Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.
Weasley menage tree diagram is in the Author's Note at the bottom.


Molly Weasley didn't defy serve dinner until after the Quidditch match had been completed because even she didn't have the ability to drag Weasleys away from Quidditch. Teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out James's compass and then everyone was off their Calluna vulgaris and sitting at the large crowd of board in record time. After all, Quidditch was one of the dependable things one could do to evolve a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very good mood as he had been on teddy bear's team.

Albus and rosebush sat next to each other in the midriff of the group of board and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. early on experience had taught them never to sit near Harry Hotspur due to his habit of talking politics during dinner, something that even bored Rose. The two of them looked at each other as 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 quiet in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought things would get a bit riled up survive year when Bruno Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had similar views. More similar than I expected anyway... ”

Leave it to Percy to try and detect something improper with the Ministry when all was hunky-dory, Albus thought. He reached over rose to snaffle a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping part onto his home base.

“ What do you think, Harry ? ” Percy turned to Albus's dad, who happened to be sitting next to him. “ Any stirrings in the Auror section that I may not have heard about ? ”

“ thing are pretty tranquillize, Percy, ” Harry replied.

“ Of course they are. I would've heard if they weren't, ” Percy decided.

Albus wasn't exactly sure what his uncle Percy actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the curate, but his genuine title was so farseeing 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. company annunciation come maiden week of September and after that things will be chaotic around the Ministry. Loads of body of work to do. Let me severalise you, when I run for Minister- ”

“ Oh, here we go again ! ” Ron said loudly. “ When Walker Percy runs for curate. It's never gon na fall out, Perce. Honestly. ”

“ I would vote for you, Percy, ” Molly assured him. “ You would ready a tremendous parson. But this dinner is supposed to be about the Kid. William James ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. year ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must calm down a bit and study. ”

“ grannie, really, ” James River muttered. “ We're going to be hearing this from the teacher. Uncle Sir Henry Percy, why don't you tell us more about your running for pastor ? ”

“ Well, as a matter of fact. ” Percy stood up. “ I have a rather agitate proclamation to earn and I feel I must tell my family first, before the rest of the Wizarding World. ” He paused, presumably for dramatic effect. “ I will be formally announcing on Mon, September second that I will be running for Minister for April's election. ”

There was absolute silence for about five seconds before a whole lot of matter happened at once. Ron, George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her eyebrows as far as they could go. Ginny, Bill, and Arthur all shouted loudly “ Seriously ? ! ”. molly shook her head slightly and then jumped up from her death chair, running towards Sir Henry Percy and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

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

“ Mum ! ” Ron groaned. “ It's not like your other sons haven't done anything. I'm an Auror for Merlin's sake ! ”

“ And you're a fine commodity one, Ronald, but I can't ever see you being pastor. You just don't have the ambition Percy does, ” molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

Gold was exchanging hands at the former end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some sort of bet involving when Percy would run for Minister. That bet must deliver been in the works for years.

Albus was personally stunned. He of grade had been on the receiving end of many a Percy ranting about what he'd do when he ran for government minister, but he had always believed Percy wouldn't ever do it. If Albus was honest with himself, he didn't really want Sir Henry Percy running. His category was famous enough without having an factual minister in it.

“ Honestly, Mum, do you believe he's really going to win ? ” Ron exclaimed. “ I mean, don't get me haywire, Percy, I'll vote for you, but what about the eternal sleep of the wizarding macrocosm ? ”

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

“ Why wouldn't I be ? I've been involved with the Ministry for decennary ! ”

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

“ I am not ! ” Percy shouted. “ And I would've expected more reinforcement from my own family. ”

“ We are supporting you, ” mollie assured him.

“ Boys, ” Chester A. Arthur warned. “ Percy's right. If he wants to run for Minister he can without any of us making it difficult for him. You don't have to vote for him, but I won't have you arguing during dinner. You'll upset your mum. ”

Everyone resumed their butt but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Percy running for Minister. They just continued to do so in lower voices. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a hindquarters 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 plenty. But I've got his sustenance. After all, I am the senior Undersecretary for the mechanical drawing and redaction of Pentateuch to the Minister. ”

So that's what Sir Henry Percy's title was, Albus thought. He had no thought if that was a office that had a lot of mogul or not, but apparently it was enough to receive backing for a Minister run.

“ Hey, Dad, ” Peach State shouted from a niggling way down the table. “ I figure this is as good a time as any to say you that I'm moving out tomorrow. ”

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

“ Moving out. You know, leaving the nestle. I've got a flat with a friend closer to the pitch. It'll be more convenient, for work. ”

“ Work, ” Walker Percy muttered. “ If Quidditch can be considered work. ”

“ feeling, I know how these elections work. You're going to want to make yourself bet like a family man, so you're not going to desire to consider me your crazy daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you'd beneficial start thought of me as your daughter who's the Modern reserve keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It'll sound better to the press. ”

Harry Hotspur stared at her with his rima oris agape love. He shook his head slightly and resumed eating, without another word to Georgia. Sakartvelo looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that little argument.

Albus turned to Rose and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to make Harry Hotspur's running for government minister work to her reward.

“ Rose, have you heard from Linda yet ? ” Albus asked, deciding not to join the rest period of his family in political conversation.

“ Not yet. ” rosiness 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 repose about it, ” Albus answered.

“ It's so wrong, though, that he can completely get away with what he did, ” Rose muttered. “ It's like I could go to France, rob a banking company, get back to England, and I'd get away with it. ”

“ You're robbing a bank ? ” St. James shouted.

“ Of course not, ” Rose replied. “ It's none of your business. ”

Albus and Rose didn't jeopardy talking about Lubar for the rest of the evening. sure as shooting, the rest of their family have a go at it about what had happened but neither of them wanted to discuss their theories with any of them.

The eternal rest of the evening was rather out of lineament for usual Weasley family dinners. All the previous year'dinner party had consisted of talking of Hogwarts and the adult exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the firstly sentence would get a middling bit of aid, but this year Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attending was focused on Sir Henry Percy. The adults were talking political science and Albus's elder cousin were placing bets on whether he'd win or not.

Stanley was the outset to leave as he had to go back to Romania the accompany dawning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their yr in Romania and had returned to England permanently the previous calendar month. Victoire and shimmy left shortly after that since they both had to wreak the next day.

Percy was still discussing drive tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were pocket-size and he had to guess he was interested in what they were saying, when Albus's parents decided it was fourth dimension to leave behind. For the first time in his lifespan, he was actually felicitous to leave and get back to Grimmauld lieu. The before schooltime dinner party was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a clip to possess fun all together before school started, and this time it hadn't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some stroke of fortune or miracle that had never descended upon the potter before, Saint James the Apostle had packed his trunk the night before they left for school. Albus was sure enough that some sort of apocalypse was going to arrive soon because Walker Percy running for Minister and the thrower arriving early for the Hogwarts expressage were two outcome that cipher ever thought would happen. Albus didn't question it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at political program 9 & frac34 ; prior to going through the roadblock, was not ahead of time, so the Potters went through without him. Rose and her family were already there of trend, so Albus said a quickly goodby to his parents before getting on the caravan to find pink wine. With any luck his friends wouldn't be there yet and he could talk to heighten alone. Usually there was zippo he wouldn't talk to his friends about, but the strange feeling he had had about his family was something he only wanted to talk to Rose about.

Rose was alone in a compartment about halfway down the train, reading one of her new textbook. It was Arithmancy and Albus didn't have the slightest idea what any of the symbols in it meant. He chose the keister side by side to her and waited for her to be done reading whatever it was she was deciphering.

“ I'm witnessing a miracle, apparently, ” Rose said after setting her Word down.

“ James packed last night, ” Albus answered.

“ Again, I'm witnessing a miracle. ” She laughed. “ Your mum is lucky if Saint James packs before 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 twelvemonth, Al, and they still haven't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the same time. I know they're really pudding head when it comes to dueling but I think they're smarter than anyone's giving them credit for. affair are going to change, Al. The earthly concern's getting scarier, ” Rose said quietly.

Albus swallowed severely. That was in the back of his judgement of course, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to blab out to grow about.

“ I guess, ” Albus replied. “ But I wasn't really getting at that. I was thinking about our family. ”

“ Oh, ” was all Rose said. Both cousin-german sat quietly for a second before she continued. “ I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner at nan and granddaddy'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, ” rose wine interrupted. “ And Eddie and the twins haven't even started yet. Plus it's not like we even talked about shift, Victoire, Stanley, and Georgia. We talked about Harry Hotspur for Merlin's sake ! ”

“ What do you think will come about if he wins ? ” Albus asked.

“ I don't know. I don't think things will change political-wise but I think it's going to be really Weird for Georgia and Thomas Bradley and Cedric. Even the Twin Falls will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most important somebody in the wizarding world has got to be stressful. ”

“ Tell me about it, ” Albus muttered. “ Can you imagine if my dad ran for curate ? ”

“ Hotspur wouldn't stand a chance. ”

“ Dad'll never run, though, ” Albus pointed out. “ I just think that thing are already dissimilar from last twelvemonth. Everyone's going to be focused on Uncle Hotspur's campaign. ”

“ Things never stay the Saami, Al, ” rose wine said.

“ What's not staying the Saami ? ” John asked as he entered the compartment, followed by Kaden. “ I'm hoping you're talking about my Divination patsy, Rose, because my parents nearly murdered me this past summer when they saw it. ”

“ I think we'll just have to deal with your murder, bathroom, because that grade is not getting any gamy, ” rosiness replied.

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

“ Nothing, ” rosebush said quickly.

“ I'll order you once Matt and Amanda get here, ” Albus said, figuring he'd tell them about Hotspur running for Minister.

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

“ Excellent, ” John replied. “ Now I don't have 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 elbow room, ” John the Evangelist assured him. “ Our end is to count on 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 can't get into someone else's common way 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 field, everyone's here. distinguish us what you and rear were talking about before any of us got here. ”

“ Fine. ” Albus took a deep intimation. “ fountainhead, my Uncle Percy's running for Minister. ”

“ Seriously ? ” John replied.

“ assuredness ! ” Kaden exclaimed.

“ Why ? ” flatness asked.

“ Isn't he the one who's been talking about doing that for eld ? ” Amanda asked.

“ Yes, ” Albus answered. “ He's seriously running, it's not that cool, I'm honestly not sure why, and yes he's been talking about it for years. ”

“ Why doesn't your dad run ? ” Kaden asked.

Albus and rose both burst out laughing. “ Because that's the final stage thing he'd ever want to do. He wouldn't want anymore power than he's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is variety of force hungry, ” Albus replied.

“ Do you do it who he's running against ? ” Amanda asked.

“ seaport't a clue, ” Albus said. “ They're supposed to be announcing the candidates on the second. ”

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

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

“ That's stupid, ” John said. “ Georgia's not going to care that. ”

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

“ He's right, you know, ” Amanda said.

“ What do you mean, he's right ? ” Albus stared at her. She had a knowing smile splayed across her face.

“ You, Rose, and Matt aren't the only one of us who have phratry in politics, ” Amanda said.

“ But you're a Muggle, ” King John replied.

“ I never said the Ministry of Magic, St. John the Apostle. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle's the prime minister. ”

Albus continued to stare at her. Amanda was always rather quietly and rarely talked about her house. He always figured that was because she was so serenity and never guessed that it might be because her family 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 witch only to find out that he already knew about the wizarding world. ”

“ So if Percy wins..., ” Albus began, his voice trailing off.

“ He'll meet my Uncle microphone, ” Amanda finished. “ But as I was saying, Georgia does have it all figured out. If word gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch playing, it's going to amount off wrong in the press and lose him voting. So, he'll keep it to himself and will be in the front row of every single one of her mates, pretending to be a huge Kenmare Kestrals fan. ”

“ Wow, that seems so wrong, ” rose muttered.

“ It's politics from the other face. The public wants people in king to have a sure image. ”

“ Still, it's like lying, ” pink wine went on. “ Just another reason I am not getting into politics. ”

“ My cousin Leanne went a minuscule wild at university her first twelvemonth, our first year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photo of her and put it on the cover 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 science and is using them to do an honest living, ” rosebush pointed out.

“ I'm not saying that's bad. I'm just saying your uncle won't want the public to know he's not happy with her life history choice so he's going to make himself look like a devoted father. ”

“ See, everything's changing. ” Albus sighed. “ Sometimes I just wish I had a normal family. ”

“ It's not all it's cracked up to be, ” Gospel According to John said. Kaden nodded.

“ It's unfeigned, Albus, ” matt said. “ Amanda's completely right. It's the whole reason why my dad got sacked. The public didn't like that I was a werewolf, which is part of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, cipher wanted him in political relation anymore. ”

Albus nodded, but didn't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but Matt was correctly. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before flatness mentioned that. And now the same affair was happening with his family. Percy was going to affect and while that didn't really directly essence him, how long would it take before the world didn't like the image he and the rest of his full cousin were presenting ?


A/N : From now on, updates for this will occur on the kickoff of every month and updates for Beyond the tail 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 Family tree diagram !

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

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

Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Georgia- 18
Bradley- 6th year
Cedric- 5th year
Samantha & amp ; lindy hop ( twins ) - 9

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

Ron-Hermione
Rose- 4th year
Hugo- 2nd year

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

*All in Gryffindor*


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


There was no mention of politics or Ministers throughout the residuum of the power train slip. Amanda didn't say anything else about her uncle being the prime rector and how it had affected her folk, but Albus was still really singular about it. How had she managed to keep that a secret for three age ? Judging by Rose's chemical reaction, she didn't even know about it. Matt hadn't even managed to keep it a secret that he was a wolfman for a twelvemonth. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the effective mystical keeper in their group.

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

As the train neared Hogsmeade station, Albus and his acquaintance changed into their gown and prepared to exit the train for the bumpy carriage drive up to the school. The journey was now so bit that they did so with fiddling chatter and transferred to the rig with none of the fanfare of the old two class. They were fourth years now and Hogwarts was familiar district. As quartern years, they were well on their way to being the older students of the school day.

The Great manor hall was filled with laughter and excitement as the students found their seats at their house tables. Albus and his booster quickly found bottom together at the Gryffindor board and all five glanced up to the stave table to find the new face that would be their Defense teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar face they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

“ Which one's the Defense Department instructor ? ” Kaden asked.

“ haven't the tenuous, ” Albus replied.

There were two new wizards sitting at the table. One was rich in conversation with Professor Kendrick and the other was glancing around at the way, his eyes never resting on the same matter or soul for more than a few seconds. The former was wearing what looked to be Ministry robes, which made Albus wonder if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from lowest yr standing off to the side in his usual spot. The second new champion was dressed in plain black robe and had nearly no hair atop his question, but instead had a heavy whiskers and mustache, as if he was trying to repair.

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

“ That's not a good sign, ” can replied. “ What's the Ministry doing here on the first day ? ”

“ It's not necessarily a bad thing, ” Rose pointed out. “ Maybe they just want to make sure everything is back to normal after the challenger last year. ”

John opened his rima oris to reply but was silenced by the door opening and professor Patil entering with the new first years. They looked scared and tiny, far lowly than the previous year's showtime days. It was eldritch how they seemed to get smaller every year.

As with the previous yr, Albus didn't pay any attention to anyone's sorting unless their last name was Potter or Weasley. This year, of track, there was only Angie entering Hogwarts from Albus's bombastic family. She ran up to the three-legged-stool with as much enthusiasm as the relaxation of the family had and jammed the hat onto her head.

It remained there for all of three seconds before shouting “ Gryffindor ! ” Angie ran from the faeces to the excited shout 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 recreate.

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

“ The Ministry's sent individual to honor, ” James I said confidently. “ Look at the past tense three days. Every single one at least one of Al and his ally have gotten kidnapped by insane ace. Clearly the Ministry doesn't think the teachers can protect us enough. ”

“ That's what the Aurors are for, ” rosiness pointed out. “ What's some Ministry bloke going to do that an Auror can't do ? I really don't think that bloke is another Auror. ”

“ I bet he's here to recruit people for the Ministry, ” Fred suggested. “ You know, spend a class with us seventh years and try to win over us that we should take on boring Ministry problem. Bet Uncle Percy's the reason for it. Probably doesn't want anymore of his kin to aim up Quidditch professionally. ”

“ That's ridiculous, ” a seventh-year girl replied. “ He's probably just the new Defense teacher. ”

“ Then who's that early bloke ? ” flatness gestured to the bald man sitting next 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 take in somebody to the Welcome Feast, ” Amanda pointed out. “ It could be as mere as that. ”

Albus doubted it. cipher was ever simple when it came to life history at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed the like years, the pud disappeared and Kendrick stood to give his common start of full term speech.

“ Welcome back to Hogwarts. I give a warm welcome to our new showtime years and hope you have enjoyed your outset Hogwarts feast. I'll cue everyone that the forest is out of bounds as well as the Whomping willow. Those wishing to try out for their firm Quidditch team can hold their gens to their headway of house. Now, you may have noticed that there are two new faculty phallus this year even though only one perspective is vacant. The first-class honours degree is simple to explain and the arcsecond is a little more complicated.

“ outset, I would like to welcome prof Elliot Pres Young to Hogwarts. prof Young is going to be taking over the Defense teacher position. ” Kendrick gestured to the man with the byssus, while scattered hand clapping was received from the students and other professors.

“ Professor ancient if you ask me, ” John muttered.

“ Many of you may be aware and quite a lot of you I'm sure are not cognisant that this is an election year for the Ministry of conjuring trick. Tomorrow the candidates running for government minister of Magic will make their speeches announcing their campaigning, which will begin a seven calendar month campaign point. At the outset of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the winner shall be announced. The fact that this is an election year is a wonderful educational opportunity and I wasn't about to let it give us by. Therefore I have decided to add another course of study to the programme. It will fit once a hebdomad and in it you will watch the ins and outs of our political system and its history.

“ This is Professor Richard Embry. ” Kendrick gestured to the fellow sitting next to him, who then stood up. “ He is from the Ministry and has agreed to teach this new category that we have designed. The course will appear on your agenda that you will have tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as classes begin bright and early in the morning. Prefects, please see the inaugural years to the common rooms. ”

Kendrick and the Ministry bloke both resumed their rear end while Albus and his friends rose. The joined the mob of pupil making their way out of the Great mansion and towards the main staircase. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins broke away from the pack to descend to their dormitories and then the Ravenclaws left for their tower. Soon, Albus and his booster were only amongst fellow Gryffindors.

The common room was abuzz with treatment about the new professors when they arrived. almost of the untried scholarly person had gone to bed, but the elder pupil were making no move to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up mainsheet for Quidditch try-outs on the observation table 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 cause all of the team decisions this year.

“ So now we have another socio-economic class, ” Gospel According to John muttered as they sat down at a board near the fire. “ More preparation. More exams. ”

“ It's only once a week, ” rose pointed out.

“ But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to take a class about government ? ” John asked.

“ Never, ” Albus replied.

“ Muggles take classes on political science, ” Amanda pointed out. “ My sister took one last twelvemonth and my first cousin have taken them. I really don'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, ” rose said. “ Can you believe that we'll be taking O.W.L.s next year ? ”

John groaned. “ Do we really have to sing about them already ? ”

“ Seriously, ” Matt agreed. “ They're a farseeing way off. ”

“ Well, I think I'm going to turn in, ” rose said as she stood up. “ form start tomorrow. ”

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

rose wine and Amanda left for the girls'residence hall a little while later. Albus and the other boys stayed up a while longer, but soon realized they were quite tired. They said goodnight to Kaden when they reached the third old age'dormitory room and then continued on to their own. It had been a long day and Albus was ready to go to slumber, just so he wouldn't have to think about political science or the election anymore.
******


“ wellspring, we've got one of the new instructor today, ” lavatory said at breakfast the following good morning. “ We start off the day with Herbology and then have Defense rightfulness before lunch. ”

“ When do we have that politics year ? ” matte asked as he scooped a stack of rolled oats onto his plate.

“ Tomorrow, right wing before dinner, ” John replied. “ Merlin, that would've been liberal time if we didn't have that bloody class. ”

“ It could be fun, John, ” Rose said.

“ I haven't got it until Fri aurora, ” Kaden lamented. “ I think it will be fun. Muggle political science are boring but magic makes everything better. ”

“ Bad tidings is we have it with the Slytherins, ” Albus said.

“ Of course of instruction, ” Matt muttered. “ Wouldn't expect anything different. And we've probably got potions with them again, right ? ”

Albus glanced at his schedule. “ Yes. ” They had had potions with the Slytherins every yr now. Surely that couldn't be accidental. Albus would receive preferred they have no grade with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in Department of Defense the previous year. The in conclusion thing he and flatness needed was more physical contact with Scorpius Malfoy.

“ Good tidings is that we've got defense reaction with the Hufflepuffs this year, ” Amanda pointed out.

“ Bet Kendrick did that on purpose after last year, ” John said. “ He'd have to be an changeling to give us that class with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in understanding. After the scene that had developed between Albus, bathroom, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in defense mechanism grade together again. Albus was thankful. He'd spent the last few weeks of his third twelvemonth avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to avoid him for the residuum of his Hogwarts career. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling team.

The mathematical group hurriedly finished their breakfast and then parted ways with Kaden before heading down to the nursery for Herbology. Herbology was one of those predictable class where they never had to care about anything painful happening when it came to subject matter or teachers. Neville was a clean teacher who made classes interesting. Albus never had to interest about anything odd happening while in the greenhouse, unlike potions and Defense.

Everyone was slightly suspicious of the new Defense professor and thus the seats in the binding of the room were in high demand. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had Transfiguration beforehand and had a much shorter walking, so they claimed all of the far tail end. Albus, Matt, and john had the misfortune of having to sit at one of the front table and all three male child were on bound.

The professor ambled into the room just as course was scheduled to pop out. He had a very boastfully stack of parchment, which he set on the desk before beginning to call roll.

“ I am Professor Young, ” he began after he finished with bun. “ And welcome to fourth year Defense Against the Dark Arts. This year we will center on darkness curses, hex, and general spells, all of which are detailed out in your textbook. You can use up your books out now if you haven't already done so. ”

Albus rummaged in his bag and set his book on the table. professor Thomas Young picked up the sight of parchment and began passing it out to the student. Albus feared that it was a quiz, as he glanced down at its fill-in-the-blank questions and suddenly answer questions.

“ Please learn the low chapter of your books and complete the worksheet by the end of the class, ” Whitney Young said as he walked back to his desk. He said nothing more and began to read what appeared to be a novel while stroking his beard.

Albus glanced at John and Matt, unsure of whether Whitney Young would holler at him if he spoke in voicelessness to his acquaintance. Actually, Young might not even hear him. He did appear to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the first day of category. Wouldn't a lecture make more gumption ? Albus couldn't call up a sentence when a prof hadn't lectured on the outset day of class.

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

Albus began to say the first chapter, which was dreadfully tiresome. It was about the most workaday of shadow hexes, if a nighttime hex could be considered mundane. The chapter didn't even mention unforgivable execration, which while horrible, were far more interesting than the introductory rule of what made a cuss night.

Albus finished his worksheet a few minutes before Pres Young put down his novel. “ Leave your worksheets here on my desk. There isn't any homework. ”

“ That was the foreign class ever, ” Albus said once they had left the room. “ Who gives a worksheet on the first base day of class ? ”

“ mortal who just wants to learn their book all day, ” John replied. “ Works for me, since he didn't give any homework. ”

“ Still, it was horribly boring, ” Albus replied.

“ Honestly, I'm happy it's boring after dealing with Balladanis cobbler's last class, ” Matt said.

“ Somehow I don't think this lad is going to be bringing any Anamateks to form, ” Albus said.

“ An Anamatek would probably finish him off, ” John replied. “ I don't think he could handle one. ”

“ Not many mass could, ” Albus pointed out.

When they arrived in the Great Hall, they were surprised to see Peach State hurrying Thomas Bradley and Cedric out of the room.

“ What's wrong ? ” Albus asked, extremely confused as to why GA was at Hogwarts.

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

“ What clock time is it happening ? ” Albus asked.

“ One, ” GA replied. “ Which means we're already going to be later than Dad wants. It'll be in the Evening Prophet. ”

“ There is no way Sakartvelo's going to be able-bodied to pretend everything is fine between her and Uncle Percy for the whole election, ” Rose said once Georgia and her comrade had left. “ She looked harassed already and he hasn't even announced he's running yet. ”

“ She probably has to miss practice for it, ” Albus replied. “ I just want to know who he's running against. ”

“ indirect request we could go lookout, ” pink wine said. “ I bet our parents are there. ”

“ Of path they are, ” Albus agreed. “ matte's dad is probably there, too. ”

“ He is, ” Matt said. “ Hasn't got a clue as to who's running, though. ”

“ shot we'll witness out tonight, ” Albus said.
******


Albus didn't see Bradley or Cedric until dinner. He had been hoping to catch one of them in between classes, but either their schedule didn't permit them to span itinerary or the proclamation had gone until dinner. The interference in the Great Hall wasn't any tacky than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he wasn't quite sure how much the residue of the students cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor tabular array, all of Albus's cousins were clustered at one end of the table, their heads leaned in to one another.

“ Looks like a family line meeting or something, ” Albus said.

“ We'll see you in the common room after dinner party, then, ” Amanda said as she pulled John and Kaden towards the early end of the board, flatness following.

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

“ Finally, you're here, ” King James said. “ Thomas Bradley and Cedric won't say a Scripture until everyone's here. ”

“ Otherwise we'd just have to tell the story over and over again, ” Bradley muttered.

“ Well, go on, ” Fred encouraged.

“ It was basically a Brobdingnagian illusion party with a cluster of boring spoken language, ” Bradley began. “ A clustering of Ministry people and their wives or husband and Dad was the center of aid, of course. Everyone knew he was running even though he hadn't made his official promulgation yet. It didn't get matter to until Dad and the witch he's track against made their announcement- ”

“ Dad's was pretty ho-hum, ” Cedric cut in. “ Talked about how he's seen the Ministry through so many variety and how we need impregnable leading to keep the magical residential district together and truehearted. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of path. Then everyone clapped politely and the opposite stood up. ”

“ The witch who's actually running smell like she was a hawk in a former lifetime. Her nose is as pointy as a nose can get and she's got this sleek lightlessness haircloth that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a gang of people who she introduced as her campaign squad, ” Bradley said. “ But it was her spoken communication that got the crowd riled up. She kept putting holes in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding human race was a substantial united front but she talked about how severance are forming and the Ministry is slipping and change is needed again. She made all these pernicious mentions of how the Aurors aren't as on top of things and how if we don't do something the magical world will lessen apart. ”

“ That's ridiculous ! ” Fred said. “ The witching world is fine. ”

“ I thought they were just making their announcement that they were running, ” Rose said. “ Speeches don't scratch yet. ”

“ Neither of them are going to consume an opportunity to get right to vote, ” Heather pointed out. “ So do you two have to relieve oneself anymore appearances ? ”

“ Yeah, ” Bradley answered. “ Dad wants us all there for his number one language 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 immense article on our family, ” Cedric added. “ They're doing one on the Wiccan, too. ”

“ What's her gens ? ” rosebush asked. “ And what does she do in the Ministry ? ”

“ Patricia Laurentis, ” Cedric replied. “ She's some sort of adviser to the electric current Minister. Her form of address's just as confusing and long as Dad's. ”

“ Wyrd that both the candidates were working under the flow Minister, ” pink wine said.

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

“ Me too, ” Thomas Bradley said as he stood up. “ Patil probably won't be pleased that I missed the first lesson. ”

Cedric and Thomas Bradley left, leaving the rest of the cousin to peach about what they had just been told. Albus mostly listened while pushing his food around his plate. What he had learned about Patricia Laurentis unnerved him a little and it was mostly because part of him thought she was right. thing weren't as arrant as his Uncle Percy thought. Willinson was still on the loose and not to mention the government issue with Lubar was still undecided.

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

“ Maybe Uncle Percy is the justly somebody to be Minister, ” Heather said quietly. “ The Ministry has been working the Sami way since the final examination Battle, hasn't it ? And there haven't been anymore Voldemorts trying to reach power. ”

“ But things can't always stay the Sami, ” Rose pointed out.

“ Do you really think the Ministry needs to change that much ? ” ling asked.

“ I don't know, ” Rose said quietly. “ I just don't think multitude are as joined as Uncle Percy thinks. ”

“ I'm going to the usual room, ” Albus said as he pushed his plate away. He wasn't thirsty anymore.

pace 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 void corridor.

“ Not everyone agrees on everything, Albus, ” Rose said. “ Far from it. I think Uncle Sir Henry Percy's slightly delusional about that. And commemorate what you told me about that odd bloke who gave your dad a monition at the Quidditch globe Cup ? ”

“ That bloke ? ” Albus laughed. “ He was insane ! ”

“ I'm not denying that, but he did have a detail. In an election class everything matters. Uncle Walker Percy's aligned his beliefs with the electric current government minister's, which means if he's elected he's going to continue doing affair the same way. The Ministry hasn't caught Willinson for good in the three years they've been searching and he's slipped out of their grasp numerous fourth dimension. It's not going to be difficult for that Laurentis lady to convince people we need to change maneuver, even if her manoeuvre aren't great either. ”

Albus said null for a few moments. “ How do you fuck 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 dissimilar 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 haven't even debated yet. All I'm saying is, Uncle Walker Percy needs to open his eyes a bit. ”

Albus didn't reply. He knew that his Uncle Percy's political vista were slightly different than the quietus of his family's, but they were still quite similar. If what Rose was saying was true, that meant that his whole family needed to open up their eye and Albus wasn't certainly how he felt about that.


A/N : Sorry about the late update. There were some site issues. See the forum for to a greater extent item about that. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing !


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


“ You know, this political sympathies year is taking away from our destitute stop, ” can said the following dawning at breakfast. He shook his head as he loaded his denture high with scrambled bollock and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for rose's answer about how they needed to read advantage of any learning opportunity, even if they meant less free sentence, but it didn't come. Albus turned to seem at her, thinking she might be ill. She wasn't. Instead she was piling her own plate high up with eggs and toast. Albus raised his eyebrows at her.

“ What ? ” she demanded. “ Girls get hungry, too. ”

“ Not that, ” Albus replied. “ Gospel According to John just complained about having another category and you didn't groan and severalise him off. ”

“ I kind of agree with him. ” Rose shrugged.

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

rosiness pushed his paw away. “ halt it, Al. I'm not saying I won't savour the class. I'm just saying that we're quaternary years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the time we can get to study. Not that John would use the time to examine, mind you. ”

“ There's the Rose we all know. ” whoremaster grinned as he stuffed his grimace with bacon.

“ I think it'll be a prissy variety, ” Matt put in. “ Something different. bill they gave us chronicle of legerdemain on two consecutive mornings. inquire who the idiot was who did that. ”

“ Same one who always gives us classes with the Slytherins, I'll bet, ” John said. “ double up Potions this dayspring and I'd bet my right-hand arm and both my legs we'll be with the Slytherins. ”

“ Why not both your blazon and legs ? ” Amanda asked.

“ On the off-chance that I'm untimely, I'll need some sort of limb to get around with, ” John answered.

“ I only had one category with the Slytherins last year, ” Kaden said. “ You lot must have terrible fortune. I'd practiced be off. Defense this morning. ”

“ Good luck. That professor is unearthly, ” lav said.

“ Can't be sorry than last year, ” Kaden replied as he got up and left.

Albus, Matt, Rose, and Amanda waited for John to finish his muckle of eggs before setting off for the keep. When they arrived the door was already open and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpius Malfoy was sitting at one of the social movement tabular array, looking rather smug. Albus averted his eyes and continued to the cover of the classroom, where he sat down in between mat and John.

“ Wonder what he's so happy about, ” Albus muttered as the rest of the students entered the room.

“ I don't know. But I don't like it, ” John said.

Slughorn chose that moment to coggle into the room so Albus and whoremaster could not stay on their conversation. “ Welcome, welcome ! Ahh, my two favorite menage together again ! What luck. well, well, welcome to fourthly year Potions. This is the year that things get difficult since you'll be sitting your O.W.L.s next twelvemonth... ”

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

“... Since today is a double class I thought we'd set about brewing the first potion in your schoolbook and see where your science lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to read your textual matter Book over the summer ! ”

Albus glanced at Rose, who was sitting next to Amanda at one of the front tables. She seemed to sit up gamy in her seat.

“ Let's get started, then. You can work in pairs of your choosing. The couplet that produces the best potion will win a bar of Honeyduke's chocolate. ”

John set off to forge with Janie Creevey who lacked a partner while Albus and Matt set up a cauldron at their board.

“ Remember your gloves, ” Slughorn announced. “ If you touch the end intersection your hand will immediately freeze. ”

“ Does it seem odd to you that we have to think of a Freeze Solution with fire ? ” matt asked as he stuck his wand under the cauldron to ignite the flame.

“ Very, ” Albus agreed. “ So now that we've had Slughorn for three age, have you noticed that he always starts the year with a contest ? ”

“ Yeah. I bet he uses the same curriculum every class, ” Matt added. “ Can't imagine that a good deal change in term 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 pieces of chopped beetroot into the cauldron. ”

“ Well, I suppose we'll happen out, ” came a drawling voice from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few bottles he must possess gotten from the supplying closet. “ I'm sure you two will get by it, if it's possible. ”

“ Shut it, Malfoy, ” Albus replied.

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

“ Weird of him to bequeath so soon, ” Matt 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 dueler than he is and he's got to watch out. oral presentation of which, you think you're going to be captain of your dueling team this class ? ”

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

With everything else that was going on that class, the cobbler's last thing Albus needed was to be captain of his dueling team, but he did not desire Malfoy as captain either. He'd take the extra work if just to keep Malfoy from being in charge. Malfoy needed power like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flame thrower.

Albus and mat did not bollocks up their potion by the end of the division. In fact, their potion had the Sami consistency that it was supposed to and while it was slightly indelicate, it did finagle to freeze the shaft Slughorn stuck in it. rosebush and Amanda won the hot chocolate, which was no surprise to anyone.

rose wine and Amanda shared their chocolate with the boys as they walked up to the Great Charles Francis Hall for lunch. Albus and Matt told the daughter and john about Malfoy's bizarre behavior and Rose told them that they should just be glad he's backing down, rather than break down his motives.

The Great Hall was buzzing with activity when they entered it a few minutes later. Albus sat down at the Gryffindor tabular array and no sooner had he grabbed a roll did Heather toss a copy of the Prophet onto his collection plate.

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

“ This morning's seer. The owls were late delivering it. Something about a storm in London, ” Heather explained.

Albus set down his paradiddle and opened the theme. There on the front page was a painting of his Uncle Walker Percy, smiling wide, in elaborate robe, shaking handwriting with a very tall woman, who was also smiling panoptic and wearing elaborate robe. Above the picture was the title, “ nominee for Minister of conjuring trick Announced. ”

By this point Rose and Matt had crowded on either side of Albus, while Amanda and King John hovered behind him, all trying to read the clause. Albus's middle traveled down the pageboy so he could do the same.

In front of the integral Ministry of conjuration,
pastor hopefuls Percy Ignatius Weasley and
Patricia Vivien Leigh Laurentis announced their
candidature on September 3rd, 2029. Both
candidates work under parson Hartwell, yet
are running against each former for reverse
parties.

Weasley, senior Undersecretary for the
drawing and editing of jurisprudence, has been
Chosen to run for the Merlinus party,
which is the party that current Minister
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, senior
Advisor to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
official has been chosen to run for the
Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus Party.

A magnanimous crowd turned out for the announcement,
which is only the number one of many appearances
by both candidates. The beginning debate is
scheduled for Sep 8th, at the
Ministry of Magic.

“ So that's who your uncle's running play against, ” matte said.

“ surmisal so, ” Albus replied.

“ She looks a niggling like this maths teacher I had before I came to Hogwarts, ” Amanda said. “ She was a scary lady. I remember once I forgot to do my homework so I spent the total sunrise in the loo before someone came looking for me. ”

“ You can tell they both hate each early, ” lusterlessness said as he gestured to the picture. “ Sure they're shaking hands and acting prissy but clearly they both want to hex each other. ”

“ It's just Weird that she works for Hartwell if she's the opposite political party he is, ” Rose mused. “ Why would Hartwell feature hired her ? ”

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

“ Maybe, ” Rose said. “ It just seems fishy. Her switching parties and hinting at all these chemical group changes. It just seems like something big is going to happen. ”

Albus couldn't help but have the same feeling. But all he could do was go for that his uncle won the election and Laurentis would not have the chance to convert everything.

“ Hey, Al, done with that paper ? ” James called from down the table.

Albus nodded and passed the Prophet down, then settling in to eat lunch. There was no point worrying about the election now. It was months away. Plus, the government form was later that day and Albus was incredibly singular about it.

Transfiguration seemed to drag by since it was the same as it was every year. Professor Patil explained about that year's curriculum and how they needed to depart thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased workload. It was all rather monotonic and all Albus wanted to do was get to politics since it was something new.

Finally August 6 was over and Albus and his friends hurried to the 5th floor to the classroom where politics was held. They slowed down when they reached the room as none of them wanted to be the number 1 to enter.

“ We better not have this with the Slytherins, ” John muttered as they neared the doorway.

Albus peeked in the threshold. “ Nope, Hufflepuffs. ”

toilet let out an audible suspiration of fill-in and Albus pushed the doorway open as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the back, and the professor was nowhere in sight. Rose immediately claimed a desk in the forepart and Amanda chose one side by side to her, while Albus and the other boys headed to the group of Hufflepuffs in the spine.

“ Do you think there will be homework in this class ? ” King John asked as they sat down.

Albus raised his eyebrows. “ Is that a serious question ? ”

John shrugged. “ Well it's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably won't even have this class adjacent year. So why would there be prep ? ”

“ Because it's a 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 middle of the classroom. As the toll rang, Professor Embry entered, walking with an air that this course would be all workplace and no play.

“ upright afternoon, ” Professor Embry began as he shuffled a few report on his desk. “ Welcome to Basic Wizarding Politics. I am Professor Embry and you will address me such. ”

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to pace the duration of the classroom. “ I understand that most of you know absolutely nada about politics and adopt that the Minister of Magic is born the Minister and laws just magically come into existence. A take few of you, ” his optic rested on Albus, and then on flatness, and on two Hufflepuff girls, “ have parents in the Ministry and may have slightly more noesis than the rest, 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 education and like to rectify this year. The curriculum will admit history of how our government came to be the way it is today as well as how the government is currently run. ”

The grade let out a collective grown at the word history. Albus glanced at rose, who was on the edge of her seat.

“ But sir, ” a particularly unfearing Hufflepufff boy announced, “ we've already learned the history. We take History of Magic. ”

Embry let out a short laugh. “ With Professor Binns ? If I may be frank, that man died before most of the story happened. Along with that, he'll put a rock to sleep. ” Embry chuckled. No one in the class dared to laugh. “ I'm going to give you a proper chronicle of our modern government, starting with a legal brief overview of what the government was like before the sovereignty of Voldemort and a more comp overview of what it is like today.

“ I will also devote a class flow each to the way the government is run in Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault, the United States, and Commonwealth of Australia. Now, since you were not aware that this division would occupy place, you have not acquired books. Therefore I have purchased them for you. You are to address them as library books and pass them to me in exchangeable condition at the end of the yr. Lest your parents be billed. ”

Embry flicked his wand and pot of books flew out of a nearby cupboard. They landed softly in front of the students. Albus glanced down and understand the title of respect. Politics and politics in Modern Wizarding Britain by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the closet it had come out of.

“ Very good. Now, get out sheepskin and shaft. I'm not going to let the eternal sleep of this social class period go to waste, ” Embry said as he tapped his wand on the board. Notes immediately appeared on it.

Embry lectured for the remainder of the class about how the showtime government was formed in U.K.. It was incredibly dry. The only reason Albus stayed awake was because he had to take aim Federal Reserve note. Literally had to. Embry caught a John not taking banker's bill and threatened him with custody this Saturday if he didn't start.

“ That's all for today, ” Embry said after the bell rang. “ following form we'll truehearted forward in time and acquire about the government pre-Voldemort. learn the first chapter for prep and come up with three thoughtful questions to place to the rest of the class. Dismissed. ”

“ How does Hogwarts attract the most flaky teachers ? ” Albus asked once they were out of earreach of the classroom.

“ Kendrick must put it on the inclination of job requirements, ” John the Evangelist replied. “ Must be out of your freaking mind to direct this position. ”

“ I think he's professional person, ” Rose piped in. “ It seems like we'll really learn stuff. ”

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

“ But we will one day, ” Amanda pointed out. “ And to be good, I'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, John. Muggles get political science category in schoolhouse. It makes sense that we should, too. ”

“ She's got a pointedness, mate, ” Matt said. “ Who has the ability in your country topic. If you elect the incorrectly multitude, things can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their leaders, either. We don't even get to do that fully. The positions that Albus's dad has and my dad get ? In the United country, those are elected positions. Not here. ”

“ And before Voldemort, we didn't even elect our parson, ” rosebush said.

“ How do you lot even know this stuff ? ” John asked as they drew snug to the Gryffindor plebeian room.

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

“ Wait. ” John stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at his friends. “ Wait. Now that we know about your uncle, you lot all have family involved with the Ministry, wether it's the witching ministry or the Muggle ministry. ”

Albus grinned sheepishly. “ Guess so. ”

Gospel According to John groaned. “ This is harebrained. Why couldn't I have picked normal friends ? ”

“ convention is highly overrated, ” Matt said as they reached the Fat Lady.

******


The residue of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus's feeling. Everyone, pupil and instructor, fell back into their usual Hogwarts function and by the metre Friday arrived Albus had a smokestack of homework as in high spirits as his bed and was more than ready for a few days off. But when he saw the notice control panel in the vernacular way when he got back from Charms on Friday afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

Fred had scheduled Quidditch practice on Sat at eight in the morning.

“ Eight ! ” Albus exclaimed. “ In the morning ? Is he thoroughly insane ? It's the 1st workweek back ! Even Empire State of the South wasn't crazy enough to do that. ”

“ Tough destiny, mate, ” St. John said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby lounge. “ Eight in the break of day. Let's see, I'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, lustrelessness ? What will you be doing at eight in the morning time ? Flying through the rainwater ? Trudging through the mud to the delivery ? ”

“ line not. ” mat grinned. “ I'll be cozy in bed, having an amazing aspiration where I'm playing for the Cannons. In perfect conditions of course. ”

“ The shank are the solely squad you'd ever have Leslie Townes Hope of playing for, ” St. John replied.

Albus threw himself down on the couch. Fred was insane. That was all there was to it. Well, he could apply for a prof position once he graduated. He'd fill the insanity requirement.

“ Speak of the devil, ” King John said as Fred entered the vulgar room.

“ You ! ” Albus shouted as he got up. “ Why in the public figure of everything Falco columbarius owns did you docket drill at eight in the dawning on a Sabbatum ? Not everyone's a seventh class taking four year. We can'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 business firm are having try-outs. We can't even hold our custodian try-outs until next weekend because of it. ”

“ Why not the evening then ? ”

“ Bradley's got to make an coming into court at Uncle Percy's speech. ” Fred rolled his optic.

“ Then why have practice at all ? We don't need to take anyone new until we get a new custodian, ” Albus pointed out.

“ It's been a whole summer. We're rusty. We've got to initiate training early on. I want that Quidditch trophy. ”

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

“ feeling, Al, I'm not changing it. merely deal with it, ” Fred said as he continued up to his dormitory.

Albus spent the rest of the evening fuming about praxis 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 minute'sleep.

In the end he was glad rose wine suggested it. They spent the evening performing Gobstones and Exploding Snap and listening to John and Kaden think up new ways to prank the Slytherins, and more specifically, Scorpio Malfoy. Eventually, Albus decided to call it a Nox and headed back to his dormitory, leaving his friends to continue discussing whether it would be better to reverse Malfoy's hair red or purple.

