Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


On Christmas Day Eve the potter went to Godric 's hollow, like usual. It was completely iniquity by the time they Apparated to the Burrow, but there was good deal of get off streaming out of the magniloquent sign of the zodiac 's windows. As they walked closer to the place, Albus could hear the thunder of laugh coming from inside.

`` Harry ! '' the room access to the burrow flew spread out and George stood in the doorway to greet them, a mug of eggnog in his hand. `` How are ya, mate ? ``

`` I 'm great, George VI. I see you 're already inebriated, '' Harry grinned at him.

`` A drunkness only Mum 's eggnog can bring, '' George V went back into the firm and Albus and his family followed.

Albus smiled to himself as he saw the usual chaos that was Yule Eve at his grandparents'house. His sea of redheaded first cousin were milling around eating and laughing with each former. This was what Albus loved about Christmas at the Burrow. He grabbed a couple cooky from the nearby table and went to observe pink wine. She was sitting on the trading floor near the fireplace with Victor Hugo, Victoire, and Teddy.

`` Albus ! '' she shouted over the noise, `` Over here ! ``

Albus pushed his way past Georgia and Gabriella who were laughing at something Fred was saying. `` Hi Rose ! What 's been going on ? ``

`` Not a great deal. Uncle George, Uncle flyer, and Uncle Charlie are drunk. My dad 's on his way and so is auntie Alicia. ``

`` Would n't be Christmastime Eve if they were n't, '' Albus laughed.

`` Gran 's been refilling the cookie phonograph record and talking with my mum and aunt Fleur. I think she 's about to put on Celestina Warbeck, '' Rose gestured to the nearby wireless that Molly, Hermione, and Fleur were looking at. Fleur threw her manus up in the air and glared at molly. `` Yup, here comes Celestina. ``

`` Mum hates her, '' Victoire shook her head, `` She 'll be heading for the eggnog now. ``

Sure enough, Fleur poured herself a large mug of eggnog as Molly settled down to heed to the wireless. She was the only when one listening, though. Albus could hear bits and pieces of a het up Quidditch discussion going on between his Uncle Charlie, Uncle George VI, Aunt Alicia, and broom. Harry was making his way over to them now. It amazed Albus that his uncles and aunt could convey on a fully perceivable Quidditch discussion while drunk.

`` How long are you staying, Victoire ? '' Albus asked.

`` Just until after Christmas. I 've got to get back to St. Mungo 's in a copulate days. But I 've been here since yesterday when Amy left for Commonwealth of Australia. I did n't need to be alone in the flat, it would 've gotten awfully boring. ``

`` You would n't hold had to be alone, '' Teddy winked, `` And it would n't feature been boring. ``

Victoire playfully slapped him. `` Teddy ! Do n't let Mum hear you say that. ``

`` Oh, Albus, '' rose began, `` Both Gospel According to John and Amanda can come to my menage on the 28th. Well, they can only come over for the day, but that should be sufficiency meter. flatness 's still not sure. He said he wo n't recognise until after he gets back from Australia. ``

`` Ok. Great, we can play Quidditch ! ``

`` Quidditch ? '' Hugo snapped his head away from his cocoa Gaul cards, `` Can I play ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus replied.

`` The 28th ? '' teddy bear commented, `` I 'll come over, too. I do n't ingest to be back at the Ministry until the 29th. I 'm up for some Quidditch. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` We can get a literal game going. I 'll just tell my dad I 'm going home with you. '' Albus looked around the elbow room and saw Harry in the midst of a Quidditch discussion. `` Hey, Dad ! ``

`` What is it, Al ? '' Harry got up and squeezed his way through the crowd over to Albus.

`` It 's all redress if I go to Rose 's house on the 28th, right ? And appease a span days ? ``

`` That would be exquisitely, '' Harry said, `` But we 're actually going to Dudley 's house for New Year 's Eve, so we 'll follow get you on the 31st before we leave. ``

`` We 're going to Dudley 's ? '' Albus stared at his dad.

`` Er, yeah, '' Harry gave Albus a half smile, `` Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon will be there as well .... ''

`` What ? ! ''

`` Dudley thought it would be a good idea, considering that Kaden is a wizard, '' Harry explained.

`` All right, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't really want to see Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, but he did n't really have a choice.

`` I 'm sure they 'll be ... civilized, at least, '' Harry gave Albus a hug before leaving to riposte his Quidditch discussion.

`` fountainhead, at least I can come over for a few Day, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but you 've got to go see the Dursleys, '' teddy bear screwed up his face in disgust.

`` It 's definitely going to be an matter to day, '' Albus replied.

`` I 'm sure it 'll be amercement, '' Rose assured him. `` Plus, Kaden will be there. ``

`` That 'll make it even more matter to, '' Albus grinned.

`` You know, he 'd fit right in with this lot, '' Rose gestured to the loud and robustious Weasley family around them. `` Except without the red hair. ``

`` Hey, I have n't got red fuzz ! ''

`` Neither do I, '' Victoire agreed.

`` I do, '' slip laughed as he changed his whisker from its usual wild blue yonder to red.

`` You 're not technically a Weasley, '' rosiness commented.

`` Close enough. And anyway, who knows what 'll take place in the following few eld, '' Teddy winked at Victoire, who giggled. Teddy threw his arms around Victoire and kissed her.

`` wagerer not let Gran see you doing that, '' rosiness warned.

`` Always a stickler for the rules, huh Rosie ? '' slip laughed and lengthened his hair until it was the perfect replica of Rose's.

`` Do n't do that ! '' blush wine groaned, `` And I do break pattern. Just ask Albus. ``

slip shortened his hairsbreadth again and turned to Albus. `` Really ? ``

`` She does, '' Albus confirmed, `` Quite a few times, actually. ``

`` This I 've got to hear. ``

`` Maybe another time, '' Albus glanced at rose wine. Albus had n't really decided whether or not to tell slip about the new map. well-nigh of rosebush 's and Albus 's most Holocene epoch rule breaking was done in decree to trace it. Albus knew he was n't going to severalise his cousins about it, but he was n't sure about shimmy and James. One voice of him thought they deserved to know, considering that their founding father and gramps were both Marauders, but on the early hand he sort of wish keeping it a secret.

`` Aw, arrive on, severalize me. ``

`` Another sentence, '' pink wine said adamantly.

`` Oh, fine, '' shimmy huffed, `` But I will ascertain out. ``

Albus spent the balance of the evening talking and playing game with Rose, shimmy, and Victoire. He was really enjoying the prison term off from school and getting to expend fourth dimension with his stallion home at once. By the time he climbed up to the attic bedroom that he shared with St. James and a few of their cousins, he was tired and stuffed from all the cookie.

******

`` James ! Albus ! '' Albus snapped his center open at the sound of his name the next sunrise. He immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Lily. He heard her footstep bounding into the room. `` Albus, James II ! It 's Christmas ! ignite up ! ``

`` Hi Lily, '' Albus yawned.

`` goodness, you 're up ! James ! Get up ! ``

`` I 'm up, I 'm up ! '' James mumbled.

`` We 've got presents, King James ! '' Lily grinned.

`` Right ! '' James II said excitedly and Albus heard him crawling to the end of the top buncombe to his nap of presents.

`` I 'm going to open mine ! '' Lily shouted as she ran out of the room.

After Lily 's early wake-up call option, everyone in Albus 's room was up. Albus settled down to open his own pile of presents with the former male child. The foremost few loge were filled with sweets and various Weasley 's sorcerer Wheezes products. The next was this year 's Weasley jumper. It had a red quaffle stitched onto the straw man with a navy blue blue background. `` Opened your pinny yet, James ? ``

`` Sure did, '' Henry James replied, `` Red with a green dragon on it. ``

`` Mine 's blue with a red quaffle. ``

`` Excellent. ``

Albus opened the succeeding few present, which consisted of numerous books and other clothing items. He also got a broom handle servicing Kit, which would be useful since his Firebolt 2000 had a few twigs that needed to be plucked. Albus saved the exhibit from his parents for last and was about to open it when St. James the Apostle gave an shake up shout from the bed above.

`` Whoa ! ``

`` What is it ? '' Cedric asked and jumped off his bed. Ben followed and the two of them ran over to James 's bed.

Albus crawled out of his bed and joined his cousins. `` What ? '' he asked.

James had a huge grin on his face as he held up a blank piece of parchment. `` Look what I got. ``

Albus stared at the parchment. `` You 're kidding ! Dad gave you the Marauder 's Map ? ``

`` He sure did ! '' St. James the Apostle shouted.

`` This is perfect ! '' Cedric exclaimed.

`` I ca n't trust he gave it to you, '' Ben grinned.

`` That 's with child, St. James, '' Albus smiled, `` But why you and not me ? '' Albus could n't help but feel a lilliputian left wing out, even though he now had his own vulture 's Map that would potentially be expert than the original. But his dad did n't get laid about that, so why did he give the Map to James ?

`` Dunno, '' Henry James shrugged. `` What did they get you ? ``

`` Have n't opened it yet, '' Albus picked up the software from his parents and shoot off the wrapping.

What he saw made his backtalk tumble undecided in electric shock. This would explain why James got the Map ! Sitting in the middle of the deplume wrap, was the invisibleness Cloak. `` He, he gave me the Cloak, '' Albus whispered.

`` fountainhead, that 's why you did n't get the map, '' King James replied, `` This is brilliant ! ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, pulling the cloak out of the wrapping. He laughed to himself as he thought of how he and Rose went through all that bother of stealing it earlier in the month and now he got it for Christmas. `` Guess this is why Dad wanted the Map back. ``

James laughed, `` We gave it back only for him to give it to me. I think we ought to share them. ``

`` That 's a serious theme, '' Albus agreed, not mentioning that hopefully he would have got his own map working soon.

`` And parcel them with us, too, '' Cedric gestured to himself and Ben.

`` Of course of action we will, '' James assured them. `` We just have to be sneaky about it. We ca n't let all of Hogwarts know we 've got these. ``

`` I 'm going to go William Tell rose wine, '' Albus wrapped the Cloak around himself and left the elbow room. He had never worn the Cloak at the Burrow before and he thought it was really good story that he passed Eddie on the stairs and Eddie did n't even detect him. He pushed open the door to the room that pink wine shared with Victoire, Georgia, Gabriella, and Heather and waited for the lady friend'reactions.

Heather jumped when she heard the door spread out and saw that no one was there. Victoire and Gabriella laughed and then shrugged. Rose got up from her bed and walked cautiously over to the door.

`` Boo, '' Albus pulled the Cloak off and grinned.

All five girls shrieked as they saw Albus emerge from the Cloak, then they all started laughing. `` Where did you get that ? '' rosiness demanded.

`` Dad gave it to me ! ''

`` He did ? '' Victoire stared in amazement. `` Wow, that is really great. ``

`` I just ca n't think he gave you that, '' Rose grinned, `` I 'll bet James is jealous. ``

`` He got the Marauder 's Map, so he 's o.k.. ``

`` Wow ! '' rosebush shouted, `` That 's incredible. And you can share them. ``

`` That 's the plan, '' Albus grinned. `` Well, I 'll see you lot downstairs. '' He wrapped the Cloak around himself once more and left the room. Albus could n't trust that his dad had actually given him the Cloak ! He did n't call back Harry would ever give it up. The honest part was that he was now even more like his grandpa had been at Hogwarts. Albus was even more of a vulture now that he had the Cloak.

Albus continued down the stairs and into the kitchen of the burrow. A few of his cousin, aunty, and uncles were already up and starting to eat breakfast. Harry and Ginny were there as well, along with Lily. His grandmother was tending to multiple caldron at once, while simultaneously bringing several items to the table. Albus watched them all for a few minute before pulling the Cloak off and yelling, `` Happy Christmas ! ``

Bill choked on his coffee bean and spat it across the tabular array at George, who had started laughing. Harry, who had probably been expecting this, grinned and looked at Ginny, who was smiling back. Lily was staring at Albus with her mouth wide open. molly dropped the roll of oatmeal she had been bringing to the board. Everyone else looked at Albus with various face of shock and amusement.

`` Albus ! '' Molly shrieked as she cleaned up the spill oatmeal with a wafture of her wand, `` Do n't do that ! ``

`` You gave him the Cloak ? '' St. George asked.

`` Yep, '' Harry replied, `` I take it you 're enjoying it, Al ? ``

`` Sure am ! '' Albus went over to where his parents were sitting and gave them each a Brobdingnagian hug, `` thank ! ``

`` You 're welcome, '' Harry smiled, `` I figured you should be capable to bask it while you 're at Hogwarts, like I did. Although I expect you to use it more responsibly than I did. ``

`` I 'll try, '' Albus said, thinking of when he snuck down to the Whomping Willow with it only two weeks ago. `` St. James and I are going to portion it. Same with the Map. ``

`` time lag, you gave him the Marauder 's Map, too ? '' George II stared at Harry.

`` No, James got that. ``

`` I did n't think you 'd ever founder that away, '' George laughed.

`` well, I can thread the castle whenever I want and it wo n't count who 's around, '' Harry explained, `` The son ca n't. Plus, I did n't need to traverse them the fun of it. ``

`` Are you sure that 's prophylactic, Harry ? '' Molly asked anxiously.

`` The castle is perfectly safe, even at nighttime. I 'm not saying I approve of you wandering around at Night, '' Harry gave Albus a stern regard, `` But there are Thomas More enthrallment than ever protecting it. ``

`` That wo n't protect them from sensation already in the rook ! '' Molly commented, `` remember that Willinson kid last year ? ``

`` How could I forget ? Sometimes, you just have to take peril in order to live a little. I trust the son enough to know they wo n't go wandering around late at Nox very often. And if you see anything suspicious on the Map, '' Harry turned to Albus, `` separate me about it right away. ``

Albus nodded. `` Sure. '' He took a seat at the table, with the Cloak on his lap, just as James ran into the way holding the Map in his hands.

`` Thanks, Dad ! '' James shouted, `` This is splendid ! ``

`` I 'll tell you what I told Al. Do n't use that to bust too many prescript and if you see anything abnormal on it, distinguish me right away. ``

`` Hello, Weasleys ! '' Teddy strolled into the elbow room, his pilus half viridity and half red. He sat down next to Albus and pulled a disk of testis towards him. `` glad Christmas. ``

`` I know your whisker is Christmas colourise, but those two colors just should n't be paired together, '' James shuddered as he noticed teddy 's hairsbreadth. `` I mean, Gryffindor and Slytherin at the same clock time ? ``

`` It 's merry, '' Teddy grinned. `` You want me to charm yours to be red and Green, too ? Just learned some excellent charms for that sort of thing in training. Not that I 'll postulate them. ``

`` No thanks, '' Saint James had a look of disgust on his face. `` I 'll keep the plain red. ``

`` Is that ... '' shimmy looked at the parchment James was holding, `` The Marauder 's Map ? ``

`` Oh, yeah ! surely is ! '' James handed it to shimmy, `` Got it for Christmas ! ``

`` That 's great ! '' Teddy grinned. `` What did you get Albus ? Do n't opine Harry could top that. ``

`` I got the Cloak. ``

Teddy turned to Albus, `` Really ? That 's large, too ! indirect request I had an Invisibility Cloak. ``

`` But you can cast those disillusionment good luck charm, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Not nearly as fun as that Cloak, though, '' Teddy commented.

`` Oh, boys, '' Harry began, `` You 're going to suffer to share those with Lily once she gets to Hogwarts. ``

`` Aw, fall on, '' James groaned.

`` If you do n't I 'll just steal them, '' Lily smirked, `` And conceal them in my dormitory, which you two wo n't be able-bodied to get into. ``

`` She 's got a point, '' Ginny grinned.

`` We 'll share, '' Albus assured them. He would n't mind sharing with Lily, just as long as she kept the Cloak arcanum. The shoemaker's last thing they needed was the entire palace knowing about it.

`` Good, '' Harry smiled, `` Now who 's up for a little winter Quidditch ? ``

`` Me ! '' Albus, James, Teddy, and mostly everyone else shouted at the same time.

******

Albus spent to the highest degree of the day playing Quidditch outside with his family. Eventually they all had to occur in because they were too cold to recreate any longsighted. Plus, it started snowing pretty hard and nobody wanted to turn a loss the fink. Albus spent the rest of the day with rose wine and reading a few of his new books. The Cloak was passed around between his cousins, and about of them were amazed Harry had given it to him, and a little jealous as well. Jesse James passed the Map around and everyone had fun watching the few dose that were left in the castle.

Christmas dinner came and went in its usual chaotic state. It was loud and funny and Albus enjoyed every bit of it. He went to bed feeling very full and very contentedness. The side by side day Albus 's auntie, uncles, and cousins all started to entrust. Albus and pink wine 's families stayed for a twain more daylight, but they soon had to allow so Albus 's grandparents could go on holiday for New yr 's. Albus was actually excited to leave because he would be going to rosiness 's house and hopefully getting the stag print.

Albus landed in Rose 's bread and butter room after Flooing from the Burrow. His Uncle Ron, rose wine, and Victor-Marie Hugo had already arrived and his Aunt Hermione was correctly behind him. There was an owl waiting next to the window and Hermione ran over to let it in.

`` That 's Matt 's owl, '' Albus announced as he and Rose went over to think the letter. Albus opened the envelope and scanned the letter, `` He can come, but only for tomorrow. We 're supposed to encounter him at the Leaky Cauldron at eleven. ``

`` Sure, '' Hermione smiled, `` Tell him that will exploit. ``

Albus found a quill and quickly scribbled a reply on the back of the letter and sent it off with the owl. He and Rose ran up the step and into Rose 's room to blab about plans for getting the print.

`` I hope you 've got some idea, '' Albus said as he shut Rose 's door.

`` Of trend I do, '' Rose grinned. `` We 'll secern my parents that we 're going to go exploring in the timberland and we 'll look for a stag while we 're in there. Once we find one, we 'll all try and stun it- ''

`` What about the underage trick Laws ? '' Albus definitely did n't want mortal from the Ministry showing up shortly after they stunned a hart. The last matter he wanted to do was explain why he had done it.

Rose laughed, `` Have n't you figured it out yet ? They ca n't tell apart who 's done the magic, only that magic 's been done. The Ministry has no way to recount if it was us or my parents who performed the magic. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. All last summer he could have done magic and the Ministry would n't suffer found out. `` Really ? ``

`` Yes, really. The Ministry just relies on parents to not let their kids use magic away school day. So I would n't suggest doing it a lot. I 'm sure we 'd get in big bother with our parents. I would n't even be suggesting we do this if there was another way to get the print. ``

Albus nodded. He did n't really require to develop the law either, but what could they do ? There was no way to get a snitch mark if the stag was n't stunned. `` I just hope we actually find one tomorrow. ``

`` Me, too. But we do have a duo Clarence Day. You 'll be here until the 31st, so that 's four days to get it. ``

`` Yeah, but John and Matt want to help, too. ``

`` I know and we 'll try. Hey, I 'll bet Amanda 's gotten the dog mark by now ! ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus said excitedly, `` So we 're pretty much halfway there. ``

`` Yup, '' Rose grinned.

`` Now we 've just got to find the magical spell to celebrate Kaden hush, '' Albus replied.

`` You 're going to narrate him everything after I find that magic spell ? '' Rose asked.

`` I think so. I mean, as long as the charm works he ca n't tell anyone about it. It 's obvious now that he 's Wormtail, although I 'm surely he 'll be a better one. But it 's up to mat whether he wants to differentiate Kaden he 's a werewolf. ``

`` Is n't it kind of necessary for this ? ``

`` Probably, but I ca n't exactly severalize Kaden that. ``

`` Yeah, you definitely ca n't, '' rosiness agreed.

`` Let 's just try and get the hart mark first, '' Albus suggested, `` Then we 'll figure out the Kaden thing. ``


A/N : J.K. Rowling did land in an interview that Harry was n't going to give the map and the cloak to James II & Al, but it fits the plot of ground so I 'm just ignoring that for this series. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Denas, Miguel, Johanne, St. Luke, Slytherinlover, wolverine83, Moonylupin, XDNLxtlz99, maraudersfan a w, and Jen for the reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus, rosebush, and Hermione went to the Leaky Cauldron the next day to see flatness and Amanda, who was also being dropped off there. John had arrived earlier by Floo and went with them as well. When they got there, both lusterlessness and Amanda were already there.

`` Hi ! '' Albus greeted them as he stepped out of the Floo.

`` Hi Albus, '' mat grinned, `` How was your Christmastime ? ''

`` It was smart as a whip, '' Albus replied, `` waiting cashbox you see what I got. ``

`` What ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Ca n't express you here, '' Albus whispered. `` I 'll show you when we get back. ``

`` Let 's go now, '' Matt said impatiently.

`` You kids go ahead, '' Hermione told them, `` I 've got a bit of shopping to do. ``

Albus bade goodbye to his aunty and turned back to the Floo. Within seconds he was back in Rose 's living room. A few second later all his friends were back as well.

Matt and Amanda stared around the elbow room. `` Nice house, '' Amanda smiled.

`` Yeah, '' matt agreed, `` Kind of looks like mine. ``

`` Thanks, '' Rose replied.

`` So, Albus, what did you get for Christmas ? '' mat asked.

`` This, '' Albus pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of his cloak pouch. He had been carrying it around with him ever since Christmas.

matt let out a gasp. `` Whoa ! You really got the Cloak ? That 's completely astound ! ``

`` I love that cloak, '' Amanda grinned.

`` And to think we slip it just a few workweek ago, '' privy snorted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus hissed, `` Uncle Ron and Hugo are here. ``

`` Oh, sorry. ``

`` But this is n't all, '' Albus continued, `` Saint James the Apostle got the vulture 's Map. ``

`` He did n't ! '' John shouted.

`` He did. ``

`` You two are so favorable, '' lustrelessness replied.

`` But we 'll birth our own Map soon anyway, '' Amanda pointed out as she dug around in the bag she brought. She produced a buckle objet d'art of parchment with a paw print on it that was slightly minuscule than the werewolf print.

`` You got it ! '' Albus took it from her. `` We 're halfway there now. ``

`` I hope it 'll act. Isaac Newton would n't stay still and the parchment is kind of furrow. ``

`` I 'm surely it will work, '' Albus said.

`` Good thing we did n't have got the print go directly on the map, '' Matt replied.

`` So today we get the stag print, '' Albus announced. `` Right after lunch. ''

Everyone agreed and headed into the kitchen to scrounge up some food. Ron had already created an enormous sandwich and was eating it when Albus and the others walked in. They all liked the idea of making titan sandwiches and were soon eating aboard Ron. Albus thought John the Evangelist 's sandwich looked disgusting because it was piled high with Republic of Turkey, pickles, and peanut butter. Rose shuddered as she saw him bite into it, but he thought it tasted delicious.

`` I ca n't believe you ate that entire affair, '' Rose screwed up her face in disgust after John ate the last bite of his lunch.

`` It was respectable, '' he shrugged.

`` Hey, Uncle Ron, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to go explore the forest. ``

`` All rightfield. Have fun. But try and be back by three. Teddy 's coming over and so are James II and your dad. We 're all going to trifle Quidditch. ``

`` Sure, we 'll be back by then, '' Albus was excited about playing Quidditch. It was always better when chemise was there.

Once they were all done with lunch, Rose and Albus led the way outside and over to the forest. The forest was situated adjacent to the prominent open field that was future to the house. Albus and Rose went exploring in it quite a bit and knew their way around it well. The radical crunched across the snow laden field until they came to the forest 's bound. Rose found the track they usually took and lead the group down it. `` celebrate your center pealed for a stag, '' she told everyone.

`` This reminds me of the wood near my old theatre in Australia, '' Matt commented after a few second of walking.

`` How was Australia this year ? '' Albus asked, remembering that his champion just returned to UK the previous day.

`` It was all rightfield. No different than usual. It was boring of grade, and my grandmother kept telling us how we should visit more often. ``

`` You 're not going to, are you ? '' John asked.

`` Do n't think so. Mum and Dad do n't really want to. Plus they want to go visit my Uncle Jack in New York this summertime. ``

`` That would be fun, '' Amanda replied.

`` Yeah, I hope we get to go. ``

The group continued walking into the forest until Rose announced that it would be intimately if they sat completely still and waited for a hart to take the air by. She said their crusade would scare the creatures away. Albus sat down in the snow behind a bush with his friends and watched and listened for fauna. After a half hour of waiting, Albus was bored. How long was it going to take for a stag to cross their path ? He would much rather just walk around to retrieve one. Rose seemed perfectly content to sit still, as did Matt. trick had made a large mass of hoodwink balls, along with a snow wizard. Amanda was occupy creating a snow beldame to go along with his wizard.

`` I 'm bored, '' John sighed as he made yet another snow ball. `` How long is this going to contain ? ``

`` I do n't recognize, '' Rose shrugged, `` We do n't see stags that often in here, so it might be a while. ``

Albus glanced at his watch, `` Well it 's just after two, so if we do n't obtain one soon, we 'll accept to go back. '' He stared into the timber and willed a stag to do. Albus was getting frustrated by this dot. They needed that denounce photographic print for the map ! There was no place else to find one. What if they could n't rule a stag before the end of the vacation ? They would receive to wait until the summer to look for again. Albus could n't wait that foresightful. He wanted the map now.

`` Wait, '' lustrelessness stood up and turned around, `` I think I hear something over there. '' He pointed to a cluster of bushes a couple meters away.

`` I do n't listen it, '' John the Divine replied.

`` Shush ! '' flatness whispered, `` You know I can learn things you ca n't. ``

lusterlessness started slowly making his way towards the clustering of bushes. Albus and the others followed behind, cypher saying a intelligence. `` wand ready, '' Matt whispered.

Albus pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the bushes, his mind racing with turmoil as he went. This was it ! They were going to get the betray print ! role of Albus 's idea knew that this was n't necessarily a stag, but he did n't pay attending to that. What else could it be ? most of the beast in the timberland were too small to be rustling the bushes this much. As Albus got closer to it, he could distinctly try the footprint of the beast, and they were much too flashy to be a coney or a squirrel. There were n't many large fauna in the timberland, rat being some of the few. It could be a doe, but Albus hoped it wasn't.

The radical was now only a couple metrical unit away from the bushes. Everyone had their scepter pointed at them, waiting for the fauna to take a shit its appearance. The moment Albus saw the farewell role, he shouted, `` Stupefy ! ``

`` Stupefy ! '' Rose, John, matt, and Amanda all shouted at once.

Whatever was in the George Walker Bush jumped to the side and missed all five stunning tour. `` Whoa ! What the bloody Inferno do you lot think you 're doing ! ''

It was shift. The interference lustrelessness had heard in the bush was teddy. Albus lowered his wand and sighed. So much for finding a stag. Now that chemise was with them, they would no longer be able-bodied to bet. Albus turned to his friends and saw them all put their wands away.

teddy bear fully emerged from the President George W. Bush and walked over to where Albus was with a bewildered feel on his face. `` Do I even want to know what you 're up to ? ``

`` Er, '' Albus began, trying to think up an excuse fast.

