Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent most of the days preceding Christmas Day at rose 's theatre. James River was determined to use all of his spare prison term for Quidditch practice, and he had to go to Rose 's theater for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Hugo would aid James IV practice while blush wine read.

Harry had to practically separate James from his broom by magic on Xmas Eve so they could go to Godric 's Hollow. James wanted to persist at Rose 's house and hold practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The slip was quiet since King James was rather sullen the entire time.

"Professor Patil says I 'm a rude at metamorphosis,"Lily bragged to Albus as they walked towards the tunnel afterwards.

"That 's good,"Albus replied.

"Yeah, so I 'm going to become an Animagus eventually. I want to be a cat."

"You do n't get to choose what sort of animal you transform into,"Albus told her.

"Oh,"Lily said,"But I think I 'll turn a cat."

Albus nodded as Lily began to describe in great detail what kind of cat she would transubstantiate into.

Everyone else was already at the Burrow and Albus felt an immediate warmheartedness come over him as he stepped inside. It had nada to do with the fact that it was so cold and snowy outside, either. There was something so comforting about being at the Burrow surrounded by all his category. He was able to blank out all the issues with the Quidditch tournament and Professor Killigan. All he could think about was how ravening he was and how good some of his grandmother 's cooking would be flop about then.

Rose sat down future to Albus as he tucked into a enceinte bowl of onion soup with a English of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and aunty Katherine are going back to Romania this summer,"pink wine announced.

"To tame to a greater extent dragons ?"Albus asked. His uncle and aunty had n't done that since Stanley started Hogwarts, but they often talked about how they wanted to go back.

"Yeah,"blush wine nodded,"They might stay even after the summertime 's over, but Heather and Mark will amount back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

"Yup. Stanley and Eddie are going, too. Stanley 's quitting his job for it. He 's definitely staying in Roumania after the summer 's over. He wants to get into flying dragon training."

"Wow,"Albus replied,"They 're lucky. I guess it 's good that Francis Edgar Stanley decided what he wants to do."

Stanley had been working at the Magical zoo since he finished Hogwarts, but knew he did n't want to do that his whole life. He just did n't know what he did want to do.

"I wish our parents would take us to some other country,"Albus sighed.

"Me, too,"Rose agreed,"Imagine the history we could learn."

Albus personally had enough of History from professor Binns, but he supposed learning account by traveling would be fun.

"Christmas Quidditch tomorrow ?"teddy bear asked as he sat down adjacent to Rose.

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

"I would n't consider on it, Teddy,"molly said as she handed Albus another lump of bread,"We 're supposed to get the snowstorm of the decade tomorrow. The Muggle electricity is already out in town."

"Is it really ?"Arthur popped his headway into the way,"Fascinating ! I may get to go see it tomorrow !"

"You 'll do no such thing !"Molly shouted,"It 's near impossible to Appparate during such a tempest. Not to refer the fact that it 's Christmas and you should be here."

"We do n't postulate electricity to play Quidditch !"Teddy exclaimed,"It 'll be perfect training conditions ! If you can catch a Snitch in the heart of a blizzard, you can catch one in any atmospheric condition. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

"We 'll see tomorrow, teddy bear,"Molly sighed.

Albus finished his soup and he and climb went into the den, where they were greeted by a loudly chorus of 'Odo the Cuban sandwich', sung by Saint George, Alicia, Charlie, and Ron. Bill and Fleur were laughing while Hermione shook her head word. Albus had a feeling the simply ground why Fleur approved was because the singing was drowning out Celestina Warbeck.

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven Sickles for that !"Percy said to Katherine, who was only sort of paying attention,"And the blighter looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that much for a tour of duty of a questionably historic old building. There really should be regulations on such affair. It 's one thing I 'll change if I 'm ever Minister."

Albus stifled a jape. His Uncle Hotspur had been talking about running for Minister for the past ten old age, but still had n't done it. nigh of his uncles and aunts got fed up of hearing him blab about what he would and would not change.

"Hey, Albus, rosebush,"Victoire waved at him from across the room.

"Hi Victoire,"Albus made his way over to her,"How is healer training ?"

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to figure out which part of the infirmary I want to do the residuum of my grooming in by September. We 've been rotating throughout all the story, but now we have to pick one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until September,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a long fourth dimension to him.

"I know,"Victoire replied,"But Amy 's known where she wants to finish up training since we were in fourth part year."

"You 're not in Amy 's position,"Teddy appeared and put his arm around her,"And I think you 'll do not bad anyplace you decide."

"Thanks, shift,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the maternal quality ward or piece Damage."

"There 's a busy Ward,"shift grinned,"magical spell wrong. You 'll get all the funny injuries there."

"That 's not a good reason to pick a differentiation,"Victoire groaned.

"Good a reason as any,"Teddy shrugged.

The meter grew later and after Albus played numerous rung of Exploding Snap with his cousin, his grandmother announced that it was sentence for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no full stop. Everyone, including the former adults, knew that arguing with Molly Weasley was useless.

Albus trudged up the step to the highest bedroom that he shared with James, Ben, and Cedric. He climbed into bed and then realized just how big this at hand blizzard was. The wind was howling louder than he 'd ever get wind before.

The wind was so powerful that Albus could feel it through the gaps in the window. Every once in a while, the house would screak and judder. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his ears to try and swim out the howl.

Albus did n't pull off to drift off to catch some Z's until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no deception outside of school principle to put a silencing charm on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his annual Christmas wake-up call, Lily. She breezed through the threshold shouting about how they all needed to wake up and open their present.

"And there 's three feet of snow outside,"Lily said as she left the room,"I checked."

"Merlin !"James I jumped off the top bunk and looked out the windowpane,"There is ! And it 's still coming !"

"Whoa, you ca n't see anything !"Cedric added.

"We could build the world 's biggest Baron Snow of Leicester mavin later,"Ben suggested.

"We could build an full nose candy wizard United States Army,"Albus said.

"Presents first,"James said as he located his pile of presents.

Albus descended upon his own pile of present tense and began opening them. There were the usual Henry Sweet and Weasleys'merchandise from his aunt and uncles. Another Weasley sweater, this one vermilion and gold striped. He pulled it on over his pajamas and opened the repose of the present tense from his aunty and uncles. His Aunt Hermione had gotten him a few books he 'd probably never study, including one about the chronicle of sign elf at Hogwarts.

Albus saved his parents'present for last, although he doubted they could top last yr 's. There really was n't anything in the man that was well than the Invisibility Cloak.

"Al, did you open Mum and Dad 's yet ?"James shouted.

"I 'm opening it now,"Albus said as he ripped the paper off the small box.

"You 'll never guess what they got us !"

Albus opened the box and saw two tag. Two tickets for the Quidditch World Cup that was taking place this summertime !

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"World Cup tickets !"

"I did n't even sleep together they were on sale this too soon !"Epistle of James said.

"You two get the unspoiled present,"Cedric said.

"Hey, I got two tickets,"James replied.

"Yeah, two,"Ben sighed,"You can only cull one of us to go."

Albus suddenly realized he had the same problem. Two tickets. Five champion he would require to use up. Who was he going to choose ? Not blush wine. They may have been protagonist since they were babies, but she just did n't give a Passion for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to cross off the list. lav and matte were the Quidditch lover. He 'd have to select between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't keep up a team or anything.

"Those are limited edition just the ticket,"Ben said,"They do n't know who 's playing yet, so they do n't sell very many tickets ahead of time."

"They 're for the top box, too,"James River said in awe.

Lily burst into the room with a big grinning on her face. She was holding two tickets as well."Did you get Quidditch ticket ?"

"Yeah,"Albus and Saint James said at the same time.

"This is going to be bright,"Lily said and then ran out of the room.

Albus 's parents were already in the kitchen by the sentence Albus went downstairs. They were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Albus gave them each a immense hug and then sat down.

"How did you get the slate ?"he asked.

"They were a gift from the Minister,"Harry replied,"The Cup is in Canada this year and he 's good friends with their pastor. Got him a lot of free tickets."

Albus grinned as he began to eat breakfast. Somehow his parents had come close to topping utmost year 's present. Now not only was he going to get to see the earthly concern Cup, he would get to locomote to a different country.

Rose came downstairs a little while later and was impressed with the ticket. She had no desire to go to the Cup and had no suggestions on how Albus was going to choose between can and Matt.

"Anyone up for Quidditch later ?"Teddy announced as he sauntered into the kitchen.

"Not under my watch !"molly shouted,"You ca n't see a invertebrate foot in front end of you out there ! And it must be close to 15 below !"

"Maybe after lunch, then,"shimmy shrugged.

Molly shook her point and sighed as she set a few more record of orchis and toast onto the table.

There was a whang on the door that could only just be heard over the ululation wind. Molly glanced at Chester A. Arthur, who shrugged and got up to see who it was. Albus followed, very queer to see who would visit on Dec 25 dawning in the middle of a huge blizzard.

"Xeno, is that you ?"Arthur shouted outside.

"Yes !"Xenophilius Lovegood shouted back. Chester A. Arthur stood aside as the man walked in and then shut the door behind him."Quite the tempest we 're having ! Just thought I 'd discontinue by and see if this place was still standing."

"Quite the storm, yes,"Arthur agreed,"I heard the Muggles lost electricity. Fascinating. I wonder what they do without it. But yes, the house is still standing."

"trade good, but if you feel it 's too decrepit, just let me love and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy works. The leaves do wonders on old buildings. attain them like new. I just put a bunch into my place and it 's a good thing, too. Of course, they tend to draw in Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's articulation trailed off.

"I 'll keep that in idea,"King Arthur smiled,"Are you spending the holiday alone ?"

"Yes, yes,"he replied,"Luna and Rolf are with his family this Christmas."

"Then you must appease here a patch. Molly 's wangle far too much nutrient, like usual,"Arthur hint Xeno into the kitchen.

Albus followed them. He always found Xenophilius Lovegood to be an interest wizard, if not a little mad. Always going on about Nargles or Nom-Noms or something.

mollie was more than happy to provide Xenophilius with a large platter of breakfast and he settled down to discuss the storm with the adults.

Albus spent about of the morning playing Exploding breeze, Wizard 's Chess, and Gobstones with his cousin-german. They tried to toy hide and go essay, but the house was too crowded to bring it properly.

Teddy and William James kept looking out the window, willing it to contain snowing. Both of them were just itching to go play Quidditch. Albus would have gladly gone and played if it would stop snowing so much. He was dedicated to the game, but not enough to play in this storm.

lunch period came and the snow was still falling. George went outside to assess it and came back with the news program that it was three and a half groundwork.

Teddy went upstairs after tiffin and came back decked out in three jumpers, a thick cloak, and a pair of boot. Under one arm was his ling and under the other was a box of Quidditch balls. James was mighty behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus Lupin !"Molly shouted,"I suppose I ca n't cease you from going out there and catching death of a cold, but I will not let you sweep James with you !"

"He 's not dragging me, granny,"James rolled his oculus,"I want to go !"

"Just let them, Molly,"Harry said,"They 'll get low temperature soon enough and come back inside."

"Fine,"Molly replied and went back into the kitchen.

"Excellent,"shimmy grinned,"Anyone care to join us ?"

Sakartvelo, Fred, and Scots heather suited up in ardent clothes and joined Teddy and James. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't want to freeze down when he could abide inside and be warm.

The Yule Quidditch lasted a one-half an time of day. teddy, Saint James, GA, Heather, and Fred all stumbled back into the family shivering with their faces red and covered in Snow and ice. Molly immediately descended upon them with fall guy of hot chocolate and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

"C-ca n't witness the Sn-Snitch,"chemise muttered.

Harry laughed."That does n't surprise me. You 'll find it when the storm calms down. You put the charm on it to rest in the yard, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"Teddy replied.

Dec 25 dinner came and went in its usual pandemonium. Xenophilius stayed for it and James snuck sneezing pulverisation into his soup, which he found incredibly funny. molly was not as ingrain and gave James quite the scolding. How she found out it was Jesse James was beyond Albus.

The violent storm continued throughout the night and Cedric had to put the silencing charm back on their room in monastic order for any of them to get any sleep.

******

Nobody left the Burrow until two 24-hour interval after Christmas. That was when the nose candy finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half feet, which was a new record for Albus 's lifespan. The Burrow 's yard had been decorated by dozens of snow enchantress and virtuoso, along with hippogriffs, owls, and a motley of other magical wight.

When Albus found out what his house was doing after they left the burrow, he wished the snow would deliver kept coming. They were going shopping for wearing apparel robe for the New Year 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old wearing apparel gown ?"James whined as they walked down Diagon Alley towards gentlewoman Malkin's.

"Because they 're five in too short,"Ginny replied,"They 're even too lowly for Al."

"Yeah, Hugo 's the lucky one,"James I muttered. Hugo was wearing James IV 's old frock robes to the party and therefore did not have to go shopping.

"Mummy, I want purple robe,"Lily announced.

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the first dyad of dress robes he found, so long as they were n't tap or empurple. The Sooner they were done robe shopping the better.

rose and Lily made a beeline for the fille dress robes as soon as they walked in the door. Albus stood awkwardly next to James while their mother found various robe for them.

"Here, try these on, Al,"Ginny handed him a pair of emerald green robes.

"Very Slytherin,"James II snickered.

"Shut it, James,"Albus muttered.

"They 'll bring out your eyes, Al,"Ginny told him,"Now go try them on."

Albus reluctantly tried on the Slytherin colored robe and then left the dressing room for his mother to see.

"Too light,"she announced,"But the colouring is gross. I 'll incur a bounteous size."

James wound up with a navy blue pair of robes, which Albus would birth preferred. Lily found her purple robe and Rose got a sky blue duad.

"Next time you 're getting unripened robes,"Albus muttered to James, who was still making fun of the color of Albus 's robes.

"No I wo n't. I do n't birth Green River eyes,"James I grinned.

"Then we 'll get you a nice red set,"Ginny said,"They 'll collide horribly with your hair."

"I do n't care. They 'd be Gryffindor colored,"Saint James laughed.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awing people who have read and reviewed this ! Also, for anyone who read In Moonlight 's fantasm, the first chapter of the subsequence, Beyond the Shadow, is now up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The party was at the diplomatic minister 's star sign, the house where all the Ministers of magic trick had lived. Albus had been there a few times before, but not in a dyad days. Usually all the political party the minister held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few 60 minutes before the company, Ginny made Albus, James, and Lily all take shower and comb their hair properly. She spent a good fifteen minute of arc trying to get James 's hairsbreadth to lie flat and another fifteen minute putting Lily 's up in some sort of elaborate bun type thing. Albus was very happy his own hair was far too shortsighted for that form of thing.

Before they left, Albus 's parents sat him, James, and Lily down on the lounge and proceeded to state them the rules for the evening.

"Absolutely no making fuss !"Ginny stared at James as she said this,"None at all ! This is the diplomatic minister 's sign of the zodiac ! I will not have you wreaking havoc in it."

"We 're trusting you to hold open yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to have to mingle with everyone and we wo n't be able to follow you every second,"Harry added,"You 're all at Hogwarts now. You 're old enough to not be glued to us for the evening."

"Do n't worry,"Henry James said,"I know when mischief is n't appropriate."

"Let 's hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his kinsfolk Apparated to the Minister 's house, which meant side-along Apparition for Albus. He hated side-along Apparition. It felt like he could n't breath. It was worse when the person who was Apparating him was also Apparating another individual, which was always the case in his class. It was the curse of being the eye child. He was either with James or Lily. This time it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

When Albus had regained his ability to breath properly, he looked around at where they had landed. He was standing on the front end lawn of what was the most profligate mansion he had ever seen. It could n't be considered a theater ; it was just too monstrous.

A long and winding sidewalk, framed with bushes and lights on either side, moderate up to the front door. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

The mansion seemed to get bigger as they got closer. It was painted brown with a black roof and reminded Albus of a rook. It was n't nearly as big as Hogwarts, of course, but it was still huge.

Harry rang the ship's bell when they arrived at the door and it was answered by the Minister himself."Harry !"he shouted,"come in !"

minister of religion Langston Hartwell was the third gear minister since the fall of Lord Voldemort. He was a marvellous, obese man with very little hair left on his head. He did cavort a rather large mustache, which caused Albus to think of him as a much grandiloquent version of prof Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very educated wizards who spoke using very bombastic row that Albus could n't really understand. He was long-winded and well-nigh of his words could be condensed down into a few sentences, according to Harry, that is. He was a very nice man, though.

"Right this way,"Hartwell motioned for them to fall out him.

Hartwell lead them through the house, which was just as spick-and-span as Albus remembered, and into what could only be described as a grand dance hall. It was the Lapp ballroom all the party Albus had been to were held.

The room was decorated with silver gray and black-market and was already filling up with people. Albus spotted rosiness and matt in the back of the room and left his family in the threshold to go see them.

"Some place, huh ?"Albus said once he reached them.

"This is the freehanded house I 've ever seen,"Rose agreed,"I see you 're wearing your Slytherin robes."

Albus rolled his eyes."Shut it."

"What do you guess, Matt ?"rosiness turned to mat,"His mum says they match his eyes, but James says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"Matt said immediately.

"Then yours are Ravenclaw,"Albus pointed out, gesturing to matt 's blue robes.

"I do n't deal,"lusterlessness shrugged,"So, did you just get here ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

"I 've been here for two 60 minutes already,"lustrelessness said,"We were the first 1 here. Dad keeps introducing me to people and they all think I 'm a first base year."

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you know most of these people ?"

"Some,"Matt said,"That 's the bloke Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very large wizard,"McVicar."

"Right,"Albus said,"I 've heard of him. Dad 's always said he would never retire."

"Dad never thought he would either,"Matt laughed,"Then we 've got your Uncle Percy, I think you probably know him. Those people are a few of Dad 's co-worker,"Matt gestured to a few more beldam and thaumaturge,"Then there 's a bunch of people from other section, but I do n't remember any of their names."

"Looks like it 's going to be a fun night,"Albus said sarcastically.

"Oh, it will be,"Matt grinned,"When I was really little, we went to political party like this a few times a month. You make your own fun."

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the wine and champagne. It 'll still taste exactly the same,"Matt grinned mischievously,"By the time midnight bowl around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not tope. It 'll be funny."

"You 've done this before ?"Rose raised an eyebrow.

"Amy has,"Matt said,"She 's here somewhere and she 's going to do it soon."

"I have to admit, that 's really creative,"Rose giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the food. Charm the cocoa to sample like vanilla, charm the helping utensils to affect every time you go to piece them up, that sort of stuff,"lustrelessness explained.

"My parents gave us this talking to about how we ca n't bet pranks here,"Albus said,"She was saying it mostly for James, but I think she should 've given it to you."

"My parents never say that stuff and nonsense to me,"lustrelessness laughed,"They never suspect me of anything. The minute they find out the alcohol 's been charmed out of the deglutition, they 'll find Amy."

"She is the one who 's going to do it,"Rose pointed out.

"It was my idea, though. She was n't originally going to do it at this company,"Matt explained.

"alcoholic beverage 's gone,"Amy said quietly as she came up behind matt,"This is going to be interesting."

"What exactly happens when you use this magical spell ?"rose asked.

"Oh, it 's neat,"Amy grinned,"First, only a distich the great unwashed notice and they make a very serenity mention to another person and then that someone agrees that there 's something wrong with the drinks. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will test the drinks, identify the inebriant 's been charmed away, replace it, and then everyone will hearten. But some of them will act wino because they think there 's alcohol in the drinks."

"Are n't your parents going to be upset ?"rosiness asked.

"They might recount me they wish I had n't done it, but there 's not much they can do,"Amy shrugged,"That 's why I 'm doing it and not Matt."

"I could n't see your parents yelling at you anyway,"Albus laughed.

"You never know,"lusterlessness shrugged.

"I bet James and Cedric are going to do something,"Albus said as he scanned the bunch. James and Cedric were sitting at one of the board, psyche close together like they were plotting something.

"I 'd be shocked if they did n't,"blush wine smirked,"auntie Ginny has no Bob Hope of stopping James."

"And I 'd bet my last Galleon that Georgia and Bradley are talking about Quidditch,"Albus gestured to his other two cousins, who were standing near the buffet.

"That 's all they talk about,"Rose said,"And Lily looks bored. Five reap hook says she 's over here in about ten minutes or so."

"I would n't bet against that,"Albus said,"And Samantha and lindy will sneak out of the room the next time Aunt Corrine looks away."

Albus 's Aunt Corrine was talking with two witches Albus did n't know and his twin first cousin were chasing each other around the room.

"Are any of your former cousins coming ?"Amy asked.

"Nope,"Albus shook his head,"None of my former aunt and uncles work for the Ministry."

"Let 's go get something to eat,"Matt said.

Albus and Rose agreed. Amy left to go talk to someone else and the three booster walked over to the snack counter. There was already a small waiting line in forepart of it.

"There go Samantha and Lindy,"rose wine said as they waited. The twins ran out one of the threshold and Corrine quickly followed.

The queue moved quickly and soon Albus was in figurehead. He grabbed a home and piled it high with just about everything. There was always the skillful food for thought at this sort of party.

They found an vacuous table far enough away from James and Cedric. Albus did n't require to be anywhere near them when they did whatever they were planning on doing.

"I do n't even have it off what half this stuff is,"Matt said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

More and more people arrived as Albus ate his dinner. He recognized a few of them, but did n't remember any names. He also noticed that cypher was acting strangely due to Amy 's charm. They were all acting perfectly normal for adult who had had a few drinks.

Albus, Matt, and rosiness wandered around the room once they finished their intellectual nourishment. A few adult stopped to exclaim how big they 'd gotten and to inquire what year they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't need to be associated with James and Cedric 's mischief.

"Hello, everyone !"pastor Hartwell shouted from the rostrum at the front line of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to watch him. Albus, Rose, and Matt were somewhat close to the podium.

"Thank you,"he smiled,"I assume you all know why I 've thrown this party, and it 's not just to unload the tumid sum of wine-coloured I was given for Noel !"

The grownup all chuckled at Hartwell 's attempt at a joke and then quieted down once again.

"Yes, yes, well, this company is in honor of none early than Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the position of Head of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical brute. There is no one else whom I would swear with such a job ...."

Hartwell 's spoken language soon descended into one of his usual voice communication, which Albus could not understand. It was long, drawn-out, and Albus could 've sworn he saw his dad yawn at one point.

Albus clapped loudly when Hartwell finally finished and turned the podium over to McVicar.

"Thank you, Minister,"McVicar began,"That was quite an interesting talking to. I, too, would like to preen Bruno Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am for sure at least one-half of you were quite storm to hear that I was retiring. I myself was surprised. In fact, I probably would n't receive done it if it were n't for the fact that my wife has been begging me to for the preceding ten yr.

"However, the master reason for my want of an before retirement was because there was not a single person employed in the Ministry whom I would make trusted with this job. Nobody had the capabilities to carry out this stance in the way I would wish. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my motto up until five eld ago, that is.

"A little over five years ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the section of the Regulation and control condition of Magical creature. He applied for a job in wolfman Support Robert William Service, a position that had been open for well over a year. I was set up to engage anyone who walked through the door at that point, but I had no idea what was to come when I hired Bruno Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may know that Walter has experience in this field. He was the top dog of the section of Regulation and restraint of Magical Creatures in Australia for three class before leaving the side in order to go to England.

"Bruno Walter revolutionized Werewolf Support Services as soon as he started. The mind he had were ones that even I had n't thought of. In five brusk years, he has bettered life story for those plagued with lycanthropy more than anyone else in the department have in their integral careers.

"It took only six month for me to agnise that I wanted Walter to take over for me when I retired. Not only does he have the experience and news for the job, but he also has loyalty that I have never seen before. I even have to admit that his dedication surpasses my own. I have never seen anyone fight as hard for werewolf rights as he has.

"The only when thing left for me to do was convert myself it was clip to retire,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did take the wagerer part of five yr to do that. But now, I feel very confident as I hand the reins over to Walter."

Everyone clapped as McVicar stepped away and Matt 's dad took the pulpit."That was quite the oral communication,"Albus muttered to Matt.

"I 'll say,"matt agreed,"And McVicar does n't usually kudos people like that."

"fountainhead,"lusterlessness 's dad began,"Thanks for your right to vote of confidence, Rob. I certainly hope I can live up to your expectations.

"I have to begin by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no intentions of becoming the head of the intact section again, no affair which country I was living in. Werewolf Support Services has been such a keen seat to work these past few years. It truly is my passion.

"However, when Langston and Rob approached me about taking over when Rob retired, I found it hard to say no. In the end, I said yes because I want to induce Sir Thomas More of a difference.

"Of course, I could not feature gotten to this station without the help of my wife, Julie,"he gestured to Matt 's mum, who was standing near the podium,"And my girl, Amy, and my son, matt.

"I 'm not one for retentive oral communication, so I 'll just say that I look forward to starting the job and I truly trust I can be at least half of the head of the department Rob has been."

"I just hope none of them find out why my dad 's so dedicated,"matt whispered.

"They 're too booze to think much on it,"rosebush smirked.

"They 're not really drunk,"Albus reminded her.

"They 're certainly acting like they are,"rose pointed out.

A commodity part of the adult were acting very drunk. In fact, if Albus had n't known about Amy 's charm, he would say they all really were drunk. The weird matter was that everybody was acting drunk. There did n't seem to be anyone who was thinking there was something wrong with the drinks.

"Let 's go ask Amy about it,"Matt suggested.

Amy was standing nearby, so Albus, Matt, and pink wine squeezed their way through the crew to get to her.

"Amy,"Matt whispered,"Why 's everyone acting pattern ?

"I do n't know,"she whispered back,"Let 's go look at the drinks."

James and Cedric were also standing near the drink table, looking nearly as confused as Albus felt about this appealingness. That was kind of strange.

Amy grabbed a glass of wine and tried it."Well, it tastes fine, but it 's supposed to."

"You 'll have to drink a lot more than that to get properly sot,"matte grinned.

"I 'm not doing that,"Amy rolled her eyes.

"Actually,"Saint James the Apostle grinned mischievously,"That might get you drunk."

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some extra alcohol to that wine,"King James I whispered.

Albus, rose, Matt, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not believe it. All of their put-on had backfired. The wine was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so comic ?"Cedric asked.

"Amy pulled a prank, too,"Albus said.

"I put a charm on all the wine-coloured to bump off the alcohol, while keeping the taste,"Amy explained,"I did it right wing when the party started."

"So much for that prank,"James groaned.

"Now you wo n't get in trouble,"Albus pointed out,"Mum 's been watching you two."

"I know,"James muttered,"That 's why we ca n't do it again."

"What do you require to do now ?"Albus asked as Henry James, Cedric, and Amy left.

"wish to research the government minister 's mansion ?"mat suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"Rose asked skeptically.

"I do n't see why not, I mean, this is my dad 's party,"mat pointed out,"Plus, we 'd just be walking around."

"Let 's go,"Albus said and pass them out of the ballroom.

It was much quieter in the rest of the household. They started wandering through any rooms that had open doors.

"This place is so all-fired fancy,"Albus said.

"It reminds me of my grandparents'business firm,"matt said.

"Their house is this big ?"rosebush asked.

"Nearly,"Matt replied,"They 've got a ballroom and everything."

The three friends wound up in a very large support room filled with antique furniture. There was an oriental carpet on the ground and oak tables and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the mesa were illusion vase of flowers and crystal sculptures.

"We 'd better be thrifty in here,"pink wine said as she walked into the room,"If we break any of this hooey, our parents would murder us."

"Cinda 's got one of these,"Matt pointed to a crystallization swan.

"Do n't match it !"Rose hissed.

"I was n't,"matt assured her,"I broke Cinda 's once, but Mum fixed it."

"smell at all these ledger,"Albus gazed up at one of the bookcases,"Madam Pince would love to get her hands on these."

"They 're all about political relation, though,"Matt pointed out,"Pretty boring."

"Mum would like them,"Rose said

"I wonder how old this furniture is,"lusterlessness said as he looked at a rather uncomfortable looking armchair.

"Probably older than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, lustrelessness, come here,"Rose said as she looked out the window.

Albus and flatness walked over to the window and leaned over the table that was in front of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"Look, there's-"

Matt leaned farther over the table and knocked one of the crystal sculptures off. rosiness gasped and managed to catch it before it crashed onto the floor.

"Merlin,"Rose whispered as she set it back on the mesa,"Be careful."

"Sorry,"matte replied,"What were you saying ?"

"There 's someone sneaking around out there,"Rose said.

Albus peered out the window into the darkness. He could just barely make out a phantom lurking around the shrub. It did n't depend like the somebody was walking up towards the household to go to the party. Plus, why would he exhibit up three hours late ?

"There 's definitely someone out there,"lusterlessness said.

"Let 's go find out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't have a clew as to who it was, but he wanted to witness out. There was no rationality for soul to be sneaking around the diplomatic minister 's Mansion at this time of night.

"Albus Severus Potter, are you crashing insane ?"blush wine exclaimed,"I think you are !"

"feeling, I just want to go see if we can find out who it is. I 'm not saying we should go duel them. Plus, there 's a whole room full of Ministry official in face whoever is out there is someone bad,"Albus said.

"That 's a undecomposed point,"Matt replied,"Why would someone slip around a family that 's full of Ministry officials, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

"I do n't cognise,"Albus said,"But I want to line up out who it is."

Rose reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and Matt, muttering under her breather. They found the dear door and went out into the cold Nox, drawing their sceptre as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll freeze to decease,"Rose muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the business firm and tried to keep himself concealed in the President George W. Bush as he looked for the digit. However, he could n't see or hear anything.

"Do you discover anything ?"he whispered to Matt.

"No,"flatness replied,"It 's like they disapparated or something."

"goodness,"rosiness muttered,"Now let 's go back inside."

"They could 've just moved,"Albus pointed out,"Let 's keep back going."

Albus continued creeping around the menage, with his scepter out in front of him. His middle was beating fast and his mitt were sweaty despite the low temperature. He did n't want to bar, though. Figuring out who this gent was was exciting and face wracking at the same time.

"Do n't move !"someone shouted and all of a sudden there was a bright light in Albus 's eyes. Wand light.

blush wine screamed and grabbed detainment of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own wand, his manus shaking.