Only a few short hours later Albus found himself sneaking quietly out of his student residence at an hour of day that was only meant to be seen on weekdays. He grabbed his broom and went to meet his teammates in the uncouth room.

No one looked felicitous. St. James was nodding off on the couch while Ryan attempted to tie his horseshoe without opening his eyes. Scots heather's hair was sticking up at odd angles while she tried to tame it into a ponytail. Bradley was sulking in an armchair. Even Fred looked a little worse for wear. But they trudged through the palace, only seeing Peeves loosening a few threshold flexible joint and Filch's cat skulking behind a suit of armour.

The weather was at least nice and the four hours they spent on the auction pitch went by relatively profligate. Albus and his teammate landed on the ground as the Slytherin Quidditch team made their way onto the tar. Albus glared at them as they passed.

Without going up to his dorm to change, Albus headed into the Great mansion house hoping there would be something good for luncheon. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his friends halfway down the Gryffindor table and after stowing his ling underneath the terrace, he sat down and grabbed the nearest dish.

“ You could at to the lowest degree lavish initiatory, Al, ” rosebush 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 spell of lambskin. “ They want us to go to the public debate tonight since it's the world-class 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 hours to relax and possibly do homework. ”

“ Are you going to possess to go to every argumentation ? ” Rose asked.

“ Bob Hope not, ” Albus replied in between insect bite. “ You don't have to go ? ”

“ Haven't gotten anything about it. Dad probably doesn't even want to go himself so he won't make us. And Mum probably expects that it would just take away from my studies. ”

“ This says I have to endure dress robe, ” Albus muttered.

“ At least you can severalise us if anything right happens, ” Matt said.

“ And what about you ? Your dad's senior high in the Ministry. Why aren't you going ? ” Albus asked, heroic to retrieve someone else who could go along him company.

“ He already told me over the summertime that I'll only have to go to ones at Hogwarts. And then whatever party the prospect will throw off for the official. Doesn't think an election should take much outcome on my lifespan, ” Matt explained.

“ Lucky, ” Albus replied.

Albus made the virtually of the rest of the day. He and his friends took homework down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beech tree tree while they sat by the edge of the lake and dangled their feet in. Kaden swore the Giant calamari tried to eat his foot, but cipher believed him. Rose and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the edge of the timber, insisting that none of the boys follow.

Kaden pulled a Fanged Frisbee out of his bag once the girls left and the male child began tossing it around. This was cracking fun until the Frisbee decided it had had enough of being thrown and took out a section of Kaden's hair, leaving his head bleeding rather profusely and Albus, St. John, and lusterlessness having to rush him to the hospital wing. By the time Kaden's head had been bandaged up and all four had received a lecture on the risk of Fanged Frisbees ( Madam Pomfrey somehow figured out that that was the cause ) it was time for Albus to lead back to Gryffindor tugboat to get ready for the argumentation.


A/N : Sorry for the deficiency of a May update. schooltime was insane. But I only have a year left ! I'm now home for the summertime and am having return getting my cyberspace to cooperate with HPFF. Things take a long time to load and I can not answer to reexamine. I will still take every review, but reception will study a while since I have to be at the depository library to answer to them.

Since I last updated I've had some yield with people plagiarizing my floor. I really hate that I have to tell apart you blackguard this, but it is against the normal to take anyone's story from here and put them on other sites. It's also against the principle to take plot of land, fictitious character, etc without permission. I do not present my permit for anyone to shoot my patch or graphic symbol. I'm really felicitous that you guys like my stories, but please don't take them.


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


If there was one thing Albus hated it was getting dressed up for Ministry result. He had always been slightly uncomfortable with his dad's celebrity and Ministry posture because he hated the attention. St. James the Apostle had always been the case who would bask in the care, enjoying when all the Ministry official proclaimed how big he was getting and how he was sure to be the wiz of Gryffindor's Quidditch team. Lily was rather so-so towards it. She never really expressed emotion about the attending one way or another. She enjoyed getting dressed up but once they were at whatever party, she would go off and do her own affair. Albus just did not like it. He did not like getting his boldness pinched by old ladies and did not like random people telling him how tall he was getting. As he got sr., he did not like it any more.

But it was a fact of life and so Albus found himself once again forcing himself into a set of emerald commons dress robes. They were wrinkled, but he didn't know any sort of ironing magic spell so he let them be. It's not like anyone would be focused on him anyway. This was his Uncle Walker Percy's night and it seemed like this integral year was going to be his Uncle Percy's year.

Albus tamed his hair with a bit of water and then met Epistle of James, Lily, Bradley, and Cedric in the rough-cut way. James looked suave and perfectly comfortable in his blue dress robe, whereas Bradley and Cedric looked like they were being force fed stinky fish in their matching grey gown. Lily was wearing a purple dress and as common, didn't seem to have an opinion about going to the debate.

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

“ Yeah, Mum sent us a letter this break of day, ” Lily explained. “ I guess Dad thinks we should be at the first one. ”

“ At to the lowest degree you don't have to go to all of them, ” Bradley muttered.

The respite of the trip to Kendrick's study was silent. When they arrived they saw that Kendrick was in dress robe as well and was apparently escorting them to the Ministry and would stay to watch the debate. He handed them each a bit of Floo pulverization and let them go first.

Albus stepped into the Floo after James and soon found himself in the Ministry of Magic's entrance hall. The place was far quieter than it was the last prison term 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 heave and down to the court rooms. “ The sole place big enough to accommodate everyone witnessing the debate. Even still, it's an invitation only outcome. It's being broadcasted over the tuner, however. Kendrick stopped in front of court room ten and opened the doorway. The elbow room was about half full-of-the-moon. Albus spotted his mother's bright red hair in the offset row of seating. He followed Kendrick down the stairs.

Albus's Aunt Corrine was sitting with his parents, along with a rather sullen looking Empire State of the South and the twins, who were both reading books. Kendrick began to speak quietly to Harry as Albus and the others filed into the row. King James I, Omar Bradley, and Cedric immediately began to speak of Quidditch and Albus listened in. They were speculating on who would show up for steward try-outs the following weekend. GA immediately perked up and began giving the male child advice on who they should keep an eye out for.

It soon became obvious that the allow side of the front row of the seating was reserved for Percy's family. They were joined by all of Albus's aunt and uncles, as well as Victoire, Teddy, and Francis Edgar Stanley. In fact the only one of his older first 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 first row on the mightily side was reserved for Laurentis's syndicate, although Albus didn't recognize a single one of the multitude in that row. He turned around and focused on the mass filing in. He recognized a few of them including Matt's parents and a few other Ministry official he'd met before. lusterlessness's parents sat down behind Albus's parents, side by side to prof Kendrick. Albus briefly wished that lusterlessness had been forced to go, but quickly erased that thought process because what kind of supporter would wish well their Best protagonist had to attend a political argumentation ?

The chatter in the elbow room immediately subsided when diplomatic minister Hartwell entered followed by a few of his nearest advisers. Behind them were Percy and Laurentis, both wearing Ministry robe. Hartwell and his advisers sat along a table at the front of the room while Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis stood behind dais, also at the front man of the elbow room. The government minister spoke with his advisers briefly while Percy and Laurentis smiled and waved at the crowd. Then one of the adviser rose from his seat.

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

“ Welcome, ” his voice boomed over the audience, “ to the beginning debate of the 2020 election for parson of Magic. Our two candidates, Percy St. Ignatius Weasley and Patricia Leigh Laurentis, get together us tonight for an basic debate on a salmagundi of takings. My name is Wendell York and I am the foreland of the section of Magical Transportation and will serve as moderator for tonight's argument. I will set the subject and each prospect will get five minutes to respond, then two minutes for a rebuttal.

“ The commencement topic is how our Earth is concealed from Muggles. Do you think the electric current Ministry is doing an adequate job ? What changes would you evoke ? Mr. Weasley, you may go first. ”

Albus yawned. Why couldn't it be an exciting topic like catching Dark wizards ? Or at least something relevant to his lifetime, like the deficiency of good Defense professors at Hogwarts. Now that would be a debate he'd be interested in. Albus turned towards Walker Percy and realized he hadn't even been paying care to a lot of his uncle's response.

“... current constabulary do a satisfactory job of concealing our worldly concern from Muggles. Magic sightings by Muggles are low in number and when they do occur Obliviators do an excellent job of altering the memories of our Muggle neighbors... ” Harry Hotspur droned on.

Albus turned to James who rolled his centre. Could they have come up with a more drilling topic ? Albus seriously doubted it. Except perhaps cauldron bottom thickness, which was a report Sir Henry Percy had done when he first started at the Ministry, according to Harry. Albus glanced at his dad. He was paying tending, but in that certain way of paying aid that meant he was really bored but was trying to wangle it. Even Corrine looked slightly bored.

“ Thank you, Mr. Weasley, ” Wendell House of York said. “ Ms. Laurentis, your turn. ”

“ I disagree with Mr. Weasley, ” Laurentis began. “ One sighting of our kind by Muggles is too many. Each time a Muggle catches lot of an act of illusion puts our entire world at risk, and not only Britain's wizarding humankind. We have a responsibility to the humankind that we stay fresh our legerdemain under wrapper. According to last year's statistics we were in the top five countries in footing of act of sightings. That's not good... ”

Laurentis went on and on about several laws that could be enacted to ensure that Muggles did not see acts of legerdemain until Wendell York cut her off. He then let Sir Henry Percy have his two mo rebutter, during which he went on about how it was an impossible end to try, to accomplish no wizardly sightings by Muggles. Laurentis's rebutter was basically just a re-statement of her previous disceptation.

Albus tuned much of the disputation out, focusing instead on what he wanted to do during the flow schooltime year. He was a one-quarter class, which meant he was no longer one of the vernal 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 drill went and how lucifer were played. Then there was the Dueling golf club. Each of the eight teams had a captain and the captains were fourth eld. prof, mostly Neville, picked the captains. Albus knew it would be down to either him or Scorpio and as much as he did not really require the responsibleness of being captain, he did not want Scorpius to cause top executive over him. He would use that to his advantage.

The disputation wore on and Albus continued to not pay tending until he heard the words'Education Department'and'Hogwarts'. That got his attention. It was Laurentis's tour to go first.

“ I think educational reform is the skillful way to go. Hogwarts has been ran the Lapp way for propagation and while no one can refuse that Headmaster Kendrick runs a wonderful school day, we also can not ignore that changes could be made to benefit the students. The world is a constantly changing place and Education want to keep up in order for our scholar to be better devise.

“ The class choice for example. It is my understanding that a new class has been added this year about government, which I think is greatly good to bookman. But other than that the same stratum are offered now as have been offered for decades. New classes need to be phased in while old one that either no longer interest student need to be phased out. Obviously I am not talking about nub stratum such as Potions and Charms, but electives.

“ teacher also need to be kept up to date with recent finding in their field of battle. They should not be teaching the same information I or my opponent learned at Hogwarts. They should be teaching the newest valid data available- ”

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

“ My opponent brings up an interesting stage, but even she admits that Headmaster Kendrick is running an excellent schooling. I believe that some regime rule is necessary, example being finally class's incident with Professor Balladanis, but we as government officials do not take the education 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 in effect job running Hogwarts than Professor Kendrick.

“ Just as professors most likely believe it best to leave law devising and the running of the state to those such as my opponent and I, I believe it adept to exit the running of Hogwarts to professor Kendrick and the former professors. In conclusion, I believe that Hogwarts is fine as is and if the schoolmaster thought he needed government assistance bringing about alteration 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 better job of it than Professor Kendrick. I am merely stating that the students would benefit from more government activity interposition. If the Ministry had been more involved with teacher selection, for good example, we could own possibly avoided hiring professor Balladanis finale year. ”

“ Mr. Weasley. ”

“ My opponent is speculating. There is no way for anyone to say whether government officials would own found Professor Balladanis to be an inappropriate professor during his consultation. In fact, I would slant towards the contrary, considering that neither I or my opposer have ever hired a professor before. ”

Both Percy and Laurentis were red in the boldness. Albus was surprised a Ministry sponsored argument could get so heated. He craned his principal and turned around in order to see what Kendrick's chemical reaction to all this was, but found that Kendrick was hiding his emotions far undecomposed than either Percy or Laurentis. It also seemed that everyone in the room was paying rapt aid, including James and Lily. The lone two masses who weren't were Samantha and Lindy.

There was one final question about law making that Albus didn't really understand, nor did he care to understand. He was far more interested in the Hogwarts question. Percy's controversy was far punter, in his opinion. Hogwarts was fine the way it was. Why did Laurentis deficiency to change everything ? What sort of changes was she talking about, anyway ? He supposed the topic would be explored more specifically at the education themed debate which was scheduled to take piazza at Hogwarts the following calendar month. But one thought that Albus could not get out of his read/write head was that if Laurentis won, what would encounter to Hogwarts ?
******


“ The only modification I want to see at Hogwarts is less preparation and few exams, ” toilet said as he walked with Albus and the rest of their friends to the Great Hall.

A calendar week had passed since the first argumentation and students were still talking about the possible changes to Hogwarts. A very declamatory full page spread had appeared in the Daily Prophet the day after the debate, proclaiming that Laurentis wished to change Hogwarts. This had both bookman and professor up in arms and things were only beginning to quieten down. The professors had been on edge the former calendar week, snapping at bookman for nothing and assigning superfluous homework. This resulted in the educatee being very unhappy. Albus did not quite understand why everyone was letting it involve them so much. It's not like Laurentis had won. Yet.

It was early on Sabbatum morning and Albus and his ally were heading to the Great dormitory for the first Junior's Dueling golf club meeting of the class. Albus's heart were on end. It was at this get-go merging that the captains would be announced.

“ If Scorpius gets captain I'm going to mangle something, ” trick muttered as they entered the Great Hall.

“ You're not even on his team, ” rose said.

“ I am and I couldn't stand it if he won, ” Amanda pointed out.

“ If he's senior pilot, tourney are going to be awful, ” trick countered. “ Plus, I'm Al's friend. ”

The Great Hall was in pot bedlam, as it always was during the commencement meeting of the year. Two teams were congregated at each table and much to Albus's scorn, his team was holding court at the Slytherin tabular array. He weaved his way through the confused second years who had yet to be assigned a team and stood following to his team. Scorpius was seated across the table from him.

“ Well, ceramist, set to be under my captainship ? ” Scorpius greeted him.

“ I could say the Lapp to you, ” Albus replied. “ What makes you so sure you'll get it ? ”

“ I'm the better duellist, obviously. ” Scorpio smirked.

“ placidity, pipe down everyone ! ” Neville shouted.

Albus turned away from Scorpius and swallowed the desire to pee a seed back and paid attending to Neville instead. Professor Patil stood next to him. Albus supposed the new defense mechanism professor had not had a desire to help with the Dueling Club. Somehow, Albus was not surprised.

“ Thank you, ” Neville said. “ offset I'd like to denote that prof Patil has graciously agreed to help me sponsor this class's Dueling social club. As a monitor, all squad must possess a professor present during practices and it is up to the team maitre d'hotel to coordinate practice times and locate a professor to sit in. The professor does not have to be myself or Professor Patil. However, this class we are allowing seventh twelvemonth Dueling gild members to supervise as well. So as an alternative, you may ask a one-seventh year to supervise.

“ First order of commercial enterprise is this year's moment years. I've already assigned you to team and shall now read off the list. ”

Albus let his head wander while Neville read off the listing. The only when endorse years he knew were his sister, and she was assigned to Matt's squad, as well as Hugo, who was assigned to King John and Kaden's team. A harvest of shy looking sec years had congregated at his own team's maculation and he smiled at them, encouraging them to take seats next to the older students. There were five of them. Two son and three missy. Three Ravenclaws, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff. No Gryffindors, but Albus could hold out with that.

“ And now, what I am sure all the fourth long time have been waiting for, captain announcement ! Let me remind you that I, as well as the early professors who have been involved with this golf-club have been watching you over the past tense two years and have chosen not only special duelist, but exceeding loss leader. Without further adieu.

“ The captain of Team One is Marina Jordan-Bell. ”

Cheers erupted for Marina, mostly from the Hufflepuff table, where her team was seated. Albus grinned. Marina was very courteous and would make an excellent captain.

“ The captain of Team Two is William Harvey Tucker. ”

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

“ The captain of Team Three is Peter Smith. ”

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

“ The captain of Team quartet is Lydia Thompson. ”

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

“ The captain of squad Five is Jace Johnson. ”

blush wine's squad. Jace was a Hufflepuff who didn'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 didn't know well. He swallowed hard. Team VII was adjacent and that was his team.

“ The captain of Team 7 is Albus Potter. ”

john's whistling could be heard above everyone's cheering. Albus grinned. His entire squad ( save for Scorpius and his supporter ) were clapping hard. He'd done it. He'd made chieftain ! All the uncertainties he'd had over the summertime about it had disappeared. He, Albus Potter, was the new maitre d' of squad sevener.

“ The headwaiter of Team Eight 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 sentence for your first practice, which should guide spot during the succeeding two calendar week. Once you have a date, please see me to get a classroom. Then feel a prof or seventh year to supervise.

Scorpius did not say one intelligence as Albus talked with the residuum of his team and figured out a practice time that did not interfere with four different Quidditch teams, Gobstones order, and chess game golf club. Eventually he settled on the conform to Thursday eve. Neville assigned them to an vacuous schoolroom on the sixth floor. Albus figured he'd ask a seventh yr to supervise rather than a prof. It was less intimidating for his first practice session.

Albus's friends joined him at the door to the Great hall. Scorpio brushed past them, but did not say a word of honor. He looked like he was fix to bump off soul. Albus thought he looked far too furious over a deep in thought captaincy. It was just the Junior's Dueling ball club anyway.

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

“ Not a word, ” Albus replied.

“ Don't think about him, ” pink wine said. “ What's the head ? You made skipper and that's all that matters. ”

Albus grinned. “ nigh of the headwaiter are pretty decent, too. I mean Lydia's sort of irritating, but the rest aren't bad. ”

“ It's going to be a good year for dueling, that's for sure, ” lusterlessness agreed.

The six friends discussed dueling all the way back to the common way. 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. Marina was surrounded by her friends and Albus was accosted by his cousins as soon as he entered. Someone thrust a butterbeer into his hired hand and patted him on the back. He smiled as he looked out at the common room, at the party that his cousin had thrown together for himself and Marina. lusterlessness was not only right about the fact that it would be a good class for dueling. It was going to be a goodness yr in superior general.


A/N : So I bet you're all confused about the name change ! well, I've been doing some thought and a plot change was needed. The chapters that are already posted won't be affected. The variety only affects what I haven't written yet. But the old rubric wasn't going to bring with the new plot, so I had to change it. I like the new one better anyway. And don't headache, Walker Percy will still run for Minister. Actually, the new plot focuses more on that.

To answer in advance, because I know this will make out up, I won't tell what the old plot was going to be. I'd rather people not compare the old plot with the one that will actually be written.

If any of you are on the forums, you'll know about the cataclysm we had live on calendar week. Liza Potter on the archives ( and lizzacc on the forums ) has died. She was a fan of my Albus serial publication and told me once that they were the world-class stories she ever read on HPFF. She will be missed. I am dedicating this story to you, Liza.


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


The next day Albus found himself on the Quidditch sales talk staring at all of the new Gryffindor Keeper hopefuls. There were a lot of them. Try-outs were scheduled to begin in xv minute, yet the pitch had been packed since before luncheon. Albus speculated that some hopefuls, including Hugo, had not even taken a break for lunch. Poor Victor Hugo needn't have bothered skipping his meal since even an extra half time of day of practice would not induce helped him.

bookman from second through seventh yr were hoping for a touch on the squad, including Janie Creevey. Albus recognized virtually of them, but there were a few older pupil whom he did not. Along with the Gryffindors, there were example from other squad, surely there to tally out Gryffindor's new steward.

Albus stood on the slant a few meters from the gang, with his team. Fred was holding a clipboard and broom was standing side by side to him, gazing out at the students hoping for a spot. James, Omar Bradley, and Ryan were laughing about something.

“ placidity, 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 custodian this yr. And if you can't Keep, you're not going to get on the team. If you're hoping to get in as keeper and then subscribe another's spot when they graduate, you might as well not consume your time. ”

Wow, Albus thought to himself, Fred was channeling both Georgia and Samantha Meyers. Usually he would joke around at try-outs, but Albus supposed since he was now in mission, affair had changed.

A few of the young bookman walked slowly off the pitch shot and into the stand, looking clearly disappointed.

“ All right then, I'm going to have you fly around the tar to assess your basic flying attainment. If you're not up to par on that, you'll be eliminated. Then we'll move on to guarding the destination posts. ”

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

The eternal sleep of the of the bookman took longsighted to excrete. After about an hour the sum of money had been narrowed down to ten and they all seemed to be similar in skill.

“ I think the only fair way to do this is to reject anyone who misses a save. Last one standing, er, flying, gets the position, ” Fred announced.

It took another half hour to land up the try-outs. To Albus's surprise, the winner was Janie Creevey. Albus had had no theme that she even played Quidditch until he saw her at the try-outs. She grinned as she dismounted from her Calluna vulgaris and accepted the felicitation from the rest of the team.

“ Nice to have another young lady, ” Heather said. “ I thought I'd be the only one after Georgia left. ”

“ I thought your cousin-german Hugo would get picked, ” Ryan replied. “ Who knew he was the alone Weasley who can't playing period Quidditch ? ”

“ rich person you seen blush wine on a broom ? ” Albus asked.

Janie grinned. “ I've played since I was minuscule. So well-chosen to consume won the spot. When's outset practice ? ”

“ Right now, ” Fred said. “ We've got the delivery all afternoon. ”

Albus sighed. Fred was turning into Georgia. But Albus enjoyed Quidditch and it was a hopeful and gay day, so it wouldn't be bad.

practice session lasted a few hour and Albus was thoroughly exhausted by the time it was over. He immediately went back to his residence hall to film a shower and then set off to locate his friends. 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 didn't see them in the Gryffindor common room when he had traipsed through after practice. John and Kaden were playing chess and Kaden was trouncing John, like usual. Rose and Amanda were sitting on the couch discussing an essay that Cedonia had assigned the previous week. flatness was not there since the full synodic month had been the old night.

“ Albus ! ” John exclaimed after Al had shut the doorway. “ So, who's the new Gryffindor Keeper ? ”

“ You're never gon na think it, but Janie Creevey, ” Albus answered as he collapsed onto a nearby chair. “ Apparently she has been playing Quidditch for ages and was just waiting for the Keeper military position to open. ”

“ Seriously ? ” John asked. “ She never mentioned it all these years that we've been brewing potions together. ”

“ She's probably too busy making sure you don't blow anything up, ” pink wine replied.

“ Hey, I'm better than Al and lusterlessness are, ” John the Divine muttered.

“ public speaking of Matt, have you lot been to see him today ? ” Albus asked.

“ Yeah, but he was asleep so lady Pomfrey didn't let us stay. Figured we'd go after supper, ” John Lackland 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 Friend, despite how every single one of his muscleman ached from praxis.

“ Shhhh, looking at ! ” John seethed as he grabbed the spine of Albus's shirt and pulled him into a room access. Kaden, rose, and Amanda followed, all looking curiously at John.

“ What is it ? ” rose wine asked.

“ Shush ! ” John whispered. “ It's Scorpius and Willinson's cousin-german. What was his epithet again ? ”

“ Felix, ” Kaden muttered. “ Slimy git. ”

“ Who's that with them ? ” Amanda asked.

Albus craned his head around the door frame of reference. Scorpio and Felix were standing next to a few suits of armor, nous leaned in towards each other. There was a daughter about a read/write head shorter than Scorpius with them. She and Felix had the Saame semblance fuzz, except hers was retentive and curly.

“ She's a first-class honours degree yr. I remember seeing her a the classification but I don't remember her name, ” Rose answered.

“ I have half a mind to spare her from the two of them, ” John muttered. “ She'd be better off not getting mixed up with the like of them. ”

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

Scorpio began walking down the corridor and Felix and the miss followed. Albus and his champion watched them until they turned a quoin, disappearing out of sight.

“ Wyrd, ” Albus said as they began walking to dinner once more. “ I've never seen Malfoy befriending low gear years, except for Willinson when he came here. ”

“ You're paranoid, ” rose said. “ They were just talking and they're in the Saame house. Maybe she had a question or something. ”

“ He's Malfoy, ” Albus responded. “ He's up to something. ”

“ Oh Merlin. ” Rose let out an exasperated sigh. “ Two weeks into the full term and you're already picking a row with him. ”

“ Remember last class ? ” Albus asked. “ I'm only trying to avoid something like that again. ”

“ mulct. But I'm not getting involved, ” rose muttered.

Albus walked in silence the remainder of the way to the Great Hall. rose wine may have been right. Albus may have just been being paranoid, but deep down he had a feeling that Malfoy and Willinson weren't just talking about homework.
******


Matt returned from the hospital wing two days later and the month wore on in its usual way. The professor were assigning more and more homework and it took longer and longer to complete.

Once October arrived fervor began to brew when the for the first time Hogsmeade weekend was announced. The visit was scheduled for the Sat before Allhallows Eve and Kaden in particular was very charge up. He never did manage to make it to Hogsmeade under the invisibleness Cloak the previous class.

Albus's first dueling practice session 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 have been solely because professor Cedonia had been present during the practice session. His team was shaping up well and he had high gear hopes for them winning many tourney. 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 various magazines and radio display had been latching onto Sir Henry Percy's financial statement about training and his want of willingness to change, as they had put it.

“ Dad's really stressed, ” Omar Nelson Bradley said one night at dinner. The Weasleys and thrower were all eating together in rules of order to talk about the election. “ Doesn't drop a line us as lots and when he does it's always about the election. ”

“ Not to mention the five page bed covering that Wizards magazine is doing about our mob, ” Cedric muttered as he gnawed on a turkey leg. “ That's sure to fuel the fire. ”

“ When is that ? ” Albus asked.

“ Tomorrow, ” Omar Bradley answered. “ Only goodness part is we got permit to overlook all of our classes. ”

“ Is it really going to be five pages ? ” St. James asked. “ What are they going to put in it ? ”

“ Dad's sprightliness story, ” Cedric answered. “ Plus a few paragraphs on each of us and Mum about our lifespan. Just a well-chosen clause about how we all love each other and Dad's a kinsfolk man. That's what his campaign manager wants to portray him as seeing that Laurentis doesn't have any kids. ”

“ And Uncle Hotspur has a whole lot, ” James pointed out.

“ Hey, you lot better watch out. When Dad told us about this he mentioned that they're going to do another on the intact Weasley-Potter kinship group, ” Cedric announced.

“ Did he say when ? ” James asked.

“ Around Christmas Day, I think. Adds to the happy family atmosphere, ” Cedric explained.

“ Then they ought to audience Uncle George I when he's had a bit too very much eggnog. ” Saint James the Apostle laughed.

“ When's the future debate, anyway ? ” Albus asked. “ must be coming up soon. ”

“ This weekend, actually, ” Bradley replied. “ At the Ministry again. I think this one's focusing on law creation and enforcement or something equally as boring. ”

“ Do we let to go to it ? ” Lily asked.

“ I don't think so, ” Jesse James answered. “ Dad said we just had to go to the ones at Hogwarts from now on. ”

“ public speaking of elections, what does everyone think of that government class ? ” Albus asked.

“ Professor's very acute, ” King James said in between snack. “ But it's not nearly as awful as the other course of instruction. There's no O.W.L. in it so it's my flow 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 supporter have absolutely no idea about anything to do with the Ministry so they're having a firmly time. ”

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

“ And that's why the course of study is requisite, ” rosebush said. “ Think about it. No course of instruction like this has been taught before, so where did the current Ministry functionary learn the history of the Ministry ? Where did they learn about political sympathies ? They learned it as they went, but didn't know much when they started. That's a niggling shuddery. multitude should know how their country is run. ”

Albus thought about what Rose had said as he chewed on his roll. She had a good detail. Where had they learned it ? Had his Uncle Hotspur really known nothing about the Ministry when he started ? No, he couldn't have. Hotspur's own father had been in the Ministry as well. Still, it was weird to think about.

Albus mostly listened during the respite of dinner. He always felt slightly unsettled when the election was discussed and he wasn't for sure why. Nor could he enter out whether he wanted Percy to win or not. Either way, spirit would be drastically different after Election Day, and Albus liked affair the way they were.
******


“ Now she wants to change Azkaban ? ” Albus asked at breakfast a few solar day later. The law enforcement debate had taken space the night before and the entire front Page of the vaticinator was devoted to it. “ Isn't changing Hogwarts enough ? ”

Ministry hopefuls Sir Henry Percy Weasley and
Patricia Laurentis debated law cosmos
and enforcement last Nox at the Ministry
of Magic. Like the previous world-wide debate,
sparks flew in this one, with each candidate
speaking passionately about the topic.

'I've worked in law creation for years,'
Weasley began with.'Since the defeat
of Voldemort, I think we can all jibe that
affair are running smoothly. I intend to
see that things go along going the way they
are, with enforcement of laws that benefit
the stallion wizarding community.'

Laurentis took a more extremist stance, in
her reaction to Weasley's opinions.

'Sure, the law of nature we have now are sufficient.
I'm not denying that. But I think we need
to take a good intemperate feeling at how they are
enforced, or rather, not enforced. The
statistics are clear. Far to a greater extent criminals
are being acquitted and even more are
being released from Azkaban. In my work
at the prison house, 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 dubiousness, thing are only going to
high temperature up. The candidates seem to have
completely different opinions on everything
from education to laws. The following debate,
which will be on education, will take position
at Hogwarts on Saturday, November the 9th at
two in the afternoon.

“ Doesn't she run Azkaban ? ” matte asked, taking the paper from Albus. “ So why hasn't she changed it already ? ”

“ Probably doesn't have the power, ” Rose answered. “ The Minister has to sign on off on almost affair, unless all example and officials disagree with him or her. ”

“ So clearly there's mass who don't agree with her, ” Matt replied.

“ Think they'll ever agree with each early ? ” Albus asked.

“ Doubt it, ” Amanda said. “ It's like this in the Muggle elections, too. They're usually complete opponent. What I don't understand is how she's working under Hartwell when he and your uncle agree on everything. ”

“ Me either, ” pink wine agreed. “ Guess we're watching the next debate. ”

“ Yeah, it'll be here, ” Matt said. “ Embry will probably reach us do an essay on it, too. ”

“ It won't be bad, ” blush wine said. “ That will be the argument that will directly touch on us. The election's in April which means we're going to deliver over three years of Hogwarts under whichever nominee is elected. If it's Laurentis, all those alteration are going to affect us. ”

Omar Nelson Bradley sat down next to Albus and threw a written matter of champion magazine publisher onto the table. “ Article's out. ”

“ That was fast, ” Albus said.

“ They wanted it to be out right around the debate, ” Bradley muttered. “ You really ought to read it. It's awful. ”

“ Rita Skeeter didn't do it, did she ? ” Albus asked.

Bradley shook his head. “ This dame's almost forged. faith me. ”

rosebush, Amanda, bathroom, lustrelessness, and Kaden crowded around Albus as he flipped through the cartridge holder. The article was in the midriff, with the two pages being a full people of colour picture of Uncle Percy, Aunt Corrine, and their youngster. Walker Percy and Corrine were sitting on their living room couch, with Georgia in between them. All three were smiling and waving. Omar Bradley and Cedric were leaning on either side of the couch and the Twin were sitting in front of it. Albus flipped the page and saw a very lengthy article, interspersed with versatile pictures of his family and boxes about each of those five cousin. The clause finished up on the be Sir Frederick Handley Page.

Upon entering the nursing home of Minister of legerdemain
nominee Hotspur Weasley's Southampton home
I am surprised to see that it does not look
like the place of a Ministry campaigner. It is
not filled with spate and piles of paper and
Weasley's campaign manager is nowhere to be
found. Instead, the floor is cluttered with
toys belonging to the youngest Weasley children,
nine-year-old counterpart, Samantha and lindy hop. A
plateful of warm up cooky sits upon the deep brown
table and Weasley's married woman, Corrine, bustles
into the room carrying a tray of tea. Walker Percy
enters as well, followed by the five Weasley
children.

'I prefer to keep the hunting expedition at the Ministry,'
Percy explains after I ask where his campaign
textile are.'The campaign is work. It is my
job. The house is for my family.'

“ Really ? ” rosebush raised her eyebrows. “ She should've seen his subject field. That's where all his movement stuff is. ”

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

'I could not be more proud of Georgia,'
Percy said, speaking of his eldest daughter,
who currently plays as Reserve steward for
the Kenmare Kestrals.'I've been to a
number of her match and it is absolved
that she could experience a long calling in
Quidditch.'

“ What a load of dung ! ” Albus exclaimed. “ Uncle Percy has never once agreed with Georgia's Quidditch career. ”

“ Did he actually say that or was that reporter just saying he did ? ” mat asked.

“ Oh he said it, ” Bradley, who had taken a seat a short ways down the table, answered. “ Not that he really thinks it. ”

Albus had had enough of the main article. His eyes glanced across the Thomas Nelson Page and rested upon the small box that discussed Georgia.

Georgia Weasley, the eldest daughter
of Hotspur and Corrine, is 18 and
currently plays Reserve Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals.'I love
Quidditch,'Georgia said when the
subject was brought up.'It's freeing
and I look forward to playing for
Kenmare as a full Keeper one day.'
Georgia's dream is to play 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 twelvemonth at Hogwarts. He plays
Beater on Gryffindor's Quidditch team.
'I like Quiditch, but I don't want to
play professionally like Peach State. I
want to work for Gringotts some day.'

Then there was one for Cedric.

Cedric Weasley is in his 5th year
at Hogwarts and is the prankster of
the kinsfolk.'Every Weasley family
has to accept soul who will play the
jape. It's like a pattern or something.
I come up with the serious approximation when I'm
with my cousin James I [ ceramist ].'Upon
asking Cedric what he wants to do after
Hogwarts, he replied,'oasis't got a clue.
I think I'll focus on getting through
my O.W.L.s first.'

The final examination box was for both Samantha and Lindy.

Samantha and Linda ( Lindy ) Weasley are
nine geezerhood old and attend a topical anaesthetic
primary school for Muggles. Both Twin
can't postponement to enter Hogwarts in two
twelvemonth.'I'm going to be in Gryffindor,
just like my baby and pal,'says
Samantha.'I don't care what house I'm
in, just as long as I can play Quidditch.
Well, okay, I don't want to be in Slytherin.'

“ That, ” Albus began as he set down the powder magazine, “ was the unsound clause I've ever read in my life. ”

“ I shudder to mean what the one about our entire family will be like, ” Rose muttered.

“ Nah, ” John said. “ That one will be better because they won't have to build as much up. Albus's dad saved the whole wizarding world. They'll just play that up. ”

“ It wasn't only him, ” Albus pointed out. “ Are people really going to believe all this ? ”

Amanda nodded. “ Yeah, they will. They know cypher about your uncle's sept. Sure, they know all about your dad, but really, how much do they have a go at it about Percy ? Not much. They're going to want to believe it and why shouldn't they ? They have no idea Harry Hotspur doesn't approve of Georgia's Quidditch calling. It's the same as in the Muggle man.

“ It would be decent if hoi polloi voted on candidates who shared their like panorama, but it honestly comes down to who presents the best campaign. People aren't going to want someone in power who has issues with his own family. ”

“ That's pillock, ” Kaden replied. “ Glad my sept's not involved with politics. ”

“ My menage is your family, ” Albus pointed out.

“ But I'm not related to your Uncle Percy. ”

“ You still call him Uncle Sir Henry Percy, ” Albus said.

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

“ well, I can honestly say my family's not in politics and I'm very glad about that, ” John said.

Albus could not reckon life without having kin involved with the Ministry, but suddenly he felt slightly jealous of John. What would it have been like to have parents who weren't famous ?


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this narration ! You guys are all amazing. Just as another reminder, I can't reply to brush up while I am house for the summer, but I read every single one. If you have some sorting of question that you need answered about my stories, please use my Ask the author page at the forums or send out me a PM there.

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


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


The following workweek brought a storm so long and so intense that Herbology and care of Magical Creatures had to be canceled for the second base half of the calendar week. It was thoroughly unimaginable to take the air outside without being doubled over by the wind instrument and the younger educatee could not walk without being blown away. The pelting was also so grave that one would become loaded within two moment. The students secretly rejoiced, for the extra free menstruation were helpful to all.

It remained so rainy 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 storm let up. Fred lamented this fact all of Friday evening and contemplated holding a strategy session in the common room instead, but Heather convinced him just to let it go.

Albus decided to call for the chance to spend the day at the library, something that King John and Kaden reluctantly agreed with. flatness and Amanda joined them as well, for they had stack of homework as well. rosebush had mentioned something about tutoring a young student and run off shortly after breakfast.

The program library was absolutely packed with students, most likely due to the atmospheric condition and not a burning desire of the Hogwarts population to study, and it took a honest five moment for Albus and his ally to situate an empty table. It was a lot louder than usual and Madam Pince was glaring at each mesa of bookman in turn.

Albus set his lot of books down and got to figure out on a Potions essay that was due the following workweek. He hadn't started it, of course, but he had a few days to do it. He thought he was ahead of the secret plan 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 preparation right away and were scolded by gentlewoman Pince twice before finally opening their books. Amanda immediately set to work on the same essay Albus was working on. Matt cracked open his Charms schoolbook but stared at the Lapplander page for five minutes before Albus noticed that his eyes had glazed over. The October entire moon was the be Night, so Albus was not surprise.

“ This is suddenly drilling, ” John muttered after they'd been studying for an hour. “ political science back before Voldemort is pointless. It's completely different now, so why do we need to chafe reading it ? ”

“ So we don't make the same misapprehension, ” Amanda said without looking up from her parchment. “ simple, really. ”

“ You're channeling rose wine now, ” lavatory stated.

“ individual has to when she's not here, ” Amanda said.

“ Would you rather do my fortune telling predictions ? ” Kaden asked.

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

“ Perfect. That'd be something I'd do, ” Kaden said as he scrawled it down. “ And then I can come 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 exact prophecy in the first station, but at least they seemed to enjoy making up their cook predictions. Albus grinned to himself as St. John the Apostle and Kaden snorted into their parchment, laughing over some ridiculous forecasting.

An hour later Albus had finished his essay, as had Amanda. The two of them had moved on to Transfiguration reading material. John and Kaden had given up on prep and were planning an work out antic that involved a chicken, birdseed, and the Slytherin rough-cut room. Matt had been dozing on his Charms book. Albus prodded him awake.

“ How's Charms ? ” Albus asked, grinning.

“ Oh, er... ” Matt glanced at his leger and quickly wiped it with the sleeve of his robes. “ Great, really. Think I'll head to the Den, actually. ”

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

St. John and Kaden rose to join mat. They'd been yelled at two to a greater extent clip and figured they'd do better to plan in the Den.

“ Wait, ” bathroom said when he was only a few understructure from the table. “ Is that Rose ? ” He pointed to a chief of shaggy-haired red fuzz at a nearby mesa. “ Who's she with ? Is that- ” He walked across the way and hid behind a book shelf to get a closer look.

Albus craned his head. Rose was sitting with a small girl. can returned a few seconds later.

“ I thought so. It's that miss we saw with Malfoy and Willinson a few weeks ago. ”

“ wait, that Slytherin first year ? ” Albus asked. He'd nearly forgotten about her, finally deciding that Scorpius probably wasn't up to anything that involved her.

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

“ She's tutoring somebody. must be her, ” Albus pointed out.

“ Wyrd. Tutoring a Slytherin, ” lav replied.

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

“ What's with him ? ” John 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 Scorpio but this you don't manage about ? ”

“ It's the Hogwarts tutoring program. I don't think you get to control who you tutor, ” Albus explained.

“ I suppose. ” John sighed. “ Well, see you in a bit. ”

“ See you, ” Albus said as John and Kaden left.

Albus and Amanda studied for another hour before joining their acquaintance in the marauder's Den. John and Kaden were having a grave give-and-take on how they were going to obtain a chicken and flatness was well-grounded asleep on the couch. Albus and Amanda settled down with a deck of Exploding Snap and played beat after rung while listening to John and Kaden.

“ I still say it'll be easier to have an older educatee transfigure something into a Gallus gallus, ” Kaden said a full twenty minutes later. “ I'll bet one of Albus's first cousin will do it. ”

“ Yeah, but I want this to be our prank. We could just go take one of the chickens from Hagrid's chicken coop, ” John replied.

“ More chance of getting caught. No one's going to suspect if one of Al's cousin is practicing their transfiguration. But sneaking a wimp into the castle ? They're fairly garish with their squawking. ”

“ Where's the fun in no luck of getting caught ? ” John the Divine asked.

“ There will be plenty of chance of getting caught when we're getting into the Slytherin common room. Merlin only knows how we're going to cope that. ”

The door opened and Rose walked in. “ Why are you lot trying to get into the Slytherin common elbow room ? ”

“ You don't want to know, ” Amanda said. “ One of their pranks. ”

rosebush rolled her eyes and sat down next to Amanda, picking up a few posting to join in on the following round.

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

“ fine, ” blush wine answered. “ Same as always. ”

“ How did you even get into tutoring ? ” John replied.

“ Why ? You want to tutor ? ” blush wine smirked.

John laughed. “ Definitely not. Just curious. ”

“ Professor Longbottom contacted me over the summer. Fourth twelvemonth and above can be in the tutoring program. The prof match you up with younger educatee and I've been tutoring a first year for a few weeks 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 female child that Malfoy and Willinson were talking to a few week ago. ”

“ delay, that one clip that you and Al thought they were up to something ? ”

“ Yeah that time. I was just wondering who she was. ”

rose wine sighed. “ She's Willinson's little baby. Her name's Elsie. She's really nice, actually. muted, doesn't seem much like a Slytherin to me but her unharmed family's been in Slytherin. ”

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

“ Bit of everything, ” rose wine answered. “ You lot want to go to dinner ? ”

Everyone, except Matt, who just wanted to catch some Z's, agreed and they headed down to the Great Hall. rose wine had been right. Nothing shady about Willinson's babe tagging after him and Scorpius. Albus's instincts had been wrong on that occasion.
******


Never in Albus's life story did he ever think there would be a prof who could top Professor Binns in term of oil production family. But Professor Young had done the unimaginable. Twice a calendar week Albus and his friend traipsed to Whitney Moore Young Jr.'s classroom to influence on a single worksheet. Lester Willis Young did zero else, except deal out worksheets. Said worksheets did not even take an entire category flow to nail, resulting in pupil using the remaining time to pick up up on other homework, something that Young neglected to observe. The only proficient part about the class was that Loretta Young never assigned homework.

“ You think he'll last the yr ? ” matte asked as they were leaving young's classroom.

“ Don't see why not, ” Albus answered. “ Unless Laurentis is elected Minister and deems him unfit to teach. ”

“ He doesn't really teach, ” rose pointed out.

“ But still, he's better than Balladanis, ” Matt reasoned.

The rest of Albus's course of instruction were nice, although most assigned too practically preparation for his liking, but that was not anything new. As the end of October drew nearer, Albus became very excited about the foremost Hogsmeade sojourn of the yr. It would be the first prison term that all of Albus's booster would get to go together and possibly the last, given how busybodied everyone was this year.

Albus nearly did not get to go to Hogsmeade when the day finally arrived. Fred had sprung an surplus Quidditch practice on that day in order to make up for the missed practices due to the tempest. However, the entire squad was outraged and Heather threatened to hex Fred if he did not lift the practice session. Albus was very relieved as it was a prissy day and perfective tense for Hogsmeade.

“ I've got to get a new pack of dungbombs, ” Kaden said as they walked down the itinerary from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. “ Used them up old age ago. ”

“ That the large number I sent you over the summer ? ” King John asked.

