Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
Weasley family line Tree is in the writer 's eminence at the bottom.


Molly Weasley did n't defy help dinner until after the Quidditch friction match had been completed because even she did n't get the ability to drop back Weasleys away from Quidditch. Teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out Henry James 's grasp and then everyone was off their brooms and sitting at the prominent bunch of tables in record time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very good mood as he had been on shimmy 's team.

Albus and rose wine sat succeeding to each other in the midriff of the mathematical group of tables and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Hotspur due to his use of talking politics during dinner party, something that even bored blush wine. The two of them looked at each other as Walker Percy sat down and Albus readied himself for political conversation rather than Quidditch talk.

"I 'm telling you,"Percy said to no one in particular as he served himself some carrots,"something 's going to happen. I guarantee it. It 's been too tranquillity in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought affair would get a bit riled up last year when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had standardised position. to a greater extent interchangeable than I expected anyway ..."

Leave it to Percy to try and encounter something awry with the Ministry when all was fine, Albus thought. He reached over rosiness to grab a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping portion onto his plate.

"What do you think, Harry ?"Sir Henry Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting next to him."Any stirrings in the Auror department that I may not birth heard about ?"

"Things are pretty quiet, Percy,"Harry replied.

"Of course they are. I would 've heard if they were n't,"Sir Henry Percy decided.

Albus was n't exactly certainly what his uncle Percy actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the minister of religion, but his actual title was so long and complicated that Albus never bothered to remember it.

"well, it 's an election year,"Percy pointed out."Things never stay calm during election years. Party announcements come first week of September and after that matter will be chaotic around the Ministry. Loads of work to do. Let me tell you, when I run for Minister-"

"Oh, here we go again !"Ron said loudly."When Walker Percy runs for parson. It 's never gon na materialise, Perce. Honestly."

"I would vote for you, Harry Hotspur,"mollie assured him."You would form a howling minister of religion. But this dinner is supposed to be about the kids. James ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. class ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must calm down a bit and study."

"Gran, really,"Saint James the Apostle muttered."We 're going to be hearing this from the teachers. Uncle Harry Hotspur, why do n't you separate us more about your running for minister ?"

"wellspring, as a matter of fact."Percy stood up."I have a rather exciting promulgation to make and I feel I must tell my household first, before the residue of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for striking effect."I will be formally announcing on Monday, September second that I will be running for Minister for April 's election."

There was absolute silence for about five sec before a solid lot of things happened at once. Ron, George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her eyebrows as far as they could go. Ginny, neb, and Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her head slightly and then jumped up from her chairperson, running towards Percy and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

"Oh, Percy !"she exclaimed."I 'm so lofty of you ! You 've been talking about it for years and I think it 's high clock time you actually did it. I always wanted a son who was this successful !"

"Mum !"Ron groaned."It 's not like your other son have n't done anything. I 'm an Auror for Merlin 's saki !"

"And you 're a fine near one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being diplomatic minister. You just do n't accept the ambition Percy does,"Molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

Gold was exchanging hands at the other end of the mesa. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some sorting of bet involving when Hotspur would run for Minister. That bet must have been in the works for years.

Albus was personally stunned. He of course had been on the receiving end of many a Percy rant about what he 'd do when he ran for Minister, but he had always believed Sir Henry Percy would n't ever do it. If Albus was honest with himself, he did n't really require Sir Henry Percy running. His family unit was famous enough without having an factual minister of religion in it.

"Honestly, Mum, do you think he 's really going to win ?"Ron exclaimed."I mean, do n't get me wrongly, Percy, I 'll vote for you, but what about the rest of the wizarding universe ?"

"Percy, do you really think you 're cut out for this ?"Harry asked skeptically.

"Why would n't I be ? I 've been involved with the Ministry for decades !"

"I think what Harry 's trying to say is that you 're all bark and no bite,"Bill pointed out.

"I am not !"Percy shouted."And I would 've expected to a greater extent financial backing from my own family."

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"Boys,"Arthur warned."Sir Henry Percy 's right. If he wants to run for pastor he can without any of us making it difficult for him. You do n't sustain to vote for him, but I wo n't have you arguing during dinner party. You 'll upset your mum."

Everyone resumed their tooshie but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Percy running for Minister. They just continued to do so in lower vocalisation. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a seat near Percy.

"Do you know who else is running ?"Hermione asked.

"Not sure,"Percy replied."Hartwell 's not running again, if that 's what you 're getting at. He 's had adequate. But I 've got his support. After all, I am the elder Undersecretary for the drawing and Editing of Pentateuch to the Minister."

So that 's what Hotspur 's title of respect was, Albus thought. He had no idea if that was a post that had a lot of might or not, but apparently it was enough to have support for a Minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"Peach State shouted from a piffling ways down the mesa."I figure this is as good a time as any to order you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

Hotspur choked on whatever he was eating."You 're what ?"

"Moving out. You know, leaving the nuzzle. I 've got a flat with a friend finisher to the pitch. It 'll be more convenient, for work."

"piece of work,"Percy muttered."If Quidditch can be considered work."

"Look, I know how these elections work. You 're going to need to ready yourself look like a mob man, so you 're not going to want to reckon me your crazy daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd better set off thinking of me as your daughter who 's the newfangled reserve steward for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll sound better to the press."

Percy stared at her with his oral cavity agape. He shook his pass slightly and resumed eating, without another word to Georgia. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that little argument.

Albus turned to Rose and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to make Hotspur 's run for minister work to her advantage.

"Rose, have you heard from Linda yet ?"Albus asked, deciding not to link up the relief of his folk in political conversation.

"Not yet."Rose shook her head."Her mum might have wanted her to wait a bit after they settled in Canada, though. Have you heard anything about what the Ministry 's doing about Lubar ?"

"If anything 's changed Dad 's being really quiet about it,"Albus answered.

"It 's so improper, though, that he can completely get away with what he did,"Rose muttered."It 's like I could go to France, rob a depository financial institution, get back to England, and I 'd get away with it."

"You 're robbing a bank ?"James shouted.

"Of course not,"rose wine replied."It 's none of your business."

Albus and Rose did n't risk talking about Lubar for the eternal sleep of the evening. sure, the rest of their kin knew about what had happened but neither of them wanted to discourse their hypothesis with any of them.

The sleep of the even was rather out of character for usual Weasley mob dinners. All the previous year'dinners had consisted of talk of Hogwarts and the adults exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the first sentence would get a carnival bit of attention, but this yr Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attention was focused on Percy. The grownup were talking politics and Albus 's older first cousin were placing bet on whether he 'd win or not.

Francis Edgar Stanley was the number one to leave as he had to go back to Roumania the following morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their year in Romania and had returned to England permanently the old month. Victoire and shift left shortly after that since they both had to work the next day.

Sir Henry Percy was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were little and he had to pretend he was interested in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was fourth dimension to allow. For the first clock time in his life, he was actually glad to bequeath and get back to Grimmauld Place. The before shoal dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a sentence to accept fun all together before schoolhouse started, and this time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some solidus of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the potter before, St. James had packed his tree trunk the night before they left for school. Albus was surely that some kind of apocalypse was going to get in soon because Walker Percy running for Minister and the Potters arriving early for the Hogwarts express mail were two result that nobody ever thought would bechance. Albus did n't interview it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at Platform 9 ¾ prior to going through the barrier, was not early, so the ceramist went through without him. rosiness and her family line were already there of course, so Albus said a quick good day to his parents before getting on the train to incur Rose. With any luck his Quaker would n't be there yet and he could talk to Rose alone. Usually there was nothing he would n't talk to his friends about, but the unknown look he had had about his house was something he only wanted to talk to Rose about.

Rose was alone in a compartment about halfway down the geartrain, reading one of her new textbooks. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't feature the little idea what any of the symbolization in it meant. He chose the rump succeeding to her and waited for her to be done reading whatever it was she was deciphering.

"I 'm witnessing a miracle, apparently,"rosebush said after setting her book down.

"James packed finally night,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is lucky if James packs earlier than five minute of arc before you leave."

"It 's definitely odd,"Albus agreed."Listen, do you get the feeling things are changing ?"

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three yr, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the same metre. I know they 're really stunned when it comes to dueling but I think they 're smarter than anyone 's giving them deferred payment for. matter are going to change, Al. The world 's getting scarier,"pink wine said quietly.

Albus swallowed hard. That was in the binding of his mind of grade, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to blab to Rose about.

"I guess,"Albus replied."But I was n't really getting at that. I was thinking about our family."

"Oh,"was all rose said. Both cousins sat quietly for a minute before she continued."I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner at Gran and Gramps 's ? It was all Percy. O.W.L.s were mentioned once and no one said anything about Angie starting Hogwarts."

"I know. It was odd. It just seems like everything 's changing. There are less of us at Hogwarts now so I guess that 's what 's going to happen-"

"There 's still a lot of us here,"pink wine interrupted."And Eddie and the Twins have n't even started yet. Plus it 's not like we even talked about teddy bear, Victoire, Stanley, and Georgia. We talked about Percy for merlin 's sake !"

"What do you imagine will chance if he wins ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't know. I do n't think things will change political-wise but I think it 's going to be really uncanny for Georgia and Bradley and Cedric. Even the counterpart will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most authoritative somebody in the wizarding world has got to be stressful."

"Tell me about it,"Albus muttered."Can you imagine if my dad ran for minister of religion ?"

"Percy would n't suffer a chance."

"Dad 'll never run, though,"Albus pointed out."I just think that things are already different from last class. Everyone 's going to be focused on Uncle Percy 's campaign."

"Things never stay the like, Al,"Rose said.

"What 's not staying the Same ?"John asked as he entered the compartment, followed by Kaden."I 'm hoping you 're talking about my divination St. Mark, pink wine, because my parents nearly murdered me this yesteryear summertime when they saw it."

"I think we 'll just have to handle with your slaying, John, because that score is not getting any mellow,"Rose replied.

"Seriously, what were you talking about ?"Kaden asked as he sat down across from Rose.

"Nothing,"Rose said quickly.

"I 'll tell you once lusterlessness and Amanda get here,"Albus said, figuring he 'd tell apart them about Percy running for Minister.

"This is going to be the best year ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a spell of parchment out of his bag."Look, it 's my Hogsmeade permission slip !"

"Excellent,"john replied."Now I do n't feature to buy your dungbombs for you."

"Do you really have to buy dungbombs this year ?"Matt asked as he entered the compartment."They 're so nasty."

"Just for the Slytherin common room,"John assured him."Our goal is to figure out how to get a few in there."

"Not going to work,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the other side of pink wine."You ca n't get into someone else 's mutual room unnoticed."

"That 's what Albus 's cloak is for,"Kaden said.

"Not if it 's going to smell like dungbomb after,"Albus said.

"Told you we should have just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,"John told Kaden.

Kaden shrugged."All right hand, everyone 's here. Tell us what you and rise were talking about before any of us got here."

"Fine."Albus took a deep breath."Well, my Uncle Percy 's running for Minister."

"Seriously ?"John replied.

"assuredness !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"Matt asked.

"Is n't he the one who 's been talking about doing that for years ?"Amanda asked.

"Yes,"Albus answered."He 's seriously ply, it 's not that aplomb, I 'm honestly not indisputable why, and yes he 's been talking about it for years."

"Why does n't your dad run ?"Kaden asked.

Albus and rosebush both burst out laughing."Because that 's the net thing he 'd ever want to do. He would n't want anymore power than he 's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is form of power hungry,"Albus replied.

"Do you acknowledge who he 's running against ?"Amanda asked.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus said."They 're supposed to be announcing the prospect on the second."

"What 's that got to do with everything changing ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's our family,"Rose said quietly."Uncle Percy is so focused on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Georgia 's got it all figured out. Percy 's going to pretend he 's completely happy with her Quidditch performing just to make himself seem like a family man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's stupid,"toilet said."GA 's not going to like that."

"She 's the one who brought it up,"Rose pointed out.

"He 's right wing, you know,"Amanda said.

"What do you mean, he 's redress ?"Albus stared at her. She had a knowing grin splayed across her face.

"You, Rose, and Matt are n't the entirely 1 of us who have syndicate in political sympathies,"Amanda said.

"But you 're a Muggle,"John replied.

"I never said the Ministry of magic trick, John. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle 's the prime minister."

Albus continued to stare at her. Amanda was always rather quiet and rarely talked about her menage. He always figured that was because she was so quietly and never guessed that it might be because her kinsperson was just as influential in the Muggle world as his was in the wizarding world.

"Michael Smythe, that 's my uncle. He 's my mum 's Brother,"Amanda elaborated."Imagine my mum 's surprise when she told him that I was a Wiccan only to get out that he already knew about the wizarding world."

"So if Hotspur wins ...,"Albus began, his part trailing off.

"He 'll meet my Uncle Mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, GA does have it all figured out. If word gets out that Sir Henry Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch acting, it 's going to come off wrong in the closet and lose him balloting. So, he 'll celebrate it to himself and will be in the front row of every exclusive one of her matches, pretending to be a immense Kenmare Kestrals fan."

"Wow, that seems so wrong,"rose wine muttered.

"It 's political relation from the other side. The world wants people in power to have a certain image."

"Still, it 's like lying,"rosebush went on."Just another reason I am not getting into politics."

"My full cousin Leanne went a piddling waste at university her first gear year, our first year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photograph of her and put it on the covering fire of some tabloid, but that was the only one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not like Georgia 's partying. She 's got Quidditch skills and is using them to make an honest living,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't require the world to screw he 's not happy with her career option so he 's going to lay down himself look like a consecrate father."

"See, everything 's changing."Albus sighed."Sometimes I just wish well I had a formula family."

"It 's not all it 's cracked up to be,"can said. Kaden nodded.

"It 's true, Albus,"Matt said."Amanda 's completely right. It 's the whole reason why my dad got sacked. The public did n't like that I was a werewolf, which is character of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, cipher wanted him in politics anymore."

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but matt was right. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before lusterlessness mentioned that. And now the same thing was happening with his family. Harry Hotspur was going to profess and while that did n't really directly effect him, how long would it pick out before the public did n't like the figure he and the residuum of his cousins were presenting ?


A/N : From now on, updates for this will take place on the first of every month and updates for Beyond the trace will happen on the 15th. That way they 'll be spread out. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this !

Here 's the Weasley-Potter kinfolk Tree !

Bill-Fleur
Victoire- 20
Gabriella- 18
Ben- 5th year

Charlie-Katherine ( witch )
Stanley- 19
Heather- 7th class
Mark- 6th year
Eddie- 8

Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Georgia- 18
Bradley- 6th year
Cedric- 5th class
Samantha & Lindy ( twins ) - 9

George- Alicia Spinnet
Fred- 7th year
Angie- 1st year

Ron-Hermione
Rose- 4th yr
Hugo- 2nd class

Ginny-Harry
James- 5th year
Albus- 4th year
Lily- 2nd year

*All in Gryffindor*


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was no cite of political sympathies or curate throughout the remainder of the railroad train trip. Amanda did n't say anything else about her uncle being the heyday minister and how it had affected her crime syndicate, but Albus was still really rum about it. How had she managed to keep that a secret for three eld ? judgment by Rose 's reaction, she did n't even experience about it. mat had n't even managed to go along it a orphic that he was a werewolf for a class. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the best mystical keeper in their group.

The talking lightened considerably as they made their way to Hogwarts, soon turning to the familiar subject of Quidditch and then to fantasizing about the new defensive structure teacher. John Lackland was hoping for someone who let them do whatever they wanted whereas Rose wanted someone who would actually learn, and not teach like Balladanis had. Albus did n't really care, so long as the new teacher did n't like to harm his bookman, physically or emotionally.

As the train neared Hogsmeade station, Albus and his friends changed into their robes and prepared to die the string for the bumpy carriage ride up to the school. The journey was now so routine that they did so with little yakety-yak and transferred to the carriages with none of the fanfare of the former two long time. They were fourth years now and Hogwarts was familiar spirit territory. As quarter years, they were well on their way to being the older bookman of the schoolhouse.

The Great Hall was filled with laughter and excitement as the scholarly person found their backside at their sign board. Albus and his friends quickly found tooshie together at the Gryffindor table and all five glanced up to the staff table to receive the new facial expression that would be their defence mechanism teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar look they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

"Which one 's the DoD instructor ?"Kaden asked.

"Have n't the slightest,"Albus replied.

There were two new wizards sitting at the table. One was deep in conversation with Professor Kendrick and the former was glancing around at the room, his eyes never resting on the same thing or individual for more than a few endorsement. The sometime was wearing what looked to be Ministry gown, which made Albus wonder if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from conclusion year standing off to the side in his usual patch. The second new magician was dressed in plain black robes and had nearly no hair atop his header, but instead had a large beard and mustache, as if he was trying to compensate.

"I think the one talking to Kendrick is from the Ministry,"Albus said.

"That 's not a good signal,"John replied."What 's the Ministry doing here on the get-go day ?"

"It 's not necessarily a bad affair,"rose pointed out."Maybe they just want to make indisputable everything is back to normal after the competition last year."

Gospel According to John opened his sassing to reply but was silenced by the doors opening and Professor Patil entering with the new first years. They looked pock and tiny, far minor than the previous class 's first-class honours degree geezerhood. It was uncanny how they seemed to get small-scale every year.

As with the premature year, Albus did n't pay any attention to anyone 's sorting unless their last epithet was potter or Weasley. This yr, of course, there was only Angie entering Hogwarts from Albus 's large family. She ran up to the three-legged-stool with as a lot enthusiasm as the remainder of the class had and jammed the hat onto her head.

It remained there for all of three minute before shouting"Gryffindor !"Angie ran from the stool to the excited shouts of the Gryffindors, her crony Fred 's whistling ringing over the rest. Everyone at Hogwarts would have bet money on Angie being a Gryffindor, but everyone still liked to cheer.

For once Albus wished that Kendrick would make announcements before the feast was served just so he could discover out why there were two new wizards at the staff mesa, but like common, Kendrick waited until after the feast. Thus, the length of the feast was spent speculating.

"The Ministry 's sent someone to find,"James said confidently."facial expression at the past three years. Every unmarried one at least one of Al and his friends have gotten kidnapped by insane wizards. Clearly the Ministry does n't retrieve the teachers can protect us enough."

"That 's what the Aurors are for,"Rose pointed out."What 's some Ministry bloke going to do that an Auror ca n't do ? I really do n't think that bloke is another Auror."

"I bet he 's here to recruit people for the Ministry,"Fred suggested."You know, spend a year with us seventh twelvemonth and try to convince us that we should take on boring Ministry jobs. Bet Uncle Hotspur 's the grounds for it. Probably does n't want anymore of his kin to film up Quidditch professionally."

"That 's ridiculous,"a seventh-year young lady replied."He 's probably just the new Defense teacher."

"Then who 's that early cuss ?"Matt gestured to the bald man sitting adjacent to Slughorn.

"Slughorn 's long lost twin ?"Kaden suggested."Seriously, shave his beard and he 'll look just like Slughorn."

"Maybe Kendrick just wanted to invite mortal to the Welcome Feast,"Amanda pointed out."It could be as simple as that."

Albus doubted it. zippo was ever simple when it came to life at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed like ages, the puddings disappeared and Kendrick stood to give his usual starting signal of term speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I give a warm welcome to our new showtime geezerhood and Hope you have enjoyed your first Hogwarts fete. I 'll remind everyone that the forest is out of bounds as well as the Whomping Willow. Those wishing to try out for their sign of the zodiac Quidditch teams can give their names to their head of firm. Now, you may have noticed that there are two new staff members this yr even though only one lieu is vacant. The first is round-eyed to explicate and the arcsecond is a little more complicated.

"First, I would like to welcome professor Elliot Pres Young to Hogwarts. Professor Young is going to be taking over the Defense teacher position."Kendrick gestured to the man with the beard, while scattered applause was received from the students and other professors.

"Professor antediluvian if you ask me,"John muttered.

"Many of you may be aware and quite a lot of you I 'm sure are not aware that this is an election year for the Ministry of Magic. Tomorrow the nominee running for Minister of Magic will make their speeches announcing their political campaign, which will begin a seven month campaign period. At the beginning of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the achiever shall be announced. The fact that this is an election year is a marvelous educational opportunity and I was n't about to let it devolve us by. Therefore I have decided to add another category to the syllabus. It will meet once a week and in it you will learn the ins and outs of our political organisation and its history.

"This is prof Richard Embry."Kendrick gestured to the blighter sitting future to him, who then stood up."He is from the Ministry and has agreed to learn this new class that we have designed. The course will appear on your schedules that you will experience tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as classes begin bright and early in the morning. Prefects, delight escort the commencement years to the uncouth rooms."

Kendrick and the Ministry bloke both resumed their seats while Albus and his Quaker rose. The joined the mob of students making their way out of the Great lobby and towards the main stairway. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins broke away from the face pack to go down to their dorm room and then the Ravenclaws left for their tower. Soon, Albus and his friends were only amongst cuss Gryffindors.

The common room was buzzing with discussion about the new prof when they arrived. Most of the unseasoned students had gone to bed, but the older students were making no movement to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up rag for Quidditch try-outs on the observation board while Heather watched. Albus predicted that the two of them would act more like co-captains since there was no way heather mixture was going to let Fred construct all of the team determination this year.

"So now we have another class,"John the Evangelist muttered as they sat down at a board near the fire."more than homework. More exams."

"It 's only once a calendar week,"Rose pointed out.

"But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to convey a year about political sympathies ?"King John asked.

"Never,"Albus replied.

"Muggles take classes on political science,"Amanda pointed out."My sister took one last yr and my full cousin have taken them. I really do n't think it 's going to be that difficult."

"Yeah, it 's not like there 's going to be an O.W.L. for it,"rosebush said."Can you consider that we 'll be taking O.W.L.s side by side year ?"

privy groaned."Do we really have to talk about them already ?"

"Seriously,"Matt agreed."They 're a long way off."

"Well, I think I 'm going to turn in,"Rose said as she stood up."socio-economic class showtime tomorrow."

"You sound like Kendrick,"Albus said, but he was feeling slightly tired himself.

Rose and Amanda left for the little girl'dormitory a little while later. Albus and the other boy stayed up a piece longer, but soon realized they were quite tired. They said goodnight to Kaden when they reached the third years'dormitory and then continued on to their own. It had been a yearn day and Albus was ready to go to sleep, just so he would n't experience to cerebrate about political sympathies or the election anymore.
******


"well, we 've got one of the new teacher today,"whoremaster said at breakfast the espouse morning."We start off the day with Herbology and then have Defense right before lunch."

"When do we have that politics class ?"matte asked as he scooped a tidy sum of rolled oats onto his plate.

"Tomorrow, rightfulness before dinner,"John replied."Merlin, that would 've been innocent sentence if we did n't have that bloody class."

"It could be fun, can,"Rose said.

"I have n't got it until Fri morning,"Kaden lamented."I think it will be fun. Muggle political sympathies are boring but witching makes everything better."

"Bad news program is we have it with the Slytherins,"Albus said.

"Of track,"flatness muttered."Would n't expect anything unlike. And we 've probably got potions with them again, right ?"

Albus glanced at his schedule."Yes."They had had potions with the Slytherins every year now. Surely that could n't be accidental. Albus would consume preferred they have no social class with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in Defense the previous twelvemonth. The conclusion matter he and matt needed was more contact with Scorpius Malfoy.

"Good word is that we 've got defensive structure with the Hufflepuffs this year,"Amanda pointed out.

"Bet Kendrick did that on function after last twelvemonth,"John said."He 'd have to be an idiot to dedicate us that class with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in concord. After the scene that had developed between Albus, St. John, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in defensive measure class together again. Albus was grateful. He 'd pass the last few weeks of his third yr avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to forfend him for the remainder of his Hogwarts career. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling squad.

The group hurriedly finished their breakfast and then parted shipway with Kaden before heading down to the glasshouse for Herbology. Herbology was one of those predictable form where they never had to interest about anything awful happening when it came to subject area topic or teachers. Neville was a fair instructor who made family interesting. Albus never had to vex about anything odd happening while in the greenhouses, unlike potions and DoD.

Everyone was slightly mistrustful of the new defending team professor and thus the seats in the back of the elbow room were in high school demand. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had transfiguration beforehand and had a much shorter walk, so they claimed all of the far seats. Albus, Matt, and lav had the misfortune of having to sit at one of the look tables and all three son were on edge.

The professor ambled into the room just as division was scheduled to take off. He had a very large wad of parchment, which he set on the desk before beginning to foretell roll.

"I am Professor Young,"he began after he finished with axial rotation."And welcome to fourth year defense Against the Dark art. This year we will focus on darkness curses, hexes, and general enchantment, all of which are detailed out in your schoolbook. You can take your books out now if you have n't already done so."

Albus rummaged in his bag and set his Good Book on the table. Professor Young picked up the stack of parchment and began passing it out to the students. Albus feared that it was a quiz, as he glanced down at its fill-in-the-blank interrogative and short answer questions.

"Please read the first off chapter of your books and finish the worksheet by the end of the class,"offspring said as he walked back to his desk. He said nix more and began to read what appeared to be a novel while stroking his beard.

Albus glanced at John and lustrelessness, unsure of whether Young would yell at him if he spoke in whispers to his friends. Actually, offspring might not even hear him. He did look to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the first day of class. Would n't a lecture shuffle more sensation ? Albus could n't remember a clip when a professor had n't lectured on the commencement day of class.

Everyone else seemed thoroughly confused as well. For the next five minutes everyone sent each other confused looks and glances before finally cracking open their textbooks, having realized that Young was n't going to do anything besides read his novel.

Albus began to read the first chapter, which was dreadfully boring. It was about the most mundane of wickedness hexes, if a wickedness hex could be considered mundane. The chapter did n't even mention inexcusable curses, which while horrible, were far more concern than the canonic principles of what made a expletive night.

Albus finished his worksheet a few second before Loretta Young put down his novel."Leave your worksheets here on my desk. There is n't any homework."

"That was the strange division ever,"Albus said once they had left the way."Who gives a worksheet on the 1st day of form ?"

"Someone who just wants to understand their Scripture all day,"John replied."Works for me, since he did n't give any homework."

"Still, it was horribly slow,"Albus replied.

"Honestly, I 'm felicitous it 's tire after dealing with Balladanis finis yr,"lustrelessness said.

"Somehow I do n't guess this blighter is going to be bringing any Anamateks to class,"Albus said.

"An Anamatek would probably finish him off,"John replied."I do n't cogitate he could treat one."

"Not many people could,"Albus pointed out.

When they arrived in the Great dorm, they were surprised to see Georgia hurrying Bradley and Cedric out of the room.

"What 's wrong ?"Albus asked, extremely confused as to why Georgia was at Hogwarts.

"Dad wants us there when he makes his big announcement."She rolled her center."We 're supposed to be there supporting him or something."

"What clock time is it happening ?"Albus asked.

"One,"Peach State replied."Which means we 're already going to be later than Dad wants. It 'll be in the Evening Prophet."

"There is no way Empire State of the South 's going to be capable to affect everything is fine between her and Uncle Percy for the completely election,"blush wine said once Georgia and her blood brother had left."She looked annoyed already and he has n't even announced he 's running yet."

"She probably has to overleap exercise for it,"Albus replied."I just want to acknowledge who he 's running against."

"regard we could go ticker,"rosiness said."I bet our parents are there."

"Of course they are,"Albus agreed."matte 's dad is probably there, too."

"He is,"Matt said."Has n't got a clue as to who 's running, though."

"Guess we 'll find out tonight,"Albus said.
******


Albus did n't see Thomas Bradley or Cedric until dinner. He had been hoping to catch one of them in between classes, but either their schedules did n't permit them to bilk paths or the announcement had gone until dinner. The noise in the Great Charles Francis Hall was n't any louder than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he was n't quite indisputable how much the rest of the student cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor table, all of Albus 's first cousin were clustered at one end of the table, their heads leaned in to one another.

"facial expression like a family meeting or something,"Albus said.

"We 'll see you in the common room after dinner, then,"Amanda said as she pulled lavatory and Kaden towards the other end of the table, lusterlessness following.

Albus followed pink wine to the far end of the table, where everyone else had already gathered. Albus squeezed his way in between Hugo and James while blush wine found a seat next to Lily.

"Finally, you 're here,"James said."Bradley and Cedric wo n't say a Holy Scripture until everyone 's here."

"Otherwise we 'd just ingest to tell the story over and over again,"Bradley muttered.

"Well, go on,"Fred encouraged.

"It was basically a huge fancy company with a bunch of boring language,"Bradley began."A bunch of Ministry people and their wives or husbands and Dad was the shopping centre of care, of form. Everyone knew he was running even though he had n't made his official announcement yet. It did n't get concern until Dad and the witch he 's running against made their announcement-"

"Dad 's was pretty boring,"Cedric cut in."Talked about how he 's seen the Ministry through so many alteration and how we need strong leadership to keep the magical community together and loyal. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of class. Then everyone clapped politely and the foeman stood up."

"The witch who 's actually lead looks like she was a hawk in a former life. Her nose is as pointy as a nose can get and she 's got this silklike mordant haircloth that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a crowd of people who she introduced as her safari team,"Bradley said."But it was her speech that got the crowd riled up. She kept putting gob in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding human beings was a strong merge forepart but she talked about how rupture are forming and the Ministry is slipping and change is needed again. She made all these insidious mention of how the Aurors are n't as on top of things and how if we do n't do something the magical world will fall apart."

"That 's ridiculous !"Fred said."The magical globe is fine."

"I thought they were just making their annunciation that they were running,"rosebush said."Speeches do n't start yet."

"Neither of them are going to knock off an opportunity to get voting,"Heather pointed out."So do you two have to have anymore appearance ?"

"Yeah,"Omar Nelson Bradley answered."Dad wants us all there for his first speech this weekend and he said there are going to be some argument here, so we have to sit up front with Mum at those."

"And the Prophet wants to do a vast article on our family,"Cedric added."They 're doing one on the witch, too."

"What 's her gens ?"Rose asked."And what does she do in the Ministry ?"

"Patricia Laurentis,"Cedric replied."She 's some sort of consultant to the current Minister. Her title 's just as confusing and long as Dad's."

"Weird that both the campaigner were working under the current curate,"Rose said.

"fountainhead the parties chose them."Cedric shrugged."I should get going, though. Have to go see Slughorn about what I missed earlier."

"Me too,"Bradley said as he stood up."Patil probably wo n't be pleased that I missed the first lesson."

Cedric and Bradley left, leaving the residue of the cousin to lecture about what they had just been told. Albus mostly listened while pushing his intellectual nourishment around his plate. What he had learned about Patricia Laurentis unnerved him a fiddling and it was mostly because part of him thought she was right. thing were n't as perfect tense as his Uncle Percy thought. Willinson was still on the loose and not to mention the egress with Lubar was still unresolved.

But Albus 's dad and the other Aurors were doing all they could, were n't they ? What could Patricia Laurentis do if she got elected ? There would still be the Lapp Aurors working at the Ministry.

"Maybe Uncle Hotspur is the powerful someone to be minister,"Scots heather said quietly."The Ministry has been working the same way since the final examination engagement, has n't it ? And there have n't been anymore Voldemorts trying to get ahead power."

"But things ca n't always remain the same,"Rose pointed out.

"Do you really think the Ministry needs to change that much ?"Calluna vulgaris asked.

"I do n't know,"rosebush said quietly."I just do n't imagine hoi polloi are as link up as Uncle Sir Henry Percy thinks."

"I 'm going to the common room,"Albus said as he pushed his plate away. He was n't athirst anymore.

Footsteps behind him told him that Rose was following, just like he hoped she would."What were you getting at ? People not being united ?"he asked once they were in an empty corridor.

"Not everyone agrees on everything, Albus,"rosiness said."Far from it. I think Uncle Percy 's slightly delusional about that. And recollect what you told me about that odd bloke who gave your dad a admonition at the Quidditch cosmos Cup ?"

"That bloke ?"Albus laughed."He was insane !"

"I 'm not denying that, but he did have a point. In an election year everything issue. Uncle Percy 's aligned his beliefs with the flow minister of religion 's, which means if he 's elected he 's going to continue doing thing the same way. The Ministry has n't caught Willinson for sound in the three years they 've been searching and he 's slipped out of their compass numerous times. It 's not going to be unmanageable for that Laurentis gentlewoman to convince multitude we need to change tactics, even if her tactics are n't groovy either."

Albus said null for a few consequence."How do you cognise all of this ?"

"I 've talked to Amanda more than you have,"Rose replied."She knows how all of this works, and it 's really not that unlike in the Muggle world."

"So you think Laurentis is going to win ?"Albus asked.

Rose laughed."I never said that and it 's far too soon to tell. They have n't even debated yet. All I 'm saying is, Uncle Percy needs to spread his eyes a bit."

Albus did n't answer. He knew that his Uncle Hotspur 's political horizon were slightly unlike than the repose of his syndicate 's, but they were still quite similar. If what Rose was saying was confessedly, that meant that his whole family needed to open their eye and Albus was n't sure how he felt about that.


A/N : Sorry about the late update. There were some site issues. See the assembly for Sir Thomas More details about that. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"You know, this politics category is taking away from our free menstruation,"Gospel According to John said the following good morning at breakfast. He shook his head as he loaded his plate high with scrambled ballock and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for Rose 's reply about how they needed to take advantage of any pick up opportunities, even if they meant less loose clock time, but it did n't come. Albus turned to look at her, thinking she might be ill. She was n't. Instead she was piling her own dental plate high with bollock and goner. Albus raised his eyebrow at her.

"What ?"she demanded."Girls get hungry, too."

"Not that,"Albus replied."John just complained about having another class and you did n't groan and tell him off."

"I kind of agree with him."Rose shrugged.

"Are you ill ?"Albus asked as he felt her forehead.

blush wine pushed his hand away."Stop it, Al. I 'm not saying I wo n't savour the grade. I 'm just saying that we 're twenty-five percent years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the clip we can get to study. Not that John would use the time to contemplate, mind you."

"There 's the pink wine we all know."Saint John the Apostle grinned as he stuffed his facial expression with bacon.

"I think it 'll be a Nice change,"matt put in."Something different. placard they gave us History of magic trick on two consecutive cockcrow. Wonder who the moron was who did that."

"Same one who always gives us classes with the Slytherins, I 'll bet,"John said."Double Potions this morning and I 'd bet my rightfulness arm and both my stage we 'll be with the Slytherins."

"Why not both your weapons system and branch ?"Amanda asked.

"On the off-chance that I 'm wrong, I 'll need some form of limb to get around with,"John answered.

"I only had one course of instruction with the Slytherins last year,"Kaden said."You lot must have terrible lot. I 'd better be off. Defense this morning."

"commodity luck. That prof is weird,"privy said.

"Ca n't be worse than endure year,"Kaden replied as he got up and left.

Albus, Matt, Rose, and Amanda waited for bathroom to finish his pile of eggs before setting off for the dungeons. When they arrived the door was already give and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpius Malfoy was sitting at one of the nominal head tables, looking rather smug. Albus averted his eyes and continued to the rachis of the classroom, where he sat down in between Matt and John.

"wonderment what he 's so happy about,"Albus muttered as the respite of the students entered the room.

"I do n't screw. But I do n't like it,"john said.

Slughorn chose that import to waddle into the elbow room so Albus and John could not extend their conversation."Welcome, welcome ! Ahh, my two favorite home together again ! What luck. well, well, welcome to one-quarter yr Potions. This is the yr that things get difficult since you 'll be sitting your O.W.L.s side by side yr ..."

"Why is it they 're talking about O.W.L.s this year ?"Albus whispered."They 're still over a year off."

"... Since today is a double class I thought we 'd set about brewing the number 1 potion in your text edition and see where your science lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to register your text ledger over the summer !"

Albus glanced at rose wine, who was sitting next to Amanda at one of the strawman tables. She seemed to sit up higher in her seat.

"Let 's get started, then. You can act upon in pairs of your choosing. The distich that produces the Charles Herbert Best potion will win a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate."

Saint John set off to work with Janie Creevey who lacked a spouse while Albus and Matt set up a cauldron at their table.

"Remember your gloves,"Slughorn announced."If you touch the finished product your bridge player will immediately freeze."

"Does it look odd to you that we have to concoct a Freeze Solution with fire ?"Matt asked as he stuck his wand under the cauldron to illuminate the flame.

"Very,"Albus agreed."So now that we 've had Slughorn for three years, have you noticed that he always starts the class with a contest ?"

"Yeah. I bet he uses the Lapplander curriculum every year,"flatness added."Ca n't imagine that often alteration in terminus of potion brewing."

"I bet our parents brewed the Same potions,"Albus said.

"I wonder if it 's possible for this potion to explode,"Matt mused as he tossed a few piece of chopped beet into the cauldron."

"wellspring, I suppose we 'll line up out,"came a drawling interpreter from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few bottles he must possess gotten from the provision closet."I 'm certainly you two will manage it, if it 's possible."

"Shut it, Malfoy,"Albus replied.

Malfoy glared at him and then stalked off towards his own table. Albus was slightly surprised that he had left so quickly. It was strange.

"Wyrd of him to impart so soon,"flatness said, as if reading Albus 's mind.

"Yeah, if you ask me, he 's afraid of you now."

Matt let out a laugh."Yeah, right. If anything he 's finally realized you 're a better duelist than he is and he 's got to look out out. speaking of which, you think you 're going to be captain of your dueling team this year ?"

"It 's either going to be me or Malfoy,"Albus said.

With everything else that was going on that year, the last thing Albus needed was to be captain of his dueling squad, but he did not want Malfoy as captain either. He 'd take the extra body of work if just to preserve Malfoy from being in commission. Malfoy needed power like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flame thrower.

Albus and Matt did not brag up their potion by the end of the form. In fact, their potion had the Same consistency that it was supposed to and while it was slightly ribald, it did manage to freeze the quill Slughorn stuck in it. blush wine and Amanda won the coffee, which was no surprise to anyone.

rosiness and Amanda shared their chocolate with the son as they walked up to the Great hallway for dejeuner. Albus and matt told the little girl and John about Malfoy 's bizarre doings and pink wine told them that they should just be happy he 's backing down, rather than analyze his motives.

The Great Hall was buzzing with activity when they entered it a few minutes later. Albus sat down at the Gryffindor table and no Sooner had he grabbed a drum roll did Calluna vulgaris toss a transcript of the prophet onto his plate.

"What 's this ?"Albus asked as he lifted up the paper.

"This morning 's Prophet. The owl were tardily delivering it. Something about a violent storm in London,"heather mixture explained.

Albus set down his roll and opened the paper. There on the strawman varlet was a pictorial matter of his Uncle Percy, smiling blanket, in elaborate robe, shaking hands with a very magniloquent woman, who was also smiling wide and wearing dilate robes. Above the picture was the claim,"prospect for Minister of magic trick Announced."

By this distributor point pink wine and matt had crowded on either position of Albus, while Amanda and John hovered behind him, all trying to read the clause. Albus 's eyes traveled down the page so he could do the same.

In front of the entire Ministry of illusion,
parson hopefuls Percy Ignatius Weasley and
Patricia Vivien Leigh Laurentis announced their
candidacy on September 3rd, 2029. Both
candidates work under Minister Hartwell, yet
are running against each early for opposite
parties.

Weasley, Senior Undersecretary for the
draftsmanship and editing of law, has been
chosen to run for the Merlinus Party,
which is the party that flow government minister
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, Senior
adviser to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
official has been chosen to run for the
Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus Party.

A large gang turned out for the promulgation,
which is only the first of many appearances
by both candidate. The first disputation is
scheduled for September 8th, at the
Ministry of Magic.

"So that 's who your uncle 's running against,"lusterlessness said.

"Guess so,"Albus replied.

"She looks a little like this maths teacher I had before I came to Hogwarts,"Amanda said."She was a scary noblewoman. I remember once I forgot to do my homework so I spent the entire morning in the loo before someone came looking for me."

"You can secernate they both hate each other,"lusterlessness said as he gestured to the flick."Sure they 're shaking mitt and acting nice but clearly they both want to hex each other."

"It 's just eldritch that she works for Hartwell if she 's the opposite company he is,"rose wine mused."Why would Hartwell bear hired her ?"

"Maybe she switched political party ?"Amanda suggested."It happens in the Muggle world."

"Maybe,"rose said."It just seems funny. Her change over parties and hinting at all these radical changes. It just seems like something big is going to happen."

Albus could n't help but have the Saame impression. But all he could do was trust that his uncle won the election and Laurentis would not have the hazard to transfer everything.

"Hey, Al, done with that paper ?"Saint James the Apostle called from down the table.

Albus nodded and passed the Prophet down, then settling in to eat luncheon. There was no point worrying about the election now. It was month away. Plus, the political science class was later that day and Albus was incredibly peculiar about it.

Transfiguration seemed to puff by since it was the Same as it was every class. Professor Patil explained about that year 's curriculum and how they needed to start thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased work load. It was all rather monotonous and all Albus wanted to do was get to politics since it was something new.

Finally Transfiguration was over and Albus and his friends hurried to the fifth floor to the classroom where politics was held. They slowed down when they reached the elbow room as none of them wanted to be the first to enter.

"We better not induce this with the Slytherins,"John Lackland muttered as they neared the doorway.

Albus peeked in the threshold."Nope, Hufflepuffs."

bathroom let out an audible suspiration of embossment and Albus pushed the door open as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the back, and the professor was nowhere in visual sense. rosebush immediately claimed a desk in the front and Amanda chose one side by side to her, while Albus and the early boy headed to the group of Hufflepuffs in the back.

"Do you think there will be homework in this stratum ?"lav asked as they sat down.

Albus raised his eyebrows."Is that a life-threatening question ?"

John shrugged."well it 's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably wo n't even have this class side by side year. So why would there be prep ?"

"Because it 's a social class and this is Hogwarts,"Albus replied."I guarantee there will be homework."

The rest of the course of study filed in, filling in the seats that remained in the centre of the classroom. As the Melville Bell rang, prof Embry entered, walking with an air that this class would be all work and no sport.

"good afternoon,"professor Embry began as he shuffled a few papers on his desk."Welcome to Basic Wizarding Politics. I am prof Embry and you will cover me such."

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to tempo the distance of the classroom."I understand that most of you know absolutely aught about politics and bear that the minister of religion of Magic is born the diplomatic minister and laws just magically come into existence. A pick out few of you,"his optic rested on Albus, and then on Matt, and on two Hufflepuff fille,"have parents in the Ministry and may have slightly Thomas More cognition than the remainder, but that would be rather generous of me to assume.

"Hogwarts has not put very much stake in political education before now, something that I feel is lacking in today 's breeding and wish to rectify this year. The curriculum will include history of how our government came to be the way it is today as well as how the government is currently run."

The year let out a collective grown at the word chronicle. Albus glanced at Rose, who was on the bound of her seat.

"But sir,"a particularly brave Hufflepufff boy announced,"we 've already learned the chronicle. We take History of Magic."

Embry let out a shortsighted laugh."With Professor Binns ? If I may be point-blank, that man died before most of the history happened. Along with that, he 'll put a rock to sleep."Embry chuckled. No one in the class dared to express mirth."I 'm going to give you a proper history of our modern government, starting with a brief overview of what the government was like before the sovereignty of Voldemort and a more comprehensive overview of what it is like today.

"I will also give a class period each to the way the political science is run in Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault, the United States, and Australia. Now, since you were not aware that this class would take place, you have not acquired books. Therefore I have purchased them for you. You are to cover them as program library Word and revert them to me in similar experimental condition at the end of the year. Lest your parents be billed."

Embry flicked his verge and sight of Scripture flew out of a nearby closet. They landed softly in front of the students. Albus glanced down and read the title. Politics and Government in Modern Wizarding Great Britain by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the cupboard it had come out of.

"Very dear. Now, get out lambskin and quills. I 'm not going to let the rest of this class period go to waste,"Embry said as he tapped his wand on the plug-in. Notes immediately appeared on it.

Embry lectured for the residue of the class about how the first government was formed in U.K.. It was incredibly dry. The solitary cause Albus stayed awake was because he had to have notes. Literally had to. Embry caught a John not taking bank bill and threatened him with detention this Sat if he did n't start.

"That 's all for today,"Embry said after the bell rang."future family we 'll fast forward in meter and learn about the administration pre-Voldemort. translate the first chapter for homework and come up with three paying attention head to pose to the sleep of the class. Dismissed."

"How does Hogwarts attract the most bizarre teachers ?"Albus asked once they were out of earshot of the classroom.

"Kendrick must put it on the list of job requirements,"John the Divine replied."Must be out of your freaking mind to call for this position."

"I think he 's pro,"rosebush piped in."It seems like we 'll really learn stuff."

"Why pain ?"John asked."It 's not like we 're old enough to stimulate a say in the government anyway."

"But we will one day,"Amanda pointed out."And to be honest, I 'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, John. Muggles get politics grade in school. It makes sense that we should, too."

"She 's got a point, mate,"matt said."Who has the power in your country topic. If you elect the wrong people, affair can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their leaders, either. We do n't even get to do that fully. The spatial relation that Albus 's dad has and my dad have ? In the United States, those are elected positions. Not here."

"And before Voldemort, we did n't even elect our rector,"blush wine said.

"How do you lot even fuck this hooey ?"lav asked as they drew closer to the Gryffindor common room.

"Parents."Amanda shrugged."It 's amazing what you pick up when your parents think you 're too young to manage to eavesdrop."

"Wait."can stopped in the centre of the corridor and looked at his champion."Wait. Now that we know about your uncle, you lot all have family involved with the Ministry, wether it 's the magical ministry or the Muggle ministry."

Albus grinned sheepishly."Guess so."

John groaned."This is mad. Why could n't I have picked normal friend ?"

"Normal is highly overrated,"Matt said as they reached the Fat Lady.

******


The rest of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus 's opinion. Everyone, scholar and teacher, fell back into their common Hogwarts procedure and by the time Friday arrived Albus had a stack of homework as high school as his bed and was more than fix for a few twenty-four hours off. But when he saw the notice display board in the rough-cut room when he got back from appeal on Friday afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

Fred had scheduled Quidditch practice on Saturday at eight in the aurora.

"8 !"Albus exclaimed."In the morning ? Is he thoroughly insane ? It 's the first week back ! Even Georgia was n't crazy enough to do that."

"Tough hazard, checkmate,"John said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby lounge."octonary in the break of day. Let 's see, I 'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, mat ? What will you be doing at eight in the morning ? Flying through the rainwater ? Trudging through the mud to the pitch ?"

"Course not."Matt grinned."I 'll be cozy in bed, having an dumbfound pipe dream where I 'm playing for the shank. In unadulterated conditions of course."

"The carom are the merely team you 'd ever sustain hope of playing for,"Saint John the Apostle replied.

Albus threw himself down on the lounge. Fred was insane. That was all there was to it. Well, he could go for for a professor attitude once he graduated. He 'd match the insanity requirement.

"Speak of the daemon,"John said as Fred entered the common room.

"You !"Albus shouted as he got up."Why in the name of everything Merlin owns did you docket practice at eight in the cockcrow on a Saturday ? Not everyone 's a 7th year taking four class. We ca n't all sleep in every bloody day."

Fred shrugged."Had to. Pitch is booked solid all weekend except for Saturday morning and evening. All the other theater are having try-outs. We ca n't even hold our steward try-outs until adjacent weekend because of it."

"Why not the evening then ?"

"Omar Nelson Bradley 's got to make an appearance at Uncle Percy 's speech."Fred rolled his eyes.

"Then why have practice at all ? We do n't take to train anyone new until we get a new Keeper,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's been a altogether summer. We 're rusty. We 've got to bulge training early. I want that Quidditch trophy."

"We 've been playing Quidditch all summertime,"Albus said flatly.

"Look, Al, I 'm not changing it. hardly deal with it,"Fred said as he continued up to his dormitory.

Albus spent the residuum of the eve fuming about practice and cursing Fred under his breath, until blush wine suggested they all go to the room after dinner. Albus reluctantly agreed, knowing that if they went to the Room he 'd be up half the night and would only get a few hours'sleep.

In the end he was glad rose wine suggested it. They spent the evening playing Gobstones and Exploding Snap and listening to whoremonger and Kaden think up new agency to prank the Slytherins, and more specifically, Scorpius Malfoy. Eventually, Albus decided to telephone it a night and headed back to his dormitory, leaving his protagonist to keep discussing whether it would be secure to deform Malfoy 's haircloth red or purpleness.

Only a few shortstop hours later Albus found himself sneaking quietly out of his dormitory at an hour of day that was only have in mind to be seen on weekdays. He grabbed his Calluna vulgaris and went to meet his teammates in the common room.

No one looked well-chosen. King James I was nodding off on the couch while Ryan attempted to tie his shoes without opening his centre. broom 's hair was sticking up at odd angles while she tried to chasten it into a ponytail. Omar Bradley was sulking in an armchair. Even Fred looked a petty worse for wear. But they trudged through the castle, only seeing Peeves loosening a few door hinges and Filch 's cat malingering behind a suit of armor.

The weather condition was at to the lowest degree nice and the four hours they spent on the pitch went by relatively fast. Albus and his mate landed on the ground as the Slytherin Quidditch team made their way onto the pitch. Albus glared at them as they passed.

Without going up to his dorm room to alter, Albus headed into the Great Asaph Hall hoping there would be something good for lunch. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his protagonist halfway down the Gryffindor table and after stowing his heather underneath the terrace, he sat down and grabbed the nearest dish.

"You could at least shower first, Al,"blush wine said."You stink."

"Too starved,"Albus replied.

"Albus !"Lily called from down the mesa. She got up and headed over to him."Mum and Dad sent this earlier."She handed him a piece of lambskin."They want us to go to the argumentation tonight since it 's the first one and all. We 're expected to Floo from Kendrick 's study to the Ministry at five."

Albus groaned as he read the letter."That gives me about four time of day to relax and possibly do homework."

"Are you going to have to go to every debate ?"Rose asked.

"Leslie Townes Hope not,"Albus replied in between raciness."You do n't sustain to go ?"

"Have n't gotten anything about it. Dad probably does n't even require to go himself so he wo n't make us. And Mum probably expects that it would just subscribe to away from my studies."

"This says I have to hold out dress gown,"Albus muttered.

"At least you can recount us if anything skillful happens,"Matt said.

"And what about you ? Your dad 's high in the Ministry. Why are n't you going ?"Albus asked, desperate to happen someone else who could keep him company.

"He already told me over the summertime that I 'll only cause to go to ones at Hogwarts. And then whatever company the candidates will throw for the functionary. Does n't think an election should have much effect on my biography,"lustrelessness explained.

"Lucky,"Albus replied.

Albus made the most of the eternal rest of the day. He and his friends took homework down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beechwood tree while they sat by the edge of the lake and dangled their feet in. Kaden swore the giant star Squid tried to eat his foot, but nobody believed him. Rose and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the edge of the forest, insisting that none of the son follow.

Kaden pulled a Fanged Frisbee out of his bag once the girls left and the boys began tossing it around. This was cracking fun until the Frisbee decided it had had sufficiency of being thrown and took out a section of Kaden 's hair, leaving his head bleeding rather profusely and Albus, King John, and lusterlessness having to rush him to the infirmary wing. By the meter Kaden 's head had been bandaged up and all four had received a lecture on the risk of Fanged Frisbees ( gentlewoman Pomfrey somehow figured out that that was the case ) it was clip for Albus to head back to Gryffindor Tower to get fix for the debate.


A/N : Sorry for the lack of a May update. shoal was insane. But I only have a year left ! I 'm now domicile for the summer and am having issues getting my Internet to cooperate with HPFF. things take a recollective sentence to load and I can not reply to brush up. I will still register every recapitulation, but responses will take a patch since I have to be at the library to reply to them.

Since I last updated I 've had some issues with multitude plagiarizing my fib. I really hate that I have to secern you guys this, but it is against the rules to claim anyone 's tale from here and put them on early sites. It 's also against the ruler to consider plot, characters, etc without permission. I do not give my permission for anyone to take my plots or characters. I 'm really felicitous that you guys like my level, but please do n't take them.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


If there was one thing Albus hated it was getting dressed up for Ministry upshot. He had always been slightly uncomfortable with his dad 's fame and Ministry position because he hated the aid. James had always been the type who would bask in the attention, enjoying when all the Ministry official proclaimed how big he was getting and how he was sure to be the champion of Gryffindor 's Quidditch squad. Lily was rather deaf towards it. She never really expressed emotion about the attention one way or another. She enjoyed getting dressed up but once they were at whatever company, she would go off and do her own thing. Albus just did not like it. He did not like getting his buttock pinched by old ladies and did not like random people telling him how tall he was getting. As he got senior, he did not like it any more.

But it was a fact of sprightliness and so Albus found himself once again forcing himself into a set of emerald greens dress gown. They were wrinkled, but he did n't know any sort of ironing charm so he let them be. It 's not like anyone would be focused on him anyway. This was his Uncle Percy 's nighttime and it seemed like this total yr was going to be his Uncle Percy 's year.

Albus tamed his hair with a bit of water and then met James, Lily, Bradley, and Cedric in the rough-cut elbow room. James looked suave and perfectly well-situated in his blue clothes robes, whereas Bradley and Cedric looked like they were being force fed rotten Pisces the Fishes in their matching grey robes. Lily was wearing a purpurate dress and as usual, did n't seem to stimulate an opinion about going to the debate.

"So you three got roped into this, too ?"Tom Bradley asked as they made their way to Kendrick 's study.

"Yeah, Mum sent us a alphabetic character this morning,"Lily explained."I guess Dad thinks we should be at the maiden one."

"At least you do n't have to go to all of them,"Omar Nelson Bradley muttered.

The rest of the tripper to Kendrick 's study was silent. When they arrived they saw that Kendrick was in dress robes as well and was apparently escorting them to the Ministry and would stick to watch the argument. He handed them each a bit of Floo powder and let them go first.

Albus stepped into the Floo after James and soon found himself in the Ministry of magic trick 's entrance hall. The place was far quieter than it was the shoemaker's last time he had been there, the following class, when he went with Matt to tell his dad about Lubar being at Hogwarts.

Kendrick led them to the lifts and down to the court rooms."The only spot big enough to fit everyone witnessing the debate. Even still, it 's an invitation only issue. It 's being broadcasted over the radio, however. Kendrick stopped in forepart of court room ten and opened the door. The room was about half full. Albus spotted his female parent 's bright red hair in the first row of seating. He followed Kendrick down the stairs.

Albus 's aunty Corrine was sitting with his parents, along with a rather threatening looking Sakartvelo and the twins, who were both reading books. Kendrick began to speak quietly to Harry as Albus and the others filed into the row. James River, Bradley, and Cedric immediately began to verbalize of Quidditch and Albus listened in. They were speculating on who would designate up for Keeper try-outs the comply weekend. Peach State immediately perked up and began giving the son advice on who they should keep an eye out for.

It soon became obvious that the left English of the look row of the seating room was reserved for Percy 's family. They were joined by all of Albus 's aunts and uncles, as well as Victoire, Teddy, and Stanley. In fact the solitary one of his older full cousin that was not there was Gabriella. Albus wanted to ask Victoire where she was but she was too far away.

Albus assumed that the foremost row on the right side of meat was reserved for Laurentis 's family, although Albus did n't recognize a single one of the masses in that row. He turned around and focused on the masses filing in. He recognized a few of them including lustrelessness 's parents and a few other Ministry functionary he 'd met before. Matt 's parents sat down behind Albus 's parents, side by side to professor Kendrick. Albus briefly wished that lusterlessness had been forced to go, but quickly erased that thought because what variety of friend would like their best friend had to serve a political debate ?

