A/N : brief author 's note prior to the chapter. This chapter is from Teddy 's point of view, as I wanted to write the specifics of what happened during the delegation to capture Johnny Reb. An article in the Prophet just would n't do it justice. Hope you enjoy !


Teddy Lupin had been a Junior Auror for nearly eight month. In that clock time he had n't done much in terms of fighting dark wizards, and most of the missions he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his oeuvre had consisted of paperwork and the occasional stake-out. Being an Auror, Teddy had discovered, was a lot to a greater extent than chasing down shadow hotshot and saving citizenry 's lives.

It was for this very cause that Teddy had been surprised when his godfather, Harry Potter, had approached him the previous day and told him of his newest assigning. He, chemise Lupin, brand-new Junior Auror, had been assigned to the mission of capturing fly the coop werewolf, Fenrir Greyback. Calidris canutus, the same loup-garou who had infected his don with lycanthropy X ago. greyback, one of Britain 's most cherished runaway.

The commission, Harry had informed him, was very sensitive in nature and had to be handled with discretion. There was to be no mention of it to anyone outside of the people assigned to it. There were very few people assigned to the mission and they included Harry himself, the Head of the Regulation and Control of Magical tool, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to celebrate an eye on the children Calidris canutus attacked the previous calendar month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Greyback mission itself.

Harry had explained the details of the mission, including the fact that the whole matter had been Albus 's idea, along with one of his protagonist, who happened to be the Head of the regularization and Control of Magical Creature 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took shimmy a few moment to wrap his head around the total place. To hold things even more harebrained, Albus 's werewolf friend was the brother of shift 's friend, Amy.

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

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

Disguising himself was Teddy 's main military strength. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his expression so he looked a few years older and his hair so that it was a generic brown color rather than its usual cobalt blue. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few punt. After donning a shattered old cloak, Teddy turned on the spot and reappeared in the alley next to Weasleys'adept Wheezes.

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

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

Teddy ambled up to the bar, deciding at the last bit that his shammer persona should walk with a limp. Aberforth was there and Teddy ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the usual swallow for the Hog 's Head, but he needed to restrain his top dog clear for the delegacy. He took the drink and began to sip it slowly, as he had no thought how long he 'd need to affect he was n't an Auror.

A half hour later the door opened again and Harry and Walter walked in. Walter joined Ron at his spinal column board while Harry went up to the bar. He sat next to Teddy.

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

"amercement,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry business,"Harry said."Might be here a few minute. Could be the unscathed nighttime. Do you mind ?"

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

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

Aberforth nodded and set a few more Butterbeers on the counter. Harry picked them up and gestured for Teddy to accompany him to the back table, where Ron and Walter were now crouched over a man of parchment.

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

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

No one had told him, but teddy knew the real reason why he 'd been assigned to this commission, and it had nothing to do with his Auror skills. for sure, that had been a plus, but any of the former Junior Aurors were just as condition. And the fully Aurors were even more so. The reason was that he was the solely Auror who was related to a lycanthrope, and thus would n't give care that a wolfman at Hogwarts was an integral function of this design. It was also the reason why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror Cardinal Newman had previously been assigned to the grayback case. Walter Eckerton did n't desire any risk of his son 's condition being leaked to the public, and putting Harry, Ron, and teddy bear on the case would insure that it would n't.

"Are you sure Greyback is even going to register up ?"shimmy asked quietly as he stared at the map.

"Fairly certain,"Walter said."Werewolves are attracted to the birdcall of their own sort and Greyback is set on creating his own pack of untested werewolf. He spent the shoemaker's last broad synodic month lurking around the screech Shack, after he attacked those nipper. He knows flatness 's there. He 'll get back."

slip nodded. The minutes ticked by and the pub grew quieter. The old beldame left, taking her glass with her. The man sleeping at the bar snorted and rolled over, nearly falling off his stool. teddy finished his Butterbeer and set it next to the former empty eyeglasses on the table, wondering if he should go ordination another or just stay seated.

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

"I suppose the disguise were a bit purposeless,"Ron said as he pointed his wand at his aspect. His nose returned to its rule contour.

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

The radical settled into secretiveness again. Outside, there was the audio of swoon howl. teddy bear glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every metre there was a particularly loud howl. Harry and Ron sent him sympathetic looks that Teddy tried to mimic. He did n't take any kids so he really had no idea what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

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

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

"James Meredith Edward Jenner and Maxwell Jenner,"shimmy read."Who are they ?"

"They must be former werewolves,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Bruno Walter said as he shook his psyche."Those are the two nipper who got bitten last month."

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

"Mine either,"Walter said.

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

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

"Yeah, well, they 'd have no prospect following three werewolves on metrical foot,"Walter said.

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

Teddy stood and drew his wand. He followed the three former men out of the pub and shut the door behind him.

The Hog 's Head was not far away from the screaming Shack. Within three minutes they arrived and found Newman and the other two wizards attempting to restrain the three werewolves.

"They 're the nestling from last calendar month !"one of the Werewolf Control Unit employees shouted.

"Be thrifty with them !"Walter shouted back."They 've done nil haywire !"

"We 're trying !"

The two pocket-size werewolves were currently attempting to attack the Werewolf Control Unit employees and Newman, while Greyback seemed to give care far more about getting into the shriek Shack. He was a much heavy wolf, gray in vividness, and had bright yellow eyes. He was on the porch, biting at the door, and not paying any tending to the whiz around him. It seemed to chemise that he had far more than control over himself than a formula werewolf.

Bruno Walter and Ron joined the wolfman Control unit employees in trying to restrain Meredith and Maxwell. It was a hard chore because they had to do it without hurting them. Teddy was fairly certain that the law would n't care whether the two children were hurt in the cognitive process, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to Teddy and they walked slowly up the lawn, their wands out in front of them. If they could just catch Greyback by surprise then they 'd be able to complot some rope and limit him before he even knew what was happening.

They were only twenty dollar bill feet away when it happened. Johnny Reb suddenly froze and then turned around. He must 've smelled them. With a gimcrack snarl, he jumped the 20 invertebrate foot separating them in one leap.

teddy and Harry jumped back, sending piece forward as they did so. Greyback lunged, the spells not seeming to strike him at all, and made a swipe at shift. slip jumped to the side and sent another Stunner at Greyback.

Battling a werewolf was very different from battling a adept, Teddy realized. And battling werewolf had not been covered in training. certain, they 'd learned and practiced the spells used against werewolves, but they 'd never performed them on genuine werewolves. The principal difference was that wolfman did n't have got baton and thus could not cast magic spell. But at the same time, they had teeth, claws, and were much stronger than the medium human. Plus there was the fact that one raciness would turn you into one forever.

chemise and Harry took turns sending Stunners at Johnny and were able to mix up him enough that he did n't quite fuck who to attack. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the Shrieking Shack.

Johnny soon realized that he was being cornered back onto the porch and decided to charter another spring forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making physical contact. shimmy jumped forward and sent another lulu toward Greyback.

Reb flew backward and slammed into the look door, his head making a sickening crunch as it collided with the doorhandle. He slid down the door and landed on the floor, not moving.

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

"Harry, you okay ?"Teddy asked.

"Fine,"Harry said."You ?"

shimmy nodded and began to read a few cautious steps toward Limnodromus griseus. Harry was soon by his English.

"Is he ..."Teddy began.

"I do n't think so,"Harry said quietly."Just unconscious mind. Here."Harry muttered a enchantment and ropes flew from the end of his wand. They wrapped them around Greyback until he was secure.

Teddy felt slightly disappointed. There was a constituent of him, a very minuscule part, that wished he 'd killed Greyback. grayback had been the one who 'd made his dad 's biography miserable, and he 'd viciously attacked Victoire 's dad when he was n't even transformed. Yes, chemise had to admit, there was a component of him that wanted revenge. A component part of him that wanted to be the one who finally killed Fenrir Greyback.

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

"Done ?"Harry asked.

Ron nodded."They 're tied up and Stunned. I suppose we 'll have to restrain Stunning them until the moonshine sets."

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

"Walter said he 'll personally make a sojourn to their family in a few mean solar day to talk about precautions for next month,"Ron said."But still, their parents must be idiot. They could 've been killed."

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

Ron nodded."Newman said they locked the Thomas Kyd in the backyard shed but did n't put any Mrs. Humphrey Ward up. It must 've been easy for Reb to break out in."

"I wonder why they did n't heed to Werewolf musical accompaniment Services,"Harry mused."I know for a fact they visited."

"fountainhead, at least no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the other wolfman had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the shriek Shack by the Werewolf Control Unit employees. Walter and Newman were following them.

"What is that blasted fraudulent scheme ?"Newman exclaimed, nodding his head to the shriek Shack.

Walter glanced a the Shack and then turned to Paul Leonard Newman."wraith. I 've heard that position has been haunted for years, long before I moved to this country."

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

"Loud touch,"Cardinal Newman muttered."Has the Spirit division ever looked into it ?"

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

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

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

Newman and Lee, who was one of the Werewolf ascendance social unit employees, Disapparated on the spot. Harry grabbed cargo area of Greyback and instructed Walter and Parks, the other Werewolf Control Unit employee, to each take one of the kid. With an exceptionally loud crack, the integral grouping Disapparated.
***


Each of the werewolves were set up in an interrogation elbow room to wait the remaining hr until cockcrow. shift, along with Bruno Walter, had been assigned to keeping watch on Calidris canutus, Stunning him when requisite. Harry, Ron, Parks, and Lee had been assigned to the children. Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a werewolf were to have somebody there to daze them every hr or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"shimmy asked as Walter Stunned grayback for the fourth time."Why do n't people do that ?"

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

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

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

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

"Me either,"Walter said.

"I have to ask,"shimmy began,"did you get into regulating and Control of Magical Creatures before or after your son was bitten ?"

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

"Just a bit."

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

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

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

teddy bear and Walter lapsed back into secretiveness. Teddy could hardly believe that he was sitting in an interrogation room with the werewolf who had turned his father. If only his dad could see him now.

Walter glanced at his lookout."Moon should be setting within the half hour."

shift gulped and he hoped Walter could n't get wind his heart whipping. He had n't been nearly as spooky about facing Greyback as a wolf, but the thought of facing him as a man was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the following half hour to last forever, but at the Lapplander time he did n't. It had been a very long day and he wanted to go home and sleep, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a pot of paperwork ahead.

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

"He ca n't escape. He 's got no wand and there 's anti-Apparition appealingness on the rooms,"Walter explained."He 'll be at his absolute weakest as he transforms and despite the evil he 's done, he deserves the respect of transforming alone."

chemise was move. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. slip supposed it came from having a son who was a werewolf. If teddy bear 's own father had lived, would he have interchangeable thought process ?

There were no silencing magic spell on the interrogation rooms. Soon the corridor was filled with howling and was then replaced by unspeakable screaming. The shrieks soon gave way to a long stream of profanity.

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

Teddy had no estimation what to carry when he entered the room. He 'd only seen pictures of Greyback from the vaticinator and black-and-white photograph never did a person justice.

Fenrir Greyback was crouched on top of the table, dressed in the clothing that Walter had provided. His grey hair was stringy and matted with soil and blood, and his face bore several week 's worth of hoar beard. His face was lined with deep wrinkles and shift realized that he had absolutely no idea how old the man was.

Calidris canutus took a deep sniff as Bruno Walter and Teddy entered. He grinned and let out a maniacal laughter."Head of the section,"he muttered."Guess I 'm popular."

Teddy froze, all his grooming suddenly out the window. He could hardly trust that this man had attacked his father when he was only a child. Fenrir Greyback was far Thomas More sinister in individual and Teddy felt a sting of sympathy for his Father of the Church as a five-year-old.

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

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

Johnny Reb sneered."Yeah, wanted to go back for that werewolf in the shriek hovel. He smelled Young, impressionable."

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

"We 'll see,"Greyback replied.

"sufficiency chat,"Walter said, turning to teddy."Arrest him."

chemise snapped out of his thoughts and immediately went back into Auror-mode. He set himself apart from the position and ran on autopilot.

"Fenrir knot, I am Auror Ted Lupin and you 're under arrest,"chemise began.

Greyback 's eyes grew widely."lupin. Any relation to Remus Lupin ?"

"He was my founding father,"chemise said proudly.

"I made him who he was,"Johnny said as he stared directly into chemise 's eye."I changed his life."

"Fenrir grayback, you are under arrest,"shimmy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a pair of handcuff and walked over to grayback."You have the right to stay on soundless. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the wolfman."If you choose not to be silent, anything you say can be used in your trial. You will let a test. If you can not encounter representation, we will find out it for you."

Teddy grabbed Johnny 's arm and pulled him off the tabular array and into a standing position. As he did so, he met the older man 's eyes. They were yellow-bellied, pure yellowness, and completely unforgiving. He looked like the expression of evil, as if Greyback had no human being soul left. It was in that moment that shimmy knew for sure that this werewolf held no similarities to his founding father. Johnny Reb lived to spread evil, while Remus lupin had lived to stop it.

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

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved Limnodromus griseus into a electric cell and locked the door behind him.

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

Teddy nodded and gave Harry a half-smile.


A/N : I hope you enjoyed the Teddy chapter ! I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for all the lovely reviews !

The rights shimmy read to Greyback are adapted from the Miranda Rights, created by the United state of matter Supreme Court in 1966.


Albus awoke the next first light to the auditory sensation of an owl pecking at the window. He rose from his bed and went to let it in. The owl was unfamiliar, but he vaguely recognized it as the strain of owl the Ministry of thaumaturgy used. The letter of the alphabet was addressed to him, so Albus took it, let the owl back out into the frigidness, and set down on his bed to open it.

Albus-

We got him.

-Dad

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

Instead, he got started on that week 's magical spell meter reading while he waited for John to fire up up. This took a dear hour and when he finally did wake up, it took him fifteen minutes to fully waken up and get dressed. Saint John was not one for mornings.

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

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

"Oh thank God !"rose exclaimed.

"Did he differentiate you about it ?"trick asked.

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

The group decided to eat a very fast lunch later in order to visit mat before their afternoon classes. Albus wanted to tell him about knot as soon as potential.