"Who are you ?"the somebody shouted.

"Wh-who are y-you ?"Albus stammered.

"He sounds intimate,"lustrelessness whispered,"Hang on. Bloody hell, that 's Professor Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a 2nd and the voice did sound a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the pastor 's sign ?

"Albus ceramist, is that you ?"the man shouted.

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The verge Light lowered and Albus heard the man step through the bamboozle towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed professor Balladanis. He breathed a sigh of relief as rose let go of his arm.

"Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis said and then waved his wand around,"And Miss Weasley, Mr. Eckerton. Oh, I suppose this party is for your father, Mr. Eckerton ?"

"Y-yes, sir,"lustrelessness replied.

"What are the three of you doing sneaking around outside in the dead of night ? I thought I 'd instruct you improve than that. You 're just asking for trouble,"Balladanis said sternly.

"Told you,"rosiness whispered to Albus.

"Er,"Albus began,"We saw someone lurking around out here and went to inquire. I guess that person was you ...."

"And you 're lucky it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could ingest been idle if that mortal had been a sour thaumaturge. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

Albus nodded and followed Balladanis through the nose candy and towards the door."Sir,"Albus said,"If you do n't mind my asking, what were you doing extraneous ?"

"If you must know, the diplomatic minister asked me to go over the grounds in order to piddle sure nobody was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did nothing but discharge Albus 's oddment even more. He knew better than to iron further, though. Balladanis was not one to explicate his motives.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


It was nearing midnight when Albus, lusterlessness, and rosebush re-entered the building, escorted by prof Balladanis. Albus had been hoping the professor would just see them to the room access and then remain his search of the border, but instead he went back to the dance palace with them and marched them right up to Harry.

"thrower,"Balladanis interrupted the conversation Harry had been having with some wizard Albus did n't know,"I found your son, your niece, and their protagonist wandering around outside."

"Albus,"Harry groaned,"I thought we made it realize that you were to stay inside."

"I 'll lead them with you,"Balldanis said,"Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year,"Harry replied,"And thanks."

Balladanis disappeared into the crowd and Albus shifted uncomfortably as his dad stared at him for a few moments.

"Care to explain ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

"We were just, er, exploring,"Albus muttered.

"Do n't do it again,"Harry sighed.

"We wo n't,"Albus assured him.

Harry went back to his conversation and Albus lead his Friend back to the buffet.

"I hope you 've learned your object lesson,"Rose muttered,"I am not doing that again."

"We wo n't do it again. Not tonight, that is,"Albus grinned.

"10 !"someone shouted.

Albus looked at the nighest clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their drinking glass of Champagne-Ardenne in the air. Amy joined Albus, blush wine, and mat.

"3, 2, 1, Happy New class !"Albus shouted along with everyone else.

The crowd began to slim down out a little while later. near of the people Albus did n't know left, along with his Uncle Percy, Aunt Corrine, and his cousin-german. Albus 's parents did n't await like they were in any hurry to depart, so he got a home plate of the remnant dessert and at them with his friends.

pink wine 's family and Amy left, and then it was just the Potters, mat, his parents, the curate, and his wife left. All the adults were talking, James was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and flatness were finishing off the last of the desserts.

"Do you intend there 's any way for Hogwarts to win the Quidditch tournament ?"mat asked as he polished off a piece of umber cake.

"Only if Linda 's sick the day of one of the catch,"Albus sighed.

"Maybe that 'll happen,"Matt said,"You never know."

"Al, we 've got to go,"Ginny tapped him on the shoulder.

"Ok, Mum,"Albus replied and then turned back to lustrelessness,"I 'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you on the train,"Matt said.

Albus waved cheerio and then joined his mum, dad, James II, and Lily. They all said congratulations to Matt 's dad and then left the Minister 's Mansion. Albus peered into the President George W. Bush as he left, but there was no sign of professor Balladanis.

******

The remainder of the Christmas holiday went by very dumb for Albus. He did all his prep, which was quite boring, and there was nothing to do after that. rose was visiting her other grandparents and James II was at Nathan 's house. Even Kaden was busy visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and genus Petunia ). He sent Albus a alphabetic character complaining about it, since the visit was also with Aunt Marge. Albus was very thankful that he did n't cause to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and petunia again.

Finally the day to come back to school arrived and the Potters made it to Platform 9 ¾ just in time. Albus found all his friends in one of the compartments and once they kicked Lily, Ashtyn, and Hugo out, they told each early about their holidays.

"Aunt Marge has got to be the most atrocious aunty in the entire world,"Kaden fumed,"My dad told her about magic a few month ago and she 's been awful ever since. I mean, she was always kind of horrible, but now she 's unsound. She just hates illusion so much. She 's worse than my grandparents."

"Wow,"Albus replied,"Glad I 've never met her."

"Consider yourself prosperous,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had better holidays ?"

"We found prof Balladanis lurking around the parson 's manse,"Albus announced.

"What ?"John the Divine, Kaden, and Amanda shouted at the same time.

"I saw someone sneaking around outdoors and Albus insisted we go investigate,"rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the minister had apparently asked him to check the terra firma for trouble."

"Did he get you ?"john asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"He was n't to felicitous either."

"Told us we could 've been killed,"matte explained.

"fountainhead, we could 've,"rose wine muttered.

"Wyrd though,"John said,"Why would the diplomatic minister think mortal would be hiding around his home ?"

"Does n't he have guards around anyway ?"Amanda asked,"The Muggle diplomatic minister does."

"Again, that 's why it 's Weird,"John replied,"He does have guards."

"Why would he ask Balladanis anyway ?"Matt asked,"Why not ask an Auror ? Balladanis is a professor."

"He has n't always been,"Albus pointed out,"He had some sort of mysterious job before."

"Again, weird,"John said.

"Yeah, there were a bunch of Aurors at the party, not to mention Albus 's dad,"Matt pointed out.

"That settles it,"John announced,"Albus, you 've got to find out what he did before he started teaching Defense ?"

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

"Because you 've got those particular dueling lessons with him. He likes you for some reason. Of course, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a good duellist, too,"St. John the Apostle explained.

"I 'll try,"Albus sighed,"But I really do n't recall he 'll state me."

"You never know,"John said.

******

"tranquility, quiet !"Balladanis shouted the chase Tuesday, their start day of Defense after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to matt and john and turned to face Balladanis. He was really hoping that the professor would say nothing about what happened at the company and so far Balladanis was showing no recollection of it.

"I trust you all had superb holiday,"Balladanis said,"But the holidays are over and although I am for sure none of you thought a bit about defensive magic trick during said holiday, it is now time to commence that thinking once again.

"First, I 'll say that there is no time to not be thinking about justificative illusion, as the nighttime artistry do not take breaks for petty matter such as holidays.

"secondment, in this term we will set out to explore brute far more dangerous than hinkypunks and kappas. In this term we shall learn about those terrifying creature such as acromantulas, basilisks, lycanthrope, dragons, and vampires."

Albus could n't help but glance at Linda when Balladanis said vampires. Balladanis had glanced at her as well, and he also glanced at Matt when he said werewolves. Of course of study, he had looked at Albus when he said basilisks, so it did n't necessarily entail anything, but Albus had a flavor it did.

"As the headmaster would find it highly inappropriate for a dragon to manifest itself in this classroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this term,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few prison term. You will notice that there are more lectures in this condition, much to my dislike. There is zilch I would care better than to teach you about acromantulas and werewolves with practical lesson, but there are both laws and school formula that prevent such lessons."

Albus and Matt glanced at each other. It was functionary. Professor Balladanis was insane. What kind of teacher would want to instruct about dragons with lively flying lizard ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the same as Balladanis.

"takings out some parchment,"Balladanis said,"We 're going to get learning about acromantulas today ...."

The repose of the day went by relatively quickly. Albus actually did not consume Quiditch practice that Night, so everyone went to the Marauder 's Den after dinner.

"Divination is such a joke,"John said as he tossed his bag onto the base and collapsed onto a redact,"We started crystal glob gazing today. All I saw was a load of fog."

"I told you not to take it,"pink wine said as she pulled a stack of books out of her own bag.

"I did n't call back it would be this bad,"John groaned,"There is no way anyone could see anything in a crystal ball."

"Palmistry was better,"Amanda said,"And Trelawney makes the unit thing worse."

"Trelawney could make Defense bad,"Albus replied.

"Balladanis told us that he wished he could teach us about iniquity creatures using the anamatek,"rosiness said,"Seriously, he wanted a basilisk to come along in the middle of the classroom."

"That would be stupid,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a cocoa Gaul,"Those can shoot down you with their eyes."

"I know,"rosiness said,"Balladanis is insane."

"Do you call back that anamatek could sour into a werewolf if the moonshine was n't full ?"john asked.

"Probably not,"Matt answered,"It would just be a wolf. I think it would just be a wildcat any other clock time of the calendar month, too, because there 's no way it could release mortal into a werewolf by biting them."

"That 's right,"Albus said,"Because he did say that he 'd use the anamatek a few times this full term. question if he 'll have it turn into a vampire."

"No need,"John laughed,"We 've got Linda."

"If you think of it that way, there 's no stage to have it turn into a fake lycanthrope either,"Rose pointed out.

"good point, I guess,"John Lackland muttered.

******

The rest of the workweek went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch pattern Thursday evening, and Natalie Wood informed the whole team that they 'd gotten rusty over the holiday. He also told them that the succeeding match was in two workweek and they 'd be playing New House of York. If they won, they 'd be in second place.

Albus had a dueling lesson with Balladanis the succeed eventide and he had absolutely no approximation how he was going to ask what Balladanis 's previous job had been.

Albus arrived at Balladanis 's room before Malfoy and entered to find Balladanis clearing all of the desks from the middle of the room.

"Mr. ceramist,"Balladanis turned around and greet Albus,"Is it good to assume that you did not go wandering about late at night alone after New Year 's ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus muttered as he felt his face turn red. He was quite sword lily Malfoy was n't there yet.

"Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis said as Malfoy walked into the way,"Now we may begin. I have decided that your reason of the Protego charm is acceptable so we are going to motivate on to something else.

"This special appeal, when performed correctly, manages to unarm and disorient a person at the Saame metre. The sentience is often described as giddiness. Can either of you tell me what why this charm would be more useful than a standard disarming spell ?"

"Because it 's loose to duel person who 's dizzy than someone who is n't,"Malfoy said.

"More specifically than that,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter ?"

"Er, because you can get the somebody tied up while they 're disoriented ? If they 're a dark superstar you 're trying to overtake,"Albus replied.

"Another full intellect, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to walk slowly around the room,"superstar who are expecting to have to duel other whizz often keep multiple wands on their individual. There are tour that can be performed on these wands to prevent them attached to your robe or your factual body, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't overcome easily. However, these trance require ceaseless concentration.

"If a mavin is hit with the appealingness I am about to learn you, they will lose the immersion necessary to keep their extra baton affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the extra wands."

"Can you teach us that charm to keep duplicate wands in our robes ?"Malfoy asked.

"Perhaps towards the end of the year. It takes Brobdingnagian concentration and magic energy to simultaneously perform that charm while dueling someone,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will learn the charm to disarm and disorient a individual at the same time.

"The incantation is 'Confundo-Expelliarmus'. A combining of Confundus and Expelliarmus. Mr. Malfoy, you will go first. When I say so, do the magical spell against Mr. Potter. Mr. potter, you may try and turn back him using the Protego charm I taught you earlier."

Albus nodded, wishing he had been chosen to perform the new charm first, and faced Malfoy. He held his sceptre up and muttered 'Protego'under his breath. He focused all of his concentration on holding the shield up.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis muttered.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted.

Albus felt the appealingness hit his shield, but it did n't part through. He gripped his wand harder and stared at Malfoy.

"Keep going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The spell hit Albus 's shield a short harder this time. Albus could finger beads of sweat forming on his brow.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five times to break through Albus 's shield. When it happened, Albus felt his wand get out his manus and was overcome by a Wave of lightheadedness at the same sentence. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the former class, only without the fever.

Albus did n't pay any attention to what Malfoy and Balladanis were doing. He felt like he was going to pass out and he had to sit down. He sat down right on the trading floor and was vaguely aware of Balladanis standing over him.

Then, all of a sudden, the dizziness was gone. Albus shook his head and then looked up and saw Balladanis and Malfoy standing in figurehead of him. Malfoy looked affect and Balladanis looked like he always did.

"You did quite well with that shield,"Balladanis said as Albus stood up,"And I think it 's safe to assume that you could n't have held concentration for any patch after Mr. Malfoy succeeded in breaking your shield."

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

"Normally the charm 's gist would receive lasted longer, but I performed the counter-curse because it looked like you were ready to go across out,"Balladanis explained,"When you 're ready, you can try the charm."

"I 'm ready,"Albus said as he took his wand back from Malfoy.

Balladanis gave Malfoy a few arcsecond to get his shield up and then nodded at Albus to do the charm.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted. As he expected, the charm did not break Malfoy 's buckler.

Much to Albus 's delectation, he managed to break the buckler on the fourth try. One less try than Malfoy had needed for Albus.

The magical spell hit Malfoy in the chest and his wand soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy hang over and fell to the ground, much like Albus himself had done.

Balladanis gave Albus one of his rare smiles and then pulled out his own wand. He waved it at Malfoy and Malfoy looked up.

"That was Weird,"Malfoy muttered.

"It 's supposed to be,"Balladanis said,"Now get up and we 'll do it again."

Balladanis kept them at it for the in force part of an hour, yesteryear when Albus would have liked to drop out. It was exhausting to be hit with that patch time after meter while trying to hold up a shield charm. Malfoy did n't look to be faring much wagerer and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to check after a half 60 minutes, but Malfoy closed his mouth, obviously thinking in effect of it.

The practice was n't for goose egg, though. Albus managed to hold Malfoy off longer and longer each time and although Malfoy was getting beneficial at the shield charm as well, Albus broke through it a few more times.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must have been the one-tenth time that dark,"I 'll see you in social class on Tuesday."

Malfoy made a beeline for the threshold, but Albus turned to Balladanis instead. He might as well just get it over with. There was no good way to ask Balladanis what his former job had been. He just had to do it.

"Er, Sir,"Albus began,"I was just wondering, what did you do before you began teaching here ?"

Balladanis gave Albus the strangest look he had ever seen. It was a smorgasbord of anger, sorrow, and even regret. For a mo, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should possess just told John they would n't be able-bodied to find out.

"Now is not the time,"Balladanis said quietly,"All in good fourth dimension, I will tell you."

Albus was taken aback. That was more than he had expected. He had thought Balladanis would have told him to beware his own commercial enterprise and get back to Gryffindor Tower before curfew. Albus was going to discover out, he was just going to throw to be patient.

Albus left the room as quickly as he could in his exhausted nation, before Balladanis could exchange his intellect about eventually telling Albus about his old life history. The walk back to Gryffindor Tower seemed longer than usual and all Albus wanted to do was collapse into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his friends. All five of them looked blow out of the water and Amanda looked like she was going to be be sick. He looked around the common room and saw that most people looked floor and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even James was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

"What happened ?"Albus whispered as he followed them back to their usual mesa.

Rose opened her sass to address and then closed her eyes, unable to do so. Albus turned to John and raised his eyebrows.

"You know that chap who owns Dervish and Banges ?"Gospel According to John asked quietly.

Albus nodded, having seen the man on legion occasion when he was in Hogsmeade. He was slightly elderly than Albus 's parents, with greying hairsbreadth and a very intense personality. He never hesitated to produce his impression known

"Someone killed him,"lavatory said in barely more than a whisper.

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to bet at all his booster in go. matte nodded ever so slightly and then put his head on his hands.

"must 've just happened,"John Lackland said,"They just found him. dame Rosmerta heard a commotion and Flooed here, to get the Auror on tariff. By the time they got back, his shop class was a fill in muss inside and he was laying dead on the floor. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the forest, the grounds, and the school. Nobody 's allowed out of their common rooms and dormitories."

"We thought Balladanis would bring you back here when it happened,"Rose said.

"Nobody even came in to tell us,"Albus replied, still in shock.

People were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That form of thing just did n't hap anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. well, professor Torro had been killed back before his first year and then that one beldam from the Ministry had been killed over Christmas, but their killers had never been found and aught had happened since.

"Why would anyone bolt down him ?"Matt wondered aloud.

"Why would anyone kill anyone ?"Rose replied.

The portrait hole opened and all the whispering stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was Professor Longbottom, looking worsened for the wear. His robe were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the palace and the grounds,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some rest. The hunt will be long over by morning, so you will be free to will the park room then."

Albus and his friends looked at each other after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their dorm, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the indorsement years'residence hall. cypher said anything as he curled up on the level with one of Albus 's spare mantle. Albus got into bed and stared at the ceiling. He had been so deplete earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get much sleep that night.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awful lecturer and reviewers !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


luncheon was very subdued the next day. Most people had slept quite former since it was a Saturday. Every pupil of Hogwarts had their olfactory organ in a transcript of the prophesier, be it their own or a ally 's. The staff table looked the same, with every professor either reading the oracle or whispering with another prof, no uncertainty about what they 'd scan.

Albus was reading Georgia 's seer as she had finished with it and made a genial short letter to take off subscribing himself. All of his champion were peering over his shoulders. Even Linda was hovering around them, a groundwork or so away.

HOGSMEADE market keeper MURDERED

A disturbance in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
occupier to Hogwarts to get hold the Auror on
tariff lead to the discovery of the death
of a shopkeeper.

Leroy Wisander, 42, the ten-year owner of
Dervish and Banges was pronounced dead
on the picture by Ministry Aurors yesterday
evening. His shop had been broken into
and it showed augury of a battle.
Wisander was discovered in the midsection of
destroyed merchandise with his wand
laying a few metrical unit away. Aurors confirmed
that he was killed with the killing curse.

An broad search of Hogsmeade, the
forest, Hogwarts, and its yard turned
up nothing despite the time of day Aurors spent
searching. No fingermark were found on
the scene.

Aurors will be devoting metre to finding
Wisander 's killer and a possible motive.

Leroy Wisander had owned Dervish and Banges
for a fiddling over ten years, when he
purchased the shop from its old owners
who retired. However, Wisander is more
known for the scathing editorials he writes
for this very newspaper.

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very strong opinion and did not hesitate
to let others roll in the hay his opinions. His most
late editorials have explored the guinea pig
of loup-garou, vampire, and other so called
'half-breeds'right. Aurors have declined
comment on whether they believe Wisander 's
newspaper column are a possible motive for his
slaying. Wisander 's necrology can be found
on page five.

Albus set the theme down and his friends all resumed their seats. Nobody said a Book for a few min. Albus did n't know what to think. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his beliefs. However, it did n't exactly say what his notion were. Albus had n't ever read any of his editorials, so he could n't say either.

"What kind of editorials did he write ?"Matt asked quietly.

"I have no idea,"Albus replied, looking at his friend whose typeface was quite pale,"neediness to go to the room ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"I 'm not really hungry."

Albus got up and was followed by all of his friends. John the Evangelist and Kaden each grabbed a stack of toast before leaving. Even Rose and Amanda went with them instead of going off to study with Linda.

"Have any of you read his editorials ?"lusterlessness asked as soon as they were in the marauder 's Den.

Nobody had read them. Not even rosiness. mat sighed and collapsed onto one of the couches."I 've got to find out out what they were about. I do n't even screw which would be better, him being for or against werewolf rights. If he 's for them, that means some bloke is on the loose killing the great unwashed for wanting werewolf rights."

lustrelessness did n't even have to cover for Albus to have a go at it why that worried him. matte 's dad was possibly the great advocate of werewolf right in all of Britain and everyone knew it. If someone had been killed just for writing about werewolf right wing, what would happen to individual who was actually passing legal philosophy for them ?

"That might not be why Wisander was killed,"pink wine pointed out.

"Why else would someone get killed him ?"flatness asked,"He was just a shop owner in Hogsmeade."

"Why did individual killing Professor Torro ?"John replied,"He was n't even writing any column or anything."

"To fright mass,"Albus said quietly,"The Defense teacher position used to be cursed, back when our parents were in school."

"fountainhead, I do n't cerebrate you should worry until you find out what the newspaper column are about,"rosiness said to Matt.

"The other option is n't a great deal better,"Matt muttered,"If he did n't write editorial for werewolf rightfulness, then he wrote them against them."

Albus thought Matt had a point, but he kept his mouth shut. Any way you looked at it, this murder pointed to the fact that things were changing. Aurors had been patrolling Hogwarts for month, but Albus had quickly adjusted to that and did n't really think much about it, but maybe there was more occur outside of Hogwarts than Albus was cognisant of.

"Let 's go to the library,"rosiness said as she stood up,"They 'll have old written matter of the prophet there."

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the library. When they arrived, they were surprised to witness how push it was. Usually Saturdays were the days everyone put off their homework and then William Ashley Sunday were spent in the library.

Once they stepped inside, Albus saw that everyone was looking through old written matter of the oracle. Nearly every table had a few newsprint on it and a few students poring over them. Madam Pince was bustling about, no doubt worrying about whether the pupil would rip her precious newspapers.

"mightiness not be any left,"St. John the Apostle muttered.

"This is upright,"Albus replied,"Now it wo n't reckon suspicious for us to be investigating."

can was almost right. There was a very small mountain of newspapers left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded table towards the back of the subroutine library. Albus, lusterlessness, and Rose each took a newspaper while St. John, Kaden, and Amanda played noughts and crosses on a spare bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two years old, until he got to the newspaper column section. In the very midway, in the fully grown font, was an editorial by Leroy Wisander.

healer, BREWERS TO BLAME, NOT MINISTRY functionary

As I was locking up my shop go nighttime,
I noticed that it was a wide-cut moon. I
could not facilitate but retrieve of the poor
multitude plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

Now, I know what you all are thinking.
wolf's bane. The stuff works miracles
if taken correctly. However, it does
no unspoilt if it 's sitting in St. Mungo 's
and not being used by witches and
genius with lycanthropy.

The material is expensive. I myself did
the calculations and discovered that
it would be extremely difficult for
anyone with a low income to yield it.

And what kind of occupation are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
ones. The caper where they make hardly
enough money to pay the rent and buy
intellectual nourishment, let alone purchase a potion that
could alter their lifetime for the better.

I am absolutely appalled that healer
and potion beer maker charge for this
important potion. They must be making
a nice earnings. They can use the profits
to take prodigal holiday while the
poor witch and ace who buy it
struggle to afford it.

There is only so a great deal Ministry official
can do. headway of loup-garou Support service of process,
Walter Eckerton, says he would have sex to
give away free Wolfsbane, but there just
is n't room for it in the budget.

What do I purpose ? I propose that healer
and potion brewers give it away for free.
They have the abilities to brew it, not
the Ministry. nearly Healers claim to bed
helping hoi polloi, but often it is those who
need it most, such as those with lycanthropy,
are often forced to go without, all because
those with the abilities to brew it like
to have a niggling spare spending money.

"Nothing in this one,"rose wine said as she shoved hers aside.

"This one 's got one about vampires,"lusterlessness said as he set his paper on top of Rose's.

"Read this,"Albus handed lusterlessness his paper,"Wisander even mentions your dad."

lustrelessness took the newspaper publisher and he and rosebush began to record it. John, Amanda, and Kaden peered over as well. Albus sat and waited while they read.

"Let 's go back to the room,"mat said as soon as he 'd finished interpretation it.

Albus nodded and they returned the newspaper and walked as fast as they could back to the vulture 's Den.

"Bloody Hell, that bloke must have had so many enemies !"bathroom shouted as soon as they were back.

"I know,"Albus agreed,"And that one 's from two long time ago. Imagine what he 's written recently."

"Why did he have to name my dad ?"Matt groaned,"He made it sound like my dad agrees with that editorial and he definitely doesn't."

"He was just trying to excite something up,"rose replied,"And look where it got him."

"healer are n't like that. Most of the ones I 've met would have away release Aconitum lycoctonum, but it 's more complicate that that. The ingredient are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to cite how difficult it is. There are n't many Healers who can brew it and even most brewer ca n't brew it,"Matt explained.

"That bloke did n't know the half of it,"bathroom agreed,"My dad 's a healer and he 'd love to sacrifice away free potions. It just does n't solve that way."

"My dad 's linked with that bloke,"Matt said quietly,"And now that he 's head of the entire department, he 'll be passing Thomas More police force. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really good adept, though,"Albus pointed out to his upset admirer,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are loads of Aurors milling about. And your home is more saved than any other theater I 've seen, well, except the minister of religion 's Mansion."

"I know, but it 's still not good,"Matt sighed.

Albus could n't argue with that. Something was going on outside of Hogwarts. Something far more important than the Quidditch tournament and the dueling tournament.

******

Albus and his friends scoured the Daily seer every sunrise the following week. Every day there was an article about Wisander, the investigation, or both. So far the investigating had turned up nix. The Aurors had questioned quite a few hoi polloi, namely those very outspoken against wolfman and lamia rights, but the search had proved fruitless.

The articles about Wisander were far more occupy. It seemed that his newspaper column about wolf's bane Potion was one of the tamer one. Each day petty man of his respective column were being published. In one, he stated the understanding why werewolf should n't be locked up on full Sun Myung Moon. The reasons were quite nonsensical, but the Prophet had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampires should be allowed access to human being to bite. He suggested using prisoners and allowing vampires to suck them dry. Thus helping vampires and reducing prison monetary value at the same time.

"I reckon this blighter was off his rock 'n' roll musician,"lav announced at breakfast the watch Lord's Day. He had just finished reading an article about how Wisander spent a class living with a vampire tribe in Turkey when he was young. They were some of the few multitude actually up at an early time of day, as Albus had Quidditch recitation and St. John the Apostle had a morning detention with Filch for putting dungbombs in the toilets in Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom the old day.

"That 's a nice way of putting it,"Albus said as he served himself more eggs.

"What are you doing after Quidditch practice ?"John asked.

"After Quidditch ?"Albus laughed,"You mean, I 'm going to get to leave eventually ? Wood wo n't make us praxis for the next workweek ? I thought he was going to keep going until the literal lucifer on Saturday."

"He 's got to let you out for class,"can grinned.

"What a pity,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Anyway, I 'll probably let to do homework, since practice will go until late. How about you ? Any programme for after detention ?"

"Thought I might pull in another detention,"John grinned,"But Kaden 's busy with chess order this afternoon-"

"Wait,"Albus nearly choked on his juice,"Kaden joined the cheat cabaret ? Kaden ? Kaden Dursley ?"

"Know any other Kadens ?"John the Divine laughed,"Rose said they want to teach him how to play properly, you know, like a challenge of sorts."

"I 'll tell rosebush good luck with that,"Albus said.

"Yeah, so both Kaden and pink wine will be busy with that. Not that Rose would desire to earn custody with me anyway. And Amanda 's doing something with Linda today, prep, I think. And I doubt matt will be up for doing anything,"John continued.

"rightfulness,"Albus said, remembering that the good moon was that dark,"But you did the dungbombs on your own."

"But it 's not as fun,"John sighed,"I guess I 'll just flow around the den with Matt. I can feature a skillful colored conversation."

"You can do your prep,"Albus told him.

"Nope, I 'm waiting until you get back for that,"john said.

"Well, have fun in your detainment. I 've got to get to practice,"Albus said as he got up.

There were a few choice words Albus had for practice that day. Long, grueling, and vivid. Wood was in his hunky-dory bod as he ordered the team to do practice minute after hour. He seemed to get to a greater extent and Sir Thomas More stressed as the day wore on.

James IV did a lot of one-on-one training with teddy and Albus was more than a little envious. Teddy was a much more affected role captain than Wood was and yelled a unanimous lot less. Tyler pike mostly helped Wood.

Wood let them consume a poor fault for dejeuner, making sure they knew to come back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the team talking about skipping out of the residue of practice, but they were back on the pitch at the time Wood told them to be.

The afternoon was very similar to the dayspring and Albus found that he could tune out woods 's yelling quite easily. It was similar to tuning out his mum 's yelling.

Practice finally ended at three, when the New House of York squad walked onto the pitch and demanded they leave, because they had booked the pitch shot for three o'clock that day.

"Remember, practice Tuesday evening !"Wood shouted as the whole squad rushed to get off the pitch.

Albus trudged back to the castle tired and shivering. He went straight to Gryffindor Tower and took a very long, hot shower and then set off to find his friends.

Rose, Amanda, and Linda were in the unwashed elbow room, but the boy were n't. Albus figured they were in the marauder 's Den and set off to reckon for them after saying a quick hello to the girls.

whoremaster and Kaden were in the middle of a heated secret plan of Exploding Snap when Albus walked into the marauder 's Den a few minute of arc later. John 's face was full of ash, but Kaden 's was rather plum. There was also a big grin on his face which contrasted the frown on John 's nerve. flatness was laying on the cast facing them, like he had been watching the game, but he was healthy asleep.

"Albus !"Kaden shouted,"How was practice ?"

"Grueling. Ellen Price Wood 's ten times risky than GA. Five hours we were out there. Five bloody hour in the cold !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the former couch.

"Better than scrubbing Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom with a soup-strainer,"St. John the Apostle muttered,"I do n't know what was worse, the scrub or listening to Myrtle."

"All three of you are so sunny today,"Kaden said,"So many complaints."

"Can you blame us ?"Albus muttered.

"No, not really,"Kaden shrugged.

"How was chess ?"Albus asked.

"I got beaten by every bingle soul in the chess nightclub,"Kaden shook his forefront,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"whoremonger said as the cards blew up in his face again,"Have you done that Defense try ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

"I need your help,"John said as he got up and started digging around in his bag.

Albus groaned again and fished around in his own bag for his Defense book of account. Balladanis wanted a pes long essay about basilisks, which were the current shadow beast of the week.

John sat down at the table while Albus lay on the couch. He just could n't bring himself to get up and do his essay. Instead, he mumbled answers to Gospel According to John whenever he asked a question.

"Do you hatch the chicken egg under a toad frog or a frog ?"John asked.

"toad frog,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could draw a Rose and tell you to do your essay,"John replied.

"Do n't even disoblige,"Albus said. Even rose wine would n't be capable to get him off the couch.