`` We 're just taking a walking in the forest and you scared us ! '' pink wine announced, `` Sneaking up on us like that, what did you think we 'd do ? ``

`` Shriek, maybe ? '' teddy bear gave them a cockeyed grin, `` But not assault me. ``

`` So you were trying to scare us ? '' rosiness said exasperatingly

`` A bit, yeah, '' Teddy laughed. `` Worked, did n't it ? ``

`` I 'll say, '' blush wine muttered. Albus listened to the two of them but did n't add anything. He was forever grateful that his cousin-german was a better liar than he was.

`` It 's variety of cold to be going for a hiking, '' Teddy commented, `` But Ron said you were here, so I figured I 'd see if I could find you. '' He eyed john 's chain reactor of snowball and grinned, `` Planning on having a snow orb fight ? ``

Teddy did n't wait for an response and picked up a few of privy 's snowball. He threw one at Albus and the early at Rose.

`` observe it ! '' Albus shouted as the snowball made impinging with his face. He spat out the C and bent down to take a shit his own snow ball. He aimed it at shimmy but teddy bear jumped out of the way and it hit lustrelessness instead.

`` Hey ! '' Matt shouted as he picked up one of john 's sweet sand verbena and threw it at Albus. It landed square on Albus 's chest.

A few mo later, a huge Abronia elliptica fight broke out. It was every man for himself for a while and Albus was getting pummeled by chemise 's Abronia elliptica. He tried to get shimmy back, but slip was too quickly for him. Instead, Albus decided to focus on mat, who was trying to get Albus back for the snowball that had hit him instead of Teddy. Rose eventually joined Albus in his attempt to get Matt, while Amanda evened out the odds by joining mat 's side. whoremaster, who seemed to be the solely one with enough skill to hit shift, was having a one-on-one fight with the blue haired boy and was actually doing well.

The six of them were completely soaked by the clock time the competitiveness ended. lustrelessness and Amanda surrendered to Rose and Albus after the cousin-german decided to create about twenty dollar bill snowballs and lob them constantly at their two friends. John Lackland surrendered to Teddy a few instant later, once Teddy decided to charm a pile of snowfall to wrench itself into Abronia elliptica, resulting in a incessant supply of ammo for Teddy. John did n't make love that spell and was stuck handwriting making his snow balls while teddy bear continuously sent snowballs at him.

`` Who 's up for Quidditch ? '' chemise asked as they were walking back through the forest to rosebush 's house.

`` M-maybe after I d-dry off, '' Albus shivered. The snow had completely penetrated his cloak and was now freezing it into an icicle. His friends nodded in agreement.

`` strait undecomposed, '' shimmy replied, `` Harry and St. James the Apostle should be at the house by now.

A little while later, Albus found himself back at rosebush 's household, where everyone was waiting for the Quidditch match to pop out. Albus, along with his acquaintance, ran upstairs to dry off and convert quickly.

`` Ready ? '' shimmy jumped up from the professorship he was sitting on once Albus and his friends descended the stairs. `` Who has n't got a heather with them ? ``

`` Me, '' Amanda said. She was the solitary one. John and Matt, who both had brooms, had brought them knowing they would play Quidditch.

`` We 've got spares, '' Ron announced, holding a pair brooms in his hand.

Once everyone had a ling to use, teddy bear started to get hold of heraldic bearing of creating teams. `` All right. Let 's see, we 've got Me, Harry, Ron, James, Albus, John, Matt, Amanda, Hugo, and rose wine, are you playing ? ``

`` Sure, why not ? '' Rose shrugged.

`` Good, then we 've got ten players. That 's five per team. So each team will have a Seeker, a beater, a keeper, and two chasers, that 'll work. I 'll be one of the Seekers, '' he turned to Harry and James, `` Which one of you will be the other ? ``

`` You can, Saint James the Apostle, '' Harry offered, `` I 'll do whatever is needed. ``

After a few minutes of organizing, the two teams were created. Albus 's team consisted of slip as Seeker, Ron as steward, Hugo as the only Beater, and matte and himself as the two pursuer. On the other squad, St. James was Seeker, Amanda was Keeper, John was the Beater, and Rose and Harry as Chasers.

The two squad trooped outside into the cold winter day. It was just starting to snow a little, but Albus did n't mind. He would celebrate warm while he was playing anyway. Harry and Ron conjured finish wicket and everyone flew into the air. Hermione released the balls ( only one Bludger, since there were only two beaters ) and threw the Quaffle into the air, then conjured herself a hot seat to watch.

The lucifer was nothing like the ace at Hogwarts. It was much more informal, and in a way, Albus enjoyed it more. There was only well-disposed contest between the two teams and no one got angry when someone dropped the Quaffle, which happened a lot. The two teams were pretty evenly matched in damage of Chasing skills. Albus, who was the only real Chaser on either squad, was easily the best. Harry was a the right way chaser, but it was clear that Seeking was his real skill. pink wine was absolutely dreadful and was the first to let in it. She was n't a big fan of flying in the first station and did n't wish to take her manpower off her broom in order to catch and throw the Quaffle. matte was better than Rose, but dropped the Quaffle numerous times. Albus and Matt scored more power point than Harry and Rose did.

Ron, of grade, was a very good steward and Amanda was as well. Albus was kind of surprised at this, because she never really played Quidditch before. Maybe she could try out for the Gryffindor team once Georgia left. John was an awe-inspiring Beater and Albus already knew that he 'd be trying out for the team after Thomas Bradley and Ryan left. Hugo was also a very full Beater and it was obvious he had received all the Quidditch genes in his family. Then, of course of instruction, there were the Seekers. Both Teddy and Epistle of James were amazing Seekers and by far the two Charles Herbert Best players on either team.

After about an time of day of playing, during which Albus was trusted both Teddy and James had seen the stoolpigeon but ignored it in monastic order to drag the game on retentive, both searcher flew directly up into the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. A few seconds later, they both came flying back down and King James had the snitcher clutched in his hand.

`` I got it ! '' he shouted.

`` That puts your squad ahead, '' Hermione announced, `` You won 270 to 210. ``

`` Yes ! '' James IV exclaimed, landing on the ground. Albus and the rest of the players landed after him and congratulated him and his team for winning. `` Ha ! I beat you at Quidditch, chemise ! '' King James gloated.

`` Yeah, yeah, good job, '' chemise sighed, `` Knew I should n't stimulate trained you that well. ``

`` You 'll be saying otherwise when we win the Cup this year ! '' James grinned, `` We already beat Slytherin. ``

`` I know, I was there, '' shimmy laughed, `` Anyway, I 'm just joking. ``

Despite the fact that his team did n't win, Albus was happy. He loved playing Quidditch with his family, even more than than playing on his menage team. It was even better with his friends there, too. He walked back into the house with his friend and fellowship, cold but very content. Hermione had made a shell of sandwiches for them, which everyone ate enthusiastically once they had dried off.

After all the nutrient had been eaten, John Flooed back to his planetary house and Albus, Rose, and Hermione went with Matt and Amanda back to the Leaky cauldron to encounter their families. It had been a short visit, but a fun one nonetheless. Albus only wished that they had managed to get the stag photographic print. He and blush wine were planning on trying again the future day, and the succeeding if it was necessary. They had three more 24-hour interval to do it and Albus was determined to succeed.

******

Albus and rose spent as much time as they could in the forest looking for stags the next day. When they were n't in the forest, they spent their time in the library in Rose 's household, looking for a charm to keep Kaden quiet.

`` There 's Christian Bible in here that are n't in the school library, '' pink wine announced as they walked into the room after a particularly cold jaunt in the forest.

`` I 'm still not sure we should take a time out from looking for a hart, '' Albus replied.

`` It 's too cold out there now. Plus there 's a storm coming and it wo n't do us any ripe if we get lost out there. '' pink wine went over to a Word of God ledge and Albus followed. He had been in this way plenty of meter before, just never to look for a specific charm.

`` How are we supposed to find one charm hidden in all these books ? '' Albus sighed, `` We do n't even know what it 's called. ``

`` That 's what this is for, '' Rose slammed a heavy Word down on the table near to the shelf she pulled it off of.

Albus looked at the script, `` An encyclopedia of Charms by Filius Flitwick. That 's who Mum and Dad had for Charms, is n't it ? ``

`` Yes, '' pink wine confirmed as she opened the cover, `` It 's a rather ingenious theme, really. All I 've got to do is fill my wand, detail it at the book of account, and say'I need a charm to hold back someone quiet'and it will flip to the ripe page. ``

`` That would certainly speed things along, '' Albus replied. `` Try it. ``

`` All right hand, '' rosebush pointed her verge at the book, `` I need a good luck charm to hold individual quiet. '' The book 's Sir Frederick Handley Page immediately started turning until they stopped about a quarter of the way into the volume. originate peered at it and then shook her head. `` Nope, that 's not it. This one 's just a silencing magic spell. ``

`` Maybe you 've got to be more specific, '' Albus suggested.

Rose nodded. `` I need a charm to prevent someone from talking about something. '' The pages started turning again and stopped a few seconds later. arise sighed after she read the description. `` This one charms a person 's mouth shut. ``

Albus laughed, `` Well that would definitely keep Kaden from talking about the map ! ``

`` the great unwashed might notice, though, '' Rose smirked, `` Although it does experience it 's advantages. I 'll try something else. ``

`` I think you 'd better tell the book exactly what we need the charm to do. say it that Kaden has to not sing about a specific thing. ``

`` trade good idea, '' Rose poised her sceptre above the book, `` I need to preserve Kaden Durlsey from revealing secrets about Matt Eckerton and about a map. He must only be able to talk about these mystery with five other mass and not mention them to anyone else. He should be capable to converse normally about other matter. ``

`` That ought to be particular enough. '' Albus watched as the book hesitated for a few moments and then change state its pages to one of the last ones. Both pink wine and Albus leaned over the Koran while Rose read aloud.

`` 'The Sileo Altus spell is the most complex and intricate of the silencing appeal. This charm has the ability to keep a person from revealing one specific piece of info to others, unlike other silencing charms which prevent a person from speaking at all. The charm also has the ability to ask others, which will result in the person the magic spell is cast on to be capable to converse about the cloak-and-dagger with those particular people. When done correctly, this charm will last forever or until the counterpunch magic spell is performed. The Sileo Altus Charm keeps a individual 's secret good much like the Fidelius appeal keeps a person 's localisation mystery and is said to be just as condom .'

`` Then there 's a completely lot of spells that are required, '' Rose scanned the balance of the entry. `` There 's a piece that has to be performed on each individual who is involved, one on Kaden, one on the secret-keeper- ''

`` There 's a cloak-and-dagger steward ? '' Albus asked.

`` Yeah, I guess so. Then there 's the boilers suit charm, '' rose wine continued, `` It sounds complicated. But I 'm up for it. This does n't really tell me how to do it, though. There 's just a list of go. ``

Albus glanced at the entry, `` Oh, it says there 's More info in appeal of Protection by Natalia Journo. ``

`` You 're right, I had n't noticed that, '' Rose leaned over the Holy Scripture again and read the title of the recommend book. `` I think we might actually suffer that one. '' pink wine jumped up from her place and ran across the room. Albus sat back and watched her. He had no idea how she could possibly know if she had that book or not. The intact way was filled with shelves and ledge of Holy Writ. Albus would n't even know where to look to witness the book they needed.

rose wine returned a few minutes later with a book in her arms and a smiling on her face. `` We do have it ! This was easier than I thought it would be. ``

`` I think doing the actual appeal is going to off-set the ease of finding it, '' Albus pointed out.

rosiness shrugged, `` I think I can visualise it out within a few week. '' She sat back down and opened the Holy Writ.

Albus watched as his cousin flipped through the page of the book until she found the magical spell they were looking for. He was very happy that Rose was so eagre to pick up new charm. It certainly helped that she was sound at it, too. Albus had made a lot of advance in good luck charm ever since Professor Cedonia arrived, but he was still average. Rose was easily the best in their class. That and her readiness to read would certainly assist if she was going to master this charm.

Rose read in muteness for a few minutes and then turned to Albus. `` All right. This explains it pretty well. starting time, of course, we 've got to distinguish Kaden the enigma. Then we 've got to plunk the secret custodian. I 'm thinking that I 'll have to be the surreptitious keeper since the hole-and-corner steward is the one to perform the magical spell. ``

Albus nodded, `` I 'm fine with that. We 've just got to give sure Matt is. What does the secret steward do ? ``

`` Just do the magical spell. And the secret keeper is the sole one who can execute the counter charm on Kaden. Normally the secret keeper would be the lonesome one the mortal could talk about the secret with as well. But we 'll use another magical spell to check that Kaden can talk about the arcanum with you, John, lustrelessness, and Amanda as well. ``

`` That sounds good, '' Albus replied. `` What else ? ``

`` Well, the unavowed custodian performs a charm on themselves, which turns them into the secret custodian. Then they perform a charm on Kaden. Then Kaden will retell the closed book in point. After that, the secret keeper performs another magical spell on Kaden. Then magic spell are performed on the rest period of the mass involved. Then a final sealing good luck charm on everyone, including Kaden and the secret steward, and it 's done. ``

The idea of all those different spells made Albus 's wit hurt. `` Wow, that 's a lot of appeal. We 've never done single that are a combination of multiple charms. ``

`` The transference charm is one of those, but it only uses two. This one is five. ``

`` What 's the counter appeal involve ? '' Albus asked, thinking that maybe there would be a meter when Kaden would mature and they would n't have to trust on magic to hold him from spilling secrets to Malfoy.

`` Erm, it seems pretty much like the actual spell, '' rosebush looked back at the Bible, `` You pretty much go backwards, using different charms. ``

`` shuffle sense. ``

`` I 'll start practicing as soon as we 're back at school day, '' blush wine shut the book and got up. `` I 'll bring the volume. Mum 'll never make out, she 's got way too many to keep track of. ``

`` All right wing, '' Albus got up and followed her to the room access, `` Now we 've just got to bump that stag. ``

`` It 's going to have to wait until tomorrow, Albus, '' Rose pointed to the window. It was white with swirling Baron Snow of Leicester and the winding was howling. `` Mum and Dad 'll never let us out in that. ``

******

Albus was getting quite fed up with the stag search by the time late afternoon arrived the next day. He and climb spent the entire morning in the forest, taking a break for lunch, and then returning in the afternoon. Albus looked at his watch and saw that they would have to be starting to refund to the house soon. `` We 're never going to discover a stag ! '' he groaned.

Rose, who had brought the charm Holy Writ they had found the previous day, looked up. `` You 've just got to be patient. I told you one wo n't fall if we 're noisy. ``

`` We 've been tranquil for the past two hours, '' Albus said flatly.

`` You 're not being serenity now, '' Rose whispered and returned to her book.

Albus sighed and stared out into the wood. So far Albus had seen no less than ten rabbits and four owls, but no hart. He was getting very frigidness sitting in the Snow and his cloak had long since soaked through. Albus was determined, however, and refused to go back to Rose 's planetary house until they found a stag.

It had seemed so simple at first, to bedaze a hart in the forest and get its footprint. This was not supposed to be the hardest mark to get. Looking back, even the werewolf one seemed well-heeled. certainly, they got locked out of Hogwarts, but they never got in trouble for it. The dog mark had been the loose, since Amanda had a dog. The rat would be easy, too, once John managed to catch one.

Albus pulled out his verge and started to jab at the snow wizard he had constructed earlier. The wand melted hole into the bamboozle wizard until it started to resemble a piece of snow swiss cheese. Albus was just beginning to do the same to the snow hippogriff that had been formed after the genius when Rose poked him and hissed, `` Albus, flavor ! ``

Albus raised his headway and looked in the direction blush wine was pointing. Directly in front of them was a purple looking doe, standing completely still and staring just to the left wing of where the two cousins were sitting. `` It 's just a doe, '' Albus whispered back, `` It wo n't exercise. ``

`` I know, but there 's usually a stag around when there 's a doe. ``

Albus sat completely still with his verge facing towards the doe. rise up did the Saami and the two of them did n't proceed for a good five minute of arc. The doe inched slowly ahead, walking to the leftfield of Albus and Rose. Then Albus heard a whisper behind the doe and hullabaloo washed over him as he saw a immense hart appear from behind a clump of Tree. `` This is it, '' he whispered to Rose. She nodded but did n't say anything. The stag walked towards the doe, who had turned around to look at her married person. `` On the count of three. One ... two ... three. Stupefy ! '' Albus shouted.

`` Stupefy ! '' Rose shouted at the same time.

The doe shot off like a rocket as soon as the cousin-german shouted the spell. The hart started to postdate but was hit by Albus 's sweetheart. Rose 's tour hit a nearby tree and burned a small hole into the bark.

`` Excellent shot, Albus ! '' Rose grinned at him as they ran towards the stag.

`` Thanks. ``

`` Let 's hurry. We wo n't have a lot time before he wakes up, '' rosebush reached into her robes and pulled out a part of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a key brush.

The stag was even enceinte up close. Its eyes darted around nervously as rosiness painted the ink onto its front hoof. Albus quickly pressed the parchment onto the hoof and pulled it away. A perfect hoof print appeared on the lambskin. `` This one 's good, '' Albus showed it to Rose.

`` commodity, '' she put the show-stopper on her ink and stowed both it and the thicket back in her cloak, `` Now let 's go. He wo n't be happy when he wakes up. ``

Albus did n't need telling twice. He blew onto the lambskin a few clip to dry the ink and then put it in his cloak. The two cousins ran through the Tree and back to the house. It only took them a few hour as they were n't very far. Albus was thrilled that they had actually managed to get the mark. The solely print left was the rat one and then they would be able to try out the map.


A/N : Extra long chapter and an early update ! Just to let everyone love, I 'll be away at a Harry Potter convention from tomorrow ( hence the early on update ) until Dominicus and although I 'll stimulate my laptop with me, I might not have a luck to react to your reviews. I 'll get to them afterwards, though.

Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Denas, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, sinwillys822, Slytherinlover, maraudersfan a w, Miguel, Moonylupin, and drownzer for the reveiws !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter, Barbie, or Wii.


Albus 's family came to plunk him up from rose wine 's sign of the zodiac the next afternoon. They were all dressed in Muggle clothing, although Harry looked a slight uncomfortable in his Muggle courtship. Probably due to the tie, Albus thought. He could never interpret why Muggles wore those.

`` Ready, Al ? '' Harry asked after a few minutes of visiting with Rose 's family.

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied. He had to admit that he was a bit queasy about this dinner, but there was nothing he could do about it now. `` See you at school, Rose. ``

`` Bye, '' Rose smiled.

The rest of the ceramist and Weasleys said goodbye to each other and then Albus disapparated with his family. They appeared in a dark alley near a deserted street. Harry motioned for them to follow him and the home started down the street. They made a few more play until they came upon a vicinity of average sized sign of the zodiac. The theater all looked different, but seemed to be well cared for. It was a very quiet locality with few hoi polloi out and about. There were a couple people outside shoveling the newly fallen snow off their driveway, but none of them seemed to remark Albus and his family.

Eventually, Harry led them up a driveway towards a grey-headed sign of the zodiac Albus recognized as Kaden 's. Before they could even turn over the room access, it was thrown unfold and Kaden came running out. `` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Albus greeted him. `` How are you ? ``

`` Great ! '' Kaden grinned, `` I ca n't separate you how a lot I 've missed school. It seems so boring here compared to school. ``

`` I have n't missed it. I like being on holiday, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but it 's so drilling without, '' Kaden whispered in Albus 's ear, `` illusion. ``

Albus stifled a laugh and followed Kaden into the sign of the zodiac. Kaden led them to the life room, where Dudley was fidgeting with his tie. Christina was setting out bowls of grapes and nuts and Bethany was helping.

`` Get anything near for Christmas Day ? '' Kaden asked Albus once they sat down on the couch. `` I got a few new games for my Wii, a new football, a skateboard, and a bunch of wearing apparel. ``

`` What 's a Wii ? '' Albus asked.

`` video plot system, '' Kaden explained, `` It 's really fun. I 'll evidence you sometime. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus nodded, `` I got some clothes, books, a load of sweets, stuff from my Uncle George V 's workshop, and my dad 's invisibility Cloak. ``

Kaden 's mouthpiece fell open, `` He gave it to you ? ! ``

`` Yup, '' Albus grinned. He had told Kaden about the Cloak a while ago, although Kaden had never seen it. He pulled it out of his bag and handed it to Kaden.

`` Whoa, that 's brilliant ! '' Kaden threw the cloak around himself, `` Look, I 'm inconspicuous ! ``

All the adults looked over at him. `` Albus, you 'd meliorate put that away before Uncle Vernon and aunt petunia get here, '' Harry warned. Albus nodded and took the cloak back from Kaden. He knew Uncle Vernon would be less than enthusiastic about any sorting of wizard object.

`` Er, speaking of my parents, '' Dudley shifted uncomfortably, `` They do n't, well, they are n't aware that you 're, er, here tonight. ``

Albus watched as his parents looked at each other and then back at Dudley. `` What do you mean, Dudley ? '' Harry asked nervously.

`` I knew they would n't get along if they knew you were here, so I did n't state them, '' Dudley confessed.

Harry groaned, `` Dudley ... You know this could go horribly wrong. ``

`` fountainhead, I was sort of hoping you would all make up, '' Dudley mumbled.

Harry shook his head and looked back at Ginny, who looked disquieted. Then the bell rang and Harry turned to Dudley. Dudley gave him a humble smile and turned to get the door.

Albus gulped and looked at James. Albus could only ever recall seeing his Uncle Vernon once. Albus was only five or six at the metre and the only affair he remembered was Vernon asking Harry if Albus was'a freak like you are'. Albus had no desire to ever see the man again, and now he had to spend the evening with him.

The vox of Dudley greeting his parents started to suit louder as they came into the life elbow room. Albus got up from the couch and stood succeeding to James, who was hiding behind Harry. Vernon and Petunia followed Dudley into the room and their faces visibly paled as they saw the Potters.

`` Wha-wha, Dudley ? '' Vernon gaped at Harry and then looked at his son.

Albus watched as pandemonium broke out amongst the adult. Vernon 's face turned various shades of red and purple as he tried to grasp what was happening. genus Petunia clung to her husband with a coalesce look of dislike and veneration on her face.

`` Vernon, Vernon ! Did you know they would be here ? '' petunia asked shrilly.

Once Vernon regained his ability to speak coherently, he started yelling at Harry, who yelled back.

`` You ! '' Vernon pointed at Harry, `` Why are you here, boy ? ``

Christina stood near the entrance to the kitchen, looking uncomfortable. Bethany clung to her leg and hid her face, clearly afraid of her grandfather 's shouting. Albus, Jesse James, Lily, and Kaden glanced around at the adults, paying rhapsodic aid to the stretch out argument, but not saying a word. Ginny pursed her lips and watched her hubby with a disapproving flavour. Albus had to include that his Uncle Vernon was a bit scary right now and Albus had no desire to cross path with him. Dudley looked skittish as he tried to fix peace between his relative. His voice was drowned out amongst Vernon and Harry 's yelling, and Petunia 's scream.

`` Mum, Dad, '' Dudley stood in front end of his parents, `` I invited them here, so we could all get reacquainted. ``

`` Why would you do that ? '' Vernon demanded.

`` Kaden 's a wizard, Dad, so Harry 's a part of his life now. You know he 's one of Kaden 's teacher. ``

Vernon 's font turned from ghostly white to a oceanic abyss tad of purple. `` What could he possibly teach ? Abnormalness ? ``

`` Magic, Dad, it 's called thaumaturgy, '' Dudley sighed.

Vernon 's eyes narrowed and he glared at Harry. `` You 're filling his forefront with all that junk you learned as a nestling ! Do n't remain firm for it, Dudley ! He 's got you tricked or something ! Send him to Smeltings ! ``

`` Dad, Harry did n't fob me. Kaden 's a ace and you 're just going to own to live with it, '' Dudley replied.

`` aught serious will come of this, Dudley ! I assure you of that ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` Vernon, '' Petunia put her hand on her husband 's arm, `` Let it go. ``

`` You do gain that this kind of abnormality is what got your baby killed ! ``

`` I 'm fully aware of what happened to my Sister, '' Petunia snapped. `` This does n't cause anything to do with that. It 's about accepting your grandson for who he is. '' Vernon continued glaring at Harry, but he did n't say anything.

`` Let 's all sit down, '' Dudley suggested.

`` And I 'll get us some crapulence ! '' Christina announced eagerly. She rushed into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of brandy, a nursing bottle of wine-colored, and a some glasses, along with fizzing drinks for the kids.

Vernon and Petunia regained their composure and petunia gave Dudley a bone crunching hug and smothered him with buss. She then moved on and did the same with both her grandchildren, making certainly to completely discount Albus, James I, and Lily. Albus sat down on the couch and to his disfavor, Vernon chose to sit next to him. After a few moments of awkward silence, Vernon turned to Albus. `` So, '' he began, causing Albus to jump, `` You go to this, school day, too ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied quickly, not looking at Vernon.

`` Look at me when I 'm talking to you, '' Vernon spat, `` I see mode are n't gamy on their precedency list. What classes do you choose there ? ``

Albus forced himself to see at Vernon. `` I 'm taking metamorphosis, charm, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, history of Magic, and DoD Against the darkness Arts, '' he mumbled quietly.

Vernon seemed to flinch at the strait of those names. `` I see. And are you any in effect at them ? ``

`` Um, I guess so, '' Albus replied. He was wishing more and more that he could have just stayed at Rose 's house instead of coming here. Why was Vernon questioning him ? Why not Saint James the Apostle or Kaden ?

`` What discipline does your father teach ? '' Vernon barked.

`` denial Against the iniquity humanistic discipline, '' Albus muttered.

`` And what is that, exactly ? ``

`` Defensive spells, dueling, stuff you use to defeat shadow virtuoso like Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, and prof thrower defeated Voldemort ! '' Kaden interrupted and for once Albus was grateful for his first cousin 's big mouth.

`` So I 've heard, '' Vernon replied.

`` He 's a great instructor, Grandpa ! I love my new school. It 's much better than Muggle shoal, '' Kaden grinned. `` I 'll be right back. '' He ran up the steps and came back a few second base later with his baton. `` Look at this ! ``

Vernon narrowed his eyes and gazed at his grandson. `` You 've got one, too. ``

`` Of class I do ! '' Kaden laughed, `` I wish I could evince you some wizardly, though. I ca n't do it outside school. Hey, Professor Potter can designate you ! ``

`` No ! I ruddy hell think not ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` No thanks ! '' genus Petunia shouted at the Saami time.

