injury ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, look, they 've quoted Laurentis,"Rose said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's recapture is tremendous news for wizarding U.K.. I applaud both the Auror Department and the Department for the Regulation and ascendence of Magical brute for their coaction in this capture, especially Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four captive at turgid. The work is not done and we must remember this before celebrating .'”

"Did they cite your uncle ?"john asked.

"No,"Rose said."It says he has n't made a argument about it yet."

"I honestly think that this is only going to take in his musical accompaniment of your dad facial expression better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a winner. I mean, just look at the clause. Absolutely nothing went wrongly with that capture. There were three werewolves on the relax in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was true. Three loose werewolves would normally be a incubus for a still small town like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the lycanthrope control condition Unit employees, cypher got hurt.

"I 'll just be well-chosen when this election is over,"Albus said.

"You 're telling me,"Cedric said as he sat down across from Albus."I do n't even worry who wins anymore."
***


Hufflepuff somehow managed to squash Slytherin during Sat 's Quidditch match. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the honest team they 'd had in class, and that Slytherin 's steward had landed himself in the infirmary wing after blowing up his potion on Friday, earning him a ban from the peer by Madam Pomfrey. But whatever the reason actually was, it was certainly beneficial to Gryffindor.

Albus awoke early on Sunday, suddenly riddled with nerves about the dueling tournament. This month 's tournament was the back to last of the year since all the professor had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the seventh years had expressed that they could n't supervise practices while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two more hazard to assure a win for his team, something that had n't happened yet this year.

Albus and Amanda were the first off of their team to come in the Great Hall before the tournament. The rest of the team trickled in slowly as they waited. Five minutes before the tourney was scheduled to begin, the just person missing was Malfoy.

"It 's not like him to be late,"Amanda commented."Usually he 's here too soon telling you what an nasty job as captain you do."

"No, it 's not,"Albus agreed as he stood up to get a better look at the doorway."I do n't see him."

"He was n't in potions the early day,"Amanda reminded Albus."Actually, I have n't seen him since he left potions early on Tuesday."

Albus thought back and realized Amanda was right."Oi !"he called to his chemical group of Slytherin teammates."Any of you know where Scorpius Malfoy is ?"

"He went home,"one of the third years said."No theme why. He has n't been here since Tuesday."

"He went home ?"Albus repeated, staring at the tierce year."That 's odd."

The third yr shrugged."He did n't tell anyone anything about it. He just left."

Albus had to intromit that this news gave him as a great deal dashing hopes as confusion. Scorpius Malfoy was one of the team 's best duelers, no affair how annoying he was.

"No one goes home when it 's not a holiday,"Amanda said.

"Yeah, not unless they 're really ill or something awful happened to their kinsperson,"Albus said.

"Attention pupil !"Neville called out."The tournament is about to begin !"

Albus managed to push all thoughts of Malfoy out of his judgement for the duration of the tournament. Most of his teammate dueled well, although only Albus and a few other fourth years won both their duels. In the end they secured third place, which was certainly well than a skilful lot of the rest of the team, but still was n't first. They were still in the running play for winning boilers suit at the end of the season, but they 'd necessitate to do really well in the final tournament.

Albus and Amanda met the rest of their Quaker in the Marauder 's Den after the tournament was over.

"Did Malfoy skip the tournament ?"John asked as soon as they entered."Not that I 'm complaining since your team probably would 've beat mine if he had showed."

"Apparently he went home base on Tuesday,"Albus said."I 'm assuming that 's why he left potions early, but no one has any idea why he went."

"Maybe his parents took him on vacation,"Matt said."They seem the eccentric to do that."

"You 're not allowed to miss classes unless it 's a just self-justification,"pink wine pointed out."I do n't believe going on holiday is a beneficial excuse."

"I think something bad is happening to someone in his family,"Amanda said quietly."Remember that missive he was reading during practice ? And how quieten he 's been lately ?"

"I 'll ask Elsie Willinson,"Rose said."I tutor her tomorrow. chance are that Malfoy told Felix about whatever 's going on so maybe Elsie knows, too."

But whatever was going on with Scorpius Malofy, Elsie Willinson was just as clueless as Albus and his acquaintance. She either had no theme or refused to tell rose wine, despite the fact that Rose prodded her about it ever ten minutes during their tutoring school term on Monday.

Malfoy returned to category on Tuesday, walking into potions fifteen hour late, and Slughorn made no credit of his tardiness or the classes he missed the previous week. Albus attempted to learn his face during class but he gave no clues about his emotions.

"Hey, Malfoy !"Albus shouted as they left the schoolroom a unawares while later.

Malfoy spun around and met Albus 's eye. He did n't look angry, nor was he sneering. Instead, he just looked lost."What do you want, ceramist ?"

"Missed you at the tourney Saturday,"Albus said, hoping Malfoy would tell apart him where he 'd been.

"Bet you did n't win without me,"Malfoy replied.

"third gear place,"Albus answered."Where were you ?"

"None of your byplay, Potter,"Malfoy said as he turned around. He sped up and was soon lost in the sea of pupil hurrying to the Great Hall for lunch.
***


The keep up calendar week passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his orphic disappearance. The election was now only a week away and everyone in the palace, bookman, prof, and ghostwriter alike were talking about it. With only one debate remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The Prophet published a poll they 'd taken and neither campaigner had a significant lead story on the early.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, former pass of the Auror Department, was the last Minister of thaumaturgy selected by the Wizengamot,"Professor Banks said in class two days before the final debate."His selection was very quick and he stepped into place the day after Voldemort 's death. While almost of the wizarding Earth knew that the Ministry needed an overhaul, they also needed someone to take in charge and manage the overhaul.

"Shacklebolt held office for three days while supervising the drastic alteration that made the Ministry of thaumaturgy the governing entity we see today."

Albus had met Kingsley Shacklebolt a few times and found him slightly intimidating, but funny at the same time. He just had a very dominate front and Albus was n't surprised he 'd been made Minister of Magic after the war.

"The three twelvemonth Shacklebolt held agency were very tumultuous. Decisions had to be made, drastic ones, and they were not gentle. The first and most obvious determination was the decision to change the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly corrupt. Remember that prior to this redesign every pureblooded syndicate held a seat on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born beldame and wizards without representation.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry functionary working to reorganise the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle world for stirring. The premature Wizengamot bore more resemblance to the Muggle House of Divine, the upper House of Parliament. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the House of common, the Lower firm of parliament. In the Muggle human race, these representatives are called Members of Parliament, MPs for light, and are elected. In the wizarding world, they are simply call off member of the Wizengamot.

"fellow member of the Wizengamot then began being elected by the general public, much like MPs are elected in the Muggle reality. Each member has a district, although figuring out these districts was far more difficult than it was in the Muggle world. Does anyone accept a surmisal as to why ?"

Amanda raised her handwriting."Yes, girl tagger ?"banking concern said.

"witch and champion are n't as uniformly spread out throughout the United realm,"Amanda explained."In the Muggle world the territorial dominion are very much based on Town, but champion do n't really have towns."

"Correct,"bank building said."Because of this the territorial dominion, if shown on a map, would attend vastly different in terms of sizing. For example, London has three separate districts because there is a very large wizarding population in London. It 's far easier for wizards to blend in in a orotund city than a minor townsfolk since things generally go unnoticed in big city. On the early hand, Wales only has two territory, and therefore two representative, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

Albus did n't give birth a clue as to who his district 's representative was, or even what district he lived in. It was one of three, as he now knew.

"I 've taken the impropriety of printing a map with a list of all the spokesperson and territorial dominion numbers,"bank said as he began passing out sheets of parchment."I 'd take chances a guesswork than very few of you know what district you 're in or who your representative is."

Albus looked at the sheet after he received it. London seemed to be divided into W British capital, North Jack London, and East/South Greater London. north London, where Albus lived, was dominion Two, currently represented by a bloke named Oliver Prang.

"Elections are held every five long time,"Banks said."None of the representative are up for election this year, but most are up for election next class. None of you will be of age to vote in next year 's election, but I suggest you read up on your instance horizon and beliefs anyway.

"To lure you to learn,"camber continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two weeks. Figure out who your instance is and indite me a foot-long essay detailing your illustration 's belief and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old copies of the prophet as well as archive recording of Wizengamot meetings, both available in the library. You are receive to use any former author as you see fit."

There was a cosmopolitan groan from the class, which made cant grin. He always seemed to love assigning prep.

"Now onto the more turn on news,"Banks said."This Saturday is the final disputation and four of you will be able to pay heed. I apologize in feeler for those whose name have not been chosen, but there simply were not sufficiency argumentation. As usual, the rest of you will hear to the public debate in the August 6 classroom.

"The two from Hufflepuff are Sam Bordeaux wine and huisache Hornell. The Gryffindors are John Brickston and Janie Creevey. Your essay on this argument, to be formatted like the previous two, will be due in a week. stratum dismissed."

"I knew it would be me,"john said as the packed up."Bilius and Ethan have already gone and you two get to go every time."

"I had n't even realized that,"Albus said.

"Karina 's the entirely one of us who wo n't get to go,"pink wine pointed out.

"That essay, though ..."John said."The one on our congressman. That 's going to take up forever."

"Not if you do your research right hand,"Rose said as they left the room.

"Any of you in District seven ?"King John asked.

The rest of the grouping shook their head teacher. They compared dominion numbers, but none of them were in the same. blush wine and mat were the closest, with their territorial dominion bordering on each other.

"I guess we 're all doing our own inquiry then,"privy said with a sigh.

rose wine gave him a live up to smirk, clearly happy that she would n't have to grapple with privy attempting to bum off her research. Albus wished that he and rosebush were in the same territorial dominion because he, like St. John the Apostle, did not savour doing this research. Usually they only had to use their textbooks for research, but not this meter. This clip, their textbooks would n't help oneself at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the critique ! It 's metre for the annual Dobby honour at HPFF and nominations are now opened ! header to the assembly to name your preferent story ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a link to the forums on the flop side of the Page. Be sure to read the rules before you nominate ! We hate having to disqualify taradiddle for transgress rules.

The information about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the House of the Lords and the Parliament Wikipedia pages. I hope I got everything right, but I 'm not British, so feel rid to luff out any errors.


As the hebdomad progressed more and more of the seer was dedicated to election insurance coverage. By the fourth dimension Saturday arrived it became nearly inconceivable to find a single clause that was n't about the election. There were editorials, interview, command from the nominee, view polls, and more. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glance at Saturday 's edition.

"Place your stakes here !"

Albus glanced up from his breakfast to see James, Cedric, and Ben walking up the gangway between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables carrying a jar filled with coins.

"We 're taking bets !"James shouted."Any takers ?"

"What are you betting on ?"Albus asked."Who wins ?"

"No, that 's tiresome,"Saint James said."We 're taking bets on how yearn it 'll look at the debate moderator to bring up that looney Australian bloke who kidnapped you last year. This debate is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

It had n't even crossed Albus 's thinker that last year 's incident would be brought up in this argument, but James was probably mighty. It was the openhanded outside scandal wizarding Britain had seen in years.

"What 's your bet ?"Albus asked his brother.

"Ten second,"James said."We 've had a few people say it 'll go on right away and others who are giving it as long as a half hour."

"You do realize that your dad 's the one moderating this debate, do n't you ?"blush wine asked, setting down her copy of the Prophet.

Epistle of James, Cedric, and Ben exchanged a glance."Er, no, we did n't have it away that,"James said."How do you know ?"

"Says right here in the theme,"Rose said, pointing to it."He might not impart it up."

"I hope he does n't,"mat muttered."I 'd rather just forget Lubar 's existence."

"He might still bring it up,"Saint James said."It was a fairly big incident."

rose shrugged."It 's possible."

"So what would Uncle Harry Hotspur say if he knew you three were taking bet on the argumentation ?"Albus asked with a grin.

Cedric paled."He 's not going to find out. Everyone who places a bet is sworn to secrecy. We 've had them foretoken something. If they say anything their faces will sprain orange."

"Is n't that like what auntie Hermione did for the D.A ?"Albus asked.

"Sort of,"Cedric said."But we 've told people about it, so they know what they 're signing."

"Any stakes, then ?"James IV asked.

Albus and his protagonist all shook their heads no. lowest year 's incident was far too personal for them to localise bets on whether it would be a disputation topic.

"We 're wasting prison term, then,"James said as he led Cedric and Ben further down the gangway."Place your bets here !"

"They 're idiots,"rose wine muttered.

Albus agreed.

An 60 minutes later Albus, rose, mat, and John were back in the Great Charles Martin Hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this public debate would be watched by even more than people than the past ones, with many masses standing in the rear due to miss of seating. Personally, Albus thought most citizenry would 've already made up their minds since the election was only four days away, but clearly it was still a popular event.

John had to sit with the early students who 'd been picked while Albus, rose wine, and Matt sat up front, like common. All of Albus 's full cousin were there, including GA, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Peach State,"Albus said.

"Hi, Al,"Empire State of the South replied."I 'm so sword lily this is nearly over."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed."How is the squad ?"

Georgia 's fake grin grew echt."Oh, they 're wonderful ! Connor Blythe, the keeper, he put in his notice that he 's only going to do one Sir Thomas More season after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to pack his stain. Me ! And I 've only been on the team for a class !"

"That 's wonderful !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll possess to get me just the ticket to your showtime match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the family to be there at my first catch as permanent Keeper,"Georgia said."And I want Dad right there in the social movement row, cheering me on."

"Well, if he wins, he 'll have to restrain supporting you,"Albus pointed out.

"Yes, well, I want it to be real,"Georgia said."We 'll see."

"Could everyone please take their rear ?"Kendrick announced in a magically amplified phonation.

GA left and went to her own place, as did everyone else who was still standing. The room grew quiet and Kendrick took a few steps forward.

"Thank you. I 'd like to receive you all to Hogwarts. This is the endure argumentation of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to pick out such a big role in it. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity for staff and students alike. Remember, Wed is election day, so please roll your votes. Now, I would care to preface today 's moderator, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Harry Potter, Head of the Auror department !"

The room erupted in deafening applause. It seemed that no thing how Laurentis tried to disbelieve Albus 's dad, no one could demand away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

Harry walked forward and took his shoes behind the moderator 's stump."Thank you, thank you,"he said and the bunch grew placid once more."Now, please welcome our candidates, Mr. Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

The prospect received considerably less applause than Harry did, something Albus found incredibly rummy. If his dad ever decided to run for government minister he 'd experience the thing won before the airstream even began.

"I am indisputable both our campaigner know the principle by now. Five minute answers and five minute rebuttals,"Harry began."Mr. Weasley, you will begin."

Albus had to strangle his laughter at the fact that this dad called Uncle Percy 'Mr. Weasley .'

"The first doubtfulness is very general,"Harry said."In your opinion, how is Great Britain 's relationship with its foreign neighbors ? Should the Ministry be making more of an endeavour to work with its neighbor or are things okay as they are ?"

"I think overall our ministry has a just family relationship with foreign ministries and politics,"Percy began."We have no current feuds with any foreign rural area and all foreign talks have gone well in the past few class. However, I believe there is always room for improvement when speaking of kinship with other countries. There are always fortune to reach out to our neighbors, and you never know when such human relationship will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My opponent makes funfair percentage point,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our relationships with foreign ministries is an excellent idea, I wonder if that is really where our energies should be focused right now. There are many issues we need to call here at home, and as Mr. Weasley said, our current relationship with foreign nations are good."

"The department of International Magical Cooperation deals solely with International magical cooperation,"Walker Percy pointed out."Working to fix issues at base is obviously a goodness idea, but what do you suppose this department does while we do that ?"