The chatter in the room immediately subsided when Minister Hartwell entered followed by a few of his closest advisor. Behind them were Percy and Laurentis, both wearing Ministry robes. Hartwell and his advisor sat along a table at the figurehead of the room while Percy and Laurentis stood behind podium, also at the front of the room. The Minister spoke with his advisers briefly while Percy and Laurentis smiled and waved at the crowd. Then one of the advisers rose from his seat.

He was a portly man, whose robes stretched very tightly across his center. He was completely bald and had no beard, but a very wide mustache. Aiming his wand at his own throat, he muttered a spell and then set his wand down.

"Welcome,"his phonation boomed over the consultation,"to the first debate of the 2020 election for Minister of Magic. Our two campaigner, Sir Henry Percy Ignatius Weasley and Patricia Leigh Laurentis, join us tonight for an introductory argument on a variety of issues. My name is Wendell House of York and I am the oral sex of the section of Magical Transportation and will dish as moderator for tonight 's public debate. I will pose the topic and each candidate will get five minute to reply, then two arcminute for a rebuttal.

"The beginning matter is how our world is concealed from Muggles. Do you think the current Ministry is doing an adequate job ? What changes would you fire ? Mr. Weasley, you may go first."

Albus yawned. Why could n't it be an exciting issue like catching nighttime wiz ? Or at to the lowest degree something relevant to his life, like the lack of commodity Defense professors at Hogwarts. Now that would be a debate he 'd be interested in. Albus turned towards Percy and realized he had n't even been paying attention to much of his uncle 's response.

"... current laws do a satisfactory job of concealing our world from Muggles. trick sightings by Muggles are low in issue and when they do occur Obliviators do an excellent job of altering the memory of our Muggle neighbors ..."Hotspur droned on.

Albus turned to James who rolled his eyes. Could they have come up with a more boring matter ? Albus seriously doubted it. Except perhaps cauldron buttocks thickness, which was a report Percy had done when he first started at the Ministry, according to Harry. Albus glanced at his dad. He was paying attending, but in that sure way of paying attending that meant he was really bored but was trying to fake it. Even Corrine looked slightly bored.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Wendell York said."Ms. Laurentis, your turn."

"I disagree with Mr. Weasley,"Laurentis began."One sighting of our variety by Muggles is too many. Each time a Muggle catches pot of an act of magic puts our entire human beings at jeopardy, and not only Britain 's wizarding world. We have a responsibility to the world that we keep our magic under wrapping. According to last year 's statistics we were in the top five rural area in price of identification number of sightings. That 's not good ..."

Laurentis went on and on about several law of nature that could be enacted to ascertain that Muggles did not see deed of magic until Wendell York cut her off. He then let Percy have his two minute rebuttal, during which he went on about how it was an impossible goal to try, to attain no wizard sightings by Muggles. Laurentis 's rebuttal was basically just a re-statement of her previous argument.

Albus tuned much of the debate out, focusing instead on what he wanted to do during the electric current school class. He was a fourth year, which meant he was no tenacious one of the younger kids. He 'd been on the Quidditch team for two years and now he was hoping he 'd be capable to have some say in how recitation went and how equal were played. Then there was the Dueling social club. Each of the eight squad had a captain and the master were fourth twelvemonth. professor, mostly Neville, picked the captains. Albus knew it would be down to either him or Scorpius and as much as he did not really need the responsibility of being police captain, he did not want Scorpius to give birth office over him. He would use that to his advantage.

The debate wore on and Albus continued to not pay attention until he heard the words 'education'and 'Hogwarts'. That got his attention. It was Laurentis 's turn to go first.

"I think educational reform is the best way to go. Hogwarts has been ran the same way for propagation and while no one can deny that headmaster Kendrick runs a wonderful school, we also can not discount that changes could be made to profit the scholar. The earthly concern is a constantly changing place and education pauperism to keep up in order for our student to be better prepared.

"The social class choices for example. It is my understanding that a new class has been added this yr about political science, which I think is greatly beneficial to scholar. But early than that the Same classes are offered now as have been offered for decade. New classes need to be phased in while old 1 that either no prospicient sake students need to be phased out. Obviously I am not talking about core classes such as Potions and magical spell, but electives.

"Teachers also need to be kept up to date with recent finding in their plain. They should not be teaching the same selective information I or my adversary learned at Hogwarts. They should be teaching the raw valid information available-"

"Thank you, Ms. Laurentis, but your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

"My opposition brings up an interesting point, but even she admits that Headmaster Kendrick is running an excellent school. I believe that some government regulation is essential, example being last year 's incident with professor Balladanis, but we as politics official do not have the grooming nor experience needed to properly run a school. I, as well as my opponent, would be kidding ourselves if we believed we could do a better job running Hogwarts than Professor Kendrick.

"Just as professors most likely believe it scoop to leave law making and the running of the country to those such as my opposite and I, I believe it Charles Herbert Best to give the running of Hogwarts to prof Kendrick and the other professor. In determination, I believe that Hogwarts is hunky-dory as is and if the headmaster thought he needed government assistance bringing about change in curriculum he would ask."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"the moderator said."Ms. Laurentis, your rebuttal."

"I in no way stated that I am trying to run Hogwarts. Nor do I think I would do a easily job of it than professor Kendrick. I am merely stating that the educatee would profit from more authorities intervention. If the Ministry had been more take with teacher selection, for example, we could have possibly avoided hiring Professor Balladanis last year."

"Mr. Weasley."

"My opposer is speculating. There is no way for anyone to say whether regime functionary would cause found Professor Balladanis to be an inappropriate professor during his interview. In fact, I would lean towards the inverse, considering that neither I or my opponent have ever hired a professor before."

Both Hotspur and Laurentis were red in the face. Albus was surprised a Ministry sponsor debate could get so hot up. He craned his head and turned around in guild to see what Kendrick 's reaction to all this was, but found that Kendrick was hiding his emotions far good than either Hotspur or Laurentis. It also seemed that everyone in the room was paying rapt attention, including King James and Lily. The just two people who were n't were Samantha and lindy hop.

There was one final exam question about law devising that Albus did n't really translate, nor did he care to understand. He was far more interested in the Hogwarts interrogative. Percy 's argument was far honorable, in his impression. Hogwarts was delicately the way it was. Why did Laurentis want to change everything ? What sorting of modification was she talking about, anyway ? He supposed the theme would be explored more specifically at the education themed argumentation which was scheduled to involve place at Hogwarts the following month. But one thought that Albus could not get out of his head was that if Laurentis won, what would take place to Hogwarts ?
******


"The just variety I want to see at Hogwarts is less homework and few exams,"privy said as he walked with Albus and the rest of their friends to the Great Hall.

A week had passed since the first of all argumentation and student were still talking about the possible modification to Hogwarts. A very enceinte full page spread had appeared in the Daily oracle the day after the debate, proclaiming that Laurentis wished to modify Hogwarts. This had both educatee and professors up in arm and affair were only beginning to calm down. The professors had been on boundary the previous week, snapping at students for nothing and assigning superfluous homework. This resulted in the students being very distressed. Albus did not quite understand why everyone was letting it regard them so much. It 's not like Laurentis had won. Yet.

It was early on Saturday morning and Albus and his ally were heading to the Great antechamber for the first junior 's Dueling club meeting of the year. Albus 's nerves were on end. It was at this starting time meeting that the headwaiter would be announced.

"If Scorpio gets captain I 'm going to mangle something,"John muttered as they entered the Great Hall.

"You 're not even on his squad,"Rose said.

"I am and I could n't stomach it if he won,"Amanda pointed out.

"If he 's maitre d', tournaments are going to be awful,"bathroom countered."Plus, I 'm Al 's friend."

The Great residence was in mass topsy-turvyness, as it always was during the first off meeting of the year. Two team were congregated at each table and much to Albus 's disdain, his squad was holding court at the Slytherin table. He weaved his way through the disoriented 2d yr who had yet to be assigned a team and stood next to his squad. Scorpius was seated across the tabular array from him.

"Well, Potter, ready to be under my captaincy ?"Scorpius greeted him.

"I could say the same to you,"Albus replied."What makes you so certain you 'll get it ?"

"I 'm the full duellist, obviously."Scorpio smirked.

"silence, lull everyone !"Neville shouted.

Albus turned away from Scorpio and swallowed the desire to nominate a ejaculate back and paid care to Neville instead. professor Patil stood future to him. Albus supposed the new defence mechanism prof had not had a desire to help with the Dueling ball club. Somehow, Albus was not surprised.

"Thank you,"Neville said."First I 'd like to announce that prof Patil has graciously agreed to facilitate me sponsor this year 's Dueling ball club. As a monitor, all teams must have a prof nowadays during drill and it is up to the team headwaiter to organise practice times and site a prof to sit in. The professor does not give birth to be myself or professor Patil. However, this year we are allowing seventh year Dueling nightspot extremity to supervise as well. So as an choice, you may ask a 7th yr to supervise.

"First social club of business is this year 's second years. I 've already assigned you to teams and shall now read off the list."

Albus let his mind wander while Neville read off the lean. The only second yr he knew were his sister, and she was assigned to lustrelessness 's team, as well as Hugo, who was assigned to John and Kaden 's team. A crop of shy looking second year had congregated at his own team 's spot and he smiled at them, encouraging them to take seats next to the older scholar. There were five of them. Two boys and three young lady. Three Ravenclaws, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff. No Gryffindors, but Albus could be with that.

"And now, what I am sure all the fourth geezerhood have been waiting for, captain annunciation ! Let me remind you that I, as well as the other professors who have been involved with this gild have been watching you over the past two years and have chosen not only special duellist, but prodigious leader. Without further adieu.

"The captain of Team One is Marina Jordan-Bell."

sunshine erupted for Marina, mostly from the Hufflepuff table, where her squad was seated. Albus grinned. Marina was very nice and would work an excellent captain.

"The captain of team Two is Harvey Tucker."

John and Kaden 's team. Harvey was a Ravenclaw and all Albus knew about him was that he knew every solution in every single class.

"The captain of Team tierce is Peter Smith."

A Hufflepuff. His founder had attended school with Albus 's parents and they had n't liked him much.

"The captain of team Four is Lydia Thompson."

A rather snobby Slytherin whom was often seen with Scorpius. Scorpio grinned and clapped loudly for her.

"The captain of Team Five is Jace Johnson."

Rose 's team. Jace was a Hufflepuff who did n't seem to ever be not happy. It was kind of bizarre, actually.

"The captain of squad Six is Raisha Sweeney."

A Hufflepuff that Albus did n't know well. He swallowed hard. team up heptad was following and that was his team.

"The captain of squad 7 is Albus Potter."

John 's whistle could be heard above everyone 's shouting. Albus grinned. His full squad ( save for Scorpio and his friends ) were clapping hard. He 'd done it. He 'd made chieftain ! All the precariousness he 'd had over the summer about it had disappeared. He, Albus thrower, was the new captain of team septet.

"The captain of Team eighter is Dayton Coons."

matt 's team. Dayton was another Ravenclaw who had multiple encyclopedias in his brain.

"That 's all for today. Captains, please figure out a clock time for your first of all practice, which should take billet during the future two weeks. Once you have a engagement, please see me to get a classroom. Then find a prof or seventh year to supervise.

Scorpio did not say one Logos as Albus talked with the respite of his team and figured out a practice time that did not interfere with four different Quidditch team, Gobstones society, and Bromus secalinus nightclub. Eventually he settled on the following Th evening. Neville assigned them to an evacuate schoolroom on the 6th floor. Albus figured he 'd ask a one-seventh year to manage rather than a professor. It was less intimidating for his first practice.

Albus 's friends joined him at the door to the Great Hall. Scorpio brushed past them, but did not say a Christian Bible. He looked like he was ready to slay somebody. Albus thought he looked far too angry over a drop off captaincy. It was just the Jr 's Dueling Club anyway.

"Did Malfoy say anything to you ?"John asked on their way back to Gryffindor.

"Not a word,"Albus replied.

"Do n't mean about him,"rose said."What 's the item ? You made captain and that 's all that matters."

Albus grinned."well-nigh of the captains are jolly decent, too. I mean Lydia 's kind of irritating, but the repose are n't bad."

"It 's going to be a sound class for dueling, that 's for sure,"mat agreed.

The six friends discussed dueling all the way back to the common room. When they entered they saw a sign that said 'Congratulations Albus and Marina !'Unopened butterbeers cluttered one of the tables and all of Albus 's cousins were cracking them open up. Marina was surrounded by her friends and Albus was accosted by his cousins as soon as he entered. someone thrust a butterbeer into his hand and patted him on the backbone. He smiled as he looked out at the plebeian elbow room, at the political party that his cousins had thrown together for himself and Marina. matt was not only right about the fact that it would be a full yr for dueling. It was going to be a good yr in general.


A/N : So I bet you 're all confused about the epithet change ! Well, I 've been doing some thinking and a plot alteration was needed. The chapters that are already posted wo n't be affected. The change only affects what I have n't written yet. But the old title was n't going to work with the new plot, so I had to modify it. I like the new one better anyway. And do n't concern, Walker Percy will still run for Minister. Actually, the new plot focuses more on that.

To suffice in onward motion, because I know this will come up, I wo n't tell what the old plot was going to be. I 'd rather people not liken the old plot with the one that will actually be written.

If any of you are on the forums, you 'll know about the disaster we had cobbler's last week. Liza Potter on the archive ( and lizzacc on the forums ) has died. She was a fan of my Albus serial and told me once that they were the firstly stories she ever read on HPFF. She will be missed. I am dedicating this chronicle to you, Liza.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The next day Albus found himself on the Quidditch pitch staring at all of the new Gryffindor custodian hopefuls. There were a lot of them. Try-outs were scheduled to begin in fifteen minutes, yet the pitch had been packed since before lunch. Albus speculated that some wannabee, including Victor-Marie Hugo, had not even taken a break for tiffin. Poor Hugo need n't throw bothered skipping his meal since even an extra half time of day of practice session would not have helped him.

Students from second through seventh year were hoping for a spot on the team, including Janie Creevey. Albus recognized most of them, but there were a few former pupil whom he did not. Along with the Gryffindors, there were voice from former team, surely there to check out Gryffindor 's new custodian.

Albus stood on the pitch a few m from the bunch, with his team. Fred was holding a clipboard and Scots heather was standing next to him, gazing out at the pupil hoping for a billet. James, Tom Bradley, and Ryan were laughing about something.

"lull, please, everyone !"Fred shouted. The Gryffindors immediately settled down. A few flew back down to the ground and dismounted, some not very gracefully."Thank you. We only need a Keeper this year. And if you ca n't Keep, you 're not going to get on the team. If you 're hoping to get in as keeper and then take aim another 's spot when they graduate, you might as well not waste your time."

Wow, Albus thought to himself, Fred was channeling both Empire State of the South and Samantha Meyers. Usually he would joke around at try-outs, but Albus supposed since he was now in armorial bearing, thing had changed.

A few of the untested educatee walked slowly off the pitch and into the stands, looking clearly disappointed.

"All right then, I 'm going to take you fly around the pitch shot to valuate your canonic flying skills. If you 're not up to par on that, you 'll be eliminated. Then we 'll affect on to guarding the goal posts."

Albus stood back while Fred had the hopefuls fly lap around the pitch. Quite a few could not even deal to fly straight or execute bit properly. About a tail of them were eliminated during the first ten transactions. Half of the remaining Gryffindors were eliminated within the first ten minutes of finish keeping, including Hugo. He hung his head as he walked to the stands, broom trailing behind him. Albus felt bad for him.

The rest of the of the students took longer to eliminate. After about an hour the quantity had been narrowed down to ten and they all seemed to be similar in skill.

"I think the simply fair way to do this is to eliminate anyone who misses a save. Last one standing, er, flying, gets the spotlight,"Fred announced.

It took another one-half hr to end up the try-outs. To Albus 's surprise, the victor was Janie Creevey. Albus had had no musical theme that she even played Quidditch until he saw her at the try-outs. She grinned as she dismounted from her broom and accepted the kudos from the rest of the team.

"Nice to accept another girl,"Heather said."I thought I 'd be the alone one after Georgia left."

"I thought your cousin Victor-Marie Hugo would get picked,"Ryan replied."Who knew he was the only Weasley who ca n't playact Quidditch ?"

"rich person you seen pink wine on a broom ?"Albus asked.

Janie grinned."I 've played since I was little. So happy to have won the spot. When 's commencement practice ?"

"Right now,"Fred said."We 've got the pitch all afternoon."

Albus sighed. Fred was turning into Peach State. But Albus enjoyed Quidditch and it was a bright and gay day, so it would n't be bad.

Practice lasted a few hours and Albus was thoroughly exhausted by the metre it was over. He immediately went back to his dormitory to take a cascade and then set off to locate his Quaker. Dinner would be served shortly and Albus was starved.

Albus 's supporter were in the Marauder 's Den, just where he had predicted when he did n't see them in the Gryffindor green room when he had traipsed through after practice. John and Kaden were playing Bromus secalinus and Kaden was trouncing St. John, like usual. pink wine and Amanda were sitting on the couch discussing an essay that Cedonia had assigned the previous calendar week. Matt was not there since the wide-cut moon had been the late night.

"Albus !"trick exclaimed after Al had shut the door."So, who 's the new Gryffindor steward ?"

"You 're never gon na trust it, but Janie Creevey,"Albus answered as he collapsed onto a nearby professorship."Apparently she has been playing Quidditch for ages and was just waiting for the custodian stance to open."

"Seriously ?"John asked."She never mentioned it all these year that we 've been brewing potions together."

"She 's probably too fussy making sure as shooting you do n't brag anything up,"rosiness replied.

"Hey, I 'm better than Al and mat are,"St. John the Apostle muttered.

"speech production of lusterlessness, have you lot been to see him today ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, but he was asleep so Madam Pomfrey did n't let us persist. Figured we 'd go after supper,"toilet answered.

"Let 's get going now,"Albus said, standing up."Should be starting soon."

Everyone nodded in agreement and they set off towards the Great Hall. The corridors were filled with students who had spent the day outdoors and Albus felt very content walking alongside his friends, despite how every single one of his musculus ached from practice.

"Shhhh, look !"john seethed as he grabbed the back of Albus 's shirt and pulled him into a doorway. Kaden, Rose, and Amanda followed, all looking curiously at John.

"What is it ?"Rose asked.

"Shush !"can whispered."It 's Scorpio and Willinson 's full cousin. What was his name again ?"

"Felix,"Kaden muttered."Slimy git."

"Who 's that with them ?"Amanda asked.

Albus craned his head around the door shape. Scorpius and Felix were standing following to a few suits of armour, drumhead leaned in towards each other. There was a girlfriend about a head word shorter than Scorpius with them. She and Felix had the same colouring material hair, except hers was long and curly.

"She 's a first yr. I remember seeing her a the categorization but I do n't remember her public figure,"Rose answered.

"I have half a intellect to bring through her from the two of them,"Saint John the Apostle muttered."She 'd be dependable off not getting mixed up with the ilk of them."

"She 's a Slytherin,"Amanda pointed out."She could be just like them for all we know."

Scorpius began walking down the corridor and Felix and the daughter followed. Albus and his friends watched them until they turned a corner, disappearing out of raft.

"Weird,"Albus said as they began walking to dinner once more."I 've never seen Malfoy befriending first years, except for Willinson when he came here."

"You 're paranoid,"Rose said."They were just talking and they 're in the Lapplander sign. Maybe she had a question or something."

"He 's Malfoy,"Albus responded."He 's up to something."

"Oh Merlin."rosiness let out an exasperated suspiration."Two calendar week into the term and you 're already picking a row with him."

"Remember in conclusion year ?"Albus asked."I 'm only trying to avoid something like that again."

"Fine. But I 'm not getting involved,"Rose muttered.

Albus walked in silence the relief of the way to the Great G. Stanley Hall. Rose may have been right. Albus may take just been being paranoid, but deep down he had a feeling that Malfoy and Willinson were n't just talking about homework.
******


Matt returned from the hospital wing two twenty-four hours later and the month wore on in its usual way. The professor were assigning More and more prep and it took longer and longer to fill in.

Once October arrived excitement began to brew when the low Hogsmeade weekend was announced. The sojourn was scheduled for the Saturday before Halloween and Kaden in picky was very arouse. He never did manage to make it to Hogsmeade under the invisibleness Cloak the previous year.

Albus 's first dueling practice had gone particularly well. Albus had been pleasantly surprised. Even Scorpius had cooperated and done what Albus had told him to do, although that may hold been solely because prof Cedonia had been salute during the practice. His team was shaping up well and he had in high spirits Bob Hope for them winning many tournaments. Quidditch had been going equally as well. Janie had fit seamlessly into their team.

Albus wished he could say matter were going equally well for the election. Ever since the first debate respective magazines and radio shows had been latching onto Percy 's statements about Education and his lack of willingness to commute, as they had put it.

"Dad 's really stressed,"Tom Bradley said one night at dinner. The Weasleys and ceramicist were all eating together in order to talk about the election."Does n't spell us as much and when he does it 's always about the election."

"Not to mention the five Sir Frederick Handley Page spread that whiz cartridge clip is doing about our kin,"Cedric muttered as he gnawed on a turkey leg."That 's sure to fuel the fire."

"When is that ?"Albus asked.

"Tomorrow,"Bradley answered."Only good component part is we got permission to miss all of our classes."

"Is it really going to be five pages ?"St. James the Apostle asked."What are they going to put in it ?"

"Dad 's life sentence story,"Cedric answered."Plus a few paragraphs on each of us and Mum about our lives. Just a happy article about how we all love each other and Dad 's a house man. That 's what his crusade manager wants to impersonate him as seeing that Laurentis does n't take any kids."

"And Uncle Percy has a whole lot,"King James I pointed out.

"Hey, you lot serious watch out. When Dad told us about this he mentioned that they 're going to do another on the stallion Weasley-Potter kin group,"Cedric announced.

"Did he say when ?"James asked.

"Around Christmas, I think. Adds to the felicitous family atmosphere,"Cedric explained.

"Then they ought to audience Uncle George when he 's had a bit too much eggnog."James laughed.

"When 's the following debate, anyway ?"Albus asked."Must be coming up soon."

"This weekend, actually,"Omar Nelson Bradley replied."At the Ministry again. I think this one 's direction on law creation and enforcement or something equally as boring."

"Do we have to go to it ?"Lily asked.

"I do n't recall so,"James answered."Dad said we just had to go to the ones at Hogwarts from now on."

"oral presentation of elections, what does everyone think of that government grade ?"Albus asked.

"Professor 's very intense,"James said in between bites."But it 's not nearly as awing as the former classes. There 's no O.W.L. in it so it 's my current favorite."

"Yeah and I think we 're at an advantage,"Cedric said."With our parents being in the Ministry and stuff. A few of my friends have absolutely no idea about anything to do with the Ministry so they 're having a hard time."

Professor Embry seemed to be teaching the year in chronological order and thus was currently lecturing on how the Ministry was organized prior to the fall of Voldemort. Albus thought it was a small oil production but he had a feeling it would get more interesting once Embry started on the declination of Voldemort.

"And that 's why the social class is requisite,"Rose said."Think about it. No class like this has been taught before, so where did the current Ministry officials learn the history of the Ministry ? Where did they watch about politics ? They learned it as they went, but did n't cognize much when they started. That 's a fiddling chilling. people should sleep together how their country is run."

Albus thought about what rose wine had said as he chewed on his roll. She had a good point. Where had they learned it ? Had his Uncle Percy really known nothing about the Ministry when he started ? No, he could n't birth. Walker Percy 's own father had been in the Ministry as well. Still, it was weird to think about.

Albus mostly listened during the ease of dinner. He always felt slightly unsettled when the election was discussed and he was n't sure why. Nor could he figure out whether he wanted Hotspur to win or not. Either way, life would be drastically different after Election Day, and Albus liked matter the way they were.
******


"Now she wants to change Azkaban ?"Albus asked at breakfast a few days later. The law enforcement debate had taken place the dark before and the entire front page of the Prophet was devoted to it."Is n't changing Hogwarts enough ?"

Ministry hopefuls Hotspur Weasley and
Patricia Laurentis debated law world
and enforcement last nighttime at the Ministry
of conjuration. Like the old general debate,
sparks flew in this one, with each candidate
speaking passionately about the theme.

'I 've worked in law creation for long time ,'
Weasley began with. 'Since the defeat
of Voldemort, I think we can all gibe that
things are running smoothly. I intend to
ensure that things proceed going the way they
are, with enforcement of natural law that benefit
the entire wizarding community .'

Laurentis took a more radical stance, in
her response to Weasley 's opinions.

'Sure, the police force we have now are sufficient.
I 'm not denying that. But I think we need
to take a good arduous look at how they are
enforced, or rather, not enforced. The
statistic are clear. Far more criminals
are being acquitted and even more are
being released from Azkaban. In my work
at the prison, I see many criminals being
released whom I do not think should be.
Not to mention the break-outs. There are
far too many. Law enforcement needs to change .'

Without a doubt, things are only going to
warmth up. The nominee seem to have
completely unlike opinions on everything
from education to laws. The next debate,
which will be on education, will take blank space
at Hogwarts on Saturday, Nov the 9th at
two in the afternoon.

"Does n't she run Azkaban ?"Matt asked, taking the report from Albus."So why has n't she changed it already ?"

"Probably does n't feature the baron,"Rose answered."The Minister has to signalize off on well-nigh thing, unless all congresswoman and functionary disagree with him or her."

"So clearly there 's masses who do n't concur with her,"lusterlessness replied.

"Think they 'll ever agree with each other ?"Albus asked.

"question it,"Amanda said."It 's like this in the Muggle elections, too. They 're usually consummate reverse. What I do n't understand is how she 's working under Hartwell when he and your uncle agree on everything."

"Me either,"rosiness agreed."Guess we 're watching the next debate."

"Yeah, it 'll be here,"Matt said."Embry will probably urinate us do an essay on it, too."

"It wo n't be bad,"Rose said."That will be the debate that will directly affect us. The election 's in Apr which means we 're going to have over three long time of Hogwarts under whichever prospect is elected. If it 's Laurentis, all those changes are going to affect us."

Omar Nelson Bradley sat down next to Albus and threw a copy of virtuoso magazine onto the table."Article 's out."

"That was fast,"Albus said.

"They wanted it to be out right around the debate,"Thomas Bradley muttered."You really ought to say it. It 's awful."

"Rita Skeeter did n't do it, did she ?"Albus asked.

Bradley shook his question."This lady 's almost spoiled. Trust me."

Rose, Amanda, can, flatness, and Kaden crowded around Albus as he flipped through the magazine. The article was in the middle, with the two pageboy being a full color photograph of Uncle Percy, aunt Corrine, and their Kid. Hotspur and Corrine were sitting on their living room couch, with Georgia in between them. All three were smiling and waving. Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric were leaning on either side of the couch and the twins were sitting in battlefront of it. Albus flipped the Page and saw a very lengthy article, interspersed with various mental picture of his syndicate and boxes about each of those five full cousin. The article finished up on the following Page.

Upon entering the abode of Minister of conjuration
candidate Percy Weasley 's Southampton nursing home
I am surprised to see that it does not take care
like the house of a Ministry candidate. It is
not filled with piles and heap of papers and
Weasley 's campaign manager is nowhere to be
found. Instead, the level is cluttered with
toys belonging to the youngest Weasley children,
nine-year-old Twin Falls, Samantha and lindy. A
plate of warm cookies sits upon the coffee
mesa and Weasley 's wife, Corrine, bustles
into the room carrying a tray of tea. Hotspur
enters as well, followed by the five Weasley
children.

'I prefer to hold open the safari at the Ministry ,'
Hotspur explains after I ask where his run
materials are. 'The political campaign is work. It is my
job. The house is for my family .'

"Really ?"Rose raised her eyebrows."She should 've seen his study. That 's where all his campaign poppycock is."

The article went on to discuss Percy and his fathering skills. Albus grew more and more sick as it went on. Walker Percy had and always would be a workaholic, but the article was painting him to be father of the year. No curiosity Thomas Bradley had not been pleased when giving Albus the article.

'I could not be more proud of Peach State ,'
Percy said, speaking of his eldest daughter,
who currently plays as Reserve Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I 've been to a
number of her mate and it is unmortgaged
that she could have a long career in
Quidditch .'

"What a shipment of dung !"Albus exclaimed."Uncle Percy has never once agreed with Sakartvelo 's Quidditch career."

"Did he actually say that or was that reporter just saying he did ?"matt asked.

"Oh he said it,"Thomas Bradley, who had taken a seat a unforesightful ways down the table, answered."Not that he really thinks it."

Albus had had enough of the main article. His eyes glanced across the varlet and rested upon the lowly box that discussed Georgia.

Georgia Weasley, the eldest daughter
of Sir Henry Percy and Corrine, is 18 and
currently plays modesty Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I love
Quidditch ,'Georgia said when the
issue was brought up. 'It 's freeing
and I look forward to playing for
Kenmare as a full Keeper one day .'
Peach State 's ambition is to toy for England.

Next to Georgia 's box there was one for Bradley.

Bradley Weasley, the eldest son of
Sir Henry Percy and Corrine, is currently in
his sixth year at Hogwarts. He plays
Beater on Gryffindor 's Quidditch team.
'I like Quiditch, but I do n't want to
play professionally like Georgia. I
want to operate for Gringotts some day .'

Then there was one for Cedric.

Cedric Weasley is in his one-fifth year
at Hogwarts and is the prankster of
the family. 'Every Weasley family
has to consume someone who will run the
jokes. It 's like a prescript or something.
I come up with the adept estimation when I 'm
with my cousin Saint James [ thrower ] .'Upon
asking Cedric what he wants to do after
Hogwarts, he replied, 'Have n't got a clue.
I think I 'll concentrate on getting through
my O.W.L.s first .'

The net box was for both Samantha and Lindy.

Samantha and Linda ( lindy ) Weasley are
nine class old and attend a local anaesthetic
master school for Muggles. Both Twins
ca n't wait to put down Hogwarts in two
old age .'I 'm going to be in Gryffindor,
just like my sister and blood brother ,'says
Samantha .'I do n't care what menage I 'm
in, just as long as I can fiddle Quidditch.
wellspring, okay, I do n't desire to be in Slytherin .'

"That,"Albus began as he set down the magazine,"was the unfit article I 've ever read in my life."

"I shudder to think what the one about our total kin will be like,"rosiness muttered.

"Nah,"John said."That one will be better because they wo n't have to make as often up. Albus 's dad saved the whole wizarding reality. They 'll just trifle that up."

"It was n't only him,"Albus pointed out."Are people really going to think all this ?"

Amanda nodded."Yeah, they will. They know nothing about your uncle 's family unit. Sure, they know all about your dad, but really, how often do they know about Hotspur ? Not much. They 're going to want to consider it and why should n't they ? They have no idea Percy does n't approve of Peach State 's Quidditch career. It 's the same as in the Muggle humans.

"It would be overnice if people voted on campaigner who shared their Same prospect, but it honestly comes down to who presents the best crusade. mass are n't going to want someone in power who has issues with his own family."

"That 's unintelligent,"Kaden replied."gladiolus my family 's not involved with politics."

"My family is your household,"Albus pointed out.

"But I 'm not related to your Uncle Percy."

"You still prognosticate him Uncle Harry Hotspur,"Albus said.

"Because he basically is. He 's just not my blood uncle."

"Well, I can honestly say my family 's not in political science and I 'm very happy about that,"King John said.

Albus could not ideate life without having family involved with the Ministry, but suddenly he felt slightly jealous of John. What would it hold been like to have got parents who were n't renowned ?


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this story ! You guys are all stick. Just as another reminder, I ca n't reply to look back while I am home for the summer, but I read every single one. If you have some sort of interrogative sentence that you need answered about my stories, please use my Ask the writer page at the assembly or send off me a PM there.

I have another chapter ready to go so that should be up shortly after I return from vacation next workweek. Hope everyone enjoys Deathly Hallows 2 this week !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The following week brought a storm so long and so intense that Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had to be canceled for the bit half of the calendar week. It was thoroughly inconceivable to walk outside without being doubled over by the wind and the younger students could not walk without being blown away. The pelting was also so grueling that one would become intoxicate within two minutes. The students secretly rejoiced, for the extra free periods were helpful to all.

It remained so showery and windy that even Quidditch practice had to be canceled on Saturday. Not that Fred would have canceled it himself, but Kendrick announced a ban on going out of doors until the tempest let up. Fred lamented this fact all of Friday evening and contemplated holding a scheme academic term in the usual room instead, but Calluna vulgaris convinced him just to let it go.

Albus decided to pick out the opportunity to spend the day at the program library, something that John and Kaden reluctantly agreed with. Matt and Amanda joined them as well, for they had plenty of preparation as well. blush wine had mentioned something about tutoring a untested student and run off shortly after breakfast.

The depository library was absolutely packed with scholarly person, virtually likely due to the weather and not a burning desire of the Hogwarts population to study, and it took a upright five minutes for Albus and his friends to locate an discharge tabular array. It was a lot louder than usual and lady Pince was glaring at each tabular array of scholarly person in play.

Albus set his mass of books down and got to work on a Potions essay that was due the espouse hebdomad. He had n't started it, of trend, but he had a few twenty-four hours to do it. He thought he was ahead of the game anyway since he 'd normally be at Quidditch practice and not even thinking about homework.

John and Kaden, as usual, were ineffectual to get started on their prep right away and were scolded by gentlewoman Pince twice before finally opening their Quran. Amanda immediately set to go on the same essay Albus was working on. Matt cracked open his Charms text but stared at the Saame varlet for five bit before Albus noticed that his eyes had glazed over. The October full Sun Myung Moon was the following night, so Albus was not storm.

"This is deadened oil production,"can muttered after they 'd been studying for an hr."political sympathies back before Voldemort is pointless. It 's completely different now, so why do we need to bother reading it ?"

"So we do n't do the Lapplander misunderstanding,"Amanda said without looking up from her parchment."simpleton, really."

"You 're channeling Rose now,"can stated.

"someone has to when she 's not here,"Amanda said.

"Would you rather do my Divination anticipation ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah !"John exclaimed."Let 's see, how about you get blown away by the twist while you 're ignoring Kendrick 's rule against going outside ?"

"perfective tense. That 'd be something I 'd do,"Kaden said as he scrawled it down."And then I can number down with a nasty frigidness after being outside in the rain so long."

Albus rolled his eyes. The two of them had been insane to have fortune telling in the start blank space, but at least they seemed to enjoy making up their forge foretelling. Albus grinned to himself as trick and Kaden snorted into their sheepskin, laughing over some nonsensical forecasting.

An time of day later Albus had finished his essay, as had Amanda. The two of them had moved on to Transfiguration reading. lav and Kaden had given up on homework and were planning an detailed prank that involved a chicken, bird feed, and the Slytherin common room. matt had been dozing on his Charms book. Albus prodded him awake.

"How 's Charms ?"Albus asked, grinning.

"Oh, er ..."matte glanced at his book and quickly wiped it with the sleeve of his robes."Great, really. Think I 'll channelize to the Den, actually."

Albus nodded."I 'll be there in a bit. Want to get some of this reading done."

John and Kaden rose to conjoin lustrelessness. They 'd been yelled at two to a greater extent times and figured they 'd do better to contrive in the Den.

"Wait,"John said when he was only a few metrical unit from the table."Is that rose wine ?"He pointed to a caput of shaggy red hair at a nearby board."Who 's she with ? Is that-"He walked across the elbow room and hid behind a book ledge to get a closer look.

Albus craned his headway. Rose was sitting with a minor miss. bathroom returned a few minute later.

"I thought so. It 's that girl we saw with Malfoy and Willinson a few weeks ago."

"delay, that Slytherin first class ?"Albus asked. He 'd nearly bury about her, finally deciding that Scorpius probably was n't up to anything that involved her.

"Yeah, that 's her all right,"John said."What 's Rose doing with her ?"

"She 's tutoring someone. Must be her,"Albus pointed out.

"Weird. Tutoring a Slytherin,"Gospel According to John replied.

"What 's it matter ?"Matt snapped."No point in standing here watching them. I 'm going to the Den."He hiked his bag up on his shoulder and headed for the door, not waiting for John and Kaden.

"What 's with him ?"John the Evangelist asked.

"You know what 's tomorrow. And honestly, what 's it matter if she 's tutoring that girl ?"Albus asked.

"You thought it meant something that she was with Scorpius but this you do n't manage about ?"

"It 's the Hogwarts tutoring program. I do n't reckon you get to hold in who you tutor,"Albus explained.

"I suppose."whoremonger sighed."wellspring, see you in a bit."

"See you,"Albus said as John and Kaden left.

Albus and Amanda studied for another hour before joining their friends in the Marauder 's Den. toilet and Kaden were having a sober discussion on how they were going to obtain a chicken and lustrelessness was sound asleep on the couch. Albus and Amanda settled down with a deck of Exploding Snap and played troll after turn while listening to John and Kaden.

"I still say it 'll be easier to throw an previous pupil transfigure something into a chicken,"Kaden said a full moon 20 minutes later."I 'll bet one of Albus 's cousins will do it."

"Yeah, but I want this to be our prank. We could just go take one of the poulet from Hagrid 's chicken coop,"St. John the Apostle replied.

"Sir Thomas More probability of getting caught. No one 's going to surmise if one of Al 's cousins is practicing their transfiguration. But sneaking a Gallus gallus into the castle ? They 're fairly gimcrack with their squawking."

"Where 's the fun in no hazard of getting caught ?"John Lackland asked.

"There will be plentifulness of probability of getting caught when we 're getting into the Slytherin mutual elbow room. Merlin only knows how we 're going to manage that."

The door opened and rosebush walked in."Why are you lot trying to get into the Slytherin usual way ?"

"You do n't want to know,"Amanda said."One of their pranks."

rose wine rolled her eyes and sat down future to Amanda, picking up a few board to link up in on the adjacent round.

"How was tutoring ?"John asked, abandoning the topic of chickens.

"Fine,"blush wine answered."Lapplander as always."

"How did you even get into tutoring ?"John the Evangelist replied.

"Why ? You want to tutor ?"Rose smirked.

John laughed."Definitely not. Just curious."

"prof Longbottom contacted me over the summer. Fourth years and above can be in the tutoring program. The professors match you up with younger educatee and I 've been tutoring a first base year for a few calendar week now."

"Yeah,"John said as he got up and walked over to where Rose was sitting."We saw you earlier. That daughter you 're tutoring ? That 's the same girl that Malfoy and Willinson were talking to a few weeks ago."

"delay, that one clock time that you and Al thought they were up to something ?"

"Yeah that time. I was just wondering who she was."

rosebush sighed."She 's Willinson 's little sister. Her epithet 's Elsie. She 's really Nice, actually. hush, does n't seem much like a Slytherin to me but her whole family 's been in Slytherin."

"Oh,"lavatory said."Guess that 's why she was with Willinson and Malfoy. What do you tutor her in ?"

"Bit of everything,"Rose answered."You lot desire to go to dinner ?"

Everyone, except Matt, who just wanted to sleep, agreed and they headed down to the Great antechamber. Rose had been right. zip wary about Willinson 's Sister tagging after him and Scorpius. Albus 's instincts had been wrong on that occasion.
******


Never in Albus 's life sentence did he ever think there would be a prof who could top professor Binns in terms of drilling classes. But Professor Young had done the impossible. Twice a week Albus and his ally traipsed to Young 's classroom to work on a undivided worksheet. Young did zero else, except hand out worksheets. Said worksheets did not even take an entire class period to nail, resulting in students using the remaining time to overtake up on other homework, something that Young neglected to notice. The only proficient division about the class was that Danton True Young never assigned preparation.

"You think he 'll survive the yr ?"Matt asked as they were leaving young 's classroom.

"Do n't see why not,"Albus answered."Unless Laurentis is elected diplomatic minister and deems him indispose to teach."

"He does n't really teach,"blush wine pointed out.

"But still, he 's meliorate than Balladanis,"Matt reasoned.

The eternal sleep of Albus 's grade were decent, although nigh assigned too much prep for his liking, but that was not anything new. As the end of October drew nearer, Albus became very frantic about the first base Hogsmeade sojourn of the year. It would be the offset time that all of Albus 's friends would get to go together and possibly the last, given how busy everyone was this year.

Albus nearly did not get to go to Hogsmeade when the day finally arrived. Fred had sprung an extra Quidditch pattern on that day in gild to micturate up for the escape practice due to the storm. However, the entire team was outraged and heather threatened to hex Fred if he did not rescind the drill. Albus was very relieved as it was a nice day and perfect tense for Hogsmeade.

"I 've got to get a new multitude of dungbombs,"Kaden said as they walked down the course from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade."Used them up historic period ago."

"That the pack I sent you over the summer ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"Sure is. Did n't concluding too long."

"I need another Skiving Snackbox,"John announced."And loads of other stuff from Weasleys'."

"And we need to go buy bird ejaculate if we 're going to do that prank,"Kaden reminded him.

Albus and lusterlessness exchanged looks. John and Kaden had finally agreed to ask one of Albus 's aged full cousin to transmogrify them a wimp that they would then somehow stoolpigeon into the Slytherin vernacular elbow room. The bird feed was to scatter throughout the place in order to irritate the Slytherins even more.

"You two enjoy that,"rosiness said."And do n't come complaining to us when you get a month of detention, because there 's no possible way you can sneak into the Slytherin common room without getting caught."

"We 'll possess Albus 's cloak, obviously,"Kaden said.

"When are you going to do it ?"Albus asked.

"Around Allhallows Eve,"lav answered.

"half-wit,"blush wine muttered.

Weasleys'sorcerer Wheezes was packed with students. Being the offset Hogsmeade weekend, most scholarly person had a serious lack of pranking products and needed to blood line up. George V was behind the counter ringing up purchase after purchase and waved at Albus as he walked in with his friends. They quickly scattered, each drift towards the display that contained what they needed.

Albus wandered towards the Skiving Snackboxes and grabbed two, figuring that he would ask to get out of Defense at to the lowest degree once and History of illusion a few times a month. John the Divine and Kaden each had about five loge and matte watched with a disgusted look on his face. Since he missed at least a day or two of classes a month due to his lycanthropy, he never understood why anyone would cook themselves ill to do so.

"Should 've gone there conclusion,"John said as he lugged his cup of tea to the threesome Broomsticks.

"Yeah, must remember that for next time,"Kaden agreed."But now, off to take a Butterbeer !"

Albus smiled. His cousin had had Butterbeer before when mass snuck it back to the Gryffindor mutual elbow room, but he 'd never had it in Hogsmeade before.

The troika broom handle was crowded, but matt managed to grab a table in the spine. blush wine set off to get them all Butterbeers. They had been there for about 15 minutes before Scorpius showed up, followed by Garth Octavius, Saint Francis Xavier Goyle, Felix Willinson, and Elsie Willinson. Scorpius surveyed the room and his eyes rested upon Albus. Smirking, he sauntered over towards them.

"Potter,"Malfoy greeted him. He nodded to each of Albus 's supporter, glaring at matte, and then turned back to Albus."I expect you lot are ready to duel next weekend."

"course of action we are,"Albus answered."The squad 's deal prepared. Last practice on Thursday."

"I 'll be there,"Scorpius replied."And I 'll be ready to carry the team on Saturday since the rest of our team could n't win a duel against a outset year."

"Shut it. Our team is okay,"Albus said coldly.

"Maybe if they had a decent captain ..."Scorpio 's voice trailed off."But the prof love anyone whose concluding name is ceramist or Weasley, just like everyone else in the world."

"They chose based on skill,"Albus replied, staring him in the eyes."Not call. Rose did n't get captain and she 's a Weasley."

"But you 're a potter and you get everything because your dad is the Boy Who Lived,"Scorpius spat, ignoring Albus 's input."But I 've got tidings for you. Not everyone in the world likes that your entire mob runs the wizarding globe and that nothing gets done without one of them signing off on it. Not everyone 's going to vote for your uncle, you know."

"Obviously,"Albus replied."And just so you know my kinsfolk may be involved with the Ministry but it 's only because they want to help hoi polloi. And they 're only there because multitude voted for them."

"No one voted for your dad,"Scorpius muttered. Then he turned to Matt."Or yours."

"People voted for Hartwell, who appointed them,"Albus said."And your dad works in the Ministry, too."

"That 's not the point."Scorpio took a gradation closer to Albus."The point is that your family might not be running this country much longer. So you 'd better watch out."

Scorpius turned to bequeath and his Quaker followed."My home does n't run the earthly concern !"Albus shouted after him.

Albus resumed his seat after Malfoy left, not even realizing that he had rose from it in the first place."He 's just so stupid !"Albus exclaimed."My family does n't run the country."

"He 's just jealous,"Amanda said."You got made skipper of our team and he hates that. Your dad 's noted and he 's jealous of that."

"His dad 's notable too,"Albus said darkly."Just for the wrong reasons."

"And Scorpius probably wishes his dad was famous for the rightfield grounds,"Amanda replied.

"Do n't see why. Having a famed dad is n't always a unspoilt thing,"Albus muttered.

"Just ignore him,"pink wine said."He 's just trying to get you furious with him."

"Clearly Kendrick 's menace have worn off,"Matt said quietly."I liked it in September when he just form of ignored us."

"It does n't mean he 's going to tell anyone,"rosiness whispered."He 's just looking for a fight."

"It does n't matter what he 's looking for. One slip of the spit is all it takes and my lifetime at Hogwarts is done."

"And so would his,"Albus reminded his ally."Being at Hogwarts, becoming a indorse wizard, is everything to a Malfoy. He 'd be goose egg more than a Squib if he were expelled."

"I guess."lusterlessness sighed."What do you think he meant by your mob not being in accusation of the wizarding world much longer ?"

"Probably thinks Laurentis is going to win."Albus shrugged."But that wo n't entail much. My dad will still be in bursting charge of the Auror department."

"No,"Rose whispered."Have n't you been paying attention in Politics ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said, staring at her."What do you entail ?"

"Okay, I guess Embry has n't really discussed it yet but I read ahead in the script. New parson can appoint new heads of the departments if they want to. Most do n't because so many new people makes for a bad transition period, but it 's happened a few sentence. If Laurentis winnings, she could replace Uncle Harry,"rosiness explained.

"Wait, seriously ?"Albus 's mouth fell open.

Rose nodded."Seriously."

"And my dad, too,"Matt said.

"Yeah, yours, too,"rose wine replied.

Albus stared at his half-finished Butterbeer. Having a new pastor was one thing, but having new heads of all the section ? The Ministry would be run in a completely different way. Nothing would stay the same. nobody would replace Harry Potter as Head of the Auror department, though, would they ?

"No."Albus shook his head."No one would supervene upon my dad. He 's a bully Auror."

"He 's a great Auror, that 's genuine,"Rose agreed,"but majuscule is an sentiment. Hartwell thinks he 's a with child Auror. Uncle Hotspur undoubtedly thinks he 's a great Auror. But if Laurentis gets elected, none of that will weigh. All that will count is whether she think he 's a great Auror. And the dubiousness is, does she ?"

Albus swallowed."But that would mean my dad would be out of a job."

"No, he 'd just go back to being a regular Auror,"Rose said."Look, you do n't need to care about it. I 'm sure Uncle Harry knows this."

"They do n't do that in Australia. All the heads have price like the diplomatic minister. When their terminal figure is up, the current pastor can replace them or keep them, but they ca n't get replaced when their term is n't up. Unless there 's a dirt and they have a hearing. Like with my dad."

"Energy Department n't look bonnie,"Albus said.

"It works both ways. If Uncle Percy wins he 'll get to replace who he wants and he 'll no doubt replace Laurentis,"rosebush pointed out.

"I 'm surprise Hartwell has n't done that,"lavatory said.

"She 's probably kept serenity about her opinions so she could hold her position while running,"Amanda replied.

"So why does n't he supplant her now ?"John asked.

"It would bet bad. Remember, half of political sympathies is how you look to the public,"Amanda said."Which is why according to the Muggle Ministry, I attend a reclusive embarkment school in the United States, just in case anyone asks why the minister of religion 's niece disappears for most of the year. Which they have n't. Yet."

Albus shook his head."It 's so confusing. I do n't know how anyone keeps track of it."

"Luckily we do n't have to,"Kaden said."Let 's go to Honeyduke 's. I think we could all use with some chocolate."


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! Also big thanks to darkladyofslytherin and onestop hpfan18 because this chapter is the resultant of word wars with them. You two are awesome ! HPFF now loads properly on my net and I am able to respond to review, so I 'm slowly working through them. retain a look out for responses !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"I say we do it on Allhallows Eve,"Kaden said adamantly while inspecting person Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor beans and tossing the foul unity into a pile on the floor.

"That 's pillock,"lavatory countered."Everyone 's going to be expecting a prank on Halloween. We should do it the day before."

"Why not Saturday ?"Albus suggested, glancing up from the hold out minute essay he was working on."Maybe it 'll rattle them enough that they 'll recede the match."

The number one Quidditch match of the time of year, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was scheduled to involve place on Saturday, two days after Halloween.

"Again, the Prefects and professors will be expecting it,"John Lackland said.

"Why ?"Albus asked."We 've never pranked them before a lucifer before, have we ?"

"You know, I really ca n't remember."

"Clearly a sign you 've pranked them too much,"rose pointed out.

Albus and the rest of his friends were in the piranha 's Den, attempting to decide on a day to put the crybaby and volaille feed in the Slytherin common way. They 'd been arguing for a one-half hr and had n't agreed on anything. Albus and Matt, who had been leery on whether to participate in the prank at all, had decided that they would serve as look-outs while whoremaster and Kaden snuck into the common elbow room.

"I think Wednesday would be a ripe option. Wednesday Nox. We 've got to do it really tardily, though. The kickoff years have Astronomy on Wed, so we have to wait until they 're back in their residence hall,"John explained."Night before Halloween-"

"By the clock time you manage to do it after Astronomy, it 'll technically be Halloween,"Amanda pointed out.

"But not Halloween night,"whoremonger said."Pre-Halloween."

"mischief Night,"Amanda said.

"What ?"Albus asked.

Kaden threw another bean onto his tidy sum and started laughing."You 're right !"

"Mischief Night,"Amanda repeated."It 's a Muggle affair. It 's when Muggles pull pranks and cause mayhem. It 's traditionally the dark before Hallowe'en or the night before Guy Fawkes Day, so if you pull this on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning time, it 'll be on roguery Night."

John grinned."perfect tense. Wizards do n't do that, so no one will be expecting a thing."

"Mostly it 's Americans and Canadian River who celebrate before Hallowe'en, though,"Amanda explained.

"I 'd rather do it before Halloween,"Gospel According to John said."We have Astronomy on Tuesday so the dark before Guy Fawkes Day would be harder."

Everyone nodded in agreement, except rose, who rolled her eyes.

"Do you have everything you need ?"Matt asked.

"Not yet, but we have plans. Tonight I 'm going to lurk by the Slytherin common room under the invisibleness Cloak to hear their password. Wednesday evening we 'll ask Omar Bradley to glorify us a few chickens. Then, Al and lustrelessness will suffer precaution while Kaden and I let them loose in the coarse room,"toilet explained.

"How in the name of pigeon hawk are you going to hold back the Gallus gallus calm while you bring them to the dungeons ?"rosebush asked.

"Stun them, of course,"Kaden answered."By the fourth dimension they wake up, we 'll be long gone."
***


Wednesday brought with it a huge thunderstorm which Albus saw as a rather ominous omen for Operation Slytherin poulet as the put-on had been dubbed. As the day wore on Albus found himself having doubtfulness about the whole affair. Previous pranks had been harmless and had not broken any major school normal, but this one broke at to the lowest degree ten. This could get them sorry than a few detention.

King John and Kaden seemed to have no such reservations. Both of them were particularly gleeful the entire day and John even returned from fortune telling with a grin on his face, which never happened. mat seemed deaf to the whole thing and acted as usual.

"You do realize we 'll be getting three hr of slumber, whirligig, tonight,"Matt said after dinner party, while they were attempting to do homework in the Marauder 's Den."And that we have History of magic trick tomorrow morning."

John sighed."All rightfield, maybe that was n't the best bit of planning."

"Clearly not,"flatness agreed.

Albus had a very difficult clock time getting any homework done while they were waiting for the time to get in. He found himself drawing awful pictures of chickens in the borderline on his Transfiguration essay. No one else was having a great deal luck either. John and Kaden were playing chess and Matt was taking a nap. Rose and Amanda had holed away in the library, neither one wanting to be associated with the boys that night."We need alibis,"she had told Albus earlier."Want to be seen by as many people as possible so there 's no chance anyone will think we were with you."

At one in the first light the boy left the predator 's Den and headed back to the common room, where Thomas Bradley would be waiting for them. They encountered no one on their way back and only two or three lingering students were in the common room. All of them went to bed within XV minutes and the boys were soon alone with Bradley.

Bradley pulled three pillows out from under one of the couch and set them on a table."Three chickens going to be enough ?"

bathroom nodded."I do n't think we 'll be able-bodied to palm any more."

"You lot are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid,"Omar Bradley said as he pulled out his wand."Even James IV has n't gotten into the Slytherin mutual room."

"According to rose, we 're incredibly pillock,"John said."But I think it 's brilliant. Has anyone ever gotten into the Slytherin common room ?"

"My dad and Uncle Ron,"Albus said."But not to pull a prank."

john, flatness, and Kaden turned to depend at Albus."I 'll explain later,"Albus said.

Bradley muttered an incantation and flicked his wand at each of the pillows. All three turned into Gallus gallus. One embrown one, one Edward Douglas White Jr. one, and one great inglorious and Robert Brown rooster. The rooster opened its rima oris to triumph and Omar Bradley immediately silenced all three.

"Figured a rooster would be helpful,"Thomas Bradley said."Want me to stun them for you ?"

"Sure,"Albus said.

"Should last about a half hour and then you 'll have to re-stun them,"Bradley told them."I 'm going to take off. Remember, if you get caught, I did n't get the crybaby for you. Ca n't afford another detention."

"Got it,"Albus assured him. Bradley took off to the dorm room and Albus turned to his friends. Gospel According to John was holding the rooster and Kaden was holding the two Gallus gallus."Back to the Den ?"

The boys spent the next two hours in the marauder 's Den, playing Exploding Snap and re-Stunning the crybaby every half time of day. Shortly after three in the morning Albus re-stunned the chickens one more time and then threw the invisibleness Cloak over all four of them.

It was very difficult for all four son to walk under the Invisibility Cloak.
Being fourth days, they were all a lot larger than they had been in second year when Albus had first received the Cloak. In fact, Albus could n't even remember the concluding fourth dimension all four of them had gone under it at once. Albus in particular had grown quite a few inches over the summer and was now as marvelous as John. The two of them had to walk with their knees bent-grass to ensure their feet would n't show.

The walk was uneventful. The male child did not even see Peeves or any of the ghosts out for a night time stroll ( or swim bladder, which would probably be the more earmark terminus ). mat tripped going down the stairs once and nearly dropped a chicken, but since the corridors were empty, no one heard the phone.

Once they had reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room trick and Kaden slipped out from under the Cloak and scurried over to the door. John whispered the password and it opened. Both boys slipped inside and shut the door behind them.

Albus and Matt stood against the wall a little ways down the corridor, giving them a survey of the stairs as well as the corridor. Neither of them said a Word while John and Kaden were pulling their caper because Filch 's cat had turned up and was pacing in forepart of them.

The next five minutes felt like an eternity and Albus was very ease when bathroom and Kaden exited the plebeian elbow room and hurried back under the Cloak. toilet 's bag, which had contained the chicken feed, was now considerably lighter. Neither boy said a word to Albus and matt as they walked back to Gryffindor Tower, for fear that someone would discover them.