"Quidditch seems less grueling than football game,"Kaden commented,"I mean, you fly, you do n't run."

Albus lifted his head up and glared at Kaden."Wood had us doing push-ups and running laps."

"Really ?"Kaden sounded surprise,"Why ?"

"To get us into shape after the holiday,"Albus answered,"So yes, Quidditch is a lot of work."

"Ok, ok,"Kaden muttered as he located some of his own homework.

Albus managed to get in a somewhat easy position on the lounge and wrote his essay with his Word and lambskin perched on his knee. It beat sitting at the table ; at least he was capable to assort of lie down.

A few hour later both Albus and John the Divine had their essays completed. Kaden was still scribbling furiously on whatever homework he was working on.

"We should probably wake him up,"Albus gestured to matt, who had not moved one muscle since Albus had came back from practice.

St. John got up and began to prod lustrelessness 's arm. It took a good two minutes for Matt to open his eyes.

"It 's nearly six,"John told him.

"Then I should probably go,"mat mumbled,"Oh, Albus, you 're back from practice."

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"It was really long, though."

"I 'll go with you to the hospital wing,"John said and mat did not object. Albus assured him they 'd visit him the next day and then they left, leaving Albus and Kaden alone in the room.

John Lackland returned a little while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the vulture 's Den afterwards and John and Kaden continued working on their homework while Albus slept on the couch.

******

"Albus, get up !"

Albus mumbled something incoherently and rolled over in his bed. It felt far too early on to wake up.

"Albus !"Whoever was shouting was now prodding him in the side.

Albus opened his eyes and saw Teddy standing over his bed. A glance at the clock told him that, yes, it was far too former to rouse up. It was six in the forenoon. On a Saturday. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch match against New York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a reticence player anyway.

"Albus, you 'd amend get up now. Grant Wood 's in the common room,"teddy bear whispered.

That got Albus 's attention. His optic shot back open and he sat up."What ?"

"Fielding 's sick,"Teddy told him,"You 're playing today."

Now Albus was widely awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the other reserve Chaser, a seventh year Slytherin.

"She 's honk, too,"Teddy explained,"The two of them are going out, so it does n't surprise me."

Albus took that to signify that Teddy thought they were snogging and one got the other sick.

"I 'll be down in two minutes,"Albus muttered.

Teddy nodded and left. Albus threw on a T-shirt and a couplet of blue jean before running down to the usual way, where he found Oliver Wood pacing in front of the empty fire.

"Albus,"he said as soon as Albus stepped into the mutual way,"You 're playing pursuer today."

Albus nodded and sat down for what was sure to be a very foresightful oral communication. Wood paused and then launched into an account of tactics, which Albus had already heard during practices that workweek. He could n't figure out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. Wood could have accomplished the same thing at ten.

Wood and teddy bear left after woods finished lecturing Albus and Albus considered going back to bed, but as he was all-inclusive awake, it would be pointless.

Part of Wood 's talking to had been on the weather, which was cold and slightly snowy. Could be spoiled, Albus thought. At least there was n't a blizzard. The circumstance were very similar to those they had been practicing in all week.

Albus sat in the common way reading a account book he found laying around until his friends got up around ten.

"There you are,"flatness, who was looking significantly better than he had a few twenty-four hour period ago, said,"What time did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"Teddy got me up. Wood had to tell me I 'm playing Chaser today."

"What ?"Matt shouted,"That 's brilliant !"

"This is great, Albus !"John grinned,"But why ?"

"fielding 's sick and so is the other substitute Chaser,"Albus explained,"I 'm just gladiola we 're playing New House of York and not Australia."

Albus went to the Great vestibule to eat lunch with his friends, but he was n't really thirsty. He did n't recollect he had ever been more nervous for a Quidditch match. This was a really of import match, as Wood had pointed out numerous times. If they won by a wide enough margin, they 'd be in minute place.

Book had gotten around that Albus was playing in the mates and numerous multitude came over to the Gryffindor table to wish Albus luck.

"Al,"Harry sat down next to Albus.

"Dad,"Albus smiled. He had n't been certainly if his dad was coming to the match or not.

"I 'll be watching the whole time. I 'm trusted you 're going to do great. Just think of it as a friction match against another menage. Ravenclaw, I guess, since their gown are blue,"Harry grinned,"Good luck."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the rest of the Hogwarts team a few minutes later. All his friends wished him in effect luck as he left the Hall.

nonentity talked much as they changed into their robes. Everyone sat down afterwards, ready for Wood 's pre-match speech.

However, Wood seemed to be all speeched out. He merely said that they 'd trained well and to apply it their all. Albus was a little shocked by the shortness of the speech, but quickly got over it as he walked out onto the pitch.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome citizenry who have read and reviewed this !

Also, I wrote a new song fic ! It 's from Snape 's full point of sentiment, as I wanted to try something different. It 's on my Author Page if you want to control it out !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Ten minutes into the match, Albus decided there were four types of Quidditch in the world. everyday Quidditch, like what he played with his first cousin ; schooling Quidditch ; professional person Quidditch ; and then there was the character of Quidditch he was playing now.

It was a combination of school Quidditch and master Quidditch. The crew was louder, the actor more shape, and the stakes were higher than a normal shoal Quidditch friction match.

Albus dodged one of the New York chaser and flew up to overhear the Quaffle, which had been dropped by Waverly as he had been hit by a bludger. As soon as Albus had the Quaffle, he was flanked by the other two New York Chasers.

Albus pushed his ling to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his chest. Then he plunged down to the primer, where nobody else was flying. He was back up high two proceedings later when he had reached the New House of York end posts. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the unexpended finish post. The Keeper was too wearisome and the Quaffle soared through.

"Potter of Hogwarts has scored !"Todd metalworker shouted,"40-30 Hogwarts !"

James River grinned at Albus as he flew past. Albus smiled to himself and joined Waverly and Reilly, who were waiting for New York 's Keeper to bemuse the Quaffle out. That had been his maiden finish of the match.

The Quaffle continued to exchange hands quickly as the match went on. An hour later there was still no preindication of the Snitch and both teams were neck in neck as far as points went. New York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few more goals and he began to relax a trivial. The friction match began to sense more like a school match and less like a professional lucifer, even though the stakes were still high.

Sir Henry Joseph Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least 50 points when James caught the canary, or they would n't be able to overtake New York as far as overall points went.

"New York 's searcher has seen the Snitch !"Smith announced.

Albus, who had been following one of New York 's pursuer ( the one who had the Quaffle ), turned around and saw that their Seeker was making a beeline for the top of Hogwarts'middle goal.

James noticed as well and flew straight at the ring. He had been significantly closer than New House of York 's Seeker and flew away from the hoop with the struggling sneaker in his hand.

The bunch roared and William James held the sneaker high above his top dog. Both teams flew to the primer coat and Albus saw the pain look on wood 's face. They had n't won by decent to be in second place overall.

"I had no option !"James shouted to him,"She was going to get it !"

Wood nodded in understanding, but he still looked let down. Albus chose to ignore this and helped the rest of the squad to hoist James onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the points, the Australian schooltime of Sorcery is in maiden lieu. New House of York and Hogwarts are currently tied for second base. The next match will exact shoes at the end of Feb !"Kate Smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't meet up with his ally until they were back in the coarse room. Teddy had gone to Hogsmeade and a party was currently underway in the Gryffindor common room. teddy informed everyone that the three early home were hosting party as well. The students from New House of York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their Seeker, were sulking in a corner.

"I think that was your expert match yet,"John said to Albus as they settled down at their usual table.

"I think so, too,"Albus agreed,"I kind of wish I could play in the next match."

"Maybe fielding will still be sick,"John the Evangelist said.

"Doubt it,"Albus replied,"Plus, I 'm sure O'delle will get offset dibs on the succeeding match if any of the former Chasers get sick."

"At to the lowest degree you got to play in one peer,"Rose pointed out.

"Anyway, the next match you 'll probably be playing Australia,"matte said.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"If we win that one, it 'll be a miracle. But we 're not even playing in the side by side one. Next match is New York versus Australia."

The party continued until dinner prison term, when people began to leave as cipher had snuck down to the kitchens to get food. Harry came in to congratulate Albus and James shortly before Albus and his friends left for dinner party. He was also scheduled to patrol the schooltime for the difference of the weekend and wanted to let his kids know.

******

Life at Hogwarts returned to normal shortly after the Quidditch match. The prophesier printed fewer and fewer article about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to block about his death. Everyone except Matt, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

However, the students at Hogwarts were reminded again of the unsolved murder when the future Hogsmeade trip arrived two days after Valentine 's Day. A portion of the students were too lovesick to notice the boarded up shop class of Dervish and Banges as they made their way to Madam Puddifoot's.

Neither Albus, John, or Matt were too preoccupied to mark the deserted construction, though. The three of them stopped to look at it for a piece despite the biting idle words. pink wine and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

"Who owns it now ?"can asked as they looked at the empty building.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"The prophesier never mentioned any family."

"It 's probably still region of the probe,"matte pointed out,"asset, who would require a building that someone was killed in ? I do n't even want to go in it."

Albus did n't cerebrate it was a good time to remind Matt that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the Shrieking Shack.

"commodity point,"Albus said,"But so far they have n't found anything."

"They wo n't ascertain who it was,"John Lackland said quietly,"They never found out who killed Torro."

"I really hope they find who it was,"Matt replied.

"They will,"Albus said,"They 're still focused on it."

Albus, lusterlessness, and John went to the Three Broomsticks a little while later because all three of them were frozen. They warmed up with Butterbeer and were just thinking about heading back to the rook when Albus heard someone whisper his name behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

Albus turned around, but no one was there. The voice sounded intimate, though. Albus slowly reached his hand out and it touched something solid, but it looked like no one was there.

"Kaden,"Albus groaned,"Is that you ?"

"Yeah,"Kaden whispered back,"I stole your cloak."

Albus immediately stood up and motioned for flatness and John, who were both looking confused, to follow him. He assumed Kaden would conform to as well. Albus lead them up High Street until they reached the screaming shack. Nobody was hanging around it that day.

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do realize how stupid this was."

"Yes,"Kaden replied as he took off the cloak.

"Bloody Inferno !"John shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"matt asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a practiced time, but there was a reason I changed my mind and told you not to mouse in today. about of the teachers come to Hogsmeade for the February trip. My cousins told me. They want to make sure enough no one does anything stupid person because they 're in love or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"Matt asked.

"One-eyed witch statue,"Kaden replied,"Leads right into Honeyduke's."

"Kaden, do you know how difficult it 's going to be to get you back unnoticed ?"

Kaden 's nerve turned whitened and his mouth dropped overt. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met face to case with Professor Balladanis.

"Quite difficult, I 'd ask,"Balladanis replied,"cum with me, all of you."

Albus groaned inwardly as he followed Balladanis down the street. They had gone all class without Kaden getting them into trouble, but Albus should have known better than to think they could go the whole year.

cipher spoke until they were shut in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis sat down in his chair and looked at Kaden.

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

"They had nothing to do with it,"Kaden said quickly,"Albus was just telling me how stupid I was."

"Then it would seem that Mr. ceramicist and I agree on something,"Balladanis replied,"Where 'd you get that cloak ?"

"It 's Albus 's,"Kaden said quietly,"I took it. He did n't give it to me to sneak in or anything."

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. potter, Mr. Eckerton, and Mr. Brickston, you may return to your rough-cut way. Mr. Dursley will join you after I arrange his detention."

Albus, Matt, and John could not get out of there quick enough. They walked straight back to the park room, talking about how golden they had been. It must deliver looked like all three of them had helped Kaden snarf into Hogsmeade. unspoiled thing Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned fifteen arcminute later, looking quite unhappy. He collapsed onto a chairwoman and stared mutinously at the table.

"Detention every Saturday for the next calendar month,"Kaden muttered,"Plus he gave me a lecture about how grave it was for me to sneak out and if I did it again I 'd get a worse punishment than detention. Did n't exposit on that, though."

"He 'd probably get you kicked out,"lav commented.

"Did he say what you have to do for detention ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Kaden said,"guessing it 'll be a surprise."

******

Kaden discovered what his custody was that nighttime. Balladanis decided to have him alphabetize his private library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the Marauder 's Den ranting about the amount of Holy Writ Balladanis had.

"He 's got more books on dark creatures than your dad 's got,"Kaden said to Matt.

"That 's telling,"Matt replied.

"want he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his detentions alphabetizing those books. He almost did n't wield to finish and if that had been the caseful, Balladanis would have given him a one-fifth detention.

The succeeding full lunar month came and went, as did the succeeding Quidditch match. Albus was beginning to distrust that the good moons were becoming worse for matt, although he did n't know why.

New House of York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch match. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the Snitch a half hour in. Grant Wood insisted that this was a beneficial matter, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to score a good amount of destination before Linda caught the Snitch in their side by side equal, they would give birth more than boilersuit point than New York. Wood seemed to accept lost any promise that James could perplex Linda in Seeking, something James fumed about on a almost daily basis.

March arrived and with it a three day rain down tempest that left the grounds completely flooded. Both Herbology and Care of Magical brute had to take situation inside, which resulted in incredibly drill lessons. woods continued to hold Quiditch practice and Albus returned to the castle completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

All of the teacher were piling on the homework and Professor Patil had even gone so far as to advert the O.W.L.s even though they were a altogether two years away. The alone teacher who was n't talking about the end of term exam was prof Balladanis.

Balladanis conducted his object lesson as if end of term exam did not exist. He changed nothing about his deterrent example except the sour creature they were learning about.

"We 're starting vampires next calendar week,"Balladanis announced at the end of class on Thursday,"Please read the chapter on them by Monday."

Albus could n't help but look at Linda before he began packing up his things. He wondered if Balladanis would be teaching them enough about identifying vampires for anyone to figure out that Linda was one.

"So,"John said as he flipped through his defence book the following even. Albus, matte, John Lackland, and Kaden were in the Marauder 's Den and John was just finishing the chapter on lamia."spirit what 's after vampires.

Albus looked through his own book."Werewolves,"he said quietly and then looked at Matt.

"Yeah,"lusterlessness muttered,"It was bound to hap eventually."

"I wonder if Balladanis is going to constitute you go in for extra help during that unit,"John grinned,"I 'm certainly you 'll take loads of extra assist in identifying werewolves."

mat rolled his eyes."He better. It 'll appear shady if I do n't go in for extra help. public speaking of spear carrier assist, we 're due to go in for it in xv minutes."

"We 'd better go then,"toilet said,"See you two later."

Albus managed to polish off his Herbology homework while John and Matt were gone. Then it was meter for him to go in for his dueling lessons.

The desks were n't pushed to the incline of the classroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a stone basin sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling argent strings of something out of his head and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the strings were memory board, Albus realized. For a moment, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to tell him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

"Mr. potter,"Balladanis said quietly,"come in."

Albus stood awkwardly next to one of the face tabular array while he waited for Malfoy. Balladanis stared into the pensieve and acted like Albus was n't there. When Malfoy arrived, he looked up and stared at the two boys for a few minutes before speaking.

"We 're not dueling today,"he said,"Instead, I am going to testify you something."He motioned for them to join him at his desk.

Albus glanced nervously at Malfoy. Balladanis was n't one for explanations, but Albus would have appreciated one decently then.

"This is a pensieve,"Balladanis said,"It is used to research memory. That is exactly what we 're going to do. Albus, tend forward and put your head into the pensieve. Your torso will follow. Scorpius, you will follow. I will hail after you."

Albus 's pulsation sped up a little bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a stupid idea ? He did n't even know what he was getting into. But it was just a memory. null could hurt him in a memory, right ?

Albus took a deep breath and plunged his side into the pensieve. He had never been in one before. He landed on the hard grass and looked around.

It was evenfall and very serenity. There was a small house in the distance, atop of a rocky hill. In fact, the whole orbit was mostly jolty. Albus had landed on the one lone piece of smoke in the whole place. It did n't look like any billet in Britain.

He stood up as Malfoy landed next to him, followed quickly by Balladanis. Balladanis landed on his feet and they waited for Malfoy to get up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis said quietly.

Albus did so, but he still felt like he deserved an explanation. Where were they ? Why were they there ? Whose memory was this ? What did it have to do with dueling ?

"apology me, Sir,"Malfoy said,"Where are we ?"

"Greece,"Balladanis replied.

This did nothing but increase Albus 's curio. Why were they in Greece of all property ? But he did n't ask. It did n't seem like Balladanis was in an explaining temper, judgement by his short, one discussion solvent to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the small family. The only randomness was their stride. There were n't even any owls hooting or dogs barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

The house must have been their destination. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the broken down wooden fence surrounding it. The family reminded Albus of the shrieking Shack, only smaller. It was kind of broken down and did n't expect like a billet that would be undecomposed to live in.

Someone lived there, though. A light was on upstairs. It remained on for a few more moment and then someone turned it off.

Balladanis made no move towards the house. Instead, he seemed focused on the forest that lay just beyond it. Albus decided the forest was as good a post as any to watch.

They watched the wood for a half an hour before anything happened. Then five hooded figures practically flew out of the forest. They were at the house before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His look was hardened.

All was tranquil for two minutes. The anatomy entered the house, but did not turn over on any Light Within. Then the riot started. Albus jumped at the auditory sensation of the first one.

They were agonizing, long screams. Albus wanted nothing more than to go in and help whoever was screaming, but he knew he could n't. It was nothing more than a computer memory. Instead, he looked again at Balladanis.

His professor 's face showed nothing. nothing but the same enured look he had seen on it so many prison term. Malfoy on the early mitt, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The shriek was coming from two different people. There was a high-pitched one that must experience been coming from a adult female, and a lower one that must feature been coming from a man.

Then, they stopped. number one the fair sex, then the man. The hooded figures left the theater as quickly as they had entered and returned to the forest.

Balladanis, however, made no relocation to leave alone. Instead he stared at the sign of the zodiac. Two minute of arc later, someone fled from it.

They ran from the business firm, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew closer, Albus could see that the soul was a boy who looked no erstwhile than Albus himself. His face was etched with a sadness Albus had never seen before. It was too shadow to tell, but Albus was sure there were tears running down his face.

The boy obviously did n't notice the three people watching him. He ran right past them, up the rocky J. J. Hill in the distance. It occurred to Albus after he passed that the boy looked somewhat familiar spirit. There was something about his fount that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite place it.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all of the awing people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Professor Balladanis did n't say anything for a long clock time after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the defense classroom. Albus landed next to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in front of Balladanis 's desk. Balladanis landed behind his desk, facing the paries, and did n't turn around for a few minutes.

Albus glanced nervously at his prof as he thought of interrogative sentence he was just burning to ask. In fact, there was nothing about the conniption he had just witnessed that did n't relieve oneself Albus curious. Everything about it had been confusing.

Malfoy looked just as confused. They kept looking at each other and it was kind of strange. They were on the same English. Both of them wanted Balladanis to explain.

Balladanis finally turned around and looked at them. He put his work force on his desk and leaned forward, looking both Albus and Malfoy in the eye.

It happened in a split sec. Albus looked at his professor and immediately thought back to the brass of the boy in the scene. That was why he looked familiar. The boy was Balladanis. Then, Balladanis shifted slightly and the similitude was gone. But Albus knew it. That scene had been from Balladanis 's childhood.

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

Albus and Malfoy sat down quickly at the table in nominal head of Balladanis 's desk. They were sitting right next to each other and Albus did n't care. At the moment, finding out what that view was was more important than staying away from Malfoy.

"A few workweek ago you asked me what I did before I started teaching here, Mr. thrower,"Balladanis began,"I have always had the intention of telling you, of telling both of you. I was merely waiting for the rightfulness minute. I feel that that moment is now."

Balladanis paused and walked around to the front man of his desk. He began to yard in nominal head of it.

"There is a reason why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my class what I did before commandment. The reason is that you two are incredible duelers. Both of you have acquirement beyond your years that I have never seen before, and believe me, I have seen passel of particular duelers in my time. This may be a good time to tell you how rare it is to induce two such skilled duellist in the Saami year at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to look at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the start of some sort of house unity speech or something.

"I know the two of you are n't the best of friends,"Balladanis continued,"But I must say how shanghai I am that you seem to put the animosity behind you when you step into my schoolroom for your lessons."

The solitary reason for that, at least for Albus, was because of Balladanis himself. Albus doubted he would tolerate Albus and Malfoy bickering with each other during lessons.

"Back to what I was going to tell you,"Balladanis said,"That scene that I just showed you, in lawsuit you have not figured it out yet, took place while I was a boy of only thirteen. It was the summer before my third year at school.

"I grew up in Ellas, in that very house we just saw. My parents, although they loved me deeply, were very hapless and could barely yield to put nutrient on the table. I think they were grateful when I went away to shoal, the only reason being that they would n't have to vex about me getting enough to eat.

"I had two blissfully innocent and fun years at the Grecian shoal of thaumaturgy. I returned home during summers full-of-the-moon of storey about my champion and all the roguishness we 'd cause into."

Albus found it difficult to imagine Balladanis getting into trouble at schooling or doing anything fun in general.

"Everything changed the summer before my thirdly year. It changed on the nighttime you just witnessed. A coven of vampire entered my house that night. They attacked my parents and toast them dry. I hid in a closet, too scared to do anything. Then, once the vampire left, I fled. I ran until I could not run anymore. I wound up at the house of one of my protagonist. His parents took me in, but things were obviously never the Saame. I changed on that night."

Balladanis stopped talking and Albus sat in complete shock. Balladanis 's parents had been murdered by vampires ? That was one thing that had never crossed Albus 's mind.

"I returned to school that September hardened. Nothing was fun anymore. nil was funny. It was then that I decided to devote my life to ridding the man of such evils. Vampires, dark wizards, werewolves, anyone and anything that murders viciously."

Albus could n't help but glower at Balladanis when he mentioned werewolf. Balladanis seemed to notice this and gave Albus the fragile of smiles.

"However, I did make that not all lamia, werewolves, heavyweight, and other beings are inherently evil. Not all of them want to kill. It was for this reason that I did not wish to be employed by the Hellene Ministry. The Greek Ministry prefers to mete out with magical creatures as a whole and not make out between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very vauntingly population of vampires.

"gum olibanum, becoming an Auror was out of the question. Instead, I chose to enter a more closelipped profession. One that you will not rule pamphlets on when you get career advice from your chief of house. One that no one except me is going to suggest to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

Albus 's heart sped up at this. Balladanis was going to gift them career advice ? They were only thirteen. But at the Lapp time, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a right enough dueler for this calling, whatever it was.

"I am a Presuler,"Balladanis said,"I am sure neither of you have heard of one. A Presuler is somewhat like an Auror, in that we seek out dark superstar and dark magic. However, we not only seek out dark virtuoso and sour magic, we seek out dark and dangerous creatures as well.

"The bragging difference is that Presulers are not employed by the Ministry. There are very few Presulers in the humanity and we are often sought out by several Ministries and hired on an as-needed basis. We travel from country to country, whenever we are needed. It is quite secretive. I suppose Presulers are a combination of Aurors and individual investigators."

Balladanis was right in that Albus had never heard of a Presuler before. The idea intrigued him, though. A closemouthed kind of Auror who did not operate for the Ministry.

"I never caught the lamia who killed my parents. I have met one vampire who knew them, but she is not like them. I am still searching for them, however."

Balladanis stopped pacing and leaned up against the front end of his desk. He looked at Albus and Malfoy, but did not say anything else.

"Why are you teaching here, then ?"Malfoy asked.

"That is one matter that is between myself and Professor Kendrick,"Balladanis replied.

"Are you coming back side by side yr ?"Malfoy asked.

"As of right now, I have no approximation,"Balladanis answered,"It is getting late. I 've kept you here much longer than normal. If you think of anymore head, do not waffle to see me. I 'll walk you back to your park rooms."

Albus walked alongside Balladanis in silence on his way back to the Gryffindor tug. His thinker was racing with what he just learned. He did n't know what to pee-pee of it. It was just so a good deal information at once.

The unwashed way was nearly vacate when Albus climbed through the portrait hole. It must get been really tardily, since it was Friday night. Albus really did n't know what time it was.

"There you are !"Rose shouted,"pigeon hawk, you 've been gone for 60 minutes !"

"What did he have you doing ?"Matt asked.

"I 'll tell you tomorrow,"Albus muttered, realizing that all he wanted to do was lay in his bed and recollect about what Balladanis had just said.

Albus was vaguely aware of his Quaker suspiration of disappointment as he went up to his dormitory, but he did n't feel like talking about it right then. He was tired and his mind was racing at the Same prison term.

Albus tossed and turned the stallion Night. He alternated thinking about what he had seen in the pensieve and about becoming a Presuler himself. Then he wound up thinking about Linda and what Balladanis thought process of her. He had said he did n't hold a score against vampire that did n't kill people, but who knew what he really thought.

Was Linda the vampire he had met who knew the lamia who killed his parents ? It was possible since lamia never aged. Or maybe she was a completely unlike vampire. Albus wondered how many lamia Balladanis knew.

Eventually Albus fell into a restless sleep, but his dreams were plagued by what he had seen in the pensieve.

******

"Falco columbarius, Albus, get up !"

Albus rolled over in his bed and put his pillow over his caput. After waking up drenched in sudor at four in the break of day after a incubus in which his all house had been killed by lamia, he had finally drifted off into a somewhat decorous eternal rest. One that he wished he was still in.

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

"He 's like you are after full moons."

"Shut it. Seriously, Albus, get up."

"Yeah, we want to lie with what happened lastly night."

Someone pulled the curtains exposed and took the pillow off Albus 's head. He looked up and saw lavatory and Matt.

"Did you lose to Malfoy or something ?"John asked,"Because that would create me want to hole up in bed for the day."

"No, it 's not that,"Albus muttered,"I 'll tell you, but I 'm only explaining it once, so one of you better find Rose, Amanda, and Kaden. And I 'll evidence you in the predator 's Den because there is no way Linda can be around to learn this."

The girls and Kaden met them in the predator 's Den after Albus, Saint John the Apostle, and matt had dejeuner. John kept pestering Albus all through tiffin, wanting to know why Linda could n't hear about it, but Albus said null. He was n't even sure enough if he was allowed to tell his friends about this, but Balladanis had n't really forbidden him.

"Albus, what in the public figure of Merlin happened conclusion Night ?"Rose asked as soon as they were all in the Marauder 's Den.

"Balladanis told us what he did before he started teaching at Hogwarts,"Albus said quietly.

"And you neglected to order us until now ?"John gaped,"I 've been wanting to know for the total year !"

"I know, John the Divine,"Albus snapped,"But it 's not anything what you 'd think."

"Sorry,"John Lackland muttered.

"Balladanis took us into a pensieve go Nox,"Albus began.

"Really ?"Rose looked impressed,"What was that like ?"

"Not that nifty, to be honest,"Albus said,"Probably would have been break if it was a better memory board.

"Anyway, he took us without any explanation of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down house in Greece. Kind of looked like a belittled more flea-bitten version of the Shrieking Shack."

"In Greece ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the firm for what seemed the likes of hours and then these figures broke into it and we heard this awful screaming. Then the figure of speech left. Then this bloke who was about our age came running out with this atrocious scared look on his facial expression. Then we left."

"What does that have anything to do with what Balladanis does for a living ?"John asked.

"Everything,"Albus sighed,"That had been his house. The screams were his parents. The boy was him. He told us this after. His parents were killed by a coven of vampires."

nobody said anything for a retentive time. Albus looked at his friends and they all wore equal feel of shock.

"And you watched it ?"Matt asked.

"From a space,"Albus replied.

"Merlin, no wonder Balladanis is so bloody insane,"John the Divine let out a low whistle.

"He decided to devote his lifetime to ridding the world of evil, whether it be vampires, dark superstar, or early shadow creatures,"Albus continued.

"So he 's an Auror ?"rose asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"He 's a Presuler."

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's like an Auror, only they go after nighttime wight, too. And they are n't employed by the Ministry. They 're hired by Ministries all around the world. They 're investigators as well. Apparently it 's all very secretive,"Albus explained.

"Wow,"John the Divine said,"I thought he was an Auror or something."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed,"Instead he just hunts down vampire. And, werewolves."

"Only ones that kill people,"Albus assured his lycanthropic friend.

"All wolfman have the potentiality of killing people, Albus,"Matt said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

"Whatever his thought on vampires and werewolves truly is, it 's going to be concern to see how he teaches us about them,"blush wine mused.

"Guess this is why you did n't want Linda to hear about this,"John said.

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Apparently he still has n't found the vampires who killed his parents, but he knows a vampire who knows them. That vampire does n't kill people. I wonder if it 's Linda."

"Who knows ?"blush wine shrugged,"I doubt we 'll ever find out."

"Oh, I 've got to secern you what he said after he told us all of this,"Albus took a deep breath,"He thinks Malfoy and I should suit Presulers."

"Seriously ?"matt asked.

"Yeah, because we 're good duellist,"Albus explained,"But I do n't know."

"You do n't have to hump. You 're only thirteen. And Albus, do n't decide anything until you 've read about this. Do n't just go on what Balladanis is saying. I think we 've finally discovered why he 's so passionate about fighting the Dark Arts, but it might becloud his judgement sometimes,"rosebush warned.

"I know, that 's what I do n't get,"Albus said,"Why is he telling us this now ?"

"Maybe because he does n't plan on staying,"Matt replied,"Why would he break searching for the vampires who killed his parents to teach here anyway ?"

"Malfoy asked,"Albus told him,"But he would n't tell us. He said it 's between him and Kendrick."

"Because that 's not suspicious or anything,"John rolled his eyes,"There 's still something queer about Balladanis."

"What are you going to do, Albus ?"flatness asked.

"I 'm not deciding anything now,"Albus replied,"I 'm just not going to think about it."

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be easier said than done, especially since Defense class was soon devoted to learning about lamia. Balladanis seemed to teach that particular unit with much more enthusiasm than usual, a feat that nobody thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than common, but about just attributed it to the fact that he was bloody insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about lamia was englut Albus already knew due to what matte had told them earlier in the school class. It was still fairly interesting, though. Albus found that the more dangerous the creature they were learning about, the more interesting it was. Not to mention the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every student was grateful for.