Albus found it incredibly difficult to keep his mouthpiece shut during potions because the eternal sleep of his classmates were discussing Greyback and whether he had attacked anyone the previous Nox. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the priming coat from her dorm windowpane terminal Nox, but Karina and Marina said it was only a dog. Two of the Slytherins said they heard howling all night, and Scorpius said one of the older students had received a letter from his comrade claiming to suffer seen Greyback in Diagon alley. It seemed that Albus and his friends were the only ones in the entire rook who knew Greyback had been captured.

Scorpio Malfoy left potions early after speaking in whispers with Slughorn. Whatever it was it was a estimable excuse since Slughorn actually let him go. Albus thought this was very curious, but did n't lie on it since his psyche was still racing about greyback. He wanted contingent about the capture, but probably would n't get any until he read the clause in the Prophet.

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

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

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

Albus and his friend ate the fastest lunch they 'd ever eaten and rushed up to the hospital wing. Kaden had Herbology after tiffin and would want a safe bit of time to get there, so they wanted to spend as much of lunch as possible in the hospital wing.

gentlewoman Pomfrey was busy berating a pupil for trying to charm her hair pink and had charmed it all off instead and did n't notice Albus and the others walk in. Only one bed was occupied and the curtains were drawn around it.

"shot Malfoy 's not here,"John said as he led the group over to lusterlessness 's bed.

John pulled the drape back and Albus saw that Matt was sitting up in bed, eating lunch. This month he was sporting a bandage wrapped around his entire promontory and ace on his hands as well. He seemed to be having a bit of difficulty holding his sandwich.

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

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

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

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

"I think this is the pip headache I 've ever had in my animation,"matt muttered.

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

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

"Just kidding,"John the Evangelist said.

"madam Pomfrey wants me to eat tiffin and then she 's going to give me enough sleeping swig to sleep until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"fountainhead, I 'm going to have a lovely good afternoon of fertilizing magic industrial plant with dragon dung,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a Hugo Wolf thing and the raging headache, I 'm form of jealous."

"I 'd take the dragon droppings,"Matt said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to watch the lowest debate today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his header."They 've actually put it off two more week. It was in the paper this dayspring. I guess they want it fresh in people 's minds or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Saturday and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"Matt asked.

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

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

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

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

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

"I 'll link you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The daughter decided that a second sweet was in parliamentary law as well, so the whole radical hurried back to the Great manor hall before their next class. On the way there Albus realized just how much better he felt now that Greyback was once again behind bars.
***


"Teddy arrested him !"Albus exclaimed at breakfast the next morning. He 'd just land up reading the article about Greyback.

"Seriously ?"Rose exclaimed, grabbing the oracle."I did n't even sleep together he went on that mission."

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

"That 's stupefied,"Rose said.

"Was anyone hurt ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, feeling, they 've quoted Laurentis,"Rose said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's retaking is wonderful news for wizarding United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I applaud both the Auror department and the Department for the regularisation and dominance of Magical Creatures for their collaboration in this gaining control, especially Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four prisoners at large. The oeuvre is not done and we must remember this before celebrating .'”

"Did they cite your uncle ?"John asked.

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

"I honestly think that this is only going to progress to his support of your dad spirit better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a success. I mean, just look at the article. Absolutely zilch went wrong with that seizure. There were three wolfman on the liberal in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was straight. Three loose lycanthrope would normally be a nightmare for a quieten settlement like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the Werewolf Control Unit employees, nobody got hurt.

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

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


Hufflepuff somehow managed to squash Slytherin during Sabbatum 's Quidditch match. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the best team they 'd had in long time, and that Slytherin 's steward had landed himself in the hospital wing after blowing up his potion on Friday, earning him a ban from the match by lady Pomfrey. But whatever the rationality actually was, it was certainly beneficial to Gryffindor.

Albus awoke early on Sunday, suddenly riddled with heart about the dueling tournament. This month 's tourney was the indorsement to last of the year since all the professors had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the one-seventh yr had expressed that they could n't superintend practices while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two more probability to fasten a win for his team, something that had n't happened yet this class.

Albus and Amanda were the start of their team to arrive in the Great residence hall before the tournament. The quietus of the team trickled in slowly as they waited. Five minute before the tournament was scheduled to get down, the only soul missing was Malfoy.

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

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

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

Albus thought back and realized Amanda was correct."Oi !"he called to his mathematical group of Slytherin mate."Any of you know where Scorpio Malfoy is ?"

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

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

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

Albus had to take on that this news gave him as a lot letdown as disarray. Scorpio Malfoy was one of the team 's best duelist, no matter how annoying he was.

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

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

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

Albus managed to push all thought of Malfoy out of his head for the duration of the tournament. nearly of his mate dueled well, although only Albus and a few former twenty-five percent years won both their duels. In the end they secured third berth, which was certainly better than a good portion of the respite of the squad, but still was n't first. They were still in the running for winning overall at the end of the season, but they 'd need to do really well in the final tournament.

Albus and Amanda met the rest of their Friend in the predator 's Den after the tourney was over.

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

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

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

"You 're not allowed to miss classes unless it 's a unspoilt apology,"Rose pointed out."I do n't believe going on holiday is a well excuse."

"I think something bad is happening to person in his kinfolk,"Amanda said quietly."Remember that letter he was reading during recitation ? And how quiet he 's been lately ?"

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

But whatever was going on with Scorpio Malofy, Elsie Willinson was just as clueless as Albus and his supporter. She either had no idea or refused to tell rose, despite the fact that rose prodded her about it ever ten minute during their tutoring session on Monday.

Malfoy returned to classes on Tuesday, walking into potions 15 minute of arc belatedly, and Slughorn made no mention of his tardiness or the stratum he missed the former hebdomad. Albus attempted to determine his boldness during class but he gave no clues about his emotions.

"Hey, Malfoy !"Albus shouted as they left the classroom a short while later.

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

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

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

"one-third seat,"Albus answered."Where were you ?"

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


The come week passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his inscrutable disappearing. The election was now only a week away and everyone in the rook, scholar, professors, and spook alike were talking about it. With only one debate remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The vaticinator published a canvass they 'd taken and neither candidate had a meaning lead on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, former Head of the Auror Department, was the last rector of thaumaturgy selected by the Wizengamot,"Professor bank said in class two days before the final debate."His natural selection was very quick and he stepped into office the day after Voldemort 's last. While to the highest degree of the wizarding domain knew that the Ministry needed an overhaul, they also needed somebody to admit charge and supervise the inspection and repair.

"Shacklebolt held place for three long time while supervising the drastic changes that made the Ministry of thaumaturgy the governing entity we see today."

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

"The three yr Shacklebolt held office were very disruptive. Decisions had to be made, drastic ones, and they were not easy. The first and most obvious decision was the decision to change the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly demoralise. think back that prior to this redesign every pureblooded family unit held a seat on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born beldam and wizards without agency.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry officials working to reorganise the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle world for inspiration. The old Wizengamot bore to a greater extent resemblance to the Muggle House of overlord, the speed House of Parliament. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the star sign of third estate, the lower menage of Parliament. In the Muggle world, these interpreter are called penis of sevens, MPs for unawares, and are elected. In the wizarding universe, they are simply predict members of the Wizengamot.

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

Amanda raised her manus."Yes, misfire tagger ?"banking company said.

"Witches and wizards are n't as uniformly spread out throughout the United Kingdom,"Amanda explained."In the Muggle world the territory are very much based on townspeople, but thaumaturge do n't really have towns."

"Correct,"bank said."Because of this the districts, if shown on a map, would look vastly different in footing of size. For good example, London has three ramify territorial dominion because there is a very large wizarding universe in John Griffith Chaney. It 's far well-fixed for wizards to blend in in a turgid city than a minuscule townspeople since things generally go unnoticed in big cities. On the former handwriting, Wales only has two districts, and therefore two congressman, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

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

"I 've taken the liberty of printing a map with a listing of all the representative and district numbers,"Banks said as he began passing out shroud of parchment."I 'd hazard a guess than very few of you know what territory you 're in or who your voice is."

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

"Elections are held every five years,"bank building said."None of the representative are up for election this year, but most are up for election succeeding year. None of you will be of age to vote in adjacent yr 's election, but I suggest you read up on your example panorama and beliefs anyway.

"To entice you to learn,"Banks continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two hebdomad. Figure out who your representative is and save me a foot-long essay detailing your representative 's notion and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old transcript of the Prophet as well as file away recording of Wizengamot meetings, both available in the library. You are welcome to use any other beginning as you see fit."

There was a general moan from the class, which made savings bank grin. He always seemed to sleep together assigning prep.

"Now onto the more exciting news,"Banks said."This Saturday is the terminal public debate and four of you will be able-bodied to look. I apologize in betterment for those whose names have not been chosen, but there simply were not sufficiency debates. As usual, the ease of you will take heed to the argument in the Transfiguration Day classroom.

"The two from Hufflepuff are Sam Bordeaux and Cassie Hornell. The Gryffindors are John Brickston and Janie Creevey. Your essay on this disputation, to be formatted like the premature two, will be due in a hebdomad. Class dismissed."

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

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

"Karina 's the simply one of us who wo n't get to go,"Rose pointed out.

"That essay, though ..."bathroom said."The one on our representatives. That 's going to take forever."

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

"Any of you in territory seven ?"whoremonger asked.

The rest of the chemical group shook their header. They compared dominion numbers, but none of them were in the same. Rose and Matt were the closelipped, with their territory bordering on each other.

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

rosebush gave him a satisfied smirk, clearly happy that she would n't have to cope with Saint John the Apostle attempting to bum off her enquiry. Albus wished that he and Rose were in the same district because he, like Saint John, did not relish doing this research. Usually they only had to use their textbooks for research, but not this clip. This sentence, their textbooks would n't help at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the revaluation ! It 's meter for the one-year Dobby awards at HPFF and nominating address are now open ! forefront to the forum to nominate your darling write up ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a link to the forum on the right side of the page. Be for certain to say the rules before you nominate ! We hate having to disqualify floor for broken rules.

The info about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the business firm of the Lords and the Parliament Wikipedia Page. I hope I got everything right, but I 'm not British, so feeling complimentary to direct out any errors.


As the week progressed more and Sir Thomas More of the Prophet was dedicated to election coverage. By the time Saturday arrived it became nearly impossible to find a single clause that was n't about the election. There were editorials, interviews, statements from the candidate, impression polls, and more. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even peek at Saturday 's variation.

"home your bets here !"

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

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

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

"No, that 's boring,"James IV said."We 're taking bet on how prospicient it 'll engage the argumentation moderator to work up that weirdo Aussie chap who kidnapped you finis yr. This argument is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

It had n't even crossed Albus 's brain that last year 's incident would be brought up in this debate, but James was probably right. It was the biggest outside dirt wizarding U.K. had seen in years.

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

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

"You do agnize that your dad 's the one moderating this debate, do n't you ?"Rose asked, setting down her written matter of the prophet.

Epistle of James, Cedric, and Ben exchanged a glimpse."Er, no, we did n't know that,"James II said."How do you jazz ?"

"Says right wing here in the composition,"Rose said, pointing to it."He might not land it up."

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

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

rose shrugged."It 's possible."

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

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

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

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

"Any bets, then ?"William James asked.

Albus and his admirer all shook their heads no. Last year 's incident was far too personal for them to aim bets on whether it would be a debate subject.

"We 're wasting meter, then,"James I said as he led Cedric and Ben further down the aisle."billet your bets here !"

"They 're idiot,"Rose muttered.

Albus agreed.

An hour later Albus, Rose, matte, and John were back in the Great Hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this debate would be watched by even more hoi polloi than the retiring ones, with many people standing in the back due to lack of seating. Personally, Albus thought most people would 've already made up their minds since the election was only four days away, but clearly it was still a popular case.

John the Divine had to sit with the early students who 'd been picked while Albus, Rose, and Matt sat up front, like usual. All of Albus 's cousins were there, including Georgia, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Sakartvelo,"Albus said.

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

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

Sakartvelo 's role player grin grew genuine."Oh, they 're wonderful ! Connor Blythe, the keeper, he put in his notice that he 's only going to do one to a greater extent season after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to take his billet. Me ! And I 've only been on the team for a year !"

"That 's wonderful !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll birth to get me tag to your foremost match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the syndicate to be there at my offset catch as permanent wave custodian,"GA said."And I want Dad right there in the front row, cheering me on."

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

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

"Could everyone please ingest their seats ?"Kendrick announced in a magically amplified spokesperson.

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

"Thank you. I 'd wish to receive you all to Hogwarts. This is the end debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to take such a big use in it. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity for faculty and students alike. Remember, Midweek is election day, so delight cast your votes. Now, I would like to present today 's moderator, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Harry Potter, Head of the Auror Department !"

The way erupted in thunderous clapping. It seemed that no matter how Laurentis tried to disgrace Albus 's dad, no one could involve away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

Harry walked forward and took his lieu behind the moderator 's podium."Thank you, give thanks you,"he said and the gang grew silence once more."Now, please welcome our campaigner, Mr. Sir Henry Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

The candidates received considerably less applause than Harry did, something Albus found incredibly shady. If his dad ever decided to run for Minister he 'd sustain the matter won before the raceway even began.

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

Albus had to repress his laugh at the fact that this dad called Uncle Walker Percy 'Mr. Weasley .'

"The first interrogative is very general,"Harry said."In your opinion, how is Britain 's relationship with its foreign neighbor ? Should the Ministry be making more than of an effort to puzzle out with its neighbor or are things fine as they are ?"

"I think boilersuit our ministry has a good relationship with alien ministries and authorities,"Percy began."We have no current feuds with any alien countries and all foreign talks have gone well in the past few years. However, I believe there is always room for betterment when oral presentation of relationship with early country. There are always chances to reach out to our neighbors, and you never know when such relationships will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

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

"The department of International Magical Cooperation deals solely with international magical cooperation,"Sir Henry Percy pointed out."Working to fix government issue at household is obviously a good idea, but what do you theorize this department does while we do that ?"

"fountainhead, yes, of form, that department is always working on international outlet,"Laurentis said."I was merely speaking of the parson and his immediate officials."

"Thank you,"Harry said."side by side head. The topic of changing the compartmentalisation of werewolves from savage to Beings was brought up at the last debate. Both of you expressed no desire to bring this up with the international community. Have either of you changed your position on this in light of the recent capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you explain in to a greater extent point why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at Matt. Maybe now they 'd calculate out exactly why Uncle Percy did n't require to switch the werewolf classification, Sir Thomas More than just it was n't worth the effort.

