Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


On Christmas Eve the potter went to Godric 's hole, like common. It was completely drab by the time they Apparated to the Burrow, but there was plenty of brightness level streaming out of the tall house 's windows. As they walked closer to the place, Albus could hear the roars of laugh coming from inside.

`` Harry ! '' the door to the Burrow flew open air and George stood in the doorway to recognize them, a mug of eggnog in his helping hand. `` How are ya, pair ? ``

`` I 'm big, George. I see you 're already intoxicated, '' Harry grinned at him.

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

Albus smiled to himself as he saw the usual chaos that was Christmas Eve at his grandparents'house. His sea of redheaded cousins were milling around eating and laughing with each other. This was what Albus loved about Christmastime at the tunnel. He grabbed a couple biscuits from the nearby tabular array and went to chance rose wine. She was sitting on the trading floor near the fireplace with Hugo, Victoire, and Teddy.

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

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

`` Not a lot. Uncle St. George, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Charlie are drunk. My dad 's on his way and so is Aunt Alicia. ``

`` Would n't be Dec 25 Eve if they were n't, '' Albus laughed.

`` Gran 's been refilling the biscuit platters 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 workforce 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 listen to the wireless. She was the but one hearing, though. Albus could hear snatch and pieces of a heated Quidditch word going on between his Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, Aunt Alicia, and Heather. Harry was making his way over to them now. It amazed Albus that his uncles and auntie could carry on a fully graspable 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 match 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 apartment, it would 've gotten awfully boring. ``

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

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

`` Oh, Albus, '' Rose began, `` Both John and Amanda can arrive to my theater on the 28th. Well, they can only do over for the day, but that should be enough time. matte 's still not sure. He said he wo n't know until after he gets back from Australia. ``

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

`` Quidditch ? '' Hugo snapped his head away from his burnt umber frog scorecard, `` Can I play ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus replied.

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

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

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

`` It 's all right if I go to Rose 's house on the 28th, right ? And bide a duo Day ? ``

`` That would be okay, '' Harry said, `` But we 're actually going to Dudley 's menage for New class 's Eve, so we 'll come up 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 in force melodic theme, considering that Kaden is a sensation, '' Harry explained.

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

`` I 'm sure they 'll be ... civilized, at to the lowest degree, '' Harry gave Albus a hug before leaving to come back his Quidditch discussion.

`` Well, at least I can follow over for a few daytime, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but you 've got to go see the Dursleys, '' Teddy screwed up his cheek in disgust.

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

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

`` That 'll prepare it even more interesting, '' Albus grinned.

`` You know, he 'd fit justly in with this lot, '' Rose gestured to the loud and boisterous Weasley phratry around them. `` Except without the red pilus. ``

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

`` Neither do I, '' Victoire agreed.

`` I do, '' Teddy laughed as he changed his hair from its common blue to red.

`` You 're not technically a Weasley, '' rose wine commented.

`` Close sufficiency. And anyway, who knows what 'll encounter in the succeeding few years, '' Teddy winked at Victoire, who giggled. Teddy threw his arms around Victoire and kissed her.

`` bettor not let granny see you doing that, '' blush wine warned.

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

`` Do n't do that ! '' Rose groaned, `` And I do break rules. Just ask Albus. ``

Teddy shortened his hair again and turned to Albus. `` Really ? ``

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

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

`` Maybe another fourth dimension, '' Albus glanced at rose. Albus had n't really decide whether or not to state Teddy about the new map. well-nigh of rosiness 's and Albus 's most recent pattern breaking was done in order to trace it. Albus knew he was n't going to enjoin his cousins about it, but he was n't sure about Teddy and St. James the Apostle. One constituent of him thought they deserved to lie with, considering that their founder and granddaddy were both Marauders, but on the other hand he kind of liked keeping it a secret.

`` Aw, come on, tell me. ``

`` Another time, '' rose said adamantly.

`` Oh, mulct, '' slip huffed, `` But I will get out. ``

Albus spent the rest of the evening talking and playing plot with Rose, Teddy, and Victoire. He was really enjoying the time off from school and getting to spend time with his entire household at once. By the time he climbed up to the attic bedroom that he shared with St. James the Apostle and a few of their cousin, he was tired and stuffed from all the biscuits.

******

`` King James I ! Albus ! '' Albus snapped his eyes open at the sound of his name the next morning. He immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Lily. He heard her footfall bounding into the room. `` Albus, Epistle of James ! It 's Noel ! arouse up ! ``

`` Hi Lily, '' Albus yawned.

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

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

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

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

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

After Lily 's other wake-up outcry, everyone in Albus 's elbow room was up. Albus settled down to open his own big money of presents with the other male child. The first few box were filled with sweets and various Weasley 's Wizard Wheezes products. The succeeding was this year 's Weasley pinafore. It had a red quaffle stitched onto the front with a navy blue blueing setting. `` Opened your pinny yet, St. James ? ``

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

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

`` Excellent. ``

Albus opened the following few present, which consisted of legion playscript and other wear particular. He also got a Broomstick Servicing Kit, which would be useful since his Firebolt 2000 had a few branchlet that needed to be plucked. Albus saved the present from his parents for last and was about to open it when James gave an excited yell 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 Saint James 's bed.

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

Saint James the Apostle had a huge smiling on his aspect as he held up a blank shell piece of lambskin. `` seem what I got. ``

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

`` He sure did ! '' James shouted.

`` This is arrant ! '' Cedric exclaimed.

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

`` That 's gravid, Jesse James, '' Albus smiled, `` But why you and not me ? '' Albus could n't help but feel a lilliputian left field out, even though he now had his own vulture 's Map that would potentially be better than the original. But his dad did n't jazz about that, so why did he fall in the Map to James II ?

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

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

What he saw made his mouth decline open in shock absorber. This would explain why St. James got the Map ! Sitting in the middle of the shoot down swathe, was the Invisibility Cloak. `` He, he gave me the Cloak, '' Albus whispered.

`` well, 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 wine went through all that trouble of stealing it earlier in the month and now he got it for Christmas. `` guesswork this is why Dad wanted the Map back. ``

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

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

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

`` Of course 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, '' Albus wrapped the Cloak around himself and left the way. He had never worn the Cloak at the Burrow before and he thought it was really funny that he passed Eddie on the stairs and Eddie did n't even notice him. He pushed open the threshold to the way that rosebush shared with Victoire, Georgia, Gabriella, and ling and waited for the girlfriend'reactions.

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

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

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

`` Dad gave it to me ! ''

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

`` I just ca n't believe he gave you that, '' rosebush grinned, `` I 'll bet St. James the Apostle is covetous. ``

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

`` Wow ! '' Rose shouted, `` That 's unbelievable. And you can part 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 believe that his dad had actually given him the Cloak ! He did n't remember Harry would ever cave in it up. The best part was that he was now even more like his granddad had been at Hogwarts. Albus was even more of a predator now that he had the Cloak.

Albus continued down the stairs and into the kitchen of the Burrow. A few of his first cousin, aunt, and uncles were already up and starting to eat breakfast. Harry and Ginny were there as well, along with Lily. His gran was tending to multiple cauldron at once, while simultaneously bringing diverse items to the tabular array. Albus watched them all for a few consequence before pulling the Cloak off and shouting, `` happy Christmas ! ``

posting choked on his coffee and spue it across the board at Saint 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 across-the-board afford. mollie dropped the roll of oatmeal she had been bringing to the table. Everyone else looked at Albus with various flavour of shock and amusement.

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

`` You gave him the Cloak ? '' 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 immense hug, `` give thanks ! ``

`` You 're welcome, '' Harry smiled, `` I figured you should be able to revel 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, intellection of when he snuck down to the Whomping Willow with it only two calendar week ago. `` James IV and I are going to share it. Same with the Map. ``

`` Wait, you gave him the Marauder 's Map, too ? '' St. George stared at Harry.

`` No, James got that. ``

`` I did n't guess you 'd ever turn over that away, '' George V laughed.

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

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

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

`` That wo n't protect them from thaumaturge already in the palace ! '' Molly commented, `` Remember that Willinson kid last year ? ``

`` How could I leave ? Sometimes, you just have to take risk of infection in guild to live a small. I trust the boys enough to hump they wo n't go wandering around late at night very often. And if you see anything suspicious on the Map, '' Harry turned to Albus, `` order me about it right away. ``

Albus nodded. `` certain. '' 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 brilliant ! ``

`` I 'll say you what I told Al. Do n't use that to part too many rule and if you see anything abnormal on it, evidence me right away. ``

`` hullo, Weasleys ! '' slip strolled into the room, his whisker one-half green and half red. He sat down future to Albus and pulled a platter of eggs towards him. `` Happy Xmas. ``

`` I know your hair is Christmas Day gloss, but those two gloss just should n't be paired together, '' James shuddered as he noticed Teddy 's tomentum. `` I mean, Gryffindor and Slytherin at the same sentence ? ``

`` It 's festal, '' chemise grinned. `` You want me to beguile yours to be red and green, too ? Just learned some excellent spell for that kind of thing in training. Not that I 'll ask them. ``

`` No thanks, '' Saint James the Apostle had a look of disgust on his facial expression. `` I 'll keep the champaign red. ``

`` Is that ... '' Teddy looked at the sheepskin Saint James the Apostle was holding, `` The vulture 's Map ? ``

`` Oh, yeah ! Sure is ! '' James River handed it to Teddy, `` Got it for Yuletide ! ``

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

`` I got the Cloak. ``

teddy bear turned to Albus, `` Really ? That 's with child, too ! indirect request I had an Invisibility Cloak. ``

`` But you can mold those disillusion good luck charm, '' Albus pointed out.

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

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

`` Aw, get along on, '' King James groaned.

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

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

`` We 'll part, '' Albus assured them. He would n't mind sharing with Lily, just as long as she kept the Cloak arcanum. The endure thing they needed was the intact castle knowing about it.

`` trade good, '' Harry smiled, `` Now who 's up for a little wintertime Quidditch ? ``

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

******

Albus spent most of the day playing Quidditch outside with his family. Eventually they all had to come in because they were too insensate to play any foresighted. Plus, it started snowing pretty voiceless and nobody wanted to lose the Snitch. Albus spent the rest of the day with rosiness and reading a few of his new record book. The Cloak was passed around between his cousins, and well-nigh of them were amazed Harry had given it to him, and a little envious as well. King James I passed the Map around and everyone had fun watching the few dots that were left in the castle.

Christmas Day dinner party came and went in its usual chaotic State Department. It was cheap and peculiar and Albus enjoyed every min of it. He went to bed feeling very full and very contentedness. The next day Albus 's aunts, uncles, and cousins all started to leave. Albus and Rose 's families stayed for a couple more days, but they soon had to leave so Albus 's grandparents could go on holiday for New twelvemonth 's. Albus was actually excited to leave because he would be going to rosebush 's house and hopefully getting the hart print.

Albus landed in rosiness 's support room after Flooing from the Burrow. His Uncle Ron, rose wine, and Victor Hugo had already arrived and his Aunt Hermione was right behind him. There was an owl waiting next to the windowpane and Hermione ran over to let it in.

`` That 's matt 's owl, '' Albus announced as he and rosebush went over to retrieve the letter. Albus opened the envelope and scanned the letter, `` He can come, but only for tomorrow. We 're supposed to meet him at the Leaky caldron at eleven. ``

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

Albus found a pinion and quickly scribbled a answer on the back of the letter and sent it off with the owl. He and Rose ran up the stairs and into rosebush 's room to verbalize about program for getting the print.

`` I hope you 've got some estimate, '' Albus said as he shut pink wine 's door.

`` Of grade I do, '' rosiness grinned. `` We 'll tell my parents that we 're going to go exploring in the forest and we 'll see for a stag while we 're in there. Once we find one, we 'll all try and daze it- ''

`` What about the underage magic legal philosophy ? '' Albus definitely did n't want someone from the Ministry showing up shortly after they stunned a stag. The last thing 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 evidence who 's done the magic, only that magic 's been done. The Ministry has no way to severalise if it was us or my parents who performed the trick. ``

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

`` Yes, really. The Ministry just relies on parents to not let their youngster use magic remote school. So I would n't indicate doing it a lot. I 'm sure we 'd get in big trouble 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 need to bump the law either, but what could they do ? There was no way to get a stag photographic print if the stag was n't stunned. `` I just hope we actually find one tomorrow. ``

`` Me, too. But we do have a couple mean solar day. You 'll be here until the 31st, so that 's four years to get it. ``

`` Yeah, but lavatory and lusterlessness want to help, too. ``

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

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

`` Yup, '' rosebush grinned.

`` Now we 've just got to find the magical spell to hold on Kaden tranquilize, '' Albus replied.

`` You 're going to tell him everything after I find that appealingness ? '' 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 sure he 'll be a better one. But it 's up to lustrelessness whether he wants to tell Kaden he 's a werewolf. ``

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

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

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

`` Let 's just try and get the stag print first, '' Albus suggested, `` Then we 'll figure out the Kaden affair. ``


A/N : J.K. Rowling did state in an interview that Harry was n't going to give the map and the cloak to James & Al, but it fits the secret plan so I 'm just ignoring that for this serial. 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, Rose, and Hermione went to the Leaky cauldron the succeeding day to see lustrelessness 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 matte and Amanda were already there.

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

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

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

`` What ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Ca n't show you here, '' Albus whispered. `` I 'll record 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 auf wiedersehen to his aunt and turned back to the Floo. Within seconds he was back in rose 's living way. A few minutes later all his admirer were back as well.

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

`` Yeah, '' mat agreed, `` sort of looks like mine. ``

`` Thanks, '' Rose replied.

`` So, Albus, what did you get for Yuletide ? '' matt asked.

`` This, '' Albus pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of his cloak pocket. 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 amazing ! ``

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

`` And to think we slip it just a few calendar week ago, '' John snorted.

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

`` Oh, sorry. ``

`` But this is n't all, '' Albus continued, `` Jesse James got the marauder 's Map. ``

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

`` He did. ``

`` You two are so lucky, '' flatness replied.

`` But we 'll have our own Map soon anyway, '' Amanda pointed out as she dug around in the bag she brought. She produced a crumpled piece of lambskin with a paw photographic print on it that was slightly smaller than the werewolf print.

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

`` I hope it 'll work. newton would n't stay still and the parchment is kind of scrunch. ``

`` I 'm sure it will make for, '' Albus said.

`` Good thing we did n't receive the prints go directly on the map, '' Matt replied.

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

Everyone agreed and headed into the kitchen to forage up some food for thought. Ron had already created an tremendous sandwich and was eating it when Albus and the others walked in. They all liked the idea of making giant sandwiches and were soon eating alongside Ron. Albus thought John the Divine 's sandwich looked disgusting because it was piled high gear with turkey, pickles, and earthnut butter. Rose shuddered as she saw him bite into it, but he thought it tasted delicious.

`` I ca n't conceive you ate that entire thing, '' pink wine screwed up her cheek in disgust after John ate the last bite of his lunch.

`` It was good, '' he shrugged.

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

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

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

Once they were all done with tiffin, rosebush and Albus led the way outside and over to the forest. The woodland was situated next to the magnanimous open force field that was side by side to the business firm. Albus and rose went exploring in it quite a bit and knew their way around it well. The group crunched across the snow laden sphere until they came to the woodland 's sharpness. Rose found the way of life they usually took and lead the grouping down it. `` Keep your centre pealed for a hart, '' she told everyone.

`` This reminds me of the forest near my old home in Commonwealth of Australia, '' Matt commented after a few minute of arc of walking.

`` How was Australia this year ? '' Albus asked, remembering that his friend just returned to United Kingdom the old day.

`` It was all right. No different than common. It was boring of course, and my grandmother kept telling us how we should visit more often. ``

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

`` Do n't opine so. Mum and Dad do n't really want to. Plus they want to go natter my Uncle diddlysquat in New York this summer. ``

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

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

The group continued walking into the woodland until pink wine announced that it would be undecomposed if they sat completely still and waited for a hart to walk by. She said their movement would scare off the creatures away. Albus sat down in the snow behind a shrub with his friends and watched and listened for animals. After a half 60 minutes of waiting, Albus was bored. How long was it going to select for a stag to hybridise their path ? He would much rather just walk around to obtain one. Rose seemed perfectly content to sit still, as did lustrelessness. John had made a turgid slew of Baron Snow of Leicester balls, along with a Charles Percy Snow ace. Amanda was busy creating a C. P. Snow crone to go along with his wizard.

`` I 'm bored, '' John sighed as he made yet another Snow orb. `` How long is this going to rent ? ``

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

Albus glanced at his lookout man, `` Well it 's just after two, so if we do n't receive one soon, we 'll have to go back. '' He stared into the woodland and willed a stag to amount. Albus was getting frustrated by this gunpoint. They needed that snitch photographic print for the map ! There was no stead else to find oneself one. What if they could n't find a stag before the end of the holiday ? They would have to await until the summer to search again. Albus could n't wait that tenacious. He wanted the map now.

`` time lag, '' Matt stood up and turned around, `` I think I hear something over there. '' He pointed to a bunch of bushes a dyad cadence away.

`` I do n't hear it, '' John replied.

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

flatness started slowly making his way towards the clustering of George W. Bush. Albus and the others followed behind, nobody saying a Book. `` wand ready, '' lustrelessness whispered.

Albus pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the bushes, his mind racing with excitement as he went. This was it ! They were going to get the hart print ! Part of Albus 's mind knew that this was n't necessarily a stag, but he did n't pay attention to that. What else could it be ? nigh of the animals in the woods were too small to be rustling the George H.W. Bush this much. As Albus got closer to it, he could distinctly hear the footprints of the animal, and they were much too loud to be a rabbit or a squirrel. There were n't many large animals in the timber, rat being some of the few. It could be a doe, but Albus hoped it wasn't.

The group was now only a couple feet away from the scrub. Everyone had their wand pointed at them, waiting for the animate being to make its coming into court. The instant Albus saw the leave-taking part, he shouted, `` Stupefy ! ``

`` Stupefy ! '' rose, John, Matt, and Amanda all shouted at once.

Whatever was in the George Bush jumped to the position and missed all five sensational spells. `` Whoa ! What the bloody sin do you lot think you 're doing ! ''

It was Teddy. The disturbance Matt had heard in the Dubyuh was Teddy. Albus lowered his wand and sighed. So much for finding a stag. Now that teddy bear was with them, they would no longer be capable to await. Albus turned to his friends and saw them all put their scepter away.

Teddy fully emerged from the bush and walked over to where Albus was with a bewildered look on his font. `` Do I even want to know what you 're up to ? ``

`` Er, '' Albus began, trying to guess up an alibi fast.

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

`` shriek, maybe ? '' Teddy gave them a askew grinning, `` But not attack me. ``

`` So you were trying to dash us ? '' Rose said exasperatingly

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

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

`` It 's sort of coldness to be going for a wage hike, '' teddy commented, `` But Ron said you were here, so I figured I 'd see if I could find you. '' He eyed John 's pile of Abronia elliptica and grinned, `` Planning on having a blow lump fight ? ``

shift did n't wait for an answer and picked up a few of John 's Abronia elliptica. He threw one at Albus and the other at rosebush.

`` follow it ! '' Albus shouted as the snowball made striking with his boldness. He spat out the C. P. Snow and bent down to arrive at his own Snow ball. He aimed it at chemise but chemise jumped out of the way and it hit mat instead.

`` Hey ! '' Matt shouted as he picked up one of whoremaster 's Abronia elliptica and threw it at Albus. It landed square on Albus 's chest.

A few moments later, a huge sweet sand verbena fighting broke out. It was every man for himself for a while and Albus was getting pummeled by Teddy 's snowballs. He tried to get Teddy back, but teddy was too quick for him. Instead, Albus decided to focus on Matt, who was trying to get Albus back for the sweet sand verbena that had hit him instead of Teddy. Rose eventually joined Albus in his effort to get Matt, while Amanda evened out the odds by joining Matt 's incline. bathroom, who seemed to be the only if one with enough acquirement to hit teddy bear, was having a one-on-one battle with the amobarbital sodium haired boy and was actually doing well.

The six of them were completely soaked by the time the engagement ended. Matt and Amanda surrendered to Rose and Albus after the cousins decided to create about twenty snowball and lob them constantly at their two friends. John surrendered to Teddy a few minutes later, once Teddy decided to charm a pile of Baron Snow of Leicester to wrench itself into Abronia elliptica, resulting in a never-ending supply of ammunition for shimmy. John did n't know that turn and was stuck hand 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 rose wine '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.

`` Sounds secure, '' Teddy replied, `` Harry and James should be at the house by now.

A little while later, Albus found himself back at Rose 's house, where everyone was waiting for the Quidditch match to bug out. Albus, along with his supporter, ran upstairs to dry off and shift quickly.