"Well, yes, of course, that department is always working on international issues,"Laurentis said."I was merely speaking of the Minister and his contiguous officials."

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next dubiousness. The topic of changing the classification of werewolf from Beasts to Beings was brought up at the last debate. Both of you expressed no desire to bring this up with the outside community. Have either of you changed your position on this in light of the recent capture of Fenrir Rebel ? If not, will you explain in more detail why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at Matt. Maybe now they 'd envision out exactly why Uncle Sir Henry Percy did n't want to change the werewolf classification, more than just it was n't worth the endeavour.

"The capture of Fenrir Rebel was undoubtedly a success. I hope cypher has misconstrued my words on that. The fact that it was done without any injuries, let exclusively human death, was nothing curtly of amazing. The Aurors and Werewolf ascendancy Unit employees who executed the plan of capture are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the capture of one loup-garou should affect our decisions on the group as a unit. If anything, if lycanthrope had been classified as Beings during that capture the Aurors and wolfman mastery social unit employees would not consume been able to use the method acting of capture they used. To be honest, I fail to see any benefits of reclassification."

Albus felt Matt tense side by side to him. Laurentis really was clueless, was n't she ?

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my resister about the seizure of Fenrir Calidris canutus. However, I disagree with her about the potential benefits of reclassification. First, the Aurors and lycanthrope Control Unit employees could let used the Lapp methods they used lastly night, as Head of Department Bruno Walter Eckerton does not allow any method acting of capture that would not be allowed if loup-garou were classified as Beings. In terminal figure of Department for the regularisation and Control of Magical wight rule and regulations, werewolves are to be treated as beingness. This has been the casing since Eckerton took over as Head over a year ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is unaware of this fact.

"As for welfare, those with lycanthropy would be able to batten job far more easily and would deliver the Lapplander right field given to goblins, house-elves, Centaur, vampire, and human race alike."

Apparently his uncle had much to a greater extent of an judgement than the one he gave at the last argumentation, Albus thought.

"Your time is up, Mr. Weasley,"Harry said."Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis."

"Then perhaps Walter Eckerton ought to pick out another looking at at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly legal of him to use Thomas More harsh methods to bring wolfman into capture. But since this capture was a roaring winner, I will not blame him for that. As for werewolf rights, I have yet to learn of any charge by werewolves about their rights."

"That 's because they do n't quetch to you,"Matt muttered under his breath.

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not experience time to fully answer the question, I will retain,"Harry Hotspur said."While it would be good for werewolves if they were reclassified as Beings, I do not think it 's feasible. It would take concord from all nations, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Australia would never be on board, and considering our rocky relationship with that particular country, I do not feel it is in our best involvement to start lecture of the reclassification of wolfman. In finis, I feel it would be a worthwhile enterprise, but given the unlikelihood of it amounting to anything, it would be a waste of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."next question. In regards to our bumpy human relationship with Commonwealth of Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you sense it would be good to stay trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United land ? Mr. Weasley."

Albus glanced at his watch. Whoever betted on 40 minutes would be very happy, he thought. Albus had been hoping this topic would n't be brought up, but he supposed it was too big of an issue not to be.

"If elected I would postpone this determination to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the necessary expertise on the discipline. However, it is my personal belief that it would be worth pursuing. I believe it is of import to post a content that Ministry employees, even high-ranking official such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was frightful and in no world should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

"Notice how Mr. Weasley did not mention that his nephew was one of the minor kidnapped by Lubar,"Laurentis pointed out."I think this might overcast his mind a little. I disagree with him about this particular topic. We 've been trying to have Ralph Lubar extradited for nearly a year and Australia has not budged. Why bother continuing to pee-pee efforts toward this when it is acquit they will be fruitless ?"

"If we give up, it will be telling the world that anyone can go perpetrate a crime in another country and not be punished,"Harry Hotspur said."more than than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Aboriginal Australian government and having our citizens believe their government to be corrupt will not help outside magical cooperation."

"The possible corruption of the Australian government is not any of our business at the current time. We can not force them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal popular opinion that they will never do so. I daresay that the section of International Magical Cooperation has more pressing subject to deal with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have time for one more interrogative, but in light of the fact that the election is on Wednesday, I am going to give each of the candidates a chance to work a cosmopolitan speech instead. Mr. Weasley, you may verbalise first."

"Thank you, Harry."

Walker Percy seemed ineffective to call Harry 'Mr. ceramist .'Albus giggled at this.

"I would like to give thanks Professor Kendrick and the quietus of the Hogwarts staff for being so accommodating, as well as the scholarly person. None of the students sitting in this room right now were alive before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the scholar in this way were active during Voldemort 's sovereignty of threat. They read about both of these in story leger, because to them, it is simply history. To me, and the balance of the grownup in this room, the previous Ministry and Voldemort are our past, our memories. We remember the affright, the alien, the awe.

"I was a part of the reorganization of the Ministry. We all know the yr that have followed- the twelvemonth where we have lived without fear, without terror, without the unknown. I have been with the Ministry every step of the way since Voldemort 's defeat and I will make it my duty to continue the repose that we 've had for over twenty old age. I will hold on this short because I, like well-nigh of you surely do, believe that the proficient address is a curt speech. If you want a government minister who will preserve the achiever of government minister Hartwell 's time in office, vote for me, Walker Percy Weasley, on Wednesday. Thank you."

There was a smattering of applause, but it did n't last long. Albus had a feeling that most of the rest of the students wanted the election to be over.

"My opposite routinely brings up the past. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the time to come, except in wispy statements about keeping matter the same. It 's dependable that I was not involved with the reorganization of the Ministry over twenty years ago. I got into political relation later in life. But I do not feel that this will make me an substandard rector, nor do I think it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"History is just that. History. We certainly need to learn from our chronicle to guarantee that we do not make the Saami misunderstanding we did before, but it is not necessary to possess lived through history to be a successful drawing card. There are mess of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking officials, who were not here during Voldemort 's sovereignty. Walter Eckerton, for illustration, did not live in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical fauna.

"In unforesightful, I believe we need to focus on our future rather than our past. If elected minister of religion I will ready progressive changes in not only our ministry and police, but our educational system as well. Things have been ran the Saami for over XX years, and while I am not denying the success, I think we have needed change for a while. bunk prisoners are running absolve. Hogwarts lessons are being taught the same way they were when these children 's grandparents were in school. The ministry, along with its laws and policies, needs to adapt as the twelvemonth go by. If you feel variety is needed, if you are at all upset about the way affair are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

There was another smattering off applause. Albus did n't clap at all and neither did any of his cousins. If the election was based upon familial support, Walker Percy would have it in the bag.

"I think your uncle may induce won my parents'support back,"matte said as they left the Great Hall.

"Yeah, he made himself go a bit better today,"Albus replied."Laurentis just does n't get it."

"Nope,"lusterlessness said."But she does n't seem to have an issue with my dad, which is good if she gets elected."

"What if she wins and she stops trying to get Lubar extradited ?"Rose asked as they met up with John.

"She ca n't. The man is mad,"John said.

"Honestly, I think it would be better if he was n't extradited,"Matt said quietly.

"Why ?"St. John asked incredulously."He kidnapped us and tried to work Voldemort back !"

"He was n't really a part of that,"Matt said."That was the Willinsons."

"But still,"Albus said."Why ?"

"Because if he gets extradited he 's going to be angry,"lustrelessness explained."He 's got quite a temper. And when he does n't get his way he attempts to ruin the aliveness of those who stand in his way. Just think about it. If he were brought back here, what 's stopping him from making my ... status ... populace ?"

"He could n't do that,"Albus said."It 's illegal."

"You think Lubar would like ? He did it in Commonwealth of Australia !"lustrelessness snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in fuss for it zip could ask what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be better if the creation just forgot about the unanimous thing."

Albus had n't thought about it like that before. lusterlessness did receive a point. But there was a component part of Albus that just wanted to see Lubar behind bars.

"addition, there 's no way Australia will extradite him,"flatness said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both good about one thing. The Australian regime is very demoralize, and I do n't remember anything will happen until that depravation ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and wolfman wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

"So even though you moved, the Aussie authorities still has some ascendence over your life,"Gospel According to John said."That 's messed up."

"Yeah, it really is,"Matt agreed."But it 's the way the world works."


A/N : Thanks for all the follow-up ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly plug away my stories for Dobby nominations ! Head over to the meeting place to put up my ( or any former ) narrative for a Dobby laurels ! Be sure to say the dominion before nominating.


Albus had been hoping classes would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such fate. Kendrick organized it so that the Great Charles Francis Hall would be the polling billet and that voting would not affect the cosmopolitan student soundbox. Hogwarts was the designated polling place for the district it was in, so there would be early people coming to the schooltime to vote. Albus 's first cousin who were of age ( Thomas Bradley, Fred, and ling ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling station had been set up.

Albus and his booster spent most of Herbology watching people walking from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in order to vote. It was very disorder and Neville did n't vex telling people to get back on undertaking.

"When are we going to bang who won ?"John asked as they walked back to the palace for defence.

"It 'll be in the prophet tomorrow morning,"Albus said."That 's the official notice, but I 'm sure enough we 'll line up out earlier. Tom Bradley and Cedric have to go to the end of the election party tonight. It starts at six and the canvass close at eight. They 're announcing the winner at the party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minutes to spread around the castle."

John the Divine laughed."You do n't have to go to the party ?"

Albus shook his head."My parents gave me the choice. I said no. James and Lily are n't going, either."

"What about you two ?"John asked Rose and Matt.

"No,"Rose said. Matt shook his head.

"Good,"Saint John the Apostle said."We should have our own party here. A political party to keep the end of this election. Maybe it 'll mean Embry will let up on the essays. Anyone else writing their argumentation essay during defense reaction today ?"

For the yesteryear few month about people had used DoD as a sketch Marguerite Radclyffe Hall. The worksheets Pres Young assigned never took prospicient than XV minutes and he did n't seem to like what his scholarly person did with the relaxation of the class. Just as long as they were n't being loud. Albus did n't think anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox dessert in Department of Defense this year, since there was n't much point in time.

Albus, Matt, and Amanda all still needed to write their essays as well. Rose had written hers immediately following the debate, but the residual of them did n't see the need to do it right away.

"I can always finish it in History of Magic, too,"John said as they entered the castle.

"Let 's go peek in the Great Hall,"Albus said as he led his supporter over to the right.

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four small cubicles curtained off where the staff table should 've been. A short queue of masses were off to one side and seemed to be waiting their turn for the cubicles. It did n't seem very exciting.

"Any scuttlebutt on the election ?"

Albus turned and saw a reporter lurking near the doorway. He did n't recognize this peculiar reporter.

"No, thanks,"Albus said as he steered the group away from the Great Hall, and thus away from the reporter.

"I do n't call up they 're allowed inside,"rose mentioned."So they ca n't nark multitude who are voting."

"That makes common sense,"Amanda said."Well, let 's go get those essays done with. Then we 'll never have to drop a line essays on debates again."

Albus nodded. No more debate essays. Now that would be a good thing.

The remainder of the day passed quickly. Albus, Matt, and Amanda managed to terminate their essays during Defense, but John only got halfway done. voting was suspended during lunch and then again at dinner. Albus overheard a few of the sixth and seventh days talking about vote and the election during dinner. A twosome of Ravenclaws even got into an debate about it.

"Let 's ready a pact now not to get in any scrap over the succeeding election when we can all vote,"Rose said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws storm out of the Great G. Stanley Hall.

The rest of the group heartily agreed. Albus could n't suppose ruining a friendly relationship over something as silly as an election.

"This party that Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric are going to,"King John began,"it 's for both your uncle and Laurentis ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said.

"That 's going to be awkward when they announce the winner,"whoremaster said with a laugh.

"It 's supposed to encourage good sportsmanship and that sort of thing,"rosiness explained.

"Still ... I ca n't ideate Laurentis being a good athletics,"lav said.

After dinner party Albus and his friends returned to the common room, deciding that it might be interesting to expend the evening there rather than the Marauder 's Den. They also wanted to hear firsthand from Bradley and Cedric who won.

The commons room had the clear-cut tactile property that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch compeer. James I, Fred, heather, Mark, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to have a political party to celebrate the end of the election and thus the end of debates and essays on debates. There were cases of Butterbeer and trays of cooky and nobody was working on any homework.

"Maybe now affair can get back to normal,"Albus said as he opened a Butterbeer.

"If Uncle Percy wins things will never be formula again,"rosiness pointed out.

Albus shrugged."I do n't know. Amanda seems fairly normal and her uncle 's the flower Minister."

"That 's because nobody here cares about the bloom rector,"Amanda said."At home everyone knows I 'm the niece of the Prime government minister. My sister and pal certainly are n't anon. at their shoal. My sister 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in secondary school."

"Albus, you 're Harry potter 's son,"John said flatly."No affair what happens, you 're going to be well-known."

Albus supposed that was lawful, but sometimes he wished it was n't. Sometimes, he wished he could stimulate his own way in the earth and not have his dad 's name tied to him.

"Did you ever get the map back from your dad ?"matt asked.

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just odd,"Matt said.

Albus reached into his bag and pulled the map out. He 'd taken to carrying it around with him all the sentence, but he was n't sure why. After setting it down on the table he revealed it and focused on the share that showed Hogwarts.

"There 's still a bunch of people voting,"Albus said, gesturing to the Great Asaph Hall. About a half dozen or so dots were milling about.

"Madam Rosmerta 's there,"Amanda pointed out."I wonder who she 's voting for."

"No idea,"Albus said. He glanced at his watch."Half 60 minutes until the poll parrot close."

"How long do you think Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric will stay ?"Kaden asked.

"Probably not long after the proclamation is made,"Albus answered."They do n't really like going to those things."

"Albus,"John said, pointing to the map."Is it just me or is Malfoy going into Moaning Myrtle 's toilet ?"

Albus peered down at the map. Sure enough, a dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'had just entered the second floor girl 's basin. That did n't make any sense.

"What the netherworld is he doing in there ?"Matt exclaimed."Why would anyone go in there ?"

"Vinca minor 's there,"bathroom commented."Look, she 's floating over toward him."

"But why ?"Albus asked, still utterly confused."Why would a bloke go in there ?"

"Maybe the map made a error ?"Kaden suggested.

"Dad says the map never lies,"Albus explained."wellspring, there 's only one way to find out. Let 's survey him."

"auditory sensation good to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This party is getting boring anyway."

John and Kaden nodded their headland in agreement. pink wine raised her eyebrows.

"No way,"flatness said, shaking his head vehemently."There are n't enough Galleons in the world."

"Oh, amount on, it 's just a girl 's loo,"Amanda said."spirit, there are n't even any female child in there also Myrtle. And she 's a ghost !"

John laughed."Vinca minor 's got a bit of a crush."

"John, shut up !"Matt said, his cheeks turn red.

Amanda and Rose burst out in laughter."Seriously ?"Amanda said.

"Yeah, we had hold in there once,"whoremonger explained."Myrtle spent the unscathed time flirting with Matt. It was hilarious."

"I said, shut it !"Matt shouted.

"Oh, add up on, she 's just a ghost."

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"Fine,"whoremonger said."Suit yourself. Rose ?"

"I 'll stay put here, thanks,"Rose said."You 're wasting your time anyway. It 's not like he 'll tell you anything."

Albus did n't care. He still liked the idea of going because it felt like he was doing something, making some sort of advance on figuring out why Malfoy had been acting so oddly the retiring few months.