"The capture of Fenrir Greyback was undoubtedly a success. I hope nobody has misconstrued my words on that. The fact that it was done without any injury, let alone fatalities, was nothing short of amazing. The Aurors and loup-garou ascendance Unit employees who executed the plan of capture are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the capture of one werewolf should touch on our decisiveness on the group as a whole. If anything, if werewolves had been classified as Beings during that seizure the Aurors and lycanthrope control unit employees would not have been able-bodied to use the methods of capture they used. To be fair, I fail to see any benefit of reclassification."

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

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my opponent about the capture of Fenrir Johnny. However, I disagree with her about the electric potential benefits of reclassification. offset, the Aurors and loup-garou Control building block employees could take in used the Sami methods they used last night, as straits of department Walter Eckerton does not permit any method of capture that would not be allowed if werewolves were classified as Beings. In terms of department for the Regulation and Control of Magical puppet rules and regulation, werewolves are to be treated as Beings. This has been the case since Eckerton took over as Head over a twelvemonth ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is unaware of this fact.

"As for benefit, those with lycanthropy would be able to secure task far more easily and would have the like rights given to goblin, house-elves, centaur, vampire, and humans alike."

Apparently his uncle had much more of an impression than the one he gave at the last disputation, Albus thought.

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

"Then perhaps Bruno Walter Eckerton ought to study another facial expression at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly legal of him to use Sir Thomas More harsh methods to bring wolfman into capture. But since this capture was a holla achiever, I will not blame him for that. As for werewolf rights, I have yet to hear of any complaints by wolfman about their rights."

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

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not deliver clip to fully respond the interrogative, I will carry on,"Percy said."While it would be good for wolfman if they were reclassified as Beings, I do not conceive it 's feasible. It would call for agreement from all commonwealth, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Australia would never be on board, and considering our jolting kinship with that especial land, I do not feel it is in our safe stake to begin talks of the reclassification of werewolves. In conclusion, I feel it would be a worthwhile effort, but given the unlikelihood of it amounting to anything, it would be a thriftlessness of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."following question. In compliments to our bouldery family relationship with Commonwealth of Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you feel it would be beneficial to continue trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United Kingdom ? Mr. Weasley."

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

"If elected I would defer this decision to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the requisite expertness on the national. However, it is my personal belief that it would be Charles Frederick Worth pursuing. I believe it is important to send a subject matter that Ministry employees, even high-ranking functionary such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was terrible and in no world should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

"notification how Mr. Weasley did not mention that his nephew was one of the children kidnapped by Lubar,"Laurentis pointed out."I think this might taint his judgement a little. I disagree with him about this particular issue. We 've been trying to induce Ralph Lubar extradited for nearly a year and Australia has not budged. Why bother continuing to give efforts toward this when it is clear they will be fruitless ?"

"If we give up, it will be telling the populace that anyone can go commit a crime in another country and not be punished,"Percy said."More than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Aussie government and having our citizens believe their government to be corrupt will not aid international charming cooperation."

"The possible corruption of the Aboriginal Australian administration is not any of our line of work at the current fourth dimension. We can not draw them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal opinion that they will never do so. I daresay that the Department of International Magical Cooperation has Thomas More pressing matters to deal with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have time for one Thomas More question, but in light of the fact that the election is on Wed, I am going to ease up each of the prospect a prospect to make a cosmopolitan speech instead. Mr. Weasley, you may address first."

"Thank you, Harry."

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

"I would like to give thanks Professor Kendrick and the quietus of the Hogwarts faculty for being so accommodating, as well as the students. None of the students sitting in this elbow room right now were alive before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the students in this way were alive during Voldemort 's reign of threat. They read about both of these in history Book, because to them, it is simply history. To me, and the residual of the adult in this room, the previous Ministry and Voldemort are our past tense, our memory. We remember the terror, the stranger, the fear.

"I was a component of the shakeup of the Ministry. We all know the years that have followed- the geezerhood where we have lived without fear, without terror, without the unknown. I have been with the Ministry every stone's throw of the way since Voldemort 's defeat and I will make it my obligation to continue the peace that we 've had for over 20 years. I will keep on this short because I, like most of you surely do, believe that the intimately speech communication is a short manner of speaking. If you want a pastor who will go along the succeeder of government minister Hartwell 's time in position, vote for me, Sir Henry Percy Weasley, on Midweek. Thank you."

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

"My opponent routinely brings up the past times. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the futurity, except in obscure statements about keeping things the same. It 's straight that I was not involved with the reorganisation of the Ministry over twenty age ago. I got into politics later in life. But I do not feel that this will reach me an substandard minister, nor do I think it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"History is just that. History. We certainly need to take from our story to ascertain that we do not take in the same mistakes we did before, but it is not necessary to sustain lived through history to be a successful leader. There are muckle of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking functionary, who were not here during Voldemort 's sovereignty. Bruno Walter Eckerton, for example, did not live in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the Department for the regularisation and control condition of Magical Creatures.

"In shortstop, I believe we need to centre on our future rather than our past. If elected minister I will make progressive alteration in not only our ministry and constabulary, but our educational arrangement as well. Things have been ran the same for over twenty twelvemonth, and while I am not denying the succeeder, I think we have needed modification for a piece. Escaped captive are running free. Hogwarts lessons are being taught the Same way they were when these tike 's grandparents were in school. The ministry, along with its laws and policies, need to adapt as the years go by. If you feel modification is needed, if you are at all upset about the way things are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

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

"I think your uncle may have won my parents'backing back,"mat said as they left the Great Hall.

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

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

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

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

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

"Why ?"toilet asked incredulously."He kidnapped us and tried to add Voldemort back !"

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

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

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

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

"You think Lubar would care ? He did it in Australia !"mat snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in hassle for it nothing could bring what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be better if the Earth just forgot about the whole thing."

Albus had n't thought about it like that before. matt did have a point. But there was a share of Albus that just wanted to see Lubar behind bars.

"plus, there 's no way Commonwealth of Australia will extradite him,"Matt said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both right about one thing. The Aboriginal Australian government is very corrupt, and I do n't think anything will happen until that corruption ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and loup-garou wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

"So even though you moved, the Australian government activity still has some control over your life sentence,"John said."That 's messed up."

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


A/N : Thanks for all the revue ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly plug my level for Dobby nominating speech ! question over to the forums to appoint my ( or any early ) stories for a Dobby awarding ! Be for certain to register the rules before nominating.


Albus had been hoping classes would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such hazard. Kendrick organized it so that the Great antechamber would be the canvas place and that voting would not bear on the general student body. Hogwarts was the designated polling piazza for the territorial dominion it was in, so there would be other multitude coming to the school to vote. Albus 's cousins who were of age ( Bradley, Fred, and heather ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling station had been set up.

Albus and his friends spent near of Herbology watching people walking from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in order to vote. It was very perturb and Neville did n't bother telling people to get back on chore.

"When are we going to live who won ?"John Lackland asked as they walked back to the castling for Defense.

"It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow break of day,"Albus said."That 's the official notice, but I 'm trusted we 'll happen out earlier. Bradley and Cedric have to go to the end of the election political party tonight. It starts at six and the polls close at eight. They 're announcing the winner at the party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minute to circulate around the castle."

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

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

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

"No,"pink wine said. mat shook his head.

"Good,"whoremonger said."We should stimulate our own party here. A company to fete the end of this election. Maybe it 'll think Embry will let up on the essays. Anyone else writing their debate essay during Defense today ?"

For the past few month most people had used Defense as a subject hall. The worksheets Young assigned never took longer than 15 mo and he did n't appear to wish what his scholar did with the residuum of the class. Just as long as they were n't being brassy. Albus did n't think anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox Sweet in Defense this twelvemonth, since there was n't much full stop.

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

"I can always finish it in History of magic trick, too,"lavatory said as they entered the castle.

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

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four small cubicle curtained off where the stave mesa should 've been. A unforesightful queue of citizenry were off to one side and seemed to be waiting their crook for the carrell. It did n't seem very exciting.

"Any remark on the election ?"

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

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

"I do n't think they 're allowed inside,"blush wine mentioned."So they ca n't bother people who are voting."

"That makes signified,"Amanda said."wellspring, let 's go get those essays done with. Then we 'll never have to write essays on debates again."

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

The rest of the day passed quickly. Albus, lusterlessness, and Amanda managed to finish their essays during Defense, but John only got halfway done. vote was suspended during lunch and then again at dinner. Albus overheard a few of the one-sixth and 7th days talking about voting and the election during dinner party. A duad of Ravenclaws even got into an argument about it.

"Let 's make a pact now not to get in any conflict over the next election when we can all balloting,"Rose said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws storm out of the Great residence.

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

"This political party that Bradley and Cedric are going to,"bathroom began,"it 's for both your uncle and Laurentis ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said.

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

"It 's supposed to raise in force sportsmanship and that sort of thing,"rosiness explained.

"Still ... I ca n't imagine Laurentis being a beneficial sport,"Saint John said.

After dinner Albus and his friends returned to the uncouth way, deciding that it might be interesting to pass the even there rather than the Marauder 's Den. They also wanted to hear firsthand from Omar Bradley and Cedric who won.

The vulgar room had the distinct flavour that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch match. James, Fred, Heather, stigma, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to ingest a company to celebrate the end of the election and thus the end of public debate and essays on disputation. There were casing of Butterbeer and trays of biscuit and cypher was working on any prep.

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

"If Uncle Harry Hotspur wins things will never be pattern again,"rosebush pointed out.

Albus shrugged."I do n't roll in the hay. Amanda seems fairly rule and her uncle 's the prime Minister."

"That 's because nobody here cares about the blossom minister of religion,"Amanda said."At plate everyone knows I 'm the niece of the efflorescence minister of religion. My Sister and brother certainly are n't anonymous at their schools. My sister 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in secondary school."

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

Albus supposed that was true, but sometimes he wished it was n't. Sometimes, he wished he could clear his own way in the world and not have his dad 's gens tied to him.

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

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just curious,"matte said.

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

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

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

"No approximation,"Albus said. He glanced at his watch."Half minute until the polls close."

"How long do you call up Omar Bradley and Cedric will delay ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

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

"What the hell is he doing in there ?"flatness exclaimed."Why would anyone go in there ?"

"Myrtle 's there,"John commented."Look, she 's floating over toward him."

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

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

"Dad says the map never lies,"Albus explained."Well, there 's only one way to get hold out. Let 's follow him."

"speech sound upright to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This company is getting boring anyway."

John and Kaden nodded their point in arrangement. Rose raised her brow.

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

"Oh, come up on, it 's just a girlfriend 's loo,"Amanda said."Look, there are n't even any girls in there besides Myrtle. And she 's a spectre !"

St. John laughed."myrtle 's got a bit of a crush."

"King John, shut up !"Matt said, his buttock turning red.

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

"Yeah, we had detention in there once,"John explained."myrtle spent the all time flirting with lustrelessness. It was hilarious."

"I said, shut it !"Matt shouted.

"Oh, come on, she 's just a ghost."

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"fine,"John said."Suit yourself. Rose ?"

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

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

They did n't bother bringing the Invisibility Cloak since there was still an hr left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing chandeliers in honor of April mark 's Day, but ignored his cackles.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the washbasin as they walked quickly down flights of steps. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the endorsement trading floor corridor, after the step decided to lead them directly to the first floor rather than the second.

"He 's leaving !"Albus exclaimed as they got back on the stairs after their thin roundabout way.

"Maybe we can catch him on his way back to the dungeons,"Amanda suggested.

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

Their flow fix gave them an excellent aspect of the Great Hall. A few Ministry officials were currently carrying pieces of the voting cubicles out of the elbow room, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half hour until they had a new Minister of magic trick.

John the Evangelist nudged Albus."There he is."

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

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Potter,"Malfoy replied.

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

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

So much for being careful, Albus thought.

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

"Yes, you were,"Amanda said."I was in there, too. Second floor, Moaning Vinca minor 's toilet ? Ring any bells ?"

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

"Next metre mark a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the last stand and when I heard you come in I had to stay there because you 're a bloke and it would just be weird to add up out of a bathroom sales booth and come face to face with a bloke. I heard you talking to Myrtle, though."

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

"Then do n't conduct your business in a daughter 's loo,"Amanda said with a joke."Let 's go. We do n't want to lose the newsworthiness about the new rector. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the stairs. Albus, John the Evangelist, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their wake. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as pale as lusterlessness is correctly before a wide-cut moonshine.

"Amanda, what was that ?"John exclaimed once they 'd reached the 2d floor.

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

"That 's brilliant,"King John said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

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

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

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

"That does n't count,"John said.

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

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

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

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

"Oh, right."

Rose and lusterlessness were in the middle of a biz of chess. Matt was losing spectacularly.

"Did you find him ?"Matt asked as rose wine 's bishop crushed his queen.

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

"Of path he did n't,"Matt said."And he probably denied he was in the loo anyway."

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

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

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

"Still ... not taking any luck,"Matt said."world-beater to D6."

Rose instructed her knight to move closer to Matt 's Billie Jean Moffitt King."checkmate.

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

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

Albus, lav, matte, and Amanda settled down to observe as Rose clobbered Kaden. Albus could 've sworn he saw Kaden 's chess piece quiver as they were set up on the card. Rose 's queen was most definitely grinning maliciously. Over the next one-half 60 minutes Kaden 's objet d'art were viciously slaughtered by Rose 's, but not without putting up a fight. Kaden was in fact getting better.

"Exploding Snap ?"Matt asked after rose and Kaden repaired their chessmen.

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

Albus ran up to his dormitory to retrieve his Exploding centering scorecard. As he returned, the portrayal kettle of fish opened.

The full rough-cut room froze and was silent. Not a single person moved. Not a exclusive person said a Bible. Even the first age, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the arse step to the dorm and waited.

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

"Well ?"King James asked.

"Dad lost,"Tom Bradley said quietly. He whispered something to Saint James the Apostle and then he turned and left the common elbow room, followed by Cedric.

Albus could n't think it. He had n't realized it until now, but he truly had believed that Uncle Hotspur would win. He had the keep of Harry Potter. Did n't that imply anything anymore ?