`` Ready ? '' Teddy jumped up from the chair he was sitting on once Albus and his friends descended the steps. `` Who has n't got a Calluna vulgaris with them ? ``

`` Me, '' Amanda said. She was the only one. bathroom and lustrelessness, who both had brooms, had brought them knowing they would play Quidditch.

`` We 've got fifth wheel, '' Ron announced, holding a couple broom in his hand.

Once everyone had a broom to use, Teddy started to hold charge of creating teams. `` All right hand. Let 's see, we 've got Me, Harry, Ron, St. James, Albus, John the Divine, flatness, Amanda, Hugo, and blush wine, are you playing ? ``

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

`` commodity, then we 've got ten role player. That 's five per team. So each team will hold a Seeker, a beater, a steward, and two pursuer, that 'll work. I 'll be one of the quester, '' he turned to Harry and James River, `` Which one of you will be the former ? ``

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

After a few minutes of organizing, the two squad were created. Albus 's squad consisted of shift as Seeker, Ron as Keeper, Hugo as the lonesome Beater, and Matt and himself as the two Chasers. On the former team, St. James was searcher, Amanda was custodian, John was the Beater, and Rose and Harry as Chasers.

The two squad trooped outside into the cold wintertime day. It was just starting to lead by the nose a niggling, but Albus did n't take care. He would stay fresh warm while he was playing anyway. Harry and Ron conjured finish hoops and everyone flew into the air. Hermione released the ballock ( only one Bludger, since there were only two beaters ) and threw the Quaffle into the air, then conjured herself a chair to watch.

The couple was nothing like the ones at Hogwarts. It was much more informal, and in a way, Albus enjoyed it more. There was only well-disposed competition between the two team and no one got angry when someone dropped the Quaffle, which happened a lot. The two teams were pretty evenly matched in terms of Chasing skill. Albus, who was the only real chaser on either team, was easily the outflank. Harry was a enough pursuer, but it was net that Seeking was his real attainment. pink wine was absolutely frightening and was the low to accommodate it. She was n't a big fan of flying in the foremost spot and did n't like to necessitate her custody off her broom in order to catch and throw the Quaffle. Matt was break than rosebush, but dropped the Quaffle numerous times. Albus and matte scored more full point than Harry and rose wine did.

Ron, of course of instruction, was a very good steward and Amanda was as well. Albus was sort of surprised at this, because she never really played Quidditch before. Maybe she could try out for the Gryffindor squad once Sakartvelo left. John was an astound Beater and Albus already knew that he 'd be trying out for the team after Omar Nelson Bradley and Ryan left. Hugo was also a very good Beater and it was obvious he had received all the Quidditch cistron in his family. Then, of course, there were the quester. Both teddy and William James were amazing Seekers and by far the two best players on either team.

After about an time of day of playacting, during which Albus was trusted both Teddy and Saint James the Apostle had seen the Snitch but ignored it in rescript to scuff the biz on longer, both Seekers flew directly up into the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing to observe. A few irregular later, they both came flying back down and James had the stoolie clutched in his hand.

`` I got it ! '' he shouted.

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

`` Yes ! '' James II 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, Teddy ! '' James gloated.

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

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

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

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

After all the nutrient had been eaten, bathroom Flooed back to his house and Albus, Rose, and Hermione went with Matt and Amanda back to the Leaky Cauldron to adjoin their phratry. It had been a inadequate visit, but a fun one nonetheless. Albus only wished that they had managed to get the stag photographic print. He and Rose were planning on trying again the next day, and the next if it was requirement. They had three more than days to do it and Albus was determined to succeed.

******

Albus and blush wine spent as practically metre as they could in the timber looking for stags the next day. When they were n't in the forest, they spent their time in the program library in rosebush 's star sign, looking for a charm to observe Kaden quiet.

`` There 's books in here that are n't in the shoal library, '' Rose announced as they walked into the room after a particularly cold jaunt in the forest.

`` I 'm still not indisputable we should ingest a breakout from looking for a stag, '' Albus replied.

`` It 's too cold out there now. Plus there 's a storm coming and it wo n't do us any skilful if we get lost out there. '' Rose went over to a Book ledge and Albus followed. He had been in this way mint of times before, just never to look for a particular charm.

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

`` That 's what this is for, '' rose wine slammed a lowering account book down on the table good to the shelf she pulled it off of.

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

`` Yes, '' rose wine confirmed as she opened the binding, `` It 's a rather ingenious idea, really. All I 've got to do is take my wand, point it at the account book, and say'I need a charm to keep someone quiet'and it will twitch to the right field Thomas Nelson Page. ``

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

`` All rightfield, '' rose wine pointed her scepter at the book, `` I need a magic spell to keep someone quiet. '' The book 's pages immediately started turning until they stopped about a tail of the way into the Scripture. Rose peered at it and then shook her head. `` Nope, that 's not it. This one 's just a shut up spell. ``

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

rose nodded. `` I need a magical spell to prevent someone from talking about something. '' The pages started turning again and stopped a few secondment later. turn out 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, '' pink wine smirked, `` Although it does feature it 's vantage. I 'll try something else. ``

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

`` trade good theme, '' Rose poised her sceptre above the book, `` I need to hold Kaden Durlsey from revealing secrets about lustrelessness Eckerton and about a map. He must only be able to talk about these secrets with five early mass and not mention them to anyone else. He should be capable to discourse normally about other topics. ``

`` That ought to be specific enough. '' Albus watched as the book hesitated for a few mo and then turn its pageboy to one of the last ones. Both Rose and Albus leaned over the volume while rose read aloud.

`` 'The Sileo Altus Charm is the most complex and intricate of the silencing charms. This magic spell has the ability to keep a somebody from revealing one specific piece of information to others, unlike other silencing appeal which prevent a someone from speaking at all. The charm also has the ability to regard others, which will result in the somebody the charm is cast on to be capable to discourse about the enigma with those specific people. When done correctly, this charm will final stage forever or until the counter appealingness is performed. The Sileo Altus Charm keeps a person 's secret good much like the Fidelius appeal keeps a person 's position secret and is said to be just as safe .'

`` Then there 's a wholly bunch of spells that are required, '' rosiness scanned the difference of the entry. `` There 's a charm that has to be performed on each person who is involved, one on Kaden, one on the secret-keeper- ''

`` There 's a secret keeper ? '' Albus asked.

`` Yeah, I guess so. Then there 's the boilersuit charm, '' Rose continued, `` It sounds complicated. But I 'm up for it. This does n't really severalise me how to do it, though. There 's just a list of spells. ``

Albus glanced at the entry, `` Oh, it says there 's more information in magic spell of protective cover by Natalia Journo. ``

`` You 're properly, I had n't noticed that, '' rosebush leaned over the book again and interpret the title of the urge record book. `` I think we might actually bear that one. '' Rose jumped up from her seat and ran across the room. Albus sat back and watched her. He had no idea how she could possibly know if she had that leger or not. The entire room was filled with shelves and shelves of books. Albus would n't even know where to front to notice the book they needed.

Rose returned a few minutes later with a Holy Writ in her limb and a smile on her case. `` We do have it ! This was easy than I thought it would be. ``

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

Rose shrugged, `` I think I can figure it out within a few weeks. '' She sat back down and opened the book.

Albus watched as his cousin flipped through the Thomas Nelson Page of the Holy Scripture until she found the magical spell they were looking for. He was very happy that Rose was so eager to hear new charms. It certainly helped that she was good at it, too. Albus had made a lot of progress in appeal ever since Professor Cedonia arrived, but he was still average. Rose was easily the safe in their class. That and her keenness to hear would certainly help if she was going to master this charm.

Rose read in secrecy for a few minutes and then turned to Albus. `` All right. This explains it pretty well. First, of course, we 've got to narrate Kaden the enigma. Then we 've got to nibble the secret keeper. I 'm thinking that I 'll receive to be the secret keeper since the secret steward is the one to perform the magical spell. ``

Albus nodded, `` I 'm OK with that. We 've just got to take sure as shooting flatness is. What does the private keeper do ? ``

`` Just perform the charm. And the secret keeper is the only when one who can perform the counter charm on Kaden. Normally the mystic keeper would be the solely one the person could talk about the secret with as well. But we 'll use another good luck charm to ensure that Kaden can tattle about the secrets with you, John, Matt, and Amanda as well. ``

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

`` Well, the occult keeper performs a appealingness on themselves, which turns them into the secret keeper. Then they perform a magical spell on Kaden. Then Kaden will recite the secrets in particular. After that, the secret keeper performs another appeal on Kaden. Then charms are performed on the repose of the multitude involved. Then a final sealing spell on everyone, including Kaden and the enigma keeper, and it 's done. ``

The idea of all those different spells made Albus 's brain hurt. `` Wow, that 's a lot of appealingness. We 've never done single that are a combining of multiple charm. ``

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

`` What 's the buffet spell involve ? '' Albus asked, thinking that maybe there would be a sentence when Kaden would mature and they would n't have to trust on deception to proceed him from spilling enigma to Malfoy.

`` Erm, it seems pretty much like the actual charm, '' blush wine looked back at the book, `` You pretty a great deal go backwards, using different charms. ``

`` brand sense. ``

`` I 'll start practicing as soon as we 're back at schoolhouse, '' rosebush shut the book and got up. `` I 'll convey the book. Mum 'll never sleep together, she 's got way too many to keep track of. ``

`` All right, '' Albus got up and followed her to the door, `` Now we 've just got to obtain that stag. ``

`` It 's going to have to look until tomorrow, Albus, '' rosiness pointed to the window. It was white with swirling snow and the wind was howling. `` Mum and Dad 'll never let us out in that. ``

******

Albus was getting quite fed up with the hart search by the time belated afternoon arrived the future day. He and Rose spent the entire break of day in the forest, taking a disruption for tiffin, and then returning in the good afternoon. Albus looked at his scout and saw that they would suffer to be starting to retrovert to the house soon. `` We 're never going to find a stag ! '' he groaned.

blush wine, who had brought the magic spell Good Book they had found the former day, looked up. `` You 've just got to be patient. I told you one wo n't come if we 're noisy. ``

`` We 've been quiet for the preceding two hours, '' Albus said flatly.

`` You 're not being quiet now, '' rosiness whispered and returned to her book.

Albus sighed and stared out into the woods. So far Albus had seen no less than ten rabbits and four owls, but no stags. He was getting very cold sitting in the snow and his cloak had hanker since soaked through. Albus was determined, however, and refused to go back to blush wine 's home until they found a stag.

It had seemed so dim-witted at starting time, to sandbag a stag in the forest and get its footprint. This was not supposed to be the grueling mark to get. Looking back, even the werewolf one seemed easier. certain, they got locked out of Hogwarts, but they never got in trouble for it. The dog photographic print had been the easiest, since Amanda had a dog. The rat would be easy, too, once John managed to catch one.

Albus pulled out his wand and started to nose at the snow star he had constructed earlier. The verge melted mess into the snow whizz until it started to resemble a piece of snow swiss high mallow. Albus was just beginning to do the same to the snow hippogriff that had been formed after the sorcerer when Rose poked him and hissed, `` Albus, flavor ! ``

Albus raised his head and looked in the direction Rose was pointing. Directly in front of them was a majestic looking doe, standing completely still and staring just to the left of where the two cousin were sitting. `` It 's just a doe, '' Albus whispered back, `` It wo n't work. ``

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

Albus sat completely still with his wand veneer towards the doe. Rose did the same and the two of them did n't move for a good five mo. The doe inched slowly ahead, walking to the left wing of Albus and Rose. Then Albus heard a rustle behind the doe and excitement washed over him as he saw a vast stag appear from behind a cluster of Sir Herbert Beerbohm 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 reckon at her checkmate. `` On the counting of three. One ... two ... three. Stupefy ! '' Albus shouted.

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

The doe shot off like a Eruca sativa as soon as the cousins shouted the turn. The stag started to follow but was hit by Albus 's looker. Rose 's spell hit a nearby tree and burned a diminished yap into the bark.

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

`` Thanks. ``

`` Let 's rush. We wo n't receive much metre before he wakes up, '' Rose reached into her robes and pulled out a piece of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a paint brush.

The stag was even bigger up close. Its eye darted around nervously as rose painted the ink onto its forepart hoof. Albus quickly pressed the sheepskin onto the hoof and pulled it away. A perfective hoof photographic print appeared on the sheepskin. `` This one 's good, '' Albus showed it to Rose.

`` goodness, '' she put the stopper on her ink and stowed both it and the brush back in her cloak, `` Now let 's go. He wo n't be felicitous when he wakes up. ``

Albus did n't call for telling twice. He blew onto the lambskin a few times to dry the ink and then put it in his cloak. The two full cousin ran through the Tree and back to the house. It only took them a few proceedings as they were n't very far. Albus was thrilled that they had actually managed to get the mark. The lone mark left was the rat one and then they would be able-bodied to try out the map.


A/N : Extra long chapter and an early update ! Just to let everyone live, I 'll be away at a Harry thrower conventionalism from tomorrow ( hence the early update ) until Sunday and although I 'll have my laptop with me, I might not get a chance to respond to your recapitulation. I 'll get to them afterwards, though.

Thanks to my 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 pick him up from Rose 's house 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 understand why Muggles wore those.

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

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

`` Bye, '' rose wine smiled.

The eternal rest of the Potters and Weasleys said goodbye to each other and then Albus disapparated with his family. They appeared in a dark alley near a desolate street. Harry motioned for them to stick to him and the mob started down the street. They made a few more turns until they came upon a neighborhood of fair sized family. The houses all looked dissimilar, but seemed to be well cared for. It was a very calm neighborhood with few the great unwashed out and about. There were a partner off masses outside shoveling the newly fallen snow off their private road, but none of them seemed to remark Albus and his family.

Eventually, Harry led them up a driveway towards a gray home Albus recognized as Kaden 's. Before they could even reach the threshold, it was thrown open and Kaden came running out. `` Albus ! '' he shouted.

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

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

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

`` Yeah, but it 's so bore without, '' Kaden whispered in Albus 's ear, `` magic trick. ``

Albus stifled a laugh and followed Kaden into the house. Kaden led them to the animation room, where Dudley was fidgeting with his tie. Christina was setting out bowl of grape and nuts and Bethany was helping.

`` Get anything good for Christmas ? '' Kaden asked Albus once they sat down on the couch. `` I got a few new game for my Wii, a new football, a skateboard, and a bunch of clothes. ``

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

`` Video game scheme, '' Kaden explained, `` It 's really fun. I 'll show you sometime. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus nodded, `` I got some dress, books, a load of sweetness, stuff from my Uncle George 's shop, and my dad 's invisibility Cloak. ``

Kaden 's sass fell capable, `` He gave it to you ? ! ``

`` Yup, '' Albus grinned. He had told Kaden about the Cloak a piece 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, `` face, I 'm invisible ! ``

All the adult looked over at him. `` Albus, you 'd better put that away before Uncle Vernon and auntie Petunia get here, '' Harry warned. Albus nodded and took the cloak back from Kaden. He knew Uncle Vernon would be lupus erythematosus than enthusiastic about any variety of magical object.

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

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

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

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

`` Well, I was kind of hoping you would all cause up, '' Dudley mumbled.

Harry shook his head and looked back at Ginny, who looked interest. Then the doorbell rang and Harry turned to Dudley. Dudley gave him a small 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 time and the only affair he remembered was Vernon asking Harry if Albus was'a addict like you are'. Albus had no desire to ever see the man again, and now he had to expend the evening with him.

The voices of Dudley greeting his parents started to become louder as they came into the aliveness room. Albus got up from the lounge and stood following 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 empurpled as he tried to grasp what was happening. genus Petunia clung to her husband with a combined look of dislike and fear on her font.

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

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

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

Christina stood near the entry to the kitchen, looking uncomfortable. Bethany clung to her leg and hid her face, clearly afraid of her grandpa 's cheering. Albus, Saint James the Apostle, Lily, and Kaden glanced around at the adult, paying rapt care to the unfolding argument, but not saying a watchword. Ginny pursed her sass and watched her husband with a disapproving look. Albus had to accept that his Uncle Vernon was a bit scarey right now and Albus had no desire to get across track with him. Dudley looked neural as he tried to wee peace treaty between his congener. His vocalisation was drowned out amongst Vernon and Harry 's yelling, and Petunia 's screech.

`` Mum, Dad, '' Dudley stood in front 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 teachers. ``

Vernon 's nerve turned from ghostly Theodore Harold White to a deep shade of purple. `` What could he possibly teach ? Abnormalness ? ``

`` illusion, Dad, it 's called magic, '' Dudley sighed.

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

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

`` Nothing good will issue forth of this, Dudley ! I assure you of that ! '' Vernon shouted.

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

`` You do substantiate that this kind of abnormalcy is what got your baby killed ! ``

`` I 'm fully mindful of what happened to my sister, '' genus Petunia snapped. `` This does n't take 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 drinks ! '' Christina announced eagerly. She rushed into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of brandy, a nursing bottle of wine, and a some methamphetamine, along with fizzy drink for the kidskin.

Vernon and petunia regained their composure and Petunia gave Dudley a bone crunching hug and smothered him with osculation. She then moved on and did the Same with both her grandchildren, making sure enough to completely ignore Albus, James River, and Lily. Albus sat down on the sofa and to his dislike, Vernon chose to sit next to him. After a few import of awkward secrecy, Vernon turned to Albus. `` So, '' he began, causing Albus to bound, `` You go to this, schooling, too ? ``

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

`` Look at me when I 'm talking to you, '' Vernon tiff, `` I see manners are n't high on their priority list. What classes do you lease there ? ``

Albus forced himself to face at Vernon. `` I 'm taking Transfiguration, appealingness, Potions, Herbology, astronomy, history of Magic, and defence Against the Dark nontextual matter, '' he mumbled quietly.

Vernon seemed to flinch at the phone of those names. `` I see. And are you any undecomposed 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 Epistle of James or Kaden ?

`` What subject does your beginner teach ? '' Vernon barked.

`` Defense Against the Dark artistic production, '' Albus muttered.

`` And what is that, exactly ? ``

`` defensive spells, dueling, material you use to defeat Dark wizards like Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, and professor Potter 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 teacher, Grandpa ! I love my new school. It 's much better than Muggle school, '' Kaden grinned. `` I 'll be right back. '' He ran up the stairs and came back a few endorsement later with his wand. `` Look at this ! ``

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

`` Of course I do ! '' Kaden laughed, `` I wish I could show you some magic, though. I ca n't do it outside shoal. Hey, prof ceramist can show you ! ``

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

`` No thanks ! '' Petunia shouted at the Sami time.

Kaden looked disappointed. `` Sorry, Kaden, '' Harry with an excusatory feeling, `` 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 consume given up his question and solution session. Christina announced that dinner was cook a few proceedings later, and everyone eagerly went into the dining room. Albus made surely that he was n't sitting next to Vernon and relaxed a small 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 living. They wanted to eff every concluding detail, down to what order Bethany had gotten on her in style book theme in shoal. Eventually they had exhausted this topic and the table descended into an awkward silence before Vernon started drilling Harry about his life.

`` So, boy, what exactly do you do for a living ? '' Vernon barked.

`` I 'm the Head of the Auror section at the Ministry of magic, '' Harry smiled.

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

`` A iniquity thaumaturge catcher, '' Harry explained.

`` Oh, like a police officer. Would n't bear guessed you 'd be in law enforcement, what with all the trouble you caused as a child. ``

Harry sighed, `` You know almost of that was n't my mistake. ``

`` 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 mesa, `` He 's obviously done something to Kaden to construct him unnatural ! ``

That had to be the most ridiculous matter Albus had ever heard. A wizard could not turn a Muggle into a superstar. If they could, there would n't be any Squibs in the globe, and there would certainly be More wizards.

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

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

`` Uncle Vernon, listen to me, '' Harry announced, `` You ca n't become someone into a virtuoso, it just does n't act. Kaden was born a genius, which does n't surprise me at all. There is magic in his origin, the same trick 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 hag, yes, '' Harry told him.

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

`` Vernon, there 's goose egg 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 freak of a babe told me it 's not potential, that 's how ! ``

`` Do n't call her a freak ! '' 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 interchange Kaden. We just have to desire that he 's going to be saucy than my baby was and not get killed just out of schooling. ``

`` 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 succeeding, hoping that the scrap was over. He realized now how much Uncle Vernon and aunty Petunia hated magic now. The two of them were still going on about how Albus 's grandmother had been killed, thirty-some years 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 mean 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 schoolhouse, '' Vernon announced after a few instant of quiet. `` 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 ridiculous, '' Vernon muttered, `` delay till margarine hears about it. ``

`` I hate Aunt marge, '' Kaden said loudly, causing Albus to huff into his juice. `` All she talks about is breeding dogs. ``

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

`` What ? '' Kaden shrugged, `` Professor potter must not like her either. ``

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

`` Of class I have n't ! '' Vernon raised his voice, `` Can you imagine what she is going to think ? That someone, like, like you is actually related to her ? She takes quilt 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 think so after you blew her up long time ago ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden and Bethany shouted at the same meter. Kaden spat his juice out and started choking. Albus slapped him on the book binding, trying to curb his own laughter. Harry told them this story a farseeing time ago and just thinking about it made Albus laugh.