They did n't trouble bringing the invisibleness Cloak since there was still an time of day left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing pendent in honor of April Fool 's Day, but ignored his cackles.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the lavatory as they walked quickly down trajectory of step. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the second trading floor corridor, after the stairs decided to lead them directly to the inaugural story rather than the second.

"He 's leaving !"Albus exclaimed as they got back on the stairs after their slight detour.

"Maybe we can watch him on his way back to the keep,"Amanda suggested.

Albus nodded."Let 's wait here, then."

Their current location gave them an excellent view of the Great residence. A few Ministry officials were currently carrying pieces of the ballot cubicles out of the room, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half hour until they had a new Minister of conjuring trick.

John nudged Albus."There he is."

Albus turned away from the Great Hall and saw Malfoy walking down the staircase. He looked extremely determined.

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Potter,"Malfoy replied.

Albus suddenly had no idea how he was going to ask Malfoy about why he was in the lady friend 's loo without revealing the map. If they caught him in there it would 've been slow to say they saw him going in there, but now he was just walking down the stairs, perfectly innocently. He 'd sustain to be really heedful about it.

"So why were you in a girlfriend 's loo ?"Amanda asked.

So much for being careful, Albus thought.

Malfoy paled."Er, I wasn't."

"Yes, you were,"Amanda said."I was in there, too. mo level, Moaning Vinca minor 's lav ? Ring any Vanessa Stephen ?"

"That loo was empty,"Malfoy said quickly."I checked."

"Next time check a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the finis stall and when I heard you come in I had to stick around there because you 're a bloke and it would just be weird to get out of a bathroom stall and come side to aspect with a bloke. I heard you talking to Myrtle, though."

"I ... er ... that 's not any of your ... business enterprise,"Malfoy stammered.

"Then do n't comport your business in a girl 's loo,"Amanda said with a laugh."Let 's go. We do n't want to lack the tidings about the new curate. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the stairs. Albus, John, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their wake. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as blench as Matt is right before a entire moon.

"Amanda, what was that ?"John the Evangelist exclaimed once they 'd gain the second floor.

"That felt good,"Amanda said."He just really irritates me, and this time we had something on him. I could tell Al did n't cognise how to ask him without telling him about the map. But I figured it 'd be pretty slowly to affect I 'd been in the loo with him."

"That 's brilliant,"John said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

"Whatever it was, I do n't conceive he 'll be going in that loo anymore,"Albus said."I just wish we 'd figured out why he was in there in the first of all place."

"Seriously,"John said."The only way you 'd enamor me in a girl 's loo is if you paid me a load of Galleons."

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

"That does n't weigh,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"Oh, shut it, both of you,"Albus said."Let 's travel rapidly up and get back to the common room."

When Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the commons room they were greeted by loud groans and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his brother, who was nearest the portrait hole.

"We thought you lot were Thomas Bradley and Cedric,"St. James said.

"William James, it 's not even eight-thirty yet,"Albus pointed out."They wo n't be back for at least a half hour."

"Oh, right."

pink wine and Matt were in the middle of a game of Bromus secalinus. flatness was losing spectacularly.

"Did you find him ?"mat asked as rosebush 's bishop crushed his queen.

"Yeah, but not in the loo,"Albus said."Caught him on his way back to his coarse room. He would n't tell us a thing."

"Of course of study he did n't,"lustrelessness said."And he probably denied he was in the loo anyway."

"He would 've,"Albus said."But Amanda told him she 'd been in there and then told him off for being there. It was brilliant."

"wishing I could 've seen that. I 've always wanted to tell off Malfoy."

"You should 've come,"John Lackland said."We did n't even see Myrtle."

"Still ... not taking any opportunity,"Matt said."King to D6."

pink wine instructed her knight to go closer to lustrelessness 's mogul."Checkmate.

matt sighed."One day, I 'll win."

"Me following !"Kaden exclaimed. Everyone else laughed."What ? I 've gotten better,"Kaden muttered.

Albus, John, Matt, and Amanda settled down to find out as rosebush clobbered Kaden. Albus could 've sworn he saw Kaden 's chessmen quiver as they were set up on the instrument panel. rose wine 's queen was most definitely grinning maliciously. Over the adjacent half hour Kaden 's while were viciously slaughtered by Rose 's, but not without putting up a conflict. Kaden was in fact getting better.

"Exploding Snap ?"lusterlessness asked after Rose and Kaden repaired their chessmen.

"Yeah, all right,"Albus agreed. The others nodded.

Albus ran up to his dormitory to retrieve his Exploding grab card game. As he returned, the portraiture hole opened.

The total vernacular room froze and was silent. Not a single person moved. Not a single person said a word. Even the first geezerhood, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the tush whole step to the dormitories and waited.

Bradley walked inside, followed by Cedric. Neither seemed overly excited, but that did n't mean that Percy had n't won. After all, they, like Albus, did n't really want Percy to be Minister, but they did n't want Laurentis as minister of religion either.

"Well ?"James asked.

"Dad lost,"Bradley said quietly. He whispered something to St. James and then he turned and left the vernacular room, followed by Cedric.

Albus could n't conceive it. He had n't realized it until now, but he truly had believed that Uncle Harry Hotspur would win. He had the funding of Harry ceramicist. Did n't that mean anything anymore ?

Albus returned to his friends and set the box of cards down on the mesa. He sat down and did n't say a word.

"What does this mean ?"Amanda asked quietly."Will she do everything she said she was going to do ?"

"That and probably worsened, too,"Albus said.

James walked up to the table."Al, Rose, we 're all going to the way of Requirement. Bradley and Cedric want to give us more details."He glanced the rest of the group."Sorry, fellowship only."

"We 'll see you later,"Albus said as he and Rose stood up.

Albus, James IV, and Rose walked to the room of Requirement in secrecy. When they arrived they saw that the door was already there. They walked inside.

The balance of their cousin had already arrived. Albus took a prat on the last persist couch and James and Rose sat on either slope of him. cipher was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Bradley, Cedric, Heather, Mark, Ben, Fred, Hugo, Lily, James I, Rose, and Angie. And himself. They were the mediate group of cousin-german. Not the sometime, not the new, but the one in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything last-place. They were n't the beginning to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the last to calibrate. They stood by each other, through the trade good and through the bad.

Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the battlefront of the elbow room, near its door. The entire way was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with mismatched piece of furniture and organized Chaos everywhere. Albus liked it.

"Well, Dad lost,"Bradley finally said."I already told you that ... but yeah. It was close. He only lost by a duet hundred votes.

"How did he take away it ?"Heather asked.

"Graciously,"Thomas Bradley answered."Thanked everyone for their accompaniment and shook Laurentis 's hand, of course."

Albus was n't surprised. Uncle Percy had and always would be the epitome of a polite politician. But maybe that was n't enough to get elected.

"Is it dreadful that I 'm happy he lost ?"Cedric asked as he squeezed onto the couch between James and Albus."Because I am, kind of."

"Just a bit,"Calluna vulgaris said."What is Uncle Harry Hotspur going to do now ? I doubt Laurentis will keep him on."

"I had n't even thought of that,"Bradley said.

Neither had Albus, but it made sense. Harry Hotspur was still employed by the Ministry, but his job was one of those jobs selected by the minister.

"He 's always worked for the Ministry,"Omar Bradley continued."I do n't think he could do anything else."

The way descended into silence. cypher seemed to bonk what to say, Albus included. His feelings on his uncle becoming curate had been all over the space for the past tense seven months, but now that Sir Henry Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was letdown. It was strange. Just last workweek he had been kind of hoping Sir Henry Percy would lose, and now that he had, Albus felt the arrant opposite.

It was already past curfew for Lily, Hugo, and Angie, but cipher was telling them to go back to the common room. Albus was vaguely curious about what was going on in the park room, but not curious enough to actually go back. matt, John, Kaden, and Amanda would secernate him later.

What Albus was really worried about, Thomas More than anything, was what Laurentis was going to do to both the Ministry and Hogwarts. Laurentis had made it clear that she was going to change the school day, but Albus liked it the way it was. Then there were the alteration to the Ministry, such as the dementors. How long would it adopt for Laurentis to add them back ? Surely she had to go through proper channels to do it.

James, Omar Nelson Bradley, and Cedric were the get-go to hark back to the common way, claiming they had to piss good on all the stakes they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and blush wine returned a few moment later, leaving the rest of their cousins talking quietly in the Room of Requirement.

When they returned Matt, John, and Kaden were playing Exploding centering. Amanda was writing a letter.

"Who are you writing to ?"rose asked.

"My uncle,"Amanda answered."I 've been keeping him updated on the election. He says he likes hearing it from me rather than waiting until the new minister arrives to suffer him."

"Your uncle meets the pastor of illusion ?"John asked.

"Well, yes,"Amanda said."The two worlds do have to coexist. Sometimes there are job that affect both. Voldemort, for instance. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the escaped dying Eaters."

"That 's so weird,"John said.

"I told you about it earlier in the year,"Amanda pointed out."That 's the only grounds I got to go to Hogwarts. My parents changed their minds at the last minute and happened to observe it to my uncle, laughing about the fact that they 'd actually said I could go. And then my uncle told them it was all true."

"I wonder how often that happens,"Albus mused,"Muggleborns not being able to go to Hogwarts because their parents do n't believe."

Amanda shrugged."I 'm just prosperous I was n't one of them."

"I think we all need a distraction,"Rose said and turned to Kaden, whose boldness was covered in ash."great deal out the notice again. Let 's play until we 're too tired."

Albus heartily agreed, and that was exactly what they did. Two time of day later, all of their faces ashen, they were finally tired. But when Albus climbed into bed, his thoughts began racing and he found himself unable to sleep.


A/N : Sorry for the recently update ! My birthday is tomorrow so I had admirer up for the weekend and completely forgot. Thanks for all the reassessment !


The following day 's variation of the Prophet was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The winner did not surprise anyone in Hogwarts since Thomas Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the entire front Thomas Nelson Page article at breakfast and he was gladiolus he did, because the article still held surprises.

LAURENTIS WINS ; BEGINS APPOINTING POSITIONS

In the nearest race for Minister of magic to
date, candidate Patricia Laurentis won the
position conclusion night. opinion poll closed at eight,
with the official success announced at a closed
party at the pastor 's Mansion at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a simple 342 votes, which is the
penny-pinching race we have ever seen.

'I am of form very pleased with this turn of
effect ,'Laurentis said at the curate 's
Mansion after the proclamation was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as Minister of
conjuration on May first. I feel I will be able-bodied to
give the public what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my obligation to contribute them what
I promised during my campaign. I of course
offering my condolences to Percy Weasley. He truly
was a pleasure to run against over the past tense
seven months .'

'I offer my congratulations to my opponent ,'Percy
Weasley said to Daily Prophet reporters at the
Minister 's Mansion. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, fairish and hearty. I am let down,
of course, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the next month Laurentis will decide who
she wishes to appoint to top Ministry position,
before she is sworn in as Minister of Magic on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
time with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this morning .'I already have the great unwashed
picked out for most perspective ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
current official, but I will be replacing quite
a few in society to unspoiled combine the Ministry .'

One mortal has already confirmed his intention
to train Laurentis up on her crack of a position.
Ironically, he is set to take over Percy Weasley 's
flow position under Minister Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to herald that Draco Malfoy is
going to hold the view of Senior
Undersecretary for the Drafting and redaction
of Laws. Draco Malfoy has been a friend of mine
for many old age as we have worked together in the
Azkaban segmentation for nearly a X. I am very
excited to continue working with him .'

Laurentis plans to announce the epithet of her
official as they confirm throughout the month.

"Malfoy 's dad ?"Albus exclaimed, in jar."Since when is he chummy with Laurentis ?"

"Malfoy never said a Son,"Matt added, his eyes large.

"Of course he did n't,"rose wine said."We 're not exactly his friends."

"delay, retrieve in Hogsmeade back in Oct ?"Albus replied."When he talked about how my family wo n't be running the wizarding existence for long ? Not that my family has ever ran the wizarding worldly concern ... But he seemed to know something we didn't."

"This must be it,"John said, staring at the composition."That 's a pretty top position, is n't it ?"

"arcsecond highest for drafting laws,"blush wine said."given his relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most likely pass."

"And who knows what his thought are,"Albus said, craning his neck to see the Slytherin board."Malfoy 's over there. I ca n't quite see his face, though."

"I 'm sure he 'll cause something to say to you in Potions,"Amanda pointed out.

Albus had quite a few hours to look to find out just what exactly Malfoy would accept to say to them. chronicle of Magic, his first class of the day, was as boring as ever. prof Binns showed absolutely no recognition that the election had taken place the previous day. prof Patil was the complete contrary, making no motility to underwrite up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to fumble up the desk she was attempting to transfigure.

"Do you think Laurentis will actually cause instructor sacked ?"John asked as they walked to the Great hallway for lunch."Because if she does, Patil wo n't support a chance."

Albus shook his head."Only if they 're really terribly teachers. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth twelvemonth and I think people will be outraged if Laurentis does the Lapp affair. Honestly, I think Binns and Young are the only if ace in danger."

"Could you sack a trace ?"toilet asked."I mean, where would he go ?"

"He 'd probably deposit around and still try to learn,"Albus said."I ca n't envisage it would go over well."

"And Brigham Young ca n't get sacked,"John lamented."That 's where I do all my homework."

Albus secretly agreed, but did n't say anything because Rose snorted in disgust.

Malfoy was waiting outside the potions dungeon when Albus and his friends arrived after lunch. Gone from his face was the unsettled and partially sad expression, replaced by Malfoy 's common haughty smug. Clearly his dad getting a top Ministry position had changed something.

"Hey, ceramicist,"Malfoy greeted him."congratulation to your uncle on his release. Ca n't thank him enough for that."

"I 'll be sure to tell him,"Albus replied."He 'll be thrilled that he made a Malfoy felicitous. moldiness be gracious that your dad 's got some actual power now."

"And yours wo n't cause any for long,"Malfoy said."Just another month."

"nil 's set for sure about the Auror Department,"Albus countered.

Malfoy laughed."I think I might know a bit more than you on that. Laurentis was over at my house for dinner last week."

"And you were here,"Albus said."You never mentioned that your dad 's friend with Laurentis."

"It never came up."

"wellspring now that you 're all happy again maybe you 'll actually show up for this month 's dueling tournament ?"

That wiped the smirk off Malfoy 's face. He turned stony and took a footstep closer to Albus."Do n't say a news about that. It 's none of your business."

"Touchy,"John commented.

"Stuff it, Brickston. This does n't worry you. Your parents will have ability in the Ministry the day Hagrid adopts a formula pet."

"We 'll see who 's got the exponent the bit one of your phratry winds up at St. Mungo 's,"St. John the Apostle snapped.

Malfoy paled."Just shut up. The point is, my dad 's going to have a good position than yours."

"Nobody cares what your dad does for a living,"Matt said.

"Nobody asked you. At to the lowest degree my dad does n't institute his oeuvre home with him."Malfoy laughed.

John whipped out his sceptre."You always take it one too far, do n't you, Malfoy ?"

Malfoy took out his baton as well."I could say the same about you, Brickston."

"Wands away, boys."

Albus turned and saw Professor Slughorn standing in the threshold. He breathed a sigh of alleviation. The last thing John needed was another custody.

"Get inside. stratum is starting in one minute."