“ Sure is. Didn't last too long. ”

“ I need another Skiving Snackbox, ” John announced. “ And loads of other material from Weasleys'. ”

“ And we need to go buy bird seeded player if we're going to do that trick, ” Kaden reminded him.

Albus and mat exchanged looks. John and Kaden had finally agreed to ask one of Albus's older cousin to transfigure them a crybaby that they would then somehow stoolpigeon into the Slytherin common room. The bird food was to disperse throughout the post in purchase order to irritate the Slytherins even more.

“ You two enjoy that, ” rose said. “ And don't get complaining to us when you get a month of custody, because there's no possible way you can swipe into the Slytherin park elbow room without getting caught. ”

“ We'll have Albus's cloak, obviously, ” Kaden said.

“ When are you going to do it ? ” Albus asked.

“ Around Halloween, ” whoremonger answered.

“ changeling, ” rosiness muttered.

Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes was packed with students. Being the first Hogsmeade weekend, most pupil had a serious lack of pranking products and needed to livestock up. George was behind the tabulator ringing up leverage after purchase and waved at Albus as he walked in with his friends. They quickly scattered, each heading towards the display that contained what they needed.

Albus wandered towards the Skiving Snackboxes and grabbed two, figuring that he would need to get out of defensive structure at least once and chronicle of illusion a few times a calendar month. John and Kaden each had about five boxes and Matt watched with a tired of looking at on his face. Since he missed at least a day or two of classes a calendar month due to his lycanthropy, he never understood why anyone would urinate themselves ill to do so.

“ Should've gone there last, ” John said as he lugged his bags to the tercet Broomsticks.

“ Yeah, must call back that for following time, ” Kaden agreed. “ But now, off to cause a Butterbeer ! ”

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

The ternary Broomsticks was crowded, but Matt managed to grab a table in the back. rose wine set off to get them all Butterbeers. They had been there for about fifteen minutes before Scorpius showed up, followed by Garth Octavius, Xavier Goyle, Felix Willinson, and Elsie Willinson. Scorpius surveyed the way and his eyes rested upon Albus. Smirking, he sauntered over towards them.

“ Potter, ” Malfoy greeted him. He nodded to each of Albus's friend, glaring at Matt, and then turned back to Albus. “ I expect you lot are ready to duel adjacent weekend. ”

“ form we are, ” Albus answered. “ The team's good deal prepared. Last practice on Thursday. ”

“ I'll be there, ” Scorpius replied. “ And I'll be ready to carry the team on Sabbatum since the rest of our squad couldn't win a duel against a first year. ”

“ Shut it. Our squad is all right, ” Albus said coldly.

“ Maybe if they had a decent captain... ” Scorpius's voice trailed off. “ But the professors love anyone whose shoemaker's last public figure is thrower or Weasley, just like everyone else in the world. ”

“ They chose based on science, ” Albus replied, staring him in the centre. “ Not public figure. Rose didn't make master and she's a Weasley. ”

“ But you're a potter and you get everything because your dad is the Boy Who Lived, ” Scorpius bickering, ignoring Albus's comment. “ But I've got news for you. Not everyone in the earthly concern likes that your full crime syndicate runs the wizarding world and that zero 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 category may be involved with the Ministry but it's only because they want to help masses. And they're only there because masses voted for them. ”

“ No one voted for your dad, ” Scorpius muttered. Then he turned to lustrelessness. “ Or yours. ”

“ hoi polloi voted for Hartwell, who appointed them, ” Albus said. “ And your dad works in the Ministry, too. ”

“ That's not the point. ” Scorpius took a measure closer to Albus. “ The point in time is that your family might not be running this land much longer. So you'd better watch out. ”

Scorpio turned to exit and his friends followed. “ My crime syndicate doesn't run the human beings ! ” Albus shouted after him.

Albus resumed his derriere after Malfoy left, not even realizing that he had rose from it in the first place. “ He's just so stunned ! ” Albus exclaimed. “ My family doesn't run the country. ”

“ He's just envious, ” Amanda said. “ You got made captain of our team and he hates that. Your dad's notable and he's overjealous of that. ”

“ His dad's famous too, ” Albus said darkly. “ Just for the wrong reasons. ”

“ And Scorpius probably wishes his dad was far-famed for the right on reason, ” Amanda replied.

“ Don't see why. Having a famous dad isn't always a good thing, ” Albus muttered.

“ Just ignore him, ” Rose said. “ He's just trying to get you angry with him. ”

“ Clearly Kendrick's terror have worn off, ” Matt said quietly. “ I liked it in Sept when he just kind of ignored us. ”

“ It doesn't mean value he's going to state anyone, ” rose wine whispered. “ He's just looking for a fight. ”

“ It doesn't matter what he's looking for. One pillowcase of the tongue is all it takes and my life at Hogwarts is done. ”

“ And so would his, ” Albus reminded his friend. “ Being at Hogwarts, becoming a endorse adept, is everything to a Malfoy. He'd be nothing more than a Squib if he were expelled. ”

“ I guess. ” flatness sighed. “ What do you think he meant by your home not being in charge of the wizarding populace much longer ? ”

“ Probably thinks Laurentis is going to win. ” Albus shrugged. “ But that won't mean much. My dad will still be in commission of the Auror department. ”

“ No, ” Rose whispered. “ seaport't you been paying attention in Politics ? ”

“ Mostly, ” Albus said, staring at her. “ What do you think ? ”

“ Okay, I guess Embry hasn't really discussed it yet but I read ahead in the Book. New Ministers can name new heads of the department if they want to. Most don't because so many new the great unwashed makes for a bad transition period, but it's happened a few times. If Laurentis wins, she could supersede Uncle Harry, ” Rose explained.

“ Wait, seriously ? ” Albus's mouth fell open.

Rose nodded. “ Seriously. ”

“ And my dad, too, ” Matt said.

“ Yeah, yours, too, ” rosiness replied.

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

“ No. ” Albus shook his caput. “ No one would supersede my dad. He's a great Auror. ”

“ He's a great Auror, that's dependable, ” pink wine agreed, “ but corking is an opinion. Hartwell thinks he's a peachy Auror. Uncle Percy undoubtedly thinks he's a great Auror. But if Laurentis gets elected, none of that will matter. All that will matter is whether she guess he's a great Auror. And the question 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 unconstipated Auror, ” pink wine said. “ Look, you don't need to worry about it. I'm sure Uncle Harry knows this. ”

“ They don't do that in Australia. All the headland have terms like the Minister. When their term is up, the current Minister can replace them or continue them, but they can't get replaced when their condition isn't up. Unless there's a scandal and they have a hearing. Like with my dad. ”

“ Doesn't seem bazaar, ” Albus said.

“ It works both room. If Uncle Percy wins he'll get to supercede who he wants and he'll no doubt interchange Laurentis, ” Rose pointed out.

“ I'm surprised Hartwell hasn't done that, ” John said.

“ She's probably kept quiet about her opinions so she could keep her spatial relation while running, ” Amanda replied.

“ So why doesn't he replace her now ? ” John asked.

“ It would look bad. Remember, one-half of political sympathies is how you look to the world, ” Amanda said. “ Which is why according to the Muggle Ministry, I attend a sequestered boarding school in the United States, just in fount anyone asks why the Minister's niece disappears for nigh of the year. Which they haven't. Yet. ”

Albus shook his head. “ It's so confusing. I don't know how anyone keeps runway of it. ”

“ Luckily we don'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 issue of news war with them. You two are awesome ! HPFF now loads properly on my cyberspace and I am able to respond to go over, so I'm slowly working through them. Keep a aspect out for responses !


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


“ I say we do it on Halloween, ” Kaden said adamantly while inspecting private Bertie Bott's Every Flavor attic and tossing the nasty ones into a mass on the floor.

“ That's stupid, ” whoremonger countered. “ Everyone's going to be expecting a japery on Halloween. We should do it the day before. ”

“ Why not Saturday ? ” Albus suggested, glancing up from the finis min essay he was working on. “ Maybe it'll rattle them enough that they'll misplace the match. ”

The first Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was scheduled to take place on Saturday, two days after Halloween.

“ Again, the Prefects and professor will be expecting it, ” King John said.

“ Why ? ” Albus asked. “ We've never pranked them before a mate before, have we ? ”

“ You know, I really can't remember. ”

“ Clearly a sign you've pranked them too much, ” Rose pointed out.

Albus and the rest of his supporter were in the Marauder's Den, attempting to decide on a day to put the Gallus gallus and wimp feed in the Slytherin vernacular room. They'd been arguing for a half minute and hadn't agreed on anything. Albus and Matt, who had been leery on whether to participate in the frivolity at all, had decided that they would serve as look-outs while whoremonger and Kaden snuck into the common room.

“ I think Wed would be a good option. Wednesday night. We've got to do it really late, though. The offset years have Astronomy on Wednesdays, so we have to await until they're back in their dormitories, ” Gospel According to John explained. “ Nox before Halloween- ”

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

“ But not Halloween nighttime, ” King John said. “ Pre-Halloween. ”

“ roguishness Night, ” Amanda said.

“ What ? ” Albus asked.

Kaden threw another dome onto his slew and started laughing. “ You're right ! ”

“ Mischief Night, ” Amanda repeated. “ It's a Muggle thing. It's when Muggles pull buffoonery and stimulate mayhem. It's traditionally the night before Halloween or the night before Guy Guy Fawkes Day, so if you pull this on Midweek night or early on Th morning, it'll be on mischief-making Night. ”

privy grinned. “ perfective. star don't do that, so no one will be expecting a thing. ”

“ Mostly it's American and Canadian who celebrate before Halloween, though, ” Amanda explained.

“ I'd rather do it before Halloween, ” John said. “ We have Astronomy on Tuesdays so the dark before Guy Fawkes Day would be harder. ”

Everyone nodded in concord, except pink wine, who rolled her eyes.

“ Do you have everything you need ? ” Matt asked.

“ Not yet, but we have plan. Tonight I'm going to lurk by the Slytherin common room under the Invisibility Cloak to hear their parole. Wednesday evening we'll ask Tom Bradley to transfigure us a few crybaby. Then, Al and lusterlessness will stand guard while Kaden and I let them loose in the vulgar room, ” King John explained.

“ How in the name of Merlin are you going to save the volaille calm while you bring them to the keep ? ” rose wine asked.

“ Stun them, of grade, ” Kaden answered. “ By the time they wake up, we'll be foresighted gone. ”
***


Wednesday brought with it a vast thunderstorm which Albus saw as a rather threatening omen for Operation Slytherin Chickens as the prank had been dubbed. As the day wore on Albus found himself having question about the completely thing. Previous pranks had been harmless and had not broken any John R. Major school rules, but this one broke at least ten. This could get them worse than a few hold.

John and Kaden seemed to have no such qualification. Both of them were particularly gleeful the full day and John even returned from soothsaying with a smile on his face, which never happened. Matt seemed neutral to the whole affair and acted as usual.

“ You do actualize we'll be getting three time of day of quietus, tops, tonight, ” Matt said after dinner, while they were attempting to do homework in the Marauder's Den. “ And that we have account of Magic tomorrow morning. ”

John sighed. “ All right, maybe that wasn't the topper bit of planning. ”

“ Clearly not, ” mat agreed.

Albus had a very difficult time getting any prep done while they were waiting for the time to make it. He found himself drawing awful icon of chickens in the perimeter on his Transfiguration of Jesus 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 depository library, neither one wanting to be associated with the boys that Nox. “ We need alibis, ” she had told Albus earlier. “ Want to be seen by as many citizenry as possible so there's no chance anyone will retrieve we were with you. ”

At one in the morning the boys left the Marauder's Den and headed back to the common room, where Bradley would be waiting for them. They encountered no one on their way back and only two or three lingering bookman were in the unwashed elbow room. All of them went to bed within XV instant and the male child were soon alone with Bradley.

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

whoremaster nodded. “ I don't think we'll be able to do by any more. ”

“ You lot are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid, ” Bradley said as he pulled out his wand. “ Even James hasn't gotten into the Slytherin vernacular room. ”

“ According to Rose, we're incredibly dazed, ” whoremonger 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, lustrelessness, and Kaden turned to wait at Albus. “ I'll explain later, ” Albus said.

Tom Bradley muttered an incantation and flicked his verge at each of the pillows. All three turned into chickens. One brownness one, one white one, and one great black and Brown rooster. The cock opened its mouth to crow and Bradley immediately silenced all three.

“ Figured a rooster would be helpful, ” Tom 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 select off. Remember, if you get caught, I didn't get the chickens for you. Can't afford another detention. ”

“ Got it, ” Albus assured him. Omar Nelson Bradley took off to the dormitories and Albus turned to his friend. John was holding the rooster and Kaden was holding the two chicken. “ spine to the Den ? ”

The boys spent the next two hours in the piranha's Den, playing Exploding ginger snap and re-Stunning the chickens every half hour. Shortly after three in the morning Albus re-stunned the chickens one Thomas More time and then threw the Invisibility Cloak over all four of them.

It was very difficult for all four son to walk under the invisibleness Cloak.
beingness fourth years, they were all a lot larger than they had been in endorsement year when Albus had first received the Cloak. In fact, Albus couldn't even recall the concluding time all four of them had gone under it at once. Albus in particular had grown quite a few inches over the summertime and was now as tall as John. The two of them had to walk with their knees knack to ensure their foot wouldn't show.

The walk was uneventful. The boys did not even see Peeves or any of the ghosts out for a night sentence stroll ( or plasterer's float, which would probably be the more appropriate terminus ). Matt tripped going down the stairs once and nearly dropped a wimp, but since the corridors were empty-bellied, no one heard the sound.

Once they had reached the entranceway to the Slytherin common room whoremaster and Kaden slipped out from under the Cloak and scurried over to the door. whoremaster whispered the parole and it opened. Both boy slipped inside and shut the door behind them.

Albus and matt stood against the wall a little ways down the corridor, giving them a view of the steps as well as the corridor. Neither of them said a Book while John and Kaden were pulling their harlequinade because Filch's cat had turned up and was pacing in front of them.

The next five minutes felt like an eternity and Albus was very free when can and Kaden exited the common way and hurried back under the Cloak. John the Evangelist's bag, which had contained the chicken provender, was now considerably lighter. Neither boy said a word of honor to Albus and lusterlessness as they walked back to Gryffindor tower, for fright that someone would get a line them.

They were walking down the second floor corridor when Albus heard step behind him. He turned and saw professor Young walking slowly towards them, staring at the ceiling as he went. He appeared to be in deep thought about something but then stopped and stared right where Albus and his friend were. They weren't being quiet enough.

All four boys froze and looked at each former. Kaden grabbed all three of their sweater and pulled them through the nearest door, while Danton True Young happened to be looking the other way. Once inside, Albus noticed that they were in a loo. A young woman's loo. And the storey was soaked.

“ Merlin, ” Albus muttered. “ We're in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. ”

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

“ I know you're there. ” myrtle giggled. “ Harry thrower had one of those cloaks, too. You might as well contract it off. ”

Albus reluctantly took off the Cloak. youth wouldn't be going into a young lady's lav anyway.

“ Ooo ! ” Vinca minor 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, ” lav announced as he threw the Cloak over all four of them once more.

Thankfully professor Lester Willis Young had left by the meter they exited the loo. The difference of the journey back to Gryffindor was as uneventful as the trek down to Slytherin.

The vernacular room was deserted when they returned under the disapproving public eye of the Fat lady, who had not been pleased when they woke her up. privy and Kaden immediately started laughing when they took the Cloak off.

“ epic poem ! ” Kaden exclaimed. “ There was no one in the common elbow room and we spread the feed and put the volaille each on their own couch and left. The Slytherins are going to have a bounderish wakening in a few hours. ”

“ So are we, ” matt said as he looked at his sentry. “ Almost four. We'll get three and a half hr sleep if we're lucky. ”

The boys headed back to their dormitories, but Albus was not tired yet. Adrenalin was still racing through his system. They hadn't gotten caught. Yet. Would there be any way to trace the chickens back to the four of them ? Only if individual saw them, but if anyone had seen them they would have gotten them in trouble right hand then and there, wouldn't they have ? Albus pushed the thought from his head. He settled into bed and thought about the reactions from the Slytherins the following morning.

Bilius's alarum clock woke Albus up at eight the next morning and he rolled over and went back to catch some Z's. He woke up once more with twenty dollar bill minutes left until History of legerdemain and had to skip breakfast. Albus woke Matt and John up and the three of them ran through the corridors in ordination to make it to grade on time.

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

Albus sat down and Bilius turned around in his seat, grinning at Albus. “ You three missed breakfast. Too bad. The Slytherins are all upset, fuming about chickens and muttering about getting retaliation. Turns out someone snuck a rooster and two Gallus gallus into their common room hold out night and spread head chicken feed around. Apparently their usual room was a mess and it took all of their Prefects to stun the chickens and bring them to Hagrid. Wish I knew who pulled it off. ”

Albus attempted to affect cushion and hullabaloo. “ Seriously ? That's brilliant. Does anyone fuck who did it ? ”

“ Nope, ” Bilius answered. “ All they know is that it wasn't a Slytherin. ”

“ They'll never figure it out then. That's three-fourths of the school to go through. ”

“ And that's what makes it so brilliant. ”

prof Binns floated through the chalkboard and began to drone on about some sort of hobgoblin uprising. Albus rested his head on his hand and began to doze off. Binns wouldn't even notice.

At tiffin, following Transfiguration, everyone was still talking about the chickens. The Slytherins were sullen and were glaring at all the other theater tabular array. The teacher didn't seem at all upset about the whole thing, probably because the chickens hadn't done that much hurt. cypher that couldn't be easily repaired with the flick of a wand.

“ Six in the sunup ! ” Albus overheard a Slytherin mutter as he walked past the Gryffindor table. “ Can you imagine ? And the morning after we'd been on the pitch for three hours. ”

Albus smirked behind his forkful of fret. If the frivolity had messed with the Slytherins'preparation schedule, all the better. Albus had finally begun to relax. It didn't seem like they were going to get in bother after all.

As Albus walked to the donjon with bathroom, Matt, Rose, and Amanda he realized that his nap in History of magic was most definitely wearing off. He was feeling the exhaustion and was very happy for the free period after potions. But he didn't make bold vamoose potions because he was quite excited to learn Malfoy talk about the chickens.

During this particular class they were finishing up an engorgement solvent that they had started on Tuesday. While Shrinking Solution was a rather simple potion that they had learned in their first year, its counterpart was more difficult and required boiling for forty-eight minute before the last ingredients could be added.

Albus retrieved all the necessary 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 tabular array.

Just as Albus was beginning to chop up his celery tooth root, Malfoy appeared in movement of the board. Albus looked up from his plant and looked Malfoy in the eye.

“ Potter, ” Malfoy muttered. “ You wouldn't encounter to know which idiot Gryffindor put Gallus gallus in our common room, do you ? ”

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

“ Bloody raspberry, ” Limbert muttered as he began to powderise the rat spleen they were supposed to put into their cauldron. “ Crowing at six in the bally morning. feeding chicken feed all over the usual room. Getting their feathers and former stuff everywhere.... ”

“ What he said, ” Malfoy replied. “ Point is, one of your lot got into our common room and I want to know who. ” He folded his arms across his chest.

“ Wasn't any of'my lot'as you say, ” Albus answered, hoping that Malfoy couldn't get wind his heart pounding in his chest. “ We can't get into your common room. Don't have the password. And even if we did, why would we want to ? It's probably covered in snake slime. ”

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

Albus rose from his chairwoman. “ That's rude. I know spate of Hufflepuffs that are smarter than you, Malfoy. And they're decent people, too. ”

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

“ Oh for Falco columbarius's sake, ” Malfoy muttered and stalked off towards his own mesa.

Albus breathed a sigh of relief and continued to chop his celery ascendant. Limbert retrieved another rat spleen, as the one he had been using was now hopelessly destroyed. He didn't talk to Albus for the remainder of the class except for the periodic “ pass the knife ” or “ wrick down the flaming ”.

Following potions Albus, lusterlessness, and John immediately went upstairs to the. predator's Den to get hold of a much needed nap. Rose went to Muggle subject field and Amanda went to the depository library. Albus fell asleep as soon as his point hit the pillow and did not come alive up until John swatted him with a pillow when it was clock time for dinner.

The Slytherins were still complaining about the chickens during dinner party and Albus and his friends giggled every time they heard something about them. About halfway through dinner, Professor Kendrick rose from his seat. Albus turned to depend at matt, who shrugged. Kendrick rarely made dinner lecture when it wasn't the start or end of term.

“ Just a few proclamation, ” Kendrick said once the Great Hall quieted down. “ number 1, I am certainly you are all mindful of the prank that took place in the Slytherin common way close night. I, nor do any of the instructor, have any musical theme who is responsible, but if we do get out, be mindful that those creditworthy will be punished. Entering another house's common room is not tolerated and all student should take this as a warning, in case they have been inclined to do so themselves. Slytherins, please be advised that your word has been changed. If you are not aware of it, delight see a Prefect.

“ second gear. side by side weekend Hogwarts will host a few Ministry functionary including the Minister of Magic, the top dog of Magical Law Enforcement, the Head of the Auror Department, the Head of the section for the rule and Control of Magical Creatures, as well as a few of the parson's faithful consultant. In accession, both prospect for diplomatic minister will be here as well. They will get in Fri night and stay until Sunday morning time. Saturday they will be debating education here in the Great Hall.

“ All educatee will have the probability to view the disputation by a random drawing since we can not admit all of you in addition to the Ministry officials and members of the general universe that will be attending. The rest will listen via tuner in a few classrooms. All students are required to listen or follow. to a greater extent data about that, such as how to recover out if you've been selected to watch and what assignments you will ingest on the argumentation, will be distributed by professor Danton True Young in your government class.

“ I expect you all to comport yourselves and demonstrate to our Ministry that this is a place of learning. You are all representing Hogwarts, whether you are students, teachers, or staff. You will not pull pranks, especially not like the one that was pulled concluding nighttime. You will abide by the Ministry spokesperson. I will hand you further information next hebdomad. In the meantime, startle thinking up a few interrogative to ask our campaigner in cause they have metre to do a question and result session. ” Kendrick resumed his bum.

“ Blimey, I've never seen Kendrick act so severe, ” John the Evangelist said quietly.

“ Can you blame him ? ” rose asked. “ Remember what Laurentis said about Hogwarts ? She all but said he wasn't running the school properly. If she wins, hazard are he's out of a job. He's got to put on a good show next week if he's got any hope of staying here if she wins. ”

“ That's insane ! ” Albus shouted. A few first year looked over at him and he lowered his vox. “ I mean, Kendrick took over as Headmaster when McGonagall left and even before that he helped rebuild the blank space. How can she sack someone who helped rebuild Hogwarts ? ”

“ She can'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. “ Peach State and Bradley and Cedric won't be happy but can you envisage what Hogwarts would be like if Laurentis won ? ”

“ I can't, ” Matt said. “ No one can because no one knows what she wants to do to vary it. ”

“ Guess we're going to chance out side by side Saturday, ” Amanda said. “ Think any of us will get to watch it ? ”

“ We will, ” Albus answered, gesturing to lusterlessness and himself. “ Our daddy are two of the representatives, so I bet we'll have to sit with our families. ”

“ I hope I get to, ” Amanda said. “ It's really fascinating, whiz political relation. In some ways it's completely the Same as Muggle politics, only with deception involved. Really shows that we're all people. ”

“ Me too, ” Rose agreed.

“ You can have my ticket if I get one, ” John told her. “ It's going to be arduous to doze off if I'm in the Saami room. ”

“ Same here, ” Kaden said.

pink wine rolled her center. “ You lot done eating ? Anyone up for spending the evening in the subroutine library ? ”

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


A/N : Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this ! You hombre are awesome. Big thanks to all my composition friends that I word war with. There are now too many to key out individually, but they are awesome.


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


The day after Halloween dawned with a red thunderstorm, one that Albus hoped would pass before Saturday, when he would have to face Slytherin on the Quidditch pitch. Albus was feeling much better after a in good order night's sleep, although he was dreading having to go to History of Magic low thing in the aurora again. Whose bright idea was it to apply them that class two mornings in a row ?

The post owls arrived as Albus was serving himself some orchis and he scanned the air for his family owl. He didn't see it and resumed piling his denture with food. His parents only occasionally sent him post now that he was in one-quarter year and no longer needed a letter from them every early day. However, Albus did see his Uncle Percy's shrieking 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 succus and then took off.

Albus watched as Cedric read the missive and saw his face go from faint oddment to slight horror and then finally extreme disgust. Percy's alphabetic character were always interesting and it seemed as this one was no exception.

“ unconvincing ! ” Cedric shouted.

“ What is it ? ” St. James asked as he snatched the alphabetic character out of Cedric's hands. “ Is he making you sit side by side to him while he debates next week ? ”

“ unfit ! ” Cedric exclaimed. “ He thinks I was the one who put the chickens in the Slytherin common room ! ”

“ Seriously ? ” James asked as he settled down to register the letter. “ Let's see... Seriously disappointed in you... taught you better than this... stunts like these could hurt my luck for a win in April... must read to think about the consequences of your actions... fifth twelvemonth is for studying for your O.W.L.s... meter to grow up... ”

“ See ? ” Cedric said as he stabbed his bacon with a bit too much force. “ He really believes I did it. And with no grounds ! ”

“ Oh now he's bringing up your bit from that clause. 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 tell my parents that I was in on it too ! ” James slammed the letter down. “ No way they'll believe him without proof though. ”

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

“ Kendrick can't do anything without proof, ” St. James said.

“ Yeah but our record aren't exactly clean, ” Cedric pointed out. “ Merlin, I wish I'd thought up this japery. It was history worthy. I mean getting into the Slytherin commons room ? I've been dreaming about doing that since before beginning year. ”

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

Albus hoped that his furious blushing wasn't noticeable. He could not believe that Percy actually believed Cedric pulled the prank without any grounds. Cedric couldn't get in trouble without evidence, could he ? If he did, Albus would palpate terrible. He already felt frightfully that Percy had even had the nerve to accuse Cedric for something that Albus and his friend did, something Cedric had no part of.

“ We've just got to estimate out who did it, ” James IV decided. “ To clear our names. ”

Cedric nodded. “ Won't be that hard. No joke can be done without evidence left behind. It's impossible to do in this office. We'll expression for hint around our own uncouth room because I think the Slytherins are right. It was a Gryffindor. ”

“ We should talk to the ghost, too, ” James I said. “ They wander at all hours. ”

“ right, ” Cedric agreed. “ Best be off to class now, though.

Albus turned to John after his brother and cousin had left the table. John and lustrelessness had both been sitting close enough to Cedric and James to pick up the integral conversation. Both boys were pale than common and Albus was sure he was as well.

“ Myrtle saw us, ” Matt whispered. “ We'll be identification number one on their surmise list. ”

“ D'you think your own brother would turn us in ? ” John asked.

Albus laughed. “ Of form he would. He's my brother. ”

“ Good dot, ” John muttered. “ What are we going to do ? ”

“ Hope Myrtle doesn't say anything, ” Albus said.

“ That's it, we're doomed. ” Matt sighed.

“ On the plus English, we'll be Hogwarts fable, ” John the Divine said.

“ Tell that to my parents, ” lusterlessness replied.

Albus thought about James and Cedric's pursuit to figure out who pulled the chicken prank during the entirety of History of deception. They hadn't left any traces behind except for talking to Vinca minor. And even that only proved that they were out of bed at four in the forenoon, not that they'd left poulet in the Slytherin common elbow room. Sure, there might feature been random volaille plume in the common way that break of the day but the menage elves would have already cleaned them up. Then there was Bradley.

Tom Bradley. Albus's stomach dropped. Would Bradley rat out Albus in order to economize his own crony from possible bother ? Albus liked to think not, especially since doing so would impeach Bradley as well. But it was possible that Tom Bradley would request Cedric to leave him out of it when he told Kendrick in proceeds for the information in the initiative lieu. Albus rubbed his forehead. It was all so puzzling and there were too many possibilities.

Matt and can looked equally disturbed by the possibility. Both boys were sitting completely still, staring at prof Binns but not looking at him. lusterlessness was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook. King John was twirling his pinion around in his hand and had splattered ink all over himself and his chronicle of Magic Word.

Albus was thankful that they had Care of Magical Creatures following, despite the steadfast downpour. They would be capable to talk. Hagrid was currently teaching them about unicorns and this particular deterrent example he had an actual unicorn for them to observe and interact with. Luckily for Albus, john, and Matt, unicorns did not like boy and thus had an excuse to hang back and talk.

“ The sole way they're going to incur out is if they talk to Bradley and Omar Nelson Bradley tells them, ” Albus said as they pretended to need notes on the unicorn, which was currently surrounded by the girls of the class.

“ Or if they talk to Myrtle and put the clues together, ” Matt pointed out.

“ What clues ? ” John asked. “ We didn't leave anything behind. ”

“ Not that you know of. But they were right when they said nothing can be done at Hogwarts without someone knowing about it. For all we know there was another ghost lurking by the Slytherin common way while we were there that we didn't notice, ” flatness explained. “ Or the fact that we weren't in the common room last night- ”

“ We're rarely in the mutual room, ” toilet said. “ Not since we found the marauder's Den. ”

“ True. They could also talk to Bilius or Ethan and bump out that we got back at four in the forenoon. Ethan woke up when we got back and asked what we were up to, call back ? ” Matt said.

“ That wouldn't severalise them anything more than Vinca minor would, ” Albus replied as he scrawled a few line about how the unicorn was pawing at the ground.

“ What if they find plume or chicken feed or something ? ” lusterlessness asked.

“ That will suffer all been cleaned up by now. The business firm elves plumb everyday, ” St. John said. “ I think Albus is mightily. The only when way they'll know is if they talk to Omar Bradley. Or if they just assume and ask us about it. Al, are you going to be able to lie to them if they ask you ? ”

“ Er... ” Albus's voice trailed off. He knew how a great deal of a rotten liar he was. “ To be honest ? Probably not. ”

cipher said anything for a few minutes. Each boy pretended to be absorbed in taking bank note on the unicorn.

“ There's nothing we can do, then, ” mat finally said. “ We can't stop them or secernate them not to investigate because that would search suspicious. All we can do is wait and hope they don't flesh it out. ”

Albus nodded. Matt was completely right, of course. But what Albus didn't say was that James and Cedric would figure it out. They were the shoal pranksters and for the first time they'd been out-pranked. The two were the schoolhouse's antic experts and could easily follow the lead that would lead them right to their own comrade and cousin.
******


The cutthroat thunderstorm that had plagued Hogwarts the day before cleared up by Sat morning and the stipulation could not suffer been skillful for Quidditch. It was gay, with slender cloud cover and little current of air. The temperature was mild for November. weather would not be a factor in this Quidditch match. No, the squad that won would win solely based on their skill.

The Hogwarts population, both pupil and professors alike, were very excited for the friction match. star sign Quidditch had been suspended the previous year in order for the Quidditch and Dueling competitions with the school from New House of York and Australia, although the net match in the Quidditch result had been a disaster. Everyone at Hogwarts was ready for affair to go back to normal and that included family Quidditch.

convention also included the twit that went on between the Gryffindors and Slytherins at breakfast rightfield before the match. Malfoy informed Albus that he needed to take in out else he get himself in the Hospital fender for mean solar day. Albus ignored this because Malfoy wasn't even on the Slytherin squad and didn't posse enough Quidditch attainment to be on a shaver's squad. He tried his dependable to push aside the twit from the real Slytherin team as well, but still found his tum was a bit too queasy to eat much to a greater extent than toast.

The team gathered around Fred in the changing way shortly before the match, ready to hear his first squad oral communication.

“ I fully believe we can win this, ” Fred began. “ Our practice have gone very smoothly and it feels like Janie has played with us for years rather than only a few workweek. Slytherin plays dirty, though, so observe yourselves. They also have two new thespian, a Chaser and a Beater, whereas we only have one. The new Chaser is a endorsement year and the new Beater is a tertiary year, so I don't think we'll have a good deal issuing there. I've seen them practice and they still don't employment as a seamless team like we do. Just go out there and play like we did two geezerhood ago and we're sure to win. ”

The team stood up and followed Fred out onto the slant. The ground was subdued beneath Albus's feat, but not too muddy, which would make for a good squawk off. He stood in between broom and James while Fred went to shake hired man with Fielding, Slytherin's captain.

Oteski shouted his desire for a sportsmanlike catch and then the two chieftain crunched each other's hand. Oteski released the Bludgers and stoolpigeon and then tossed the Quaffle into the air. Albus kicked off from the terra firma and flew towards the Quaffle, which had unfortunately been caught by Fielding.

“ And they're off ! ” Todd smith announced. “ First House match in two class due to the breach final class, during the rivalry with the other shoal. Both teams have some new faces this year. Slytherin has a new Chaser, second year E. G. Marshall Belby, and a new Beater, third class Devon Wright. Gryffindor has a new keeper, fourth yr Janie Creevey.... ”

Albus tore his tending from Bessie Smith as the fellow Gryffindor began to herald the figure of the remainder of the players. Leaning forward on his heather, Albus soared to the other side of the pitch, where Fielding was attempting to throw away the Quaffle into one of Gryffindor's goal posts.

“ Spectacular bring through by Creevey ! ” Joseph Smith shouted. “ Looks like she's going to be an first-class keeper for Gryffindor. Gryffindor now in possession. heather Weasley in self-command, passes to Albus Potter.... ”

Albus caught the Quaffle, wedged it under his arm, and sped down to the other side of the pitch. He dodged two of Slytherin's chaser but was hit by a Bludger sent from Willard Huntington Wright and dropped the Quaffle. It was intercepted by Peyton Haines.

Albus swore loudly and tailed 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 fourth dimension Albus made it to the Slytherin goal C. W. Post and feigned right before sending the Quaffle soaring through the left hoop.

“ mark ! ” Ian Douglas Smith announced. “ Albus ceramicist scores the first destination of the match. Ten stop to Gryffindor ! ”

The remainder of the mate continued in the same fashion, with the Quaffle continuously exchanging hands, rendering it very difficult for Smith to sustain up with the commentary. Gryffindor maintained a near invariant grade of twenty period ahead of the Slytherins. Albus scored two Sir Thomas More goals and assisted on five more. The Slytherin pursuer looked more and more repel as the catch wore on.

An hour and a one-half into the peer Albus saw St. James the Apostle empty his position above the rest of the players and fly towards the land. Hunter Pucey, Slytherin's Seeker, followed.

“ Looks like Potter has seen the Snitch ! ” Smith exclaimed.

Albus watched while flying the Quaffle to the Slytherin end mail. James had his arm outstretched towards a glittering object when Devonshire Fanny Wright slammed her Beater's bat towards a nearby Bludger. But the Bludger suddenly soared upward, leaving nothing in between the bat and Henry James's leg. Devonshire's bat collided with James's leg, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Albus stopped where he was.

The entire bunch gasped, with the exception of the Slytherins, who were cheering. Pucey was flying around the pitching holding the struggling Snitch in his outstretched manus. Albus ignored this and flew directly to William James, who was prehend his leg on the footing.

Albus abandoned his Scots heather once he landed and hurried towards Henry James. He was surrounded by dame Pomfrey, professor Oteski, prof Kendrick, professor Longbottom, the residual of the Gryffindor team, and surprisingly, Devonshire.

Albus paused to look at the girl. She was minor, like most second years are, but brawny. Her contaminating blonde pilus was in a messy bun and her face was streaked with tears. As Albus got closer, he could learn that she was whispering “ I'm sorry ” over and over again.

“ Foul ! ” Calluna vulgaris shouted. “ That's a foul ! I want a rematch ! ”

“ Let's get Saint James to the hospital Wing and then we'll worry about a replay, ” Neville said as Madam Pomfrey conjured a stretcher.

“ Finally, someone with some horse sense around here, ” Madam Pomfrey muttered. “ All of you, out of the way ! ”

The gang quickly dispersed as dame Pomfrey guided the stretcher towards the castle, followed by the gathered professor. After a few mo, professor Patil ordered the rest of the scholar to get back to their mutual suite. Albus walked back to the castle with his team, who were heading straight to the Hospital backstage.

James was resting once they got there, his leg bandaged but no longer broken. He no longer looked to be in infliction, but looked like he wanted to hex the total Slytherin squad. Madam Pomfrey appeared in front of them before they could reach James's bed.

“ Ten min, ” she said. “ That's all. ”

“ Are we getting a replay ? ” was the first affair out of James's mouth. “ No one will distinguish me anything. ”

“ They haven't said anything yet, ” Fred replied. “ How's the leg ? ”

“ Fine, now. Just a short unspeakable. Madam Pomfrey said I can get out tomorrow afternoon, ” James told them. “ We better get a replay. That was a foul. I was two seconds from catching the stoolpigeon when that new Beater went and hit me with her bat ! Who does she think she is ? Doesn't she do it the formula of Quidditch ? Or is that how Slytherin's training their player these days ? ”

“ She was going for a Bludger, ” Albus explained. “ You probably couldn't see it because she was behind you, but there had been a Bludger. It flew up at the final stage second base and she accidentally got your leg. ”

“ How do they know that ? ” James IV asked. “ She might've made that up. ”

“ Everyone saw it, ” Albus said quietly.

“ It's lawful, ” Heather agreed. “ I don't know if they'll impart us a rematch. ”

The doors to the hospital fender opened, revealing the Beater in question. She walked tentatively within and stopped when she saw the entire Gryffindor squad. Madam Pomfrey greeted her and they spoke in voice too quiet to overhear before she walked slowly over to James I's bed.

“ I know you probably hate me and I don't inculpation you, ” she whispered. “ But I really am sorry. It really was an chance event. I swear it. It was my first match. ”

Albus glanced at the rest of his squad. Their looks of confusion mirrored his own thoughts.

“ Er, well, thanks for the excuse, I guess, ” James said.

“ Is your leg ok ? ” she asked.

“ It's fine now, ” James replied.

Devon reached into her robes and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke's chocolate. She handed it to James, her center staring at his bed and not meeting his glance the entire meter. “ Here, ” she whispered.

“ Er, thanks, ” Jesse James said as he took the chocolate.

“ Um, I'm going to go now. Bye, ” Devon said and turned to run from the hospital ward, before any of the Gryffindor squad had time to respond.

“ That was unknown, ” Saint James muttered after the doors had slammed shut. “ Anyone fancy some drinking chocolate ? ”

“ She's got a crush on you, ” Ryan announced.

“ Does not, ” Jesse James argued.

“ Have we ever had a Slytherin apologize for injuring one of us before, let alone hand us chocolate ? ” Fred asked. “ I'm with Ryan on this one. ”

“ Well clearly some of them have scruples, ” Albus replied. “ But yeah, she likes you. ”

“ She's twelve, ” Saint James the Apostle said flatly.

“ lady friend mature immobile than blokes. ” Heather smirked. “ So, actually, she should be just about ripe for you. ”

“ Shut up, ” James I muttered. “ Not sharing my burnt umber anymore. ”

“ Ten minutes are up ! ” gentlewoman Pomfrey announced as she returned to James River's bed bearing a tray that contained a few nasty looking potions. “ And these are for you, James. ”

Albus and the ease of the team bade James auf wiedersehen and left the Hospital Wing. They walked up to Gryffindor Tower together, but parted once they entered the common room. Albus found his friends at a table near the room access to the dorm room and sat down to explain the entire Devon wright thing.

“ So she was actually upset that she had broken James's leg ? ” John asked.

“ And she apologized ? ” mat added.

“ And gave him chocolate ? ” Kaden continued.

Albus nodded. “ Strange, isn't it ? ”

“ Very, ” John agreed. “ I'm surprised she's on the team. Isn't it a requirement for the Slytherin team to be a fan of wildness ? ”

“ She might not be on much longer, right ? ” Matt asked.

“ It was an accident, ” Albus said. “ I already said that. The rest of the team saw it and so did half the prof. So there's probably not going to be a rematch either. ”

“ That's not fair, ” toilet muttered.

“ It's only the first catch, ” Albus pointed out. “ Plenty Thomas More time to gain those point back. And their Seeker is tremendous anyway. He couldn't have caught that stool pigeon if James hadn't have been hit. ”

Albus, flatness, and privy spent the remnant of the good afternoon discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor's luck of winning the Quidditch Cup. They factored in the science stratum of all the actor on all the houses and the power point earned so far, along with the possible weather hinderances that were surely to make out. Kaden paid attention, but didn't contribute much except for the casual comment about how something was dissimilar in football game. Amanda did the same, spare for the football comments. prove sighed and dug a book out of her bag and show it until they had finished.

Professor Oteski was at supper that night, which was a rarified occurrence due to the fact that he has a wife and young tiddler in Hogsmeade and normally was only at the castle for classes and Quidditch compeer. Towards the end of the meal he rose, rendering the stallion Hall silent.

“ The other prof and I have reviewed the result at today's match, ” Oteski began. “ We've taken into account a few select students'observations- ”

“ He interviewed me, ” Fred said.

“ -along with the professor'. I have come to the ending that the act of a Slytherin Beater hitting Gryffindor's Seeker with her Beater's Bat was an inauspicious accident. No disciplinary 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 only Slytherin not shouting in excitement. Instead she had her school principal on her script and was picking at her dinner. She was a very odd Slytherin, that was for sure.

“ I really didn't think there'd be a replay, ” Fred said. “ But listen, we can still win. Losing the first-class honours degree equal doesn't mean value we'll misplace the Cup. ”

“ Someone's going to feature to tell James, ” Calluna vulgaris replied. “ He won't be pleased. I'm fairly sealed he can count the number of time he hasn't caught the stool pigeon on one hand. ”

Albus thought back to the sentence James IV had lost a catch against Linda the vampire and hid in the Shrieking shack. Luckily his brother had come a farseeing way from that and would not finger the need 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 won't be writing as practically. But I have a few chapters saved up, so I'm hoping to update frequently for the next month at least.

If you are enjoying this floor ( or any of my stories ), head over to the forum and nominate one for a Dobby honor ! Be trusted to read the rules before posting. : )


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


Albus was very relieved that he was not given the task of telling James that there would not be a rematch. Fred, being the captain, took that job for himself and the rest of the team merely went with him. King James was understandably overturned, but didn't take the news nearly as badly as Albus would have expected. Perhaps he was maturing, if even a modest amount. On Sunday, James was released from the infirmary flank and life at Hogwarts returned to pattern if only for a few days.

After a duple division of potions and single class of transfiguration on Tues, Albus and his friends had politics and this was the day where they would witness out who would get to sit in the Great mansion during the argument on Saturday. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were understandably more talky in the minutes before professor Embry began year. nigh of the students hoped that they would get to attend the argumentation, with the exclusion of John and a few of the Hufflepuffs. Albus and Matt would be attending it either way, so they doubted either of them would be picked. rosiness had also found out that since she was Percy's niece, she would also get to attend no matter what.

“ settee down, finalize down, ” Embry said once the clock struck three. He smiled and then quickly took attendance. “ I'm very happy to see how excited you are for Saturday's argument. It's very exciting to see Whitney Moore Young Jr. hoi polloi so worry in politics. Since I know none of you will pay tending during category unless I announce who gets to advert before I begin, I will announce them now. ”

The class immediately began whispering until Embry located a part of parchment on his desk and cleared his throat. “ Now, a few of you are able-bodied to attend the debate without being chosen. matt Eckerton and Albus Potter, since both your fathers are forefront of departments at the Ministry you will be able to wait on. rose wine Weasley, since you are related to one of the candidate, you may attend as well. And not to worry, everyone else, they will not call for away muscae volitantes from the veritable scholar body.