Kaden looked disappointed. `` Sorry, Kaden, '' Harry with an apologetic look, `` Maybe another day. ``

`` Or never, '' Vernon muttered.

Nobody said much after that. Albus preferred it that way. He was very happy that Uncle Vernon appeared to have given up his query and answer academic term. Christina announced that dinner was set a few arcminute later, and everyone eagerly went into the dining room. Albus made sure that he was n't sitting adjacent to Vernon and relaxed a little as he began to eat.

The Dursleys dominated most of the dinner party conversation, with Vernon and petunia asking Dudley and Christina about what was new in their animation. They wanted to know every terminal item, down to what grade Bethany had gotten on her latest volume news report in school day. Eventually they had exhausted this theme and the table descended into an awkward secretiveness before Vernon started drilling Harry about his life.

`` So, boy, what exactly do you do for a bread and butter ? '' Vernon barked.

`` I 'm the Head of the Auror Department at the Ministry of legerdemain, '' Harry smiled.

`` Auror ? '' Vernon repeated, `` What would that be ? ``

`` A Dark wizard backstop, '' Harry explained.

`` Oh, like a policeman. Would n't possess guessed you 'd be in law enforcement, what with all the problem you caused as a baby. ``

Harry sighed, `` You know most of that was n't my fault. ``

`` Like hell it was n't. It was all due to your abnormality, '' Vernon replied.

`` Dad, ca n't you just drop it ? '' Dudley asked.

`` No, Duddy, I wo n't ! Vernon slammed his fist on the table, `` He 's obviously done something to Kaden to form him abnormal ! ``

That had to be the most absurd thing Albus had ever heard. A wizard could not grow a Muggle into a wizard. If they could, there would n't be any Squibs in the reality, and there would certainly be more than wizards.

`` Oh come off it, Dad ! '' Dudley shouted. `` Harry did n't do this ! Kaden was born a mavin ! ``

`` No he was n't ! '' Vernon yelled, his brass turning purple again. `` And I want the boy to switch him back ! ``

`` Uncle Vernon, listen to me, '' Harry announced, `` You ca n't turn mortal into a thaumaturge, it just does n't mould. Kaden was born a wizard, which does n't surprise me at all. There is magic in his blood, the same magic that was in my mother 's and is in mine. ``

`` Wonderful, '' Vernon spat, `` And I suppose you 're going to tell me that Bethany will be abnormal, too ? ``

`` There 's a chance she 'll be a witch, yes, '' Harry told him.

`` I am not going to fend for anymore abonormalness in this family ! '' Vernon roared.

`` Vernon, there 's cipher we can do ! '' Petunia shrieked, `` I do n't like it either, but the boy did not do this ! ``

`` How do you know ? ``

`` Because my lusus naturae of a Sister told me it 's not possible, that 's how ! ``

`` Do n't address her a junky ! '' Harry glared at both of them.

Petunia ignored him. `` I asked her, when I was an arrogant child. I asked her if someone could turn me into a witch before I knew any better. She said no. There is not one matter we can do to change Kaden. We just have to go for that he 's going to be impertinent than my sister was and not get killed just out of school. ``

`` fine, '' Vernon snapped, `` But I do n't like it. I do n't like it one bit. ``

`` Neither do I, neither do I, '' Petunia agree.

Albus glanced nervously from one adult to the future, hoping that the combat was over. He realized now how often Uncle Vernon and auntie petunia hated magic now. The two of them were still going on about how Albus 's grandma had been killed, thirty-some eld later. Albus was still amazed that Vernon had actually blamed Harry for Kaden being a wizard. Albus knew Vernon disliked Harry, but he did n't suppose Vernon would still blame Harry for things he did n't care, this many years later.

`` You 'd be better off just keeping him out of that school, '' Vernon announced after a few minutes of secrecy. `` There 's no law requiring him to go, is there ? ``

`` No, '' Dudley replied. `` But he likes it there, so he 's staying. ``

`` This is utterly cockeyed, '' Vernon muttered, `` Wait till oleo hears about it. ``

`` I hate Aunt oleo, '' Kaden said loudly, causing Albus to snort into his juice. `` All she talks about is breeding Canis familiaris. ``

`` Do n't say that about your aunt, '' Vernon scolded.

`` What ? '' Kaden shrugged, `` professor thrower must not like her either. ``

Harry, who had been laughing behind his glass, immediately stopped and looked at Kaden. `` Really, Kaden, it 's not nice to say you hate people. '' He turned to Vernon, `` You have n't told her ? ``

`` Of form I have n't ! '' Vernon raised his voice, `` Can you imagine what she is going to reckon ? That someone, like, like you is actually related to her ? She takes comfortableness in the fact that you are n't actually related to her ! But to have Kaden be one of your lot, she 'll be horrified ! And I should consider so after you blew her up eld ago ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden and Bethany shouted at the Saami time. Kaden spat his juice out and started choking. Albus slapped him on the back, trying to ensure his own laughter. Harry told them this narrative a long time ago and just thinking about it made Albus laugh.

`` That was n't his break ! '' Ginny came to Harry 's defense, `` He could n't control it ! What your sister said about his parents was absolutely rotten and you know it ! ``

`` It was the truth ! '' Vernon shouted, rising to his feet.

`` No it was n't ! '' Ginny stood up as well.

`` What do you mean, blew her up ? '' Kaden asked.

`` His parents were idiots and that 's why they were killed ! '' Vernon continued.

`` No they were n't ! '' Harry stood and stared at his uncle. Albus had rarely ever seen his don so angry before. `` They were working against Voldemort. ``

`` Another one of your lot who went on a killing rampage ! '' Vernon yelled.

`` They should have just ignored him and minded their own clientele, '' Petunia announced. Albus did n't really think she should be telling someone to mind their own business, when she thrived off of gossip.

`` You could n't push aside Voldemort ! '' Harry and Ginny said at the same time.

`` Can someone please tell me how Aunt margarin got blown up ? ! '' Kaden shouted again.

`` Dad, just block about it, all right ? Harry 's parents were n't faineant, '' Dudley pleaded.

`` will this to me, Dudley. You 're obviously under a bad influence right now. ``

Dudley heaved a huge sigh, `` Dad ... You 're forgetting that Harry saved my life once ! ``

`` Oh, from those dementy things ? They would n't have got even been around if it were n't for the boy ! ``

`` The compass point is that they were ! And Harry saved me from them ! He also kept us all condom while he was hunting down that Voldemort bloke. He did n't have to do that, you know. ``

`` What 's a dementy thing ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Dementors, '' Albus corrected, `` They 're these robe creatures that suck out your soulfulness. ``

Kaden stared at Albus, `` They what ? ``

`` suction out your soul, '' Albus repeated, `` They feed on well-chosen thoughts, until you 're only result with the sad ace. ``

Kaden shuddered, `` They sound bloody ugly. professor Potter saved Dad from one ? ``

`` Yeah, when they were 15. There 's a good luck charm, the Patronus Charm, that drives them away. It 's really kick upstairs magic not taught until seventh yr, but Dad learned in his third year. ``

`` Wow, your dad 's brilliant, '' Kaden grinned. `` But I do n't go for running into one of those dementors. Have you ever seen one ? ``

`` No and I hope never to, '' Albus replied.

`` We would consume been fine without those creep 'protecting'us ! '' Vernon raged.

`` No we would n't ! We 'd all be short ! '' Dudley insisted.

`` What would that Voldemort bloke have wanted with us anyway ? '' Vernon bellowed, `` It 's not like we 're looney like him. ``

`` Do n't you get it ? '' Harry sighed, `` He did n't care about anyone ! He would 've killed anyone to get to me, including you. ``

`` Everybody, just exclude it ! '' The five adults who were arguing turned to the source of the new vocalization that rang out loud than theirs. It was Christina. Everyone stopped arguing and stared at her. `` Thank you. Now I only understand portion of this row, but everything you 're rowing about has happened in the past tense. Ca n't you just put it behind you and try to get along ? depend at you, you 're standing there arguing about stuff you ca n't commute, in front of your children. What kind of example are you setting ? Put aside your differences, if not for yourselves, do it for the kids. ``

The adults said nothing for a few moments while Christina glared at every one of them. Eventually, Harry spoke, `` She 's right. We should just try and get along. '' Ginny nodded in agreement.

`` That 's what I was trying to assure you, '' Dudley commented.

`` Fine, '' Vernon spat, `` I 'll digest the boy. But you are making a grave misunderstanding with Kaden, Dudley. ``

`` Good, '' Christina replied and stood up. `` I 'll go get the pudding. ``

The rest of the dinner was much more enjoyable. Harry quickly told the level of when he blew up Marge to dip Kaden and Bethany 's curiosity, but there was no Thomas More quotation of thaumaturgy throughout the respite of the meal. The conversation centered on theme that could be equally relative to Muggles and virtuoso, such as the weather. Albus did n't say anything, choosing instead to quietly eat his pudding while listening to the grownup'filtrate conversations. He was just happy that they were no longer arguing with each other.

After dinner party, Albus, William James, and Kaden escaped to Kaden 's bedroom, which he was eager to show off. The entire thing was decorated with various football paraphernalia, with a lot of emphasis on Manchester United. King James found this highly entertaining and expend quite a few minutes laughing at the card, in which the player remained completely still. Kaden spent a while showing off his Christmas presents to Albus and James and soon wanted to prove them how to wager his Wii.

Kaden led Albus and James back downstairs, where the adults were discussing cars over deep brown. Albus was very happy that he did not cause to sit through that discussion. Albus followed as Kaden went down another flight of stairs and they descended into the cellar. The basement was clearly the game room of the planetary house, as it was cluttered with all sorts of Muggle toys. Lily and Bethany were playing with Bethany 's Barbies in one recess and neither of them paid much aid as the boys entered the room.

The Wii was set up in the middle of the room and attached to a television that was against the paries. Albus had never played a Wii before and was sort of curious about it. James was as well, although he got sidetracked by a outside dominance car. He drove it all over the room, completely amazed at how the car seemed to run by magic.

`` The things Muggles come up with, '' James grinned as he joined Albus and Kaden in nominal head of the television.

Kaden spent the adjacent time of day teaching King James I and Albus how to play the Wii. They started with Kaden 's new racing plot, which was actually pretty complicated. It took Albus the better function of an minute to figure out how to play it. James caught on a bit faster, but neither of them could top Kaden in skill. Albus found that the secret plan was incredibly fun and almost wished he had one at his planetary house. Once they successfully learned the racing plot, Kaden went on to teach them how to trifle a couple more games. Lily eventually wandered over and wanted to get a line, too. By the time midnight came around, all five of them were taking turns playing plot and Albus was having a great time.

Albus was kind of disappointed when his dad called them back upstair to count down to the new year and hoped that everyone was still acting civilly. They were, as Albus found when he entered the living way. It did n't really look like the adult were enjoying themselves, but they were at least acting polite, which was good enough for Albus.

Shortly after they rang in the new year, Albus 's parents decided it was time to will. Albus had no arguments against this because he was tired and did n't really want to drop anymore time in the Sami house as Uncle Vernon. Harry politely shook hands with Vernon, said goodbye to Petunia, and told Dudley he would owl him soon. Vernon kind of flinched at the credit of the word 'owl .'Albus completely ignored Vernon and Petunia, and told Kaden he would see him on the gear ride back to school. Once the obligatory good day were said, Albus and his family left the mansion, only to Apparate back to Grimmauld office a few streets away.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, Miguel, Moonylupin, Denas, Ginny, Luke, and drownzer for their reviews !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to admit that he was happy to be going back to Hogwarts. After the nearly disastrous dinner party with the Dursleys, Albus spent his fourth dimension working on homework or goofing off with Epistle of James and Lily. By the end of the holiday he was actually kind of blase and happy to be seeing his friends again. Plus, the sooner he got back to school, the Oklahoman he could try out the new map.

The ceramicist met the Weasleys and the Dursleys at King 's interbreeding and entered political platform 9 3/4 together. Both menage were running late again and Albus, rose, James, and Kaden only just made it onto the train before it left. Saint James the Apostle immediately left to rule his friends while Albus, rose, and Kaden wandered around trying to determine their friends.

John and Amanda were sitting in one of the compartments in the middle of the power train. Albus opened the doorway and walked in, followed by rose wine and Kaden.

`` Hey ! '' bathroom greeted them.

`` There you are, '' Amanda smirked, `` Almost miss the train again ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus laughed and sat down next to her. He wished more than anything that Kaden would provide so he could say John and Amanda that he and Rose managed to get the stag print. All the photographic print were currently residing in Albus 's bag, just waiting to be transferred onto the map.

`` So how was your family dinner ? '' John grinned and looked from Albus to Kaden.

Albus and Kaden exchanged glances. rosiness stifled a joke. She had already heard about the dinner party shortly after it happened.

`` It was ... eventful, '' Albus said. `` Not something I want to do again. ``

`` What happened ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` My granddaddy went mad, '' Kaden shook his head. `` And my grandma sorting of did. ``

`` What did they do ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Well, they sort of did n't know we were coming, '' Albus began, `` So they started off by yelling about that. ``

`` Then they started shouting about how my dad should n't let me go to school here, '' Kaden continued.

`` And Uncle Vernon wound up claiming that Dad had somehow used a appealingness to turn Kaden into a sorcerer, '' Albus explained.

Saint John the Apostle and Amanda burst out laughing. `` You 're kidding ! '' John exclaimed. `` He actually thought that ? ! ``

`` Sure did, '' Albus grinned. Now that the dinner was behind him, he was able to laugh about it. Looking back, his Uncle Vernon did look mad, and not nearly as scary as Albus first thought.

`` And my granny of all hoi polloi told him it was n't possible, '' Kaden laughed. `` Apparently she wanted to be a witch when she was a kid. But the best part was when granddaddy brought up aunty oleomargarine. ``

`` Who 's that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` My grandpa 's sister, '' Kaden explained, `` I ca n't stand her. But apparently Professor potter blew her up when he was 13 ! ``

can and Amanda started howling with laughter. `` That is absolutely brilliant ! '' John shouted.

`` This I 've got to hear ! '' Amanda grinned.

Albus smiled at them and told the narrative of his auntie Marge. St. John the Apostle and Amanda laughed even harder when they had heard the whole thing.

`` What happened next ? '' bathroom asked once he had calmed down.

`` wellspring, we went down to the basement and played with Kaden 's Muggle TV game, which was a lot of fun. ``

`` And the grownup stayed upstairs, '' Kaden added. `` Which was probably bloody awkward. ``

`` Then we left shortly after midnight, '' Albus told them. `` Hey, Kaden, what happened after we left ? ``

`` Oh, yeah. Grandpa tried to win over Dad to not let me go back to Hogwarts. He thought Dad would be more likely to agree without you lot there. Dad told him to stop and eventually he gave up and left. ``

`` You going to do that again anytime soon ? '' John asked.

`` Hopefully not, '' Albus replied.

`` Let 's do it at your firm next, '' Kaden grinned, `` I want to see a wizard sign. ``

`` I doubt Dad will let Uncle Vernon and auntie genus Petunia in the house, '' Albus told him, `` But you 're welcome to come. ``

`` Over the summertime, then, '' Kaden said.

`` We 'll number, too, '' Rose announced. John and Amanda nodded. `` And matte. ``

Kaden looked around the compartment and then back at Albus. `` Where is he, anyway ? ``

`` Er, he had some, er, Healer appointments, '' Albus said quickly. Hopefully that would satisfy Kaden 's curiosity.

`` Oh, for that disease he 's got ? ``

`` Yeah, the one you ca n't say a thing about to anybody, '' Albus glared at him, `` And that includes this. Do n't recount anyone where he is. ``

Kaden nodded. `` I wo n't. I 'll observe away from Malfoy and Willinson. ``

`` good, '' Albus said.

******

Over the succeeding few twenty-four hours, Albus kept trying to see some time to tell John and Amanda about the stag print, but it was hard to shake Kaden off. It seemed the only times they were away from him was when they were in class or in their dormitory at dark. Neither were trade good opportunities to spill about the map.

In the meantime, Malfoy was trying to figure out why Matt was n't in schooling. The total moonlight was n't until the stick with workweek, so Albus was going to take to wear Malfoy 's questioning for a spell longer. cipher seemed to gratify him. Albus was also preoccupied with what was going to happen this fully moon. He was sort of worried about Matt taking the new wolfsbane potion.

All the student and teacher seemed to be falling into their usual routines. Dueling and Quidditch practices started up again. Both Kate and Empire State of the South were working their teams hard and Albus was feeling the effects. Between that and the increased amount of money of preparation the teachers were purport on assignment, he had hardly any meter for anything else.

A span days into the terminal figure, Kaden finally had one of his tutoring session. Albus and his friends seized the opportunity and ran to the Room of requisite as soon as Kaden left the coarse room.

`` Finally ! '' King John exclaimed as he threw himself onto one of the couch in the room. `` I thought I was going to die of curiosity ! ``

`` I never thought we 'd get away from him ! '' Amanda said as she sat down next to him.

`` It 'll be well-off once pink wine figures out the charm to keep him quiet, '' Albus replied.

`` You found one ! '' John Lackland sat up and stared at Rose.

`` Sure did, '' Rose grinned and pulled the book of good luck charm from her house out of her bag. She opened it to the proper page and handed it to John and Amanda.

The two of them read it for a few min. `` This is incredible, '' Amanda smiled, `` You think you can do it ? ``

`` Given a bit of practice, sure as shooting, '' rosebush replied. `` We just have to draw sure mat agrees to it. ``

`` I 'm certain he will, '' bathroom said, `` I mean, this charm will definitely keep Kaden from telling anyone. ``

`` I 'll bug out working on it now, '' Rose took the book back, `` I have n't started yet because I do n't want anyone to ask why I 'm trying to learn it. ``

`` So, did you get the hart mark ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` Sure did ! '' Albus reached into his bag and pulled out the three prints. `` We just need the rat now. ``

King John picked them up and looked at him. `` splendid ! I 'll try and get the rat soon. Then we can transfer them. ``

`` We should hold off for lustrelessness, '' Albus told him, `` He 's a function of this as much as we are. ``

`` Oh, yeah, that 's a good melodic theme, '' King John set the mark down on a nearby mesa. `` You know, I think this is the kickoff time we 've been in here without him. ``

`` I think you 're right, '' Albus commented. It was kind of strange, really. All the early times they had been in the way, lustrelessness had been the one to ask for it. cipher said anything for a few second. Albus could recite that everyone was thinking the Sami thing he was, what would happen with Matt 's new potion.

`` Well, he 'll be back soon, '' John said after a while.

`` As long as zip goes wrong, '' Albus said quietly.

`` Yeah, but just consider if this potion works. That would be great, would n't it ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus agreed, but he could n't help oneself but think the new potion would n't work any better than the old one. Why should it ? If Matt was tolerant to Aconitum lycoctonum potion, why should a unlike variety of it work ?

The four of them spent the remainder of the evening in the Room. Rose worked steadily on figuring out the charm, but did n't really get anywhere. It was an extremely difficult magical spell, after all. Albus, John, and Amanda worked on their homework and talked about what they thought the new map would take on it.

******

Albus became more and more dying as the full synodic month approached. His friends seemed to as well, and John the Divine especially developed a very short fuse. Kaden seemed to get the brunt of this but he took it in step. The night of the actual good moon, Albus had Quidditch practice. He became so trouble during it that Georgia called for a break during drill and demanded to bed why Albus was dropping so many Quaffles. He lied and told her he was worried about a August 6 exam the next day. Luckily she seemed to accept this and wished him luck on his examination. Albus tried supererogatory hard during the second half of practice but still missed a lot of easy passes.

Albus entered the vernacular room after drill feeling incredibly sore but not at all tired. He had been hit with numerous bludgers due to his lack of tightness. Normally Albus would accept been exhausted after such a pattern but he was too anxious to be tired tonight.

His Quaker were sitting at their common board which was covered in homework. Not that much of it was being done. Kaden was the lone one feverishly working away at an essay. John, Amanda, and even blush wine were staring off into nothing with their untouched homework in front of them. Albus quickly stowed his broom in his hall and joined his booster at the table.

`` Hey, '' Albus said as he sat down next to Rose.

`` Hi, '' Rose mumbled. bathroom and Amanda gave equally unenthusiastic greetings.

`` Hi Albus ! '' Kaden looked up, `` I 'm glad you 're back. This lot has been incredibly dull. ``

Even at a clip like this, Albus could n't avail but laugh at Kaden 's cluelessness. `` Hi, Kaden. ``

`` How was recitation ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not that large. I got hit with a couple bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' Kaden winced.

`` Yeah, my arm hurts pretty bad, '' Albus commented.

`` Just go see madam Pomfrey, '' rosebush suggested, `` Your arm looks tight. ``

Albus glanced at his arm. It had turned a lovely purplish amobarbital sodium color in the time since he had received the blow. `` All right, '' he stood up. `` I 'll see you in a bit. ``

Kaden stood up as well. `` I 'll occur with you. ``

Albus did n't finger like telling Kaden not to bother, so he nodded and Kaden followed him out of the common elbow room. Albus did n't spill the beans much on the way to the hospital annex, but Kaden kept up a streaming comment about what went on in his classes that day. Kaden must sustain felt the demand to ploughshare it even though nil particularly exciting had happened that day. The corridors were utterly deserted and Kaden 's articulation seemed awfully loud. Albus glanced at his vigil and saw that it was almost curfew. He wished he had brought his Invisibility Cloak. Of course, none of the teacher could give him detention for being out of his common room in lodge to go see dame Pomfrey, could they ?

Albus pushed the door to the hospital wing open slowly and saw that dame Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, writing something, and glancing out the window every few seconds. The moonlight was streaming through and illuminating one of the seam. There were n't any patient in the ward, which Albus thought was form of strange. Albus rarely ever saw the situation empty. He walked quietly up to Madam Pomfrey and Kaden followed. The nursemaid did n't even appear to have noticed them amount in.

`` Er, excuse me, brothel keeper Pomfrey ? '' Albus said once he was a couple metrical foot in front of the desk.

The nurse jumped and looked up, clutching her heart. `` Oh, Albus ! You scared me. What are you doing here ? ``

It suddenly occurred to Albus that gentlewoman Pomfrey was probably thinking about mat as well, since she usually took care of him after the good Moon. `` I got hit with a dyad bludgers at pattern tonight. I was, er, kind of distracted. ``

brothel keeper Pomfrey stood up and gave him a likeable face. `` I understand. Let me see. ``

Albus held out his arm and Madam Pomfrey clucked her glossa as she inspected it. She pulled out her wand and touched it to his arm, muttering a magic spell as she did so. Albus 's arm felt warm and tingly, and then normal again. The pain was gone.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` No problem. Anywhere else ? ``

`` I got hit on my spinal column too and it sort of hurts. I 've got no theme if it 's bruised or not. ``

gentlewoman Pomfrey looked at Albus 's back and performed the Sami healing spell. It felt immensely better.

`` I think that 's it, '' Albus said once she was done.

`` You 'd better be off to bed, then, '' she said. `` I 'm sure I 'll be seeing you soon. ``

Albus nodded and turned to allow. He and Kaden were soon back in the empty corridor.

`` Why were you distracted during practice ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Shush, '' Albus hissed, `` Transfiguration exam tomorrow. ``

`` Oh, that 's probably why Saint John, Rose, and Amanda were so tranquillise. ``

`` Yeah, that was it. ``

The two of them continued their trek to the common room until they practically bumped into two other people as they turned a corner.

`` see it ! '' a frigidness spokesperson shouted and shoved Albus aside.

Albus pulled out his scepter and lit it, shoving the ignitor in the faces of the two stranger. They were Malfoy and Willinson. `` You watch it, '' Albus muttered.

`` Get your baton out of my boldness, '' Malfoy seethed. `` What are you doing here anyway ? ``

`` What are you doing here ? '' Albus asked.

`` None of your business. ``

`` You just answered your own question, then. ``

Malfoy turned to Kaden. `` Ah, it 's the Mudblood cousin. ``

`` Do n't send for him that ! '' Albus shouted.

Malfoy ignored him and continued to glower at Kaden. `` Maybe you know where Eckerton is these twenty-four hours ? ``

Kaden glanced nervously at Albus before answering. `` Uh, no, I do n't. ``

`` Fine, '' Malfoy snapped. `` I know you wo n't say anything with potter around anyway. I 'll just wait until you 're alone. C'mon, Willinson, we 're leaving. ``

`` You 'll do no such affair, Mr. Malfoy, '' someone said from behind Albus.

Albus jumped in fright and turned around to see prof Patil. Great, he thought, now they were going to thread up in detention. Why did they always wind up in hold with Malfoy ?

`` What are you four doing out of bed ? '' Patil asked briskly, `` You know you 're not allowed to be wandering around after hr. ``

`` Uh, '' Malfoy stammered, `` We were, er, uh, well we just wanted to, um- ''

`` Do n't bother, Mr. Maloy, '' Patil cut him off. `` Whatever lie you come up with is not going to convince me. '' She turned to Albus and Kaden, `` I 'm assuming you were not out for a perambulation with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Willinson ? ``

`` No, '' Albus confirmed, `` I was actually just in the hospital wing. I got hurt at Quidditch practice. Kaden was with me. ``

Patil looked at Kaden. `` Is that true, Mr. Dursley ? ``

`` Yes, ma'am, '' Kaden replied quietly.

`` We were there, too, professor ! '' Malfoy shouted out, `` Willinson stabbed himself with his quill pen while we were doing homework. ``

Patil glanced at him skeptically. `` Well, we 'll just go see gentlewoman Pomfrey and confirm all your report. ``

Any vividness that had been in Malfoy 's face drained. The four son quietly followed professor Patil to the hospital wing. Albus was very relieved. madam Pomfrey would tell Patil that he and Kaden had been there, and then she would n't pass on them detention.

Patil opened the doorway to the hospital wing, but gentlewoman Pomfrey was no longsighted there. Patil motioned for the boys to bide there and she strode over to the nursemaid 's office. She knocked lightly and waited for Madam Pomfrey to appear.

`` I hope I 'm not bothering you, '' Patil said once brothel keeper Pomfrey came out.

`` Not at all, Padma, '' Madam Pomfrey smiled, `` I was n't asleep. Is there something you need ? ``

`` I was wondering if any of these four boys, '' she gestured to Albus, Kaden, and the two Slytherins, `` Were here recently ? I caught them all out of bed and all of them insist they were here. ``

Madam Pomfrey gazed at the boys. `` Well, Albus and Kaden were here about fifteen minutes ago, but I have n't seen the other two in quite a while. ``

`` That 's what I thought, '' Patil nodded, `` Thank you. ``

`` Not a problem, '' the nurse replied.