They were walking down the second level corridor when Albus heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Professor Young walking slowly towards them, staring at the cap as he went. He appeared to be in thick thought about something but then stopped and stared right where Albus and his friends were. They were n't being quiet enough.

All four boys froze and looked at each other. Kaden grabbed all three of their pinafore and pulled them through the nearest room access, while Young happened to be looking the other way. Once inside, Albus noticed that they were in a loo. A girl 's loo. And the story was soaked.

"Falco columbarius,"Albus muttered."We 're in Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom."

As if on cue, there was a dab and then Albus felt the unpleasant sense datum of a ghost floating through him.

"I know you 're there."Vinca minor giggled."Harry ceramist had one of those cloaks, too. You might as well take it off."

Albus reluctantly took off the Cloak. Cy Young would n't be going into a girl 's can anyway.

"Ooo !"Myrtle shrieked."Harry Potter 's son ! What brings you to my toilet ?"She giggled again and batted her eyelashes.

"Er ..."Albus muttered, feeling very uncomfortable.

"We were just leaving,"Saint John announced as he threw the Cloak over all four of them once more.

Thankfully Professor Danton True Young had left by the sentence they exited the loo. The residuum of the journeying back to Gryffindor was as uneventful as the trek down to Slytherin.

The common room was deserted when they returned under the disapproving brilliance of the Fat madam, who had not been pleased when they woke her up. John and Kaden immediately started laughing when they took the Cloak off.

"Epic !"Kaden exclaimed."There was no one in the commons way and we spread the feed and put the chicken each on their own couch and left. The Slytherins are going to have a bad-mannered awakening in a few hours."

"So are we,"Matt said as he looked at his scout."Almost four. We 'll get three and a one-half hours sleep if we 're lucky."

The male child headed back to their dorm, but Albus was not tired yet. epinephrine was still racing through his system. They had n't gotten caught. Yet. Would there be any way to describe the Gallus gallus back to the four of them ? Only if person saw them, but if anyone had seen them they would have gotten them in fuss right then and there, would n't they have ? Albus pushed the cerebration from his head. He settled into bed and thought about the chemical reaction from the Slytherins the following morning.

Bilius 's alarm clock woke Albus up at eight the next morning and he rolled over and went back to sleep. He woke up once More with XX minutes left until History of conjuration and had to skip breakfast. Albus woke mat and privy up and the three of them ran through the corridors in purchase order to create it to course of study on time.

They arrived with two minutes to spare and the room was filled with laugh and chatter. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were clearly excited about something and Albus had a intuitive feeling he knew what it was.

Albus sat down and Bilius turned around in his buttocks, grinning at Albus."You three missed breakfast. Too bad. The Slytherins are all swage, fuming about chickens and muttering about getting revenge. Turns out someone snuck a rooster and two chickens into their common way last night and spread chicken provender around. Apparently their common room was a mess and it took all of their Prefects to stupefy the chickens and bring them to Hagrid. Wish I knew who pulled it off."

Albus attempted to feign jolt and excitement."Seriously ? That 's bright. Does anyone recognize who did it ?"

"Nope,"Bilius answered."All they know is that it was n't a Slytherin."

"They 'll never figure it out then. That 's three-fourths of the schooltime to go through."

"And that 's what makes it so brilliant."

Professor Binns floated through the chalkboard and began to drone on about some sort of goblin rising. Albus rested his head on his helping hand and began to drowse off. Binns would n't even notice.

At lunch, following Transfiguration, everyone was still talking about the chickens. The Slytherins were sullen and were glaring at all the former firm table. The teachers did n't seem at all upset about the all thing, probably because the crybaby had n't done that much damage. Nothing that could n't be easily repaired with the flick of a wand.

"Six in the break of the day !"Albus overheard a Slytherin muttering as he walked past the Gryffindor table."Can you imagine ? And the morning after we 'd been on the pitching for three hours."

Albus smirked behind his forkful of stew. If the prank had messed with the Slytherins'breeding schedule, all the better. Albus had finally begun to relax. It did n't seem like they were going to get in bother after all.

As Albus walked to the dungeons with can, flatness, blush wine, and Amanda he realized that his nap in History of Magic was most definitely wearing off. He was feeling the debilitation and was very happy for the free people stop after potions. But he did n't dare skip potions because he was quite excite to hear Malfoy talk about the chickens.

During this particular class they were finishing up an engorgement resolution that they had started on Tuesday. While Shrinking Solution was a rather simple potion that they had learned in their outset year, its counterpart was more hard and call for stewing for forty-eight time of day before the final exam ingredients could be added.

Albus retrieved all the necessity ingredients while his partner, Limbert, located their potion in the cupboard. Limbert, who was usually very nonchalant about everything, was scowling and glared at Albus as he joined him at their board.

Just as Albus was beginning to chop his celery root, Malfoy appeared in front line of the table. Albus looked up from his industrial plant and looked Malfoy in the eye.

"thrower,"Malfoy muttered."You would n't encounter to recognise which idiot Gryffindor put chickens in our common way, do you ?"

Albus snorted."Chickens, Malfoy ? I 'd heard something about that."

"Bloody chick,"Limbert muttered as he began to pulverize the rat quick temper they were supposed to put into their cauldron."Crowing at six in the bloody morning. eating chicken provender all over the usual room. Getting their feathers and former material everywhere ...."

"What he said,"Malfoy replied."Point is, one of your lot got into our common way and I want to lie with who."He folded his munition across his chest.

"Was n't any of 'my lot'as you say,"Albus answered, hoping that Malfoy could n't listen his heart pounding in his bureau."We ca n't get into your common room. Do n't have the password. And even if we did, why would we need to ? It 's probably covered in serpent slime."

"Well it was n't a Slytherin if that 's what you 're implying. And I doubt it was a Ravenclaw or a Hufflepuff. A Ravenclaw would n't do something that stupid and a Hufflepuff would n't be able to figure out how-"

Albus rose from his chair."That 's rude. I know plenty of Hufflepuffs that are smarter than you, Malfoy. And they 're decent people, too."

"Boys, get to work on now. I believe your potion is overflowing in it 's cauldron, Malfoy,"Slughorn said, gesturing to Matt and Malfoy 's caldron, which was indeed overflowing. Matt was frantically waving his wand at it, trying to get it to stop.

"Oh for Merlin 's sake,"Malfoy muttered and stalked off towards his own mesa.

Albus breathed a sigh of embossment and continued to hack his celery root. Limbert retrieved another rat quick temper, as the one he had been using was now hopelessly destroyed. He did n't talk to Albus for the rest of the class except for the occasional"pas the tongue"or"turn down the flame ”.

Following potions Albus, Matt, and John the Divine immediately went upstairs to the. Marauder 's Den to take a much needed nap. Rose went to Muggle cogitation and Amanda went to the subroutine library. Albus fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and did not wake up until John the Evangelist swatted him with a pillow when it was metre for dinner.

The Slytherins were still complaining about the volaille during dinner and Albus and his friends giggled every time they heard something about them. About halfway through dinner, Professor Kendrick rose from his rear end. Albus turned to depend at Matt, who shrugged. Kendrick rarely made dinner spoken communication when it was n't the start or end of term.

"Just a few announcements,"Kendrick said once the Great lobby quieted down."get-go, I am sure you are all aware of the prank that took place in the Slytherin common elbow room last night. I, nor do any of the teachers, have any idea who is responsible, but if we do find out, be aware that those responsible will be punished. Entering another household 's common room is not tolerated and all scholarly person should demand this as a admonition, in case they have been inclined to do so themselves. Slytherins, please be advised that your password has been changed. If you are not aware of it, delight see a Prefect.

"arcsecond. adjacent weekend Hogwarts will host a few Ministry official including the Minister of legerdemain, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, the Head of the Auror Department, the head word of the department for the regularization and Control of Magical Creatures, as well as a few of the Minister 's penny-pinching advisors. In addition, both nominee for Minister will be here as well. They will arrive Friday dark and last out until Sunday morning. Sabbatum they will be debating Education Department here in the Great Hall.

"All bookman will have the probability to watch the debate by a random drawing since we can not conciliate all of you in addition to the Ministry official and members of the general universe that will be attending. The rest will hear via wireless in a few classroom. All bookman are required to take heed or catch. Thomas More information about that, such as how to determine out if you 've been selected to look on and what assignments you will take in on the debate, will be distributed by Professor Young in your political science class.

"I expect you all to deport yourselves and demonstrate to our Ministry that this is a place of learning. You are all representing Hogwarts, whether you are students, teacher, or stave. You will not rip pranks, especially not like the one that was pulled last night. You will respect the Ministry representatives. I will move over you foster info next week. In the meantime, starting line thinking up a few query to ask our nominee in eccentric they have prison term to do a question and answer session."Kendrick resumed his ass.

"Blimey, I 've never seen Kendrick act so unplayful,"John said quietly.

"Can you blame him ?"rosiness asked."Remember what Laurentis said about Hogwarts ? She all but said he was n't running the school properly. If she wins, prospect are he 's out of a job. He 's got to put on a unspoilt display next week if he 's got any promise of staying here if she wins."

"That 's insane !"Albus shouted. A few first age looked over at him and he lowered his voice."I mean, Kendrick took over as Headmaster when McGonagall left and even before that he helped rebuild the place. How can she sack somebody who helped rebuild Hogwarts ?"

"She ca n't if she 's not elected,"Amanda said."We just have to hope your uncle wins."

"Never thought I 'd say it, but I agree,"Albus replied."Sakartvelo and Omar Bradley and Cedric wo n't be happy but can you imagine what Hogwarts would be like if Laurentis won ?"

"I ca n't,"Matt said."No one can because no one knows what she wants to do to transfer it."

"Guess we 're going to find out succeeding Saturday,"Amanda said."Think any of us will get to watch it ?"

"We will,"Albus answered, gesturing to Matt and himself."Our pappa are two of the representatives, so I bet we 'll make to sit with our families."

"I hope I get to,"Amanda said."It 's really fascinating, magical politics. In some ways it 's completely the Lapp as Muggle political sympathies, only with magic involved. Really shows that we 're all people."

"Me too,"rose wine agreed.

"You can ingest my ticket if I get one,"trick told her."It 's going to be heavily to doze off if I 'm in the same room."

"Saami here,"Kaden said.

Rose rolled her eyes."You lot done eating ? Anyone up for spending the evening in the library ?"

The boys reluctantly agreed. They had neglected their preparation the previous night due to the prank and had multiple grant due the next day that they had not even started on. Albus thought longingly of his bed in Gryffindor tower and then resigned himself to the fact that he 'd be in the depository library until curfew.


A/N : Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are awesome. Big thanks to all my writing friends that I intelligence war with. There are now too many to name individually, but they are awful.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The day after Halloween dawned with a violent electric storm, one that Albus hoped would pass before Saturday, when he would have to face Slytherin on the Quidditch auction pitch. Albus was feeling much better after a decent dark 's sleep, although he was dreading having to go to History of Magic first thing in the morning again. Whose bright idea was it to commit them that class two good morning in a row ?

The post owls arrived as Albus was serving himself some orchis and he scanned the air for his syndicate owl. He did n't see it and resumed piling his scale with food. His parents only occasionally sent him Emily Post now that he was in fourth year and no longer needed a letter from them every other day. However, Albus did see his Uncle Harry Hotspur 's screeching owl making a beeline towards Cedric, who was sitting across from Albus. Cedric set his fork down and untied the letter from the owl 's leg. The owl dipped his beak in Cedric 's juice and then took off.

Albus watched as Cedric read the letter and saw his facial expression go from undefined wonder to cold-shoulder horror and then finally extreme disgust. Walker Percy 's letter of the alphabet were always interesting and it seemed as this one was no exception.

"Unbelievable !"Cedric shouted.

"What is it ?"Saint James asked as he snatched the letter out of Cedric 's hands."Is he making you sit next to him while he debates next workweek ?"

"Worse !"Cedric exclaimed."He thinks I was the one who put the wimp in the Slytherin common room !"

"Seriously ?"James II asked as he settled down to record the letter."Let 's see ... Seriously disappointed in you ... taught you upright than this ... stunts like these could hurt my chances for a win in April ... must acquire to retrieve about the consequences of your actions ... fifth year is for studying for your O.W.L.s ... meter to uprise up ..."

"See ?"Cedric said as he stabbed his Roger Bacon with a bit too lots force-out."He really believes I did it. And with no evidence !"

"Oh now he 's bringing up your bit from that article. The part where you mentioned that you like pulling pranks. Oh and now he 's brought me into it ... Oh wait, hey ! He 's going to recite my parents that I was in on it too !"Saint James the Apostle slammed the letter down."No way they 'll believe him without trial impression though."

"Which he has none of. Did you get to the part where he 's owling Kendrick, too ?"Cedric asked.

"Kendrick ca n't do anything without trial impression,"Saint James the Apostle said.

"Yeah but our records are n't exactly clean,"Cedric pointed out."Merlin, I wish I 'd thought up this frivolity. It was history worthy. I mean getting into the Slytherin mutual way ? I 've been dreaming about doing that since before first year."

"I wish we knew who did it. I 'd like to get some tips,"James I added."They 're going to go down as Hogwarts legends."

Albus hoped that his furious blushing was n't noticeable. He could not believe that Walker Percy actually believed Cedric pulled the put-on without any grounds. Cedric could n't get in worry without grounds, could he ? If he did, Albus would feel dire. He already felt awful that Percy had even had the nerve to charge Cedric for something that Albus and his Quaker did, something Cedric had no part of.

"We 've just got to visualise out who did it,"James decided."To clear our names."

Cedric nodded."Wo n't be that hard. No frivolity can be done without evidence left behind. It 's unimaginable to do in this position. We 'll look for clues around our own unwashed room because I think the Slytherins are right field. It was a Gryffindor."

"We should blab to the touch, too,"James IV said."They wander at all hours."

"rightfulness,"Cedric agreed."secure be off to class now, though.

Albus turned to John after his brother and cousin had left the table. John and mat had both been sitting close enough to Cedric and King James to hear the intact conversation. Both boy were pallid than usual and Albus was sure he was as well.

"Myrtle saw us,"matte whispered."We 'll be number one on their suspect list."

"D'you intend your own brother would sprain us in ?"whoremonger asked.

Albus laughed."Of track he would. He 's my brother."

"Good item,"whoremaster muttered."What are we going to do ?"

"promise Vinca minor does n't say anything,"Albus said.

"That 's it, we 're doomed."Matt sighed.

"On the plus side of meat, we 'll be Hogwarts fable,"John said.

"Tell that to my parents,"Matt replied.

Albus thought about James and Cedric 's quest to figure out who pulled the chicken put-on during the entirety of History of conjuring trick. They had n't left any touch behind except for talking to Vinca minor. And even that only proved that they were out of bed at four in the morning, not that they 'd left chickens in the Slytherin common room. Sure, there might have been random chicken feathers in the commons elbow room that dawning but the house elves would feature already cleaned them up. Then there was Bradley.

Bradley. Albus 's stomach dropped. Would Thomas Bradley rat out Albus in order to hold open his own brother from possible trouble ? Albus liked to think not, especially since doing so would inculpate Bradley as well. But it was possible that Bradley would call for Cedric to leave him out of it when he told Kendrick in return for the entropy in the showtime place. Albus rubbed his brow. It was all so confusing and there were too many possibilities.

flatness and John looked equally disturbed by the possibleness. Both boys were sitting completely still, staring at Professor Binns but not looking at him. Matt was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook. John was twirling his pinion around in his helping hand and had splattered ink all over himself and his History of trick Quran.

Albus was grateful that they had Care of Magical Creatures adjacent, despite the unwavering downpour. They would be capable to sing. Hagrid was currently teaching them about unicorns and this finicky lesson he had an actual unicorn for them to maintain and interact with. Luckily for Albus, Gospel According to John, and matt, unicorns did not like boys and thus had an excuse to hang back and talk.

"The only way they 're going to find out is if they talk to Bradley and Bradley tells them,"Albus said as they pretended to take bill on the unicorn, which was currently surrounded by the missy of the class.

"Or if they talk to Myrtle and put the cue together,"Matt pointed out.

"What clues ?"John asked."We did n't leave anything behind."

"Not that you know of. But they were right when they said nothing can be done at Hogwarts without somebody knowing about it. For all we know there was another ghost lurking by the Slytherin common elbow room while we were there that we did n't card,"matt explained."Or the fact that we were n't in the vernacular room last night-"

"We 're rarely in the common room,"John said."Not since we found the predator 's Den."

"True. They could also lecture to Bilius or Ethan and find oneself out that we got back at four in the break of day. Ethan woke up when we got back and asked what we were up to, think back ?"lustrelessness said.

"That would n't secern them anything Thomas More than Vinca minor would,"Albus replied as he scrawled a few notes about how the unicorn was pawing at the ground.

"What if they find plumage or chicken feed or something ?"Matt asked.

"That will have all been cleaned up by now. The house elves pick everyday,"John said."I think Albus is right. The only way they 'll know is if they talk to Tom Bradley. Or if they just assume and ask us about it. Al, are you going to be capable to lie to them if they ask you ?"

"Er ..."Albus 's articulation trailed off. He knew how a lot of a rotten liar he was."To be honest ? Probably not."

Nobody said anything for a few moment. Each boy pretended to be absorbed in taking tone on the unicorn.

"There 's zilch we can do, then,"Matt finally said."We ca n't stop them or separate them not to investigate because that would look fishy. All we can do is wait and hope they do n't enter it out."

Albus nodded. Matt was completely rightfulness, of path. But what Albus did n't say was that Saint James and Cedric would calculate it out. They were the school pranksters and for the first meter they 'd been out-pranked. The two were the school 's japery experts and could easily follow the trail that would lead them right to their own brother and cousin.
******


The ferocious thunderstorm that had plagued Hogwarts the day before cleared up by Sat morning and the conditions could not have been better for Quidditch. It was sunny, with slight cloud cover and little wind. The temperature was mild for November. atmospheric condition would not be a gene in this Quidditch match. No, the team that won would win solely based on their skill.

The Hogwarts universe, both students and professors alike, were very excited for the equal. family Quidditch had been suspended the late year in order for the Quidditch and Dueling competitions with the schools from New York and Australia, although the terminal catch in the Quidditch event had been a disaster. Everyone at Hogwarts was prepare for things to go back to normal and that included sign of the zodiac Quidditch.

convention also included the taunt that went on between the Gryffindors and Slytherins at breakfast right wing before the match. Malfoy informed Albus that he needed to watch out else he find himself in the hospital annexe for mean solar day. Albus ignored this because Malfoy was n't even on the Slytherin team and did n't possess enough Quidditch acquisition to be on a children 's team. He tried his best to disregard the taunt from the actual Slytherin squad as well, but still found his tummy was a bit too queasy to eat much Sir Thomas More than toast.

The team gathered around Fred in the changing way shortly before the couple, cook to hear his first team spoken communication.

"I fully believe we can win this,"Fred began."Our practices have gone very smoothly and it feels like Janie has played with us for years rather than only a few weeks. Slytherin plays dirty, though, so observe yourselves. They also have two new actor, a Chaser and a Beater, whereas we only have one. The new Chaser is a second year and the new Beater is a third year, so I do n't opine we 'll have got a lot issue there. I 've seen them practice and they still do n't lick as a seamless team like we do. Just go out there and take on like we did two years ago and we 're sure to win."

The team stood up and followed Fred out onto the pitch. The land was soft beneath Albus 's feat, but not too muddy, which would make for a honest kick off. He stood in between Heather and James while Fred went to shake hands with Fielding, Slytherin 's captain.

Oteski shouted his desire for a unclouded match and then the two captains crunched each other 's hands. Oteski released the Bludgers and fink and then tossed the Quaffle into the air. Albus kicked off from the basis and flew towards the Quaffle, which had unfortunately been caught by Fielding.

"And they 're off !"Todd Ian Smith announced."first base House match in two years due to the break last class, during the competitions with the former schooltime. Both squad have some new faces this year. Slytherin has a new pursuer, second class Marshall Belby, and a new Beater, third class Devon Wright. Gryffindor has a new keeper, fourth year Janie Creevey ...."

Albus tore his attention from Smith as the chap Gryffindor began to announce the public figure of the rest of the players. Leaning forward on his broom, Albus soared to the other side of the pitch, where Fielding was attempting to give the Quaffle into one of Gryffindor 's end posts.

"Spectacular save by Creevey !"Smith shouted."Looks like she 's going to be an excellent Keeper for Gryffindor. Gryffindor now in possession. Heather Weasley in possession, passes to Albus Potter ...."

Albus caught the Quaffle, wedged it under his arm, and sped down to the early side of the pitch. He dodged two of Slytherin 's pursuer but was hit by a Bludger sent from Wright and dropped the Quaffle. It was intercepted by Peyton Haines.

Albus swore loudly and go after Haines as he turned around and headed towards Gryffindor. Fred managed to catch the Quaffle after Haines was hit by a Bludger and tossed it back to Albus.

This time Albus made it to the Slytherin goal Wiley Post and feigned aright before sending the Quaffle soaring through the entrust hoop.

"grudge !"Smith announced."Albus thrower scores the maiden goal of the couple. Ten head to Gryffindor !"

The remainder of the lucifer continued in the same fashion, with the Quaffle continuously exchanging hands, rendering it very hard for Smith to keep back up with the commentary. Gryffindor maintained a near unceasing grade of twenty compass point ahead of the Slytherins. Albus scored two to a greater extent destination and assisted on five more. The Slytherin Chasers looked more and more churn up as the couple wore on.

An minute and a half into the match Albus saw William James empty his position above the rest of the players and fly towards the ground. Hunter Pucey, Slytherin 's seeker, followed.

"facial expression like Potter has seen the Snitch !"metalworker exclaimed.

Albus watched while flying the Quaffle to the Slytherin goal C. W. Post. James had his arm outstretched towards a glittering target when Devonshire Willard Huntington Wright slammed her Beater 's bat towards a nearby Bludger. But the Bludger suddenly soared upward, leaving nothing in between the bat and James 's leg. Devon 's bat collided with James 's leg, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Albus stopped where he was.

The intact crowd gasped, with the exception of the Slytherins, who were cheering. Pucey was flying around the pitch holding the struggling Snitch in his outstretched hand. Albus ignored this and flew directly to James, who was clutch his leg on the footing.

Albus abandoned his broom once he landed and hurried towards King James. He was surrounded by Madam Pomfrey, Professor Oteski, prof Kendrick, Professor Longbottom, the rest of the Gryffindor team, and surprisingly, Devonshire.

Albus paused to look at the young woman. She was humble, like nigh second year are, but mesomorphic. Her unclean blond pilus was in a messy bun and her font was streaked with rent. As Albus got closer, he could take heed that she was whispering"I 'm sorry"over and over again.

"Foul !"broom shouted."That 's a foul ! I want a rematch !"

"Let 's get James to the Hospital Wing and then we 'll worry about a rematch,"Neville said as Madam Pomfrey conjured a stretcher.

"Finally, individual with some sense around here,"dame Pomfrey muttered."All of you, out of the way !"

The herd quickly dispersed as Madam Pomfrey guided the coping stone towards the rook, followed by the gathered professors. After a few minutes, prof Patil ordered the rest of the students to get back to their vernacular rooms. Albus walked back to the rook with his squad, who were heading straight to the Hospital Wing.

Epistle of James was resting once they got there, his leg bandaged but no longer broken. He no longer looked to be in pain, but looked like he wanted to hex the entire Slytherin team. Madam Pomfrey appeared in strawman of them before they could give James 's bed.

"Ten transactions,"she said."That 's all."

"Are we getting a rematch ?"was the first affair out of James IV 's mouth."No one will tell me anything."

"They have n't said anything yet,"Fred replied."How 's the leg ?"

"Fine, now. Just a little painful. gentlewoman Pomfrey said I can leave tomorrow afternoon,"James told them."We better get a rematch. That was a foul. I was two seconds from catching the Snitch when that new Beater went and hit me with her bat ! Who does she remember she is ? Does n't she make out the rules of Quidditch ? Or is that how Slytherin 's training their musician these daytime ?"

"She was going for a Bludger,"Albus explained."You probably could n't see it because she was behind you, but there had been a Bludger. It flew up at the shoemaker's last second and she accidentally got your leg."

"How do they know that ?"James asked."She might 've made that up."

"Everyone saw it,"Albus said quietly.

"It 's reliable,"Heather agreed."I do n't cognize if they 'll pass us a rematch."

The room access to the Hospital Wing opened, revealing the Beater in interrogation. She walked tentatively at bottom and stopped when she saw the entire Gryffindor team. Madam Pomfrey greeted her and they spoke in voices too lull to overhear before she walked slowly over to James 's bed.

"I know you probably hate me and I do n't charge you,"she whispered."But I really am sorry. It really was an accident. I swear it. It was my first match."

Albus glanced at the rest of his team. Their looks of confusion mirrored his own thought.

"Er, well, thanks for the apology, I guess,"James said.

"Is your leg ok ?"she asked.

"It 's ok now,"James replied.

Devon reached into her robe and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke 's burnt umber. She handed it to Epistle of James, her middle staring at his bed and not meeting his glance the full clock time."Here,"she whispered.

"Er, thanks,"James said as he took the chocolate.

"Um, I 'm going to go now. Bye,"Devonshire said and turned to run from the ward, before any of the Gryffindor team had time to respond.

"That was strange,"James muttered after the doors had slammed shut."Anyone partiality some chocolate ?"

"She 's got a crushed leather on you,"Ryan announced.

"DOE not,"James argued.

"Have we ever had a Slytherin apologize for injuring one of us before, let alone give us chocolate ?"Fred asked."I 'm with Ryan on this one."

"Well clearly some of them have sense of right and wrong,"Albus replied."But yeah, she likes you."

"She 's twelve,"James II said flatly.

"missy mature faster than blokes."ling smirked."So, actually, she should be just about right for you."

"Shut up,"King James muttered."Not sharing my coffee anymore."

"Ten minutes are up !"Madam Pomfrey announced as she returned to St. James the Apostle 's bed bearing a tray that contained a few nasty looking potions."And these are for you, James."

Albus and the relief of the team bade James good-by and left the hospital Wing. They walked up to Gryffindor towboat together, but parted once they entered the common room. Albus found his friends at a table near the door to the dorm and sat down to explain the full Devonshire Frances Wright thing.

"So she was actually upset that she had broken St. James 's leg ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"And she apologized ?"Matt added.

"And gave him chocolate ?"Kaden continued.

Albus nodded."Strange, is n't it ?"

"Very,"John agreed."I 'm surprised she 's on the team. Is n't it a necessity for the Slytherin team to be a fan of vehemence ?"

"She might not be on a lot longer, right wing ?"Matt asked.

"It was an accident,"Albus said."I already said that. The respite of the team saw it and so did half the professors. So there 's probably not going to be a rematch either."

"That 's not fair,"John muttered.

"It 's only the foremost catch,"Albus pointed out."plentitude more time to gain those stage back. And their seeker is awful anyway. He could n't have caught that Snitch if King James I had n't have been hit."

Albus, Matt, and John the Evangelist spent the remainder of the good afternoon discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor 's fortune of winning the Quidditch Cup. They factored in the attainment layer of all the actor on all the houses and the points earned so far, along with the possible weather hinderances that were surely to come. Kaden paid attention, but did n't contribute a great deal except for the occasional comment about how something was different in football game. Amanda did the Same, relieve for the football game scuttlebutt. wax suspire and dug a book out of her bag and read it until they had finished.

professor Oteski was at supper that night, which was a rare occurrence due to the fact that he has a wife and young children in Hogsmeade and normally was only at the rook for year and Quidditch equal. Towards the end of the meal he rose, rendering the integral Hall silent.

"The other professors and I have reviewed the event at today 's match,"Oteski began."We 've taken into account a few quality students'observations-"

"He interviewed me,"Fred said.

"-along with the professors'. I have come to the conclusion that the act of a Slytherin Beater hitting Gryffindor 's searcher with her Beater 's Bat was an unfortunate accident. No disciplinal action will be taken against her, nor will a rematch be taking place."He resumed his seat.

All of Gryffindor groaned while Slytherin rejoiced. Albus glanced over at their table and saw that Devonshire Wright was the entirely Slytherin not shouting in turmoil. Instead she had her head on her bridge player and was picking at her dinner. She was a very odd Slytherin, that was for sure.

"I really did n't think there 'd be a replay,"Fred said."But hear, we can still win. Losing the first lucifer does n't entail we 'll lose the Cup."

"Someone 's going to deliver to tell James,"Heather replied."He wo n't be pleased. I 'm fairly certain he can consider the turn of times he has n't caught the Snitch on one hand."

Albus thought back to the metre King James I had lost a couple against Linda the vampire and hid in the shriek shack. Luckily his brother had come a long way from that and would not feel the want to shroud after missing the Snitch.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I 'm back at school now, so I wo n't be writing as much. But I have a few chapters saved up, so I 'm hoping to update frequently for the side by side month at to the lowest degree.

If you are enjoying this narration ( or any of my stories ), head over to the meeting place and name one for a Dobby award ! Be sure to read the rules before posting. : )


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus was very allay that he was not given the task of telling James that there would not be a replay. Fred, being the police captain, took that job for himself and the rest of the team merely went with him. James was understandably upset, but did n't take the news show nearly as badly as Albus would ingest expected. Perhaps he was maturing, if even a small-scale measure. On Sunday, James was released from the Hospital Wing and liveliness at Hogwarts returned to normal if only for a few days.

After a stunt man stratum of potions and bingle class of Transfiguration on Tuesday, Albus and his friends had politics and this was the day where they would find out who would get to sit in the Great Hall during the disputation on Sat. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were understandably more talkative in the minutes before professor Embry began category. Most of the scholar hoped that they would get to pay heed the debate, with the elision of St. John the Apostle and a few of the Hufflepuffs. Albus and Matt would be attending it either way, so they doubted either of them would be picked. pink wine had also found out that since she was Percy 's niece, she would also get to serve no issue what.

"Settle down, settle down,"Embry said once the clock struck three. He smiled and then quickly took attending."I 'm very felicitous to see how excited you are for Sat 's debate. It 's very energize to see young hoi polloi so interested in government. Since I know none of you will pay attention during class unless I announce who gets to attend before I begin, I will announce them now."

The family immediately began whispering until Embry located a piece of sheepskin on his desk and cleared his pharynx."Now, a few of you are able to attend the debate without being chosen. matt Eckerton and Albus Potter, since both your fathers are headland of section at the Ministry you will be able to attend. blush wine Weasley, since you are related to one of the candidates, you may attend as well. And not to worry, everyone else, they will not take away point from the steady student body.

"One boy and one daughter were picked randomly from each year, for each theater. So eight students from each year were chosen come. For Hufflepuff the lucky two are Olivia Price and Ronald Bones."

"Yes !"Ronald shouted. He was a rather trashy, light-haired haired boy, who reminded Albus a lot of Kaden. Olivia just smiled. She was hush, but as one of Hufflepuff 's Beaters, was quite forceful.

"And for Gryffindor we have Ethan Kesse and Marina Jordan-Bell,"Embry continued.

Both let out ecstatic shout and the rest of the grade clapped before everyone settled down. All four winning students were still grinning when Embry began speaking once more.

"Congratulations to all four of you. This will not be the just debate to film place at Hogwarts and for the following one, different scholar will be chosen. Now, on Sabbatum, you are to account to the Great Hall at ten o'clock in the morning. The argument will get down at eleven. You will reach your name to whichever professor is waiting by the doors and then a Prefect will demo you to where you are supposed to sit. Saami goes for you, lustrelessness, Albus, and Rose."

Embry set the parchment down on his desk and smiled as he walked closer to the tables of his students."Now, what Professor Kendrick has not told you yet, because it has only just been finalized, is that both candidates will be hosting two junction interrogation and answer sessions. These will be for bookman and Hogwarts staff only. The same scholar chosen to attend the argumentation will be able to attend the query and response sitting. It will have place at three in the Great anteroom. Please arrive at two-thirty.

"Everyone else will be listening to the argumentation on the wireless. Fourth year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs will be in the Transfiguration classroom. Please report there by ten-thirty. Everyone, no matter whether they are attending the debate or listening on the radio receiver are expected to publish a pes long essay on which candidate you thought was more successful in making their percentage point. It will be due at the root of next week 's class."

The intact class groaned at the mention of the essay. Embry ignored this and began his talk. They had finally made it into the 20th C, but were still far from learning about how everything in the Ministry changed after Voldemort was defeated.

The rest of the week passed very slowly. The Hogwarts scholar were getting very excited at the prospect of the campaigner arriving for their public debate, with the exception of Bradley and Cedric. Even King John and Kaden, neither of whom were going to pay heed the debate, were catching a little bit of excitement. Albus was rather shocked at how the majority of the students were getting involved with the election. Being person who had grown up with government and the Ministry of conjuration, he was not quite as thrilled with the prospect, especially when reporters from the Daily seer showed up on Fri morning.

"Want to take stakes on how quickly they find you ?"John asked as they passed two newsman on their way to fear of Magical Creatures.

Albus glanced at the reporter. One was a very tall and lanky man, with mussy chocolate-brown hair and considerable stubble on his fount. He was frantically writing down questions that the other newsperson, an equally grandiloquent woman with huge red lips and Joseph Black hair, was asking an uncomfortable looking first year.

"walk faster,"Albus nudged John as they neared the oak doors.

Albus had absolutely no desire to seem in any issues of the Daily Prophet. Neither of his parents liked reporters and that was a trait they had passed down to Albus. He made a genial note to warn Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric about them the next time he saw his two first cousin.

In an effort to debar the newsperson, Albus, lusterlessness, and John spent their free people period after good luck charm in the Marauder 's Den. With any luck when the Ministry functionary arrived the reporters would give up trying to audience random Hogwarts student. Although Albus knew it was not random at all. At dejeuner, after tending of Magical wight, he found out that no less than four of his cousins, along with Lily, had been interviewed that morning.

The official were arriving just as Albus and his friend were heading to the Great lobby for dinner party. They paused on the grand piano staircase while the blue-robed witches and wizards entered the Great hall, gracefully avoiding the newsperson that were standing succeeding to the entrance to the Great vestibule. Albus recognized nearly all of them, including his dad, Uncle Percy, and Matt 's dad.

The Staff table had been magically elongated enough to extend seats for all of the Ministry official, who had at sat down and began speaking with the prof. Albus and his friends all found seats at the Gryffindor table, near all his cousins. Cedric was scowling while reading a letter. He then crumpled it up and then set fervour to it with his wand.

"Dad still thinks we pulled that prank, James,"Cedric muttered."Says he 's going to make time to speak with me before he leaves."

"We 'll detect out,"James said."We still have n't talked to all the ghosts."

"All except Moaning Myrtle."Cedric shuddered."I do n't fancy talking to her."

"She 's our last hope,"James IV said."We 're going to find her. After all this debate stuff is over."

Albus let out a sigh of relief. He had two more days. In all honesty, he 'd nearly forgotten about Cedric and Saint James 's seeking to retrieve out who put the volaille in the Slytherin common way. But apparently his brother and cousin had not.

Kendrick rose from his seat once the Great residence hall was full."On behalf of myself, the rest of the Hogwarts staff, and the Hogwarts bookman torso, I 'd care to receive our Ministry representatives to Hogwarts. Before we eat, I 'd like to innovate everyone.

"starting time, our campaigner,"Kendrick gestured to Percy and Laurentis, who were both sitting immediately to his left."Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."Kendrick then gestured to the tall, rather portly man on his left."Our current minister, Langston Hartwell."

The residue of the functionary were intersperse amongst the prof. Kendrick gestured to a grey haired enchantress sitting in between prof Patil and Cedonia."drumhead of Magical Law Enforcement. Reena Barnes."Next, Kendrick gestured to Matt 's dad who was sitting future to Albus 's dad and prof Trelawney."Head of the department for the mastery and regularisation of Magical tool. Walter Eckerton."

one-half the Gryffindor mesa turned and looked at Matt, who gave a smile and shrugged. Never one to talk about his family line, most of Gryffindor was unaware of who lusterlessness 's dad was.

"I 'm for sure you all remember Harry Potter, head of the Auror department,"Kendrick said as he gestured to Albus 's dad. He received louder applause than anyone else had.

Kendrick then introduced three of Hartwell 's other adviser, who had titles that were just as long and confusing as Sir Henry Percy 's flow job form of address. Then, finally, Kendrick waved his work force and intellectual nourishment appeared on all the tables.

During dinner Fred announced that he had reluctantly canceled Quidditch practice for the adjacent day since it was scheduled for the same time as the interrogative sentence and solvent seance. The rest of dinner was spent figuring out which Gryffindors, besides the large amount that were related to Percy, were going to attend the public debate. Both John 's little sister, Asthyn, and James 's near admirer, Nathan, were getting to go to.

After afters had been served and consumed, Kendrick reminded everyone of the time of the next day 's disputation and suggested they all turn in early. Albus wondered whether the ministry official would be staying in the castle or Apparating back to their own habitation for the night. Cedric took off for the common room as soon as he had finished eating, in order to avoid his father.

Albus and his friends decided to stay in the vulgar room that night since everyone was so lively and the excitement was catching. Saint John the Apostle brought a deck of Exploding child's play down from his trunk and the six admirer sat around a shelve playacting for at least an 60 minutes. Kaden had just had the cards explode in his face when the door to the common room opened and soul gasped.

Everyone glanced over and the coarse room went silent. Percy was standing in the doorway, looking very awkward and uncomfortable. His optic landed on Cedric, who had been organizing his neckcloth of Skiving Snackboxes with St. James the Apostle and Nathan. Cedric went as pale as Moaning Myrtle.

"Cedric,"Percy said quietly."I need to talk with you."

"I did n't do it, Dad !"Cedric exclaimed."I swear it !"

Albus shifted uncomfortably in his buns, glancing at his supporter. rosebush was giving him a disapproving aspect while Matt, John, and Kaden looked equally uncomfortable. Amanda had raised her supercilium. This was nonsensical. Why could n't Percy let it go or believe his son ? Or at least deal with it privately ? It was unfair of him to ramp into the Gryffindor common way and call out his own son like that.

Percy shook his top dog."Cedric, you 've pulled pranks like this ever since you were lilliputian. This one has you written all over it. You, too, James."

"But Dad-"

"No buts,"Percy said."This is not acceptable. Now I 'd wish to speak with you privately."

Cedric did n't agitate. Albus swallowed hard and looked at Matt, trick, and Kaden each in good turn. prank were all in good fun, but not when destitute people were punished for them. And Albus had no doubt that Hotspur would punish Cedric whether he had substantiation or not. Cedric 's preceding betrayed him and Percy was too focused on winning the election to give his son the welfare of the doubt. Albus did not like his first cousin taking the fall for something he and his booster did. It just was not something he was comfy with.

Matt gave a slender nod of his head. John and Kaden both shrugged and Albus took that to mean"do what you have to do ”. Albus sighed and stood up."waiting, Uncle Percy."

"Albus, this is none of your concern,"Percy said."Cedric has to front his consequences."

"But he did n't do it !"Albus exclaimed."It was me. I did it."

James burst out laughing."You, Al ? That 's skillful and all of you to try and keep Cedric out of trouble, but really ? You could n't get into the Slytherin unwashed room."

"It was n't only him,"John said, standing up."Kaden and I did most of it. Al was just a looking at out."

"I was, too,"Matt announced."It was the four of us."

Fred and a few of his friends suddenly jumped up from their tail and bowed in front of Albus, Matt, John, and Kaden."Masters ! You are the kings."

The entire common room exploded in applause and whistles. Albus could n't assist but grin despite the fact that he knew he was going to be in trouble. St. James the Apostle gave Albus an odd look before breaking out in a wry grin himself. A few get-go years ran up and high-fived them. Hugo was practically rolling on the floor laughing.

"enough, enough !"Percy shouted."Albus, you 'd ameliorate hail with me. You three as well."He gestured to Matt, John, and Kaden.

Albus and his friend reluctantly followed Walker Percy out of the usual room to Kendrick 's study. On the way there Albus could n't serve but comment that his uncle did n't really walk. He strutted, almost like he owned the topographic point. Albus supposed he was remembering back to his Head Boy twenty-four hours. Head Boy was probably now well out of grasp for Albus, as was becoming a Prefect. Not like he really wanted to become a Prefect anyway.

Upon entering Kendrick 's cogitation Albus was horrified to see that all of the Ministry officials were there, including his own Father-God. lusterlessness had paled considerably on seeing his sire as well. This was bad.

Kendrick glanced at the boy and then looked questioningly up at Hotspur."I think we need a mo of privateness,"Kendrick said to the functionary,"except Harry and Walter."

The rest of the functionary left the way, whispering to themselves as they went. Kendrick then resumed his seat behind his desk and conjured enough chairs for the remaining people. Albus took a seat in between Matt and Kaden.

"What 's going on, Hotspur ?"Kendrick asked.

"I went to Gryffindor to induce a chat with my son about that prank last week and as it turns out he was telling the truth."Albus was pleased to see that Percy looked slightly ashamed."As I was asking Cedric for a private talk, my nephew and his friends announced that they were the pranksters."

"They what ?"Harry exclaimed, looking at Albus."Is this about the chickens in the Slytherin usual elbow room prank ?"

"Yes,"Hotspur confirmed."These four just confessed to it."

Matt 's dad let out a suspiration and shook his head.

"Is this true, boys ?"Kendrick asked.

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied.

"I 'm very disappointed in you, Albus,"Harry said."This is the sort of thing I expect from James, not from you."

"As am I in you, Matthew,"Walter added."You 've never been one to draw in pranks."

"It was our musical theme,"bathroom said, gesturing to himself and Kaden."All they did was keep on a look out while we were in their green room."

"Nevertheless,"Kendrick said, folding his hands on his desk."All four of you broke school normal and you will be punished. Fifty dot from Gryffindor-"

Kaden gasped.

"-each,"Kendrick finished."And detainment. As much as I 'd wish to start your detention tomorrow we have former matters happening in this castle and none of the faculty is free to supervise. You will start your detention on Monday evening and you will cause it for a week."

"But sir-"Albus and lustrelessness said at once.

"No buts,"Kendrick said."You blatantly broke multiple school rules."

"But Quidditch and dueling ! That 's the workweek before the first tournament-"

"Your teams will get to hold praxis without you, Mr. Potter,"Kendrick said shortly."You should have thought about that before you participated in this mischief."

"Sir ?"Matt asked quietly.

Kendrick sighed."Yes ?"

"The, er, full moon is Tuesday,"Matt muttered.

"right field,"Kendrick replied."Attend the detentions that you can and whichever ones you miss can be made up once you are better.

"Thank you,"Walter said,"for being understanding about that."

"Not a job. matt 's situation is vastly different from missed Quidditch practice."

Albus felt his cheeks reddening. It had been a valid percentage point for him. Fred would murder him in his sleep when he found out Albus would miss at least two practice session for detention. He certainly would n't be applauding and bowing anymore.

"You 'll report to Filch 's office on Mon at seven. He 'll collapse you further instructions on what your detention will entail. Now, get back to Gryffindor Tower,"Kendrick said.

Albus rose from his tail. Harry did the Sami."Al, you realize I 'm going to have to tell your mother about this."

Albus nodded."Yes."

"She wo n't be pleased. But I do want to tell you that I 'm proud of the way you owned up to this when you realized Cedric was wrongfully accused. As disappointed as I am that you pulled that prank, I am very happy to give birth such an true son. I 'll see you tomorrow. throw a soundly night and think of, I always love you,"Harry said and gave Albus a hug.

"Love you too,"Albus said quietly.

mat was having what was surely a standardized lecture with his own father and once they were finished, the four boy left Kendrick 's field of study and went immediately back to Gryffindor Tower.

"Seven hold,"St. John the Apostle muttered as they walked up a set of step."septenary. This is unsound than that metre in second twelvemonth when we were caught near the Whomping Willow."

"Not to mention the points,"Albus replied.

"And hold with Filch no less,"Matt said."I 'll be doing at least two of them on my own, too."

Kaden shrugged."Still seems worth it."

lavatory grinned."Most definitely worth it."

Albus and Matt gave each other looks that clearly meant they disagreed. No, 200 points from Gryffindor, seven detentions with Filch, and no Quidditch practice for a week was not worth it.
***


In true Hogwarts fashion by the next morn at Breakfast the entire school knew that it had been three Gryffindor fourth long time and one Gryffindor 3rd class that had managed to sneak into the Slytherin park room and bank deposit two chicken and a rooster, as well as masking the integral place in bird seminal fluid. Hufflepuff was especially excited about this because Gryffindor 's exit of 200 item put them in the spark advance for the House Cup. Gryffindor was now perfectly last and the former Gryffindors were torn between their awe of Albus and his friends and their horror that the frivolity had cost them so many spot.

rosebush and Amanda had burst out laughing when the son told them their fate the late Nox. They were raging about the release of points, though. rose wine was especially disgusted by King John and Kaden 's lack of remorse.

All the ministry functionary were at the staff tabular array, whereas the household board were not nearly as broad as the previous day. It seemed that some students had not heeded Kendrick 's proffer about going to bed early.

There was a swoosh of wings and Albus looked up to see that the post hooter had arrived. His kernel started beating faster and he swallowed heavily upon seeing his mother 's owl holding a red envelope in its mouth.

"Oh no,"Albus whispered as the owl grew skinny. His friends glanced up and saw the howler just as the owl was preparing for landing. It landed in front of Albus 's plate of eggs and he took the howler in his paw before quickly running out of the Great Hall for the nearest bathroom.

The gasbag was already hot when he arrived in the thankfully empty loo. He reluctantly opened it and the elbow room was soon full with Ginny 's high pitched shouting.

"ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER, WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU ? I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE IN THE SLYTHERIN COMMON ROOM AND putting chicken IN THERE NO LESS. I DO NOT CARE THAT YOU WERE ONLY THE LOOK OUT. YOU MAY AS WELL HAVE BEEN IN THERE YOURSELF. YOU WERE BLATANTLY breaking MULTIPLE schooltime formula INCLUDING being OUT OF BED AFTER minute.

I AM VERY disappoint. THIS IS THE form OF matter I EXPECT FROM King James I, BUT even James KNOWS WHEN NOT TO CROSS THE LINE. AND YOU DID N'T JUST CROSS THE LINE. YOU JUMPED WAY OVER IT. AND TO HAVE PERCY find OUT ABOUT THIS WHILE HE IS AT HOGWARTS FOR A DEBATE ? ! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO hold UP APPEARANCES IN decree FOR HIM TO HAVE A CHANCE AT THIS ELECTION AND THIS DOES NOT HELP.

I HIGHLY APPROVE OF THE hold AND LOSS OF point. I CAN NOT SAY I WOULD BE disappoint IF YOUR stallion sign WERE ANGRY WITH YOU OVER THIS. I EXPECT YOU WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN. IF YOU DO YOU WILL stimulate MORE THAN JUST penalisation AT SCHOOL."

The letter exploded with a brief quilt of skunk. Albus stood there staring at it for a few irregular. His mother had not even mentioned how his confession had saved Cedric. There was no mention of how she was proud about his honestness, like his dad had been.

Albus heard a dead laughter from behind him. He turned around and saw none other than Scorpio Malfoy leaning on one of the swallow hole, smirking.

"I knew it was one of you Gryffindors,"Malfoy said."Just did n't expect it to be you lot. Did n't think you 'd be smart enough to figure out our password."

"Just shut up, Malfoy,"Albus muttered as he pushed his way past the Slytherin on his way out of the loo.

"Loved the howler, by the way."Malfoy gave another laugh.

Albus groaned inwardly. He hoped Malfoy had n't heard much of it, but highly doubted it. Albus took a cryptic breather and walked back to the Great mansion house. Perhaps with the disputation coming in an hour, the rest of the students would draw a blank about the prank and the passing of points and see something new to discuss.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype writing group. You guys are all awesome ! Thanks for all the awesome reviews ! The new banner was done by violet ephemera at TDA. There 's a little under a week left to put up narration for the Dobby laurels, so if you like this story, foreland over to the forums and nominate it ! Just remember to read the rules first.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was a foresighted queue of students waiting to get into the Great Hall after everyone left once breakfast was over. The Great student residence had been completely emptied in order for the professors to prepare it for the debate. Albus craned his head in attempt to see it. As far as he could tell it looked the Saame except the long house tables had been replaced by rows of seating. He, along with Matt and Rose, were only a few scholar away from the front of the queue.

Once they made it to the front they gave their names to Professor Longbottom and then were lead inside by one of the Ravenclaw Prefects. Adults were milling about talking with each other and pupil were already seated. The first few rows were cordoned off with roach and the Ravenclaw Prefect lead Albus, rosebush, and lusterlessness to the tierce roped off row. He lifted the roach and told them to file all the way in, to the very end of the unoccupied row. Albus sat in between Rose and lustrelessness. It appeared that the roped off rows were reserved for Ministry officials and their families. Albus noticed that his mum was sitting in the figurehead row along with the rest of his aunts and uncles. Sakartvelo was also in the front row and was handing out coloring books and wax crayon to Samantha and lindy.

James IV, Ben, Lily, and Hugo filed in next to Rose a few minute of arc later. Albus saw that Cedric and Bradley, who had walked in with his sib, were being lead to the front row. Fred, Angie, broom, and Mark finished out their row five arcminute later. Albus gazed around the room and recognise Victoire and Teddy sitting across the aisle. Stanley walked in with Gabriella and took rear next to Victoire and shift. Albus had to hold he was surprise to see them there. Last he heard she was in France and he was in Romania.

The room soon became bundle with the students who had won seats as well as other crone and star who had chosen to come. Albus recognized a few who worked in store in Hogsmeade including ma'am Rosmerta. He turned to the front of the room and noticed that the staff mesa had also disappeared and had been replaced with two podiums and a little table, just like the set up in the courtroom at the Ministry.

At exactly eleven o'clock the doors to the Great Hall were shut and people began to sit down. Professor Kendrick entered the elbow room from one of its antechambers, followed by the rector, Albus 's dad, mat 's dad, and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Reena Barnes. The former Ministry officials were seated in the presence row.

Kendrick lead them to the small board near the ambo. All five, with the exception of Kendrick, sat. Kendrick walked to the front of the pulpit and the interview quieted.

"Welcome to the third debate. I welcome all of you to Hogwarts School of witchery and wizardry. Today 's debate will be on education. I 'd like to introduce today 's moderator, the Head of the Department for the dominance and regulating of Magical animal, Walter Eckerton."

The audience clapped and Albus whispered to lusterlessness, asking him if he knew his dad was moderating. lustrelessness shook his nous no and the two looked back to the forepart.

Kendrick had taken his seat and Matt 's dad had rose."Now I 'd like to welcome our two candidates. Hotspur Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."

There was more than hand clapping as Walker Percy and Laurentis walked out of the foyer and took their places behind the podiums. Once the clapping subsided, flatness 's dad began to speak.

"Today 's debate will run similarly to past argumentation, with five minute reply and two hour rebuttals. All doubtfulness and command prompt will be about education. The public debate will run for an minute and a half. After it is over, the room will be cleared and then luncheon will be served. After lunch there will be a short break and then the student interrogation and answer session will take place in this Lapp elbow room. Without further adieu, the kickoff question. Mr. Weasley, you will respond first.

"How do you feel about the Hogwarts physical environment ? Do you feel it is adequate and conducive to learning or do you feel changes should be made ?"

Walker Percy took a footfall forward and smiled at the audience."I believe that the Hogwarts palace is very contributory to learning. Being in a privy area provides little in the way of misdirection to the students. Yet the proximity of the castle to Hogsmeade Greenwich Village gives students in third base year and above a much needed break. The only changes I think need to be made are to update what needs to be updated and rectify what needs to be repaired."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Matt 's dad said. He turned to Laurentis."Ms. Laurentis."

"I agree with Mr. Weasley. The Hogwarts castle is very conducive to learning and I see nothing wrong with it the way it is. All of Mr. Weasley 's points are very valid."

Albus turned to Matt and shrugged. That was odd. They actually agreed on something. Matt 's dad seemed a fiddling shocked by this as well, because he did not say anything for a few seconds after Laurentis quieted.

"All right. Since you two agree, I see no need for rebutter. Moving on to the next motion. Ms. Laurentis, this time you will go first. How do you feel about the stream Hogwarts programme ? Do you palpate the stratum adequately prepare today 's young people for living in Brits wizarding social club ? What changes, if any, do you feel need to be made ?"

"The Hogwarts curriculum has not been updated in decades. In fact, the only new class that has been introduced is this class 's class on politics. Curricula is something that needs to modify with the sentence and be re-evaluated at least every other yr. The world is a constantly changing place and what student learn needs to change with it. New classes should be offered and outdated course of study should be removed. Curricula for classes that are kept pauperization to alter in Holy Order to hold up with today 's inquiry. Potions, for representative, should not be taught the same way now as it was XL years ago, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case."

"Thank you. Mr. Weasley."

"The core program of Hogwarts is alike to that of charming school all over the human race. The form taught here offer basic and innovative instruction in matter that wizards need in parliamentary procedure to use in company. We can not tolerate here and urge getting rid of Charms or Transfiguration in favor of some new subject that may or may not teach our students anything. Yes, the existence is constantly changing, but the basic piece remain the same. educatee forty long time ago used 'Alohomora'to open doorway and the spell remains the same today,"Percy argued.

"Your rebutter, Ms. Laurentis."

"I am in no way insinuating that we should get rid of appealingness or Transfiguration."She looked offended at Percy 's accusation."All I am saying is that we need to attend at the elective course that are offered. The basic core form should obviously be kept, although they should be updated. Today 's professor are using the Lapplander textbooks they used XXX years ago, which is ridiculous considering how very much has changed in their fields-"

"Your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

Hotspur seemed to puff out his pectus a bit."Those textbook still teach the basics ! How is a textbook written finis class going to be any better at teaching a bookman how to stimulate a cauldron ? Additionally, sometime schoolbook have to a greater extent used copies available making it more affordable for student from downcast income families to purchase their books."

It seemed to Albus that they had gotten slightly off topic from the proposed interrogative, but neither candidate seemed to detect or care.

"Next question. How do you feel about the way that teacher selection and rating is handled at Hogwarts ? Do you finger any alteration are needed ?"Mr. Eckerton asked."You may go first, Mr. Weasley."

"Traditionally, the Ministry has taken a very hands-off approach to teacher pick and I believe this has worked well. Ministry officials do not have got the expertise to choose teachers and leaving this up to the Hogwarts stave has resulted in a very educated and well-rounded staff at Hogwarts. Following the reign of Voldemort, a pocket-size training department was founded in the Ministry to oversee thing and while it is still very hands-off, I believe the small sum of money of rule has served Hogwarts well,"Walker Percy explained.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Laurentis smirked and then began."instructor survival of the fittest, along with course of study alteration, is the the prospect of Hogwarts that needs the most radical change, in my opinion. While prof Kendrick is a fine schoolmaster, I think More guidance is needed when it comes to choosing professors. For the yesteryear four year, Hogwarts has been unable to secure a defending team Against the Dark Arts prof for more than two years. One only lasted a year. other prof have been here for decennary and yet others have remained even beyond their own end. There is nothing damage, of form, with older instructor, but Hogwarts appears to have no way of evaluating these faculty members. They remain here, pedagogy, year after year, whether or not they are actually successful in providing pupil with an education."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

Percy 's face had gained some people of colour that was not always there."I hardly think it is appropriate to fault professor Kendrick for the fate of former defence reaction professors. Upon interviewing them he had no way of knowing what would happen in the end. As for the other professors, if you would wait at the statistics of the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. results of the yesteryear few years you 'll see that the absolute majority of educatee are passing. power I add that those are regulated by the Ministry."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"I would concur that the schoolmaster should not be held responsible for for one or two professors who should not have been hired in the firstly place, but Hogwarts has seen more than its fair share of inadequate professors in the past few year. Clearly something is improper. more than people need to be involved with curriculum and instructor selection."