Both Gospel According to John and Malfoy were lucky they did n't get detention, Albus thought. Neither of them had thrown any hex, but a stricter instructor would 've handed out detention just for having their wands drawn. Not Slughorn, though. Albus got the good sense that Slughorn did n't care handing out detentions, probably because that meant having to supervise them.
***


The following few Day passed without anymore posture annunciation from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively smooth few days, especially when compared with the preceding seven month. For the first sentence all class, there was little coverage of the election, that is until they had politics on Tuesday. At the end of the moral, Embry reminded them of their enquiry essays on their congresswoman, an assignment that had completely slipped Albus 's psyche. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped John and mat 's psyche as well. rosiness and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to indite their ending. Amanda had even asked her uncle for help, devoting percentage of her essay to the law of similarity and conflict between the wizarding and Muggle governments.

"I guess we 'll be spending the evening in the program library,"Albus said as they headed to the Great Hall for dinner."

"Dammit,"matt muttered."I 'm going to have to write the stallion thing tonight. The full moon 's tomorrow."

"Usually you 're much better about remembering to do assignments before that,"Rose commented.

"I know, but with the election and everything, I forgot,"Matt said.

"But you 'll be missing year on Thursday,"John pointed out."So you can turn it in Tuesday and get four extra days."

"I 've never done that with long-term assignments,"lustrelessness said."I do n't want to go now. Albus can turn over it in, like usual."

"Let 's eat fast, then,"Albus said as they entered the Great Hall.

"Hey, Amanda, want to lease a walk around the lake before we write our ratiocination ?"Rose asked."The conditions 's so skillful tonight we might as well direct advantage."

"Of course of instruction !"Amanda agreed."Ca n't let that go to waste."

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five second later Albus, matte, John, and Kaden had taken over one of the larger tables in the subroutine library. Kaden had joined them since he had a Transfiguration essay due the succeeding day and divination anticipation to do. Albus was considering hexing two first days at the table next to them who kept giggling, if gentlewoman Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his friends lived in his district ; it would pee-pee this so a lot easier.

Albus did stimulate a distinguishable advantage over both mat and John, in that his example was far more well-known than theirs. Oliver Prang, who had been serving the northward John Griffith Chaney district, was on his twenty-five percent successive term, which amounted to over XV years. That was more than Albus 's full life. London in itself was a localization that required far more attention than other field of the country, which resulted in far Thomas More information being uncommitted on it. John was capable to situate a reasonable amount of data on his voice, Nadine Abernathy, but matt, since he lived in one of the most remote areas of England, had difficulty locating information on Marcus Whitby.

"Department of Energy this bloke even exist ?"lusterlessness asked as he looked through the very terminal archive written matter of the prophet that was published during Whitby 's one terminus."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a sentence that honorable mention he won the election. And of course he won. He did n't get any opponents."mat groaned and banged his head repeatedly on the table."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the proceedings from Wizengamot meetings,"Albus said, pointing to the three tumid stacks of composition in the middle of the table. He really did sense bad for matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a paper like this, but having to do it when the full moonlight was only two sidereal day away ?

"I could probably just make stuff up,"matte said as he took the top few page."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly lie with anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the least densely populate district in all of England."

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"John said."There. I 've got my intro. expect at it this way. Your bloke 's only been in post for a year. So you 've got far less stuff to look through. It wo n't admit as long."

"But if there is n't anything, then that does n't help,"Matt muttered."Have you even read anything ?"

"A bit."John shrugged."Nadine Abernathy 's on her instant terminal figure, so there 's not as much as Albus has got. But I read enough to write the presentation. Now I 'll read a bit more."

"You have a unearthly way of doing research."

Albus glanced up and saw that Rose and Amanda had returned, bags in hand. They sat down and pulled out their own essays, which looked very long.

Matt tossed the papers he 'd been looking at onto his rejection pile, which was so chaotic that gentlewoman Pince would probably have a bosom fire if she saw it. He then let out a loud sigh and put his head in his hands.

"Could you please take pity on him ?"Albus asked rosebush.

rosebush looked up from her essay."I told you. You 're all doing this yourselves."

"His representative has only been in office for a year,"Albus explained."And the sole thing he 's found is one condemnation in a oracle from a class ago saying he won the election, which was against nobody. And the full moon is tomorrow."

"Please, rosebush ?"lusterlessness asked, picking his top dog up to wait at her. His face was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

"Your parents should 've moved somewhere less remote control,"Kaden commented.

"They wanted to be in the midriff of nowhere,"flatness said flatly."They did n't want neighbors."

blush wine sighed."Fine. But only because you look so pathetic. And mine was pretty hard, too, because my district is also remote. Just let me finish my conclusion."

"Lucky,"Gospel According to John muttered."I do n't suppose you 'd help-"

"Absolutely not, john Brickston,"rose said and lowered her voice."As soon as you turn into a beast once a month I 'll help oneself you with your procrastination."

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the next four hours managed to get it half done. He did n't think it was very good, but it was progress. John was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to call it a night. toilet settled in to help Kaden with his counterfeit divination prevision. Matt was still working on his, with much coaching from Rose.

"Did you find oneself anything ?"Albus asked.

"A bit,"rosiness said."It 's not much. This bloke seriously has n't done anything. He 's hardly mentioned in any of these minutes."

lustrelessness yawned."How long does this let to be again ?"

"A pes,"rosebush answered."You 've got another four inches to go."

"It 's nearly ten,"Albus mentioned."The depository library is going to fold and we 've already missed curfew."

The library was now only filled with fifth through seventh geezerhood. It was certainly quieter.

"We should probably finish in the commons room, then,"Rose said.

"I do n't think I can,"lusterlessness said."Too sap. I 'll finish it tomorrow since I 'll probably skip good afternoon classes anyway."

The group packed up their things and walked quickly back to the common room. By some stroke of luck they managed to stave off the prefects and did n't get any detainment from being out after curfew.

"No mandatory curfew tomorrow,"Kaden commented as they entered the common room.

"With Greyback caught they do n't call for to do it anymore,"Albus pointed out.

"Thank God,"Matt replied."He wo n't be lurking around tomorrow."

"I just hope your dad was able to help those parents with the two kids,"Rose said.

"He 'll probably go do the wards himself,"flatness said."At least for this month. And I 'm sure they 've got Wolfsbane this month."

Albus nodded. It was going to be a near full phase of the moon lunar month for everyone involved.
***


Albus, Matt, and John managed to get their essays done in time and turned in on Thursday. The wax moon was relatively normal, as wide moons go, without any written report of werewolf attacks. matt wound up in the hospital wing for two full Clarence Day, having resorted to chewing on himself since the Wolf no longer had the distraction of Limnodromus griseus outside. But Albus had a opinion Matt preferred it that way. Greyback 's presence was just too creepy and too unknown.

A few days after the fully moon Jesse James returned to the coarse way fuming. Albus raised his brow at his brother as he straightened a pile of career pamphlets that had once again appeared on the common room tables.

St. James the Apostle stomped over to Albus 's mesa, pulled up a chair, and squeezed himself between Albus and flatness."calling advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just have it ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, with Longbottom,"James said."Neville always seemed so nice when we were piddling and even in class he 's easily the estimable prof here. But for career advice ? He 's terrible !"

"well, what did you peach about ?"

"Careers."

rosiness snorted."Obviously."

"He wants me to blame something now. I do n't know what I want to do with my life. I 'm only 16 for God 's sake !"

"I think you have to pick something so you can blame your N.E.W.T. classes next class,"blush wine explained."Otherwise the teachers do n't know what to put you in."

"I know that,"James snapped."But I do n't desire to do anything that 's going to demand loads of N.E.W.T.s. I want to play Quidditch."

Rose laughed."He did n't like that ?"

"No,"James muttered."So I told him about Empire State of the South. And then he said that it 's not very common to be drafted by a professional person team and that even Georgia had a back-up plan. That 's news program to me. As far as I know she 's wanted to fiddle Quidditch her solid life."

"She was going to design Calluna vulgaris,"rosebush said."Still might, after she 's done with Quidditch. Why do n't you do that ?"

"Neville suggested it. But it requires Arithmancy near of the time and I have n't even done O.W.L. Arithmancy. I just want to admit the bare minimum of N.E.W.T.s and get done with it."

"And of course Neville did n't like that,"rosebush said."Honestly, James, just pick something."

"But I ca n't !"William James said as he picked up a wad of pamphlets."feel at these. hobgoblin affair, Gringott 's Counterfeit Coin checker, security system trolling Trainer. They 're all dead boring."

"There 's shipment of jobs in the Ministry and St. Mungo 's,"rosiness said.

James IV snorted."No one would desire me as their Healer."

Albus had to agree with that. James IV had about the Lapp ability to centre as a troll."Hey, you could rail security trolls."

"I said that 's tire. And I do n't want to work for the Ministry. Not now that Laurentis has won. Just you lot hold. You 'll have to go through this future year."

"I already know what I want to do,"Rose said."I 'm going to be a Healer, specializing in psychiatry."

"Of course you do,"James II muttered.

"If it makes you feel better, mate, I 've no idea what I want to do,"John the Evangelist said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

"You 're a third year,"James said flatly."It does n't matter that you do n't eff what you want to do. What about you, Al ?"

Albus shrugged. He had n't thought much about vocation since the previous class when Balladanis told him he could be a Presuler. The idea was very tempting, but he did n't want to tell anyone else about it.

"I suppose it does n't count. The N.E.W.T.s I take are going to bet on which O.W.L.s I actually pass."

"If you 'd foreswear complaining and initiate studying you 'd buy the farm more of them,"rose pointed out.

"I suppose you 're right,"James said as he stood up."Guess I 'll go to the library."

"James, wait !"Rose shouted as James neared the portrait yap."Forgetting anything ?"

James glanced down."Oh, right. Books."

James ran up to his student residence and returned with his bag a minute later. Grinning at Albus and the others, he left the common room.

"I swear, I 'm not for sure how we 're related,"rosiness muttered.

"You 're telling me,"Albus replied."You 're still set on the Healer matter ?"

"More than ever,"Rose said."It is weird, knowing exactly what I want to do this early."

"You 're like my sister,"Matt pointed out."You two really are alike. It 's kind of weird."

"I like your sister,"Rose said."So I 'll take that as a compliment. What about you ? Do you sleep with what you want to do ?"

matte laughed and picked up the Gringott 's pamphlet."Considering that lycanthrope are n't going to be changed from Beasts to existence anytime soon, I do n't recall I 'm going to bear many choices to pick from."

"You never know,"pink wine said."Who knows what will bechance between now and when we graduate. affair could change."

"Still, it 's in question,"mat said, turning to Amanda."Amanda ? You were awfully quiet when King James was here."

"It 's toilsome not to be. He 's rather meretricious himself. I 'm not sure. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to spend a penny a difference."

"Excellent,"Matt said."You can change everyone 's minds about changing the werewolf classification."

Amanda smiled."You never know. It 's crossed my idea a few times."

"I just want to brew potions for a living,"Kaden announced as he leafed through the pamphlet.

"You 're mad,"John said."You seem so rule, otherwise. But seriously, nobody enjoys potions."

"You can do that,"Matt said."You can become a Brewer. My sister 's doing that along with her Healing degree."

Kaden 's eyes grew large."postponement, really ? That 's a actual career ?"

mat nodded."Not everyone can brew potions, so they need mass to brew them for them. You can work at St. Mungo 's and brew healing potions or you could mold for a company and brew potions to sell."

"variety of like a druggist, I suppose,"Amanda replied.

"Exactly,"rosiness said.

"Brilliant."Kaden grinned."James will detest me now. Third year and I know what I 'm doing."

Albus laughed."You could change your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

Albus did n't really desire to think about what they would do after Hogwarts. It was three yr away. He 'd rather delight the give, but Rose had always been the person to look to the future. She fantasized about their Hogwarts Day when they were only six and now, she was fantasizing about what they 'd do after. Albus had never been the type to do that. There would be plenty of clock time for the hereafter in the future.


A/N : Thanks for all the limited review ! For those of you who read Beyond the dark, it made it through to the voting round of the Dobbys ! Head over to the forum to vote for it. It was nominated in the Best OC category.


April went by quickly, as it usually did. The weather turned from chilly and windy to warm and rainy, resulting in more than one muddy Quidditch drill. Albus did n't take care the mud as much as he minded the length of the pattern. Both Fred and heather mixture seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their seventh yr. They had n't won it yet, in all their years at Hogwarts. Albus wanted to win, too, but not enough that he enjoyed practicing for five time of day straight.

When he was n't on the pitching, most of Albus 's time was spent at dueling pattern. The final couple of the year was on the last Saturday in April and Albus 's team was still in the running game for a win of the entire tourney. They had n't won a single match, but they were routinely in second plaza by only a few points. The team that had gotten first gear stead never did that well in other tourney, resulting in their overall point sum being quite low.

When the survive Saturday in April arrived, far sooner than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly nervous. He was n't nervous at all about his duel, but he was nervous for the team. This was it. It was his cobbler's last tournament in the Junior Dueling tournament. His last chance to prove himself as senior pilot and earn a smirch on Gryffindor 's dueling team next year.

All four captains of the home dueling teams were demo at this tourney because they would be deal selecting thespian for their teams next class. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tournament.

"Last tournament being on Malfoy 's squad,"Amanda commented as Malfoy dueled a girl from Ravenclaw.

"Thank God,"Albus muttered. He could n't wait until he no longer had Malfoy on his squad."At least he 's acting normally today."

"At least he showed up,"Amanda pointed out.

"distributor point to Malfoy !"Neville shouted."Albus Potter and Matt Eckerton."

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt awful when he had to duel Matt because their skill tier were so drastically unlike. At the same time he did n't want to go easy on his friend because the Gryffindor team captain was watching.

Albus and lustrelessness bowed to each other and raised their wands. Albus thought a silent apology as he shot a Stunner at his adept booster. Matt dodged it and sent one rear. Albus threw up a carapace and then sent three consecutive Stunners. The 3rd one made contact and Matt collapsed onto the story, frozen.

"head to muck around !"Neville declared. He waved his wand at Matt and the spell lifted.

"Sorry, mate,"Albus said as he helped Matt up.

"Do n't be,"flatness replied."You 're definitely getting on the team next year."

Albus won his second affaire d'honneur as well. His team continued to win almost of their affaire d'honneur, with some of his teammates winning their first duels ever. Amanda had begun a tally of all the points on a extra bit of lambskin and their team was winning, with only a few duels left to go.

Kaden wound up dueling one of the Ravenclaws from Albus 's team during the close duel of the day. Kaden lost spectacularly, which Albus was both happy and upset about.

A few minutes later Neville stepped into the core of one of the dueling mob."I am pleased to harbinger that we have a winner of both today 's tournament and the year 's tourney overall. Congratulations to team Seven for winning both today and the tourney boilersuit ! headwaiter Albus Potter, please come forward to admit the trophy."

Albus was momentarily stunned, until Amanda nudged him. The full Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall was applauding as he stepped over to the dueling tintinnabulation. They 'd done it ! After a year, they 'd finally done it !

Albus shook Neville 's hand while a Hufflepuff took their picture. The trophy was a bit smaller than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not minuscule by any means. After a few More word-painting were taken, including one shot of the entire team, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the green room.

"When will you come up out if you got on Gryffindor 's dueling team ?"she asked as they walked.

"Not until the summer,"Albus said."They send out letters."

"You 're pretty much guaranteed a spot, after that win,"Amanda said."Malfoy, too, probably. And then you 'll get to duel each other."

"I 'm looking forward to that,"Albus said."Just a bit."

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

Albus 's Friend were waiting in the vulgar room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulations and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading out-of-door for Quidditch drill.