However, partway through their indorse week devoted to lamia, the anamatek 's luggage compartment reappeared in the defense lawyers classroom. There was an audible groan from every educatee who stepped into the room.

"If that thing turns into a lamia, I think I 'm going to get up and forget,"John seethed as they took their seats.

"Maybe we 're moving onto another puppet,"Albus suggested even though he knew the opportunity were slender to none.

"That would n't be any improve. We 're doing lycanthrope next,"John reminded him,"And Matt said that thing could n't grow into an literal werewolf. oral presentation of Matt, he 's lucky he 's missing this."

"I think he 'd say otherwise,"Albus replied. The full synodic month had been the previous night.

"placidity,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our vampire example today. Today I wish to depict you what a vampire looks like, which is why I have brought back the anamatek. However, you will not be fighting it. None of you have the acquisition necessary to fight a vampire."

"He 's mental,"John muttered.

Balladanis drew his verge and pointed it at the trunk. It snapped undefendable and out stepped a very sick man with chiseled features. He did n't run, but merely stared out at all the students.

"Vampires are the perfective predatory animal,"Balladanis announced,"They 're incredibly fast,"he pointed his wand at the lamia and it disappeared.

It reappeared in the spine of the schoolroom, but it had not Apparated. The vampire had moved so fast that Albus had missed it in the blink of an eye.

"They 're agile,"Balladanis continued,"They 're good looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are dead. The alternative is not with child, either. From the moment their teeth break your skin, you begin to transubstantiate into a vampire as well. You will become one if they do not suck you dry. There is no way to stop it, no potion to counteract it.

"Vampires Hunt at Nox when their imaginativeness is still excellent, but when human being visual sensation is compromised. However, that is not the only reason. Does anyone roll in the hay the former ?"

Rose raised her hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, Miss Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"lamia are in center allergic to the sun,"Rose explained,"When the sunlight hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them headaches and makes them experience sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rare smile,"There is no potion to counteract the effects of the sun on vampire. Therefore they tend to inhabit surface area that see less sun and field of dense timberland, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United States, parts of Canada, and parts of Soviet Union. However there is also a significant vampire universe in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his baton at the lamia again and it retreated back into the trunk. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of substitute. The lesson continued until the bell rang. Balladanis made no mention of moving onto the next unit, nor had he assigned the usual end of the unit essay.

Albus and his friends went to visit Matt late that Nox after Albus got out of Quidditch practice. They only had a half 60 minutes or so until curfew, but they had n't visited at all yet.

"You missed an excellent DoD example today,"John said once Madam Pomfrey had gone back into her study after leaving to see who had entered her ward.

"Was it any dissimilar from the usual ones ?"Matt asked tiredly. He looked ready to fall asleep at any moment.

"Balladanis brought back the anamatek,"Albus told him.

"He what ?"matte shouted, although since his phonation was hoarse it was n't very loud,"We 're still doing vampire, are n't we ?"

"Yeah, he had it turn into a lamia,"John said,"We did n't give to fight down it. He just used it to show how fasting vampires were and what they looked like."

"That is uncanny,"matte replied,"He assign the vampire essay yet ?"

"Nope,"John the Divine shook his head,"I think we 're in for a few Thomas More days of vampires."

"Well, the longer we spend on vampire, the more time we have before we start wolfman,"Matt said quietly,"I really hope he does n't spend as a lot time on them as he has on vampires."

"I do n't retrieve he will,"Albus said,"His parents were n't killed by werewolves."

"Thank merlin for that,"lusterlessness yawned.

"You 're tired,"Rose said,"We should leave."

"We 'll be back tomorrow after dejeuner,"Albus told him,"Good night."

"'Night,"Matt said.

They left the ward just as Madam Pomfrey was coming out of her bailiwick, presumably to differentiate them to leave and fall in Matt to a greater extent potions. Albus and his friends headed straight for the park room, where they got started on all the homework that had been piled on them that day.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome citizenry who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's cousin-german had begun to take up bets on how foresightful Balladanis was going to spend teaching the third geezerhood about vampire. Fred was certainly he 'd expend the remainder of terminal figure, but Bradley was convinced he 'd move onto the next social unit partway through April. None of the third days were actually participating in these bets because they were all afraid Balladanis would retrieve out.

The vampire building block was still well underway when the succeeding Quidditch couple came along. This one was the second Hogwarts versus Australian School of black art match, which meant Wood was in his prime when it came to praxis. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing rooms since he spent more of his fourth dimension on the Quidditch Pitch than in the Gryffindor rough-cut room.

Albus awoke the day of the match to John 's loud swearing instead of Teddy, which told him that he did not induce to play during that lucifer. He could n't aid but feel slightly disappointed. Figuring there was no full point in going back to catch some Z's, he got up and asked whoremonger what happened.

"Tripped over matte 's bloody cauldron,"lav muttered, holding onto his justly foot,"Why ca n't he just put that stupid thing away ?"

"Like you always do ?"Albus smirked and gestured to john 's own cauldron, which was sitting only a few understructure away from Matt's.

lav muttered something indistinguishable and shoved his caldron under his bed. He went into the bath while Albus woke Matt up. The three of them met Kaden in the rough-cut room a little while later and then went down to the Great Hall to get something to eat.

A few time of day later the boys were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the match to begin. Rose and Amanda were with them.

"Wonder how prospicient it 'll ask Linda to obtain the Snitch this time,"Albus mused.

"I 'm betting on ten minutes,"John said,"Hey, remember that sentence we eavesdropped on Killigan ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Was n't Linda supposed to start flying deadening after that ?"

"That 's what I thought,"toilet shrugged,"But she did n't during the hold up match."

"She probably wo n't this clip, either,"mat put in,"I mean, think about it, if James could fly that fast, would he really slow up down to a normal fastness ?"

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

matte 's prediction proved correct. Linda did not slow down in the slightest. She flew at her common abnormally fast speed, beating James to the stool pigeon by a few thou. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Australia at that full stop and only wound up losing by XL points.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New York as far as Quidditch points went. Australia was still in the lead, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tourney. As of the most Recent tourney, Hogwarts was winning. Commonwealth of Australia was in last place and New House of York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty sure that if the Quidditch and dueling tournament stage were added up, Hogwarts and Commonwealth of Australia would be neck in cervix. Whatever the resultant of the remaining qualifying tournaments and catch, the final for both were going to ascertain the winner of the competition. The period were just too close.

Although there was obviously no celebration in the Gryffindor vulgar elbow room after the match, nonentity was particularly deject either. Albus figured this was because nobody had really expected Hogwarts to win anyway.

******

Two weeks into April, Omar Bradley along with quite a few other older Gryffindors, were able to cash in on their stakes about Balladanis. Fred and a few others grumbled loudly about it as they handed over Galleons to the winners.

Balladanis had assigned the foresighted awaited essay on lamia on Thursday, officially making the vampire unit the farsighted unit they had done. They had spent an entire month and a half on it. The essay seemed to match this length, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a half feet.

Albus, Matt, and John saved their essays for the last possible minute, settling down to work on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly laborious essay because Balladanis had given them so much information on the subject field. It was just a very long essay to write. pink wine and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't assist but be slightly envious of them because doing the essay with an genuine vampire would make it the leisurely essay ever.

"Bet Linda 's glad this unit 's over,"Albus said as they worked on their essays in the marauder 's Den Mon evening.

"She is,"Rose answered,"She hated every minute of those lessons. Ca n't say I blame her."

"How long is your essay, blush wine ?"lav asked as he measured his own essay.

"Three ft,"Rose answered.

Saint John groaned."Do you think Balladanis will point out if mine 's three inches short ?"

"Yes,"rosebush said,"If there 's any essay he 'll be extremely picky about, it 'll be this one."

"Maybe if we do n't finish it we can just skip class tomorrow,"Matt muttered,"After all, I would n't want to show up in class without the essay done."

"But it 'll be worse when you finally do go to class,"rosebush pointed out.

"I still do n't particularly want to go to class tomorrow,"flatness said,"Whether I 've finished the essay or not."

"You 're going to finish it,"rose told him,"You 've got two column inch left."

"Finished,"Albus announced.

"Excellent,"John said as he grabbed Albus 's essay,"I 'll copy bits of yours."

"You know,"Albus said quietly,"Nobody found out about Linda being a vampire even after we 've spent a calendar month and a one-half on them. I do n't call up anyone 's going to find out you 're a lycanthrope just because we 're learning about them."

"I know, I 've just got a bad tone about it,"Matt sighed.

"Look on the brightly side,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the loup-garou essay, you 're sure to get a 100."

"I do n't really care about the essay,"Matt said flatly.

Both matt and john managed to finish their essays before curfew and they returned to Gryffindor tug, and they soon went to bed. Albus did n't think Matt slept much, though. He heard him tossing and turning all night.

Albus, Matt, and St. John the Apostle got a late first since toilet had misplaced his vampire essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was sure how it go there ), the three male child rushed down to the Great Hall to seize while of toast before running to Defense.

They walked into the room rightfulness on time and barely had a chance to trip up their breathing space before Balladanis asked for everyone to hand in their lamia essays. Albus passed his essay up and pulled out sheepskin and a quill.

"wellspring, our unit on lamia is over,"Balladanis said once everyone had handed in their essays,"I trust you have all read the chapter on werewolves for today ? If you had for some ground decided not to do that, I highly suggest doing it tonight."

Balladanis began his common pacing in front of the classroom. He stopped in front of Rose and Linda 's tabular array and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would get with werewolf history,"he announced,"cipher is sure when the first werewolf came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding culture. Not only that, but even ancient Muggle cultures have lycanthropy in their histories.

"Hundreds of years ago, before the Muggle field of psychology came about and farsighted before Muggles had any apprehension of the human mind, they tried to reach common sense of multitude whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to attribute the insanity to the Sun Myung Moon. Over the class, the myth of loup-garou came about. Thus, werewolves have had a significant role in Muggle floor. In reality, the people Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from dementia praecox or binge of insanity."

Albus frantically tried to write everything down. He knew absolutely null about the Muggle purview of lycanthropy. He glanced at lusterlessness and saw that he was n't writing anything down, but his hired hand was shaking.

"Muggles of course know zip about real wolfman,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created loup-garou have short in uncouth with the real affair.

"Werewolves are plagued with the illness lycanthropy. Does anyone know what that means ?"

rose wine was the only one who raised her hired hand. Balladanis nodded to her."It comes from the Hellenic words 'lykos'and 'anthropos',"rosiness explained,"Lykos means savage and anthropos means man."

"Very good,"Balladanis replied,"Lycanthropy refers to the disease and those who have it are called lycanthropes.

"loup-garou have been shunned by wizarding lodge for as long as history has told us about them. In Recent epoch years, there has been much speculation about whether this is necessary or even a good melodic theme. However, it is difficult to transfer the minds of the majority when we have been taught to ward off lycanthropes and shun them from wizarding society for so long.

"It has not been for no grounds that this general preconception has came about. When in wolf configuration, werewolves can not hold in their actions and thus attack helpless people. This has long been construed as werewolf wanting to attack people, wanting to taint them with the horrible disease.

"This can not be farther from the case when it comes to most werewolf. most do not wish well to attack others. Within the past times hundred years, wolfman have begun locking themselves up on the full moon moon in gild to avoid attacking others. However, there is one important drawback to this for the werewolf. Does anyone know this ?"Balladanis 's centre rested on mat, but he continued staring down at his vacate parchment.

Rose and Linda raised their hired man. This time Balladanis called on Linda."When loup-garou do n't get anybody to assault, they attack themselves,"Linda said,"They do n't have a pick and they often wind up really hurt because of it."

Balladanis took Linda 's idea further, but Albus did n't hear what he said because flatness had knocked over Albus 's ink. He looked incredibly nervous and Albus was happy that the course of study was almost over. He quickly cleaned up the ink and tried to pay attention to the rest of the lecture.

"We 'll pick up next class with what happens before, during, and after full moon lunation for a person with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the bell rang,"If you have not show the werewolf chapter, please do so for next time. Mr. Eckerton, if you could please come see me."

matt looked, if it was possible, even more neural at this prospect. The rest of the class left and Albus tried to put away his things as slowly as possible, but Balladanis shooed him, along with John, out of the room.

Malfoy was standing outside the classroom when Albus and John left. He had a slight smirk on his face.

"Interesting lesson, Potter,"Malfoy said quietly,"Very worry indeed."

"What do you want, Malfoy ?"Albus asked, knowing perfectly well what he wanted.

"Oh, nix. Just a very illuminating object lesson. I 've learned so much,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"Falco columbarius,"John muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll know after next moral. He 's onto it, that 's for indisputable,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"John replied,"That 's a overnice way of putting it. The completely school 's going to know in two days, after the next class."

"What are we going to do ?"Albus groaned,"If we tell him what Malfoy said, he 's going to be too scared to do anything. I mean, did you see him during this lesson ?"

"Yeah,"John nodded,"We ca n't assure him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether Matt knows about it or not."

"I agree,"Albus nodded,"We wo n't tell."

"What are you two talking about ?"Matt appeared behind them, looking no better than he had before.

"zip,"John said,"What did Balladanis want ?"

"Told me I did n't have to go to the supererogatory aid during this unit unless I wanted to,"Matt told them.

"What are you going to do ?"King John asked.

"I do n't know,"Matt said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll expect shady if I do n't, but I really ca n't take many more lessons like that. Merlin, Thursday 's lesson is going to be awful."

Albus saw no point in denying that. matte did n't have got a clue as to how awful it would be. They said nada more about it the completely way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so happy about having ridiculously long Quidditch exercise as he was Tues and Midweek eve. He was perfectly happy to spend all his free clock time on the Quidditch pitch and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so hard for him to retain what Malfoy said away from Matt. He wanted nada more than to warn his friend about it, even though he knew that would accomplish zip. All it would do was make flatness worry even more and then act even more anxious during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's mind off of what would happen after Malfoy 's mistrust were confirmed. It would n't be anything like when Albus found out or even when Kaden found out. No, Malfoy was going to use this to his vantage. Albus was nearly one hundred per centum certain Malfoy would harbinger it to all of Slytherin. Then, give-and-take would spread and the stallion school would find out. Merlin only knew what would happen when scholarly person'parents found out.

Albus knew that wolfman rights had come a long way since Teddy 's dad was in schooling, but he also knew that virtually the great unwashed would not be well-chosen if their children were going to school with a loup-garou, especially one that did not take Wolfsbane. Not to cite the subject field day the press would have with it. matte 's dad had just become school principal of the Department for the ordinance and controller of Magical Creatures for Merlin 's rice beer. It would be a repeat of what had happened when Matt and his folk had lived in Australia.

Not to mention what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a cold-shoulder chance that Malfoy found out about the musical passage under the Whomping willow. He had nearly had a panic attack. What would befall if Malfoy found out he was a werewolf ?

It did not help that the full moonlight was that Fri. Matt barely spoke during the legal brief metre that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch. He sat in the marauder 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, woods 's long Quidditch drill took Albus 's intellect off of all of that, but they did not block up Thursday from arriving and sooner than Albus would feature liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and john exchanged nervous coup d'oeil as Malfoy walked in with a very smug aspect on his face. Albus was so focused on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's trunk was back in front of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked John in the side.

"What ?"John Lackland seethed. Albus gestured to the bole."Merlin 's whiskers,"John exclaimed,"I do n't even want to have a go at it what he 's going to do with that."

"Quiet down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll continue our loup-garou word today by talking about what happens to a loup-garou when the moon waxes.

"werewolf, in a standardised way to vampires, are somewhat allergic to the moonlight when the moon waxes. For the few Night before the literal full lunar month, when exposed to moonlight lycanthropes will experience ill. The moonlight gives them headaches and when exposed long enough, causes them to lose consciousness."

Albus did n't trouble writing any of this mastered, as he knew first helping hand what happened when a werewolf was exposed to too much moonshine shortly before the full moon. Instead he stole quickly glances at Malfoy and Matt. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing prompt glances at lustrelessness himself. Matt was staring down at his lambskin and Albus was sure he was trying to ignore everything Balladanis said. He was pale and ill, but Albus was n't sure if that was because of the object lesson or because the full lunar month was the next day.

"loup-garou are often too ill to go about their daily activities the day of the full moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the factual transformation, I wish to show you what a person with lycanthropy looks like the day of the full moon."

For a legal brief second, Albus thought Balladanis was going to address Matt to the presence of the way, but then realized that as a professor, Balladanis must bear promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the trunk and a small man stepped out of it. His pallor looked exactly like Matt 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces bore scars and had a sickly facial expression to them.

Balladanis began to talk about what the anamatek looked like, but Albus paid no attention. Instead he looked to Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the anamatek for a minute or so with jar and then he glanced at mat. Finally, he met Albus 's regard and Albus saw the biggest smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's nerve. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The remainder of the object lesson passed by in a sort of fog for Albus. He and John had exchanged glances and the facial expression on trick 's grimace told him he had noticed Malfoy 's actualisation as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's talking to, but he did n't process it.

The lesson seemed to drag on and amphetamine by at the Same metre. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the same time he did not desire to have sex what was going to materialise after.

"Next deterrent example will focalise on wolfbane Potion and the effects it has had on lycanthrope right field,"Balladanis announced at the end of the moral,"year dismissed."

Albus and lavatory looked at each other. Albus did n't make out what to do. Should he face up Malfoy ? Or should he tell matte what happened ? Matt seemed oblivious to the whole thing.

They silently decided just to leave the classroom and decide what to do after. Rose and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no mind what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the room and Albus was not sure if this was a in force or a bad matter. He had the sudden itch just to hex Malfoy powerful then and there.

"Another enlightening moral,"Malfoy smirked,"Oh, Eckerton, feeling a bit ill ?"

"None of your patronage,"Matt muttered. Albus and John both stepped a bit closer to him and Albus clenched his hired man around his wand.

"Bet you 'll be feeling even speculative tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that time of the month, is n't it ? Tomorrow Night ?"

That got Matt 's care. His head snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to lavatory with the most frightened look on his face Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun full moon, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just loud enough for lustrelessness, Albus and John the Evangelist to hear.

matt did n't say anything. He shook his head and then ran. He pushed through the gang, much to the dislike of the students who were trying to get to category, and disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Albus suddenly felt more hatred for Malfoy than ever. Not only had he worked out lustrelessness 's mysterious, but he had used it to frighten him. In essence, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the unfit affair he could have done.

Ignoring all the former students who were going to class, Albus pulled out his wand and had it against Malfoy 's chest in two seconds.

"If you tell anyone,"Albus growled,"I will personally make sure enough you 're so undistinguishable that even your own parents wo n't recognize you."

"Is that a threat, Potter ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to spell it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to happen out just how much good I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the same time.

"Expelliarmus !"St. John the Apostle shouted.

The crowd moved away so that there was a circle of onlookers surrounding the affaire d'honneur. Albus ignored them. It was just him, John the Divine, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected lav 's disarming magical spell and shot another trance at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's buckler and hit a nearby portrait. The portrait 's occupant shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbor 's frame.

Albus concentrated on his buckler appeal and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling example, Albus watched as his shield held up while the hex blastoff at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a tickling jinx at John.

This one hit privy and he collapsed onto the story in a fit of giggles. Albus shot another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his typeface. Malfoy 's nose started bleeding and he rounded on Albus.

"What is going on out here ?"Balladanis shouted.

Albus did n't depress his wand and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't burn down off anymore curse either. Albus let his shield down and noticed that the crew had dispersed. John was still rolling around on the ground.

Balladanis pointed his wand at King John and John immediately stopped giggling and stood up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three son followed Balladanis into his study. Albus looked nervously at whoremonger. Of all the professor to catch them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of course, the one well thing about this was that Malfoy could n't announce Matt 's lycanthropy to the entire schooltime while Balladanis was lecturing them.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John sat as far away as possible from Malfoy in Balladanis 's subject field. Balladanis just stared at them before speaking.

"I can not begin to tell you how disappointed I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. I am sure I taught you better than this. The two of you especially should jazz how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling skills and what kind of obligation lies with them. I have half a mind to stop our training seance. However, I am willing to hear all sides of this story before laying out any sort of punishment. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to class and ceramist pulled out his wand and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to fend for myself,"Malfoy said.

Albus had to try hard not to huff. He and john looked at each former and lav rolled his eyes.

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. thrower, if you please."

Albus took a inscrutable breath. He was going to tell the story. The whole story."Malfoy was threatening matt, sir,"Albus began.

"Mr. Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked,"I did not see him anywhere."

"He left after Malfoy threatened him,"Albus continued,"You see, Malfoy has figured something out about Matt, after listening to your speech on werewolves."

Balladanis 's eye widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that true, Mr. Malfoy ?"

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the right to know if I 'm in schoolhouse with a werewolf."

Malfoy said 'werewolf'with disgust and it made Albus want to hex him once more.

"Mr. Eckerton has the right field to keep his medical issues to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His health is none of your business enterprise whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After Matt left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go narrate the whole schooling about Matt 's lycanthropy,"Albus explained,"And I guess we just wound up dueling."

"Just wound up dueling ?"Malfoy scoffed,"You had your wand on me."

"You sent the first hex,"Albus muttered.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Brickston ?"Balladanis asked.

"No,"John replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

"Very well,"Balladanis replied,"I see this subject goes much boost than a duel. All three of you will receive four nights'detention starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten period from your respective houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the master. There are things more important to talk about than hold,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew to the full well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and John said nada as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's study. Malfoy walked a few feet behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's bailiwick since his first year, when he went to talk to Dumbledore 's portrayal. The berth had n't changed in the slightest. Everything seemed to be in the precise same office. Both Dumbledore and Snape were awake and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, whoremaster, and Malfoy stood near the threshold while Balladanis strode forward.

"We have a problem,"Balladanis said,"These three have been dueling."

"I trust you to hand out detentions, Tethys,"Kendrick replied,"I am busy at the moment."

"It 's not the dueling,"Balladanis said,"It 's what they were dueling about."

"And what would that be ?"Kendrick asked.

"Mr. Malfoy has discovered that Matt Eckerton is a lycanthrope,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. Potter and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his quill and looked up."I 'll take this from here. I believe you have a lesson to teach."

"I believe I do,"Balladanis replied and left the room.

Kendrick conjured a few professorship and gestured for the three son to connect him at his desk. Albus sat down in the middle hot seat and waited for Kendrick to get. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying rapt attention.

"Well, well,"Snape said,"Deja vu."

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. ceramist, perhaps you can tell me if anyone else knows about Matt 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"blush wine Weasley, Amanda Tagger, and Kaden Dursley."

"I knew that Dursley kid knew something,"Malfoy muttered.

"Not now, Mr. Malfoy,"Kendrick said,"I 'll need to verbalise with them, as well as mat. I imagine they 're all in class."

"Sir,"Albus interrupted,"I do n't remember Matt 's in class."

"You may be redress,"Kendrick sighed,"Do you have any musical theme where he might be ?"

"Yes,"Albus answered.

"Very well. Please go find him,"Kendrick said,"And Mr. Brickston, please go find the others."

Albus nodded and he and Gospel According to John left the study. Albus went straight to the piranha 's Den while trick went to the dungeons as Rose and Amanda would be in potions.

Matt was sitting on his bed in the Marauder 's Den, staring at the rampart and not moving a muscle.

"I suppose Malfoy 's told everyone,"Matt said without turning to expect at Albus. His vocalism was hollow.

"No,"Albus replied,"He has n't had the chance. John and I dueled him after you left. Balladanis gave us all four nights of detainment and took points away."

"He 'll tell everyone soon,"matte replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to polish off shoal. That 's not even the rack up part. It 's going to be all over the oracle. My dad 's going to lose his job again. We 'll probably have to proceed to New York."

He finally turned around and looked at Albus. He no longer looked anxious. He looked absolutely terrified, yet sad at the same time.

"Why did Balladanis have to be such a expert instructor ?"Matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some variety of amazing teacher then maybe Malfoy would n't have found out. He 's just so exhaustive ! He left nothing out ! Even the way he described the shift. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that stupid anamatek !"Matt sat up and looked at Albus,"That affair looked just like me, only previous. No marvel Malfoy found out."

"You 're not going to get kicked out,"Albus assured him.

"How do you acknowledge ?"matte shouted,"How do you really have intercourse ? I know Teddy 's dad got to stay put after Snape found out, but this is different. That was when Dumbledore was here ! Everyone says Dumbledore was barking mad. Kendrick is n't. Kendrick 's perfectly reasonable and he 's not going to want to deal with this."

Albus did n't really know what to say to that. Everything flatness said was true. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. Nobody could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his study. He wants to utter to all of us. Me, St. John, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't need to go up there,"lusterlessness said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to continue here. Merlin, my head is killing me."

"I think you have to go,"Albus said quietly.

"I know,"matte groaned and got up off the bed,"This just is n't middling. I hate it. I hate this whole thing. I do n't require to be a crashing werewolf anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how miserable flatness was at that moment. Albus had never once heard him complain about being a loup-garou. Not when he was too play out to do anything because of the wide-cut moon or when he was laid up in the hospital backstage for daytime afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's study. Albus muttered the password, that he had overhear Balladanis say, to the gargoyle and they ascended into the study.

Everyone else was already there and they all turned to Albus and Matt when they walked in. lustrelessness froze in spot and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"choose a seat,"Kendrick gestured to the two empty chairs, one of which was next to Malfoy's.

Albus took the posterior next to Malfoy 's, but did n't look at him. Matt took the other one.

"start, I want to reassure you that you do not have to pull up stakes Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to mat,"cipher else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

Matt did n't look reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My beginner wo n't agree with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your Father has no say whatsoever in which students I admit to this school,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I point out that his stance is not very high."

"lustrelessness,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"Does anyone else know ?"Matt shook his head."And did you secern the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. mat nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

Matt seemed ineffective to speak. After a few moments of muteness, Kendrick turned to Albus."How long have you known, Mr. Potter ?"

"Two yr,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this interrogation with Rose, John, and Amanda, who all gave the Same answer as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus magic spell. He shared one horrified glimpse with Rose and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His sass was agape and he looked a little panic-struck.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"Fine,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"professor, Sir,"rose began,"We sort of put this charm on Kaden, so he would n't assure anyone. He can only talk about it with us. He wo n't be able-bodied to say a thing about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's response, but before the schoolmaster could say a tidings, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus charm,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"Rose answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an incredible Wiccan, Miss Weasley."

"Too smart for her own good, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the dumbfound feat, Miss Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you say me how long Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a year,"rose said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some things to discuss with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in private. The rest of you may go to the Great Hall. I believe there is still a half hr or so left of lunch."

Albus did n't really want to leave without finding out what was going to happen to Malfoy, but he knew Matt would tell him.

matte never showed up in the Great Radclyffe Hall for lunch, nor did he go to ancient rune or appeal. Albus could not concentrate on either of those form and was very glad when Charms was over and he was able to leave.

Mrs. Henry Wood was not very happy that Albus had acquired four hold. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty bit telling Albus how he should n't be picking fight with early students so close to the adjacent Quidditch compeer, especially in straw man of teachers'schoolroom. The lecture had only ended when Albus told him he was latterly for good luck charm. Albus had run into Mrs. Henry Wood in in between Ancient Runes and Charms.

"What do you suppose Balladanis is going to make us do ?"trick asked as they walked towards the marauder 's Den.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"John agreed.

Rose, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go come up lustrelessness before they went to dinner. They had to wait a while for the corridor to exonerate out before they were actually able-bodied to get into the room, though.

Matt was fast asleep on the lounge when they entered."Good thing he does n't have hold tonight,"Saint John pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

John gently shook Matt 's articulatio humeri until he cracked his eyes open."Wake up,"St. John the Apostle said,"Or you 'll miss dinner."

"I 'm not hungry,"lustrelessness muttered.

"What 's Kendrick doing about Malfoy ?"Albus asked as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

"He should put that charm on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"Matt sighed,"All he did was tell Malfoy how important it was not to refer anything. He said telling his Father of the Church would do naught. Then he told him that if he ever did narrate anyone, he would present forcing out for revealing another bookman 's medical information. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did promise he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? Sure, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't conduct it back. I 'd still have to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't think he 's going to tell anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate pity in the Malfoy mob, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified wizard. Malfoy wo n't want that."

"I guess you 're the right way,"flatness sighed,"It 's just so strange, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you need to go eat dinner ?"

"No,"Matt shook his head,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to send an owl to my parents, let them know about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. John and I have got detention tonight."

"Oh, right. Good hazard with that,"lusterlessness replied.

******

Balladanis 's custody was a bit anticlimactic. Albus had been expecting him to consider up some really creative and taxing detainment, but instead he assigned them lines. Lines were possibly the most boring detention ever thought up, but they were preferable to cleaning the lavatory or something.

"Potter, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten hour,"Your dueling deterrent example is canceled for tomorrow night due to your detention. Detention will be at nine, after my additional help academic session, something I 'll expect you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said nothing more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three son, which Albus did n't really heed. He just wanted to get his lines done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on replete Moon, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a werewolf used to teach here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the best defensive structure teacher any of our parents ever had."

"tranquillity !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was grateful for Balladanis 's scolding. Malfoy stopped asking interrogative sentence and went back to his lines. Albus sighed and went back to his own. How far was Malfoy going to go ? Why could n't he just be satisfied with having worked out Matt 's arcanum ?

A one-half 60 minutes into their dividing line written material, when Albus was contemplating switching hands despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his rightfulness hand, there was a whang on the threshold. Albus looked up and saw Professor Kendrick standing in the doorway, along with none other than lusterlessness 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to John. john had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last thing they needed was for Balladanis to recollect they were there and differentiate them to get out so he could birth whatever conversation he was about to have in private.

"Tethys,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John. lustrelessness 's dad knew Balladanis ? How ? matte had never mentioned that before.

"That 's his dad ?"Malfoy whispered.

"Shush !"Albus said again.

"I wish to mouth to you about what happened other today,"Matt 's dad said quietly.

"What about it, Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked.

"My son told me about your deterrent example,"Mr. Eckerton said,"How, informative they are."