“ One boy and one girl were picked randomly from each year, for each family. So eight students from each year were chosen total. For Hufflepuff the lucky two are Olivia cost and Ronald Bones. ”

“ Yes ! ” Ronald shouted. He was a rather flash, blond haired boy, who reminded Albus a lot of Kaden. Olivia just smiled. She was quiet, 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 shouts and the respite of the course of instruction clapped before everyone settled down. All four winning students were still grinning when Embry began speaking once more.

“ felicitation to all four of you. This will not be the only when debate to take on stead at Hogwarts and for the next one, dissimilar student will be chosen. Now, on Saturday, you are to report to the Great Hall at ten o'clock in the sunup. The debate will begin at eleven. You will commit your gens to whichever professor is waiting by the door and then a Prefect will show you to where you are supposed to sit. Same goes for you, Matt, Albus, and Rose. ”

Embry set the lambskin down on his desk and smiled as he walked closer to the mesa of his educatee. “ Now, what Professor Kendrick has not told you yet, because it has only just been finalized, is that both nominee will be hosting two marijuana cigarette question and answer Sessions. These will be for educatee and Hogwarts faculty only. The same bookman chosen to attend the debate will be able to attend the question and answer session. It will take topographic point at three in the Great Hall. Please arrive at two-thirty.

“ Everyone else will be listening to the debate on the tuner. 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 radiocommunication are expected to write a foot long essay on which candidate you thought was more successful in making their point. It will be due at the outset of next hebdomad's class. ”

The entire class groaned at the mention of the essay. Embry ignored this and began his lecture. They had finally made it into the twentieth century, but were still far from learning about how everything in the Ministry changed after Voldemort was defeated.

The relaxation of the hebdomad passed very slowly. The Hogwarts students were getting very excited at the prognosis of the candidates arriving for their debate, with the exclusion of Bradley and Cedric. Even John and Kaden, neither of whom were going to assist the argument, were catching a piffling bit of excitement. Albus was rather shocked at how the majority of the scholarly person were getting involved with the election. Being mortal who had grown up with government and the Ministry of Magic, he was not quite as thrilled with the prospect, especially when newsperson from the Daily Prophet showed up on Friday morning.

“ need to take bet on how quickly they find you ? ” John the Evangelist asked as they passed two reporter on their way to maintenance of Magical Creatures.

Albus glanced at the newsperson. One was a very marvelous and lanky man, with mussy John Brown hair and considerable stubble on his face. He was frantically writing down doubtfulness that the other newsperson, an equally tall woman with huge red lips and smutty fuzz, was asking an uncomfortable looking first year.

“ paseo faster, ” Albus nudged John as they neared the oak doorway.

Albus had absolutely no desire to appear in any issues of the Daily prophesier. Neither of his parents liked reporters and that was a trait they had passed down to Albus. He made a mental distinction to warn Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric about them the next meter he saw his two cousin-german.

In an effort to debar the newsperson, Albus, flatness, and John spent their unblock period after magical spell in the marauder's Den. With any luck when the Ministry functionary arrived the newsperson would give up trying to interview random Hogwarts students. Although Albus knew it was not random at all. At lunch, after Care of Magical Creatures, he found out that no to a lesser extent than four of his cousins, along with Lily, had been interviewed that morning.

The officials were arriving just as Albus and his friends were heading to the Great Hall for dinner. They paused on the grand staircase while the blue-robed witches and wizards entered the Great Hall, gracefully avoiding the newsperson that were standing next to the ingress to the Great hall. Albus recognized nearly all of them, including his dad, Uncle Percy, and lusterlessness's dad.

The stave table had been magically elongated enough to volunteer seats for all of the Ministry functionary, who had at sat down and began speaking with the prof. Albus and his booster all found rear end at the Gryffindor table, near all his first cousin. Cedric was scowling while reading a letter. He then crumpled it up and then set flame to it with his wand.

“ Dad still thinks we pulled that prank, William James, ” Cedric muttered. “ Says he's going to make sentence to address with me before he leaves. ”

“ We'll determine out, ” James said. “ We still haven't talked to all the ghosts. ”

“ All except Moaning Myrtle. ” Cedric shuddered. “ I don't fancy talking to her. ”

“ She's our finally Bob Hope, ” James said. “ We're going to find her. After all this debate stuff is over. ”

Albus let out a sigh of fill-in. He had two More mean solar day. In all honesty, he'd nearly forgotten about Cedric and James's quest to find out who put the Gallus gallus in the Slytherin uncouth room. But apparently his buddy and full cousin had not.

Kendrick rose from his seat once the Great residence was full. “ On behalf of myself, the rest of the Hogwarts stave, and the Hogwarts scholarly person consistence, I'd like to receive our Ministry representatives to Hogwarts. Before we eat, I'd like to bring out everyone.

“ First, our candidate, ” Kendrick gestured to Hotspur and Laurentis, who were both sitting immediately to his left. “ Hotspur Weasley and Patricia Laurentis. ” Kendrick then gestured to the tall, rather portly man on his left field. “ Our current Minister, Langston Hartwell. ”

The repose of the officials were interspersed amongst the professor. Kendrick gestured to a grayness haired crone sitting in between professor Patil and Cedonia. “ Head of Magical Law Enforcement. Reena Barnes. ” Next, Kendrick gestured to Matt's dad who was sitting following to Albus's dad and Professor Trelawney. “ Head of the section for the dominance and regulation of Magical Creatures. Bruno Walter Eckerton. ”

Half the Gryffindor tabular array turned and looked at Matt, who gave a smile and shrugged. Never one to talk about his family, most of Gryffindor was unaware of who matte's dad was.

“ I'm sure you all remember Harry ceramist, head of the Auror section, ” 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 advisors, who had deed of conveyance that were just as long and mix up as Walker Percy's current job claim. Then, finally, Kendrick waved his handwriting and solid food appeared on all the tables.

During dinner party Fred announced that he had reluctantly canceled Quidditch practice for the next day since it was scheduled for the same prison term as the question and resolution school term. The rest of dinner was spent figuring out which Gryffindors, besides the large amount that were related to Walker Percy, were going to attend the debate. Both John's little babe, Asthyn, and Epistle of James's skilful friend, Nathan, were getting to see.

After dessert had been served and consumed, Kendrick reminded everyone of the time of the next day's debate and suggested they all turn in early. Albus wondered whether the ministry official would be staying in the castling or Apparating back to their own base for the night. Cedric took off for the commons room as soon as he had finished eating, in guild to avoid his father.

Albus and his acquaintance decided to stay in the common room that night since everyone was so lively and the excitement was catching. trick brought a deck of Exploding Snap down from his tree trunk and the six Quaker sat around a table acting for at to the lowest degree an hour. Kaden had just had the bill of fare explode in his side when the threshold to the common room opened and soul gasped.

Everyone glanced over and the common room went silent. Percy was standing in the doorway, looking very awkward and uncomfortable. His eyes landed on Cedric, who had been organizing his blood line of Skiving Snackboxes with James and Nathan. Cedric went as sick as Moaning myrtle.

“ Cedric, ” Percy said quietly. “ I need to mouth with you. ”

“ I didn't do it, Dad ! ” Cedric exclaimed. “ I swear it ! ”

Albus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at his friends. blush wine was giving him a disapproving expression while flatness, John, and Kaden looked equally uncomfortable. Amanda had raised her brow. This was ridiculous. Why couldn't Hotspur let it go or believe his son ? Or at least deal with it privately ? It was unfair of him to rage into the Gryffindor unwashed elbow room and send for out his own son like that.

Walker Percy shook his head. “ Cedric, you've pulled trick like this ever since you were picayune. This one has you written all over it. You, too, James. ”

“ But Dad- ”

“ No buts, ” Walker Percy said. “ This is not satisfactory. Now I'd like to verbalize with you privately. ”

Cedric didn't budge. Albus swallowed severely and looked at lustrelessness, John, and Kaden each in round. frivolity were all in near fun, but not when ingenuous people were punished for them. And Albus had no doubt that Percy would punish Cedric whether he had proof or not. Cedric's past 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 cousin taking the drop for something he and his Quaker did. It just was not something he was comfortable with.

matte gave a slim nod of his chief. John and Kaden both shrugged and Albus took that to stand for “ do what you have to do ”. Albus sighed and stood up. “ Wait, Uncle Percy. ”

“ Albus, this is none of your concern, ” Walker Percy said. “ Cedric has to look his consequences. ”

“ But he didn't do it ! ” Albus exclaimed. “ It was me. I did it. ”

James burst out laughing. “ You, Al ? That's nice and all of you to try and keep Cedric out of trouble, but really ? You couldn't get into the Slytherin unwashed room. ”

“ It wasn't only him, ” St. John said, standing up. “ Kaden and I did most of it. Al was just a look out. ”

“ I was, too, ” Matt announced. “ It was the four of us. ”

Fred and a few of his champion suddenly jumped up from their seats and bowed in front of Albus, lustrelessness, John, and Kaden. “ lord ! You are the kings. ”

The intact commons room exploded in applause and whistles. Albus couldn't assistance but grin despite the fact that he knew he was going to be in difficulty. King James I gave Albus an odd look before breaking out in a wry grin himself. A few kickoff year ran up and high-fived them. Victor-Marie Hugo was practically rolling on the floor laughing.

“ Enough, enough ! ” Percy shouted. “ Albus, you'd skilful come with me. You three as well. ” He gestured to Matt, John, and Kaden.

Albus and his booster reluctantly followed Hotspur out of the common room to Kendrick's study. On the way there Albus couldn't help but bill that his uncle didn't really walk. He strutted, almost like he owned the berth. Albus supposed he was remembering back to his drumhead Boy Day. Head Boy was probably now well out of reach for Albus, as was becoming a Prefect. Not like he really wanted to suit a Prefect anyway.

Upon entering Kendrick's survey Albus was horrified to see that all of the Ministry officials were there, including his own Father of the Church. Matt had paled considerably on seeing his Fatherhood as well. This was bad.

Kendrick glanced at the son and then looked questioningly up at Walker Percy. “ I think we need a moment of seclusion, ” Kendrick said to the official, “ except Harry and Walter. ”

The repose of the officials left the way, whispering to themselves as they went. Kendrick then resumed his fanny behind his desk and conjured enough president for the remaining people. Albus took a fundament in between Matt and Kaden.

“ What's going on, Sir Henry Percy ? ” Kendrick asked.

“ I went to Gryffindor to have a chat with my son about that antic concluding 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 public lecture, 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 common room prank ? ”

“ Yes, ” Percy confirmed. “ These four just confessed to it. ”

Matt's dad let out a suspiration and shook his head.

“ Is this lawful, boys ? ” Kendrick asked.

“ Yes, sir, ” Albus replied.

“ I'm very disappointed in you, Albus, ” Harry said. “ This is the sort of matter I expect from St. James the Apostle, not from you. ”

“ As am I in you, Gospel According to Matthew, ” Bruno Walter added. “ You've never been one to pull pranks. ”

“ It was our estimation, ” St. John the Apostle said, gesturing to himself and Kaden. “ All they did was preserve a look out while we were in their vernacular room. ”

“ Nevertheless, ” Kendrick said, folding his workforce on his desk. “ All four of you broke school rules and you will be punished. Fifty peak from Gryffindor- ”

Kaden gasped.

“ -each, ” Kendrick finished. “ And detention. As much as I'd like to set out your detainment tomorrow we have other affair happening in this rook and none of the staff is free people to monitor. You will start your detention on Monday evening and you will give birth it for a week. ”

“ But sir- ” Albus and Matt said at once.

“ No buts, ” Kendrick said. “ You blatantly broke multiple school rules. ”

“ But Quidditch and dueling ! That's the week before the first tournament- ”

“ Your team will have to carry practice without you, Mr. thrower, ” 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 Tues, ” matt muttered.

“ right, ” Kendrick replied. “ Attend the hold that you can and whichever 1 you miss can be made up once you are better.

“ Thank you, ” Bruno Walter said, “ for being understanding about that. ”

“ Not a problem. matt's situation is vastly different from missed Quidditch practice. ”

Albus felt his impudence reddening. It had been a valid point for him. Fred would bump off him in his slumber when he found out Albus would miss at to the lowest degree two drill for detention. He certainly wouldn't be applauding and bowing anymore.

“ You'll paper to Filch's office on Monday 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 keister. Harry did the same. “ Al, you realize I'm going to give to tell your mother about this. ”

Albus nodded. “ Yes. ”

“ She won't be pleased. But I do desire to enjoin 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 take in such an honest son. I'll see you tomorrow. cause a good dark and retrieve, I always love you, ” Harry said and gave Albus a hug.

“ love you too, ” Albus said quietly.

matte was having what was surely a similar talk with his own father and once they were finished, the four boys left Kendrick's study and went immediately back to Gryffindor towboat.

“ Seven detentions, ” John muttered as they walked up a set of stairs. “ heptad. This is big than that clip in indorse year when we were caught near the Whomping Willow. ”

“ Not to remark the stop, ” 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. ”

Saint John grinned. “ Most definitely Worth it. ”

Albus and Matt gave each other looks that clearly meant they disagreed. No, 200 points from Gryffindor, seven detention with Filch, and no Quidditch exercise for a week was not deserving it.
***


In true Hogwarts manner by the next morning at Breakfast the stallion school knew that it had been three Gryffindor twenty-five percent years and one Gryffindor 3rd year that had managed to sneak into the Slytherin common elbow room and deposit two volaille and a rooster, as well as back the entire place in bird seed. Hufflepuff was especially excited about this because Gryffindor's loss of 200 detail put them in the lead for the House Cup. Gryffindor was now utterly concluding and the other Gryffindors were torn between their awe of Albus and his friends and their horror that the japery had cost them so many percentage point.

Rose and Amanda had burst out laughing when the boys told them their fate the late night. They were angry about the loss of item, though. rose wine was especially disgusted by john and Kaden's want of remorse.

All the ministry functionary were at the staff table, whereas the mansion tabular array were not nearly as full as the previous day. It seemed that some educatee had not heeded Kendrick's trace about going to bed too soon.

There was a swoosh of wings and Albus looked up to see that the spot owl had arrived. His heart started beating faster and he swallowed strong upon seeing his mother's owl holding a red envelope in its mouth.

“ Oh no, ” Albus whispered as the owl grew closer. His friends glanced up and saw the belly laugh just as the owl was preparing for landing. It landed in battlefront of Albus's plate of eggs and he took the thigh-slapper in his hand before quickly running out of the Great Hall for the nigh bathroom.

The envelope was already hot when he arrived in the thankfully vacate loo. He reluctantly opened it and the room was soon full with Ginny's heights pitched shouting.

“ ALBUS SEVERUS ceramicist, WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU ? I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE IN THE SLYTHERIN COMMON room AND PUTTING CHICKENS IN THERE NO lupus erythematosus. I DO NOT tending THAT YOU WERE ONLY THE LOOK OUT. YOU MAY AS WELL rich person BEEN IN THERE YOURSELF. YOU WERE BLATANTLY BREAKING MULTIPLE SCHOOL RULES INCLUDING existence OUT OF BED AFTER 60 minutes.

I AM VERY frustrated. THIS IS THE form OF THING I EXPECT FROM JAMES, BUT eventide Saint James the Apostle KNOWS WHEN NOT TO cross THE blood. AND YOU DIDN'T JUST CROSS THE origin. YOU JUMPED WAY OVER IT. AND TO wealthy person PERCY FIND OUT ABOUT THIS WHILE HE IS AT HOGWARTS FOR A DEBATE ? ! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO KEEP UP APPEARANCES IN orderliness FOR HIM TO have A CHANCE AT THIS ELECTION AND THIS doe NOT HELP.

I HIGHLY APPROVE OF THE DETENTIONS AND going OF dot. I CAN NOT SAY I WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED IF YOUR ENTIRE HOUSE WERE ANGRY WITH YOU OVER THIS. I EXPECT YOU WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN. IF YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE Sir Thomas More THAN JUST penalization AT SCHOOL. ”

The varsity letter exploded with a brief drag of smoke. Albus stood there staring at it for a few seconds. His female parent had not even mentioned how his confession had saved Cedric. There was no mention of how she was lofty about his silver dollar, like his dad had been.

Albus heard a short gag from behind him. He turned around and saw none former than Scorpius Malfoy leaning on one of the cesspit, smirking.

“ I knew it was one of you Gryffindors, ” Malfoy said. “ Just didn't expect it to be you lot. Didn'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 riot, by the way. ” Malfoy gave another laugh.

Albus groaned inwardly. He hoped Malfoy hadn't heard much of it, but highly doubted it. Albus took a deep breath and walked back to the Great Hall. Perhaps with the debate coming in an hour, the balance of the student would forget about the joke and the loss of detail and find oneself something new to discuss.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype writing group. You bozo are all awesome ! Thanks for all the amazing reviews ! The new standard was done by reddish blue ephemera at TDA. There's a little under a week left to nominate stories for the Dobby Awards, so if you like this story, header over to the assembly and nominate it ! Just think to read the rule first.


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


There was a longsighted queue of pupil waiting to get into the Great Hall after everyone left once breakfast was over. The Great Charles Francis Hall had been completely emptied in club for the professors to groom it for the disputation. Albus craned his head in try to see it. As far as he could tell it looked the Sami except the foresightful family tables had been replaced by rows of seating. He, along with mat and Rose, were only a few students away from the front of the waiting line.

Once they made it to the front they gave their names to Professor Longbottom and then were hint inside by one of the Ravenclaw Prefects. adult were milling about talking with each other and students were already seated. The first few rowing were cordoned off with roach and the Ravenclaw Prefect trail Albus, pink wine, and lusterlessness to the third roped off row. He lifted the rope and told them to lodge all the way in, to the very end of the unoccupied row. Albus sat in between Rose and Matt. It appeared that the roped off quarrel were reserved for Ministry functionary and their family line. Albus noticed that his mum was sitting in the front row along with the rest of his aunty and uncles. Empire State of the South was also in the front row and was handing out coloring books and wax crayon to Samantha and lindy.

James, Ben, Lily, and Hugo filed in following to Rose a few second later. Albus saw that Cedric and Bradley, who had walked in with his siblings, were being lead to the front row. Fred, Angie, Heather, and scar finished out their row five minutes later. Albus gazed around the room and distinguish Victoire and Teddy sitting across the aisle. Stanley walked in with Gabriella and took bum next to Victoire and Teddy. Albus had to allow in he was surprise to see them there. last-place he heard she was in France and he was in Romania.

The elbow room soon became jammed with the students who had won seats as well as other beldame and wizards who had chosen to come. Albus recognized a few who worked in workshop in Hogsmeade including lady Rosmerta. He turned to the front man of the room and noticed that the staff table had also disappeared and had been replaced with two podiums and a minor tabular array, just like the set up in the court at the Ministry.

At exactly eleven o'time the doors to the Great lobby were shut and multitude began to sit down. prof Kendrick entered the elbow room from one of its antechambers, followed by the diplomatic minister, Albus's dad, Matt's dad, and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Reena Barnes. The other Ministry functionary were seated in the front row.

Kendrick lead them to the small table near the podium. All five, with the elision of Kendrick, sat. Kendrick walked to the front of the dais and the audience quieted.

“ Welcome to the third argumentation. I welcome all of you to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry. Today's disputation will be on education. I'd like to introduce today's moderator, the Head of the department for the Control and regularisation of Magical animate being, Bruno Walter Eckerton. ”

The audience clapped and Albus whispered to matt, asking him if he knew his dad was moderating. Matt shook his head no and the two looked back to the figurehead.

Kendrick had taken his seat and lustrelessness's dad had rose. “ Now I'd like to welcome our two prospect. Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis. ”

There was Sir Thomas More clapping as Percy and Laurentis walked out of the antechamber and took their lieu behind the podiums. Once the applause subsided, Matt's dad began to speak.

“ Today's disputation will run similarly to past argument, with five minute responses and two min rebuttal. All questions and command prompt will be about pedagogy. The debate will run for an hour and a half. After it is over, the way will be cleared and then lunch will be served. After dejeuner there will be a shortstop open frame and then the student question and reply session will get hold of place in this Saami elbow room. Without boost good-by, the first question. Mr. Weasley, you will answer first.

“ How do you feel about the Hogwarts physical environment ? Do you feel it is adequate and conducive to learning or do you feel change should be made ? ”

Percy took a dance step forward and smiled at the consultation. “ I believe that the Hogwarts castle is very conducive to learning. Being in a sequester surface area provides little in the way of distraction to the students. Yet the propinquity of the rook to Hogsmeade village gives students in tertiary year and above a much needed break. The just alteration I think need to be made are to update what needs to be updated and mend 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 cypher improper with it the way it is. All of Mr. Weasley's stop are very valid. ”

Albus turned to Matt and shrugged. That was odd. They actually agreed on something. Matt's dad seemed a little shocked by this as well, because he did not say anything for a few mo after Laurentis quieted.

“ All right. Since you two agree, I see no pauperization for rebuttals. Moving on to the next interrogation. Ms. Laurentis, this metre you will go first. How do you feel about the current Hogwarts curriculum ? Do you feel the course adequately prepare today's youth people for life in British wizarding company ? What changes, if any, do you find need to be made ? ”

“ The Hogwarts curriculum has not been updated in ten. In fact, the only new family that has been introduced is this yr's class on politics. Curricula is something that needs to exchange with the times and be re-evaluated at least every other year. The world is a constantly changing situation and what students learn need to switch with it. New social class should be offered and outdated form should be removed. syllabus for stratum that are kept motive to commute in order to go along up with today's research. Potions, for example, should not be taught the Saame way now as it was XL geezerhood ago, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case. ”

“ Thank you. Mr. Weasley. ”

“ The burden curriculum of Hogwarts is like to that of charming schooltime all over the world. The classes taught here offer basic and supercharge instruction in issue that virtuoso need in order to function in order. We can not stand here and advocate getting rid of Charms or Transfiguration in favor of some new subject that may or may not teach our student anything. Yes, the worldly concern is constantly changing, but the basic magic spell remain the same. educatee forty age ago used'Alohomora'to open doors and the spell remains the same today, ” Percy argued.

“ Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis. ”

“ I am in no way insinuating that we should get rid of Charms or Transfiguration. ” She looked offended at Percy's charge. “ All I am saying is that we need to look at the elective course that are offered. The BASIC sum grade should obviously be kept, although they should be updated. Today's professors are using the same textbooks they used thirty geezerhood ago, which is ridiculous considering how lots has changed in their fields- ”

“ Your time is up. Mr. Weasley. ”

Percy seemed to draw out his pectus a bit. “ Those textbooks still teach the basics ! How is a text written last year going to be any advantageously at teaching a pupil how to stir a caldron ? Additionally, elderly text edition have to a greater extent apply copy available making it more affordable for scholar from depress income family line to purchase their books. ”

It seemed to Albus that they had gotten slightly off topic from the proposed doubt, but neither candidate seemed to mark or care.

“ Next question. How do you feel about the way that instructor selection and rating is handled at Hogwarts ? Do you feel any change are needed ? ” Mr. Eckerton asked. “ You may go first, Mr. Weasley. ”

“ Traditionally, the Ministry has taken a very hands-off approach to teacher selection and I believe this has worked well. Ministry official do not have the expertise to choose teachers and leaving this up to the Hogwarts staff has resulted in a very educated and well-rounded staff at Hogwarts. Following the reign of Voldemort, a small Department of Education section was founded in the Ministry to oversee thing and while it is still very hands-off, I believe the small-scale amount of regulation has served Hogwarts well, ” Percy explained.

“ Ms. Laurentis. ”

Laurentis smirked and then began. “ teacher survival of the fittest, along with curriculum variety, is the the view of Hogwarts that needs the most radical change, in my opinion. While Professor Kendrick is a fine headmaster, I think more steering is needed when it comes to choosing prof. For the past four years, Hogwarts has been ineffectual to secure a Defense Against the nighttime Arts professor for more than two year. One only lasted a year. Other professors have been here for decades and yet others have remained even beyond their own dying. There is naught wrong, of course of instruction, with elder teachers, but Hogwarts appears to have no way of evaluating these staff members. They remain here, education, year after year, whether or not they are actually successful in providing students with an education. ”

“ Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley. ”

Harry Hotspur's face had gained some colouring material that was not always there. “ I hardly think it is appropriate to blame prof Kendrick for the fate of previous United States Department of Defense prof. Upon interviewing them he had no way of knowing what would chance in the end. As for the other professor, if you would reckon at the statistic of the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. issue of the past few years you'll see that the legal age of students are passing. Might I add that those are regulated by the Ministry. ”

“ Ms. Laurentis. ”

“ I would agree that the Headmaster should not be held responsible for one or two professor who should not have been hired in the first place, but Hogwarts has seen Sir Thomas More than its average contribution of poor prof in the by few years. Clearly something is incorrectly. Sir Thomas More citizenry need to be involved with program and teacher selection. ”

“ future question, ” Mr. Eckerton said. “ Do you feel that the security department at Hogwarts is adequate ? If not, what should be changed ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin. ”

If Albus was not mistaken, he could own sworn he saw Laurentis suspiration and give a thin eye roll before beginning. “ Let's just visit it what it is, why don't we ? Lack of security at Hogwarts ! The security measure here, if you can prognosticate it that, is sorely lacking. Might I bring up the fact that for the past three years there had been a severe falling out in security here ? Three years ago, a group of first-class honours degree years dueled the Charms professor, a seventh year, and that 7th class's father on the cause for a significant period of time before the prof stepped in. The following year, another first yr was kidnapped by that Lapp one-seventh yr, who had then graduated. live on year, those Sami students were kidnapped and taken to Australia of all topographic point ! I think we could forgive one incident, but three- ”

“ Your clip is up, ” lustrelessness's dad said. “ Mr. Weasley. ”

Harry Hotspur was looking more and more disgruntled. His face now resembled his hair. “ Might I remind my opposite that following the incidental three eld ago, Aurors were stationed at Hogwarts and none of the abide by incidents resulted in any lasting damage to any of the pupil. Last year, the Aurors were slightly preoccupied by the disastrous contention that took berth here. Hogwarts is protected by many enchantments and all the prof are subject of protecting the bookman. lastly class's incident was an extremely unfortunate accident- ”

“ One that nearly resulted in student deaths ! ” Laurentis shouted.

“ Ms. Laurentis. ”

Albus felt like the entire room was staring at himself and matt. Glancing around, he saw that this was on-key.

Laurentis ignored Mr. Eckerton. “ I remind the wizarding residential district that the Aurors have yet to catch the mastermind of that incident. Which by the way was not the simply incident last year. Last year's defending team Against the Dark artistic creation prof kept a highly dangerous animal in the castle for months before anything was done. And by the time it was discovered, it took Bruno Walter Eckerton stepping in to have it removed ! Then, the professor was allowed to continue, despite the fact that later on it was discovered that he had been terrorizing and humiliating scholarly person in his class all year, not to bring up the fact that his curricula were not appropriate. Following that terrible breech in certificate, regarding the animal, the same professor proceeded to divulge information 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 matte's dad was cutting her off because her time was up or because she was getting dangerously close to talking about Matt. seed to intend of it, how did she even know about that ? She couldn't possibly screw about matt's 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 dejeuner is set up. You may return in a one-half hour. ”

Albus stood and waited for his turn to leave behind the room. The intact crowd was whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Albus and Matt every so often. He was tempted to skip lunch all together, except he was extremely hungry.
***


Albus managed to annul speaking to any reporters before and during luncheon, which proved unmanageable because they seemed to birth multiplied during the argumentation. All seemed keen on interviewing him, Matt, John the Evangelist, and Kaden in specific due to their having been kidnapped the late June. Albus was quite relieved when the food in front line of them vanished and the bulk of the people in the room left in rescript for the question and answer academic term to take place.

Both candidate seemed to have regained their composure during the meal because Walker Percy's face was no foresighted beet red and Laurentis had fixed her haircloth and was wearing a smile. The newsperson had been banned from the room for the length of the sitting, much to their dismay. matt's dad also looked in force and was standing in the front line of the way in front of the pulpit, waiting for everyone to sit down.

The room was much empty-bellied now, considering that only the bookman chosen to mind to the debate and the prof were allowed in the room. Albus and Matt managed to get a few seats in the social movement row. William James and Lily joined them.

Once the door had been shut and everyone had sat down, Mr. Eckerton stepped forward. “ Welcome to the inquiry and answer session. It will run for an hour and the campaigner will answer as many interrogative sentence as they can during that sentence. Please farm your hand if you have a question. ” Nothing about the outbursts during the debate was mentioned.

Albus could not recall of anything to ask. He had absolutely no desire to talk to Laurentis and anything that he would need to ask Percy he could just ask at Christmas or transport him an owl. Not that he really had any enquiry for his uncle, either.

A tall Ravenclaw boy raised his hand and Mr. Eckerton pointed to him. “ This question is for Ms. Laurentis, ” the boy began. “ How exactly do you propose to establish Hogwarts more secure ? I'm nearly positive that the most raise spells are already used. ”

“ That is very dependable, ” Laurentis answered. “ I believe that we need to count outside the world of patch and give professors canonical education in defense against intruders. I think a program, similar to very introductory Auror training, would profit 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 possible curriculum changes, ” Laurentis replied. “ The changes would amount later. Not for at least two years. ”

“ Most likely, no, ” Hotspur said. “ The statistics prove that they work well as they are. ”

The doubt and answer academic session continued in the same way, proving itself very different from the debate. It was quite the opposite, actually. Albus found himself very bored towards the end, his idea drifting towards what both nominee had said during the debate. He was very queer about what the vaticinator would say about it the side by side day.

“ We have time for one more question, ” Mr. Eckerton finally said.

Albus let out a suspiration of reliever. A glance at mat told him that his in force Quaker was feeling the same way, since he was leaning back in his professorship, his eyes nearly closed.

Mr. Eckerton pointed to a girl sitting in the far back. Albus didn't accredit 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 public debate and you mentioned something about him giving students info that they could use to scupper another student. Is that really true ? And what exactly happened ? ”

Albus prodded Matt in the side and whispered to him what the question had been. precondition lustrelessness's chemical reaction, which was a look of express affright, he almost wished he hadn't bothered to ignite him up.

Mr. Eckerton stared at the scholar before turning to the candidate. “ You may serve the first persona of the question and that part only. ”

“ It is on-key, ” Laurentis said just as Percy had been opening his rima oris to respond. “ Professor Balladanis was not cut out for teaching and did not interpret the fact that there is a furrow between teaching to spread knowledge and teaching to threaten others. ”

“ Does it have to do with the Anamatek ? ” a Slytherin boy asked.

“ Yes, ” Percy said. “ The situations were related. ”

“ This is why I believe instructor need to be evaluated so we can avoid this type of office, ” Laurentis explained.

“ But what kind of information could endanger someone ? Was it in the syllabus ? ” the Ravenclaw who had originally asked the question said. “ knowledge is power. ”

“ It was not, ” Laurentis answered. “ Which is exactly why it will be good for professor to have program that they stick to. ”

“ I just don't understand, ” the Ravenclaw went on. “ If mass are kept in the dark they just blindly comply office. I've always believed that mass should be taught everything possible. ”

Matt and his dad were both wearing similar expressions. Both looked extremely uncomfortable and his dad was fiddling with a clasp on his robes. mat looked like he wanted his chair to eat up 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 room and that you are free to pass up comment to the reporters that are waiting outside. ”

There was a shuffling of president as people got up and exited the room. flatness grabbed Albus's arm without saying anything, leading him directly to his father, who was speaking to both the candidates.

“ Dad, ” matt said quietly, not waiting for him to stop his conversation with Laurentis and Sir Henry Percy.

Mr. Eckerton turned around and his face became sympathetic. He turned back to Laurentis and Sir Henry Percy. “ Excuse me. My son. I believe you can guide up to Kendrick's study and I will be there shortly. ”

Albus, Matt, and Mr. Eckerton left Laurentis and Percy, who had now begun to argue about something, in the Great Hall and entered one of its anteroom. The way was furnished with a few couch and chairs. Albus chose an armchair while Matt and his dad sat down on a couch.

“ I'm really sorry, Matt, ” Mr. Eckerton said quietly. “ I did not expect last year to be brought up during this debate. ”

“ It's not your fault, ” Matt replied as he picked at a easy thread on the couch. “ It's just the way she, Laurentis, was talking, I thought that maybe she.... Does she know, Dad ? She seemed to acknowledge an atrocious lot about what Balladanis did. ”

“ She doesn't know, ” Mr. Eckerton said immediately. “ The only hoi polloi at the Ministry who know are in my department. However, she and the residual of the Ministry did accept to know why I was filing a report on Balladanis shoemaker's last year. I had to give reasons as to why I wanted him investigated on that report. ”

“ Did you list exactly what he did, with the Anamatek and his lycanthrope deterrent example ? ” Matt asked.

“ No. ” Mr. Eckerton shook his chief. “ There are legal philosophy protecting youngster in this kind of place and I was not legally required to observe your figure. All I had to say was that an anonymous student had felt threatened by a sealed deterrent example that Balladanis taught. That was all that was needed to launch the investigation. That alone would not have gotten him can, but enough evidence was found through interview pupil about his teaching methods that zip else was needed. It wasn't even mentioned that it was a one-third class social class in my master report. ”

“ But she seemed to know so often, ” Matt said.

“ She doesn't. political leader embellish what they know in order to get elected. You don't have to interest. I suppose if she really wanted to she could take care at the program for Defense for that prison term of class and research and pattern it out, but it would select a lot of workplace. And swear me, she does not have the time for that. Nor does she really have any reasonableness to care what example it was or why a educatee was threatened or who that student was. ”

“ But she said my life had been at risk, ” Matt said.

“ Again, that's her embellishment. ” Mr. Eckerton half-smiled. “ The only 1 who are really curious are your fellow scholarly person and this will blow over. They have no way of finding out. ”

“ Good, ” Matt replied, finally smiling a bit.

“ I'd better get to the schoolmaster's work, ” Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up.

Albus waited while Matt said goodbye to his dad and then the two boys headed back to Gryffindor tower. The reporters had either scattered or had found students willing to be interviewed, for the son came across no one but Prefects and a few first yr setting off dungbombs on their way back to the park way. Albus was very gladiolus to hear that Laurentis did not know the specifics about what had happened with Balladanis the previous class, but he wished neither her or Percy would ever take it up again in a argument. Somehow, though, Albus doubted that it wouldn't be.


Sorry for the former update ! time has gotten away from me. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Big thanks to my Skype writing radical ; you guys are amazing !

I have a new meet the generator thread on the forum. There's a connection to it on my Author page. Please check it out and ask me questions !


Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter.


The article in the seer on Sunday proved to be just as outrageous as the factual debate had been. It took up the full front page and was ripe with citation from both nominee and a few students, although none of Albus's full cousin had been quoted. The Ravenclaw who had asked the question about Balladanis at the enquiry and result session had not only been interviewed, but she had received her own article located on the second pageboy. Albus groaned when he opened the page and saw it, complete with a word picture of the Ravenclaw in question. His friends quickly crowded around the paper to study it over his shoulder.

censorship AT HOGWARTS ?

Yesterday's newsworthy debate at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry proved
not only to be a meter to get word about the
nominee'straight opinions on wizard
education, but possibly uncovered an way out
of censorship that had been looked over
last year.

Following the debate a question and result
school term was held for those lucky few
Hogwarts student who had gotten to sit
in the Great Asaph Hall during the public debate. The
finis question was asked by sixth year
Ravenclaw Elizabeth II House of York. During the argumentation
Patricia Laurentis brought up the topic
of the investigation of Professor Tethys
Balladanis, previous Defense Against
the Dark fine art professor ( see clause on
forepart page ). House of York then questioned what
information had taught that according to
Laurentis “ endangered a bookman's life. ”

'I just question what information was being
taught because I'm a firm believer that
student should never be denied
information. If it was bad enough
to expose someone's life story, then certainly,
it should not be taught, but no one is
saying what the selective information was.'House of York
said in an audience following the
session.

After the question was asked, debate
moderator and Head of the Department for
the Regulation and Control of Magical
animal Walter Eckerton told the
campaigner 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 thaumaturgist who filed the complaint
thus launching the investigation of
Balladanis. When asked for a comment,
Eckerton said'I'm the Head of the
section for the ordinance and dominance
of Magical animate being. He had an Anamatek.
I was informed of the situation and had
to take action.'

The situation provided more questions
than result and it will be concern
to regain out whether this incident plays
a foster role in Apr's election.

Albus set down the newspaper and pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. Why did the Prophet have to print that ? It didn't seem 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 make things into a braggart deal so she can win more votes. politician turn the mere thing into huge deals. ”

“ I know, but still, ” Matt said as he picked through a pile of Bertie Bott's Every flavour Beans. “ It's like none of them realize that it's my liveliness they're making a big deal of. ”

“ Honestly, I don't think it's actually the data that hoi polloi want, ” rose wine said, looking up from her Potions textbook. “ Think about it. If someone were to leak out the entropy, and say that Balladanis was teaching so much about identifying werewolves that citizenry could figure out you were one, they'd have nil else to sing about- ”

“ Yeah, because they'd be talking about how there's a werewolf at Hogwarts, ” Matt said.

“ No, that's not what I meant, ” rosebush replied. “ They're interested in the handsome issue. The fact that there might be censorship at Hogwarts. They don't care what the information 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 agree that Balladanis had gone over the top. ”

“ I guess, ” mat said. “ But that's the thing, no one's going to really get it on what it is. ”

“ It'll all blow over soon enough, ” Albus said. “ Next argumentation's on law enforcement. Aurors, Azkaban, that form of matter, and Laurentis runs Azkaban. ”

Albus spent much of Sunday good afternoon on the Quidditch delivery, which was a receive succor from discussing the debate and the election and Percy and Laurentis. He loved his friends, but they all seemed to be able to hash out the election for geezerhood and he couldn't. Fred would have had them on the slant thirster, but Hufflepuff had reserved it for the eve.

The give-and-take of the censorship article seemed to calm down the future day, if only because a honest majority of the prof had all scheduled exam that day and everyone was busy with final stage hour studying. Albus had exams in both Herbology and Defense Against the Dark fine art, although the latter was really no unlike from the usual worksheets. Luckily there was no exam in care of Magical Creatures and then Albus had a release period.

Matt slept the stallion free period and up until dinner party in Leslie Townes Hope that he would be able to attend that night's detention. 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 dark's. He still looked absolutely exhausted even after the nap.

“ If we're doing anything outside I'll have to give, ” Matt said as the four male child made their way to Filch's study. “ merlin I hope it's not outside. ”

“ Me, too, ” privy said. “ Ground's horribly muddy after stopping point Night's storm. ”

“ Bet the squad will know that. ” Albus said They had practice that night and Albus was missing it.

The son continued their way through the rook until they made it to Filch's field. Albus knocked three meter and then stood back, waiting for the ancient caretaker to open the door.

Filch was holding his cat, Josie, in his weapon when he appeared in the threshold. He was scowling, the wrinkles on his grimace showing more than than ever, and looked thoroughly disgusted at having to supervise the boys'custody. He let the cat down on the soil and she took a swat at Kaden's robe before darting behind a nearby suit of armor.

“ You lot again, ” Filch muttered as he shut the threshold behind him, despite the fact that the four boy hadn't had a joint detention with Filch since second class. “ You're scrubbing the 2nd floor girl's toilet. With toothbrushes, of course. ” Filch reached into his pocket and pulled out four grubby toothbrushes.

“ That's Moaning Myrtle's toilet, ” Albus whispered to his friends as they distributed their cleansing implements and followed Filch down the corridor.

Filch shooed them into the bathroom and leaned against the door, his weapon system across his chest, and scowled at them as they began. Albus squatted down and began to cancel the base, John and Kaden doing the same. The three had agreed to make the detainment as easy as possible for Matt and thus left him the swallow hole.

Albus hadn't been scrubbing for more than two moment when he heard a splashing 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 can. Oh, but this clip you've been in problem, haven't you ? ”

“ Er, yes, ” Albus muttered.

“ This isn't for what you did to the Slytherin common room, is it ? ” Myrtle asked. “ Your crony 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 password “ invisibility cloak ” and hoped that Filch had had some hearing going in his old age. The last thing Albus needed was for the caretaker to know he had an invisibility Cloak.

“ I didn't know you were pranking the Slytherins, though, ” Myrtle continued. “ I like male child who pull caper, you know. ” Myrtle giggled again and floated closer to Albus, so close that his manus was now inside her arm. He moved it away.

“ You know, some days I hardly get any son coming in here, ” myrtle said as she floated towards John. “ And this yr there's so many. I think you should add up visit me more often. It gets lonely in here, you know. ”

“ Yeah, I imagine it's quite lonely, being stagnant, ” Kaden said.

Myrtle let out an ear-piercing screeching and started wailing. She sped past Albus and into one of the cubicle, where she plunged herself into the toilet.

“ spiritualist type, isn't she ? ” Kaden said.

There was another tatty splash and Vinca minor was suddenly right in front of Kaden. “ You would be too if you were dead ! ” she shouted.

“ But couldn't you leave the loo ? ” John asked. “ The former spook float about the palace all the time. ”

“ farewell the loo ? ” Myrtle repeated. “ leave of absence the loo ? ” She said a bit louder. “ But this is where I died ! I find it's best to think about my death rightfield here. Right where it happened. ”

“ Wouldn't it be less lonely with the other specter ? ” bathroom asked as he began to scrub one of the cubicle doors.

“ The other ghost don't understand, ” Myrtle lamented. “ They're all live up to being dead. Even the Grey madam and she's always seemed slightly execrable. But no, none of them are as suffering as me. ” Myrtle seemed gallant about that.

“ Wyrd, ” John muttered under his breath.

“ placidity ! ” Filch shouted. “ You're in detention. No talking. ”

Vinca minor resumed floating above the son, letting out a garish wail every so often. Kaden and Matt continued to scour the floor while lav scrubbed the stalls. Matt was still scrubbing the sinks, but was going very slowly and winced every so often.

“ You look miserable ! ” Myrtle exclaimed as Matt's paw slipped and he dropped his toothbrush. He bent down to plunk it up and leaned on the sink, squeezing his eyes shut. Myrtle floated down to hover just above the swallow hole next to him and smiled.

Matt said naught and turned from Vinca minor, to get started on the sink on the other English. Vinca minor followed. “ You know, I'm miserable here all the time. I just sit here and ruminate my death... ” myrtle continued.

Myrtle continued to follow Matt around the toilet while he was clearly trying to disregard her and put as much aloofness between them as possible. He had no luck with this since he was exhausted and Myrtle was a ghost. Albus caught John Lackland'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 cease. Albus's knees and hands were raw and he had a flavour he smelled strongly of cleaner. whoremaster and Kaden looked equally miserable and mat looked as bad as he did the morning after a full moon, only without the track and morsel. Vinca minor looked delighted at their misery.

“ sojourn me again soon ! ” she shouted after them as they left. “ Especially you, ” she added to Matt with another giggle.

“ mortal has a crush on you, ” John said to lusterlessness as soon as they were out of earshot of Filch.

“ Shut up, ” Matt muttered.

“ Matt and Myrtle, what an lovely couple you'd make, ” 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.

“ amercement, was only making a laugh, ” John replied.

The son walked in quiet the rest of the way to Gryffindor Tower. They did not come across anyone else, which Albus was grateful for since he was uncertain as to whether it was past curfew or not. Once back in Gryffindor, lusterlessness immediately went to the dormitory without saying another word to Albus, John, or Kaden.

“ Hope it's not cleaning tomorrow, ” can muttered as he sat down on the near chair and pulled up his pant leg. “ Look at that. My human knee's all red. ”

“ mates my finger, ” Kaden added.

Albus would gladly suffer through another day of Muggle cleaning if it meant the ease of the detentions would be called off. He was missing two Quidditch exercise and the last dueling recitation before the first duel. Some police chief he was, missing the final drill before their first tournament. Their last practice was Thursday evening and Albus would be off in detention, doing who knows what. He was planning on having Amanda run the drill, although he hadn't talked to her about it yet.