Later that night, between his happiness about the win and exhaustion from Quidditch recitation, Albus slept improve than he had in calendar month.
***


In April 's last remaining days the Daily seer published at least one article a day on Laurentis and her upcoming swearing-in ceremony, as well as her choice for top official. Albus had n't recognized any name of the functionary, or the names of their occupation. Mostly they were jobs such as the one his Uncle Hotspur held under Minister Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became Minister to expose the big lieu, such as Albus 's dad 's position.

The Gryffindor table was unusually repose the morning of May first. Albus, along with all his full cousin, were n't saying a word. Albus was thinking of his uncle Percy and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was sure enough his cousins were thinking the same.

"I wish one of us could go to her ceremony,"Amanda said as she read the Prophet."It 's not going to be the same interpretation about it tomorrow."

"I heard they 're listening to it on the wireless in political science today,"John said."bid we had it today. That would be much better than having literal class."

"I just want to know if my dad 's out of a job,"Albus said.

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

"No. He just would n't be Head Auror anymore,"Albus answered."It 'd still be fearful, though."

"Lapp here,"lustrelessness agreed."Amy said that Dad 's really nervous about it."

"What time is it happening ?"rose wine asked.

"Ten-thirty,"Amanda said after consulting the report.

"Right after account of deception,"rose mused."So you lot will induce Care of Magical fauna and I 'll get Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should erupt out Uncle George 's best-selling product this morning ?"

Albus thought he heard her amiss. Was his cousin actually suggesting they skip class ?

"Wait, rose,"John said."Are you saying we should skive off family ?"

rose wine grinned."I think this is going to be a bit more educational. I say we skive and meet in the Marauder 's Den to heed on the wireless."

"I 'm in,"Albus said immediately. John, Matt, Amanda, and Kaden agreed.

"We 've got to plan it carefully, though,"Rose said."We ca n't all get ill at the Same time or it 'll attend suspicious."

"I 've got a free period starting at ten-fifteen,"Kaden said."So I 'm all set."

Rose nodded."That leaves five of us. matte, do you have an exit with skipping all of History of Magic ?"

Matt laughed."Of course of study not."

"Good. I think you ought to just skive off without using a Skiving Snackbox. No one will suspect anything."

"Aw, why ca n't I do that ?"bathroom asked.

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be easier for lusterlessness go just say he felt ill, rather than you. I 'll use a nosebleed nougat in Arithmancy since I 'm the lone one of us in that socio-economic class. Al, John the Divine, Amanda, two of you can use something in History of conjuration and then the other one can use something right at the offset of Care of Magical puppet. We meet in the piranha 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the architectural plan decided upon, they set off for their first light classes. John begged to be the one who used a puking pastille first in chronicle of Magic and Albus and Amanda let him. He seemed strangely excited about it. Albus was just going to use the fever fudge.

Professor Binns began droning on about the heavyweight warfare, a topic he seemed to enjoy for some understanding. He taught it each and every year without fail. Albus doodled aimlessly on his notes while taking surreptitious glances at John every so often.

"Um, Professor ?"Gospel According to John announced ten minutes into the class.

Binns turned around, looking confused. It was rare that anyone ever interrupted him."Yes, Mr. Broggs ?"

"I do n't palpate well-"John was cut off by his own vomiting. His table was now covered with a spate of puke.

"Yes, yes, off to the hospital,"Binns said as he returned his tending to the blackboard.

John hastily shoved the other end of the sweetness into his sass and vanished the vomit before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the room.

Amanda was following. She, like Albus, went the dependable path and had decided upon the fever fudge. professor Binns hardly seemed to notice that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the social class. He just waved her out and continued his lecture. Albus could 've probably used his own fever fudge right then and there, but he did n't retrieve it was worth the pocket-size risk.

Albus decided to eat the febricity fudge on his way to Care of Magical Creatures so he could leave immediately after arriving. The marauder 's Den was quite a walk from Hagrid 's hut and he did n't desire to miss any of the ceremony.

He felt the issue of the fudge before even reaching Hagrid 's Hut. He had n't had a fever in years and had forgotten just how direful they were.

"Hagrid ?"Albus asked as soon as he arrived.

"Albus !"Hagrid exclaimed."How are yeh ?"

"Not unspoilt,"Albus answered."I feel ill."

Hagrid 's face fell."Yeh don'feel so well. Better go see Madam Pomfrey."

Albus nodded and turned around, walking quickly up the path. Once he was out of muckle of Hagrid, he shoved the other half of the febrility fudge into his mouth and felt immediately better. He 'd done it !

By the time he arrived at the marauder 's Den it was nearly ten-thirty. The eternal sleep of his friends were already there, huddled around a very old looking wireless.

"Albus !"Rose exclaimed."Nearly thought you would n't pretend it !"

"I practically ran here,"Albus said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and took a tail end next to his cousin.

"Shhh !"Amanda said."It 's starting !"

"Good morning, listeners. We are broadcasting be from Courtroom Ten in the Ministry of Magic, where just proceedings from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as Minister of Magic for the United Kingdom. It is standing room only in the courtroom, with additional spectator in the corridor."

Suddenly there was deafening applause, drowning out the observer 's voice. It died down a few minutes later.

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the courtroom. She is making her way down the aisle, greeting masses on her way.

"Minister Hartwell, along with members of the Wizengamot are seated on the dais. Three senior appendage of the Wizengamot will blaspheme Laurentis in."

More applause. Then a new voice. Albus recognized it as minister Hartwell.

"Welcome to the Ministry of legerdemain. It has been my pleasure to serve you over the past ten years. I 'd wish to rent a present moment to thank my party, Merlinus, for their support over the preceding decennary, as well as all of my top official and the residue of the Ministry employees. I 'll hold this short and just say that I am going to miss serving you, but I have to admit that both my married woman and I are looking forward to taking a courteous, prospicient holiday."

laughter, followed by hand clapping.

"Thank you, curate Hartwell,"individual else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot members."Ms. Laurentis, if you would please step forward."There was a pause."Please repetition after me. I do hereby sustain to swear out the United Kingdom-"

"I do hereby affirm to serve the United Kingdom-"

"-to the best of my ability-"

"-to the salutary of my ability-"

"-and keep to the ideal of the Paracelsus party-"

"-and keep to the ideals of the Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim party-"

"I swear to listen to the people and do what is best for them-"

"I swear to mind to the mass and do what is best for them-"

"-regardless of whether it is best for myself or the Ministry."

"-regardless of whether it is best for myself or the Ministry."

"I hereby hold Patricia Laurentis as the third Minister of Magic post-War as of the first of May, 2020, at XI o'clock in the break of the day. Ms. Laurentis, praise. Please receive your new minister of Magic, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a smattering of cultured applause, much quieter than the premature hand clapping for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a serious occasion and no one wanted to seem too enraptured.

"That was quick,"Albus said.

"She 's going to produce a speech now,"Rose said."Shhh."

"Thank you,"Laurentis said as the applause died down."It is an honor to be standing before you as your Minister of legerdemain. I would like to begin by thanking the Paracelsus political party for nominating me as prospect and supporting me throughout my successful campaign-"

"Energy Department she really call for to say it was a successful campaign ?"can asked."I mean, it 's obvious that it was successful."

"Shut up !"Rose said.

"-without your support I would never have made it this far. I hope I am able to live up to the senior high expected value set by you and parson Hartwell. I am sure you are all uneasy to hear who I am appointing to read/write head of Department positions in the Ministry, so I wo n't waste any time getting to that."

Albus 's heart sped up. He glanced up and met lustrelessness 's gaze. matte looked just as neural as Albus felt.

"First, the department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am pleased to foretell that genus Tethus Balladanis will be taking over for former Head, Reena Barnes."

"What ? !"Albus exclaimed."Did I hear her right ?"

"Balladanis ?"Rose shouted at the Same time."But he did n't even like the Ministry, did he ?"

"He said it was too restrictive,"Albus said."I guess he likes Laurentis."

Matt groaned."That means he 's going to be around all the sentence. Not here, but this country."

"I definitely did n't see that one coming,"can said.

"Laurentis, Balladanis, Malfoy 's dad ..."Amanda mused.

"Shh !"Albus said."I heard her say Auror Department."

"-Robert Johnson will be replacing Harry ceramicist as top dog of the Auror Department-"

There was an hearable gasp from the consultation. Albus sat stunned, processing the entropy. Part of him had been expecting this, but now that it had actually happened, it was still a shock absorber. It was very similar to the election results.

"I understand that this is a controversial choice, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a joined front man. I assure you that Robert Andrew Johnson is an excellent Auror and will piss a rattling point of Department."

Albus tuned the radio out once Laurentis went on to the Department of Magical fare. He could pick up his heart pounding in his head and the relaxation of the domain seemed so far away. It was almost surreal.

"Albus ?"rosebush asked."Are you all right ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."She 's insane, right ?"

"Honestly, Albus, I 'm not surprised,"Rose said quietly."And your dad still has a job."

"But it 's the statement she made by doing it,"Amanda pointed out."She 's implying that he 's bad at his job."

"Exactly,"Albus said, glad that Amanda was able-bodied to put into speech what he felt."First Uncle Percy lost and now this."

"-Walter Eckerton will remain Head of the section for the Regulation and controller of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"matt exclaimed.

"Good,"Albus said."At to the lowest degree there 's someone sane still in a Head position."

Albus only paid obscure attention to the repose of the announcements. He did n't tell apart anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that appointment. One thing was clear by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's family was in any of the mind placement.

Rose switched the radio receiver off at the end of Laurentis 's speech. The virtuoso doing the broadcast was interviewing a few multitude, but they were n't anyone of nifty importance.

"Do you need to go to lunch ?"pink wine asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah, I suppose so,"Albus said as he stood up.

It was gain that Good Book had spread when Albus and his supporter reached the Great Hall. Whichever class had had politics during the oral communication must 've shared the news with the full castle, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't urinate eye contact with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor table, where he sat down succeeding to James.

"So you heard,"James said quietly.

"I skived off stratum to heed live,"Albus explained."She wants a united ministry. What a load of dragon dung."

"This is bad,"William James said."This is really bad."

"She 's replaced to a greater extent functionary than any rector, ever,"rosiness commented."She only kept three."

"I still have no musical theme why she kept my dad,"Matt replied."I mean, I 'm glad she did, but it does n't realise any sense."

"Nothing she 's doing makes a bit of sense,"Albus muttered."But I guess masses must like her. She got elected."

"But now that she 's elected she can appoint who she wants,"Amanda said."I do n't think anyone actually thought she 'd replace your dad. I 've only been in the wizarding world for four old age and even I know that everyone loves your dad."

That 's what Albus had always thought, too. He hated the fact that he was always in the public eye because of it, but it was a perpetual. It was normal for him. Now, he did n't know what to think.

"Look,"Amanda said as she pointed to the staff table."I do n't think the teacher expected it, either."

Albus glanced up. Every unmarried prof was deep in conversation, some even ignoring their intellectual nourishment. Neville in particular looked dazed and upset. None of them looked happy.

Albus 's own plate was still empty and he had no desire to fill it. For as long as he could commemorate his dad had been principal of the Auror section, a job that he loved. Being the man who defeated Voldemort had given him an aura of being the ultimate Auror, something that had stayed with him for over twenty years. Now, so many years later, it seemed to Albus that it was wearing off.

It was May first, 2020, almost exactly 23 long time after his dad had defeated Voldemort. Albus thought it was slightly dry that this had happened almost to the day, 23 class later.

Albus looked around at his young man Gryffindors. He knew that to a greater extent than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most likely supported her decision to supersede his dad as read/write head of the Auror department. Not everyone was talking in whispers, with distressed construction. A few groups were laughing, like they did n't have a care in the world. Either they just did n't care about Laurentis 's determination, or they supported it. The persuasion was very unnerve. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the Minister of Magic. He did n't like it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the cover girl reviews !


The following hebdomad brought a slew of articles stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that get-go speech. A list of the new Ministry official was printed multiple time. Albus found the editorial more matter to than the actual articles, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how stupid it was of Laurentis to dismiss Harry ceramicist. However, it was n't until nearly a workweek after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an article completely captured Albus 's attention was published.

DEMENTORS TO proceeds TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE alteration

Newly elected Minister of Magic
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will bring Azkaban back
under the control of the dementors
late last nighttime. Laurentis hopes
to have the dementors back by late
future hebdomad. 'This has been a goal
of mine for years and I am very
glad that it is finally happening.
The wizarding universe will be far
safer now that our outlaw will
be guarded once more by dementors .'

delivery the dementors back to Azkaban
is the first of many modification the new
minister of religion will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's succeeding
design is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the next few calendar week I will be
sending congressman from the
section of Magical training to
observe each prof. Each
professor will be required to accede
their program to the representatives
as well .'prof planning on
retiring at the end of this twelvemonth
will be exempt from this requirement,
as no alteration will choose seat before
the end of term.

"wellspring, she 's done it,"Albus said as he set the article down."A week from now Azkaban will take dementors."

"Mad,"Amanda muttered."She 's mad !"

"And she 's sending people to observe the teachers,"Albus said.

Amanda grabbed the article from Albus and scanned it quickly."Are any of them retiring ?"

"I did n't recall so,"Albus said."But a few of them are quite old."

As if on cue, professor Kendrick stood up."May I have your attention ? Thank you. Most of you, I am sure, have read the Prophet. Over the next few weeks every professor will be observed during one of his or her classes. I ask you all to ignore the example and go about class as if they were n't there. That is how the Ministry will trump get an apprehension of how things work at Hogwarts. Now, Professor Slughorn has an annunciation to make."

Professor Slughorn stood, although he was so short circuit that it hardly made a difference of opinion. He looked a bit nervous and Albus got the touch that he rarely ever addressed the entire student body at once.

"Yes, thank you, prof Kendrick,"Slughorn said."I just wanted to differentiate you all at once that I am going to retire at the end of term. I 've enjoyed my time at Hogwarts, but it 's high school metre I retire for good."

"Ten Galleons says he decided to retire after finding out he had to put forward his curricula to the Ministry,"Rose whispered after Slughorn sat back down.

"I 'm sure you 're right,"Albus agreed."Dad said he did n't even want to come back when our parents were in school."

"What about Young ?"Kaden asked."He doesn't even have a curriculum."

Albus burst out laughing."I had n't even thought of that. Bet he gets sacked."

"So that 'll be two new professors next twelvemonth,"John said.

Rose groaned."And in our O.W.L. year, too."

"Do n't say that word !"King James I, who was sitting about five seats down from rose, shouted.

Rose raised her supercilium."What countersign ?"

"O.W.L,"Henry James said with a frisson."They 're only a month away."

"Guess you should 've started studying earlier,"rose said.

"Shut up,"James muttered.

James was n't the only one to have forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election news. There seemed to be more frenetic studying than usual, and not just from the fifth and one-seventh age. The intact castle had neglected to study for their end-of-term exams. Later that night Albus, John, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden joined the throngs of hoi polloi vying for tabular array in the library in order to chock up in as very much studying as possible. Matt could n't fall in them, as it was the wide moonlight.

However, Albus had a intemperate time concentrating. His every thinking was focused on the dementors in Azkaban or his dad 's job or the Ministry interpreter at Hogwarts. Rose, Amanda, and even Kaden were focusing on their studying. privy was playing with his shaft. Suddenly, he stood up.

"Kaden ?"he asked."Think now would be a honest time ?"

Kaden grinned, setting down his Bible."Yeah, I think so."

"We 'll see you lot later,"bathroom said as Kaden got up."Do n't ask."

"That was Weird,"Rose said once the two boy left.

"It 's probably their prank,"Albus pointed out.

blush wine groaned."They 're right. I do n't want to know."