"I teach my scholarly person what they 'll need to know in Order to fight themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"Merlin, showing them exactly what a werewolf looks like before a transformation with an anamatek ? Do you realize how grievous those are ?"

"Of course of instruction,"Balladanis said, raising his articulation a bit,"You 're not the only expert on wizard creatures. I have perfect control over my anamatek."

"nonentity has everlasting controller over an anamatek !"Mr. Eckerton said.

"The master has already told me I 'm not allowed to use it anymore, so you really do n't ask to be lecturing me about this,"Balladanis seethed.

"Oh, it 's not only that,"Mr. Eckerton stepped a bit closer to Balladanis,"It 's how much you taught the third years about lycanthrope. The details about their translation, how to clean one out of the worldwide population, what happens before, during, and after transformations. Your lesson was far more detailed than a tierce twelvemonth text book."

"You 'd find out that all my lessons are like that,"Balladanis replied,"schoolbook books do not give enough details."

"I think giving enough details about identifying a lycanthrope so that a third year would be able to work out that person not even in their same house is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should birth been a bit more cautious with your lesson."

"Withholding information from an intact class because of one scholar is not a unspoilt method of teaching,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be serious for that one student,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the greatest good for the great number, are we ?"

"There are times when that is a commodity philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll agree to disagree, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your lessons are putting my son in peril anymore, you may see that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll teach however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three boy, none of whom were writing lines any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the tabular array Albus, toilet, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded hullo to Albus and John before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the schoolmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the motive to ingeminate that there will be consequences if you make public my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"Good,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the castle tomorrow to search your study and schoolroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his breathing spell as matt 's dad left the way with prof Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with John. He wanted cypher more than to leave, so he could talk about what had just happened.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow night at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his hurry to get up. He ran out of the way as fast as he could with John following. Malfoy made no move to try and talk to them again, so they headed straight to the Marauder 's Den.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the endearing people who have read and reviewed this ! You guy rope are awesome !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and lav burst into the Marauder 's Den a little while later to find that Matt and Kaden were the only I there. Matt 's face was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the middle of a game of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four win for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the circuit board,"Oh, Albus, John ! How was your detention ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down succeeding to Matt,"Matt, did you have it off your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talk to Kendrick. I went with him."

"Well, do you know where he went after ?"lavatory asked.

"dwelling, I guess,"matt shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our detention,"Saint John said.

"He what ?"Matt replied.

"Yeah, it was really odd,"Albus said,"He came in with Kendrick and Kendrick introduced him to Balladanis. Only Balladanis said 'we 've met'. You never told us your dad knew Balladanis."

"I never knew,"matte shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really raging,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too much about how to cipher out if someone 's a werewolf and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how grievous it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"lusterlessness said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the reasons he came here, to separate Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to audit Balladanis 's room tomorrow to puddle sure enough he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's teaching puts you in danger again, the Ministry 's going to investigate him."

"It 's really not a good idea to get on my dad 's bad side,"Matt said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to teach however he wanted,"Albus explained,"Honestly, he did not see happy that your dad was there. I think something happened between the two of them."

"But what ?"matt asked,"Dad 's never mentioned him before."

"Think he 'd order you if you asked ?"King John wondered.

"Probably,"lusterlessness said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd better not enjoin anyone you 're a werewolf,"John said,"He looked pretty scarey, too. I do n't think Malfoy 's going to evidence anyone."

******

It did not ask very long for word to pass around that Balladanis had gotten in trouble for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the following aurora at breakfast, as a few quondam students had bet on how foresighted he would cause it. Somehow everyone knew that matte 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the old Night and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had Defense that morning and reported to Albus at dejeuner that Balladanis was even stricter than usual and seemed incredibly angry. That did not bode well for Albus 's detention that evening.

"He 's absolute scary,"Kaden said as he piled steak and kidney pie onto his plate,"Yelled at one of the Ravenclaws in my class for spilling her ink. She was nearly in tears. But I 'd detest to be in your class, Albus, he 's going to be brutal. I mean, it 's pretty much because of mat that he got in trouble."

Matt had gone up to the marauder 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in luncheon. Albus knew that Kaden was right. Balladanis was going to take this out on Matt, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't have intercourse why he cares so much,"John shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could have just taken that affair away. He 's prosperous he just had to look at it back to his business firm or whatever."

"I do n't think he likes the government,"Albus said,"That 's the feeling I got after listening to him tattle about what he did before teaching here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"fountainhead, I think it 's a in force idea for the Ministry to make him take that thing home,"John said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a mantichora next."

Kaden went to category after lunch while Albus and John went up to the marauder 's Den with rosiness and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"John asked as he gestured to Matt, who was asleep in his bed.

"incertitude it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"Merlin, I just want to know what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"John groaned.

"You 're so impatient,"Rose commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to wake him up,"privy muttered.

The remainder of the afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his detention later and John complained loudly about how he had to go to the extra aid session about werewolves when he already knew so lots about them.

Albus woke mat up shortly before dinner and he looked much risky than he usually did the day of entire synodic month. They all escorted him to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to depart the hospital wing, the doorway opened and in walked matt 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to check if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

St. John the Apostle nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"John Lackland whispered.

"He 's not going to severalise us now,"Albus muttered back,"feeling at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to matt 's bed and talking to Madam Pomfrey in hush up whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the custody for zero. He entered the way before Malfoy and john was already doing his lines. Balladanis said absolutely zero to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a little while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not tattle either. He did not ask anything about Matt and did n't even gloss that the full moonlight was that night.

Balladanis let them leave at half preceding ten. Albus and toilet found Kaden in the Marauder 's Den and spent the remaining time left until astronomy playing Exploding Snap and magician 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to give birth this class with the Slytherins ?"John groaned as they made their way to the Astronomy column,"If Malfoy does n't crap a 1 comment about the full moon, I 'll eat an entire cauldron."

"I 'm going to hold you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't think you 'll have to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his telescope up next to Albus 's. professor Polo spent ten minutes telling them that they were to plot the position of Red Planet, Venus, the lunation, and a smattering of stars before turning them mislay to actually do so.

"The moon is so bright,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... total ...."

Albus looked at John."Looks like I wo n't be eating my caldron tonight,"John Lackland muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the Head of the Department for the regularization and Control of Magical Creatures ? Yeah, he must be, because he 's the one who made Balladanis get rid of the anamatek. Ca n't say I 'm really upset about that,"Malfoy said quietly,"But how ironic."

"Just stop talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, derive on, Potter. Even you have to appreciate the satire,"Malfoy said.

"Will you just shut up,"Albus seethed.

"quiet over there,"Marco Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more prison term before going back to his telescope. The rest of the lesson passed without anymore comment from Malfoy and Albus was quite happy when he was able to repay to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in first twelvemonth,"Albus sighed,"Remember when brothel keeper Pomfrey locked the infirmary wing ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"Rose said.

"well, she did n't put away us out this time,"John pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his admirer had slept late on Saturday morning and after grabbing a quick sting to eat, had gone to chitchat Matt in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the Marauder 's Den, trying to figure out why.

"She always lets us in,"John groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad night,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"pink wine wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the entire moon have been worse the past few calendar month ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us become Animagi,"John muttered.

"John, I honestly do n't think you could suit an Animagus,"rosiness replied,"You 'd wrap up with a permanent tail affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"lavatory grinned,"Always thought it would be cool to have a tail."

"You 're not helping,"Albus sighed,"What are we going to do ?"

"I think all we can do is just keep going back to the hospital annexe,"John Lackland shrugged,"Until Madam Pomfrey lets us in."

Their efforts proved fruitless, though. They went to the infirmary wing twice that afternoon and then right before Albus and John had to go to detention. ma'am Pomfrey told them 'no'each time.

Sun, the finally day of Albus and John 's detention, was the Lapplander. Madam Pomfrey was quite blanched when they showed up for the third time that day.

"goose egg 's changed !"she shouted,"Come back tomorrow evening ! I 'll ease up the lot of you detention if you come back any earlier than that !"

With that, she strode back into the Montgomery Ward and slammed the room access."Can she even give detainment ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and trick broke away from the radical to complete their last detainment. Balladanis gave them blood line, just like he had the past three nights. Albus sat quietly completing them, very grateful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two words to him since Astronomy.

"You may stop,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an hour and a half.

Albus threw his quill down and leaned back in his electric chair. Finally, it was over.

"I hope you learned something,"Balladanis said, which shocked Albus. He had been expecting Balladanis to uphold his silence."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the upshot will be much more stern than hold and lost points.

"Mr. ceramist and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should uphold giving you extra lessons. I have decided to sacrifice you one Sir Thomas More chance. Lessons will retain this Fri at their formula time. However, if either of you disregard my rules again, I will no longer harbor them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in class on Tuesday."

"merlin, I 'm gladiolus that 's over,"St. John muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be awful in grade, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't concentrate at all in his class the next day. All he wanted to do was go to the hospital wing and find oneself out how lustrelessness was, but Madam Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

pink wine and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, John, and Kaden near the infirmary fender afterwards. They had all eaten a very stimulate dinner due to Albus 's Quidditch exercise at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the room access to the infirmary wing, one-half expecting Madam Pomfrey to yell at them again. He walked quietly inside, followed the the others. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk and she visibly sighed when she noticed them.

"Go ahead,"she gestured to the only if worry bed, which had the curtain pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the curtains back. matte looked exhausted and there was a rather magnanimous bandage wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd arrive visit me,"Matt gave them a one-half smile.

"We 've been trying !"John Lackland said,"Madam Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"Matt smirked,"I 've heard her cry at you. It 's kind of amusing."

"Well, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't Madam Pomfrey let us come up sojourn ?"

"Because I did n't wake up until yesterday afternoon,"Matt answered.

"But that was-"John Lackland began.

"Nearly two Day later ?"mat cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"Rose asked.

"A bunch of things, really,"flatness sighed,"starting time, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always sorry when I 'm vex about something. Second, I hit my head really hard at some detail that night. It still hurts. third base, the transformation in world-wide are getting unsound, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's mind. Albus and all his protagonist were obviously getting Old and that brought plenty of modification, but he had n't even thought about how the Wolf would change when mat got older.

"So, are all of the full moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"Matt shook his head and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really have a go at it what 'll happen in the future, but this one was just a combination of bad things."

"That 's goodness, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to leave ?"

"Tomorrow dark at the earliest,"mat sighed,"Although that means I 'll neglect Defense."

"Wish I could miss defence,"John muttered,"oral presentation of Defense, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"St. John the Apostle, he just woke up yesterday,"rosebush pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"Matt said,"But he came to see me early and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"John grinned,"And ?"

"And,"Matt said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really surprise that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed Head of the department for the regularisation and ascendancy of Magical animate being in Commonwealth of Australia, he hired Balladanis to catch a band of vampires who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too well-off on them."

"What did he do to them ?"John Lackland asked.

"Sent them to prison. I think they got 20 yr. Balladanis thought they should let gotten sprightliness sentences. Dad and Balladanis got into this immense argument at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Aboriginal Australian Ministry did n't hire him after that,"Matt explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would agree on penalization. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"Matt replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issues. Oh, and he wanted me to discourage you not to listen to everything Balladanis says during those dueling lessons you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a dissimilar incline of Balladanis during the past week."

******

Tuesday aurora dawned quickly and Albus trudged to Defense with John. Neither of them really knew what socio-economic class would be like, but judging from what he heard about Recent defence grade in the common way, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug self now that custody was over. He sat next to Goyle wearing a smirk on his face. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the way a few minute later. He waved his wand at the door and it slammed shut with a bang aloud enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell Twins, who had been sitting closelipped to it, to jump.

"passing play your homework questions forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the board in front of him and waited for Balladanis to collect it. He paused in battlefront of the table in front of Albus's.

"ceramist,"he began,"You can order Eckerton that his homework is late and therefore I will not accept it. If he wished to get mention for it, he could induce graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him glares from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the homework unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"Wolfsbane potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the name of King Oliver Belby. He finished the cosmos in 1991. For well-nigh werewolves, the potion was a life buoy. Who can excuse what it does ?"

cypher, not even blush wine and Linda, raised their hands. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't address on him.

"nonentity ?"he said,"compassion. wolf's bane potion renders a lycanthrope harmless during full phase of the moon moons. The werewolf turns into a wolf, but a harmless one. One that will just kip until the moonlight lot and will not deliver the urge to bite and kill.

"The potion is a life buoy to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to read you what a werewolf would wait like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the castle,"Balladanis said with malice,"Therefore you will have to go without the visual. It seems that certain parents, Ministry officials, and the schoolmaster do not approve of my methods of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't call it suffering,"John muttered.

"Quiet, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to contribute to the class."

"No, sir,"lav replied.

"commodity,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore appearances in this schoolroom and your education is going to suffer for it. cipher, and I repeat nothing can replace hands on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the telephone circuit at having what was in marrow a live manticore in front of him. There were some times when reading sufficed.

The lesson continued with Balladanis talking about wolfbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't go for all loup-garou and Albus found his mind drifting. All in all, the example had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his brief harangue about his anamatek being banned from the rook, he had been pretty pattern. Normal for Balladanis, that is.

"Next lesson will be the last on werewolves,"Balladanis announced at the end of class,"We will get a line about lycanthropy 's effect on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. matte would be out of the hospital wing by then. Why could n't Balladanis just land up the lycanthrope unit already ?

"He wo n't be back next year,"Gospel According to John muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just wonder who we 're going to get instead."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all the lovely people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"Place your bets here !"Fred shouted the next day as he walked around the common room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrait hole with Georgia and James after a particularly hard Quidditch drill. forest was getting them prepared for the match against New York, which was to take place in a little over a week.

"Georgia, James, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"tutelage to aim a bet ?"

"What are you taking stakes about ?"Peach State asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on stuff, your mum is bound to find out."

"She wo n't care,"Fred shrugged. He was probably veracious. Albus 's Aunt Alicia was the least rigid out of all of his aunts. She 'd probably locate a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just improve hope gran does n't find out,"GA smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't fault him. Molly Weasley would probably air him a howler if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And Heather and I are taking stake on how a lot longer Balladanis is going to last. Care to take a surmisal ?"

"I suppose,"Georgia said as she pulled out some gold,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a calendar week. I heard he had three world-class old age in tears today."

"He nearly had half of my class in tears,"Fred said as he took GA 's gold,"James I, Al ?"

"Three Galleons says he 's gone in two weeks,"William James said as he tossed Fred some gold and then left to go come up his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his head.

"Suit yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his pass around the coarse way,"Bets here, rate your stake !"

Albus found his acquaintance crowded around their usual table in the common room. Linda was with them. All three lady friend were working on prep. St. John the Apostle and Kaden were trading burnt umber Frog cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in trouble,"rose wine muttered as Albus sat down,"You did n't bet anything, did you ?"

"No,"Albus shook his top dog,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten sickle he wo n't last the year,"John said.

"You should get it on exactly when he 'll leave, what with your taking Divination,"rosebush smirked.

"Divination 's a joke,"John muttered,"I ca n't wait to put down it after fifth year."

"Told you so,"pink wine grinned,"Sick of making up clobber ?"

"It 's just so pointless,"can groaned,"We 're still doing crystal balls. I just tell her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking fortune telling,"Kaden announced,"Bloody waste of a class."

Kaden had chosen his classes for next year a few days prior. He decided on Care of Magical brute, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy.

"Easy homework, though,"toilet sighed,"I just observe reminding myself about that."

"What 's got easy homework ?"lusterlessness asked as he sat down in the chairwoman future to trick 's. He looked a bit better than he had the late day, but still worn out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"John asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in prison term for Defense tomorrow,"Matt groaned,"I 'm tempted to use a Fainting Fancy to get out of it."

"I think half the first class are going to do that on Friday,"Kaden said,"I overheard them talking. Apparently Balladanis completely flipped out on one of them today, all over one uncompleted homework question. Made her cry."

"That 's what Georgia was saying,"Albus replied,"Makes me want to use a Fainting Fancy. Two weeks. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd chip in him."

******

trick filled his scoop with disgorgement Pastilles before he set off to Defense the following morning. Albus did n't bother. His curiosity always trumped his dislike for certain socio-economic class. He 'd rather be there and know exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"Werewolves,"Balladanis said as soon as the bell rang,"When the term is used, near people conjure up figure of speech of lonely adult, condemned to a suffering life that revolves around the lunar month.

"However, there is a whole radical of werewolves that are mostly overlooked. Children. Ah, yes, nestling do get attacked by werewolves. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too late. Even few survive the initial shift. wolfman transformations, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few children are unattackable enough to make it through."

Balladanis paused and began to pace the room."Parents are faced with a decision after their child is bitten. They have three option. issue one, they can trade with it. plow with the monthly transmutation and try and take a shit spirit as normal as possible for the child. routine two, they can abandon their fry. Force them to inhabit with a gaga pack of loup-garou, to grow up to kill. However, there is a thirdly option. Does anyone care to hazard as to what it is ?"

nonentity raised their bridge player. Balladanis looked at his course of study until his optic rested on Matt. A very creepy smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, maintenance to tell us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to look at lustrelessness throughout the lesson, stole a quick glimpse at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in deal, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"matt stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The third choice is to put the child down. Not a pleasant option, but one that a few parents select anyway. This option used to be readily suggested by therapist, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the first option, to continue to raise their small fry, are in for a very hood life. werewolf child are difficult to prove. It is a huge adjustment for parents and sibling if there are any. The bite affects the unharmed family. It changes lives, it can rip home apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects children and Albus looked again at matte. His paw was shaking even harder and his boldness was as whiteness as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a look with Gospel According to John and John reached into his pouch. He slid a vomiting Pastille across the tabular array towards Albus and then slid one to Matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to shove it into his oral fissure. trick and Matt did the Lapp. Albus clutched his stomach as the sugariness began to study affect.

"Lycanthropic small fry rarely, if ever, get to take care school,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"John shouted,"I do n't finger so well. May I go to the hospital Wing ?"

"I do n't sense too well either,"Albus added.

"Shut it, you two,"Balladanis shouted,"And no you may not go to the-"

Balladanis was cut off by the audio of all three male child vomiting at the same clock time. Albus leaned over his board and vomited right onto the level. The family erupted into shouts and Balladanis tried to keep order.

"Fine !"he seethed,"Get to the Hospital Wing, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the urge to vomit again as he ran for the door. lustrelessness and John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the sweets into their mouths as soon as they shut the door behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's evil !"john shouted,"How could he teach that ?"

"Not here,"Matt muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the vulture 's Den."As I was saying,"John began,"What is wrong with that bloke ?"

"I think a lot of things,"Albus muttered,"He 's a raving lunatic."

"He 's only doing it because you 're in the class,"John said to mat as he paced around the room,"None of what he said today is actually in the volume. I mean, did you read the book ? There 's not much in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his stupe anamatek,"flatness muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to score you miserable because of what your dad did with those lamia years ago."

"It 's just not fair,"matt groaned,"I mean, did you listen to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it true ?"

"Yes,"Matt said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the healer did paint a picture that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more sick than he had when he ate the vomit pastille. How could a healer, someone whose job it was to hold the great unwashed healthy, actually suggest that to a child 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"John asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle Jack hexed him at the Lapplander time,"flatness gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own hospital bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really like to fit your Uncle Jack,"John grinned,"He sounds like a great bloke."

"He is,"flatness smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a patch ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"John sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"lusterlessness said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to own to do anything."

"Three days,"John said after lustrelessness left,"I give Balladanis three more days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't do in any time,"rosiness said to mat as she unfolded her transcript of the Prophet the next morning at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and scan the paper over Rose 's shoulder.

HOGWARTS professor TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The department of Magical teaching received an enquiry
late yesterday afternoon, requesting an investigation
of Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts professor,
Tethys Balladanis. The inquiry was submitted by none
other than the newly appointed top dog of the Department
for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures,
Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

prof Tethys Balladanis has been teaching Defense at
the school since September, when he replaced Head Auror
Harry Potter. Potter had taught the study for two
years and wished to focus solely on his Auror career,
resulting in his resignation at the end of last school
year.

The at hand investigation comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this week Walter Eckerton visited Hogwarts
after receiving a tip that Balladanis was holding an
anamatek in his schoolroom. This proved to be unfeigned and
Eckerton ordered him to get rid of it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's possession, so all he had to
do was remove it from school day premiss. Eckerton told
newsperson that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the prof
repeatedly put students in danger and humiliated them
in forepart of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told reporters,
'I 'm filing this inquiry as a parent, not as a Ministry
official. number 1 and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigation will begin today and be carried out
by official from the section of Magical Education,
a department that was set up for this use after
the downfall of Lord Voldemort. functionary will visit
the school and interview both scholar and faculty as
a character of their investigation.

Aplysia Balladanis will bear on to instruct Defense Against
the Dark Arts during this time.

"He 's still going to learn ?"john said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to denial anymore,"matte said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't stop him from teaching until they do the probe,"Rose explained,"Only Kendrick can stop him from teaching at the moment."

"Then why does n't Kendrick do that ?"Albus asked as he looked up at the stave table.

Kendrick was talking with Neville and there was a transcript of the vaticinator egg laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't make out,"pink wine said quietly,"But Defense Department is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"lustrelessness said adamantly.

For once, Rose did not chastise him about skipping class. Albus could n't blame him. He himself was half tempted to skip, but he knew his curiosity would get the better of him.

"Somehow, I do n't call up you 'll have the chance to skip,"Rose muttered,"We do n't stimulate Defense Department until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"Saint John grinned,"Now I wo n't have to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"Rose replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"Look, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the staff table.

"May I have your attention !"Kendrick shouted and the chatter in the hall immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or try about the clause on the forepart page of the Prophet.

"Ministry official will be visiting the schooltime today and tomorrow to behave their probe. They will be selecting students to audience. If you are selected, I advise you to answer their questions truthfully.

"As of right now, professor Balladanis is still your instructor, therefore you need to treat him with respectfulness and attend his class. This is, at the import, an investigation and nothing more. Now, you 'd outdo be off to class."

"Albus,"rose wine whispered as they made their way out of the Great Charles Martin Hall to History of conjuring trick,"You 're not going to that dueling deterrent example tonight, are you ?"

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged. He had n't really thought about it until then.

"I do n't cerebrate you should,"pink wine told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't want to go, but he also did n't want to find out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't demonstrate up that evening.

Nobody fell asleep during History of Magic. It must let been a new record book, one that was previously set back when Binns was still animated. However, the deficiency of fatigue was not due to Binns 's talk. No, that was just as boring as usual. The students remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The classroom was filled with the hushed whispers of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw third base years and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six students in the rook who knew the particular reason why lustrelessness 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, Rose, John the Divine, Amanda, Kaden, and mat himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not know that it had been Balladanis 's lecture on lycanthropic children that pushed Mr. Eckerton to submit the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the school put the blame on the anamatek, even though flatness 's dad had come out and said that was n't the real cause. The vaticinator had only glazed over the ground, not getting into specific. The Hogwarts students wanted particular. They wanted to make out what had pushed Matt 's dad to put in an interrogation when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The reasons the student fabricated ranged from plausible to horrid. A few seventh years, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his spare help academic session and perhaps used Matt as an illustration of individual who did not have the accomplishment to vote out colored wizards. immix that with an overprotective parent ( what the seventh twelvemonth claimed Matt 's dad to be, which was not actually an overstatement ), and the investigation was born. They believed that the probe would shoot a line over and within two calendar week everything would be back to normal, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited first years were the on the diametrical face of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a chimaera loose in his classroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin one-third old age. Apparently they overlooked the fact that cipher had turned up injured after class and the fact that Balladanis would possess been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

Matt had become somewhat of a fame inside the Hogwarts walls. There was n't a single person, animation, trace, or portrait, who did n't eff it was his dad who launched the inquiry. He was stopped no to a lesser extent than six fourth dimension on the way from account of illusion to Herbology by people wanting to know the details of the question. It was something Albus could tell Matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"Merlin, when will they learn that I do n't want to talk about it !"matt groaned as they made their way back to the castle after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw s years had just run up to Matt, demanding to know why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just abide up on the Gryffindor table and pull in an announcement during lunch,"John suggested.

"Definitely not,"Matt said,"I 'm just glad we do n't have got course of instruction this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, spirit, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three functionary looking people striding up towards the rook. There were two hag and a wizard.

"Probably,"John the Evangelist said,"I wonder who they 're going to interview ?"

"Ten Galleons says they interview me,"Matt replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those private lessons."

"Let 's just promise they do n't interview those two Ravenclaws,"john said.

Albus, flatness, and John continued their trek to the Great Hall, where they ate a very fast luncheon. None of them wanted to stay very long since everyone was still asking Matt about the inquiry. After they finished, the boy went to Gryffindor towboat to deposit their bagful before going to the Marauder 's Den to put off their homework.

The common room was mostly hollow when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the tables.

"Do n't you three have class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got Defense and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's zero you can do to make me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your class where Balladanis made someone cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't handle if we get detention either. Oh, and John, you 'd better not tell Mum."

"I wo n't,"John said,"The three of us used Puking Pastilles to get out of defensive structure yesterday."

"You should let just skipped from the beginning,"Ashtyn told them.

"fountainhead, you three enjoy your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, trust me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The boys quickly stowed their bags in their dormitory and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portrait mess and ran straight into Gabriella.

"There you are, Al !"Gabriella exclaimed,"I 've been looking for you. Kendrick wants to see you in his discipline. Oh, hang on."Gabriella consulted the firearm of parchment she was holding."He wants to see Matt, too."

"Looks like you two are getting interviewed,"John said as Gabriella went into the common room.

"Guess so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving private lesson with Balladanis, he probably would give birth been interviewed. It was one of those things that happened when your father was the most famous whiz in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"privy replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Loads."

Albus and Matt left for Kendrick 's study while John continued towards the vulture 's Den. Albus had no idea what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that King John would be bored within fifteen minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April soft touch 's Day Prank ! The staff really outdid themselves this class. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this story !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing next to the gargoyle that concealed the entrance to Kendrick 's subject. It was apparently his job to mutter the parole to the gargoyle to allow for all the student being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and Matt ascended into the study and found three other students waiting in front of Kendrick 's close threshold. A very bored looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in sixth or one-seventh year, Scorpius Malfoy, and much to Albus 's dismay, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the solid ground earlier.

Albus was not at all surprised to see Scorpius Malfoy there. After all, he had private deterrent example with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to brush aside Malfoy 's presence and leaned against the rampart to begin the foresightful wait.

What had been the gunpoint in sending them all to Kendrick 's study at the same sentence ? They were obviously only interviewing one someone at a time. Why could n't they get just summoned Albus later, when there were less people waiting ?

Kendrick 's door opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor beginning year walked out. She hurried out of the study and one of the Ministry official motioned for the Ravenclaw to enter.

The Ravenclaw was in Kendrick 's bailiwick for about fifteen minutes. Then it was Malfoy 's turn. He took a bit more than clock time, but finally came out and left without so much as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the imply time, two Thomas More student had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the pursuer from the Slytherin Quidditch squad. The other was a Danton True Young Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must have been at least an hour, Albus was finally called into the elbow room.

Kendrick was not in his cogitation. Only the three investigators were. Albus was now able to see them up close. The one who had called him into the way was quite tall and wore a menacing glare. Her robe were perfectly pressed, without a single seam, and her hair was pulled into a miserly bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The other crone was the accomplished antonym. She was short and quite a bit overweight. Her frizzy chocolate-brown hair stuck up at all sorts of odd angles and she had a small pair of glasses perched on her nose.

The remaining investigator was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a quill in paw. He looked a bit bored by the intact thing. He was gazing about the way and had the feel of someone who was n't quite paying attention.

Two people who were paying rapt attention, or should he say portrait, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The tall enchantress gestured for Albus to take a rear in front of the desk. Albus did so.

"My name is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lorraine Smyth,"the tall beldame gestured to the short beldam,"And that is Herb Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No wonder he was so bored, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please land your full epithet, age, twelvemonth, and house for the disk,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his eyebrow. Would n't they already know all of that information ?

"It 's protocol, dear,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus ceramicist, XIII, one-third year, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can severalize us what goes on in an average deterrent example with professor Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"Well, he comes in and Tell us all to turn back talking. Then he 'll collect the homework. Oh, and you have to get the homework in on time, no matter what. He does n't read late workplace, even if you 've got a good excuse. You could be sick in the infirmary wing and he would n't rent late homework.

"Then he 'll learn us a new tour or about some new tool. Then we 'll get to perform the spell."

"What happens if you do n't do it properly ?"Smyth asked.

"He makes you do it again, and again, until you get it,"Albus answered,"If you do n't get it, he makes you go to extra help sessions."

"Has this caused suffering to any of the bookman in your family ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my class, but I 've heard of early students crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"Have you attended any excess help Sessions ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his oral sex,"Professor Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling lessons by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you tell us a bit about them ? What do they dwell of ?"

"Most clock time he just teach me new spells, turn that are heavily than the unity we learn in division. Scorpius Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each other with the patch,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he have you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his chair,"One prison term he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by lamia,"Albus said after a brief hesitation. He doubted Balladanis would be happy about this, but Kendrick had said to be truthful.

Both Torenzo and Smyth looked horrified. Cletus was writing away furiously on the parchment. Snape was smirking and Dumbledore 's face had seemed to harden.

"We did n't actually see it,"Albus said quickly,"We stood outside the house as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the theater. Then we watched Balladanis, in the memory, run away from the house. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't tell you ahead of time ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"He just told us to go in the pensieve."

"Did he explicate why he wanted you to see this ?"Torenzo asked.

"Yeah. He wanted to usher us why he became a Presuler,"Albus said.

"He told you he 's a Presuler ?"Torenzo raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, he thinks me and Malfoy should become Presulers,"Albus explained.

"Very well,"Torenzo said as she walked towards Albus,"I have one final exam interrogation. Would you feel prosperous if prof Balladanis continued to teach here ?"

Albus thought about it for a here and now. Balladanis was certainly a motivated teacher and one Albus could see a lot from. But on the other bridge player, he was n't the kind of wizard Albus felt comfortable around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please return to your uncouth room. You are not to speak of this interview to anyone until after the investigating is completed."