`` I 'll take you two back to your common room, '' Patil said to Albus and Kaden. `` As for you, '' she glared at Malfoy and Willinson, `` You will amount back to my authority and we shall arrange for hold. ``

Malfoy and Willinson sulked and muttered under their hint as the five of them exited the ward. Albus laughed to himself on their way back to Gryffindor pillar. Malfoy and Willinson were glaring sticker at Albus and Kaden the hale way back, but Albus just smirked at them. They could n't do anything now anyway, not with Patil around. But surely they would find fault Albus and Kaden for their hold and Albus would have to catch out the future few days.

******

Albus did n't sleep very well that Night, despite his tiredness from Quidditch pattern. He fell asleep in the wee hours of the dawn and woke up only a few hr later. john was just as exhausted and the two of them stumbled down into the plebeian way, only to find Rose slumped over a book at their usual table.

`` pink wine ! '' Albus shook his first cousin 's shoulder, `` come alive up ! ``

rosebush slowly lifted her head and then jumped at the sight of Albus and St. John the Apostle. `` Wha-what are you two doing ? ``

`` Uh, it 's morning time, Rose, '' Albus explained, `` We 've got to get to Transfiguration in an hour. ``

`` Oh ! '' blush wine jumped up and pushed her shaggy-haired haircloth out of her face.

`` What were you doing down here ? Did you ever go to bed ? '' Albus asked.

`` No, could n't kip, '' Rose shrugged, `` So I came back down and worked on the Sileo Altus Charm. I just ca n't visualise it out. It 's driving me mad ! ``

`` That 's a really gamey level appeal, Rose. You know it 's going to bring you a piece, '' Albus reminded her.

`` I know, I know. I 'll get it eventually, '' rosiness sighed, `` I guess I 'll go change and receive Amanda. Then we can go down to breakfast. ``

A few minutes later, Albus and his admirer walked to the Great dorm. Albus noticed Malfoy and Willinson at the Slytherin mesa as they walked by and both of the Slytherins were shooting obelisk at Albus.

Kaden was already at the Gryffindor table and immediately hailed Albus and the others to sit near him.

`` Did you see Malfoy this morning ? '' Kaden asked once Albus had sat down.

`` Yeah, he 's not too happy. ``

`` wonderment when his detainment is ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Who knows, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't particularly care when Malfoy and Willinson were going to service detention.

Kaden began to let the cat out of the bag about some potion he was going to be brewing that day, but Albus tuned him out. All Albus seemed to be able to think about at the moment was whether the new potion mat had taken worked.

As if on cue, a large brown owl flew down and landed neatly next to Albus 's plate.

`` You 've got a varsity letter ! '' Kaden shouted eagerly.

`` I know, '' Albus rolled his center and pulled the letter off the owl 's leg. He gave the owl a few bit of goner and the large bird flew off.

pink wine, who was on Albus 's other side, looked over his shoulder joint as he looked at the envelope. Saint John the Apostle and Amanda were leaning over the table and Kaden was leaning over Albus 's other shoulder.

`` wonderment who it 's from, '' Kaden said.

`` It 's from flatness, '' Albus told him. `` That was his owl. ``

`` Maybe he 's telling you when he 's coming back ! '' Kaden shouted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus, John, rose wine, and Amanda said at once.

`` Well, we 'd better be off to Transfiguration, '' Albus said and gave rosiness a significant glance.

`` Yes, we 'd better, '' Rose stood up.

`` Are n't you going to unfold it ? '' Kaden asked.

`` On the way, '' Albus told him.

`` I 'll come, too ! ``

Albus sighed and got up from the tabular array. He could n't afford that letter of the alphabet in front of Kaden. Rose, whoremaster, and Amanda got up as well and followed Albus out of the Great dormitory. Kaden was ripe behind him, but Albus did n't dare open it yet. Kaden stalled in the incoming residence, but eventually gave up and headed down to the keep for Potions.

`` Well, now we have n't got fourth dimension to learn it, '' Albus groaned and glanced at his spotter. `` Why could n't he have left sooner ? ``

`` 'Cause he 's Kaden, '' toilet shook his head.

`` We 'll just take it after History of Magic, '' rosiness said as they climbed the stairs, `` We 've got the entirely good afternoon off. ``

The morn dragged by at an extremely sluggish pace, in Albus 's feeling. metamorphosis was n't too bad, since it was a practical deterrent example. Malfoy descended upon Albus and the others after the course of study was over, wanting to acknowledge where lusterlessness was. Albus lied and told him mat was having a deep holiday with his grandparents and then took off for History of magic, ignoring Malfoy 's complaints about detention that followed.

History of trick was as boring as common. Albus thought he saw the clock 's hands go backwards at one peak. He passed bank note with whoremaster and Amanda while rosiness took notes. She seemed to have inherited her mother 's ability to stick around awake during that class. Gospel According to John nodded off at one compass point and Albus had to egg on him awake with his pinion. Professor Binns did n't even seem to notice.

After History of conjuring trick finally ended, Albus and his protagonist went to the Great Hall to catch a quick lunch. Kaden was there when they arrived and immediately launched into an explanation of the potion he had just brewed. Apparently it was so impressive that Slughorn gave him a bar of Honeyduke 's coffee and an invitation to the next Slug nine meeting.

`` What ? ! '' Albus choked on his pumpkin juice.

`` Yup, '' Kaden grinned. `` The next merging is this Saturday. He told me that a lot of your cousins go. ``

`` Er, yeah, they do, '' Albus coughed. He had not been expecting Kaden to get invited to any Slug Club coming together. Albus had n't even gone to any since the premature year. He just told Slughorn he had Quidditch practice or too a lot homework to go. Slughorn had n't even had his Christmas Day party this year. Albus was n't sure enough why, but he was guessing it was because he had n't been able to find anyone far-famed to attend.

`` But he said you 're always too interfering to go, '' Kaden said, `` will you go to this one ? ``

Albus groaned inwardly, `` Oh, I do n't get laid .... ''

`` Please ? '' Kaden pleaded.

`` Fine, '' Albus sighed. It could n't be that bad now that Quinton Willinson was gone. And it was just one meeting. `` But just this once. And if Georgia calls for Quidditch practice, I wo n't go to the group meeting. ``

`` Yay ! '' Kaden shouted.

Once Kaden left for his next class, Albus and his friends went straight for the room of prerequisite. Albus and Rose sat on one of the couches while John and Amanda sat on the opposite one. Albus reached into his bag and found the letter.

`` Here it goes, '' Albus whispered.

`` That potion better have worked, '' John said.

Albus tore open the gasbag and unfolded the letter. He read it aloud.

honey Albus, rose wine, John, and Amanda,

conclusion night flatness told me to compose you
and enjoin you what happened if he couldn't.
Since he ca n't, you have probably guessed
that the potion did not work.

`` Damn ! '' John shouted.

lusterlessness will explicate more when he gets back to
Hogwarts. I 'll just say that it 's not defective
than usual. He 's at St. Mungo 's right hand now so
the healer can abide by the after affects of
the potion and the transformation.

He only has to stay in St. Mungo 's overnight
and then tomorrow he 'll be back at menage. I 'm
pretty sure he 'll be back at Hogwarts on
Sunday, but we 're not exactly sure.

Hope you are all doing well. I 'll see you
soon, maybe at the next Gryffindor
Quidditch match.

From,
Amy

Albus folded up the varsity letter and looked at his friends. `` well, I guess that 's it, then. ``

`` At least it was n't any worse, '' Amanda said quietly.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed.

Nobody said anything for a few second. Albus felt very let down that the potion had n't worked, but he was sure it did n't even arrive close to what Matt was feeling.

`` Maybe he 'll let us become Animagi now, '' Saint John suggested.

Rose glared at him, `` He wo n't. He 's still in that subject, which means he 's still got to take that potion for the next two old age or so. Then there 'll probably be another one for him to essay. And maybe that one will work. ``

`` Well, it would still be cool down to get an Animagus. ``

`` Then you can do it when you 're former, '' Rose said, `` You could n't do it now anyway, it 's too advanced. ``

`` Albus 's granddaddy did it. ``

`` When he was in fifth part year, '' rose wine reminded him.

`` Fine, three more year then, '' bathroom shrugged.

blush wine sighed, `` mat wo n't let you get together him on the total synodic month, though. And I would n't suggest doing it behind his back. ``

`` I wo n't, '' John assured her, `` I just think it would be a fun thing to do, be an Animagus. ``

`` Definitely, '' Rose agreed.

Albus and his Friend spent the full part of the future hour talking about what they would do if they could transform into creature. They all agreed that listening in on multitude 's conversations and sneaking up on people like Malfoy would be top on the list of hooey to do. Eventually, rose insisted that they all start their homework, which took them most of the even to complete.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, Denas, Moonylupin, phoenixy friend, drownzer, and potterfan296 for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that Quinton Willinson was no long at Hogwarts, Albus still dreaded the Slug Club coming together on Saturday. His rational side told him that it would n't be nearly as bad with Willinson gone, but Albus still was n't looking forward to it.

Kaden, on the other manus, spent the days leading up to Sabbatum talking non-stop about the Slug clubhouse coming together. Albus had already explained in detail what they involved, but that did n't stop Kaden from constantly wondering aloud about what the meeting would be like.

Saturday arrived quickly and Albus was still without an excuse to not attend the meeting. Georgia had not called for Quidditch practice session that day, mainly due to the fact that the Ravenclaws booked the pitch all dawning and the Slytherins had it all afternoon. The two houses were scheduled to trifle each other the following Saturday.

`` It 's time for the biff Club meeting, Albus ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly a few minutes before eleven.

Albus sighed and got up out of his electric chair in the uncouth elbow room. `` See you lot in a little patch, '' he said to John and Amanda.

`` Have lashings of fun ! '' can laughed.

`` See you later, '' Amanda grinned.

Albus, Kaden, and rose wine, who had also decided to go, set off for the donjon. Albus hoped he would only hold to stay for a trivial spell, maybe an hour at about. Just long enough for Kaden to see what the meetings were like.

The coming together was held in the Potions classroom and a few student were milling about when Albus, pink wine, and Kaden walked into the room. Albus recognized nearly of them from last year 's confluence. A few of his cousins were there as well, but not all of them. James was n't there, but Albus knew he had dueling pattern that day. Albus was also well-chosen to note that Felix Willinson was not there. Of course, after what happened with Quinton and his father, Albus guessed he should n't be surprised that Quinton 's cousin would n't be invited to the type slug Club.

There was a tabularise good of food for thought along one of the side walls and most everyone was crowding around it trying to get some lunch. Slughorn had a plate of intellectual nourishment in battlefront of him and was sitting at a large board in the forepart of the room.

Albus led rose wine and Kaden over to the table and picked up a plate.

`` What is this stuff ? '' Kaden pointed to a disc of some kind of meat.

`` Pheasant, '' Albus replied. Slughorn always served pheasant at his confluence. Albus tried it stopping point twelvemonth and hated it.

Kaden shrugged and piled the pheasant onto his plateful. Once Albus and his friends had gotten enough nutrient, they sat down at the table across from Slughorn. Shortly after, everyone else had sat down at the board as well.

`` dear to see you all again ! '' Slughorn greeted them and then turned to Albus. `` And Albus and pink wine ! I 'm very happy that you two decided to come up ! How have course of instruction been going ? ``

`` good, '' Albus replied.

`` Excellent, excellent, '' Slughorn nodded, `` We also have someone new here today. This is Kaden Dursley, '' Slughorn gestured to Kaden. `` He 's Albus 's cousin-german and is turning out to be quite the Potions beer maker ! Lily 's gene must be coming out in you ! ``

Kaden grinned, `` Potions is fun. Loads dear than Transfiguration. ``

Slughorn laughed, `` Do n't let professor Patil hear you say that. But I daresay I agree with you. ``

Kaden laughed as well and then took a large bite of pheasant. Albus watched him as he did so, wondering if he 'd wish it. Kaden chewed for a few present moment before a big smile appeared on his face.

`` This stuff is excellent ! ``

`` I 'm happy you like it ! '' Slughorn said.

Albus chuckled to himself. Of track Kaden liked the pheasant. If there was one thing Albus had learned about his full cousin over the past six calendar month, it was that he 'd eat pretty much anything. This was obviously something he had inherited from his father.

Slughorn soon launched into a extended account of what he did over his holiday and who he had spent time with. ( `` Barry Ryan used to represent for Ireland, you know. '' ) Albus found the all thing rather boring but he noticed that Kaden seemed to hang on Slughorn 's every Son. Rose seemed to be paying attention as well, but probably only out of courtesy.

Albus let his mind wander as Slughorn continued talking about his dinner with Barry Ryan. lustrelessness was supposed to return to Hogwarts the following day, which meant that in as little as two dozen hour, they could be having the map working. fountainhead, if they could sneak away to the Room of essential, that is. Albus hoped rosebush would possess that charm working soon. Then they could just do all of this with Kaden. It would score it a all lot leisurely. Of trend, Matt still had n't said that he agreed to tell Kaden even with the charm. Albus kept forgetting about that part. But why would n't he agree ? The appealingness seemed like it would work well.

Albus, Kaden, and Rose wound up staying until the end of the confluence. Kaden was enthralled by the stallion thing and Albus knew he would pass up to leave early. Albus was incredibly bored by the time the affair was over and pink wine looked as bored as Albus felt. Once the meeting was finally over, the three of them said goodbye to Slughorn and left the dungeons.

`` That was so cool, '' Kaden grinned.

`` boring 's more like it, '' Albus replied.

`` How can you think it was boring ? '' Kaden stared at Albus, `` Slughorn knows so many famous people. ``

`` Trust me, it gets old after a while, '' Albus said.

`` fountainhead, are you two going to the following one ? ''

Albus looked at Rose. She did n't look like she wanted to go to the side by side one either. `` Er, well, I might have Quidditch practice. ``

`` And I 'll probably have too much homework, '' rose explained.

`` I 'd go even if I did accept too lots homework, '' Kaden told them.

`` That really is n't a ripe mind, '' rosebush warned him. `` You 'll get behind. ``

Albus laughed as Rose launched into a discussion about how significant time management is and how homework should always come first. The three of them were nearly to the common way by the meter rose finished and Kaden was wearing a blank look on his face, much like the one Albus had worn during the punch society meeting.

******

`` Got any musical theme what sentence he 's coming back ? '' St. John asked shortly after lunch the next day in the park room.

`` No idea, '' Albus shrugged.

Albus, privy, Kaden, Rose, and Amanda were all sitting around their common tabular array in the common elbow room. Rose and Kaden were playing chess game and it was unmistakable that rose was going comfortable on Kaden. The two of them had been playing the same plot for 15 minutes. If rose wine wanted to, she probably could suffer beat Kaden in five hour. toilet and Amanda were both working on the Transfiguration essay that was due the next day. Albus had already finished that picky essay and was watching rosiness and Kaden 's chess match.

`` Queen to D3, '' Kaden said. The queen gave Kaden a menacing glare and then reluctantly moved to the square.

`` Bishop to D3. '' rosiness 's bishop smashed Kaden 's queen to composition. `` mate, '' pink wine grinned.

`` Crap, '' Kaden muttered as his king dropped its sword in defeat.

`` You 're getting a bit better, '' Rose said as she repaired all the pieces with a wave of her wand.

`` Do you have Quidditch practice today, Albus ? '' John asked.

`` Yeah. Georgia managed to reserve the pitch for an minute after dinner. The Hufflepuffs were n't too felicitous, but Georgia got it first. ``

`` I hope flatness gets back before you leave, '' Amanda said.

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed. `` But Amy did n't say when he 'd be coming back. ``

`` He 's going to have a consignment of prep to urinate up, '' Kaden announced.

`` That sounds like something you 'd say, rose, '' can laughed.

`` How 's your essay coming, John ? '' Rose smirked.

`` Yeah, yeah. I 've got the first paragraph done, '' lavatory grumbled.

`` I 've only got one more to go, '' Amanda said.

`` deprivation to play again, Rose ? '' Kaden asked.

rosebush shrugged. `` Sure, why not. ``

Rose and Kaden set up their pieces and started to work again. Albus watched them. It was pretty mirthful to watch the two of them play Bromus secalinus. Kaden would sit there forever figuring out what motion to pull in and once he made it, Rose would smile and move one of her own composition within seconds. Rose 's moves usually involved killing one of Kaden 's pieces.

The portrait hole to the commons elbow room opened a few minutes later and Albus looked up. matte was just climbing through and headed straight for Albus 's board once he noticed them.

`` Hey, Matt ! '' Albus grinned, `` Welcome back ! ``

`` Hi Albus, '' matte grinned back. He looked pall, but felicitous. There was still a yellowish bruise on his forehead, but other than that he looked fine.

John, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden all looked up from what they were doing and greeted Matt as well. lusterlessness grabbed a chairperson from a nearby table and sat down next to Albus.

`` How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` All right, '' Matt shrugged.

`` Er, Kaden, '' Albus began, `` You know how you said Matt 's got a lot of prep to make believe up ? ``

`` Uh-huh, '' Kaden nodded as Rose declared checkmate once again, `` bullshit ! ``

`` Well, it would probably be a good approximation for him to go see all the teachers now about it. So, we 'll all go with him to do that, since we 're in his stratum. We 'll assist. You can stay here since you 'd probably be bored. ``

`` Ok, I 've got my own homework to depart on anyway. ``

`` good, '' Albus replied, `` John ? Amanda, Rose ? You can come with us. ``

`` Sure, anything to put off finishing this essay, '' John closed his book and stood up.

Once they were out of the rough-cut room and into the corridor, Matt turned around and looked at Albus. `` You 're not really making me go collect all my preparation are you ? ``

Albus laughed, `` No. Just had to think of an apology for Kaden to stay there while we went to the room. ``

`` goodness, '' John said, `` I do n't really want to go collect your prep with you. ``

`` You wo n't throw to. I 've already gotten it. They owled it to me over the holiday. I 've already finished it all, '' flatness explained.

`` You 're farther along than John, then, '' Rose laughed.

`` Shut it, Rose, '' John said.

The five ally continued their paseo to the Room of Requirement, which manifested itself in its common conformation for them. They walked into the Room and settled onto the usual vermilion and atomic number 79 furniture.

`` So, '' Albus began, `` What happened with this new potion ? ``

`` wellspring, it did n't knead the way it was supposed to, but Amy already told you that, '' Matt said.

`` Did it assist at all ? '' Rose asked.

`` Nope. ``

`` And you 'll still cause to keep back taking it ? '' trick asked.

`` Yeah, that 's what stinks, '' matte sighed. `` It did n't work the way it was supposed to, but it did other stuff. ``

`` I thought it was n't going to consume any bad consequence, '' Albus said.

`` They were n't really dangerous side effects. It just made me really tired. ``

`` But you 're always tired before the full moon, '' John the Divine pointed out.

`` I know, but the potion made it uncollectible. Usually I can at to the lowest degree go to dawn classes on the day of the full moonlight but with the new potion I 'll just sleep right through them. It makes me tired as soon as I start taking it, which is a calendar week before the full moon synodic month, just like the habitue Wolfsbane was. ``

`` So you 'll be tired for an entire hebdomad ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` The Healers are trying to find a potion to counteract the fatigue, but I doubt they 'll have one in time for next month. ``

`` I do n't get why you have to keep taking it if it does n't even work, '' privy shook his head.

`` Because they have to make sure it was n't just a fluke or something. That 's the thing about these studies, they have to do multiple trials to examine the effect and stuff and nonsense. ``

`` There 's a luck it might work next calendar month ? '' Amanda asked confusedly.

`` I suppose, but I doubt it. ``

`` You do n't seem that overturn or anything, '' blush wine commented.

`` I honestly did n't think it was going to work. My parents told me not to get my hopes up about any of these experimental potions. Plus, this was only the low gear one I 've tried. They 'll derive up with others. ``

`` I just hope one of them actually works, '' John replied.

`` Me, too, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` You 've got no idea how very much I wish that.

`` Let 's not spill about it anymore now, though. You 've got to severalize me if you got the stag print ! It 's been driving me mad for weeks now. ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus grinned. He had almost forgotten about that. Almost being the key word. The new map was always on Albus 's creative thinker now. `` We got it. Rose and I did. ``

`` Brilliant ! '' matt exclaimed.

`` And I 've got the transfer appealingness all worked out, '' Rose told him.

`` John 's just got to get the rat print, '' Albus said.

`` I 'm working on it ! '' lavatory replied, `` It 's harder than you 'd think to spot a rat during Potions. ``

`` fountainhead, we 've got twice Potions tomorrow, so try then. Slughorn 'll be having us brew the whole division probably, so just keep on your eye out, '' Albus told him.

`` I will. I 'll pay more care to potency betrayer than to my potion, '' John grinned.

`` I would n't suggest that, '' Rose smirked. `` It 'll break loose or something, since you 've got Goyle as a partner. ``

`` Eh, I 'll take one failing grade if I can get the rat print, '' toilet shrugged.

`` wellspring, try to get the rat without destroying your potion, '' Rose sighed.

`` Just retrieve, this time tomorrow, we may have the map working, '' Matt commented, `` That would be awing. ``

`` We 'll take to get away from Kaden first, '' Amanda pointed out.

`` And I 'm not entirely certainly the map will work after we do this, '' Albus said, `` It almost seems too simple. ``

Albus had been thinking this for a few days now. They had had an incredibly light fourth dimension getting the print. Almost too easy a sentence. Dogs, stags, and crumb were quite usual and anyone who could cast a simple Petrificus Totalus magic spell could get those print. The only one that would be hard for the fair wizard to get was the werewolf mark. Even so, Albus did n't suppose the vulture would make it this easy to access the map.

`` I 've been thinking the Same matter, '' pink wine agreed.

John groaned, `` That would breastfeed. ``

`` We 'll get it eventually, '' Albus assured him. `` Plus, the map said we had to be like the Marauders. We have n't done anything that only the Marauders could have done so far. We got a bunch of paw photographic print. Anyone can do that. ``

`` Not anyone could get a loup-garou print, '' John pointed out.

`` I know. But it 's not something only the Marauders could have done, '' Albus told him.

`` Speaking of the marauder, '' John turned to pink wine, `` How 's the Sileo Altus charm coming ? ``

`` The what ? '' Matt asked.

`` Oh, yeah, we 've got to assure you about that, '' John said. `` Want to explicate it, Rose ? ``

`` Sure, '' blush wine shrugged, `` It 's a charm I found in a al-Qur'an at my mansion. It 's a way to throw sure soul keeps something a hidden. Kind of like the Fidelius magical spell, only it 's for verbal enigma, not lieu. Whomever performs the charm is the arcanum steward and only that person can unmake the magic spell. After the magical spell is performed, the individual ca n't sing about the secret with anyone except the enigma steward and anyone else who was involved in the appeal performing. It 's a way to prevent Kaden from telling anyone that you 're a werewolf. ``

Albus held his intimation as Rose explained and hoped that Matt would conceive it was a goodness theme. Albus watched as matte thought about what rosebush had said. Albus could n't really tell what he thought. Matt looked a bit surprised, almost like he did n't think Rose would have ever found a appealingness to do that.

`` wellspring, what do you think ? '' Albus asked after a few bit silence.

`` I 'm not certain, '' matt said quietly, `` will it really work ? ``

`` I 'm reasonably for certain it will, '' rosebush said, `` The only thing that will overcome it is Veritaserum. ``

`` And what if Kaden drinks Veritaserum ? '' Matt asked.

`` When would he fuddle that ? '' Saint John raised his eyebrows.

`` I do n't know, '' Matt sighed, `` But he could. ``

`` I really do n't call up he would. ``

`` What if he did ? What if he spewed all about me in the middle of the Great hall or something ? ``

`` I doubt he 's ever going to drink any Veritaserum, '' blush wine said,"And even if he did, someone would have to ask him if you were a werewolf. He would n't just randomly beginning telling people."

`` Is there even any of that in the castling ? '' Amanda asked.

`` There 's some in Slughorn 's private Potions cupboard, but that 's it, '' Albus answered, `` But that 's locked anyway. ``

`` See ? Hardly any probability of Kaden drunkenness any, '' St. John the Apostle said.

`` Yeah, but still ... I do n't lie with ... '' Matt groaned, `` I just do n't really require to severalize him. ``

`` I know. Just think about it, ok ? '' Albus gave Matt a half smile.

`` All right, '' flatness sighed, `` We do n't need Kaden yet, do we ? ``

`` No, '' Albus replied, `` I 'm not sure as shooting when we 'll need him. The map just said we had to be like the Marauders, which means we 'll need somebody to be Wormtail at some pointedness. ``

`` And I want to test that magic spell out before we use it on Kaden, '' lusterlessness said.

`` We will, '' Rose assured him, `` I 've got to exercise it anyway. ``

`` So, anyone got any arcanum we can exercise with ? '' John grinned mischievously.

******

`` Settle down, settle down, '' Slughorn barked at his class.

Albus turned around in his butt. He had been talking to John, who was sitting behind him next to Goyle. Albus was sitting next to Limbert and Matt was looking thoroughly miserable adjacent to Maloy in the side by side row over at the front end. Slughorn was still plowing forward with his inter-house partners in course of instruction, but Albus did n't guess it was helping to decrease the antagonism between Gryffindor and Slytherin. So far, the upright that had happened was unsounded loathing during hard-nosed lessons and jinxing and hexing at mop up. Based on the slight affaire d'honneur between Ethan and Garth Octavius the previous week, it was only a issue of sentence before matter really got out of hand.

`` Thank you, '' Slughorn said once everyone was paying care, `` Today you 'll be brewing the disarray Potion I taught you about on Friday. He waved his verge at the blackboard, `` centering are on the table. You have the entire family. ``

`` Light the fire, '' Limbert grunted as he got up from his chair.

Albus nodded and pulled out his verge. Albus and Limbert had come to an tongueless agreement with brewing potions. Limbert would pull together ingredient while Albus lit the fire and unpacked all the various scale of measurement and knives. Then, Albus would prepare the ingredients while Limbert added them and stirred the cauldron. Albus was fine with this since Limbert was a better Potions brewer than he was.

Limbert returned with the constituent and Albus started chopping them. He never said anything to Limbert while they worked and Limbert never said anything to Albus besides the casual 'pass the asphodel'or something of the like.

Albus listened to everyone else in the stratum as he chopped up fixings. He thought it was especially amusing to listen to trick and Goyle.

`` No, that 's not clockwise, '' john groaned, `` You 're stirring counter-clockwise. ``

`` Oh. ``

`` Stir it the other way ! '' John shouted.

Albus stifled a laugh and glanced to his left, where Rose and Vivien Leigh Montague were having a standardised conversation.

`` They 've got to be chopped fine than that. It says minced, not diced, '' Rose instructed.

`` They look o.k. to me, '' Leigh snapped.

`` No, they wo n't work like that. Let me do it, '' Rose grabbed a knife and started mincing the shrivelfig.

`` Fine. You do the whole matter if you 're so smart, '' Vivien Leigh huffed.