Albus had assumed that this would be a prank that would make itself known right away, as most of John and Kaden 's pranks worked that way. But by the adjacent morning things seemed perfectly ok at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'pilus was still pattern colors and everything seemed serene and quiet. Saint John and Kaden kept grinning at each early, so Albus was for sure they 'd done something.

It took another full day for things to find fault up. Albus first noticed it at breakfast, when some of the Slytherins seemed a bit unnerve. They were squirming in their tail and did n't look able to sit still. But it was only a few of them.

Albus raised his eyebrows questioningly at whoremaster and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"John asked.

"Oh, I suppose now we could,"Kaden said as he leaned over to Albus."Itching pulverisation in their laundry. The house-elves are very helpful with pranks."

Albus started laughing."Seriously ?"

Kaden nodded."Completely untraceable and the core wo n't all come at once. It all depends on when they send their laundry out."

"That 's genius,"Albus said. John and Kaden 's pranks were most definitely improving over the years.

"What 's brainiac ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see Matt nudging a first year over so that he could sit down in future to John.

"Madam Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to stay longer, but I told her I needed to take. Why are these two geniuses ?"

"We did our prank on the Slytherins,"John the Divine explained and then lowered his voice."Itching powder in their wash. The house-elves helped."

"Okay, that is somewhat awesome,"lustrelessness said."You wo n't get caught, either."

"Nope, it 's not potential,"John the Evangelist said."So, what should we do today ?"

"Study."

Albus looked up once more than and saw that this meter blush wine and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with ledger and stacks of parchment. They wore very expression of determination.

"You 're all studying. All day,"Rose continued."Exams are in a month and none of us are prepared. The election happened, it sucked, but it 's over. zero can be done. Albus, you 've been moping about your dad 's job for a week. whoremaster, Kaden, I 'm determined that you do well this class. Matt, the full Moon is over. All four of you are studying from now until exams."

"Aw, blush wine, c'mon-"

"No,"rose said."Studying. All of you. Amanda and I are going to get a table in the library and we expect all of you there in XV minutes."

rose wine and Amanda left in a brandish of lambskin and books, leaving Albus and the early boys to stare at each other open-mouthed. Albus knew his cousin was very academic and placed a luxuriously value on her own Department of Education, but never before had she staged an treatment for his studying.

"She 's lost her mind,"trick said."If she 's like this now, what will bump future year for O.W.L.s ?"

"Do n't say that word !"James shouted from down the table.

"I suppose we have n't got a selection, do we ?"Matt asked as he shoved his bollock into his mouth."Damn, I only just got back."

That was true, Albus thought. He and his admirer quickly finished their breakfast and hurried up to the depository library, realizing once they arrived that they did n't have any of their Holy Writ. They ran up to their hall to retrieve them and made it to the library five minutes later than rose wine insisted they be there.

blush wine and Amanda had shoved two board together and had spread all their books out over them. Madam Pince was sitting behind the circulation desk, looking at them curiously, as if she could not commend a meter someone had frequented the program library that early. The balance of the tables were deserted.

"What 's with the additional chairman ?"Albus asked as he dumped his Book onto the mesa."There 's only six of us."

"Oh, that 's for Elsie,"rose said as she set parchment down at each buttocks.

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the only Elsie we know,"rose said."She needs supporter poring over and I 'm her tutor."

"But she 's Felix Willinson 's sister,"John pointed out.

"And she needs helper, St. John the Apostle,"Rose said with a suspiration."I 've been tutoring her all class and I 'm not going to stop now."

flatness nudged St. John."It 's not a bad matter. Maybe she 'll severalize us what her crony and Malfoy have been up to all year."

Albus had n't thought of that. Of trend, rosebush had n't had any luck getting Elsie to peach all yr, so chances were slim that he and the early boys would induce success.

"Honestly, you lot are far too focused on Malfoy,"Rose said."You 've hardly studied all twelvemonth. Just sit down and start reviewing Transfiguration. I 've made study pathfinder for every topic. You should have them at your spots."

Albus picked a hindquarters and sat down. Rose was organized to the stop of insanity. There were in fact field scout for every content, organized chronologically, from Sep until May. Albus was suddenly very grateful for his cousin, despite her obvious insanity. This was going to wee studying so much easier.

"Wow, thanks Rose,"Albus said. The rest of the group muttered their agreement.

rosebush smiled."See ? It was a well idea. Now, we 'll study until dejeuner and then take in a break."

Lunch was about two hours away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his Transfiguration book and settled in with that and the study scout. It took him about a half hour to knead through distraction, but soon his mind was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the depository library quickly filled up. Fifth and seventh years seemed the most mad about finding tables and searching the stacks, but students from every year and every house were award. Madam Pince spent the morning weaving throughout the table and looking over everyone 's berm to wee-wee certainly they were working on school work. With exam so near, the library was now closed to everyone who was n't going to revise.

Elsie Willinson showed up a little after eleven. Albus watched as she tentatively made her way over to the table, clearly unsure of studying with so many people. Albus was struck again by how similar she looked to Felix. It always sort of disport Albus when sib looked so alike, since he did n't really resemble either of his sib. But Felix and Elsie Willinson were incredibly similar in looks.

Once Rose noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the first year over. Elsie seemed less nervous now that Rose knew she was there, but she still avoided eye contact lens as she sat down and pulled her record out of her bag. Rose whispered something in her ear and she began reading her charms book of account.

Albus sighed and returned to his own work. Getting Elsie Willinson to talk was going to be much more difficult than he thought.
***


Rose 's revision Roger Huntington Sessions continued throughout the month of May. Albus did n't like to admit it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't sure he would slide by his exams if it were n't for Rose. As the month progressed, the Roger Sessions grew both in length and the number of participant. By the end of the firstly week their sketch group had grown to include James, Ben, Cedric, and their acquaintance Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James missed a few school term for Quidditch practice, but as the Quidditch final examination drew closer, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as important as studying. Thomas Bradley and Heather were becoming more and more nervous about the final, since it would determine whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few point in time behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the terminal, they would most potential win the cup as well.

The mates took place a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more nervous than he had been for a Quidditch match in long time. The compeer itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the last meter he played with Scots heather and Fred as the other chaser on Gryffindor 's team. Next twelvemonth he 'd give two new chaser and that was going to be incredibly unusual.

Albus headed down to breakfast before his ally and encountered a few particularly itchy Slytherins on his way. Giggling to himself and enjoying the fact that toilet and Kaden 's prank was still going on, weeks later, he entered the Great Hall. On his way to the Gryffindor table, he was distracted by the sight of Malfoy, speaking with Felix Willinson, while carrying an overnight bag.

decision making that breakfast could wait, Albus crept over to the Slytherin mesa and attempted to bow down behind a few seventh years. Unfortunately the Great Hall was too flashy for proper eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always receive an extendible Ear on his person from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to look at his font. He looked terrible. His eyes were red and it looked like he had n't slept in days. Very strange, Albus thought, as he rose to follow Malfoy out of the room.

Once in the entranceway residence hall, Malfoy immediately ran up the staircase, going far too fast for Albus to follow. Albus stood next to the door to the Great Hall thinking about what Malfoy 's legal action meant.

He was clearly upset about something, but what was it ? The overnight bag implied that he was going to be leaving the castle, but why ? Albus thought back to the dueling tourney that Malfoy missed. The two incidents must be connected, and it was quite possible that the letter of the alphabet Albus and Amanda saw Malfoy reading months ago was connected as well.

Albus did n't note Malfoy to his friends when they came down to breakfast a few hour later. As a good deal as Albus wanted to discuss it with them, he knew that he needed to put it out of his mind for the duration of the lucifer. If there was ever a match for Albus not to be distracted, this was it.

The brass on the team were palpable as they stood waiting to take the air onto the pitch. Fred did n't even hand a speech, since everyone knew how important the lucifer was, both to Fred and Heather.

Ravenclaw had a estimable Quidditch team. They were easily the considerably team in the school day, although about Gryffindors would disagree. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this couple, causing them to act as fiercer than ever before.

Albus flew faster than he ever had before. He, Fred, and Heather had always worked very well together, but during this match it almost seemed like they were one entity, sharing one brain. Albus 's stallion mind was focused on Quidditch and Quidditch only. Gone were the thoughts of his dad 's job, Laurentis, and Malfoy.

The match only lasted an hour. Albus had n't even realized that James caught the snitch until the whistle was blown. Gryffindor won 420-260, their best win yet that year.

"We did it !"Fred shouted as he landed."We 've won the Cup !"

Albus could n't even hear the commentary over the thunderous applause of the spectator pump. professor Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup highschool over his head and was making his way through the crowd to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to Scots heather. Each held one incline and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the pitch and Albus was sept up in the crowd, making it difficult to contact his team. Once he did, somebody snapped their picture.

Albus was the happiest he 'd felt in weeks, ever since his team won the Dueling Tournament. It was his third class on the Quidditch team and they finally won the Cup. But he was even More happy for Fred and Heather than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the team since their second year and had never won the Cup.

broom had tears streaming down her side and Fred was grinning spacious than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a career in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their life-time for the past six years. Winning the Cup in their seventh year seemed more affecting than it would have winning it any other yr. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's team was still as good as it was now when he got to seventh year. Winning again in his last twelvemonth would be the best smell in the earth.
***


"Malfoy really did leave the rook,"Amanda announced at breakfast the adjacent day.

"How did you find that out ?"Albus asked.

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she have sex ?"

"I 've no idea,"Amanda said as she grabbed a few cut of pledge."I did n't ask."

"wellspring, I just found out why he left,"rose said as she set down the Prophet."His grandfather passed away."

"As in Lucius Malfoy ?"Albus said, taking the paper."The ex-Death Eater ?"

"One in the same,"Rose said."His necrology is in there."

"Why were you reading the obituaries ?"Matt asked.

"I was n't trying to. I was flipping through and happened to see it. It says he 's been ill for a spell,"rosebush explained.

"That explains why he 's been acting so odd all year,"Amanda said.

"And that howler he got calendar month ago,"Kaden added.

Albus glanced at the obituary but did n't read it. As much as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't avail but feel dismal for him. Albus could n't suppose what it would be like to miss his grandfather, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious faults, he was still Scorpio 's grandfather.

"I feel sort of bad for yelling at him about skipping that dueling tourney,"Albus muttered.

"You did n't cognize,"John said."And it 's not like he explained."

"Is n't anyone else a bit preoccupied with the fact that Moaning Vinca minor knew about him leaving the palace ?"Matt asked."She never leaves her loo. We saw Malfoy going into her loo a few weeks ago. Does n't that look a bit too co-occurrent ?"

"You think he 's gotten chummy with Moaning myrtle ?"Albus asked.

matte shrugged."It looks like he has. Why else would she know about it ?"

"But why would he go into a girl 's loo ?"John asked, wrinkling his nose."That 's just bloody insane."

"Sounds like we need to pay a sojourn to Myrtle,"Albus said.

pink wine groaned."Really, Al ? He just lost his grandfather for God 's sake."

"We 're not going to vex Malfoy,"Albus said."We 're just going to lecture to Myrtle."

"Count me out,"rose said, shaking her head.

"But you 're a girl,"Albus pointed out."You could get in there so a great deal easier. Amanda ?"

"Sorry, Albus, but I 've really got to examine,"Amanda said.

"We 'll go at night, then,"Albus decided."John the Divine, Kaden, mat ? Which of you is going with me ?"

"Not me,"Matt said immediately.

"I 'll go,"John said.

"You 're both mad,"Rose said quietly."Mad."

Albus may throw been mad, but he could n't let this whodunit go. His gut was telling him that Malfoy was up to something, despite his granddad 's passing, and Albus was determined to determine out what it was.


A/N : Sorry that the update is a day late ! I was really busy yesterday and did n't have a chance to update. Thanks for all the endearing reviews ! I am very behind on answering them, but I 'll finish eventually !


The plan to talk to Myrtle in the dead of night may take in been a plan that belonged solely to Albus and Saint John the Apostle, but rose still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. Exams were now only a week away and rosebush was only giving them one night off, for respite and clearing emphasis from the intellect. Neither Albus or Gospel According to John dared cross Rose and skip out on revision, which took place in the library until curfew and then in the vulgar way until they all went to bed.

Their one night off occurred the dark before their first exam. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a replete calendar week, but none of the fifth part or 7th eld were taking any nights off, including St. James the Apostle. Despite rosiness 's pressure that he take a Night off, Henry James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and John spent the evening acting cheat with Kaden. flatness had turned in ahead of time, still tired from the full moon, which had taken piazza two days earlier. Rose and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory, clearly set upon having some time away from the boys.

The usual room emptied as the night progressed, and eventually toilet and Albus were the sole ones left. It had n't taken long since most people went to bed ahead of time because of examination. It was probably fairly stupe of Albus and John to stay up so late, but neither of them cared.

They waited an additional fifteen minutes in case somebody decided to give back to the common room, but no one did. Albus glanced at John and then pulled the invisibleness Cloak and the Marauder 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the board. The slide was clear.

Albus and John stumbled out of the portraiture pickle and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat gentlewoman 's stern gaze.

"Do n't expect me to let you in when you return,"she said."I 'm quite exhausted."

The Fat Lady was always threatening this but she never seemed to make in force on any of her scourge. Ignoring her, Albus and John set off along the corridor. John led the way while Albus kept his eyes glued to the Map, but the corridors remained empty. It seemed everyone, both pupil and professors, were getting a respectable night 's eternal sleep before exams. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning Myrtle was the only occupant of the second floor miss 's lavatory. bathroom quietly pushed the door open and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is proper arm.

"myrtle ?"John shouted as he stepped into the room.

A splashing sound came from the last cubicle and then Myrtle 's ghostly form floated through the closed stall door."Boys ? Why do n't you go use your own-"Myrtle cut herself off with a giggle. She floated toward Albus and Saint John and rested on the sinks."Oh, it 's you. Albus Potter. And his friend Saint John. Where 's Matt ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that Matt 's absence would n't put Myrtle off from talking to them.

On the contrary, Myrtle 's face lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awful today myself. It 's a side burden of dying, you know."

Albus did n't believe dying had any side effects other than dying and had always assumed being a specter would n't be unspeakable, but Myrtle was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Myrtle asked."You never visit me unless you 're in detention. It 's rather disappointing. No one ever thinks to claver poor Myrtle. Oh, Myrtle 's perfectly, they think, so she does n't call for any visitors. myrtle does n't need any friends ! All because she 's utterly !"

"No, Myrtle, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a girl 's loo. We can only shoot the breeze you now, in the midsection of the night."

myrtle let out a loud suspiration."I suppose. You are n't the only boys who talk to me, you know. Some of them even dare come during the day. I suppose they 're a bit braver than you are, which is odd since they are n't Gryffindors."

Albus glanced at John. Maybe this was going to be soft than he thought. Myrtle probably did n't hold any dedication to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a tone closer to Myrtle.

"I only know one of their names,"myrtle said with a giggle."I know his name because his father used to add up and talk to me when he was in school. But his son is n't quite as loquacious and he did n't appear to care at all about me or my end. He only wanted to have a go at it about the Chamber of Secrets-"

"The Chamber of Secrets ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpius Malfoy wanted to recognise about the Chamber of arcanum ?"

Myrtle brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to know exactly where the entrance was. He 'd already done quite a bit of research on it in the library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so a lot meter in the library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the bedchamber and I told him about my death and he did n't quite understand the connection at start. So I showed him the entrance and told him that he had to verbalize like a snake to get in but he could n't figure it out."