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

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

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

Henry James walked up to the table."Al, rosebush, we 're all going to the Room of requisite. Bradley and Cedric want to give us more details."He glanced the relief of the group."Sorry, kin only."

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

Albus, James River, and blush wine walked to the Room of necessary in silence. When they arrived they saw that the door was already there. They walked inside.

The rest of their cousins had already arrived. Albus took a behind on the lastly remaining couch and William James and Rose sat on either side of him. nobody was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Tom Bradley, Cedric, Heather, stain, Ben, Fred, Victor-Marie Hugo, Lily, St. James, rosebush, and Angie. And himself. They were the mediate group of full cousin. Not the oldest, not the youngest, but the unity in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything last. They were n't the low gear to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the finally to calibrate. They stood by each other, through the good and through the bad.

Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the front of the room, near its door. The entire room was decorated like the den in the burrow, with uneven piece of furniture and organized topsy-turvyness everywhere. Albus liked it.

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

"How did he choose it ?"Calluna vulgaris asked.

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

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

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

"Just a bit,"Heather said."What is Uncle Percy going to do now ? I doubt Laurentis will continue him on."

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

Neither had Albus, but it made sense. Percy was still employed by the Ministry, but his job was one of those chore selected by the rector.

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

The room descended into silence. Nobody seemed to make out what to say, Albus included. His feelings on his uncle becoming government minister had been all over the blank space for the past seven months, but now that Walker Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was disappointment. It was strange. Just last calendar week he had been kind of hoping Percy would misplace, and now that he had, Albus felt the staring opposite.

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

What Albus was really worried about, more than than anything, was what Laurentis was going to do to both the Ministry and Hogwarts. Laurentis had made it crystallize that she was going to vary the school, but Albus liked it the way it was. Then there were the changes to the Ministry, such as the dementors. How long would it have for Laurentis to take them back ? Surely she had to go through right channels to do it.

King James, Bradley, and Cedric were the first to fall to the common room, claiming they had to work sound on all the bet they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and Rose returned a few minutes later, leaving the residual of their cousins talking quietly in the Room of Requirement.

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

"Who are you writing to ?"Rose asked.

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

"Your uncle meets the Minister of trick ?"John asked.

"well, yes,"Amanda said."The two earth do have to coexist. Sometimes there are problem that affect both. Voldemort, for instance. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the escaped Death Eaters."

"That 's so Wyrd,"Saint John said.

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

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

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

"I think we all need a distraction,"rosiness said and turned to Kaden, whose face was covered in ash."deal out the cards again. Let 's dally until we 're too tired."

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


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


The following day 's variant of the Prophet was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The achiever did not surprise anyone in Hogwarts since Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the full social movement page article at breakfast and he was gladiola he did, because the article still held surprises.

LAURENTIS WINS ; BEGINS APPOINTING POSITIONS

In the confining subspecies for pastor of Magic to
particular date, campaigner Patricia Laurentis won the
lieu last night. opinion poll closed at eight,
with the official winner announced at a shut
company at the Minister 's Mansion at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a mere 342 vote, which is the
closest race we have ever seen.

'I am of course very please with this turn of
events ,'Laurentis said at the diplomatic minister 's
Mansion after the announcement was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as Minister of
Magic on May first. I feel I will be able to
give the public what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my duty to give them what
I promised during my campaign. I of row
offer my condolences to Percy Weasley. He truly
was a pleasure to run against over the preceding
seven months .'

'I offer my felicitation to my opponent ,'Percy
Weasley said to Daily vaticinator reporters at the
rector 's Mansion. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, funfair and squarely. I am thwarted,
of course, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the adjacent month Laurentis will make up one's mind who
she wishes to appoint to top Ministry berth,
before she is sworn in as rector of conjuring trick on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
sentence with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this break of day .'I already have people
picked out for most positions ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
current officials, but I will be replacing quite
a few in order to upright unite the Ministry .'

One someone has already confirmed his intentions
to accept Laurentis up on her offer of a position.
Ironically, he is set to pick out over Percy Weasley 's
stream location under Minister Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to announce that genus Draco Malfoy is
going to take the stance of Senior
Undersecretary for the draftsmanship and redaction
of law of nature. Draco Malfoy has been a friend of mine
for many years as we have worked together in the
Azkaban Division for nearly a decade. I am very
excited to continue working with him .'

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

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

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

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

"waiting, commemorate in Hogsmeade back in Oct ?"Albus replied."When he talked about how my family wo n't be running the wizarding humanity for long ? Not that my family has ever ran the wizarding world ... But he seemed to hump something we didn't."

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

"Second high for drafting Laws,"rosiness said."given his relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most probable pass."

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

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

Albus had quite a few hours to wait to ascertain out just what exactly Malfoy would have to say to them. History of deception, his first social class of the day, was as boring as ever. Professor Binns showed absolutely no recognition that the election had taken seat the previous day. prof Patil was the concluded reverse, making no movement to traverse up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to botch up the desk she was attempting to transfigure.

"Do you intend Laurentis will actually have teachers sacked ?"John asked as they walked to the Great anteroom for dejeuner."Because if she does, Patil wo n't stand a chance."

Albus shook his brain."Only if they 're really awful teacher. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth class and I think citizenry will be outraged if Laurentis does the Lapp thing. Honestly, I think Binns and Young are the only unity in danger."

"Could you sack a wraith ?"John asked."I mean, where would he go ?"

"He 'd probably stick around and still try to teach,"Albus said."I ca n't imagine it would go over well."

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

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

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

"Hey, Potter,"Malfoy greeted him."Congratulations to your uncle on his loss. Ca n't thank him enough for that."

"I 'll be trusted to tell him,"Albus replied."He 'll be thrilled that he made a Malfoy happy. Must be gracious that your dad 's got some literal power now."

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

"Nothing 's set for sure about the Auror Department,"Albus countered.

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

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

"It never came up."

"Well now that you 're all happy again maybe you 'll actually designate up for this month 's dueling tourney ?"

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

"Touchy,"St. John commented.

"stuff and nonsense it, Brickston. This does n't business organization you. Your parents will own major power in the Ministry the day Hagrid adopts a normal pet."

"We 'll see who 's got the power the moment one of your family winds up at St. Mungo 's,"toilet snapped.

Malfoy paled."Just shut up. The gunpoint is, my dad 's going to suffer a better view than yours."

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

"nobody asked you. At least my dad does n't bring his work home with him."Malfoy laughed.

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

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

"sceptre away, boys."

Albus turned and saw Professor Slughorn standing in the threshold. He breathed a sigh of relief. The in conclusion thing trick needed was another detention.

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

Both Saint John the Apostle and Malfoy were lucky they did n't get detention, Albus thought. Neither of them had thrown any whammy, but a stricter instructor would 've handed out hold just for having their wands drawn. Not Slughorn, though. Albus got the mother wit that Slughorn did n't like handing out detentions, probably because that meant having to superintend them.
***


The following few day passed without anymore position announcements from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively calm few days, especially when compared with the yesteryear seven calendar month. For the world-class time all year, there was little insurance coverage of the election, that is until they had politics on Tuesday. At the end of the moral, Embry reminded them of their research essays on their representatives, an assigning that had completely slipped Albus 's creative thinker. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped King John and matt 's minds as well. pink wine and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to write their conclusions. Amanda had even asked her uncle for help, devoting section of her essay to the law of similarity and differences between the wizarding and Muggle governments.

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

"Dammit,"Matt muttered."I 'm going to accept to spell the entire thing tonight. The full moon 's tomorrow."

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

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

"But you 'll be missing form on Thursday,"John pointed out."So you can work it in Tuesday and get four redundant days."

"I 've never done that with semipermanent appointment,"lustrelessness said."I do n't want to start now. Albus can turn it in, like usual."

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

"Hey, Amanda, want to select a walking around the lake before we write our conclusions ?"rose asked."The weather condition 's so nice tonight we might as well take advantage."

"Of grade !"Amanda agreed."Ca n't let that go to waste."

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five proceedings later Albus, matt, john, and Kaden had taken over one of the larger tables in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a Transfiguration essay due the next day and fortune telling predictions to do. Albus was considering hexing two number 1 twelvemonth at the table next to them who kept giggling, if Madam Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his ally lived in his dominion ; it would make this so much loose.

Albus did take in a decided advantage over both Matt and John, in that his representative was far more well-known than theirs. Oliver Prang, who had been serving the North John Griffith Chaney district, was on his fourth sequential condition, which amounted to over xv twelvemonth. That was more than Albus 's total life. London in itself was a location that required far more care than other areas of the country, which resulted in far more information being available on it. John was able to locate a funfair total of information on his representative, Nadine Abernathy, but Matt, since he lived in one of the most remote areas of England, had difficulty locating entropy on Marcus Whitby.

"Energy Department this bloke even be ?"Matt asked as he looked through the very last archived transcript of the prophet that was published during Whitby 's one full term."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a time that mentions he won the election. And of course he won. He did n't give birth any opponents."Matt groaned and banged his top dog repeatedly on the table."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the minutes from Wizengamot meetings,"Albus said, pointing to the three prominent stacks of paper in the eye of the table. He really did feel bad for Matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a newspaper like this, but having to do it when the full moon was only two solar day away ?

"I could probably just crap material up,"Matt said as he took the top few pages."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly fuck anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the least densely inhabit district in all of England."

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"John said."There. I 've got my presentation. calculate at it this way. Your bloke 's only been in business office for a twelvemonth. So you 've got far less stuff to count through. It wo n't take away as long."

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

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

"You have a weird way of doing research."

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

Matt tossed the papers he 'd been looking at onto his rejection atomic reactor, which was so disorderly that Madam Pince would probably bear a heart attack if she saw it. He then let out a meretricious suspiration and put his chief in his hands.

"Could you please claim pity on him ?"Albus asked Rose.

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

"His congresswoman has only been in office for a year,"Albus explained."And the solely thing he 's found is one sentence in a Prophet from a yr ago saying he won the election, which was against nonentity. And the full moon is tomorrow."

"Please, Rose ?"mat asked, picking his forefront up to appear at her. His face was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

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

"They wanted to be in the centre of nowhere,"Matt said flatly."They did n't desire neighbors."

Rose sighed."Fine. But only because you look so pathetic. And mine was pretty concentrated, too, because my district is also outback. Just let me finish my conclusion."

"Lucky,"John Lackland muttered."I do n't theorise you 'd help-"

"Absolutely not, can Brickston,"Rose said and lowered her vocalisation."As soon as you turn into a wolf once a month I 'll help you with your procrastination."

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the next four hours managed to get it half done. He did n't conceive it was very unspoilt, but it was progress. trick was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to call it a night. John settled in to help Kaden with his bastard soothsaying predictions. Matt was still working on his, with much coaching from rose.

"Did you find anything ?"Albus asked.

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

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

"A animal foot,"Rose answered."You 've got another four inch to go."

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

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

"We should probably eat up in the common room, then,"rose wine said.

"I do n't think I can,"matte said."Too tire out. I 'll finish it tomorrow since I 'll probably vamoose afternoon form anyway."

The group packed up their matter and walked quickly back to the common room. By some diagonal of luck they managed to nullify the prefects and did n't get any detention from being out after curfew.

"No mandatory curfew tomorrow,"Kaden commented as they entered the rough-cut room.

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

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

"I just hope your dad was capable to help those parents with the two tiddler,"pink wine said.

"He 'll probably go do the Montgomery Ward himself,"Matt said."At least for this month. And I 'm surely they 've got Aconitum lycoctonum this month."

Albus nodded. It was going to be a better full Sun Myung Moon for everyone involved.
***


Albus, lustrelessness, and John managed to get their essays done in prison term and turned in on Thursday. The full-of-the-moon moon was relatively normal, as to the full Sun Myung Moon go, without any reports of loup-garou attacks. lustrelessness wound up in the hospital wing for two wax days, having resorted to chewing on himself since the wolf no longer had the beguilement of Reb exterior. But Albus had a flavor matte preferred it that way. greyback 's presence was just too creepy-crawly and too unsung.

A few days after the broad moon King James I returned to the vernacular elbow room fuming. Albus raised his supercilium at his brother as he straightened a pile of career pamphlets that had once again appeared on the commons room tables.

King James I stomped over to Albus 's board, pulled up a chairman, and squeezed himself between Albus and Matt."Career advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just hold it ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, with Longbottom,"James I said."Neville always seemed so nice when we were trivial and even in class he 's easily the safe professor here. But for life history advice ? He 's frightening !"

"wellspring, what did you talk about ?"

"Careers."

Rose snorted."Obviously."

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

"I think you have to nibble something so you can pick your N.E.W.T. division next year,"rosiness explained."Otherwise the instructor do n't know what to put you in."

"I know that,"James snapped."But I do n't want to do anything that 's going to require loading of N.E.W.T.s. I want to take on Quidditch."

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

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

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

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

"And of course Neville did n't like that,"Rose said."Honestly, James River, just peck something."

"But I ca n't !"James said as he picked up a stack of pamphlets."spirit at these. hob Liaison, Gringott 's counterfeit Coin checker, security measure Troll Trainer. They 're all dead boring."

"There 's freight of jobs in the Ministry and St. Mungo 's,"Rose said.

James snorted."No one would want me as their Healer."

Albus had to match with that. James had about the same ability to centre as a round."Hey, you could train security trolls."

"I said that 's dull. And I do n't want to do work for the Ministry. Not now that Laurentis has won. Just you lot postponement. You 'll experience to go through this next year."

"I already know what I want to do,"rose wine said."I 'm going to be a healer, specializing in psychiatry."

"Of course you do,"James muttered.

"If it makes you feel better, match, I 've no idea what I want to do,"lav said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

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

Albus shrugged. He had n't thought much about careers since the old twelvemonth when Balladanis told him he could be a Presuler. The thought was very allure, but he did n't want to differentiate anyone else about it.

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

"If you 'd quit complaining and come out studying you 'd slip by more of them,"Rose pointed out.

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

"James, wait !"Rose shouted as St. James the Apostle neared the portraiture hole."Forgetting anything ?"

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

King James I ran up to his dorm room and returned with his bag a bit later. Grinning at Albus and the others, he left the vernacular room.

"I swear, I 'm not sure how we 're related,"blush wine muttered.

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

"More than ever,"pink wine said."It is Weird, knowing exactly what I want to do this early."