`` You can evoke the cauldron. Clockwise, '' rosiness replied.

Albus was n't close enough to either Amanda or matte to find out what was going on at their tabular array. It looked like Amanda and Dalila Avish were working much the same way Albus and Limbert were, since neither of their mouthpiece were moving. Malfoy appeared to be yelling at lustrelessness for something, but Albus could n't quite gain out what it was. Matt got up from the table with a bowl full of something and then emptied it in the bin. When he returned to his tabular array, he started carefully chopping something up. Albus was guessing it was Thomas More of whatever he had thrown away.

Albus continued mincing his shrivelfig and listened mostly to John the Evangelist and Goyle. Limbert kept smirking every so often, which gave Albus the impression he was listening to John and Goyle, too.

`` Keep stirring CLOCKWISE for another second, '' John said slowly and clearly, `` Then switch to COUNTERCLOCKWISE. I 've got to go get something. Do n't do anything besides the stirring. ``

Goyle grunted and Albus heard John get up. Albus felt a prodding in his face and looked up to see John standing following to him. `` What ? '' Albus whispered.

Saint John pointed to a nook of the room, near the cupboard of fixings. There was a big rat sitting there. Albus shuddered and looked back at John.

`` I 'll be back, '' John winked at him.

Albus tried to rivet on his shrivelfig, but he could n't break off glancing up at whoremaster. He was almost to the cupboard now, and the rat still had n't moved. Albus watched as John pointed his wand at the rat, but he could n't get wind what spell John was using due to the racket in the room. Luckily everyone was concentrating on their potions and not paying an ounce of tending to John. Albus grimaced as John picked up the rat and shoved it inside his robes. Albus was incredibly happy that Saint John was willing to do the rat mark. The mentation of putting a rat in his robes creeped Albus out.

John went into the cupboard for a few moments and came back out carrying a jar of something. Probably a cover story, Albus thought.

`` Got it, '' John the Divine whispered to Albus on his way back to his desk.

`` Excellent, '' Albus said.

Suddenly there was a brassy plosion from somewhere behind Albus and he felt a hot liquid commonwealth on his head and drip down the back of his robes.

`` Ouch ! '' he and Limbert shouted at the same time.

`` Boody Hell ! '' lav exclaimed as the orange potion landed on the movement of his robes.

topsy-turvydom erupted in the schoolroom. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at the exploded potion. Albus turned around and saw that the explosion had come from John and Goyle 's cauldron. Goyle was wearing a stun expression on his font and was staring into space while holding his ladle in the air. His nerve was covered with potion as well as his gown. His hair's-breadth was singed and there was a small fire on his table.

Albus could find the potion burning down his back and it hurt like hell on earth. It felt like his cutis was on firing. He got up from his chair and felt his rachis. His robe were burn straight through. whoremaster 's and Limbert 's were as well.

`` What did you do ? '' Slughorn asked as he strode to lav and Goyle 's table.

`` Uh ..., '' Goyle stared up at the ceiling.

`` You must 've gotten potion in your oral cavity, '' Slughorn shook his brain. `` Hospital backstage. Who else got hit ? ``

`` I did, '' Albus, whoremaster, Limbert, as well as Karina and Celeste Yeardly ( who had been sitting behind John the Evangelist and Goyle ) said at the same time.

`` Hospital Wing, all of you, '' Slughorn replied, `` If one of you could please make certainly Mr. Goyle arrives there, that would be appreciated. ``

Limbert immediately dragged Goyle out of the way with Celeste following. Albus and St. John the Apostle walked a little ways behind them and Karina behind them.

`` Idiot, '' St. John the Apostle muttered as they climbed the step out of the dungeons.

`` What did he do ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not a clue, '' John shrugged, `` Not what I told him to do. ``

`` I heard you talking to him. It seemed pretty straightforward. ``

`` Well, he 's mute than a round, '' John groaned, `` Merlin this hooey burns. ``

`` At to the lowest degree we did n't eat any of it, '' Albus pointed to Goyle, who was stumbling down the corridor like he was drunk.

`` True, '' John laughed and then lowered his part, `` Hey, it was worth it since I got the rat. ``

`` That thing 's not still in your robes, is it ? '' Albus glanced warily at John.

`` Er, yeah, have n't had a chance to need it out. ``

`` I just hope it stays stunned. ``

`` It should, '' john said as they followed Goyle and Limbert into the Hospital Wing.

Madam Pomfrey was already in use taking charge of a missy who had gotten bitten by something in precaution of Magical beast and told them they would let to wait. Once she had finished healing the young lady, she moved on to Goyle, since he was n't able to sit still and was wandering around the room tripping over things. She took fear of Limbert, Celeste, and Karina, and then moved on to the bed Albus and trick were sitting on.

`` You lot again ? '' she sighed, `` I 'm surprised it 's only the two of you. ``

`` wellspring, Matt, Rose, and Amanda were all too far away to be hit by the potion, '' Albus explained.

`` I swear the lot of you are exactly like your grandfather and his supporter, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey shook her head as she handed Albus a potion.

John, who had just started drinking his own potion, choked and coughed the potion up onto the bed. He turned and grinned at Albus, who grinned back. Well, Albus thought, that was the ecumenical thought of the map.

Madam Pomfrey sighed and with a waving of her baton the potion was cleaned up. `` Drink the residual of it, '' she instructed them.

lady Pomfrey applied some variety of salve to their burns and a few minute later they were allowed to leave alone. The wet-nurse told them to go directly to their dormitory to get new robe and that she did n't want to see them in the Hospital extension for the next few weeks.

`` Fat fortune that 'll find, '' St. John smirked as they started back to Gryffindor Tower.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed. It seemed like one of them was always winding up in the hospital Wing. Albus himself had already been there twice since returning to school after the Christmas holiday.

`` Next Quidditch match is what, in three week ? '' privy asked.

`` Just about, '' Albus said.

`` Then you might be back there soon, '' John joked.

`` Shut it, '' Albus replied, `` I did n't land myself there last-place lucifer. ``


A/N : Extra long chapter ! Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, Miguel, invisiblecloak, potterfan296, Luke, and drownzer for the recapitulation !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry thrower or Frank Sinatra.


Albus and John were immediately bombarded by Kaden when they entered the common room. Rose, Amanda, and Matt were standing just behind Kaden with smirks on their faces.

`` Did your cauldron really explode ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` The potion did, '' St. John replied, `` And it was completely Goyle 's fault, really. I gave him directions as to what to do and he screwed it up. ``

`` You know, '' Rose said, `` You 're not exactly the dear potion brewer either, John. ``

`` Are you two all right hand ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Oh, yeah. Madam Pomfrey sorted everything out, '' Albus assured her.

`` So what are you doing tonight, Albus ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he followed Albus and John to the dormitory room access.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had been planning on grabbing a quick dinner with his friends after he changed gown, and then chief to the Room to try out the new map. They had all the paw prints ( John had gone up to the hall ahead of Albus with the rat and got the mark from it. Albus did n't desire to cognise what happened to the rat afterwards ) now, so Albus was impatient to try it out. But they would n't be able to if Kaden was around.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged.

Kaden spent the total evening with Albus and his protagonist. Normally, this really would n't experience bothered Albus, but that Nox his full cousin was driving him mad. All Albus wanted to do was try out the map, but he could n't cogitate up a good apology for them to go somewhere and not let Kaden travel along. So they spent the even in the vulgar way, working on homework.

Albus and his friends were far too interfering the next few Day to try out the new map. Albus had Quidditch recitation on Tues and Thursday and dueling practice on Wednesday. Rose had dueling practice on Friday. John Lackland normally had his pattern on Sabbatum, but due to the Quidditch equal, it had been rescheduled for Billy Sunday. Any bit of time where neither Albus or his friends had any practices, Kaden was around. It was n't until Sat, following Slytherin 's spectacular loss to Ravenclaw, that they were finally able to try out the map. Kaden had been recruited to tutor a fellow first year in Potions and was going to be spending a few minute in the dungeons after the Quidditch match.

`` Come on, let 's go try it now, '' Albus whispered to his friends after Kaden left the uncouth room.

`` Got the prints ? '' matte asked.

Albus nodded and grabbed his bag. They quickly left the common room and ran for the way of Requirement. They almost bumped into a Ravenclaw prefect, but luckily he was feeling generous ( most likely due to the Quidditch win ) and did n't grouch them for running in the corridors.

Matt paced three times in front of the empty wall and as soon as the door appeared, the five supporter ran inside. Albus set his bag down on the tabular array and everyone crowded around it. Albus pulled out all four mark and the map.

`` All right, '' Albus unfolded the map, `` Rose, you 're salutary with the spell, right ? ``

Rose nodded, `` I 've practiced it and it works every clock time. ``

`` Good, '' Albus stared at the map, unsure of how to begin, `` Er, maybe I should do what I did hold out fourth dimension to get it to recount us we 've got to evidence we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Probably, '' rosebush agreed.

`` postponement ! '' John shouted, `` Can I do it this time ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus shrugged and handed whoremonger the map.

`` Excellent, '' John grinned and pointed his wand at the map, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Padfoot. ``

Ink appeared on the map, but not nearly as much as when Albus had done it earlier in the year.

'No, you 're not .'

The ink disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

`` What ? '' King John shouted, `` But it worked last clock time ! ``

Albus 's hopes plummeted. Why was n't it working now ? Was it on some variety of a timer ? Like it could only exercise on a sure day of the calendar month ? He had been so emotional about getting the new map to crop, and now it would n't even tell them to demonstrate they knew the Marauders.

`` Let me try, '' Matt grabbed the parchment and pointed his sceptre at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Moony. ``

'No, you 're not .'The map said once again.

`` This sucks, '' St. John muttered, `` It worked finis time. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to be Albus, '' pink wine suggested.

Albus wordlessly grabbed the map and pointed his own wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

The ink he had been expecting to appear rose to the surface of the parchment and formed the intimate words.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the Marauder 's Map, mo variation .'

`` Ha ! '' Albus grinned in excitement, `` There it is ! ``

`` But why did n't it work for us ? '' St. John asked dejectedly. `` Does that mean value we ca n't be Padfoot and Moony ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus sighed. He really hoped his booster would be able to be Padfoot and Moony. Who else could be Padfoot and Moony ? The map would n't even work without someone to be Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail. Albus could n't do it alone.

'Mr. Prongs disagrees with you and insists that you are not Prongs. However, you could be the second Prongs .'

`` See ? Why did n't it say 'However, you could be the second Padfoot'when I did it ? ``

'When four son, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendship and rascality, they may present themselves as the succeeding generation of piranha. These four admirer must each act one of the predator, for if even one is missing, this map will not act upon. Before this goes any further, you must establish that you know the closed book of the Marauders. Prove that you know, and you may keep along the path of discovery .'

'The path of discovery ? I never knew you were so poetic, Mr. Prongs .'

'Oh, believe me, Mr. Padfoot, I am not. Mr. Moony came up with that unscathed thing .'

'Then I pay my regard on the phraseology to Mr. Moony .'

'Mr. Moony advises that whomever is reading this ignore Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot and start proving that they know the Marauders .'

'Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and also advises that if whomever is reading this has no idea who the Marauders are, that they quit while they 're ahead .'

'The Marauders wish you right luck .'

`` well, now what ? '' Saint John asked.

`` I guess we 've just got to change the paw prints, '' Albus said tentatively.

Rose picked up the paw photographic print and the map, setting them down in front of her. She pulled out her wand and muttered an incantation at the werewolf print. Then she muttered another conjuration at the map. The werewolf photographic print appeared on the map, just as it had been on the former piece of parchment.

`` That, was blooming pose, '' John the Divine said in awe.

Albus agreed. He was forever thankful that his full cousin was so brainy. Albus did n't think he 'd ever be able to pull off something like that. At least not until he was at least in 5th year.

Rose repeated the subprogram with the dog, stag, and rat photographic print, positioning them in the claim same way that the little cross that the Marauders had put on the map.

`` There, '' she said once she was done.

The five friends stared at the map for a few indorsement, waiting for something to encounter. The paw photographic print were n't doing anything and neither was the map. No new ink had appeared and the paw mark were n't disappearing or anything.

`` Er, '' Albus began, `` Maybe I 've got to tell the map that we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Worth a guess, '' John shrugged.

Albus pulled the map over to him and tapped his wand to it, `` I, Albus Severus Potter, the instant Prongs, know the Marauders. ``

The paw prints quickly faded until there was zippo left but a blank sheepskin. Albus glanced up and looked at his friends before returning his gaze to the new map.

'Prongs agrees that you do make out the Marauders, and is especially impressed that you managed to get a werewolf paw photographic print .'

`` It worked ! '' Albus shouted happily.

'Due to your obvious noesis of the Marauders'secrets, we shall now secern you Thomas More about this map. When the Marauders were seventh year, they realized that within a few short months, they would be gone from Hogwarts, and the school day would be left without their chief mischief makers.

'Prongs suggested-'

'Do you always talk about yourself in the third person, Prongs ?'

'Only when I have a chance event of splendour, Padfoot .'

'Not too often then, right ?'

'Oh, get on with the explanation, Prongs .'

'Calm yourself, Moony. You 're letting your furry self show .'

'Shut it, Prongs .'

'All right. Anyway, I ( happy now, Padfoot ? ) had a stroke of brilliance that the Marauders could detect a way to ensure that they would never be gone from Hogwarts .'

`` I knew it ! '' Rose shouted in glee, `` I knew that was what this was about ! ``

'The piranha decided to create another map. The first map was only the beginning. The marauder wanted to notice a way to put themselves into a map, in order to aid the adjacent generation of mischief-making makers. That is what this map is about.

'However, not just anyone would be able to make access to the map .'

'Yeah, we would n't want any old blockhead stumbling upon it .'

'Right, Padfoot. Or even forged, having Slytherins get their slimy paws on it .'

'I shudder at that thought, Moony. Anyway, the predator had to figure out a way to insure that only those worthy would be able-bodied to admission this map. The piranha 's Map is actually quite simpleton to figure out, compared to this one. All you have to do to open that is say a certain idiom. For this map, you have to be a sure person to open it.

'You may or may not have figured out that in fiat to get the first bit of info out of this map, you have to be a line relative of one of the predator. However, not everyone representing the marauder must be related. Because, you know, we might not all have minor .'

'Yeah, you would n't require to be passing along any factor, Prongs .'

'Better mine than yours, Padfoot .'

`` That 's why only Albus could do it ! '' John Lackland shouted.

Albus felt immense rilievo from this. John and Matt would be able-bodied to comprise Padfoot and Moony.

`` So really, only Jesse James, Lily, shimmy, my dad, and I could get it open, '' Albus said.

'The eternal sleep of you must be Gryffindor son, because we want you to be like us .'

'Lily wo n't like that, Prongs .'

'I know, Moony, but Lily does n't know about this. I do n't plan on telling her, either .'

`` Guess that counts out my sister, '' Albus commented.

'So, now you 've proven that you know the Marauders. Your next step is to bear witness that you are the adjacent vulture .'

The ink slowly faded once again until the parchment was as blank as before.

Albus stared at it for a few moments, thinking about what he had just found out. The map was n't going to form yet. He had been so certain that all they 'd have to do was try out they knew the Marauders. But now they had yet another thing to do. They had to prove that they were the next Marauders. How were they going to do that ?

`` That was weird, '' John said.

`` I 'll say, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` They did n't even really tell us what it was a map of. ``

`` Yeah, they just said they wanted to make sure they 'd never pull up stakes Hogwarts. Like the map is a section of them, '' john replied.

`` To be honest, it sounds a bit like a Horcrux, '' rosebush commented.

`` Yeah, but it 's not like they put their souls in there, Rose, '' Albus pointed out. `` It 's like the Marauder 's Map. It 's just enchanted. ``

`` I still wish we knew what it was a map of, '' John muttered, `` I mean, this is n't honest ! We spend hebdomad getting those paw prints and we still have n't figured the map out. ``

`` I knew you 'd have to do something like this, '' Rose said, `` Otherwise it would n't matter if there were four of you to represent the piranha. If it was just this, Albus could give birth done the whole affair himself. ``

She made a ripe full stop. Albus had n't really thought about that, but it was honest. They had to do something that required each of them to map one of the Marauders.

`` I guess we 've got to turn up we are the vulture, then, '' Albus said, `` Wonder what that involves. ``

`` Maybe we 've got to do something the Marauders would have done, '' Matt suggested.

`` Like become illegal Animagi ? '' John grinned mischievously.

`` No ! '' Matt sighed, `` I told you, you 're not doing that ! ``

`` I do n't imagine that 's it, '' Rose began, `` How would you go about proving to a piece of paper that you 're illegal Animagi ? ``

`` Maybe we 've got to pull a immense prank or something, '' Albus said.

`` Again, how would you bear witness that to the map ? '' Rose asked.

`` Well, does anyone have any early estimate ? '' Albus asked.

`` We 'll believe of something, '' Amanda said, `` I mean, there 's got to be a way. ``

`` Of course their is ! '' pink wine said, `` We 've just got to go to the library and see if we can retrieve anything there. ``

`` We ca n't do anything anyway until you 've got that Sileo Altus charm down, Rose, '' Albus pointed out.

`` right, '' blush wine replied, `` It 's coming along well. I just necessitate to get some practice. Anyone want to be my examiner ? ``

`` I will ! '' John Lackland shouted and jumped up out of his chair.

`` Ok, add up here, '' Rose got up and went to the early side of the room.

Albus watched as the two of them worked. first gear, they had to cogitate up a secret, which took a good bit of clock time. toilet finally suggested that the secret be 'Filch likes to dance in the moonlight with a yearn handle mop with dog Sinatra music acting in the background signal .'

Albus burst out laughing at that. `` Filch ? Dancing ? ``

`` Yes, '' John said in a good note, `` I saw him once. He was rubbing the mop top dog to his case and had on a feel of pure joy. ``

`` And soon you wo n't be able-bodied to enjoin anyone about it, '' Amanda grinned. `` What a shame. ``

`` Yes, it is, is n't it ? '' Saint John laughed. `` You lot can still spread it around, though. ``

`` Ok, whoremonger, let 's try it, '' Rose said.

Rose pointed her verge at herself and recited the charm that would make her the underground keeper. Then, she pointed her sceptre at Saint John the Apostle and said a slightly unlike charm.

`` Now you say the mysterious, John. ``

`` Filch likes to trip the light fantastic in the moonlight with a foresightful grip mop with hotdog Sinatra music playacting in the background, '' Saint John the Apostle smirked.

`` Good, '' Rose replied and then performed another charm on John. `` I 'm not make to try including other masses yet, so John Lackland will only be able to talk about Filch 's little habit to me. ``

rose waved her baton around in an intricate pattern and then said one stopping point incantation. She lowered her scepter and stared at John. Then she turned to confront Albus.

`` There. Now you can try asking him about it, Albus. ``

Albus grinned, `` All rightfulness. So, John, heard anything interesting about Filch lately ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' John the Divine shouted, `` Actually, just the other nighttime I saw him and he was- '' John 's rima oris continued moving but no strait was coming out of it.

Albus and Amanda burst out laughing. Gospel According to John looked like a fish out of water. `` I think it worked ! '' Albus shouted.

rosiness was staring at John with a slender look of disappointment. `` Not quite. He was n't even supposed to be able to propel his sass. You know, in causa people can translate back talk. I guess it 's a start, though. ``

`` Definitely. I mean, this is a really advance charm. You ca n't have expected to get it on the first try, '' Albus pointed out. Although, he did kind of think Rose expected to get it on the first try.

`` I suppose, '' rosiness sighed, `` I 'll just undo it. ``

rosebush waved her wand around and muttered some more conjuration. `` Ok, he should be able to peach about it now. ``

`` Heard anything funny about Filch recently ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, he likes to dance with a long handle mop by moonlight while Frank Sinatra plays in the scope, '' St. John the Apostle told her.

`` spirit like the countercharm worked, '' Albus said.

`` But that 's not even what we 'll need, '' pink wine pointed out, `` We 're not going to perform the countercharm on Kaden. Not for another few years at to the lowest degree. ``

`` Yeah, but it 's favourable for lavatory that it worked, '' Albus grinned, `` Otherwise he would n't be able-bodied to share Filch 's enigma joys of life-time. ``

******

Over the next few Clarence Day, whoremonger actually did ploughshare that Filch liked to dance with a long handle mop by the moonlight with Frank Sinatra playing in the background. All he had to do was mention it to a few other Gryffindors at meal times and the bit of tittle-tattle was soon spreading throughout the school. The reactions from pupil ranged from hysterical laughter to raised supercilium to exclamations of 'Who the hell is Frank Francis Albert Sinatra ?'Albus could n't help but simper every time he heard his fellow scholarly person mentioning the story.

Filch, on the former hand, was actively trying to detect the culprit. There was n't really any period, since he would n't be able-bodied to find oneself who started it, but he tried. He spent the days prowling the halls and listening in on scholar'conversations, trying to find out any sort of entropy regarding the false level. Whenever the pupil noticed him, they would burst out laughing, which would get Filch to pop out muttering about 'rotten students'and 'ought to whip them all'.

Filch 's main suspect was Kaden, which Albus found kind of good story. Kaden of course had laughed the tacky when he heard the fib. Since Filch had developed an vivid disfavor for Kaden since their detention months ago, he gave Kaden minacious stares every meter Kaden passed him in the corridors. Kaden just found this funny, since he knew lav had invented the story.

The fib about Filch provided a nice break from the intense perusal that all the scholar were occupied with. Like usual, the instructor had increased the homework after the vacation. Albus was happy it was n't yet his O.W.L. year and he could n't envisage how he would manage to contend with that in three brusque years. Along with prep, Albus also had Quidditch and dueling practice. Both Georgia and Kate had increased pattern times in gild to gear up for the approaching match and tournament. The third gear dueling tournament was to take place the number 1 weekend of Feb and Quidditch on the following weekend. Albus now had Quidditch practice on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Dueling practices were as usual, not mandatary, but were now not only on Wed, but on Fri as well. The lonesome day Albus had off was Sunday, which did n't hold a good deal prison term for him to try and figure out how to prove he was like the marauder to the new map.

The morning time of the Dueling Tournament was cold, snowy, and blustery. Albus was very well-chosen the Quidditch match was n't that day. He got up a few hours before the tournament started and went down to breakfast with his friends.

`` I ca n't expect until I can duel next twelvemonth, '' Kaden said in between bites of egg.

`` It 's not really as aplomb as it 's made out to be, '' John commented, `` A lot of waiting around fourth dimension during tournament. ``

`` That 's because there 's so many of us, '' rosiness explained, `` In the even Dueling Club, the one that you can only be in if you 're fifth part year or above, not everyone gets on the squad. It 's like Quidditch and you have to try out. ``

`` That sounds better, '' trick said, `` But I do n't roll in the hay if I 'd make the team. ``

`` I know I would n't, '' Amanda replied.

`` You 're getting ripe, '' Albus assured her, `` You might have it by the time you 're a fifth year. ``

`` Yeah, that 's the point of the Junior 's baseball club, '' Rose said, `` So you can get in force. They do n't expect us all to be proficient duelers. ``

`` Albus is, '' Amanda grinned, `` He 's brilliant. ``

Albus felt his face turn red, `` Well, I 'm not that great ... I mean, there are loads of masses who are better than me. ``

`` Not on our team, '' Amanda continued, `` He 's bunk almost everyone on the team. ``

`` Yeah, everyone except Malfoy, '' Albus muttered. He still had n't managed to beat Malfoy during their practice duels.

`` That 's good, though ! '' rosebush sighed, `` You 're both first-class dueller, so you 've got a good team ! ``

Albus shrugged. He kind of would rather just be able to circumvent Malfoy than beat the other teams, but he did n't observe anything about it.

Albus and his supporter continued their talk of the town about dueling throughout breakfast and as they sat around the usual way afterwards. Soon, it was time for them to go down to the dueling chamber for the tournament.

They passed Filch on their way down the stairs, and he was muttering to himself as usual.

`` Damn nipper ... better when Umbridge was around ... wonder if she 'll come back ... she 'd let me whip them ... ''

`` I swear he 's gotten more mad over the year, '' John muttered to Albus as they passed him.

`` Dad says he 's getting senile, '' Albus whispered back.

The dueling chamber was packed with students, just like the past two tournament. Albus and Amanda squeezed their way through the crowd to their common tabular array, where their team was sitting.

`` Hi Albus, Amanda, '' Kate greeted them. `` Ready to win ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus grinned.

The tournament got under way a few minutes later. It was much like the past two tournament, with a lot of sitting around time. Albus was happy that he and Amanda were on the Saami team so they were able to talk to each former in between duels.

Albus won both of his duels, just like the last two tournaments. So did Malfoy and once again, Albus found that he was variety of happy and kind of tempestuous about that. Amanda won one of her duels, which Albus was very happy about. He knew half her dueling issuing were from nerves and the fact that she thought she would n't do well.

pink wine, John, and mat each won one of their duels as well. Albus clapped for them even though they were on other team, which earned him public eye from Malfoy. Albus did n't care, though. Malfoy could sulk as long as he wanted, it was n't going to stop Albus from cheering for his friends.

The detail were tallied after the live affaire d'honneur and John 's squad was declared the winner. Albus was slightly disappoint, but there were still three more tournaments before the final. Harry announced the item totals for the entire year and blush wine 's squad was in first position so far. In second was the squad led by Hufflepuff Paul Galivant and in tertiary was John 's squad, led by Albus 's cousin Tom Bradley.

Albus did n't think that the inter-house dueling was decreasing the rivalry between houses. Albus was n't anymore fond of the Slytherins than he had been in the beginning of the yr. None of the Slytherins really got along with the Gryffindors on his squad, and vice versa. He was n't exactly sure as shooting how it was working with the regular dueling club, but he had overheard Sir Henry Morton Stanley complaining about how uncooperative the Slytherins on his squad were. But that was months ago and he did n't be intimate what had been going on with it recently.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan296, Miguel, Luke, and mischiefmaker09 for their reexamination !

I wrote my foremost marauder Era report, slope consequence May Include Gratitude and Feelings of wellspring Being, which is a one-shot from Madam Pomfrey 's breaker point of purview. It 's on my source Thomas Nelson Page, if you 're interest. I 'd sleep together it if you read and reviewed it !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


matte 's birthday was a few days after the Dueling tourney. Albus and his ally did n't shed him a political party like they had last year. That had mostly been done to embolden him up since he had been in the infirmary offstage at the prison term. This year they went down to the kitchens and got a patty, and then ate it in their dormitory. Kaden went with him and was amazed by the kitchens, with all the house-elves around. His reaction was funnier to view than Amanda 's the old year. He stood there with his mouth half candid and then ran around grabbing as much food as possible.