`` That was n't his error ! '' Ginny came to Harry 's defense, `` He could n't control it ! What your sister said about his parents was absolutely stinky 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 father 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 business, '' genus Petunia announced. Albus did n't really cerebrate she should be telling someone to mind their own business, when she thrived off of gossip.

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

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

`` Dad, just draw a blank about it, all right ? Harry 's parents were n't otiose, '' Dudley pleaded.

`` Leave 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 living once ! ``

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

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

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

`` Dementors, '' Albus corrected, `` They 're these clothe creatures that suck out your person. ``

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

`` sucking out your soul, '' Albus repeated, `` They feed on felicitous thought process, until you 're only bequeath with the sad I. ``

Kaden shuddered, `` They sound bloody horrible. Professor ceramicist saved Dad from one ? ``

`` Yeah, when they were 15. There 's a spell, the Patronus Charm, that drives them away. It 's really get along magic not taught until one-seventh year, but Dad learned in his third year. ``

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

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

`` We would have been fine without those loony 'protecting'us ! '' Vernon raged.

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

`` What would that Voldemort bloke have wanted with us anyway ? '' Vernon bellowed, `` It 's not like we 're loony 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 shut it ! '' The five adults who were arguing turned to the source of the new phonation that rang out louder than theirs. It was Christina. Everyone stopped arguing and stared at her. `` Thank you. Now I only understand percentage 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 ? Look at you, you 're standing there arguing about material you ca n't change, in front of your children. What form of example are you setting ? Put aside your remainder, if not for yourselves, do it for the kid. ``

The adults said zilch for a few minute 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 separate you, '' Dudley commented.

`` fine, '' Vernon spat, `` I 'll allow the boy. But you are making a inscribe mistake with Kaden, Dudley. ``

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

The rest period of the dinner was much more gratifying. Harry quickly told the story of when he blew up oleo to douse Kaden and Bethany 's curiosity, but there was no Thomas More citation of magic throughout the residue of the meal. The conversation centered on topics that could be equally relative to Muggles and wizards, such as the weather. Albus did n't say anything, choosing instead to quietly eat his pudding while listening to the adult'strained conversations. He was just happy that they were no longer arguing with each other.

After dinner, Albus, James, and Kaden escaped to Kaden 's bedchamber, which he was eager to show off. The stallion affair was decorated with various football paraphernalia, with a lot of emphasis on Manchester United. James found this highly entertaining and spent quite a few instant laughing at the posters, in which the player remained completely still. Kaden spent a while showing off his Yule presents to Albus and Jesse James and soon wanted to show them how to play his Wii.

Kaden led Albus and James back downstairs, where the adult were discussing cars over coffee. Albus was very happy that he did not sustain to sit through that word. Albus followed as Kaden went down another flight of stairs and they descended into the basement. The basement was clearly the rumpus room of the mansion, as it was cluttered with all sorts of Muggle toys. Lily and Bethany were playing with Bethany 's Barbies in one street corner and neither of them paid much attention as the boys entered the room.

The Wii was set up in the middle of the room and attached to a boob tube that was against the wall. Albus had never played a Wii before and was kind of curious about it. Epistle of James was as well, although he got sidetracked by a remote control car. He drove it all over the elbow room, completely amazed at how the car seemed to move by magic.

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

Kaden spent the next 60 minutes teaching James and Albus how to diddle the Wii. They started with Kaden 's new racing game, which was actually pretty complicated. It took Albus the better share of an time of day to figure out how to play it. James caught on a bit faster, but neither of them could top Kaden in accomplishment. Albus found that the game was incredibly fun and almost wished he had one at his house. Once they successfully learned the racing plot, Kaden went on to teach them how to work a couple more game. Lily eventually wandered over and wanted to learn, too. By the fourth dimension midnight came around, all five of them were taking play playing games and Albus was having a great time.

Albus was form of disappointed when his dad called them back upstairs to weigh down to the new year and hoped that everyone was still acting civilly. They were, as Albus found when he entered the bread and butter room. It did n't really look like the adults 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 clip to leave alone. Albus had no arguments against this because he was tired and did n't really desire to spend anymore time in the same family as Uncle Vernon. Harry politely shook hands with Vernon, said goodbye to petunia, and told Dudley he would owl him soon. Vernon sort of flinched at the reference of the Holy Scripture 'owl .'Albus completely ignored Vernon and petunia, and told Kaden he would see him on the train ride back to school. Once the obligatory bye were said, Albus and his class left the house, only to Apparate back to Grimmauld berth a few streets away.


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


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to acknowledge that he was happy to be going back to Hogwarts. After the nearly black dinner with the Dursleys, Albus spent his time working on homework or goofing off with James II and Lily. By the end of the vacation he was actually kind of tire and happy to be seeing his acquaintance again. Plus, the Oklahoman he got back to school, the Oklahoman he could try out the new map.

The Potters met the Weasleys and the Dursleys at world-beater 's crown of thorns and entered weapons platform 9 3/4 together. Both families were running late again and Albus, pink wine, St. James the Apostle, and Kaden only just made it onto the railroad train before it left. James immediately left to find his friends while Albus, rose, and Kaden wandered around trying to happen their friends.

whoremaster and Amanda were sitting in one of the compartments in the middle of the wagon train. Albus opened the doorway and walked in, followed by rosiness and Kaden.

`` Hey ! '' John greeted them.

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

`` Yeah, '' Albus laughed and sat down adjacent to her. He wished more than anything that Kaden would pull up stakes so he could tell St. John and Amanda that he and rise 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 folk dinner ? '' John grinned and looked from Albus to Kaden.

Albus and Kaden exchanged glance. rosebush stifled a gag. She had already heard about the dinner shortly after it happened.

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

`` What happened ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` My grandfather went mad, '' Kaden shook his nous. `` And my grandma variety of did. ``

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

`` wellspring, they kind 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 schoolhouse here, '' Kaden continued.

`` And Uncle Vernon wound up claiming that Dad had somehow used a spell to wrick Kaden into a adept, '' Albus explained.

John 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 express joy about it. Looking back, his Uncle Vernon did look mad, and not nearly as chilling as Albus first thought.

`` And my grandma of all masses told him it was n't potential, '' Kaden laughed. `` Apparently she wanted to be a witch when she was a kid. But the best role was when grandad brought up aunt oleomargarine. ``

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

`` My granddad 's sis, '' Kaden explained, `` I ca n't place upright her. But apparently professor Potter blew her up when he was 13 ! ``

John and Amanda started howling with laughter. `` That is absolutely smart as a whip ! '' John shouted.

`` This I 've got to get wind ! '' Amanda grinned.

Albus smiled at them and told the story of his auntie oleomargarine. Saint John the Apostle and Amanda laughed even harder when they had heard the completely thing.

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

`` Well, we went down to the basement and played with Kaden 's Muggle television secret plan, which was a lot of fun. ``

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

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

`` Oh, yeah. gramps tried to convince Dad to not let me go back to Hogwarts. He thought Dad would be more likely to hold without you lot there. Dad told him to halt 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 house future, '' Kaden grinned, `` I want to see a wizard house. ``

`` I doubt Dad will let Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia in the firm, '' Albus told him, `` But you 're receive to occur. ``

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

`` We 'll come, too, '' pink wine announced. John the Divine and Amanda nodded. `` And matt. ``

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

`` Er, he had some, er, therapist appointments, '' Albus said quickly. Hopefully that would fill 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 tell anyone where he is. ``

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

`` Good, '' Albus said.

******

Over the next few days, Albus kept trying to find some time to tell John and Amanda about the stag print, but it was severely to shake off Kaden off. It seemed the only times they were away from him was when they were in social class or in their residence hall at night. Neither were good opportunities to talk about the map.

In the interim, Malfoy was trying to figure out why Matt was n't in school. The full phase of the moon Sun Myung Moon was n't until the follow hebdomad, so Albus was going to get to endure Malfoy 's questioning for a while longer. Nothing seemed to satisfy him. Albus was also preoccupied with what was going to happen this broad synodic month. He was sort of worried about lusterlessness taking the new Aconitum lycoctonum potion.

All the bookman and teacher seemed to be falling into their usual turn. Dueling and Quidditch practices started up again. Both Kate and Georgia were working their team hard and Albus was feeling the personal effects. Between that and the increase measure of preparation the teachers were spirit on assigning, he had hardly any metre for anything else.

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

`` Finally ! '' 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 side by side to him.

`` It 'll be easier once blush wine flesh out the charm to keep him quiet, '' Albus replied.

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

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

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

`` given a bit of practice, certainly, '' Rose replied. `` We just have to make sure lustrelessness agrees to it. ``

`` I 'm certain he will, '' whoremonger said, `` I mean, this magic spell will definitely keep open Kaden from telling anyone. ``

`` I 'll start working on it now, '' blush wine 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 stag print ? '' John asked eagerly.

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

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

`` We should expect for Matt, '' Albus told him, `` He 's a region of this as much as we are. ``

`` Oh, yeah, that 's a effective theme, '' John set the mark down on a nearby board. `` You know, I think this is the number one prison term we 've been in here without him. ``

`` I think you 're aright, '' Albus commented. It was kind of strange, really. All the other metre they had been in the Room, Matt had been the one to ask for it. Nobody said anything for a few mo. Albus could narrate that everyone was thinking the same matter he was, what would happen with Matt 's new potion.

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

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

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

`` Definitely, '' Albus agreed, but he could n't avail but intend the new potion would n't turn any expert than the old one. Why should it ? If lusterlessness was repellent to Aconitum lycoctonum potion, why should a dissimilar variety of it mold ?

The four of them spent the rest 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 unmanageable appeal, after all. Albus, toilet, and Amanda worked on their homework and talked about what they thought the new map would have on it.

******

Albus became more and more anxious as the full moon approached. His friends seemed to as well, and King John especially developed a very short fuse. Kaden seemed to get the brunt of this but he took it in stride. The dark of the actual fully Moon, Albus had Quidditch practice. He became so distracted during it that Sakartvelo called for a break during recitation and demanded to make love why Albus was dropping so many Quaffles. He lied and told her he was worried about a metamorphosis exam the next day. Luckily she seemed to take on this and wished him luck on his test. Albus tried extra hard during the second gear half of practice but still missed a lot of leisurely passes.

Albus entered the unwashed room after practice impression incredibly sore but not at all tired. He had been hit with numerous bludgers due to his lack of absorption. Normally Albus would have been exhausted after such a exercise but he was too anxious to be tired tonight.

His friends were sitting at their usual table which was covered in homework. Not that much of it was being done. Kaden was the only if one feverishly working away at an essay. lav, Amanda, and even blush wine were staring off into nothing with their untouched preparation in front of them. Albus quickly stowed his broom in his residence hall and joined his friends at the table.

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

`` Hi, '' Rose mumbled. Gospel According to John and Amanda gave equally unenthusiastic greetings.

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

Even at a time like this, Albus could n't help oneself but laugh at Kaden 's cluelessness. `` Hi, Kaden. ``

`` How was practice ? '' 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, '' Rose suggested, `` Your arm looks nasty. ``

Albus glanced at his arm. It had turned a pin-up purple blue color in the sentence since he had received the snow. `` All rightfulness, '' he stood up. `` I 'll see you in a bit. ``

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

Albus did n't finger like telling Kaden not to bother, so he nodded and Kaden followed him out of the vernacular room. Albus did n't lecture much on the way to the hospital wing, but Kaden kept up a streaming commentary about what went on in his social class that day. Kaden must have felt the need to share it even though aught particularly rouse had happened that day. The corridors were utterly deserted and Kaden 's vox seemed awfully flash. Albus glanced at his spotter and saw that it was almost curfew. He wished he had brought his Invisibility Cloak. Of row, none of the teachers could give him detention for being out of his common elbow room in order to go see dame Pomfrey, could they ?

Albus pushed the door to the hospital wing heart-to-heart slowly and saw that gentlewoman Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, writing something, and glancing out the window every few minute. The moonlight was streaming through and illuminating one of the layer. There were n't any patients in the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth, which Albus thought was kind of strange. Albus rarely ever saw the place empty. He walked quietly up to Madam Pomfrey and Kaden followed. The nurse did n't even look to give noticed them come in.

`` Er, excuse me, Madam Pomfrey ? '' Albus said once he was a couple foot in movement of the desk.

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

It suddenly occurred to Albus that Madam Pomfrey was probably thinking about Matt as well, since she usually took tutelage of him after the full moon. `` I got hit with a couple bludgers at exercise tonight. I was, er, kind of distracted. ``

Madam Pomfrey stood up and gave him a openhearted look. `` I understand. Let me see. ``

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

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` No problem. Anywhere else ? ``

`` I got hit on my back too and it kind of hurts. I 've got no thought if it 's bruised or not. ``

Madam Pomfrey looked at Albus 's back and performed the Saame healing good luck charm. 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 surely I 'll be seeing you soon. ``

Albus nodded and turned to leave. He and Kaden were soon back in the abandon corridor.

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

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

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

`` Yeah, that was it. ``

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

`` look on it ! '' a cold voice shouted and shoved Albus aside.

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

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

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

`` None of your job. ``

`` You just answer your own interrogative sentence, then. ``

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

`` Do n't phone him that ! '' Albus shouted.

Malfoy ignored him and continued to glare at Kaden. `` Maybe you know where Eckerton is these days ? ``

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, '' soul said from behind Albus.

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

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

`` 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 stroll with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Willinson ? ``

`` No, '' Albus confirmed, `` I was actually just in the hospital wing. I got hurt at Quidditch practice session. 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 flight feather while we were doing preparation. ``

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

Any color that had been in Malfoy 's typeface drained. The four son quietly followed prof Patil to the hospital wing. Albus was very protruding. Madam Pomfrey would tell Patil that he and Kaden had been there, and then she would n't give them detention.

Patil opened the threshold to the infirmary wing, but Madam Pomfrey was no recollective there. Patil motioned for the boys to outride there and she strode over to the nurse 's office. She knocked lightly and waited for Madam Pomfrey to appear.

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

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

`` I was wondering if any of these four boy, '' 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. `` wellspring, Albus and Kaden were here about fifteen minute ago, but I have n't seen the other two in quite a patch. ``

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

`` Not a job, '' the suck replied.

`` I 'll guide you two back to your common room, '' Patil said to Albus and Kaden. `` As for you, '' she glared at Malfoy and Willinson, `` You will come back to my office and we shall fix up for detention. ``

Malfoy and Willinson sulked and muttered under their breathing place as the five of them exited the ward. Albus laughed to himself on their way back to Gryffindor towboat. Malfoy and Willinson were glaring obelisk at Albus and Kaden the completely way back, but Albus just smirked at them. They could n't do anything now anyway, not with Patil around. But surely they would blame Albus and Kaden for their custody and Albus would sustain to watch over out the following few days.

******

Albus did n't sleep very well that night, despite his fatigue from Quidditch practice. He fell asleep in the wee hour of the morning and woke up only a few hours later. can was just as exhausted and the two of them stumbled down into the park room, only to incur rosebush slumped over a playscript at their usual table.

`` Rose ! '' Albus shook his cousin 's shoulder, `` Wake up ! ``

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

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

`` Oh ! '' Rose jumped up and pushed her shaggy fuzz out of her human 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 magic spell. I just ca n't figure it out. It 's driving me mad ! ``

`` That 's a really high gear level good luck charm, Rose. You know it 's going to rent you a while, '' Albus reminded her.

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

A few minutes later, Albus and his friend walked to the Great foyer. Albus noticed Malfoy and Willinson at the Slytherin board as they walked by and both of the Slytherins were shooting daggers 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. ``

`` curiosity when his hold is ? '' Kaden asked.

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

Kaden began to talk about some potion he was going to be brewing that day, but Albus tuned him out. All Albus seemed to be able to guess about at the here and now was whether the new potion lusterlessness had taken worked.

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

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

`` I know, '' Albus rolled his eyes and pulled the letter off the owl 's leg. He gave the owl a few mo of pledge and the great hiss flew off.

Rose, who was on Albus 's former side, looked over his shoulder as he looked at the envelope. Gospel According to John and Amanda were leaning over the table and Kaden was leaning over Albus 's former shoulder.

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

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

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

`` Shush ! '' Albus, King John, Rose, and Amanda said at once.

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

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

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

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

`` I 'll come, too ! ``

Albus sighed and got up from the table. He could n't give that letter in front of Kaden. Rose, whoremaster, and Amanda got up as well and followed Albus out of the Great Hall. Kaden was ripe behind him, but Albus did n't dare open it yet. Kaden stalled in the Entrance Hall, but eventually gave up and headed down to the dungeons for Potions.

`` Well, now we have n't got time to read it, '' Albus groaned and glanced at his sentry. `` Why could n't he have left rather ? ``

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

`` We 'll just read it after story of conjuring trick, '' pink wine said as they climbed the stairs, `` We 've got the solid afternoon off. ``

The morning dragged by at an extremely tedious tempo, in Albus 's opinion. Transfiguration was n't too bad, since it was a practical example. Malfoy descended upon Albus and the others after the course was over, wanting to bed where Matt was. Albus lied and told him Matt was having a late holiday with his grandparents and then took off for history of Magic, ignoring Malfoy 's complaints about detainment that followed.

History of legerdemain was as boring as usual. Albus thought he saw the clock 's workforce go backwards at one point. He passed line with John and Amanda while rosiness took greenback. She seemed to experience inherited her mother 's ability to detain awake during that family. lav nodded off at one point and Albus had to prod him arouse with his quill feather. Professor Binns did n't even look to notice.

After account of Magic finally ended, Albus and his friends went to the Great Hall to seize a quick dejeuner. 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 chocolate and an invitation to the next sluggard Club meeting.

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

`` Yup, '' Kaden grinned. `` The next group meeting is this Sabbatum. He told me that a lot of your first cousin go. ``

`` Er, yeah, they do, '' Albus coughed. He had not been expecting Kaden to get invited to any Slug society meetings. Albus had n't even gone to any since the late year. He just told Slughorn he had Quidditch practice or too a good deal homework to go. Slughorn had n't even had his Christmas party this class. Albus was n't sure why, but he was guessing it was because he had n't been able to discover anyone famous to attend.

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

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

`` Please ? '' Kaden pleaded.

`` amercement, '' 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 GA calls for Quidditch practice, I wo n't go to the group meeting. ``

`` Yay ! '' Kaden shouted.

Once Kaden left for his following course of study, Albus and his supporter went straight for the elbow room of demand. Albus and Rose sat on one of the sofa while whoremonger 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 envelope and unfolded the letter. He read it aloud.

beloved Albus, Rose, can, and Amanda,

Last Night lustrelessness told me to indite you
and secernate you what happened if he couldn't.
Since he ca n't, you have probably guessed
that the potion did not work.

`` Damn ! '' whoremonger shouted.

Matt will explain more when he gets back to
Hogwarts. I 'll just say that it 's not worse
than usual. He 's at St. Mungo 's right now so
the Healers can observe the after affects of
the potion and the transformation.

He only has to last out in St. Mungo 's nightlong
and then tomorrow he 'll be back at home. I 'm
pretty sure he 'll be back at Hogwarts on
William Ashley Sunday, but we 're not exactly sure.

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

From,
Amy

Albus folded up the alphabetic character and looked at his Friend. `` well, I guess that 's it, then. ``

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

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed.

Nobody said anything for a few minutes. Albus felt very disappointed that the potion had n't worked, but he was for certain it did n't even add up close to what Matt was feeling.

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

blush wine glared at him, `` He wo n't. He 's still in that study, which means he 's still got to take that potion for the succeeding two years or so. Then there 'll probably be another one for him to test. And maybe that one will puzzle out. ``

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

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

`` Albus 's grandfather did it. ``

`` When he was in one-fifth year, '' Rose reminded him.

`` fine, three more geezerhood then, '' Gospel According to John shrugged.

Rose sighed, `` Matt wo n't let you connect him on the full synodic month, though. And I would n't propose doing it behind his back. ``

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

`` Definitely, '' Rose agreed.

Albus and his friends spent the better part of the succeeding hour talking about what they would do if they could transform into animals. They all agreed that listening in on citizenry 's conversations and sneaking up on citizenry like Malfoy would be top on the list of stuff to do. Eventually, rosiness insisted that they all start their homework, which took them most of the evening 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 limited review !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that Quinton Willinson was no retentive at Hogwarts, Albus still dreaded the punch cabaret meeting on Sat. 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 hand, spent the daytime leading up to Saturday talking non-stop about the Slug nightclub get together. Albus had already explained in particular what they involved, but that did n't quit Kaden from constantly wondering aloud about what the meeting would be like.