Albus got up from the chairwoman and Torenzo followed him out of the elbow room. She called matte in as Albus left. Albus muttered a quiet 'good lot'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just enjoin us ?"John Lackland lamented as the boy sat around the vulture 's Den after dinner. rose and Amanda were currently in the little girl'dorm with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million clip,"Albus said,"The Ministry crone said we could n't verbalise about the interview."

"But how would they make out ?"John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the whole school day about it."

"Neither will I,"Kaden added.

Albus snorted."I 'll tell you about it after Balladanis is sacked, or is n't sacked. I do n't call back it 's going to assume foresighted for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"lusterlessness said adamantly and then turned to Gospel According to John,"You 're not going to his surplus help session tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid twenty Galleons,"lav replied,"Well, ok, maybe if I was paid twenty Galleons, but not for less than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling lesson ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to screw was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz down to the dungeons, barge into the Slytherin vulgar elbow room, and ask.

"No idea,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"Matt said,"If you go, I 'm going to depart worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you want to go ?"John gave Albus a strange look.

"I might find out something about how the investigation is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

John opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the threshold. A aloud squawking noise had seemed to emit from it.

"Did you hear that ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

Albus nodded and got up from his seat. He walked over to the doorway and paused next to it. The squawking stochasticity was repeated.

One thing Albus loved about the marauder 's Den was that it was always very calm down. No disturbance could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard noises from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the room access and instead of the bizarre bird he had expected to see, Rose was standing there with her wand out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never get to the door."

"Rose ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"blush wine said hurriedly,"I had to get you to come out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the mutual way. I told him I 'd determine you."

Albus turned around and told Matt, John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the way, that he would be back soon. He had no idea what his dad wanted, but it must give birth been authoritative for him to go to the castle on a day he did n't have to patrol it.

Harry was sitting in one of the squashy armchairs in front of the fire when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, most likely about Quidditch judging by their excessive use of hand motion, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portraiture hole.

"Let 's talking outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrayal hollow and down the corridor a little ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"nada,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"fountainhead, I 'm no longer a instructor here, so I wo n't say a word about you causing worry, if that 's what you were doing,"Harry told him,"But anyway, what I wanted to ask you is whether you were planning on going to professor Balladanis 's dueling example tonight ?"

That seemed to be the query of the evening, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the conclusion is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would send word you not to go. Professor Balladanis is under a considerable amount of stress, of which you do n't know the half of. I 'd say the chances are heights that he may take out this emphasis on you and Scorpius."

"Do you experience if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no idea,"Harry answered,"But I tend to trust he won't."

"I do n't think I will either,"Albus said.

"A Stephen Samuel Wise decision,"Harry smiled.

Harry said expert night to Albus and then Albus went back to the Marauder 's Den. Kaden was in the middle of showing matt and John how to make a right paper airplane.

"What did your dad need ?"whoremaster asked without looking up from the lambskin he was folding.

"To say me it was n't a good idea to go to Balladanis 's lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the evacuate couch.

"And ?"mat asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"Good,"matte replied.

"You know what was Weird, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of strain, well-nigh of which I do n't know about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Wyrd,"Kaden shook his nous,"I 'll be happy when he 's sacked."

"We do n't know for sure enough that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to battle a beautiful woman,"John smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't believe I did n't put that together Sooner. It was n't a beautiful cleaning lady ; it was a vampire. It 's so obvious now that we know what happened to his parents, too."

"Yeah, that does seem fairly obvious,"Matt agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his stress ?"

"Probably nothing,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"John began,"This is the commencement Friday we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're right,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And spend the night here,"matt added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The son snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many confection and pudding as they could impart by the house elves. Then they stayed up later eating all of it and playing various biz. Albus was even able to forget about Balladanis for a piece, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry functionary remained a permanent wave fixture at Hogwarts throughout the residuum of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of students mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including lav 's cousin Isabelle, one of the Chasers on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and Gabriella.

Professor Balladanis did not show up at a single meal. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. Nobody saw him, which raised the motion of whether he was even still in the castle.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a chance to make their decision. Albus was more than a little unquiet about going to Defense on Tuesday and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence seizure from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday morning that all the Hogwarts pupil knew a verdict had been reached. Professor Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something crucial happened. He was flanked by the two witches from the Ministry. The wizard was no yearner there.

The Hall immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's impending promulgation, since there had not been a single mention of Balladanis in that daybreak 's Prophet.

"A decisiveness has been reached about prof Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"Madam Torenzo will inform you of it. The Prophet has kindly agreed not to print the article about it just yet, as I wished to inform you of it first."

"He 's sacked,"John muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"commodity peak,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the students with a neutral feeling on her face."Upon extensive probe of Professor Balladanis 's education method and thorough interviews of choose students, the Ministry has seen it fit to remove him from his teaching position here at Hogwarts School of witchery and genius. Professor Balladanis packed his matter late last night and no longer resides in the castle. prof Kendrick will inform you about what will happen with Defense classes for the residue of the year. I would like to thank all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and continued eating her breakfast like nothing had happened. The Great Hall immediately erupted into rustling, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts classes will not take office until farther notice. I will try and secure a worthy replacement for Professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, delight use the prison term to study for your upcoming exams,"Kendrick said and then resumed his seat. He began to babble out with Torenzo and the students voices rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"lustrelessness exclaimed,"Best news program I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"GA shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Falco columbarius !"James II groaned,"Why 'd they get to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to change work force throughout the Gryffindor table as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you opine Kendrick 'll find a substitution ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to begin with."

"Glad I did n't do that werewolf essay,"John grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't rule a transposition,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd have one to a lesser extent exam."

"That would be magnificent,"John replied.

The atm in the rook for the repose of the day was incredibly upbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few students asked Matt to thank his dad for them. It seemed that the sole scholarly person upset by it were those who had lost bet because of it.

Argus Filch was another who was distressed. The ecumenical excitement of the castling caused him more work. Peeves destroyed the Defense classroom in celebration ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), William James and his protagonist set off a few Weasley fireworks, and then there was the worldwide mess that was associated with students celebrating by playing outside in the mirky pasturage. Plus, Moaning myrtle flooded her bathroom when a few students told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not agree. For some odd rationality it reminded her of her death.

One someone who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the castle with a big smile on her human face. Albus could only impute this to the fact that Balladanis had taught so extensively about vampire. But he never taunted her the way he 'd taunted Matt. Perhaps that was because his biggest fear was vampires.

There was even a party in the Gryffindor rough-cut room that nighttime. rosebush thought it was a little idiotic, to celebrate the sacking of a instructor, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an splendid affair to celebrate.

"Just think,"King John said,"We do n't ever have to listen to him go on and on about how bad the dark arts are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"lustrelessness added,"I could 've gone my completely aliveness without seeing one of those."

"What do you recollect he 's doing now ?"Rose mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some place far, like Madagascar or somewhere."

"Yeah,"matte agreed,"I bet he 's not even in Britain anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd rag to deposit around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the Night to void anyone seeing him."

"Wish we could 've seen him leave,"John grinned mischievously,"Would 've been skillful to move over him a proper send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"rosiness muttered,"Maybe now you lot can concentrate on exams. And maybe the rook will get back to normal."

"normal ?"Albus raised his eyebrow,"This lieu will never be normal. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Saturday. It 's the go equal before the final."

"When 's the final ?"Rose asked.

"Beginning of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, trick, matt, and Kaden all sent scathing flavor at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New House of York in this mates,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Wood is in wide-cut class this week. I 'm practicing every night starting tomorrow."

"King Oliver woodwind is insane,"rosiness muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch pitch,"John grinned,"I would love to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can take my place."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight and everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not have defence mechanism Against the Dark Arts the side by side morn, Albus was down in the Great Hall bright and early because he wanted to read Rose 's Daily Prophet. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's dismissal was one thing, reading it in the Prophet was entirely different.

Rose was already there when Albus, Matt, and John sat down at the Gryffindor table. Amanda and Linda were on either side of her and all three girls were reading the article. Albus drummed his finger's breadth impatiently on the board while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, blush wine handed him the newspaper without saying a word and Albus read it, with lusterlessness and John looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS instructor REMOVED FROM POSITION BY MINISTRY

In an upshot that causes much of the wizarding world to call back
back to Voldemort 's reign, Hogwarts demurrer Against the Dark
humanities teacher, Aplysia Balladanis, has been removed from his
post by the Ministry of thaumaturgy 's Department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's reign, Defense instructor rarely lasted more
than a year at the shoal, a mystery story that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two years
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense teacher since that
fateful May day.

Professor Torro taught at Hogwarts for years until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three years ago. He was
replaced by Head Auror, Harry ceramist, who is rumored to
have only taken the position after nobody else agreed to
fill it.

Harry ceramist left the spatial relation this past fall and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two days ago, when he was removed
from his situation. Approximately a workweek and a half ago, a
complaint was lodged by heading of the section for the
Regulation and mastery of Magical Creatures, Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The complaint included rough teaching methods, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching pecker, singling students out for lack of
acquisition, and embarrassing students in front of their peers.

An probe by Ministry functionary ensued and included
the interviewing of select students and staff. The department
concluded their investigation late Sunday evening and inform
both Balladanis and headmaster Fabius Kendrick of their conclusion.
Balladanis left the rook willingly and will not be appealing the
determination. When asked for a statement on the issue, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the news, Bruno Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very happy
with the decision and that the investigation was concluded in
a timely fashion. I am not happy that it came to this, but I
feel that cipher should be put ahead of children 's safety .'

Hogwarts student will not attend demurrer class until a replacement
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd stick your dad in there somehow,"John announced once they 'd finished reading.

"There was n't anything in there that we did n't already know,"Albus muttered,"I was hoping Balladanis would 've said something or we 'd find out what happened when he left the castle."

"Maybe he really did go quietly,"lusterlessness shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"Doubt it,"Rose answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

living soon returned to normal for the Hogwarts students, as it often does after something energise happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the clause was published, but soon there was cipher left to say and the scholarly person focused on the forthcoming Quidditch match, which was simple days away.

Albus had an easy time forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch practice. He was out on the pitch every eve and was soon hearing Sir Henry Joseph Wood 's bid in his foreland as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed normal. Albus was almost glad that the year was drawing to an end because once the tournament was over, he would n't induce to contend with Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus realize that Gryffindor would throw a new headwaiter the next class since Sakartvelo was graduating. Albus was sure it would be either Fred or Calluna vulgaris, but he was n't sure which.

Albus trudged into the Great Hall on Th morning sorely wishing that toilet had n't woken him up. They did n't deliver a class first thing, so why 'd he incommode doing that ? Albus was already running on minuscule sleep.

"I 'm going to wake you up at five in the daybreak this Sat,"Albus muttered to John as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"John grinned,"I need you to avail me finish that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the ground for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't develop service you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"John muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not have accidentally set fire to her Potions notes last night,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"And I should make to digest because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you manage that anyway ?"

"It was n't an accident,"lustrelessness put in,"whoremonger and Kaden were tinkering with those super potency dung bomb last nighttime in the predator 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the table right where rose 's bill were. The muck bomb exploded and Rose 's notes caught fire."

"See, an accident !"John exclaimed.

"No, stupidity,"lusterlessness said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't advise going in the Marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't have meter to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch practice again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"Saint James the Apostle shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this week ?"James asked.

"I do n't do it, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"St. James pointed to the faculty table.

Albus looked up and saw that his dad was talking with Neville. Except he was n't wearing his Auror robes, he was just wearing formula robes. Albus glanced back at James who shrugged.

"May I have your attention ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just wish to inform you all that Harry Potter has kindly agreed to subscribe to over demurrer classes for the end of term. Because of this, defense mechanism family will sum up today."

"trade good affair I woke you up,"whoremonger grinned.

"Guess you wo n't be able to finish that essay,"Albus shot back.

"pigeon hawk,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he manage that much. He 'd already had his dad Teach for two years and it had n't been bad at all. Plus, his dad was a far better teacher than Balladanis.

Albus walked with Matt and John Lackland to Defense. rosiness was still not speaking to St. John the Apostle and she walked with Amanda and Linda a footling ways ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't turn into what happened earlier in the year.

The stallion class erupted in clapping as soon as Harry entered the room and Albus noticed that this caused him to blush. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"Well, I did not intend I 'd be back here. I do have to carry on with the syllabus, so I must ask that you complete the werewolf essay for side by side Thursday. However, it only has to be one foot of parchment."

There was a collective groan from the integral class."Great,"John muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that hard,"Matt rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be fourth dimension consuming,"can replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a month and a half of terminal figure left and I ca n't just let you have this time to mess around."

The year was the most enjoyable Defense course of study the third base geezerhood had had in quite a while. Harry lectured for the entirety of the year, but it was n't deadening. Albus did not mind in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the fourth dimension Saturday arrived, virtually no one in the castle was talking about professor Balladanis. Quidditch was on the forefront of everybody 's creative thinker and the tensions ran high-pitched than they had all year. The outcome of this match would determine who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly worried. Hogwarts had already beaten New York once and they could easily do it again. The total squad was in good wellness and none of the alternate were needed. Albus was perfectly content to sit in the stands with his friends and just observe the match, rather than have to play in it.

It was a warm spring day with a rebuff wind and cloud cover, perfect performing experimental condition. Wood had spoke of the weather during the previous Nox 's practice, telling the team that a declamatory storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The match commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the crowd. Hogwarts scored five goals within the first fifteen arcminute of the match and New York scored two. The squad remained neck in neck opening for the remainder of the match, until James pulled out of a plunk clutching the gilded Snitch in his leave behind hand.

The crowd erupted into cheers and James was soon hoisted onto the shoulders of some of the onetime students.

"I have an announcement to make !"Professor Kendrick shouted over the crew,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the final Quidditch compeer, scheduled to pack plaza on the first of June !"

The usual after Quidditch party ensued in the common way and everyone rehashed their favourite piece of the match. No one talked about the final match, although Albus was certain it was in the rachis of everyone 's judgment. Australia seemed impossible to beat.

Once the fervour from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts scholar seemed to realize that exam were quite nigh. The library soon became a popular berth to be and fifth and seventh year in particular could be seen there all hours of the day.

As the center of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a quiet common room in the evenings, much like her sister had two eld prior. Albus and his friends spent more time in the piranha 's Den after that, usually without Rose, Amanda, and Linda. The three lady friend seemed to like the tranquility of the plebeian room.

pink wine did forgive whoremaster for messing up her promissory note, but she became more tense up and snappish as exams drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a sorting of end of full term tradition with Rose.

defense lawyers example took a drastic number for the better. Albus and all of his friends got perfect tense Marks on their lycanthrope essays, to the surprise of no one. After that, the class bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, Falco columbarius !"John shouted at breakfast one Friday in the centre of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as Defense teacher or something.

"England did n't take a crap it into the World Cup final,"John the Divine sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did make it ?"Albus grabbed the paper from Gospel According to John, suddenly remembering the tickets he 'd gotten for Christmas. He had n't picked who he was going to invite to go with him. Actually, he had n't even order his friends about the tickets.

"Portugal and Russia,"John groaned,"Russia ! They 've got a rubbish Quidditch squad !"

"Obviously not,"rosebush smirked,"Albus, did you find fault who you 're going to take when you go to the Cup ?"

"delay, what ?"whoremonger gaped at Albus,"You got just the ticket ?"

"Er, yeah, for Christmas,"Albus said.

"And you did n't tell me !"Saint John the Apostle exclaimed.

"Well, I only got one extra and I did n't make love how to peck. I had it narrowed down to you and matt. Mind you, if you hate Russia, I 'll just pick Matt,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Russia,"John said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to cull then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't get to,"matte said as he sat down next to Albus.

"Nice to see you awake,"privy grinned. Albus and John the Evangelist had attempted to come alive mat up before they went down to the Great G. Stanley Hall and had no luck. The entire moonshine was the following day, so Albus had n't even been sure enough if flatness was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad time of the month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"flatness shook his head,"It 's just that my dad got just the ticket, so you can just generate your spear carrier one to John."

"Oh,"Albus grinned,"That makes things easy."

"Where is the Cup ?"Amanda asked.

"Canada,"Rose replied.

"How are we getting there, Albus ?"John asked,"Are we going to consider a Muggle airplane ?"John looked excited at that prospect.

"No estimate,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's boring,"bathroom said.

"regard I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"John asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're weird, Kaden,"John laughed.

"So are you. Airplanes are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"Matt said,"I 'd take a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for exams and Quidditch practice, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squeeze in clip to natter flatness in the hospital wing on Sunday, but only briefly before he went to woodwind instrument 's day long Quidditch practice.

The pursual weekend was the concluding friction match of the Jnr 's Dueling golf-club, something Albus had been forced to neglect due to Quidditch exercise. After begging Grant Wood and a bit of helper from Teddy, Albus was capable to attend the final examination. Albus 's team won, much to the delight of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with Professor Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a word to Albus, or any of his Friend. Malfoy remained mysteriously hushed around the replete Sun Myung Moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or lusterlessness. It was strange, but not something any of the male child were going to complain about it.

trio 24-hour interval before the Quidditch last, the Great Hall was filled with whispering voices that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. written matter of the Prophet were being passed back and Forth and quite a few students looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked Rose as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"blush wine whispered, her face completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the dear transcript of the Prophet. Matt and Gospel According to John crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN prison-breaking

Officials have reported that three prisoners
broke out of Azkaban late finale night. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban guards
have refused to address with reporters, and the
Ministry does not wish to break information
at this time.

The gens of the head for the hills prisoner have been
released and anyone with entropy reguarding
any of them are asked to contact the Ministry.

The seer then gave detailed data about all three of the miss captive. Albus only recognized Willinson. The former two had been imprisoned for more fiddling crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an retard !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"rose said.

Any promise Albus had of getting prep done that week was gone. He was prosperous he was able to focus on Quidditch drill. Willinson was out of Azkaban. He was galavanting about England, doing whatever he pleased. That in itself was not necessarily that bad, due to Willinson 's stupidity. If he somehow met up with his father and Washburn, then it could be quite bad.

What worried Albus the most was the fact that he would be after the Hallows, all of which still resided somewhere in or around Hogwarts. Willinson was bound to do back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the night before the Quidditch concluding arrived and Wood called the squad into the changing way after ending practice.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to cope this squad,"Grant Wood said as he began to tempo in front of them,"There were difficulty in the offset,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the squad,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a squad wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a group of students from all four houses can make out together and take on together on the Saame squad. I am not sure this could have been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a farsighted way over the twelvemonth. You 've all made vast betterment in your skill. Quite a few of you are seventh old age and I am very happy to narrate you that there will be scouts from a couple Quidditch squad watching tomorrow 's lucifer. I have high promise for the lot of you, when it comes to Quidditch.

"I can not say whether we will win tomorrow. Commonwealth of Australia is skilful, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and give it your respectable. Now, I think you should all work in ahead of time and eat a right breakfast tomorrow before the match. Teddy, Tyler, anything to add ?"Wood turned to the boys.

slip and Tyler both shook their heading and Sir Henry Joseph Wood turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. beneficial night."

forest, shift, and Tyler stayed behind to talk over tactics while the squad left. Albus and James II were the last two to leave. Georgia had left with the former seventh yr, excitedly discussing the view of scouts.

"You think Georgia 's going to sign with one of the professional teams ?"Albus asked King James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"St. James said,"I just hope it does n't suffer her prospect when we lose."

"We might not fall back,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to recede,"James muttered,"Linda 's too good of a Seeker."

Albus said nothing. He wished he could just tell James that Linda was a vampire. It would be so much easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own persuasion. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a loud crack in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a branch breaking,"James answered.

"It was too loudly,"Albus said as he looked into the forest,"It sounded like person Apparating in there."

"I do n't cogitate you can Apparate in the woodland,"James pointed out,"And it did n't vocalise that loud. You 're just tired from all the Quidditch practice."

"I guess,"Albus said as he and James kept walking,"But what if it was soul Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too much, Al,"James groaned,"This topographic point is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here full clock time now. You 'd have to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is unintelligent enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"James laughed,"If he 's stupid enough to do that, he 's going to get caught and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be pudding head, but he did bring off to nobble Kaden the previous spring, and he had been on the run for a yr prior to that. He may be a rubbish dueller, but he was certainly good at not getting caught for the most part.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the wonderfully awesome the great unwashed who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The atmosphere in the Great Asaph Hall the next morning was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts squad was sitting together at the Ravenclaw mesa, surrounded by scholar from all four houses. teddy and Tyler seemed to be in the thick of it and were loudly discussing tactic.

The Aussie team was sitting together at the Hufflepuff mesa, with a large distance between them and the Hufflepuffs. A small crowd of Australians had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to conjoin the balance of the Hogwarts squad at the Ravenclaw table. Nobody was unable to represent that day, so Albus 's Clarence Shepard Day Jr. on the squad were pretty often over. To be honest, he was kind of relieved. There was just so much pressure.

"I think this tournament has been good for Hogwarts,"Rose mused,"feel at everyone. cipher seems to care who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to rule once the match is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"Rose shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't have intercourse, Rose,"Matt said,"I do n't think one twelvemonth can convert C of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"Rose said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't think this has helped international magic cooperation,"John gestured to the Australian team. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"Competition rarely does that,"Rose muttered.

"Well, they 'll all be going home soon,"matte said cheerfully.

Rose shot him a dirty look and then looked up at the staff table. Albus 's regard followed. The staff tabular array was quite overcrowded that morning. There were sentinel from Quidditch team, Ministry officials including Albus 's Uncle Harry Hotspur, and a variety show of multitude from Australia and New York.

"Look at that witch,"can pointed to a very marvellous, beautiful witch with blanch E. B. White tegument and long dark hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"rosiness told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"rose whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"lav said without taking his optic off the witch.

There was a loud cheer from the Ravenclaw board and the Hogwarts team began to give the Hall. Their entourage followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at various tables.

The Australian squad followed shortly. The turmoil only seemed to increase now that the squad had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few transactions later people began to leave alone for the pitch shot. The crowd at the staff mesa left first and the pupil followed.

"Albus,"Saint John said as they got up from the table,"I 've got a few duad of omnioculars in my luggage compartment. I want to see it up close when Linda catches that Snitch."

"Let 's go get them, then,"Albus replied.

Rose rolled her eyes."meet us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the door as the male child ran up the grand staircase.

"Why did n't you just bring them to breakfast ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Forgot,"privy said.

The castle was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

whoremonger had to discharge out his entire trunk in order to find the omnioculars. He had four brace and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to miss the start of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running game in the corridors rule as he made his way through the castle. There was n't anyone to scold him anyway. The stride behind him told him his friends were n't far behind.

Albus turned a corner and ran smack into something. He fell down onto his back and looked up, only to see that it was soul. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with lustrelessness 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would have manifested itself into what Albus was nearly afraid of. At that moment, it probably would have been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to look at his friends.

Matt had turned white and looked far Thomas More afraid than Albus had ever seen him before, including when he had faced the boggart and when Malfoy had found out about his lycanthropy. whoremonger was looking from Matt to the man, an obvious horror on his face. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his friend, pulling them into the dear schoolroom. He slammed the room access and pulled out his scepter, putting every locking charm he knew onto the knob.

Matt collapsed onto the nigh chair and put his head in his hands."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the hell is he doing here ?"John ranted,"He 's got no job here !"

"Why 's he in the rook anyway ?"Albus began to tread around the room,"If he 's here to determine the Quidditch match, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to learn the Quidditch ?"John said darkly.

"Who the bloody hell on earth is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at mat before looking at Kaden. Matt did n't seem to have heard Kaden 's question.

"His epithet 's Lubar. He 's the Head of the Department for the Regulation and ascendancy of Magical Creatures in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the understanding why flatness had to move here, amongst other things."

"He 's a spew and pervert iniquity git,"John muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the door and peered out the small window at the top. Lubar was no longer in sight.

"I 've g-got to go to the Ministry,"matte said,"I 've got to t-tell my dad. L-Lubar, he ca n't be here."

Albus paced back and Forth River in forepart of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? ling ? No, that would take too long. They 'd make to use the Floo meshwork, but none of the open fireplace at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to cause to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll sneak into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

matte nodded."You guys do n't have to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you mental ?"Gospel According to John exclaimed,"That bloke out there is probably worse than Willinson. We 're not letting you do this alone."

Albus nodded in agreement before waving his baton and undoing the locking charms. He cautiously looked out into the corridor before leaving. It was empty.

Much to Albus 's relief, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd left them. He shoved them into his robe and ran back to the classroom. mat, John, and Kaden were all talking quietly. Matt did n't front any less scare away, but at least he did n't look to be in shock anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"John said immediately,"I 'm marvelous so I 'll adopt up the most elbow room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the upright liar."

Albus could n't argue there. Both he and mat were frightful liars and Kaden still had n't gotten over his unfitness to go along secrets.

"You take the map, then,"Albus handed the map to lavatory,"We 've got to get to the one-eyed witch statue on the third floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, lustrelessness, and Kaden, and the three of them followed John out of the room. The corridor was still empty, much to Albus 's relief.

bathroom set a very fast pace and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would founder away his presence. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the to the lowest degree sum of randomness possible.

The male child made it down the two flying of stairs necessary to get to the one-third trading floor and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and ingurgitate it into his pocket. With a immediate tap of his wand, he statue 's hump opened and the boy climbed inside.

Albus lit his verge and took off down the small passageway. flatness, John, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"John asked as they ran,"Does n't he know what he did ?"

"Yes,"Matt answered,"I do n't think Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't opine he came here to see you ?"Albus asked matte,"I mean, commemorate when Killigan saw us that one prison term and he seemed so interested in finding you ?"

"Of path I do,"matt muttered,"And it really would n't surprise me if that 's why he 's here. But I 'm betting there 's another reason."

"What did he do ?"Kaden repeated, a bit louder.

"Why else would he be here ?"Albus asked,"The match ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"matt replied,"I do n't know for sure, but it seems too co-occurrent for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he desire to see you ?"

Matt stopped running and wheeled around to face at Kaden."It 's a long story. Lubar 's got a score against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Commonwealth of Australia for six years,"Matt paused,"He passed a bunch of laws against werewolves and I wound up having to transform with a bunch of other werewolves. It was bad."

Matt resumed walking and did n't elaborate on the field. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"lustrelessness shrugged,"Maybe public lecture to Kendrick or something."

There was no dubiousness in Albus 's idea that Matt 's dad would be able to get Lubar to leave Hogwarts, possibly even leave the land. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this year, but now he knew that you did not want to be on his bad slope. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The passage finally began to rise until it came to an precipitous stop at a knobbed wooden door. Albus pressed his ear to the door, but heard nothing. He carefully pushed it open, wincing as it creaked.

seeing nonentity in the entrepot room beyond, Albus beckoned his acquaintance forward. The elbow room was murkily lit, enough for Albus to see a huge sum of money of boxes littering the trading floor. On the far wall he could see a fireplace.

The boys climbed over the various boxes and stood in movement of the fireplace. Albus located a small sack of Floo pulverization and then lit a fire. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into someone 's study at the Ministry. We 're going to consume to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a handful of powder and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the gunpowder into the fire and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of thaumaturgy !"

Albus stumbled out of a dissimilar hearth arcsecond later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, save for a few wizards striding towards the lifts, clearly too busybodied to notice Albus.

Matt landed rather ungracefully on the floor. He picked himself up, brushing stray ash off his robes.

"Place is deserted,"Matt said as he looked around.

"It 's a Sabbatum,"Albus pointed out,"doe your dad work Sabbatum ?"

"Yeah,"lustrelessness nodded,"At to the lowest degree mornings."

John was next to maltreat out of the attack, doing so more elegantly than matte had. He stood in front of the blast, staring around at the Atrium. His center rested on the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more fancy than I imagined,"lav said.

"Bloody hell on earth !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"flatness said quickly,"But we have n't got time to explore. Let 's go."

Albus followed Matt towards the desk in the forepart of the Atrium. There was an old thaumaturgist leafing through a copy of the caviler, forgetful to his surroundings. Albus almost thought they 'd be able to pilfer around him, but he looked up just as they were about to pass.

"Where do you think you 're going ?"he asked and then his eyes rested on Albus,"Albus Severus Potter. Why are n't you in school ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a piffling unnerved that the man knew who he was.

matte stepped in front of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the Head of the department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It 's variety of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your baton up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed causa. They waited impatiently as the old mavin tested their wands and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the point of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can tell whose wand did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the lift arrived, the boys piled in and Matt pushed the number four. Nobody said anything as the airlift creaked its way to the one-quarter floor.

mat took off at a run down the corridor after they left the cosmetic surgery. Albus had never been to this particular story. It looked rather like to the Magical Law Enforcement 's floor, with characterless hardening of double doors on one side.

lustrelessness skidded to a halt in front of the exclusively room access that was single and banged his deal loudly on it. When there was no response after a few seconds, he banged again.

"Hold your hippogriffs !"called a voice from the interior,"I 'm coming, I'm-"lusterlessness 's dad said as he opened the door.

Mr. Eckerton seemed to stop dead at the sight of his son and the other three boy. He gaped at them for a endorsement before shaking his head.

"Matt ?"he asked and rubbed his centre, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in school ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and whoremonger, Kaden ?"

His eyes rested on Matt again."Matt ? What 's improper ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the boys into his subject. He shut the door quietly behind them.

The written report reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were declamatory window on the side opposite the door, although the view outside was not real, nor was the gentle rain that was pattering onto it.

There was a orotund leather covered professorship behind the vast oak desk and a few smaller chairperson in front of it. Along the former two rampart were ledge with loads of playscript. Most of them were about various witching creatures.

Albus, Matt, and Saint John took the seats that were in front man of the desk while Kaden wandered around the survey looking at thing. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the front of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"matte said in barely more than than a whisper,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch last,"lusterlessness said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody Hell !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his fist loudly against his desk,"Did Professor Kendrick allow this ?"

"I do n't know,"lustrelessness replied,"B-but everyone else was at the match and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's face hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with Professor Balladanis earlier in the term."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to get a word with professor Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his study and down towards the lifts. trick 's walking speed was nothing compared to lusterlessness 's dad 's. The son had to run to keep up.