By the meter the Quidditch compeer arrived the adopt Saturday, Albus was utterly exhausted. Between Quidditch recitation and homework, he hardly had anytime to catch some Z's. switch in a misstep down to the kitchens for Matt 's birthday after Quidditch practice the other night, and Albus was ready to sleep through an integral day.

Albus yawned, got out of bed, and looked out the window. He had been hoping that the raging rash would have let up, but it had n't. Wonderful, he thought, James would n't be catching the Snitch quickly in this weather.

A few hours later, Albus bade his Friend goodbye and headed down to the changing way at the Quidditch sales pitch. His friends had bundled themselves up in as a good deal orange red and Au vesture as they owned and were ready to huddle against the howling wind for a few time of day of Quidditch. trick, Matt, and Amanda did n't seem to take care the weather condition at all and were excited about the match. Rose, on the other hand, clearly would have rather spent the afternoon in the palace studying. Kaden still liked football better than Quidditch and Albus had a spirit he would n't have minded the storm if he was watching a football game.

`` Ok ! '' Georgia shouted a few minutes after Albus entered the changing rooms, `` Everyone semen over here ! ``

`` I know the weather is n't apotheosis, '' Georgia began once everyone was gathered around her, `` But we 've played in unfit than this ! ``

`` Yeah, if you count that flood we played in during tierce year, '' Fred muttered, `` But other than that .... ''

Georgia glared at Fred, `` Anyway, we 're playing Hufflepuff, so we 'll win. harper 's still captain, but it 's her survive year, so she 'll be dead set on getting the Cup. That means she 'll cause trained her team even harder. They 've got a new steward, though. Someone named Tanner Royce. He 's a fifth year. Other than him, the team 's the same as in conclusion year. So, with that, get out there and complain some badger ass ! ``

Albus grinned to himself as he picked up his Calluna vulgaris and started to walk to the threshold. Sakartvelo was a gravid captain, but was n't very much for long twist speeches.

`` Albus, '' Georgia whispered and put her hired man on his shoulder.

`` Yeah ? ``

`` You 're, er, less nervous this match, right ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' Albus smiled, remembering how he had told her he was extremely nervous the last lucifer. In reality, he 'd been too preoccupied with the new map. Sure, he 'd been a little nervous, but not as a good deal as Georgia thought he had been. This match, however, he was n't nearly as distracted, although he still was a bit skittish. `` I 'm a bit aflutter, but not as very much. ``

`` Good, '' Empire State of the South grinned and walked out the door and onto the pitch.

Albus followed his full cousin onto the pitch and was immediately hit by the forceful fart that were prevailing.

`` Welcome to the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff match ! '' Todd smith 's voice sounded over the pitch. It sounded faint and kind of far away in the wind. `` It 's bloody cold out here so let 's spend a penny it quick !

`` Here are the Gryffindors ! Captain Georgia Weasley, followed by Ryan O'Malley, Albus thrower, King James I potter, Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Heather Weasley !

`` And the Hufflepuffs ! Captain Jessica Harper, followed by Shawn Ames, Lisa Galivant, Andy Kaper, Stacey Manson, Anna Reilly, and tanner Royce ! ``

Professor Oteski motioned for Sakartvelo and harper to shake hands and as soon as they did so, Albus and the relaxation of the players rose into the air. Oteski released the balls and heather immediately took self-command of the Quaffle.

`` And Heather 's got the Quaffle ! She passes to Fred, then back to Heather, and to Albus. ``

Albus caught the Quaffle and started flying towards the Hufflepuff goals. He was amazed that he had actually caught it since the weather was so awful. He could hardly see two metrical foot in front of him. His robes were already soaked with snow and ice and he was frigidly cold. Nevertheless, he kept flying towards the finish until he had to stop light and toss the Quaffle back to Heather, since he almost flew direct into an oncoming Hufflepuff chaser.

ling caught the Quaffle and flew it the rest of the way to the goal. She threw it in and it easily went past Hufflepuff 's new Keeper.

`` Goal ! Ten-zero Gryffindor ! Now hurry up and trance that snitch, James IV ! I 'm freezing my bloody- ''

`` Captain John Smith ! '' Patil shouted, `` Watch your voice communication ! ``

`` Sorry, Professor. ``

The Quaffle was now back in bid and was in Hufflepuff possession. Albus was n't even sure which pursuer had it, but he knew it was a Hufflepuff. Whichever Hufflepuff had the Quaffle managed to look at it to the Gryffindor goals, but GA saved it.

Fred took the Quaffle and flew it back to the other end of the pitch, scoring another goal for Gryffindor.

The game continued this way for the following one-half hour. Hufflepuff managed to score two finish, but Gryffindor scored about eight. Albus currently had the Quaffle and was flying straight at the Hufflepuff goals.

He narrowly avoided a bludger and both Hufflepuff beaters, but soon he was within throwing distance of the end. He faked to the rightfulness and then threw the Quaffle at the left hand ring. Royce tried to bring through it, but he was n't straightaway enough.

`` Goal ! Albus Potter has scored against Hufflepuff ! The score is now 90-20 Gryffindor ! ``

Albus was rapturous. That was the first finish he had ever scored in a Quidditch match. Up until now, all he 'd done were assists. Albus took a triumph lap around the pitch and then caught the Quaffle from Heather.

Albus managed to make another goal and Heather scored two more than in the side by side half hour of the equal. Hufflepuff scored a few more goals, but were still far behind. By now, Albus was certain he had turned into an icicle and was getting a bit sick of flying around in the cold. He was even getting a bit of a headache from it. Albus was n't even trusted if he 'd know if St. James the Apostle or Galivant caught the stoolpigeon, due to the increasingly bad visibility and snowfall. The blizzard seemed to be getting forged by the mo. If Hogwarts actually called off Quidditch, they would have called it off a spell ago.

A few minute later, cheers broke out in the stands and Albus was for sure individual must possess caught the sneaker. He was very glad to land his Scots heather and knew he 'd be even glad when he finally got into the warm up common room.

The repose of his squad was shouting in glee and were surrounding James. He must have caught the sneak, Albus thought. The rest of the Gryffindors were swarming the slant and soon Epistle of James was lifted onto a few people 's berm. Albus joined the throng of his house and started his way back to the castle.

On his way back to the common room, legion mass stopped him in order to congratulate him on the win. Albus was thrilled that they had won, but all he really wanted to do was find his booster and get into some warm robes. James loved the attending he got after winning a Quidditch mates, but Albus could drive it or pass on it. Right now, he could go forth it since his head ache was getting worse.

The company in the usual room was just getting started when Albus entered a few minutes later. mortal must hold snuck down to the kitchens because there was an total table filled with food for thought. individual else had obviously gotten into Hogsmeade because just about everyone had a butterbeer in their hand.

individual shoved a butterbeer into Albus 's hand as he made his way through the crowd. James was in the thick of it as usual and was rehashing how he caught the Snitch.

`` And I saw it lurking near one of the destination place. Galivant was on the other end of the pitch shot, so I knew she had no promise ... '' James was saying to a couple of giggling girls.

The rest period of the team was nearby and were digging into the food for thought that was on one of the tables.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Georgia shouted as he passed, `` I knew you could get over those boldness ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled as he went up the stairs to his dormitory.

Albus quickly changed out of his cold, wet robe and felt a bit better afterwards. He went back down to the common room and it was even wide-cut than before. It looked like all the Gryffindors had returned from the sales pitch and the party was in fully swing.

Albus found his Friend sitting at their usual table and they all seemed to be enjoying the party.

`` Albus ! '' John shouted as Albus sat down, `` Brilliant performing ! ``

`` Definitely, '' Matt agreed.

`` You 're quite a skillful chaser, Albus, '' blush wine said, `` Although I honestly do n't make love why they did n't call off the match with this rash ... ''

`` Cancel the mate ? '' John stared at her, `` Never ! ``

`` If it was football game, it would 've been canceled, '' Kaden commented.

`` Yeah, because you would n't be able to run around in two fundament of coke, '' John laughed, `` But Quidditch is in the air, so it does n't weigh. ``

`` testament you two just quit arguing about football game ? '' Rose sighed.

`` Just trying to turn Kaden into a proper sensation, '' can shrugged.

`` Quidditch is hardly the definition of a proper star, '' Rose said, `` I believe potion brewing is a bit more important and I 'm for sure Kaden could teach you a thing about it, Mr. Exploding Potions. ``

`` That was Goyle 's fault, '' whoremonger muttered.

`` Why do n't all three of you just quit arguing ? '' Albus snapped. His head was pounding and listening to his friends'arguing was not helping.

`` What 's with you ? '' John asked, `` We 're not fighting anymore than pattern. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to do that he 's been flying around in a snowstorm for the past two time of day ? '' Rose suggested, `` If they 'd just have canceled the match- ''

`` They do n't scrub Quidditch ! '' St. John the Apostle shouted and then turned to Matt, `` You understand this, do n't you ? ``

`` It 's true, '' lustrelessness agreed, `` Quidditch is n't ever canceled for trivial things like rash. ``

`` I think the weather condition just makes it more interesting, '' Amanda commented.

`` Not you too ! '' Rose groaned.

`` football game 's only played in the quick months anyway, '' Kaden said, `` They would n't even schedule an outdoor football match in the winter. ``

`` fountainhead that 's boring, '' John replied.

Albus leaned his head on his hand and closed his eyes while trying to drown out his friends conversation. John, Rose, and Kaden continued to fence about the merits of Quidditch and football. mat and Amanda stayed out of it for the most parting and seemed kind of amused with the entire matter. Albus was n't, though. He wished they 'd just shut up. Albus 's head was steadily feeling forged, like he was being hit with a bludger over and over again. Besides that, he still had n't completely warmed up from the match and was shivering, despite his dry robes.

`` I think football would be a nice fun if it were played on brooms, '' Saint John said.

`` Oh semen on, whoremaster ! '' rosebush sighed, `` Be serious ! You ca n't roleplay football on brooms. How would you quetch the testis ? ``

`` Not to mention that Muggles bet football ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Muggles ca n't fly ! ``

`` I 'm not saying that Muggles should work football game on brooms. I meant if football were ever played by whiz, it should be done on ling. ``

football on brooms, Albus thought, what an insane thought. His ally were now trying to merge football and Quidditch.

`` Albus, are you all right ? '' Matt asked.

Albus opened his heart and lifted his pass off his hand. `` I dunno. ``

`` You do n't face that outstanding, '' Matt said concernedly.

John the Divine, rosiness, and Kaden stopped arguing and looked at Albus.

`` Yeah, you look speculative than lusterlessness does when he gets sick, '' Kaden said loudly.

`` Thanks, '' lustrelessness muttered.

`` Matt 's right, '' Rose said, `` You do look awful, Albus. ``

`` I 've got a headache, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You should go see Madam Pomfrey, '' Kaden told him.

`` I think I 'll just go to bed, '' Albus got up from his chairperson, `` I have n't really catch some Z's much the past few nights. I 'm probably just tired. ``

Albus stumbled over to the dorm door, feeling spoiled than he had a few minute ago. He collapsed into his bed and fell asleep minutes later.

******

Albus awoke with a start and he was n't sure as shooting how much time had passed since he went to sleep. He still felt extremely tired and his head still hurt. He groaned and closed his oculus again, wanting only to log Z's for a few day straight.

Right when he was about to tramp off again, someone threw the drapery back and Albus 's bed was flooded in light.

`` Ugh, '' Albus groaned and covered his centre with his hands. `` What was that for ? ``

`` You 've slept almost an entire day, '' someone said.

Albus moved his hands and slowly opened his eyes. John the Evangelist was standing over his bed with a look of fear on his human face.

`` And I 'd wish to sleep a bit Sir Thomas More if you do n't take care, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You slept through dinner last night, and breakfast and lunch today. Are n't you hungry ? ``

`` Not really. ``

`` Are you sure you 're ok ? '' John asked, `` Rose sent me up here to determine on you. ``

Honestly, Albus was n't sure as shooting he was ok. He could n't remember the conclusion time he had slept an entire day. But right now all he wanted was for John to go away so he could sleep some more.

`` I 'll be hunky-dory once I sleep some more, '' Albus replied and rolled over away from John.

`` If you 're sure, '' John said quietly and closed the curtains.

It did n't take Albus long to fall back asleep. He had some strange dream that involved shimmy telling him his broom broke and he 'd let to play Quidditch without it by running around on the ground. Then, instead of a Quaffle, the match was played with a football.

Albus woke up briefly after one of these dreaming, only to find that the dormitory was sour. He could hear Ethan 's strangle snore and an owl hooting outside. Unfortunately, he did n't palpate any full than he had when Saint John the Apostle woke him up. In fact, he now felt worse. Every one of his heftiness were aching, like he had fallen from his broom during the mates. But Albus could n't remember falling from his broom. When had the match been anyway ? Yesterday or the day before ? Albus could n't level remember and he did n't even screw what day it was currently.

`` Albus ! '' Someone shouted. Albus was dreaming about Quidditch again and person was hitting him with their beater 's bat.

`` Quit it, '' Albus mumbled.

`` Albus, are you all right ? ``

`` Go away, '' Albus said, `` And turn back smacking me with that beater 's bat. ``

`` Beater 's bat ? '' they repeated, `` That 's it, I 'm getting professor ceramicist. ``

`` I 'll go, '' someone else said, `` You stay here with him. ``

Whoever had been hitting Albus with the bat had stopped, and he was grateful. Empire State of the South had taken the bat away and was now yelling at its owner. Then she announced that they would be playing football instead of Quidditch. King James I complained loudly, since there were n't any Seekers in football.

`` Albus, wake up ! ``

`` I think Kaden said you 'll ingest to run United States Department of Defense, James, '' Albus mumbled in his sleep. `` There is n't a Snitch in football. ``

`` Hang on, Albus, Gospel According to John 's getting your dad. ``

`` My dad ? He 'll have to bring defense, too. ``

`` What 's ill-timed ? '' person new shouted.

`` He 's been sleeping since after the match, prof Potter. I think he 's sick. ``

`` Since after the match ? ``

`` Er, yeah. We thought he was just tired, but he 's been sleeping for two twenty-four hours. ``

`` The catch ? '' Albus muttered, `` Did we beat Slytherpuff yet ? ``

Albus felt himself being lifted out of his bed and into somebody 's arms. He rested his head on their shoulder and shivered as his mantle fell back onto the bed. Albus fell back into a deep sleep and next woke up as he was being laid down on another bed.

Albus heard multitude talking all around him, but he could n't throw out what they were saying. Someone poured a few disgusting potions down his throat and forced him to withdraw them. There was more muttering around him, but Albus soon drifted off to slumber again.

The room was quieter when Albus next woke up. He opened his middle and looked around. Where was he ? Albus was certain he had fallen asleep in his dormitory, but now it looked as if he was in the Hospital extension. The place was nearly deserted, write for Madam Pomfrey sitting at her desk. Albus yawned and tried to sit up, but he was still silly. The good thing was that his drumhead felt a good deal better. However, his organic structure still ached.

brothel keeper Pomfrey looked up from her desk and got up once she saw that Albus was awake. She grabbed a few nursing bottle and put them on a tray, which she then carried over to Albus 's bed and set it on the bedside table.

`` Good, you 're up, '' Madam Pomfrey said as she poured one of the potions into a cup, `` You gave us all quite a fright. ``

`` What metre is it ? '' Albus asked, still confused about what he was doing there.

`` Just after six o'clock. ``

`` Er, and what day ? ``

`` Mon, '' the nurse said as she thrust the cup under Albus 's nose, `` Drink that. ``

Albus downed the potion quickly, `` Yuck. It 's really Monday ? I 've missed course ? ``

`` I 'd say so. ``

`` Er, what exactly happened ? I mean, I went to bed in my residence hall and now I 'm here ... ''

`` You 're ill, '' Madam Pomfrey said, `` You 've caught the flu. Your admirer told me you slept for almost two days and then they went to get your sire since you were n't getting any estimable and had started becoming delirious. You 've been here since around dejeuner clock time. ``

`` Oh. Well, how farsighted do I have to stay ? ``

`` Another two sidereal day, probably, '' dame Pomfrey told him. `` Now I want you to imbibe these other two potions and eat that bowl of soup. ``

Albus nodded and Madam Pomfrey strode back over to her desk. Albus thought back and could vaguely remember being taken out of his dormitory room, but it was only a misty memory. The survive affair he could really call back well was the Quidditch friction match. He was very glad he had n't fallen ill before the match.

No sooner had Albus drank the first potion that the door to the Hospital offstage swung spread and John, Matt, rosiness, and Amanda came bursting through. lady Pomfrey got up quickly from her desk and met them halfway.

`` Is Albus awake ? '' rose wine asked.

`` Yes, he 's only just woken up. I suppose you can visit him for a few minutes. But calmly ! He needs to remain ! ``

`` Albus ! '' Rose shrieked when she ran over to his bed, `` Thank Merlin you 're all right ! ``

`` How are you ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Doing better ? '' lavatory asked.

`` Well, '' Matt said with a half smile on his pale face, `` This is a switch. ``

Albus grinned at him, `` Yeah, ca n't really remember a time where it was you visiting me here. ``

`` What exactly have you got anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Flu, '' Albus answered, `` But I 'm getting better. Not nearly as tired as before. ``

`` I would go for so, '' John smirked, `` You slept two Clarence Day. ``

`` I 'll probably sleep another two, '' Albus said, `` Pomfrey said I 've got to continue another two days. ``

`` We 'll be here together, then, '' lusterlessness replied.

Albus looked at his Quaker, who was looking a bit exhausted himself. `` When 's the full synodic month again ? ``

`` Tomorrow, '' Matt sighed.

`` Did you take that new potion ? '' Albus asked.

mat nodded, `` Yeah, and I 'm more drained than usual. ``

`` He fell asleep in History of Magic and almost fell asleep in Potions, '' John said.

`` Well, you did n't log Z's through two whole days like I did, '' Albus pointed out.

`` I 've done it before. I 've slept through more than two days actually. I think four is my record. ``

`` All right ! '' Madam Pomfrey announced, `` Time for you lot to be off to bed, especially you, Matt. And Albus needs to rest. ``

`` See you tomorrow, '' Albus said as his friends left the room.

`` Sure will, '' lusterlessness replied.

Albus slept on and off throughout the night and the future morning. He was still tired, but felt much better when he woke up late the next sunrise. His dad had stopped by earlier before class, but Albus fell back asleep after he left.

Madam Pomfrey was fussing over him and giving him numerous potions to drink. Albus was the only patient in the integral ward, so the nursemaid 's fussing was all focused on him.

The nurse had been giving Albus what must have been his one-tenth methamphetamine of water that morning when the room access to the ward opened. Matt stumbled inside and walked shakily over to the bed next to Albus 's. He collapsed onto it and winced in pain.

Madam Pomfrey immediately put down the water mound and descended upon Matt.

`` You 're here earlier than usual, '' she said as she felt his promontory, `` And you 're burning up. ``

`` Why are you here earlier ? '' Albus asked once Madam Pomfrey had gone to get another potion.

`` Tired, '' lustrelessness mumbled, `` Fell asleep in Defense and your dad told me to come here. ``

`` Is it the new potion ? ``

`` Yeah, it does n't exactly avail much, does it ? ``

`` I thought you said they were going to find something to counteract the part of it that makes you tired, '' Albus said.

`` They are, they just have n't found it yet. ``

`` Oh. ``

Madam Pomfrey returned a import later and gave matt a few potions. He drank them and was asleep arcminute later. Albus was n't really tired, but he fell asleep anyway out of lack of anything else to do.

John, Rose, and Amanda stopped by after dinner to see Albus and Matt, but gentlewoman Pomfrey did n't let them stay long. mat had been asleep anyway. Shortly after their friends left, Madam Pomfrey woke matte up and took him down to the Whomping Wilow.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Moonylupin, potterfan296, Miguel, Saint Luke, and Denas for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


When Albus awoke the future morn, he felt much better. In fact, he felt mostly convention. He was n't achy anymore and his head felt better as well. He hungrily ate all the breakfast Madam Pomfrey provided.

The Saame could n't be said for Matt, who was looking much worse than the previous day. He was either at peace or unconscious, Albus was betting on the latter, and he had numerous cutting off and mark on his face. His right arm and forehead were covered in a tumid bandages.

`` So when can I result ? '' Albus asked as gentlewoman Pomfrey performed some kind of magic spell on Matt.

`` Later today, most potential, '' she said after she 'd finished her incantation.

Albus sighed. He had been hoping he 'd be able-bodied to go out that dayspring. He was starting to feel incredibly bored with the Hospital fender, although not bored enough to bulge out the preparation pink wine had brought the previous evening.

Albus spent the remainder of the sunrise drifting in and out of sopor out of deficiency of anything else to do. dame Pomfrey gave him a few more cruddy relishing potions and dejeuner, which Albus ate ravenously. After going two twenty-four hour period without solid food, he was starving.

The door to the hospital flank opened just as Albus was finishing his lunch. Saint John, Rose, and Amanda walked inside and immediately headed for Albus 's bed. Madam Pomfrey was in her office and did n't seem to acknowledge the visitors.

`` Hey, how are you ? '' rosebush asked.

`` Bored, '' Albus replied.

`` That 's dear, '' Rose grinned.

`` Are you better now ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Pretty much. madam Pomfrey wo n't let me leave until later, though. indirect request she 'd let me depart now. ``

`` She just wants to make sure you 're completely better, '' Rose said, `` And it 's not like you 're missing class since this is our afternoon off. ``

`` Exactly ! '' Saint John the Apostle sighed, `` He could be doing much full stuff and nonsense on his afternoon off if he was n't here. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Like figuring out the new map. ``

`` How are we going to do that anyway ? '' John asked.

`` Go to the program library, '' Albus replied, `` We 've got to look for shipway of proving who we are. ``

John groaned, `` And I doubt there will just be a book titled Prove Who You Are to a Piece of parchment. ``

`` Probably not, '' Rose laughed. `` But we 'll obtain out somehow. ``

`` making anymore progress on the charm for Kaden ? '' Albus asked.

`` A bit, yeah. I tried it again finis dark on John and this clip he could n't even move his mouth like last time. Now I 've just got to figure out how to require other masses in the mystery. ``

`` And then all we 've got to do is convince flatness that the charm is foolproof, '' toilet said.

Everyone glanced over at lustrelessness 's bed, where he was still sleeping.

`` He been asleep all day ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said, `` Ever since I 've been awake. ``

Matt groaned and opened his oculus, `` You lot here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' St. John replied, `` How are you ? ``

`` Horrible, '' lusterlessness said flatly, `` My head is killing me. Were you talking about me ? ``

`` A bit, '' toilet said, `` Just about that magical spell for Kaden. We 're going to get working on the map once you two are out of here. Got to find some way to rise to it that we 're like the marauder. ``

`` strait in effect, '' mat yawned.

`` When do you get to exit ? '' Amanda asked, `` Albus is leaving later today. ``

`` No approximation, '' lustrelessness said, `` Not until at to the lowest degree tomorrow night. might be out in time for uranology. ``

`` Ca n't you not be outside when the synodic month is close to full-of-the-moon ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Only when it 's waxing. When it 's waning I 'm fine. ``

`` So, we 'll contrive on working on the map this weekend, then, '' Albus said. `` Unless any of you catch what I had. ``

`` promise not, '' john said. `` Maybe Malfoy will catch it, '' he added gleefully.

`` John, that 's not funny, '' rose wine scolded, `` He 'd be really queasy. ``

`` He 'd get better. Albus is fine now. ``

Albus heard a door heart-to-heart and madam Pomfrey came strolling out of her office. She looked up and saw the gang around Albus and matt 's seam and made a beeline for them.

`` What are you lot doing here ? '' she demanded.

`` Visiting Albus and flatness, '' Rose answered.

`` Oh, you 're awake ! '' the nursemaid exclaimed and went over to Matt 's bed, apparently forgetting that rosiness, lav, and Amanda had burst in without her permission. `` How do you sense ? ``

`` Awful, '' mat replied. `` My nous hurts and so does pretty lots everything else. ``

`` You must cause hit your heading much worse than usual last night, '' lady Pomfrey sighed, `` You had quite the concussion earlier. I 'll go get some pain potions. ``

She returned a bit later with a potion for Matt, who drank it in one gulp.

`` Now, you three have to leave, '' gentlewoman Pomfrey said to blush wine, Saint John, and Matt, `` Albus will be out later and you can see him then. ``

boredom set in for Albus shortly after his friend left. mat had fallen back asleep quickly after he took his bother potion. Albus could n't even sleep anymore because he had already slept so much that day.

******

`` What are we supposed to be looking for anyway ? '' John sighed as he slammed a al-Qur'an shut.

Albus, John, flatness, Rose, and Amanda were all crowded around a secret table in the depository library. It was covered in books that covered all sorts of issue. The five of them had spent the final hour searching for agency to prove to the new map that they were like the piranha. So far, nobody had found anything useful.

`` I do n't get laid, '' Albus replied, `` Anything that might leaven that we 're like the Marauders. ``

`` That 's not very specific, '' John muttered, `` I really do n't want to spend an entire Saturday here. ``

`` It 'll do you some serious, '' Rose said.

`` Wish we could just use that book that you used to find the other charm, '' Albus said to Rose, thinking of Flitwick 's book.

`` Me too, but it 's in the Restricted discussion section, '' rosiness said.

`` Why ca n't we just get Professor potter to impart us a note ? Bet he would, '' St. John the Apostle said.

`` Bet he would n't, '' Albus disagreed, `` He 'd know we 're up to something. ``

`` Besides, '' blush wine interjected, `` It might not be a Charm we 're looking for. ``

`` We 're just going to have to retain looking, '' Albus said as he opened another book. `` But I 've got Quidditch practice in a half hour. ``

`` We 'll just look every meter we can get away from Kaden, '' Matt suggested.

`` Where is he anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. Come to call back of it, he had n't seen Kaden since breakfast. It was kind of foreign since Kaden spent every waking moment of his day ( when he was n't in division ) no less than four infantry away from Albus.

`` There he is, '' flatness pointed to somewhere behind Albus.

Albus turned around and saw his full cousin running through the subroutine library with a clipboard in his hand.

`` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` tranquillity ! '' dame Pince shouted even louder, `` Or I 'll flip you all out ! ``

`` Albus, '' Kaden said more quietly as he sat down in an empty chair at their table.

Albus eyed Kaden 's clipboard but he could n't read what it said. `` Hi Kaden. ``

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied, `` Will you sign my petition ? ``

`` orison ? '' Albus asked, `` What in the name of Merlin are you petitioning for ? ``

`` TVs in the uncouth way, '' Kaden grinned.

`` What ? ! '' toilet and Matt shouted.

`` tranquillise ! '' Madam Pince screeched.

Rose laughed, `` What on earth for ? ``

`` I would n't mind having a TV in the common room, '' Amanda commented.