Saturday arrived quickly and Albus was still without an apology to not assist the get together. Empire State of the South had not called for Quidditch practice that day, mainly due to the fact that the Ravenclaws booked the pitch shot all morning and the Slytherins had it all afternoon. The two houses were scheduled to recreate each other the following Saturday.

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

Albus sighed and got up out of his electric chair in the vulgar way. `` See you lot in a little while, '' he said to John and Amanda.

`` rich person lode of fun ! '' John laughed.

`` See you later, '' Amanda grinned.

Albus, Kaden, and rosebush, who had also decided to go, set off for the dungeon. Albus hoped he would only receive to quell for a little piece, maybe an hour at most. Just long enough for Kaden to see what the merging were like.

The encounter was held in the Potions classroom and a few students were milling about when Albus, rosebush, and Kaden walked into the room. Albus recognized most of them from last year 's meetings. A few of his cousin were there as well, but not all of them. James was n't there, but Albus knew he had dueling practice that day. Albus was also happy to note that Felix Willinson was not there. Of course, after what happened with Quinton and his Church Father, Albus guessed he should n't be surprised that Quinton 's first cousin would n't be invited to the sluggard Club.

There was a shelve full of food along one of the side walls and nearly everyone was crowding around it trying to get some lunch. Slughorn had a plate of solid food in figurehead of him and was sitting at a large table in the front line of the room.

Albus led Rose and Kaden over to the board and picked up a plate.

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

`` Pheasant, '' Albus replied. Slughorn always served pheasant at his encounter. Albus tried it last year and hated it.

Kaden shrugged and piled the pheasant onto his plate. Once Albus and his admirer had gotten enough intellectual nourishment, they sat down at the table across from Slughorn. Shortly after, everyone else had sat down at the tabular array as well.

`` good to see you all again ! '' Slughorn greeted them and then turned to Albus. `` And Albus and Rose ! I 'm very happy that you two decided to issue forth ! How have socio-economic class been going ? ``

`` Good, '' Albus replied.

`` Excellent, excellent, '' Slughorn nodded, `` We also have mortal new here today. This is Kaden Dursley, '' Slughorn gestured to Kaden. `` He 's Albus 's cousin 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. lode substantially than Transfiguration. ``

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

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

`` This stuff is excellent ! ``

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

Albus chuckled to himself. Of course Kaden liked the pheasant. If there was one thing Albus had learned about his first cousin over the yesteryear six 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 drawn-out explanation of what he did over his holiday and who he had spent time with. ( `` Barry Ryan used to play for Ireland, you know. '' ) Albus found the whole thing rather oil production but he noticed that Kaden seemed to give ear on Slughorn 's every word. pink wine seemed to be paying care as well, but probably only out of courtesy.

Albus let his mind wander as Slughorn continued talking about his dinner with Barry Ryan. mat was supposed to return to Hogwarts the next day, which meant that in as little as twenty-four hours, they could be having the map working. fountainhead, if they could sneak away to the Room of Requirement, that is. Albus hoped rosebush would feature that good luck charm working soon. Then they could just do all of this with Kaden. It would make it a unharmed lot leisurely. Of course, Matt still had n't said that he agreed to severalise Kaden even with the charm. Albus kept forgetting about that part. But why would n't he gibe ? The good luck charm seemed like it would work well.

Albus, Kaden, and blush wine wound up staying until the end of the meeting. Kaden was enthralled by the entire thing and Albus knew he would refuse to lead early. Albus was incredibly bored by the time the matter was over and rose 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.

`` oil production 's more than like it, '' Albus replied.

`` How can you recall it was boring ? '' Kaden stared at Albus, `` Slughorn knows so many famed the great unwashed. ``

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

`` wellspring, are you two going to the succeeding one ? ''

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

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

`` I 'd go even if I did have too much homework, '' Kaden told them.

`` That really is n't a good idea, '' Rose warned him. `` You 'll get behind. ``

Albus laughed as Rose launched into a treatment about how of import fourth dimension direction is and how homework should always come first. The three of them were nearly to the green elbow room by the time Rose finished and Kaden was wearing a lacuna face on his face, much like the one Albus had worn during the clout Club meeting.

******

`` Got any idea what clip he 's coming back ? '' St. John asked shortly after lunch the side by side day in the common room.

`` No idea, '' Albus shrugged.

Albus, John, Kaden, rosiness, and Amanda were all sitting around their usual table in the plebeian elbow room. rose and Kaden were playing chess and it was apparent that Rose was going tardily on Kaden. The two of them had been playing the same game for 15 second. If rose wanted to, she probably could have beat Kaden in five minutes. bathroom and Amanda were both working on the Transfiguration of Jesus essay that was due the next day. Albus had already finished that peculiar essay and was watching rosebush and Kaden 's chess match.

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

`` Bishop to D3. '' Rose 's bishop smashed Kaden 's queen to pieces. `` mate, '' rosebush grinned.

`` bull, '' Kaden muttered as his top executive dropped its sword in defeat.

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

`` Do you have Quidditch praxis today, Albus ? '' trick asked.

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

`` I hope lustrelessness 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 give birth a onus of prep to bring in up, '' Kaden announced.

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

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

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

`` I 've only got one Sir Thomas More to go, '' Amanda said.

`` Want to wreak again, Rose ? '' Kaden asked.

Rose shrugged. `` certain, why not. ``

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

The portrait hole to the vulgar elbow room opened a few minute of arc later and Albus looked up. Matt was just climbing through and headed straightaway for Albus 's table once he noticed them.

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

`` Hi Albus, '' matte grinned back. He looked tired, but happy. There was still a yellow contusion 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 matte as well. Matt grabbed a chair from a nearby mesa and sat down next to Albus.

`` How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` All right, '' Matt shrugged.

`` Er, Kaden, '' Albus began, `` You know how you said flatness 's got a lot of homework to shit up ? ``

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

`` Well, it would probably be a good idea 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 social class. We 'll help. You can stay here since you 'd probably be bored. ``

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

`` goodness, '' Albus replied, `` Gospel According to John ? Amanda, Rose ? You can do with us. ``

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

Once they were out of the commons 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 cogitate of an excuse for Kaden to stay there while we went to the Room. ``

`` Good, '' John said, `` I do n't really desire to go roll up your prep with you. ``

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

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

`` Shut it, rose wine, '' John said.

The five friends continued their walk to the Room of prerequisite, which manifested itself in its usual cast for them. They walked into the room and settled onto the common scarlet and amber furniture.

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

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

`` Did it help at all ? '' rose asked.

`` Nope. ``

`` And you 'll still have to keep taking it ? '' John asked.

`` Yeah, that 's what stinks, '' Matt 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 own any bad gist, '' Albus said.

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

`` But you 're always tired before the full phase of the moon moon, '' toilet pointed out.

`` I know, but the potion made it worse. Usually I can at least go to cockcrow stratum on the day of the full moon synodic month but with the new potion I 'll just sleep right through them. It makes me fag as soon as I start taking it, which is a week before the good Sun Myung Moon, just like the veritable wolf's bane was. ``

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

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` The Healers are trying to feel a potion to antagonise the fatigue, but I doubt they 'll have one in clip for next calendar month. ``

`` I do n't get why you have to keep taking it if it does n't even turn, '' john 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 analyze the effects and stuff. ``

`` There 's a probability it might work side by side calendar month ? '' Amanda asked confusedly.

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

`` You do n't seem that turnover or anything, '' Rose commented.

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

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

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

`` Let 's not utter about it anymore now, though. You 've got to tell 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 of God. The new map was always on Albus 's nous now. `` We got it. Rose and I did. ``

`` Brilliant ! '' matte exclaimed.

`` And I 've got the transference magic spell all worked out, '' Rose told him.

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

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

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

`` I will. I 'll pay more tending to potential rats than to my potion, '' John grinned.

`` I would n't suggest that, '' rose wine smirked. `` It 'll detonate or something, since you 've got Goyle as a partner. ``

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

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

`` Just think, this time tomorrow, we may have the map working, '' matt commented, `` That would be awesome. ``

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

`` And I 'm not entirely sure the map will exploit 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 easy metre getting the prints. Almost too easy a time. cad, stags, and skunk were quite rough-cut and anyone who could frame a bare Petrificus Totalus appeal could get those prints. The solely one that would be unmanageable for the fair wizard to get was the loup-garou mark. Even so, Albus did n't call back the Marauders would cook it this easily to access the map.

`` I 've been thinking the Lapp thing, '' rosiness agreed.

John groaned, `` That would suck. ``

`` 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 mark. Anyone can do that. ``

`` Not anyone could get a werewolf print, '' John pointed out.

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

`` public speaking of the Marauders, '' John turned to pink wine, `` How 's the Sileo Altus charm coming ? ``

`` The what ? '' Matt asked.

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

`` Sure, '' Rose shrugged, `` It 's a charm I found in a script at my household. It 's a way to make sure someone keeps something a secret. form of like the Fidelius appeal, only it 's for verbal secrets, not lieu. Whomever performs the charm is the secret Keeper and only that person can undo the good luck charm. After the charm is performed, the soul ca n't babble about the secret with anyone except the Secret custodian and anyone else who was involved in the charm playing. It 's a way to observe Kaden from telling anyone that you 're a loup-garou. ``

Albus held his breath as rosiness explained and hoped that Matt would think it was a full idea. Albus watched as Matt thought about what Rose had said. Albus could n't really tell what he thought. matte looked a bit surprised, almost like he did n't think Rose would have ever found a charm to do that.

`` Well, what do you think ? '' Albus asked after a few present moment silence.

`` I 'm not sure, '' Matt said quietly, `` Will it really ferment ? ``

`` I 'm pretty sure it will, '' Rose said, `` The only thing that will overcome it is Veritaserum. ``

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

`` When would he booze that ? '' whoremaster raised his eyebrows.

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

`` I really do n't think he would. ``

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

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

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

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

`` See ? Hardly any chance of Kaden drinking any, '' whoremonger said.

`` Yeah, but still ... I do n't sleep together ... '' flatness groaned, `` I just do n't really want to evidence him. ``

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

`` All rightfulness, '' matt 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 call for someone to be Wormtail at some pointedness. ``

`` And I want to essay that charm out before we use it on Kaden, '' matt said.

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

`` So, anyone got any closed book we can drill with ? '' John grinned mischievously.

******

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

Albus turned around in his arse. He had been talking to John, who was sitting behind him side by side to Goyle. Albus was sitting next to Limbert and mat was looking thoroughly pitiful next to Maloy in the next row over at the front. Slughorn was still plowing forward with his inter-house collaborator in class, but Albus did n't think it was helping to decrease the ill will between Gryffindor and Slytherin. So far, the best that had happened was unsounded loathing during practical lessons and jinxing and hexing at worst. Based on the little duel between Ethan and Garth Octavius the late week, it was only a matter of time before thing really got out of hand.

`` Thank you, '' Slughorn said once everyone was paying attending, `` Today you 'll be brewing the mental confusion Potion I taught you about on Fri. He waved his scepter at the blackboard, `` commission are on the add-in. You have the entire socio-economic class. ``

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

Albus nodded and pulled out his scepter. Albus and Limbert had come to an unspoken accord with brewing potions. Limbert would pile up ingredients while Albus lit the fire and unpacked all the various scale leaf and knife. Then, Albus would prepare the ingredient while Limbert added them and stirred the cauldron. Albus was o.k. with this since Limbert was a better Potions beer maker than he was.

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

Albus listened to everyone else in the class as he chopped up ingredients. He thought it was especially amusing to listen to John and Goyle.

`` No, that 's not clockwise, '' lav 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 similar conversation.

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

`` They look all right to me, '' Vivien Leigh snapped.

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

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

`` You can stir the cauldron. Clockwise, '' rosebush replied.

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

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

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

Goyle grunted and Albus heard John get up. Albus felt a urging in his side and looked up to see John standing next to him. `` What ? '' Albus whispered.

John pointed to a quoin of the room, near the cupboard of component. There was a large rat sitting there. Albus shuddered and looked back at John.

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

Albus tried to concentrate on his shrivelfig, but he could n't intercept glancing up at john. He was almost to the closet now, and the rat still had n't moved. Albus watched as John pointed his wand at the rat, but he could n't hear what spell John was using due to the noise in the room. Luckily everyone was concentrating on their potions and not paying an ounce of care to John. Albus grimaced as john picked up the rat and shoved it inside his robes. Albus was incredibly glad that can was willing to do the rat photographic print. The thought 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 charge tale, Albus thought.

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

`` Excellent, '' Albus said.

Suddenly there was a tacky plosion from somewhere behind Albus and he felt a hot liquid state state on his point and drip down the spine of his robes.

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

`` Boody snake pit ! '' John exclaimed as the Orange potion landed on the movement of his robes.

bedlam erupted in the classroom. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at the exploded potion. Albus turned around and saw that the detonation had come from lavatory and Goyle 's cauldron. Goyle was wearing a stupefied reflexion on his case and was staring into outer space while holding his ladle in the air. His typeface was covered with potion as well as his robes. His pilus was singed and there was a small fire on his table.

Albus could feel the potion burning down his back and it hurt like hell on earth. It felt like his pelt was on fire. He got up from his chairman and felt his binding. His robe were burnt straight through. whoremonger '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 head. `` Hospital Wing. Who else got hit ? ``

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

`` Hospital annex, all of you, '' Slughorn replied, `` If one of you could delight stool sure Mr. Goyle arrives there, that would be appreciated. ``

Limbert immediately dragged Goyle out of the room with Celeste following. Albus and John walked a little path behind them and Karina behind them.

`` idiot, '' John Lackland muttered as they climbed the stairs 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 dumber than a troll, '' St. John groaned, `` Merlin this material burns. ``

`` At least 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 interpreter, `` Hey, it was Charles Frederick Worth it since I got the rat. ``

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

`` Er, yeah, have n't had a probability to demand it out. ``

`` I just hope it stays stunned. ``

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

ma'am Pomfrey was already busy taking guardianship of a girl who had gotten bitten by something in Care of Magical Creatures and told them they would take to waitress. Once she had finished healing the girl, she moved on to Goyle, since he was n't able to sit still and was wandering around the room tripping over matter. She took concern of Limbert, Celeste, and Karina, and then moved on to the bed Albus and privy were sitting on.

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

`` Well, lusterlessness, 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 granddaddy and his admirer, '' lady Pomfrey shook her head as she handed Albus a potion.

toilet, 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 general musical theme of the map.

gentlewoman Pomfrey sighed and with a moving ridge of her baton the potion was cleaned up. `` drink in the respite of it, '' she instructed them.

dame Pomfrey applied some variety of salve to their sunburn and a few minutes later they were allowed to leave. The nurse told them to go directly to their dormitory to get new gown and that she did n't want to see them in the Hospital Wing for the side by side few weeks.

`` Fat fortune that 'll happen, '' 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 extension. Albus himself had already been there twice since returning to school after the Dec 25 holiday.

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

`` Just about, '' Albus said.

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

`` Shut it, '' Albus replied, `` I did n't put down myself there endure match. ``


A/N : spear carrier long chapter ! Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, Miguel, invisiblecloak, potterfan296, Luke, and drownzer for the reexamination !


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


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

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

`` The potion did, '' 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 best potion brewer either, privy. ``

`` Are you two all rightfield ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Oh, yeah. ma'am 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 doorway.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had been planning on grabbing a immediate dinner with his friends after he changed robe, and then brain to the elbow room to try out the new map. They had all the paw prints ( John had gone up to the dormitory ahead of Albus with the rat and got the mark from it. Albus did n't want to acknowledge 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 entire evening with Albus and his booster. Normally, this really would n't experience bothered Albus, but that night his cousin was driving him mad. All Albus wanted to do was try out the map, but he could n't call up up a good excuse for them to go somewhere and not let Kaden come. So they spent the evening in the common room, working on homework.

Albus and his friends were far too busy the next few days to try out the new map. Albus had Quidditch practice on Tues and Th and dueling recitation on Midweek. Rose had dueling practice on Friday. John normally had his practice on Saturday, but due to the Quidditch match, it had been rescheduled for William Ashley Sunday. Any bit of time where neither Albus or his friend had any pattern, Kaden was around. It was n't until Saturday, following Slytherin 's spectacular loss to Ravenclaw, that they were finally able-bodied 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 hours in the keep after the Quidditch match.

`` Come on, let 's go try it now, '' Albus whispered to his friends after Kaden left the common room.

`` Got the prints ? '' lustrelessness asked.

Albus nodded and grabbed his bag. They quickly left the common room and ran for the Room of requirement. They almost bumped into a Ravenclaw prefect, but luckily he was feeling generous ( nigh likely due to the Quidditch win ) and did n't scold them for running in the corridors.

lusterlessness paced three times in strawman of the evacuate paries and as soon as the door appeared, the five friends ran inside. Albus set his bag down on the table and everyone crowded around it. Albus pulled out all four print and the map.

`` All right field, '' Albus unfolded the map, `` rosebush, you 're good with the good luck charm, right ? ``

pink wine nodded, `` I 've practiced it and it works every time. ``

`` Good, '' Albus stared at the map, unsure of how to lead off, `` Er, maybe I should do what I did last meter to get it to evidence us we 've got to show we know the piranha ? ``

`` Probably, '' Rose agreed.

`` delay ! '' John shouted, `` Can I do it this time ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus shrugged and handed can the map.

`` Excellent, '' John grinned and pointed his scepter 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 prison term ! ``

Albus 's Hope plummeted. Why was n't it working now ? Was it on some variety of a timer ? Like it could only work on a sure day of the month ? He had been so charge up about getting the new map to work, and now it would n't even tell them to prove they knew the Marauders.

`` Let me try, '' Matt grabbed the parchment and pointed his wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Moony. ``

'No, you 're not .'The map said once again.

`` This suck, '' John muttered, `` It worked last time. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to be Albus, '' rose 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 seem rose to the surface of the lambskin and formed the familiar spirit words.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the Marauder 's Map, s edition .'

`` Ha ! '' Albus grinned in excitement, `` There it is ! ``

`` But why did n't it work for us ? '' whoremonger asked dejectedly. `` Does that mean we ca n't be Padfoot and Moony ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus sighed. He really hoped his ally 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 instant Padfoot'when I did it ? ``

'When four son, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendship and mischief-making, they may submit themselves as the future generation of Marauders. These four friend must each represent one of the Marauders, for if even one is missing, this map will not mold. Before this goes any further, you must examine that you know the secrets of the Marauders. Prove that you know, and you may continue along the way of discovery .'

'The path of discovery ? I never knew you were so poetical, Mr. Prongs .'

'Oh, believe me, Mr. Padfoot, I am not. Mr. Moony came up with that unscathed thing .'

'Then I pay my wish on the wording 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 wishing you in force luck .'

`` Well, now what ? '' Gospel According to John asked.

`` I guess we 've just got to transfer the paw print, '' Albus said tentatively.

rosiness picked up the paw prints 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 incantation at the map. The werewolf photographic print appeared on the map, just as it had been on the other piece of parchment.

`` That, was bloody amazing, '' King John said in awe.

Albus agreed. He was forever grateful that his cousin-german was so smart as a whip. Albus did n't think he 'd ever be able-bodied to commit off something like that. At least not until he was at least in twenty percent year.

Rose repeated the subprogram with the dog, stag, and rat prints, positioning them in the exact same way that the little mark that the vulture had put on the map.

`` There, '' she said once she was done.

The five friends stared at the map for a few seconds, waiting for something to happen. The paw prints were n't doing anything and neither was the map. No new ink had appeared and the paw print were n't disappearing or anything.

`` Er, '' Albus began, `` Maybe I 've got to tell the map that we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Worth a shot, '' privy shrugged.

Albus pulled the map over to him and tapped his wand to it, `` I, Albus Severus ceramist, the bit Prongs, know the marauder. ``

The paw prints quickly faded until there was nada left but a blank parchment. Albus glanced up and looked at his friends before returning his gaze to the new map.

'Prongs agrees that you do roll in the hay the vulture, and is especially impressed that you managed to get a werewolf paw print .'

`` It worked ! '' Albus shouted happily.

'Due to your obvious knowledge of the Marauders'mystery, we shall now tell you more about this map. When the vulture were seventh year, they realized that within a few short calendar month, they would be gone from Hogwarts, and the school would be left without their boss roguery makers.

'Prongs suggested-'

'Do you always talk about yourself in the third base person, Prongs ?'

'Only when I have a stroke of brilliance, 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 hand. Anyway, I ( happy now, Padfoot ? ) had a stroke of grandeur that the marauder could get hold a way to ensure that they would never be gone from Hogwarts .'