"He tried to verbalise Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Vinca minor nodded."Sounded awful. Your dad was much better at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the fight of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly unspeakable at it. That 's when I met the early boy. Scorpius left and came back a few days later with this other boy. He showed him the entranceway and then they started talking about this girl named Elsie and the other boy thought that she would be capable to open the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The other boy must own been Felix Willinson.

"Two workweek ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the Chamber of enigma ? He refused to tell me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his head."We want to do it, too."

"wellspring,"Myrtle began as she floated up to the ceiling."Please narrate me when you find out. And next time, make sure as shooting that Matt comes to visit, too."

"Er, certainly,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"myrtle said."You 're going to leave now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."Exams tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John and they left. On the way back Albus explained the Chamber of secret to John, who only knew the office by name. By the sentence they returned to the plebeian elbow room whoremonger was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to want to get into the bedchamber of Secrets.

"Do you think Elsie Willinson can mouth Parseltongue ?"John asked as they climbed through the portraiture hole ( the Fat gentlewoman had not refused them unveiling ).

"I do n't lie with,"Albus said."It 's very rare. I think we 're going to have to ask Rose."

"Bet she 'll do it that, in the middle of test,"St. John the Apostle said with a laugh.
***


"Of trend I have no estimate if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"rose wine exclaimed the next day during their lunch break in between examination. Albus had just finished explaining what Myrtle had told them hold up night, as well as explaining the chamber of Secrets for Matt, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you sure she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"Positive ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your head. It 's test week. It 's not the time to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't affect you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a thing for his oddment. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything good.

"They 're up to something, Rose,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

rose groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"Epistle of James shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's seat."Did you see the Prophet this morning ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, flatness, and Saint John the Apostle had both slept too late to let breakfast before their first examination.

Saint James slapped a copy down on the table in front of Albus."That cuss, Robert Samuel Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's place ? He 's revamped the entire section, claiming that they 're going to deliver a 99 % capture rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the paper."That 's crazy."

President Johnson REVAMPS AUROR DEPARTMENT

Newly appointed forefront Auror, Henry Martyn Robert
LBJ, has spent the past month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
section. Johnson has rewritten
convention and regulations for the department
as well as reorganized how Aurors
employment together. All Aurors have
attended workshop over the past month
to familiarize themselves with the
new rule and policies.

'The Leslie Townes Hope is that we will be able to
capture criminals faster and easier ,'
Johnson said. 'The department has
been disorganized for class and this
has resulted in many malefactor going
unloose for far foresighted than they should.
Between the new Auror section insurance
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be able to appropriate
more felon and celebrate them where they
belong- behind bars .'

While Johnson did not go into specifics
of the insurance policy and linguistic rule, stating that
these are sealed documents, he assured
the wizarding public that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new policies I do n't see why
we should n't have a 99 % capture rate
within a year .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % capture rate ?"Albus asked after setting the paper down.

"No idea,"James said."But I thought you 'd want to see it. I 've got to go. Transfiguration Day practical this afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the alteration actually were,"Albus said as his sidekick left.

"They ca n't,"rose wine said."The report is proper about that."

"It 's not like the section was tremendous when Dad was in flush,"Albus continued."He captured Greyback, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting Matt 's dad with that,"rose commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not bazaar,"Matt said.

"No, it 's not,"rosebush said as she glanced at her watch."We 'd better get going. history of magic trick exam."

Albus found it incredibly difficult to concenter on his history of Magic examination, and while he was fairly indisputable he passed it, he knew he had n't done well. There was just too a great deal to focalise on. Between Malfoy and the Auror section, the last things Albus wanted to call up about were goblin revolt and giant wars.

Later that night blush wine held another report session in the library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent Thomas More time staring at the Marauder 's Map and figuring out the skilful way to bring up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any actual studying, but Rose did n't seem to notice.

The pursue two days were nearly indistinguishable to the first off day of exams, with the exception of the subjects they were tested on. Exam in the morning, lunch, exam in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The sameness was starting to get on Albus 's nerves, but they were only halfway through exam week.

Elsie Willinson did n't depict up to the field of study session Wednesday evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to bring in up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with her, no topic how effective it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions notes while glancing at the Marauder 's Map every so often.

"Albus, what exactly are you looking for ?"Rose asked.

Albus did n't really desire to say because he knew Rose would just roll her eyes, but he also knew she would n't let go of the subject until he explained."Malfoy. He 's going to go back to the girl 's loo, and when he does, I want to adopt him."

"That would be stupe,"Rose said."Look at the yesteryear three years. You 've gotten yourself involved with something stupid at the end of every class. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

rosiness had a point, Albus knew, but he did n't wish."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to nobble me."

"Famous cobbler's last words,"rosiness muttered."He 's probably just in his common room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the park way. Albus 's heart sped up as he checked the residual of the Map. It took him a while, but then he spotted Malfoy 's dot, making its way down the second floor corridor. He was accompanied by none other than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

"He 's going,"Albus said."And he 's got Felix and Elsie with him. I 'm following him and you ca n't stop me."

blush wine groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the rest of his ally."Are any of you coming with me ?"

"I am."Albus was shocked to see that the voice belonged to Amanda. Usually Amanda agreed with pink wine.

"Amanda, really ?"Rose asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a break from studying and I 'm just as queer as Albus is."

"Count me out,"Matt muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you last time,"privy said with a grin.

Matt turned even redder."I 'd rather not live that."

"We 're in,"John said, speaking for himself and Kaden.

"You 've got an hour,"Rose said."If you 're not back by then I 'm sending prof Longbottom after you."

"We 'll be back,"Albus said as he stood up. As if to further convince Rose of this, he left his books sitting on the table. John, Kaden, and Amanda did the Saame.

Albus did n't trouble with the Invisibility Cloak since it was n't past tense curfew. They 'd just give to mill around near the loo until the coast was authorize and stoolie in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually empty and Albus attributed it to the fact that near of his fellow students were doing some live on narrow revision before the future day 's exam. It certainly made it leisurely to sneak into a daughter 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'dots entered Moaning Vinca minor 's bath. They remained there for only a few proceedings, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of Secrets,"Albus explained."I bet the vulture did n't know about it so they could n't hold put it on the Map."

It took another five minutes for Albus, St. John, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the door open and ran inside. He stopped short in front of the sinks.

One of the cesspool was gone, having sunk into the flooring. In its place was a large, pitch black hole. Vinca minor was floating above it, her centre bright.

"They did it,"Myrtle said excitedly."Are you going to surveil them ?"

"I guess this answers the enquiry of whether Elsie Willinson can speak snake,"John said.

"Is flatness ill again ?"Vinca minor asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an nasty lot of the time,"Myrtle said."Tell him to come see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the fix."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to connect me."Albus was determined. He 'd arrive this far and he was n't going to stop now. He needed to estimate out what was going on.

"Is it a far drop ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's more of a slide,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"John the Divine asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"John said.

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

"I 'd go down there even if there was a basilisk in there,"Kaden said."I 'll go first, if you want."

"Be my guest,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can live here,"Vinca minor said, giggling."I told Scorpius that and he told me that was another cause why he ca n't die down there. I do n't think he likes me."

Albus ignored myrtle and stepped aside so Kaden could jump into the trap. Kaden did so without a second glance.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm okay !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither John or Amanda seemed inclined to go next, so Albus stepped to the very bound of the hole and looked down. He could n't see a thing. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not cerebrate too hard, he took a deep breath and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being more of a slide than a drop-off down. The hole was to a greater extent of a sloping pipe and it was n't a bad slide at all. Soon, Albus landed at the bottom and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own wand and took a feel around. The blank space was very wet and it smelled awful. The wall were dripping with cloudy water and the base was covered in John Rock, mud, and what looked corresponding old snake peel.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the dripping H2O.

There was a whooshing noise behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a riot and turned to see it was only John, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"John muttered as he lit his own wand. There was now sufficiency wand lightness to see clearly. The place was creepy. That was the only word for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her wand. Albus and Kaden waited for lav and Amanda to take a face around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Does anyone get wind anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed dead silent to Albus.

John shook his head."Matt should 've come. We need his werewolf hearing."

Albus nodded in understanding."I guess we just follow the pipe. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his wand pointed in strawman of him, and they set off. No one spoke. No one made any noise whatsoever. Albus had his ears poised to get wind even the quietest stochasticity, hoping to learn some cue as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt like miles before they heard even the faintest of disturbance. Albus noticed legion snake tegument and the bones from decades-old animals. Then, just when Albus had a tone they were reaching the end of the passage, he heard a voice, clearly, as if it was right side by side to him.

"Albus Potter. Well, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the voice. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm wickedness. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews ! I will react to them, but I 've been quite engaged lately.

And now I 'll take a few here and now to swash. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's event for The Casual Vacancy. I got to meet her and get a sign copy of the Christian Bible ! It was absolutely mystify. I blogged about it on the assembly, so please jibe it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that voice in over a yr and part of him thought he would n't ever hear it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the vocalism. He pointed his lit verge in its focal point and saw that there was a very small opening to his left. It appeared to be another pipe, but one much minuscule than the one he and his friend had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to make any interference.

He turned to John, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you reckon ?"

"I think we should get out of here,"Kaden said immediately, stepping back."I thought we were just going after Malfoy."

"I bet Malfoy 's down there with him,"John the Divine said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the pipe. She stuck her head in, making her voice echoey."Why would he come back here ?"

"Can you see anything ?"Albus asked.

"Not much,"Amanda said, climbing fully into the pipe.

"We should just go back,"Kaden said, his voice wavering. All his braveness from being the offset to enter the bedroom was gone.

"I do n't know,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think resurrect might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's shrieking. There was a loud splash, a clunk, and then more shrill. Albus turned quickly back to the tube. Amanda was gone, a small pile of rubble in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."assistant !"

"What 's happening ?"John Lackland asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"Well, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipage."C'mon !"

Albus had to crouch as he walked in order to fit through the pipe. St. John the Apostle and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over John Rock as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his wand lighting the few feet in front of him. They followed Amanda 's screech until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the pipe emerged into a small sleeping accommodation, not unlike a little version of the chamber they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the sleep of the bedroom of arcanum and the far bulwark contained a metal grate that appeared to let out into the lake. But the water was n't going through it.

Albus 's care, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake water. Instead, his optic drew to the aggregation of multitude scattered throughout the bedroom. He breathed a suspiration of relief when he saw Amanda, in the clutches of Jarrett Willinson, who had his wand pointed at her head. Albus was just well-chosen they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit worse for wear. Azkaban did n't look to have agreed with him and he now looked far elderly than his betimes twenties.

Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a death clasp on her brother 's hand. Scorpius stood succeeding to them and he seemed very upset. The only one who seemed at all okay with the situation was Felix, whose grimace seemed to be coming from his sister 's traveling bag on his hand, not on the situation.

Albus did n't recognize the other three adults at first. Then he remembered their painting from the prophesier. The shorter woman was Dolores Umbridge, her grey hair greatly resembling a beehive around her nous. Her skin was deeply unironed and she did n't much resemble the mortal in the photograph, but her middle and freakish grin were the Saame. The early charwoman was about a foot taller and just as ugly. Her hair was wiry and mostly brown, with run of grey. Her nose was long, crooked, and boasted a large wart, giving her the spirit of a classic Muggle 's version of a witch. All that was missing was the green skin. The man resembled her, although he was shortsighted and more dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, ceramist ?"Scorpio asked, clearly trying to sound more positive than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the interrogative. And I can only assumed they followed you three. Whether it was intentional on your parting, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpius demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your founder wanted and then you did part of what we wanted. And therein lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His oculus went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to see out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's father asked him to do ?

"I never said I 'd do what you wanted us to do,"Malfoy muttered, averting his gaze.

"And yet you did."Jarrett sneered.

"But I did n't need to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his baton out of his robes and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his limb so that he could guide his sceptre at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is poor. I do n't like taking advantage of frail fry, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not fragile !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just fall back your grandfather,"Jarrett said."You 're fragile. So is your father, and he 's easy to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that breaker point Elsie started crying. It started out as small snivel but within ten second gear blew up into flashy whoreson. Everyone in the elbow room turned to gaze at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be quiet,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to leave, Felix !"Elsie sobbed."I did n't want to do this. You know I did n't want to do this !"

"You did n't have a choice, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just explain what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even better, let go of Amanda so we can get out of here and let you lot get back to whatever it is you 're doing ?"

Jarrett laughed."Oh, she 's not going anywhere. You three are free to leave behind. I really do n't care what the hellhole you do."

Albus exchanged coup d'oeil with King John and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to impart, of course, but Albus was utterly confused. For the past four long time Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to kidnap him and now, all of a sudden, they wanted Amanda ? They 'd never wanted her before.

"Oh, you have n't put it together yet, have you Potter ? I thought you were smarter than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the bloom pastor 's niece, who happens to be a Wiccan. She 's currently the outflank bargaining chip I could possibly have. I only wish I 'd known about her earlier, but thanks to your uncle the entire wizarding world knows she 's the Prime curate 's niece. I must thank that reporter.

"thrower, do you realize how bad Laurentis would expect if anything happened to the Muggle prime diplomatic minister 's niece a little over a month after she took position ? And just daylight after her appointed school principal Auror revolutionized the section ? Oh, it would search frightfully, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit blind drunk until the Aurors get here and then I 'll create my demands and the Aurors will give in because if they do n't, I 'll obliterate the peak diplomatic minister 's niece."

Albus 's mouth fell open. He stared at Jarrett, whose grin resembled that of a person who just won the drawing. Amanda looked terrorise, her middle darting everywhere and a few err rip running down her cheeks.

"Of course you can result, thrower,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the other Aurors. It 'll only bring them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry official anymore, potter. It wo n't be as big of a crime if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't look like someone capable of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an unstable mental patient than a dangerous witch. But the Carrows, they looked capable of execution. As for Quinton, he was n't a good deal of a threat. Still, Albus, John, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we leave ?"Malfoy asked, his interpreter wavering."Or at to the lowest degree me ?"

"Because I might need you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll come back. I know you did n't play us the girl. She came with Potter, following you."

"Why does it matter ?"Malfoy asked."The percentage point is she 's here now."

"I do n't think you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're justly, I would n't ! And do you want to know why ? I never wanted to serve you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all imbecile, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their acquaintance, so why would n't he have brought Amanda to Jarrett ?

"Then why are you here, Malfoy ?"

"To help oneself my dad !"Malfoy said, his wand still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't eff you idiots were going to have a secret plan of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the retard. You think we 'd suffer agreed to his plot if there had n't been something in it for us ? Meaning my son, here. Not these early three. I 'm not sure as shooting why they agreed to it. I 'm not even for certain Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said much of anything since the escape."

"Do you really think you 're going to get anything out of this ?"Malfoy demanded.

"Yes, I do,"Jarrett snapped.

Malfoy narrowed his eye and then whipped around. In a matter of seconds, he sent five sequential jinx at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their sceptre, but were too slow. Malfoy sent two to a greater extent beauty and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the other.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."Looks like the odds are a little dissimilar now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, ceramist,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpius, what is your problem ?"Felix asked, breaking devoid of his sister 's grip."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do thing his way,"Malfoy said."It 's like I told you at the beginning ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't know exactly what"this"was, but all that really mattered now was that they were no longer outnumbered.

"The Aurors are coming,"Malfoy said to Albus."If we can just deem them off-"

"How do you know the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't matter now,"Malfoy said as he sent a stunner at Jarrett.

Albus turned to John and Kaden."Focus on Quinton and Felix. No offense, but you are n't the best duelers and I do n't want you to hit Amanda."