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

"I like your sis,"rose wine said."So I 'll claim that as a compliment. What about you ? Do you bang what you want to do ?"

matte laughed and picked up the Gringott 's brochure."Considering that lycanthrope are n't going to be changed from Beasts to organism anytime soon, I do n't think I 'm going to have many option to pick from."

"You never know,"rose said."Who knows what will go on between now and when we graduate. affair could change."

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

"It 's hard not to be. He 's rather loud himself. I 'm not for certain. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to urinate a difference."

"Excellent,"lusterlessness said."You can change everyone 's intellect about changing the lycanthrope classification."

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

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

"You 're harebrained,"toilet said."You seem so normal, otherwise. But seriously, nobody enjoys potions."

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

Kaden 's eyes grew large."Wait, really ? That 's a real career ?"

Matt nodded."Not everyone can brew potions, so they need the great unwashed to brew them for them. You can work at St. Mungo 's and brew healing potions or you could sour for a ship's company and brew potions to sell."

"Sort of like a pill pusher, I suppose,"Amanda replied.

"Exactly,"rose said.

"Brilliant."Kaden grinned."St. James will hate me now. Third class and I know what I 'm doing."

Albus laughed."You could commute your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

Albus did n't really want to think about what they would do after Hogwarts. It was three years away. He 'd rather enjoy the present, but rosiness had always been the someone to look to the future. She fantasized about their Hogwarts years when they were only six and now, she was fantasizing about what they 'd do after. Albus had never been the type to do that. There would be plenty of time for the time to come in the future.


A/N : Thanks for all the review article ! For those of you who read Beyond the darkness, it made it through to the voting cycle of the Dobbys ! oral sex over to the assembly to vote for it. It was nominated in the Best OC category.


April went by quickly, as it usually did. The weather turned from chilly and windy to warm up and rainy, resulting in more than one muddy Quidditch praxis. Albus did n't heed the mud as much as he minded the length of the practices. Both Fred and heather mixture seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their 7th year. They had n't won it yet, in all their old age at Hogwarts. Albus wanted to win, too, but not enough that he enjoyed practicing for five 60 minutes straight.

When he was n't on the pitch, well-nigh of Albus 's prison term was spent at dueling practice. The final couple of the class was on the stopping point Sabbatum in April and Albus 's squad was still in the run for a win of the entire tourney. They had n't won a single match, but they were routinely in second stead by only a few full point. The team that had gotten first situation never did that fountainhead in other tournaments, resulting in their overall point total being quite low.

When the last Saturday in Apr arrived, far Oklahoman than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly anxious. He was n't nervous at all about his duel, but he was anxious for the team. This was it. It was his stopping point tournament in the Junior Dueling tournament. His final stage hazard to turn out himself as captain and earn a pip on Gryffindor 's dueling squad side by side twelvemonth.

All four captains of the house dueling teams were present tense at this tournament because they would be hand selecting musician for their teams next twelvemonth. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tourney.

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

"Thank God,"Albus muttered. He could n't wait until he no longer had Malfoy on his team."At to the lowest degree he 's acting normally today."

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

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

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt nasty when he had to duel Matt because their skill levels were so drastically different. At the same metre he did n't need to go easy on his supporter because the Gryffindor team captain was watching.

Albus and Matt bowed to each other and raised their wands. Albus thought a still apology as he shot a dish at his best friend. matte dodged it and sent one back. Albus threw up a shield and then sent three sequentially Stunners. The third gear one made touch and matte collapsed onto the flooring, frozen.

"Point to monkey !"Neville declared. He waved his wand at matte and the trance lifted.

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

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

Albus won his arcsecond duel as well. His team continued to win well-nigh of their duels, with some of his teammate winning their first duels ever. Amanda had begun a tally of all the points on a excess bit of parchment and their team was winning, with only a few duels left to go.

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

A few minutes later Neville stepped into the nerve centre of one of the dueling rings."I am pleased to herald that we have a winner of both today 's tournament and the class 's tournament boilers suit. congratulation to Team heptad for winning both today and the tournament overall ! Captain Albus Potter, delight do forward to accept the trophy."

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

Albus shook Neville 's hand while a Hufflepuff took their painting. The prize was a bit littler than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not lowly by any way. After a few more icon were taken, including one shot of the entire squad, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the common room.

"When will you get out if you got on Gryffindor 's dueling squad ?"she asked as they walked.

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

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

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

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

Albus 's booster were waiting in the common room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulation and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading outside for Quidditch practice.

Later that night, between his happiness about the win and exhaustion from Quidditch practice, Albus slept best than he had in months.
***


In April 's finis remaining solar day the Daily prophet published at least one clause a day on Laurentis and her upcoming swearing-in ceremony, as well as her picks for top officials. Albus had n't recognized any names of the functionary, or the names of their jobs. Mostly they were jobs such as the one his Uncle Percy held under rector Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became pastor to unveil the big office, such as Albus 's dad 's position.

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

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

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

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

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

"What time is it happening ?"rose asked.

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

"Right after history of Magic,"Rose mused."So you lot will have maintenance of Magical Creatures and I 'll deliver Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should intermit out Uncle George 's best-selling production this morning ?"

Albus thought he heard her incorrectly. Was his cousin-german actually suggesting they skip class ?

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

Rose grinned."I think this is going to be a bit more educational. I say we skive and meet in the marauder 's Den to listen on the wireless."

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

"We 've got to contrive it carefully, though,"blush wine said."We ca n't all get ill at the same time or it 'll bet suspicious."

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

Rose nodded."That leaves five of us. Matt, do you cause an issue with skipping all of chronicle of Magic ?"

matt laughed."Of course not."

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

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

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be easier for lusterlessness go just say he felt ill, rather than you. I 'll use a epistaxis nougat in Arithmancy since I 'm the only one of us in that division. Al, John, Amanda, two of you can use something in chronicle of magic and then the other one can use something right at the rootage of Care of Magical animate being. We meet in the Marauder 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the design decided upon, they set off for their morning time family. John begged to be the one who used a puking cough drop first in story of Magic and Albus and Amanda let him. He seemed strangely excited about it. Albus was just going to use the fever fudge.

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

"Um, Professor ?"john announced ten second into the class.

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

"I do n't feel well-"John was cut off by his own emesis. His board was now covered with a galvanic pile of puke.

"Yes, yes, off to the infirmary,"Binns said as he returned his attention to the blackboard.

toilet hastily shoved the other end of the dessert into his back talk and vanished the vomitive before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the room.

Amanda was future. She, like Albus, went the safe route and had decided upon the fever fudge. prof Binns hardly seemed to mark that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the class. He just waved her out and continued his public lecture. Albus could 've probably used his own fever fudge right then and there, but he did n't think it was worth the low risk.

Albus decided to eat the fever fudge on his way to Care of Magical Creatures so he could get out immediately after arriving. The vulture 's Den was quite a walk from Hagrid 's hut and he did n't want to escape any of the ceremony.

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

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

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

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

Hagrid 's face fell."Yeh don'flavour so well. bettor go see ma'am Pomfrey."

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

By the clock time he arrived at the Marauder 's Den it was nearly ten-thirty. The rest of his champion were already there, huddled around a very old looking wireless.

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

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

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

"trade good morning, listeners. We are broadcasting subsist from Courtroom Ten in the Ministry of trick, where just minute of arc from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as minister of Magic for the United kingdom. It is standing room only in the courtroom, with additional spectator in the corridor."

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

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the court. She is making her way down the gangway, greeting people on her way.

"Minister Hartwell, along with members of the Wizengamot are seated on the dais. Three aged fellow member of the Wizengamot will trust Laurentis in."

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

"Welcome to the Ministry of magic trick. It has been my pleasure to service you over the retiring ten years. I 'd like to take a here and now to thank my party, Merlinus, for their support over the past decade, as well as all of my top officials and the eternal sleep of the Ministry employees. I 'll keep this inadequate and just say that I am going to lack serving you, but I have to admit that both my married woman and I are looking forward to taking a skillful, long holiday."

laugh, followed by clapping.

"Thank you, Minister Hartwell,"someone else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot members."Ms. Laurentis, if you would please pace forward."There was a pause."Please repeat after me. I do hereby swear to serve the United Kingdom-"

"I do hereby substantiate to service the United Kingdom-"

"-to the right of my ability-"

"-to the best of my ability-"

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

"-and keep open to the nonpareil of the Paracelsus party-"

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

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

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

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

"I hereby declare Patricia Laurentis as the thirdly Minister of thaumaturgy post-War as of the number 1 of May, 2020, at XI o'clock in the dayspring. Ms. Laurentis, congratulations. Please welcome your new curate of Magic, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a smattering of genteel applause, much restrained than the late applause for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a serious social function and no one wanted to look too rapturous.

"That was quick,"Albus said.

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

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

"DOE she really ask to say it was a successful crusade ?"john asked."I mean, it 's obvious that it was successful."

"Shut up !"rose said.

"-without your support I would never induce made it this far. I hope I am able to exist up to the high expected value set by you and pastor Hartwell. I am certainly you are all anxious to hear who I am appointing to Head of section status in the Ministry, so I wo n't rot any time getting to that."

Albus 's heart sped up. He glanced up and met Matt 's gaze. Matt looked just as spooky as Albus felt.

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

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

"Balladanis ?"pink wine shouted at the same time."But he did n't even like the Ministry, did he ?"

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

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

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

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

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

"-Robert Johnson will be replacing Harry Potter as Head of the Auror Department-"

There was an hearable gasp from the audience. Albus sat stunned, processing the information. Part of him had been expecting this, but now that it had actually happened, it was still a cushion. It was very like to the election results.

"I understand that this is a controversial choice, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a united front. I assure you that Robert Johnson is an splendid Auror and will make a fantastic head teacher of Department."

Albus tuned the wireless out once Laurentis went on to the section of Magical Transportation. He could hear his heart pounding in his head and the rest period of the populace seemed so far away. It was almost surreal.

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

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

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

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

"Exactly,"Albus said, glad that Amanda was able to put into Holy Scripture what he felt."low Uncle Percy lost and now this."

"-Walter Eckerton will remain Head of the Department for the regulation and Control of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"mat exclaimed.

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

Albus only paid vague care to the rest of the announcements. He did n't realize anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that engagement. One thing was clear by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's family was in any of the promontory view.

blush wine switched the wireless off at the end of Laurentis 's speech. The magician doing the broadcast was interviewing a few mass, but they were n't anyone of bully importance.

"Do you want to go to lunch ?"blush wine asked after a few minutes.

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

It was clear that Holy Writ had spread when Albus and his friend reached the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall. Whichever class had had political sympathies during the speech must 've shared the news program with the intact castle, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't make eye contact with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor table, where he sat down side by side to James.

"So you heard,"Epistle of James said quietly.

"I skived off form to mind live,"Albus explained."She wants a united ministry. What a freight of dragon dung."

"This is bad,"St. James the Apostle said."This is really bad."

"She 's replaced more officials than any rector, ever,"Rose commented."She only kept three."

"I still have no approximation why she kept my dad,"flatness replied."I mean, I 'm glad she did, but it does n't make any sense."

"Nothing she 's doing makes a bit of signified,"Albus muttered."But I guess multitude must care her. She got elected."

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

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

"flavor,"Amanda said as she pointed to the staff mesa."I do n't call back the instructor expected it, either."

Albus glanced up. Every single professor was mystifying in conversation, some even ignoring their intellectual nourishment. Neville in picky looked stunned and upset. None of them looked felicitous.

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

It was May first, 2020, almost exactly 23 year after his dad had defeated Voldemort. Albus thought it was slightly ironic that this had happened almost to the day, 23 years later.

Albus looked around at his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that More than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most likely supported her decision to supervene upon his dad as Head of the Auror Department. Not everyone was talking in whispers, with worried expression. A few groups were laughing, like they did n't have a care in the world. Either they just did n't care about Laurentis 's decision, or they supported it. The thought was very unsettling. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the Minister of deception. He did n't care it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


The following workweek brought a slew of articles stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that showtime speech. A list of the new Ministry officials was printed multiple times. Albus found the editorials more occupy than the actual articles, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how dolt it was of Laurentis to plunder Harry Potter. However, it was n't until nearly a week after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an article completely captured Albus 's attention was published.

DEMENTORS TO comeback TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE CHANGES

Newly elected diplomatic minister of deception
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will bring Azkaban back
under the restraint of the dementors
late go Nox. Laurentis hopes
to have the dementors back by belated
side by side hebdomad. 'This has been a goal
of mine for geezerhood and I am very
happy that it is finally happening.
The wizarding humankind will be far
safer now that our criminals will
be guarded once Sir Thomas More by dementors .'

bringing the dementors back to Azkaban
is the 1st of many changes the new
minister will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's next
plan is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the next few workweek I will be
sending instance from the
department of Magical Education to
observe each professor. Each
prof will be required to submit
their curriculum to the voice
as well .'prof planning on
retiring at the end of this class
will be exempt from this requirement,
as no variety will convey space before
the end of term.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Professor Slughorn stood, although he was so short that it hardly made a deviation. He looked a bit nervous and Albus got the feeling that he rarely ever addressed the entire scholarly person body at once.

"Yes, thank you, Professor Kendrick,"Slughorn said."I just wanted to tell you all at once that I am going to retire at the end of term. I 've enjoyed my meter at Hogwarts, but it 's eminent time I retire for good."

"Ten Galleons says he decided to hit the sack after finding out he had to submit his curriculum to the Ministry,"rose whispered after Slughorn sat back down.

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

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

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

"So that 'll be two new professor next twelvemonth,"John the Evangelist said.

rose wine groaned."And in our O.W.L. yr, too."

"Do n't say that word !"Saint James the Apostle, who was sitting about five hind end down from pink wine, shouted.

Rose raised her eyebrows."What word ?"

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

"surmise you should 've started studying earlier,"Rose said.

"Shut up,"King James muttered.

James I was n't the alone one to bear forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election newsworthiness. There seemed to be more frantic studying than common, and not just from the twenty percent and 7th years. The stallion castle had neglected to canvass for their end-of-term test. Later that night Albus, John Lackland, rose, Amanda, and Kaden joined the multitude of people vying for board in the program library in order to cram in as much perusing as potential. mat could n't join them, as it was the full-of-the-moon synodic month.