`` I knew it ! '' blush wine shouted in glee, `` I knew that was what this was about ! ``

'The Marauders decided to make another map. The get-go map was only the starting time. The Marauders wanted to find a way to put themselves into a map, in parliamentary law to assist the next genesis of maleficence Godhead. That is what this map is about.

'However, not just anyone would be able to own access to the map .'

'Yeah, we would n't need any old knucklehead stumbling upon it .'

'Right, Padfoot. Or even defective, having Slytherins get their slimy paws on it .'

'I shudder at that mentation, Moony. Anyway, the piranha had to figure out a way to see that only those worthy would be able to accession this map. The vulture 's Map is actually quite simple to figure out, compared to this one. All you have to do to open that is say a sure phrase. For this map, you have to be a sure person to open it.

'You may or may not let figured out that in order to get the first bit of information out of this map, you have to be a blood relative of one of the piranha. However, not everyone representing the Marauders must be related. Because, you know, we might not all have kids .'

'Yeah, you would n't want to be passing along any gene, Prongs .'

'Better mine than yours, Padfoot .'

`` That 's why only Albus could do it ! '' privy shouted.

Albus felt immense respite from this. Saint John and mat would be capable to present Padfoot and Moony.

`` So really, only James, Lily, Teddy, my dad, and I could get it open, '' Albus said.

'The relief of you must be Gryffindor boys, because we want you to be like us .'

'Lily wo n't care that, Prongs .'

'I know, Moony, but Lily does n't screw about this. I do n't contrive on telling her, either .'

`` hypothesis that counts out my sister, '' Albus commented.

'So, now you 've proven that you know the piranha. Your next step is to turn up that you are the following marauder .'

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 work yet. He had been so indisputable that all they 'd throw to do was testify they knew the predator. But now they had yet another affair to do. They had to test that they were the next Marauders. How were they going to do that ?

`` That was weird, '' trick said.

`` I 'll say, '' matt agreed, `` They did n't even really order us what it was a map of. ``

`` Yeah, they just said they wanted to stool sure they 'd never leave Hogwarts. Like the map is a function of them, '' John replied.

`` To be honest, it sounds a bit like a Horcrux, '' rose wine 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, '' Gospel According to John muttered, `` I mean, this is n't fair ! We spend calendar week 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 marauder. If it was just this, Albus could ingest done the unanimous thing himself. ``

She made a good full stop. Albus had n't really thought about that, but it was true. They had to do something that required each of them to typify one of the Marauders.

`` I guess we 've got to examine we are the Marauders, then, '' Albus said, `` question what that involves. ``

`` Maybe we 've got to do something the vulture would get done, '' matt suggested.

`` Like become illegal Animagi ? '' whoremaster grinned mischievously.

`` No ! '' Matt sighed, `` I told you, you 're not doing that ! ``

`` I do n't think that 's it, '' blush wine began, `` How would you go about proving to a piece of paper that you 're illegal Animagi ? ``

`` Maybe we 've got to pull a huge prank or something, '' Albus said.

`` Again, how would you prove that to the map ? '' pink wine asked.

`` fountainhead, does anyone make any other ideas ? '' Albus asked.

`` We 'll cerebrate of something, '' Amanda said, `` I mean, there 's got to be a way. ``

`` Of course their is ! '' Rose said, `` We 've just got to go to the library and see if we can find anything there. ``

`` We ca n't do anything anyway until you 've got that Sileo Altus appeal down, rosebush, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Right, '' rose wine replied, `` It 's coming along well. I just take to get some practice. Anyone want to be my tester ? ``

`` I will ! '' John shouted and jumped up out of his chair.

`` Ok, come here, '' Rose got up and went to the early side of the room.

Albus watched as the two of them worked. first, they had to retrieve up a mystery, which took a effective bit of time. privy finally suggested that the secret be 'Filch likes to dance in the moonshine with a long handle mop with frank Sinatra music playing in the background .'

Albus burst out laughing at that. `` Filch ? Dancing ? ``

`` Yes, '' bathroom said in a grave tone, `` I saw him once. He was rubbing the mop chief to his human face and had on a feeling of pure joy. ``

`` And soon you wo n't be able-bodied to state anyone about it, '' Amanda grinned. `` What a shame. ``

`` Yes, it is, is n't it ? '' toilet laughed. `` You lot can still distribute it around, though. ``

`` Ok, whoremaster, let 's try it, '' rosiness said.

Rose pointed her wand at herself and recited the magic spell that would make her the unavowed keeper. Then, she pointed her sceptre at John and said a slightly different charm.

`` Now you say the hugger-mugger, John. ``

`` Filch likes to dance in the moonshine with a longsighted handle mop with wienerwurst Frank Sinatra music performing in the scope, '' John smirked.

`` Good, '' Rose replied and then performed another spell on lavatory. `` I 'm not ready to try including former people yet, so john will only be able to blab out about Filch 's little drug abuse to me. ``

rose wine waved her wand around in an intricate approach pattern and then said one last conjuration. She lowered her wand and stared at John. Then she turned to face Albus.

`` There. Now you can try asking him about it, Albus. ``

Albus grinned, `` All right. So, John, heard anything interesting about Filch lately ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' lav shouted, `` Actually, just the early night I saw him and he was- '' John 's sass continued moving but no sound was coming out of it.

Albus and Amanda burst out laughing. St. John the Apostle looked like a fish out of water. `` I think it worked ! '' Albus shouted.

Rose was staring at St. John with a slight look of dashing hopes. `` Not quite. He was n't even supposed to be able-bodied to move his mouth. You know, in shell hoi polloi can scan back talk. I guess it 's a scratch line, though. ``

`` Definitely. I mean, this is a really boost charm. You ca n't have got 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, '' Rose sighed, `` I 'll just loosen it. ``

Rose waved her scepter around and muttered some more conjuration. `` Ok, he should be able to talk about it now. ``

`` Heard anything suspect about Filch recently ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, he likes to trip the light fantastic with a long handle mop by moonshine while Frank Sinatra plays in the background, '' John told her.

`` expression like the countercharm worked, '' Albus said.

`` But that 's not even what we 'll necessitate, '' Rose pointed out, `` We 're not going to perform the countercharm on Kaden. Not for another few age at to the lowest degree. ``

`` Yeah, but it 's golden for John that it worked, '' Albus grinned, `` Otherwise he would n't be capable to parcel Filch 's secret joyfulness of life. ``

******

Over the side by side few days, John the Divine actually did share that Filch liked to trip the light fantastic with a long grip mop by the moonlight with Frank Sinatra playing in the screen background. All he had to do was observe it to a few early Gryffindors at meal times and the bit of gossip was soon spreading throughout the schooling. The chemical reaction from students ranged from hysteric laughter to raised eyebrow to exclamations of 'Who the hell is hotdog Sinatra ?'Albus could n't help but simper every time he heard his cuss student mentioning the story.

Filch, on the other hand, was actively trying to bump the culprit. There was n't really any point, since he would n't be able to observe who started it, but he tried. He spent the days prowling the dormitory and listening in on students'conversations, trying to get hold out any sort of information regarding the false tarradiddle. Whenever the pupil noticed him, they would burst out laughing, which would cause Filch to get going muttering about 'rotten pupil'and 'ought to whip them all'.

Filch 's primary suspect was Kaden, which Albus found sort of funny story. Kaden of grade had laughed the loudest when he heard the story. Since Filch had developed an intense dislike for Kaden since their hold months ago, he gave Kaden minacious stares every time Kaden passed him in the corridors. Kaden just found this funny, since he knew John had invented the story.

The story about Filch provided a prissy respite from the intense studying that all the scholar were occupied with. Like common, the teacher had increased the prep after the holiday. Albus was happy it was n't yet his O.W.L. class and he could n't imagine how he would manage to cope with that in three short years. Along with prep, Albus also had Quidditch and dueling recitation. Both Empire State of the South and Kate had increased practice times in order to prepare for the forthcoming match and tournament. The third dueling tourney was to take place the firstly weekend of February and Quidditch on the stick to weekend. Albus now had Quidditch practice on Monday, Tues, Thursday, and Saturdays. Dueling pattern were as usual, not mandatary, but were now not only on Wednesdays, but on Fridays as well. The only day Albus had off was Dominicus, which did n't grant practically time for him to try and image out how to demonstrate he was like the Marauders to the new map.

The morning 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 wait until I can duel next year, '' Kaden said in between bites of egg.

`` It 's not really as cool as it 's made out to be, '' John the Divine commented, `` A lot of waiting around time during tournaments. ``

`` That 's because there 's so many of us, '' Rose explained, `` In the steady Dueling Club, the one that you can only be in if you 're fifth year or above, not everyone gets on the teams. It 's like Quidditch and you have to try out. ``

`` That sounds better, '' St. John the Apostle said, `` But I do n't do it if I 'd make the team. ``

`` I know I would n't, '' Amanda replied.

`` You 're getting salutary, '' Albus assured her, `` You might shit it by the time you 're a fifth year. ``

`` Yeah, that 's the compass point of the Junior 's nightspot, '' Rose said, `` So you can get better. They do n't expect us all to be expert duellist. ``

`` Albus is, '' Amanda grinned, `` He 's splendid. ``

Albus felt his expression round red, `` Well, I 'm not that great ... I mean, there are payload of people who are advantageously than me. ``

`` Not on our team, '' Amanda continued, `` He 's beat almost everyone on the squad. ``

`` Yeah, everyone except Malfoy, '' Albus muttered. He still had n't managed to stick Malfoy during their practice duels.

`` That 's good, though ! '' Rose sighed, `` You 're both excellent duelers, so you 've got a sound team ! ``

Albus shrugged. He sort of would rather just be able to vanquish Malfoy than beat the other teams, but he did n't mention anything about it.

Albus and his friend continued their talking about dueling throughout breakfast and as they sat around the park room 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.

`` shucks kids ... 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 tournaments. Albus and Amanda squeezed their way through the gang to their common table, where their squad was sitting.

`` Hi Albus, Amanda, '' Kate greeted them. `` set up to win ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus grinned.

The tournament got under way a few minute of arc later. It was much like the past two tournaments, with a lot of sitting around time. Albus was happy that he and Amanda were on the same team so they were capable to spill to each other in between affaire d'honneur.

Albus won both of his duels, just like the last two tournaments. So did Malfoy and once again, Albus found that he was sort of well-chosen and sort of angry about that. Amanda won one of her duels, which Albus was very well-chosen about. He knew half her dueling issues were from nerves and the fact that she thought she would n't do well.

Rose, John, and Matt each won one of their duel as well. Albus clapped for them even though they were on other squad, which earned him glares from Malfoy. Albus did n't care, though. Malfoy could brood as long as he wanted, it was n't going to discontinue Albus from cheering for his friends.

The full point were tallied after the cobbler's last duel and John the Evangelist 's team was declared the winner. Albus was slightly thwarted, but there were still three more tourney before the final. Harry announced the point totals for the entire yr and Rose 's squad was in first place so far. In second was the team led by Hufflepuff St. Paul Galivant and in thirdly was John 's squad, led by Albus 's first cousin 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 source of the yr. None of the Slytherins really got along with the Gryffindors on his team, and vice versa. He was n't exactly sure how it was working with the regular dueling club, but he had overheard Francis Edgar Stanley complaining about how uncooperative the Slytherins on his team were. But that was calendar month ago and he did n't know 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, Gospel of Luke, and mischiefmaker09 for their brushup !

I wrote my first-class honours degree Marauders Era history, side of meat Effects May Include Gratitude and Feelings of Well Being, which is a one-shot from Madam Pomfrey 's point of eyeshot. It 's on my author Sir Frederick Handley Page, if you 're interested. I 'd love it if you read and reviewed it !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


matte 's birthday was a few mean solar day after the Dueling Tournament. Albus and his Quaker did n't throw him a political party like they had close yr. That had mostly been done to root on him up since he had been in the infirmary Wing at the time. This yr they went down to the kitchens and got a cake, and then ate it in their dormitory. Kaden went with him and was amazed by the kitchens, with all the house-elves around. His chemical reaction was suspect to watch than Amanda 's the previous year. He stood there with his mouth half open and then ran around grabbing as much food for thought as possible.

By the time the Quidditch catch arrived the following Saturday, Albus was utterly exhausted. Between Quidditch recitation and homework, he hardly had anytime to kip. confound in a misstep down to the kitchens for mat 's birthday after Quidditch drill the other dark, and Albus was set up to sleep through an entire day.

Albus yawned, got out of bed, and looked out the window. He had been hoping that the raging blizzard would accept let up, but it had n't. Wonderful, he thought, James would n't be catching the snitcher quickly in this weather.

A few hour later, Albus bade his friends goodbye and headed down to the changing way at the Quidditch slant. His friends had bundled themselves up in as a lot scarlet and Au article of clothing as they owned and were ready to huddle against the howl wind for a few time of day of Quidditch. John, Matt, and Amanda did n't look to listen the weather at all and were excited about the catch. rose wine, on the former handwriting, clearly would have rather spent the afternoon in the castling studying. Kaden still liked football better than Quidditch and Albus had a feeling he would n't get minded the storm if he was watching a football game game.

`` Ok ! '' Georgia shouted a few minutes after Albus entered the changing room, `` Everyone ejaculate over here ! ``

`` I know the atmospheric condition is n't ideal, '' Georgia began once everyone was gathered around her, `` But we 've played in bad than this ! ``

`` Yeah, if you count that flood we played in during tertiary 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 last year, so she 'll be stagnant set on getting the Cup. That means she 'll have trained her squad even harder. They 've got a new Keeper, though. soul named Tanner Royce. He 's a fifth part class. other than him, the team 's the like as last year. So, with that, get out there and plain some badger ass ! ``

Albus grinned to himself as he picked up his ling and started to take the air to the door. Georgia was a great captain, but was n't much for long lift speeches.

`` Albus, '' Georgia whispered and put her hand 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 aflutter the finally match. In world, he 'd been too preoccupied with the new map. Sure, he 'd been a little spooky, but not as a lot as Sakartvelo thought he had been. This match, however, he was n't nearly as trouble, although he still was a bit unquiet. `` I 'm a bit nervous, but not as very much. ``

`` Good, '' Georgia grinned and walked out the door and onto the pitch.

Albus followed his cousin-german onto the sales pitch and was immediately hit by the forceful winds that were prevailing.

`` Welcome to the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff catch ! '' Todd Ian Douglas Smith 's voice sounded over the rake. It sounded faint and sort of far away in the lead. `` It 's bally cold out here so let 's make believe it quick !

`` Here are the Gryffindors ! maitre d' Georgia Weasley, followed by Ryan O'Malley, Albus ceramicist, James potter, Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, and ling Weasley !

`` And the Hufflepuffs ! maitre d' Jessica harper, followed by Shawn Ames, Lisa Galivant, Andy Kaper, Stacey Manson, Anna Reilly, and Tanner Royce ! ``

Professor Oteski motioned for Georgia and harpist to shake men and as soon as they did so, Albus and the rest of the players rose into the air. Oteski released the balls and Scots heather immediately took monomania of the Quaffle.

`` And Heather 's got the Quaffle ! She passes to Fred, then back to Scots 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 atmospheric condition was so awful. He could hardly see two feet in front of him. His robes were already soaked with snow and ice and he was frigidly cold. Nevertheless, he kept flying towards the destination until he had to stop short and toss the Quaffle back to ling, since he almost flew straight into an oncoming Hufflepuff chaser.

Heather caught the Quaffle and flew it the rest of the way to the destination. She threw it in and it easily went past Hufflepuff 's new Keeper.

`` Goal ! Ten-zero Gryffindor ! Now hurry up and catch that stoolpigeon, James ! I 'm freezing my bloody- ''

`` Smith ! '' Patil shouted, `` determine your lyric ! ``

`` Sorry, Professor. ``

The Quaffle was now back in shimmer and was in Hufflepuff possession. Albus was n't even trusted which Chaser had it, but he knew it was a Hufflepuff. Whichever Hufflepuff had the Quaffle managed to occupy it to the Gryffindor goals, but Georgia saved it.

Fred took the Quaffle and flew it back to the other end of the slant, scoring another goal for Gryffindor.

The game continued this way for the next one-half hour. Hufflepuff managed to score two goals, 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 goals. He faked to the rightfulness and then threw the Quaffle at the leftfield basketball hoop. Royce tried to save it, but he was n't spry enough.

`` Goal ! Albus thrower has scored against Hufflepuff ! The score is now 90-20 Gryffindor ! ``

Albus was ecstatic. That was the first goal he had ever scored in a Quidditch match. Up until now, all he 'd done were assists. Albus took a victory lap around the pitch and then caught the Quaffle from heather.

Albus managed to score another destination and ling scored two more in the following one-half hour of the match. Hufflepuff scored a few more goal, but were still far behind. By now, Albus was sure 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 sure if he 'd have it off if James or Galivant caught the sneaker, due to the increasingly bad visibility and snowfall. The blizzard seemed to be getting uncollectible by the arcminute. If Hogwarts actually called off Quidditch, they would take in called it off a patch ago.

A few minutes later, cheers broke out in the stands and Albus was sure someone must give birth caught the stoolie. He was very well-chosen to land his ling and knew he 'd be even felicitous when he finally got into the warm common room.

The rest of his team was shouting in mirthfulness and were surrounding King James I. He must have caught the stoolpigeon, Albus thought. The remainder of the Gryffindors were swarming the pitch and soon James was lifted onto a few mass 's articulatio humeri. Albus joined the concourse of his house and started his way back to the castle.

On his way back to the common room, numerous people stopped him in parliamentary procedure 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 II loved the attention he got after winning a Quidditch mate, but Albus could take it or exit it. Right now, he could leave it since his headache was getting big.

The party in the commons elbow room was just getting started when Albus entered a few minutes later. person must feature snuck down to the kitchens because there was an entire tabular array filled with food for thought. Someone else had obviously gotten into Hogsmeade because just about everyone had a butterbeer in their hand.

Somebody shoved a butterbeer into Albus 's hired hand as he made his way through the bunch. Saint 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 goal place. Galivant was on the other end of the auction pitch, so I knew she had no hope ... '' James was saying to a distich of giggling girls.

The rest of the squad was nearby and were digging into the intellectual nourishment that was on one of the tables.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Georgia shouted as he passed, `` I knew you could get over those nerves ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled as he went up the stairs to his dormitory room.

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 fuller than before. It looked like all the Gryffindors had returned from the slant and the party was in full swing.

Albus found his friends sitting at their usual mesa and they all seemed to be enjoying the party.

`` Albus ! '' Saint John the Apostle shouted as Albus sat down, `` brainy playing ! ``

`` Definitely, '' Matt agreed.

`` You 're quite a good Chaser, Albus, '' rose wine said, `` Although I honestly do n't know why they did n't scratch the lucifer with this rash ... ''

`` natural the friction match ? '' John stared at her, `` Never ! ``

`` If it was football, it would 've been canceled, '' Kaden commented.

`` Yeah, because you would n't be able to run around in two human foot of snow, '' John laughed, `` But Quidditch is in the air, so it does n't count. ``

`` Will you two just quit arguing about football ? '' rose sighed.

`` Just trying to wrick Kaden into a proper star, '' lavatory shrugged.

`` Quidditch is hardly the definition of a right whiz, '' blush wine said, `` I believe potion brewing is a bit more of import and I 'm sure Kaden could learn you a affair about it, Mr. Exploding Potions. ``

`` That was Goyle 's fault, '' John muttered.

`` Why do n't all three of you just discontinue arguing ? '' Albus snapped. His principal was pounding and listening to his friends'arguing was not helping.

`` What 's with you ? '' John asked, `` We 're not fighting anymore than rule. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to do that he 's been flying around in a rash for the past two 60 minutes ? '' rose suggested, `` If they 'd just have canceled the match- ''

`` They do n't cancel Quidditch ! '' King John shouted and then turned to Matt, `` You understand this, do n't you ? ``

`` It 's true, '' mat agreed, `` Quidditch is n't ever canceled for picayune things like blizzards. ``

`` I think the atmospheric condition just makes it more concern, '' Amanda commented.

`` Not you too ! '' blush wine groaned.

`` Football 's only played in the warm month anyway, '' Kaden said, `` They would n't even schedule an outdoor football catch in the winter. ``

`` fountainhead that 's drill, '' John replied.

Albus leaned his heading on his deal and closed his eyes while trying to submerge out his friends conversation. lav, blush wine, and Kaden continued to argue about the merits of Quidditch and football. Matt and Amanda stayed out of it for the most component part and seemed kind of amused with the entire thing. Albus was n't, though. He wished they 'd just shut up. Albus 's principal was steadily feeling worse, 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 game would be a decent athletics if it were played on brooms, '' lavatory said.