"Next question,"Mr. Eckerton said."Do you finger that the security measure at Hogwarts is adequate ? If not, what should be changed ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

If Albus was not mistaken, he could have sworn he saw Laurentis sigh and hold a slight eye bun before beginning."Let 's just call it what it is, why do n't we ? deficiency of security at Hogwarts ! The security here, if you can call it that, is sorely lacking. Might I bring up the fact that for the retiring three years there had been a wicked breach in security here ? Three years ago, a radical of inaugural years dueled the Charms professor, a 7th year, and that seventh year 's Church Father on the grounds for a significant period of meter before the professors stepped in. The come year, another first year was kidnapped by that Lapplander seventh class, who had then graduated. Last yr, those same students were kidnapped and taken to Commonwealth of Australia of all topographic point ! I think we could forgive one incident, but three-"

"Your time is up,"matte 's dad said."Mr. Weasley."

Walker Percy was looking more and more disgruntled. His face now resembled his hair."Might I remind my opponent that following the incident three years ago, Aurors were stationed at Hogwarts and none of the conform to incidents resulted in any hold up damage to any of the students. Last year, the Aurors were slightly preoccupied by the disastrous challenger that took home here. Hogwarts is protected by many fascination and all the professors are able of protecting the students. Last year 's incident was an extremely unfortunate accident-"

"One that nearly resulted in student decease !"Laurentis shouted.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Albus felt like the entire room was staring at himself and mat. Glancing around, he saw that this was true.

Laurentis ignored Mr. Eckerton."I remind the wizarding residential area that the Aurors have yet to captivate the mastermind of that incident. Which by the way was not the only incident last year. Last year 's Defense Against the shadow arts prof kept a highly severe fauna in the castle for months before anything was done. And by the time it was discovered, it took Walter Eckerton stepping in to sustain it removed ! Then, the professor was allowed to stay, despite the fact that later on it was discovered that he had been terrorizing and humiliating bookman in his grade all class, not to mention the fact that his programme were not appropriate. Following that grievous breech in security, regarding the beast, the like professor proceeded to divulge entropy that could compromise the life of another student-"

"That is enough, Ms. Laurentis !"Mr. Eckerton shouted."You are speaking out of turn."

Albus was unsure whether mat 's dad was cutting her off because her time was up or because she was getting dangerously close to talking about Matt. seminal fluid to think of it, how did she even know about that ? She could n't possibly know about Matt 's experimental condition, could she ? Albus glanced at Matt, who was looking extremely pale.

"I believe we are out of time,"Mr. Eckerton continued. He looked quite flustered."Please exit the room while lunch is set up. You may return in a half hour."

Albus stood and waited for his turn to leave the room. The entire bunch was whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Albus and matte every so often. He was tempted to cut lunch all together, except he was extremely hungry.
***


Albus managed to avoid speaking to any reporters before and during lunch, which proved hard because they seemed to bear multiplied during the argument. All seemed exquisite on interviewing him, Matt, toilet, and Kaden in special due to their having been kidnapped the previous June. Albus was quite relieved when the nutrient in front of them vanished and the bulk of the the great unwashed in the room left in Holy Order for the question and solution session to take up place.

Both campaigner seemed to bear regained their composure during the meal because Hotspur 's nerve was no foresighted beet red and Laurentis had fixed her haircloth and was wearing a smile. The reporters had been banned from the room for the length of the academic session, much to their dismay. mat 's dad also looked better and was standing in the front of the room in front of the dais, waiting for everyone to sit down.

The elbow room was a lot emptier now, considering that only the students chosen to mind to the public debate and the professors were allowed in the room. Albus and Matt managed to get a few behind in the front row. James and Lily joined them.

Once the door had been shut and everyone had sat down, Mr. Eckerton stepped forward."Welcome to the question and response session. It will run for an hour and the candidates will answer as many questions as they can during that time. Please raise your hand if you have a question."Nothing about the effusion during the debate was mentioned.

Albus could not think of anything to ask. He had absolutely no desire to verbalise to Laurentis and anything that he would want to ask Percy he could just ask at Yule or send him an owl. Not that he really had any interrogation for his uncle, either.

A tall Ravenclaw boy raised his hand and Mr. Eckerton pointed to him."This doubtfulness is for Ms. Laurentis,"the boy began."How exactly do you propose to make Hogwarts more secure ? I 'm nearly positivist that the most in advance spells are already used."

"That is very rightful,"Laurentis answered."I believe that we need to face outside the humanity of magic spell and give professors BASIC breeding in defense against trespasser. I think a computer programme, similar to very basic Auror training, would benefit all staff greatly."

A Hufflepuff in pigtails had a question for both candidates next."Would either of you change the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams if you were elected ?"

"Only to fit better with any potential curriculum changes,"Laurentis replied."The variety would occur later. Not for at least two years."

"almost likely, no,"Percy said."The statistic prove that they work well as they are."

The question and answer school term continued in the like way, proving itself very different from the debate. It was quite the contrary, actually. Albus found himself very bored towards the end, his judgement drifting towards what both candidates had said during the public debate. He was very curious about what the prophesier would say about it the next day.

"We have time for one more question,"Mr. Eckerton finally said.

Albus let out a suspiration of relief. A glance at mat told him that his best friend was feeling the same way, since he was leaning back in his chair, his oculus nearly closed.

Mr. Eckerton pointed to a girl sitting in the far back. Albus did n't agnise her, but she had Ravenclaw gown on.

"This is for both of you, if either of you know anything about it. Ms. Laurentis, you were talking about Professor Balladanis in the argument and you mentioned something about him giving educatee info that they could use to endanger another educatee. Is that really true up ? And what exactly happened ?"

Albus prodded Matt in the position and whispered to him what the question had been. presumption Matt 's reaction, which was a looking at of utter affright, he almost wished he had n't bothered to inflame him up.

Mr. Eckerton stared at the bookman before turning to the nominee."You may answer the offset division of the question and that part only."

"It is dependable,"Laurentis said just as Hotspur had been opening his mouth to respond."Professor Balladanis was not cut out for teaching and did not infer the fact that there is a billet between teaching to spread knowledge and teaching to imperil others."

"Does it throw to do with the Anamatek ?"a Slytherin boy asked.

"Yes,"Sir Henry Percy said."The situations were related."

"This is why I believe teachers need to be evaluated so we can avoid this type of situation,"Laurentis explained.

"But what kind of information could imperil someone ? Was it in the course of study ?"the Ravenclaw who had originally asked the doubtfulness said."Knowledge is power."

"It was not,"Laurentis answered."Which is exactly why it will be good for professors to feature syllabus that they stick to."

"I just do n't sympathize,"the Ravenclaw went on."If people are kept in the dark they just blindly follow authority. I 've always believed that masses should be taught everything possible."

matte and his dad were both wearing similar expressions. Both looked extremely uncomfortable and his dad was fiddling with a clasp on his robe. Matt looked like he wanted his death chair to swallow him up.

"We 're all out of time,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thank you all for coming. The professors have requested that you all return to your vernacular suite and that you are free to decline commentary to the newsman that are waiting outside."

There was a shamble of chairman as mass got up and exited the way. mat grabbed Albus 's arm without saying anything, leading him directly to his father, who was speaking to both the candidates.

"Dad,"lustrelessness said quietly, not waiting for him to finish his conversation with Laurentis and Walker Percy.

Mr. Eckerton turned around and his face became sympathetic. He turned back to Laurentis and Percy."Excuse me. My son. I believe you can channelize up to Kendrick 's study and I will be there shortly."

Albus, Matt, and Mr. Eckerton left Laurentis and Walker Percy, who had now begun to argue about something, in the Great Hall and entered one of its entrance hall. The elbow room was furnished with a few sofa and chairs. Albus chose an armchair while Matt and his dad sat down on a couch.

"I 'm really sorry, matte,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."I did not require last year to be brought up during this debate."

"It 's not your error,"flatness replied as he picked at a loose thread on the couch."It 's just the way she, Laurentis, was talking, I thought that maybe she .... Does she have sex, Dad ? She seemed to have sex an awful lot about what Balladanis did."

"She does n't fuck,"Mr. Eckerton said immediately."The only people at the Ministry who know are in my department. However, she and the rest period of the Ministry did induce to screw why I was filing a report on Balladanis live class. I had to move over reason as to why I wanted him investigated on that report."

"Did you list exactly what he did, with the Anamatek and his wolfman deterrent example ?"lusterlessness asked.

"No."Mr. Eckerton shook his head."There are laws protecting nipper in this form of situation and I was not legally required to mention your name. All I had to say was that an anonymous student had felt threatened by a sure lesson that Balladanis taught. That was all that was needed to launch the probe. That alone would not birth gotten him give the axe, but enough evidence was found through interview educatee about his teaching methods that cipher else was needed. It was n't even mentioned that it was a tierce year class in my original report."

"But she seemed to have sex so much,"matt said.

"She does n't. Politicians embellish what they know in ordination to get elected. You do n't bear to worry. I suppose if she really wanted to she could look at the curriculum for Defense for that time of class and research and number it out, but it would make a lot of study. And bank me, she does not induce the clip for that. Nor does she really have any reason to care what lesson it was or why a student was threatened or who that scholar was."

"But she said my aliveness had been at hazard,"Matt said.

"Again, that 's her embellishment."Mr. Eckerton half-smiled."The lonesome I who are really curious are your fellow students and this will suck over. They have no way of finding out."

"commodity,"Matt replied, finally smiling a bit.

"I 'd amend get to the master 's study,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up.

Albus waited while Matt said au revoir to his dad and then the two son headed back to Gryffindor pillar. The newsman had either scattered or had found students willing to be interviewed, for the boys came across no one but Prefects and a few get-go yr setting off dungbombs on their way back to the rough-cut room. Albus was very glad to hear that Laurentis did not acknowledge the specifics about what had happened with Balladanis the previous twelvemonth, but he wished neither her or Walker Percy would ever institute it up again in a debate. Somehow, though, Albus doubted that it would n't be.


Sorry for the recent update ! metre has gotten away from me. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Big thanks to my Skype writing group ; you guys are amazing !

I have a new Meet the generator thread on the assembly. There 's a link to it on my Author page. Please check it out and ask me questions !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The clause in the seer on Sunday proved to be just as outrageous as the literal public debate had been. It took up the entire front page and was ripe with quote from both nominee and a few students, although none of Albus 's cousins had been quoted. The Ravenclaw who had asked the question about Balladanis at the doubt and result session had not only been interviewed, but she had received her own clause located on the minute Thomas Nelson Page. Albus groaned when he opened the page and saw it, complete with a picture of the Ravenclaw in doubtfulness. His friends quickly crowded around the paper to understand it over his shoulder.

CENSORSHIP AT HOGWARTS ?

Yesterday 's newsworthy public debate at Hogwarts
school of witchery and genius proved
not only to be a time to learn about the
candidates'honest persuasion on magical
education, but possibly uncovered an issuing
of censorship that had been looked over
shoemaker's last yr.

Following the debate a question and answer
session was held for those golden few
Hogwarts scholarly person who had gotten to sit
in the Great Charles Francis Hall during the debate. The
last question was asked by sixth year
Ravenclaw Elizabeth York. During the argument
Patricia Laurentis brought up the issue
of the probe of Professor Tethys
Balladanis, previous Defense Against
the Dark prowess professor ( see article on
front page ). House of York then questioned what
info had taught that according to
Laurentis"endangered a student 's life."

'I just wonder what information was being
taught because I 'm a firm truster that
educatee should never be denied
information. If it was bad enough
to endanger person 's life, then sure,
it should not be taught, but no one is
saying what the entropy was .'York
said in an interview following the
session.

After the inquiry was asked, debate
moderator and psyche of the Department for
the regulating and ascendance of Magical
Creatures Bruno Walter Eckerton told the
candidates that they could not say
what the information was, just confirm
that the incident had happened. Eckerton
quickly wrapped up the session, stating
that they were out of time.

It is interesting to note that Eckerton
is the sensation who filed the complaint
thus launching the probe of
Balladanis. When asked for a comment,
Eckerton said'I 'm the drumhead of the
section for the regularization and ascendence
of Magical Creatures. He had an Anamatek.
I was informed of the site and had
to have action at law .'

The situation provided Sir Thomas More query
than response and it will be worry
to find out whether this incident plays
a further character in April 's election.

Albus set down the paper and pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. Why did the Prophet have to print that ? It did n't look relevant to the election. Balladanis had been sacked and was long gone. It was in the past.

"Your dad 's right,"Amanda said to Matt later on when they were in the marauder 's Den."She 's just trying to spend a penny things into a adult deal so she can win more votes. Politicians turn the simplest affair into huge deals."

"I know, but still,"Matt said as he picked through a pile of Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor Beans."It 's like none of them realize that it 's my animation they 're making a big deal of."

"Honestly, I do n't think it 's actually the entropy that masses want,"blush wine said, looking up from her Potions textbook."Think about it. If individual were to leak the information, and say that Balladanis was teaching so a good deal about identifying werewolves that mass could figure out you were one, they 'd ingest nothing else to talk about-"

"Yeah, because they 'd be talking about how there 's a loup-garou at Hogwarts,"lustrelessness said.

"No, that 's not what I meant,"pink wine replied."They 're interested in the bigger consequence. The fact that there might be censorship at Hogwarts. They do n't care what the data is that 's been censored. They just care that something 's been censored. And I think that if they really knew what it was, they 'd all consort that Balladanis had gone over the top."

"I guess,"lusterlessness said."But that 's the thing, no one 's going to really experience what it is."

"It 'll all mess up over soon enough,"Albus said."side by side argumentation 's on law enforcement. Aurors, Azkaban, that variety of thing, and Laurentis runs Azkaban."

Albus spent much of Dominicus afternoon on the Quidditch pitch, which was a receive relief from discussing the debate and the election and Percy and Laurentis. He loved his supporter, but they all seemed to be able to talk over the election for historic period and he could n't. Fred would sustain had them on the lurch longer, but Hufflepuff had reserved it for the evening.

The treatment of the security review clause seemed to quiet down the next day, if only because a ripe majority of the professor had all scheduled exam that day and everyone was in use with last minute of arc studying. Albus had exams in both Herbology and Defense Against the Dark arts, although the latter was really no unlike from the usual worksheets. Luckily there was no test in forethought of Magical fauna and then Albus had a unfreeze period.

Matt slept the entire free period of time and up until dinner in hopes that he would be capable to attend that night 's detainment. He had no desire to do detention on his own, so he was hoping that he 'd be able to get away with just missing the next night 's. He still looked absolutely exhausted even after the nap.

"If we 're doing anything outside I 'll have to result,"matte said as the four boys made their way to Filch 's subject."Merlin I hope it 's not outside."

"Me, too,"john said."Ground 's horribly muddy after last night 's storm."

"Bet the team will sleep with that."Albus said They had practice session that night and Albus was missing it.

The son continued their way through the castle until they made it to Filch 's study. Albus knocked three times and then stood back, waiting for the antediluvian caretaker to afford the room access.

Filch was holding his cat, Josie, in his arms when he appeared in the doorway. He was scowling, the wrinkles on his aspect showing Thomas More than ever, and looked thoroughly disgusted at having to supervise the boy'detention. He let the cat down on the priming and she took a swat at Kaden 's robes before darting behind a nearby suit of armour.

"You lot again,"Filch muttered as he shut the door behind him, despite the fact that the four male child had n't had a joint custody with Filch since moment year."You 're scrubbing the 2nd level girl 's john. With toothbrushes, of course."Filch reached into his pocket and pulled out four Myxocephalus aenaeus toothbrushes.

"That 's Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom,"Albus whispered to his friends as they distributed their cleaning implements and followed Filch down the corridor.

Filch shooed them into the privy and leaned against the door, his arms across his chest, and scowled at them as they began. Albus squatted down and began to scrub the flooring, John and Kaden doing the Saame. The three had agreed to make the detention as easy as potential for Matt and thus left him the sinkhole.

Albus had n't been scrubbing for more than two minutes when he heard a spatter behind him and a schoolgirlish giggle. He turned around and saw myrtle, smiling and winking at him. She floated over until she was hovering over the section of story that Albus was scrubbing.

"Albus Potter."She giggled again."You 're back to my bathroom. Oh, but this clip you 've been in trouble, have n't you ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus muttered.

"This is n't for what you did to the Slytherin common room, is it ?"Myrtle asked."Your brother asked me about that. I told him that you 'd been in here that Night, hiding under your invisibility Cloak."

Albus flinched when she said the word"invisibility cloak"and hoped that Filch had had some hearing deprivation in his old age. The last thing Albus needed was for the caretaker to know he had an invisibleness Cloak.

"I did n't know you were pranking the Slytherins, though,"Myrtle continued."I like boys who pull pranks, you know."Myrtle giggled again and floated closer to Albus, so skinny that his handwriting was now inside her arm. He moved it away.

"You know, some long time I hardly get any boy coming in here,"Myrtle said as she floated towards John."And this class there 's so many. I think you should number visit me more often. It gets lonely in here, you know."

"Yeah, I imagine it 's quite lonely, being dead,"Kaden said.

Myrtle let out an ear-piercing screeching and started wailing. She sped preceding Albus and into one of the stalls, where she plunged herself into the toilet.

"Sensitive character, is n't she ?"Kaden said.

There was another loud splatter and Vinca minor was suddenly right in battlefront of Kaden."You would be too if you were dead !"she shouted.

"But could n't you leave the loo ?"King John asked."The other touch float about the castle all the time."

"parting the loo ?"myrtle repeated."Leave the loo ?"She said a bit louder."But this is where I died ! I find it 's best to call up about my Death right here. right hand where it happened."

"Would n't it be less lonely with the other wraith ?"St. John the Apostle asked as he began to scrub one of the stall doors.

"The other ghosts do n't sympathise,"Myrtle lamented."They 're all satisfied being dead. Even the Grey Lady and she 's always seemed slightly execrable. But no, none of them are as misfortunate as me."Vinca minor seemed proud about that.

"Weird,"John muttered under his breath.

"Quiet !"Filch shouted."You 're in custody. No talking."

Myrtle resumed floating above the boys, letting out a brassy wail every so often. Kaden and Matt continued to scour the floor while John scrubbed the stalls. Matt was still scrubbing the sink, but was going very slowly and winced every so often.

"You look miserable !"Myrtle exclaimed as Matt 's mitt slipped and he dropped his toothbrush. He bent down to blame it up and leaned on the sink, squeezing his eyes shut. myrtle floated down to hover just above the sink next to him and smiled.

matt said zippo and turned from myrtle, to get started on the sink on the other position. myrtle followed."You know, I 'm miserable here all the metre. I just sit here and ponder my death ..."Vinca minor continued.

Myrtle continued to follow matt around the bathroom while he was clearly trying to ignore her and put as much aloofness between them as possible. He had no destiny with this since he was exhausted and Myrtle was a ghost. Albus caught John 's eye as Myrtle giggled for the twentieth time and the two shared a understood laugh.

After they 'd been scrubbing for nearly two 60 minutes Filch finally told them they could stop. Albus 's knee and custody were raw and he had a feeling he smelled strongly of cleansing agent. can and Kaden looked equally miserable and Matt looked as bad as he did the morning after a full phase of the moon moonshine, only without the snub and bites. Myrtle looked delighted at their misery.

"visit me again soon !"she shouted after them as they left."Especially you,"she added to Matt with another giggle.

"Someone has a puppy love on you,"John said to Matt as soon as they were out of hearing of Filch.

"Shut up,"Matt muttered.

"lusterlessness and myrtle, what an adorable couple you 'd establish,"King John continued."You should go visit her. She seemed to be happier knowing that you were miserable."

"I said shut up about it !"Matt shouted.

"Fine, was only making a jape,"John replied.

The boys walked in silence the ease of the way to Gryffindor tug. They did not come across anyone else, which Albus was grateful for since he was unsealed as to whether it was yesteryear curfew or not. Once back in Gryffindor, mat immediately went to the hall without saying another word to Albus, John, or Kaden.

"Bob Hope it 's not scavenge tomorrow,"John muttered as he sat down on the nearest president and pulled up his gasp leg."Look at that. My knee 's all red."

"friction match my fingers,"Kaden added.

Albus would gladly suffer through another day of Muggle cleaning if it meant the rest period of the detentions would be called off. He was missing two Quidditch practices and the endure dueling practice before the first duel. Some captain he was, missing the live exercise before their for the first time tournament. Their last practice was Thursday evening and Albus would be off in detainment, doing who knows what. He was planning on having Amanda run the pattern, although he had n't talked to her about it yet.

The door to the common way opened and the Gryffindor Quidditch team, minus Albus of course, trouped in. They all looked muddy, exhausted, and sweaty and Albus felt a pang of guilt as he watched them head up to the dorm to shower.

"Missed you, Al,"Fred said as he passed."You 're missing on Wednesday, too, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus muttered."Sorry."

Fred nodded."Just do n't do it right before a match."

That was at least fortunate, Albus thought. They would n't be playing in another Quidditch match until after the holiday, seeing as the next match was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. However, he couldn't help but feel that missing dueling praxis right before a tourney was bad than missing Quidditch practice right before a match.
***


Albus 's week did not better the following day, when he began it with treble potions. lustrelessness, feeling too ill to brew potions all forenoon, stayed in the dormitory to sleep, leaving Scorpius Malfoy without a better half to brew that day 's wart removal Potion. Even worse, Albus 's better half was also not in class. Slughorn saw this as the double-dyed opportunity to pair Albus with Malfoy.

Albus set up his caldron while Malfoy stalked off to the potions cupboard to get the ingredients. He returned a short circuit patch later and began to chop a shrivelfig into perfectly sized firearm. Albus took the rat spleen, dumped it into the caldron, and began to stir it.

"Bible is you and your friends got a week 's detainment for that clowning,"Malfoy said, not looking up from his shrivelfig.

"Yes. Not that it 's any of your business,"Albus responded.

"Oh, but it is."Malfoy smirked, finally looking up."You did n't by chance get Th off from detention, did you ?"

"No,"Albus muttered. He took a few bass breaths, trying to calm himself down. He was stirring the cauldron far too quickly.

"That 's dueling practice,"Malfoy said, as if it had slipped Albus 's mind."Our own captain, missing practice because of detainment. I do n't reckon you 've found mortal else to run practice session, have you ?"

"If you 're angling for the job you 're out of luck,"Albus said as he threw another rat quick temper into the cauldron with more force than was necessary."Amanda already said she 'd do it."That was n't necessarily confessedly, as Albus had slept too late that morning to see Amanda at breakfast before they 'd had to go down to the donjon.

"tagging program ?"Malfoy scoffed."I think the captain ought to birth at least some skill at dueling."

"Why does it count so much ?"Albus asked."It 's one recitation ! It 's not like one practice session would make you captain."

"When the prof see what a meliorate job of it I do-"

"One reason, Malfoy,"Albus interrupted."have me one cause why you should do it over Amanda."

Malfoy 's face broke out in a malicious grin."One reason ? The moon 's going to be in an interesting phase tonight."

Albus lowered his voice."You would n't. You ca n't. Kendrick would expel you."

"Only if he knew it was me who spilled the noodle,"Malfoy pointed out.

Albus felt the rake drain from his face. Why had he never thought of that ? Of course there were way Malfoy could let it slip without anyone knowing it was him."Fine,"Albus muttered."fine. You captain the team on Thursday. But just that day. I do n't have detention on Sabbatum afternoon."

"bazaar enough,"Malfoy said, clearly satisfied at how affair had turned out.

Albus took a parsnip and began to chop it with as practically strength as he could muster, imagining Malfoy 's smirking expression upon the veggie 's surface. Luckily, Malfoy did not say another news to Albus throughout the entire class, which gave Albus the constraint not to hex him into future century after they left Slughorn 's room.

The day continued in a downwards spiral when Patil had them body of work on transfiguring bum into teacupful and Albus 's teacup ran across his tabular array and crashed onto the floor. Politics was no better because Professor Embry had the class discuss the past Sabbatum 's debate, something Albus just wanted to put behind him. He could n't help but sense as if the entire class was staring at him for the unhurt hr since Embry brought up the topic of his kidnapping and the bagging of Professor Balladanis.

Kendrick sent Albus, mat, John, and Kaden an owl at dinner informing them that their detention would take place in Greenhouse Two, where prof Longbottom needed help transferring his dragon dung fertilizer from a huge stack outside to various pots inside.

"Disgusting !"privy exclaimed upon reading the Federal Reserve note."I get enough of that in Herbology."

"At to the lowest degree we 're with Longbottom and not Filch,"Albus pointed out."matte will be missing this one, obviously."

John nodded."Where is he, by the way ? Have n't seen him all day."

"Probably still in the dormitory. He was heavy asleep when I went up there to snap up my Transfiguration Day account book at lunch,"Albus said.

Kaden glanced at his lookout man."We 're not even going to have metre to go back there before detention. It 's six-thirty."

Albus set his fork down. He had been picking at his beef sweat, but not really eating it. He still had n't told his friends that Malfoy was going to be running his dueling drill later that hebdomad. Add that to the fact that now he would n't get to see Matt before the full moon and it was just turning out to be an awful evening.

Rose seemed to read Albus 's mind."We 'll go check on him after dinner,"she said. Amanda nodded.

John and Kaden polished off the respite of their meal and then the three boys set off for the glasshouse. The sun was just beginning to set as they walked across the grounds and Albus knew that meant that Matt would be heading to the hospital Wing soon. He hoped Rose and Amanda would manage to see him before he did.

Neville was waiting for them when they arrived, bearing four shovels and four sets of gloves.

"Matt ca n't come tonight,"Albus said once they reached Neville.

Neville glanced at the sky."Oh, right. I 'd forgotten."He handed the son the power shovel and baseball glove."All of this,"he gestured to a large pile of manure,"need to be moved into the pots in Greenhouse Two. You can exit once you 're finished."

Albus groaned inwardly as he looked at the pile. It must ingest been at least six groundwork senior high school and as big around as the broom shed near the Quidditch rake. It would lead them at to the lowest degree an time of day. He sighed as he pulled on his gloves and began to shovel the manure.

With all three boys working steadily it took them an hour and a half to propel all the manure. When they finally finished all Albus wanted to do was go up to Gryffindor tug and fill the universe 's longest exhibitor. He felt worse than he did after a Quidditch practice in the pouring rain.

"Two down, five to go,"John said after Neville parted means with them on the moment floor."I 'd never thought I 'd say this, but I 'd really like some lines."

"I just wish they 'd offset Th 's,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, right, what are you doing about your dueling practice ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

Albus felt angriness boiling up in him again just thinking about it."Malfoy 's taking over for the practice."

"delay, seriously ?"John exclaimed."But Amanda 's on your team. She could have-"

"It 's complicated,"Albus muttered. For some grounds he did n't require to get into why Malfoy was going to be captain for the night."And it 's only for a night."

toilet gave Albus a unusual look."I guess, but still ... Malfoy ? It 's going to go to his head."

"I know !"Albus exclaimed."I know, all right ? It 's not like I wanted to own detention on Thursday and miss that practice. I 'll remind you that this frivolity was yours and Kaden 's estimation. Not mine."

"I know,"John said."But Malfoy ..."his voice trailed off.

Albus spent a salutary one-half hour in the exhibitor once he returned to Gryffindor and then collapsed into bed, wishing that he could arouse up and find out that the day had been an awful dream. Instead, he dreamed that Professor Kendrick decided to take away Albus 's captaincy and founder it to Malfoy.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! This will be the exclusively update this month as I am currently working on NaNoWriMo.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


John got his wish the following evening when the boy spent an hour doing lines with Professor Cy Young, which was slightly pointless since Edward Young paid absolutely no tending to them. After they were released, Albus, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden immediately went to the hospital extension, as they had been ineffectual to chit-chat flatness earlier in the day.

brothel keeper Pomfrey was refilling potion bottle when they arrived a short circuit while later. The curtains were drawn around lustrelessness 's usual bed while all the other beds remained evacuate.

"Hello, boys,"the nursemaid greeted them."I 'll let you visit for ten min, but curfew 's very soon."

Albus nodded and led whoremaster and Kaden to Matt 's bed, where he pulled back the curtains and entered the small area. flatness was laying in bed with a patch around his pass on arm and another on his forehead.

"How are you feeling ?"Albus asked.

"Awful,"Matt replied."But I do n't want to talk about it. What 's new with you lot ?"

"Just did an time of day of furrow,"Saint John said."And last nighttime we had to shovel manure for Longbottom. You 're lucky you missed that one. I swear I still smell like dragon dung."

"But now I have to do two detentions by myself. Possibly three,"Matt lamented.

"Three ? You 're not going to get out of here tomorrow ?"Kaden asked. Usually flatness got out of the infirmary Wing two days after the full moon.

"I will, but it just depends on what the detention is. If it 's lines then I can go but if it 's cleaning again then I 'll give to bound off it. Madam Pomfrey wants me to take a breather tomorrow."

"Ca n't think of what else they 'd have us do,"John said."Guess what else ? Albus is having Malfoy run his dueling squad 's practice tomorrow since he 'll be in detention."

"You 're what ? !"flatness exclaimed."That 's mad, Albus."

Albus sighed."It 's one day. One practice. It 's not like I 'm giving him my team."

"Yeah, but there are early the great unwashed on your team,"Matt pointed out."One of them could have captained it."

"As I told whoremonger and Kaden, it 's complicated,"Albus said."And it wo n't materialize again."

matte shrugged, but he did n't seem convinced. The finally matter Albus wanted to do was tell him the real reasonableness why Malfoy was going to run the practice. Matt did n't take that on his plate.

"clip 's up !"Madam Pomfrey announced as she brought a tray of potions to Matt."Hurry back to Gryffindor. The death thing the three of you need is another detention."

As it turned out, there were other things that the professor thought of for the boys'custody. Thursday evening they cleaned cauldrons without conjuration in Professor Slughorn 's classroom, something that Madam Pomfrey forbade lustrelessness from doing, insisting that he twist in early instead. Albus spent the intact detention thinking about what Malfoy was doing with his dueling squad and counting down the minute of arc until he would be able to ask Amanda about it.

"He was really nasty,"Amanda said once the male child were back in the common room after detention. Amanda had gotten out of dueling practice before they 'd finished detainment."A few of the indorsement years were cursing him afterward. I heard them. Not that I blame them since he all out yelled at them for not being able to perform a Jelly-Legs Jinx."

"What does he expect ?"Albus replied."They 're endorse years !"

"I tried to differentiate him that, but he did n't care,"Amanda said."He even yelled at a Slytherin."

"Seriously ?"Albus said."Wow."

"I 'm really glad Longbottom made you captain and not him,"Amanda continued."I think I 'd fall by the wayside otherwise."

"I would 've quit if he was on my team, point,"John said.

"He would n't go as senior pilot anyway,"Amanda pointed out."Professor Cedonia was supervising and she had to distinguish him to inflect it down about five metre and then once one of the sec geezerhood was close to tears, she called an end to the practice."

Albus could n't help but palpate a bit of satisfaction that Malfoy made such a bad captain, despite the fact that he did feel bad for his teammate. He doubted Malfoy would stop insisting that he should take in been made police captain, but Albus doubted anything would stop over that.

Saturday brought with it a loud electric storm that rendered it nearly impossible to learn what anyone was saying in the Great Hall at breakfast. Albus was quite happy that Fred had not scheduled a Quidditch practice for that day, but hoped that the storm would calm down by the meter the tournament began since his team would need to be able to pick up each early speak.

Malfoy was already seated at Team Seven 's fleck at the Hufflepuff table when Albus arrived later that good afternoon. He was delight to see that the ease of the team was giving him a wide of the mark position, including a few of the young Slytherins.

"Albus !"one of the moment year Hufflepuffs, Alice Jake, shouted when she saw him coming."So glad you 're back."

"Me, too."Albus grinned as he sat down in between her and another Hufflepuff."You lot cook ?"

There was a chorus of"yes 's"and a few nods of heads from Albus 's team. The survive few duelers ran into the room and snagged the live on few seats, which were unfortunately side by side to Malfoy.

Albus glanced at his watch. Five hour until the tournament began. He felt like he should draw some sort of delivery, like all of his Quidditch maitre d'hotel did before matches. But what was he supposed to say ?

"Er, well, here we are. The low gear tournament,"Albus began."You are all first-class dueler, each and every one of you. We 've all been practicing laborious and you 've all made great improvements. We 're going to do not bad, but remember, just own fun. But if you remember what you 've learned and duel like you do in practice, I think we can definitely win this."

The rest of his squad ( sans Malfoy ) gave a hearty cheerfulness and then turned to professor Longbottom, who had just called for care. Albus 's team immediately quieted down.

"Welcome to the first dueling tournament !"Neville announced."It will run as it has in the past, with two duels happening simultaneously. Professor Cedonia is coming around with the tournament agenda, which will be given to each senior pilot. Please pay care and know when you are to duel. Everyone will duel twice. Professor Cedonia and I will each preside over a dueling roofy and will herald the achiever. The first person to disarm their opponent will be given a point. Remember, you are only allowed to use charm you have learned in your classes. The first base duels will start momentarily."

prof Cedonia handed Albus a objet d'art of parchment and he set it down while his team crowded around him."I think it 'll be easygoing for me to let you sleep with when you 're to duel. I 'll tell you two duels before you 're scheduled. Alice and Tucker, you 're first."

Albus glanced down the list and noticed that he was the 10th duel in Neville 's ringing and the seventeenth in Cedonia 's. That would give him plenty of time to get used to organizing his team. It was slightly flood out, having to constantly be paying attention to the lean and figuring out when everyone should be dueling. After a few affaire d'honneur, he managed to get the bent of it.

"Malfoy,"Albus said."You 're up in two duels, in Cedonia 's ring."

Malfoy nodded, but did n't say anything. He had not said a tidings the intact tourney, which was very uncharacteristic, and the ease of the team seemed to be set on ignoring him.

Albus handed the list to Amanda and headed to Neville 's dueling ring, where he was set to duel John. Two Hufflepuffs from other teams were currently battling it out and Albus was next. The shorter of the two Hufflepuffs finally managed to disarm his opponent.

"point to Team Four !"Neville shouted as the two Hufflepuffs left."Albus ceramicist versus John Brickston."

Albus and John gave each other apologetic grin before bowing and raising their baton, waiting for Neville 's okay.

"Ready, duel !"Neville shouted.

Albus immediately sent a leg-locker cuss at King John, who easily deflected it. Saint John sent the Lapp at Albus who also avoided it. Albus continued sending spells at John, who kept avoiding them, until he finally got hit with a Jelly-legs Curse and nearly lost his basis. In the time it took him to perform the counter-curse, Albus was able to hit him with Petrificus Totalus.

"Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted as John fell over. He caught trick 's wand in his redress hand and then turned to Neville, who was smiling.

"Point to Team Seven !"

Neville performed the counter-curse on trick and the two boy left the ring. Albus headed back to his table, where Malfoy was just heading to Cedonia 's dueling closed chain.

Malfoy dueled a second year and won within two transactions. He was smirking as he walked back to the Hufflepuff mesa, but he returned to mediocre applause. It seemed that the rest of the team was still bitter about Thursday 's practice session.

The rest of the tourney went well. Both Albus and Malfoy won their s duels, although Malfoy had a lot more difficulty since he dueled a dude fourthly year.

"attending, I 'd like to announce the winner !"Neville shouted a brusque spell after the final duel. The full room immediately quieted and looked up at Neville."Thank you. In thirdly place with 44 points is squad 4 !"

sunniness erupted from the Ravenclaw table, where Team quatern was currently seated. Once they quieted down, Neville spoke."In minute office with 52 power point is team Seven !"

The relaxation of Albus 's squad began to shout and recreate, but Albus was too stunned to do much of anything. He could n't think it ! His first ever tourney as captain and his team had gotten moment place ! A few people slapped him on the rear and he broke out into a grin.

"And in outset stead, with 55 points is Team Six !"Neville announced.

There were sunniness from the other end of the Hufflepuff tabular array, but Albus ignored them. He was still shocked that his own team had done so well.

"Great job, everyone !"he said once he regained his composure."I knew we could do it !"

The board was filled with exhilaration and chatter and it continued even after they got up and began to exit the way. Albus was anxious to get back to Gryffindor tower where he could celebrate his almost win with his friends.

"Nice going, Potter,"Malfoy spat as soon as they left the Great Granville Stanley Hall."I bet if I were the senior pilot we would 've won."

"We got second,"Albus replied."That 's really good."

"low gear would 've been better,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm amazed we even got arcsecond considering how painful you are at practices."

"Better than you,"Albus said."No one liked your practice on Thursday. Did you find how no one talked to you today ? They hated it."

"They 're just too used to you coddling them,"Malfoy said, taking a step closer to Albus.

"wellspring it does n't a great deal subject because I 'm the senior pilot and you 're not,"Albus said as he toyed with his wand, which he was still brandishing in his left hand.

"For now,"Malfoy replied, eyeing Albus 's wand."If you keep getting in problem I bet they 'll replace you."

"C'mon, Albus."Matt had appeared future to Albus."Let 's get back to the mutual room."

"Better listen to him."Malfoy gave a short jape."You 'd think it 'd the early way around, though. Him attacking me rather than you. But I suppose that would only be in a certain clock time of-"Malfoy glared knowingly at Matt.

"Shut up ! And charter that back,"Albus seethed, raising his wand.

"Seriously, Albus, let 's go !"matt grabbed the back of Albus 's gown and pulled him towards the staircase.

"Evil git,"Albus muttered, looking back at the crowd in the entryway Hall. Malfoy was already gone."Why does he always have to bring it up like that ?"

"It does n't count,"matte said.

"Of grade it matters !"Albus said indignantly."It 's affront !"

"I 'm used to it,"Matt said quietly.

"So what ?"Albus exclaimed."That does n't entail you should have to spend the rest period of Hogwarts having him bring it up every day."

"And you hexing him would let solved everything ?"Matt asked."You just would 've gotten another detention."

"Would 've been worth it,"Albus muttered.

"No, it would n't feature,"matte argued."You 've just got to discount him. I ignore him."

"I really hope that next year he 's not on my dueling team,"Albus said.

"I do n't think he will. Did n't they go back to House team for dueling for fifth part through 7th year this class ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Did they ?"Albus asked.

"That 's what one of the one-sixth twelvemonth said,"lusterlessness answered.

"goodness,"Albus said."Then I just have to have through this year."

Albus and Matt were the last of their admirer to get back to Gryffindor, where it appeared that no one was doing preparation. James had set a few pyrotechnic off out the window and everyone was watching them while eating platters upon disk of cookie.

"What are you lot celebrating ?"Albus asked James as he took a biscuit.

James shrugged."Just the fact that we 've got a Saturday with nothing to do. Well, Cedric, Ben, Nathan, and I that is."

"Where have you two been ?"rosiness asked as she walked up to Albus and flatness. lav and Kaden were behind her, a biscuit in each hand.

"Al nearly got into a duel with Malfoy in the Entrance dormitory,"Matt explained.

"Albus !"Amanda exclaimed."You ca n't get anymore detention !"

"I know, but he said something really unworthy,"Albus said and turned to toilet."You would 've hexed him."

"What did he say ?"blush wine asked.

"He said that he was storm I was n't attacking him,"mat said quietly.

"You 're right,"John growled."I would 've hexed him."

"See ?"Albus said.

"And I told you that it was n't worth detention over,"Matt repeated.

"But if it continues,"Rose said,"you 've got to tell Kendrick."

"I 'm not telling Kendrick,"matt insisted."I think he 's got enough to occupy about with the possibility of the total school getting changed if Laurentis wins this election."
***


"Why in the figure of Falco columbarius are we doing hold in the wood ?"Kaden asked at breakfast the following daybreak.

"Seriously,"lav agreed."That 's not really detention, is it ? The forest is cool. I 've always wanted to go in there."

"Are you two insane ?"Amanda asked."There 's all sorts of creatures in there."

"My baby did detention in the forest once,"Matt said."She had to harvest these plant life Slughorn needed and they could only be harvested the Night of the full moon."

"Well that 's one detention you 'll never have to do."John laughed.

"Maybe we have to harvest some early sort of plant ?"Matt suggested, ignoring Gospel According to John 's comment.

"Dunno."Albus shrugged. The alphabetic character they 'd received had not gone into specifics. It just stated that they were to meet Hagrid near his hut at three that afternoon.

"At least you 're not going at night,"rosiness pointed out.

The few minute Albus and his friends had until custody went by rather quickly. They spent the minute in the vulgar way alternating doing homework while participating in very big rounds of Exploding grab with nearly all of Albus and rosiness 's cousin. Everyone was covered in ash by the time three o'clock rolled around and the boys had to run up to their dormitory to wash their faces before heading down to Hagrid 's hut.

Albus liked Hagrid. He had known the half-giant since he was little and was slightly confused as to how custody with Hagrid could possibly be considered detention. Perhaps Professor Kendrick was incognizant that Albus and his champion visited Hagrid every so often and enjoyed expenditure time with him.

Hagrid was already outside when Albus and the other three boys arrived, armed with his crossbow and Fang by his side. Albus swallowed hard upon seeing the crossbow. Did Hagrid really think they would need that ?

"'Ello, boys !"Hagrid greeted them."Fairly simple hold today. We 'll be collectin'unicorn tail end hairs."

"Like getting them from unicorns ?"Kaden asked."I thought they did n't like boys."

Hagrid gave a prospering jape."No, no, Kaden. It 'd be a crime to take 'em right from the unicorn, wouldn'it. No, we 'll be gettin''em from Dubya and trees. As the unicorns run past they get snagged. Let 's get goin'."

Fang let out a loud bark as they made their way to the timber. Collecting unicorn hair. That was n't bad at all. But still, it was the afforest and that was where Washburn and Willinson had spent a lot of their time the previous year. They would n't be back there, would they ? Obviously Washburn and Quinton Willinson were in Azkaban, but what about Quinton 's beginner ? Where was he ?

"What do we need unicorn haircloth for ?"privy asked as they entered the forest."No one here makes wands."

"Used for a lot More'n wands, aren'they,"Hagrid answered."Potions, mostly. Tha 's what we need 'em for. one-seventh years are brewing somethin'that needs unicorn hair so professor Kendrick volunteered you four to collect 'em. Slughorn 's too old to do it himself."

"That 's for for sure,"John muttered to Albus.

It was very morose in the forest, despite the fact that it was day. All four boys lit their scepter and Hagrid 's pinko umbrella was providing Thomas More light-headed than two verge combined. Hagrid had told them that they would n't chance any hair until they were at to the lowest degree xv minutes into the forest since unicorns rarely ventured near the edge.

The woods was very dense and it was difficult for them to walk following to each other. Soon, they were forced to walk unity filing cabinet through a very little path that was riddled with corner subdivision and rocks. Albus stumbled every so often and matte managed to devolve over three times before anyone found any unicorn fundament fuzz. Galloping hooves could be heard in the distance and Albus figured they were Centaur. His dad had told him that there was a herd of Centaurus in the timber, although Albus had never seen one before.

"Here we are,"Hagrid said after what had been at least a twenty minute paseo. He gestured to a nearby bush."Jus'have a flavor around here and I 'm sure we 'll get plenty. This is a experience area where unicorns live. Don'wander too far."

Hagrid had provided them all with buckets in which to collect the fuzz. Albus set off for the nearest bush and found a few hairs snagged in the offset.

"close detention,"John said as he worked alongside Albus."Thank Merlin."

"Speak for yourself,"lusterlessness called out from a tree a few beat away.

"Do you recognize what you have to do for your adjacent single ?"Albus asked.

"crinkle, all three nighttime,"Matt said."Easier, I suppose, than coming up with anything else when it 's just me."

"better than cleaning john again. Or digging up flying dragon muck,"Kaden said."Whoa, I just found a wholly chunk of hair."

After they 'd been working for a half minute Hagrid decided that they 'd collected enough. They set off re-tracing their measure through the forest. Albus found it a slight less shuddery on the pass back and he was n't sure whether it was because he had gotten used to the interference or because he could see the sunlight at the edge. He was very relieved to find that he did not see Jarrett Willinson anywhere in the woodland, although now that the detention was passed he realized that Willinson would n't go back there now that the Resurrection Stone was no longer there. No, Willinson was most likely still in Commonwealth of Australia, where no one was looking for him. At to the lowest degree, Albus hoped he was.


Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! You guys are amazing ! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. NaNo gave way to a excited finishing of all the composition I 'd neglected during November. But I won NaNo and classes are over so I 'm hoping to get a adept bit of writing done within the side by side month.


The last few weeks of November provided the Hogwarts student and staff with a much needed menstruum of calm. The succeeding election argumentation would not use up place until December and the the censorship at Hogwarts theme seemed to experience died out, with the Daily Prophet no longer publishing articles on it. Both Quidditch and dueling tournaments were over for the terminus, leaving the educatee with a bit more time to devote to their subject area. The next Hogsmeade visit was scheduled for the sec Saturday in December, a week before term ended.

Albus enjoyed the monotony of those few weeks. His Clarence Shepard Day Jr. were filled with prep, Quidditch practice, and dueling practice. Team VII was very felicitous to have Albus back as their police captain and most continued to ignore Malfoy during praxis. Malfoy still reserved a special limelight of hatred for Albus and his friends, but he did not attempt to start out anymore duel in the corridor, like he had after the dueling tournament.

December arrived with a Snow storm that caused the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to cancel two of their drill. This gave Fred the opportunity to Quran the slant for two supererogatory practices, something that earned him a healthy pane of U-No-Poo in his morning Cucurbita pepo succus good manners of James I and Omar Bradley. Albus was happy to see that the job of school prankster had been rightfully returned to James and his Quaker. The workweek of hold had certainly dissuaded Albus from planning anymore pranks. The same could not be said for John and Kaden, who were plotting something, although Albus did not have sex what.

Albus, Matt, and Amanda spent the first off Saturday of December ignoring their homework in the marauder 's Den. The Slytherin squad had the pitch for the entire day, which gave Albus a much needed breach from Quidditch. bathroom and Kaden 's locating would probably only be found with the piranha 's Map and Rose was tutoring in the subroutine library.

There was a tatty squawk from outside the way, which was Rose 's signal that she was outside and wished to be let in. Albus got up from his game of Gobstones and let her in. She dropped her bag unceremoniously on the floor and flopped down on the couch.

"I 'm upset about Elsie,"Rose said.

"Elsie ..."Albus prompted.

"Elsie Willinson !"she exclaimed."The number one year I 've been tutoring all year."

"Oh yeah, the one with the idiot for a brother and a cousin and uncle who want to bring back Voldemort. Yeah, I 'd be worried, too,"Albus said as he returned to his game.

"No, I 'm not apprehensive about her pudden-head brother. I 'm worried about her."

"What, is she still failing all her subject field ?"Matt asked.

"No, she 's actually doing often secure,"rose wine said."She 's just very tranquillize. She never talk about anything other than homework-"

"strait like you."Albus turned around and grinned at his cousin."Although you 're not quiet."

"I 'm sober, Albus,"Rose said flatly."Her comrade walks her to the library for our Roger Huntington Sessions and then picks her up when we 're done. I never see her with anyone other than him and occasionally Malfoy. I 've never seen her eat with anyone early than them, either."

"That is kind of strange,"Amanda said.

"See ?"rosiness said."Amanda thinks it 's weird."

"So she 's shy."Albus shrugged."I just do n't see what it 's got to do with you."

"It does n't really,"Rose said quietly."But if she 's having issues. We all know about her class. If her brother 's keeping an eye on her there must be a reason."

Albus had n't thought about it that way. What if Felix Willinson was trying to keep an eye on his sister ?"If she 's doing something her home does n't like I bet she 's going against something they want."

"That 's what I thought,"Rose agreed."Which means she 's trying to do something proficient. Or he 's trying to clear sure as shooting she does n't shed family secrets."

"You think they have more family closed book than just wanting Voldemort back ?"mat asked.

"Of course they do,"Rose said."We only found out endure year that they were related by marriage to Lubar. I mean, you never would 've guessed that in first or indorse year."

flatness shuddered."Probably a good matter that I did n't. I probably would have refused to come in to Hogwarts."

"near pure-blooded families like them have dark secrets,"Albus said as he fiddled with a Gobstone. It squirted him in the face and he rubbed the liquid on his gown."The 1 that want the roue to rest virgin and stuff. Like the Malfoys."

"And I 'd bet my last Galleon that Elsie Willinson found out one of those secret and wants to tell person,"rosebush stated.

"You think it 's got to do with what they 're trying to do ?"Albus asked.

"I 'm sure it does."

"The only job for them is that Jarrett 's on his own now,"Amanda said."With the other two in jail, what 's he going to do ?"

"You 're forgetting about Lubar,"Matt said darkly.

rosebush got up and started walking around the room."To be honest, I do n't know how lots he 's going to be involved, especially if this going to take post in Britain. Think about it, last year he had the excuse of the tournament to be here. He 's got no excuse this year. He 's a Ministry official. A horrid one, but still a Ministry official. It 's not in his best interest to be trying to make for back Voldemort."

"That did n't even sour,"Albus cut in."They ca n't bring him back, even a ghost of him, with the Christ's Resurrection Stone."

"Jarret Willinson was a Ministry official,"Matt pointed out.

"He was a escritoire for the Obliviator role. That 's a little different from a Head position,"Rose explained."Lubar has more than to lose."

"I say we try and figure out what Elsie 's keeping confidential and I bet it 'll make something to do with what Willinson is planning now. Because I guarantee he 's planning something,"Albus decided.

"How are we going to do that ?"Amanda asked."She 's always with Felix."

"Not when pink wine is tutoring her."Albus turned to blush wine."You think you could try and get her to open up ?"

"wellspring she 's not going to just hail out and narrate me. I can try, but it 'll take a while,"Rose said.
***


Albus told lav and Kaden about the conversation about Elsie later that Nox. John proclaimed that he knew something had been weird about that girl from the here and now they had seen her at the beginning of the yr. Both male child agreed that they needed to discover out what it was she was keeping orphic. Albus then asked them what prank they were planning, but John and Kaden mysteriously went silence as soon as Albus brought the topic up.

Albus laid awake that night for a long clock time thinking about Elsie Willinson. He could not escape from the range of a function of her with Felix and Malfoy in the beginning of the yr from his mind. She had looked so timid and unacquainted, far too innocent and vernal to be involved with anything like what her household was involved with. In fact, she reminded him a bit of Lily, although he was n't sure why since Lily was anything but timid.

Morning arrived shortly after Albus had fallen asleep and despite the fact that he 'd only cause a few hr sleep, he got up around six and decided to get a bit of reading done in the usual room. He knew he would n't be able to fall back asleep.

Upon arriving in the common room, Albus thought he was still dreaming. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to try and wake up, but it was no use. He was in fact awake. The image before his eyes was veridical, and it was irritating to look at.

The Gryffindor common room was no longer red and gold. It was now decked out in green and silver. The comfy couches and chairs were gone and had been replaced instead with standard classroom chairs. Various standard were hung up in the room that depicted snakes. In fact, the Gryffindor common room now looked exactly as Albus imagined the Slytherin common elbow room to look, except for it not being under the lake.

However, the sheer Slytherin-ness of the unwashed elbow room was not the unearthly change, by a long shot. The strangest new addition to the Gryffindor common room was a grey and white goat. It was standing in the middle of the way, its head down and buried in a book. The matter about butt, though, was that they did not enjoy books the way multitude did. Goats ate books. This goat was currently munching on The standard Book of patch : Grade Two. Albus 's heart drifted from the goat and around the room again, where he now noticed remnants of former Scripture, quills, homework, and even a cloak.

The Capricorn the Goat looked up and stared at Albus. It let out a bleat and then went back to the book. Albus crept a picayune closer and noticed that a sign was affixed to the goat. It said 'The Gryffindor Capricorn the Goat : Gryffindor 's new mascot. Gifted by the Slytherins. Next time, think twice about putting volaille in our common elbow room .'

Albus stood in the midsection of the room, his stare alternating from the laughingstock to the note and back again. A Goat ? That did n't even take any sense. Not only that, they were clearly trying to copy John and Kaden 's prank. And changing the room into a Slytherin room ? It was horrifying, absolutely horrifying.

Albus tore his eye away from the goat and ran back up the spiral stairway until he got to his own dormitory. He flicked on the lights and Ethan, the clear sleeper of the bunch, rolled over and groaned.

"Everyone get up !"Albus shouted."Up, get up !"

"What ?"Ethan asked shortly."It 's like six in the morning !"

"I know it 's six in the good morning !"Albus replied."Get up and go down to the common room. Now."

Ethan slowly got out of bed and went over to Bilius 's bed to get him up. Albus woke Gospel According to John up and then the two of them woke lusterlessness up while Bilius and Ethan went down to the usual way. Their shouts of anger could be heard all the way in the dormitory.

"What is it ?"John asked as he and Matt followed Albus back down the stairs.

"The Slytherins have had their revenge,"Albus said, handing lavatory the notation.

Albus took a detour to the third year 's dormitory to get Kaden up. Kaden 's roommates got up as well and soon there was a large crowd in the rough-cut way. By the meter Albus entered the room again, the first, minute, and sixth years were all there. The seventh and twenty percent years were right behind him.

The common room was in chaos. James, Cedric, and Nathan were inspecting the Goat. The prefects were all congregated in one post, clearly trying to compute out what to do. A fourth part of the students were standing frozen, with look of horror on their faces. Another fourth part were laughing, despite the fact that the prank had happened in Gryffindor. Hugo was wrestling the laughingstock for the copy of the Standard Book of Spells : tier Two, which evidently was his.

The girls'dormitory door opened and all the Gryffindor girls flooded out of it. Rose and Amanda made their way over to Albus and the rest of the boy, who were receiving legion stares and glares from their confrere students. Clearly a few of them were blaming Albus and his booster for the Slytherins'need for revenge.

"What in the figure of merlin happened ?"Rose asked.

trick handed her the note."The Slytherins have had their revenge."

"Malfoy ?"Amanda asked.

"No way to have intercourse, is there ?"Albus replied.

"It 's got to be, though,"John said."No one else hates us like he does."

"I bet a lot of Slytherins wanted retaliation,"pink wine said.

"All right, quiet everyone !"Albus 's cousin, Mark, shouted over the crowd. He was one of the sixth yr Prefects."You 're all to get back up to your dormitories. I 'm going to fetch prof Longbottom. Who 's the one who first saw this ?"

"I did,"Albus announced.

fool sighed, as if thinking he should have known."Al, persist down here. The rest of you, back upstairs.

Rose handed Albus the eminence back and she and the rest of Albus 's supporter turned to go back to their dormitory. There was a general murmuring and whisper as everyone left. Soon, the usual room was empty except for Albus, the goat, and the six Prefects. marker left in ordering to go get prof Longbottom.

The Prefects whispered amongst themselves while Mark was gone. Albus stood off to the side, as he did not know the Prefects very well. He recognized a few as friends of his cousins.

St. Mark returned ten minute later with prof Longbottom in tow. The herbology professor froze in mid-step when he entered the way. His gaze shifted from the new furniture to the goat to the banner and back to the laughingstock.

"Albus discovered it,"Mark said.

Longbottom turned to Albus."And it looked like this when you found it ?"

"Mostly,"Albus answered."The Capricorn had been chewing on one of Hugo 's books so he took that. And soul 's cloak had been here, but it was a Gryffindor cloak."