The door to the usual room opened and the Gryffindor Quidditch team, minus Albus of course, trouped in. They all looked muddy, exhausted, and sweaty and Albus felt a stab of guilt feelings as he watched them point up to the dormitories to shower.

“ Missed you, Al, ” Fred said as he passed. “ You're missing on Wed, too, aren't you ? ”

“ Yeah, ” Albus muttered. “ Sorry. ”

Fred nodded. “ Just don't do it right before a match. ”

That was at least fortunate, Albus thought. They wouldn't be playing in another Quidditch compeer until after the holidays, seeing as the following match was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. However, he couldn’t aid but find that missing dueling practice right before a tournament was worse than missing Quidditch praxis right before a match.
***


Albus's workweek did not improve the conform to day, when he began it with reduplicate potions. lusterlessness, feeling too ill to brew potions all sunup, stayed in the dormitory to slumber, leaving Scorpius Malfoy without a partner to brew that day's verruca Removal Potion. Even tough, Albus's cooperator was also not in class. Slughorn saw this as the perfect opportunity to pair Albus with Malfoy.

Albus set up his cauldron while Malfoy stalked off to the potions cupboard to get the ingredients. He returned a short spell later and began to hack a shrivelfig into perfectly sized opus. Albus took the rat irascibility, dumped it into the cauldron, and began to stir it.

“ Holy Writ is you and your friends got a hebdomad's detention for that frivolity, ” 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 didn't by luck get Thursday off from detention, did you ? ”

“ No, ” Albus muttered. He took a few deep breaths, trying to chill out himself down. He was stirring the cauldron far too quickly.

“ That's dueling exercise, ” Malfoy said, as if it had slipped Albus's creative thinker. “ Our own captain, missing praxis because of hold. I don't suppose you've found someone else to run praxis, have you ? ”

“ If you're angling for the job you're out of luck, ” Albus said as he threw another rat spleen into the cauldron with more force than was necessary. “ Amanda already said she'd do it. ” That wasn't necessarily honest, as Albus had slept too late that dawning to see Amanda at breakfast before they'd had to go down to the keep.

“ tagging program ? ” Malfoy scoffed. “ I think the captain ought to have at least some science at dueling. ”

“ Why does it matter so much ? ” Albus asked. “ It's one practice ! It's not like one exercise would arrive at you captain. ”

“ When the professors see what a better job of it I do- ”

“ One cause, Malfoy, ” Albus interrupted. “ Give me one reason why you should do it over Amanda. ”

Malfoy's facial expression broke out in a malicious smile. “ One cause ? The moonshine's going to be in an interesting stage tonight. ”

Albus lowered his vocalisation. “ You wouldn't. You can't. Kendrick would rout you. ”

“ Only if he knew it was me who spilled the beans, ” Malfoy pointed out.

Albus felt the blood drainpipe from his font. Why had he never thought of that ? Of trend there were ways Malfoy could let it slide without anyone knowing it was him. “ Fine, ” Albus muttered. “ Fine. You captain the team on Th. But just that day. I don't have detention on Sat afternoon. ”

“ carnival enough, ” Malfoy said, clearly satisfied at how things had turned out.

Albus took a Pastinaca sativa and began to chop it with as much force as he could muster, imagining Malfoy's smirking fount upon the veg's surface. Luckily, Malfoy did not say another Holy Writ to Albus throughout the integral form, which gave Albus the restraint not to hex him into next century after they left Slughorn's room.

The day continued in a downward spiral when Patil had them employment on transfiguring stinker into teacups and Albus's teacup ran across his table and crashed onto the story. Politics was no better because prof Embry had the course of study discuss the past Saturday's debate, something Albus just wanted to put behind him. He couldn't service but feel as if the total class was staring at him for the whole hr since Embry brought up the topic of his kidnapping and the release of Professor Balladanis.

Kendrick sent Albus, Matt, John, and Kaden an owl at dinner informing them that their hold would take place in Greenhouse Two, where professor Longbottom needed help transferring his flying dragon muck fertiliser from a Brobdingnagian pile outside to respective wad inside.

“ Disgusting ! ” whoremaster exclaimed upon reading the note. “ I get enough of that in Herbology. ”

“ At least we're with Longbottom and not Filch, ” Albus pointed out. “ lustrelessness will be missing this one, obviously. ”

John nodded. “ Where is he, by the way ? Haven't seen him all day. ”

“ Probably still in the dormitory. He was auditory sensation asleep when I went up there to grab my Transfiguration Koran at tiffin, ” Albus said.

Kaden glanced at his picket. “ We're not even going to sustain time to go back there before custody. It's six-thirty. ”

Albus set his fork down. He had been picking at his bitch swither, but not really eating it. He still hadn't told his Friend that Malfoy was going to be running his dueling practice later that week. Add that to the fact that now he wouldn't get to see lustrelessness before the full moonlight and it was just turning out to be an awful evening.

Rose seemed to take Albus's mind. “ We'll go chip on him after dinner, ” she said. Amanda nodded.

John and Kaden polished off the rest of their meal and then the three male child set off for the nursery. 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 blush wine and Amanda would manage to see him before he did.

Neville was waiting for them when they arrived, bearing four excavator and four sets of baseball mitt.

“ Matt can't come tonight, ” Albus said once they reached Neville.

Neville glanced at the sky. “ Oh, right. I'd forgotten. ” He handed the boys the power shovel and baseball mitt. “ All of this, ” he gestured to a boastfully pile of manure, “ needs to be moved into the pots in Greenhouse Two. You can leave once you're finished. ”

Albus groaned inwardly as he looked at the pile. It must have been at least six foot high and as big around as the broom shed near the Quidditch pitch. It would take them at least an hour. He sighed as he pulled on his baseball mitt and began to shovel the manure.

With all three boys working steadily it took them an hour and a half to move all the manure. When they finally finished all Albus wanted to do was go up to Gryffindor pillar and admit the world's longsighted shower. He felt high-risk than he did after a Quidditch practice in the pouring rain.

“ Two down, five to go, ” lavatory said after Neville parted direction with them on the bit floor. “ I'd never thought I'd say this, but I'd really like some lines. ”

“ I just wish they'd cancel Thursday's, ” Albus muttered.

“ Oh, right, what are you doing about your dueling practice ? ” John asked.

Albus felt anger boiling up in him again just thinking about it. “ Malfoy's pickings over for the practice. ”

“ Wait, seriously ? ” John exclaimed. “ But Amanda's on your team. She could have- ”

“ It's complicated, ” Albus muttered. For some reason he didn't want to get into why Malfoy was going to be captain for the night. “ And it's only for a night. ”

John gave Albus a foreign 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 have detainment on Thursday and omit that practice. I'll remind you that this prank was yours and Kaden's idea. Not mine. ”

“ I know, ” John Lackland said. “ But Malfoy... ” his phonation trailed off.

Albus spent a adept half hour in the shower once he returned to Gryffindor and then collapsed into bed, wishing that he could heat up and find out that the day had been an awfully dream. Instead, he dreamed that Professor Kendrick decided to take away Albus's captaincy and feed 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 don't own Harry Potter.


St. John got his indirect request the following even when the boys spent an hour doing blood with Professor Whitney Young, which was slightly senseless since Young paid absolutely no tending to them. After they were released, Albus, bathroom, and Kaden immediately went to the Hospital Wing, as they had been unable to visit flatness earlier in the day.

Madam Pomfrey was refilling potion bottles when they arrived a short while later. The mantle were drawn around Matt's usual bed while all the former beds remained empty.

“ Hello, boys, ” the nurse greeted them. “ I'll let you visit for ten min, but curfew's very soon. ”

Albus nodded and led lavatory and Kaden to Matt's bed, where he pulled back the mantle and entered the small area. Matt was laying in bed with a bandage around his remaining arm and another on his os frontale.

“ How are you feeling ? ” Albus asked.

“ Awful, ” matt replied. “ But I don't want to talk about it. What's new with you lot ? ”

“ Just did an hour of lines, ” John said. “ And terminal dark we had to shovel manure for Longbottom. You're lucky you missed that one. I swear I still smell like firedrake dung. ”

“ But now I have to do two detention by myself. Possibly three, ” Matt lamented.

“ three ? You're not going to get out of here tomorrow ? ” Kaden asked. Usually lustrelessness got out of the Hospital Wing two days after the full-of-the-moon moon.

“ I will, but it just depends on what the custody is. If it's lines then I can go but if it's cleaning again then I'll have to skip over it. brothel keeper Pomfrey wants me to rest tomorrow. ”

“ Can't think of what else they'd have us do, ” trick said. “ dead reckoning what else ? Albus is having Malfoy run his dueling squad's practice tomorrow since he'll be in detention. ”

“ You're what ? ! ” Matt 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 other citizenry on your team, ” Matt pointed out. “ One of them could have captained it. ”

“ As I told privy and Kaden, it's complicated, ” Albus said. “ And it won't happen again. ”

Matt shrugged, but he didn't seem convinced. The last thing Albus wanted to do was assure him the veridical reason why Malfoy was going to run the practice. Matt didn't need that on his plate.

“ meter's up ! ” Madam Pomfrey announced as she brought a tray of potions to lusterlessness. “ hurry back to Gryffindor. The net thing the three of you need is another detention. ”

As it turned out, there were other things that the professors thought of for the boys'detentions. Th evening they cleaned cauldron without legerdemain in prof Slughorn's schoolroom, something that Madam Pomfrey forbade Matt from doing, insisting that he plough in too soon instead. Albus spent the intact detention thinking about what Malfoy was doing with his dueling squad and counting down the proceedings until he would be able to ask Amanda about it.

“ He was really filthy, ” Amanda said once the boys were back in the usual elbow room after hold. Amanda had gotten out of dueling practice session before they'd finished hold. “ A few of the second 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 second years ! ”

“ I tried to tell him that, but he didn't attention, ” Amanda said. “ He even yelled at a Slytherin. ”

“ Seriously ? ” Albus said. “ Wow. ”

“ I'm really sword lily Longbottom made you captain and not him, ” Amanda continued. “ I think I'd quit otherwise. ”

“ I would've quit if he was on my team, period, ” Saint John said.

“ He wouldn't last as captain anyway, ” Amanda pointed out. “ prof Cedonia was supervising and she had to tell him to chant it down about five multiplication and then once one of the sec years was close to tears, she called an end to the practice. ”

Albus couldn't help but sense a bit of satisfaction that Malfoy made such a bad headwaiter, despite the fact that he did feel bad for his teammates. He doubted Malfoy would stop insisting that he should have been made maitre d'hotel, but Albus doubted anything would arrest that.

Saturday brought with it a loud electrical storm that rendered it nearly impossible to hear what anyone was saying in the Great vestibule at breakfast. Albus was quite happy that Fred had not scheduled a Quidditch recitation for that day, but hoped that the storm would sedate down by the time the tournament began since his team would demand to be able to hear each early speak.

Malfoy was already seated at squad Seven's slur at the Hufflepuff mesa when Albus arrived later that afternoon. He was pleased to see that the respite of the squad was giving him a wide slip, including a few of the jr. Slytherins.

“ Albus ! ” one of the minute 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 quick ? ”

There was a chorus of “ yes's ” and a few nods of heads from Albus's team. The last few duelers ran into the room and snagged the last-place few seats, which were unfortunately adjacent to Malfoy.

Albus glanced at his ticker. Five minutes until the tournament began. He felt like he should piss some form of spoken communication, like all of his Quidditch captains did before matches. But what was he supposed to say ?

“ Er, well, here we are. The number one tourney, ” Albus began. “ You are all excellent dueller, each and every one of you. We've all been practicing hard and you've all made great improvements. We're going to do great, but remember, just have fun. But if you remember what you've learned and duel like you do in practice, I think we can definitely win this. ”

The residual of his squad ( sans Malfoy ) gave a hearty cheer and then turned to professor Longbottom, who had just called for attention. Albus's team immediately quieted down.

“ Welcome to the first dueling tournament ! ” Neville announced. “ It will run as it has in the past times, with two duel happening simultaneously. Professor Cedonia is coming around with the tournament schedule, which will be given to each captain. Please pay attention and have intercourse when you are to duel. Everyone will duel twice. prof Cedonia and I will each preside over a dueling rope and will denote the winners. The first person to disarm their resister will be given a stop. Remember, you are only allowed to use spell you have learned in your classes. The first duels will depart momentarily. ”

professor Cedonia handed Albus a piece of music of sheepskin and he set it down while his team crowded around him. “ I think it'll be easier for me to let you recognise 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 listing and noticed that he was the tenth duel in Neville's ring 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 leaning and figuring out when everyone should be dueling. After a few duels, he managed to get the bent of it.

“ Malfoy, ” Albus said. “ You're up in two duels, in Cedonia's ring. ”

Malfoy nodded, but didn't say anything. He had not said a watchword the entire tournament, which was very uncharacteristic, and the eternal sleep of the team seemed to be set on ignoring him.

Albus handed the listing to Amanda and headed to Neville's dueling ring, where he was set to duel whoremaster. Two Hufflepuffs from other squad 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 potter versus whoremaster Brickston. ”

Albus and bathroom gave each other apologetic grinning before bowing and raising their scepter, waiting for Neville's okay.

“ Ready, affaire d'honneur ! ” Neville shouted.

Albus immediately sent a leg-locker curse at John the Divine, who easily deflected it. John sent the same at Albus who also avoided it. Albus continued sending piece at John, who kept avoiding them, until he finally got hit with a Jelly-legs Curse and nearly lost his ground. In the clock time it took him to execute the counter-curse, Albus was able to hit him with Petrificus Totalus.

“ Expelliarmus ! ” Albus shouted as John fell over. He caught John's verge in his right hand and then turned to Neville, who was smiling.

“ Point to team VII ! ”

Neville performed the counter-curse on lav and the two boys left the ring. Albus headed back to his table, where Malfoy was just heading to Cedonia's dueling ring.

Malfoy dueled a secondly class and won within two minutes. He was smirking as he walked back to the Hufflepuff table, but he returned to mediocre applause. It seemed that the rest of the team was still acerbic about Th's practice.

The relief of the tournament went well. Both Albus and Malfoy won their s duels, although Malfoy had a lot more difficultness since he dueled a fellow quaternary year.

“ Attention, I'd like to announce the winner ! ” Neville shouted a poor while after the last duel. The entire way immediately quieted and looked up at Neville. “ Thank you. In third seat with 44 stage is squad four ! ”

sunniness erupted from the Ravenclaw tabular array, where Team quartet was currently seated. Once they quieted down, Neville spoke. “ In second plaza with 52 full stop is Team septenary ! ”

The balance of Albus's team began to call and cheer, but Albus was too stunned to do much of anything. He couldn't believe it ! His first ever tournament as captain and his team had gotten second lieu ! A few people slapped him on the back and he broke out into a grin.

“ And in first situation, with 55 points is Team Six ! ” Neville announced.

There were cheers from the other end of the Hufflepuff board, 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 excitation and chattering and it continued even after they got up and began to leave the way. Albus was anxious to get back to Gryffindor tower where he could celebrate his near win with his friends.

“ Nice going, thrower, ” Malfoy spat as soon as they left the Great Hall. “ I bet if I were the captain we would've won. ”

“ We got second, ” Albus replied. “ That's really good. ”

“ commencement would've been better, ” Malfoy muttered. “ I'm amazed we even got s considering how frightfully you are at practices. ”

“ Better than you, ” Albus said. “ No one liked your praxis on Thursday. Did you notice 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.

“ Well it doesn't much thing because I'm the captain and you're not, ” Albus said as he toyed with his wand, which he was still brandishing in his left deal.

“ For now, ” Malfoy replied, eyeing Albus's sceptre. “ If you keep getting in worry I bet they'll replace you. ”

“ C'mon, Albus. ” lusterlessness had appeared next to Albus. “ Let's get back to the vulgar room. ”

“ better listen to him. ” Malfoy gave a abruptly joke. “ You'd think it'd the other way around, though. Him attacking me rather than you. But I suppose that would only be in a certain meter of- ” Malfoy glared knowingly at Matt.

“ Shut up ! And take away that back, ” Albus seethed, raising his wand.

“ Seriously, Albus, let's go ! ” lusterlessness grabbed the back of Albus's robes and pulled him towards the staircase.

“ Evil git, ” Albus muttered, looking back at the crowd in the entranceway anteroom. Malfoy was already gone. “ Why does he always have to play it up like that ? ”

“ It doesn't matter, ” Matt said.

“ Of course it matters ! ” Albus said indignantly. “ It's insulting ! ”

“ I'm used to it, ” Matt said quietly.

“ So what ? ” Albus exclaimed. “ That doesn't mean you should deliver to spend the repose of Hogwarts having him bring it up every day. ”

“ And you hexing him would have solved everything ? ” Matt asked. “ You just would've gotten another detention. ”

“ Would've been worth it, ” Albus muttered.

“ No, it wouldn't have, ” lustrelessness argued. “ You've just got to ignore him. I ignore him. ”

“ I really hope that adjacent class he's not on my dueling team, ” Albus said.

“ I don't think he will. Didn't they go back to theater teams for dueling for fifth through one-seventh years this twelvemonth ? ” Matt asked.

“ Did they ? ” Albus asked.

“ That's what one of the sixth geezerhood said, ” Matt answered.

“ good, ” Albus said. “ Then I just have to abide through this year. ”

Albus and lustrelessness were the last of their friends to get back to Gryffindor, where it appeared that no one was doing preparation. James had set a few fireworks off out the window and everyone was watching them while eating record upon platters of cookie.

“ What are you lot celebrating ? ” Albus asked James River as he took a biscuit.

St. James the Apostle shrugged. “ Just the fact that we've got a Saturday with nix to do. Well, Cedric, Ben, Nathan, and I that is. ”

“ Where have you two been ? ” blush wine asked as she walked up to Albus and matte. John the Divine and Kaden were behind her, a biscuit in each hand.

“ Al nearly got into a duel with Malfoy in the Entrance manse, ” Matt explained.

“ Albus ! ” Amanda exclaimed. “ You can't get anymore detention ! ”

“ I know, but he said something really vile, ” Albus said and turned to John. “ You would've hexed him. ”

“ What did he say ? ” rosiness asked.

“ He said that he was surprised I wasn't attacking him, ” Matt said quietly.

“ You're right, ” John growled. “ I would've hexed him. ”

“ See ? ” Albus said.

“ And I told you that it wasn't worth detention over, ” mat repeated.

“ But if it continues, ” Rose said, “ you've got to tell Kendrick. ”

“ I'm not telling Kendrick, ” lusterlessness insisted. “ I think he's got enough to worry about with the possibility of the entire school getting changed if Laurentis wins this election. ”
***


“ Why in the figure of Merlin are we doing detainment in the wood ? ” Kaden asked at breakfast the undermentioned break of day.

“ Seriously, ” lav agreed. “ That's not really detention, is it ? The forest is coolheaded. 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 woodland once, ” Matt said. “ She had to harvest these works Slughorn needed and they could only be harvested the Night of the broad moon. ”

“ Well that's one detainment you'll never have to do. ” Saint John the Apostle laughed.

“ Maybe we have to reap some other kind of plant ? ” matte suggested, ignoring John's comment.

“ Dunno. ” Albus shrugged. The letter 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 nighttime, ” Rose pointed out.

The few minute Albus and his Friend had until detention went by rather quickly. They spent the hours in the commons room alternating doing homework while participating in very large turn of Exploding snap with nearly all of Albus and rosebush's cousin. Everyone was covered in ash by the metre three o'clock rolled around and the boy had to run up to their dormitory to wash out 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 detainment with Hagrid could possibly be considered hold. Perhaps professor Kendrick was unaware that Albus and his champion visited Hagrid every so often and relish disbursal metre with him.

Hagrid was already international when Albus and the former three boy 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 simpleton custody today. We'll be collectin'unicorn tail hairs. ”

“ Like getting them from unicorns ? ” Kaden asked. “ I thought they didn't like boys. ”

Hagrid gave a thriving laugh. “ No, no, Kaden. It'd be a crime to take'em right from the unicorn, wouldn'it. No, we'll be gettin'& # 039 ; em from George Walker Bush 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 wood. Collecting unicorn hair. That wasn't bad at all. But still, it was the forest and that was where Washburn and Willinson had spent a lot of their prison term the premature year. They wouldn't be back there, would they ? Obviously Washburn and Quinton Willinson were in Azkaban, but what about Quinton's don ? Where was he ?

“ What do we need unicorn fuzz for ? ” John asked as they entered the timberland. “ 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. Seventh years are brewing somethin'that needs unicorn hairsbreadth so professor Kendrick volunteered you four to call for'em. Slughorn's too old to do it himself. ”

“ That's for surely, ” John muttered to Albus.

It was very dark-skinned in the forest, despite the fact that it was day. All four boys lit their scepter and Hagrid's pink umbrella was providing to a greater extent igniter than two verge combined. Hagrid had told them that they wouldn't find any hair until they were at least fifteen min into the woodland since unicorns rarely ventured near the edge.

The wood was very dense and it was difficult for them to walk next to each other. Soon, they were forced to walk bingle file through a very small path that was riddled with tree subdivision and rocks. Albus stumbled every so often and matt managed to devolve over three times before anyone found any unicorn buttocks hair's-breadth. Galloping hooves could be heard in the distance and Albus figured they were centaurs. His dad had told him that there was a ruck of centaurs in the forest, although Albus had never seen one before.

“ Here we are, ” Hagrid said after what had been at least a XX minute walk. He gestured to a nearby George Bush. “ Jus'have a look around here and I'm sure we'll find plenty. This is a cognise expanse where unicorns live. Don'roam too far. ”

Hagrid had provided them all with buckets in which to collect the hair. Albus set off for the close George H.W. Bush and found a few pilus snagged in the branches.

“ Last detention, ” St. John said as he worked alongside Albus. “ Thank Merlin. ”

“ Speak for yourself, ” Matt called out from a Tree a few meter away.

“ Do you screw what you have to do for your side by side single ? ” Albus asked.

“ Lines, all three dark, ” lusterlessness said. “ Easier, I suppose, than coming up with anything else when it's just me. ”

“ just than cleaning bathrooms again. Or digging up flying dragon droppings, ” Kaden said. “ Whoa, I just found a unit clump of hair. ”

After they'd been working for a half 60 minutes Hagrid decided that they'd collected enough. They set off re-tracing their steps through the wood. Albus found it a little less scary on the pass back and he wasn't sure whether it was because he had gotten used to the stochasticity or because he could see the sunlight at the edge. He was very relieved to feel that he did not see Jarrett Willinson anywhere in the forest, although now that the custody was passed he realized that Willinson wouldn't go back there now that the Christ's Resurrection Stone was no thirster there. No, Willinson was most likely still in 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 guy are awing ! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. NaNo gave way to a frantic finishing of all the papers I'd neglected during November. But I won NaNo and classes are over so I'm hoping to get a good bit of writing done within the next month.


The concluding few calendar week of Nov provided the Hogwarts students and faculty with a much needed period of composure. The next election argumentation would not take topographic point until December and the the censoring at Hogwarts topic seemed to have died out, with the Daily Prophet no longer publishing articles on it. Both Quidditch and dueling tourney were over for the full term, leaving the students with a bit more time to devote to their study. The next Hogsmeade visit was scheduled for the 2d Sat in December, a week before terminal figure ended.

Albus enjoyed the humdrum of those few week. His years were filled with homework, Quidditch practice, and dueling pattern. Team Seven was very happy to have Albus back as their captain and most continued to ignore Malfoy during praxis. Malfoy still reserved a extra spotlight of hatred for Albus and his protagonist, but he did not attempt to depart anymore duels in the corridor, like he had after the dueling tournament.

December arrived with a nose candy violent storm that caused the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to strike down two of their practices. This gave Fred the chance to Quran the pitch for two extra exercise, something that earned him a healthy dose of U-No-Poo in his morning pumpkin succus courtesy of King James and Bradley. Albus was happy to see that the job of school prankster had been rightfully returned to James and his friends. The workweek of detentions had certainly dissuaded Albus from planning anymore buffoonery. The Lapplander could not be said for John and Kaden, who were plotting something, although Albus did not know what.

Albus, Matt, and Amanda spent the first Saturday of December ignoring their homework in the vulture's Den. The Slytherin team had the sales talk for the entire day, which gave Albus a much needed break from Quidditch. bathroom and Kaden's location would probably only be found with the marauder's Map and Rose was tutoring in the library.

There was a loud squawk from outside the room, 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 storey and flopped down on the couch.

“ I'm worried about Elsie, ” blush wine said.

“ Elsie... ” Albus prompted.

“ Elsie Willinson ! ” she exclaimed. “ The first year I've been tutoring all year. ”

“ Oh yeah, the one with the idiot for a brother and a first cousin and uncle who want to add back Voldemort. Yeah, I'd be worried, too, ” Albus said as he returned to his game.

“ No, I'm not worried about her pillock brother. I'm worried about her. ”

“ What, is she still failing all her subjects ? ” Matt asked.

“ No, she's actually doing practically better, ” Rose said. “ She's just very unruffled. She never talk about anything other than homework- ”

“ Sounds like you. ” Albus turned around and grinned at his cousin. “ Although you're not quiet. ”

“ I'm serious, Albus, ” pink wine said flatly. “ Her brother walks her to the library for our sitting 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 ? ” Rose said. “ Amanda thinks it's weird. ”

“ So she's shy. ” Albus shrugged. “ I just don't see what it's got to do with you. ”

“ It doesn't really, ” Rose said quietly. “ But if she's having yield. We all know about her family. If her comrade's keeping an eye on her there must be a reason. ”

Albus hadn't thought about it that way. What if Felix Willinson was trying to stay fresh an eye on his sis ? “ If she's doing something her category doesn't like I bet she's going against something they want. ”

“ That's what I thought, ” rosiness agreed. “ Which means she's trying to do something good. Or he's trying to make believe sure she doesn't spill family secrets. ”

“ You think they have to a greater extent category secrets than just wanting Voldemort back ? ” lusterlessness asked.

“ Of course they do, ” Rose said. “ We only found out last year that they were related by marriage ceremony to Lubar. I mean, you never would've guessed that in first or second gear year. ”

matt shuddered. “ Probably a beneficial thing that I didn't. I probably would hold refused to follow to Hogwarts. ”

“ to the highest degree pure-blooded folk like them have dark mystery, ” Albus said as he fiddled with a Gobstone. It squirted him in the face and he rubbed the liquid on his robes. “ The ones that want the blood to remain perfect and stuff. Like the Malfoys. ”

“ And I'd bet my death Galleon that Elsie Willinson found out one of those secrets and wants to tell mortal, ” Rose 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 poky, what's he going to do ? ”

“ You're forgetting about Lubar, ” lusterlessness said darkly.

Rose got up and started walking around the elbow room. “ To be honorable, I don't know how much he's going to be involved, especially if this going to claim spot in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Think about it, live on year he had the alibi 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 outdo interest to be trying to get back Voldemort. ”

“ That didn't even work, ” Albus cut in. “ They can't bring him back, even a trace of him, with the Resurrection Stone. ”

“ Jarret Willinson was a Ministry official, ” lustrelessness pointed out.

“ He was a escritoire for the Obliviator office. That's a piffling different from a Head position, ” rose explained. “ Lubar has more to lose. ”

“ I say we try and figure out what Elsie's keeping surreptitious and I bet it'll have 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 rosiness is tutoring her. ” Albus turned to rosebush. “ You think you could try and get her to open up ? ”

“ Well she's not going to just add up out and say me. I can try, but it'll take a while, ” blush wine said.
***


Albus told John and Kaden about the conversation about Elsie later that night. John proclaimed that he knew something had been weird about that daughter from the moment they had seen her at the offset of the class. Both son agreed that they needed to retrieve out what it was she was keeping secret. Albus then asked them what prank they were planning, but John the Divine and Kaden mysteriously went muted as soon as Albus brought the topic up.

Albus laid awake that Nox for a tenacious time thinking about Elsie Willinson. He could not shake the persona of her with Felix and Malfoy in the beginning of the year from his creative thinker. She had looked so timid and ingenuous, far too innocent and Brigham Young to be involved with anything like what her family was involved with. In fact, she reminded him a bit of Lily, although he wasn't surely why since Lily was anything but cautious.

Morning arrived shortly after Albus had fallen asleep and despite the fact that he'd only have a few hr sleep, he got up around six and decided to get a bit of reading done in the vernacular room. He knew he wouldn't be able to come back asleep.

Upon arriving in the vernacular room, Albus thought he was still dreaming. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to try and arouse up, but it was no use. He was in fact awake. The image before his centre was real, and it was sore to look at.

The Gryffindor usual elbow room was no longer red and atomic number 79. It was now decked out in green and silver grey. The comfy lounge and death chair were gone and had been replaced instead with standard classroom chairman. versatile banners were hung up in the room that depicted snakes. In fact, the Gryffindor common room now looked exactly as Albus imagined the Slytherin usual elbow room to look, except for it not being under the lake.

However, the sheer Slytherin-ness of the common room was not the unearthly change, by a long shooting. The strangest new addition to the Gryffindor common room was a grey and Andrew D. White goat. It was standing in the middle of the room, its head down and buried in a book. The thing about goats, though, was that they did not enjoy books the way people did. Goats ate books. This caprine animal was currently munching on The monetary standard Christian Bible of patch : Grade Two. Albus's eyes drifted from the goat and around the elbow room again, where he now noticed leftover of early books, quills, prep, and even a cloak.

The goat looked up and stared at Albus. It let out a bleat and then went back to the Word of God. Albus crept a piddling closer and noticed that a augury was affixed to the goat. It said'The Gryffindor Capricorn the Goat : Gryffindor's new mascot. Gifted by the Slytherins. side by side time, guess twice about putting chickens in our uncouth room.'

Albus stood in the midriff of the room, his stare alternating from the goat to the tone and back again. A goat ? That didn't even make any sense. Not only that, they were clearly trying to re-create John and Kaden's prank. And changing the elbow room into a Slytherin room ? It was horrifying, absolutely horrifying.

Albus tore his eyes away from the Goat and ran back up the spiral staircase until he got to his own dormitory. He flicked on the lights and Ethan, the clean sleeper of the lot, 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 dawn ! ” 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 John up and then the two of them woke Matt up while Bilius and Ethan went down to the mutual room. Their shouts of anger could be heard all the way in the dormitory.

“ What is it ? ” John the Evangelist asked as he and matte followed Albus back down the stairs.

“ The Slytherins have had their revenge, ” Albus said, handing lavatory the promissory note.

Albus took a detour to the third base year's dormitory to get Kaden up. Kaden's roommates got up as well and soon there was a large crowd in the common way. By the meter Albus entered the elbow room again, the first, second, and sixth geezerhood were all there. The seventh and fifth years were right behind him.

The rough-cut room was in topsy-turvydom. Epistle of James, Cedric, and Nathan were inspecting the goat. The prefects were all congregated in one billet, clearly trying to figure out what to do. A quarter of the scholar were standing fixed, with looks of horror on their faces. Another quarter were laughing, despite the fact that the prank had happened in Gryffindor. Hugo was wrestling the caprine animal for the copy of the Standard leger of while : Grade Two, which evidently was his.

The girls'dormitory room door opened and all the Gryffindor girls flooded out of it. blush wine and Amanda made their way over to Albus and the respite of the boys, who were receiving numerous stares and brilliance from their fellow bookman. Clearly a few of them were blaming Albus and his acquaintance for the Slytherins'need for revenge.

“ What in the name of Merlin happened ? ” Rose asked.

John handed her the musical note. “ The Slytherins have had their revenge. ”

“ Malfoy ? ” Amanda asked.

“ No way to recognize, is there ? ” Albus replied.

“ It's got to be, though, ” privy said. “ No one else hates us like he does. ”

“ I bet a lot of Slytherins wanted retaliation, ” blush wine said.

“ All right wing, lull everyone ! ” Albus's full cousin, gull, shouted over the crowd. He was one of the sixth year Prefects. “ You're all to get back up to your dormitories. I'm going to bring prof Longbottom. Who's the one who first saw this ? ”

“ I did, ” Albus announced.

Mark sighed, as if cerebration he should have known. “ Al, stay down here. The rest period of you, back upstair.

Rose handed Albus the promissory note back and she and the rest period of Albus's ally turned to go back to their dormitories. There was a general muttering and whispers as everyone left. Soon, the common room was discharge except for Albus, the Capricorn the Goat, and the six Prefects. Mark left in order to go get professor Longbottom.

The Prefects whispered amongst themselves while soft touch was gone. Albus stood off to the side, as he did not know the Prefects very well. He recognized a few as ally of his cousin-german.

crisscross returned ten hour later with prof Longbottom in tow. The herbology prof froze in mid-step when he entered the elbow room. His regard shifted from the new article of furniture to the goat to the streamer and back to the goat.

“ Albus discovered it, ” Mark said.

Longbottom turned to Albus. “ And it looked like this when you found it ? ”

“ Mostly, ” Albus answered. “ The Goat had been chewing on one of Victor-Marie Hugo's leger so he took that. And somebody's cloak had been here, but it was a Gryffindor cloak. ”

Longbottom sighed. “ All rightfield, 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 get hold any clues to visualize out who it was. ”

Albus reluctantly went back up to his residence hall, where he found not only all of his roommate but Kaden as well, discussing the harlequinade. They all turned to Albus when he entered.

“ breakthrough anything out ? ” whoremonger asked.

“ Nope, ” Albus answered. “ The Prefects are helping Professor Longbottom go through everything for clues. ”

The son whiled away the fourth dimension until breakfast by trading Chocolate frog placard, playing rung of Exploding walkover, 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.

Mark knocked on their doorway a few hours later and told them they were free to get up and go to breakfast. Albus woke Matt up and the boy went back down to the common way. It looked normal once more. All remnants of the Slytherins were gone and the goat was nowhere in great deal. The classroom chairs had disappeared and the regular comfy couches were back. Albus was relieved to see their vernacular way back to its usual United States Department of State, although that did nothing to gratify his curiosity about who had done it.

“ enquire what they did with the goat, ” Kaden said as they walked down tot he Great Hall.

“ Probably gave it to Aberforth, ” Matt said.

“ Aberforth ? ” Kaden asked.

“ Dumbledore's brother. He owns the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade. hold Capricorn the Goat in his pub. Wyrd bloke, ” matt answered.

“ He keeps goats ? In his pub ? ” Kaden repeated. “ Do they just wander around ? ”

“ Yeah, ” lusterlessness said.

The Great Hall was populated only by Gryffindor educatee, which did not surprise Albus in the slightest given the early hour and the fact that it was Sunday. The professors were all up having breakfast and were whispering amongst themselves. No doubt that Longbottom had told them about the joke. Slughorn in peculiar looked unnerved.

Rose convinced the rest period of the group that it would be a full theme to head to the program library after breakfast to choose advantage of the fact that it would be vacuous. Albus had a few essays that he'd neglected and John and Kaden needed to bring in up some new prediction for Trelawney.

After a few minute of studying Albus felt his aid start to wander. The library had filled up since they had arrived and Madam Pince was watching over the place like a war hawk. The door opened and Albus was surprised to see Elsie Willinson paseo in, followed by her pal and Scorpius. Scorpio's eyes met Albus's and he veered from his fiddling group in club to waltz over to Albus.

“ How's your rough-cut way ? ” he asked with a smirk.

“ Is that a confession ? ” Albus replied as he stood up.

“ Of course not. It's all over the schooltime. Everyone knows that your common room looked like an university extension of mine this morning. And that goat, I heard it ate a few Quran. Serves you right after what you lot did to ours, ” Malfoy said.

“ We know you did it, Malfoy, ” Gospel According to John said. “ Just waiting for the prof to prove it. ”

“ If I did do it, and I'm not saying I did, I wouldn't have left any evidence like you idiots obviously did. ”

“ We didn't, ” can said flatly. “ Albus confessed to write his cousin and brother who had been wrongly accused. ”

“ How noble. ” Malfoy laughed.

“ Just tell apart me one affair, ” Albus said. “ How did you get into the park room ? ” That was what had been bothering Albus the most. He and his acquaintance had used the invisibility Cloak to project out the Slytherin password, but how had Malfoy done it ? As far as he knew he did not feature an Invisibility Cloak.

“ I didn't, ” Malfoy said. “ And if I did I wouldn't tell you how I did it. ” With one more public eye at Albus, the Slytherin walked away towards the table that Felix and Elsie had found.

“ How did he get into our common room ? ” Albus asked as he sat back down.

“ No idea, ” Matt said.

“ I'm betting he threatened a first twelvemonth into telling him what it was, ” toilet said. “ Wouldn't put it past him. ”

“ You don't know it was him, ” Amanda pointed out.

“ They're never going to find out who it was, either, ” pink wine said. “ Not unless they confess like you did. Otherwise no one would've found out it was you. ”

“ surmise it doesn't really matter at this point. ” Albus sighed. “ They've had their revenge. ”

“ Which means it's time for ours, ” Kaden said as he grinned at John.

Rose groaned. “ Really ? It's just going to turn into a huge put-on war if you have revenge. ”

“ That's the point, ” John replied.

If John Lackland and Kaden were trying to pop out a prank war Albus didn't want any part of it. He had had enough detentions for a lifetime and did not desire spending anymore of his Hogwarts vocation scrubbing bathrooms or doing short letter. Albus sighed and returned to his recitation. King John and Kaden got up and left the library, presumably to work on on their next clowning.

Later that day at dinner Professor Kendrick gave a very stern lecture to the total school day about breaking ruler, especially the rules about not entering vulgar rooms that were not yours. It was very similar to the talk he gave after the chicken antic, except this time Albus could narrate that the headmaster was even more than angry. Albus kept glancing at Malfoy during the address but the Slytherin boy did not take care guilty at all. In fact he seemed disinterested in Kendrick's speech.

The talk of Gryffindor's Goat ( as the prank had now been dubbed ) died down by the centre of the calendar week. Most of the castle was excited about the approaching Hogsmeade slip and then the wintertime holiday. Professor Longbottom sent around a sign-up sheet for those bookman who wished to stay home during the holiday, although none of Albus's friends signed it.

“ I've always wondered what it would be like to stay, ” Gospel According to John said as Professor Longbottom passed by.

“ Me too, ” Albus agreed. “ But my parents already said I can't this class since there's some big Ministry Yule party we've got to go to. For the election and all. ”

“ Lapplander here, ” Matt said. “ We're not even going to Australia because of it. ”

“ Wow, that's the endorse year in a row, ” Albus replied.

Matt nodded. “ My grandparents are coming here and then we're visiting them over the summer. ”

“ I think we should all stay side by side yr, ” Kaden said. “ Then I can go a solid school yr without seeing my grandparents. Or Aunt Marge. ”

Albus agreed that that was a full reason to persist at Hogwarts over the holiday. “ Yeah, that would be fun. My dad says the palace's great at Christmas. ”

“ It would be matter to to see what Christmas is like, ” Amanda said. Amanda's family was Jewish and celebrated Hanukah.

“ You're welcome to fare to our grandparents'house for Christmas this year, ” rosebush suggested.

Amanda grinned. “ I'll ask my parents. I'm sure they'll say yes since Hanukkah was early this twelvemonth and I've already missed it anyway. ”

“ rose, you've got Wiley Post, ” Albus said, gesturing to blush wine's family's owl, which had just landed on the table.

“ Oh, thoroughly ! ” Rose said as she ripped open the letter. She scanned it for a present moment before smiling widely. “ I won't be going to Hogsmeade with you. ”

“ You won't be ? ” Albus gave her a teasing 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 ? ” whoremonger 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 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 test are run. I think it's going to be the most matter to one since both Uncle Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis have already hinted at their views on that topic. ”

That was for sure. This public debate would probably be even more explosive than the one on pedagogy. “ You'll have to let us know all the details, ” Albus said.

“ Oh I will, ” blush wine replied. “ It's why I wanted to go. I'd rather not learn everything back handwriting from the Prophet. ”

She had a breaker point there, Albus thought. Although he was beaming that Rose was the one going and not him. As often as he thought the election was worry, he'd rather be in Hogsmeade with his friends than sitting in a court 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 than often.


The calendar week leading up to the Hogsmeade head trip dragged by very slowly. Albus was certain that Wed in item was at to the lowest degree twice as long as a normal day and by the time Friday finally decided to make an appearance Albus was sure enough he would go insane from all the homework he had to complete. Tues had been the full-of-the-moon moon, but luckily Matt left the infirmary wing Th afternoon and had been cleared by dame Pomfrey to go to Hogsmeade.

When Sabbatum arrived there was a welcome good luck in the blizzard that had blanketed the Hogwarts grounds in two feet of Charles Percy Snow. 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, Matt, and John quickly dressed and met Kaden and Amanda in the commons room.

Fred accosted Albus as he was about to leave. “ Albus ! Glad I found you. I booked the pitch for today at three since there's a happy chance in the storm. ”

“ But Fred, it's Hogsmeade today, ” Albus pointed out. As much as he loved Quidditch, Hogsmeade misstep were rare affair and he had Christmas shopping to do.

“ Exactly ! ” Fred exclaimed. “ So none of the other teams have booked the pitching. It's booked self-coloured the rest of the calendar week and we need another practice in before break starts. ”

Albus sighed. Fred was right, of form. He glanced at his lookout man. It was noon, so if they hurried through dejeuner he would still ingest a dear two hour in the Village. “ All right field. I'll see you at three. ”

“ Excellent, ” Fred said. “ Just have to find St. James the Apostle.... ”

Amanda snorted and started laughing. Fred, who had turned to leave, stopped and looked back at her. “ What ? ”

Albus, whoremaster, lusterlessness, and Kaden also looked questioningly at Amanda.

“ Oh, I guess I forgot to recite you, ” Amanda began. “ Rose and I were in the library last week and overheard James asking some Hufflepuff fifth year out. They're going to Hogsmeade together today. ”

Fred burst out laughing. “ waiting, St. James the Apostle has a date ? ”

“ James asked a girl out in the library ? ” Albus joined Fred in his laughter.

“ Don't tell him that Rose and I overheard him, ” Amanda said. “ He'd slaying 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 dame Puddifoot's because I don't fancy going in there to tell him about practice. ”

Albus was still laughing about the idea of Epistle of James asking a girl out in the library of all stead. He wondered who the Hufflepuff was. Maybe he'd manage to view a coup d'oeil of them in Hogsmeade together.

“ He's not actually going to leave behind her to go to Quidditch practice session, ” Amanda shouted after Fred as he left the rough-cut way.

“ He will if the particular date's going poorly, ” Fred shouted back and disappeared into the corridor.

“ fountainhead let's hurry up and get to Hogsmeade, ” Albus said. “ I want to see if I can figure out who this young lady is. ”

Albus hurried out of the common way followed by his friend. They ate a very step on it lunch in the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall and then ran outside and down the path to Hogsmeade. As they neared the village Albus kept his eyes peeled for his sidekick.

“ Where to first ? ” lusterlessness asked.

“ Weasleys & # 039 ;, ” bathroom and Kaden said together.

Albus and Matt shared a coup d'oeil. They should accept known. They followed Saint John and Kaden as the two prankish boys led the way to Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes.

The shop was packed to capacity as it always was on Hogsmeade weekends. Albus waved to his Uncle George who was behind the heel counter ringing people up as fast as the trough would let him. Teddy was working that weekend and was restocking a ledge of Skiving Snackboxes. John and Kaden each grabbed two as the male child passed.

Albus grabbed a few Extendable ear as his seemed to have disappeared and a box of Deluxe Whizbangs for James for Christmastide. He joined the long queue at the till and was joined by John and Kaden who each had arms overflowing with ware. Matt and Amanda weren't buying anything and were playing with a few pigmy whiff that were in a cage in the movement 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. gentlewoman whatever ? ” Kaden put in.