John and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to shake off the weird feeling he had from being on Malfoy 's side, and started sending hex after hex at Jarrett. Jarrett, clearly unable to duel while holding Amanda, threw up a shield and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to go along going, in an attempt to weaken the shield.

Albus heard a loud crash and turned to his right. dust was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a large Boulder had fallen from the ceiling and had landed on top of the female Carrow.

"I think she 's dead,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed hard. Death had never crossed his mind when he 'd come down here. Trying to force it from his opinion, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't make out and Albus turned just in metre to see him land against the wall. Albus ran over and knelt next to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an awfully headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't hang asleep,"Albus said."check awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five wizards stumbled through the piping, their wands out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't recognize the voice."cypher move !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the first one said as he walked around the room."looking at like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no perspective to stimulate demands,"the first Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the piping and let out a sigh of relief. His dad had been the fifth Auror to arrive."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital extension. Now."

Harry knelt down future to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll take this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll take him."

"Let go of the girl, Willinson,"the first Auror said. He took a few steps forward and Albus was able-bodied to see the side of his typeface. It was Henry Martyn Robert Johnson, the new Head Auror.

"She 's the heyday rector 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be measured, or I 'll kill her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"LBJ said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a Brobdingnagian scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's sake,"Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's wand flew in a perfect arc out of his helping hand and Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to put off the magical spell, but still retain hold of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the level. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught hold of her, directing her to sit following to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured forget me drug and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a news and none of them questioned any of the defendant. If Albus had n't known any better, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to observe down here. It was all very confusing.

Johnson and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed hold of the outlaw and took them out of the chamber. Harry was left with Albus and the eternal rest of the scholarly person.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my suspicions, but unfortunately I do n't have any proof,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the hospital wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd group out of the chamber and back to the pipe that led to Moaning Myrtle 's can. Once there, he pointed his wand at the tube and it turned into steps. A few minutes later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few prison term at the promising visible radiation and then his eyes rested upon Myrtle, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he short ?"Vinca minor gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Vinca minor seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."Hospital wing."
***


Albus had no real ground to stay in the hospital extension. After muttering about how Albus and his ally were always getting into trouble, Madam Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfective tense health. toilet, Amanda, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were also finely. Kaden, on the other helping hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to sleep. Albus, John, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. blush wine and Matt joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well by curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to gentlewoman Pomfrey, but promised to return in a few hours. That had been three time of day ago and Albus was still waiting for him to come back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the stallion ordeal to Matt and Rose, who both agreed that Malfoy 's behavior was very strange.

The doorway to the hospital wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. Madam Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her written report.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like someone ran my headway over with a truck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll sense better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the prisoners to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for sure. The official phonograph record is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the prisoner are explaining why they were in the bedchamber of Secrets or how they got in."

"When we were down there, Malfoy kept saying he was doing something for his dad, but he never said what it was,"Albus said.

"That helps reassert my theory,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpius Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by Draco Malfoy to line up a suitable placement to household the prisoners for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to captivate them. This, of class, had to be done after the Auror Department was reorganized by Robert Andrew Johnson, in order to make both him and Laurentis look thoroughly. If Laurentis looks good, Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Draco Malfoy knew where the prisoners were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"rosebush began."You do n't cerebrate that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my psyche,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no test copy. Nor do I have cogent evidence of my possibility about Dragon Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is suddenly, Dolores Umbridge is clinically insane, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow dubiousness Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his father. So, for now at least, this will remain a theory."

"But Dad, it 's illegal,"Albus said.

"It is,"Harry replied."Do n't interest about it, Albus. The prisoner are back in Azkaban, which is all that matters right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. Worrying will do nothing. In my experience, multitude who are cloud like this are never capable to stay fresh it a orphic long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpius ?"Amanda asked."Why did he switch side like that ?"

"Scorpius Malfoy has had a rough year. His gramps has been quite ill for a long time, which has put tenseness on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his Father of the Church and then when it came sentence for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get wait of Amanda, he realized he did n't want to be involved, not would his father have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in worry ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the record book is concerned, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the prisoners just as you lot did."

"That does n't look fairly,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other deal, I think Scorpio Malfoy deserves a break this class. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past few calendar month. You might find that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll conceive that when I see it,"mat muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the Shrieking Shack, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm glad he chose the Chamber of Secrets."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"I have to return to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the paper tomorrow, although I have no idea what eccentric of story they 're going to reel or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't take it too hard. delight do not refer my theory to anyone. The last thing we need is an article in the prophesier claiming that Harry ceramicist is a cabal theorist."

Albus laughed and said good nighttime to his dad. dame Pomfrey let them sleep in the hospital offstage that night, considering how previous it was. Kaden, of course, had to remain come alive. Albus was surprised by how easy nap came, considering what he 'd been through that night, but it was nearly two in the sunrise. He realized with a sinking tactual sensation that he still had exams the next day. Herbology and ancient runic letter. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The next chapter will the finale in this novel. I 'm not sure when the twenty percent novel will be up since I have yet to come up with a concrete patch for it. I 'm going to take a break to publish other history that I 've had in my head for a spell.

It 's the end of October, which means it 's nearly NaNoWriMo season ! I 'll be continuing to update Between Here and Somewhere throughout November, as well as posting the last chapter of this next Fri. But you wo n't see much else from me until December, as I 'll be occupy writing an original fic.


Albus, John, and Matt overslept the next cockcrow. Albus awoke ten minute before their Herbology examination and had to arouse up whoremonger and matte, which is never a lowly feat. It took a full five proceedings to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing full well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his mind was on Herbology. He could n't break thinking about what happened last night.

The boy ran into greenhouse three five minutes late and as soon as they shut the room access the entire category looked up from their exams and stared at them. Albus got the distinct feeling that they all knew about last night, whether from rumors or from the prophesier. Professor Longbottom got up from his pot and walked over to them.

"son,"he said quietly.

"I 'm no-good we 're belated, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's okay. I know what happened close night. Just go aim your seats. Your examination are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very grateful that Herbology had been the exam he was late for. Longbottom was the most understanding professor in the entire school day. Albus settled down and managed to train the examination without falling asleep. While there were a few inquiry that he was n't certainly about, he was quite confident that he at least passed.

By the clock time the exam menstruation ended Albus was starving, as were toilet and mat. They, along with Rose and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Hall for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the distinct feeling that everyone was staring at them.

"You should 've been at breakfast,"Amanda said."Everyone was talking about it and they kept coming over and asking me questions. There were a clustering of people crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the prophet ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"rose wine said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the paper and set it down on his plate. John Lackland and Matt sat on either side of him and read over his shoulder.

yardbird CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed Head Auror, Robert
Johnson, received an anon. tip
late last night that led him and four
other Aurors to Hogwarts schooling of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. The tip
told Aurors that escaped con
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the Chamber
of Secrets inscrutable under Hogwarts School.

The chamber of arcanum, long since
regarded as a rumored veil sleeping room
beneath the school was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The Chamber has
remained empty since then.

All four escaped yardbird, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a year
by the Auror section, were found in
the sleeping room of Secrets by Robert Johnson
and four other Aurors. Amycus Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores Umbridge
have been returned to Azkaban prison.
Jarrett Willinson is currently being held
in Azkaban prison without bail. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced suddenly by healer
late last night, after the ceiling in
the sleeping accommodation collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts student were found in the
Chamber as well. Johnson has released
very little information on this scene
of the night, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one student with the
design of killing her if requirement were
not met. The epithet of the students have
not been released.

It is unknown how the yardbird got into
the school. weakness in the protective
wards are currently being addressed. 'We
wish to ensure the public that Hogwarts
school day remains as prophylactic as ever. The problems
will be addressed quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"unknown region how the convicts got into the shoal ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the whole affair up !"

"What did you expect, Albus ?"rosebush asked, shaking her head."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new promontory Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is arrive at up tale to extend up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably aright,"Rose said.

"Who 's right ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"rosebush said.

"have you seen this codswallop ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't care right now. I just want a sandwich. The soothsaying exam was brutal. I had to tell Trelawney 's future in tea leaves."

John laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to assemble an premature expiry at the hands of a stray Quaffle,"Kaden said.

rose groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her huge middle lit up and everything."

"She likes death, Trelawney,"John the Evangelist said."Or at least the concept of it."

"Weird,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining exams took place with niggling fanfare. Despite his judgment not being on the material, he thought he did fairly well, and when the marks were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His Transfiguration score was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts students, with their short store span, soon forgot about the debacle in the bedroom of mystery and moved on to early issue of discussion such as the summertime holiday and the electric current Quidditch season. Albus certainly did n't mind this because it meant he was no longer the middle of attention. Despite the fact that the Prophet never released the names of the students in the Chamber, everyone knew it was Albus, John Lackland, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"feel, Laurentis has released a assertion about capturing the prisoners,"rosebush said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be unspoilt. Let 's hear it."

“'I wish to acclaim the Auror Department for their work in recapturing the remaining lam criminals. The timely recapture after the reorganization of the Department only reinforces how important a determination it was to reorganise. With the new regulating and insurance in the Auror department, organized by Robert Samuel Johnson, the Aurors were able to capture the malefactor immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to Thomas More achiever from the Auror Department .'”

"What a freight of Irish bull,"Albus said."Of track they were able to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the convicts to be in the chamber in the first place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"Matt began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an easy secret to keep, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to build a speech communication,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the stave table.

professor Embry stood up and raised his hired hand for silence. This did cypher, of course."silence !"Embry shouted."I have something I 'd like to say.

"Thank you,"he said, after everyone stopped talking."I just want to say what a pleasance it has been to teach you all this year. I never expected to teach and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my class as very much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a big perceptiveness and understanding of our government. Today is my last day at Hogwarts, as the politics line will not continue next twelvemonth, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't hesitate to owl me if you wish to pick up a tour of the Ministry for faculty member purposes. I daresay that a few of you might consume vocation in political relation yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire room flare-up into hand clapping. Albus was n't sure if the applause was for Embry or for the fact that politics would no longer be a class. Albus had n't minded the class, but one fewer class was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about politics this twelvemonth, all rightfield,"John muttered as the applause settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"cheerfulness to that !"James shouted from a few seats down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all surprise to get wind Amanda say that. If any of his booster were to get politicians, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts graduation exercise ceremony. He and Rose had attended every single graduation ceremonial occasion since starting Hogwarts, and one the class before, too. It had gotten to the decimal point where he did n't pay a lot aid to the speeches because they all sounded very similar to the unity he 'd heard before. During this observance, the solely role Albus paid attention to was the function where Fred and Heather accepted their diplomas, which took all of two minutes.

"Well, we survived,"Albus said to Sakartvelo after the ceremonial ended and everyone was milling around.

Georgia grinned."That we did. It 's kind of surreal, to be honest. Dad did n't win, so affair are no unlike than they were this clock time last year, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Walker Percy doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not certainly. He does n't let the cat out of the bag about it much. Actually, the weird thing is that whenever I go over there for dinner he spends a lot of time asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to keep me from asking about his lack of employment, but I 'm not going to complain. Maybe he 'll even learn to care it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the lack of employment."

"He still has n't found a job ?"Albus asked.

"No. He could go back to the Ministry but he 'd own to do something where he 's not an actual politician, since Laurentis would n't require him. I do n't think he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George with the shop, but I do n't think Uncle George really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessional. But he 's too Nice to tell Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"rosebush shouted."We 've got to go. The pushchair are leaving."

Albus nodded to Rose and then turned back to Peach State."I 'd better go. Let me know when your side by side match is. I want to go."

Empire State of the South grinned."certain matter. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, Georgia,"Albus said as he turned to follow rose back to the castling, where they would catch the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to John 's house this yr,"Matt said as the Hogwarts Express hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"lavatory asked, unwrapping a drinking chocolate toad."I mean, really, are you ? You want to come to my house, where I have three crazy little sisters running about ?"

flatness shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the youngest in his sept,"John Lackland said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's properly,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one little sister. Wait a minute, matte 's the only if one of us who does n't have younger siblings, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All right,"John said."Let 's give flatness a existent sense of what having lots of sibling is like. I 'll owl you and let you get it on when."

"Exploding elasticity ?"Kaden asked, holding up a deck of cards.

"Sure,"Matt said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to shell out the cards, but before he finished, the compartment door slid open. Albus, expecting one of his cousin, turned to the room access. It slid open the rest of the way and Malfoy stood on the threshold, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you want ?"John asked.

"Er, can I just babble out to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping inside and sliding the door behind him.

"Where 's Willinson ?"Albus asked, standing up.

"He 's no longer speaking to me,"Malfoy explained."After I hexed his uncle and as he put it, 'joined the other English .'”

"What about Elsie ?"Rose asked, clearly concerned about the girl.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said lots around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"John asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the Chamber ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really good with words so she was able to fake it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few moments of awkward quiet. Malfoy shifted his weight and leaned against the threshold.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This yr sucked and I got caught up in a lot of things that I did n't need to do, which is exactly what happened to my dad when he was at Hogwarts."

Albus was utterly confused as to why Malfoy was telling them all of this. He exchanged looks with lustrelessness and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not worth it anymore,"Malfoy continued."Hating you lot. I know it was you who somehow got itching gunpowder into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a little too quickly.

"And we know you put the goat in the plebeian way,"whoremaster added.

Malfoy nodded."As I was saying, it just does n't matter. Any of it."He turned to Matt."And I do n't care that you 're a lycanthrope. Really. Sure, it 's uncanny and I have no idea why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't hesitate to hex you, you know,"John said, reaching into his robes for his wand.

Malfoy held up his hands."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should hollo a truce."

"A truce ?"Albus asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, a armistice,"Malfoy said."You all know my gramps died this year. It makes all this combat we do look really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be friends, are you ?"John the Evangelist asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his face."God no. I 'm saying you lot stop only pranking the Slytherins, do n't distinguish anyone that I dueled on your side in the Chamber, and I wo n't tell anyone Eckerton is a werewolf. I 'll really promise that, without any threats of expulsion."

Albus was sceptical. Could the last of Lucius Malfoy really prompt this change in Scorpius ?

"C'mon, cease-fire ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his mitt out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"rosiness said."We 've got O.W.L.s next twelvemonth. You do n't need this dolt feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"fine, cease-fire,"Albus said, shaking Scorpio 's mitt.

Malfoy nodded."I guess I 'll go, then. See you around, Potter."

Malfoy turned and left the compartment. Albus did n't locomote for a full minute."That was the unusual matter I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't mean any of us will ever full understand what happened there,"Rose said."But I think it 's a honest thing."

"Weird, though,"matte said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder matter was, was that Albus did actually believe him. There had been something in Malfoy 's eyes that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed old somehow. He was no longer a kid, whose biggest trouble was arguing with Albus over stupid things. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all grown up that yr. They were going to be one-fifth year now, and Kaden would be a fourth year, and that meant they were the sr. students in the school. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"Makes me inquire what adjacent year will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this year has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"Rose reminded them."I think it 'll be plenty strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't want Hogwarts to change. Despite all that was going on in the outside world, Hogwarts had always remained the same. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his seat and stared out the windowpane, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't know what changes Hogwarts would see in the following yr, but he did n't want to think about it just yet. There was still a whole summer before that would happen, and Albus intended to enjoy it.


A/N : Thank you so much for all the backup and reviews for this report ! You guy rope are amazing. I will be taking a break before continuing with this series as I have other stories floating around in my oral sex, but I 'll eventually come back to Albus. I 've no mind how long it 'll be, though.

In the meantime, delight check out my predator Era story, Between Here and Somewhere ! And keep checking back for my review responses, because I will get to them.