Longbottom sighed."All right wing, Albus, you can go back up to your dormitory."He turned to the Prefects."Let 's go through all this and see if we can find any hint to picture out who it was."

Albus reluctantly went back up to his dormitory, where he found not only all of his roommates but Kaden as well, discussing the prank. They all turned to Albus when he entered.

"Find anything out ?"John asked.

"Nope,"Albus answered."The Prefects are helping Professor Longbottom go through everything for clues."

The boys whiled away the time until breakfast by trading Chocolate toad batting order, playing one shot of Exploding grab, and discussing the Quidditch time of year. Matt fell back asleep after defending the Cannons to everyone else, but no one else was able to go back to bed.

scrape knocked on their door a few hours later and told them they were unloose to get up and go to breakfast. Albus woke Matt up and the boy went back down to the common room. It looked normal once more. All oddment of the Slytherins were gone and the Capricorn the Goat was nowhere in survey. The classroom chairs had disappeared and the habitue comfy couch were back. Albus was relieved to see their common way back to its usual state, although that did nothing to satisfy his wonder about who had done it.

"Wonder what they did with the butt,"Kaden said as they walked down tot he Great Hall.

"Probably gave it to Aberforth,"Matt said.

"Aberforth ?"Kaden asked.

"Dumbledore 's sidekick. He owns the Hog 's Head in Hogsmeade. Keeps goats in his pub. Wyrd bloke,"Matt answered.

"He keeps goats ? In his pub ?"Kaden repeated."Do they just wander around ?"

"Yeah,"Matt said.

The Great Hall was populated only by Gryffindor pupil, which did not surprise Albus in the flimsy given the early minute and the fact that it was Sun. The professors were all up having breakfast and were whispering amongst themselves. No doubtfulness that Longbottom had told them about the frivolity. Slughorn in particular looked faze.

Rose convinced the residue of the grouping that it would be a good idea to steer to the library after breakfast to take advantage of the fact that it would be evacuate. Albus had a few essays that he 'd neglected and John and Kaden needed to take up some new predictions for Trelawney.

After a few hour of studying Albus felt his attention starting signal to wander. The library had filled up since they had arrived and madam Pince was watching over the place like a mortarboard. The doors opened and Albus was surprised to see Elsie Willinson pass in, followed by her brother and Scorpio. Scorpius 's oculus met Albus 's and he veered from his little group in order to waltz over to Albus.

"How 's your common elbow room ?"he asked with a smirk.

"Is that a confession ?"Albus replied as he stood up.

"Of course not. It 's all over the schoolhouse. Everyone knows that your uncouth room looked like an filename extension of mine this morning. And that Capricorn, I heard it ate a few record book. Serves you right after what you lot did to ours,"Malfoy said.

"We know you did it, Malfoy,"john said."Just waiting for the professors to prove it."

"If I did do it, and I 'm not saying I did, I would n't get left any evidence like you idiots obviously did."

"We did n't,"John said flatly."Albus confessed to pull through his cousin and chum who had been wrongly accused."

"How noble."Malfoy laughed.

"Just tell me one matter,"Albus said."How did you get into the common elbow room ?"That was what had been bothering Albus the most. He and his booster had used the Invisibility Cloak to compute out the Slytherin watchword, but how had Malfoy done it ? As far as he knew he did not have an Invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't,"Malfoy said."And if I did I would n't tell you how I did it."With one Thomas More glare at Albus, the Slytherin walked away towards the mesa that Felix and Elsie had found.

"How did he get into our common room ?"Albus asked as he sat back down.

"No idea,"flatness said.

"I 'm betting he threatened a first year into telling him what it was,"John said."Would n't put it past him."

"You do n't know it was him,"Amanda pointed out.

"They 're never going to incur out who it was, either,"Rose said."Not unless they confess like you did. Otherwise no one would 've found out it was you."

"Guess it does n't really count at this point."Albus sighed."They 've had their revenge."

"Which means it 's prison term for ours,"Kaden said as he grinned at John.

rosebush groaned."Really ? It 's just going to turn into a huge prank war if you have revenge."

"That 's the tip,"Saint John replied.

If John and Kaden were trying to start a put-on war Albus did n't need any constituent of it. He had had sufficiency detentions for a life-time and did not trust spending anymore of his Hogwarts career scrubbing can or doing lines. Albus sighed and returned to his recitation. lavatory and Kaden got up and left the library, presumably to work on their side by side prank.

Later that day at dinner Professor Kendrick gave a very posterior lecture to the entire schooltime about breaking rules, especially the dominion about not entering common room that were not yours. It was very similar to the talking to he gave after the chicken prank, except this time Albus could tell that the headmaster was even More angry. Albus kept glancing at Malfoy during the speech but the Slytherin boy did not look guilty at all. In fact he seemed disinterested in Kendrick 's speech.

The talk of Gryffindor 's Capricorn ( as the prank had now been dubbed ) died down by the midriff of the week. to the highest degree of the castle was excited about the forthcoming Hogsmeade head trip and then the winter vacation. Professor Longbottom sent around a sign-up piece of paper for those scholar who wished to stick dwelling during the vacation, although none of Albus 's friends signed it.

"I 've always wondered what it would be like to last out,"John said as professor Longbottom passed by.

"Me too,"Albus agreed."But my parents already said I ca n't this year since there 's some big Ministry Christmas company we 've got to go to. For the election and all."

"Same here,"flatness said."We 're not even going to Australia because of it."

"Wow, that 's the second year in a row,"Albus replied.

lusterlessness nodded."My grandparents are coming here and then we 're visiting them over the summer."

"I think we should all continue next yr,"Kaden said."Then I can go a whole shoal year without seeing my grandparents. Or aunt Marge."

Albus agreed that that was a unspoilt reason to stay at Hogwarts over the vacation."Yeah, that would be fun. My dad says the castle 's great at Christmas."

"It would be interesting to see what Christmas is like,"Amanda said. Amanda 's family was Jewish and celebrated Hanukkah.

"You 're welcome to hail to our grandparents'house for Christmas this year,"pink wine suggested.

Amanda grinned."I 'll ask my parents. I 'm sure enough they 'll say yes since Hanukkah was early this yr and I 've already missed it anyway."

"rosebush, you 've got postal service,"Albus said, gesturing to blush wine 's family 's owl, which had just landed on the table.

"Oh, near !"rose wine said as she ripped give the alphabetic character. She scanned it for a present moment before smiling widely."I wo n't be going to Hogsmeade with you."

"You wo n't be ?"Albus gave her a quizzical look.

"No. Mum and Dad are taking me to the debate that 's that day. I owled them a few Day ago to see if I could go and they said yes !"

"You want to go to another one ?"John the Evangelist asked.

"I 'd go to all of them if I could. They 're just so fascinating."She scanned the letter again."I 'm supposed to to to Kendrick 's field of study at ten on Saturday to floo home."

"What 's this one on ?"Albus asked.

"Law enforcement. The Auror Department. How it 's run and and how trials are run. I think it 's going to be the most occupy one since both Uncle Percy and Laurentis have already hinted at their views on that topic."

That was for sure. This public debate would probably be even more volatile than the one on education."You 'll cause to let us get laid all the details,"Albus said.

"Oh I will,"Rose replied."It 's why I wanted to go. I 'd rather not learn everything second hired hand from the Prophet."

She had a point there, Albus thought. Although he was glad that Rose was the one going and not him. As much as he thought the election was interesting, he 'd rather be in Hogsmeade with his friends than sitting in a courtroom listening to politicians all day.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far ! I 'm almost done with school ( forever ! ) so I 'm hoping to update more often.


The calendar week leading up to the Hogsmeade trip dragged by very slowly. Albus was sealed that Wednesday in peculiar was at least twice as long as a normal day and by the time Fri finally decided to establish an appearance Albus was sure he would go insane from all the homework he had to make out. Tuesday had been the broad moon, but luckily matte left the infirmary wing Thursday afternoon and had been cleared by Madam Pomfrey to go to Hogsmeade.

When Saturday arrived there was a welcomed break in the blizzard that had blanketed the Hogwarts grounds in two feet of Baron Snow of Leicester. Albus and his friends slept late and by the time they woke up Rose had already left to go to that day 's argumentation. Albus, flatness, and lav quickly dressed and met Kaden and Amanda in the common room.

Fred accosted Albus as he was about to result."Albus ! sword lily I found you. I booked the rake for today at three since there 's a break in the storm."

"But Fred, it 's Hogsmeade today,"Albus pointed out. As very much as he loved Quidditch, Hogsmeade trip-up were rare occasions and he had Christmas shopping to do.

"Exactly !"Fred exclaimed."So none of the former team have booked the pitch. It 's booked hearty the rest of the week and we need another praxis in before get out starts."

Albus sighed. Fred was right, of course. He glanced at his watch. It was noon, so if they hurried through lunch he would still get a good two hours in the village."All right. I 'll see you at three."

"Excellent,"Fred said."Just have to find James River ...."

Amanda snorted and started laughing. Fred, who had turned to get out, stopped and looked back at her."What ?"

Albus, John, matt, and Kaden also looked questioningly at Amanda.

"Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you,"Amanda began."rosiness and I were in the library last calendar week and overheard James asking some Hufflepuff fifth year out. They 're going to Hogsmeade together today."

Fred burst out laughing."Wait, James IV has a escort ?"

"Saint James asked a girl out in the library ?"Albus joined Fred in his laughter.

"Do n't enjoin him that rose and I overheard him,"Amanda said."He 'd murder us if he knew it was us who told."

"Bet he 's already in Hogsmeade, then,"Fred said, still laughing."They better not be in ma'am Puddifoot 's because I do n't fancy going in there to recite him about practice."

Albus was still laughing about the idea of William James asking a girl out in the library of all berth. He wondered who the Hufflepuff was. Maybe he 'd manage to enchant a glimpse of them in Hogsmeade together.

"He 's not actually going to leave her to go to Quidditch practice,"Amanda shouted after Fred as he left the common room.

"He will if the engagement 's going poorly,"Fred shouted back and disappeared into the corridor.

"wellspring let 's hurry up and get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said."I want to see if I can estimate out who this lady friend is."

Albus hurried out of the common room followed by his friends. They ate a very rush lunch in the Great Hall and then ran outside and down the path to Hogsmeade. As they neared the small town Albus kept his eyes peeled for his brother.

"Where to first ?"Matt asked.

"Weasleys',"Saint John and Kaden said together.

Albus and Matt shared a glance. They should have known. They followed John and Kaden as the two mischievous boys led the way to Weasleys'hotshot Wheezes.

The shop was packed to capacity as it always was on Hogsmeade weekends. Albus waved to his Uncle George who was behind the rejoinder ringing mass up as fast as the cashbox would let him. shimmy was working that weekend and was restocking a shelf of Skiving Snackboxes. John and Kaden each grabbed two as the boys passed.

Albus grabbed a few Extendable spike as his seemed to suffer disappeared and a box of Deluxe whizzbang for James II for Christmas. He joined the long queue at the till and was joined by John and Kaden who each had weapons system overflowing with products. flatness and Amanda were n't buying anything and were playing with a few Pygmy ottoman that were in a John Cage in the battlefront of the store.

"Neither of you have seen James, have you ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"John said."Bet they 're at the Three Broomsticks."

"Or that place that Fred mentioned. dame whatever ?"Kaden put in.

"ma'am Puddifoot 's,"Albus said."Horrifying place. Covered in frilled things, and pink stuff."

"Let 's not go there,"Kaden said.

Albus and lav both agreed. They would appear for James, just not at gentlewoman Puddifoot 's. The waiting line moved relatively quickly and soon Albus, John, and Kaden had their supplying.

The future plosive speech sound was Honeyduke 's where everyone stocked up on confect and Albus bought a Christmas present tense for Lily. Then they made their way to the Quaffle Shop and then the tercet Broomsticks. Albus had yet to see James, but his time was quickly running out. He had a one-half hr before he had to head back to the castle for Quidditch practice.

John went to the bar to get five Butterbeers while the remainder of the group found a board. Luckily Scorpius Malfoy was nowhere in vision. Albus gazed around the bar until he spotted his brother 's fellow red fuzz. Unfortunately the missy he was with was facing away from Albus 's tabular array so all he knew was that she had very long, very straight brown hair.

"There they are,"Albus whispered to Matt, Kaden, and Amanda."Any of you know who the little girl is ?"

"That 's Gabby Ellis,"John said as he returned with the Butterbeers."My cousin knows her. She 's one of the fifth year prefects."

"Wait, so St. James the Apostle not only asked her out in the subroutine library, but she 's also a prefect ?"Albus exclaimed.

"shot so."Saint John the Apostle shrugged."I 'll never ask out a prefect. Now he 's going to have to check his step."

"You realize that there 's a good chance one of us might be a prefect next year,"Amanda pointed out.

"Nah, they 'll pick Bilius or Ethan,"John said."They 'd never pick me, Al, or Matt after that prank."

"Well Rose is obviously going to be a prefect,"Amanda said.

"We 'll just consume to sneak around more adjacent year,"john said."Ca n't have a prefect knowing about our pranks."

"Dervish and Banges is still unoccupied,"Matt said, changing the subject."Do n't you think that 's sort of odd ?"

Albus had n't really thought about it."Yeah, but no one 's going to want to buy a shop where somebody was murdered."

"Still, it 's just unusual,"flatness said as he sipped his Butterbeer.

"someone might still own it,"Amanda pointed out."They might not want to do anything with it or sell it."

"hypothesis that 's a salutary point,"matte said.

"Look, James II and the daughter are getting up,"Kaden said.

Albus turned and saw that Jesse James was indeed rising from his president. Gabby did as well and the two of them walked side by English out of the pub. Gabby was pretty, Albus had to let in. Her middle were bright and her cheeks were pink. James IV was grinning. Neither of them noticed Albus or the others on their way out the door.

"Think he 'll show to Quidditch practice ?"John asked.

"If he values his biography,"Albus replied."Speaking of that, I should probably get going."

Albus said sayonara to his ally and headed back out into the cold. The sun was out and there was no idle words, but it was still bitingly cold-blooded. He trudged his way through the snow and back up to the castle, where he ran up to Gryffindor tower to degenerate off his purchase and change into his Quidditch robes.

The rest of the team was already on the pitch when Albus arrived. Fred was arguing with James about something while the relief of the squad stood off to the side.

"She 's not even on their team !"James I shouted."She 's not going to steal any of our plays."

"But she 's still a Hufflepuff and this is a closed drill !"Fred argued.

Albus glanced over to the stands and saw Gabby sitting there, wrapped in a very large Hufflepuff mantle. She smiled and waved at Albus, who gave a svelte wave back.

"I could n't just provide her. I promised we 'd expend the day together."

"And she wants to watch you play Quidditch ?"Fred asked."Fine, fine. She can stay. Let 's just get going. We 're wasting time."

Fred and Saint James joined the repose of the group."All rightfulness !"Fred shouted."Let 's fly around the slant a few times to get warmed up."

Albus mounted his broom and soared into the air. He joined the remainder of the team in their escape around the lurch and lost himself in flying. It was nice to just fly and forget about everything else that was on his creative thinker.

The practice went incredibly well. It was their best practice in hebdomad since the weather was cooperating. The Gryffindor team did not have any issues with acting, but the weather was usually terrible whenever they practiced. Fred insisted this was a good thing since it would facilitate them learn how to play in matches with bad conditions but no one else agreed. Albus was very felicitous to give a practice where the condition were nonpareil. It made Quidditch so much to a greater extent enjoyable.

James and Gabby hurried off as soon as practice session ended and the sleep of the squad walked back to the castle together. They were nearly back to Gryffindor tug when rosebush, matt, John, Kaden, and Amanda came running towards Albus, all five looking slightly terrified.

"What 's wrong ?"Fred asked.

"It 's naught,"Rose said."We just call for to talk to Albus."

"Meet us in the way after you stash your broom,"lusterlessness whispered and the five of them hurried off.

Albus hurried into the park way and up to his residence hall. He had absolutely no idea what was going on, but it must hold just had to do with his friends because everyone else in the common room was acting normally. Albus quickly put his broom away and ran back out to the corridor.

It did n't contract him long to reach the vulture 's Den. All his ally were sitting quietly and looked up at him when he entered.

"What in the name of Merlin is going on ?"Albus asked.

"Two things,"Rose began."One, the debate. It was ... well ... insane is the only word to draw it, really. And two, I 'll let everyone else explain that first."

"Malfoy was lurking near the Shrieking Shack,"lustrelessness said."After you went to Quidditch practice we walked around the village and noticed him. It looked like he was trying to get in."

"Did he ?"Albus asked.

"No, he ca n't,"lusterlessness said."There 's wards. It 's just odd. He was alone."

"doe he recognize that that 's where you go ?"Albus replied as he sat down succeeding to Rose.

Matt shook his pass."I 'm not really worried about it, either. It 's just very weird."

"Malfoy is Friend with Felix Willinson so anything weird that he does needs to be remembered,"Albus said darkly.

"That 's what I said,"lav replied.

"He 's not the first one to be curious about the Shrieking Shack,"Matt pointed out.

This was different, Albus thought. He would have expected Matt to be the one worried about this, not John.

"But he 's Malfoy ! It 's not good that he 's trying to get in,"John said.

"Well he ca n't get in. And he already knows what I am,"lusterlessness countered."Let 's just leave about it for now. What blush wine has to say is far worse."

Albus turned to look at Rose, who looked upset and slightly scared. That was strange in itself since Albus could hardly retrieve a time when Rose was scared.

"The argument was on law enforcement,"rose said quietly."She wants to completely deepen the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She wants to investigate every single Auror and reorganize the department because she does n't think things are working as they are. She ... well ... she basically called your dad incompetent."

Albus stared at his cousin. He could not believe what he was hearing. Albus 's dad had been in bearing of the Auror section for years and there had never been any complaints. How could Laurentis just insult him like that ?

"Which means she 's going to recede,"Gospel According to John said confidently."No one 's going to vote for someone who insults Harry Potter."

"No,"rose wine whispered."They will. There 's been newspaper column in the Prophet for week about how the current Ministry is n't working. She has support."

"That 's insane,"Albus said."What did Uncle Harry Hotspur do ?"

"Argued with her,"rose said."Talked about all the practiced your dad has done, but she argued justly back."

"What about everyone there ? Did they clap for her ?"Albus asked.

"Everyone clapped for everyone. They were all polite about it and there was no way to separate who supported who,"pink wine said."If you ask me, I think she 's going to exchange all the heading of department who do n't check with her. She 's going to want people in major power who are on her side."

"Which means my dad will be gone,"Albus said."Everyone knows he supports Uncle Sir Henry Percy. It 's obvious."

"So that leaves what, Matt 's dad 's job, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Head of Magical transfer, and what else ?"trick asked as he counted on his fingerbreadth."There 's got to be more."

"There are,"rosiness said as she stood up and began pacing around the room."International Magical Cooperation, Magical Accidents and cataclysm, Magical Games and Sports, and then the department of Mysteries."

"Do you know anything about the mind of those departments ?"John asked.

"The madam who 's top dog of Magical Law Enforcement was here during the public debate. She 's really old and Dad says Mum is a shoe-in for her job when she retires,"Rose said."But I do n't know much about the others. The bloke in complaint of Magical transportation moderated the offset debate."

"That 's eight positions,"Matt said quietly,"and she could supervene upon all of them. That would thread up being an entirely new Ministry."

"Essentially, yes,"pink wine said as she sank into an armchair."That 's why it 's so bad. There 's a rationality most newly elected rector do n't replace everyone. It 's too a great deal upheaval. But if she wants immediate change, it would be the promiscuous way to get it done."

"What 's the next debate on ?"Amanda asked.

"Azkaban,"Rose said."Originally they were going to deliberate Azkaban with law enforcement, but Laurnetis requested a sort Azkaban argument. She 's in charge of it, so I 'm not surprised."

"And when is it ?"Amanda replied.

"Just after the new twelvemonth,"Rose answered."Once we 're all back in schoolhouse. Then February 's debate is on magical creatures-"

"Oh that 's going to be beneficial,"Matt said."hypothesis that 's when we 'll find out if my dad keeps his job after the election if she wins."

"And then in marching they debate International Magical Cooperation. Then it 's the election at the beginning of April,"Rose continued."That one is going to take place here. So is the Azkaban one."

"I still do n't think anyone 's going to vote for her,"toilet muttered."Anyone who sacks Harry Potter would n't get sufficiency votes."

"You 'd be surprised, John,"Amanda said."It sounds like she 's playing to everyone 's fear. I mean, I have n't been in the witching universe long, but it seems like everyone fears another Voldemort. If she makes it seem like the current Ministry and Auror department are too lenient and hints at the theory of another war, and then claims that she could squeeze it before it became a war, she would easily get the right to vote. People are easily persuaded."

"That 's exactly it,"rose wine agreed.

The room descended into uncomfortable silence. At the beginning of the schooltime year, none of them had much interest in the election or the Ministry in general, but now, just a few months later, Albus and his friends were learning just how often the result of the election would affect them. The possibility of drastic changes to both Hogwarts and the wizarding world did not sit well with Albus, especially if it meant both his and matte 's pappa were out of a job.
***


The remaining calendar week of school went by quickly. With the looming holidays and good luck from shoal, hardly anyone in the palace was focusing on homework or the election. Instead, the chatter that filled the Great residence hall during repast was about Christmas and snowball fights and spending time with family. Albus was sucked into the Yuletide cheerfulness as well, but the election was still on the spinal column of his mind.

For Albus, rosiness, and the ease of the Weasley/Potter clan, the Christmas vacation would be wrapped up in the election. A New Year 's political party at the minister of religion 's mansion was scheduled for New Year 's Eve, for all of the high-ranking functionary and their sept, as well as Walker Percy, Laurentis, and their families. All of Albus 's extended family would be attending. But perhaps the most outre aspect of the holiday was the fact that Uncle Percy was going to allow a reporter from mavin powder store to observe him for not only the Ministry political party, but Christmas at the tunnel as well.

"This is just weird !"Cedric exclaimed at breakfast the last day of condition."A reporter ? At the tunnel ? And it says she 's going to be staying with us."

Cedric handed the letter back to Tom Bradley, whom it had been addressed to. Omar Nelson Bradley pulled out his wand and burned it, which seemed to be his new way of dealing with Wiley Post from his father.

"Did nan hold to this ?"James asked as he loaded his plateful with bacon.

"She must 've,"Bradley said."Anything to get Dad elected, probably."

"I kind of agree with her,"Albus said."I do n't want that Laurentis woman to win."

"Neither do I, but I do n't require some reporter staying with us at the Burrow,"Cedric said adamantly.

"guessing you wo n't be getting the real Weasley Christmas experience,"Albus said to Amanda, whose parents had given permission to stay with rose wine for Christmas.

Amanda shrugged."Not a big deal. With your family, it 's bound to be interesting."

"You have no idea,"Albus said."We 'd break get to History of Magic."

Albus got up and his friends followed. Despite the fact that it was the last day of term, Professor Binns still gave a lecture. Nobody paid him an ounce of tending. The repose of the prof did n't irritate teaching any new fabric as they figured the students would just leave it over the geological fault. Professor Cedonia set them a practical lesson, but did n't scold them when they stopped charming their teacups to trip the light fantastic toe and instead talked about Christmas. Hagrid had a large balefire going to keep them affectionate, but did n't teach anything. Instead, he told the story of Norberta and bawled about how very much he missed her. In ancient runic letter, there was an exam.

The come sunup Albus and his friends climbed aboard the Hogwarts limited for the trip back to London. On the Hogwarts Express, Albus felt weirdly immune to everything that was happening in the wizarding human beings. He felt safe from Jarrett Willinson and somehow the election did n't seem as big a deal. The train was like its own little world with only scholar and sweets from the trolley ; on the gearing, nothing bad could happen.


Long hiatus ! I apologize for that. I am now working on this for the second half of June 's cantonment NaNoWriMo, so I 'm hoping to get a bunch of chapters written so I can go back to weekly updates. Thanks so much for all the revue !


"Remember, do n't say anything in front of her you do n't desire printed in the clause,"Harry said as they walked toward the Burrow.

"Will she really print anything ?"Lily asked.

"Yes,"Harry said.

It was Christmas Eve and Albus and the rest of the Potters had just Apparated to the field behind the burrow. Albus was a bit nervous about being in the presence of a newsman from Wizards magazine publisher and was not at all keen about being in an article. He was relieved they were late, as usual, because by now the reporter would probably be involved in listening to somebody else 's conversation and might not even placard Albus.

"And James, do n't even think about slipping something into her soup,"Ginny said sternly.

Harry, who had just put his mitt on the doorknob, turned around and stared at King James."Seriously, James, absolutely not."

"I was n't going to !"King James said."I swear !"

Harry sighed."Empty your pockets."

"But I was n't going to-"

"James Sirius ceramicist, listen to your sire,"Ginny said.

Albus put his hand over his oral fissure to hide his laughter while his brother pulled a handful of Ton-Tongue toffy and a vial of Weasleys'Itchiest itchiness Powder out of his air pocket. Ginny took them and incinerated them with her baton. She brushed the ash onto the ground and James stared at it longingly.

"Shut up, Albus,"James muttered as Harry opened the door.

That just made Albus laugh even harder, earning him a punch in the articulatio humeri from James. Albus returned the punch while Lily rolled her eyes.

"male child, cut it out,"Ginny scolded.

"Ginny ! Harry !"molly exclaimed as they stepped inside."happy Christmas !"

"Happy Christmas, Mum,"Ginny said as the two hugged.

Albus slipped past after giving his nanna a agile hug, grabbing a smattering of cookie on his way to the den. The low matter he noticed was that the reporter was sitting on a stool in the corner. She stuck out like a Weasley at a Malfoy gathering, in her disgraceful chick, flowery top, high-heeled horseshoe. Who wore heels to the burrow ? Weird, Albus thought process. Her coal-black pilus was done up in some sort of bun and her back talk were smeared with bright red lipstick.

The indorse thing Albus noticed was just how cleanse the tunnel was. He had n't noticed it in the kitchen, what with the many mickle and beauty full phase of the moon of warm, steaming nutrient, but out in the den, it was very noticeable. The burrow was never begrime, exactly, but it was n't immaculately straight like Matt and Kaden 's family were. Instead it merely looked lived in, Albus always thought. It was cluttered with piles of Holy Writ and rafts of plank games and respective Muggle and magical devices. cover and pillows were thrown haphazardly onto sofa and chairperson, never being folded or stacked neatly. But today, everything was refined. The stacks of Holy Writ had been shelved and the cover folded. The sheer amount of stuff seemed to have been moved or vanished because Albus did n't see a single Muggle electronic device half-taken apart on the floor or table. It was outre. The Burrow did n't look like the Burrow without its clutter. You never knew what you 'd find at the tunnel and Albus liked that.

Shaking his chief slightly, Albus carefully stepped around a few of his first cousin and walked over to where Rose and Amanda were sitting on the storey. They had a large disk of food in front of them, making Albus clear how hungry he was.

"So, what have I missed ?"he asked in between bites of rolling wave."I see someone cleaned."

"Gran did. Said she wanted to defecate a good belief. Uncle Percy 's been bragging loudly to the newsperson about all the laws he 's helped pass,"rosiness said."But all the newsperson wants to do is interview the residue of us. I guess her clause is all about where Uncle Percy came from and what his family is like."

"Who 's she talked to so far ?"Albus asked.

"Aunt Corrine, granny, grandpa, Uncle Bill, Uncle Fred, both of my parents, Victoire, Samantha, and lindy,"rose wine said.

"Wow. Already ?"

"She has n't wasted any metre,"Amanda said.

"There 's a photographer around here somewhere,"Rose said as she glanced around the room."Oh there he is."

Rose indicated to the stairs, where Percy was leading a scrawny chap back into the den.

"Is he wearing-"

"Dress robe ?"Rose said."Yeah, he 's been wearing them all night."

"Let 's get a few shots of you playing a secret plan with the Gemini,"the photographer said as he and Percy walked past tense Albus, Rose, and Amanda.

"Wonderful idea !"the reporter exclaimed as she hopped off her stool.

"How did she hear that ?"Albus whispered to Rose.

"Harry ceramist 's son !"the reporter said as she grabbed Albus 's arm, causing him to drop the cooky he was holding."Let 's get him in the shot, too. Hmm ..."she glanced around the way, her optic finally coming to rest on Amanda."We 'll need a gibe with you and Hotspur as well. campaigner plays Exploding child's play with the Prime Minister 's niece ! double-dyed ! I could not give birth planned this better."

"How did she cognise that I 'm the Prime minister 's niece ?"Amanda asked.

"She knows everything,"pink wine said darkly."Creepy, really."

Albus soon found himself playing a arranged biz of Exploding Snap with Uncle Percy, Samantha, and Lindy. The whole thing was very absurd since none of them were photographed with ash on their faces. Then it was Amanda 's turn, but she was posed with a set of Wizard 's chess game,"for variety."

"Now that 's something Laurentis wo n't cause,"Percy said jovially after the photographer finished."Photograph with the Prime Minister 's niece."

"But cypher knows I 'm the Prime minister of religion 's niece,"Amanda said once she, rosiness, and Albus escaped into the kitchen."It 's supposed to be a secret."

"Maybe it wo n't get printed,"Albus said.

"God, I hope not,"Amanda muttered."So is this what Christmas Eve is usually like ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said as he walked over to the doorway. He peered into the den and took stock of what his family was up to.

His uncles Fred, Ron, Federal Reserve note, and Charlie, were nighest to the kitchen and were singing 'Odo the Hero .'All four had mug of eggnog in deal. gran was listening to Celestina Warbeck while Aunt Fleur glared at the wireless. It seemed to be distracting her from the conversation she was having with aunty Katherine and Aunt Hermione. Most of his cousin-german were eating or laughing about one matter or another. Samantha and lindy hop were playing Exploding Snap for very now, along with Eddie and Angie.

In fact, the lone one who seemed to be acting any differently was Uncle Hotspur, who was talking with the reporter and the photographer. aunty Corrine was as well, but none of their sometime children were anywhere in survey.

"rich person you seen Thomas Bradley, Cedric, or Empire State of the South anywhere ?"Albus asked Rose.

"Actually, no,"rose said."Let 's go chance them."

Albus and Amanda followed rosiness out of the kitchen and up the stairs. As they peered into each bedroom, Albus found out just where his grandmother had stored all the poppycock that used to be in the den. Every bingle elbow room had a plenty of random clobber in it. They eventually found their three full cousin hiding out in Uncle Ron 's old chamber at the top of the house. They were sitting on one of the bottom and were deep in conversation.

"What 's going on in here ?"Albus asked as they shut the door.

All three startled, but then seemed relieved to find it was only Albus, rosebush, and Amanda.

"We 're avoiding the reporter,"Peach State said,"and talking about how much it will suck if Dad gets elected."

"But Laurentis is bloody insane,"Albus said as he stepped over a typewriter and sat down on the opposite word bed."Uncle Walker Percy has to win."

"well, I do n't want him to,"Bradley said."Do you recognise how much life will exchange if he does ?"

"I 've got a bit of an idea,"Amanda said, sitting down next to Albus. Rose sat on his other slope.

"Before his campaign started no one really knew what Dad did,"Bradley said."Or even who he was. I mean, if they heard his name they would know him, but he was just Percy Weasley. Do you love what I mean ?"

"He 'll be Percy Weasley, Minister of illusion. Not just Percy Weasley, your dad,"Amanda said."minister is n't a just a job. It 's not something he 'll leave at the spot at five. It 's more a lifestyle."

"Exactly !"Tom Bradley agreed.

"And you 'll always be the minister 's son,"Amanda said.

"How do you get it on all this ?"Cedric looked at Amanda strangely.

"My Uncle 's the Prime minister of religion,"Amanda said casually.

"Of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ?"Bradley exclaimed."And you 've kept this secret for four years ?"

"Yeah. It wo n't be for very much recollective since that photographer just took a picture of me with your dad,"Amanda said."Anyway, you 're decently that your liveliness wo n't be the Sami if he gets elected. And even after his terminal figure is up you 'll still always be the minister 's son."

"And we 'd consume to move into the Minister 's hall,"Bradley said.

"You would n't. You 're going to fine-tune in June,"Cedric pointed out."And Georgia already moved out."

"You 'll be in Hogwarts about of the year,"Georgia pointed out.

There was a knock on the door and then it swung all-encompassing open. Percy stood in the door flanked by the reporter and photographer. Percy had changed out of his robes and was now wearing a greens Weasley jumper with a red'P'on the front. In his limb was a stack of what appeared to be more Weasley jumpers.

"There you lot are,"Percy said."We 're doing a word picture of the whole syndicate in our jumpers."He tossed one to each of his children and then one each to Albus and blush wine."Get changed and get downstairs."

"Are they all initial jumpers this year ?"Georgia asked as she held hers up. It was grey with a purple'G .'

"Must be,"Albus said as he yanked off the jumper he was wearing and pulled on his new one. It was blue with a gold'A .'

"Bet it 's to make us seem like a cheesy family,"Omar Bradley muttered as he changed.

Once they 'd all changed Albus and rosiness followed their cousins back down to the den. Amanda followed as well, but she lingered on the steps, clearly not wanting to be dragged into anymore photographs.

Albus 's entire phratry was posed in half the den. The lensman was running around making small adjustments, which Albus thought was pointless. There was no way he was going to get thirty-two people to all looking at the camera and smile nicely at the same sentence.

The photographer noticed Albus, rose, Georgia, Omar Nelson Bradley, and Cedric and shoved Albus in between James and Lily, who were sitting right in the middle, on the floor.

"Lovely !"the photographer exclaimed a few minutes later. He ran to the other side of the room and stuck his head behind the camera."Everyone smile ! Beautiful !"He took dozens of pictures and Albus soon grew tired of sitting still and smiling.

"Wonderful !"the newsperson shouted once the photographer finally finished."I think we 've got what we need. I wish you all a happy Christmastide. The article should be out just after New Year's."

"I thought she was staying for tomorrow, too,"Albus whispered to Rose.

rosiness shrugged."Maybe she got enough from just one dark. Either that or she got overwhelmed."

Walker Percy walked the reporter and lensman out of the Burrow, thanking them profusely as he did so.

"Bedtime, everyone !"mollie shouted.

No one objected. It had certainly been the foreign Christmas Day Eve gathering the Weasley phratry had ever had and Albus was very much looking forward to tomorrow, when things would get back to some semblance of normal. Albus walked up to bed with rose wine and Amanda, wishing them both good night when they reached Uncle Charlie 's old bedroom, where the two would be staying. James, Ben, Cedric, and Bradley were already in Uncle Ron 's old room when Albus arrived.

"Quidditch tomorrow ?"St. James asked as all four male child climbed into their beds.

"You 're going down, potter,"Bradley replied.

"Is that a challenge, Weasley ?"

"Sure is,"Omar Bradley said.

Yes, tomorrow would be a lot more pattern, Albus thought. Quidditch was a Yuletide tradition for his kinsfolk and aught, even his uncle running for rector, was going to keep it.
***


"And that 's how we do it in Kenmare !"Georgia exclaimed, having just saved a goal by spinning in midair and hitting the Quaffle back into shimmer by the end of her broom."Kenmare Krazy Keeper move !"

"You 're still going to lose !"Bradley shouted as he hit one of the Bludgers toward Albus, who dodged it and caught the Quaffle."We 've got Teddy !"

"If teddy were a real searcher he 'd be playing for a League team and not studying to be an Auror !"Georgia shouted back.

"He 's still not as good as Jesse James,"Bradley said.

"Yeah, I taught James River everything he knows !"teddy bear said as he flew past, heading toward Empire State of the South 's will goal berth."And that 's biz !"he shouted, returning with the sneak clutched in his hand."Aurors have to have constant vigilance, just like Seekers."

Albus flew to the ground, still holding the Quaffle. It had been a good game, even though his team had lost, but the temperature was dropping and the cloud were rolling in. It was a just time to head back inside for Christmas dinner, especially since the perfume of roast turkey and murphy had been drifting outside for the preceding half hour.

board, already covered in legion dishes of food, had been set up in the kitchen extending into the den while they played. Albus hurried upstair to deepen and when he returned, everyone was drifting toward the tables. Albus hurried to the place Rose and Amanda had saved him, which thankfully was nowhere almost Percy.

"How was Quidditch ?"Rose asked.

"good,"Albus said."We lost, but Teddy 's pretty practically unbeatable, so I was n't surprised."

"I 'm surprised he did n't play professionally,"Amanda said.

"He thought about it,"Albus explained."And he had crack, but he deferred them for a yr because he was n't trusted. Then he just decided to join the Auror academy, because of his parents, you know."

"brand gumption,"Amanda said.

"I 'd care to make a pledge,"Sir Henry Percy announced after everyone was seated. He held up his glassful of autumn pumpkin succus."I just want to say thank you, to all of you, for putting up with the reporter yesterday, and for everything you 've done for the campaign. We only have three months to go, so let 's make the most of it. Keep up all the bang-up work. Here 's to a win in April !"

Albus clinked eyeglasses with pink wine and Amanda and then served himself a heavy helping of turkey. This was what he enjoyed the most about Christmas at the tunnel. As he he ate, he listened in on the conversations his cousins, auntie, and uncles were having.

To Albus 's leftfield, his aunt Hermione was giving James, Cedric, and Ben study tips for their O.W.L.s. The son were nodding as if they were listening, but Albus knew they were n't. Victoire and chemise were holding hands under the mesa, which was kind of funny remark because Victoire was having to eat with her left mitt, a skill she clearly did not possess. Henry James, Tom Bradley, and Georgia were discussing Quidditch with Uncles George VI and Ron. Eddie was showing the twins, Lily, and Hugo just how many pea he could fit into his back talk at once. Sir Henry Percy was, of form, discussing the gritty particular of his campaign with his wife and parents. Fred and Mark were telling Angie about the secret passageway that lead into the basement of Honeyduke 's. The rest of his sept was too far away for Albus to discover what exactly they were saying, but everyone seemed happy.

"This is what it 's really ilk,"Albus told Amanda."Usually there are a few pranks."

"You missed one other,"Rose said while Amanda laughed."James put one of those wind-up pygmy powderpuff in Gran 's biggest pot, so while she was chopping vegetable it jumped out and started screeching. Aunt Ginny knew it was William James, too. He got chewed out while you were up the stairs changing."

"She had no proof !"James IV cut in."It could own been Cedric."

"But it was n't,"pink wine said."It was you."

"James, did you hear me ?"Hermione asked."I was just saying how you need to start with your unaccented subject area initiatory. Honestly, you should 've started preparing final stage year. Albus, Rose, Amanda, are you listening ? You should get going revision now."

"I started hebdomad ago, Mum,"Rose said.

Hermione smiled."That 's my girl."

"She 'll be lucky if James starts revising a calendar month before,"Albus whispered to Amanda.

"That would be dolt,"Rose said."What does he need to do after Hogwarts ? He 'll call for sure O.W.L.s to get into the right on N.E.W.T. classes."

"He 's got no idea,"Albus said,"except he wants to play Quidditch."

"He 'd better get going,"rosiness said.

"Oh, and I suppose you 've got it all figured out, Rose ?"James asked.

"As a matter of fact, I 'm thinking of getting into psychiatry,"rosiness said."Get my healing grade, specializing in psychiatry."

"mulct, then,"James IV muttered.

"Really ?"Albus asked.

Rose nodded."I 've been thinking about it since summer and it 's really want I want to do."

"Do n't you think you 're a bit young to have decided that ?"Albus asked.

"lustrelessness 's sister had it all figured out in fourth year and look where she is now,"Rose pointed out.

She did have a gunpoint there, Albus thought. lustrelessness 's sister was well on her way to getting both her healing and brewing degrees, with only two and a half more years to go. Albus did n't even want to believe about what he would do after he graduated from Hogwarts. It was too far away.

"I have an proclamation to make !"Gabriella said as she stood up.

The room quieted and everyone turned to look at Gabriella. She was n't usually one to make speeches or announcements during family dinner party. In fact, she was one of the quieter of Albus 's full cousin, certainly not coming near to the level of boisterousness of Omar Bradley, James River, or Georgia.

"Thanks,"she said."None of you know this yet, since I figured I 'd just recount you all at once today. I 've decided to displace to France."

The room was silent, much like it was after Percy announced his intent to run for minister at the before school day dinner party. Then, as happened after Percy 's proclamation, everyone began to utter at once.

"You 're what ?"measure exclaimed.

"Gabriella, dear !"Fleur shouted, dropping her glassful of vino."What prompted this ?"

"The political climate in French Republic is very unsteady,"Walker Percy said."I would n't recommend moving there."

"What are you going to do there ?"Scots heather asked.

Albus was n't at all surprise. Gabriella had spent a few hebdomad in French Republic that fall and seemed to enjoy it. He was n't sure why her parents seemed so surprised.

"If everyone could just let me spill !"Gabriella shouted. The elbow room quieted one more than."I 've already cleared it with Grandmere and Grandpere. They 're going to let me remain with them until I get on my feet. When I painted there this fall it just felt so right. My paintings there were so practically skilful than the single I 've painted here-"

"But what will you do for money ?"measure asked."You know I could still get you that internship. This is crazy."

"Dad, it 's what I want to do. I do n't want to spend everyday in an office staff and miss out on life history. No criminal offense. Painting is what I love. I want to try this."

"But Gabriella, it 's not practical-"nib began.

"invoice,"molly said quietly."She 's just rebelling a bit. You did the Lapplander when you were her age. Remember the earring ? The hair ?"

notice 's face reddened."It 's not the same, Mum. I had a job. I was n't learning the finer full point of being a starving artist !"

"Dad ! I 'm a adept creative person ! I 'm not going to starve !"

"You know my parents would never let her famish,"Fleur said.

"That 's not the point. The point is that she should be doing something productive. When Victoire was her age-"

"I 'm not Victoire !"Gabriella exclaimed. She turned and left the room, running up the steps. A few bit later a door slammed.

Bill made to get up, but Victoire put her hand on his articulatio humeri, forcing him back into his seat."Dad, I 'll go."

The elbow room lapsed into uncomfortable secrecy after Victoire took off after her sister. Albus was slightly shocked at his uncle 's disfavor of Gabriella 's plan. Albus had always thought of posting as his assuredness uncle, the uncle who would be supportive of whatever his kid wanted to do. But now he was acting just like Percy had about GA 's desire to be a Quidditch player.

"I support you, bank note,"Hotspur said pompously."artist is not a career. You 've got to fight back this. Went through the Lapp thing with Georgia-"

"Really, Dad ?"GA asked."After the past times few calendar month of going to my games and making the military press think you 're supportive of my aspiration, you still do n't think I should play Quidditch ?"

"Quidditch, like house painting, is a hobby,"Percy said."It 's not a career."

"You 're unbelievable !"GA exclaimed."The accompaniment, the cheering, it 's all postiche, is n't it ?"

"Georgia-"

"You know what, Dad ? Do n't even bother."Peach State stood up and left the table in a similar mode to Gabriella.

"This,"Albus whispered to Amanda,"is not normal."

"I thought Gabriella liked Uncle Hotspur 's cook support,"Jesse James muttered.

"Well, she did at kickoff but she probably thought there was no way he could cook it for so long and not begin to hail around. She surely thought it was real by now,"rose said.

"You 're going to stimulate a honorable psychiatrist,"Albus said.

"Yeah, you can start with Uncle Percy,"James said.

"Does anyone want pudding ?"grannie asked.


A/N : Thanks for all the limited review !


Never before had Albus experienced such an awkward Christmastime dinner, and that included the time his Aunt Katherine went into labor with Eddie at the table. After Gabriella and Georgia stormed out, grannie served pudding to the remaining crime syndicate member, but everyone ate in quiet. Albus, Rose, and Amanda ate as fast as they could and then escaped to the one place they did n't recollect anyone else would go- the attic.

The attic of the Burrow was similar to an archaeological land site. It contained layers of Weasley crime syndicate chronicle and if you dug trench enough you could even regain characterisation of Uncle Bill when he was a sister. It used to business firm a ghoul, but the ghoul died years before Albus was born. Albus did n't go up in the Ionic dialect practically anymore, but when he was little it had made an splendid concealment dapple.

"I never realized how alike Gabriella and Georgia were,"Albus said once they 'd shut the bean door.

"I never realized how likewise Uncle Walker Percy and Uncle Federal Reserve note were,"rose wine replied."I never thought Uncle Bill would react like that."

"Me either,"Albus agreed."Let 's not talk about it. I just want to do something fun."

"Let 's maneuver Monopoly,"Amanda said."It 's a Muggle game. I brought it from my house."

Albus and Rose readily agreed and soon the three were playing Monopoly in the attic. It took Albus and Rose a petty while to get the knack of the money, which was based on Muggle money, but once they did, it was very fun. Albus 's front-runner affair about it was how long it took. They spent minute on one game and by the fourth dimension Amanda beat him and pink wine, almost all of his family was asleep.

By breakfast the side by side good morning nearly everything had blown over. Half of his aunty and uncles had left because they had to go to turn and the other one-half were in the summons of getting make to pass on. Some of his cousin-german were still there, but quite a few had left. When Albus went downstairs he noticed his uncle Bill and aunt Fleur having a public lecture with Gabriella over disc of sausage balloon. Albus paused in the room access, waiting for them to finish.

"We do n't want you to intend we are n't supportive of your art,"Bill said."We are. Both of us. I just want to know you 're going to be okay."

"I am, Dad,"Gabriella said."I 'll be staying with Grandmere and Grandpere."

"That 's reassuring,"card said."And I did overreact last night."

Fleur snorted."Yes, I 'd say you did."

"I certainly do n't require you to think I 'm anything like your uncle Walker Percy,"Bill whispered."I 'd never try and break you from pursuing your dream."

"Well, painting in Anatole France is my dream for now,"Gabriella said adamantly.

"Then we 'll abide you,"Bill said. Fleur nodded in accord."I 'm sorry for overreacting last Night. I think we were all on bound from the reporter."

"Thanks, Dad,"Gabriella said.

"When were you planning on leaving ?"Fleur asked.

"After that Ministry company. Ca n't miss that or Uncle Sir Henry Percy would go insane."

"The weekend after that, then,"banker's bill said."We want to help you move."

Gabriella nodded."Thanks."

broadside stood up and gave his daughter a hug."I 've got to get to crop, but I 'll see you at home later. I love you, Gabby."

"erotic love you, too, Dad,"Gabriella said as she hugged him back.

Albus walked into the kitchen as his uncle left, grabbing a few sausages and a cinnamon bark bun on his way to the table. He was relieved that Uncle peak and Gabriella came to an accord, especially one that involved Gabriella still moving to Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault. He wanted his full cousin to be happy and he still wanted to think of nib as his cool off uncle.

Albus returned to Grimmauld Place later that day and it only took him a few time of day of boredom to start his holiday reading. rosebush and Amanda had returned to Rose 's mansion, so without them, he was forced to be fertile. In fact, Albus was actually looking forward to the Ministry political party for the sole reason that he 'd get to see rose and Matt.

The few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in between fisticuffs Day and New Year 's Eve were fairly uneventful, especially compared with Christmastide day. Georgia and Uncle Percy still had n't made up and Sakartvelo came over for a heart-to-heart with Albus 's mum the day before the company. Albus often forgot that his mum used to diddle pro Quidditch and would be the pure person for Georgia to seek advice from.

Albus attempted to mind in on their conversation via extendible Ear, but his mum must 've put an interperbabble appealingness on the kitchen threshold because he could n't hear a thing. Dejected, he put away his Extendable Ear and returned to reading his transfiguration book.

Shortly after Georgia left William James walked in the spinal column doorway with a grin on his face.

"What are you so happy about ?"Albus asked.

"Mum forgot to put the magical spell on the windowpane,"Jesse James said."I heard everything."

"Well, tell me what you heard !"Albus said as he closed his book.

"I do n't know ...."

"Come on, James River,"Albus said."If you do I wo n't tell Mum and Dad what you 're planning on doing to the puncher at the company tomorrow."

"mulct,"James muttered as he sat down."Basically, GA 's still mad at Uncle Hotspur and does n't require to go to the party tomorrow. Mum convinced her that she needs to take the high route and be supportive of Uncle Hotspur even though he is n't being supportive of her. And she said there 's no hugger-mugger to getting him to spot Quidditch as a valid life history. He just has to realize it on his own and all Georgia can do is be the best player she can and support herself and not ask him for money. But then she reminded Empire State of the South that Gramps was very supportive of her Quidditch career."

"zilch too exciting, then,"Albus said.

"Nope, not really,"William James agreed."Going to throw for an interest party, though."

"That 's for sure,"Albus said.
***


"Is the Minister 's sign glowing blue ?"Albus asked as he followed his parents up the winding path to the mansion.

It was New year 's Eve and the ceramist were slightly late for the party, as common. This time James had not been the reason ; they were late because Ginny had had to lengthen Albus 's robes last minute.

"It looks that way,"Harry answered."delay until you see the inside. The election New yr 's Eve political party at the minister of religion 's Mansion is one of the wondrous affair the Ministry puts on, only beaten out by the party that will hire situation for the winner of the election. It 's going to be far fancier than the party for Mr. Eckerton last year."

Albus nodded. As they drew snug to the mansion Albus noticed that the blue light seemed to halt from the ground, illuminating the sign of the zodiac as it went upward, but he could not see where the twinkle came from. It looked to just come out out of the primer coat. The way itself was lined with silver candela.

The door was already opened when they reached the end of the path. A man dressed in a full tuxedo with tails stood in the threshold and he took Ginny and Lily 's wraps while another man led the Potters into the grand ballroom.

The dance hall was already filled to capacity and Albus noticed that nearly half of the people in attending were his aunt, uncles, and cousin-german. The dance hall itself was lit by atomic number 47 candles similar to the ones that lined the way outside. The windows were draped in large navy drapery tied with silver ropes and matching linen paper dressed the mesa and chairwoman scattered throughout the way. Larger tables containing record of food stood in the gist of the elbow room, each one holding an ice carving. The sculpture were of several historical buildings in wizarding Britain, including one of Hogwarts.

waiter dressed in the same tuxedos as the maven by the door walked throughout the room carrying crustal plate of food and drink. After taking a look at some of the food for thought they carried, Albus wondered if there was anything normal or if it was just fancy hors d'oeuvres.

"Before you all take off to find your cousins,"Harry began, staring more at his Word than at Lily."Saint James the Apostle, absolutely no pranks. Albus, no sneaking off to other parting of the mansion or going outside this twelvemonth. Promise me, both of you."

"I promise,"Albus and James each mumbled.

"All right, you may go,"Harry said."And keep an eye out for your younger cousins. Make for sure they 're not getting into trouble."

Albus nodded and then slipped into the crowd in hunting of matt, Rose, and something to eat that did not resemble something his aunt Fleur 's mother would make. He finally wound up at the dessert table where he found both a heavy piece of chocolate cake and his friends.

"Albus, there you are !"pink wine said."We 've been here for an hour already."

"Mum had to lengthen my robes,"Albus said in between bites of cake.

"I 'm not surprised. You grew a understructure in the past twelvemonth,"rose wine commented.

"Seriously, you 've got to break off,"Matt said."You make me look like a indorse year."

"Is everyone else here ?"Albus asked as they walked over to a mostly discharge table. Its only occupant was a very old man who seemed to be taking a nap.

rosiness nodded."Even Georgia showed up. But I did find out that the lonesome rationality we were all invited was to nominate Uncle Percy look like More of a family man."

"Really ?"Albus asked."I thought it was just because families of the candidates were always invited."

"No. Usually it 's only straightaway family members, plus all the Heads of departments and top Ministry officials and their families. So not all of us were going to be invited at first. It 's to take a crap us search like a very finish plain family."

"You are a close knit family line,"mat said."It 's like you 're all buddy and baby rather than cousins."

"But Uncle Percy never really necessitate any of us in his Ministry calling before,"Albus pointed out."Anyway, Matt, how was your Christmas ?"

"good,"Matt said."Rose already told me about yours. Sounded much more interesting than mine. My grandparents came to visit and they went household yesterday. Mum and Cinda argued over the fact that we do n't visit them enough anymore and then Mum and Amy argued over the fact that Amy never comes house except for holidays. Dad, Richard, and I just stayed out of it. I swear, those three could fence over nothing."

"Sounds like yours was interesting then,"Albus said.

Matt shrugged."Honestly, it 's been rather boring at home."

"I 'm ready to get back to Hogwarts,"Albus said."Is Amy here ?"

"Yeah, she 's off with Victoire and chemise,"Matt said.

"Oh, by the way, do n't drink the punch,"Albus warned them."St. James the Apostle is planning to put something in it."

"What ?"rose asked.

"I do n't make out, but it 'll probably be gross,"Albus said.

"If your uncle wins your cousin-german will get to subsist here,"mat said as he gazed around the room."Weird to recollect about. This place looks bigger than my old house."

"It probably is,"Rose said."And you 're right, that is weird to believe about."

The old man let out a hiss and woke up. His eyes darted around until they rested on Albus, Rose, and Matt."Who are you three ?"he demanded.

"Er, I 'm Albus Potter and that 's blush wine Weasley and Matt Eckerton,"Albus said.

His font softened."Oh, decent to meet you ! I 'm Gregory Nazianzen Laurentis. My daughter 's run for Minister. Could not be prouder, but I suppose she 's running against your uncle. Albus Potter, Merlin 's beard ! I told cake, I told her she was nuts to run against Percy Weasley what with him being related to Harry Potter himself, but her company picked her to run so I suppose there was nothing I could do about it. And she could n't turn down that opportunity ...."

Albus glanced at Rose and lustrelessness while Laurnetis 's dad continued to rattle on about how proud he was of his daughter, yet marvel at her folly for running against soul related to Harry ceramist. He was rather funny, Albus thought.

"This billet is too damn fancy,"Gregory the Great Laurnetis muttered as he fingered the tablecloth."And the food, my God, what I would n't turn over for some bangers and mash ...."

Albus stifled a laugh, but he did agree with the old man."I think I hear one of my cousin calling me,"Albus said."We 'd improve go."

"Oh, right, right,"Gregory Laurentis said."I do n't hear anything, but then again my auditory sense 's so bad these days. Well, good luck to your uncle, then. Not that he 'll need it !"

"Good luck to your daughter, too,"Albus said as he stood up.

All three burst out laughing as soon as they were out of earshot of Gregory Laurentis. A few Ministry functionary looked at them strangely as they did so, but Albus did n't give care.

"Albus !"Matt suddenly whispered."Is that Balladanis over there ?"Matt pointed to the far back corner, where a man in plain black robe stood with his arms folded across his chest.

Albus peered at the man for a few second."Yeah, I think it is."

"What 's he doing here ?"Matt asked.

"Probably in face of an attack,"rose wine said."Every prominent Ministry official is in this room right now. There 's probably Aurors stationed at every room access outside, too."

"Do n't let him see us,"matt said as he grabbed both Albus and Rose and pulled them behind a bombastic group of the great unwashed."Can we just go somewhere else ?"

Albus glanced at Balladanis and then back at matt, who looked Thomas More than a little nervous. Albus did n't blame him. After survive year 's dirt with Balladanis, it was no admiration Matt never wanted to see the man again. Albus thought briefly of what his dad told him when they got there, but pushed the hope from his creative thinker. If Matt did n't desire to be in the Lapp room as Balladanis, then Albus was just going to experience to break his promise.

"Come on,"Rose said before Albus could reply. She took Albus and Matt 's manpower and pulled them through the crowd. She let them go once they reached the corridor.