"Where did you Floo from ?"Mr. Eckerton asked once they were in the lift.

"Honeyduke 's,"Albus answered.

"We 'll Floo there now,"Mr. Eckerton replied.

The thaumaturge at the welcome desk looked at them curiously as they rushed towards the fireplaces, but did n't say anything.

Mr. Eckerton handed Albus a bit of Floo Powder and gestured for him to go first. Albus stepped into the blast and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to whirl faster and faster. He saw glimpse of people 's sign of the zodiac, shops in Diagon alley, and a assortment of other shoes he did not realize. Then, out of one of the fireplaces, came a bridge player. Everything seemed to decelerate down, but Albus was n't sure if it actually did or not.

The mitt grabbed him. Albus fought against it, but it was too strong. All of a sudden he was laying on a dusty wooden base, one that was not at all like the one in Honeyduke's.

Albus coughed and stood up. His heart was beating fast. What had happened ? Why was n't he in Honeyduke 's ? Where was he ? Whose hand was that ?

Albus grappled for his wand and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, Potter,"a cold voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching next to the fireplace with his hired man inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank room than he did in Hogwarts.

The hearth glowed green and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. John the Evangelist came tumbling out of the fire and scrambled too his animal foot, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breathing space and stuck his hand in the flaming again.

"What the ?"whoremonger whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody Hell !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the elbow room. It looked vaguely familiar, but Albus could n't put his finger on it. The windows were boarded up, but it was definitely not the screeching Shack. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo web anyway.

The fireplace glowed green yet again, this clip sending Kaden onto the floor. This earned another vociferation from Lubar, who stuck his hired hand in the flaming again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his groundwork and stood succeeding to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid optic on Lubar.

Albus wanted nil more than to run from the room, but he did not do it where the building was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stun him or something.

Green lighter filled the elbow room as the fireplace glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that Matt would be the one to next pin out of the flames. Mere seconds later, that intuition was confirmed.

Matt coughed and scrambled to his feet. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the fire and lit his baton, which illuminated his sinister face. He began to tempo slowly in forepart of them.

"fountainhead, well, you went crying to pa just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do love when affair work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could experience Matt shaking next to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and disarm Lubar.

"Any idea where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. pin-up shop, pity about the owner. Yes, a literal shame."

Lubar did n't appear at all tip over about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"Well, let 's not waste our time here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few masses who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his finger's breadth three multiplication and Albus heard footsteps on the stairs.

3 champion descended the stairs and strode into the room. They lit their sceptre at the same fourth dimension and Albus gasped when the lightness showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three people Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As estimable a dueller he was, he was up against four fully modify whiz. Three of them did not possess the skills to duel, but Albus had no idea what Lubar was capable of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a lovely reunion. Unfortunately we have n't got time to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his sceptre pointed at his neck. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his Church Father had John. Matt, seeing his friends restrained, made a run for the near window.

"Not so fast, youthful loup-garou,"Lubar caught him by the back of his robes and wrapped one of his arms around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robes with his free hired hand and pulled out an old tea tympanum. He held it out to the other three men and each one put a give up hand on it. Albus knew what was going to occur right before it did. He shared a frightened glimpse with mat before feeling a jerk behind his belly button.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : I decided to do part of this chapter from Harry 's point of view. It begins in his point of panorama and then switches back to Albus 's. star indicate where the point in time of view switches.


"Spectacular save by Peach State Weasley !"the commentator shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into play. It was immediately taken into possession by Hogwarts, and all three pursuer threw it back and forth as they flew to the Australian end of the pitch.

"sexual conquest ! Hogwarts has scored against Australia, bringing the amount to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as meretricious as the scholarly person. One matter he loved about the Quidditch tourney was that he did n't cause to try and hide his excitement when Hogwarts scored. During star sign matches, he had to try and hazard he was electroneutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As felicitous as Harry was about the Hogwarts Chasers being very skilled, he did not have Bob Hope that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's Seeker, Linda Morales, was the best Seeker Harry had ever seen outside of professional Quidditch. He knew that his son, James, was honorable, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his fingerbreadth on it. Her upper on a broom just did n't seem natural. Professional Quidditch role player would vote out for her speed.

"I 'm surprised she has n't found the Snitch yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the pitch. William James was doing the same,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the residual of the staff who were sitting around him. nigh of them were quite reserved. nobody seemed to be showing the exuberance Harry was. He did n't care. Harry did n't percentage their belief that teachers could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few professor stood up and then sat back down again as individual squeezed their way past them. Harry craned his head and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't know the man well. They 'd met on juncture at the Ministry, although Harry had a feeling he 'd be seeing more of him now that he was Head of the Department for the ordinance and mastery of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Bruno Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than professional degree. Harry had never met a father who was more protective of his son than Walter Eckerton, although he did throw secure reason. Never a more devoted father, either.

Walter continued his way past the other professors until he stopped in front of Harry. Harry was even more appalled to see the expression on his face. Worry was etched in every part of his face, bringing out the wrinkles, but there was anger in his eyes.

"Bruno Walter,"Harry shook his hand as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Bruno Walter muttered,"I need a word in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be right back and he followed Walter out of the tie-up. They continued walking until they were a short aloofness away from the pitch and then Bruno Walter stopped.

"The boys have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Bruno Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"Wait, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and flatness ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Bruno Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the top dog of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in Commonwealth of Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the variety of subject."Yes, not a very tolerant fellow, is he ?"

Walter 's face hardened."That 's a overnice way of putting it. The gent is sick and wind and he 's got a score against me. Very long write up and I have n't got clip to assure it. Short translation is that when lustrelessness was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to transform in a building with former lycanthrope, older werewolves. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever reason, Lubar decided to visit Hogwarts today, possibly under the pretense of attending the Quidditch match.

"The male child saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. mat 's absolutely terrified of him, which is why they came to me. I came back with them. They Flooed before I did, but when I arrived at Honeyduke 's they were n't there. I 've already spoken with the owners of the shop as well as a few former Hogsmeade resident. No one 's seen them. We 've got to find them."

Harry 's pump sank."You do n't think Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not life-threatening, is he ?"

"To Matt, yes, but I have n't the slightest musical theme as to why he 'd want the other boy,"Walter said.

"Even if he did only need Matt, he 'd birth to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him take matte sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every available Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to dislodge himself from Washburn 's range as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the location was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instantaneous, but this time there was a significant lag. Albus had time to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The endorse clue that their finish was far away was the fact that it was very dark when Albus finally landed on the ground. Not sour like an imminent storm either. iniquity as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his feet. flash thumps around him told him that his friends had landed as well.

The ground was soften and hard and the foliage around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some sort of forest. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar tree diagram that seemed to stretch towards the starry sky.

There was no moonlight to illuminate the afforest. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yard away from the boy and were whispering to each former. All four had lit their wands, but it was n't enough wand light to give Albus a safe view of his surroundings.

flatness, John, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their wands out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't dare illuminate it.

"Why is it Nox ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the infernal region are we ?"John asked.

"We 're in Australia,"Matt said in awe, as if he was just coming to terms with that fact.

"We Portkeyed across an sea ?"Kaden gasped.

When Albus thought about it, it made horse sense. Lubar was from Commonwealth of Australia, so why should n't he take them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't make sensory faculty was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could evidence, the four wizards seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the humankind. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old home ?"John the Evangelist asked.

"How should I know ?"flatness snapped,"Australia 's a huge country !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could hide there,"Saint John muttered.

"You would n't want to,"flatness said,"My unintelligent cousin-german owns it now."

"You have a full cousin ?"Albus asked.

"Not important,"Matt said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying attention,"John whispered, gesturing to where the four wizards stood huddled in a circle,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right there,"Matt pointed to the tea kettle, which was a few feet away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the tally of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to pick it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the former three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you expect ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you realise how much more difficult this is going to be now ? We only needed Potter ! But no, you had to go and importune on bringing that werewolf kid as well."

"You would n't even have managed this if it were n't for me !"Lubar growled,"So do n't go telling me what I should and should n't get done."

"wellspring, now we 've wound up with two spear carrier 1 as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're kids, how a great deal worry can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't bed this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the intellect we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your incredible betise,"Lubar said.

Albus was very intrigued. Lubar was arguing with them as if he knew them well. Had Lubar really been working with them all along ?

What did they need him for anyway ? What had Willinson meant when he said 'we only needed Potter'?

"Shut it, Lubar,"Jarrett said.

"I 'll say what I like,"Lubar replied,"This is my George Bush, not yours."

"You own the wood now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a subject of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to matte,"So many years have passed. order me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprise, it was toilet and not Matt who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed John with a lazy wave of his baton, leaving John stunned in front man of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better duelist than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing John Lackland 's wand, Lubar turned back to mat, who was shakily holding his scepter up.

"It does n't matter what res publica you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the same thing no matter where you live. The Pentateuch do n't commute what you are. feign as often as you like, but it wo n't vary a thing."

Now Albus wanted to go after Lubar. The wrath was boiling up inside of him and he did n't think he had ever felt more angry in his full biography, and that included every encounter he had had with Scorpius Malfoy. Malfoy was like a fluffy kitten compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. John was already wandless. It would do them no practiced if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to hold off, to wait until he could view them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the foreland of the department in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"Guess it 's just a matter of time until the same thing happens. You 'll have to fly again."

Matt was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his brain, trying to figure out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for Merlin 's interest !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping affair ? Did we really risk Portkeying a crowd of fry to Commonwealth of Australia just to ravage time taunting one of them ?"

"Quiet !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"alibi me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the name of Merlin do you cognise them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breath, waiting for Lubar to put some kind of jinx or curse on Kaden. Sometimes his cousin was quite heavy. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a time not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprise, Lubar smiled. It was a wind variety of smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"I think that 's a middling inquiry,"Lubar said."My full cousin married this idiot,"Lubar pointed at Jarrett.

"You 're married ?"Kaden gaped at Jarrett, causing Albus to groan. Why would n't Kaden just shut up ?

"Not for much longer,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we please just get on with this ?"

"forbearance, cousin,"Lubar said as he began to walk slowly around the early three,"We mus n't do this hastily. Haste is the reason you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The merely thing Albus could think of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their design, they would n't have taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at Matt, who still looked scared out of his creative thinker. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed smart, a lot smarter than the other three, and that scared Albus more than anything else. There was a big difference between dueling someone who was overbold and dueling person who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a short while later. Harry had briefly questioned the proprietor of Honeyduke 's, but they had not seen any of the boys.

Harry and Walter ran towards the rise at top speed, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the bloke at the welcome desk. The lifts could not go fast enough for the two men. Harry nearly pulled the threshold open when they finally arrived at Magical Law Enforcement 's floor.

The Auror business office was slightly more lively than the residue of the Ministry, but not much. Three Aurors were inside, two of whom hastily shoved away a sight of Exploding Snap cards and stood up upon seeing Harry arrive. The other Auror, a rather unforesightful but thick hag, shoved the book she was reading in the drawer, and joined the early two.

"ceramicist, sir !"the witch said,"We thought you were at Hogwarts today !"

"I was,"Harry said in darkness and explained the situation.

The three Aurors looked dingy as they waited for Harry to pay them instructions.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the ace,"Brighton,"he looked at the witch,"Get started with an wide search of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't busy with anything else. Tiburon and Oswald are on duty in Hogsmeade today, inform them of the situation."

Dabney and Brighton nodded before dashing out of the elbow room. Harry turned to the remaining Auror."Lewster, you will be searching the Forbidden Forest as soon as someone else arrives."

Harry pulled out his baton and muttered a piece. An enormous silvery stag flew out of his wand and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the room and Harry leaned against the nearest desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the door just as Ron was running through, followed by half a dozen other Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a worried tone.

Harry rehashed the entire situation again. Ron 's face paled."What about Rose, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his question,"It was just the boys."

"Thank Merlin,"Ron whispered,"But Harry, what about Willinson ? D'you think he 's got anything to do with this ?"

"It 's crossed my head,"Harry muttered,"But I have n't got a clue as to how Lubar would screw him."

"With saturnine thaumaturge, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the search of the Forbidden wood. Lewster 's going with you. And need Daniels and Adam Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the room, followed by Lewster and two other thaumaturge. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The rest of you can search the castle and grounds. Be distinct. I do not wish well to disturb the Quidditch match unless it is absolutely requisite,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the elbow room and Harry turned to Walter. He slowly shook his fountainhead. Why was it always Albus ? This was the third year he had gotten into trouble. Albus 's eld at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd better go Floo home and order Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to fall apart."

Harry nodded as Walter left the room. Ginny. Harry snapped his head up. She was going to be watching the match, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the elbow room. How was he going to secernate his wife that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't have a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go wrong ? We 're middle across the world from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your stupidity,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the reality ? Harry Potter 's son ! You have n't a clue as to how things work in the Ministry !

"I can assure you that at this very consequence, the entire Auror department is looking for them. Harry Potter 's probably got every Auror on this case. It wo n't take them long to clear that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to matt,"He 's got the most meddling parents in the world. They 'd sooner kill everyone in the world before letting something happen to him. Very irritating. They wo n't breathe until they find him. Not to mention the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry official. We 've got two tiddler of two of the most salient Ministry officials of Britain. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be thrifty !"

"well, you 're the one who wanted to take the werewolf, too,"Jarrett growled.

"And you 're the one who insisted we take Potter 's son !"Lubar shouted,"Why do we even need him ?"

"We just do !"Jarrett shouted back.

"If both of you half-wit had n't wanted to bring the kids, we could 've done this whole thing without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the Same time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't have a chance to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only trust that the wizards would have enough to argue about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the house ?"

"wealthy person you learned nothing ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the offset topographic point they 'll await is the house."

"Got any better ideas ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a private little shack somewhere in this state ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. Plenty of home to hide, not very inhabited. perfect place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice suitcase again. lusterlessness was once again in the clutches of Lubar, and John and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very little about the Aboriginal Australian outback, just that it was n't worthy for much human inhabitation. However, the one firearm of data he did know about it was that it was where almost of the dementors that used to defend Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat pop stead for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two secondment to agnise what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sentience of side-along Apparition.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all of the awesome people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the previous chapter, this one goes back and forth between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking destitute of Jarrett 's grasp. He tripped over a rock and landed face first in the sand. Spitting the grittiness out of his backtalk, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too nighttime to see anything but the outlines of mountains in the distance. The outback seemed very empty and very quiet. There was a very small thump of George H.W. Bush and trees nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see much else in the way of plant life.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a desert place in his life. There was absolutely zilch around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't get gotten very far. As dangerous as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would feature no chance of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to know that Albus and the others would n't run away. He neglected to use any variety of circle to tie them up or put any patch around them. Instead, he walked a inadequate distance in the direction of the passel and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to follow them.

"What are we going to do ?"John seethed,"Has anyone got any idea where we are ?"

"The outback 's huge,"Matt replied,"I bet we 're right in the midriff of it. The approximate civilization 's probably mile away."

"So we 're done for,"John the Divine groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No estimate,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not birth to regain out."

"Do you really think your dads are going to be able to receive us ?"St. John the Apostle asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's right,"Albus said,"The unit Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll witness us."

"doe thrust like this happen every year ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, finis year I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll encounter following year ?"

"Hopefully cipher,"Albus said.

"If there is a next class,"whoremaster muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the boys,"I did n't tell you to talk !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the aloofness,"There 's the great unwashed gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his heart leapt a bit. There was a small assembly of trope a few yards away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"composure down,"Lubar said,"They 're just vampires. They wo n't chafe us. I know that coven. They know better than to mess with me. I 'll pass water life pretty miserable for them if they do."

"slip mass with vampires now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's Leslie Townes Hope sank once again. Lubar seemed more confusing than ever. He cut deals for vampire but passed restrictive laws on werewolves ? It did n't cook sense.

The men lowered their voices again and Albus wished he had a few extendible capitulum with him. He did n't dare talk to his friends, just sent them anxious glances every now and then.

A inhuman wind blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the kind of frigidness that chilled him to the pearl. Hoping that it was n't going to rain, or snow ( was n't it winter in Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no clouds, but what Albus saw was much big than clouds.

Five or six draped figures were slowly circling above them. Although he had never before seen one, Albus recognized them as dementors immediately. Despite the shadow, Albus could clearly make out their form. As they got closer, he could even find out their rattling breath.

The populace in front of him began to drown. He felt like he was going to make it out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the felicity out of him. Albus was left with all his unhappy thoughts.

His dad was n't going to find them. They would be stuck on the Aboriginal Australian outback until Lubar and the others did what they were going to do. Then who knew what would happen ?

"No, no, no !"mat shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to look towards his champion. Matt was kneeling on the primer coat, shaking violently. Both whoremonger and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of course the dementors would affect Matt the forged. He had gone through things that Albus, John, and Kaden could n't even think. It probably did n't aid that Lubar was actually give, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his wand out of his robe. He 'd learn the incantation for the Patronus charm before and figured it was worth a shot. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his wand at the sky. Nothing happened.

A felicitous intellection ! How could he have forgotten that ? It was difficult to think of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to Matt shouting on the ground.

When the sort Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his wand to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the conjuration while using diverse happy memories. goose egg was happening, but lusterlessness 's shouting was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the undercoat. It looked like Matt had passed out.

Thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his baton at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his scepter and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few second gear. He had sorting of done a Patronus magic spell !

"Bloody hell,"John whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"someone shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar running at them with his scepter pointed at the dementors. A silvery squirrel was floating ahead of him and the dementors scattered as it reached them.

Albus 's blurred brainpower immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his wand in his gown before Lubar thought to disarm him.

"Leave him,"Lubar growled at John and Kaden, who were bent to the ground trying to get Matt to waken up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a blinking superb seat to come."

Lubar paid no attention to Washburn 's remark. His eyes were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very rum tone. Albus took a spooky step back, but Lubar did not avert his regard. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"ceramist, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up heights Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some good news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the centaur,"Lewster said,"They saw three wizards in the forest a few hours ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my last Galleon the other two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the Centaur know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the wood base for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't surprise him. The Resurrection pit was someplace in the forest."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his headspring,"And the centaurs are middling surely they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can find out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't call back that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no incertitude in my mind,"Harry answered,"It 's just a matter of finding them. mind, I 've got to go search Dervish and Banges. I 've got this suspicion about the office. Seems like the perfect place for Washburn to take them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go captivate the end of the match. I wo n't cite anything to James and Lily yet."

"Good,"Harry said,"I 'll be in touch soon."He kissed her lightly on the frontal bone."We 're going to find him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"Stay safe."

Ginny turned around to walk back to the Hogwarts ground while Harry picked up the pace and walked the little distance to Dervish and Banges.

The building looked utterly abandoned. The windows were still boarded up, the grass overgrown around it. It certainly did n't take care like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his wand, he crept cautiously to the doorway. He carefully pulled the control panel off of it and quietly wrenched the threshold unresolved. Without lighting his wand, he walked inside.

The station had the smell of a Holocene epoch ardour in the fireplace. Someone had been there. However, there was not a phone from anywhere in the building. Harry lit his wand and saw that it was deserted.

After a thoroughgoing cheque of the entire building, in which Harry found no bread and butter wight, he returned to the main room. The open fireplace was filled with nearly dead embers and there was a small pile of Floo powder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an conjuration that would tell him where the shoemaker's last somebody to use the hearth had Flooed from. He waited for the incantation to work, his heart hammering.

Soft red roll of tobacco emitted from his baton, curling together to form the words 'Ministry of legerdemain .'Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a doubt, Harry knew that Albus and the early boys had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The only question was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, thrower ?"Lubar asked.

"Thirteen,"Albus replied, still a bit neural as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the second dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus Charm to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his head teacher, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may have taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the showtime time I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the early three men,"This lot did n't recite me you were skilled at defensive magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is potter 's aptitude for Patronuses really relevant to what we 're doing ?"

"It matters if they decide to try and hex us !"Lubar snapped,"I think it might be adept if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his wand harder. He glanced at Matt, who was still unconscious. Saint John did n't give birth his wand. Kaden was n't very good at dueling. It would be up to him, to Albus, if this came to a duel.

"The solely one who 's got any skill is Potter,"Jarrett said,"The other three are n't going to be difficult."

"mulct,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to utter to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few curtilage away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where Matt had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing spell or two."flatness, matt,"he whispered,"wake up."

After a minute or two, Matt 's eyes fluttered open and he sat up."What happened ?"he asked, looking around confusedly.

"You passed out,"Albus told him,"When the dementors were here."

"But Albus cast a Patronus !"John said excitedly.

"You what ?"Matt gaped at him.

"It was just silvery mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his sake,"Matt shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The early three boys shook their heads."human body,"Matt muttered.

"You need some burnt umber or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"Might,"Kaden began fishing around in his pouch. He produced a chocolate frog and handed it to lustrelessness, who took it without saying a word.

"Listen,"Albus said,"Whatever it is that they want to do here, they 're doing it soon. Do you consider you can get up ?"

lustrelessness nodded and Albus helped him to his feet. Lubar and the others were walking towards them again. Albus slowly pulled his verge out of his robe and held it to his side of meat, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a pile of wood and set attack to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the boy. Albus was now clearly able to see the twisted expression on Lubar 's expression.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"Fire 's going to pull in attention !"

Lubar laughed."fervency 's going to check that those vampires stay away and we 've got to see what we 're doing !"

Albus glanced towards where the vampire had been congregating. They were currently walking farther away from Albus and the others. Thinking back to Linda 's boggart, he remembered that vampires are destroyed by flack. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his hand, but Albus could n't make out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you know what this is, Potter ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to vocalise too nervous.

"It 's the Resurrection Edward Durell Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly hide his pant as he peered closer at Jarrett 's outstretched bridge player. There was a very little rock sitting in it. The Resurrection I. F. Stone. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three objects he had been after for geezerhood. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to sound confident.

"antediluvian magic is a beautiful matter, Potter,"Jarrett answered,"There are long forget magical spell, spells that work very nicely with long forgotten magical objects such as this Harlan Stone. It was merely a subject of finding the correct tour, getting to the Forbidden wood, and putting it to use. Quite simple now that I look back on it."

"Only because you did n't do any of the work,"Lubar muttered,"It was I who found the tour !"

"The other Hallows will essay to be easy to get with the help of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the speech sound of that. The Stone itself did one matter and that was bring back the tone of the great unwashed who had passed on. How would that facilitate Jarrett get the other Hallows ?

The Invisibility Cloak. Albus 's belly plummeted. It was still in his robes. He really hoped Jarrett would n't actualise that.

"Another thing that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot cares who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the fire and strode close-fitting to Albus. Albus took a dance step back as his essence started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, thrower. You should be afraid,"Jarrett 's regard swept over all four son,"You should all be afraid."

"Quit taunting them and just do it,"Washburn said impatiently.

"With this stone,"Jarrett said a bit louder,"I will bring back noble Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the doorway completely off its hinges as he did so. He had to find Walter. He had to find Walter and then go to the Ministry. The fireplace did not demo signboard that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop class. That left either phantasm or a Portkey, both of which would have left traces that he 'd need the section of Magical Transportation for.

Harry rounded a corner as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a crone. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a foreign look of confusion and shock, mixed with mingled fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a job,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the match over ? How badly did we lose by ?"

"Only a hundred head,"Ginny said,"But we might not have actually lost. Listen, did you know Australia 's Seeker is a vampire ?"

"wait, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to twine his nous around that fact while still focusing his psyche on Albus.

"I 'll explain after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"right field,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead. someone was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm trusted it was Al and the others. I 've got to find Bruno Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not sure as shooting where that will lead us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be thrifty,"Ginny said as she gave him a buss,"And bring him back."

"I will,"Harry said as he kissed her back,"I 'll see you soon."

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Walter striding out of Honeyduke 's. With one lastly look at Ginny, Harry met Walter half-way.

"We 've got to get to the Ministry,"Harry said immediately, and explained about what he had found at Dervish and Banges and what Lewster had learned from the centaurs.

Bruno Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the spot. They reappeared a slight while later in a small Apparition sleeping accommodation in the Ministry.

Passing the bemused looking security measure guard for the third time that day, Harry and Walter ran to the raise. Neither of them said a word as the face lifting clattered to the Department of Magical Transportation.

The section was nearly deserted, save for one very bored looking witch sitting at a desk.

"Mr. thrower, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her feet off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to recognise if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that same position. And if you 're able to, I need to have it away where they went."

"Of course, Mr. Potter, of track,"the crone said as she got up. She disappeared into another elbow room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the nearest chairperson. Walter sat down in the conterminous one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll find them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Walter replied,"However, that is not the merely thing I am worried about. The last time Matt had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for month afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not live much about therapy, except that ace did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must have been bad.

"Do you beware if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not sure if he was overstepping some sort of boundary.

Walter did not mouth for various seconds."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't have to explain."

"I will,"Bruno Walter said quietly,"Shortly after Matt was bitten, I became the fountainhead of the Department for the regularization and Control of Magical animal in Australia. Nobody outside of the section knew about his condition, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my former post of caput of the werewolf dominance Unit, and was quite jealous that I was given the Head position. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a grievance he held against me for many years, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it luxate that Matt was a lycanthrope. A bit of legislation had been passed that required all blank space of transmutation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected matt 's and it failed on a triviality. Ministry centers were set up for wolfman to transform in, together. matte was required by law to transubstantiate there since his safe room did not pass. I refused to have him metamorphose there. The document were all over it. I lost my job. Lubar was appointed to the Head position.

"Sir Thomas More lawmaking was passed. A law that stated that Ministry functionary could physically push werewolves into the transformation center field. On the day of the broad synodic month, Lubar Flooed into our house and took matt to the center. By the time I figured out which center it was, the Sun Myung Moon had risen. It was too late.

"lustrelessness spent weeks in St. Mungo 's. By that prison term we were nearly prepare to move here. He was so traumatized, it took months for him to get over it. To be reliable, I do n't think he 's fully over it.

"The solitary reason Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so gruesome and wind,"Walter finished as he put his head in his hands,"I swore I 'd never let him near Matt again. Swore I 'd stamp out him if he went near Matt again.

Walter gave an odd sort of laugh."Listen to me, I 'm telling the heading of the Auror section that I 'd commit murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go save the boys,"Harry said, still processing what Bruno Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so loth to let Matt out of their sight, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One thing that Harry could severalise was that Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to James, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your fault,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't induce mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no serious to lie on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my brother said when matt was in St. Mungo 's,"Walter said wryly.

"Mr. Potter !"the witch came bustling out of the room she had gone into, brandishing a part of parchment, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the parchment. His eyes scanned the parchment. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few unforesightful time of day ago. That in itself did not outrage Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Walter, who had visibly paled at the tidings,"They 're in Australia."


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome people who have read and left such lovely reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the previous chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so operose that he could Apparate. Why did you have to be xvii to get your Apparition license anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical shipping, he would change that law. Apparition would 've enabled him to get out of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to bring back Lord Voldemort with the Resurrection Stone.

Albus could not think back being more scared in his life. This was far worse than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two years ago, far worse than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the previous year. Lord Voldemort was far scarier than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort aspect like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Isidor Feinstein Stone could n't actually bring masses back to life. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a ghost. But would he be able-bodied to do magic, to perform the curses and curse he did when he was animated ?

Albus held his breather as he watched Jarrett turn the Edward Durell Stone over in his hands. Albus had no melodic theme how it worked, but judging by how hushed all of the grownup were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the Harlan Fisk Stone. He did it for so yearn that Albus had to let out his breathing time. The excited gleam on Jarrett 's face slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it shape ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you positively charged this is the right Stone ?"

"Of course I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the pit,"The spell said it was !"

"well, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a suspiration of relief. Either they had the wrong I. F. Stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the stone over in his script. On the third round, a strange sort of mist appeared in front of him. Albus 's heart sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to clear and a figure was standing in presence of Lubar. The figure was not Lord Voldemort, though. Albus had no idea who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This mortal was a woman, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging queer glances. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the material body, his face contorted with something Albus could only arrogate was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped closer to the woman.

"You idiot !"Jarrett shouted,"That 's not Voldemort !"

"I know that !"Lubar snapped and the looked back to the woman, who was apparently his mother,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the cleaning woman replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his friends, who were all staring in confusion at Lubar. Matt in particular was giving Lubar a very unknown face. Apparently the Harlan F. Stone was the Resurrection Harlan Fisk Stone and it did indeed work, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's mother agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very proud of you, son."

Albus had to cover his mouth to conceal his hiss. What kind of mother could be lofty of what Lubar had done ?

"I 've tried,"Lubar said,"I swore I would after, after what happened."

"You have,"Lubar 's mum replied,"You 've done me proud."

"Oh for pigeon hawk 's saki !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to induce forgotten that there were former people around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the pit out of his hand.

Lubar 's female parent began to fade as soon as Jarrett took the Lucy Stone. Running towards her, Lubar held out his bridge player trying to keep open her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's mother completely disappeared, Lubar had his wand out and was holding it up at Jarrett. Jarrett had taken out his own sceptre, but neither man was hurling whammy. Washburn and Quinton had taken a few stride back.

"You arse !"Lubar shouted,"That was my mother !"

"I know !"Jarrett replied,"That 's why I did it ! We 're trying to bestow back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not insult my female parent,"Lubar seethed and flicked his verge.

Jarrett fell to the ground, completely unable to displace. Lubar stood over him with his wand directed at his chest.

"My mother was a lovely person,"Lubar growled,"You 're sick to be speaking ill of the dead like that."

Albus did n't really believe Lubar should be talking about who is sick and who is n't. Nor did he imagine his mother was particularly lovely. Never before had Albus thought he 'd concur with Jarrett Willinson on anything, but when it came to Lubar 's mother, he did.

"Better they hex each early than us, right ?"John muttered.

"trade good point,"Albus replied.

"Can we please just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the impression that that 's what we were here for, not to insult each other 's mothers."

Lubar turned his verge on Washburn."Have you anything to say about my female parent ? wellspring, do you ?"

Washburn hastily pulled out his own wand."Er, no, she seemed quite lovely."