“ Madam Puddifoot's, ” Albus said. “ Horrifying berth. Covered in ruffled affair, and rap stuff. ”

“ Let's not go there, ” Kaden said.

Albus and St. John both agreed. They would look for James, just not at Madam Puddifoot's. The queue moved relatively quickly and soon Albus, John Lackland, and Kaden had their supplying.

The following stop was Honeyduke's where everyone stocked up on candy and Albus bought a Christmas present for Lily. Then they made their way to the Quaffle workshop and then the Three broom handle. Albus had yet to see James, but his metre was quickly running out. He had a one-half hour before he had to head back to the rook for Quidditch practice.

bathroom went to the bar to get five Butterbeers while the relief of the radical found a table. Luckily Scorpius Malfoy was nowhere in vision. Albus gazed around the bar until he spotted his brother's familiar red haircloth. Unfortunately the girl he was with was facing away from Albus's table so all he knew was that she had very long, very straight brown hair's-breadth.

“ There they are, ” Albus whispered to Matt, Kaden, and Amanda. “ Any of you know who the girl is ? ”

“ That's Gabby Ellis, ” lavatory said as he returned with the Butterbeers. “ My cousin-german knows her. She's one of the one-fifth year prefects. ”

“ time lag, so James II not only asked her out in the library, but she's also a prefect ? ” Albus exclaimed.

“ Guess so. ” John shrugged. “ I'll never ask out a prefect. Now he's going to give birth to learn his step. ”

“ You realize that there's a skilful chance one of us might be a prefect adjacent year, ” Amanda pointed out.

“ Nah, they'll break up 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 hold to sneak around more next year, ” John said. “ Can't have a prefect knowing about our pranks. ”

“ Dervish and Banges is still unoccupied, ” mat said, changing the subject. “ Don't you think that's sort of odd ? ”

Albus hadn't really thought about it. “ Yeah, but no one's going to want to buy a store where person was murdered. ”

“ Still, it's just strange, ” Matt said as he sipped his Butterbeer.

“ Someone might still own it, ” Amanda pointed out. “ They might not desire to do anything with it or betray it. ”

“ Guess that's a good detail, ” matt said.

“ facial expression, James and the young lady are getting up, ” Kaden said.

Albus turned and saw that James IV was indeed rising from his chair. Gabby did as well and the two of them walked side by side out of the pub. Gabby was pretty, Albus had to admit. Her centre were bright and her cheeks were pink. James was grinning. Neither of them noticed Albus or the others on their way out the door.

“ Think he'll exhibit to Quidditch practice ? ” John the Divine asked.

“ If he values his life, ” Albus replied. “ oral presentation of that, I should probably get going. ”

Albus said cheerio to his Quaker and headed back out into the cold. The sun was out and there was no nothingness, but it was still bitingly cold. He trudged his way through the snow and back up to the castle, where he ran up to Gryffindor tower to drop down off his purchases and change into his Quidditch robes.

The balance of the squad was already on the pitch when Albus arrived. Fred was arguing with Saint James about something while the ease of the team stood off to the side.

“ She's not even on their team ! ” James IV shouted. “ She's not going to steal any of our plays. ”

“ But she's still a Hufflepuff and this is a closed praxis ! ” Fred argued.

Albus glanced over to the stands and saw Gabby sitting there, wrapped in a very large Hufflepuff blanket. She smiled and waved at Albus, who gave a slight moving ridge back.

“ I couldn't just leave her. I promised we'd spend the day together. ”

“ And she wants to look on you act Quidditch ? ” Fred asked. “ mulct, fine. She can stay on. Let's just get going. We're wasting time. ”

Fred and James II joined the rest of the group. “ All rightfulness ! ” Fred shouted. “ Let's fly around the auction pitch a few times to get warmed up. ”

Albus mounted his Scots heather and soared into the air. He joined the rest of the team in their flight around the pitch and lost himself in flying. It was nice to just fly and blank out about everything else that was on his mind.

The practice went incredibly well. It was their best recitation in calendar week since the weather condition was cooperating. The Gryffindor team did not feature any take with playing, but the weather was usually awful whenever they practiced. Fred insisted this was a unspoiled affair since it would aid them acquire how to run in matches with bad consideration but no one else agreed. Albus was very felicitous to give a drill where the conditions were idealistic. It made Quidditch so much Thomas More enjoyable.

Saint James the Apostle and Gabby hurried off as soon as practice ended and the rest of the team walked back to the castle together. They were nearly back to Gryffindor tower when Rose, Matt, toilet, Kaden, and Amanda came running towards Albus, all five looking slightly terrified.

“ What's wrong ? ” Fred asked.

“ It's zilch, ” Rose said. “ We just need to blab out to Albus. ”

“ sports meeting us in the room after you stash your broom, ” Matt whispered and the five of them hurried off.

Albus hurried into the common room and up to his dormitory. He had absolutely no idea what was going on, but it must have just had to do with his friends because everyone else in the common room was acting normally. Albus quickly put his Calluna vulgaris away and ran back out to the corridor.

It didn't take him long to reach the piranha's Den. All his friends were sitting quietly and looked up at him when he entered.

“ What in the name of pigeon hawk is going on ? ” Albus asked.

“ Two matter, ” Rose began. “ One, the disputation. It was... well... insane is the only Bible to describe it, really. And two, I'll let everyone else explain that first. ”

“ Malfoy was lurking near the Shrieking shanty, ” matt 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 can't, ” flatness said. “ There's ward. It's just odd. He was alone. ”

“ Does he screw that that's where you go ? ” Albus replied as he sat down next to Rose.

Matt shook his caput. “ I'm not really worried about it, either. It's just very weird. ”

“ Malfoy is booster with Felix Willinson so anything weird that he does needs to be remembered, ” Albus said darkly.

“ That's what I said, ” privy replied.

“ He's not the get-go one to be funny about the Shrieking Shack, ” Matt pointed out.

This was different, Albus thought. He would have expected lusterlessness 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.

“ wellspring he can't get in. And he already knows what I am, ” lusterlessness countered. “ Let's just forget about it for now. What Rose has to say is far worse. ”

Albus turned to reckon at Rose, who looked upturned and slightly scared. That was strange in itself since Albus could hardly remember a time when rose wine was scared.

“ The debate was on law enforcement, ” rose said quietly. “ She wants to completely change the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She wants to enquire every 1 Auror and regroup the department because she doesn'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 explosive charge of the Auror department for years and there had never been any ailment. How could Laurentis just insult him like that ?

“ Which means she's going to lose, ” John said confidently. “ No one's going to vote for someone who insults Harry Potter. ”

“ No, ” Rose whispered. “ They will. There's been column in the vaticinator for weeks about how the current Ministry isn'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 good your dad has done, but she argued right back. ”

“ What about everyone there ? Did they clap for her ? ” Albus asked.

“ Everyone clapped for everyone. They were all genteel about it and there was no way to severalize who supported who, ” rose wine said. “ If you ask me, I think she's going to supervene upon all the header of section who don't agree with her. She's going to need masses in might who are on her side. ”

“ Which means my dad will be gone, ” Albus said. “ Everyone knows he supports Uncle Hotspur. It's obvious. ”

“ So that leaves what, Matt's dad's job, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Head of Magical fare, and what else ? ” John asked as he counted on his fingers. “ There's got to be more. ”

“ There are, ” Rose said as she stood up and began pacing around the elbow room. “ International Magical Cooperation, Magical Accidents and disaster, Magical plot and Sports, and then the Department of Mysteries. ”

“ Do you cognize anything about the fountainhead of those department ? ” St. John asked.

“ The noblewoman who's fountainhead of Magical Law Enforcement was here during the debate. She's really old and Dad says Mum is a shoe-in for her job when she retires, ” Rose said. “ But I don't know much about the others. The bloke in flush of Magical Transportation moderated the foremost debate. ”

“ That's eight positions, ” matte said quietly, “ and she could replace all of them. That would meander up being an entirely new Ministry. ”

“ Essentially, yes, ” blush wine said as she sank into an armchair. “ That's why it's so bad. There's a reasonableness most newly elected Ministers don't supersede everyone. It's too much agitation. But if she wants quick change, it would be the easiest way to get it done. ”

“ What's the next debate on ? ” Amanda asked.

“ Azkaban, ” Rose said. “ Originally they were going to turn over Azkaban with law enforcement, but Laurnetis requested a distinguish Azkaban debate. She's in kick of it, so I'm not surprised. ”

“ And when is it ? ” Amanda replied.

“ Just after the new year, ” Rose answered. “ Once we're all back in school. Then February's debate is on magical creatures- ”

“ Oh that's going to be good, ” Matt said. “ Guess that's when we'll find oneself out if my dad keeps his job after the election if she wins. ”

“ And then in march they debate International Magical Cooperation. Then it's the election at the kickoff of April, ” rosebush continued. “ That one is going to involve place here. So is the Azkaban one. ”

“ I still don't think anyone's going to vote for her, ” toilet muttered. “ Anyone who sacks Harry Potter wouldn't get enough votes. ”

“ You'd be surprised, whoremonger, ” Amanda said. “ It sounds like she's playing to everyone's fears. I mean, I haven't been in the witching mankind long, but it seems like everyone fears another Voldemort. If she makes it seem like the electric current Ministry and Auror department are too indulgent and hints at the possibility of another war, and then claim that she could squelch it before it became a war, she would easily get the suffrage. masses are easily persuaded. ”

“ That's exactly it, ” Rose agreed.

The elbow room descended into uncomfortable silence. At the first of the schooltime year, none of them had very 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 a good deal the termination of the election would involve 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 Matt's papa were out of a job.
***


The remaining week of school went by quickly. With the looming holiday and open frame from school, hardly anyone in the castling was focusing on homework or the election. Instead, the chatter that filled the Great Hall during repast was about Yuletide and snowball fights and disbursement prison term with kinfolk. Albus was sucked into the Christmas cheer as well, but the election was still on the rear of his mind.

For Albus, blush wine, and the rest of the Weasley/Potter clan, the Christmas vacation would be wrapped up in the election. A New Year's party at the Minister's house was scheduled for New Year's Eve, for all of the high-ranking functionary and their families, as well as Percy, Laurentis, and their families. All of Albus's extended family would be attending. But perhaps the most freaky view of the holidays was the fact that Uncle Hotspur was going to allow a newsman from Wizards magazine to follow him for not only the Ministry party, but Christmas at the Burrow as well.

“ This is just weird ! ” Cedric exclaimed at breakfast the last day of term. “ A reporter ? At the tunnel ? And it says she's going to be staying with us. ”

Cedric handed the letter back to Thomas Bradley, whom it had been addressed to. Bradley pulled out his wand and burned it, which seemed to be his new way of dealing with post from his father.

“ Did grandma agree to this ? ” James asked as he loaded his plate with bacon.

“ She must've, ” Bradley said. “ Anything to get Dad elected, probably. ”

“ I kind of agree with her, ” Albus said. “ I don't want that Laurentis woman to win. ”

“ Neither do I, but I don't want some reporter staying with us at the Burrow, ” Cedric said adamantly.

“ Guess you won't be getting the existent Weasley Christmas experience, ” Albus said to Amanda, whose parents had given permission to stay put with Rose for Christmas.

Amanda shrugged. “ Not a big pile. With your family, it's bound to be interesting. ”

“ You have no estimation, ” Albus said. “ We'd better get to history of Magic. ”

Albus got up and his friends followed. Despite the fact that it was the last day of terminus, Professor Binns still gave a lecturing. Nobody paid him an ounce of attention. The respite of the professors didn't bother teaching any new material as they figured the scholarly person would just draw a blank it over the interruption. prof Cedonia set them a practical lesson, but didn't scold them when they stopped charming their teacup to dance and instead talked about Noel. Hagrid had a bombastic bonfire going to keep them warmly, but didn't Blackbeard anything. Instead, he told the story of Norberta and bawled about how much he missed her. In antediluvian rune, there was an exam.

The follow forenoon Albus and his champion climbed aboard the Hogwarts limited for the trip-up back to London. On the Hogwarts Express, Albus felt weirdly immune to everything that was happening in the wizarding world. He felt good from Jarrett Willinson and somehow the election didn't seem as big a trade. The train was like its own trivial world with only when students and sweets from the trolley car ; on the train, nothing bad could happen.


Long abatement ! I apologize for that. I am now working on this for the indorse half of June's pack NaNoWriMo, so I'm hoping to get a clustering of chapters written so I can go back to weekly updates. Thanks so a great deal for all the inspection !


“ Remember, don't say anything in front of her you don't want printed in the article, ” 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 eternal sleep of the Potters had just Apparated to the athletic field behind the Burrow. Albus was a bit nervous about being in the presence of a newsperson from whiz cartridge clip and was not at all cutting 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 point out Albus.

“ And Jesse James, don't even think about slipping something into her soup, ” Ginny said sternly.

Harry, who had just put his deal on the doorknob, turned around and stared at James. “ Seriously, King James, absolutely not. ”

“ I wasn't going to ! ” William James said. “ I swear ! ”

Harry sighed. “ Empty your pockets. ”

“ But I wasn't going to- ”

“ James Sirius Potter, listen to your Church Father, ” Ginny said.

Albus put his hand over his mouth to hide his laughter while his pal pulled a handful of Ton-Tongue Toffees and a phial of Weasleys'Itchiest itch gunpowder out of his pocket. Ginny took them and incinerated them with her wand. 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 biff in the articulatio humeri from James. Albus returned the punch while Lily rolled her eyes.

“ Boys, cut it out, ” Ginny scolded.

“ Ginny ! Harry ! ” molly exclaimed as they stepped inside. “ felicitous Christmas ! ”

“ Happy Christmastide, Mum, ” Ginny said as the two hugged.

Albus slipped past after giving his grandmother a speedy hug, grabbing a handful of cookie on his way to the den. The first-class honours degree thing he noticed was that the reporter was sitting on a feces in the corner. She stuck out like a Weasley at a Malfoy gather, in her black bird, flowery top, high-heeled shoes. Who wore bounder to the Burrow ? Weird, Albus thought. Her jet-black hair was done up in some sort of bun and her rim were smeared with brightly red lipstick.

The second affair Albus noticed was just how clean the tunnel was. He hadn't noticed it in the kitchen, what with the many mickle and lulu full of warm, steaming food for thought, but out in the den, it was very noticeable. The Burrow was never dirty, exactly, but it wasn't immaculately refined like mat and Kaden's houses were. Instead it merely looked lived in, Albus always thought. It was cluttered with tons of books and stacks of board games and versatile Muggle and magic devices. Blankets and pillows were thrown haphazardly onto couches and death chair, never being folded or stacked neatly. But today, everything was cracking. The slew of books had been shelved and the mantle folded. The sheer quantity of poppycock seemed to have been moved or vanished because Albus didn't see a unmarried Muggle electronic device half-taken apart on the level or mesa. It was bizarre. The burrow didn't look like the Burrow without its clutter. You never knew what you'd find at the tunnel and Albus liked that.

Shaking his head slightly, Albus carefully stepped around a few of his cousins and walked over to where Rose and Amanda were sitting on the floor. They had a great disc of solid food in front of them, making Albus earn how thirsty he was.

“ So, what have I missed ? ” he asked in between bites of roll. “ I see soul cleaned. ”

“ grannie did. Said she wanted to make a good impression. Uncle Hotspur's been bragging loudly to the reporter about all the Laws he's helped go, ” Rose said. “ But all the reporter wants to do is interview the eternal sleep of us. I guess her article is all about where Uncle Harry Hotspur came from and what his mob is like. ”

“ Who's she talked to so far ? ” Albus asked.

“ aunt Corrine, Gran, gramps, Uncle flier, Uncle Fred, both of my parents, Victoire, Samantha, and Lindy, ” rosebush said.

“ Wow. Already ? ”

“ She hasn't wasted any fourth dimension, ” Amanda said.

“ There's a photographer around here somewhere, ” Rose said as she glanced around the room. “ Oh there he is. ”

rosiness indicated to the stairs, where Walker Percy was leading a scrawny fellow back into the den.

“ Is he wearing- ”

“ Dress robes ? ” Rose said. “ Yeah, he's been wearing them all night. ”

“ Let's get a few shots of you playing a game with the counterpart, ” the photographer said as he and Percy walked preceding Albus, Rose, and Amanda.

“ Wonderful melodic theme ! ” the reporter exclaimed as she hopped off her stool.

“ How did she hear that ? ” Albus whispered to Rose.

“ Harry thrower's son ! ” the newsperson said as she grabbed Albus's arm, causing him to drop the biscuit he was holding. “ Let's get him in the guess, too. Hmm... ” she glanced around the room, her eyes finally coming to reside on Amanda. “ We'll need a jibe with you and Percy as well. prospect plays Exploding Snap with the Prime Minister's niece ! double-dyed ! I could not give birth planned this better. ”

“ How did she know that I'm the prime minister of religion's niece ? ” Amanda asked.

“ She knows everything, ” Rose said darkly. “ Creepy, really. ”

Albus soon found himself playing a arranged game of Exploding Snap with Uncle Percy, Samantha, and Lindy. The whole affair was very ridiculous 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 adept's Bromus secalinus, “ for variety. ”

“ Now that's something Laurentis won't have, ” Percy said jovially after the photographer finished. “ Photograph with the bloom rector's niece. ”

“ But nonentity knows I'm the heyday Minister's niece, ” Amanda said once she, Rose, and Albus escaped into the kitchen. “ It's supposed to be a secret. ”

“ Maybe it won't get printed, ” Albus said.

“ God, I hope not, ” Amanda muttered. “ So is this what Yuletide Eve is usually like ? ”

“ Mostly, ” Albus said as he walked over to the room access. He peered into the den and took stock of what his family was up to.

His uncles Fred, Ron, Bill, and Charlie, were closest to the kitchen and were singing'Odo the Hero.'All four had mark of eggnog in script. grandma 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 Aunt Katherine and Aunt Hermione. well-nigh of his cousins were eating or laughing about one thing or another. Samantha and lindy hop were playing Exploding centering for tangible now, along with Eddie and Angie.

In fact, the only one who seemed to be acting any differently was Uncle Percy, who was talking with the newsman and the lensman. aunt Corrine was as well, but none of their older shaver were anywhere in peck.

“ wealthy person you seen Bradley, Cedric, or Georgia anywhere ? ” Albus asked Rose.

“ Actually, no, ” Rose said. “ Let's go find them. ”

Albus and Amanda followed rose out of the kitchen and up the steps. As they peered into each bedroom, Albus found out just where his grannie had stored all the stuff that used to be in the den. Every single elbow room had a pile of random stuff in it. They eventually found their three cousin hiding out in Uncle Ron's old bedroom at the top of the firm. They were sitting on one of the beds 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, Rose, and Amanda.

“ We're avoiding the reporter, ” Georgia said, “ and talking about how often it will wet-nurse if Dad gets elected. ”

“ But Laurentis is bloody insane, ” Albus said as he stepped over a typewriter and sat down on the antonym bed. “ Uncle Percy has to win. ”

“ Well, I don't want him to, ” Bradley said. “ Do you understand how very much life will change if he does ? ”

“ I've got a bit of an theme, ” Amanda said, sitting down next to Albus. blush wine sat on his other side.

“ 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 acknowledge him, but he was just Percy Weasley. Do you know what I mean ? ”

“ He'll be Hotspur Weasley, minister of deception. Not just Percy Weasley, your dad, ” Amanda said. “ Minister isn't a just a job. It's not something he'll leave at the billet at five. It's more a lifestyle. ”

“ Exactly ! ” Bradley agreed.

“ And you'll always be the Minister's son, ” Amanda said.

“ How do you be intimate all this ? ” Cedric looked at Amanda strangely.

“ My Uncle's the Prime minister, ” Amanda said casually.

“ Of Britain ? ” Bradley exclaimed. “ And you've kept this arcanum for four years ? ”

“ Yeah. It won't be for much longer since that lensman just took a picture of me with your dad, ” Amanda said. “ Anyway, you're ripe that your life-time won't be the same if he gets elected. And even after his term is up you'll still always be the government minister's son. ”

“ And we'd have to prompt into the parson's Mansion, ” Bradley said.

“ You wouldn't. You're going to graduate in June, ” Cedric pointed out. “ And Georgia already moved out. ”

“ You'll be in Hogwarts nigh of the twelvemonth, ” Georgia pointed out.

There was a smash on the room access and then it swung extensive open. Percy stood in the threshold flanked by the newsperson and photographer. Percy had changed out of his robes and was now wearing a super C Weasley jump shot with a red'P'on the forepart. In his branch was a stack of what appeared to be more than Weasley jumpers.

“ There you lot are, ” Percy said. “ We're doing a picture of the unharmed family in our jumpers. ” He tossed one to each of his children and then one each to Albus and Rose. “ Get changed and get downstairs. ”

“ Are they all initial jumpers this twelvemonth ? ” GA asked as she held hers up. It was grey with a purple'G.'

“ moldiness be, ” Albus said as he yanked off the jump shot he was wearing and pulled on his new one. It was blue with a gold'A.'

“ Bet it's to make us look like a cheesy phratry, ” Bradley muttered as he changed.

Once they'd all changed Albus and rose followed their cousins back down to the den. Amanda followed as well, but she lingered on the stairs, clearly not wanting to be dragged into anymore photographs.

Albus's total family was posed in half the den. The photographer was running around making small adjustments, which Albus thinking was senseless. There was no way he was going to get xxxii the great unwashed to all flavour at the tv camera and grinning nicely at the same time.

The photographer noticed Albus, Rose, Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric and shoved Albus in between St. James the Apostle 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 elbow room and stuck his principal behind the camera. “ Everyone smiling ! Beautiful ! ” He took dozens of pictures and Albus soon grew tired of sitting still and smiling.

“ Wonderful ! ” the reporter shouted once the photographer finally finished. “ I think we've got what we need. I wish you all a glad Christmas. The article should be out just after New Year's. ”

“ I thought she was staying for tomorrow, too, ” Albus whispered to Rose.

rosebush shrugged. “ Maybe she got enough from just one night. Either that or she got overwhelmed. ”

Hotspur walked the reporter and photographer out of the Burrow, thanking them profusely as he did so.

“ Bedtime, everyone ! ” Molly shouted.

No one objected. It had certainly been the strangest Xmas Eve gathering the Weasley family had ever had and Albus was very much looking forward to tomorrow, when matter would get back to some semblance of normal. Albus walked up to bed with Rose and Amanda, wishing them both practiced dark when they reached Uncle Charlie's old bedroom, where the two would be staying. James, Ben, Cedric, and Thomas Bradley were already in Uncle Ron's old elbow room when Albus arrived.

“ Quidditch tomorrow ? ” St. James asked as all four boys climbed into their layer.

“ You're going down, thrower, ” Bradley replied.

“ Is that a challenge, Weasley ? ”

“ Sure is, ” Bradley said.

Yes, tomorrow would be a lot more normal, Albus thought. Quidditch was a Christmas custom for his family and nothing, even his uncle running for Minister, was going to prevent 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 bid by the end of her broom. “ Kenmare Krazy Keeper move ! ”

“ You're still going to turn a loss ! ” Tom Bradley shouted as he hit one of the Bludgers toward Albus, who dodged it and caught the Quaffle. “ We've got shimmy ! ”

“ If teddy were a real Seeker 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 James, ” Bradley said.

“ Yeah, I taught James everything he knows ! ” Teddy said as he flew past, heading toward Georgia's left finish mail service. “ And that's plot ! ” he shouted, returning with the snitcher clutched in his hand. “ Aurors have to receive constant vigilance, just like Seekers. ”

Albus flew to the ground, still holding the Quaffle. It had been a skilful secret plan, even though his team had lost, but the temperature was dropping and the clouds were rolling in. It was a ripe time to guide back inside for Christmas dinner, especially since the perfume of roast Meleagris gallopavo and potatoes had been drifting outside for the by half hour.

Tables, already covered in numerous dishes of food, had been set up in the kitchen extending into the den while they played. Albus hurried upstairs to change and when he returned, everyone was drifting toward the tables. Albus hurried to the hindquarters blush wine and Amanda had saved him, which thankfully was nowhere near Percy.

“ How was Quidditch ? ” Rose asked.

“ Good, ” Albus said. “ We lost, but teddy's pretty much unbeatable, so I wasn't surprised. ”

“ I'm surprised he didn't play professionally, ” Amanda said.

“ He thought about it, ” Albus explained. “ And he had pass, but he deferred them for a yr because he wasn't sure. Then he just decided to get together the Auror Academy, because of his parents, you know. ”

“ brand sense, ” Amanda said.

“ I'd like to make up a toast, ” Walker Percy announced after everyone was seated. He held up his glass of 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 political campaign. We only have three month to go, so let's make the most of it. Keep up all the great oeuvre. Here's to a win in April ! ”

Albus clinked glasses with Rose and Amanda and then served himself a big helping of turkey. This was what he enjoyed the most about Christmas at the Burrow. As he he ate, he listened in on the conversations his cousins, aunts, and uncles were having.

To Albus's left, his aunt Hermione was giving St. James the Apostle, Cedric, and Ben study tips for their O.W.L.s. The boys were nodding as if they were listening, but Albus knew they weren't. Victoire and shift were holding manpower under the board, which was kind of funny because Victoire was having to eat with her left hand, a skill she clearly did not possess. Saint James the Apostle, Bradley, and GA were discussing Quidditch with Uncles George VI and Ron. Eddie was showing the twins, Lily, and Victor-Marie Hugo just how many peas he could fit into his mouth at once. Sir Henry Percy was, of form, discussing the gritty details of his movement with his wife and parents. Fred and Mark were telling Angie about the hush-hush passageway that lead into the cellar of Honeyduke's. The rest of his family was too far away for Albus to discover what exactly they were saying, but everyone seemed happy.

“ This is what it's really like, ” Albus told Amanda. “ Usually there are a few pranks. ”

“ You missed one earlier, ” rosebush said while Amanda laughed. “ James put one of those wind-up Pygmy Puffs in nan's biggest pot, so while she was chopping veggie it jumped out and started screeching. auntie Ginny knew it was James, too. He got chewed out while you were upstairs changing. ”

“ She had no proof ! ” James cut in. “ It could have got been Cedric. ”

“ But it wasn't, ” rosebush said. “ It was you. ”

“ Jesse James, did you get wind me ? ” Hermione asked. “ I was just saying how you need to start with your feeble subject first off. Honestly, you should've started preparing last year. Albus, pink wine, Amanda, are you listening ? You should originate revision now. ”

“ I started weeks ago, Mum, ” Rose said.

Hermione smiled. “ That's my girl. ”

“ She'll be lucky if King James starts revising a month before, ” Albus whispered to Amanda.

“ That would be stupid, ” Rose said. “ What does he want to do after Hogwarts ? He'll need certain O.W.L.s to get into the right N.E.W.T. classes. ”

“ He's got no melodic theme, ” Albus said, “ except he wants to play Quidditch. ”

“ He'd amend get going, ” rose 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, ” pink wine said. “ Get my healing degree, specializing in psychiatry. ”

“ amercement, then, ” Jesse James muttered.

“ Really ? ” Albus asked.

rose nodded. “ I've been thinking about it since summer and it's really want I want to do. ”

“ Don't you think you're a bit young to let decided that ? ” Albus asked.

“ Matt's sister had it all figured out in quaternary year and looking where she is now, ” rose wine pointed out.

She did give a point there, Albus thought. flatness's baby was well on her way to getting both her healing and brewing stage, with only two and a one-half to a greater extent years to go. Albus didn't even want to conceive about what he would do after he graduated from Hogwarts. It was too far away.

“ I have an announcement to make ! ” Gabriella said as she stood up.

The way quieted and everyone turned to expect at Gabriella. She wasn't usually one to make speeches or announcements during syndicate dinner. In fact, she was one of the quieter of Albus's cousins, certainly not coming near to the level of boisterousness of Bradley, James, or Georgia.

“ Thanks, ” she said. “ None of you know this yet, since I figured I'd just separate you all at once today. I've decided to move to France. ”

The room was silent, a lot like it was after Hotspur announced his aim to run for Minister at the before school dinner. Then, as happened after Percy's announcement, everyone began to spill at once.

“ You're what ? ” broadsheet exclaimed.

“ Gabriella, honey ! ” Fleur shouted, dropping her trash of wine-colored. “ What prompted this ? ”

“ The political climate in France is very unsteady, ” Percy said. “ I wouldn't recommend moving there. ”

“ What are you going to do there ? ” Heather asked.

Albus wasn't at all storm. Gabriella had spent a few weeks in France that capitulation and seemed to delight it. He wasn't trusted why her parents seemed so surprised.

“ If everyone could just let me talk ! ” Gabriella shouted. The room quieted one more. “ I've already cleared it with Grandmere and Grandpere. They're going to let me stay with them until I get on my feet. When I painted there this declension it just felt so right. My paintings there were so much better than the ones I've painted here- ”

“ But what will you do for money ? ” posting asked. “ You know I could still get you that internship. This is crazy. ”

“ Dad, it's what I want to do. I don't want to spend everyday in an office and miss out on life. No offense. house painting is what I love. I want to try this. ”

“ But Gabriella, it's not practical- ” circular began.

“ circular, ” molly said quietly. “ She's just rebelling a bit. You did the Lapplander when you were her age. recall the earring ? The hair ? ”

Bill's facial expression reddened. “ It's not the same, Mum. I had a job. I wasn't learning the finer points of being a starving artist ! ”

“ Dad ! I'm a good artist ! I'm not going to starve ! ”

“ You know my parents would never let her starve, ” 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 elbow room, running up the stairs. A few moments later a door slammed.

government note made to get up, but Victoire put her hand on his articulatio humeri, forcing him back into his seat. “ Dad, I'll go. ”

The room lapsed into uncomfortable silence after Victoire took off after her sister. Albus was slightly shocked at his uncle's dislike of Gabriella's plan. Albus had always thought of account as his sang-froid uncle, the uncle who would be supportive of whatever his kids wanted to do. But now he was acting just like Hotspur had about Georgia's desire to be a Quidditch player.

“ I support you, Bill, ” Percy said pompously. “ creative person is not a career. You've got to press this. Went through the same thing with Georgia- ”

“ Really, Dad ? ” Georgia asked. “ After the by few months of going to my games and making the press think you're supportive of my dreams, you still don't think I should play Quidditch ? ”

“ Quidditch, like painting, is a hobby, ” Percy said. “ It's not a career. ”

“ You're unbelievable ! ” Peach State exclaimed. “ The supporting, the cheering, it's all role player, isn't it ? ”

“ Georgia- ”

“ You know what, Dad ? Don't even bother. ” Empire State of the South stood up and left the table in a similar style to Gabriella.

“ This, ” Albus whispered to Amanda, “ is not normal. ”

“ I thought Gabriella liked Uncle Percy's fake support, ” James I muttered.

“ Well, she did at 1st but she probably thought there was no way he could fake it for so long and not start out to get around. She surely thought it was real by now, ” Rose said.

“ You're going to seduce a in effect psychiatrist, ” Albus said.

“ Yeah, you can lead off with Uncle Sir Henry Percy, ” James said.

“ Does anyone require pudding ? ” Gran asked.


A/N : Thanks for all the inspection !


Never before had Albus experienced such an uneasy Noel dinner party, and that included the metre his Aunt Katherine went into labor with Eddie at the board. After Gabriella and Georgia stormed out, Gran served pudding to the remaining family penis, but everyone ate in secretiveness. Albus, Rose, and Amanda ate as fast as they could and then escaped to the one office they didn't think anyone else would go- the attic.

The attic of the Burrow was similar to an archaeological site. It contained layers of Weasley category story and if you dug deeply enough you could even find pictures of Uncle Bill when he was a baby. It used to sign of the zodiac a graverobber, but the ghoul died years before Albus was born. Albus didn't go up in the Classical Greek much anymore, but when he was little it had made an excellent hiding bit.

“ I never realized how alike Gabriella and Georgia were, ” Albus said once they'd shut the attic door.

“ I never realized how alike Uncle Hotspur and Uncle banker's bill were, ” rose replied. “ I never thought Uncle Federal Reserve note would react like that. ”

“ Me either, ” Albus agreed. “ Let's not spill the beans about it. I just want to do something fun. ”

“ Let's fun 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 little while to get the knack of the money, which was based on Muggle money, but once they did, it was very fun. Albus's preferent thing about it was how long it took. They spent hours on one game and by the prison term Amanda beat him and Rose, almost all of his house was asleep.

By breakfast the next morning nearly everything had blown over. half of his aunts and uncles had left because they had to go to work and the other one-half were in the process of getting ready to give. Some of his full cousin were still there, but quite a few had left. When Albus went downstairs he noticed his uncle Bill and aunt Fleur having a talk with Gabriella over phonograph record of sausages. Albus paused in the doorway, waiting for them to finish.

“ We don't want you to imagine we aren't supportive of your art, ” Bill said. “ We are. Both of us. I just want to bang you're going to be okay. ”

“ I am, Dad, ” Gabriella said. “ I'll be staying with Grandmere and Grandpere. ”

“ That's reassuring, ” bank note said. “ And I did overreact last night. ”

Fleur snorted. “ Yes, I'd say you did. ”

“ I certainly don't want you to call back I'm anything like your uncle Walker Percy, ” Bill whispered. “ I'd never try and finish you from pursuing your dream. ”

“ fountainhead, painting in France is my dream for now, ” Gabriella said adamantly.

“ Then we'll bread and butter you, ” Bill said. Fleur nodded in agreement. “ I'm sorry for overreacting final Night. I think we were all on edge from the reporter. ”

“ Thanks, Dad, ” Gabriella said.

“ When were you planning on leaving ? ” Fleur asked.

“ After that Ministry political party. Can't miss that or Uncle Sir Henry Percy would go insane. ”

“ The weekend after that, then, ” account said. “ We want to help you move. ”

Gabriella nodded. “ Thanks. ”

Bill stood up and gave his daughter a hug. “ I've got to get to exercise, 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 sausage and a cinnamon bun on his way to the table. He was relieved that Uncle throwaway and Gabriella came to an understanding, especially one that involved Gabriella still moving to Anatole France. He wanted his cousin to be happy and he still wanted to think of Bill as his cool uncle.

Albus returned to Grimmauld Place later that day and it only took him a few 60 minutes of boredom to start up his holiday recital. rosebush and Amanda had returned to Rose's sign, so without them, he was forced to be productive. In fact, Albus was actually looking forward to the Ministry party for the sole reason that he'd get to see Rose and Matt.

The few days in between Boxing Day and New yr's Eve were fairly uneventful, especially compared with Christmastime day. Georgia and Uncle Percy still hadn't made up and Georgia came over for a heart-to-heart with Albus's mum the day before the party. Albus often forgot that his mum used to play professional Quidditch and would be the sodding mortal for Georgia to attempt advice from.

Albus attempted to listen in on their conversation via extendible Ear, but his mum must've put an interperbabble spell on the kitchen room access because he couldn't hear a thing. Dejected, he put away his extendible Ear and returned to reading his Transfiguration book.

Shortly after Georgia left James walked in the hind door with a grin on his human face.

“ What are you so happy about ? ” Albus asked.

“ Mum forgot to put the spell on the window, ” Saint James the Apostle said. “ I heard everything. ”

“ Well, tell me what you heard ! ” Albus said as he closed his book.

“ I don't know.... ”

“ seed on, Jesse James, ” Albus said. “ If you do I won't tell Mum and Dad what you're planning on doing to the punch at the party tomorrow. ”

“ fine, ” James muttered as he sat down. “ Basically, GA's still mad at Uncle Sir Henry Percy and doesn't want to go to the party tomorrow. Mum convinced her that she needs to take the gamey road and be supportive of Uncle Sir Henry Percy even though he isn't being supportive of her. And she said there's no secret to getting him to recognize Quidditch as a valid vocation. He just has to realize it on his own and all Georgia can do is be the best player she can and stand herself and not ask him for money. But then she reminded Peach State that granddaddy was very supportive of her Quidditch career. ”

“ nothing too exciting, then, ” Albus said.

“ Nope, not really, ” James River agreed. “ Going to make for an interesting political party, though. ”

“ That's for sure, ” Albus said.
***


“ Is the Minister's Mansion glowing bluing ? ” Albus asked as he followed his parents up the winding route to the mansion.

It was New Year's Eve and the Potters were slightly belated for the company, as common. This sentence James had not been the reason ; they were late because Ginny had had to lengthen Albus's gown survive minute.

“ It looks that way, ” Harry answered. “ hold until you see the inside. The election New class's Eve party at the diplomatic minister's hall is one of the terrific occasion the Ministry puts on, only beaten out by the party that will involve place for the winner of the election. It's going to be far fancier than the political party for Mr. Eckerton last year. ”

Albus nodded. As they drew closer to the mansion Albus noticed that the blue visible radiation seemed to stem from the ground, illuminating the house as it went upward, but he could not see where the light came from. It looked to just appear out of the dry land. The path itself was lined with silver medal taper.

The threshold was already receptive when they reached the end of the itinerary. A man dressed in a full phase of the moon tuxedo with hind end stood in the threshold and he took Ginny and Lily's wrapper while another man led the ceramicist into the wonderful ballroom.

The ballroom was already filled to electrical capacity and Albus noticed that nearly half of the multitude in attendance were his aunts, uncles, and cousins. The dance palace itself was lit by ash gray wax light standardised to the ones that lined the path outside. The windows were draped in overweight naval forces drape tied with silver ropes and matching linens dressed the tables and chairs scattered throughout the room. Larger tables containing platters of food stood in the shopping mall of the way, each one holding an ice sculpture. The sculptures were of several historical construction in wizarding Great Britain, including one of Hogwarts.

waiter dressed in the same black tie as the thaumaturgist by the door walked throughout the room carrying plates of food for thought and swallow. After taking a look at some of the food they carried, Albus wondered if there was anything normal or if it was just fancy hors d'oeuvres.

“ Before you all take off to observe your cousin-german, ” Harry began, staring More at his sons than at Lily. “ St. James, absolutely no pranks. Albus, no sneaking off to other portion of the manse or going outside this year. Promise me, both of you. ”

“ I promise, ” Albus and James River each mumbled.

“ All rightfulness, you may go, ” Harry said. “ And keep an eye out for your younger cousins. Make for certain they're not getting into trouble. ”

Albus nodded and then slipped into the crowd in search of Matt, Rose, and something to eat that did not resemble something his auntie Fleur's female parent would make. He finally wound up at the dessert mesa where he found both a large piece of umber cake and his friends.

“ Albus, there you are ! ” Rose said. “ We've been here for an hour already. ”

“ Mum had to lengthen my gown, ” Albus said in between bites of cake.

“ I'm not surprised. You grew a infantry in the retiring year, ” Rose commented.

“ Seriously, you've got to stop, ” Matt said. “ You make me look like a minute year. ”

“ Is everyone else here ? ” Albus asked as they walked over to a mostly empty table. Its only resident was a very old man who seemed to be taking a nap.

blush wine nodded. “ Even Georgia showed up. But I did observe out that the only when intellect we were all invited was to make Uncle Walker Percy look like Thomas More of a family man. ”

“ Really ? ” Albus asked. “ I thought it was just because kinsperson of the campaigner were always invited. ”

“ No. Usually it's only immediate family extremity, plus all the headway of department and top Ministry functionary and their sept. So not all of us were going to be invited at first. It's to constitute us expect like a very stopping point knitwork family. ”

“ You are a close knit stitch family unit, ” Matt said. “ It's like you're all buddy and baby rather than cousins. ”

“ But Uncle Percy never really involved any of us in his Ministry career before, ” Albus pointed out. “ Anyway, Matt, how was your Christmas ? ”

“ Good, ” matte said. “ rose already told me about yours. Sounded much more interesting than mine. My grandparents came to chew the fat and they went place yesterday. Mum and Cinda argued over the fact that we don't visit them enough anymore and then Mum and Amy argued over the fact that Amy never comes abode except for holidays. Dad, Richard, and I just stayed out of it. I swear, those three could argue 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 Teddy, ” lusterlessness said.

“ Oh, by the way, don't drink the punch, ” Albus warned them. “ James is planning to put something in it. ”

“ What ? ” Rose asked.

“ I don't know, but it'll probably be egregious, ” Albus said.

“ If your uncle wins your cousins will get to live here, ” Matt said as he gazed around the way. “ Weird to call back about. This place looks bigger than my old house. ”

“ It probably is, ” Rose said. “ And you're right, that is Wyrd to think about. ”

The old man let out a snort 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 ceramist and that's rosebush Weasley and Matt Eckerton, ” Albus said.

His face softened. “ Oh, nice to see you ! I'm Gregory XVI Laurentis. My girl's running 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 nut case to run against Percy Weasley what with him being related to Harry Potter himself, but her party picked her to run so I suppose there was nothing I could do about it. And she couldn't turn down that opportunity.... ”

Albus glanced at Rose and Matt while Laurnetis's dad continued to rattle on about how gallant he was of his daughter, yet marvel at her imbecility for running against somebody related to Harry Potter. He was rather funny, Albus thought.

“ This billet is too maledict fancy, ” Gregory Laurnetis muttered as he fingered the tablecloth. “ And the nutrient, my God, what I wouldn't give for some banger 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 better go. ”

“ Oh, right, right, ” Gregory Laurentis said. “ I don't hear anything, but then again my hearing's so bad these Clarence Day. fountainhead, respectable 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 earreach of Gregory XIII Laurentis. A few Ministry officials looked at them strangely as they did so, but Albus didn't concern.

“ Albus ! ” matt suddenly whispered. “ Is that Balladanis over there ? ” lusterlessness pointed to the far back corner, where a man in plain fateful robe stood with his arms folded across his chest.

Albus peered at the man for a few import. “ Yeah, I think it is. ”

“ What's he doing here ? ” Matt asked.

“ Probably in causa of an attack, ” Rose said. “ Every prominent Ministry official is in this way right now. There's probably Aurors stationed at every door outside, too. ”

“ Don't let him see us, ” flatness said as he grabbed both Albus and Rose and pulled them behind a large mathematical group of people. “ Can we just go somewhere else ? ”

Albus glanced at Balladanis and then back at matte, who looked more than a little nervous. Albus didn't blame him. After last yr's outrage with Balladanis, it was no marvel Matt never wanted to see the man again. Albus thought briefly of what his dad told him when they got there, but pushed the promise from his psyche. If Matt didn't want to be in the Lapplander room as Balladanis, then Albus was just going to have to break his promise.

“ seminal fluid on, ” Rose said before Albus could reply. She took Albus and mat's work force 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 hadn't even realized just how loud the ballroom was until now. Between the music and people's voices, it was a admiration he'd even been able-bodied to recall in there.

“ Thanks, ” Matt said quietly. “ He just gives me the creeps. ”

“ No problem, ” rose wine said. “ Where should we go ? ”

“ We could try and rule that depository library again, ” Albus suggested.

Rose and Matt nodded and the three set off down the corridor. It took them fifteen second and three wrong turn to find the library and once they got there, they saw that it was already occupied by none other than Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric.

“ We've got to kibosh using the same hiding places, ” Georgia said with a laugh as they entered. “ Just joking. add up on in. ”

rosiness shut the door behind them and they joined Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric on the early position of the room.

“ Sick of the company ? ” Sakartvelo asked.

“ We saw Balladanis, ” Matt said quietly as he sat down. “ Didn't want him to notice us. ”

Georgia shuddered. “ Don't blame you there, especially since your dad is the reason he got sacked. ”

“ I kind of liked him, ” Omar Bradley said.

matt 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, ” lusterlessness said.

“ What about you three ? What drove you to the subroutine library ? ” Albus asked, wanting to stave off an argument between his best friend and cousin.

“ Decided to search the house, ” Cedric said. “ If we're going to own to live here, we wanted to see what we'd be getting into. ”

“ And what do you reckon ? ” rose wine asked.