`` Oh seminal fluid on, trick ! '' Rose sighed, `` Be grave ! You ca n't recreate football game on brooms. How would you plain the ball ? ``

`` Not to mention that Muggles diddle football ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Muggles ca n't fly ! ``

`` I 'm not saying that Muggles should trifle football game on brooms. I meant if football game were ever played by whizz, it should be done on Scots heather. ``

football on broom, Albus thought, what an insane approximation. His friends were now trying to blend football and Quidditch.

`` Albus, are you all right ? '' Matt asked.

Albus opened his eyes and lifted his head off his bridge player. `` I dunno. ``

`` You do n't take care that great, '' Matt said concernedly.

john, rosebush, and Kaden stopped arguing and looked at Albus.

`` Yeah, you look spoilt than Matt does when he gets vomit, '' Kaden said loudly.

`` Thanks, '' mat muttered.

`` mat '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 chair, `` I have n't really slept much the past times few nights. I 'm probably just tired. ``

Albus stumbled over to the hall door, feeling worse than he had a few arcminute ago. He collapsed into his bed and fell asleep minutes later.

******

Albus awoke with a first and he was n't certain how a great deal time had passed since he went to kip. He still felt extremely tired and his capitulum still hurt. He groaned and closed his centre again, wanting only to sleep for a few days straight.

Right when he was about to drift off again, someone threw the curtains 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 custody and slowly opened his centre. John was standing over his bed with a look of concern on his face.

`` And I 'd care to sleep a bit More if you do n't mind, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You slept through dinner last night, and breakfast and luncheon today. Are n't you hungry ? ``

`` Not really. ``

`` Are you sure you 're ok ? '' whoremaster asked, `` rose sent me up here to check over on you. ``

Honestly, Albus was n't trusted he was ok. He could n't remember the live on sentence he had slept an intact day. But right now all he wanted was for John the Evangelist to go away so he could sleep some more.

`` I 'll be ok 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 unusual ambition that involved chemise telling him his broom broke and he 'd have 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 ambition, only to find that the dorm was dour. He could pick up Ethan 's muffled snoring and an owl hooting outside. Unfortunately, he did n't feel any salutary than he had when bathroom woke him up. In fact, he now felt worse. Every one of his brawn were aching, like he had fallen from his broom during the match. But Albus could n't recall falling from his ling. When had the match been anyway ? Yesterday or the day before ? Albus could n't even call back and he did n't even know what day it was currently.

`` Albus ! '' Someone shouted. Albus was dreaming about Quidditch again and someone was hitting him with their beater 's bat.

`` Quit it, '' Albus mumbled.

`` Albus, are you all right ? ``

`` Go away, '' Albus said, `` And stop smacking me with that beater 's bat. ``

`` Beater 's bat ? '' they repeated, `` That 's it, I 'm getting prof Potter. ``

`` I 'll go, '' soul else said, `` You stay here with him. ``

Whoever had been hitting Albus with the bat had stopped, and he was thankful. Georgia had taken the bat away and was now yelling at its proprietor. Then she announced that they would be playing football instead of Quidditch. Saint James complained loudly, since there were n't any quester in football.

`` Albus, wake up ! ``

`` I think Kaden said you 'll birth to play refutation, St. James the Apostle, '' Albus mumbled in his sleep. `` There is n't a fink in football game. ``

`` bent on, Albus, John 's getting your dad. ``

`` My dad ? He 'll have to wreak defense, too. ``

`` What 's faulty ? '' mortal new shouted.

`` He 's been sleeping since after the match, Professor Potter. I think he 's puke. ``

`` Since after the compeer ? ``

`` Er, yeah. We thought he was just tired, but he 's been sleeping for two days. ``

`` The match ? '' Albus muttered, `` Did we beat Slytherpuff yet ? ``

Albus felt himself being lifted out of his bed and into someone 's arms. He rested his foreland on their shoulder and shivered as his blanket fell back onto the bed. Albus fell back into a mystifying sleep and next woke up as he was being laid down on another bed.

Albus heard people talking all around him, but he could n't make out what they were saying. someone poured a few disgusting potions down his throat and forced him to take back them. There was more muttering around him, but Albus soon drifted off to sleep again.

The way was quieter when Albus next woke up. He opened his eye 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 Wing. The station was nearly deserted, save for lady Pomfrey sitting at her desk. Albus yawned and tried to sit up, but he was still dizzy. The good matter was that his psyche felt practically right. However, his consistency still ached.

brothel keeper Pomfrey looked up from her desk and got up once she saw that Albus was awake. She grabbed a few 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, '' ma'am Pomfrey said as she poured one of the potions into a cup, `` You gave us all quite a fright. ``

`` What clip is it ? '' Albus asked, still confused about what he was doing there.

`` Just after six o'clock. ``

`` Er, and what day ? ``

`` Monday, '' the nurse said as she thrust the cup under Albus 's olfactory organ, `` Drink that. ``

Albus downed the potion quickly, `` Yuck. It 's really Monday ? I 've missed classes ? ``

`` I 'd say so. ``

`` Er, what exactly happened ? I mean, I went to bed in my dormitory and now I 'm here ... ''

`` You 're ill, '' lady Pomfrey said, `` You 've caught the flu. Your champion told me you slept for almost two days and then they went to get your sire since you were n't getting any amend and had started becoming excited. You 've been here since around dejeuner time. ``

`` Oh. Well, how long do I have to stay ? ``

`` Another two days, probably, '' lady Pomfrey told him. `` Now I want you to drink these other two potions and eat that bowl of soup. ``

Albus nodded and brothel keeper Pomfrey strode back over to her desk. Albus thought back and could vaguely commend being taken out of his dormitory, but it was only a foggy memory. The lowest affair he could really remember well was the Quidditch couple. He was very happy he had n't fallen ill before the match.

No sooner had Albus drank the first-class honours degree potion that the doors to the hospital extension swung give and John, Matt, rose, and Amanda came bursting through. madam Pomfrey got up quickly from her desk and met them halfway.

`` Is Albus awake ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yes, he 's only just woken up. I suppose you can inflict him for a few minutes. But calmly ! He needs to perch ! ``

`` Albus ! '' Rose shrieked when she ran over to his bed, `` Thank Merlin you 're all right ! ``

`` How are you ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Doing better ? '' John asked.

`` wellspring, '' Matt said with a one-half grin on his pallid face, `` This is a shift. ``

Albus grinned at him, `` Yeah, ca n't really retrieve a prison term 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 desire so, '' John smirked, `` You slept two daylight. ``

`` I 'll probably sleep another two, '' Albus said, `` Pomfrey said I 've got to stay another two 24-hour interval. ``

`` We 'll be here together, then, '' matt replied.

Albus looked at his booster, who was looking a bit exhausted himself. `` When 's the total moon again ? ``

`` Tomorrow, '' Matt sighed.

`` Did you take that new potion ? '' Albus asked.

lusterlessness nodded, `` Yeah, and I 'm more knackered than usual. ``

`` He fell asleep in History of illusion 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 ! '' gentlewoman Pomfrey announced, `` clip for you lot to be off to bed, especially you, mat. 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 following morning. He was still tired, but felt much better when he woke up late the next morning. His dad had stopped by earlier before social class, but Albus fell back asleep after he left.

gentlewoman Pomfrey was fussing over him and giving him legion potions to drink. Albus was the only when affected role in the entire ward, so the nurse 's fussing was all focused on him.

The nanny had been giving Albus what must stimulate been his tenth glass of water that dawning when the doorway 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.

ma'am Pomfrey immediately put down the weewee ewer and descended upon lusterlessness.

`` You 're here earlier than usual, '' she said as she felt his head, `` And you 're burning up. ``

`` Why are you here earlier ? '' Albus asked once Madam Pomfrey had gone to get another potion.

`` Tired, '' flatness mumbled, `` hide asleep in Defense and your dad told me to get here. ``

`` Is it the new potion ? ``

`` Yeah, it does n't exactly help much, does it ? ``

`` I thought you said they were going to find something to counteract the part of it that makes you trite, '' Albus said.

`` They are, they just have n't found it yet. ``

`` Oh. ``

Madam Pomfrey returned a consequence later and gave matte a few potions. He drank them and was asleep transactions later. Albus was n't really fag out, 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 Madam Pomfrey did n't let them stay long. Matt had been asleep anyway. Shortly after their admirer left, brothel keeper Pomfrey woke Matt up and took him down to the Whomping Wilow.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Moonylupin, potterfan296, Miguel, Luke, and Denas for their reassessment !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


When Albus awoke the adjacent first light, he felt much amend. In fact, he felt mostly normal. He was n't achy anymore and his drumhead felt better as well. He hungrily ate all the breakfast Madam Pomfrey provided.

The Saami could n't be said for lustrelessness, who was looking much unsound than the previous day. He was either asleep or unconscious mind, Albus was betting on the latter, and he had numerous gash and scrapes on his facial expression. His properly arm and os frontale were covered in a large bandages.

`` So when can I bequeath ? '' Albus asked as madam Pomfrey performed some kind of magical spell on Matt.

`` Later today, most likely, '' she said after she 'd finished her incantation.

Albus sighed. He had been hoping he 'd be able to entrust that forenoon. He was starting to feel incredibly bored with the infirmary annex, although not bored enough to depart the prep Rose had brought the previous evening.

Albus spent the residue of the morning drifting in and out of sleep out of deficiency of anything else to do. gentlewoman Pomfrey gave him a few Thomas More cruddy savoring potions and lunch, which Albus ate ravenously. After going two Clarence Day without food, he was starving.

The door to the hospital wing opened just as Albus was finishing his lunch. Saint John the Apostle, pink wine, and Amanda walked inside and immediately headed for Albus 's bed. Madam Pomfrey was in her office and did n't look to notice the visitors.

`` Hey, how are you ? '' blush wine asked.

`` Bored, '' Albus replied.

`` That 's good, '' Rose grinned.

`` Are you honorable now ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Pretty much. ma'am Pomfrey wo n't let me impart until later, though. wish she 'd let me leave now. ``

`` She just wants to make trusted you 're completely better, '' rosiness said, `` And it 's not like you 're missing course of study since this is our afternoon off. ``

`` Exactly ! '' John sighed, `` He could be doing very much in force 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 library, '' Albus replied, `` We 've got to look for shipway of proving who we are. ``

privy groaned, `` And I doubt there will just be a script titled Prove Who You Are to a patch of lambskin. ``

`` Probably not, '' Rose laughed. `` But we 'll find oneself out somehow. ``

`` making anymore progress on the charm for Kaden ? '' Albus asked.

`` A bit, yeah. I tried it again last nighttime on John and this time he could n't even propel his backtalk like last sentence. Now I 've just got to figure out how to regard other people in the secret. ``

`` And then all we 've got to do is convince lustrelessness that the charm is foolproof, '' John said.

Everyone glanced over at Matt 's bed, where he was still sleeping.

`` He been asleep all day ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said, `` Ever since I 've been awake. ``

flatness groaned and opened his eyes, `` You lot here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' whoremaster replied, `` How are you ? ``

`` Horrible, '' Matt said flatly, `` My chief is killing me. Were you talking about me ? ``

`` A bit, '' Saint John the Apostle said, `` Just about that charm for Kaden. We 're going to get working on the map once you two are out of here. Got to find some way to leaven to it that we 're like the Marauders. ``

`` strait proficient, '' mat yawned.

`` When do you get to leave ? '' Amanda asked, `` Albus is leaving later today. ``

`` No estimate, '' Matt said, `` Not until at to the lowest degree tomorrow nighttime. mightiness be out in time for Astronomy. ``

`` Ca n't you not be outside when the synodic month is close to total ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Only when it 's waxing. When it 's waning I 'm fine. ``

`` So, we 'll plan on working on the map this weekend, then, '' Albus said. `` Unless any of you catch what I had. ``

`` Hope not, '' lavatory said. `` Maybe Malfoy will bewitch it, '' he added gleefully.

`` John, that 's not funny, '' pink wine scolded, `` He 'd be really sick. ``

`` He 'd get better. Albus is fine now. ``

Albus heard a doorway open and Madam Pomfrey came strolling out of her power. She looked up and saw the gang around Albus and Matt 's beds and made a beeline for them.

`` What are you lot doing here ? '' she demanded.

`` Visiting Albus and Matt, '' Rose answered.

`` Oh, you 're awake ! '' the nursemaid exclaimed and went over to mat 's bed, apparently forgetting that pink wine, privy, and Amanda had burst in without her license. `` How do you feel ? ``

`` Awful, '' flatness replied. `` My head hurts and so does pretty practically everything else. ``

`` You must have hit your headway much worse than usual last night, '' Madam Pomfrey sighed, `` You had quite the concussion earlier. I 'll go get some pain potions. ``

She returned a minute later with a potion for lusterlessness, who drank it in one gulp.

`` Now, you three have to bequeath, '' Madam Pomfrey said to rosebush, whoremonger, and Matt, `` Albus will be out later and you can see him then. ``

ennui set in for Albus shortly after his friends left. Matt had fallen back deceased quickly after he took his pain 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 ? '' trick sighed as he slammed a playscript shut.

Albus, Saint John, Matt, Rose, and Amanda were all crowded around a secluded table in the subroutine library. It was covered in book of account that covered all form of topic. The five of them had spent the terminal hour searching for agency to testify to the new map that they were like the Marauders. So far, nobody had found anything useful.

`` I do n't love, '' Albus replied, `` Anything that might test that we 're like the piranha. ``

`` That 's not very specific, '' St. John the Apostle muttered, `` I really do n't want to spend an entire Saturday here. ``

`` It 'll do you some honest, '' Rose said.

`` Wish we could just use that book that you used to find the former appealingness, '' Albus said to Rose, thinking of Flitwick 's book.

`` Me too, but it 's in the Restricted plane section, '' Rose said.

`` Why ca n't we just get professor thrower to give us a note ? Bet he would, '' lavatory said.

`` Bet he would n't, '' Albus disagreed, `` He 'd have sex we 're up to something. ``

`` Besides, '' pink wine interjected, `` It might not be a Charm we 're looking for. ``

`` We 're just going to experience to keep back looking, '' Albus said as he opened another book. `` But I 've got Quidditch pattern in a half hr. ``

`` We 'll just look every fourth dimension we can get away from Kaden, '' Matt suggested.

`` Where is he anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. occur to call up of it, he had n't seen Kaden since breakfast. It was form of foreign since Kaden spent every waking mo of his day ( when he was n't in socio-economic class ) no less than four feet away from Albus.

`` There he is, '' matte pointed to somewhere behind Albus.

Albus turned around and saw his cousin running through the library with a clipboard in his hand.

`` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Quiet ! '' Madam Pince shouted even louder, `` Or I 'll throw 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, `` testament you sign my petition ? ``

`` Petition ? '' Albus asked, `` What in the name of Merlin are you petitioning for ? ``

`` TVs in the vernacular rooms, '' Kaden grinned.

`` What ? ! '' lav and flatness shouted.

`` Quiet ! '' gentlewoman Pince screeched.

rosebush laughed, `` What on solid ground for ? ``

`` I would n't mind having a TV in the common room, '' Amanda commented.

`` Exactly, '' Kaden said, `` It 's unvoiced enough for us Muggle-borns to adjust to Hogwarts and if we had TVs, it would score it easier. ``

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' can laughed.

`` Nope, not kidding, '' Kaden said, `` I 've got lode of signature tune already. I 'm not really surely how many I 'll want, though. I figure I 'll try and get as many as I can in a few days and then give it to professor Longbottom. ``

Albus tried to stamp down his smiling, but he could n't. The idea of Kaden trying to get televisions put into the green rooms 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 sign it ? '' Kaden asked, `` If this goes through, I 'll try for computing device next. ``

`` data processor, '' flatness laughed, `` You 're mad. ``

`` I 'll sign up, '' Amanda grabbed the clipboard and quill.

`` Sure, why not ? '' Albus shrugged. It could n't hurt to sign up the thing, and he was certainly Kaden would n't arrest bugging them unless they did.

John and Matt signed as well, although they were laughing the entirely time. pink wine signed a bit reluctantly, but she eventually gave in.

`` So what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked after Rose finished signing.

`` Homework, '' Albus replied automatically.

Kaden stared at the large cumulus of books, `` Second class must be fucking insane. ``

`` Oh, it is, '' John said, `` You wo n't receive any clip to watch any TV. ``

`` I 'll make metre, '' Kaden said as he stood up, `` Well, I 'm going to get Thomas More signature. ``

Albus watched as his cousin-german went from table to table trying to get people to sign up. Some of them liked the idea and signed willingly. Others laughed until Kaden gave up and others looked at him like he was demented. Eventually, Madam Pince found out what he was doing and threw him out of the library.

`` Your cousin is the eldritch bloke I 've ever met, '' John said after Kaden was kicked out.

`` Yeah, he is a bit strange, '' Albus agreed and closed the book he was reading, `` Well, I 'm off to practice. I 'll see you lot later. ``

After exercise, Albus went to the rough-cut room and found his friends sitting around their common mesa doing homework. Unfortunately, none of them had found anything that would help them to essay that they were like the piranha. Albus was beginning to inquire if they 'd ever get that map working. Even if they did find a way to prove they were like the Marauders, what would they have got to do next ? How many things would they accept to do before they would actually be capable to see the map ? Albus had no approximation, but he knew the predator were n't going to take a shit this easy.

******

The rest of Feb passed quickly. Albus and his admirer continued to scour the library for any sorting of magical spell, tour, or potion that would help them in their pursuit to reveal the map. None of them found anything. Kaden thought they were all doing preparation as they searched the books every weekend. rose wine was making procession with the Sileo Altus charm, but it was n't quite perfected enough to use yet. Rose was sure enough she 'd possess it learned by the end of the month. Matt never said practically when the charm was brought up and Albus was hoping he would still fit to secern Kaden once Rose perfected the charm.

Kaden 's request to ingest televisions put into the unwashed room was rejected shortly after he gave it to Neville. Kaden did n't seem in the to the lowest degree bit deterred by this. He insisted it was rejected due to lack of convincing evidence as to how the tv set would do good the students. He was planning on resubmitting it along with a detailed essay on the subject later on in the term.

`` You know, Kaden, '' Rose said at dinner party one night, `` Even if the instructor accepted your petition, the televisions 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, `` Magic just does n't harmonise with electronics. This one time when we were visiting my Uncle seaman in the United States, Amy accidentally broke one of the metallic element detectors at the airport. It was n't her geological fault or anything, the magic just interrupted it or something. The thing started beeping and would n't terminate until they turned it off. ``

John laughed, `` That would 've been hilarious to see. ``

`` Amy did n't think so. She was mortified, '' flatness said, `` It was a while ago, before we even moved here. I think she was fourteen. ``

`` fountainhead, I still say they could incur a way, '' Kaden said.

`` Hey, flavor, '' Albus pointed to the Head table. prof Kendrick was standing up.

`` Wonder what he 's got to say ? '' King John asked.

`` Hope it 's nothing bad, '' Rose said.

`` He looks happy enough, '' Amanda commented.

`` May I have your attention ! '' Kendrick announced. The room fell understood. `` Thank you. Do n't worry, I 'm not giving out bad news show. In fact, I think you 'll find this annunciation most excite. ``

There was a worldwide murmur of excitement throughout the Great residence at this. Kendrick waited for everyone to stop talking before he continued.

`` If you 'll remember at the kickoff of the year, when I announced the changes for the Dueling clubhouse, that that would only be one theatrical role of the star sign 1 feat. I am announcing today that the other professor and I have organized another unity consequence. It will be a pack rat hunt, with inter-house teams, of course of study. ``

Albus groaned. A scavenger hunt would be fun, but not if he had to do it with Slytherins. Everyone else seemed to be in understanding, because there was a cosmopolitan groaning throughout.

`` I know you do n't like it, but the school needs to be unified. Now, I will explain the event. It will not be like a regular pack rat hunt. It will pick out office on the side by side three Saturday. This Sabbatum will be for the beginning and indorse days. The chase will be for third and fourth years. The hold up will be for fifth, sixth, and 7th age.

`` The other professor and I will be organizing the squad, which will consist of penis of other years and other house. Each team will have about ten members. You will give one hour to complete the tasks given.

`` You will receive a listing of items to obtain before this time of day is up. There are rules, of course. Some of these token will be required to find without trick. We will be performing magic spell on these particular and if we find that any of them were spelled, transfigured, conjured, charmed, etc. within the hour they will be disqualified.

`` However, the scavenger hunt will not only include a list of items to find oneself. You will also receive multiple trivia sheets. These will include both wizard and Muggle trivia.

`` Finally, each team will take in 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 degree fillip. However, there is also a false trail that will leave you to worthless entropy. If that is brought back, you 'll receive no bonus.

`` I will give you a more elaborated list of rules on the day of the event. Until then, keep your brainpower sharp and do n't get rid of anything you would otherwise hold useless, '' Kendrick smiled and returned to his seat.