"goodness,"Lubar said manically,"Keep it that way, or you 'll end up like him."Lubar gestured to Jarrett, who was still laying paralyzed on the ground, his eyes darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll want you to duplicate that Portkey,"Harry said to the hag, who nodded and left the elbow room again.

"Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred percent sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly electropositive that they are with the boy in Australia."

"Right,"Walter agreed,"The evidence surely points that way."

"There is something about that investigation that hardly anyone in the Ministry knows,"Harry lowered his voice,"Nearly a year ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror Department needed some help with capturing the other two. The Minister hired a Presuler."

Walter let out a low whistle and then realization dawned on his grimace."Wait, you do n't mean-"

"Aplysia Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the make-believe of teaching Defense Against the night Arts."

"Bad theme on the Minister 's component part,"Walter muttered.

"It was my idea to station him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not know that he would be such an awful teacher."

"I wo n't hold it against you,"Bruno Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a part of this investigation, I have to meet him and he will have to go with us to Australia. I understand that you have had your divergence, but-"

"If he helps to rule matt, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. ceramicist, Mr. Eckerton,"the hag returned holding a distorted plastic container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore help, let me know."

"That 's it for now,"Harry said as he took the container,"Thanks."

******

Albus stood frozen as the four men dueled each former. Completely unsure of what to do, yet very felicitous that they seemed to throw momentarily forgotten about the boy, Albus just stood there watching. mat, whoremaster, and Kaden did the same, although bathroom looked more than a bit apprehensive, most belike due to his lack of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to take the gemstone from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not subscribe to kindly to this and jinxed Washburn. In the mean clip, the smasher had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing hex at each other while dodging the fire. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would tripper and glow their coat of arms or something. Or even proficient, maybe one or to a greater extent of them would cast their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely regretful for wearable. All three of them were sporting injuries. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's left arm was being held at an odd angle.

Lubar seemed fine and even though it appeared that the other three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to accommodate that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red ignitor at Washburn, who went flying over the flaming and landed with a sickening thud in front of the boys. He did not move. Albus looked down and saw a minor stone adjacent to Washburn 's head. He bent and picked it up. It was the Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all advance towards him. Three wand were pointed at his chest of drawers, being held by three people with maniacal gleams in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own wand, his arm shaking slightly. lustrelessness and Kaden had done the same. John tried to hide behind Matt, but was stillborn since he was a full head taller than him.

"paw it over, Potter,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant look at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Stone into the pocket of his gown and held his verge up higher.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each other. Balladanis had Flooed to the Ministry shortly after receiving Harry 's Patronus. Harry had filled him in on what was going on, but the man had n't taken his eyes off of Bruno Walter the entire time.

"We have n't got time for this,"Harry muttered and held out the charge card container,"Let 's just go."

Walter agreed immediately and laid his hand on the Portkey. Balladanis did so as well, with a little hesitation.

With a familiar jerking behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey trip was a bit longer than ones Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his metrical unit and held out his wand as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was sky black and after he lit his sceptre, Harry knew they were in the middle of a forest.

The forest was disappointingly quiet. The exclusively audio were those of animals and the occasional rustling of trees, brought about by the wind. Not a single audio caused Harry to trust that there were mass about, let alone his son.

"bedspread out and lookup,"Harry announced. The place may look deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the wizards said a countersign as they combed the country. Harry left no stone unturned as he looked for the minuscule tincture of evidence of where his son had gone. If only it was n't night. Wands did n't provide nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a trace of anything that showed anyone had been in that area of the forest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was good at this, that was for sure. Harry swore as he returned to the Sami situation he had started from.

Walter returned a few minutes later, looking even more nervous than he did before."Nothing,"he muttered,"Not a rive piece of cloak or a single Knut. They did n't stay here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the ground with his shoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to return.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a small metal instrument in his hand and an strange sort of charge up smirk on his aspect. He skidded to a stay in forepart of Harry, holding out the legal instrument. Harry recognized it as an Apparition demodulator. They were quite uncommon. The British people Ministry only owned one, for the entire Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Walter muttered,"Any estimation where ?"

"A superior general estimation, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Walter 's sarcastic note,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am aware,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his hands on the metal tool. It would be able to guide them to the relative area they needed to go.

Walter put his bridge player on the legal instrument as well and with an exceptionally aloud fissure, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The ground was stale and sandy and there was hardly any flora life in sight. In the distance there were tall mountains and cloaked figures floated above them. Harry suppressed a shudder and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a roaring bonfire blazed in the distance. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were more than familiar with the area.

"Only vampires and dementors ever speculation out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to lead the small group towards the flickering lights in the distance.

******

"hired man it over, Potter,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to oblige his wand more steady. His verge arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't appear to be capable to give it steady. His nitty-gritty was thumping hard in his dresser. Albus was trusted everyone was able to hear it. However, he did not want to give way up the Stone. That was one thing he was sure of. The only way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put past him.

"Maybe you should just give it to him,"bathroom whispered,"I mean, it did n't wreak to get Voldemort back."

"No,"Albus seethed, surprised that John had suggested it. He probably would n't have if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to suffer to duel me, ceramicist ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't have a wand. Not good odds, if you ask me."

"And do you realize that those two are horrible duelers ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that Stone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his verge and sent a jet of orange light source at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a shield charm, concentrating on making it big enough to shield him and his friend. It worked and the orange tree light bounced harmlessly off the shield and hit the ground.

"Stay behind me, John,"Albus muttered,"matte and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever spells you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his shield up while casting other piece, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling moral. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to go along the shield up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's cuticle, but he quickly recovered and began sending hex after hex, nonverbally, at Albus and John the Evangelist. Concentrating laborious, Albus sent a Stunner at Lubar, but he flicked his sceptre and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone bushes, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a glimpse at Matt and Kaden. Matt was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was kind of pathetic as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus feel better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus charms at each other and missing every time.

The carapace emitting from Albus 's baton faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his concentration, but the shield was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to send any patch through the shield now.

"Your carapace is weakening, Potter,"Lubar smirked as he sent another stunner at Albus, which shook the carapace.

"Merlin !"Quinton shouted to the right of them. He was hopping on one foundation and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some form of hex, although Albus was n't for sure what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the ground. Albus gasped and his buckler disappeared.

"Albus !"King John shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the carapace back up before Lubar shot a hex at John, who fell to the basis like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be soft just to give me the Harlan F. Stone ?"Lubar asked as he sent a smasher at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and Matt were still dueling. Both were sporting a few injury, but nothing too unplayful. Neither seemed to sustain noticed that John and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a misstep hex, which gave him a few second base to get his breathing space while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a slash across his pull up stakes cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the side and the spell hit a nearby rock. Lubar resumed his gestural magical spell and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any other jinxes.

"You ca n't proceed dodging them forever, thrower !"Lubar grinned manically.

"Watch me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of course knew that Lubar was right. The odds had not really changed. lavatory and Kaden were both out of the conflict and while privy was easily the advantageously duelist after Albus, his absence did not put Albus greatly behind. Washburn was out as well and both Willinsons were injured. Quinton was currently on his human knee panting, not in any build to go along dueling. matte was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both nonplus and please by.

No, Albus was not trying to overwhelm Lubar. He knew that would n't be possible. Albus was merely biding for time. He tried to figure out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spells. It must induce been at least three or four hours, although the coloured Aussie sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the moon had been out so he could deliver monitored its trip across the sky.

How long would it conduct his dad to determine them ? prospicient than normal, Albus thought. They were in the middle of a strange country, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, ceramist, and you do n't want to see me when I 'm annoyed !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red illumination at Albus.

Before Albus even had time to register what sort of hex it was, Matt gave a shriek of bother to Albus 's right field and collapsed to the ground. Jarrett wasted no metre and pointed his wand at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a mo to digest the fact that he was now perfectly alone, facing two fully grown wizards. The two wizards chatoyant identical cat valium of blue light at Albus and he managed to pluck up a feeble shield.

The force hit him like a dozen Bludgers to the breadbasket. He lost his footing and landed mat on his back, his top dog hitting a particularly abrupt John Rock.

"I told you not to contend, Potter,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the Stone,"Albus said, forcing away the giddiness. He reached into his gown and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to take hold of the Stone.

With all the military group Albus could muster, he threw the Isidor Feinstein Stone as far as he could to the rightfield. In the wickedness, it disappeared in a dissever minute and Albus did n't even get word it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"verge where I can see them !"someone shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his head slightly and caught a glimpse of his dad, along with a few other superstar. He breathed a sigh of rilievo. They were saved.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the lovely people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up right-hand before the hexes started flying. Realizing that he dropped his wand when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the ground. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby bush and watched.

Jarrett did n't stick around long. He sent one pathetic looker at Harry, who easily deflected it, and disappeared on the spot. Harry immediately disarmed Lubar before he could do the Lapplander.

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safety device of the George Walker Bush and shakily stood up. He reached the attack and was able-bodied to see who the other two wizards next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with shock all over again.

The shorter of the two was mat 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone glare at anyone else with such hatred and loathing as Matt 's dad glared at Lubar. And that included when his Uncle Ron talked about the Malfoys, or his mum when person mentioned Vernon and petunia Dursley.

It was the early wizard that nearly caused Albus to kick the bucket out in daze. He was none other than Professor Balladanis. What in the name of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and Matt 's dad. But why ? Did n't Matt 's dad hate Balladanis ?

"Eckerton, what a pleasant surprisal,"Lubar smirked.

"Lubar, if we were n't in the presence of an Auror and a Presuler I 'd rip you limb from branch, Muggle style,"Mr. Eckerton growled.

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's choice of words, but remembering what flatness had told him at the beginning of the year, all surprise left him.

"Lucky for me Potter and Balladanis are here, then,"Lubar replied and snatched Washburn 's baton off the ground.

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent unlike spells at Lubar at the Lapp metre, but it was too previous. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still conscious but not completely cognisant of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring difference between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past Quinton and Washburn to reach Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

Harry looked up from Kaden 's unconscious mind anatomy and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his arms around his dad and the two of them hugged each early tightly.

"Al, thank Merlin,"Harry said.

"Dad, what 's Balladanis doing here ?"Albus asked immediately,"And Lubar, what 's going to bechance to him ? And Willinson ?"

"I 'll explicate it all once we get you back to Hogwarts,"Harry assured him.

Balladanis had a firm storage area on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a broken plastic cup. A few minute later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with matt in his arms."Can you take away King John, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will fall with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of John 's arm before pulling his own broken charge card cup out of his pocket. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly befuddle, but did not have prison term to ask his dad anymore questions before feeling the familiar jerk behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thumping in the midriff of the Hospital annex. The question of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts grounds was the to the lowest degree pressing doubt on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both matt and John on the nearest beds while Madam Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

"Look at the province of them !"the nurse exclaimed,"Always this lot, too ! You 're a bad influence on them, Harry, I swear !"

Harry looked slightly sheepish as he set Kaden down on the bed next to Matt 's and then turned to Albus.

"I 've got to verbalize with Professor Kendrick and go to the Ministry-"he began.

"But Dad !"Albus interrupted,"What was Balladanis doing there ?"

"I promise I 'll tell you all of that and more,"Harry replied,"But I need to recount everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to need you to tell me everything that happened."

"But-"

"No buts !"gentlewoman Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need rest !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his headland was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the last thing he needed was rest. He needed to live what was going on.

"I 'll explicate once you 've gotten some quietus,"Harry assured him.

Albus muttered under his breath and got into bed. Once Madam Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping draft, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight off the sleep he knew was coming.

******

The ward was quiet when Albus woke up. It was completely dark outside, although Albus did n't take the slightest clue as to what day it was. John, lustrelessness, and Kaden were either still unconscious or effectual asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since lady Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in chairs next to Matt 's bed. It did n't expect like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the same Ministry gown he had been wearing before.

Albus sat up and put his deal to his head. There was a patch on the back of it. Another patch was wrapped around his right arm, although he could n't come back when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt exhausted.

The threshold to the Montgomery Ward opened, letting in a small flood tide of light from the corridor. A build stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

"Dad,"Albus replied, recognizing his beginner,"Are you going to tell me about Balladanis now ?"

"Yes,"Harry chuckled,"Perhaps we ought to go to the Room of Requirement."

Albus shook his headspring, remembering something he had been debating for the past year. He had waited long enough. It was time.

"No,"Albus said,"I know someplace better."

Without saying a parole, Albus got out of bed and lead his dad out the door and up to the 5th level corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the conquer knight and turned to confront the opposite wall.

Albus located the paw mark and touched his hand to them, turning it into a doorknob. He opened the door and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from finish year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a loss for words.

"There was more than to it. education on how to get into this room. It was theirs, the marauder'. Their secret plebeian room,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't respond. Instead he walked slowly around the elbow room. Albus stood near the room access and waited. He was n't certainly how long he stood there, watching as his dad investigated the room that had once belonged to his grandfather.

"This,"Harry began,"This is just unbelievable, Al. How long have you known about it ?"

"About a class,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend meter here ?"Harry asked.

"Probably more than we do in the commons room,"Albus answered.

"Then it is the utter seat to spill,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down adjacent to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll say you that,"Harry said,"But first base I want you to explicate to me what happened."

Albus took a thick intimation and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the castle and ending with throwing the Resurrection Harlan Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a forest in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to create, the duel, the fact that the Christ's Resurrection Stone did n't work to bring Voldemort back.

"Why did n't it solve ?"Albus asked,"I mean, I 'm beaming it did n't, but why ?"

Harry thought for a few minutes and then looked at Albus."There are a few rationality that might explain it. The Resurrection Harlan F. Stone brings back people we love, but it does not bring them back completely. It 's almost as if their soul is coming back."

"Like a spectre ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But interchangeable. It 's potential that since Voldemort split his soul so many time, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The Harlan Fiske Stone may need the person to be intact to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved ones can be brought back with the Stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not have sex Voldemort ; they did not hump him. They wanted to bring him back for their own agenda,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to find out which it is ?"Albus asked.

"No, I do n't think so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the Stone is once again gone. Which is something I 'm very thankful that you did."

"Well, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden Forest for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it best if nobody had that Stone."

Albus nodded."Yeah, that makes sense. But what was Balladanis doing there ?"

Harry laughed."You 're not going to let that go, are you ?"

"Nope, you said you 'd recite me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you know what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling object lesson he gave me,"Albus explained.

"Well, that makes my explanation easier,"Harry said,"A petty over a year ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to hire a Presuler to serve find Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

"Yes,"Harry muttered,"The Minister believed the Aurors needed some help."

Albus thought he heard bit of contempt in his dad 's voice.

"When I realized that Washburn and the Willinsons were most in all probability working with Ralph Lubar, I had to adjoin Balladanis and let him know. He came with us, and I have to admit that he was very helpful. We would not have found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

"But why was he teaching here ?"Albus asked.

"The government minister, Professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be good scheme to deliver him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would return to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of course, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to treat teaching.

"This is all quite secretive, Al. I 'd prefer you did n't tell anyone. I will be telling Matt, St. John, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right to have it away, but I do n't require anyone else knowing about it."

"What about rose wine and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

"I suppose I 'll tell them as well, otherwise Kaden is sure as shooting to assure them,"Harry said.

"What 's going to befall to Lubar ?"Albus asked,"Is Balladanis going to be after him now ?"

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be catchy site. Lubar is n't a British citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial run or establish him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not sure as shooting they 'll do either."

"But that 's not fair !"Albus stood up angrily,"flavour what he did ! Look what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like null more than than to give him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the law of nature do n't work that way."

"He and Balladanis get along anyway,"Albus said,"Balladanis probably would n't want to go after him."

"I do n't cognize about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes people to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry affiliation, he does not have to take a case if he 's offered it."

"He told me I 'd make a good Presuler,"Albus said quietly as I sat back down,"Malfoy, too."

Harry sighed."What do you intend about that ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus shrugged,"I mean, I like dueling, but I do n't really need to decide what I want to do right now."

"You do n't have to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't desire to tell you what to do, but I am going to distinguish you something.

"Being a Presuler is a hard job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with several Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can score it difficult to have a family. It 's not an well-off way to go down. Not one I 'd prefer for myself."

Albus had n't even thought about that. He did n't reckon he 'd want to rarely ever see his ally and family.

"There 's plenitude of other things you could do that would put your dueling skills to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no need to decide now."

"I know, I do n't contrive to,"Albus replied.

"Well, you should probably get back to the hospital Wing before madam Pomfrey card you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

Harry stood up and gave his son a hug. They left the way and walked back to the infirmary extension, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, ma'am Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the Hospital wing with his dad, she was running about the ward shouting at the top of her lungs. Matt, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden were all awake, staring at her.

"There you are !"she shrieked,"Where have you been ?"

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to talk to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

"You should have asked me first !"Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs rest !"

"I 'm his father,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't deal if you 're the government minister of deception !"madam Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing degree !"

"How long has she been shouting ?"Albus whispered to Matt as he got back in bed.

"XV instant or so,"Matt answered.

Madam Pomfrey returned to her desk and Harry strode over to where the Eckertons were sitting.

"Could I have a word in private ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to gentlewoman Pomfrey."Do I want your permission for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"dame Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to sleep a little while later and when he next woke up it was light out and gentlewoman Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

"Er, what day is it ?"Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey set his tray down.

"It 's Sunday, dear, but it 's afternoon,"lady Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to have breakfast."

"Only Billy Sunday ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than twenty-four hours since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

"meter zone changes are difficult to adjust to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"Australia 's quite a few hours ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was wolfish. When he thought about it, it must have been at least a day since he 'd eaten anything.

"I wonder how the Quidditch match went,"Kaden mused as he shoved toast in his mouth.

Albus choked on his eggs. He 'd leave about the match !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

"Is your dad going to enjoin us why Balladanis was with him when he came to save us ?"John asked,"I mean, he 's had plenty of time."

"He will,"Albus said,"He already told me. You lot were asleep."

The door to the Hospital annexe banged undecided and Rose and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a move to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

"William Tell us what happened !"rosiness demanded as she skidded to a halt in front of Albus 's bed,"When did you get back ? Where did you go ?"

"Who won the Quidditch match ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"Rose groaned,"I 'm not saying a word about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the name of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"miss Weasley !"gentlewoman Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't let down your representative, you 'll have to depart !"

"Sorry,"rose turned back to Albus,"But you lot have got to severalise us what happened !"

Albus launched into the entire narration, which took the secure part of a half hour to order. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the whole thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the sentence Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"rosiness asked.

"My dad 's going to tell you,"Albus said,"He 's already told me. He 'll probably tell the rest of you today."

"merlin, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How much trouble can you get into ?"

"It 's not my faulting,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you tell us about the mates ?"

rosiness exchanged glances with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me state you,"Amanda said.

"Nobody won, Al,"Rose said.

"What ?"lavatory interrupted,"How can nobody win ?"

"About forty-five minutes into the mates, Fred and heather mixture ran onto the pitch-"

"The match lasted that long ?"flatness asked.

"Yes,"Rose said,"I do n't bang why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo commercial traveler and started talking to him. Nobody could learn what they were saying. Then roadman blew his whistle and they went into a time-out.

"roadman left the slant and had a really long talk of the town with all the headmasters and skipper. Then Kendrick announced that the match was called off and told everyone to return to their common rooms.

"Everyone was really furious of course. Amanda and I were already worried because you lot had n't shown up yet. We thought something bad had happened and that was why they called it off."

"Why did they call it off ?"John asked.

"I 'm getting to that,"rose wine said,"We got back up to Gryffindor and everyone was gathered around Fred and Heather. Linda was n't there, and neither were any of her teammates who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the front of the bunch and heard what Fred and Heather were talking about. They were claiming that Commonwealth of Australia had been cheating the solid time-"

"Well, they were,"Matt muttered.

"I know,"rosebush agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and Heather. I 'm sure they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told soul Oklahoman. They found out Linda 's a vampire and now the entire school knows."

"How did they figure it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and Scots heather were sixth years, they would n't give birth heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

"They 've been trying to figure it out all year,"Rose explained,"And since they 're impertinent, they figured it out."

"But what about the mates ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to invalidate the tourney, Albus,"rosebush said quietly.

"Cancel the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole twelvemonth on that tourney ! Do you do it how much time I 've spent on the Quidditch rake this year ? More time than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to set off the bloody tournament ?"

"I do n't know, Al,"Rose said shortly,"And if they do it 's not my fault."

"Sorry,"Albus mumbled,"It 's just a little aggravating."

"I know,"rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

"Gone,"Rose sighed,"Without a word. I have n't seen her or any of the Aboriginal Australian since the friction match. Killigan 's gone, too."

"Wow,"lusterlessness replied,"Ca n't say I blame her, though."

"I guess,"Rose said,"Anyway, they 'll probably induce an declaration about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome mass who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one more chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to tell apart everyone else about Balladanis later on in the good afternoon. madam Pomfrey flat out refused to let any of them leave the hospital Wing, so she agreed to shut up the door and go to her survey while Harry explained. lusterlessness 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the parts about why it was not all that advisable to turn a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to find out that Balladanis had been hired to serve capture Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. news that was not all that welcome.

"As of right now, he 's completely gratis and in the clear,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to extradite him, and they wo n't engage him in Commonwealth of Australia either. To them, it 's like nothing 's happened."

Albus noticed that Mr. Eckerton looked positively furious with this. Harry looked quite furious as well, but it did not come close to how Mr. Eckerton looked.

"We 're not going to give way up,"Harry said,"We 'll keep negotiating with them."

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the late Night, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first twelvemonth, when Matt had told them about his dad 's young adult dream of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside mesa, where Madam Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the previous Nox. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

"Merlin 's face fungus,"he muttered,"It 's the Cloak."

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

"Unbelievable,"Mr. Eckerton whispered as he fingered it.

He spent a few minutes trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the sheath of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is awe-inspiring. I would get it on to share the tale with my brother. Perhaps I could introduce you to him at the human race Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be all right. Perhaps I will eventually tell him as well."

******

Albus wanted nothing more than to be allowed out of the infirmary wing in time to go to dinner that Night. He was sure Professor Kendrick would take a crap some sort of declaration about the tournament and he did not want to miss it.

After a full ten proceedings of begging on his part ( helped out by matt, whoremaster, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state of matter to leave the ward. Albus thought this was cockeyed because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a sling ? That should n't stop him from eating dinner with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a quiet meal in the infirmary offstage and wait anxiously for rose wine and Amanda to tell him what Kendrick said.

The girls showed up right after dinner party ended. Albus immediately asked them what Kendrick had said.

"Tournament 's canceled,"pink wine sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The Kid from New York are staying to finish out the year, but the tourney 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the vaticinator tomorrow."

"pigeon hawk !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to strike down it ? Could n't they just unfit Australia ?"

"No,"Rose shook her foreland,"To do that Hogwarts would have to play New York in another final."

"Why do n't they do that ?"John asked.

"Too close to exams,"blush wine shrugged,"It 'll mess up everyone 's studying."

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you find better, I 'm pretty for sure Hogwarts would 've won if Commonwealth of Australia had n't accept been here,"rosebush pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred house points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the sign of the zodiac had people on the teams, so that does n't really facilitate,"Albus muttered.

"fountainhead,"rosiness grinned,"I know one affair that 'll cheer you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was nothing that could cheer him up.

"There were Quidditch pathfinder at that equal,"Rose told him,"And even though the match was fateful, they did find someone they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"pink wine exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to play for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

"That 's brilliant !"Albus replied. Rose had been right, that did cheer him up. There was no one he thought who belonged on a pro Quidditch team Sir Thomas More than Georgia.

"Yup, she 's their newest backlog keeper,"blush wine said,"She says Uncle Percy 's not impressed. He wanted her to make for at the Ministry. She does n't care what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Sir Henry Percy 's got mountain of former kids to work at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Peach State working in government.

"Kenmare ?"St. John the Apostle said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"lustrelessness grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the Cannons,"John groaned.

"She 's just well-chosen to be on a team,"Rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be able to work her way up to a ameliorate one."

"merlin, I hope so,"bathroom shrugged.

"Is she the merely one who got drafted ?"Albus asked.

"Only one I know for sure of,"Rose said,"I heard a rumour that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle chiropteran, but I do n't know for sure."

Albus nodded, feeling slightly better about the tournament. It was n't pointless now that he knew his cousin had been taken on by a professional Quidditch squad because of it. However, that did n't assume all the disappointment away.

******

madam Pomfrey reluctantly let the son leave the next day after breakfast. She did n't really throw a pick since examination began that day. Albus felt perfectly fine and was quite happy to leave the place.

rosiness handed him a written matter of the Prophet as soon as he and the former boy reached the rough-cut room. Albus took it, felicitous that he had a few transactions before his number one exam to read the clause that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN shoal CHEATS- TOURNAMENT CANCELED

After a startling discovery made by two Hogwarts
students, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack Academy of
legerdemain, and the Australian schoolhouse of Sorcery
has been canceled.

The tournament 's last Quidditch match was
interrupted this preceding Sat by two Hogwarts
6th years, Fred Weasley and Calluna vulgaris Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the entire
tournament.

A few calendar month ago, allegement were brought upon
the Aboriginal Australian team after their Seeker, Linda
esprit de corps, 14, flew at an exceptionally fast speed.
An investigation found nix. The tournament
continued.

Fred and Scots heather Weasley accused Linda Morales
of being a lamia. vampire are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch teams due
to the unfair advantage they have.

The mates was immediately stopped while all three
headmaster questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

schoolmaster Addiar Killigan of the Australian
schoolhouse of black magic admitted to allowing Morales
to be the seeker of his team in order to win the
tournament. The Australian squad was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, Morales, and the respite of the Australians
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts later
on Saturday, declining to mouth with any of our
reporters.

tournament officials as well as the former two
headmaster have decided to cancel the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

'It is regrettable that the tournament turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told reporter, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few years .'

"Killigan is an idiot,"Albus said.

"face at the adjacent article,"rose wine replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON cover IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final exam Quidditch mate was ending in calamity
at Hogwarts school day of witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry
ceramist 's middle minor, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus thrower, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and Saint John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three con were helped by
Ralph Lubar, brain of the department of the Regulation
and Control of Magical tool in Australia.

The four Hogwarts student were taken to Australia
where Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is unclear what the convicts were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four boys have recovered from the trial by ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the year examinations
at Hogwarts. Harry Potter has declined comment.

"well, that 's not a very informative article,"Albus said as he tossed the paper onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can account much,"rose wine said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to keep open still about Lubar in return for giving him some sort of punishment.

"It wo n't weigh,"Matt said,"They 're not going to do anything to him."

Albus was forced to push Lubar into the back of his mind as exam began. They were all significantly harder than the old year 's had been, but he was sure he at least passed all of them.

There were short articles in the Prophet about Lubar everyday, but they all said the Same thing. Australia refused to deport him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The hebdomad after exams was a foreign one for Albus. There was nothing left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. Rose and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the boys, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

Things were different, though. Both rosiness and Amanda were a lot still than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no melodic theme whether she had said so long to them, or even if she 'd had the chance.

Matt was lost in his own cerebration most of the meter, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went entire eve without saying two words to anyone, something that usually only happened around full moons. However, the next full moonlight was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was sure this was because of what had happened in Australia. He never talked about it, but Albus knew that getting kidnapped by Lubar again had scared the daylights out of him.

John and Kaden remained as boisterous as ever and did not seem to be fazed by what had happened in Australia. They spent their hebdomad pulling pranks and playing endless games of Exploding centering that Albus occasionally joined in on.

Albus himself was quieter. His mind was racing with mentation of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the clause ever mentioned Balladanis, but he knew that was because Balladanis 's job had to rest a undercover. He wished more than anything that Lubar would get thrown in prison, whether it was Azkaban or Australia 's prison.

******

The power train ride back to London was subdued, the only dissonance being lav and Kaden 's Exploding centering cards. Albus and lustrelessness both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the going landscape.

"Linda sent me a letter survive night,"Rose said, breaking the silence.

Albus lifted his head up and looked at her."What about ?"

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to say you that she was dismal about the tournament,"Rose told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a unlike country."

"To go to school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"pink wine shook her head,"She 's been through school a couple times already. She was n't even a student at the Australian school. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing Seeker for them. He 's a really nasty bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

"Where will they go ?"Albus asked, surprised that he was actually feeling sorry for Linda.

"No melodic theme,"blush wine shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

"This whole twelvemonth has been so messed up,"Gospel According to John sighed,"I hope next year 's better."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"We 've got the World Cup to take care forward to, though,"Albus smiled.

"Oh, yeah !"John grinned,"Owl me as soon as you find out when we 're leaving for it."

"Definitely,"Albus said,"Your sis 's going, too. Lily told me she 'd invited her. Hugo 's not really happy about that."

"Neither am I,"John muttered,"I do n't want Ashtyn going."

"wellspring, I 'd favour Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! Nothing can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"Good point,"John agreed.

"Let me have intercourse when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

"Why ? So you can convince your parents to take away you ?"lavatory smirked.

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can roll in the hay when to call for you lot to my house. My dad said he 'd take us camping."

"Excellent !"Gospel According to John grinned,"Camping like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"animation in collapsible shelter, no electricity, no magic either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"matte said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"flatness answered,"That was the time I got bitten."

"Oh,"Kaden looked a little taken aback,"Sorry."

"It 's ok,"matte shrugged,"Just do n't go during a wax moon. I do n't want any of you having to bring together me in the shrieking hovel future year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did feel bad that matte would n't get to go, but he variety of thought Matt would n't want to go anyway.

The remainder of the misstep was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sorting of returning to rule. It was almost nice to get word John and Matt arguing about the Cannons again and Kaden arguing about football.

The train arrived in John Griffith Chaney and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying goodbye to his friends, Albus left the station with his family feeling that just maybe life would be normal from then on. fountainhead, maybe the summer would be at to the lowest degree be formula. Albus could n't get his promise up too high.


A/N : Hard to believe it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awe-inspiring citizenry who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the quaternary story but it 'll be a while before the world-class chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every other calendar week at first, take turns hebdomad with Beyond the tail. In the mean clock time, if you want something new to read, I suggest checking out Remember the Cannons, which is a collab I worked on net yr and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley cannon and their downfall. It 's under the username The Golden Snitches and is also in my favorite level so you can find it that way.