`` Exactly, '' Kaden said, `` It 's hard enough for us Muggle-borns to adjust to Hogwarts and if we had TVs, it would make it easier. ``

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' John laughed.

`` Nope, not kidding, '' Kaden said, `` I 've got oodles of signature tune already. I 'm not really sure how many I 'll need, though. I figure I 'll try and get as many as I can in a few daylight and then open it to Professor Longbottom. ``

Albus tried to suppress his smiling, but he could n't. The estimation of Kaden trying to get televisions put into the common elbow room was just too peculiar. There would be no way any of the instructor would agree to it even if everyone in Hogwarts signed the petition.

`` So will you signal it ? '' Kaden asked, `` If this goes through, I 'll try for electronic computer next. ``

`` data processor, '' matte laughed, `` You 're mad. ``

`` I 'll sign, '' Amanda grabbed the clipboard and quill.

`` Sure, why not ? '' Albus shrugged. It could n't anguish to sign the thing, and he was sure as shooting Kaden would n't give up bugging them unless they did.

privy and matt signed as well, although they were laughing the whole fourth dimension. Rose signed a bit reluctantly, but she eventually gave in.

`` So what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked after Rose finished signing.

`` preparation, '' Albus replied automatically.

Kaden stared at the large pile of books, `` Second yr must be flaming insane. ``

`` Oh, it is, '' John the Divine said, `` You wo n't have any sentence to watch any TV. ``

`` I 'll make time, '' Kaden said as he stood up, `` Well, I 'm going to get more touch. ``

Albus watched as his cousin went from table to table trying to get people to sign up. Some of them liked the mind and signed willingly. Others laughed until Kaden gave up and others looked at him like he was crazy. Eventually, lady Pince found out what he was doing and threw him out of the library.

`` Your cousin is the unearthly cuss I 've ever met, '' John Lackland said after Kaden was kicked out.

`` Yeah, he is a bit foreign, '' Albus agreed and closed the book he was reading, `` Well, I 'm off to practice. I 'll see you lot later. ``

After practice, Albus went to the common elbow room and found his protagonist sitting around their usual table doing homework. Unfortunately, none of them had found anything that would help them to prove that they were like the Marauders. Albus was beginning to wonder if they 'd ever get that map working. Even if they did determine a way to prove they were like the vulture, what would they receive to do next ? How many affair would they have to do before they would actually be able to see the map ? Albus had no estimation, but he knew the predator were n't going to make this easy.

******

The rest of February passed quickly. Albus and his friends continued to scour the library for any sort of magical spell, spell, or potion that would assist them in their request to reveal the map. None of them found anything. Kaden thought they were all doing homework as they searched the book every weekend. Rose was making progress with the Sileo Altus spell, but it was n't quite perfected enough to use yet. blush wine was sure she 'd have it learned by the end of the month. mat never said much when the appealingness was brought up and Albus was hoping he would still agree to tell Kaden once Rose perfected the appealingness.

Kaden 's request to have telly put into the vulgar room was rejected shortly after he gave it to Neville. Kaden did n't look in the least bit dissuade by this. He insisted it was rejected due to lack of convincing evidence as to how the television system would benefit the scholar. He was planning on resubmitting it along with a elaborate essay on the subject later on in the term.

`` You know, Kaden, '' Rose said at dinner one night, `` Even if the teachers accepted your petition, the tv set would n't even work here. There 's too much magic. ``

`` Oh, I 'm sure there 's a charm that would counteract that, '' Kaden said.

`` It wo n't work, '' Matt said, `` sorcerous just does n't agree with electronics. This one time when we were visiting my Uncle mariner in the United nation, Amy accidentally broke one of the metal detectors at the airport. It was n't her error or anything, the trick just interrupted it or something. The affair started beeping and would n't stop until they turned it off. ``

John laughed, `` That would 've been uproarious to see. ``

`` Amy did n't intend so. She was mortified, '' Matt said, `` It was a spell ago, before we even moved here. I think she was fourteen. ``

`` Well, I still say they could rule a way, '' Kaden said.

`` Hey, look, '' Albus pointed to the Head table. Professor Kendrick was standing up.

`` marvel what he 's got to say ? '' whoremonger asked.

`` Hope it 's nothing bad, '' Rose said.

`` He looks felicitous enough, '' Amanda commented.

`` May I have your attending ! '' Kendrick announced. The room fell silent. `` Thank you. Do n't interest, I 'm not giving out bad intelligence. In fact, I think you 'll find this announcement most energize. ``

There was a full general murmur of excitement throughout the Great Hall at this. Kendrick waited for everyone to stop talking before he continued.

`` If you 'll remember at the beginning of the year, when I announced the variety for the Dueling Club, that that would only be one character of the House unity endeavour. I am announcing today that the early professors and I have organized another unity issue. It will be a scavenger hunt, with inter-house teams, of grade. ``

Albus groaned. A magpie hunt club would be fun, but not if he had to do it with Slytherins. Everyone else seemed to be in agreement, because there was a general groaning throughout.

`` I know you do n't like it, but the school day needs to be unified. Now, I will explain the event. It will not be like a regular scavenger hunt club. It will take piazza on the next three Saturdays. This Saturday will be for the first and arcsecond geezerhood. The pursuit will be for tierce and quaternary years. The go will be for twenty percent, 6th, and 7th years.

`` The early professor and I will be organizing the squad, which will consist of members of other years and former houses. Each team will have about ten members. You will birth one hour to complete the task given.

`` You will meet a leaning of items to incur before this hr is up. There are rules, of course. Some of these token will be required to obtain without magic. We will be performing charms on these items and if we find that any of them were spelled, transfigured, conjured, charmed, etc. within the hour they will be disqualified.

`` However, the scavenger Holman Hunt will not only include a list of item to find. You will also receive multiple trivia weather sheet. These will let in both wiz and Muggle trifle.

`` Finally, each team will incur a riddle, which if they deceiver correctly, will lead them on a quest throughout the castle and grounds. When you reach the end, there will be a bit of information that must be returned to me. If you are successful, you 'll get a 100 dot bonus. However, there is also a imitation trail that will conduce you to worthless information. If that is brought back, you 'll obtain no bonus.

`` I will give you a more detailed leaning of linguistic rule on the day of the case. Until then, restrain your encephalon keen and do n't get rid of anything you would otherwise deem useless, '' Kendrick smiled and returned to his seat.

Albus turned to his ally, `` This sounds, er, interesting. ``

`` It 's really an splendid idea, '' rose wine grinned, `` I mean, there 's no way a single mortal would be able to accomplish all of it alone. It 's a bang-up idea for household 1. ``

`` It 'd be better if we did n't have to team up with Slytherins, '' bathroom muttered.

`` But what if there 's something on that listing that 's in the Slytherin park way or something ? '' rose pointed out.

John groaned, `` I guess you 're right hand. ``

`` phone fun, though, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah. Wonder what we get if we win ? '' Matt asked.

`` Hopefully some voucher to get out of prep or something, '' Saint John said.

`` Since when have they given away those ? '' Albus laughed.

`` Now 's the pure sentence for them to set about, '' John Lackland replied.

`` I hope I 'm on your team, Albus, '' Kaden piped up.

`` That would be great, '' Albus smiled, and he actually meant it. It sounded like there was going to be a lot of random stuff on that list and if there was anyone in the school that had loads of random poppycock, it was Kaden.

******

The next few days seemed to drag on forever for Albus and the ease of the beginning and bit yr. Everyone was getting excited about the scavenger hunt and the teachers were getting a bit annoyed that nobody was paying attending in class.

Soon enough, Sabbatum arrived and Kendrick announced at lunch for all the beginning and second years to rest seated after they were done eating. Once all the older bookman left, Kendrick got to his infantry once more.

`` Now, the moment you 've all been waiting for, '' Kendrick said, `` The scavenger Hunt will begin shortly. First, I have a few more dominion to go over.

`` As I said earlier in the hebdomad, there are point on this list that are not allowed to be created using magic. You may not conjure, transfigure, enchantment, or appealingness any of those items. Asking an Old scholarly person to do so is also against the pattern. We have spells that will observe if any item was magicked during the time of day of the scavenger hunt.

`` The particular must be found within the school and cause. Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow, and Hagrid 's hut are all out of edge and you may not explore for token in or around them. You may not ask onetime students or teachers for help, nor may you owl sept fellow member or other multitude. However, you may ask old bookman if they have any of the items on the leaning. It is up to them if they let you adopt them or not. Do not steal anything from anyone or there will be punishment. You are permitted to use the library for help with the trivia. ``

rose 's font lit up at that and Albus knew she would be the functionary library researcher for her team.

`` There are going to be eight squad of approximately ten students each. Your family prefects have your team assignments. team one and two are to gather at the Hufflepuff table, one at each end. Teams three and four at the Gryffindor table, five and six at Ravenclaw, and seven and eight at Slytherin. You will be given a few minutes to get organized in your squad and then the other professor will hand out the appropriate cloth. Each team is given one set of material, no more. If you lose it, tough luck. Now please see your prefects. ``

Albus got up from the table and looked around until he spotted Georgia. He and his friends wound their way through the crowd until they managed to get to her.

`` Hey, Albus ! '' Georgia grinned and looked at her clipboard, `` Ready ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm on a good team, right ? ``

`` Well, there are Slytherins on all the squad, if that 's what you mean, '' Peach State laughed, `` Anyway, you 're on Team Two. ``

Albus nodded and waited for his ally to get their team assignments.

Georgia scanned her clipboard again, `` Let 's see, rosebush is on Team One, John is on Team quaternion, Matt 's on Team Two ... ''

Albus grinned at matte. He was relieved that one of his admirer was on his team. Now all he had to do was hope Malfoy was n't on his team.

`` Amanda 's on team Four, and Kaden 's on Team Six, '' Georgia looked up at them, `` Have fun. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus said and then turned to his friends, `` guessing we 'll see you after. Good luck. ``

Albus and matte worked their way through the crowds to the Hufflepuff tabular array along with rose. Albus was a bit disappointed that Kaden was n't on his team, but there was n't anything he could do about that. The chances were n't great that he would have two of his acquaintance on his Saami team. He was just lucky he had one of his friends on the Saame team.

The Hufflepuff tabular array was already filling with people from squad one and two. team Two was gathering at the half closest to the staff table, so Albus and matte made their way there.

There seemed to be a fairly even number of each house at the table. Besides Albus and matte, there was one early Gryffindor, a first yr young woman Albus had seen but did n't know her epithet. There were also two Ravenclaws Albus did n't sleep with, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. Albus groaned when he saw who the Slytherins were, Felix Willinson and Leigh Montague. Leigh was rose wine 's potions collaborator and not the sharpest quill feather in the box.

Felix Willinson narrowed his eyes when he saw Albus and lustrelessness coming over. Albus found seats far away from him and sat down, waiting for the pack rat hunt club to begin.

One of the Ravenclaws stood up a few second later, `` Hi, I 'm Rachel Underwood and I 've been assigned as team captain. ``

Everyone muttered hello to her and Rachel had everyone introduce themselves. So far, Willinson and Montague did n't appear enthused about their team, but Rachel did n't pay any attention to their animosity.

Professor Patil came over a little while later with a fistful of parchment. Albus assumed they were the lists of clobber to depend for and the trivia.

`` The Holman Hunt will start in one minute ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professor will give you your lists as soon as I say go. You 'll have one minute to be back here with as much stuff you can possibly get. ``

A minute later, Kendrick shot out a shower bath of blue sparks from his wand and Patil handed the mint of parchment to Rachel.

`` All rightfulness ! '' Rachel shouted as she leafed through the parchment, `` We need someone to decipher the riddle and run around to get the bonus points. ``

`` I 'll do it, '' the early Ravenclaw volunteered. Rachel nodded and handed him the parchment. He ran out of the Great Asaph Hall while reading the riddle.

`` Ok, here 's the triviality, '' Rachel continued, `` We 've got celebrated Witches and Wizards, Famous Muggles, What Not To Do While Interacting With Muggles, What Do You Know About Quidditch, and What Do You make love About Football. ``

Albus turned to mat and laughed. Kaden would surely love the football one.

Rachel handed out the trivia to the people who thought they 'd be able to do it. Willinson had n't taken any of the trivia sheets, but Montague took the Quidditch one. Albus hoped she actually knew something about Quidditch.

`` Now we 've just got the list of detail to get, '' Rachel announced to the remaining team members, which were Albus, Matt, Willinson, and one of the Hufflepuffs. `` You four get started while I work on the small beer. Oh, but I 'll take care of the costumes. You 'll just have to don them. ``

Albus nodded and took the sheepskin from her. Costumes ? He hoped he would n't have to wear anything too humiliating. He set it down on the mesa and began to interpret it, with everyone else looking over his shoulder.

Items Are To Be Gathered Without Magic

-holly wand
-five vomit flavored Bertie Botts Beans
-Slytherin wearing Gryffindor robes
-Gryffindor wearing Slytherin robes
-light saber
-Dumbledore Chocolate frog card
-twenty shoe string tied together
-Quaffle signed by Joseph Oliver Ellen Price Wood
-Shooting champion broom handle
-Muggle pen
-copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein
-a Nintendo DS
-girl dressed up as Godric Gryffindor
-boy dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff
-color changing ink
-beater bat
-drum sticks
-silver goblet
-Chudley shank jersey
-six Extendable Ears
-Muggle playing cards
-receipt from dame Malkins
-Argus Filch 's John Hancock
-the name of five Hogwarts family Elves
-rubber duck
-copy of Hogwarts, A History
-sneakoscope
-foe glass
-tea cozy
-Hogwarts commencement exercise picture
-band aids
-green evacuate potions bottle
-Beatles CD
-purple gloves
-Hershey 's drinking chocolate bar
-My Little Hippogriff
-pet anuran
-purple parchment
-two shelling
-tortilla chips

Albus looked up from the list and waited for everyone else to finish reading.

`` What the bloody hell is a CD ? '' Willinson asked.

`` Muggle way of listening to music, '' Albus explained, `` One of my cousins might have one. ``

`` I 've got one, '' the Hufflepuff, who Albus now knew to be Nelson Rodner, said.

`` good, '' Albus replied, `` Anyone else know they 've got some of this hooey ? ``

Everyone nodded.

`` Let 's go get the clobber we know we 've got and then meet back here, '' Albus said as he got up. `` Then we can work on the stuff we do n't. ``

The other three boys agreed and Albus ran out of the Great lobby with lusterlessness. The two of them ran as fast as they could up to Gryffindor Tower.


A/N : I ca n't take credit for the scavenger hunt idea. There is a haunt in Pennsylvania called Woodloch Pines that I go to every summertime and they have scavenger hunts like the one in this chapter. consummate with costumes, trivia, and the riddle. It 's a lot of fun.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Gospel of Luke, Moonylupin, EvilChaos, potterfan296, XDNLxtlz99, drownzer, Miguel, Denas, and phoenixy friend for their brushup !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist or the idea for the pack rat hunt.


`` Willinson is acting civil, '' Albus commented as they were running up a flight of steps of stairs.

`` Yeah, '' Matt agreed, `` Kind of surprising. Either he really wants to win or he 's not as confident without Malfoy. ``

`` Probably both, '' Albus said, `` Whatever the ground, we lucked out. ``

Everyone stared as Albus and Matt ran into the common room completely out of breath. `` Scavenger hunting, '' Albus muttered to his cousins Ben and Cedric as he ran by.

`` Excellent, '' Ben grinned, `` Ca n't await until our routine adjacent Sabbatum. ``

Bilius was also in their dormitory collecting point when Albus and matt entered. They nodded to each other, but did n't say anything.

Albus wrenched open his trunk and started rifling through it. He found a bag of Bertie Botts edible bean, a Dumbledore chocolate frog circuit card, his written matter of Hogwarts, A history, one extendable Ear, and the photo record album he found in the attic of his sign of the zodiac. The commencement exercise picture in the back would work for the Hogwarts graduation picture.

`` What have you got ? '' he asked Matt once he emerged from his trunk.

`` My scepter 's holly, a muggle pen, circle aids, Chudley carom jersey, and a Nintendo DS, although I 'm not sure why I still bother to bring it since it does n't act upon here. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Let 's get back to the Great student residence. ``

When Albus and lusterlessness got back to the Hufflepuff table, Willinson and Rodner had already returned. There was a pile of stuff on the tabular array between them. Albus looked through it and saw that they now had a copy of The Hobbit, colouring material changing ink, a beater 's bat, Muggle acting scorecard, and a sneakoscope.

`` All right, we 've got a just start, '' Albus said as he added his and Matt 's stuff to the pile. `` I guess we 'll have to ask the older students to take up the rest.

`` Rodner, '' Albus began, `` You see if you can get a light saber, a Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood, a shot Star broom handle, drum stick, a receipt from dame Malkin 's, foe glass, and a Beatles CD. ``

`` Sure, '' Rodner said and took off out of the room.

`` Willinson, '' Albus turned to the Slytherin, `` Go down to the kitchens and see if you can get a silver chalice, tortilla poker chip, a tea cozy, the names of five House Elves, and a Hershey bar. ``

`` Why should I ? '' Willinson grumbled, `` Who put you in burster ? ``

`` Someone 's got to do it, '' Albus told him.

`` Make Eckerton do it. ``

`` Him and I are getting the repose, '' Albus replied, `` If you want to win, you 'll get the stuff. ``

`` fine, '' Willinson muttered and left the Great Hall.

`` Ok, that leaves the skid laces, vacate leafy vegetable potions bottle, purple glove, a My Little Hippogriff, a toad, regal parchment, a rubber duck's egg, two electric battery, and five to a greater extent Extendable pinna. Oh, and Filch 's autograph. ``

`` We 'll do that one last, '' flatness shuddered. `` We can probably just go back to the coarse room and ask if anyone 's got this material. ``

`` Good idea, '' Albus agreed.

The two boy set off at a run back to their common way. Luckily it was still packed with bookman and some of them grinned as Albus and lusterlessness entered.

`` How 's it going ? '' Ben asked.

`` trade good, '' Albus grinned back, `` But we 've got a clump of stuff to find. listen up everyone ! '' he shouted.

The entire common elbow room quieted and turned to Albus. Albus was momentarily shocked that everyone actually stopped what they were doing to pay attention to him.

`` Er, we 're doing the scavenger hunt and need some poppycock. Has anyone got a My Little Hippogriff, purple glove, a anuran, regal lambskin, a India rubber duck, batteries, or Extandable auricle ? Also, we need 20 skid lacing. I promise we 'll revert it all once we 're done. ``

About half the students got up and went up to their hall. A few minutes later they came back down with various item for Albus. He managed to take up a arctic duck, empurple lambskin, and a few Extendable Ears. Plus he got at to the lowest degree 20 shoe laces.

`` That worked well, '' Albus said as he and Matt left the room.

`` I 'd say so, '' matte agreed, `` Now Filch 's John Hancock. This ought to be fun. ``

Albus smacked his script to his forehead, `` I should have grabbed the map ! ``

Albus groaned and ran back to the common elbow room. Everyone laughed as he ran up to his dorm and back down to the vernacular way. Albus ignored them and pointed his sceptre to the map. A few seconds later he saw that Filch was lurking near the library.

Albus and Matt took off for the library and spotted Filch a few railyard away from the door.

`` How are we supposed to ask him ? '' Albus whispered.

`` No idea, '' mat said back.

Albus 's eye sped up as he got closer to the old caretaker. `` Er, Mr. Filch ? '' he asked.

Filch startled and turned around. He saw Albus and smirked. `` thrower. Up to no just again ? In need of another detention, perhaps ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, `` Actually, I was just, er, well, we 're doing this scavenger hunting. Maybe Kendrick told you about it. It 's to promote Inter business firm Unity and we have to find all this stuff throughout the castle and- ''

`` We need your autograph, '' flatness interrupted, holding a objet d'art of parchment and the Muggle pen in his outstretched hand.

Filch stared at them and then started muttering to himself. `` Do n't see why I should get at ... Students never do anything for me ... ''

Nevertheless, Filch took the pen and scribbled his name onto the purpurate sheepskin. He thrust it wordlessly back into mat 's script and shuffled off down the corridor.

`` That went proficient than expected, '' Matt said.

`` Yeah, thanks. I could n't really visualize out how to ask him. ``

`` I figured, '' matte grinned, `` Anyway, we still need a few things. Hey, Kendrick never mentioned anything about the Room. Do you think we could just ask it for the rest of this ? ``

Albus wondered why he had n't thought of that. It almost seemed like cheating, but Kendrick never said anything. `` That 's smart as a whip ! ``

The two of them set off for the Room, but when they got there, there was a Hufflepuff prefect milling around right in front of the elbow room. Albus slowly walked back and forth in strawman of it, keeping an eye on the prefect.

He was about to gain his third crack, when the prefect stopped him. `` Sorry, '' he said, `` You ca n't go in there if you 're in the scavenger hunt club. Kendrick 's rule. ``

Albus sighed, `` All right field. ``

`` Of course, '' Matt muttered as they left, `` Kendrick could n't foretell that rule because then everyone would determine out about the Room. Oh, well. What have we got left ? ``

Albus handed Matt the list and he looked it over for a few seconds. `` Hey, I know madam Pomfrey 's got green potions bottle. ``

`` Let 's go, '' Albus said, `` We 'd better precipitation, there 's only fifteen hour left. ``

They made it to the Hospital Wing in platter time. Albus pushed the door out-of-doors and walked in, followed by Matt.

`` I 've got affected role to tend to ! '' Madam Pomfrey was shouting at a Ravenclaw first year, `` I have n't got time for this magpie James Henry Leigh Hunt nonsense ! You 're the fifth part somebody I 've had come in here looking for potions feeding bottle and band financial aid ! I have n't got any ! ``

The girl nodded and ran quickly out of the room, completely ignoring Albus and matte as she went.

`` Er, she says she has n't got any, '' Albus whispered.

`` I know she does, '' Matt whispered back, `` Let me just ask her. ``

Albus shrugged and followed Matt over to the nurse, who was bent over one of the beds.

`` Hello, dame Pomfrey, '' matte greeted her.

Madam Pomfrey turned around and her irritated nerve softened immediately when she saw Matt.

`` hello, Matt, dear. Are you all right ? You look a bit flushed, '' Madam Pomfrey said and put her hand to his forehead.

`` I 'm delicately, '' Matt assured her, `` I 've just been running around working on the scavenger James Henry Leigh Hunt. ``

`` Not you, too, '' ma'am Pomfrey sighed and then noticed Albus, `` Oh and Albus as well. ``

`` Yeah, '' Matt said, `` We were just wondering if you might have an empty cat valium potions bottle. ``

The nurse sighed and walked over to her potions locker. `` I suppose. Just be sure enough to riposte it. ``

Albus watched in shock as she returned with the exact item they were looking for. Matt grinned at Albus and took the bottle.

`` Thanks, '' matt smiled.

Madam Pomfrey shook her head, `` No problem. Have fun, boys. ``

`` We will, '' Matt said as he turned to allow for the room.

Albus followed him out the threshold, still in daze that the nanny had actually given them the bottle when she had yelled at that first year only minutes ago.

`` You 're certainly on her good side, '' Albus muttered after they left the room.

`` One of the few perk of being there once a calendar month, '' mat said dryly.

`` We 'd better get back to the Great residence, '' Albus said as he looked at his watch.

Albus and lusterlessness ran as fast as they could back to where their team was. The rest of the team was working hard to eat up the remaining trivia. Rachel herself was dressed up as Godric Gryffindor, nail with a fake beard. Rodner was dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff.

However, neither was as funny as what Willinson was wearing. He was decked out in Gryffindor finest, with robes, a scarf, and a 'Loyal Gryffindor'hat. Albus could hardly stifle his laughter.

`` Do n't say a word, thrower, '' Willinson growled.

`` Albus ! '' Rachel shouted, `` You 've got to dress up as a Slytherin ! The robe I 've got are too big for matte and Abby. '' Rachel pointed to the other Gryffindor on the team.

Albus groaned and Willinson burst out laughing. Albus reluctantly put on the Slytherin robes, scarf, and 'Slytherins Are Best'hat. It would only be for a few minutes and if it helped them win ....

Albus did feel a bit strange in the Slytherin robes. He could n't avail but think back to his sorting and how the hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin at first. If it had, he would be wearing these gown all the time. He might have even been to a greater extent friendly with Malfoy at first. He probably would n't give really befriended privy, Matt, or Amanda if he 'd been in Slytherin. Albus shook the sentiment from his head and concentrated on the fact that he was just wearing the robe to help his team win.

Rachel took descent of the items on the list as flatness tied all the shoestring together. It turns out that the lonesome things they were missing were the light saber, Quaffle signed by Joseph Oliver Grant Wood, shooting headliner broomstick, foe Methedrine, Hershey 's bar, toad, and one assault and battery. Rachel thought that was pretty good.

The former Ravenclaw returned a hour later and told everyone that he had finished the brain-teaser seeking and had managed to get the fillip points.

`` time is up ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will be around soon to fit your lists. They will also amass your trivia sheets which will be marked later today. The winner will be announced at dinner party tonight. ``

Patil came over to Albus 's team a few moments later and looked over their list. She took a pictorial matter of the four masses who were dressed up, much to Albus 's dismay. Now there would be permanent grounds of his Slytherin second. As soon as the moving-picture show was taken, Albus took off the robes and he noticed Willinson doing the same.

`` Ok, '' Patil announced as she gathered up the pieces of parchment, `` You can leave. Please recall anything you borrowed. ``

Albus and Matt gathered up their stuff as well as everything they 'd borrowed from several Gryffindors. They stopped by the Hospital Wing to return the bottle and then headed back to their common room.

The two of them passed out everyone 's hooey and then went to sit down at their usual mesa. rose, John, Amanda, and Kaden joined them shortly.

`` That was fun, '' Rose said as she sat down.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Even though we were with Slytherins. Willinson was n't too bad. ``

`` That 's practiced, '' Gospel According to John said, `` I caught a coup d'oeil of him in the Gryffindor robes. Priceless. ``

`` Yeah, I thought so. Until I had to put on the Slytherin single, '' Albus replied.

John burst out laughing, `` I wish I 'd seen that ! ``

`` You 'll be able to, '' Albus told him, `` Patil took a picture. ``

`` Excellent. ``

`` Did n't any of you lot have to preen up ? '' Albus asked.

`` I was Helga Hufflepuff, '' John said.

`` And I was Godric Gryffindor, '' Amanda added.

`` How did everyone do on the list of hooey to find ? '' Matt asked.

`` I 'm pretty surely my squad was the exclusively one with a dismount saber ! '' Kaden said excitedly, `` I 'm so glad I decided to bring it. ``

`` We did all right hand, '' Rose shrugged, `` Missed a lot of stuff, but I think we did well in the trivia. ``

`` Of row you did, '' bathroom grinned. `` Hey, did anyone manage to find the potions bottle ? Slughorn did n't stimulate any dark-green unity and Madam Pomfrey looked cook to hex me when I asked her. It 's not really fair that Kendrick put something on there that was impossible to get. ``

Albus grinned at Matt, who grinned back.