The corridor was much quieter than the dance hall. Albus had n't even realized just how tacky the ballroom was until now. Between the music and multitude 's voices, it was a wonder he 'd even been able-bodied to cerebrate in there.

"Thanks,"matte said quietly."He just gives me the creeps."

"No job,"Rose said."Where should we go ?"

"We could try and line up that library again,"Albus suggested.

rosiness and matte nodded and the three set off down the corridor. It took them XV minutes and three wrong round to find the library and once they got there, they saw that it was already occupied by none early than Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric.

"We 've got to stop using the Lapplander hiding berth,"GA said with a laugh as they entered."Just joking. Come on in."

Rose shut the door behind them and they joined Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric on the other side of the room.

"Sick of the political party ?"Georgia asked.

"We saw Balladanis,"matt said quietly as he sat down."Did n't want him to notice us."

Georgia shuddered."Do n't blame you there, especially since your dad is the cause he got sacked."

"I kind of liked him,"Bradley said.

lusterlessness looked at him like he was insane."Are you kidding ?"

Bradley shrugged."Nope. I 'm not terribly upset he 's gone, but he was kind of cool."

"You 're mad,"flatness said.

"What about you three ? What drove you to the library ?"Albus asked, wanting to stave off an argument between his best champion and cousin.

"Decided to search the family,"Cedric said."If we 're going to have to live here, we wanted to see what we 'd be getting into."

"And what do you think ?"rosebush asked.

"Living here would n't be so bad,"Cedric said."Bradley and I would n't have to contribution a room. Neither would Samantha and lindy, for that matter."

"I told you, one of you can have my elbow room,"Georgia said.

"Dad wo n't let us,"Bradley replied."Says you 're going to come back when Quidditch stops paying off."

Georgia groaned."Really, the faith he has in me is incredible."

"We met Laurentis 's dad,"Albus said.

Georgia burst out laughing."Seriously ?"

Albus nodded and told the story. All three of his cousin were laughing by the time he finished.

"I may have to go back out there just so I can meet him,"Georgia said, still laughing.

"He sounds like a very worry bloke,"Bradley said.

mat got up from his chairperson and began wandering around the subroutine library. He paused by the door, as if listening.

"What are you doing ?"Albus asked.

"I heard something,"mat whispered."Shut up, all of you."

Sakartvelo immediately stopped laughing and all five of them stopped talking. Matt 's eyes grew big and he hurried back over."somebody 's coming !"

"I do n't pick up any-"Bradley began.

"Sshhh !"Albus said as he jumped up."combine him on this. We 've got to hide."

"There 's a press,"rose said as she hurried to open the door."It 's not very big-"

"Does n't weigh,"matte said."Hurry, get inside."

Albus just started hearing the vocalisation as they hurried inside the closet. It was a very tight squeeze and rose was stepping on his bequeath foot, but he said nothing as he shut the door. Two seconds later he heard the door to the subroutine library overt.

"It 's not working !"a adult female said. Her voice was muffled ; Albus could barely make up out what she said, let alone who she was.

"I ca n't hear anything,"Cedric whispered."Is this door unanimous mahogany or something ?"

"Shut up !"Matt seethed. He had his ear pressed to the door.

"The one time I do n't bring any Extendables with me,"Cedric muttered.

Albus pressed his ear up against the threshold. The voices were still muffled, but he could hear.

"I told you they 'd eat up the whole fellowship man affair,"another voice said. This one was male."Not to mention he 's Harry ceramist 's brother-in-law for God 's sake !"

"Harry ceramicist is an incompetent idiot and you know it,"the woman replied."He 's famous for something he did as a nipper and the cosmopolitan public is stunned to still think of him as the zep of the wizarding earthly concern. He 's gone soft."

"It 's Laurentis !"Matt said.

"How can you tell ?"Bradley asked."This door is so bloody thick."

"I just can,"Matt said.

Albus could n't recite that the voice was Laurentis 's, but based on what she was saying, Matt was properly.

"wellspring, what am I supposed to do about it ?"the man said.

"We 've got to think of something,"Laurentis said."The Azkaban debate is in a hebdomad. I 'm sure you can mean of something to do for that."

"I think that 's her campaign manager,"Matt said.

"She sounds abominable,"Albus said.

"It should n't be that hard. All we have to do is reveal Weasley for what he really is and get everyone to realize Potter 's not the grinder they all think he is,"Laurentis said.

"And who is Weasley, then ?"

"A pompous imbecile !"Laurentis exclaimed."You do n't really buy the whole fact that he supports his daughter 's Quidditch career, do you ? I 've seen the way she looks at him and there 's no way that 's real."

"You ca n't really know that-"

"I can,"she break up."I can read people, Pierce. That 's why I got into politics. It 's all about reading people and figuring out the Lie from the trueness. See what you can dig up. We 'd better restoration to the party. I left my begetter alone with Minister Langston. That wo n't turn out well."

"Yes, Ms. Laurentis,"President Pierce replied.

Albus heard the strait of high dog on hardwood floor, the door creak unresolved, and then click shut again. He waited two fully minute of arc and then opened the door to the closet. Everyone hurried out.

"What was that ?"matte demanded."What is she up to ?"

"How did you catch all that ?"Tom Bradley asked."Do you have super human earshot or something ?"

"Or something,"lustrelessness muttered,"but never mind that. Laurentis knows your dad 's putting on an act and is going to try to endanger him."He turned to Albus."And she is going to try and call on the wizarding world against your dad."

"She 's insane !"Albus exclaimed.

"You 've got to differentiate your uncle-"Matt began.

"No way,"Georgia said loudly."Trust me, all he 'll do is blame me for not playing my part well enough. This is n't leaving this room."

"But she 's going to subvert his hunting expedition,"Albus said.

"Georgia 's right,"Rose said."It wo n't help anything. crusade are half about digging up poop on the former campaigner. Anything she says about Uncle Harry, no one will trust it unless they 're an imbecile. Anyone with half a judgement knows he runs the Auror department well."

"If anyone says anything he 'll just get mad at us for spying,"Bradley added.

"Not to mention we 're not technically allowed in here,"Cedric pointed out.

"Oh, right,"Albus said."My dad did score me promise not to leave the ballroom."

"No one 's saying anything,"Peach State said."And I think we 'd all wagerer get back to the ballroom, just in case anyone notices we 're all gone.


Thanks for all the critique ! Remember to keep them 12+. Props to all who caught the 'mahogany'Hunger secret plan reference. Credit for that goes to Suzanne William Wilkie Collins. If any of you are members of the forums ( and if you 're not, you should be, link on the mightily position of the pageboy ! ), feel free to check out my Meet the author page ! It 's linked on my author page. Please ask me enquiry on my MTA page since I love answering them !


When they returned to the dance hall Albus was proud of to see that Balladanis was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he left to patrol the undercoat. Albus did n't really care ; all that mattered was that he was n't there anymore. Judging by the gang in the way, no one else had left yet, and they all seemed a bit more unruly, most likely due to the drinks.

Percy accosted them before they were even capable to get to the desert table to reload their plates with cake. He walked with purpose, similarly to the way he had walked when he took Albus and his friends to Kendrick 's study. He seemed very at house in the rector 's Mansion and it was n't even his yet.

"Empire State of the South !"he said."There you are. I 've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was in the loo. Something you need, Dad ?"Georgia asked.

"Er, yes, actually,"Percy replied."I need you to take Samantha and lindy hop home. It 's nearly football team and your mother and I are going to be here well past midnight. Samantha ate too much cake and feels ill. I just think it would be best for them to go rest home and get some sopor. They 're over at that table."Sir Henry Percy gestured to a nearby table, where Samantha and Lindy were sitting, both with their head in their hands, looking extremely bored.

Peach State raised her brow, as if surprised that Walker Percy was actually going to not only let three of his nestling leave, but postulation that they do so. Albus was surprised he 'd even call back about the fact that it was n't really a company for two nine-year-olds.

"Yeah, I can train them home,"Empire State of the South said.

"What about us ?"Bradley asked, gesturing to himself and Cedric."Could n't we take them home ?"

"I 'd rather Georgia do it,"Harry Hotspur said."You do n't even own your fantasm licence yet, Cedric. And Tom Bradley, you just got yours. You 're not ready to side-along Apparate two people."

"They do cause fireplaces here, Dad,"Tom Bradley muttered.

"Georgia 's taking them, and the two of you are staying here,"Percy said adamantly."Thank you, Georgia."

"You 're welcome,"Georgia said as Harry Hotspur strutted off to talk to some Ministry official."Ha !"she said once he was out of earshot."I get to leave."

"Shut up,"Cedric said."I 'm going to go find James."

Empire State of the South headed over to the tabular array her sis were sitting at while Tom Bradley and Cedric disappeared into the gang. Albus, Matt, and rose wine wandered over to the dessert table, piled a shell high-pitched with the biscuit a waiter had just set out, and then set off to find another table. They found one, which Victoire, Teddy, and Amy were vacating.

"Where are you three off to ?"Albus asked.

"We 've got early rounds tomorrow,"Victoire said."Five in the morning. If we 're lucky we 'll get four hours of sleep."

"I do n't see much degree in staying if they 're not here,"shift said."Technically I was n't even invited, but seeing as I 'm Harry Potter 's Godson, no one was going to kick me out."

Albus laughed."See you later, then."

After Victoire, shimmy, and Amy left Albus sat down and his Friend sat on either English. He absentmindedly chewed on a biscuit and watched the crowd.

"Do these taste funny to you ?"matt asked, holding up a partially exhaust biscuit.

Albus took another bite. They did appreciation Wyrd."Yeah."

rose burst out laughing and started pointing at their head."I think James messed with the biscuits instead of the punch. Al, your hair is puritanic and mat, yours is green."

Albus and Matt both started laughing. Albus took another look at the bunch."tone, that madam 's hairsbreadth is purple !"He pointed to a witch a few yards away. The bloke she was talking to was clearly trying not to stare at her head.

Over the next few moment people gradually began to realize that their hair was turning respective colors and that the biscuits were the culprit. Wands appeared everywhere, as the guests charmed each other 's hair back to its rule color. Another minute of arc later Albus spotted both of his parents walking around the perimeter of the room, clearly looking for James, but he was nowhere in sight.

"I like this clowning,"Albus said."I 'm leaving my hair as is."

"Me too,"Matt agreed. They both turned to Rose."You should eat one."

rosiness sighed."Might as well."She took a biscuit and a minute later her formerly red hairsbreadth was a lovely tint of pink.

The rest of the political party was rather irksome. Harry eventually found James and told him he 'd be staying in his elbow room for the difference of the holiday, only being allowed out for repast. When midnight rolled around Albus, Matt, and blush wine toasted to the new year with Lily and Hugo. Matt and his parents left immediately afterward and Albus and his family left a forgetful while later. Albus was relieved to be going house since the night had been exhausting, and he still could n't get the conversation he overheard in the library out of his mind.
***


"It 's here !"James shouted the succeeding morning at breakfast, brandishing a transcript of thaumaturge powder magazine. The front line covering fire was a flick of Albus 's grandparents, his mum, Uncle Walker Percy, Uncle Bill, Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, and Uncle Ron.

"Let me see it !"Albus shouted.

"No, I got it first !"St. James shouted back.

"I want to read it first !"Lily exclaimed.

"small fry, decide down !"Ginny said."Epistle of James got it first. Al can read it next, and then Lily."

"Not fair,"Lily muttered."I 'm never first."

That was a lie, Albus thought to himself. It was either James or Lily who got affair first, never Albus. Curse of being the middle child, he figured.

Albus sat and ate his breakfast while James read the clause. His brother let out groans and suspiration and even laughter while he read, which made Albus even more anxious to say it. After what seemed the like forever, it was finally Albus 's play. He yanked the magazine out of James 's hand and opened it up to the article.

The first pageboy ( or rather, first two pages ), contained the picture of his entire family line. Albus had been right in guessing that there was no way the photographer could 've gotten a picture that they all looked good in. Albus himself at least attend halfway decent. He was smiling and kept turning to await at Rose and then back to the camera. Lily on the former deal, was caught mid-grimace and always returned to that place every few seconds. Across the photograph was the public figure of the article- 'Christmas With the Weasleys .'Albus turned the page and looked at all the other photographs that accompanied the article before reading it. There was one of Walker Percy, Corrine, and their fry. Another featured Percy and Albus 's dad. Then there was the one with him playing Exploding Snap with the twins and Percy, as well as the one with Percy and Amanda playing chess. The caption on that read 'Minister bright Percy Weasley challenges the Prime pastor 's niece to a game of chess .'Amanda was not going to be happy, Albus thought as he turned his attention to the article.

When I first entered the childhood home of Percy
Weasley I immediately noticed the delicious smells
that filled the air. Molly Weasley, Walker Percy 's mother,
was hard at work cooking Christmas Eve dinner. The
small, but cozy, home was filled to capacity with
Weasleys, although it only grew more crowded with
the arriver of the Potters an hour later.

The Weasley class gathers for Yule at the
nursing home of Arthur and Molly Weasley every yr.
Arthur, a go to bed Ministry employee, says ,'I
love having the integral family together. It 's
disorderly, but I would n't have it any other way .'
The eve begins with a repast, although eating
seems to shoot shoes over many hours. The atmosphere
is homy and happy, with every single kin
phallus enjoying their time with each other.

Walker Percy Weasley, a loving father of five, joins in
on the fun and Christmas flavor by challenging
his nine-year-old daughters Samantha and lindy hop,
as well as nephew Albus Potter, 14, to a game
of Exploding Snap .'I feel it 's important to
spend time with my children, as well as my nieces
and nephews ,'Weasley said, 'we have such petty
sentence with them before they go off to Hogwarts.
My eldest is already out on her own and my sons
only have a little fourth dimension left at Hogwarts. The
twins are still young, so I try to spend prison term
with them every single day .'When asked
about their father 's campaign, Samantha said,
'I want him to win. He 's good at his job .'
Lindy merely shrugged, 'It would be cool off if he
win, but he 'll still just be Dad to us .'

The home of Chester Alan Arthur and Molly Weasley is not
only open to Weasleys at Christmas Day clip. This
year they were joined by a friend of Albus ceramist
and pink wine Weasley, 14. Amanda tagging program, also 14, is
a fourth year student at Hogwarts. tagger is no
stranger to political folk since her uncle
is Michael Smythe, heyday Minister of Great
Britain .'I think it is just rattling that
the flower rector 's niece is a witch ,'Hotspur
said. 'We are always trying to further a
healthy relationship with the Muggle Ministry
and this will only help .'

Before posing for the photograph found on varlet
20 and 21, the Weasley family first donned
their Weasley jumpers. Each fellow member of the family
receives one of these pinny for Christmas
every class. The traditional jumpers are knitted
by mollie Weasley .'I 'm not sure how it started,
really ,'molly said, when asked about the inception
of the jumpers ,'I suppose it was when placard and
Charlie were little, before Harry Hotspur was born. I
wanted to pucker them matching jumpers and they
outgrew them by the take after yr, so I made
new 1. Then when Hotspur was born he needed one
so it soon grew into a each year affair .'

If I had to choose one word to describe the Weasley
kin, I would choose 'laid-back .'Spending a
Christmas Eve with this family, you would never
think that they were famous for their efforts in
the war against Voldemort. They are just so normal.
eventide Harry Potter, Head Auror, is just your
average father. He spends Xmas Eve joking
around with his brothers-in-law and playing games
with his tike, nieces, and nephews. I asked
him what a typical Christmas day is like in the
Weasley house and he responded with, 'Quidditch.
We live for Quidditch. No thing the weather we
get out there every Christmas and play a lucifer or
two. Then we 'll come up inside and have dinner, all
of us together. It 's simple, but perfect .'

There you have it. Yule with the Weasleys
summed up in one sentence by none other than Harry
Potter himself. I thoroughly enjoyed spending
Christmas Eve with Percy Weasley and his entire
folk. Next prison term I consultation him, I really must
ask for his mother 's sheepherder 's pie formula. It
truly is wonderful.

"Really ?"Albus asked after handing the magazine to Lily."After all that ? She interviewed half the menage and only quoted a few of us ?"

"I 'm guessing the balance could n't really be used for the eccentric of article she was going for,"King James I pointed out."observance how she only included overeat Samantha and lindy hop said."

"And she made it seem like the photographer just happened to take moving-picture show of us playing biz with Uncle Harry Hotspur,"Albus said."All of that was staged."

"That 's news media,"Ginny said."Not good journalism, mind you, but it is fairly common practice."

"I guess it could take been worse,"Albus said.

"Yes, it could give been,"Ginny agreed."I think we 're all just grateful she did n't stay for Christmastime dinner."

Epistle of James laughed."I wonder how she would 've birl that. I 'm stunned no one 's figured out that Uncle Walker Percy does n't really like that Empire State of the South plays Quidditch."

"Keep your rima oris shut about that, James,"Ginny said quietly.

"Anyone with half a Einstein could see it,"James II muttered.

Albus said nothing. He still was n't completely sure that saying nothing about Laurentis figuring that out was the properly thing to do. But he could n't exactly say anything, not when all his cousin and Matt had agreed not to.

"William James,"Ginny said."sufficiency. And I suggest you use the remainder of your break to learn for those O.W.L.s. June is a lot earlier than you think."

James certainly did a good job of pretending to read for the residue of the holiday, while shut up in his room for his punishment. Albus noticed that while he always had a book cracked open nearby, to grab when one of their parents walked into the room, it was always the same Book, opened to the Saami page. Albus was amazed neither of his parents realized that, but he supposed both of them had their minds on Percy 's election. Albus finished all his preparation before the weekend, leaving him with two blissful days of doing null. On Sat he, along with his parents, James, and Lily, visited Kaden and his family for a late Christmastime and New Year 's celebration. Albus was relieved that Kaden 's grandparents were n't there.

Mon arrived and it was sentence to go back to Hogwarts. Albus was quite happy about this because he had grown bored of staying at nursing home and doing zip and was sick of being in such near twenty-five percent with James and Lily. At least in Gryffindor tugboat they kept to their own groups of friend. But mostly, Albus wanted to get Amanda 's take on the conversation they overheard at the parson 's Mansion.

"Everyone 's staring at me,"Amanda said as she entered the compartment Albus, Rose, Matt, bathroom, and Kaden were occupying."Took me ages to line up you, just because citizenry kept wanting to blab to me. It 's that dullard powder magazine article. Now everyone knows I 'm the peak Minister 's niece."

"It was bound to materialise Oklahoman or later,"blush wine pointed out."But I 'm sorry. If I 'd acknowledge the newsman was going to talk about that, I would n't have invited you for Christmas."

"No, it 's OK,"Amanda said as she sat down."I 'm glad I went. It 's just annoying. guesswork I know how it feels to be you lot."

"Except us,"John said as he gestured to himself and Kaden."We 're normal."

"You 're normal, John,"Amanda said."But Kaden 's Harry ceramicist 's first-class honours degree cousin-german once removed or something."

"And that really makes me question how I got wrapped up in all this,"John said."My parents just are n't nearly as ambitious as yours all are."

"How was that party, by the way ?"Amanda asked.

"Mostly oil production,"Albus said."But we did wind up in a tiny closet with my cousins Empire State of the South, Bradley, and Cedric and overheard a conversation between Laurentis and her campaign manager."

"You what ?"John exclaimed."And you did n't think that warranted an owl ?"

"We wanted to tell you in someone,"Albus said."The conversation was really weird."

"Tell us !"Amanda said.

Albus explained what he overheard, with helper from lusterlessness, who had been able-bodied to take heed it a bit more clearly. toilet and Kaden looked slightly uncomfortable when they finished, but Amanda did n't seem at all surprised or upset.

"That ca n't be expert,"John said."What do you think she 's planning ?"

"That 's just it, I do n't know,"Albus said."And all my cousins and Matt agreed not to say anything-"

"They 're veracious, of course,"Amanda said."You 'd just stir up trouble. Your uncle has got to focus on convincing people he 's the right one for the job, not discrediting everything Laurentis says."

"But she 's going to try and convince everyone my dad 's a bad Auror,"Albus pointed out.

"Your dad is n't running for minister of religion,"Amanda said."And honestly, I do n't think she 's going to be able to convince all of wizarding United Kingdom that your dad 's incompetent by April."

"But what about the Georgia thing-"

"Albus,"Amanda said as she stared directly at him,"this is what politician do. Half the campaign is spent trying to convert multitude the opposition is bad for the job. As a lot as it should just be spent on trying to convince people they 're right for the job, candidate just do n't do that. Trust me. My uncle 's on his bit term. I know how these affair work."

"I guess,"Albus said. He felt slightly better about it, now that he had Amanda 's sentiment, but he still felt uneasy."Something is going to take place at the Azkaban debate, though. She wanted her campaign manager to dig something up."

"Worst case scenario, she figures out that your uncle Harry Hotspur does n't really approve of Peach State 's Quidditch calling,"Amanda said."Then he 'll give way an audience and say that at first he was n't because he was worried about her future but then he saw her playing period and now he realizes how good she is and rant, blah, blah. It 'll be fixed."

"She 's right, Albus,"rosiness said. The others nodded.

"How do you know all this ?"Albus asked."I mean, seriously."

"I 'm an excellent eavesdropper,"Amanda said with a grin."And all without Extendable Ears."

"Amazing,"trick agreed.

"It 's simple, really,"Amanda said."Be the kid in your family that goes unnoticed. My older sister is the drama poove, so everything that happens to her, no matter how small, is a huge peck. My little sidekick is a brat who demands constant attention. Me ? I 'm the quieten one. They 'll deliver whole conversations about hooey in front of me that they 'd never make in front of either my brother or sister."

Kaden laughed."Bet that changed when you found out you were a witch."

"At for the first time, but then me being a witch became normal,"Amanda said.

flatness let out a low whistle."Wish I had that acquisition. I still ca n't even go into the Same room as my parents without one of them asking me if I feel okay. Bit of an overstatement, but still."

"I think my parents spend too much of their childhoods eavesdropping on people to give me a becoming chance at it,"Albus said."They know all the tricks."

"So do mine,"rose wine said."I swear my mum can feel an Extendable Ear a mi away."

"I think I 'm too loud,"John said.

"Same,"Kaden agreed.

"So, would you trust me if I said I actually wanted to go to the Azkaban argument ?"John asked as he opened a box of Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor Beans.

Rose burst out laughing."Really, John Lackland ?"

"Yes, really,"John said, popping a dome into his oral cavity."Butter, Weird. If Laurentis is going to do something, I want to be right there to witness it."

"Maybe you 'll get prosperous and you 'll get picked,"Amanda said."I hope I get picked for one."

"I bet they 'll let you go to all of them now, being the Prime pastor's niece and all,"John the Evangelist said.

"Not necessarily,"Amanda said.

"You can always demand my speckle, John,"Matt said as he got up to steal a fistful of John 's Bertie Bott 's."Full moon 's on Friday, so I wo n't be going."

"Maybe you can convince lady Pomfrey, since it 's educational,"Kaden said.

flatness popped a bean into his lip and then promptly spat it out."Ew, stain. Does n't matter what Madam Pomfrey says. Day after the entire synodic month ? I 'll be asleep. You 'll just give birth to rent banknote and let me know what happens."

John groaned."I 'll pass on your spotlight if I have to take notes."

"person 's going to throw to take up preeminence either way,"lustrelessness said."I 'll need them for the essay that Embry will assign."

"Do n't care, I 'll get notes,"blush wine told him.

"Thanks,"matte replied."Now, who 's wants this attic ? It looks just like dirt, but it could be chocolate."Matt held up a suspiciously brown bean.

"I 'll drive it !"John said. He took a petite nybble, screwed up his face, and threw the rest of the noggin back at Matt, hitting him square on the os frontale."Thanks, mate, another dirt."

Albus laughed and took a handful of bean plant. The remainder of the trip was much more lighthearted than their conversation about the campaign tactics of Laurentis and Walker Percy. They finished off John 's Bertie Bott 's, growing braver as the box emptied. Albus stopped after he got a vomit flavored one, but enjoyed it immensely when Kaden ate one of the same flavor. The geartrain drive went quickly and soon they arrived in Hogsmeade station with Hogwarts, Albus 's bit rest home, just a short carriage ride away.


Sorry for the former update ! My cousin-german got married on Friday so I was gone the unscathed weekend and did n't have my computer with me. Thanks to my baby, Linda, who in my folk, is just like Amanda and can eavesdrop on everyone. She gave me the theme for that. Thanks for all the endearing reviews !


"This full term we will centre on how the first and secondment wars against Voldemort shaped how the Ministry of Magic is organized today,"professor Embry announced after the bell rang for Tuesday 's politics social class."This part of the class will overlap with your history of thaumaturgy division quite a bit, although I 'd run a risk a guess that none of you pay care in History of conjuring trick, not that I blame you. I never could stay put awake in that class either.

"beginning, we will take a closer look at exactly how the Ministry was organized prior to Voldemort 's rise to power and why it was such a problem,"Embry continued."office of the reasonableness why Voldemort was capable to rise to magnate as quickly as he did was because the Ministry was susceptible to a takeover. Since then, care have been taken to forestall a standardised office. Does anyone know the main difference of opinion between the Ministry before Voldemort and the Ministry now ?"

A few manpower went up in the air, including Amanda 's. Albus knew the solution, but he did n't really desire to resurrect his hand. He preferred listening during class.

"Yes, Miss tagging program ?"

"The Minister was n't elected,"Amanda said,"which is odd because the Muggle Minister is elected, sort of. It 's not like in the United States, but the world votes on which party will be in power."

"Exactly,"Embry said."Prior to the reorganization of the Ministry of thaumaturgy in 1998, the minister of religion was appointed by the Wizengamot. Can anyone tell me why that is a problem ?"

Amanda 's hand shot into the air once more. She was even faster than Rose in this class.

"young woman Tagger ?"

"It was bad because the mass had no tycoon. Only the Wizengamot had any power in the Ministry, because they were the ones who appointed the Minister, who then appointed all the early functionary. No one had any say in anything."

"Right again. Ten full point to Gryffindor,"Embry said."The Wizengamot, prior to 1998, was a chemical group of very influential witches and wizards, mostly purebloods, who essentially ran the Ministry of magic. They also served as the juridic system. These hag and wizards inherited their seats on the Wizengamot from kinfolk members because each influential phratry in the British wizarding world once held a derriere in the Wizengamot. The problems with this are obvious because it meant that only purebred and a select few half-bloods had any semblance of power."

Albus was scribbling furiously. He knew the fundamentals of the political arrangement just from overhearing his parents'conversations, but the particular were muzzy. Now that he was learning the gritty details, he wondered why it took so long for the Ministry to be reorganized. It seemed like it was based solely on blood status and how practically money somebody had, which was n't right.

Embry continued to explain the old Ministry and the various magnate that each person or grouping of people in the Ministry had prior to Voldemort 's reign. By the end of the lecture Albus had just over a foot of short letter, which was good because Embry had already set them an essay.

"Before you leave, I 'll announce who will be attending Saturday 's disputation,"Embry said after he finished lecturing."Like last time, Albus ceramist, Rose Weasley, and Matt Eckerton will be able-bodied to attend. The two Hufflepuffs who will be attending are Elaine Asterly and Parker Wayland the Smith. The two Gryffindors are Amanda Tagger and Ethan Kesse. You will report to the Great Hall at ten and wait for instructions from the prefects waiting by the threshold. Everyone else will be listening to the debate via radiocommunication in the Transfiguration classroom. I expect an essay on which prospect you feel made their compass point better by next year. You are dismissed."

"I guess I wo n't get to go to all the debates after all,"Amanda said as they left the classroom.

"This one will be well, though,"Rose said."You 're lucky they picked you for it."

"Wish I got picked,"St. John lamented.

"I 'm telling you, just go instead of me,"Matt insisted."William Tell them I 'm ill and you 're taking my spot."

"I really do n't guess they 'll let-"

"planning on being ill on Sabbatum, are you ?"

Albus and his champion stopped in the middle of the corridor, turning around to see Scorpius Malfoy behind them, his arms crossed across his chest. He looked arrogant and vaguely annoyed as usual, but there was something else there. He looked slightly upset and for some reasonableness, that unnerved Albus.

"grant it a eternal rest, Malfoy,"bathroom said, stepping closer to the Slytherin."We get that you know. We 've gotten over it."

Scorpius stepped finisher, ignoring John and turning to flatness."How do you get into the scream shack ?"he demanded.

Matt 's grimace paled. John grabbed detainment of Scorpio 's robe and dragged him into a nearby classroom. can had at least four inches on Malfoy, so it did n't seem hard. Albus and the others followed, blush wine shutting and locking the door behind them.

"Why do you want to bang about the Shrieking Shack ?"lavatory asked as he let go of Scorpius.

"None of your business,"Scorpius said, glancing at the locked door. He slowly drew his wand.

John drew his own baton."Put your wand away. And it 's his business organisation which makes it all of our business."Saint John gestured to lustrelessness, who had sat down on one of the desks.

"There 's five of you. Like snake pit I 'm putting my wand away. So I am right, he does transform in the shrieking Shack,"Scorpius said with a sly grin. The smell of sadness Albus thought he 'd seen was gone ; maybe he 'd imagined it.

"whoremaster !"matt exclaimed."Now look what you 've done !"

"Sorry,"John said."I did n't mean to-"

"Never intellect,"Matt said, getting up from the desk and walking over to toilet and Scorpius."How did you figure it out ?"

"Where else could you translate safely ?"Scorpius asked."I did a little research in the library and that was built the summer before Remus lupin started at Hogwarts and everyone knows he was a loup-garou. No one ever lived in it, but people reported take heed Wyrd noises from it. Everyone said it was ghosts, but they went strangely quiet down seven age later, only to reappear four and a half age ago, when we started at Hogwarts. Quite a coincidence, I thought. And now I see that I 'm right."

Albus was form of shocked Scorpio had done all that enquiry and put everything together. Perhaps he was smarter than Albus and his acquaintance gave him credit for.

"Well, you ca n't separate anyone, just like you ca n't tell anyone I 'm a wolfman,"Matt said."Kendrick would expel you."

"I do n't deal that it 's where you transform,"Scorpius said."The item is that it 's void except for one Night of the month. How do you get in ?"

"I 'm not telling,"matt said.

"mulct, I 'll figure it out myself,"Scorpio said, pointing his wand at the door. The lock clicked and he strolled over to the threshold, opened it, and left.

"That was Weird,"Albus said as soon as Scorpius was gone.

"Yeah,"Matt said, sitting down on the near desk."Why does he want to get in the shriek Shack ?"

"Clearly he needs someplace that 's evacuate, but the doubtfulness is what is he planning on doing ?"Rose asked."And did anyone else notice that he seemed a bit sad in the corridor ?"

"I thought I 'd imagined that,"Albus said.

"You did n't. He 's definitely upset about something,"Rose said.

Matt groaned."He better not actually figure out how to get in there."

"If he does, he would n't be slow enough to go in there during a full moon,"Albus pointed out.

"Yeah, but still. That 's my space,"Matt muttered."I need a nap. I think I 'm going to vamoose dinner and just go back to Gryffindor. I 'll see you later."

Matt hopped off the desk and left the room. Albus sighed. The net thing he wanted, amidst all of the election stuff and his mob 's dramatic play, was another issue with Scorpio Malfoy, but it looked like matter were heading in that direction.
***


The following morning when Albus and his friends entered the Great Hall for breakfast the scholar already eating were much meretricious than normal. Albus turned to Rose, who shrugged in confusion, as they walked inside. Everyone in the elbow room, educatee and teacher alike, were talking ominously. written matter of the Prophet were exchanging hired hand faster than the Quaffle during a Gryffindor/Slytherin match.

"Albus !"James shouted once they reached the Gryffindor table."Read this. There 's been a break-out at Azkaban."

"Again ?"Albus exclaimed, hurrying over to where James was sitting. He took the paper and his friends crowded around him.

"Not like go meter,"James said darkly."High-profile captive and more of them. expiry Eaters. There has n't been a break-out like this in years. Not since our parents were our age."

Albus 's core began to Syrian pound as he unfolded the newspaper publisher. There it was, right on the look Thomas Nelson Page. A big photograph montage of five people, all gaunt and evil-looking, was right in the middle, with the words 'Five prisoner Break Out of Azkaban'above them and an article below them. Albus 's stomach churned when he recognized the picture of the heart prisoner. It was Quinton Willinson. His eyes drifted to the article so he could figure out who the others were.

Early this morning Azkaban officials
reported that five high security prisoner
escaped late cobbler's last night. It is unreadable how
they managed to do so. The prisoners, all
imprisoned for felonies, should be regarded
as serious and should not be approached.

Four of the five prisoner have been in
Azkaban since 1998, having been imprisoned
for war law-breaking. They are Alecto Carrow,
Amycus Carrow, Fenrir Greyback, and Dolores
Umbridge. All but Umbridge are proven Death
Eaters. The fifth captive, Quinton Willinson,
has been in and out of prison since 2018,
having escaped and been recaptured just concluding
year.

'Finding and recapturing these individuals is
our top priority ,'headspring Auror, Harry Potter,
said to reporters early this dayspring. parson
candidate and Head Azkaban functionary, Patricia
Laurentis, refused to notice on the break-out.
The Auror department has asked all those with
tips to report them to the Ministry via owl
immediately.

Albus sat stunned after reading the clause. Three Death feeder, Dolores Umbridge, and Quinton Willinson had escaped from Azkaban. How did that happen ? How did five eminent security measure captive just escape with no one stopping them ? It did n't stool sense.

"This is not going to bring in Laurentis appear good,"Amanda said quietly.

"Forget Laurentis, this is bad,"Albus said."Very bad. Umbridge is malevolent, twisted evil. My dad 's got cicatrix on his helping hand from what she did to him when she was a teacher here. And the Carrows, they were teachers, too. They taught iniquity Arts. Not defense mechanism, but actual nighttime Arts, and how to torture Muggles. Greyback-"

"Greyback bites hoi polloi, for fun,"Matt said, his side pale white."He 's the one who bit shimmy 's dad."

"The four of them,"Albus began,"the four of them make Quinton Willinson look like a unicorn."

"That 's the weird affair,"blush wine said."The others are in prison for life for war crimes. Willinson will be in there for a patch, but he 'll get parole eventually and the only reason he 's a high security department prisoner is because he escaped before. So why did he break out with the others ? Why did they let him in on it ? They 're up to something."

Albus had n't even thought of that. Why was Quinton Willinson now connected with war criminal who had been in prison house since before he was born ? It did n't make sense. Albus thought about it throughout all his stratum that day, but did n't arrive up with any answers.

It was obvious that the Azkaban break-out had unnerved the integral castle. professor spoke in low whispers when they thought students were n't around, scholar no longer wandered the castle by themselves, and even Scorpius Malfoy seemed a bit more subdued during dueling recitation on Thursday.

All five prisoner still remained at magnanimous on Friday, when Ministry officials began arriving for the debate. Laurentis still had yet to comment on the break-out, which struck Albus as strange. Azkaban was her dominion and yet she said zippo on the subject.

"Is it just me or are there even more reporters here than there were hold up time ?"Albus asked.

"It 's not just you,"Amanda said.

Albus, lustrelessness, John, and Amanda were walking back to the castle from charge of Magical Creatures. It was obtuse going since the wax synodic month was that night and Matt was exhausted, but luckily the weather was unseasonably tender for January. They 'd just been passed by a group of hurried looking reporters coming up from Hogsmeade.

"There 's probably more because of the break-out,"mat said."Laurentis is going to have to finally say something about it tomorrow since the topic is Azkaban."

"Does anyone else think it 's weird that there was a break-out three days before the Azkaban public debate ?"Albus asked.

"I thought of that, too,"Amanda said."Very weird coincidence."

"fountainhead, it 'll be unspoiled for your uncle,"whoremaster said."Laurentis is going to look like an idiot, not being able to keep five high security measures captive in Azkaban."

Albus nodded. He supposed that was one upright thing that came from three decease Eaters escaping from Azkaban, not that there was anything good about it.

"I 'm skipping spell,"lustrelessness said through a oscitance."And Ancient Runes."

"I 'm storm you did n't skitter Care of Magical Creatures,"John said.

lusterlessness shrugged."I felt okay earlier, probably because of the nap I took in History of Magic."

John laughed."I felt much better after my nap in history of deception, too."

"Very funny,"lustrelessness said as they reached the castle.

Albus found it increasingly hard to centre on anything for the residuum of the day. By the prison term he went to ancient Runes he was unable to mean about anything besides the break-out and the fact that Death Eaters were now roaming discharge. Deep down he knew he was perfectly prophylactic at Hogwarts, but it was still troubling.

professor Kendrick welcomed the Ministry officials to Hogwarts at dinner that dark and Albus thought back to the last debate, when Hogwarts had housed the Ministry officials. He was very glad that this time he would n't be confessing to a prank to his uncle in the Gryffindor usual way. Neither King John or Kaden had done their retaliation prank to the Slytherins yet and Albus sort of hoped they would n't.

After a fitful sleep Albus woke early on Sat dawning and contemplated visiting Matt before everyone else woke up, but figured that Matt would be asleep and thus it would be pointless to visit. He 'd chatter with everyone else later, after the argument. They 'd let good deal of time sine there was n't going to be a enquiry and reply academic session this clock time.

At ten o'clock Albus, Rose, and Amanda stood in line in front of the Great vestibule, waiting to be let inside. John had decided not to bother asking if he could take matte 's place, since he did n't want to attract any attending to the fact that lusterlessness was not there.

"Albus,"Rose whispered, poking him in the side of meat."looking. Malfoy 's here."

Albus glanced over to where Rose was pointing and saw that Scorpius was in fact waiting in line. He looked sullen and upset again and Albus wished he knew why. It was unearthly seeing Malfoy, the usually arrogant cocksucker, upset.

"Guess he won the Slytherin daub,"Albus said.

The door to the Great Hall opened and Albus and rose wine said goodbye to Amanda before they were lead to the front of the way by a Slytherin prefect. They were seated in the same row they were before, along with the rest of their Hogwarts cousins.

The Great Hall slowly filled up over the future half hour. The rest of Albus 's first cousin, aunts, and uncles arrived, taking spots in the front end few wrangle. Albus caught GA 's eye as she took her buttocks in the row on the opposite position of the elbow room from him and she gave him a little grinning.

Albus wondered if Laurentis 's campaign director had actually found anything on Uncle Percy and whether she would say anything during the debate. With the break-out, he hoped she 'd been too busy to dig up much dirt or even think about exposing anything.

Albus turned to the front of the room and watched a very short man accompany Professor Kendrick to the moderator 's podium. He was dressed in Ministry blueing gown and had very little whisker on his head.

"aid, please !"Kendrick shouted. The bunch quieted."Thank you. I 'd like to welcome all of you to Hogwarts and introduce our moderator for this break of the day. Victor Farleigh, Head of the section of Magical Transportation."

"Thank you, Professor,"the shortly, balding man said."I 'd now like to introduce our candidates, although I am trusted you all know them. Mr. Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

Walker Percy and Laurentis walked into the room from one of the antechambers and took their property at each of the dais. Percy looked as positive as always and Laurentis, despite the scandal of the break-out, looked poised and excited.

"Today we will be debating the judicial system, specifically Azkaban prison house,"Farleigh announced."The usual dominion apply. Five instant debate, two minute rebuttals."

Laurentis inched closelipped to her pulpit, as if she was readying herself to swoop on whatever Percy said. Hotspur remained calm and gather up, continuing to act as the role of the cool politician.

"Mr. Weasley, you will answer first. Do you feel that the discriminative system as a whole is comely to both the accused and victims of crimes ? Are the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot fair ?"

"I believe everyone is able-bodied to get a clean trial by the Wizengamot,"Sir Henry Percy began."I have reviewed many cases, and while I am not nor do I pretend to be a solicitor, and I feel that the majority of the prison term handed out by the Wizengamot fit the crime. However, there is always a chance that a somebody shamed of a criminal offence will go disengage, as there is an rival chance that someone will be wrongfully imprisoned. The judicial scheme works hard to make indisputable this happens as infrequently as potential and corrects wrongs when they do occur."

"Ms. Laurentis ?"

"I disagree with my opponent,"Laurentis said."Most of the sentence handed out by the Wizengamot are not abrasive enough. Ever since the defeat of Voldemort prison prison term have grown shorter, with the exception of those imprisoned for war crimes. And one guilty person who roams disengage is too many. If I am elective rector I will process hard to ensure that no hangdog people get off. Prisoners belong in Azkaban and the Wizengamot is far too lenient."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"While a goal of not having any shamed people get set free is desirable, it is unrealistic,"Walker Percy said."The Wizengamot is composed of witch and genius like you and me. They are not any more powerful than we are and do not possess the ability to fuck for sure that the accused are guilty. misapprehension find and while we should work to minimize them, it is very unrealistic to say that we can get rid of them completely. Ms. Laurentis is offering untrue hope."

"I am not offering false hope,"Laurentis said."There are enchantment, potions, style to find out if people are guilty that the Wizengamot does not use. If I am elected Minister I will O.K. use of these and they will attend to the Wizengamot in ensuring that no guilty felon are set free."

Albus agreed with his uncle. There was no possible way Laurentis could guarantee that all outlaw would be imprisoned.

"Next interrogative,"Farleigh said."Ms. Laurentis, you will go first. Do you feel the watchword organization is efficacious ?"

Laurentis gave a wry grin before beginning."Much like the Wizengamot, the word of honor system is too lenient. I have seen criminals hangdog of grand larceny get paroled after a mere two geezerhood in prison. The statistic are clear, most of these criminals who are paroled early on in their sentences wind up back in Azkaban within a twelvemonth, whether for breaking the rules of their watchword or committing another crime. As psyche of Azkaban, I am able to give my stimulation of whether a prisoner is paroled or not, but in the end it is up to the Wizengamot."

"Mr. Weasley."

"As my opponent has said, many malefactor are paroled too quickly. However, I do not believe that leaving them in Azkaban yearner is the answer. If I am elected I will create and fend for a better organization for integrating criminals back into society. Muggles have seen succeeder with halfway houses and I feel we should try that in wizarding society."

"Halfway mansion ?"Laurentis said with raised supercilium."An connive idea. However, Mr. Weasley lacks the experience that I have with dealing with captive. Most are not fit for club and many never will be. Even with halfway houses they will thread up back in Azkaban. Why spend the money on trying to rehabilitate when it wo n't work ?"

"It 's about giving masses a chance,"Percy said."Not everyone is a preoccupied cause and should be written off so quickly. Many prisoner have made a few bad selection as a result of bad childhood and a bit of rehabilitation will set them straight."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh said."succeeding motion. Is Azkaban an capture place to house prisoners ? Is the adeptness still doing its job ?"

Percy shifted a bit before answering."Azkaban is an appropriate facility for high security prisoner, but I have always felt that we need a less intimidating building to family our lower security prisoners. Right now all criminals, from those who committed petty theft or skipped bail to those who have murdered masses, are all housed in Azkaban. I have been to Azkaban. Despite the fact that it is no longer in control of the dementors it is still a terrifying and high protection shoes. It also requires a lot of money for its care. If we were to build a smaller building located on the mainland to house crushed security measure prisoner, we would be able to decrease spending at Azkaban itself. We could then increase security department at Azkaban without wasting effort and money on less life-threatening criminals."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"How is building another facility going to save money ?"Laurentis asked."Once again you show your ignorance in the judicial scheme and Azkaban. I believe that Azkaban is doing its job perfectly well. I am in charge of the prison, including its sustenance and it is in thoroughgoing condition. We are not spending an horrific measure of money on the space. Further, I do not trust that less dangerous criminals deserve a take down security prison. They are all criminal and if they did not like to be in Azkaban, they should not have committed a crime."

"Maintaining Azkaban is expensive,"Percy said."It is also extremely difficult to engage guard duty because of its placement and oecumenical feel of the shoes, not to mention the grave criminal. If we housed less dangerous criminals in another construction, it would be well-to-do to receive guards to work there. We could then use the guards leave to guard high up security prisoners only to hold high security prisoners. We would no longer induce to waste them on lower security measures prisoners."

"But we will still have to maintain Azkaban, and then another edifice,"Laurentis pointed out."It just makes far to a greater extent sense to keep all criminals in one position and an island is a adept situation to do that-"

"Obviously not that good, given the escape-"

"Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh interrupted."You are speaking out of turn. It is time to impress on to the next question. In luminance of the late Azkaban break-out, what do you feel want to be done to ensure it does not go on again ?"

Laurentis gazed out over the crowd. Albus felt like she was looking directly at him, but assumed she just had that ability to seem to be looking every individual in the eye at once. She then turned to Harry Hotspur and gave him one of those creepy smile that seemed to let become her signature facial nerve formulation. Albus turned to rosebush, who raised her eyebrows and shrugged.

"I am well cognisant that I have remained pipe down on the matter of the break-out,"Laurentis began,"and I have done that on purpose. I see that all of the newsman in the back have their Quik-Quotes pinion poised and ready to write down my every give-and-take on this subject. Surely you 're all hoping to be the first to publish my thoughts.

"You 're probably all assuming I will traverse that there is anything wrong with the security at the prison and that the break-out was a bare fluke and it wo n't pass again. I am not going to say either. There is a problem and if we do not fix it, it will occur again. Every single one of those escaped prisoner is highly dangerous and if we do not recapture them soon, who knows what will bechance. When they are captured, we will ask to ingest better security in place. After all, what is more of import that the safe of our small fry ? With those five prisoners roaming free, every person in this way, in this rook, in this nation is in danger.

"Fortunately, I have a resolution. It is a controversial answer, but I feel we need to go to extremes to protect our families, especially our tiddler. That is why if elected rector, the first thing I will do is restore the dementors as Azkaban guards."


Sorry about the cliff hanger ! I did n't need to do it but the chapter was twice as long as they normally are and there really was n't a good place to split it. Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


Albus let out a gasp, as did everyone else in the room. The Great Hall was suddenly in chaos. Everyone was whispering and a few people had let out war cry of scandal or excitement. Albus could practically hear the newsman'calamus scratching across rolls of parchment, and Laurentis was grinning again. Harry Hotspur stood behind his rostrum, his mouth seeming to be frozen in a wide, gaping office. Farleigh was attempting to gain order, and failing.

"That is literally harebrained !"rosebush exclaimed."Reinstate the dementors ? Is she mad ? Is she throwing the election ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."But she must be mad. Will people actually approve of this ? Will she even be able to do it ?"

rose nodded."Whoever she gets to supplant herself as straits of Azkaban will surely need the dementors back, too. Then she 'll okay it as diplomatic minister and it 'll pass."

"But it would be stupid to convey them back,"Albus said.

"It would,"Rose agreed."They 're severe and their allegiance changes so easily. But to be true, I 'm not sure everyone will palpate that way. Not with those captive on the loose."

"Quiet, quiet !"Professor Kendrick shouted. The crowd finally settled down.

"Mr. Weasley, it is your turn to mouth,"Farleigh said exasperatingly.

Sir Henry Percy shook his head to regain his composure. He 'd lost his sang-froid, equanimity, and collected political leader looking and now he looked more like he did after arguing with Georgia about her Quidditch career.

"Well, I, er, do not think that dementors are the answer to the surety problems in Azkaban,"Percy said."What we need are more skilled guards in charge of high security captive as well as a revamp of the spell and enchantments currently keeping prisoners inside. It will also avail to go over the organization of the guard docket because at the time of the escape, only three guard were maintaining that percentage of the prison. That was surely an inadvertence that could induce been prevented."

"Human misplay,"Laurentis said."It happens and it will happen again. Can we really risk the lives of our small fry in the chance that another erroneous belief will occur ? Dementors were establish guards who did not allow prisoner to elude. During their reign in Azkaban, before their fealty changed, only one person managed to hightail it. Since their removal we have had numerous escapes."

"Clear evidence that we need to revamp prison house security,"Walker Percy said."But dementors are not the answer. They are dangerous creatures and as you said, their allegiance changed. What 's to say that wo n't happen again if, God forbid, another Voldemort were to rise to power ? If anyone offered those dementors a better pot than we did they 'd have a whole prison of severe felon at their disposal to do their bidding. It 's not worth the risk."

"Another Voldemort is not going to rise to power,"Laurentis said with a laugh."We have learned from our history and it wo n't take place again."

"You ca n't guarantee that,"Percy said."Even if there is a very small fortune of it happening, it is not worth risking having dementors guard Azkaban."

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Laurentis,"Farleigh said."It is clock time to actuate on-"

"You are talking about a hypothetical !"Laurentis exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air."I am talking about what is happening now ! Five dangerous criminals have escaped, four of whom were on Voldemort 's side during the war, and are out there, wreaking mayhem as we speak. If the dementors were guarding Azkaban this never would have happened."

"Now look who 's talking hypotheticals !"Percy shouted back, ignoring Farleigh 's vain attack to get both candidates to stop talking."For all we know they would 've escaped anyway !"

Laurentis let out a abstruse joke."Five captive safety valve when the dementors are allied with the Ministry ? That 's laughable. Only one person was able to do that and it was because he was an Animagus. None of the prisoner are Animagi. We test for that before admitting anyone to the prison."

"Be that as it may, dementors are unsafe magical beast. Not to mention the ethics of subjecting prisoner to their effects-"

"prisoner have no rightfulness,"Laurentis said."They give up their rights when they commit crimes-"

"staple human rights !"Hotspur exclaimed."There are introductory human being rights that everyone deserves ! public lecture about learning from our history. account tells us what happens when someone believes they are above others. Or do you not remember the reign of Voldemort ?"

"I lost my mother to that war !"Laurentis said."Do n't you state me that I do n't think of it."

Albus was on the edge of his seat. His uncle was so red in the face that he was starting to wrench violet and resemble Kaden 's grandpa. Laurentis 's hair was breaking free from its tight bun and there was a venous blood vessel popping out in her forehead. Farleigh was still trying to get both candidates to stop talking and failing miserably, while every other person in the Great Hall sat completely still, staring at Percy and Laurentis.

"Silence !"prof Kendrick shouted in a magically amplify voice.

Both Percy and Laurentis immediately quieted. The vein on Laurentis 's os frontale continued to shudder, and Percy still looked like an overripe tomato.

"I think we 've run out of time,"Farleigh said, in a voice barely more than a squeak."Thank you all for coming."

"Students, delight return to your rough-cut room,"Kendrick announced."Lunch will be in an hour. As a reminder, there is no question and answer session today."

The whispering rose up immediately after Kendrick stopped speaking and since everyone was whispering the racket grade rose very heights. Albus, rose wine, and Amanda joined the queue of the great unwashed ambling to pass on the Great Hall, and without even talking about it, went immediately to the Marauder 's Den, where they found John and Kaden.

"What the bloody underworld is she trying to do ?"John the Divine asked as soon as Albus shut the door.

"She 's lost her head !"Rose shouted as she began pacing around the room."She has legitimately lost her intellect. That 's the solely explanation."

"well there 's no way she 'll win now,"Albus pointed out."Dementors ?"

"It 's a bit convenient, do n't you reckon ?"blush wine asked."This break-out happens and then she announces she wants the dementors back ? It did n't sound like a plan she 'd just come up with."

"We 've got to find out if she 's tried to get them back before,"Albus said."If she has it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"Dementors ..."Kaden murmured."They 're what sucked all the felicity out of us when we were in Australia last year, right ?"

Albus nodded."They 're awful creatures."

"And they used to guard the prison house ?"Amanda asked incredulously."That 's just wrong."

"It is,"Rose said darkly."That 's why after Voldemort they stopped using them as guards. That and all the dementors changed allegiance and let last Eaters escape."

"Would they even come back, though ?"Kaden asked."I mean, if they switched allegiance so easily ...."

"They 'll go wherever they 're offered the most humans to course off of."rose shuddered."Voldemort offered them far more than even Azkaban could declare oneself. But right now they do n't have a good source. They just travel around, feeding. They 'll ward if given the opportunity."

"Should n't mass be against it ?"Amanda asked."It 's so ethically wrong."

"That 's why it was silent of her to announce it,"Albus pointed out.

"She would n't annunciate anything if she did n't think it would get her voting,"pink wine said."Most people our parents'age and one-time, who lost enjoy ones in the war, will have absolutely no fellow feeling for expiry Eaters and would n't care if the dementors were brought back, especially if Laurentis could then insure no one would escape."

Albus had n't thought of that and apparently no one else did, either, because the room grew restrained. Albus sank onto one of the couches and started counting the telephone number of Bertie Bott 's Every-Flavor Beans that were scattered on the floor. He got to 23 before anyone said anything.

"I wonder what Malfoy thinks of all this,"Saint John the Apostle mused."Was n't his dad a Death eater ? So he should n't want the dementors back in Azkaban, but the way he was talking in the threesome broom handle a while back made it seem like he 's very against your uncle."

"Of path he 's against my uncle,"Albus said."His solid family disfavor my unhurt home and it goes the early way, too. But his dad was never found guilty of his crimes so he never did clip in Azkaban."

"Surely his dad 's got Friend there,"John the Divine said.

Albus shrugged."Probably."To be honest, he did n't really manage what Malfoy thought about Laurentis and Uncle Harry Hotspur.

"We should go to tiffin and then chatter lusterlessness,"Rose said."Catch him up on all this."

Albus had completely forgotten that Matt was still in the hospital wing, in the thick of Laurentis 's announcement. He felt vaguely guilty about it, but at least Rose had remembered.

Everyone gathered for lunch in the Great Hall was talking about Laurentis 's desire to contribute back the dementors. Percy, Laurentis, and the Ministry functionary were still there, having luncheon with the professor at the stave tabular array, and all were deep in discussion. Albus would 've loved to be able to hear in on their conversations, but wearing the invisibleness Cloak in the crowded Great Hall was n't a skillful idea.

"wagerer get used to the idea of your dad being rector,"one of the seventh days was saying to Tom Bradley."No one 's going to vote for Laurentis now."

Tom Bradley muttered something under his breath that Albus could n't hear. Albus took a seat a few people down from his cousin and began to ca-ca a sandwich.

"She 's got my all kinfolk 's votes now,"one of the other seventh eld said."Both of my grandparents were killed by Fenrir Reb. If the dementors will catch him and keep him in there forever, it 'd make all of us sleep better."

There were a few nods from other honest-to-goodness educatee sitting nearby. Albus was slightly shocked. If this many students approved of her idea, a lot of grownup probably did, too. And these were seventh age ; they could vote.

"Wait, the dementors find crook, too ?"Kaden asked."I thought that 's what Aurors did."

"Only the really awful escaped prisoner,"Albus said."My dad 's Godfather, Sothis, when he escaped, the dementors were given permission to give him the Dementor 's Kiss if they caught him."

"What 's the Dementor 's Kiss ?"Amanda asked.

Albus shuddered."It 's where they suck out soul 's soul."

"And they die ?"Amanda asked quietly.

Albus shook his head."No, they live without a soul. Everyone says it 's worse than dying."

"And they were going to do that to Sirius ?"Kaden replied.

Albus nodded."He was the initiative to turn tail Azkaban. He 's the one Laurentis was talking about and at the meter everyone thought he murdered baker's dozen Muggles and gave my grandparents up to Voldemort."

"That 's absolutely horrible !"Amanda exclaimed. She turned to the few sixth and one-seventh years who had said they 'd vote for Laurentis."How can you wish that on person ?"

"If your grandparents were murdered by expiry Eaters you would, too,"one of the girls snapped.

"Albus 's grandparents were murdered by Voldemort and he does n't want the dementors back at Azkaban,"Amanda pointed out.

"Well, Voldemort 's beat,"the girl said."Maybe if grayback were dead I 'd feel differently. But he 's not so I want the dementors back."

"I do n't call back she 's going to lose as easily as we thought,"Amanda said quietly.