“ Living here wouldn't be so bad, ” Cedric said. “ Bradley and I wouldn't have to share a room. Neither would Samantha and Lindy, for that matter. ”

“ I told you, one of you can feature my room, ” Sakartvelo said.

“ Dad won't let us, ” Omar Bradley replied. “ Says you're going to come back when Quidditch stops paying off. ”

Georgia groaned. “ Really, the trust he has in me is incredible. ”

“ We met Laurentis's dad, ” Albus said.

Empire State of the South burst out laughing. “ Seriously ? ”

Albus nodded and told the history. All three of his cousins were laughing by the fourth dimension he finished.

“ I may have to go back out there just so I can foregather him, ” Georgia said, still laughing.

“ He sounds like a very concern lad, ” Bradley said.

Matt got up from his chairwoman and began wandering around the subroutine library. He paused by the door, as if listening.

“ What are you doing ? ” Albus asked.

“ I heard something, ” Matt whispered. “ Shut up, all of you. ”

Georgia immediately stopped laughing and all five of them stopped talking. lusterlessness's eye grew big and he hurried back over. “ individual's coming ! ”

“ I don't hear any- ” Tom Bradley began.

“ Sshhh ! ” Albus said as he jumped up. “ cartel him on this. We've got to hide. ”

“ There's a loo, ” Rose said as she hurried to open the door. “ It's not very big- ”

“ Doesn't matter, ” matte said. “ rushing, get inside. ”

Albus just started hearing the representative as they hurried inside the loo. It was a very wet squeeze and Rose was stepping on his leftover 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 woman said. Her voice was muffled ; Albus could barely make out what she said, let alone who she was.

“ I can't hear anything, ” Cedric whispered. “ Is this door solid mahogany or something ? ”

“ Shut up ! ” lusterlessness seethed. He had his ear pressed to the door.

“ The one clip I don't bring any Extendables with me, ” Cedric muttered.

Albus pressed his ear up against the door. The interpreter were still muffled, but he could hear.

“ I told you they'd eat up the whole mob man thing, ” another voice said. This one was male. “ Not to bring up he's Harry Potter's brother-in-law for God's sake ! ”

“ Harry thrower is an incompetent half-wit and you know it, ” the woman replied. “ He's famous for something he did as a child and the general public is pillock to still think of him as the hero of the wizarding world. He's gone soft. ”

“ It's Laurentis ! ” Matt said.

“ How can you secern ? ” Omar Nelson Bradley asked. “ This door is so bloody thick. ”

“ I just can, ” matte said.

Albus couldn't tell that the voice was Laurentis's, but based on what she was saying, Matt was right hand.

“ Well, 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 week. I'm sure you can recall of something to do for that. ”

“ I think that's her movement handler, ” matte said.

“ She sounds awful, ” Albus said.

“ It shouldn't be that hard. All we have to do is debunk Weasley for what he really is and get everyone to bring in Potter's not the paladin they all think he is, ” Laurentis said.

“ And who is Weasley, then ? ”

“ A pompous idiot ! ” Laurentis exclaimed. “ You don'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 can't really know that- ”

“ I can, ” she interrupted. “ I can read multitude, Pierce. That's why I got into politics. It's all about reading people and figuring out the lies from the true statement. See what you can dig up. We'd better rejoinder to the party. I left my Padre alone with Minister Langston. That won't turn out well. ”

“ Yes, Ms. Laurentis, ” President Pierce replied.

Albus heard the auditory sensation of richly heels on hardwood floor, the door creak candid, and then click shut again. He waited two full minutes and then opened the door to the cupboard. Everyone hurried out.

“ What was that ? ” lusterlessness demanded. “ What is she up to ? ”

“ How did you catch all that ? ” Bradley asked. “ Do you have super homo hearing or something ? ”

“ Or something, ” lustrelessness muttered, “ but never creative thinker 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 sprain the wizarding world against your dad. ”

“ She's insane ! ” Albus exclaimed.

“ You've got to severalise your uncle- ” mat began.

“ No way, ” Sakartvelo said loudly. “ trust me, all he'll do is charge me for not playing my part well enough. This isn't leaving this room. ”

“ But she's going to sabotage his campaign, ” Albus said.

“ Georgia's right, ” rosiness said. “ It won't assistance anything. safari are half about digging up dirt on the former candidate. Anything she says about Uncle Harry, no one will believe it unless they're an idiot. Anyone with half a mind knows he runs the Auror department well. ”

“ If anyone says anything he'll just get mad at us for spying, ” Omar Bradley added.

“ Not to mention we're not technically allowed in here, ” Cedric pointed out.

“ Oh, right, ” Albus said. “ My dad did make me promise not to leave the ballroom. ”

“ No one's saying anything, ” Sakartvelo said. “ And I think we'd all undecomposed get back to the ballroom, just in case anyone notices we're all gone.


Thanks for all the reviews ! Remember to proceed them 12+. property to all who caught the'mahogany'thirstiness secret plan reference. credit entry for that goes to Suzanne Collins. If any of you are penis of the forums ( and if you're not, you should be, unite on the correct side of the page ! ), feel resign to mark off out my sports meeting the generator page ! It's linked on my generator page. Please ask me question on my MTA Sir Frederick Handley Page since I love answering them !


When they returned to the dance palace Albus was please to see that Balladanis was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he left to patrol the terra firma. Albus didn't really care ; all that mattered was that he wasn't there anymore. Judging by the gang in the room, no one else had left yet, and they all seemed a bit more boisterous, most probably due to the beverage.

Sir Henry Percy accosted them before they were even able to get to the desert mesa to reload their plates with cake. He walked with role, similarly to the way he had walked when he took Albus and his friends to Kendrick's work. He seemed very at plate in the curate's Mansion and it wasn't even his yet.

“ GA ! ” he said. “ There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. ”

“ I was in the loo. Something you need, Dad ? ” Empire State of the South asked.

“ Er, yes, actually, ” Walker Percy replied. “ I need you to take Samantha and Lindy home. It's nearly eleven and your mother and I are going to be here well past midnight. Samantha ate too much cake and feeling ill. I just think it would be honorable for them to go home and get some sleep. They're over at that table. ” Percy gestured to a nearby table, where Samantha and lindy hop were sitting, both with their headspring in their custody, looking extremely bored.

Georgia raised her eyebrow, as if surprise that Percy was actually going to not only let three of his children leave, but request that they do so. Albus was surprised he'd even thought about the fact that it wasn't really a party for two nine-year-olds.

“ Yeah, I can subscribe them home, ” Georgia said.

“ What about us ? ” Bradley asked, gesturing to himself and Cedric. “ Couldn't we take them home ? ”

“ I'd rather Empire State of the South do it, ” Percy said. “ You don't even have your fantasm license yet, Cedric. And Bradley, you just got yours. You're not make to side-along Apparate two people. ”

“ They do have 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 Percy strutted off to verbalise 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 detect James. ”

Georgia headed over to the table her sister were sitting at while Tom Bradley and Cedric disappeared into the crowd. Albus, Matt, and rosiness wandered over to the afters mesa, piled a plate senior high school with the biscuits a waiter had just set out, and then set off to retrieve another table. They found one, which Victoire, Teddy, and Amy were vacating.

“ Where are you three off to ? ” Albus asked.

“ We've got early unit of ammunition tomorrow, ” Victoire said. “ Five in the morning. If we're lucky we'll get four hours of sleep. ”

“ I don't see a lot power point in staying if they're not here, ” shift said. “ Technically I wasn'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, Teddy, and Amy left Albus sat down and his friend sat on either side. He absentmindedly chewed on a biscuit and watched the crowd.

“ Do these savour funny to you ? ” Matt asked, holding up a partially eat up biscuit.

Albus took another snack. They did taste weird. “ Yeah. ”

blush wine burst out laughing and started pointing at their headland. “ I think James messed with the cooky instead of the punch. Al, your hair is gamey and lusterlessness, yours is green. ”

Albus and mat both started laughing. Albus took another look at the crew. “ flavor, that lady's hair is royal ! ” He pointed to a witch a few yards away. The feller she was talking to was clearly trying not to stare at her head.

Over the next few minutes hoi polloi gradually began to realize that their hair was turning various colors and that the biscuits were the culprit. wand appeared everywhere, as the guests charmed each early's hair back to its normal vividness. Another arcminute later Albus spotted both of his parents walking around the perimeter of the way, clearly looking for James, but he was nowhere in sight.

“ I like this antic, ” Albus said. “ I'm leaving my hair as is. ”

“ Me too, ” Matt agreed. They both turned to rosiness. “ You should eat one. ”

Rose sighed. “ Might as well. ” She took a cooky and a minute of arc later her formerly red tomentum was a lovely shade of pink.

The rest of the party was rather tedious. Harry eventually found James and told him he'd be staying in his room for the remainder of the holiday, only being allowed out for meals. When midnight rolled around Albus, Matt, and Rose toasted to the new year with Lily and Victor-Marie Hugo. Matt and his parents left immediately later and Albus and his family left a short while later. Albus was relieved to be going home since the night had been exhausting, and he still couldn't get the conversation he overheard in the subroutine library out of his intellect.
***


“ It's here ! ” James II shouted the next morning at breakfast, brandishing a copy of sensation clip. The forepart cover was a motion-picture show of Albus's grandparents, his mum, Uncle Percy, Uncle pecker, Uncle Charlie, Uncle George II, and Uncle Ron.

“ Let me see it ! ” Albus shouted.

“ No, I got it first ! ” James River shouted back.

“ I want to read it first ! ” Lily exclaimed.

“ Kids, root down ! ” Ginny said. “ James got it first. Al can read it succeeding, and then Lily. ”

“ Not fair, ” Lily muttered. “ I'm never first. ”

That was a lie, Albus thought to himself. It was either King James I or Lily who got things first, never Albus. Curse of being the centre minor, he figured.

Albus sat and ate his breakfast while William James read the article. His buddy let out groans and sigh and even laughter while he read, which made Albus even more anxious to read it. After what seemed like forever, it was finally Albus's turn. He yanked the cartridge out of James's hand and opened it up to the article.

The first Page ( or rather, first two pages ), contained the photo of his entire family. Albus had been right in guessing that there was no way the lensman could've gotten a picture that they all looked goodness in. Albus himself at least looked middle decent. He was smiling and kept turning to look at blush wine and then back to the camera. Lily on the other manus, was caught mid-grimace and always returned to that posture every few seconds. Across the photograph was the figure of the article-'Christmastide 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 Hotspur, Corrine, and their kids. Another featured Walker 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 hopeful Percy Weasley challenges the Prime rector's niece to a secret plan of chess.'Amanda was not going to be felicitous, Albus thought as he turned his aid to the article.

When I first entered the childhood home of Percy
Weasley I immediately noticed the Delicious flavor
that filled the air. molly Weasley, Percy's mother,
was concentrated at work cooking Christmas Eve dinner party. The
small, but cozy, base was filled to capacity with
Weasleys, although it only grew more crowd with
the arrival of the ceramist an hour later.

The Weasley family gathering for Christmas at the
menage of Arthur and molly Weasley every year.
King Arthur, a bed Ministry employee, says,'I
love having the integral family together. It's
chaotic, but I wouldn't have it any other way.'
The eventide begins with a meal, although eating
seems to take blank space over many hours. The standard atmosphere
is homy and well-chosen, with every single family
phallus enjoying their fourth dimension with each other.

Walker Percy Weasley, a loving Father of five, sum in
on the fun and Christmas spirit by challenging
his nine-year-old girl Samantha and lindy hop,
as well as nephew Albus thrower, 14, to a secret plan
of Exploding gingersnap.'I feel it's important to
spend clock time with my children, as well as my nieces
and nephews,'Weasley said,'we have such petty
time with them before they go off to Hogwarts.
My eldest is already out on her own and my sons
only have a niggling sentence left at Hogwarts. The
Twins are still young, so I try to spend fourth dimension
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 if he
win, but he'll still just be Dad to us.'

The home of Arthur and molly Weasley is not
only open to Weasleys at Christmastide time. This
twelvemonth they were joined by a acquaintance of Albus Potter
and Rose Weasley, 14. Amanda Tagger, also 14, is
a fourth year student at Hogwarts. tagger is no
stranger to political families since her uncle
is Michael Smythe, efflorescence minister of Great
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.'I think it is just wonderful that
the efflorescence minister of religion's niece is a enchantress,'Percy
said.'We are always trying to promote a
healthy kinship with the Muggle Ministry
and this will only help.'

Before posing for the photograph found on Page
20 and 21, the Weasley family first donned
their Weasley jumpers. Each phallus of the sept
receives one of these jump shot for Yule
every year. The traditional jumpers are knitted
by Molly Weasley.'I'm not sure how it started,
really,'Molly said, when asked about the origin
of the jumper,'I suppose it was when Bill and
Charlie were little, before Percy was born. I
wanted to entwine them matching pinny and they
outgrew them by the keep an eye on class, so I made
new ones. Then when Percy was born he needed one
so it soon grew into a yearly thing.'

If I had to take one password to report the Weasley
kinsfolk, I would pick out'laid-back.'Spending a
Christmas Eve with this family, you would never
think that they were famous for their attempt in
the war against Voldemort. They are just so normal.
Even Harry potter, Head Auror, is just your
average father. He spends Christmas Eve joking
around with his brothers-in-law and playing games
with his nipper, nieces, and nephews. I asked
him what a typical Christmas day is like in the
Weasley mansion and he responded with,'Quidditch.
We live for Quidditch. No issue the weather we
get out there every Christmas and play a match or
two. Then we'll come up inside and have dinner, all
of us together. It's simple, but perfect.'

There you have it. Christmas with the Weasleys
summed up in one time by none former than Harry
Potter himself. I thoroughly enjoyed expenditure
Christmas Eve with Hotspur Weasley and his entire
family. side by side time I interview him, I really must
ask for his mother's shepherd's pie formula. It
truly is wonderful.

“ Really ? ” Albus asked after handing the mag to Lily. “ After all that ? She interviewed half the family and only quoted a few of us ? ”

“ I'm guessing the rest couldn't really be used for the type of article she was going for, ” James pointed out. “ Notice how she only included stuff Samantha and lindy hop said. ”

“ And she made it seem like the photographer just happened to carry moving picture of us playing biz with Uncle Walker Percy, ” Albus said. “ All of that was staged. ”

“ That's news media, ” Ginny said. “ Not good news media, mind you, but it is fairly uncouth practice. ”

“ I guess it could stimulate been tough, ” Albus said.

“ Yes, it could have been, ” Ginny agreed. “ I think we're all just grateful she didn't stay for Christmas dinner. ”

James laughed. “ I wonder how she would've spun that. I'm amazed no one's figured out that Uncle Sir Henry Percy doesn't really like that Peach State plays Quidditch. ”

“ sustain your sass shut about that, Saint James, ” Ginny said quietly.

“ Anyone with half a genius could see it, ” James muttered.

Albus said zip. He still wasn't completely sure that saying nothing about Laurentis figuring that out was the right affair to do. But he couldn't exactly say anything, not when all his cousin-german and Matt had agreed not to.

“ James, ” Ginny said. “ enough. And I suggest you use the remainder of your rupture to consider for those O.W.L.s. June is a lot sooner than you think. ”

James certainly did a good job of pretending to read for the remainder of the holiday, while shut up in his way for his penalization. Albus noticed that while he always had a book cracked exposed nearby, to grab when one of their parents walked into the elbow room, it was always the same book, opened to the Lapplander 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 daytime of doing zip. On Saturday he, along with his parents, James, and Lily, visited Kaden and his family for a previous Christmas and New Year's solemnization. Albus was relieved that Kaden's grandparents weren't there.

Monday arrived and it was prison term to go back to Hogwarts. Albus was quite happy about this because he had grown bored of staying at home and doing nothing and was sick of being in such secretive living quarters with James and Lily. At least in Gryffindor column they kept to their own radical of friends. But mostly, Albus wanted to get Amanda's take on the conversation they overheard at the Minister's Mansion.

“ Everyone's staring at me, ” Amanda said as she entered the compartment Albus, rose wine, matte, King John, and Kaden were occupying. “ Took me ages to get hold you, just because people kept wanting to talk to me. It's that stupid person magazine article. Now everyone knows I'm the Prime government minister's niece. ”

“ It was bound to happen sooner or later, ” Rose pointed out. “ But I'm sorry. If I'd known the reporter was going to talk about that, I wouldn't have invited you for Christmas. ”

“ No, it's okay, ” Amanda said as she sat down. “ I'm gladiolus I went. It's just annoying. Guess 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 Potter's first cousin once removed or something. ”

“ And that really makes me wonder how I got wrapped up in all this, ” John said. “ My parents just aren't nearly as challenging as yours all are. ”

“ How was that party, by the way ? ” Amanda asked.

“ Mostly oil production, ” Albus said. “ But we did wind up up in a tiny cupboard with my cousins Empire State of the South, Bradley, and Cedric and overheard a conversation between Laurentis and her campaign manager. ”

“ You what ? ” privy exclaimed. “ And you didn't think that warranted an owl ? ”

“ We wanted to enjoin you in soul, ” Albus said. “ The conversation was really weird. ”

“ Tell us ! ” Amanda said.

Albus explained what he overheard, with help from Matt, who had been able to hear it a bit Thomas More clearly. John and Kaden looked slightly uncomfortable when they finished, but Amanda didn't seem at all surprised or upset.

“ That can't be good, ” John said. “ What do you retrieve she's preparation ? ”

“ That's just it, I don't know, ” Albus said. “ And all my cousin-german and Matt agreed not to say anything- ”

“ They're right, of course, ” Amanda said. “ You'd just bring up up trouble. Your uncle has got to focus on convincing the great unwashed 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 isn't running for pastor, ” Amanda said. “ And honestly, I don't think she's going to be able to convince all of wizarding Great Britain 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 crusade is spent trying to convince people the opponent is bad for the job. As often as it should just be spent on trying to win over people they're right for the job, candidate just don't do that. cartel me. My uncle's on his endorse term. I know how these matter work. ”

“ I guess, ” Albus said. He felt slightly better about it, now that he had Amanda's opinion, but he still felt ill at ease. “ Something is going to happen at the Azkaban debate, though. She wanted her military campaign manager to dig something up. ”

“ Worst pillowcase scenario, she figures out that your uncle Percy doesn't really approve of Georgia's Quidditch career, ” Amanda said. “ Then he'll give an interview and say that at first he wasn't because he was worried about her futurity but then he saw her romp and now he realizes how good she is and rant, blah, claptrap. It'll be fixed. ”

“ She's right, Albus, ” rosebush said. The others nodded.

“ How do you know all this ? ” Albus asked. “ I mean, seriously. ”

“ I'm an excellent eavesdropper, ” Amanda said with a smiling. “ And all without Extendable Ears. ”

“ Amazing, ” John agreed.

“ It's simple, really, ” Amanda said. “ Be the kid in your family that goes unnoticed. My older sister is the drama queen, so everything that happens to her, no thing how modest, is a huge deal. My slight buddy is a brat who demands constant attention. Me ? I'm the quiet one. They'll have whole conversations about stuff in front of me that they'd never have in front of either my crony or sister. ”

Kaden laughed. “ Bet that changed when you found out you were a witch. ”

“ At first base, but then me being a beldam became normal, ” Amanda said.

Matt let out a low whistle. “ Wish I had that skill. I still can't even go into the Lapplander room as my parents without one of them asking me if I feel okay. Bit of an overstatement, but still. ”

“ I think my parents spent too much of their puerility eavesdropping on mass to give me a in good order chance at it, ” Albus said. “ They know all the tricks. ”

“ So do mine, ” Rose said. “ I swear my mum can smell out an Extendable Ear a air mile away. ”

“ I think I'm too loudly, ” John said.

“ Same, ” Kaden agreed.

“ So, would you believe me if I said I actually wanted to go to the Azkaban debate ? ” John asked as he opened a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

Rose burst out laughing. “ Really, John ? ”

“ Yes, really, ” John said, popping a bonce into his mouth. “ Butter, weird. If Laurentis is going to do something, I want to be right there to witness it. ”

“ Maybe you'll get lucky 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 take my spot, whoremonger, ” lustrelessness said as he got up to steal a handful of toilet's Bertie Bott's. “ Full Moon's on Friday, so I won't be going. ”

“ Maybe you can convince Madam Pomfrey, since it's educational, ” Kaden said.

Matt popped a bonce into his mouth and then promptly spue it out. “ Ew, crap. Doesn't matter what madam Pomfrey says. Day after the broad moon ? I'll be asleep. You'll just take to submit preeminence and let me know what happens. ”

bathroom groaned. “ I'll laissez passer on your spotlight if I have to take notes. ”

“ Someone's going to receive to bring notes either way, ” matt said. “ I'll need them for the essay that Embry will assign. ”

“ Don't worry, I'll take notes, ” rosiness told him.

“ Thanks, ” Matt replied. “ Now, who's wants this bean ? It looks just like dirt, but it could be chocolate. ” Matt held up a suspiciously brown bean.

“ I'll take it ! ” John said. He took a tiny piece, screwed up his face, and threw the rest of the bean back at Matt, hitting him square on the os frontale. “ Thanks, first mate, another dirt. ”

Albus laughed and took a handful of beans. The difference of the trip-up was much more lighthearted than their conversation about the campaign manoeuvre of Laurentis and 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 Sami flavor. The gearing ride went quickly and soon they arrived in Hogsmeade station with Hogwarts, Albus's second home, just a brusque go-cart ride away.


Sorry for the late update ! My cousin got married on Fri so I was gone the whole weekend and didn't have my computer with me. Thanks to my sister, Linda, who in my family, is just like Amanda and can eavesdrop on everyone. She gave me the idea for that. Thanks for all the pin-up critical review !


“ This term we will focus on how the maiden and irregular wars against Voldemort shaped how the Ministry of Magic is organized today, ” prof Embry announced after the bell rang for Tuesday's government class. “ This part of the class will overlap with your chronicle of Magic class quite a bit, although I'd hazard a guess that none of you pay attention in History of conjuring trick, not that I blame you. I never could stay awake in that course of instruction either.

“ First, we will accept a penny-pinching look at exactly how the Ministry was organized prior to Voldemort's rise to index and why it was such a problem, ” Embry continued. “ Part of the cause why Voldemort was able to rise to power as quickly as he did was because the Ministry was susceptible to a takeover. Since then, guard have been taken to prevent a similar berth. Does anyone live the briny difference between the Ministry before Voldemort and the Ministry now ? ”

A few handwriting went up in the air, including Amanda's. Albus knew the answer, but he didn't really want to upgrade his hired man. He preferred listening during class.

“ Yes, Miss tagger ? ”

“ The minister wasn'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 populace voting on which party will be in power. ”

“ Exactly, ” Embry said. “ Prior to the reorganization of the Ministry of Magic in 1998, the Minister was appointed by the Wizengamot. Can anyone tell me why that is a job ? ”

Amanda's deal shooter into the air once more. She was even riotous than Rose in this class.

“ young woman Tagger ? ”

“ It was bad because the people had no force. Only the Wizengamot had any power in the Ministry, because they were the I who appointed the Minister, who then appointed all the other official. No one had any say in anything. ”

“ rightfulness again. Ten point to Gryffindor, ” Embry said. “ The Wizengamot, prior to 1998, was a grouping of very influential witches and wizards, mostly purebloods, who essentially ran the Ministry of magic. They also served as the juridic system of rules. These witches and wizards inherited their seats on the Wizengamot from family penis because each influential syndicate in the British wizarding world once held a tail end in the Wizengamot. The trouble with this are obvious because it meant that only purebloods and a quality few half-bloods had any colour of power. ”

Albus was scribbling furiously. He knew the basic principle of the political organisation just from overhearing his parents'conversations, but the details were hazy. Now that he was learning the gritty contingent, he wondered why it took so long for the Ministry to be reorganized. It seemed like it was based solely on roue status and how much money person had, which wasn't right.

Embry continued to explain the old Ministry and the various mightiness that each mortal or radical of people in the Ministry had prior to Voldemort's reign. By the end of the lecturing Albus had just over a foot of notes, which was good because Embry had already set them an essay.

“ Before you leave, I'll announce who will be attending Sat's debate, ” Embry said after he finished lecturing. “ Like last clip, Albus Potter, blush wine Weasley, and matte Eckerton will be able to advert. The two Hufflepuffs who will be attending are Elaine Asterly and Parker Wayland the Smith. The two Gryffindors are Amanda tagging program and Ethan Kesse. You will report to the Great Asaph Hall at ten and hold for pedagogy from the prefects waiting by the room access. Everyone else will be listening to the debate via wireless in the Transfiguration of Jesus schoolroom. I expect an essay on which candidate you feel made their point better by next class. You are dismissed. ”

“ I guess I won't get to go to all the argument after all, ” Amanda said as they left the classroom.

“ This one will be expert, though, ” rosebush said. “ You're lucky they picked you for it. ”

“ Wish I got picked, ” lav lamented.

“ I'm telling you, just go instead of me, ” Matt insisted. “ Tell them I'm ill and you're taking my spot. ”

“ I really don't think they'll let- ”

“ Planning on being ill on Saturday, are you ? ”

Albus and his friends stopped in the middle of the corridor, turning around to see Scorpio Malfoy behind them, his weaponry 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 intellect, that unnerved Albus.

“ pass on it a rest, Malfoy, ” bathroom said, stepping closer to the Slytherin. “ We get that you know. We've gotten over it. ”

Scorpius stepped closemouthed, ignoring privy and turning to Matt. “ How do you get into the Shrieking Shack ? ” he demanded.

Matt's face paled. St. John the Apostle grabbed hold of Scorpio's gown and dragged him into a nearby classroom. john had at least four inch on Malfoy, so it didn't seem difficult. Albus and the others followed, Rose shutting and locking the door behind them.

“ Why do you want to know about the screeching hovel ? ” John asked as he let go of Scorpius.

“ None of your business organization, ” Scorpius said, glancing at the interlace door. He slowly drew his wand.

lavatory drew his own baton. “ Put your scepter away. And it's his business which makes it all of our business. ” John gestured to Matt, who had sat down on one of the desks.

“ There's five of you. Like snake pit I'm putting my baton away. So I am right, he does transform in the screeching hut, ” Scorpio said with a sly smile. The flavour of sadness Albus thought he'd seen was gone ; maybe he'd imagined it.

“ John ! ” matt exclaimed. “ Now look what you've done ! ”

“ Sorry, ” John said. “ I didn't mean to- ”

“ Never mind, ” Matt said, getting up from the desk and walking over to St. John the Apostle and Scorpius. “ How did you figure it out ? ”

“ Where else could you transubstantiate safely ? ” Scorpius asked. “ I did a little research in the library and that was built the summer before Remus lupine started at Hogwarts and everyone knows he was a loup-garou. No one ever lived in it, but people reported hearing uncanny noises from it. Everyone said it was ghosts, but they went strangely quiet seven eld later, only to reappear four and a half long time ago, when we started at Hogwarts. Quite a coincidence, I thought. And now I see that I'm right. ”

Albus was kind of traumatise Scorpio had done all that research and put everything together. Perhaps he was smarter than Albus and his Quaker gave him cite for.

“ Well, you can't tell anyone, just like you can't tell anyone I'm a lycanthrope, ” Matt said. “ Kendrick would expel you. ”

“ I don't deal that it's where you transform, ” Scorpius said. “ The point is that it's empty except for one Night of the month. How do you get in ? ”

“ I'm not telling, ” lusterlessness said.

“ mulct, I'll figure it out myself, ” Scorpius said, pointing his baton at the doorway. The lock clicked and he strolled over to the room access, opened it, and left.

“ That was weird, ” Albus said as soon as Scorpius was gone.

“ Yeah, ” Matt said, sitting down on the nearest desk. “ Why does he want to get in the Shrieking Shack ? ”

“ Clearly he needs somewhere that's empty, but the question 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 didn't. He's definitely upset about something, ” rose said.

flatness groaned. “ He better not actually enter out how to get in there. ”

“ If he does, he wouldn't be dumb enough to go in there during a full Sun Myung Moon, ” Albus pointed out.

“ Yeah, but still. That's my quad, ” Matt muttered. “ I need a nap. I think I'm going to hop-skip dinner and just go back to Gryffindor. I'll see you later. ”

Matt hopped off the desk and left the room. Albus sighed. The utmost thing he wanted, amidst all of the election poppycock and his family's play, was another issue with Scorpius Malfoy, but it looked like affair were heading in that direction.
***


The following morning when Albus and his friend entered the Great residence hall for breakfast the pupil already eating were lots louder than pattern. Albus turned to Rose, who shrugged in confusion, as they walked inside. Everyone in the room, pupil and teacher alike, were talking ominously. written matter of the oracle were exchanging custody faster than the Quaffle during a Gryffindor/Slytherin match.

“ Albus ! ” Saint 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 Saint James the Apostle was sitting. He took the paper and his friends crowded around him.

“ Not like final time, ” St. James the Apostle said darkly. “ High-profile prisoners and to a greater extent of them. expiry eater. There hasn't been a break-out like this in year. Not since our parents were our age. ”

Albus's heart began to British pound sterling as he unfolded the paper. There it was, right on the front Thomas Nelson Page. A big photo montage of five people, all gaunt and evil-looking, was right in the center, with the words'Five Prisoners Break Out of Azkaban'above them and an article below them. Albus's stomach churned when he recognized the painting of the middle prisoner. It was Quinton Willinson. His oculus drifted to the clause so he could figure out who the others were.

Early this first light Azkaban officials
reported that five luxuriously protection captive
escaped previous last Night. It is ill-defined how
they managed to do so. The prisoners, all
imprisoned for felonies, should be regarded
as life-threatening and should not be approached.

quaternary of the five prisoners have been in
Azkaban since 1998, having been imprisoned
for war crimes. They are Alecto Carrow,
Amycus Carrow, Fenrir Greyback, and Dolores
Umbridge. All but Umbridge are proven Death
Eaters. The 5th prisoner, Quinton Willinson,
has been in and out of prison since 2018,
having escaped and been recaptured just last
yr.

'finding and recapturing these individuals is
our top precedency,'drumhead Auror, Harry thrower,
said to reporters early this dawning. Minister
candidate and headland Azkaban official, Patricia
Laurentis, refused to comment on the break-out.
The Auror department has asked all those with
tips to account them to the Ministry via owl
immediately.

Albus sat stunned after reading the article. Three Death Eaters, Dolores Umbridge, and Quinton Willinson had escaped from Azkaban. How did that happen ? How did five high security system prisoner just escape with no one stopping them ? It didn't make mother wit.

“ This is not going to bring in Laurentis depend good, ” Amanda said quietly.

“ Forget Laurentis, this is bad, ” Albus said. “ Very bad. Umbridge is evil, wind evil. My dad's got scars on his mitt from what she did to him when she was a teacher here. And the Carrows, they were teachers, too. They taught darkness prowess. Not defense, but actual shadow Arts, and how to rack Muggles. Greyback- ”

“ Limnodromus griseus bites masses, for fun, ” matt said, his face pale white. “ He's the one who bit Teddy's dad. ”

“ The four of them, ” Albus began, “ the four of them make Quinton Willinson look like a unicorn. ”

“ That's the uncanny thing, ” rosiness said. “ The others are in prison for lifetime for war crimes. Willinson will be in there for a while, but he'll get watchword eventually and the only reason he's a luxuriously security prisoner is because he escaped before. So why did he get out out with the others ? Why did they let him in on it ? They're up to something. ”

Albus hadn't even thought of that. Why was Quinton Willinson now connected with war felon who had been in prison since before he was born ? It didn't make sense. Albus thought about it throughout all his social class that day, but didn't come up with any answers.

It was obvious that the Azkaban break-out had unnerved the entire castle. Professors spoke in low whispers when they thought students weren't around, scholar no longer wandered the castle by themselves, and even Scorpius Malfoy seemed a bit more quash during dueling practice on Thursday.

All five prisoners still remained at large on Fri, when Ministry official began arriving for the argument. Laurentis still had yet to remark on the break-out, which struck Albus as strange. Azkaban was her territory and yet she said nothing on the theme.

“ Is it just me or are there even more than reporters here than there were lastly time ? ” Albus asked.

“ It's not just you, ” Amanda said.

Albus, lustrelessness, John, and Amanda were walking back to the castle from Care of Magical Creatures. It was slow going since the full synodic month was that night and matt was exhausted, but luckily the weather was unseasonably warm for January. They'd just been passed by a group of rush looking newsperson coming up from Hogsmeade.

“ There's probably more because of the break-out, ” Matt said. “ Laurentis is going to cause to finally say something about it tomorrow since the topic is Azkaban. ”

“ doe anyone else intend it's weird that there was a break-out three days before the Azkaban disputation ? ” Albus asked.

“ I thought of that, too, ” Amanda said. “ Very weird coincidence. ”

“ fountainhead, it'll be good for your uncle, ” can said. “ Laurentis is going to count like an idiot, not being able to keep five high security measures prisoner in Azkaban. ”

Albus nodded. He supposed that was one good thing that came from three last Eaters escaping from Azkaban, not that there was anything good about it.

“ I'm skipping good luck charm, ” Matt said through a oscitancy. “ And Ancient Runes. ”

“ I'm surprised you didn't skip Care of Magical animal, ” lav said.

matt shrugged. “ I felt okay earlier, probably because of the nap I took in story of Magic. ”

john laughed. “ I felt much better after my nap in account of Magic, too. ”

“ Very funny, ” matt said as they reached the palace.

Albus found it increasingly unmanageable to concentrate on anything for the rest of the day. By the time he went to Ancient rune he was ineffective to think about anything besides the break-out and the fact that Death Eaters were now roaming free. Deep down he knew he was perfectly safe at Hogwarts, but it was still troubling.

Professor Kendrick welcomed the Ministry officials to Hogwarts at dinner party that night and Albus thought back to the last-place debate, when Hogwarts had housed the Ministry officials. He was very happy that this sentence he wouldn't be confessing to a joke to his uncle in the Gryffindor vulgar room. Neither John or Kaden had done their retaliation prank to the Slytherins yet and Albus sorting of hoped they wouldn't.

After a spasmodic rest Albus woke early on Saturday morning and contemplated visiting lusterlessness before everyone else woke up, but figured that Matt would be deceased and thus it would be pointless to visit. He'd visit with everyone else later, after the debate. They'd have plenty of time sine there wasn't going to be a question and result session this time.

At ten o'clock Albus, rose, and Amanda stood in course in nominal head of the Great Hall, waiting to be let inside. Saint John had decided not to bother asking if he could take mat's place, since he didn't want to pull in any attention to the fact that matt was not there.

“ Albus, ” pink wine whispered, poking him in the side of meat. “ expression. Malfoy's here. ”

Albus glanced over to where Rose was pointing and saw that Scorpius was in fact waiting in occupation. He looked sullen and perturbation again and Albus wished he knew why. It was Wyrd seeing Malfoy, the usually arrogant prick, upset.

“ Guess he won the Slytherin smudge, ” Albus said.

The door to the Great vestibule opened and Albus and blush wine said adios to Amanda before they were lead to the front of the room by a Slytherin prefect. They were seated in the Sami row they were before, along with the eternal rest of their Hogwarts full cousin.

The Great lobby slowly filled up over the next one-half minute. The rest of Albus's cousins, aunty, and uncles arrived, taking spots in the front few rows. Albus caught Empire State of the South's eye as she took her rear end in the row on the diametric side of the room from him and she gave him a flimsy smiling.

Albus wondered if Laurentis's campaign manager had actually found anything on Uncle Percy and whether she would say anything during the argument. With the break-out, he hoped she'd been too occupy to dig up much turd 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 blueness robe and had very little hair on his head.

“ attending, please ! ” Kendrick shouted. The crowd quieted. “ Thank you. I'd like to welcome all of you to Hogwarts and introduce our moderator for this morning. Victor Farleigh, Head of the section of Magical Transportation. ”

“ Thank you, Professor, ” the short, balding man said. “ I'd now like to introduce our candidate, although I am sure you all know them. Mr. Hotspur Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis. ”

Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis walked into the way from one of the antechambers and took their places at each of the stump. Percy looked as confident as always and Laurentis, despite the scandal of the break-out, looked poised and excited.

“ Today we will be debating the juridical system, specifically Azkaban prison, ” Farleigh announced. “ The usual rules apply. Five narrow line, two minute rebuttals. ”

Laurentis inched closer to her soapbox, as if she was readying herself to pounce on whatever Percy said. Percy remained serene and roll up, continuing to play the character of the coolheaded pol.

“ Mr. Weasley, you will respond first. Do you finger that the juridical system as a whole is fair 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 fair trial by the Wizengamot, ” Percy began. “ I have reviewed many grammatical case, and while I am not nor do I feign to be a solicitor, and I feel that the bulk of the time handed out by the Wizengamot fit the offence. However, there is always a chance that a person hangdog of a crime will go free, as there is an equal fortune that person will be wrongfully imprisoned. The judicial scheme works firmly to make trusted this happens as infrequently as possible and corrects wrongs when they do occur. ”

“ Ms. Laurentis ? ”

“ I disagree with my opposite, ” Laurentis said. “ almost of the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot are not abrasive enough. Ever since the defeat of Voldemort prison time have grown shorter, with the exception of those imprisoned for war criminal offense. And one shamed somebody who roams absolve is too many. If I am elected curate I will lick hard to see to it that no shamefaced people get off. captive belong in Azkaban and the Wizengamot is far too lenient. ”

“ Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley. ”

“ While a goal of not having any guilty people get set relinquish is worthy, it is unrealistic, ” Harry Hotspur said. “ The Wizengamot is composed of beldame and wizards like you and me. They are not any more powerful than we are and do not have the ability to know for sure that the accused are guilty. Mistakes materialise 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 false hope. ”

“ I am not offering false Leslie Townes Hope, ” Laurentis said. “ There are tour, potions, shipway to find out if masses are guilty that the Wizengamot does not use. If I am elective curate I will approve use of these and they will assist the Wizengamot in ensuring that no hangdog outlaw are set free. ”

Albus agreed with his uncle. There was no potential way Laurentis could assure that all criminal would be imprisoned.

“ Next question, ” Farleigh said. “ Ms. Laurentis, you will go first. Do you feel the parole organization is effective ? ”

Laurentis gave a wry smile before beginning. “ Much like the Wizengamot, the password system is too lenient. I have seen felon guilty of grand stealing get paroled after a mere two years in prison house. The statistic are clear, virtually of these outlaw who are paroled early on in their conviction wind up back in Azkaban within a twelvemonth, whether for breaking the rules of their word or committing another crime. As top dog of Azkaban, I am able to consecrate my input signal of whether a captive is paroled or not, but in the end it is up to the Wizengamot. ”

“ Mr. Weasley. ”

“ As my opponent has said, many criminals are paroled too quickly. However, I do not believe that leaving them in Azkaban longer is the solution. If I am elected I will produce and stomach a unspoiled system for integrating criminals back into beau monde. Muggles have seen achiever with halfway theatre and I feel we should try that in wizarding society. ”

“ Halfway mansion ? ” Laurentis said with raised eyebrow. “ An connive idea. However, Mr. Weasley lacks the experience that I have with dealing with prisoner. most are not fit for society and many never will be. Even with halfway business firm they will wind up back in Azkaban. Why spend the money on trying to rehabilitate when it won't work ? ”

“ It's about giving people a chance, ” Percy said. “ Not everyone is a bewildered cause and should be written off so quickly. Many prisoners have made a few bad choices as a outcome of bad childhoods and a bit of rehabilitation will set them straight. ”

“ Thank you, Mr. Weasley, ” Farleigh said. “ next interrogative sentence. Is Azkaban an appropriate place to house prisoners ? Is the deftness still doing its job ? ”

Percy shifted a bit before answering. “ Azkaban is an appropriate deftness for high school security department prisoners, but I have always felt that we need a less intimidating building to house our lower security prisoner. Right now all criminals, from those who committed lilliputian theft or skipped bail to those who have murdered the great unwashed, are all housed in Azkaban. I have been to Azkaban. Despite the fact that it is no longer in restraint of the dementors it is still a terrifying and in high spirits certificate place. It also requires a lot of money for its upkeep. If we were to ramp up a humble building located on the mainland to house lower security prisoner, we would be able to diminish spending at Azkaban itself. We could then increase security at Azkaban without wasting travail and money on less dangerous criminals. ”

“ Ms. Laurentis. ”

“ How is building another facility going to save money ? ” Laurentis asked. “ Once again you show your ignorance in the judicial system and Azkaban. I believe that Azkaban is doing its job perfectly well. I am in charge of the prison, including its upkeep and it is in perfect condition. We are not spending an outrageous total of money on the place. Further, I do not conceive that LE severe felon deserve a lower security prison. They are all felon and if they did not like to be in Azkaban, they should not get committed a crime. ”

“ Maintaining Azkaban is expensive, ” Percy said. “ It is also extremely unmanageable to hire guards because of its location and world-wide feel of the place, not to mention the dangerous criminal. If we housed less dangerous criminals in another building, it would be light to recover safeguard to work there. We could then use the precaution unforced to guard high security measure prisoners only to hold highschool security prisoners. We would no longer give to waste them on abject security department prisoners. ”

“ But we will still receive to maintain Azkaban, and then another construction, ” Laurentis pointed out. “ It just makes far more sensation to keep all criminals in one place and an island is a good place to do that- ”

“ Obviously not that beneficial, given the escape- ”

“ Mr. Weasley, ” Farleigh interrupted. “ You are speaking out of turn. It is meter to travel on to the adjacent question. In light of the Recent epoch Azkaban break-out, what do you feel needs to be done to ensure it does not occur again ? ”

Laurentis gazed out over the crowd. Albus felt like she was looking directly at him, but assumed she just had that ability to appear to be looking every person in the eye at once. She then turned to Percy and gave him one of those creepy-crawly smiling that seemed to deliver become her signature facial locution. Albus turned to pink wine, who raised her supercilium and shrugged.

“ I am well cognizant that I have remained quiet on the case of the break-out, ” Laurentis began, “ and I have done that on intent. I see that all of the reporters in the back have their Quik-Quotes quill feather poised and ready to drop a line down my every news on this subject. Surely you're all hoping to be the starting time to publish my thoughts.

“ You're probably all assuming I will deny that there is anything incorrectly with the security at the prison and that the break-out was a bare trematode and it won't bechance again. I am not going to say either. There is a problem and if we do not fix it, it will take place again. Every single one of those escaped prisoners is highly severe and if we do not recapture them soon, who knows what will hap. When they are captured, we will need to sustain better surety in position. After all, what is more important that the safety of our children ? With those five prisoners roaming complimentary, every person in this room, in this rook, in this body politic is in danger.

“ Fortunately, I have a solution. It is a controversial solution, but I feel we need to go to extremes to protect our fellowship, especially our tyke. That is why if elected Minister, the first thing I will do is reestablish the dementors as Azkaban guards. ”


Sorry about the cliff hanger ! I didn't want to do it but the chapter was twice as long as they normally are and there really wasn't a good stead to burst 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 cry of scandalisation or excitement. Albus could practically listen the reporter'quills scratching across rolls of parchment, and Laurentis was grinning again. Percy stood behind his podium, his mouth seeming to be frozen in a all-encompassing, gaping position. Farleigh was attempting to gain order, and failing.

“ That is literally insane ! ” Rose exclaimed. “ Reinstate the dementors ? Is she mad ? Is she throwing the election ? ”

“ I don't know, ” Albus said. “ But she must be mad. Will people actually sanction of this ? Will she even be able to do it ? ”

pink wine nodded. “ Whoever she gets to replace herself as Head of Azkaban will surely desire the dementors back, too. Then she'll approve it as diplomatic minister and it'll pass. ”

“ But it would be stupid to bring them back, ” Albus said.