`` What ? '' John asked.

`` We got it, '' Matt told him.

`` How ? '' Kaden asked, `` madam Pomfrey was downright scarey when I asked her. May have been because she was busy fixing soul 's give way arm, but still .... ''

`` mat asked her and she gave him one, '' Albus explained.

Matt shrugged, `` Simple, really. ``

John sighed, `` Well, you 're probably the only one in the school who could get it. She 'd probably yield you whatever you asked for. ``

`` Why ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

`` Sorry, not telling, '' trick replied.

Kaden sighed, `` Oh, percentage of that totally mystery I ca n't cognise about ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John said and then changed the subject, `` Hey, did any of you do the riddle affair ? ``

`` I did, '' rose said, `` Want to hear it ? ``

`` Of course of study, '' bathroom said.

`` Ok, I 'll see if you can get it. I thought it was a bit dim-witted, really, '' blush wine said. She pulled a piece of parchment out of her gown and read off of it.

'' 'In an upshot known by wizards universal
Where good and immorality are forced to jar
A dreadful force can now no longer reside.
A place where just one voice of Voldemort died .'''

Albus looked at can, lusterlessness, and Amanda and shrugged. He did n't mean it was simple, but Rose was good at those sorts of things.

`` No idea, '' John announced.

`` Dunno, '' matte shrugged.

`` Hmm, '' Amanda muttered.

`` Do n't look at me, '' Kaden said.

`` The Great anteroom ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the place where Voldemort died.

`` Nope, '' Rose grinned, `` That was the trick character. It 's actually that memorial outside, where Professor Longbottom killed Voldemort 's ophidian. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus groaned, `` Of course ! Did n't even think of that. ``

`` How long did it take you to visualize it out ? '' Matt asked.

`` Not long, '' Rose smiled, `` But then I had to succeed the clues to find the bit of information to give Professor Kendrick. ``

`` And where was that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` subroutine library, '' rosebush grinned, `` Herbology plane section. ``

`` Wonder how many teams got it, '' Albus thought aloud.

`` Well, my squad did, obviously, '' Rose said, `` And you said your squad did, Albus. What about you two ? ``

`` We did n't, '' lav sighed and Amanda shook her head.

`` We did, '' Kaden put in.

`` Guess we 'll find out this evening how everyone did, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` But I 'm not going to think about it now. power as well get some homework done. ``

Albus managed to get half an essay done before dinner. rose wine wrote an total essay and did a set of homework questions. Matt helped Amanda with her uranology and still got his Herbology done. lav and Kaden on the other hand, spent he rest of the afternoon goofing off and playing chess.

The turmoil was running high in the Great Hall during dinner that evening. Everyone was comparing what they managed to bump during the pack rat William Holman Hunt. Albus kept glancing up to the staff table to see when Kendrick would make the announcement, but he seemed to be waiting until the last minute to do so.

After what seemed similar forever, Kendrick got to his feet. `` Good evening, everyone. I hope all the commencement and sec years enjoyed the Scavenger hunt club. It was certainly a success and I 'm trusted the older students will take care forward to their turns.

`` And, without any further waiting, I shall announce the effect. The get-go, second, and third place teams will all be awarded medallion.

`` In third seat, with 572 breaker point, Team Two ! '' Kendrick announced, `` Will the members of Team Two please arrive up here. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus shouted and jumped up, `` Third topographic point, that 's not bad ! ``

`` Yeah, I 'd say that 's pretty ripe, '' Matt grinned and followed Albus up to the faculty table.

Albus and matt joined the rest of their team in front of the staff table. Kendrick put a bronze medal over each of their necks and pulled out a camera. He took a few word-painting and then told them to retort to their seats.

blush wine, Amanda, John, and Kaden congratulated Albus and Matt as they sat back down. A few of Albus 's first cousin patted him on the rear and told him serious job.

`` Excellent, Albus, '' Henry James grinned, `` But my team will get first base property following week. ``

`` I 'll consider it when I see it, '' Albus rolled his eyes.

`` And in instant place, with 580 points, is team Seven ! '' Kendrick announced.

The member of team seven ran up to the staff tabular array to get their silver medals and have their flick taken.

`` And in first place, with 673 points, is Team Six ! '' Kendrick shouted. `` felicitation to the winning squad ! ``

`` Woohoo ! '' Kaden stood up and started jumping up and down as he ran up to the stave table, `` Yes ! ``

`` Wow, who would 've thought that, '' rosiness grinned, `` Kaden 's squad won. ``

`` Well, he does have a very large amount of random stuff in his dormitory, '' Albus commented.

`` I 'll bet it was the light sabre that put his team over the boundary, '' John shook his brain, `` I mean, I think his team was the simply one to get it. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus shrugged.

`` I ca n't believe I won ! '' Kaden shouted as he sat back down with his big gold medal a few second later.

`` congratulations, '' Albus grinned, `` At least one of us got first post. ``

`` We were so shut down to second, '' matt groaned, `` Eight measly points ! ``

`` Well, third 's good, '' St. John the Apostle muttered, `` Better than not getting a medal at all. ``

`` Oh, John, it 's just a game, '' Amanda said, `` The period is that we all had fun. ``

`` Congratulations to our winning teams and everyone else that participated, '' Kendrick said, `` I will be looking forward to the following round, tertiary and twenty-five percent days, a week from today ! ``

Albus hung his bronze palm from his bed post before he went to bed that night. He crawled beneath the covers feeling very content with third gear property. He had n't really been expecting to win at all. The magpie Hunt had been a lot of fun, and Albus hoped Kendrick would hold it again sometime. It had been so much fun, that Albus had n't even thought about the new map the entire day. He made a mental bank bill to ask rosiness about the Sileo Altus charm the next day. They would receive to tell Kaden about everything soon if they wanted to pee-pee anymore progress on the map. Plus, they 'd stimulate to research more about how to evidence to the map that they really were like the Marauders.


A/N : Bit of a shorter chapter, but the previous one was longer, so it evens out. Kaden has proved that it never hurts to have got a light saber, a lesson that my brother agrees with since he brought his lighter saber to LeakyCon and quite a few citizenry told him they wished they 'd brought theirs.

I have created a site for my fan fic, where you can happen character profiles and a blog about news and updates about my composition. The link is on my profile page here. I 'd love for you to check it out and leave comments in the News and Update section.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, who had to garnish up as the Tin Man in in conclusion summertime 's magpie hunt. Big thanks to my friend, rosiness, for coming up with the enigma. Thanks as well to EvilChaos, XDNLxtlz99, Saint Luke, mischiefmaker92, drownzer, Moonylupin, Miguel, Denas, and Tonks for their critical review !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Throughout the eternal rest of the calendar month, Rose continued to make onward motion on the Sileo Altus charm, and by the time April rolled around, she was sure-footed in her ability to perform it. Albus wished the same could be said for the progress with finding out how to demonstrate to the map that he and his friends were like the Marauders. Albus spent every waking moment that he was n't doing preparation, attending Quidditch practice, or dueling practice, in the library trying to find out a charm or appealingness that would lick. His efforts were sleeveless, though, because he still had n't found anything promising.

Albus also had another successful dueling tournament. He won both of his affaire d'honneur as did Malfoy, but their team still had n't won. Albus was beginning to doubt whether they 'd ever win.

Albus 's succeeding Quidditch compeer was the first Saturday in April. He found himself distracted by the map even before he entered the changing room. They were playing Ravenclaw, and it was intemperate to enjoin who had the sound team, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Albus pushed thoughts of the map from his top dog as he walked into the changing elbow room.

Georgia gave the team the usual pep talking, which this time included telling them that if they won this friction match, they 'd be in the terminal. If Ravenclaw got less than 180 points, then Ravenclaw might not get to it to the final. GA did n't particularly care who they played in the concluding, just so long as they won.

The compeer went smoothly, in Albus 's opinion. Much better than the premature match, in which Albus got gruesome partway through. The conditions was safe for this compeer as well. Albus managed to keep from thinking about the map, which was good since it was a very high-scoring friction match for both sides and Albus was constantly being thrown the Quaffle. After only an hour of play, Saint James went into a dive and caught the canary, right out from under one of the Ravenclaw beater 's broom.

The common party in the common room ensued after the scholarly person returned to the castle, but Albus was n't really concerned in it. Now that the match was over, all he could suppose about was trying out the Sileo Altus charm on Kaden. Albus figured the unspoiled time to do it would be in the evening and the best place would be the Room.

Shortly after Rose had succeeded in performing the good luck charm on bathroom, lusterlessness had reluctantly given into trying it with Kaden. His only experimental condition was first trying it with a harmless mystery, and if that worked, to move onto the liberal one.

`` Are we doing it tonight ? '' John asked as he sipped his butterbeer.

`` Yeah, '' Albus whispered back, `` After dinner. ``

The rest of the afternoon and dinner seemed to go by at an alarmingly slow rate. clip seemed to go by much like it did in history of Magic.

`` Kaden, '' Albus said after they had finished eating, `` We 're not going to the common room now. We 're going to indicate you a different room in the rook, one you 've never seen. ``

`` Excellent, '' Kaden grinned, `` What kind of room ? ``

`` You 'll see when we get there, '' Albus replied. `` Let 's go. ``

Kaden followed Albus and his Friend through the castle, with a never-ending flow of questions that Albus ignored.

`` Are you sure this is going to sour ? '' Matt whispered nervously as they stopped in presence of the blank space of wall where the Room of Requirement was.

`` Yes, '' rose wine assured him, `` It will go. ``

Matt nodded and started pacing in front man of the wall.

`` Why did we stop ? '' Kaden asked, and then his eyes popped out of his headland as he saw the room access appear from nowhere. `` Wicked. ``

`` C'mon, '' Albus said as he opened the door.

`` What is this station ? '' Kaden asked in awe.

`` way of Requirement, '' Albus told him, `` Room that gives you what you need. ``

`` I ca n't trust you did n't depict me this yet ! ''

`` Well, it 's not something we want you to tell anyone about. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said, `` So it 'll break me anything I ask it for ? I think I want an total cake .... ''

`` It does n't do intellectual nourishment, '' pink wine explained.

`` Oh, well, it 's still brilliant. ``

`` Kaden, come sit down, '' Albus told his cousin.

`` You 're all so placid, '' Kaden said as he took a tail end on the couch succeeding to Albus, `` What 's going on ? ``

`` Well, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to screen something. rosiness found a charm that 's supposed to make someone not be capable to tell early people 's secrets. If it works, we 're going to tell you a bunch of poppycock and you wo n't be able to distinguish anyone. ``

`` What are you going to differentiate me ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` We have to establish sure the charm works first, '' Albus sighed, `` Which is why we 're here. Rose is going to perform the charm, using your knowledge of this elbow room as the enigma. If you have n't told anyone by next Saturday, we 'll evidence you the eternal sleep of it. ``

`` Fine, '' Kaden sighed, `` I ca n't believe you wo n't tell me without this charm. ``

`` Um, Kaden, you 've told Malfoy stuff I told you not to distinguish anyone, '' Albus reminded him.

`` That was n't my faulting ! ``

`` I know, but we 're not risking this. If you want to know the secrets, you 'll birth to have got Rose do the charm. ``

`` Ok, ok, I 'll do it, '' Kaden said.

`` good, '' Rose smiled, `` Now let 's get started. ``

It took blush wine about ten transactions to do the charm. Kaden was thoroughly amazed by the charm and pink wine 's ability to perform it.

`` Let 's tryout it, '' rosiness decided once they left the elbow room. She pointed to a missy who was walking towards them. `` Go narrate her about the Room. ``

Kaden shrugged and ran up to the fille, who looked to be around Kaden 's age and was in Hufflepuff.

`` Er, '' Kaden began, `` So there 's this place- '' Kaden turned around and looked confusedly at Albus, then turned back to the girl. `` Anyway, at this place, you can- ''

`` What 's wrong with you ? '' the little girl asked, trying to cover up her giggling. `` Are you ok ? ``

`` Fine, amercement, '' Kaden muttered, `` Never mind. ``

Kaden ran back to Albus and the others, blushing furiously. `` It worked, but now everyone 's going to think I 'm an idiot. ``

Albus laughed, `` No they wo n't. But that 's commodity that it worked. ``

`` Yeah, '' Kaden grinned, `` Definitely worth it. ``

******

Albus kept a close eye on Kaden throughout the future week. As far as he could tell, his first cousin did n't order anyone about the way of Requirement. They tested the appealingness a few more sentence, telling Kaden to secernate person about it, but Kaden was never able to. Albus was fully convinced that the Sileo Altus spell was a success.

Kaden was positively beaming by the sentence Saturday arrived. Albus was kind of excited as well, because they would officially have Wormtail in their group of new Marauders. John the Evangelist, Rose, and Amanda were excited as well. The solitary affair left to do after this would be to bump a way to try to the map that they were like the marauder. Matt did n't seem excited at all. He was clearly nervous about telling Kaden that he was a werewolf. It probably did n't help that the full moon was only a few sidereal day away. Albus could n't really fault flatness for his nerves, but Albus was sure the charm would continue to work.

After dinner party, Albus led his friends back to the elbow room of demand, with the new Map in his robes.

`` Ok, what 's the secret ? '' Kaden said as he bounced around the Room once they were inside.

`` You 've got to sit down first, '' Albus told him. `` And Matt 's going to say you the first one. ``

`` Oh ! '' A look of comprehension appeared on Kaden 's typeface. `` Is this about how you get sick every month ? ``

`` Yes, '' lustrelessness sighed.

`` And this is what you do n't want Malfoy to know about ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt said shortly, `` Now just let me distinguish you what it is. ``

`` Sorry, '' Kaden muttered.

`` It 's ok, '' Matt said, `` First, you ca n't tell anyone this. I mean, do n't even try to quiz the appealingness like we 've been doing all week. You ca n't even try to tell anyone this. Never mention it to anyone except us. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said.

`` Good. Now, you know that werewolves are real, right ? ``

Kaden nodded, `` What does that possess to do with you getting sick ? ``

`` Everything, '' mat said quietly, `` I am a werewolf. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That is the coolest matter ever ! ``

`` No it 's not, '' Matt sighed, `` You do n't even really jazz what happens when I turn into a werewolf. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I 've seen movies. ``

`` It 's not like that, '' Matt told him, `` I get sick a few days before the replete moon, and then the dark of the full Moon, I turn into a savage and bite myself because there 's nada else for me to bite. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden deflated, `` So where do you go when you turn into a beast ? ``

`` A hut in Hogsmeade. ``

`` The shrieking Shack ? ``

`` Yes, that, '' Matt replied, `` I 'm the one who does the shriek. ``

`` Now that is cool, '' Kaden grinned. `` How long have you been a werewolf ? ``

`` Since I was five. ``

`` That 's a farseeing time, '' Kaden said.

`` Most of my life, '' Matt explained, `` It 's ugly, really. ``

`` And that 's the big secret ? '' Kaden asked, `` Why ca n't anyone recognize that ? ``

`` Because most necromancer do n't like werewolves, '' mat explained.

`` well that 's stupid. ``

`` Yeah, it is, but it 's reality. ``

`` But why is n't there a spell to make you not a loup-garou anymore ? Or a potion ? ``

`` magic trick does n't fix everything, '' Matt sighed.

`` Yeah, that 's what I 've been trying tell you for the totally year, '' Albus pointed out.

`` But why ? ``

`` Dunno, '' mat shrugged, `` But there is a potion, called the Wolfsbane Potion, that 's supposed to gain it so you keep your man mind when you turn into a masher. So you do n't want to attack anyone or yourself. ``

`` Why do n't you submit that ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I do, '' Matt told him, `` Actually, I take a different variety than most werewolves take. For some understanding, wolfbane does n't work for me. I 'm in this study at St. Mungo 's to figure out why and right now they 've got me taking a new kind of Wolfsbane. ``

`` Department of Energy it work ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' lusterlessness replied, `` That 's kind of why I still bite myself every full moon. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. `` So someday they might ascertain a potion that will make ? ``

Matt shrugged, `` Maybe. But I 'm not getting my hope up. ``

`` So I 'll be charmed not to say anything about this ? '' Kaden asked after a few moments of silence.

`` Yes, '' Albus replied, pulling the new map out of his robes, `` And about this. ``

Albus spent the next half minute showing Kaden the new map. Kaden thought it was the best matter he had seen yet at Hogwarts and could n't wait for it to completely work.

`` So we need you to represent Peter Pettigrew, '' Albus said after he 'd finished explaining about the map.

`` cock Pettigrew ? '' Kaden raised his eyebrows, `` That evil bloke who betrayed your grandparents ? ``

`` Er, yes, '' Albus sighed.

`` You know my mum wanted to name me Peter, but Dad said no because he did n't need me to ingest the same epithet as that moron, '' Kaden commented, `` So it 's my eye gens. ``

`` perfect, '' John grinned, `` You even sort of part his name. ``

`` Will you do it ? '' Albus asked.

`` I guess so, '' Kaden said slowly, `` I mean, it 's not like I 'm going to be like Pettigrew now. ``

`` No, '' Albus agreed, `` But you have to be variety of like him for it to influence. And you are because you 've sort of got the same name. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I guess. Anyway, when are you going to get the map to work ? ``

`` Whenever we figure out how to prove to it that we 're like the Marauders. Somehow we 've got to show the map that we are interchangeable to the Marauders, '' Albus explained, `` Which is taking forever. ``

`` Oh, you mean like a finger mark ? '' Kaden asked.

`` What ? '' Albus asked.

`` You know, a digit print. Everyone 's is unlike, but your finger's breadth print is standardized to your relatives. It 's how Muggle cops find hoi polloi and stuff when they 're missing. And how they identify consistence. ``

`` A finger print ! '' rose wine exclaimed, `` That 's it ! I ca n't believe I did n't guess of it ! ``

`` What are you talking about ? '' John asked. `` Kaden just said everyone 's is unlike. So how will ours be like the predator'? ``

`` Not Muggle finger print, '' Rose said, `` Wizard one. There 's a spell to get your hotshot 's fingerbreadth photographic print. It reveals your name, relatives, even your personality. ``

`` That 's kind of scary, '' Albus said, `` Anyone can find that stuff out if they 've got your fingerbreadth mark ? ``

`` Yeah, '' rose shrugged, `` But I think it will puzzle out for this. ``

`` hope so, '' Albus grinned. He could n't believe that Kaden had actually given rose wine an idea about the map. Kaden had helped with it. If this finger print thing worked, they could own the map figured out in no time.

`` We 'll look for it tomorrow, '' Rose stood up and drew her wand, `` Now let 's do the charm. ``

Albus nodded, feeling more excited than he had in months. They were so close, he could just feel it. The map would be working soon. Of course of study, there was a nagging doubtfulness in Albus 's gut that was telling him that there would be something to visualize out even after the finger mark thing.

******

`` What are you going to signalise up for ? '' John asked as he glanced over the parchment all the second days had received just a minute earlier.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` What about you, mat ? ``

`` maintenance of Magical Creatures, '' matt replied, `` Not sure what else. ``

`` I 'll do that one, too, '' Albus decided and wrote it down on his parchment. `` Hagrid Teach it, so it 'll be fun. ``

`` Sign me up, '' John said, `` I could use with a fun class. ``

`` You ought to recall about what will be useful in your future vocation, '' rose told them.

`` But I 've got no musical theme what I want to do, '' John said.

Albus had no idea either. He had n't really thought about it. He thought being an Auror would be a undecomposed job, but he was n't sure that that was what he wanted to do. He still had five old age at Hogwarts anyway, why decide now ?

`` Me either, '' Amanda agreed, `` I think I 'll do concern of Magical fauna, too. ``

`` I 'm taking Muggle Studies, '' Rose announced, `` Plus Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. ``

`` All three ? '' whoremonger asked, `` But we only have to take two. ``

`` Yeah, but I want to take all of them. I 'd really like to take up upkeep of Magical Creatures, too, but there 's not enough clock time. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Divination, '' john shrugged.

Rose snorted, `` fortune telling ? Mum says that should n't even be a subject. There 's no real acquisition involved. ``

`` But is it easy ? '' Gospel According to John asked.

`` Uncle Ron said all you 've got to do is pull in up prognostication about your death if you 've got Trelawney, '' Albus explained.

`` Excellent, '' trick scribbled onto his parchment, `` I 'll take that and hope I 've got Trelawney. ``

`` I 'm taking that, too, '' Amanda said, `` It actually sounds matter to. ``

`` Fine, '' Rose sighed, `` But I still say it 's not really a bailiwick. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Ancient Runes, '' Albus thought aloud, `` I think it 's easier than Arithmancy. What about you, matte ? What else do you reckon you 'll deal ? ``

`` Ancient runic letter sounds serious, '' lusterlessness yawned, `` I guess I 'll get hold of that. Amy took it. She hated it in Australia, but she said it 's punter here. ``

`` I 'd take everything, '' Kaden announced, `` I could n't decide. ``

`` You ca n't take everything, '' blush wine laughed, `` You 'd have to be in two places at once. ``

`` Oh, well I 'm pretty trusted that 's impossible, '' Kaden sighed.

Albus turned and grinned at blush wine, who grinned back. Albus could only conceive of Kaden 's response to a time-turner.

`` Yeah, the most stratum you can learn is three, '' pink wine explained.

`` Then I 'll ask three, '' Kaden decided.

`` Are you lot done choosing family ? '' Rose asked as she stood up, `` We 'd better get to metamorphosis. ``

Albus spent the total Transfiguration family trying to ferment his plate into a bowl, and had almost managed to do it by the metre the class was over. Rose, of course, did it within ten minutes and spent the oddment of the course of study helping Albus and the rest of their friends.

chronicle of Magic was as boring as ever. Matt slept the full social class, and Albus felt himself nod off a few times. matte had seemed very trite in Transfiguration and probably would suffer fallen asleep in that family if it were n't for the fact that it was a practical lesson. This was n't surprising considering the fact that the full synodic month was the following day. The therapist still had n't found something to counteract the side effect of utmost fatigue of the new Aconitum lycoctonum that mat was on.

Double Potions was after lunch, and Albus felt drowsy as soon as he walked into the room. This was odd since he had felt very well a moment before. He did n't appear to be the alone one who felt this either. Both John the Evangelist and Amanda yawned as soon as they sat down, and even rosebush 's eyes drooped a bit as she pulled out her parchment. mat laid his head down on the desk and fell asleep immediately.

`` Good afternoon, everyone ! '' Slughorn said, `` Now, I 'm sure you 're all feeling a bit tired, which is perfectly normal.

`` This, '' Slughorn gestured to a smoking caldron on his desk, `` Is somnolence Potion. All it takes is one whiff of this potion to put you into a state of fatigue. If you drink it, you 'll decrease into an almost sleep-like state for about a half time of day. Of class, you 'd know this if you did the reading that was due today. ``

Albus remembered being assigned the reading, but he had n't done it. He had just been too meddling with Quidditch practice, dueling practice, and all his other homework.

`` You will be trying to brew this today, but you will only do one-half of it, '' Slughorn announced, `` It needs to simmer for about a week before you can discharge it. program line are on the circuit board. Work with your usual cooperator. ``

Albus yawned and got up from his tabular array. He joined Limbert at his tabular array and lit the fire under the cauldron while Limbert collected ingredients.

The stallion course was moving at a slower pace than common, and everyone was yawning every few proceedings. It was kind of strange. nobody was arguing with their mate either. Albus wondered if Slughorn had picked this specific potion for a reasonableness. The past week, a duel had broken out between John and Goyle, resulting in both of them being sent to the hospital Wing for burns and then being assigned a calendar week 's worth of detention.

Limbert returned wit the fixings and he and Albus started to machinate them, without exchanging any conversation. No different than usual.

Albus dumped some ingredient into the cauldron and began to conjure up it. He watched lustrelessness and Malfoy as he did so. Malfoy had returned with component and was prodding Matt with his sceptre to get him to wake up.

`` What are you doing ? '' Albus whispered to Malfoy.

`` Waking him up, '' Malfoy said.

`` Wha-what 's going on ? '' Matt lifted up his head.

`` Chop up those cherry antecedent, '' Malfoy instructed. Albus was surprised with how settle down Malfoy seemed.

Matt nodded and picked up his knife. Albus went back to stirring his potion.

`` Professor ! '' Malfoy said after a few instant. `` He keeps falling asleep. ``

Albus looked up from the beetle eyes he was mincing. flatness was once again asleep on the table.

`` Ah, '' Slughorn waddled over to Matt and Malfoy 's mesa, `` The somnolence Potion affects everyone differently. '' Slughorn shook Matt 's articulatio humeri. `` dearest boy, you might desire to go to the Hospital Wing. I do n't think the fumes from this potion are agreeing with you. They 're not supposed to put you into a deep quietus. ``

matte nodded and stood up. He stumbled and leaned back onto the desk.

`` Albus, '' Slughorn turned to Albus, `` Perhaps you could see him. I 'm sure enough Mr. Limbert can care your potion. ``

`` All right, '' Albus laid down his tongue and went over to where matte was standing.

Albus grabbed his arm and led him out of the room. Albus felt immediately better as soon as they shut the threshold. The sleepiness went away completely.

`` I 've got to sit down, '' Matt mumbled and sat down on the floor.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked, sitting down following to him.

`` I dunno, '' lustrelessness shrugged, `` I 'm guessing that that potion just made me even more tired than I already am. ``

`` Do you sense better now ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not really, '' mat replied.

`` Then you 'd meliorate get to the infirmary annex. ``

`` Yeah, I suppose. ``

gentlewoman Pomfrey wanted Matt to stay put for the balance of the afternoon. Albus was n't even certainly if she 'd let him leave at all before the full moon. Knowing the nurse, she probably wouldn't.

Matt never came back from the hospital annex that night, so Albus assumed ma'am Pomfrey was keeping him there until after the replete moon. Albus and the balance of his friends decided that as soon as flatness was out of the infirmary Wing, they would start looking for the Wizard 's finger print charm. rosiness was reasonably sure she had seen it in the program library somewhere, but she could n't remember where. That meant that they would spend hours scouring the entire subroutine library for it. This was in add-on to all the special studying they had to do now that the end of term exams were less than two months away. Albus just hoped they 'd be able to figure out the map before school was over. It would be pointless to cipher it out during the summer, when they would n't even be able to use it.


A/N : I hope everyone has enjoyed Half-Blood Prince or do enjoy it if you have n't seen it yet ! Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, EvilChaos, phoenixy friend, XDNLxtlz99, Tears of a Phoenix, Denas, Miguel, St. Luke, and tranc3rooney for their review article !