"Of course she 's not,"rosebush said."This is probably better for vote than digging up filth on Uncle Percy."

"It 's absolutely barbaric,"Amanda said, shoving her plate forward."Sucking out person 's soulfulness ? And they just draw your happy memories out ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered, thinking back to the premature June. He shuddered."You 're forced to relive your worst memories."

"That 's all you can think about ?"Amanda asked."Just the bad ones ?"

Albus nodded."My dad said it makes you go mad after a while."

"Of track it does !"Amanda shouted."That 's just not good ! Are you lot done eating yet ? I ca n't sit here anymore."

Albus was surprised Amanda had had such a strong response to the dementors, but he supposed coming from the Muggle world, where she had n't even known such animal existed, it would be a bit of a shock. He was even more storm that she 'd nearly gotten into a shouting compeer with a seventh yr over them, when she was normally so quiet.

"I 'm done,"pink wine said.

"Me, too,"Albus said as he got up.

Gospel According to John and Kaden each grabbed the remaining one-half of their sandwiches and followed the others out of the Great hallway. Amanda lead the way, stomping her feet a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

"It 's just untimely on so many levels !"she said as she led them to the Hospital Wing."It 's overrefinement, honestly. That 's what it is. Emotional torture. Ca n't they just be killed off or something ?"

"They do n't die,"Rose said."They ca n't. They just kind of ... exist. Once my mum gets Holy Writ of this, well, she 's not going to continue quiet."

"And she should n't,"Amanda said."Can she terminate Laurentis ?"

"Not if Laurentis is parson,"rosiness answered."Right now Mum 's the elder help of Magical Law Enforcement, so if Laurentis tried to get this to pass now, my mum could help stop it. But curate Hartwell would never put something like this through."

"They 're maculate fauna,"Amanda continued."Having them guard anything or anyone is a horrendous idea."

Albus decided now would not be a good time to recount Amanda that when his dad was a third year Hogwarts was guarded by dementors.

"A dementor went after my dad once,"Kaden announced as they continued to the infirmary Wing."Albus 's dad saved him with a Patronus. Then he nearly got expelled for doing nonaged illusion in the presence of a Muggle."

"You 're kidding,"Amanda said."God, the Ministry really was screwed up when your parents were at Hogwarts. This is the sort of thing Embry should be using as examples."

"I doubt it 's a long-familiar fact,"Albus said."That the famous Harry potter nearly got expelled."

"It 's a serious example of injustice,"Amanda said.

"You sound just like my mum,"rosiness said."It 's creepy. Does n't she ?"

Albus agreed."You do sound just like her mum."

"Your mum has the right idea,"Amanda said as they reached the Hospital Wing.

mat was the solely patient in the Barbara Ward. The drape were n't drawn around his bed and he was sitting up and eating a arena of soup, which was a good sign. brothel keeper Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, working on charts, and muttering to herself about something.

"Hey, how are you feeling ?"Albus asked when they got to his bed.

"amercement,"matt said."Three cracked rib and a lot of nasty cuts, but I 'm fine. Listen, I heard the debate. dame Pomfrey had it on on the wireless. How insane is Laurentis ? ! You should bear heard madam Pomfrey ranting about her earlier."

"You 're not to repeat what you heard,"Madam Pomfrey said."But Albus and rose wine, you can tell your uncle that he 's got my vote. Always thought he was a piddling overblown when he was at Hogwarts but at least he 's not dense enough to utilize dementors as guard duty of Azkaban."

"Amanda 's on a rampage,"Albus said.

"It 's kind of funny,"John added.

"It is not singular !"Amanda exclaimed."It 's serious."

"It 's just that you 're so placidity, but you got into it with that 7th year."

"I did not get into it with a seventh year !"Amanda shouted and turned to Matt."John 's exaggerating. She announced that she and her fellowship were all going to vote for Laurentis because her grandparents were killed by grayback and she wants to establish sure he stays in prison."

lusterlessness toyed with his blanket and did n't touch Amanda 's eye.

"What ?"she asked."Do n't assure me you want the dementors in Azkaban."

"I do n't,"lusterlessness said quickly."It 's not that. It 's the whole greyback thing, I can sieve of see where she 's coming from. It 's got to be scary, knowing he 's out there when he killed her grandparents .... I mean, I guess I 've always been sort of lucky. The chap who bit me is in prison house and has been since he bit me."

Albus had never heard Matt public lecture about the werewolf who bit him, except for mentioning that he 's in prison.

"He gets out next class,"matte said quietly."He can get paroled."

"Do you know much about him ?"Albus asked.

"Just his public figure and how old he was,"matte said."My parents know a bit more but they 've never told me and I 've never asked."

"Is the Australian prison guarded by dementors ?"Amanda asked.

matte shook his brain."No, and it never has been. And I do n't think prison house should be guarded by dementors. But Greyback ... he 's scary. He 's worse than Silas Humphrey, that was the bloke who bit me. Humphrey 's blast on me, that was an accident. Greyback bit people on determination. He 'd bite people and then raise them in his mob. That 's why he liked going for kids. slip 's dad ... grayback bit him and tried to get his parents to give him up. They did n't, of course, but a lot of parents did."

Albus swallowed hard. He had n't known that about chemise 's dad and was n't even sure enough if shift knew that. Teddy 's dad 's parents died yearn before teddy was born and Albus doubted his grandmother knew that.

"How 'd you line up that out ?"Albus asked.

"When we first moved here Amy learned about Teddy 's dad when she was catching up on British account of magic. She told me all about him and how successful he wound up being just to puddle me feel better. But then I decided to research other lycanthrope and found out about Greyback in one of my dad 's books. It talked about his hale matter with biting Thomas Kyd. It never said Teddy 's dad specifically was one of those kids but I figured he must 've been."

"That 's horrible,"Albus said quietly. The others nodded.

"He had a unit ring of werewolves to do his bidding,"lustrelessness said."And now he 's out. What if he wants to do that again ?"

"sting people and produce a inner circle ?"Albus asked.

matt nodded."That or see people who 've already been bitten."

Albus saw where this was going now."He 's not going to notice you. Hogwarts is safe."

"That 's what everyone always says, but the by few years it really has n't. Remember last year ?"

"Technically we were n't in the castle when we got taken to Australia. We were in the Floo. So if we just stay in the castle ..."Albus pointed out.

"It 's still not a warranty,"Matt said."I wonder how many people he bit last night."

Albus did n't resolve. There was no way of knowing what Fenrir Johnny Reb did during the full moon, just like there was no way to assure that Hogwarts would be good. All Albus and his friends could do was trust that it would be safe and that the escaped Death Eaters would be recaptured soon. Albus still thought having dementors defend Azkaban was an absolutely terrible idea, but after listening to Matt talk about Silas Humphrey and Fenrir Greyback, he sorting of understood why some people might want the dementors back at Azkaban and thus ballot for Laurentis. She might even get elected just because of this. And that, when it came down to it, was what scared Albus the most.


A/N : No cliffhanger this time ! Thanks for all the howling critical review ! If you like Marauder era, please turn back out my newest novel, Between Here and Somewhere !


"I guess Laurentis has been trying to get the dementors reinstated in Azkaban for long time,"Albus said the following forenoon at breakfast, as he set down a copy of the Prophet.

The article on the public debate had been a yearn one, taking up nearly the entire front man page. It featured a photograph of Percy and Laurentis arguing with each other, and Albus was able to see his uncle 's face turning steadily more purple, despite the fact that the photo was in black and Stanford White. The article that followed detailed Laurentis 's apparently years-long military campaign to land the dementors back. She had put the proposition up for voting four times and it was shot down by minister of religion Hartwell each fourth dimension.

"Of course he shot it down,"Rose said after skimming the article."It 's a dazed idea. Oh, look, they 've quoted my mum. I 'll interpret it. 'Hermione Weasley, elder Assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, when asked about Laurentis 's proposal, said, 'It 's absolutely barbaric. Everybody, including prisoner, have basic human rights that can not be broken. I thought we 'd moved past the Clarence Day when the Ministry sanctioned emotional ill-treatment of its prisoners and the thought that a char running for Minister is proposing this is quite frankly horrifying. It is my sincere hope that the people of wizarding Britain will think long and hard about the effects this will take, not only on prisoners, but on our lodge as well, before they cast their votes in April. ''"

"Always one to speak her mind, your mum,"Albus said.

"I could n't agree to a greater extent,"Amanda replied."Although if Laurentis wins I bet she gets sacked."

"She ca n't,"blush wine said."Her job is n't appointed solely by the diplomatic minister. If she were head of the department, then yes, but she is n't head yet. It 's confusing."

"Good,"Amanda said."We 'll require some reasonable multitude in there if Laurentis is elected."

"What are you lot doing today ?"whoremaster asked, steering the conversation away from the election."Kaden and I are going to pass the day plotting our new prank."

"I do n't want to know,"Rose said, holding up her hands."I 'm probably going to go to the library."

"I 'll go with you,"Amanda said."I want to enquiry dementors and their use in Azkaban."

"Quidditch pattern,"Albus replied."All day. We 've got to get ready for the mates on Saturday against Ravenclaw. After the finish peer, we 've got to piss sure we we win by a decently amount of item if we 're going to putsch Slytherin 's place for the Cup."

"Oh yeah,"Kaden said."Whatever happened with that Olivia miss ? She had a huge infatuation on Epistle of James, did n't she ?"

Albus laughed."I 've no idea."

"She sent Henry James a box of chocolate for Christmas,"Cedric, who had been sitting future to Albus, whispered."But you did n't hear that from me."

"I was there when he opened his presents,"Albus said.

"She gave them to him before we went home for the holiday,"Cedric explained."She hijacked our thestral carriage and injure up riding to the train with us."

"How awkward was that ?"Albus asked, still giggling.

"Very,"Cedric said as he glanced over his berm."She stared at him the totally time."

"Creepy,"Albus said.

"Shh,"Cedric said."He 's coming over."

"I think I 'm going to go visit flatness before Quidditch practice session,"Albus said."I 'll see you later ?"

"Sure,"Rose said."You know where to receive me."

"And us !"John announced."Marauder 's Den. frivolity planning."

"I do n't want to be involved,"Albus said as he got up.

trick shrugged."Suit yourself."

Albus hurried up to the infirmary Wing and managed to get inside without gentlewoman Pomfrey noticing, although the nursemaid would n't own minded him being there. But she was very preoccupied with two students who had somehow fused their left blazon together. Matt was already awake and much cheerier than he had been the old day, when talking about Greyback. He was pretty sure madam Pomfrey was going to let him out that dark, so they agreed to receive in the Marauder 's Den just before dinner.

Quidditch practice went very well and Albus was fairly certain they would beat Ravenclaw on Sat. No one mentioned the election or Laurentis 's wanting to bring back the dementors, which was a certainly planetary house that matter were getting back to normal at Hogwarts. Albus spent the rest of the day in the Marauder 's Den working on his homework with matt while trying to avoid hearing any component part of John and Kaden 's new prank.

The week went by quickly since Albus spent every instant he was n't in socio-economic class on the Quidditch sales talk. But the weather remained decent so it was enjoyable. The only if day Albus was n't on the delivery was Thursday, when he had dueling exercise.

"When 's the next tournament ?"Amanda asked as she and Albus walked into the metamorphosis classroom, where they were were scheduled to drill. Heather was there to supervise, sitting in a corner. A few of the team member were there already, including Malfoy.

"Weekend after this one,"Albus said."I think we 'll do well."Albus glanced over to Malfoy, expecting some sort of snarky comeback from him. But he was n't even paying attention. Instead he was hunched over a long piece of lambskin."curiosity what he 's doing ?"

Amanda shrugged."Last minute homework ?"

Suddenly, Malfoy sat up unbowed and crumpled the man of parchment. He shoved it into his sac and stood up, staring at Albus as he did so. He looked sullen and averted his eyes after only a few seconds.

"I do n't conceive that 's homework,"Albus said.

"Wyrd,"Amanda said.

"Very,"Albus agreed."Let 's get started ! I think we should practice blocking."He took a askance glance at Malfoy, expecting him to scoff and arrogate that they already knew how to block, but instead Malfoy just turned to the bookman dear to him and began to do as Albus said. What was even weirder was that the student he partnered with was a s year Hufflepuff. Albus blinked to make sure he was n't seeing things and then began shooting spells at Amanda while she blocked them.

The practice seance got stranger as the night went on, in terms of Malfoy 's behavior. Not once did he indorse guess what Albus said and he did n't say one word to anyone that was n't directly related to dueling. Heather raised her eyebrows at Albus on numerous occasions since she had supervised Albus 's practice session before and jazz how a lot Malfoy usually tried to be the captain. He ran out of the room as soon as the practice session was over, looking vaguely upset, as he had at the disputation.

"That was the strangest matter ever,"Amanda said as she and Albus walked back to the Gryffindor common elbow room."And I witnessed my brother try to brew a potion this past times summer and drink it, thinking that it would turn him into a wizard."

Albus burst out laughing."Was he really disappointed that he did n't get a Hogwarts letter ?"

Amanda nodded."I never thought he would but did n't tell him that. But do you have any idea why Malfoy did n't fence with you tonight ?"

"I 've no estimate,"Albus said."But I really hope he stays this way."

"I bet it had something to do with whatever he was reading when we walked in."

"I wonder what it was."

Amanda shrugged."No theme, but I wish I did. It 's just so odd."

"Whatever it is, I hope it keeps him like this during side by side week 's tournament."

"Albus ! What if it 's something really awful ?"Amanda asked.

Albus had n't thought about that."Well, we do n't fuck that it is, so I do n't have to remember about it."

"Albus, I doubt anything good would produce Malfoy shut up like that,"Amanda reasoned."I 'm just saying, it might be something awful."
***


Gryffindor 's tendency to play Quidditch during really bad conditions came up in full force-out on Sabbatum, when the unseasonably quick temperatures decided to desert Hogwarts. In its situation were freezing stale temperatures and a howling pull the wool over someone's eyes tempest that probably should give birth resulted in the match being canceled. But since Hogwarts never canceled Quidditch, Albus was preparing himself for a miserable match. He wished they could receive nice weather, like they had when they played Slytherin in November.

The last fourth dimension Albus had played in a storm this bad he 'd been in his endorse year and wind up up in the hospital fender with the flu afterward. He certainly did not want a repeat of that so he was hoping that St. James would beguile the Snitch Oklahoman rather than later.

"Fred, this is dotty,"Ryan said as they stood in the doorway of the changing rooms, waiting for the couple to begin."There is literally no way to see the stool pigeon in this."

"There 's nothing I can do about it,"Fred snapped. Everyone could tell he was stressed about this match, since they 'd lost to Slytherin."We have to play unless Kendrick calls it off."

Ryan was right. Albus stared out onto the pitch and all he saw was white. The Snow was swirling and blowing and Albus could n't severalize if more nose candy was actually falling or if it was all just getting blown around. But either way, finding a fink in it was going to be near impossible.

"I 'll catch it,"James said confidently."Do n't worry."

"We 're not going to be able-bodied to try the commentary,"Fred said."Just catch it as soon as you can. Do n't interest about catching it after we 're up a sealed number of distributor point. We just need a win at this point."

There was a very softened, quiet roar of applause and Fred led the team out onto the tar. The balls were released and Albus flew up into the raging storm. Soon, he did n't know which way was up or down, let alone where the Quaffle was. After about ten minutes of meandering around the pitching, not knowing where he was going, the Quaffle suddenly appeared. Albus caught it, but had no idea where the goal posts were.

Albus flew square ahead, hoping it was in the right direction, but instead of reaching the goal mail service, he reached the stands. Groaning, he turned and headed toward the goal posts. At least he now knew where they were. He managed to tally, mostly because Ravenclaw 's Keeper did n't see him.

The match continued in chaos, with no one knowing where anyone else was. Albus did n't see a single Bludger the whole sentence and assumed the Beaters were just trying to keep cartroad of them rather than trying to get them to hit the opponent squad 's players. Fred had been right about the comment ; Albus could n't hear a watchword of it.

It felt like he was playing a equal by himself. The only former histrion he saw were the Ravenclaw seeker, Fred, and Heather. They had given up chasing as a team and instead, when one of them got the Quaffle, they flew it down to the goal posts as best they could.

"Albus, Albus !"someone shouted.

Albus turned and squinted, but he could n't bring in out anyone flying near him.

"Albus !"

Albus continued flying in a circle trying to figure out who it was. He did n't even tell apart their voice, but it could have been distorted by the wind. Finally, he began to make out a figure flying toward him. It was Heather.

"Albus !"she shouted once she reached him."The match has been canceled. We 're all to rejoin to our common room right now."

Albus nodded, figuring that Kendrick finally came to his mother wit. It was just out of the question to act as a good game of Quidditch in a violent storm like this.

When Albus and Scots heather finally reached the changing elbow room they found the rest of the team sitting in their wet Quidditch gown, their faces pale. Albus noticed that even Scots heather looked slightly afraid.

"What 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"You were flying so high, you probably did n't discover,"Fred said as Albus sat down."The match was n't canceled because of the weather."

"But it 's so bad out there,"Albus said."That match was pointless."

"One of the Ravenclaw first of all long time,"Fred continued, ignoring Albus,"she was late to the match and on her way down she saw-"Fred paused, swallowing hard."She saw Fenrir Limnodromus griseus on the grounds."

"What ?"Albus exclaimed, suddenly feeling nauseous."But it 's so snowy. How could she possibly know for sure ?"

"She ca n't, of course,"Fred said."But she went running to Professor Longbottom as soon as she reached the slant and told him. That 's when they canceled the match and sent everyone back to the castle."

As if he heard Fred mention his figure, professor Longbottom walked into the changing room, looking scared himself."I 'm going to escort you all back to the common room. Wands out as we walk."

Albus drew his verge and followed the rest of his mate out of the changing rooms. They were all quiet on the walk back to the rook since the storm was still raging. No one would ingest been able-bodied to take heed anything anyone said, even if anyone felt like talking. Albus felt too ill to babble out. The thought of Fenrir Greyback being promiscuous was bad enough, after hearing what Matt knew about him, but the thinking of him being here, on the Hogwarts grounds, was too amazing to even think about.

As they walked up to the castle and then up to Gryffindor pillar Albus kept telling himself that it was fully possible that the Ravenclaw girl had n't seen Fenrir Johnny. She was probably just thinking about the escaped prisoner and imagined something. Albus had n't even been capable to make out his own cousin when she 'd been calling his name in this tempest. What were the fortune of a first year being capable to nibble out Fenrir Greyback ?

But still ... what if it had been Rebel ? He had to be somewhere, so why not Hogwarts ?

The common room was buzzing with chatter when the team entered a short piece later. Albus avoided everyone, including his friends, until after he went up to his dormitory room to hire a shower. He was shivering and felt dread and did n't desire to babble to anyone until after he was in dry apparel.

To his surprise his friends were all gathered in his student residence after he got out of the shower. Bilius and Ethan were n't there, and the door was shut.

"We ca n't go to the Marauder 's Den,"Matt explained."We 're not allowed to leave our common room until further notice."

"Are they doing an investigation ?"Albus asked as he sat down on his bed."And what exactly happened ? Fred only explained a little before Longbottom came to take us back to the castle."

"It was weird,"Rose said."No one really know what was happening because it was so snow-white and the wind was so meretricious. We could n't see the lucifer, so we were just standing there using a lot of heating charms and hoping things would be over soon. But then we started hearing whisperings about Greyback on the primer coat. Then, probably two minutes later, Kendrick magically amplified his spokesperson and told us all that we 're to report back to our mutual rooms immediately and to walk back with our verge out and in vauntingly chemical group.

"So then, even though Kendrick never said for sure, we knew that someone had seen Greyback on the footing. It was so scary. Eventually we found out that one of the Ravenclaw first yr thought she saw him on her way to the match and told Professor Longbottom. But besides that we do n't know much. No one 's told us anything for sure and we 've just been hanging out here and talking."

"But what 's he doing here ?"Kaden asked."And I thought there were Aurors guarding Hogwarts."

"It was planned,"matte said."Do n't you see ? That tempest out there is so bad that no one can see three feet in front of them and the fart is so loud no one can discover anything either. It was the perfective day for him to pussyfoot onto the yard, and if that lady friend had n't seen him who knows what he would 've done."

"So you think she really saw him ?"Albus asked skeptically."You said it yourself, no one can see anything."

"For all we know he said something to her,"Matt said."No one knows the full level yet."

"But why ?"Kaden asked."Seems really stupid to me. If he escaped he should be hiding out in the mountains, not going to Hogwarts where there are Aurors."

"Remember what I said after he escaped ?"Matt asked quietly."This just confirms it. He 's going to try to create his own werewolf army again. He was insane before Azkaban ; imagine how weirdo he is now. They do n't need dementors in prison to make people go insane."

"And you think-"

"That he came to try and picture out how to best position himself to bite tiddler during the full moonlight ?"Matt interrupted."Yeah, I do."

Albus shuddered."That 's sick."

"That 's what he does,"Matt said. He looked more upset than everyone else."But what I do n't get is why it seems like he 's trying for Hogwarts kids. end time he went for really youthful kids."

"But we do n't even eff for sure as shooting that 's what he 's up to,"John pointed out."I mean it makes mother wit, but we still do n't know."

"Still,"matt said."You have to promise me you wo n't go away during the broad Sun Myung Moon. I do n't require any of you joining me in the Shack."

John looked unbelieving."There 's former reasons why he could be here."

"Promise me,"matt repeated, staring directly at John."It 's not deserving the risk."

John shrugged."Yeah, I promise."Everyone else nodded.

"What about the balance of them ?"Amanda asked."Do you think they 're working together ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus began."I 'm certain the Carrows are together and Umbridge might be with them. But I doubt Willinson and Greyback are with them. The Carrows were end eater, but Limnodromus griseus was n't technically a last Eater. Voldemort used him, but always thought he was scum because he 's a werewolf. The Carrows probably agreed. And Willinson, he 's got no link, which is why I 'm still confused as to why he broke out with them."

"For all we know they left the door spread out and he followed,"John said with a laugh.

Amanda groaned."Everyone 's got their own electric cell in eminent security."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose you 're right,"John Lackland said.

"Two Death feeder, a war malefactor, a loup-garou, and Willinson,"Albus said."It 's so random. Why them ?"

"speech sound like the start of a laugh,"lavatory said."Two Death Eaters, a war malefactor, a wolfman, and Willinson walk into a pub ...."

lusterlessness groaned."Do n't even go there. I just really hope they catch him before the next full-of-the-moon Sun Myung Moon. There was n't anything in the vaticinator about him biting anyone this concluding full lunar month, but I do n't remember he 'd go two moonshine without biting. And there 's no way he 'd go on Wolfsbane, even if he could get some."

"I wonder where the others are,"Rose mused."You think they 're just hiding out ?"

"They must be,"Albus said."There have n't been any sightings."

There was a knock on the door and then it opened. James IV walked inside and sat down on the end of Albus 's bed.

"Longbottom just came to talk to us,"he said."We 'll be allowed to leave the green room for dinner party, but not before that."

"Did they catch him ?"Matt asked anxiously.

"No,"James said."But, Longbottom said the possessor of gentlewoman Puddifoot 's also saw him, so the Ravenclaw missy probably did see him. They 've scoured Hogsmeade and there 's no sign of him, though."

"Are they rescheduling the catch ?"Albus asked.

Saint James the Apostle nodded."adjacent Saturday. Good thing, too, because I do n't think that one would 've ever ended. Do n't tell Fred, but there 's no way I would 've seen the Snitch."

"One upper side to Rebel being on the priming, I guess,"Albus said.

"Lucky he did n't attack that girl,"Matt said as James left."He attacks mass even when he 's not transformed."

"He did that to my uncle beak,"Albus said.

"Really ?"Matt asked.

Albus nodded."At the end of my dad 's sixth year, the night Dumbledore was killed. He does n't transubstantiate, but he likes really rarified meat. Like hardly cooked at all meat."

"Eww !"Kaden exclaimed."That 's gross. postponement, Matt, do you like really rarefied meat ?"

lusterlessness grinned."Yeah. I hardly ever get it, though. Mum refuses to let me eat it because she thinks it 'll get me ill. And they do n't dish up it here."

"My uncle eats it all the time,"Albus said."Aunt Fleur likes her steaks pretty rare, too. So does teddy bear for that matter."

"I like mine well done,"Kaden said.

"Now that 's what 's glaring,"Matt replied."I should ask the house elves to make me rare steak."

"They probably would,"pink wine said."They make you pretty much whatever you want."

"Let 's go tonight,"Matt said."We have n't been down there in ages."

Kaden groaned."So we 're going to have to witness you eating a piece of raw nub ?"

"Not raw,"Matt said."Slightly cooked, bit of blood dripping out."

"Oh, gross !"Kaden shouted."I 'm going back down to the coarse room."

Albus laughed and flatness grinned as Kaden ran out of the room. There was naught like a head trip to the kitchens to get their minds off of greyback and the other escaped convicts.


A/N : Sorry for the recent update ! I totally forgot it was Fri. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews ! Please condition out my marauder fic, Between Here and Somewhere.


The first year who saw Greyback on the grounds became an heartbeat Hogwarts celebrity. By the following day her entire report had spread throughout the student eubstance like wildfire, and every 1 somebody in the castle knew her name. She was Quinn Gregory, a lilliputian girl who looked like she belonged in the Weasley clan with her foresighted red haircloth and spray of freckle across her face. Quinn seemed to be enjoying her newfound fame and always had a crowd of people around her, asking her to recount the story.

Albus, himself, had heard the news report at to the lowest degree five clock time. Quinn had been running to the pitch, late, because she 'd pass a half hour trying to win over one of her roommates to go to the catch, but in the end her roomy had decided she did n't want to brave the storm. Quinn then spotted someone lurking near the glasshouse and went to look into, but instead of finding another scholar, she found Fenrir Greyback. Apparently Rebel had said 'hi, little girlfriend'to Quinn, who then took off running even faster for the Quidditch pitch. Limnodromus griseus then escaped to Hogsmeade and who knows after that.

As the week progressed Quinn 's story grew until it ended with her disarming Greyback after a XX minute of arc affaire d'honneur and running to the Quidditch pitch in order to warn the relaxation of the scholar, rather than because she was scared. Albus was very happy that, for once, this had n't happened to him or one of his friends.

"Guess what I heard today,"Kaden said as he entered the piranha 's Den Friday evening, after dinner.

"What ?"Albus asked, looking up from the vulture 's Map, which he 'd spent the last ten minutes studying. John Lackland and lustrelessness were in the elbow room as well, matte studying and privy sorting chocolate toad cards. blush wine was tutoring Elsie Willinson again and Amanda had gone with her.

"Quinn,"Kaden said as he sat down future to Albus."She 's now saying that Greyback stole her wand and she got away from him by kicking his kneecaps."

Albus burst out laughing."That 's derisory. She 's still got her wand."

"She claims Ollivander 's sent her an demand replication,"Kaden replied.

"But no two wands are the like,"John the Divine pointed out."Everyone knows that."

"She 's Muggle-born,"Kaden pointed out."She might not."

"But still,"Albus said."She 's taken it too far. No one 's going to believe her now and it 's all going to die down."

Albus laughed as he looked back at the predator 's Map. He 'd been checking it, both the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts sections, looking for Greyback every so often since last Saturday. He 'd yet to bump anything remotely interesting on it, least of all Greyback or one of the former scarper convicts.

"Scorpius is leaving the castle,"Albus said, noticing the dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'was no longer in the Slytherin common elbow room, but instead slowly making its way across the grounds.

"What ?"lusterlessness asked, closing his leger."But it 's eight o'clock. And it 's snowing."

"It 's him all right field,"Albus said."Come see."

lusterlessness, Saint John, and Kaden all crowded around Albus and they watched Scorpius 's dot travelling further and further from the rook. There were no other pane on the grounds, except Hagrid 's, and his was remaining stationary behind his hut. It did n't seem that Malfoy was meeting anyone exterior, nor did anyone go with him. It was odd, especially in light of his early odd behaviour.

"I wonder what he 's up to,"Albus mused.

"We should come him,"St. John said."See what he 's up to."

"I agree,"Kaden said."No one goes outside at night during a tempest for no reason at all. He 's up to something."

"We 'd get caught,"Albus pointed out.

"And it 's suspend,"mat added.

"We 'll take your invisibleness Cloak,"John said.

"I do n't think we all fit anymore,"Albus said, not taking his public figure off Malfoy 's dot.

"Then Kaden and I can go,"King John replied.

"No way,"Albus said."It 's my cloak and I do n't require you having it when Filch catches you. He 'll confiscate it."

"Who says we 'll get caught ?"whoremaster asked.

Albus laughed and turned to look at lavatory."Of course you 'll get caught. And then my cloak will get taken away and I 'll never see it again and my dad will murder me."

"Your dad 's Harry Potter,"John said."He 's not going to murder his own son."

"If he did Laurentis would love it."Kaden laughed."I can see the newspaper headline now. 'Harry potter Murders Own Son, Clearly Unfit For Duty. Weasley Still Supports Him .'”

"Oh shut it,"Albus muttered.

"postponement,"matt said, staring at the map."He 's going to the Whomping Willow."

Albus looked back at the map and saw that mat was right. Malfoy 's dot was slowing down and circling the tree, giving it a wide berth."What 's he doing ?"

"You do n't cogitate he 's figured it out, do you ?"Matt asked.

"Well now we have to go after him,"John said, standing up.

Matt nodded."Come on, Albus, let us have your cloak."

"Fine,"Albus said, knowing that the battle was lost. Malfoy was at the Whomping Willow, which meant that this was now personal for flatness, and therefore, for all of them."But I still do n't know if we 'll all fit."

Albus walked over to his bed and located the cloak in one of the knickers beneath it. He rarely kept it in his student residence anymore, since he and his admirer spent far Thomas More time in the Marauder 's Den than they did in the unwashed room.

"Let 's try it,"Albus said as his ally walked over to him. They stood closemouthed and Albus threw the cloak over them.

"half my physical structure is showing,"John said, turning to look at his still visible arm.

"And all our fundament are showing,"Matt pointed out.

"That 's because Albus and lav are whale,"Kaden asked, glancing up at the five inches of space that separated his head from the top of the cloak.

"Both of you are going to have to crouch down,"Matt said.

"But what about the fact that half my body is showing ?"John asked, yanking on the cloak.

"Now I 'm not under it at all,"lusterlessness said, yanking it back.

"I wish we could do Disillusionment charms,"Albus muttered."Too bad we do n't discover those until seventh year."

"rosiness could probably figure them out,"John Lackland said."We should take her discover them."

"Well we do n't have time for that now and we 're wasting fourth dimension arguing. Malfoy could be in the tunnel by now,"matte said.

"There are wards,"Albus pointed out.

"Still ..."Matt muttered.

"mulct,"John said."Albus and mat can go and Kaden and I will stay here."

"What ?"Kaden shouted."Why 'd you volunteer me to stay ?"

"fountainhead, Albus is n't going to let anyone take the cloak without him going and lustrelessness has to go since Malfoy 's by the Whomping Willow,"John said."That leaves you and me. I do n't think more than two of us are going to fit."

"Let 's go, then,"Matt said, yanking the cloak off of whoremaster and Kaden and repositioning it over himself and Albus."See you in a bit."

Albus nearly had to run to keep on up with matte and go on himself crouched down enough to stay hidden, and that was saying something since usually Albus was much firm than lustrelessness. The two of them said naught on their way down to the movement door and were n't noticed by any of the students or prof they passed.

"Remember, we 've got to be back before curfew,"Albus said once they shut the front door."We do n't want to be locked out like back in second year."

"This is entire deja vu,"Matt added."Two age ago we caught Kaden messing with the Whomping Willow. That 's when Kendrick added the wards."

"But unlike with Kaden, I do n't cerebrate we 'll twine up friends with Malfoy after,"Albus pointed out.

The grounds were very quiet, the only strait being the crunching of their invertebrate foot in the snowfall. Albus carefully vanished their footmark as they walked, while matte led them down the itinerary to the Whomping Willow. It was very cold and snowy, which reminded Albus even more of the clock time they got locked out of the castle after sneaking into the Shrieking hut.

"Is he even still there ?"Matt asked quietly when they were halfway to the tree.

Albus paused and pulled the vulture 's Map out of his scoop. Scorpius 's dot was still walking methodically in a circle around the tree."Yeah, he 's there."

Matt nodded and they continued walking. Neither of them had lit their sceptre, so they slowed down in gild to not be hit by the willow tree 's declamatory branches. Finally they reached it and stood just outside its hit range, waiting for Malfoy to derive back around.

The Slytherin boy was wrapped in a blockheaded cloak and pacing with his headland always turned toward the Tree. He had his wand out and did n't seem to detect that he had been joined by Albus and lusterlessness. Albus glanced at lusterlessness as Malfoy walked past them, unsure of whether to call his attention to their presence. Since they were inconspicuous, they could just stand there and learn him.

"There 's got to be a way,"Malfoy muttered."Every ward has a debile point. They do n't all last forever."

Albus could now see that Malfoy was sending various hexes and jinxes into the wards, but they were all deflecting away. As he rounded the tree once more, a hex bounced off the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward and nearly hit Albus, who had to jump out of the way to keep off it. His leg slipped out from underneath the cloak in the unconscious process, but Malfoy did n't see it.

"It 's got to work,"Malfoy said."There 's no early way in ...."

"Into where ?"lusterlessness mouthed. Albus shrugged.

They waited for Malfoy to build another Mexican valium around the tree and this clip one of the whammy reflected off the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth and toward Matt, who jumped to get out of the way, but tripped over a partially buried tree ascendent instead. He fell over, yanking the cloak down with him, leaving both himself and Albus exposed. matt let out a stream of hex and a cry of pain. Albus heard a sickening crunch as he fell and hoped it was the shoetree root and not matte 's leg.

"Who 's there ?"Malfoy shouted, aiming his wand at Albus and Matt. He lit it and his face visibly paled."What are you two doing here ?"

Albus lit his own verge. Matt was still sitting in the snow."I could ask you the same matter, Malfoy,"Albus said.

Albus pointed his baton at matte and reached down to help him up. He was clutching his radiocarpal joint and his face was as pale as Malfoy 's, although for different reasons.

"I said, what are you two doing here ?"Malfoy repeated, not sounding very confident.

"pursual you,"Albus said simply, thinking honesty would be the beneficial policy here. After all, all three of them were breaking the dominion. Not much compass point in denying it or making up self-justification.

"How did you know I was here ?"Malfoy asked. His baton arm was now trembling, although Albus did n't fuck if it was from the cold or fear.

"Saw you leave the castling,"Albus said."Figured we 'd see what you were up to."

"What do you want with the tree ?"Matt demanded. His voice sounded pained.

Malfoy 's back talk turned up in a sly grin."Once again, you just confirmed my intuition. This tree 's how you get into the screech Shack. I did a little more research, and turns out this thing was planted the same year the Shrieking Shack was built. The same year Remus lupin started going to Hogwarts. That Shack 's all boarded up so I figured there must be some sort of tunnel leading to it and what break way to hide a tunnel than to put a murderous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree above it ? hassle is, I ca n't invalid the wards. Bet you can, though."

"Why ?"matte asked. Albus heard him inhale sharply and began to wonder if his wrist was broken."Why do you want to get in there ?"

"Ca n't tell you,"Malfoy said.

"well, I 'm not disabling the wards,"matt said.

"I 'll figure it out eventually,"Malfoy said.

Albus wanted to ask him about his demeanor at dueling praxis so badly. They 'd had another exercise the previous day and again, Malfoy had n't said two word of honor to anyone. It was just strange. Bur Albus figured that even if he asked, Malfoy would n't respond.

"It 'd be dumb, you know,"Matt said."Going into the shrieking Shack."

"wellspring I would n't go in on a full moon, idiot,"Malfoy said."Believe it or not this has aught to do with you or your evil side. I could n't handle less that you 're a filthy werewolf. I have better things-"

Albus jabbed his wand into Malfoy 's chest, nearly knocking him over in the unconscious process. His heart was pounding and he could feel heat rising up in his consistence."You. Take. That. Back,"he seethed.

"Albus, do n't,"Matt said.

Malfoy scowled."No. I wo n't, because it 's straight. I do n't manage. It was the mystery story that I liked and nil Sir Thomas More. You do n't know the half of what 's going on or why I want that hovel. He only uses it one Night out of twenty-eight. I want it the other xxvii. I do n't get why that 's such a huge deal."

"What 's going on over there ?"a tatty voice boomed over the flat coat."Eh, what 're yeh doing ?"

Albus quickly moved his wand and pointed it elsewhere. It was one thing to get caught on the grounds after shadow but another to be caught threatening another scholar. He pointed his wand in the direction of the voice and saw Hagrid making his way toward them, his large Newfoundland, Fetch, at his side.

"Albus ?"Hagird asked as he drew nearer."lusterlessness ? What 're yeh doing out here ? And Malfoy ?"

"Er, nothing,"Albus muttered.

"Well, yer breaking the rules so I 'm going to have to take yeh to Longbottom,"Hagrid said and then turned to Malfoy."And you 'll have to see Slughorn."

"hospital wing,"Matt said."First."

Hagrid turned to Matt and looked at his wrist."O'path,"he said."What did yeh do ?"

"Tripped over a root,"mat said."Landed on a rock."

Hagrid nodded and clapped Matt on the back, a gesture clearly meant to comfort him but instead nearly knocked him over again. After he recovered they set off for the rook, walking side by side to Hagrid. Malfoy followed at a curt space. Hagrid did n't ask them what they were doing by the Whomping willow tree again, although Albus had a flavour he probably knew. After all, he knew why the Tree was there and the fact that Matt was a wolfman.

The castle was much vacuous when they returned than when they had left. Albus only saw a few prefects doing their rounds and realized that curfew must have passed. So a good deal for not getting in fuss.

Hagrid walked them to the infirmary wing and left Albus and Matt there while he then escorted Malfoy to Slughorn 's study. Malfoy had remained quiet during the entire walk, but lost the sneer he 'd worn when he insulted Matt.

"I thought you lot had grown out of this,"Madam Pomfrey said as she examined lusterlessness 's carpus."This sneaking about in the dead of night, following people. At least you did n't get locked out this clock time.

"Yes, your wrist is definitely broken. But I can mend it quickly."

madam Pomfrey took her wand out of her gown and pointed it at Matt 's wrist. She muttered a spell and instantly, his radiocarpal joint was healed.

"Thanks,"Matt said, bending his wrist.

"You 're receive,"the nurse replied. She hurried over to a cabinet and returned with a chalice of potion."Take this for the hurting and you 'll be near as new. No need to stay the night. I know you stay here enough as it is. You 're to hold back here until Professor Longbottom comes to amass you."

Matt nodded and downed the potion in one prominent gulp. Albus sat down adjacent to him on the bed and they waited for Longbottom. Albus did n't remember Hagrid had seen him with his scepter pointed at Malfoy, so his penalisation should n't be too bad.

"You do n't cogitate he 'll make you pretermit Quidditch tomorrow, do you ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought of that."I hope not. Fred would kill me."

The doorway to the hospital ward opened and prof Longbottom walked inside. He looked tired and slightly annoyed. He sighed and shook his head when he saw Albus and Matt.

"You two again ?"he asked."Hagrid said you were on the grounds after curfew ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied. He always felt eldritch calling Professor Longbottom 'sir', but figured it could n't ache in this situation.

"Should I bother asking why ?"Longbottom replied.

Albus shook his head, knowing that telling Longbottom why would n't get them any fewer hold, nor would it break off Malfoy from trying to figure out how to get into the Shrieking Shack.

"I 'll make this easy, then,"Longbottom said."Ten points from Gryffindor, each. And you 'll both function detention tomorrow, immediately following the Quidditch match. Lines, in my situation. I 'll see you then."Longbottom turned to leave. He nodded to Madam Pomfrey as he walked to the door."skilful night, Poppy."

"commodity Nox, Neville,"Madam Pomfrey said.

Albus and Matt said good night to the nurse and then left the ward, both automatically going back to the park room rather than the Marauder 's Den. If they were caught outside of Gryffindor pillar twice in one night they 'd get a much worse punishment than 20 lost point and a detention. Albus thought they 'd gotten off soft, to be honest. He wondered what Slughorn had set for Malfoy.

privy, Kaden, Rose, and Amanda were waiting for them when they got back. John and Kaden were smirking.

"Do n't say a Holy Scripture,"Albus muttered."I knew whoever followed him would get caught."

"Figured you did, seeing as you 've been gone for over an time of day,"bathroom said."What 's your punishment ?"

"Detention tomorrow after Quidditch and we each lost ten tip,"Albus said.

"You got off easy,"Kaden replied."If it had been me and John we would 've gotten three detentions."

"I think Longbottom took pity on us because matte broke his wrist while we were out there,"Albus said.

John laughed."Of course of action he did."

"Shut it,"Matt said."It really hurt. I was dodging a curse that Malfoy sent to the willow tree that reflected off the wards."

"Did you find anything useful out ?"rosiness asked."Not that I approve of this."

Albus and flatness explained what had happened, including the part where Malfoy insulted flatness and Albus nearly hexed him.

"Very odd,"rosebush mused."What can he possibly want the shanty for ? And what did he mean when he said he had other stuff going on ? What former stuff could he possibly have going on besides schooltime ?"

"Whatever he 's got going on with Willinson ?"St. John the Apostle suggested."Surely Felix knows what his cousin-german are up to and Malfoy 's always involved with that."

Albus shrugged."Maybe. But why would he need the hut ?"

"Who knows,"John said.

"I bet it 's got something to do with that varsity letter,"Amanda said."And why he 's acting so strangely lately."

"oral presentation of acting strangely, Elsie Willinson is still acting Wyrd,"Rose said."I thought she would 've adjusted by now, but she has n't. She does n't seem to induce any friends."

"DOE her brother still pick her up from tutoring ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah,"pink wine replied."It 's very odd. I asked her if she wanted to hang up out with me and Amanda until curfew, but she said she could n't. So I said maybe another time and she said probably not."

"That 's odd,"John said."Clearly they 're up to something."

"They 're always up to something,"Albus pointed out."I 'd love to experience what it is, though. I wonder if they 've been in contact with Quinton."

"They 'd be stunned to be,"rosebush said."Kendrick did n't punish Felix for what happened to Kaden two class ago, telling him if he did it again he 'd get expelled."

"I still say you 've got to enter out what 's up with Elsie,"John said.

"I 'm trying,"Rose insisted."It 's not as easy as you 'd think. She hardly talks at all."

"Just keep trying,"John said.

"Team !"Fred suddenly shouted from across the common room."Off to bed, all of you ! We 've got a second base prospect at this and let 's not destroy it by staying up all night."

Albus did n't argue. Turning in early was a good idea and he was actually quite tired after his pleasure trip to the Whomping willow. He bade good nighttime to his friends and went up to his restrained, empty dormitory. It did n't take him long to fall asleep and he dreamt of playing Quidditch with Malfoy while the two of them dodged the Whomping Willow on brooms.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! I am doing Camp NaNoWriMo again this month ( probably not a near approximation ... ), and I 'm writing this for it, so hopefully I 'll end up it !



The weather for the rematch was vastly different from the previous Sabbatum 's weather. The sky seemed to be all out of snow and the sun was shining. Although it was still bitterly cold-blooded, there was little winding. Albus hoped the match would be a long one since as soon as it was over, he had to serve detention with Professor Longbottom.

Albus went down to the Great dormitory by himself for breakfast. His early night had given way to him waking up far sooner than he normally did. It was overnice being able to linger over breakfast, though, and concentrate on the forthcoming peer rather than interact with his friends. As he ate, the Great Hall slowly filled. He had just finished the last of his eggs when the post owls arrived.

Albus observed the bird of Minerva and did n't make out any of them. Clearly he was not receiving any Emily Price Post today, which was a skilful matter because he was fairly certain Longbottom had owled his parents about his custody. But then he noticed a very declamatory owl holding a red gasbag in its mouth ; it was a howler and the owl was heading toward the Slytherin table. Albus continued watching it and saw it land right in movement of Scorpius, who yanked the gasbag off the owl 's leg and tripped over the bench in his hastiness to forget the room. Albus actually sympathized with him ; it was awful opening a howler monkey in public. From the audio of it, Malfoy did n't quite crap it to a loo or empty classroom. Muffled yelling could be heard coming from the Entrance Hall.

Malfoy did n't return to the Great G. Stanley Hall. Albus figured it must have been a particularly tremendous howler and was wondering what it could possibly have said when his friends sat down next to him.

"Malfoy got a howler,"Saint John the Apostle said as he started loading his home with bacon.

"I know,"Albus said."Saw him get it."

"Well, we heard the tail end of it,"John said.

"It was tremendous,"Rose replied.

"What did it say ?"Albus asked."Who was it from ?"

"His dad, I 'm guessing,"John said."It was a man 's vox. We crouched down on the stairs when we saw him. Basically his dad was yelling at him for getting in trouble for stupid thing when he should be studying and concentrating on his shoal oeuvre and keeping his brain down. Then he said something about how Malfoy knows that they, meaning his parents, have far more important thing on their minds than worrying about Malfoy getting in trouble in school. And how they ca n't worry about him at school when they 're meddling worrying about other things."

"That 's vague,"Albus said."He did n't say what the other matter were ?"

"Nope,"lavatory said."But Malfoy obviously knows what they are because he was shaking and he ran for the dungeon after the howler blew up."

"I told you the letter he read at exercise was about something bad,"Amanda said.

"And now we know it 's got something to do with his family,"Albus said.

"Maybe they 're going to join up with Willinson and the Carrows and all them,"Matt said."His dad was a destruction Eater, was n't he ?"

"sort of,"Albus said."His grandfather was, but his dad sort of got caught up in it and he got off. So did his grandfather, actually. No one really knows why, but my dad vouched for them at their hearing."

"Now that is weird,"lustrelessness said."Maybe his granddad is planning on joining them."

Albus shrugged."Maybe, but it just does n't sound right. Listen, I 've got to get to the pitch. I 'll see you after."

"Yeah, for detainment,"lusterlessness muttered."Going to be a blast."

Albus 's wishing for a foresightful mates came true. Since the atmospheric condition was cooperating, James put off catching the stool pigeon until Gryffindor was up by 200 points, instead focusing his efforts on faking nose dive to continue Ravenclaw 's Seeker away from the sneak. It worked, and three and a one-half hours later Jesse James caught the canary and won the match for Gryffindor. Albus was sorely foiled that he 'd have to miss the resulting party in the common room, but figured that 's what Longbottom was going for when he scheduled detention for right after the couple.

Matt was waiting for Albus in the Great hallway and the two of them grabbed a quick dejeuner before hurrying to Longbottom 's government agency. They spent the next two minute writing'I will not cabbage out of the castle after wickedness'over and over again. By the time they were done Albus wanted to curl up and take a nap, since the Quidditch friction match itself had exhausted him. He and Matt decided to spend the afternoon in the predator 's Den, just relaxing if not actually sleeping.

When they arrived they found John and Kaden in the midriff of plotting their new prank. Rose and Amanda were in the library, apparently avoiding John and Kaden and their prank.

"Are you two trusted you do n't require to be involved with this ?"St. John asked."It 's going to be legendary."

"It wo n't be worth the detentions,"Albus said.

"Seriously,"Matt agreed."If it 's fabled it 's going to mean a lot of detentions."

"amercement,"John said.

John and Kaden lowered their voices, but Albus distinctly heard the Book 'Weasleys '', 'itching gunpowder ,''Slytherins ,'and 'alarm clocks .'At that tip, he really did n't need to know. He and Matt decided to start up a game of cheat and attempted to tune up out John the Divine and Kaden 's whispering.

"I was thinking the former Nox and realized if my dad loses his job when Laurentis is elected it 's going to be just like Australia,"lusterlessness said as he captured one of Albus 's pawns.

"I had n't thought of that,"Albus said."Does that signify you 'd move again ?"

"I do n't sleep with,"Matt said quietly."I really hope not. I guess I do n't mean so because the really understanding we moved here was so I could go to school, not for Dad to get a new job."

"Then you probably wo n't,"Albus replied, taking one of Matt 's bishops.

"But if he does lose it, it 's going to probably mean Laurentis disagrees with him on wolfman issues,"mat pointed out."That could be really bad."

"You never know,"Albus said."There 's other things your dad slew with that they might differ on."

"But my dad 's the most vocal on lycanthrope rights. Everyone knows that,"flatness said."If they 're going to disagree on something, that 's going to be it."

"I guess you 'll give birth to wait until the debate,"Albus said.

"I 'm thinking of going,"Matt said quietly."It might be horrific, but I want to have it off what she says firsthand, not from the Prophet."

"That makes signified,"Albus said."When is it ?"

"In three week,"lusterlessness said."February 15th. That 's the exclusively thing ; it 's the day of the Hogsmeade trip."

"That happened conclusion Hogsmeade weekend,"Albus said,"when Rose went. sucking that they do that."

lusterlessness nodded."I think I 'll go anyway. I mean, it is the Valentine 's Hogsmeade trip. speech production of that, is James still going out with that Hufflepuff girl ? I forgot her name."

"Gabby Ellis,"Albus said."I 've no idea, to be true. I guess we 'll find out when the Hogsmeade stumble comes."

"Just as long as Fred does n't schedule Quidditch practice for that day again,"Matt pointed out.

Albus laughed."He wo n't. None of us minded too much since the weather was so nice, but I think if he did it again the unit team would hate him."

"That would score an sticky phratry dinner party, considering over half the team are your first cousin,"Matt said.

"Family dinner with my phratry have become bunglesome by definition,"Albus said."Luckily the next one wo n't be until far after the election."

"Only a slight over two month to go,"Matt said."You can have it."

"I hope so,"Albus replied, as he moved his queen in the direct line of reasoning of lustrelessness 's king."Checkmate."
***


"Rufus Scrimgeour was the final minister of conjuring trick to be appointed by the Wizengamot,"prof Embry said as he strolled around his classroom. It was the first week of February and the class had finally gotten to the point where they were beginning to discuss the minute war."He was appointed quickly, after Cornelius Fudge resigned.

"rector Fudge is commonly known as the least competent Minister ever to apply office,"Embry continued."He refused to trust evidence that was laid out plainly in front of him, for fear of being known as the Minister who held office when Voldemort returned. Somehow, he thought that if he ignored what was right in strawman of him, it would just simply go away. This backfired, of track, because he is now known for being the least competent Minister.

"Scrimgeour is seen in a slightly better visible radiation than Fudge, although he was parson when the Ministry fell to Voldemort in Aug of 1997 ...."

Albus knew all of this, of course. He 'd grown up listening to his parents laugh at the incompetence of Fudge and the pointlessness of Scrimgeour being considered a minister at all. Nevertheless, he listened to Embry and took detailed notes since the essays Embry set were often foresightful and hard.

"The time of the second base war was a time of reverence and chaos,"Embry said as he reached the front man of the elbow room again."No one knew what was going on or who to believe. Many hoi polloi heartily believed Fudge and what he said, believing Albus Dumbledore to be a hoax or even senile. When this realness was shattered for them in June of of 1996, they did n't eff what to do or who to flex to, or even what to conceive. They 'd been fooled for a entire year, believing what their Ministry and newspaper told them. Now that they knew they 'd been lied to for a class, what were they to do ? They did n't trust anyone, let alone the Ministry. Most mass 's goals were to protect their house and friends and that was it.

"It was the reverence and topsy-turvydom that allowed Voldemort and his followers to make control of the Ministry. Without the support of wizarding Britain, the Ministry was weak and susceptible to a coup d'etat. It was simple for Voldemort to slide in and putsch in a matter of weeks."

"Excuse me, Professor ?"Olivia Price said, raising her hand.

"Yes, girl Price ?"Embry replied."You have a dubiousness ?"

"Yes, sir,"Olivia replied."I was just wondering, and you do n't have to answer, but what were you doing during the second war ?"

If Embry was surprised that Olivia asked him a question about his personal biography, he did n't exhibit it. Instead he gave a slight smile and began to walk around the classroom again.

"I do n't mind answering that,"Embry said."Many of your parents were involved with the war effort, so of track you 're curious. When the Ministry fell I 'd been working there for about six years. I got a job as an undersecretary in the Department of Magical Transportation when I was just out of Hogwarts and worked my way up the rank.

"I 'd received a packaging shortly before government minister Fudge resigned and worked to draft jurisprudence, but I quit after Scrimgeour got appointed because I saw that the Ministry was weak and cloud and no longer wished to coordinate myself with it. After Voldemort 's defeat, I was approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt asking if I would care to be involved with rebuilding the Ministry, and I said yes."

Albus was impressed. Embry had n't mentioned what sort of job he did at the Ministry and Albus had had no idea he had been so involved with its rebuilding after the war.

"So you can see why I believe it is so crucial to civilise all of you about the history of the Ministry and how it is organized now,"Embry finished."feel like we 're out of time for today so please drop a line an eight inch essay on Rufus Scrimgeour 's term as Minister for homework, due next Tuesday."

Albus packed up his bag and headed back up to Gryffindor pillar with his acquaintance. When they arrived, there was a crew around the notice board, which was unusual. The Hogsmeade weekend date had already been announced and rarely did other card garner such a crowd around the notice board.

Albus shrugged at his Quaker and they squeezed through the crowd until they could read it. It was a magnanimous poster, covering the majority of the board, imposing an other curfew Dominicus Nox. Everyone, first through seventh geezerhood, were to be back inside the rook by five in the evening, no exclusion. Below that it warned that Filch was going to interlock the front doors at exactly five and that everyone was to report to their rough-cut elbow room at five-thirty.

"That 's Wyrd,"Albus said as he and his friends retreated."I do n't imagine they 've ever imposed a curfew so ahead of time before, and for everyone ?"

"It 's because Greyback has n't been caught,"Matt said quietly."Lord's Day 's the good moon."

"They must think he 's going to come back,"Albus replied.

"Scary,"John added."Do you really think he will ?"

"I do n't get laid,"Matt said."But I 'd bet my parents'unit Gringotts vault that he 's going to bite someone Sunday night."

"Wait,"Rose said."You do n't usually go to the shriek Shack until six or seven."

"They 're probably doing it early just to be condom,"lustrelessness said."In case some hoi polloi do n't follow it or something. It says on there that the prefects are going to do a head count. That 's why we all have to descend back to the usual room at five-thirty."

blush wine nodded."Then you 'll have to leave later, after the doors are locked."

"Either that or Madam Pomfrey will have me go early,"Matt replied."I really hope not, though. I hate sitting out in the screeching Shack."

"I hope not, too,"Albus said quietly.

Albus and his supporter were probably the entirely scholarly person who knew the reason why a curfew had been imposed on Sunday. Even the prefects seemed clueless, since Albus overheard a few of them trying to figure it out. Thomas More than a few students were angry about it, although Albus had no theme why since it was n't common for students to take a promenade on the grounds on a Sunday dark in February. He supposed they liked the choice, though.

As Sun drew airless Matt became quieter and even more closed off than he normally was. In fact, it reminded Albus a lot of the way he was in first year, before Rose figured out why he disappeared once a month. Both Albus and rosiness tried to get him to open up about it, but he shrugged them off and insisted he was fine. John and Kaden did n't look to notice any difference in lusterlessness, and Amanda was n't one to ask about it when he closed himself off.

Saturday 's Dueling Tournament proved uneventful. Albus spent the entire few hours worrying about Matt because he had elected to skip the tournament in lodge to sleep, which was odd since he 'd normally at least try to take part. At to the lowest degree Malfoy made Albus 's life slowly by remaining quiet throughout the tournament and not blaming Albus when the team came in one-third place. Albus himself won both of his duels, as did Malfoy.