Albus turned to his booster, `` This sounds, er, interesting. ``

`` It 's really an splendid idea, '' pink wine grinned, `` I mean, there 's no way a single person would be able to accomplish all of it alone. It 's a great idea for House unity. ``

`` It 'd be better if we did n't have to team up up with Slytherins, '' trick muttered.

`` But what if there 's something on that list that 's in the Slytherin common elbow room or something ? '' Rose pointed out.

John groaned, `` I guess you 're right. ``

`` audio fun, though, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah. Wonder what we get if we win ? '' Matt asked.

`` Hopefully some coupons to get out of preparation or something, '' John said.

`` Since when have they given away those ? '' Albus laughed.

`` Now 's the perfect metre for them to set off, '' John 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 loading of random material, it was Kaden.

******

The next few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. seemed to embroil on forever for Albus and the rest of the first and bit years. Everyone was getting excited about the pack rat Hunt and the instructor were getting a bit nettled that nobody was paying tending in class.

Soon enough, Saturday arrived and Kendrick announced at tiffin for all the first and second years to remain seated after they were done eating. Once all the older students left, Kendrick got to his human foot once more.

`` Now, the moment you 've all been waiting for, '' Kendrick said, `` The scavenger Hunt will begin shortly. starting time, I have a few more rules to go over.

`` As I said earlier in the hebdomad, there are item on this list that are not allowed to be created using magic trick. You may not conjure, transfigure, go, or charm any of those detail. Asking an elderly student to do so is also against the rules. We have spells that will detect if any point was magicked during the hour of the scavenger hunt.

`` The token must be found within the schooltime and grounds. Hogsmeade, the Forbidden timber, the Whomping willow, and Hagrid 's hut are all out of bounds and you may not search for items in or around them. You may not ask older pupil or teachers for help, nor may you owl family members or early people. However, you may ask erstwhile students if they have any of the items on the leaning. It is up to them if they let you borrow them or not. Do not steal anything from anyone or there will be punishment. You are permitted to use the subroutine library for assist with the trivium. ``

rose wine 's face lit up at that and Albus knew she would be the functionary library researcher for her team.

`` There are going to be eight teams of approximately ten educatee each. Your menage prefects have your team assignments. squad one and two are to assemble at the Hufflepuff tabular array, 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 arcminute to get organized in your squad and then the former prof will manus out the capture material. 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 tabular array 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 ! '' Peach State 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, '' Empire State of the South laughed, `` Anyway, you 're on squad Two. ``

Albus nodded and waited for his friends to get their team assignments.

Peach State scanned her clipboard again, `` Let 's see, rosiness is on Team One, trick is on squad quadruplet, Matt 's on team Two ... ''

Albus grinned at matte. He was relieved that one of his friends was on his team. Now all he had to do was hope Malfoy was n't on his team.

`` Amanda 's on Team four-spot, and Kaden 's on Team Six, '' Georgia looked up at them, `` Have fun. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus said and then turned to his friends, `` Guess we 'll see you after. effective destiny. ``

Albus and Matt worked their way through the crowds to the Hufflepuff table along with blush wine. Albus was a bit thwarted that Kaden was n't on his team, but there was n't anything he could do about that. The chance were n't great that he would have two of his friends on his Sami team. He was just prosperous he had one of his protagonist on the Saame team.

The Hufflepuff tabular array was already filling with people from teams one and two. team Two was gathering at the half closest to the staff table, so Albus and Matt made their way there.

There seemed to be a fairly even number of each house at the tabular array. Besides Albus and Matt, there was one other Gryffindor, a get-go year girl Albus had seen but did n't know her gens. There were also two Ravenclaws Albus did n't lie with, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. Albus groaned when he saw who the Slytherins were, Felix Willinson and Leigh Montague. Leigh was blush wine 's potions pardner and not the keen calamus in the box.

Felix Willinson narrowed his eyes when he saw Albus and flatness coming over. Albus found ass far away from him and sat down, waiting for the pack rat hunt to begin.

One of the Ravenclaws stood up a few seconds later, `` Hi, I 'm Rachel Underwood and I 've been assigned as squad police chief. ``

Everyone muttered hullo to her and Rachel had everyone introduce themselves. So far, Willinson and Montague did n't seem enthused about their team, but Rachel did n't pay any attention to their animosity.

prof Patil came over a little while later with a smattering of lambskin. Albus assumed they were the lean of clobber to await for and the trivia.

`` The Leigh Hunt will bug out in one moment ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The prof will give you your lists as soon as I say go. You 'll have one hour to be back here with as much stuff you can possibly get. ``

A minute later, Kendrick shot out a exhibitioner of blue electric discharge from his wand and Patil handed the raft of parchment to Rachel.

`` All right ! '' Rachel shouted as she leafed through the parchment, `` We need person to decipher the conundrum and run around to get the bonus points. ``

`` I 'll do it, '' the other Ravenclaw volunteered. Rachel nodded and handed him the sheepskin. He ran out of the Great dormitory while reading the riddle.

`` Ok, here 's the triviality, '' Rachel continued, `` We 've got Famous Witches and sensation, Famous Muggles, What Not To Do While Interacting With Muggles, What Do You Know About Quidditch, and What Do You Know About football. ``

Albus turned to Matt and laughed. Kaden would surely love the football one.

Rachel handed out the small beer to the mass who thought they 'd be able to do it. Willinson had n't taken any of the trivia sheet, but Montague took the Quidditch one. Albus hoped she actually knew something about Quidditch.

`` Now we 've just got the leaning of items to find, '' Rachel announced to the remaining team phallus, which were Albus, Matt, Willinson, and one of the Hufflepuffs. `` You four get started while I work on the trivia. Oh, but I 'll take forethought of the costumes. You 'll just take to wear them. ``

Albus nodded and took the lambskin from her. Costumes ? He hoped he would n't take to bear anything too humiliating. He set it down on the table and began to study 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 gown
-Gryffindor wearing Slytherin robes
-light saber
-Dumbledore burnt umber frog card
-twenty shoelaces tied together
-Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood
-Shooting Star broomstick
-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 Madam Malkins
-Argus Filch 's autograph
-the names of five Hogwarts House Elves
-rubber duck
-copy of Hogwarts, A History
-sneakoscope
-foe glass
-tea cozy
-Hogwarts graduation photo
-band aids
-green empty potions bottle
-Beatles CD
-purple gloves
-Hershey 's chocolate bar
-My Little Hippogriff
-pet toad
-purple parchment
-two batteries
-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 first cousin might have one. ``

`` I 've got one, '' the Hufflepuff, who Albus now knew to be Nelson Rodner, said.

`` trade good, '' Albus replied, `` Anyone else know they 've got some of this stuff and nonsense ? ``

Everyone nodded.

`` Let 's go get the clobber we know we 've got and then receive back here, '' Albus said as he got up. `` Then we can work on the stuff we do n't. ``

The other three son agreed and Albus ran out of the Great Hall with Matt. The two of them ran as fast as they could up to Gryffindor Tower.


A/N : I ca n't guide credit for the scavenger Richard Morris Hunt thought. There is a resort in University of Pennsylvania called Woodloch Pines that I go to every summertime and they have scavenger hunts like the one in this chapter. Complete with costumes, trivia, and the conundrum. It 's a lot of fun.

Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Gospel According to Luke, Moonylupin, EvilChaos, potterfan296, XDNLxtlz99, drownzer, Miguel, Denas, and phoenixy friend for their revue !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or the estimation for the scavenger hunt.


`` Willinson is acting civil, '' Albus commented as they were running up a flight of steps of stairs.

`` Yeah, '' Matt agreed, `` variety of surprising. Either he really wants to win or he 's not as confident without Malfoy. ``

`` Probably both, '' Albus said, `` Whatever the cause, we lucked out. ``

Everyone stared as Albus and lusterlessness ran into the unwashed way completely out of breath. `` pack rat Hunt, '' Albus muttered to his first cousin Ben and Cedric as he ran by.

`` Excellent, '' Ben grinned, `` Ca n't wait until our tour next Saturday. ``

Bilius was also in their dormitory collecting items when Albus and lusterlessness entered. They nodded to each early, but did n't say anything.

Albus wrenched open his body and started rifling through it. He found a bag of Bertie Botts Beans, a Dumbledore chocolate frog card, his copy of Hogwarts, A story, one extendable Ear, and the pic album he found in the attic of his menage. The graduation flick in the back would act upon for the Hogwarts commencement ceremony picture.

`` What have you got ? '' he asked Matt once he emerged from his trunk.

`` My baton 's holly, a muggle pen, stria aids, Chudley carom jersey, and a Nintendo DS, although I 'm not for sure why I still bother to wreak it since it does n't work here. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Let 's get back to the Great hallway. ``

When Albus and matt got back to the Hufflepuff table, Willinson and Rodner had already returned. There was a pile of hooey on the table between them. Albus looked through it and saw that they now had a copy of The Hobbit, people of colour changing ink, a beater 's bat, Muggle acting cards, and a sneakoscope.

`` All right, we 've got a upright start, '' Albus said as he added his and lustrelessness 's stuff to the pile. `` I guess we 'll have to ask the older educatee to borrow the rest.

`` Rodner, '' Albus began, `` You see if you can get a light saber, a Quaffle signed by Oliver Sir Henry Joseph Wood, a Shooting maven broom handle, drum peg, a receipt from Madam Malkin 's, foe spyglass, 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 goblet, tortilla chips, a tea cozy, the epithet of five sign of the zodiac Elves, and a Hershey bar. ``

`` Why should I ? '' Willinson grumbled, `` Who put you in rush ? ``

`` mortal 's got to do it, '' Albus told him.

`` Make Eckerton do it. ``

`` Him and I are getting the eternal rest, '' Albus replied, `` If you want to win, you 'll get the poppycock. ``

`` Fine, '' Willinson muttered and left the Great Hall.

`` Ok, that leaves the shoe lacing, empty green potions feeding bottle, purple gloves, a My Little Hippogriff, a toad, purple parchment, a synthetic rubber duck's egg, two batteries, and five more Extendable ear. Oh, and Filch 's autograph. ``

`` We 'll do that one go, '' lusterlessness shuddered. `` We can probably just go back to the commons room and ask if anyone 's got this poppycock. ``

`` Good idea, '' Albus agreed.

The two son set off at a run back to their common room. Luckily it was still packed with student and some of them grinned as Albus and flatness entered.

`` How 's it going ? '' Ben asked.

`` trade good, '' Albus grinned back, `` But we 've got a bunch of stuff to see. hear up everyone ! '' he shouted.

The entire common 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 magpie James Henry Leigh Hunt and call for some stuff. Has anyone got a My Little Hippogriff, purple glove, a toad, over-embellished lambskin, a safety duck's egg, assault and battery, or Extandable spike ? Also, we need 20 shoe laces. I promise we 'll return it all once we 're done. ``

About half the students got up and went up to their dormitories. A few minutes later they came back down with various particular for Albus. He managed to borrow a rubber duck, purple sheepskin, and a few extendible spike. Plus he got at least twenty brake shoe laces.

`` That worked well, '' Albus said as he and flatness left the room.

`` I 'd say so, '' mat agreed, `` Now Filch 's autograph. This ought to be fun. ``

Albus smacked his hand to his os frontale, `` I should have grabbed the map ! ``

Albus groaned and ran back to the common room. Everyone laughed as he ran up to his residence hall and back down to the commons room. Albus ignored them and pointed his baton 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 yards away from the threshold.

`` How are we supposed to ask him ? '' Albus whispered.

`` No estimation, '' Matt said back.

Albus 's heart 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 good again ? In pauperization of another hold, perhaps ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, `` Actually, I was just, er, well, we 're doing this magpie hunt. Maybe Kendrick told you about it. It 's to upgrade Inter House I and we have to receive all this stuff throughout the castle and- ''

`` We need your autograph, '' Matt interrupted, holding a piece of sheepskin 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 bother ... student never do anything for me ... ''

Nevertheless, Filch took the pen and scribbled his epithet onto the purple parchment. He thrust it wordlessly back into lustrelessness 's hand and shuffled off down the corridor.

`` That went expert than expected, '' Matt said.

`` Yeah, thanks. I could n't really reckon out how to ask him. ``

`` I figured, '' mat 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 eternal 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 splendid ! ``

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 Room. Albus slowly walked back and Forth River in figurehead of it, keeping an eye on the prefect.

He was about to make his third pass, when the prefect stopped him. `` Sorry, '' he said, `` You ca n't go in there if you 're in the scavenger James Henry Leigh Hunt. Kendrick 's normal. ``

Albus sighed, `` All right. ``

`` Of form, '' Matt muttered as they left, `` Kendrick could n't denote that formula because then everyone would find out about the room. Oh, well. What have we got left ? ``

Albus handed lusterlessness the list and he looked it over for a few minute. `` Hey, I know gentlewoman Pomfrey 's got common potions bottles. ``

`` Let 's go, '' Albus said, `` We 'd better hurry, there 's only xv minutes left. ``

They made it to the hospital Wing in record clock time. Albus pushed the door receptive and walked in, followed by Matt.

`` I 've got patients to tend to ! '' Madam Pomfrey was shouting at a Ravenclaw first yr, `` I have n't got time for this pack rat hunt club nonsense ! You 're the fifth person I 've had come in here looking for potions bottle and band aid ! I have n't got any ! ``

The girl nodded and ran quickly out of the room, completely ignoring Albus and lusterlessness 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 nursemaid, who was bent grass over one of the beds.

`` Hello, Madam Pomfrey, '' matt greeted her.

brothel keeper Pomfrey turned around and her steamed face softened immediately when she saw Matt.

`` Hello, Matt, love. Are you all right ? You look a bit flushed, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey said and put her hand to his forehead.

`` I 'm exquisitely, '' mat assured her, `` I 've just been running around working on the pack rat search. ``

`` Not you, too, '' dame Pomfrey sighed and then noticed Albus, `` Oh and Albus as well. ``

`` Yeah, '' Matt said, `` We were just wondering if you might have an empty unripe potions nursing bottle. ``

The nurse sighed and walked over to her potions cabinet. `` I suppose. Just be certainly to retort it. ``

Albus watched in shock as she returned with the claim particular they were looking for. lusterlessness grinned at Albus and took the bottle.

`` Thanks, '' matte smiled.

Madam Pomfrey shook her head word, `` No job. Have fun, boys. ``

`` We will, '' matt said as he turned to leave the room.

Albus followed him out the door, still in electrical shock that the nanny had actually given them the bottle when she had yelled at that number 1 yr only minutes ago.

`` You 're certainly on her near English, '' Albus muttered after they left the room.

`` One of the few perk of being there once a month, '' Matt said dryly.

`` We 'd break get back to the Great residence, '' Albus said as he looked at his watch.

Albus and flatness ran as fast as they could back to where their team was. The repose of the squad was working hard to finish the remaining trivia. Rachel herself was dressed up as Godric Gryffindor, finish with a fake beard. Rodner was dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff.

However, neither was as suspicious as what Willinson was wearing. He was decked out in Gryffindor o.k., with robe, a scarf, and a 'Loyal Gryffindor'hat. Albus could hardly stifle his laughter.

`` Do n't say a password, thrower, '' Willinson growled.

`` Albus ! '' Rachel shouted, `` You 've got to crop up as a Slytherin ! The robes I 've got are too big for flatness 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 transactions and if it helped them win ....

Albus did experience a bit strange in the Slytherin robes. He could n't help but cerebrate 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 robe all the time. He might own even been Sir Thomas More friendly with Malfoy at first. He probably would n't possess really befriended John, flatness, or Amanda if he 'd been in Slytherin. Albus shook the thought from his head and concentrated on the fact that he was just wearing the robes to serve his team win.

Rachel took stock of the particular on the listing as Matt tied all the shoestring together. It turns out that the only affair they were missing were the light saber, Quaffle signed by Joseph Oliver Wood, shot wiz broomstick, foe glass, Hershey 's bar, toad, and one battery. Rachel thought that was pretty good.

The other Ravenclaw returned a mo later and told everyone that he had finished the permeate pursuance and had managed to get the bonus detail.

`` Time is up ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The prof will be around soon to fit your lists. They will also collect your trivia canvas which will be marked later today. The victor will be announced at dinner tonight. ``

Patil came over to Albus 's team a few moments later and looked over their list. She took a word picture of the four multitude who were dressed up, much to Albus 's dismay. Now there would be permanent evidence of his Slytherin second. As soon as the picture was taken, Albus took off the gown and he noticed Willinson doing the same.

`` Ok, '' Patil announced as she gathered up the opus of parchment, `` You can leave. Please return anything you borrowed. ``

Albus and Matt gathered up their stuff as well as everything they 'd borrowed from respective Gryffindors. They stopped by the Hospital flank to return the bottle and then headed back to their common room.

The two of them passed out everyone 's stuff and then went to sit down at their common table. pink wine, Gospel According to John, Amanda, and Kaden joined them shortly.

`` That was fun, '' rose wine said as she sat down.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Even though we were with Slytherins. Willinson was n't too bad. ``

`` That 's safe, '' can 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 ones, '' Albus replied.

John Lackland burst out laughing, `` I wish I 'd seen that ! ``

`` You 'll be able-bodied to, '' Albus told him, `` Patil took a word-painting. ``

`` Excellent. ``

`` Did n't any of you lot have to dress up ? '' Albus asked.

`` I was Helga Hufflepuff, '' Gospel According to John said.

`` And I was Godric Gryffindor, '' Amanda added.

`` How did everyone do on the inclination of stuff to come up ? '' flatness asked.

`` I 'm moderately sure my squad was the only one with a sparkle sabre ! '' Kaden said excitedly, `` I 'm so gladiolus I decided to bring it. ``

`` We did all right hand, '' rose wine shrugged, `` Missed a lot of stuff, but I think we did well in the trivia. ``

`` Of course you did, '' St. John the Apostle grinned. `` Hey, did anyone manage to get hold the potions bottle ? Slughorn did n't have any green ones and Madam Pomfrey looked fix to hex me when I asked her. It 's not really middling that Kendrick put something on there that was unsufferable to get. ``

Albus grinned at lusterlessness, who grinned back.

`` What ? '' toilet asked.

`` We got it, '' Matt told him.

`` How ? '' Kaden asked, `` ma'am Pomfrey was downright scary when I asked her. May have been because she was busy fixing someone 's broken arm, but still .... ''

`` mat asked her and she gave him one, '' Albus explained.

lusterlessness shrugged, `` simpleton, really. ``

John sighed, `` Well, you 're probably the only one in the schoolhouse who could get it. She 'd probably give you whatever you asked for. ``

`` Why ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

`` Sorry, not telling, '' John replied.

Kaden sighed, `` Oh, part of that whole secret I ca n't get laid about ? ``

`` Yeah, '' St. John the Apostle said and then changed the depicted object, `` Hey, did any of you do the brain-teaser thing ? ``

`` I did, '' pink wine said, `` Want to hear it ? ``

`` Of line, '' John said.

`` Ok, I 'll see if you can get it. I thought it was a bit simple, really, '' Rose said. She pulled a piece of lambskin out of her gown and register off of it.

'' 'In an event known by wizards worldwide
Where serious and iniquity are forced to collide
A terrible strength can now no longer reside.
A property where just one share of Voldemort died .'''

Albus looked at John, lustrelessness, and Amanda and shrugged. He did n't suppose it was simple, but Rose was good at those sort of things.

`` No estimation, '' John announced.

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged.

`` Hmm, '' Amanda muttered.

`` Do n't look at me, '' Kaden said.

`` The Great Hall ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the office where Voldemort died.

`` Nope, '' Rose grinned, `` That was the pull a fast one on contribution. It 's actually that memorial outside, where prof Longbottom killed Voldemort 's Snake River. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus groaned, `` Of trend ! Did n't even think of that. ``

`` How long did it shoot you to work out it out ? '' mat asked.

`` Not long, '' rose smiled, `` But then I had to follow the clew to come up the bit of information to give professor Kendrick. ``

`` And where was that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` program library, '' Rose grinned, `` Herbology section. ``

`` Wonder how many teams got it, '' Albus thought aloud.

`` Well, my squad did, obviously, '' rose wine said, `` And you said your team did, Albus. What about you two ? ``

`` We did n't, '' John sighed and Amanda shook her head.

`` We did, '' Kaden put in.

`` surmisal we 'll find out tonight how everyone did, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` But I 'm not going to believe about it now. mightiness as well get some homework done. ``

Albus managed to get half an essay done before dinner. rosebush wrote an total essay and did a set of homework dubiousness. matte helped Amanda with her uranology and still got his Herbology done. John and Kaden on the former handwriting, spent he rest of the afternoon goofing off and playing chess.

The excitement was running gamey in the Great dorm during dinner party that evening. Everyone was comparing what they managed to find during the Scavenger hunting. Albus kept glancing up to the staff board to see when Kendrick would micturate the annunciation, but he seemed to be waiting until the live on minute to do so.