However, Albus had a hard time concentrating. His every opinion was focused on the dementors in Azkaban or his dad 's job or the Ministry interpreter at Hogwarts. rose wine, Amanda, and even Kaden were focusing on their studying. John was playing with his quill. Suddenly, he stood up.

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

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

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

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

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

Rose groaned."They 're right. I do n't desire to know."

Albus had assumed that this would be a buffoonery that would name itself known right away, as most of Gospel According to John and Kaden 's pranks worked that way. But by the next morning thing seemed perfectly o.k. at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'hair was still normal people of color and everything seemed quieten and placidity. John and Kaden kept grinning at each other, so Albus was sure they 'd done something.

It took another full moon day for things to break up up. Albus first noticed it at breakfast, when some of the Slytherins seemed a bit unsettled. They were squirming in their rear and did n't appear able-bodied to sit still. But it was only a few of them.

Albus raised his eyebrows questioningly at John the Evangelist and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"John asked.

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

Albus started laughing."Seriously ?"

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

"That 's mavin,"Albus said. John and Kaden 's frivolity were most definitely improving over the yr.

"What 's mavin ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see Matt nudging a world-class year over so that he could sit down in following to John.

"lady Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

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

"We did our prank on the Slytherins,"can explained and then lowered his interpreter."Itching powder in their laundry. The house-elves helped."

"O.K., that is pretty awing,"mat said."You wo n't get caught, either."

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

"Study."

Albus looked up once more and saw that this time Rose and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with books and flock of parchment. They wore very face of determination.

"You 're all studying. All day,"Rose continued."Exams are in a month and none of us are prepared. The election happened, it sucked, but it 's over. Nothing can be done. Albus, you 've been moping about your dad 's job for a workweek. John, Kaden, I 'm specify that you do well this year. mat, the wide moon is over. All four of you are studying from now until exams."

"Aw, pink wine, c'mon-"

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

pink wine and Amanda left in a brandish of parchment and books, leaving Albus and the other male child to stare at each other open-mouthed. Albus knew his cousin was very academic and placed a high note value on her own education, but never before had she staged an treatment for his studying.

"She 's lost her mind,"John said."If she 's like this now, what will happen adjacent year for O.W.L.s ?"

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

"I suppose we have n't got a selection, do we ?"Matt asked as he shoved his eggs into his back talk."tinker's dam, I only just got back."

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

Rose and Amanda had shoved two tables together and had spread all their Koran out over them. ma'am Pince was sitting behind the circulation desk, looking at them curiously, as if she could not commemorate a time someone had frequented the program library that early. The rest of the tables were deserted.

"What 's with the extra chair ?"Albus asked as he dumped his books onto the table."There 's only six of us."

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

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the alone Elsie we know,"Rose said."She needs service studying and I 'm her tutor."

"But she 's Felix Willinson 's Sister,"lavatory pointed out.

"And she needs assist, John,"Rose said with a suspiration."I 've been tutoring her all twelvemonth and I 'm not going to stop now."

Matt nudged King John."It 's not a bad thing. Maybe she 'll tell us what her brother and Malfoy have been up to all year."

Albus had n't thought of that. Of course, Rose had n't had any luck getting Elsie to talk all year, so chances were slender that he and the other boys would sustain achiever.

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

Albus picked a tail and sat down. rosebush was organized to the item of insanity. There were in fact study usher for every subject, organized chronologically, from Sep until May. Albus was suddenly very thankful for his cousin, despite her obvious insanity. This was going to take a leak studying so much easier.

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

rosebush smiled."See ? It was a good idea. Now, we 'll study until tiffin and then receive a break."

tiffin was about two hours away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his August 6 book and settled in with that and the study guide. It took him about a half time of day to work through distraction, but soon his mind was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the library quickly filled up. Fifth and seventh eld seemed the most frantic about finding tables and searching the lot, but students from every year and every house were present. Madam Pince spent the dawning weaving throughout the tables and looking over everyone 's berm to throw sure they were working on school day work. With exams so near, the library was now closed to everyone who was n't going to revise.

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

Once rosiness noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the first base year over. Elsie seemed less nervous now that rosiness knew she was there, but she still avoided eye inter-group communication as she sat down and pulled her book out of her bag. rosiness whispered something in her ear and she began reading her charms book.

Albus sighed and returned to his own work. Getting Elsie Willinson to spill the beans was going to be much more hard than he thought.
***


Rose 's revision sessions continued throughout the month of May. Albus did n't like to allow it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't sure he would pass his exams if it were n't for rosiness. As the calendar month progressed, the sessions grew both in length and the number of participants. By the end of the first week their subject field group had grown to let in Henry James, Ben, Cedric, and their friend Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James River missed a few school term for Quidditch practice, but as the Quidditch net drew finisher, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as of import as studying. Bradley and Calluna vulgaris were becoming More and more anxious about the final, since it would determine whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few points behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the final, they would most likely win the cup as well.

The match took place a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to start and Albus awoke more skittish than he had been for a Quidditch match in geezerhood. The match itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the lastly time he played with broom and Fred as the other Chasers on Gryffindor 's team. adjacent class he 'd have two new pursuer and that was going to be incredibly strange.

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

Deciding that breakfast could wait, Albus crept over to the Slytherin board and attempted to crouch down behind a few seventh twelvemonth. Unfortunately the Great Hall was too flash for right eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always have an extendable Ear on his person from now on.

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

Once in the entryway Hall, Malfoy immediately ran up the staircase, going far too immobile for Albus to follow. Albus stood side by side to the door to the Great foyer thinking about what Malfoy 's natural process meant.

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

Albus did n't mention Malfoy to his supporter when they came down to breakfast a few minutes later. As much as Albus wanted to discuss it with them, he knew that he needed to put it out of his mind for the continuance of the match. If there was ever a friction match for Albus not to be distracted, this was it.

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

Ravenclaw had a good Quidditch team. They were easily the skilful team in the shoal, although near Gryffindors would disagree. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this match, causing them to diddle fiercer than ever before.

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

The match only lasted an 60 minutes. Albus had n't even realized that James II caught the Snitch until the whistle was blown. Gryffindor won 420-260, their substantially win yet that class.

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

Albus could n't even discover the commentary over the thundery clapping of the spectator pump. prof Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup high over his head and was making his way through the gang to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to Heather. Each held one side and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the rake and Albus was sept up in the crew, making it difficult to hit his team. Once he did, somebody snapped their picture.

Albus was the felicitous he 'd felt in weeks, ever since his team won the Dueling tourney. It was his third yr on the Quidditch team and they finally won the Cup. But he was even Thomas More happy for Fred and Calluna vulgaris than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the squad since their second year and had never won the Cup.

heather mixture had tears streaming down her aspect and Fred was grinning wider than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a career in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their life history for the past six eld. Winning the Cup in their one-seventh class seemed more affecting than it would have winning it any other twelvemonth. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's team was still as good as it was now when he got to seventh year. Winning again in his last year would be the best feeling in the domain.
***


"Malfoy really did give the castle,"Amanda announced at breakfast the next day.

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

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she live ?"

"I 've no estimation,"Amanda said as she grabbed a few slices of toast."I did n't ask."

"Well, I just found out why he left,"Rose said as she set down the prophesier."His granddaddy passed away."

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

"One in the same,"rose wine said."His obituary is in there."

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

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

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

"And that howler he got months ago,"Kaden added.

Albus glanced at the obit but did n't read it. As much as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't serve but sense bad for him. Albus could n't imagine what it would be like to lose his granddad, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious faults, he was still Scorpio 's grandfather.

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

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

"Is n't anyone else a bit preoccupied with the fact that Moaning Vinca minor knew about him leaving the castle ?"Matt asked."She never leaves her loo. We saw Malfoy going into her loo a few hebdomad ago. Does n't that seem a bit too coincidental ?"

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

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

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

"phone like we need to pay a visit to Myrtle,"Albus said.

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

"We 're not going to bother Malfoy,"Albus said."We 're just going to talk to Myrtle."

"tally me out,"pink wine said, shaking her foreland.

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

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

"We 'll go at Nox, then,"Albus decided."whoremaster, Kaden, flatness ? Which of you is going with me ?"

"Not me,"lustrelessness said immediately.

"I 'll go,"John said.

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

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


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


The program to talk to Myrtle in the dead of night may have been a plan that belonged solely to Albus and St. John the Apostle, but rosiness still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. examination were now only a calendar week away and Rose was only giving them one dark off, for eternal sleep and clearing stress from the judgement. Neither Albus or can dared cross Rose and skip out on alteration, which took place in the program library until curfew and then in the common room until they all went to bed.

Their one Night off occurred the night before their for the first time exam. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a full week, but none of the fifth or one-seventh years were taking any nights off, including St. James the Apostle. Despite rose wine 's insistence that he take a night off, James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and John spent the evening playacting chess game with Kaden. mat had turned in early, still tired from the full Moon, which had taken place two days earlier. Rose and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory, clearly set upon having some fourth dimension away from the boys.

The usual room emptied as the Nox progressed, and eventually St. John the Apostle and Albus were the simply I left. It had n't taken long since about people went to bed betimes because of examination. It was probably fairly pillock of Albus and John to appease up so recently, but neither of them cared.

They waited an additional fifteen min in lawsuit individual decided to return to the uncouth room, but no one did. Albus glanced at John and then pulled the Invisibility Cloak and the Marauder 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the tabular array. The coast was clear.

Albus and John stumbled out of the portrait pickle and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat Lady 's hindquarters gaze.

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

The Fat Lady was always threatening this but she never seemed to micturate good on any of her threats. Ignoring her, Albus and lavatory set off along the corridor. Saint John the Apostle led the way while Albus kept his eyes glued to the Map, but the corridors remained vacate. It seemed everyone, both students and professors, were getting a near night 's rest period before exams. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning myrtle was the alone occupant of the secondment base daughter 's bathroom. john quietly pushed the threshold open and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is right arm.

"Myrtle ?"King John shouted as he stepped into the room.

A splashing phone came from the endure booth and then Myrtle 's ghostly form floated through the shut stall door."Boys ? Why do n't you go use your own-"Myrtle cut herself off with a giggle. She floated toward Albus and John and rested on the sinks."Oh, it 's you. Albus Potter. And his friend lav. Where 's Matt ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that flatness 's absence would n't put Vinca minor off from talking to them.

On the reverse, Myrtle 's grimace lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awful today myself. It 's a side effect of dying, you know."

Albus did n't remember dying had any incline effects other than dying and had always assumed being a ghost would n't be atrocious, but myrtle was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Vinca minor asked."You never chatter me unless you 're in detainment. It 's rather disappointing. No one ever thinks to visit pathetic Myrtle. Oh, Myrtle 's deadened, they think, so she does n't need any visitors. myrtle does n't need any protagonist ! All because she 's dead !"

"No, Myrtle, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a girl 's loo. We can only visit you now, in the heart of the night."

Myrtle let out a loud suspiration."I suppose. You are n't the lone boys who talk to me, you know. Some of them even dare come during the day. I suppose they 're a bit braver than you are, which is odd since they are n't Gryffindors."

Albus glanced at John. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought. Myrtle probably did n't stimulate any loyalties to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a step closer to Myrtle.

"I only know one of their name calling,"Myrtle said with a giggle."I know his name because his father used to follow and mouth to me when he was in school. But his son is n't quite as talkative and he did n't look to care at all about me or my dying. He only wanted to recognize about the Chamber of Secrets-"

"The sleeping room of Secrets ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpio Malfoy wanted to love about the Chamber of Secrets ?"

Myrtle brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to recognise exactly where the entrance was. He 'd already done quite a bit of research on it in the library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so much time in the library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the chamber and I told him about my demise and he did n't quite empathize the connection at commencement. So I showed him the entrance and told him that he had to speak like a Hydra to get in but he could n't figure it out."

"He tried to speak Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Myrtle nodded."Sounded awful. Your dad was much practiced at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the conflict of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly awful at it. That 's when I met the former boy. Scorpius left and came back a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. later with this other boy. He showed him the incoming and then they started talking about this girl named Elsie and the other boy thought that she would be able to unfold the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The other boy must have been Felix Willinson.

"Two weeks ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the Chamber of enigma ? He refused to distinguish me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his straits."We want to know, too."

"wellspring,"Myrtle began as she floated up to the ceiling."Please tell me when you find out. And following time, make for sure that Matt comes to chatter, too."

"Er, for certain,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"myrtle said."You 're going to depart now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."Exams tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John and they left. On the way back Albus explained the Chamber of enigma to John, who only knew the place by name. By the meter they returned to the park room St. John was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to want to get into the bedroom of closed book.

"Do you consider Elsie Willinson can address Parseltongue ?"John asked as they climbed through the portrait golf hole ( the Fat lady had not refused them entranceway ).

"I do n't cognise,"Albus said."It 's very rarified. I think we 're going to have to ask Rose."

"Bet she 'll love that, in the middle of examination,"John said with a laugh.
***


"Of trend I have no mind if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"rosiness exclaimed the future day during their lunch break in between exams. Albus had just finished explaining what Vinca minor had told them last night, as well as explaining the Chamber of closed book for Matt, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you sure she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"positive ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your idea. It 's exam week. It 's not the clip to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't affect you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a thing for his curio. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything good.

"They 're up to something, rosiness,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

rose wine groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"King James shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's backside."Did you see the Prophet this good morning ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, matte, and St. John had both slept too late to hold breakfast before their first exam.

Jesse James slapped a written matter down on the board in front of Albus."That fella, Robert Samuel Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's place ? He 's revamped the entire department, claiming that they 're going to have a 99 % capture rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the paper."That 's crazy."

Samuel Johnson REVAMPS AUROR section

Newly appointed headland Auror, Robert
Johnson, has spent the past month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
Department. Johnson has rewritten
rules and regularisation for the department
as well as reorganized how Aurors
work together. All Aurors have
attended workshop over the past month
to familiarise themselves with the
new dominion and policies.

'The hope is that we will be able to
capture criminals faster and easier ,'
Johnson said. 'The department has
been disorganized for years and this
has resulted in many criminals going
free for far farseeing than they should.
Between the new Auror section policies
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be able to trance
more criminals and keep them where they
belong- behind Browning automatic rifle .'

While LBJ did not go into specifics
of the policies and rules, stating that
these are sealed documents, he assured
the wizarding world that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new policies I do n't see why
we should n't have a 99 % capture charge per unit
within a yr .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % gaining control rate ?"Albus asked after setting the theme down.