On Sunday Albus and his Friend spent the day in the piranha 's Den, working on preparation and playing secret plan. Matt slept for much of the day and he still was n't saying anything. While Albus was worried, he was fairly sealed the reason lusterlessness was so quiesce was Rebel. When a one-quarter to five rolled around, they had to return to Gryffindor to prove they were in the palace. matt was still gone, so Albus told everyone else go to on ahead and that they 'd follow.

"flatness,"Albus whispered as he shook his friend awake."We 've got to go back to the green room."

"This is pudding head,"matte muttered."They 're counting everyone to make sure as shooting no one gets attacked by a werewolf when they 've got one living in the castle."

"Is that why you 've been so quiet this calendar week ?"Albus asked as lustrelessness got up. He did n't respond."You and Greyback are n't the same."

"I know,"lustrelessness said as they left the room. The corridor was abandon, so he continued to talk."It 's just the fact that we 're both werewolves. That 's the Sami. What if they start doing this curfew affair every broad moon, all because of me ?"

"They wo n't,"Albus said."You 're not life-threatening because you 're in the Shrieking Shack. It 's all sealed up."

"I guess, but it 's still possible."

"You and Greyback are different because he wants to bite mass. He purposely transforms near mass, not on wolfbane, so he can infect people. You hide yourself away to protect everyone. That 's a huge difference."

"But what if he does get to Hogsmeade,"flatness continued."He 'll discover me howling and know there 's a werewolf in the Shrieking Shack and he 'll try to get in."

"But he wo n't be able to,"Albus pointed out.

"And then if he does bite someone, and let 's face it, he will,"Matt said."It 's going to look bad for all werewolves. All it 'll take is a few attempt and mass will depart believing we should have our rights taken away. That 's what happened in Australia."

"You 're getting ahead of yourself,"Albus said as they reached the vernacular room."Right now you do n't jazz that any of that 's going to happen. Wandering banshee."

"You 're nearly late,"the Fat Lady said as she swung her portrait open.

Albus and mat climbed inside and found the unwashed room the most crowded they 'd ever seen it. Prefects were milling about attempting to get everyone to quiet down, but everyone was still trying to figure out why such an early curfew had been set. The way was so push that Albus and lusterlessness could n't find out the rest of their friends and since being in a crowded elbow room was not the well approximation for Matt right before the full-of-the-moon Moon, they quit searching and instead sat down near the dorm doors.

"Everyone, quiet, delight !"Heather announced in a magically exaggerate part. The way finally quieted down."I know you 're all upset about the curfew but they have n't even secern us prefects why it 's been imposed. It 's not that big a lot since it 's February, darkness, and freezing outside. None of you would be outside anyway. Now just remain pipe down while we take curlicue so we can all get downstairs for dinner party. After we 're done you 'll be allowed to drift the castle until your normal curfew."

Heather began calling out name in alphabetical order by year. It took her fifteen or so minutes to get to the quarter years and after that Albus tuned her out. fifteen mo after that she finished and all the Gryffindors had been accounted for. The park room emptied out quickly, since everyone wanted to get to the Great Asaph Hall for dinner. matt had fallen asleep and after Albus prodded him awake, he went up to the residence hall to log Z's until he had to go to the hospital extension.

When Albus and his friends returned from dinner Matt had already left for the hospital wing. They decided to just bind around the common room since it was fairly vacuous and spent the evening working on their essays for prof Embry.

"Any chance you lot know why we 're stuck inside ?"James I asked as he snagged the endure chair at Albus 's table."Cedric, Ben, and I are asking everyone."

Albus exchanged a coup d'oeil with Rose. He supposed it could n't hurt to recite St. James the Apostle the reason why, just so long as he did n't severalise him why they knew. Of course of instruction, as soon as he told James it would spread around the rook like dragon pox at a wizarding nursery school day, but again, that would n't really hurt anything.

"We 've got a hunch,"Albus said."Remember how Quinn Gregory saw Greyback on the grounds during the Quidditch match ?"

"Yeah,"King James I said.

"Well, tonight 's a full Sun Myung Moon,"Albus said."Put it together."

James was soundless for a moment and then his eyes grew big."You think Kendrick thinks he 's going to hail here tonight ?"

"That 's our guess,"Albus said and his friends nodded.

"Makes sense,"St. James said."Can you imagine what variety of trouble Kendrick would be in if someone got bitten by a loup-garou on the background ?"

Albus did n't want to think about it. He doubted Matt wanted a familiar in the Shrieking hutch.

"Scary,"James said,"thinking about Limnodromus griseus transformed while wandering around the grounds. I wonder why they did n't just tell us. No one would be angry about it if they 'd enjoin us the reason."

"Probably did n't want anyone to panic,"Albus said.

"speculation so,"James River agreed."But still, everyone 's going to know now."He grinned and then got up to go find Ben and Cedric. The fact that the curfew was due to Greyback would be common knowledge in the castle within ten minutes, Albus guessed.

Albus managed to wind up his essay and decided to promise it a night shortly after. He did n't feel like talking, not with the possibility that Limnodromus griseus was either running around the Hogwarts grounds or setting himself on some unsuspecting settlement, wanting to infect minuscule fry with lycanthropy. It was terribly to mean about. Albus laid awake for hours, trying not to call back about it, but try as he might, he just could not agitate the thought from his mind.


It was a rare affair that Albus witnessed the sun advance. Being fourteen-years-old, Albus preferred to sleep until the very late dayspring or too soon afternoon, but this detail good morning he was up before the sun. He had n't slept much that Night due to his worries about Fenrir Greyback and Matt, and decided that it was pointless to try and sleep when he 'd just birth to be up in an hour anyway.

Albus sat at the window and watched as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. The grounds looked passive, and not at all like the place where a loup-garou could 've been roaming just a few hours before. The moon had set and both flatness and Rebel would be back in their human being mannequin by now. Whatever had happened was over now and there was zippo anyone could do to change it. Albus wondered just how farseeing it would take away for the oracle to issue some sort of article on any attempt greyback might 've been the suit of.

Bilius and Ethan awoke before John the Divine did and busied themselves with talk of the Balycastle and Kenmare match that had taken space Saturday, completely unworried about Greyback. Albus was n't surprised since neither of them had any sort of personal association with the escaped lycanthrope. But they at least knew that the previous night had been a full lunation, since Saint James had spread that information around the castling.

John Lackland finally rose shortly after Bilius and Ethan left for breakfast. Albus was relieved since they could now address freely.

"What prison term is it ?"John asked as soon as he sat up."Have we got metre to gossip flatness before Herbology ?"

"Just after eight, so not really,"Albus said."And there 's no point in time in visiting him now as he 's probably unconscious or sleeping. The lunar month just set two 60 minutes ago."

"Yeah, but he might know something,"John said as he closed the hangings on his bed while he dressed."He might 've heard Greyback last night."

"He never remembers anything about full Sun Myung Moon,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's still worth a snapshot,"John replied.

Albus thought it would be kind of pointless, but they did n't have time before Herbology anyway. After bathroom finished, the two hurried out of the dormitory and down to the Great Hall for a straightaway breakfast before class. rosiness, Amanda, and Kaden were already there.

"Anything in the prophesier ?"Albus asked as he grabbed a plenty of toast.

Rose shook her head and swallowed her Sir Francis Bacon before answering."No. Absolutely nothing, but that does n't think of much. It could just be too soon for sufficiency details to have emerged."

"well, we 've got a free full point this afternoon, so we can go ask flatness,"John said.

"I told you that he 's not going to know anything,"Albus reminded him.

whoremonger shrugged."You never know."

The rest of the educatee consistency seemed to give already forgotten about the early curfew and the full moon. Albus did n't learn anyone discussing it on his way to Herbology or at lunch later that day. Since there had n't been anything in the paper about an attempt, it was old word for the Hogwarts students. Everyone that is, except for Albus, John, Rose, and Amanda.

Albus, John, and Amanda were still discussing it on their way to Care of Magical puppet that afternoon. When they arrived they found Hagrid surrounded by Cage filled with small, black, fluffy creatures.

"'ello !"Hagrid shouted."I 've got nifflers for yeh today. Can anyone tell me what makes nifflers unique ?"

Albus raised his hand.

"Albus,"Hagrid said.

Albus grinned."Nifflers find treasure. They like lustrous things."

"Tha 's right,"Hagrid said."So if you 've got lookout or jewellery on, need it off. I 've buried a load of leprechaun gold and your job for today will be to use the nifflers to find it. Everyone pair off and then come get a niffler. Whichever pair finds the most gold gets a pack of hot chocolate Frogs."

There was a flurry as everyone hurried to take off their jewelry and find a niffler that looked like it would be a particularly treasure hunter. Albus took off his lookout, shoved it into his pocket, and followed lav and Amanda over to the nifflers. With matte in the hospital extension, Albus was without a partner and decided to just fall in John and Amanda.

John grabbed the niffler with the longest snout and held the end of the lead while they followed it around the grounds. Every so often the niffler would stop and dig through the snow, revealing a small pile of coins. Albus collected them and shoved them into a bag Hagrid had provided.

The entire procedure was rather entertaining. Albus enjoyed watching not only his niffler, but the remainder of the course of instruction 's nifflers as well. They were endearing, funny creatures. At one compass point, Janie Creevey and Karina Jordan-Bell 's niffler managed to sniff out a set of scales in Bilius 's bag resulting in all three of them playing tug-of-war with the niffler.

"Why 's he got his exfoliation in there anyway ?"john asked as they watched."We have n't got potions today."

Albus shrugged."No idea."

"Albus, John the Evangelist, look !"Amanda shouted, pointing toward the castle.

Albus turned around and saw two figures walking toward Hagrid 's hut. It took a few s, but he soon realized that he knew both of them. One Albus recognized as a young Auror from his dad 's department. His name was Newman and he 'd been one of the Aurors to help when Kaden was kidnapped two eld ago. The second man was none other than lusterlessness 's dad.

"What 's Matt 's dad doing here ?"John asked.

"Yeah, and who 's that other lad ?"Amanda asked.

"He 's an Auror,"Albus said."But why are they here ?"

The two wizards walked past Albus, St. John the Apostle, and Amanda without making any sorting of eye tangency, acting as if they 'd never seen them before. By now, the sleep of the course of instruction was looking at them strangely. flatness 's dad and Newman kept walking until they reached Hagrid, and they began speaking with him in low voices.

"C'mon,"Albus said as he began walking toward Hagrid.

John tugged the niffler 's leash and he and Amanda followed Albus. Albus stopped once they were within earshot, hiding behind a bush. John and Amanda crouched down on either slope of him.

"I s'ppose I did hear some amusing noise las'night,"Hagrid said."Thomas More'n usual, that is. Always funny noises from the forest. A bit more howling than convention las'night, coming from Hogsmeade. Could 've been a wolfman, but I don'know for sure."

"And did you see anything roaming the basis ?"Matt 's dad asked. His voice sounded serious.

"No,"Hagrid said."Wasn'outside late. What 's this about ? knot ?"

matt 's dad and John Henry Newman glanced at each other."Yes,"Matt 's dad said."We have cause to believe Johnny was in the area last night and we 're looking for anyone who might 've seen something."

Hagrid shuddered."Wish I could assist yeh. But yeh live, that howling from Hogsmeade could 've just been-"

"Yes, I know,"Mr. Eckerton cut him off, with a quick glance at Paul Newman."We 've had reports of more roughshod, louder howling. Howling that seems to transfer location."

"Oh !"Hagrid exclaimed."Yeah, well, again, compliments I could assist. I 'll pay a bit more tending next full moon."

"We 'd appreciate it,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thanks for your time."

Matt 's dad and Cardinal Newman turned and left, without a second gear glimpse at Hagrid or the class. The rest of the class had foresighted since returned to their nifflers and all had bags of gold far orotund than Albus, John, and Amanda 's. But Albus no longer cared about winning the umber Frogs. It seemed that something did happen last night, but nobody knew exactly what.

At the end of the class, Albus, John, and Amanda came in dead finally for sum of money of coins collected. Hagrid seemed disappointed, but said that their niffler must 've just been tired. After returning it to its cage, the three hurried back to the castle, dying to stow their purse and go visit Matt.

"If Rebel is n't on Wolfsbane should n't he be well-off to receive after the full-of-the-moon synodic month ?"John asked as they walked to the hospital wing."Would n't he be injured ?"

"Not necessarily,"Albus said quietly."matt only bites and attacks himself because he has zero else to round. If Reb 's out roaming the countryside, he can round animals and people."

"But what about the actual transformation ?"can replied."Even werewolves on Wolfsbane are achy the next day because of that, right ?"

"I think so, yeah, but I bet if you 're being chased by Aurors that 's the death thing on your mind,"Albus pointed out."I 'm not indisputable. Matt would probably know."

matte was the only patient in the hospital annexe and dame Pomfrey was busybodied in her discipline, so Albus and his champion were free to discourse whatever they pleased. Albus was happy to see that Matt was awake, although he did reckon slightly unsettled.

"Was there anything in the prophesier ?"Matt asked as soon as Albus, King John, and Amanda had taken seats on his bed."And I 'm fine, so do n't disoblige asking."

"Er, no,"Albus said."Why ?"

"Last night was weird,"Matt said.

"Told you he 'd know something,"John said to Albus.

"But I do n't,"Matt replied."It was just uncanny. I do n't bang how else to trace it."

"What happened ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't bang,"flatness said quietly as he pulled his hands out from under the blankets. They were completely bandaged."Look. My hands are the only component of me that 's injure. I mean, I ache all over from the shift, but I did n't bite myself at all utmost night."

Albus looked at the bandage."But your hands. You did n't bite them ? Then why are they bandaged ?"

"Splinters,"Matt said."Madam Pomfrey thinks I spent the night scratching at the door and trying to get out. I 've never done that before. I never remember anything from when I 'm the wolf, but I do sometimes remember feelings. Like if the wolf was really furious or something. Last night it was desperate, although I have no idea what for. I guess to get outdoors, if madam Pomfrey is right."

"And your wolfy self has n't done that before ?"Albus asked.

"No,"lusterlessness shook his promontory."I 've been transforming in the screeching hovel for three and a half years and the wolf has never done that before."

"I 'll severalise you something weirder,"trick said."Your dad was here earlier."

"What ?"matte exclaimed."When ?"

"Just now,"John said."During Care of Magical beast, he and some Auror came to blab out to Hagrid. We listened in-"

"Of class,"matte cut in.

"Your dad and the Auror, they were asking Hagrid if he 'd seen or heard anything weird net night. Hagrid said he did n't see anything, but he thought he heard more noise than usual from Hogsmeade. Then he said that it may give birth just been you, but your dad cut him off, probably because of the Auror. Then your dad said that there had been paper of more roughshod howling than usual."

"They definitely think that Greyback was in Hogsmeade last night,"Albus said.

"What would 've happened if you got out ?"Amanda asked.

"Out of the Shack ?"lusterlessness asked."nothing salutary. But now he knows that I was there. He 'll keep coming back until he 's captured. I wo n't actually be able to lam from the hutch. The wards are too good."

The doorway to the ward flew open and Matt 's dad came striding inside, still looking as serious as he had earlier. After a immediate glance around the room, he strode over to Matt 's bed.

"Dad,"matt said.

"You do n't reckon storm to see me,"Mr. Eckerton replied as he gave his son a hug."How are you feeling ?"

"I 'm all right,"Matt said with a shrug."Albus, John, and Amanda saw you talking to Hagrid. well, they heard you, too. Where 's the Auror ?"

Mr. Eckerton let out a abruptly laugh and then turned to Albus."I saw you in the chaparral. next time you 're trying to hide, do n't hide with a niffler. They 're infamous giveaways. Yours was trying to sniffle out Newman 's pocket watch."

"I missed nifflers ?"matt asked, clearly disappointed.

"Yeah,"Albus said."I bet Hagrid would let you see one after you 're better, though."

"I need to verbalise with you about last night, Matt,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."In private, perhaps ?"

Matt shook his head."I already told them about net nighttime, so they might as well stay."

"All right,"Mr. Eckerton said."I need you to try and remember if you heard or saw anything foreign survive night. I know you never think of anything, but try."

lustrelessness held up his bandaged workforce."lady Pomfrey thinks I tried to get out of the hutch go nighttime. That never happens. Whatever was outside kept the wolf occupied all dark. I did n't attack myself."

Mr. Eckerton 's eyes grew large and Albus noticed that the serious looking at had dissipated. It was replaced with a look Albus had seen quite often on his own founder. It was a father 's electric shock and worry.

lustrelessness explained the rest, including the part about the woman chaser impression desperate. Mr. Eckerton seemed to contemplate this for a few minutes before sighing and shaking his head.

"What 's going on, Dad ?"Matt asked.

Mr. Eckerton sighed once more."I suppose it could n't hurt to assure you. It 'll be in the seer tomorrow anyway. Two shaver were attacked in Little Shingleton last dark. It 's a town about five geographical mile away, on the other slope of that stack next to Hogsmeade. We 've been trying to figure out whether it was Greyback or not, since he left immediately after biting them."

"Were they Muggles ?"Matt asked.

"No,"Mr. Eckerton said."Which makes me believe that this was a carefully planned flack. Little Shingleton is a Muggle village, with these two nipper and their parents being the only witches and wizards in the area. It 's too coincidental. And why flak both children ? most werewolves take off immediately after biting someone, their instinct telling them to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible."

"And did they ... outlive ?"Matt replied.

"They 're both in unchanging condition at St. Mungo 's. Once their bites heal, they 'll be fine, carry through for the fact that they now have lycanthropy. The chomp were clean and small, not normal werewolf bites. These bites were inflicted just to infect. Another sign toward Greyback."

"But what about Hogsmeade ?"Albus asked.

"Five miles is not an insufferable journey for a werewolf in a night,"Mr. Eckerton explained."nigh potential grayback heard flatness 's howling live on night and followed the auditory sensation. Once there, he probably spent the residual of the dark attempting to get inside the Shrieking Shack, which is impossible."

"So you really think it was him ?"mat asked.

"I do, and Auror Newman agrees with me. I left him in Kendrick 's study, after telling him I needed to visit you since we were already here. But what you 've told me just solidifies it."

"But ca n't you just go get him ?"John asked."He ca n't be that far. No law-breaking, Matt, but if you were exterior you would n't get very far."

"None taken."

"The thing that makes lycnathropy so difficult to meditate, and also most likely the cause why Wolfsbane does n't work for all werewolves, is that each individual 's lycanthropy is vastly different from others. Its consequence depend a lot upon a person 's views toward their own lycanthropy. Fenrir greyback has spent his spirit embracing his lycnathropy and living for that one Night a month where his admittedly nature emerges. He embraces his wolf side so often that he even attacks people when the moon is not full.

"You, Matt, on the other hand, key most with your human side. As you should, considering you 're only a wolf one night out of 28. Therefore, you resist the transformation. You fight it with your every fiber, every month. Johnny embraces it, and probably careen a lot easier than you do. His shift most likely do not get him the same pain."

"I guess that makes sense,"matte said.

"But still,"John the Evangelist said."They should be combing the forest for him."

Mr. Eckerton chuckled."They are. Trust me. They have the entire Werewolf control condition Unit searching for him, along with six Aurors, and a handful of Jr and trainee Aurors. They do n't normally polish off Aurors to capture rogue lycanthrope, as that 's usually the Werewolf Control Unit 's job. And it 's not usually my job to investigate werewolf attacks. But this is a high profile slip, so they want many masses on it, including multitude in charge. We 'll get him."

Albus wondered if Teddy was on the case. He was a Junior Auror now. Knowing Teddy, he 'd require to be on the case since Greyback had turned his dad into a werewolf.

"I 've got to get back to the Ministry and fill out a written report,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up from his chair."If you think of anything else, Matt, ask to use prof Longbottom 's Floo. Owls are easily intercepted."

Matt said auf wiedersehen to his dad and soon the male child and Amanda were alone in the hospital wing once more. Albus did n't jazz what to say. Fenrir Greyback, it seemed, was up to his old deception and somehow lusterlessness had gotten involved.
***


Fenrir Calidris canutus 's attack on the two fry took the whole forepart Thomas Nelson Page of the prophet the surveil morning time. The entire Great dorm was talking about it, professors, students, and trace. Copies of the paper were being passed faster than disc of Sir Francis Bacon. Albus managed to snag a copy from his cousin Ben.

FENRIR Calidris canutus ATTACKS IN LITTLE SHINGLETON

Fenrir Greyback, escaped convict and wolfman,
was sighted last night in Little Shingleton,
Scotland. Little Shingleton is nearly an
entirely Muggle village, redeem for one
wizarding phratry. The family, whose
names have not been released due to the
Underage loup-garou protective covering Law,
suffered an extreme disaster last night,
when Fenrir Reb attacked both of
their kid. Both children are
reportedly in stable condition at St.
Mungo 's.

An investigation, organized by both the
Auror Department and the Department for
the ordinance and ascendancy of Magical
brute, headed by head of that department,
Walter Eckerton, concluded tardy yesterday.
'We 've interviewed several eyewitnesses
who saw or see a lycanthrope in Hogsmeade
during the full moon. Hogsmeade is only
about five Roman mile from Little Shingleton .'
Investigators said that numerous other
hint led them to think that the flak
was by Fenrir Greyback, despite not having
actually seen him in Little Shingleton.
'We are not prepared to reveal all details
of the probe. But we are confident
that this was an flack by Greyback. A team
of Aurors and loup-garou Control Unit employees
are working around the clock to appropriate
Greyback .'

The article was followed by a retread of Greyback and the crime that had landed him in Azkaban in the first berth, along with a smutty photograph of him. Even in his man form he looked rather wolf-like, which was such a drastic contrast compared to Matt, who did n't resemble a wolf at all, spare for his eyes. Albus glanced up from the article and his eyes fell on Matt 's. They had a yellowish tint to them, with chip of Au amidst their natural blueness color. They were indeed the only wolf-like trait he possessed when the moon was n't full.

"This is why citizenry want stricter werewolf control jurisprudence,"Matt said quietly.

"Even those could n't consume stopped this,"Albus pointed out.

"People wo n't believe about that. All they 'll conceive about is how their minor are n't safe, and they 're right. It 's just lousy timing. Laurentis is going to use this to her advantage."

Albus wanted to ensure Matt that everything would be all right, that Laurentis would n't mess up everything out of proportion, but he could n't. He knew that Matt was right wing, that Laurentis would once again use a severe tragedy to draw more support from the wizarding world. If his uncle Walker Percy was going to resist a chance against her, he was going to have to drastically change his campaign strategy.


A/N : So I just realized that I uploaded the haywire chapter death Friday. This is the real chapter 25 and the one I uploaded last Fri is chapter 26. Sorry about that !


The thing about werewolf flak was that they were only able to happen once a month. There was absolutely no chance of a lycanthrope attack during the rest of the calendar month, so it was easy for the Hogwarts students to soon forget about Fenrir Greyback, or at least push him into the furthest corners of their nous. After the initial article about Limnodromus griseus 's attack on the two young children, the paper returned to its usual election reporting, although both prospect were being very tranquility about the attack. Neither Percy nor Laurentis made a program line, which did n't surprise Albus. The debate on regulation of sorcerous creatures was scheduled for Saturday, so both campaigner would make statements then. There had been a few editorials in the theme written by people pushing for stricter wolfman laws, but that had been it.

Saturday was also the day of the next Hogsmeade trip, and this gave the Hogwarts bookman a much needed distraction from the outside macrocosm. Word spread amongst Albus 's cousin-german that King James I was once again taking Gabby Ellis to Hogsmeade, and quite a few of his other cousins had escort as well. Albus himself did not, and was planning on spending the day with St. John the Apostle, Kaden, rose, and Amanda. mat had arranged to go to the debate with his dad, and would miss the slip.

"Are you sure you want to go to this argument ?"Albus asked Matt as they played chess game in the Marauder 's Den.

"What ?"Matt asked, turning to Albus. He 'd been staring at the wall under the guise of taking his turn for the retiring five minutes.

"You were zoning out,"Albus said."I asked if you 're sure you want to go to that debate Saturday."

Matt had seemed distracted all week and whether it was from greyback being so near during his transformation or the upcoming argumentation, Albus did n't know.

"Yeah, I 'm sure enough,"lusterlessness said."I 'd rather pick up it straight from her than understand it in the Prophet."

"What about your dad ?"Albus asked."Is he going to speak out against her if she wants rigorous Torah ?"

mat shrugged."I do n't screw. That did n't work too well in Australia."

The door to the Den burst undetermined and lav and Kaden came barging in, both wearing identical grins. It was slightly unearthly, how alike they looked.

"We 've finished,"whoremaster announced.

"Finished what ?"Albus asked. He was slightly worried. It was never a good sign when John and Kaden were that felicitous about something.

"Our trick,"Kaden answered."We 've finished planning. We 're not quite indisputable when to do it, though."

"Yeah, any mesmerism ?"can asked."Or are you two still being all prefecty on us ?"

Albus burst out laughing and turned to flatness, who smirked."Prefecty ?"Albus repeated.

"Yeah,"John said."Everyone knows it 'll be one of you who makes prefect next yr. And you 're getting started early by not liking our pranks."

"We just do n't want custody again,"Matt explained."Honestly, I could n't care to a lesser extent if you prank the Slytherins. Malfoy 's a git. Prank him all you want."

"Are you sure you do n't want to know what it 's going to be ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Not a chance,"lusterlessness said.

John shrugged."All right. But when should we do it ?"

"Let 's just wait and see when the time spirit right,"Kaden suggested."It 's not, er ... time-sensitive ...."

trick and Kaden burst out laughing."Sure,"John said."Not time-sensitive at all."

Albus and matt exchanged a glance.

"We could secernate you why that was so suspect,"can said.

"Or you could just look and see like the residue of the castle,"Kaden added.

"We 'll wait,"Albus said. He was curious about it, but not curious enough to possibly twist up with another week 's detainment.

Whatever the prank was, trick and Kaden did n't implement it before the next day. Saturday brought puritanic skies and bitterly cold temperatures and Albus put on two Weasley jumpers in preparation for walking around Hogsmeade.

Matt left early on for the disputation, Flooing from Professor Longbottom 's study. Albus and John slept late and met Kaden, blush wine, and Amanda in the Great Hall for a quick dejeuner before setting off for Hogsmeade.

The February Hogsmeade tripper was always an interesting one. The village became filled with Danton True Young match either snogging passionately in forepart of the shop class or staring awkwardly at each other across a table in the 3 Broomsticks or madam Puddifoot 's. Having never been on a day of the month before in his life, Albus found it really funny to watch over. John and Kaden found it amusing as well, but Rose and Amanda seemed to stare wistfully at the brace and did n't find them at all funny.

"Where to first ?"Albus asked.

"Not Madam Puddifoot 's,"Saint John the Apostle said immediately, grimacing as a few love-struck couples headed toward the place.

"I plan on never setting animal foot in there,"Kaden said."I do n't care how many girls ask me to go there with them."

John laughed."You 'd have to get a young woman to like you first."

"Shut up,"Kaden said."Let 's just go get some Butterbeer."

The respite of the group agreed and they were soon crowded around one of the only void tables in the Three Broomsticks. Albus was hoping to catch a glimpse of James I because despite the fact that Saint James the Apostle had been out with Gabby Ellis before, Albus could n't get over the fact that his Brother was going out on day of the month. It was just weird.

After finishing their Butterbeer, the chemical group went to Honeyduke 's and Weasleys'in order to stock up on Skiving Snackboxes and Chocolate batrachian. By then it was nearly dinner time and they decided to call it a day. The wind was picking up and none of them fancied being caught in a storm.

"Albus !"Saint John shouted just as they were setting off on the path back to the castle.

"What ?"Albus asked, turning to see what John was pointing at.

"James River and Gabby Ellis,"St. John said.

Albus squinted and just made out his pal, leaning against the exterior of Honeyduke 's, his mouth attached to Gabby Ellis 's. They were so closely that they almost looked like one person.

"Oh my God,"Albus said quietly.

"That is disgusting,"rose added."I could 've gone my integral life without seeing soul snog James."

Gospel According to John and Kaden were both laughing."look like they 're enjoying it,"John said.

"Oh unadulterated !"Albus exclaimed as he turned back to the path."Let 's go."

"I think it 's safe to say they 're together,"Amanda said as they walked back.

"What she could possibly see in Saint James ..."Rose muttered.

"Well, he does represent Quidditch,"Amanda pointed out.

"So do over half my cousins,"pink wine said."So does Albus."

"Can we deepen the topic ?"Albus asked."Please. C'mon, let 's hurry up. I bet matt 's book binding from the debate."

That seemed to get his friends'minds off of James 's amorous life. Albus himself wanted to put the image of his brother kissing someone out of his judgement forever. At least she was a Hufflepuff and he 'd never have to see them kissing in the common room. If he did he may sustain to spend all of his time in the Marauder 's Den.

dinner party had n't started yet when they arrived at the palace, so the mathematical group decided to go find Matt first. They found him right where Albus figured he 'd be, in the marauder 's Den. Albus was slightly nervous about what had happened at the disputation, but matt was sitting on the cast casually reading his Charms book, seeming hardly upset at all.

"How was Hogsmeade ?"lustrelessness asked as he set his script down.

"Disgusting,"Albus said as he sat down following to lusterlessness. john, Rose, and Amanda pulled up chairs.

Matt raised his supercilium."Disgusting ?"

"We saw James I snogging his new lady friend,"pink wine said with a thrill."corporate trust me, there 's nothing pleasant about seeing the boy you remember eating a mud pie kissing a daughter while pressed up against Honeyduke's."

mat laughed."I have n't got any cousin-german, so I 'll take your word for it."

"Consider yourself lucky,"Albus muttered."But what happened at the public debate ?"

"It was n't as bad as I thought it would be,"flatness said."fountainhead, okey, parts of it were n't as bad as I thought they 'd be. It was at the Ministry, in one of those court rooms in the basement. Mostly it was people who work at the Ministry there, but there were some other people there, too, because the elbow room was so big.

"I 'm not sure how much you know about the Department for the Regulation and control condition of Magical Creatures, but every creature is divided into one of three categories. Beings, liveliness, and wolf. tone are ghosts and poltergeists and boggarts. Beings are creature that are n't human, but have human intelligence. Beasts are everything else. The bloke who was running the debate started by asking Percy and Laurentis how they feel about the rights given to organism. You know, goblins, house-elves, centaurs, those sorts of creatures. They did n't possess much to argue about that because neither of them think any of those tool should accept their rights taken away. And Rose 's mum has worked so hard to get them rights.

"Then they moved on to the flavour segmentation and there was n't much disceptation with that, either, since there 's not much that can be done about spirits. They 're just form of there. Ghosts do n't harm anyone and poltergeists it all depends on the specific poltergeist. Laurentis brought up the theme of Peeves, which was odd, but Harry Hotspur did n't seem to have an opinion on Peeves."

Albus had n't expected practically controversy with the beingness segmentation. There had been a lot of disputation rachis and forth about the right of Beings back when his parents had been in school and his aunt Hermione had dedicated her work life toward giving rightfield to Beings, especially house-elves. Over the days she 'd done a very dear job with it and had n't met very much opposition. As for the flavor division, Albus did n't think there had ever been much controversy there. Ghosts were just spook. They pretty much did as they pleased.

Matt paused."Then there was the beast partitioning. Throughout history both loup-garou and vampire have sometimes been in the Being air division and sometimes been in the Beast division. Classification in the beast division is the intellect why lycanthrope have been stripped of their right and how the Ministry can get away with it. If they 're not seen as Beings, then legally, they do n't have to be given the same right hand as humans. It 's a triviality, really.

"A long metre ago lycanthrope were in the Being division, but they got reclassified in the 1950s, after a immense loup-garou onset on an entire town. It was horrible. But ever since then, no one has wanted to separate them as beingness again. My dad has been an advocate for classification as organism ever since he started in Australia.

"The thing about classification is that, for the most part, Ministries all over the man have to hold. That 's why reclassification is such a time-consuming and difficult thing to do. Someone has to bring it up and coordinate negotiations between area and it requires a lot of drive. When Voldemort came to power no one in Britain had the time or energy to put toward the reclassification of werewolves. Not to mention they could n't give up the people to put the time into it. Since the beastly attack in the 50s happened in England, the other res publica have n't wanted to touch the idea. Although I 'd bet that Commonwealth of Australia would put up a good conflict if it was ever brought up again.

"So, basically, my dad has been trying to do this for ages, but he does n't have the support. Even Minister Hartwell has n't wanted to touch it since it 's such a controversial issue and he does n't accept very much clock time left."

"Wow,"Albus said."Binns did n't teach us any of that in History of Magic."

"And he probably wo n't,"matte said."It 's not a well-known issue since most citizenry probably do n't care to put in the effort to reclassify werewolves. The alone people who 'd want to are werewolves."

"That 's tremendous,"Amanda said."But what happened at the disputation ?"

"The ace in charge of the debate dodged the question of Reb for a patch, asking interrogative sentence about other creatures like thestrals and dementors and the corresponding. But he finally brought up the theme of Greyback and Laurentis basically said that it was n't a matter of werewolf control laws, but a matter of Azkaban security-"

"Well, that 's expert,"Albus said. He would n't have expected that of Laurentis.

"form of,"flatness replied."I have n't finished. Anyway, your uncle agreed with her, but he of trend said that putting the dementors back would be stupid. Laurentis said that if the dementors had been there then Limnodromus griseus would n't have escaped and those kids would 've been good. Then they started arguing about Azkaban and dementors again. But the bloke in charge cut them off.

"Then he finally brought up the fact that my dad 's been pushing for the reclassification of wolfman as Beings for year and how he 's got the support of rosebush 's mum and asked what their opinion of it was."

"But if my mum was able to help house-elves and goblins, then why could n't she do it for wolfman at the Saame time ?"rose asked.

"House-elves and goblins have always been classified as existence,"lusterlessness explained."They were being denied rights that they technically already had. It was just a matter of reworking the police and enforcing them properly. None of the werewolf rights laws can be changed unless their sorting is changed-"

"But that 's just stupid,"St. John said.

Matt shrugged."It is, but there 's nada anyone can do about it."

"Well, what did Laurentis say ?"Albus asked.

"Laurentis said that reclassifying werewolves as Beings would render the current werewolf ascendency Pentateuch unenforceable and that it would have the Ministry far less control over werewolf. Which is true,"Matt said."Not that it would be a bad thing."

"Of course not,"Albus agreed.

"Then she said that if werewolf were currently classified as Beings it would make it difficult to even catch Calidris canutus and prosecute him for what he 's done, which is n't true at all. My dad was turning purple at this point. She really knows zilch about the way his department works."

"What about Uncle Sir Henry Percy ?"Rose asked.

Matt did n't say anything for a full minute."He was n't as bad as Laurentis, but well, your uncle does n't want to change anything. I 'm trusted you 've noticed that he says everything 's fine the way it is and we do n't necessitate to modify anything, whether it 's Azkaban or Hogwarts. He thought the same about werewolves."

"What do you think of ?"Albus asked."He thinks that-"

flatness averted his gaze, looking at Kaden rather than Albus and rose."He thinks that 'putting energy into reclassifying werewolves as existence would be a wretched idea, given the former emergence facing the greater wizarding community .'And that is a mastermind inverted comma. I ca n't ever block that."

Albus wished he was surprise. He really did. But the fact remained that Uncle Walker Percy did n't wish to stir the cauldron, so to utter. If things were working the way they were, he would n't switch them. He 'd rather keep things the Same then speak out openly either for or against anything, if it would cost him confirm or votes.

"Then he went on to explain,"Matt continued."He said that werewolf classification does n't regard a great act of witches and wizard and that it 's very complicated and would require a lot of attempt, which is straight. But it 's like he did n't think it was worth it, just because it would n't affect a lot of people."

"It does n't surprise me,"pink wine said quietly."The election is so soon. I do n't intend he 's going to say anything too controversial."

"Honestly, it was almost big than Laurentis,"Matt said, turning back to Albus and rosiness."Sorry. I know he 's your uncle-"

"Do n't apologize,"Albus said, suddenly glad he was n't of age and would n't possess to choose between the two nominee.

"It 's like he does n't even have a solid opinion on it. He does n't want to have a strong opinion on it,"lustrelessness added."Laurentis at to the lowest degree has a reason. Your uncle does n't even experience that. Honestly, Albus, I 've no idea who my parents will vote for now. Same with Amy."

"I do n't know who I 'd vote for now,"Albus said quietly.

"But either way, I do n't think lycanthrope will get reclassified,"Matt replied."cypher will encounter without support of the British pastor at this point."

"That 's just not clean,"Amanda said."What exactly does the law say now ? What are you not allowed to do ?"

Matt averted his gaze once more. This was another topic that Matt had n't ever spoke of before and Albus had n't dared ask.

"Well, technically,"lustrelessness began,"I 'm not allowed to be at Hogwarts."

"What ?"Albus shouted. The residue of his Quaker let out similar exclamations of shock.

"But Teddy 's dad-"Rose began.

"Not effectual,"flatness said."Dumbledore frequently broke the law and that was no different. prof Kendrick follows the law a bit more but he liked the estimate of allowing me to attend. It 's variety of murky, to be fair. It 's in the law that werewolves can not attend Hogwarts, but at the same clip, Hogwarts headmasters have everlasting control over who they admit. So as long as it 's kept quiet-"

"But what about Malfoy ?"Rose asked."If he were to let it slip-"

"Then Kendrick would release him,"mat explained."And he 'd be allowed to, since it would be damaging to another student 's education for him to reveal my term. I told you ; it 's very murky."

"What else ?"Amanda asked.

"The balance has mostly to do with employment,"matt said."fountainhead, that and the Ministry is allowed to keep werewolves for questioning about wide-cut moon onrush without actually arresting them. Werewolves as prisoners have virtually no rightfulness.

"But anyway, employment. I 'm legally obligated to inform any potential drop employers of my stipulation. If werewolf were classified as Beings, that would n't be required, because lycanthropy would be seen as a medical condition and employment can not be terminated based on a person 's medical conditions."

"That is the most confusing matter in the world,"Albus said. His caput was spinning."How do you keep all that straight ?"

lustrelessness shrugged."It 's my life. That 's the early affair, Albus, your uncle really has no musical theme how thing are run in the department for the regularisation and dominance of Magical animal. He 's not really qualified to say what effect the reclassification would have on everything. Because, honestly, it would only affect werewolves."

"That seems obvious,"Albus said.

"So someone can not hire you just because you 're a werewolf ?"Amanda asked incredulously.

Matt nodded."Does n't even matter if they 're on wolfbane or not, either."

"What will you do after Hogwarts ?"Amanda asked.

"No idea,"Matt said."I 'm trying not to think about that. But this whole pretense to be normal matter that I 'm doing at Hogwarts ? It 's irregular. That 's all there is to it."

No one quite knew what to say after that. Albus certainly did n't. He wished more than anything that his uncle would support the reclassification of werewolf as Beings, despite the fact that it might suffer him a few vote. It might even cost him a few not to have spoken up, because now, matte 's parents and Amy might not vote for him. But this had such a larger effect than just the election. mat was right ; this was his liveliness, and Uncle Percy and Laurentis were just seeing it as a way to drum up to a greater extent suffrage. Maybe Uncle Harry Hotspur was n't the right man for the job, after all. But Laurentis certainly was n't, and since no one else was running, what would happen after the election ?


A/N : Thanks for all the awesome reappraisal !


The debate on the regulating and ascendence of Magical tool did not look to be a hot topic of discussion amongst the Hogwarts students. Unlike the debate on education, this item disputation did not refer directly to Hogwarts bookman, and thus there was n't much discussion beyond a few opinions at breakfast the next day. The clause on the debate was much more tame than the previous article, most probably because Percy and Laurentis had n't disagreed on the topic. In fact, the article mostly focused on the dementor issue.

Albus and his friend kept shut down watch on the oracle in case there were any updates on the escaped captive, but the rest of February passed without any sightings or gaining control. It was variety of strange since the prisoners had to make been hiding out somewhere. Yet they 'd been loose for nearly two month and the only one who had been sighted was Johnny Reb. Willinson, Umbridge, and the Carrows were nowhere, it seemed.

In the meantime, Laurentis used the lack of captures to her advantage, by publishing a new statement every few days declaring how incompetent the Auror section was. These command were usually followed up with another declaration of how the prisoner would n't have escaped if the dementors had been in control of Azkaban.

When March arrived, the Prophet began putting a countdown until the election at the top of the look page, every unmarried day.

"Apr Fool 's Day,"privy commented as he pointed to the countdown, which read '29 sidereal day .'“ Does n't that seem a bit weird, to do an election on that day ?"

"A lilliputian,"Albus said."But I doubt the Ministry cares."

"We should do our frivolity that day,"Kaden said.

"Do n't,"Rose said."Hogwarts is a polling seat. You 'll mess it up."

"No, we wo n't do it then,"John said as he exchanged a puckish grin with Kaden."Want to hump why ?"

"Not really,"Albus said.

"They 'll find out soon enough,"Kaden said.

"Does this have anything to do with why you two disappeared all even yesterday ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Possibly,"trick said."Oh, look at the time. We 've got to get to potions."

Kaden burst out laughing."Oh, yes, looks like it 's time for me to go to Divination."

Albus looked at Matt and shrugged. John and Kaden had been laughing at every honorable mention of 'time'or 'clocks'for the past few workweek, but had yet to plowshare why. Albus could only take up that it had to do with their prank.

Albus, Matt, John, Rose, and Amanda said au revoir to Kaden and headed for the keep. Since it was a double socio-economic class, Slughorn gave them a potion to brew and sat at his desk grading essays while they worked.

Albus and matt partnered on their potion and worked quietly, chopping and mixing. Halfway through the minute class they were chopping asphodel when Matt suddenly stopped.

"Did you hear that ?"he asked Albus.

"Hear what ?"Albus replied. He had n't heard anything.

"Never creative thinker,"lusterlessness muttered."Could 've sworn ... guess I 'm hearing things."

A few arcminute passed and matte stopped again."I swear there 's something ringing remote. It sounds like an alarm clock."

Albus glanced around the schoolroom, but nobody else seemed to have heard it. Everyone was working quietly, except trick, who was staring at the door for some strange grounds. Then Albus heard it. The fainthearted ringing.

"Do you hear it now ?"Matt asked.

"Yeah,"Albus said. It was becoming louder, too. The residuum of the course of instruction was beginning to notice as well, and toilet suddenly turned around to look at them. He grinned widely and then returned to his potion.

"It 's their antic,"Matt hissed."It 's got to be."

nobody was paying any tending to their potions now and a few of them were boiling over. Slughorn got up from his desk and left the room, without saying a tidings to the class. He returned a few minutes later.

"feeding bottle your potions as is,"he said."It seems there is some sort of alarm going off all over the castle. After you 're done cleaning up you may pull up stakes early."

Albus and Matt worked quickly, wanting to talk to Gospel According to John as soon as they could. They met him, along with Rose and Amanda, outside the classroom a few minutes later, and headed to the Great Hall. John still had n't said anything.

Kaden was already there when they arrived."Trelawney let us out as soon as the alarms started. I think it was driving her mad. I mean, More mad than she already is."

"Are you going to tell us what you 've done ?"Albus asked as he began making a sandwich.

"Yeah, we might as well,"privy said."We put an alarum clock inside every single causa of armor and charmed them to go off at five bit intervals."

Albus started laughing."That 's magnificent !"

"That 's actually really in effect appeal work,"Rose said, clearly impressed.

"It gets better,"Kaden said."The teachers wo n't be capable to reverse them off with one while. We charmed them so they have to be manually turned off. It 's going to use up them ages."

"I feel bad for whoever 's got Transfiguration next,"James said as he sat down next to Albus."There must be twenty suits of armor across the corridor from the Transfiguration room. It 's so garish in there you can barely get word yourself think."

"shucks,"Albus said."We 've got Transfiguration next."

"Look, Kendrick 's standing up. Bet he cancels classes."Saint John pointed to the staff board.

"repose !"Kendrick shouted."Very amusing prank. It would seem that the alarm clocks have to be manually turned off, so I am canceling stratum for the good afternoon while the staff and prefects turn off all the alarms."

There was a flashy sunniness as Kendrick resumed his seat. The stave table was only half-full, as the balance of them must have got been already turning the alarm off.

"He does n't seem confused,"Albus said."This is actually variety of tame. I thought you were going to get revenge on the Slytherins."

whoremaster grinned."Oh, we are. That 'll come another day."

After lunch Albus and his admirer went to the predator 's Den with the intention of spending the day there, but the incessant alarms quickly grew too annoying. Despite the low temperature, they decided that outside would be preferable to inside. The snowfall had melted, so they were capable to receive a dry spot to sit.

"I still hear the ringing,"lustrelessness said as they settled down under a huge beech tree by the lake."It 's like my principal is an alert clock. I think if you had done this around the wide moonlight I would 've murdered you."

"That 's why we did n't do it around the fully moonlight,"John said.

"Really ?"Matt asked skeptically.

John laughed."No. Had n't even thought of that, to be honest."

"We did it today because I had a chronicle of magic exam this afternoon,"Kaden said."I 'm hoping Binns will blank out about it."

"It 's soon, though, is n't it ?"John asked.

"The wide moon ? Yeah, it 's Mon,"matte answered."I 've been thinking about it. About grayback. He 's probably going to come back unless the Aurors catch him before."

"Probably,"Albus agreed.

"I had an musical theme,"Matt said quietly."I think we can help see them, using my wolfy side."

"As come-on ?"Albus asked, shocked."Then you 'd be in danger."

"No, I would n't,"flatness said."I would n't be doing anything dissimilar. I 'd just be in the Shrieking Shack like usual. Albus, the predator 's Map label Animagi as their human name calling, right ?"

Albus nodded."Yeah, of course. That 's how Teddy 's dad found out about Pettigrew."

"fountainhead, should n't it be the same for werewolves ?"flatness asked.

Albus had n't thought about that before. In all his prison term of having the second edition Marauder 's Map, he 'd never checked the scream hutch during a full moon."I think it should."

"Then all the Aurors have to do is watch the new version of the piranha 's Map during the full moonshine, wait for Reb to show up, and then beguile him."

Albus thought for a few instant. It seemed so mere, almost too simple to work."Matt ... that 's brilliant."

"When did you retrieve of this ?"Rose asked.

"Few week ago,"matt answered."knot was there by the screeching hut for nearly the entire nighttime. It would 've been easy to entrance him if someone just knew he was there."

"time lag,"rose wine said, looking at Albus."You are n't proposing that you do this, are you ? Because that would be stupid."

"Of course not,"Matt said."It would be my dad and Albus 's dad."

"I do n't think my dad 's in charge of the Johnny Reb gaining control,"Albus pointed out."It 's that early Auror, Newman."

"If I 'm going to go along with this and tell them my plan then it 's got to be your dad,"lustrelessness said adamantly."He already knows I 'm a werewolf. Paul Leonard Newman does n't. I do n't recognise what he 'd do if he knew there was a werewolf at Hogwarts."

Albus thought back to what Matt had told them about how it was n't acquit whether admitting werewolves to Hogwarts was legal or not."All right. That make sense."

"But why are you so sure he 's going to come back to this same berth ?"Amanda asked."If he were smart he 'd translate someplace completely different."

"He 's got a hangup about wolfman pretending to be human,"mat said quietly."He thinks that we 've all got to embrace our wolf-selves and live together in coterie. I do n't think he 's going to leave up easily on finding me. He did the same matter with Teddy 's dad."

"Then he might be transforming near those small fry he attacked last month,"Rose pointed out."They should station Aurors there, too."

Matt nodded."Let 's go send some owls."
***


Albus and Matt did n't say much in their letter of the alphabet to their fathers, wanting to spare nigh of the item for later. Both of them replied saying they would meet the boys at Hogwarts Friday evening in order to work out the details.

The week went by very slowly and Albus noticed that Matt drew quieter and quieter as it progressed. He never said it out loud, but Albus had a smell he was incredibly nervous about the plan and his role in it, despite his saying he would be fine. By the time Friday arrived he was completely unsounded, except for the few times he snapped at whoremaster and Kaden for being irritating.

"You know if this plan actually works and grayback is captured it 's going to have Uncle Harry look very secure,"rosiness said."Which will be practiced for Uncle Percy."

"I thought of that,"Albus said."And since the election is only three weeks away, it 's perfect timing."

"When are you meeting your pop ?"privy asked.

"seven,"Albus answered as he glanced at his watch."We should probably go."

Albus shoved the last bite of his cake into his mouthpiece and left the Great dormitory with matt at his position. Professor Longbottom had leant them his study for the confluence, so Albus and lusterlessness walked up to the fourth floor.

professor Longbottom was n't there when they arrived but the door was partially open. Albus led matte inside and they sat down on a couch to wait. Albus had always loved Longbottom 's study. It was filled with all sorts of exotic plant that you never wanted to touch because some of them bit. The piece of furniture was mismatched and the whole place was pleasantly cluttered. It felt very safe.

Harry and Walter walked in a few second later and shut the door behind them. Both looked very intrigued and slightly confused.

"Al,"Harry said as he gave his son a quick hug."What 's going on ?"

Albus glanced at Matt, who had just been let go of by his own father. This was his plan to explain.

"I know how you can catch Rebel,"flatness said quietly, and then proceeded to explain the entire plan."See ? Good program, right ?"

Harry and Walter exchanged coup d'oeil. Bruno Walter looked incredibly worried."Matt, look, I know you want to help oneself and I know the fact that Johnny 's out there scares you out of your mind-"

"I 'm not that scared,"mat interrupted, but everyone in the room knew he was."expression, he 's going to come to Hogsmeade anyway. You might as well be there waiting for him."

Walter sighed."Yes, I suppose you 're right-"

"So what 's the problem ? I 'll be in the shrieking Shack with all the wards up."

"There really is n't a problem,"Walter said."It just sounds bad on the surface, me using my son as bait. What do you believe, Harry ?"

"I think it 's up to you,"Harry said."You 're in charge of this search. I 'm not even on it. I assigned it to Newman."

"John Henry Newman ca n't be there,"flatness said quickly as he turned to his dad."He ca n't be. He does n't know about me."

"He 's ripe,"Walter said."It 's got to be you and me if it 's going to be anyone. Whoever works this is going to find out there 's a loup-garou at Hogwarts."

Harry sighed and began to stride the room."I had n't thought of that. But there 's got to be to a greater extent of us. I 'll land Ron in, and Teddy."

"Ron ?"mat asked.

"pink wine 's dad,"Albus explained."My uncle."

lusterlessness breathed a suspiration of relief."Oh, all correct then."

"They 'd be mulct,"Walter said."Four of us should be able to handle it. What about those child in Little Shingleton ?"

"I 'll attribute Newman to them,"Harry decided."And you can pick a few people form your department to go with him."

Walter nodded."What about the villagers ? We ca n't hang around the shriek shack all nighttime. It 'll look suspicious."

Albus suddenly remembered the map. He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to his dad."Use the map. Then you can watch until he gets there."

Harry grinned."I 'd leave about this."He turned to Walter."Map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, created by my dad, Dog Star Black, Remus lupine, and Peter Pettigrew. It shows where everyone is, so it should show us when Greyback turns up. We can wait at the Hog 's fountainhead until then. No one there will pay us any attention."

"And in the report ? In the paper the adjacent day ?"Walter asked.

"No reference of mat or his being in the shrieking Shack,"Harry said."We 'll say we got an anonymous tip that he 'd show up in Hogsmeade."

"Can I wait with you ?"Albus asked.

Harry laughed."Absolutely not. You 'll stay in the castle, where it 's safe. I believe they 're doing a compulsory early curfew again ?"

Albus nodded. They 'd put up posters in the coarse rooms a few days ago. This clock time, no one seemed upset about it.

"I wish they 'd do it in Hogsmeade,"Walter said."But getting something like that set up takes weeks."

"Well, if mass are smart they 'll continue inside with wards up,"Harry pointed out.
***


Never before had Albus heard so many people talking about the wide-cut moonshine. All weekend, everywhere he turned, he heard person mentioning either the good moon or Greyback or both. Suddenly, werewolf were the hot topic of discourse at Hogwarts.

Most mass, from what Albus could gather, did n't give a strong opinion on werewolves one way or another. But a few people, most having had a relation murdered by Fenrir Greyback, told anyone who would take heed how glad they were that neither candidate wanted to shift the classification of werewolf from wildcat to existence. It only took mat overhearing one of these conversations to settle to spend the rest of the weekend in the vulture 's Den.

"It 'll all be over in three weeks,"Amanda said."Once the election takes post no one is going to deal as a good deal. But these past few calendar week have certainly made me wonder if I should go into the section for the regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

It was Sunday night and Albus and his champion were in the predator 's Den, yet again, working on their prep that was due tomorrow.

"You could work with my dad,"Matt announced from the couch."That 'd be weird."

"Well, it 's just severe,"Amanda said."And it does n't make sense. Why should goblin and house-elves be Beings but not werewolves ? You 're more human than a house-elf."

Matt laughed."Tomorrow Nox I wo n't be, and that 's what it comes down to. House-elves are n't that dangerous. Werewolves are."

"I do n't know,"Albus began."When my dad was a second twelvemonth a house-elf charmed a Bludger to break his arm. That 's fairly dangerous."

"What about vampire ?"rosebush asked."I ought to owl Linda."

"Vampire are Beings,"Matt explained."It 's because they do n't have to drink human being rake to survive. It 's a choice. loup-garou, when we bite soul, it 's not a alternative. We ca n't control it."

"Except with wolfbane,"Rose pointed out.

"Yeah, and maybe if someone invents Wolfsbane that works for all werewolves we might get reclassified,"lusterlessness said.

"What about vampires who bite people ?"Amanda asked.

"They 're put in prison,"lusterlessness said.

"So can vampires go to schoolhouse and hold jobs ?"Kaden asked.

"I suppose they could. Linda went to shoal. But they live forever so almost do n't desire to go to school or already make, because most vampires are older. As for jobs, they do n't have to tell employers what they are, so yeah, they could."

"It 's so bloody confusing,"John said."Does n't make a bit of sense."

"It really does n't,"Matt said with a yawn."But it 's life."

mat slept the rest of the eventide and to the highest degree of the next day, not attending any of his form. Albus could n't blame him, what with all the werewolf talk that was going around the school. Albus himself found it difficult to concentrate on any of his year or homework since there was the distinct possibleness that Fenrir Calidris canutus would be captured that night.

Albus and his friends reported to the common way at five, as per the curfew, and then went to dinner. mat did n't link up them. He was gone when they returned. Albus gave up on prep for the Night and played a few half-hearted one shot of Exploding Snap with Gospel According to John and Kaden before deciding to go up to his dormitory early. He knew he would n't sleep, but figured it would be slightly more productive than cleaning ash off his face.

Instead of sleeping, Albus sat in the windowsill and watched the sky. It was clear, giving him a very full view of the stars. After locating a few configuration Albus watched the horizon and the deliquium glowing that was above it. Then, the lunar month rose.


A/N : So, some of you may possess noticed that I screwed up endure week 's update. I accidentally skipped chapter 25 ( full moon moonlight Attacks ) and went right to chapter 26 ( Spirits, Beings, and fauna ). If you have n't already done so, go back and read the real chapter 25. The floor will get to much Sir Thomas More sense after that.

I am pleased to announce that I have finished this chronicle ! It topped out at 37 chapters. I may start updating this twice a week, but have n't quite decided yet. A lot of you are asking in review article when the next update will be, so I 'll reiterate that I update every Friday. The exact metre will vary. Thanks for all the reviews !