After what seemed the like forever, Kendrick got to his metrical unit. `` respectable evening, everyone. I hope all the first and second old age enjoyed the pack rat Hunt. It was certainly a achiever and I 'm sure the older students will look forward to their turns.

`` And, without any further wait, I shall harbinger the result. The first, second, and third place team will all be awarded medals.

`` In third berth, with 572 points, Team Two ! '' Kendrick announced, `` Will the members of Team Two please do up here. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus shouted and jumped up, `` tertiary place, that 's not bad ! ``

`` Yeah, I 'd say that 's pretty trade good, '' Matt grinned and followed Albus up to the faculty table.

Albus and Matt joined the rest of their squad 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 painting and then told them to return to their seats.

rosebush, Amanda, John the Divine, and Kaden congratulated Albus and lustrelessness as they sat back down. A few of Albus 's cousin-german patted him on the spinal column and told him good job.

`` Excellent, Albus, '' King James grinned, `` But my squad will get first place next week. ``

`` I 'll trust it when I see it, '' Albus rolled his eyes.

`` And in second space, with 580 points, is Team Seven ! '' Kendrick announced.

The fellow member of team VII ran up to the faculty table to get their Ag medal and have their picture taken.

`` And in first post, with 673 decimal point, is Team Six ! '' Kendrick shouted. `` Congratulations to the winning team ! ``

`` Woohoo ! '' Kaden stood up and started jumping up and down as he ran up to the faculty table, `` Yes ! ``

`` Wow, who would 've thought that, '' pink wine grinned, `` Kaden 's team won. ``

`` fountainhead, he does have a very large amount of random stuff in his dormitory, '' Albus commented.

`` I 'll bet it was the fall saber that put his team over the edge, '' John shook his head, `` I mean, I think his team was the entirely 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 mo later.

`` Congratulations, '' Albus grinned, `` At least one of us got first place. ``

`` We were so stopping point to sec, '' lusterlessness groaned, `` octad measly points ! ``

`` well, third 's good, '' John muttered, `` Better than not getting a decoration at all. ``

`` Oh, John the Evangelist, it 's just a secret plan, '' Amanda said, `` The percentage point is that we all had fun. ``

`` Congratulations to our winning squad and everyone else that participated, '' Kendrick said, `` I will be looking forward to the next round, third and 4th years, a hebdomad from today ! ``

Albus hung his bronze ribbon from his bed post before he went to bed that night. He crawled beneath the covers feeling very capacity with third place. He had n't really been expecting to win at all. The Scavenger Leigh Hunt had been a lot of fun, and Albus hoped Kendrick would nurse 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 greenback to ask Rose about the Sileo Altus charm the next day. They would deliver to tell Kaden about everything soon if they wanted to make anymore progress on the map. Plus, they 'd have to enquiry more about how to prove to the map that they really were like the Marauders.


A/N : Bit of a shorter chapter, but the premature one was longer, so it evens out. Kaden has proved that it never hurts to own a perch saber, a moral that my brother agrees with since he brought his short saber to LeakyCon and quite a few people told him they wished they 'd brought theirs.

I have created a internet site for my fan fic, where you can retrieve character profile and a blog about tidings and updates about my writing. The link is on my profile page here. I 'd bang for you to crack it out and leave alone comments in the News and Update section.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, who had to dress up as the Tin Man in concluding summer 's scavenger hunt. Big thanks to my ally, Rose, for coming up with the riddle. Thanks as well to EvilChaos, XDNLxtlz99, Gospel of Luke, mischiefmaker92, drownzer, Moonylupin, Miguel, Denas, and Tonks for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Throughout the rest of the month, blush wine continued to piddle advance on the Sileo Altus magical spell, and by the meter April rolled around, she was positive in her ability to do it. Albus wished the Sami could be said for the advance with finding out how to prove to the map that he and his admirer were like the Marauders. Albus spent every waking here and now that he was n't doing homework, attending Quidditch practice, or dueling practice, in the library trying to retrieve out a spell or spell that would make. His efforts were fruitless, though, because he still had n't found anything promising.

Albus also had another successful dueling tournament. He won both of his duel as did Malfoy, but their team still had n't won. Albus was beginning to doubt whether they 'd ever win.

Albus 's side by side Quidditch match 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 severe to tell who had the considerably team, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Albus pushed thought process of the map from his drumhead 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 final. If Ravenclaw got lupus erythematosus than 180 points, then Ravenclaw might not pull in it to the final. Peach State did n't particularly care who they played in the final, just so long as they won.

The couple went smoothly, in Albus 's impression. Much dependable than the previous mates, in which Albus got sick partway through. The conditions was better for this compeer as well. Albus managed to keep from thinking about the map, which was respectable since it was a very high-scoring peer for both side and Albus was constantly being thrown the Quaffle. After only an hour of play, James went into a nosedive and caught the Snitch, right out from under one of the Ravenclaw beater 's broom.

The usual company in the coarse elbow room ensued after the bookman returned to the castling, but Albus was n't really interested in it. Now that the match was over, all he could imagine about was trying out the Sileo Altus charm on Kaden. Albus figured the easily time to do it would be in the eventide and the substantially home would be the Room.

Shortly after Rose had succeeded in performing the charm on John, matt had reluctantly given into trying it with Kaden. His solely condition was first trying it with a harmless secret, and if that worked, to move onto the braggy one.

`` Are we doing it tonight ? '' St. John the Apostle asked as he sipped his butterbeer.

`` Yeah, '' Albus whispered back, `` After dinner party. ``

The relaxation of the good afternoon and dinner seemed to go by at an alarmingly slow pace. Time 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 elbow 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 way ? ``

`` You 'll see when we get there, '' Albus replied. `` Let 's go. ``

Kaden followed Albus and his acquaintance through the castle, with a constant stream of questions that Albus ignored.

`` Are you sure this is going to shape ? '' Matt whispered nervously as they stopped in front of the blank space of rampart where the Room of Requirement was.

`` Yes, '' Rose assured him, `` It will wreak. ``

matte nodded and started pacing in front of the wall.

`` Why did we give up ? '' Kaden asked, and then his optic popped out of his question as he saw the doorway appear from nowhere. `` Wicked. ``

`` C'mon, '' Albus said as he opened the door.

`` What is this place ? '' Kaden asked in awe.

`` elbow room of Requirement, '' Albus told him, `` Room that gives you what you need. ``

`` I ca n't believe you did n't prove me this yet ! ''

`` Well, it 's not something we want you to evidence anyone about. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said, `` So it 'll yield me anything I ask it for ? I think I want an entire cake .... ''

`` It does n't do nutrient, '' Rose explained.

`` Oh, well, it 's still brilliant. ``

`` Kaden, come sit down, '' Albus told his cousin.

`` You 're all so tranquillity, '' Kaden said as he took a seat on the couch succeeding to Albus, `` What 's going on ? ``

`` Well, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to essay something. Rose found a charm that 's supposed to make someone not be able to secernate other hoi polloi 's secrets. If it works, we 're going to differentiate you a clustering of stuff and you wo n't be able to secern anyone. ``

`` What are you going to secernate me ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` We have to seduce sure the appealingness works first, '' Albus sighed, `` Which is why we 're here. Rose is going to perform the charm, using your cognition of this room as the closed book. If you have n't told anyone by following Sabbatum, we 'll narrate you the sleep of it. ``

`` Fine, '' Kaden sighed, `` I ca n't believe you wo n't order me without this charm. ``

`` Um, Kaden, you 've told Malfoy clobber I told you not to tell apart anyone, '' Albus reminded him.

`` That was n't my break ! ``

`` I know, but we 're not risking this. If you want to know the arcanum, you 'll have to have Rose do the charm. ``

`` Ok, ok, I 'll do it, '' Kaden said.

`` Good, '' Rose smiled, `` Now let 's get started. ``

It took Rose about ten minutes to do the charm. Kaden was thoroughly amazed by the magic spell and rose wine 's ability to perform it.

`` Let 's exam it, '' rosiness decided once they left the elbow room. She pointed to a girl who was walking towards them. `` Go assure her about the way. ``

Kaden shrugged and ran up to the girl, 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 girl asked, trying to breed up her giggling. `` Are you ok ? ``

`` Fine, fine, '' 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 cretin. ``

Albus laughed, `` No they wo n't. But that 's effective that it worked. ``

`` Yeah, '' Kaden grinned, `` Definitely deserving it. ``

******

Albus kept a close eye on Kaden throughout the adjacent workweek. As far as he could tell, his full cousin did n't tell anyone about the elbow room of Requirement. They tested the charm a few to a greater extent clip, telling Kaden to evidence someone about it, but Kaden was never able to. Albus was fully convinced that the Sileo Altus charm was a achiever.

Kaden was positively beaming by the meter Sat arrived. Albus was variety of excited as well, because they would officially have Wormtail in their grouping of new Marauders. lavatory, Rose, and Amanda were excited as well. The only when thing left to do after this would be to rule a way to try out to the map that they were like the Marauders. Matt did n't look excited at all. He was clearly spooky about telling Kaden that he was a werewolf. It probably did n't serve that the full synodic month was only a few days away. Albus could n't really blame matt for his nerves, but Albus was surely the charm would continue to work.

After dinner, Albus led his friends back to the elbow room of prerequisite, with the new Map in his robes.

`` Ok, what 's the undercover ? '' Kaden said as he bounced around the way once they were inside.

`` You 've got to sit down first, '' Albus told him. `` And flatness 's going to tell you the beginning one. ``

`` Oh ! '' A look of inclusion appeared on Kaden 's cheek. `` Is this about how you get sick every calendar month ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt sighed.

`` And this is what you do n't desire Malfoy to roll in the hay about ? ``

`` Yes, '' mat said shortly, `` Now just let me tell 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 test the charm like we 've been doing all hebdomad. You ca n't even try to evidence anyone this. Never quotation it to anyone except us. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said.

`` Good. Now, you know that wolfman are genuine, right ? ``

Kaden nodded, `` What does that ingest to do with you getting sick ? ``

`` Everything, '' Matt said quietly, `` I am a werewolf. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That is the coolheaded thing ever ! ``

`` No it 's not, '' mat sighed, `` You do n't even really love what happens when I turn into a werewolf. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I 've seen film. ``

`` It 's not like that, '' mat told him, `` I get regorge a few days before the entire moon, and then the nighttime of the full moon, I turn into a wildcat and burn myself because there 's goose egg else for me to bite. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden deflated, `` So where do you go when you turn into a skirt chaser ? ``

`` A shack in Hogsmeade. ``

`` The shriek 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 long sentence, '' Kaden said.

`` near of my sprightliness, '' matte explained, `` It 's ugly, really. ``

`` And that 's the big enigma ? '' Kaden asked, `` Why ca n't anyone know that ? ``

`` Because most wizards do n't like lycanthrope, '' 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 werewolf anymore ? Or a potion ? ``

`` Magic does n't fix everything, '' lustrelessness sighed.

`` Yeah, that 's what I 've been trying tell you for the unharmed year, '' Albus pointed out.

`` But why ? ``

`` Dunno, '' matt shrugged, `` But there is a potion, called the Wolfsbane Potion, that 's supposed to stool it so you keep your human mind when you turn into a wolf. So you do n't want to set on anyone or yourself. ``

`` Why do n't you look at that ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I do, '' Matt told him, `` Actually, I take a different diverseness than most loup-garou take. For some ground, Wolfsbane does n't figure out for me. I 'm in this work at St. Mungo 's to figure out why and right now they 've got me taking a new variety of Aconitum lycoctonum. ``

`` Does it put to work ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' matte replied, `` That 's kind of why I still bite myself every full moonlight. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. `` So someday they might find a potion that will work ? ``

matte shrugged, `` Maybe. But I 'm not getting my Leslie Townes Hope up. ``

`` So I 'll be charmed not to say anything about this ? '' Kaden asked after a few second of silence.

`` Yes, '' Albus replied, pulling the new map out of his robes, `` And about this. ``

Albus spent the succeeding one-half hour showing Kaden the new map. Kaden thought it was the topper thing 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.

`` tool Pettigrew ? '' Kaden raised his brow, `` That evil bloke who betrayed your grandparents ? ``

`` Er, yes, '' Albus sighed.

`` You know my mum wanted to describe me Peter, but Dad said no because he did n't want me to deliver the same name as that moron, '' Kaden commented, `` So it 's my middle name. ``

`` perfective, '' John grinned, `` You even sorting of share his figure. ``

`` 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 sort of like him for it to work. And you are because you 've sort of got the same public figure. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I guess. Anyway, when are you going to get the map to work ? ``

`` Whenever we figure out how to bear witness to it that we 're like the predator. Somehow we 've got to demo the map that we are similar to the vulture, '' Albus explained, `` Which is taking forever. ``

`` Oh, you mean like a fingerbreadth print ? '' Kaden asked.

`` What ? '' Albus asked.

`` You know, a finger print. Everyone 's is unlike, but your finger print is like to your relative. It 's how Muggle cops find the great unwashed and hooey when they 're missing. And how they identify bodies. ``

`` A finger print ! '' Rose exclaimed, `` That 's it ! I ca n't consider I did n't consider of it ! ``

`` What are you talking about ? '' Gospel According to John asked. `` Kaden just said everyone 's is different. So how will ours be like the marauder'? ``

`` Not Muggle finger print, '' Rose said, `` Wizard ace. There 's a spell to get your whiz 's Finger mark. It reveals your name, congenator, even your personality. ``

`` That 's sort of shivery, '' Albus said, `` Anyone can find that clobber out if they 've got your finger print ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose shrugged, `` But I think it will operate for this. ``

`` hope so, '' Albus grinned. He could n't consider that Kaden had actually given rosebush an musical theme about the map. Kaden had helped with it. If this finger print thing worked, they could have the map figured out in no time.

`` We 'll face for it tomorrow, '' Rose stood up and drew her verge, `` Now let 's do the charm. ``

Albus nodded, feeling more mad than he had in months. They were so close, he could just find it. The map would be working soon. Of line, there was a peck doubt in Albus 's gut that was telling him that there would be something to figure out even after the finger print thing.

******

`` What are you going to sign up for ? '' John asked as he glanced over the parchment all the second years had received just a minute earlier.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` What about you, Matt ? ``

`` Care of Magical Creatures, '' matte replied, `` Not sure what else. ``

`` I 'll do that one, too, '' Albus decided and wrote it down on his sheepskin. `` Hagrid teaches it, so it 'll be fun. ``

`` mark me up, '' John said, `` I could use with a fun social class. ``

`` You ought to think about what will be useful in your future tense life history, '' Rose told them.

`` But I 've got no idea what I want to do, '' john said.

Albus had no thought either. He had n't really thought about it. He thought being an Auror would be a good job, but he was n't sure that that was what he wanted to do. He still had five eld at Hogwarts anyway, why decide now ?

`` Me either, '' Amanda agreed, `` I think I 'll do concern of Magical Creatures, too. ``

`` I 'm taking Muggle study, '' rose wine announced, `` Plus Arithmancy and antediluvian Runes. ``

`` All three ? '' Saint John asked, `` But we only have to take two. ``

`` Yeah, but I want to consume all of them. I 'd really wish to take Care of Magical Creatures, too, but there 's not enough time. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Divination, '' John shrugged.

rosebush snorted, `` Divination ? Mum says that should n't even be a study. There 's no real learning involved. ``

`` But is it well-situated ? '' trick asked.

`` Uncle Ron said all you 've got to do is make up predictions about your death if you 've got Trelawney, '' Albus explained.

`` Excellent, '' King John scribbled onto his lambskin, `` I 'll lease that and hope I 've got Trelawney. ``

`` I 'm taking that, too, '' Amanda said, `` It actually sounds interesting. ``

`` Fine, '' Rose sighed, `` But I still say it 's not really a content. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do antediluvian rune, '' Albus thought aloud, `` I think it 's easygoing than Arithmancy. What about you, lusterlessness ? What else do you think you 'll take ? ``

`` Ancient Runes sounds in effect, '' Matt yawned, `` I guess I 'll shoot that. Amy took it. She hated it in Australia, but she said it 's better here. ``

`` I 'd hold everything, '' Kaden announced, `` I could n't decide. ``

`` You ca n't consume everything, '' rose wine laughed, `` You 'd have to be in two situation at once. ``

`` Oh, well I 'm pretty sure that 's out of the question, '' Kaden sighed.

Albus turned and grinned at Rose, who grinned back. Albus could only imagine Kaden 's response to a time-turner.

`` Yeah, the most classes you can adopt is three, '' rose explained.

`` Then I 'll have three, '' Kaden decided.

`` Are you lot done choosing classes ? '' rose wine asked as she stood up, `` We 'd better get to August 6. ``

Albus spent the entire August 6 course of instruction trying to grow his plate into a bowl, and had almost managed to do it by the sentence the course of instruction was over. Rose, of course of action, did it within ten mo and spent the remainder of the family helping Albus and the rest of their friends.

History of legerdemain was as boring as ever. Matt slept the entire class, and Albus felt himself nod off a few times. mat had seemed very tired in Transfiguration and probably would have fallen asleep in that class if it were n't for the fact that it was a virtual lesson. This was n't surprising considering the fact that the full moon was the next day. The Healers still had n't found something to sabotage the side effect of extreme tiredness of the new Wolfsbane that Matt 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 fine a moment before. He did n't seem to be the only one who felt this either. Both John and Amanda yawned as soon as they sat down, and even rose wine 's eyes drooped a bit as she pulled out her parchment. Matt laid his header down on the desk and fell asleep immediately.

`` unspoiled 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 cauldron on his desk, `` Is Drowsiness Potion. All it takes is one whiff of this potion to put you into a state of fatigue. If you drink it, you 'll fall into an almost sleep-like State Department for about a half hr. Of course, you 'd recognise this if you did the version that was due today. ``

Albus remembered being assigned the Reading, but he had n't done it. He had just been too busy 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 finish it. pedagogy are on the board. cultivate with your usual partners. ``

Albus yawned and got up from his table. He joined Limbert at his table and lit the fervour under the cauldron while Limbert collected ingredients.

The entire class was moving at a slower footstep than usual, and everyone was yawning every few minutes. It was kind of strange. Nobody was arguing with their partners either. Albus wondered if Slughorn had picked this particular potion for a reason. The past week, a duel had broken out between bathroom and Goyle, resulting in both of them being sent to the Hospital offstage for burns and then being assigned a hebdomad 's worth of detention.

Limbert returned wit the element and he and Albus started to set up them, without exchanging any conversation. No different than usual.

Albus dumped some ingredients into the caldron and began to stir it. He watched mat and Malfoy as he did so. Malfoy had returned with ingredients and was prodding Matt with his sceptre to get him to wake up 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 blood-red roots, '' Malfoy instructed. Albus was surprised with how calm Malfoy seemed.

mat nodded and picked up his knife. Albus went back to stirring his potion.

`` professor ! '' Malfoy said after a few minutes. `` He keeps falling asleep. ``

Albus looked up from the beetling eye he was mincing. Matt was once again asleep on the table.

`` Ah, '' Slughorn waddled over to lusterlessness and Malfoy 's table, `` The Drowsiness Potion affects everyone differently. '' Slughorn shook Matt 's shoulder. `` lamb boy, you might want to go to the Hospital Wing. I do n't think the fume from this potion are agreeing with you. They 're not supposed to put you into a deep eternal rest. ``

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 certainly Mr. Limbert can handle your potion. ``

`` All right, '' Albus laid down his knife 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 door. The drowsiness went away completely.

`` I 've got to sit down, '' lustrelessness mumbled and sat down on the floor.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked, sitting down following to him.

`` I dunno, '' flatness shrugged, `` I 'm guessing that that potion just made me even more tired than I already am. ``

`` Do you palpate better now ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not really, '' Matt replied.

`` Then you 'd better get to the Hospital backstage. ``

`` Yeah, I suppose. ``

Madam Pomfrey wanted Matt to stay for the rest of the afternoon. Albus was n't even sure if she 'd let him get out at all before the full moon. Knowing the nurse, she probably wouldn't.

Matt never came back from the Hospital Wing that dark, so Albus assumed Madam Pomfrey was keeping him there until after the broad moon. Albus and the rest of his admirer decided that as soon as Matt was out of the infirmary Wing, they would bulge looking for the Wizard 's fingerbreadth Print magical spell. Rose was somewhat for sure she had seen it in the depository library somewhere, but she could n't remember where. That meant that they would spend minute scouring the entire library for it. This was in addition to all the supererogatory poring over they had to do now that the end of term examination were lupus erythematosus than two months away. Albus just hoped they 'd be able to figure out the map before schooltime was over. It would be pointless to image 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, Gospel of Luke, and tranc3rooney for their reviews !