"No melodic theme,"James said."But I thought you 'd need to see it. I 've got to go. Transfiguration practical this good afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the change actually were,"Albus said as his brother left.

"They ca n't,"rose said."The paper is right about that."

"It 's not like the section was frightfully when Dad was in charge,"Albus continued."He captured Reb, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting Matt 's dad with that,"rose commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not fair,"mat said.

"No, it 's not,"pink wine said as she glanced at her watch."We 'd better get going. history of Magic exam."

Albus found it incredibly difficult to focus on his History of magic exam, and while he was fairly sure he passed it, he knew he had n't done well. There was just too much to focus on. Between Malfoy and the Auror section, the live on things Albus wanted to guess about were goblin rising and giant wars.

Later that night Rose held another report academic session in the depository library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent more than time staring at the Marauder 's Map and figuring out the best way to institute up the issue of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any actual studying, but blush wine did n't seem to notice.

The following two day were nearly selfsame to the 1st day of examination, with the exception of the issue they were tested on. Exam in the dayspring, lunch, test in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The humdrum was starting to get on Albus 's nerves, but they were only halfway through exam week.

Elsie Willinson did n't show up to the work session Midweek evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to bring up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with her, no issue how in effect it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions bank bill while glancing at the Marauder 's Map every so often.

"Albus, what exactly are you looking for ?"Rose asked.

Albus did n't really want to say because he knew pink wine would just roll her middle, but he also knew she would n't let go of the subject until he explained."Malfoy. He 's going to go back to the female child 's loo, and when he does, I want to come after him."

"That would be stupid,"Rose said."facial expression at the past three geezerhood. You 've gotten yourself involved with something dolt at the end of every class. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

rose had a point, Albus knew, but he did n't give care."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to abduct me."

"Famous hold out words,"Rose muttered."He 's probably just in his common room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the common room. Albus 's heart sped up as he checked the rest of the Map. It took him a while, but then he spotted Malfoy 's dot, making its way down the indorsement story corridor. He was accompanied by none former than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

"He 's going,"Albus said."And he 's got Felix and Elsie with him. I 'm following him and you ca n't stop me."

Rose groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the rest of his friends."Are any of you coming with me ?"

"I am."Albus was shocked to see that the voice belonged to Amanda. Usually Amanda agreed with Rose.

"Amanda, really ?"Rose asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a break from studying and I 'm just as odd as Albus is."

"count me out,"Matt muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you survive time,"can said with a grin.

Matt turned even reddened."I 'd rather not know that."

"We 're in,"John said, speaking for himself and Kaden.

"You 've got an 60 minutes,"Rose said."If you 're not back by then I 'm sending professor Longbottom after you."

"We 'll be back,"Albus said as he stood up. As if to advance convince Rose of this, he left his Scripture sitting on the table. whoremaster, Kaden, and Amanda did the same.

Albus did n't bother with the invisibility Cloak since it was n't past curfew. They 'd just have to lurk near the loo until the sea-coast was top and stoolie in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually empty and Albus attributed it to the fact that most of his fellow pupil were doing some last second revision before the next day 's examination. It certainly made it easier to mouse into a girl 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'dots entered Moaning myrtle 's bathroom. They remained there for only a few hour, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of arcanum,"Albus explained."I bet the Marauders did n't have sex about it so they could n't have put it on the Map."

It took another five minutes for Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the room access open and ran inside. He stopped short in forepart of the sinks.

One of the sink was gone, having sunk into the trading floor. In its property was a bombastic, pitch black hole. myrtle was floating above it, her eyes bright.

"They did it,"Myrtle said excitedly."Are you going to follow them ?"

"I guess this answers the question of whether Elsie Willinson can verbalise snake,"St. John the Apostle said.

"Is Matt ill again ?"myrtle asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an terrible lot of the time,"Myrtle said."William Tell him to occur see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the hole."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to link up me."Albus was determined. He 'd do this far and he was n't going to hold back now. He needed to forecast out what was going on.

"Is it a far free fall ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's Thomas More of a glide,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"can asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"whoremonger said.

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

"I 'd go down there even if there was a basilisk in there,"Kaden said."I 'll go first, if you want."

"Be my Edgar Albert Guest,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can live here,"myrtle said, giggling."I told Scorpius that and he told me that was another cause why he ca n't die down there. I do n't recall he likes me."

Albus ignored Myrtle and stepped aside so Kaden could chute into the fix. Kaden did so without a second glance.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm ok !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither John or Amanda seemed prepared to go side by side, so Albus stepped to the very border of the kettle of fish and looked down. He could n't see a affair. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not cogitate too hard, he took a deep breathing space and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being more of a swoop than a bead down. The yap was More of a sloping piping and it was n't a bad slide at all. Soon, Albus landed at the bottom and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own wand and took a face around. The billet was very wet and it smelled awfully. The rampart were dripping with murky water supply and the floor was covered in tilt, mud, and what looked similar old ophidian tegument.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the drippage body of water.

There was a whooshing noise behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a scream and turned to see it was only John, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"john muttered as he lit his own scepter. There was now enough wand light to see clearly. The place was creepy. That was the only if word for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her wand. Albus and Kaden waited for trick and Amanda to postulate a look around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"DOE anyone hear anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed dead silent to Albus.

John the Divine shook his head."flatness should 've come. We need his werewolf hearing."

Albus nodded in agreement."I guess we just follow the pipe. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his wand pointed in front of him, and they set off. No one spoke. No one made any randomness whatsoever. Albus had his auricle poised to discover even the quietest dissonance, hoping to see some clue as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt like miles before they heard even the vague of noise. Albus noticed numerous snake skins and the bones from decades-old animals. Then, just when Albus had a belief they were reaching the end of the enactment, he heard a part, clearly, as if it was right hand next to him.

"Albus ceramicist. Well, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the voice. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm evil. Thank you for all the marvelous reviews ! I will react to them, but I 've been quite busy lately.

And now I 'll take on a few consequence to tout. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's event for The Casual Vacancy. I got to meet her and get a sign-language copy of the book ! It was absolutely awe-inspiring. I blogged about it on the forums, so delight check it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that voice in over a year and section of him thought he would n't ever hear it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the voice. He pointed his lit wand in its direction and saw that there was a very belittled orifice to his left. It appeared to be another pipe, but one much smaller than the one he and his friends had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to make any noise.

He turned to lav, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you think ?"

"I think we should get out of here,"Kaden said immediately, stepping back."I thought we were just going after Malfoy."

"I bet Malfoy 's down there with him,"John said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the pipe. She stuck her head in, making her voice echoey."Why would he amount back here ?"

"Can you see anything ?"Albus asked.

"Not much,"Amanda said, climbing fully into the pipe.

"We should just go back,"Kaden said, his voice wavering. All his fearlessness from being the first to enter the Chamber was gone.

"I do n't live,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think rose wine might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's shrieking. There was a loud splash, a clunk, and then more shriek. Albus turned quickly back to the tobacco pipe. Amanda was gone, a little pile of rubble in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."Help !"

"What 's happening ?"John asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"wellspring, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipe."C'mon !"

Albus had to stoop as he walked in rules of order to fit through the tobacco pipe. toilet and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over rock and roll as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his wand lighting the few feet in front line of him. They followed Amanda 's shriek until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the organ pipe emerged into a small sleeping accommodation, not unlike a humble version of the bedroom they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the eternal rest of the Chamber of Secrets and the far wall contained a metal grating that appeared to let out into the lake. But the H2O was n't going through it.

Albus 's care, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake water. Instead, his eyes drew to the collection of people scattered throughout the chamber. He breathed a sigh of ease when he saw Amanda, in the clutches of Jarrett Willinson, who had his sceptre pointed at her head. Albus was just well-chosen they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit worse for wear. Azkaban did n't appear to have agreed with him and he now looked far older than his early twenties.

Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a death grip on her pal 's mitt. Scorpius stood next to them and he seemed very upset. The only if one who seemed at all okeh with the situation was Felix, whose face seemed to be coming from his sister 's grip on his hand, not on the situation.

Albus did n't recognize the other three grownup at first. Then he remembered their pictures from the Prophet. The shorter woman was Dolores Umbridge, her Charles Grey fuzz greatly resembling a beehive around her head. Her skin was deeply wrinkled and she did n't a lot resemble the somebody in the photograph, but her optic and bizarre grin were the same. The other cleaning lady was about a foot taller and just as ugly. Her hair was ropy and mostly embrown, with streaks of grey. Her nose was long, crooked, and boasted a declamatory wart, giving her the looking at of a classic Muggle 's version of a witch. All that was missing was the super acid peel. The man resembled her, although he was shorter and more dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, Potter ?"Scorpius asked, clearly trying to vocalise more confident than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the interrogative. And I can only assumed they followed you three. Whether it was intentional on your constituent, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpio demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett off-and-on."You did what your male parent wanted and then you did part of what we wanted. And therein lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His eyes went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to figure out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's father asked him to do ?

"I never said I 'd do what you wanted us to do,"Malfoy muttered, averting his gaze.

"And yet you did."Jarrett sneered.

"But I did n't want to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his wand out of his robes and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his arms so that he could manoeuvre his wand at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is pathetic. I do n't like taking advantage of tenuous nestling, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not frail !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just turn a loss your grandfather,"Jarrett said."You 're tenuous. So is your father, and he 's leisurely to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that point Elsie started crying. It started out as belittled sniffles but within ten mo blew up into loud sobs. Everyone in the room turned to stare at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be placidity,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to leave, Felix !"Elsie sobbed."I did n't want to do this. You know I did n't require to do this !"

"You did n't induce a choice, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could soul please just explicate what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even better, let go of Amanda so we can get out of here and let you lot get back to whatever it is you 're doing ?"

Jarrett laughed."Oh, she 's not going anywhere. You three are resign to leave. I really do n't care what the Hades you do."

Albus exchanged coup d'oeil with John and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to leave, of course, but Albus was utterly confused. For the preceding four years Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to kidnap him and now, all of a sudden, they wanted Amanda ? They 'd never wanted her before.

"Oh, you have n't put it together yet, have you thrower ? I thought you were wise than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the Prime Minister 's niece, who happens to be a witch. She 's currently the best bargaining chip I could possibly accept. I only wish I 'd known about her before, but thanks to your uncle the intact wizarding man knows she 's the peak Minister 's niece. I must thank that reporter.

"ceramicist, do you agnize how bad Laurentis would look if anything happened to the Muggle bloom minister 's niece a trivial over a month after she took office ? And just Clarence Shepard Day Jr. after her appointed Head Auror revolutionized the department ? Oh, it would look awing, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit closely until the Aurors get here and then I 'll make my demands and the Aurors will feed in because if they do n't, I 'll wipe out the prime of life diplomatic minister 's niece."

Albus 's mouth fell open. He stared at Jarrett, whose smile resembled that of a person who just won the lottery. Amanda looked terrorize, her heart darting everywhere and a few stray tears running down her cheeks.

"Of course of instruction you can bequeath, potter,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the other Aurors. It 'll only bring them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry official anymore, Potter. It wo n't be as big of a crime if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't search like someone capable of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an unstable mental patient than a serious witch. But the Carrows, they looked equal to of execution. As for Quinton, he was n't much of a menace. Still, Albus, whoremonger, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we exit ?"Malfoy asked, his voice wavering."Or at to the lowest degree me ?"

"Because I might call for you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll come back. I know you did n't bring us the girl. She came with Potter, following you."

"Why does it matter ?"Malfoy asked."The point is she 's here now."

"I do n't intend you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're decent, I would n't ! And do you require to know why ? I never wanted to help you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all moron, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their friends, so why would n't he have got brought Amanda to Jarrett ?

"Then why are you here, Malfoy ?"

"To help my dad !"Malfoy said, his wand still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't be intimate you idiots were going to have a plot of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the idiot. You think we 'd give birth agreed to his plot if there had n't been something in it for us ? Meaning my son, here. Not these other three. I 'm not sure why they agreed to it. I 'm not even sure Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said much of anything since the escape."

"Do you really think you 're going to get anything out of this ?"Malfoy demanded.

"Yes, I do,"Jarrett snapped.

Malfoy narrowed his centre and then whipped around. In a matter of seconds, he sent five straight curse at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their scepter, but were too slow. Malfoy sent two More looker and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the other.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."looking like the betting odds are a minuscule different now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, thrower,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpius, what is your job ?"Felix asked, breaking relinquish of his sister 's bobby pin."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do things his way,"Malfoy said."It 's like I told you at the beginning ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't be intimate exactly what"this"was, but all that really mattered now was that they were no longer outnumbered.

"The Aurors are coming,"Malfoy said to Albus."If we can just go for them off-"

"How do you know the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't matter now,"Malfoy said as he sent a mantrap at Jarrett.

Albus turned to John and Kaden."Focus on Quinton and Felix. No offense, but you are n't the sound duelers and I do n't want you to hit Amanda."

Saint John and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to throw off off the Wyrd feeling he had from being on Malfoy 's incline, and started sending hex after hex at Jarrett. Jarrett, clearly unable to duel while holding Amanda, threw up a shield and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to hold back going, in an effort to dampen the shield.

Albus heard a tawdry crash and turned to his right. dust was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a large boulder had fallen from the ceiling and had landed on top of the female person Carrow.

"I think she 's dead,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed surd. end had never crossed his mind when he 'd make out down here. Trying to promote it from his cerebration, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't draw out and Albus turned just in sentence to see him land against the rampart. Albus ran over and knelt next to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an dreaded headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't accrue asleep,"Albus said."halt awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five wizards stumbled through the pipe, their baton out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't recognize the voice."nonentity move !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the outset one said as he walked around the room."Looks like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no position to make requirement,"the offset Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the organ pipe and let out a sigh of relief. His dad had been the fifth Auror to arrive."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital fender. Now."

Harry knelt down next to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll have this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll take him."

"Let go of the little girl, Willinson,"the starting time Auror said. He took a few steps forward and Albus was able to see the side of his face. It was Robert Dr. Johnson, the new Head Auror.

"She 's the Prime Minister 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be careful, or I 'll kill her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"Johnson said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a Brobdingnagian scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's saki,"Andrew Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's scepter flew in a arrant arc out of his hand and Andrew Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to dodge the spell, but still maintain postponement of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the storey. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught custody of her, directing her to sit next to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured R-2 and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a word and none of them questioned any of the suspects. If Albus had n't known any practiced, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to line up down here. It was all very confusing.

President Lyndon Johnson and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed clutch of the crook and took them out of the sleeping room. Harry was left with Albus and the residue of the student.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my misgiving, but unfortunately I do n't make any substantiation,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the hospital wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd group out of the sleeping room and back to the pipework that led to Moaning Myrtle 's john. Once there, he pointed his scepter at the pipe and it turned into stairs. A few minutes later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few multiplication at the lustrous lights and then his eyes rested upon Myrtle, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he dead ?"myrtle gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Myrtle seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."Hospital wing."
***


Albus had no real reason to stay put in the hospital wing. After muttering about how Albus and his admirer were always getting into trouble, Madam Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfect health. Gospel According to John, Amanda, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were also finely. Kaden, on the other hired hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to sleep. Albus, John, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. rosiness and lustrelessness joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well past curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to Madam Pomfrey, but promised to return in a few minute. That had been three hours ago and Albus was still waiting for him to derive back, and for an account. They 'd explained the total ordeal to lustrelessness and rose wine, who both agreed that Malfoy 's behaviour was very strange.

The room access to the hospital wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. Madam Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her study.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like someone ran my foreland over with a hand truck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll feel better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the captive to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for sure as shooting. The official record is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the captive are explaining why they were in the Chamber of arcanum or how they got in."

"When we were down there, Malfoy kept saying he was doing something for his dad, but he never said what it was,"Albus said.

"That helps confirm my hypothesis,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpius Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by Draco Malfoy to regain a suitable positioning to house the prisoner for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to capture them. This, of course, had to be done after the Auror department was reorganized by Robert Johnson, in order to make both him and Laurentis look good. If Laurentis looks upright, genus Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Draco Malfoy knew where the prisoner were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"Rose began."You do n't think that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my mind,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no proof. Nor do I have proof of my theory about Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is dead, Dolores Umbridge is clinically insane, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow doubt Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his male parent. So, for now at least, this will continue a theory."

"But Dad, it 's illegal,"Albus said.

"It is,"Harry replied."Do n't worry about it, Albus. The prisoners are back in Azkaban, which is all that matters right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. worrying will do nothing. In my experience, people who are corrupt like this are never able to keep back it a secret long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpius ?"Amanda asked."Why did he switch sides like that ?"

"Scorpio Malfoy has had a rough year. His grandfather has been quite ill for a recollective fourth dimension, which has put stress on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his beginner and then when it came sentence for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get hold of Amanda, he realized he did n't need to be involved, not would his father have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in trouble ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the disk is concerned, Scorpio, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the prisoner just as you lot did."

"That does n't look fair,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other paw, I think Scorpius Malfoy deserves a prison-breaking this yr. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past times few months. You might notice that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll believe that when I see it,"Matt muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the screech shack, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm glad he chose the chamber of Secrets."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"I have to fall to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the theme tomorrow, although I have no idea what character of story they 're going to spin or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't take it too hard. Please do not mention my theory to anyone. The hold out thing we need is an article in the oracle claiming that Harry Potter is a confederacy theorist."

Albus laughed and said serious night to his dad. dame Pomfrey let them sleep in the hospital wing that night, considering how late it was. Kaden, of form, had to remain awake. Albus was surprised by how easy rest came, considering what he 'd been through that night, but it was nearly two in the morning. He realized with a sinking feeling that he still had exams the next day. Herbology and antediluvian Runes. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the endearing recapitulation ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The succeeding chapter will the shoemaker's last in this novel. I 'm not sure when the one-fifth novel will be up since I have yet to do up with a concrete plot of ground for it. I 'm going to carry a happy chance to write other stories that I 've had in my brain for a while.

It 's the end of Oct, which means it 's nearly NaNoWriMo time of year ! I 'll be continuing to update Between Here and Somewhere throughout November, as well as posting the last chapter of this next Friday. But you wo n't see practically else from me until Dec, as I 'll be busybodied writing an original fic.


Albus, privy, and Matt overslept the future morning. Albus awoke ten minutes before their Herbology test and had to wake up John and Matt, which is never a belittled effort. It took a fully five minutes to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing full well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his mind was on Herbology. He could n't block thinking about what happened hold up Night.

The boy ran into nursery three five mo late and as soon as they shut the door the integral class looked up from their exams and stared at them. Albus got the distinct look that they all knew about last night, whether from hearsay or from the Prophet. Professor Longbottom got up from his stool and walked over to them.

"son,"he said quietly.

"I 'm drab we 're late, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's OK. I know what happened in conclusion night. Just go need your seats. Your examination are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very thankful that Herbology had been the examination he was later for. Longbottom was the most empathize prof in the entire school. Albus settled down and managed to take the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few interrogation that he was n't sure about, he was quite confident that he at to the lowest degree passed.

By the time the test period ended Albus was starving, as were can and Matt. They, along with Rose and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Hall for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the distinct opinion that everyone was staring at them.

"You should 've been at breakfast,"Amanda said."Everyone was talking about it and they kept coming over and asking me motion. There were a crowd of the great unwashed crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the prophet ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"rose wine said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the paper and set it down on his plate. John and lustrelessness sat on either side of him and read over his shoulder.

con CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed Head Auror, Henry Martyn Robert
Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late last night that led him and four
former Aurors to Hogwarts school of
Witchcraft and Wizardry. The tip
told Aurors that escaped convict
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the chamber
of Secrets deep under Hogwarts School.

The sleeping accommodation of secret, long since
regarded as a rumored enshroud chamber
beneath the school was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The sleeping room has
remained vacuous since then.

All four escaped convict, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a year
by the Auror Department, were found in
the Chamber of secret by Robert LBJ
and four early Aurors. Amycus Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores Umbridge
have been returned to Azkaban prison house.
Jarrett Willinson is currently being held
in Azkaban prison without bail bond. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced beat by therapist
late end night, after the ceiling in
the sleeping room collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts students were found in the
Chamber as well. Johnson has released
very little information on this look
of the night, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one scholarly person with the
intentions of killing her if requirement were
not met. The names of the scholarly person have
not been released.

It is unknown how the convict got into
the shoal. impuissance in the protective
Aaron Montgomery Ward are currently being addressed. 'We
want to ensure the public that Hogwarts
School remains as condom as ever. The problems
will be treat quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"Unknown how the convict got into the school ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the whole affair up !"

"What did you expect, Albus ?"Rose asked, shaking her head."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new forefront Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is lay down up stories to cover up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably flop,"Rose said.

"Who 's right ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"pink wine said.

"have you seen this rubbish ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't care right now. I just want a sandwich. The divination exam was brutal. I had to tell Trelawney 's future in tea leaves."

St. John laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to meet an untimely Death at the manus of a stray Quaffle,"Kaden said.

rosebush groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her huge eyes lit up and everything."

"She likes demise, Trelawney,"St. John said."Or at least the concept of it."

"Wyrd,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining test took place with little fanfare. Despite his mind not being on the material, he thought he did fairly well, and when the marks were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His Transfiguration mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts pupil, with their little computer storage yoke, soon forgot about the debacle in the Chamber of Secrets and moved on to other topics of discussion such as the summer holiday and the current Quidditch time of year. Albus certainly did n't mind this because it meant he was no longer the nerve center of attention. Despite the fact that the Prophet never released the figure of the scholarly person in the bedroom, everyone knew it was Albus, John the Divine, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"Look, Laurentis has released a statement about capturing the captive,"rosiness said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be in effect. Let 's hear it."

“'I wish to applaud the Auror section for their work in recapturing the remaining escaped outlaw. The timely recapture after the reorganization of the department only reinforces how important a decision it was to reorganize. With the new regulations and insurance policy in the Auror Department, organized by Robert Andrew Johnson, the Aurors were able to capture the whitlow immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to more successes from the Auror department .'”

"What a incumbrance of crap,"Albus said."Of course they were able to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the yard bird to be in the Chamber in the kickoff place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"Matt began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an easy secret to save, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to make a speech,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the stave table.

Professor Embry stood up and raised his paw for quiet. This did cipher, of course."tranquillity !"Embry shouted."I have something I 'd like to say.

"Thank you,"he said, after everyone stopped talking."I just want to say what a pleasance it has been to instruct you all this year. I never expected to learn and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my class as very much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a expectant discernment and understanding of our governing. Today is my lowest day at Hogwarts, as the political sympathies course will not carry on adjacent class, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't hesitate to owl me if you wish to receive a tour of the Ministry for donnish purposes. I daresay that a few of you might accept careers in politics yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire elbow room burst into applause. Albus was n't sure if the hand clapping was for Embry or for the fact that politics would no longer be a form. Albus had n't minded the form, but one fewer class was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about political sympathies this year, all right,"lavatory muttered as the hand clapping settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"Cheers to that !"James shouted from a few seats down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all surprised to hear Amanda say that. If any of his friends were to become politicians, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts graduation ceremonial. He and blush wine had attended every single graduation ceremony since starting Hogwarts, and one the class before, too. It had gotten to the spot where he did n't pay much attention to the spoken language because they all sounded very similar to the unity he 'd take heed before. During this ceremony, the only section Albus paid attending to was the part where Fred and Heather accepted their diplomas, which took all of two minutes.

"wellspring, we survived,"Albus said to Georgia after the ceremony ended and everyone was milling around.

Georgia grinned."That we did. It 's variety of surreal, to be honest. Dad did n't win, so things are no different than they were this time in conclusion year, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Percy doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not sure enough. He does n't talk about it much. Actually, the weird thing is that whenever I go over there for dinner party he spends a lot of meter asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to keep me from asking about his lack of employment, but I 'm not going to sound off. Maybe he 'll even learn to care it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the deficiency of employment."

"He still has n't found a job ?"Albus asked.

"No. He could go back to the Ministry but he 'd have to do something where he 's not an real pol, since Laurentis would n't take him. I do n't believe he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George with the workshop, but I do n't think Uncle George VI really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessive. But he 's too decent to tell Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"Rose shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to Rose and then turned back to Georgia."I 'd better go. Let me have intercourse when your next catch is. I want to go."

Georgia grinned."Sure thing. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, Georgia,"Albus said as he turned to abide by rose back to the rook, where they would take hold of the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to John 's house this year,"flatness said as the Hogwarts expressage hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"can asked, unwrapping a chocolate salientian."I mean, really, are you ? You want to come to my star sign, where I have three crazy niggling sisters running about ?"

matte shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the youngest in his sept,"bathroom said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's compensate,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one little Sister. Wait a minute, Matt 's the lone one of us who does n't make youthful sib, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All right,"John said."Let 's return flatness a real sense of what having lots of sib is like. I 'll owl you and let you know when."

"Exploding Snap ?"Kaden asked, holding up a pack of cards of cards.

"Sure,"lusterlessness said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to deal the cards, but before he finished, the compartment door slid clear. Albus, expecting one of his full cousin, turned to the door. It slid afford the rest of the way and Malfoy stood on the threshold, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you want ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"Er, can I just peach to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping inside and sliding the doorway behind him.

"Where 's Willinson ?"Albus asked, standing up.

"He 's no longer speaking to me,"Malfoy explained."After I hexed his uncle and as he put it, 'joined the other slope .'”

"What about Elsie ?"pink wine asked, clearly concerned about the young lady.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said much around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"John asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the bedroom ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really in force with linguistic process so she was able to fudge it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few consequence of clumsy silence. Malfoy shifted his weight and leaned against the threshold.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This year sucked and I got caught up in a lot of things that I did n't want to do, which is exactly what happened to my dad when he was at Hogwarts."

Albus was utterly confused as to why Malfoy was telling them all of this. He exchanged looks with matte and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not worth it anymore,"Malfoy continued."Hating you lot. I know it was you who somehow got itching pulverization into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a niggling too quickly.

"And we know you put the Goat in the common elbow room,"Gospel According to John added.

Malfoy nodded."As I was saying, it just does n't matter. Any of it."He turned to Matt."And I do n't handle that you 're a wolfman. Really. Sure, it 's weird and I have no approximation why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't pause to hex you, you know,"John said, reaching into his robes for his wand.

Malfoy held up his helping hand."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should call a truce."

"A cease-fire ?"Albus asked, raising his supercilium.

"Yeah, a cease-fire,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this year. It makes all this fighting we do look really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be friends, are you ?"John asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his typeface."God no. I 'm saying you lot stop only pranking the Slytherins, do n't tell anyone that I dueled on your side in the sleeping room, and I wo n't tell anyone Eckerton is a werewolf. I 'll really assure that, without any threats of expulsion."

Albus was skeptical. Could the Death of Lucius Malfoy really inspire this alteration in Scorpius ?

"C'mon, truce ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his hand out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"blush wine said."We 've got O.W.L.s next year. You do n't want this stupid feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"fine, truce,"Albus said, shaking Scorpio 's script.

Malfoy nodded."I guess I 'll go, then. See you around, Potter."

Malfoy turned and left the compartment. Albus did n't move for a full moon minute."That was the strangest thing I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't think any of us will ever broad understand what happened there,"Rose said."But I think it 's a skilful thing."

"Wyrd, though,"Matt said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder thing was, was that Albus did actually believe him. There had been something in Malfoy 's middle that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed older somehow. He was no longer a kid, whose biggest worry was arguing with Albus over stupid things. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all grown up that year. They were going to be fifth years now, and Kaden would be a fourth class, and that meant they were the older scholar in the shoal. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"Makes me inquire what side by side year will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this year has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"blush wine reminded them."I think it 'll be peck strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't want Hogwarts to convert. Despite all that was going on in the external world, Hogwarts had always remained the same. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his seat and stared out the windowpane, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't know what changes Hogwarts would see in the following year, but he did n't want to think about it just yet. There was still a whole summertime before that would happen, and Albus intended to enjoy it.


A/N : Thank you so much for all the support and follow-up for this story ! You hombre are amazing. I will be taking a suspension before continuing with this series as I have other news report floating around in my head, but I 'll eventually arrive back to Albus. I 've no theme how foresightful it 'll be, though.

In the meantime, delight mark off out my piranha Era level, Between Here and Somewhere ! And keep checking back for my limited review answer, because I will get to them.