“ It would, ” blush wine agreed. “ They're unsafe and their loyalty change so easily. But to be good, I'm not sure everyone will sense that way. Not with those captive on the loose. ”

“ Quiet, quiet ! ” Professor Kendrick shouted. The crowd finally settled down.

“ Mr. Weasley, it is your bit to speak, ” Farleigh said exasperatingly.

Walker Percy shook his head to recover his composure. He'd lost his aplomb, calm, and collected politician look and now he looked more like he did after arguing with Georgia about her Quidditch life history.

“ Well, I, er, do not believe that dementors are the answer to the security problems in Azkaban, ” Walker Percy said. “ What we need are more skilled sentry go in charge of high security prisoners as well as a revamp of the spells and bewitchment currently keeping prisoner inside. It will also help to go over the organization of the sentry go schedule because at the time of the escape, only three guards were maintaining that part of the prison. That was surely an oversight that could hold been prevented. ”

“ Human error, ” Laurentis said. “ It happens and it will happen again. Can we really risk the lifetime of our fry in the chance that another error will occur ? Dementors were try guards who did not allow prisoners to escape. During their reign in Azkaban, before their commitment changed, only one person managed to run away. Since their remotion we have had legion escapes. ”

“ clean-cut grounds that we need to revamp prison security, ” Percy said. “ But dementors are not the resolution. They are dangerous creatures and as you said, their commitment changed. What's to say that won't chance again if, God forbid, another Voldemort were to rise to mogul ? If anyone offered those dementors a better deal than we did they'd have a solid prison house of severe criminal at their administration to do their bidding. It's not worth the risk. ”

“ Another Voldemort is not going to go up to power, ” Laurentis said with a laugh. “ We have learned from our account and it won't happen again. ”

“ You can't guarantee that, ” Hotspur said. “ Even if there is a very pocket-sized luck of it happening, it is not worth risking having dementors guard Azkaban. ”

“ Mr. Weasley, Ms. Laurentis, ” Farleigh said. “ It is metre to move 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 unsafe criminals have escaped, four of whom were on Voldemort's side during the war, and are out there, wreaking havoc 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 attempts to get both candidates to stop talking. “ For all we know they would've escaped anyway ! ”

Laurentis let out a deep jest. “ Five captive evasion when the dementors are allied with the Ministry ? That's laughable. Only one person was able-bodied 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 creatures. Not to advert the ethics of subjecting prisoners to their effects- ”

“ captive have no rights, ” Laurentis said. “ They give up their right hand when they commit crimes- ”

“ staple human rights ! ” Harry Hotspur exclaimed. “ There are introductory human rights that everyone deserves ! talk about learning from our chronicle. account tells us what happens when someone believes they are above others. Or do you not recall the sovereignty of Voldemort ? ”

“ I lost my mother to that war ! ” Laurentis said. “ Don't you tell me that I don't recollect it. ”

Albus was on the bound of his ass. His uncle was so red in the look that he was starting to turn purple and resemble Kaden's grandfather. Laurentis's hair was breaking free from its tight bun and there was a vein popping out in her os frontale. Farleigh was still trying to get both nominee to stop talking and failing miserably, while every early someone in the Great antechamber sat completely still, staring at Percy and Laurentis.

“ Silence ! ” Professor Kendrick shouted in a magically amplified voice.

Both Percy and Laurentis immediately quieted. The vein on Laurentis's forehead continued to throb, and Percy still looked like an overripe tomato.

“ I think we've run out of clip, ” Farleigh said, in a voice barely more than a squeak. “ Thank you all for coming. ”

“ pupil, please return to your common rooms, ” Kendrick announced. “ luncheon will be in an minute. As a monitor, there is no query and answer academic session today. ”

The whispering rose up immediately after Kendrick stopped speaking and since everyone was whispering the noise level rose very gamy. Albus, Rose, and Amanda joined the queue of people ambling to leave the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall, and without even talking about it, went immediately to the Marauder's Den, where they found can and Kaden.

“ What the bloody nether region is she trying to do ? ” john asked as soon as Albus shut the door.

“ She's lost her mind ! ” Rose shouted as she began pacing around the room. “ She has legitimately lost her mind. That's the solitary explanation. ”

“ Well there's no way she'll win now, ” Albus pointed out. “ Dementors ? ”

“ It's a bit convenient, don't you think ? ” Rose asked. “ This break-out happens and then she announces she wants the dementors back ? It didn't sound like a design she'd just come up with. ”

“ We've got to find oneself 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 happiness out of us when we were in Australia go year, right ? ”

Albus nodded. “ They're awful creatures. ”

“ And they used to defend the prison ? ” 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 demise 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 feed off of. ” Rose shuddered. “ Voldemort offered them far more than even Azkaban could offer. But right now they don't have a salutary germ. They just travel around, feeding. They'll guard duty if given the opportunity. ”

“ Shouldn't the great unwashed be against it ? ” Amanda asked. “ It's so ethically wrong. ”

“ That's why it was dumb of her to announce it, ” Albus pointed out.

“ She wouldn't announce anything if she didn't think it would get her votes, ” rose wine said. “ nigh people our parents'age and erstwhile, who lost loved unity in the war, will take in absolutely no sympathy for Death eater and wouldn't care if the dementors were brought back, especially if Laurentis could then secure no one would escape. ”

Albus hadn't idea of that and apparently no one else did, either, because the way grew quiet. Albus sank onto one of the lounge and started counting the routine of Bertie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans that were scattered on the storey. He got to twenty-three before anyone said anything.

“ I wonder what Malfoy thinks of all this, ” bathroom mused. “ Wasn't his dad a Death feeder ? So he shouldn't want the dementors back in Azkaban, but the way he was talking in the III Broomsticks a while back made it seem like he's very against your uncle. ”

“ Of course he's against my uncle, ” Albus said. “ His completely mob dislike my whole fellowship and it goes the former way, too. But his dad was never found shamed of his crimes so he never did time in Azkaban. ”

“ Surely his dad's got friends there, ” John said.

Albus shrugged. “ Probably. ” To be honest, he didn't really worry what Malfoy thought about Laurentis and Uncle Harry Hotspur.

“ We should go to lunch and then chew the fat Matt, ” rose said. “ collar him up on all this. ”

Albus had completely forgotten that lusterlessness was still in the hospital wing, in the thick of Laurentis's announcement. He felt vaguely hangdog about it, but at least rosiness had remembered.

Everyone gathered for tiffin in the Great G. Stanley Hall was talking about Laurentis's desire to bring back the dementors. Percy, Laurentis, and the Ministry functionary were still there, having dejeuner with the professor at the stave board, and all were deeply in discussion. Albus would've loved to be able-bodied to listen in on their conversations, but wearing the invisibility Cloak in the crowded Great Hall wasn't a good idea.

“ bettor get used to the estimation of your dad being Minister, ” one of the one-seventh years was saying to Bradley. “ No one's going to vote for Laurentis now. ”

Bradley muttered something under his breath that Albus couldn't hear. Albus took a prat a few people down from his cousin and began to defecate a sandwich.

“ She's got my whole phratry's voting now, ” one of the other 7th yr said. “ Both of my grandparents were killed by Fenrir Greyback. If the dementors will grab him and save him in there forever, it'd make all of us sleep better. ”

There were a few nods from other older students sitting nearby. Albus was slightly shocked. If this many bookman approved of her idea, a lot of adults probably did, too. And these were seventh year ; they could vote.

“ delay, the dementors find outlaw, too ? ” Kaden asked. “ I thought that's what Aurors did. ”

“ Only the really frightening escaped prisoner, ” Albus said. “ My dad's Godfather, Sothis, when he escaped, the dementors were given permission to return him the Dementor's Kiss if they caught him. ”

“ What's the Dementor's osculation ? ” Amanda asked.

Albus shuddered. “ It's where they suck out person'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 world-class to lam Azkaban. He's the one Laurentis was talking about and at the time everyone thought he murdered xiii Muggles and gave my grandparents up to Voldemort. ”

“ That's absolutely atrocious ! ” Amanda exclaimed. She turned to the few one-sixth and seventh class who had said they'd vote for Laurentis. “ How can you bid that on someone ? ”

“ If your grandparents were murdered by Death Eaters you would, too, ” one of the missy snapped.

“ Albus's grandparents were murdered by Voldemort and he doesn't want the dementors back at Azkaban, ” Amanda pointed out.

“ Well, Voldemort's beat, ” the fille said. “ Maybe if Greyback were dead I'd feel differently. But he's not so I want the dementors back. ”

“ I don't think she's going to lose as easily as we thought, ” Amanda said quietly.

“ Of course she's not, ” Rose said. “ This is probably better for voter turnout than digging up grime on Uncle Percy. ”

“ It's absolutely barbaric, ” Amanda said, shoving her home base forward. “ Sucking out mortal's someone ? And they just suck in your felicitous retentiveness out ? ”

“ Yeah, ” Albus answered, thinking back to the previous June. He shuddered. “ You're forced to live over your worst memories. ”

“ That's all you can think about ? ” Amanda asked. “ Just the bad 1 ? ”

Albus nodded. “ My dad said it makes you go mad after a while. ”

“ Of course of study it does ! ” Amanda shouted. “ That's just not right ! Are you lot done eating yet ? I can't sit here anymore. ”

Albus was surprised Amanda had had such a hard reaction to the dementors, but he supposed coming from the Muggle universe, where she hadn't even known such creatures existed, it would be a bit of a shock. He was even more surprised that she'd nearly gotten into a shouting catch with a seventh year over them, when she was normally so quiet.

“ I'm done, ” blush wine said.

“ Me, too, ” Albus said as he got up.

John and Kaden each grabbed the remaining one-half of their sandwiches and followed the others out of the Great Granville Stanley Hall. Amanda lead the way, stomping her feet a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

“ It's just ill-timed on so many floor ! ” she said as she led them to the infirmary flank. “ It's torture, honestly. That's what it is. emotional torture. Can't they just be killed off or something ? ”

“ They don't die, ” rosebush said. “ They can't. They just sort of... exist. Once my mum gets news of this, well, she's not going to stay quiet. ”

“ And she shouldn't, ” Amanda said. “ Can she stop Laurentis ? ”

“ Not if Laurentis is pastor, ” rose wine answered. “ right now Mum's the Senior helper of Magical Law Enforcement, so if Laurentis tried to get this to pass now, my mum could help stop it. But Minister Hartwell would never put something like this through. ”

“ They're foul creature, ” Amanda continued. “ Having them guard anything or anyone is a frightening idea. ”

Albus decided now would not be a in force fourth dimension to assure 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 Hospital Wing. “ Albus's dad saved him with a Patronus. Then he nearly got expelled for doing underage magic in the comportment of a Muggle. ”

“ You're kidding, ” Amanda said. “ God, the Ministry really was screwed up when your parents were at Hogwarts. This is the variety of affair 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 lesson of unfairness, ” Amanda said.

“ You sound just like my mum, ” Rose said. “ It's creepy. Doesn't she ? ”

Albus agreed. “ You do sound just like her mum. ”

“ Your mum has the right thought, ” Amanda said as they reached the Hospital Wing.

mat was the only patient in the ward. The curtains weren't drawn around his bed and he was sitting up and eating a stadium of soup, which was a skillful sign. Madam 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.

“ Fine, ” Matt said. “ Three cracked ribs and a lot of cruddy cuts, but I'm mulct. Listen, I heard the debate. Madam Pomfrey had it on on the tuner. How insane is Laurentis ? ! You should have heard ma'am Pomfrey ranting about her earlier. ”

“ You're not to replicate what you heard, ” Madam Pomfrey said. “ But Albus and Rose, you can tell your uncle that he's got my suffrage. Always thought he was a petty pompous when he was at Hogwarts but at least he's not dumb enough to use dementors as guards of Azkaban. ”

“ Amanda's on a rampage, ” Albus said.

“ It's kind of funny remark, ” John added.

“ It is not funny story ! ” Amanda exclaimed. “ It's serious. ”

“ It's just that you're so tranquil, but you got into it with that seventh year. ”

“ I did not get into it with a one-seventh twelvemonth ! ” Amanda shouted and turned to lustrelessness. “ John's exaggerating. She announced that she and her family were all going to vote for Laurentis because her grandparents were killed by Greyback and she wants to make surely he stays in prison. ”

Matt toyed with his blanket and didn't meet Amanda's eye.

“ What ? ” she asked. “ Don't tell me you want the dementors in Azkaban. ”

“ I don't, ” flatness said quickly. “ It's not that. It's the whole Greyback thing, I can sort 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 sorting of lucky. The bloke who bit me is in prison house and has been since he bit me. ”

Albus had never heard lusterlessness talk about the wolfman who bit him, except for mentioning that he's in prison.

“ He gets out next year, ” Matt said quietly. “ He can get paroled. ”

“ Do you know much about him ? ” Albus asked.

“ Just his 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 head. “ No, and it never has been. And I don't think prison 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 attack on me, that was an accident. Greyback bit people on intent. He'd bite people and then raise them in his pack. That's why he liked going for kids. Teddy's dad... Rebel bit him and tried to get his parents to give him up. They didn't, of course, but a lot of parents did. ”

Albus swallowed hard. He hadn't get it on that about slip's dad and wasn't even sure if Teddy knew that. Teddy's dad's parents died long before shift was born and Albus doubted his grandmother knew that.

“ How'd you find that out ? ” Albus asked.

“ When we first moved here Amy learned about teddy bear's dad when she was catching up on Brits history of magic trick. She told me all about him and how successful he wound up being just to make me experience better. But then I decided to research other werewolves and found out about Greyback in one of my dad's Holy Writ. It talked about his unharmed thing with bitter kids. 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 inner circle of lycanthrope to do his bidding, ” Matt said. “ And now he's out. What if he wants to do that again ? ”

“ insect bite citizenry and work a ingroup ? ” Albus asked.

Matt nodded. “ That or regain hoi polloi who've already been bitten. ”

Albus saw where this was going now. “ He's not going to observe you. Hogwarts is safe. ”

“ That's what everyone always says, but the past few years it really hasn't. Remember last year ? ”

“ Technically we weren'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 warrantee, ” Matt said. “ I wonder how many people he bit endure night. ”

Albus didn't result. There was no way of knowing what Fenrir greyback did during the entire lunation, just like there was no way to warrant that Hogwarts would be prophylactic. All Albus and his protagonist could do was hope that it would be prophylactic and that the escaped Death feeder would be recaptured soon. Albus still thought having dementors sentry go Azkaban was an absolutely terrible estimate, but after listening to Matt talk about Silas Humphrey and Fenrir Johnny, he sort of understood why some masses might need the dementors back at Azkaban and thus vote 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 clock time ! Thanks for all the tremendous reexamination ! If you like piranha era, please check out my newest novel, Between Here and Somewhere !


“ I guess Laurentis has been trying to get the dementors reinstated in Azkaban for years, ” Albus said the postdate break of day at breakfast, as he set down a written matter of the Prophet.

The clause on the debate had been a long one, taking up nearly the entire front man Thomas Nelson Page. It featured a pic of Walker Percy and Laurentis arguing with each other, and Albus was able-bodied to see his uncle's face turning steadily more purple, despite the fact that the picture was in black and white. The article that followed elaborate Laurentis's apparently years-long campaign to bring the dementors back. She had put the proffer up for suffrage four times and it was shot down by minister of religion Hartwell each fourth dimension.

“ Of track he shot it down, ” Rose said after skimming the clause. “ It's a stupe melodic theme. Oh, look, they've quoted my mum. I'll read it.'Hermione Weasley, Senior assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, when asked about Laurentis's marriage proposal, said,'It's absolutely barbaric. Everybody, including prisoners, have basic man rights that can not be broken. I thought we'd moved past the days when the Ministry sanctioned emotional abuse of its prisoners and the sentiment that a cleaning lady running for minister is proposing this is quite frankly horrifying. It is my sincere Hope that the multitude of wizarding Britain will recall long and hard about the effects this will have, not only on captive, but on our order as well, before they cast their balloting in April.'& # 039 ; ”

“ Always one to speak her mind, your mum, ” Albus said.

“ I couldn't harmonise Thomas More, ” Amanda replied. “ Although if Laurentis wins I bet she gets sacked. ”

“ She can't, ” Rose said. “ Her job isn't appointed solely by the minister of religion. If she were head of the section, then yes, but she isn't heading yet. It's confusing. ”

“ Good, ” Amanda said. “ We'll need some sane people in there if Laurentis is elected. ”

“ What are you lot doing today ? ” John asked, steering the conversation away from the election. “ Kaden and I are going to spend the day plotting our new prank. ”

“ I don't want to cognise, ” pink wine said, holding up her hands. “ I'm probably going to go to the library. ”

“ I'll go with you, ” Amanda said. “ I want to research dementors and their use in Azkaban. ”

“ Quidditch practice, ” Albus replied. “ All day. We've got to get ready for the equal on Saturday against Ravenclaw. After the last match, we've got to constitute sure we we win by a decent amount of percentage point if we're going to takeover Slytherin's place for the Cup. ”

“ Oh yeah, ” Kaden said. “ Whatever happened with that Olivia little girl ? She had a vast press on Saint James the Apostle, didn't she ? ”

Albus laughed. “ I've no idea. ”

“ She sent James a box of umber for Christmas, ” Cedric, who had been sitting side by side to Albus, whispered. “ But you didn't hear that from me. ”

“ I was there when he opened his present tense, ” Albus said.

“ She gave them to him before we went home for the holiday, ” Cedric explained. “ She hijacked our thestral bearing and wound up riding to the gearing with us. ”

“ How awkward was that ? ” Albus asked, still giggling.

“ Very, ” Cedric said as he glanced over his shoulder. “ She stared at him the whole time. ”

“ Creepy, ” Albus said.

“ Shh, ” Cedric said. “ He's coming over. ”

“ I think I'm going to go visit Matt before Quidditch practice session, ” Albus said. “ I'll see you later ? ”

“ Sure, ” blush wine said. “ You know where to find me. ”

“ And us ! ” St. John the Apostle announced. “ Marauder's Den. joke planning. ”

“ I don't want to be involved, ” Albus said as he got up.

John shrugged. “ Suit yourself. ”

Albus hurried up to the Hospital Wing and managed to get inside without Madam Pomfrey noticing, although the nurse wouldn't have minded him being there. But she was very preoccupied with two student who had somehow fused their left arm together. mat was already awake and much gay than he had been the late day, when talking about Greyback. He was pretty sure lady Pomfrey was going to let him out that night, so they agreed to meet in the predator's Den just before dinner.

Quidditch drill went very well and Albus was fairly certain they would beat Ravenclaw on Saturday. No one mentioned the election or Laurentis's wanting to make for back the dementors, which was a sure sign that things were getting back to convention at Hogwarts. Albus spent the rest of the day in the Marauder's Den working on his preparation with Matt while trying to keep off hearing any contribution of John and Kaden's new prank.

The calendar week went by quickly since Albus spent every moment he wasn't in class on the Quidditch delivery. But the weather remained becoming so it was gratifying. The only day Albus wasn't on the pitch was Thursday, when he had dueling practice.

“ When's the next tournament ? ” Amanda asked as she and Albus walked into the metamorphosis classroom, where they were were scheduled to practice. ling was there to superintend, sitting in a nook. A few of the team members 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 wasn't even paying attention. Instead he was hunched over a long opus of parchment. “ Wonder what he's doing ? ”

Amanda shrugged. “ finale min preparation ? ”

Suddenly, Malfoy sat up uncoiled and crumpled the objet d'art of parchment. He shoved it into his sack and stood up, staring at Albus as he did so. He looked heavy and averted his eyes after only a few seconds.

“ I don't think that's prep, ” Albus said.

“ Wyrd, ” Amanda said.

“ Very, ” Albus agreed. “ Let's get started ! I think we should practice blocking. ” He took a sidelong glance at Malfoy, expecting him to scoff and claim that they already knew how to block, but instead Malfoy just turned to the student nearest to him and began to do as Albus said. What was even weirder was that the educatee he partnered with was a second class Hufflepuff. Albus blinked to make certainly he wasn't seeing things and then began shooting spell at Amanda while she blocked them.

The practice session got stranger as the night went on, in full term of Malfoy's behavior. Not once did he back conjecture what Albus said and he didn't say one word to anyone that wasn't directly related to dueling. Heather raised her supercilium at Albus on numerous occasions since she had supervised Albus's practices before and cognize how practically Malfoy usually tried to be the captain. He ran out of the room as soon as the practice was over, looking vaguely upset, as he had at the debate.

“ That was the foreign thing ever, ” Amanda said as she and Albus walked back to the Gryffindor park room. “ And I witnessed my blood brother attempt to brew a potion this past summer and booze it, thinking that it would move around him into a wizard. ”

Albus burst out laughing. “ Was he really disappointed that he didn't get a Hogwarts letter of the alphabet ? ”

Amanda nodded. “ I never thought he would but didn't tell him that. But do you have any approximation why Malfoy didn't argue with you tonight ? ”

“ I've no mind, ” 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 idea, but I wish I did. It's just so odd. ”

“ Whatever it is, I hope it keeps him like this during next week's tournament. ”

“ Albus ! What if it's something really awful ? ” Amanda asked.

Albus hadn't thought about that. “ Well, we don't know that it is, so I don't have to think about it. ”

“ Albus, I doubt anything good would nominate Malfoy close up like that, ” Amanda reasoned. “ I'm just saying, it might be something awful. ”
***


Gryffindor's leaning to play Quidditch during really bad weather came up in wax strength on Saturday, when the unseasonably warm temperatures decided to desert Hogwarts. In its place were freezing cold temperatures and a howling C. P. Snow storm that probably should induce resulted in the match being canceled. But since Hogwarts never canceled Quidditch, Albus was preparing himself for a pathetic compeer. He wished they could have overnice conditions, like they had when they played Slytherin in November.

The last time Albus had played in a storm this bad he'd been in his second year and wound up in the hospital wing with the flu afterward. He certainly did not want a repeat of that so he was hoping that James would catch the Snitch sooner rather than later.

“ Fred, this is crazy, ” Ryan said as they stood in the doorway of the changing elbow room, waiting for the match to set about. “ There is literally no way to see the sneak in this. ”

“ There's nada 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 whitened. The snow was swirling and blowing and Albus couldn't tell if more than snowfall was actually falling or if it was all just getting blown around. But either way, finding a Snitch in it was going to be go up impossible.

“ I'll catch it, ” James said confidently. “ Don't worry. ”

“ We're not going to be able to see the comment, ” Fred said. “ Just catch it as soon as you can. Don't worry about catching it after we're up a sure number of points. We just need a win at this point. ”

There was a very tiresome, pipe down roaring of applause and Fred led the team out onto the pitch. The clump were released and Albus flew up into the raging storm. Soon, he didn't know which way was up or down, let alone where the Quaffle was. After about ten minutes of meandering around the pitch, not knowing where he was going, the Quaffle suddenly appeared. Albus caught it, but had no musical theme where the goal posts were.

Albus flew straight ahead, hoping it was in the ripe direction, but instead of reaching the goal posts, he reached the stand. Groaning, he turned and headed toward the goal posts. At least he now knew where they were. He managed to make, mostly because Ravenclaw's Keeper didn't see him.

The lucifer continued in chaos, with no one knowing where anyone else was. Albus didn't see a single Bludger the hale metre and assumed the Beaters were just trying to proceed running of them rather than trying to get them to hit the diametric squad's players. Fred had been right about the comment ; Albus couldn't hear a Word of God of it.

It felt like he was playing a match by himself. The entirely other histrion he saw were the Ravenclaw searcher, Fred, and heather mixture. 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 couldn't make out anyone flying near him.

“ Albus ! ”

Albus continued flying in a circle trying to figure out who it was. He didn't even recognize their voice, but it could have been distorted by the winding. Finally, he began to pull in out a design flying toward him. It was Heather.

“ Albus ! ” she shouted once she reached him. “ The match has been canceled. We're all to return to our vernacular elbow room right now. ”

Albus nodded, figuring that Kendrick finally came to his senses. It was just insufferable to play a good secret plan of Quidditch in a violent storm like this.

When Albus and heather mixture finally reached the changing way they found the residue of the team sitting in their wet Quidditch robes, their faces pale. Albus noticed that even Heather looked slightly afraid.

“ What's going on ? ” Albus asked.

“ You were flying so high, you probably didn't hear, ” Fred said as Albus sat down. “ The couple wasn't canceled because of the weather. ”

“ But it's so bad out there, ” Albus said. “ That match was pointless. ”

“ One of the Ravenclaw first base twelvemonth, ” Fred continued, ignoring Albus, “ she was late to the compeer and on her way down she saw- ” Fred paused, swallowing hard. “ She saw Fenrir Limnodromus griseus on the grounds. ”

“ What ? ” Albus exclaimed, suddenly feeling noisome. “ But it's so snowy. How could she possibly know for certain ? ”

“ She can't, of track, ” Fred said. “ But she went running to Professor Longbottom as soon as she reached the sales talk and told him. That's when they canceled the lucifer and sent everyone back to the castle. ”

As if he heard Fred cite his name, Professor Longbottom walked into the changing room, looking scared himself. “ I'm going to escort you all back to the uncouth room. Wands out as we walk. ”

Albus drew his scepter and followed the rest of his teammates out of the changing elbow room. They were all quiet on the walk back to the castle since the violent storm was still raging. No one would have been able to take heed anything anyone said, even if anyone felt like talking. Albus felt too ill to sing. The mentation of Fenrir Rebel being loose was bad enough, after hearing what matte knew about him, but the thought of him being here, on the Hogwarts reason, was too awful to even think about.

As they walked up to the castle and then up to Gryffindor tower Albus kept telling himself that it was fully possible that the Ravenclaw young woman hadn't seen Fenrir Johnny. She was probably just thinking about the get out prisoners and imagined something. Albus hadn't even been able to bring in out his own first cousin when she'd been calling his name in this violent storm. What were the chance of a start year being able to foot out Fenrir Greyback ?

But still... what if it had been Greyback ? He had to be somewhere, so why not Hogwarts ?

The unwashed room was buzzing with chatter when the team entered a short while later. Albus avoided everyone, including his friends, until after he went up to his residence hall to take a exhibitioner. He was shivering and felt tremendous and didn't want to talk to anyone until after he was in dry wearing apparel.

To his surprise his friends were all gathered in his dormitory after he got out of the shower. Bilius and Ethan weren't there, and the door was shut.

“ We can't go to the Marauder's Den, ” Matt explained. “ We're not allowed to leave our common rooms 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 eldritch, ” Rose said. “ No one really get it on what was happening because it was so snow-covered and the wind was so tacky. We couldn't see the match, 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 Calidris canutus on the grounds. Then, probably two transactions later, Kendrick magically amplified his voice and told us all that we're to describe back to our vernacular rooms immediately and to walk back with our sceptre out and in orotund groups.

“ So then, even though Kendrick never said for sure as shooting, we knew that somebody had seen grayback on the background. It was so shuddery. Eventually we found out that one of the Ravenclaw first years thought she saw him on her way to the match and told Professor Longbottom. But besides that we don't know much. No one's told us anything for trusted 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, ” lustrelessness said. “ Don't you see ? That tempest out there is so bad that no one can see three groundwork in front of them and the wind is so tacky no one can hear anything either. It was the perfect day for him to cabbage onto the grounds, and if that girlfriend hadn'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 to the full storey 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 ? ” mat asked quietly. “ This just confirms it. He's going to try to create his own lycanthrope regular army again. He was insane before Azkaban ; imagine how disturbed he is now. They don't need dementors in prison house to earn people go insane. ”

“ And you think- ”

“ That he came to try and figure out how to best position himself to burn shaver during the total moon ? ” mat interrupted. “ Yeah, I do. ”

Albus shuddered. “ That's sick. ”

“ That's what he does, ” matt said. He looked more occupy than everyone else. “ But what I don't get is why it seems like he's trying for Hogwarts fry. Last time he went for really young kids. ”

“ But we don't even know for sure as shooting that's what he's up to, ” toilet pointed out. “ I mean it makes good sense, but we still don't know. ”

“ Still, ” matt said. “ You have to promise me you won't go outside during the wax moon. I don't want any of you joining me in the Shack. ”

Saint John the Apostle looked skeptical. “ There's early reasons why he could be here. ”

“ hope me, ” matte repeated, staring directly at John Lackland. “ It's not worth the risk. ”

John shrugged. “ Yeah, I promise. ” Everyone else nodded.

“ What about the rest of them ? ” Amanda asked. “ Do you think they're working together ? ”

“ I don't know, ” Albus began. “ I'm sure the Carrows are together and Umbridge might be with them. But I doubt Willinson and greyback are with them. The Carrows were Death eater, but Calidris canutus wasn't technically a Death Eater. Voldemort used him, but always thought he was scum because he's a wolfman. The Carrows probably agreed. And Willinson, he's got no connection, which is why I'm still confused as to why he broke out with them. ”

“ For all we know they left the door undetermined and he followed, ” John said with a laugh.

Amanda groaned. “ Everyone's got their own cell in high security. ”

“ Oh, yeah, I suppose you're right, ” trick said.

“ Two Death Eaters, a war outlaw, a loup-garou, and Willinson, ” Albus said. “ It's so random. Why them ? ”

“ Sounds like the showtime of a jest, ” John said. “ Two expiry Eaters, a war malefactor, a lycanthrope, and Willinson walk into a pub.... ”

matt groaned. “ Don't even go there. I just really hope they catch him before the next broad moon. There wasn't anything in the prophesier about him biting anyone this last full phase of the moon lunar month, but I don't think he'd go two moons without biting. And there's no way he'd go on Wolfsbane, even if he could get some. ”

“ I wonder where the others are, ” rosiness mused. “ You think they're just hiding out ? ”

“ They must be, ” Albus said. “ There haven't been any sightings. ”

There was a knock on the door and then it opened. King James I walked inside and sat down on the end of Albus's bed.

“ Longbottom just came to spill the beans to us, ” he said. “ We'll be allowed to leave the park room for dinner, but not before that. ”

“ Did they catch him ? ” matte asked anxiously.

“ No, ” Saint James said. “ But, Longbottom said the proprietor of Madam Puddifoot's also saw him, so the Ravenclaw young woman probably did see him. They've scoured Hogsmeade and there's no sign of him, though. ”

“ Are they rescheduling the couple ? ” Albus asked.

St. James nodded. “ Next Sat. Good thing, too, because I don't think that one would've ever ended. Don't tell Fred, but there's no way I would've seen the Snitch. ”

“ One upside to Greyback being on the land, I guess, ” Albus said.

“ Lucky he didn't fire that fille, ” lusterlessness said as James II left. “ He attacks people even when he's not transformed. ”

“ He did that to my uncle neb, ” Albus said.

“ Really ? ” Matt asked.

Albus nodded. “ At the end of my dad's sixth year, the dark Dumbledore was killed. He doesn't transform, but he likes really rare nitty-gritty. Like hardly cooked at all meat. ”

“ Eww ! ” Kaden exclaimed. “ That's gross. Wait, lustrelessness, do you like really rare meat ? ”

Matt grinned. “ Yeah. I hardly ever get it, though. Mum refuses to let me eat it because she thinks it'll make me ill. And they don't serve it here. ”

“ My uncle eats it all the time, ” Albus said. “ Aunt Fleur likes her steaks pretty rarified, too. So does Teddy for that matter. ”

“ I like mine well done, ” Kaden said.

“ Now that's what's megascopic, ” Matt replied. “ I should ask the business firm elves to pretend me rare steak. ”

“ They probably would, ” Rose said. “ They make you pretty lots whatever you want. ”

“ Let's go tonight, ” matte said. “ We haven't been down there in ages. ”

Kaden groaned. “ So we're going to hold to find you eating a piece of raw heart ? ”

“ Not raw, ” mat said. “ Slightly cooked, bit of blood dripping out. ”

“ Oh, gross ! ” Kaden shouted. “ I'm going back down to the common room. ”

Albus laughed and mat grinned as Kaden ran out of the room. There was goose egg like a trip to the kitchens to get their judgment off of Greyback and the other escaped convicts.


A/N : Sorry for the late update ! I totally forgot it was Friday. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews ! Please check out my Marauders fic, Between Here and Somewhere.


The first year who saw Reb on the grounds became an instant Hogwarts celebrity. By the next day her integral story had spread throughout the pupil organic structure like wildfire, and every 1 person in the castle knew her figure. She was Quinn Saint Gregory I, a tiny missy who looked like she belonged in the Weasley kindred with her foresighted red fuzz and spray of freckles across her face. Quinn seemed to be enjoying her newfound fame and always had a crowd of mass around her, asking her to recount the story.

Albus, himself, had heard the account at least five metre. Quinn had been running to the pitch, late, because she'd spent a half time of day trying to convince one of her roommate to go to the couple, but in the end her roommate had decided she didn't want to brave the storm. Quinn then spotted someone lurking near the nursery and went to inquire, but instead of finding another scholar, she found Fenrir Johnny Reb. Apparently Greyback had said'hi, short miss'to Quinn, who then took off running even faster for the Quidditch pitch shot. knot then escaped to Hogsmeade and who knows after that.

As the week progressed Quinn's story grew until it ended with her disarming Calidris canutus after a twenty arcminute affaire d'honneur and running to the Quidditch sales talk in decree to monish the rest of the scholar, rather than because she was scared. Albus was very happy that, for once, this hadn't happened to him or one of his protagonist.

“ supposition what I heard today, ” Kaden said as he entered the piranha's Den Friday evening, after dinner.

“ What ? ” Albus asked, looking up from the predator's Map, which he'd spent the last ten instant studying. St. John the Apostle and lusterlessness were in the way as well, Matt studying and lavatory sorting Chocolate Gaul cards. Rose was tutoring Elsie Willinson again and Amanda had gone with her.

“ Quinn, ” Kaden said as he sat down next to Albus. “ She's now saying that Greyback stole her baton and she got away from him by kicking his kneecaps. ”

Albus burst out laughing. “ That's absurd. She's still got her wand. ”

“ She claims Ollivander's sent her an exact replica, ” Kaden replied.

“ But no two wands are the same, ” John 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 vulture's Map. He'd been checking it, both the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts sections, looking for Rebel every so often since last Saturday. He'd yet to line up anything remotely interesting on it, to the lowest degree of all grayback or one of the early take to the woods convict.

“ Scorpio is leaving the castle, ” Albus said, noticing the dot labeled'Scorpius Malfoy'was no longer in the Slytherin coarse room, but instead slowly making its way across the grounds.

“ What ? ” Matt asked, closing his volume. “ But it's eight o'clock. And it's snowing. ”

“ It's him all right, ” Albus said. “ Come see. ”

mat, John, and Kaden all crowded around Albus and they watched Scorpius's dot travel further and further from the castling. There were no other battery-acid on the primer, except Hagrid's, and his was remaining stationary behind his hut. It didn't appear that Malfoy was meeting anyone exterior, nor did anyone go with him. It was odd, especially in light of his other odd behavior.

“ I wonder what he's up to, ” Albus mused.

“ We should follow him, ” trick said. “ See what he's up to. ”

“ I agree, ” Kaden said. “ No one goes outside at night during a violent storm for no reason at all. He's up to something. ”

“ We'd get caught, ” Albus pointed out.

“ And it's freeze, ” Matt added.

“ We'll take your invisibility Cloak, ” John said.

“ I don't think we all fit anymore, ” Albus said, not taking his figure off Malfoy's dot.

“ Then Kaden and I can go, ” John replied.

“ No way, ” Albus said. “ It's my cloak and I don't want you having it when Filch catches you. He'll confiscate it. ”

“ Who says we'll get caught ? ” King John asked.

Albus laughed and turned to expect at John the Divine. “ Of track you'll get caught. And then my cloak will get taken away and I'll never see it again and my dad will mangle me. ”

“ Your dad's Harry ceramicist, ” John said. “ He's not going to off his own son. ”

“ If he did Laurentis would bang it. ” Kaden laughed. “ I can see the headline now.'Harry ceramicist execution Own Son, Clearly Unfit For Duty. Weasley Still supporting Him.'”

“ Oh shut it, ” Albus muttered.

“ delay, ” Matt said, staring at the map. “ He's going to the Whomping Willow. ”

Albus looked back at the map and saw that Matt was right. Malfoy's dot was slowing down and circling the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, giving it a all-encompassing situation. “ What's he doing ? ”

“ You don't think he's figured it out, do you ? ” lustrelessness asked.

“ Well now we have to go after him, ” Saint John said, standing up.

Matt nodded. “ Come on, Albus, let us take your cloak. ”

“ Fine, ” Albus said, knowing that the conflict was lost. Malfoy was at the Whomping willow tree, which meant that this was now personal for Matt, and therefore, for all of them. “ But I still don't know if we'll all fit. ”

Albus walked over to his bed and located the cloak in one of the drawers beneath it. He rarely kept it in his dormitory anymore, since he and his friends spent far more prison term in the Marauder's Den than they did in the common room.

“ Let's try it, ” Albus said as his friends walked over to him. They stood close and Albus threw the cloak over them.

“ Half my body is showing, ” John said, turning to look at his still visible arm.

“ And all our base are showing, ” flatness pointed out.

“ That's because Albus and can are giants, ” Kaden asked, glancing up at the five inches of distance that separated his head from the top of the cloak.

“ Both of you are going to bear to crouch down, ” matt said.

“ But what about the fact that half my trunk is showing ? ” John asked, yanking on the cloak.

“ Now I'm not under it at all, ” Matt said, yanking it back.

“ I wish we could do disillusion charms, ” Albus muttered. “ Too bad we don't learn those until 7th year. ”

“ pink wine could probably figure them out, ” bathroom said. “ We should have her learn them. ”

“ fountainhead we don't have time for that now and we're neutralize sentence arguing. Malfoy could be in the burrow by now, ” Matt said.

“ There are Ward, ” Albus pointed out.

“ Still... ” Matt muttered.

“ amercement, ” bathroom said. “ Albus and lustrelessness can go and Kaden and I will stay here. ”

“ What ? ” Kaden shouted. “ Why'd you volunteer me to stay on ? ”

“ Well, Albus isn't going to let anyone choose the cloak without him going and matte has to go since Malfoy's by the Whomping willow, ” toilet said. “ That leaves you and me. I don't cerebrate more than two of us are going to fit. ”

“ Let's go, then, ” Matt said, yanking the cloak off of Saint John and Kaden and repositioning it over himself and Albus. “ See you in a bit. ”

Albus nearly had to run to keep up with lustrelessness and keep himself crouched down enough to stay obliterate, and that was saying something since usually Albus was much riotous than Matt. The two of them said zip on their way down to the front threshold and weren't noticed by any of the scholarly person or professors they passed.

“ Remember, we've got to be back before curfew, ” Albus said once they shut the front door. “ We don't want to be locked out like back in second year. ”

“ This is come deja vu, ” flatness added. “ Two days ago we caught Kaden messing with the Whomping willow. That's when Kendrick added the wards. ”

“ But unlike with Kaden, I don't think we'll wind up friends with Malfoy after, ” Albus pointed out.

The grounds were very placidity, the only sound being the crunching of their feet in the snow. Albus carefully vanished their footmark as they walked, while Matt led them down the route to the Whomping willow tree. It was very cold and snowy, which reminded Albus even more of the meter they got locked out of the palace after sneaking into the Shrieking Shack.

“ Is he even still there ? ” Matt asked quietly when they were halfway to the tree.

Albus paused and pulled the Marauder's Map out of his air pocket. 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 wands, so they slowed down in purchase order to not be hit by the Willow's orotund ramification. Finally they reached it and stood just outside its hitting ambit, waiting for Malfoy to fare back around.

The Slytherin boy was wrapped in a chummy cloak and pacing with his top dog always turned toward the tree diagram. He had his sceptre out and didn't seem to notice that he had been joined by Albus and Matt. Albus glanced at Matt as Malfoy walked past them, unsure of whether to squall his attention to their presence. Since they were inconspicuous, they could just stick out there and observe him.

“ There's got to be a way, ” Malfoy muttered. “ Every ward has a weak dot. They don't all last forever. ”

Albus could now see that Malfoy was sending several hexes and jinx into the cellblock, but they were all deflecting away. As he rounded the tree once more, a hex bounced off the Mrs. Humphrey Ward and nearly hit Albus, who had to pass over out of the way to nullify it. His leg slipped out from underneath the cloak in the process, but Malfoy didn't see it.

“ It's got to work, ” Malfoy said. “ There's no other way in.... ”

“ Into where ? ” Matt mouthed. Albus shrugged.

They waited for Malfoy to make another circle around the tree and this clip one of the hexes reflected off the wards and toward Matt, who jumped to get out of the way, but tripped over a partially buried tree diagram etymon instead. He fell over, yanking the cloak down with him, leaving both himself and Albus exposed. Matt let out a current of curses and a cry of pain in the ass. Albus heard a sickening crush as he fell and hoped it was the Tree root and not Matt's leg.

“ Who's there ? ” Malfoy shouted, aiming his wand at Albus and lustrelessness. He lit it and his expression visibly paled. “ What are you two doing here ? ”

Albus lit his own baton. lustrelessness was still sitting in the C. P. Snow. “ I could ask you the Sami thing, Malfoy, ” Albus said.

Albus pointed his wand at Matt and reached down to serve him up. He was clutching his wrist and his face was as pale as Malfoy's, although for different intellect.

“ I said, what are you two doing here ? ” Malfoy repeated, not sounding very confident.

“ Following you, ” Albus said simply, thinking honesty would be the right policy here. After all, all three of them were breaking the rules. Not much point in denying it or making up exculpation.

“ How did you know I was here ? ” Malfoy asked. His wand arm was now trembling, although Albus didn't know if it was from the common cold or fear.

“ Saw you leave the castle, ” Albus said. “ Figured we'd see what you were up to. ”

“ What do you want with the tree ? ” matte demanded. His voice sounded pained.

Malfoy's mouth turned up in a sly smiling. “ Once again, you just confirmed my intuition. This tree diagram's how you get into the Shrieking Shack. I did a little more research, and turns out this thing was planted the same twelvemonth the Shrieking Shack was built. The Saame year Remus Lupin started going to Hogwarts. That shack's all boarded up so I figured there must be some sort of burrow leading to it and what skillful way to hide a tunnel than to put a murderous Tree above it ? worry is, I can't invalid the wards. Bet you can, though. ”

“ Why ? ” flatness asked. Albus heard him breathe in sharply and began to wonder if his wrist was broken. “ Why do you want to get in there ? ”

“ Can't tell you, ” Malfoy said.

“ well, I'm not disabling the ward, ” matte said.

“ I'll bod it out eventually, ” Malfoy said.

Albus wanted to ask him about his behavior at dueling practices so badly. They'd had another exercise the previous day and again, Malfoy hadn't said two news to anyone. It was just foreign. Bur Albus figured that even if he asked, Malfoy wouldn't answer.

“ It'd be dumb, you know, ” Matt said. “ Going into the Shrieking Shack. ”

“ fountainhead I wouldn't go in on a full Sun Myung Moon, imbecile, ” Malfoy said. “ Believe it or not this has nil to do with you or your evil English. I couldn't care less that you're a dirty werewolf. I have better things- ”

Albus jabbed his wand into Malfoy's chest, nearly knocking him over in the procedure. His heart was pounding and he could feel heating rising up in his trunk. “ You. Take. That. rachis, ” he seethed.

“ Albus, don't, ” mat said.

Malfoy scowled. “ No. I won't, because it's dead on target. I don't care. It was the enigma that I liked and zip more. You don't know the one-half of what's going on or why I want that hovel. He only uses it one nighttime out of twenty-eight. I want it the other twenty-seven. I don't get why that's such a vast deal. ”

“ What's going on over there ? ” a forte voice boomed over the dry land. “ Eh, what're yeh doing ? ”

Albus quickly moved his baton and pointed it elsewhere. It was one thing to get caught on the footing after dark but another to be caught threatening another student. He pointed his baton in the guidance of the voice and saw Hagrid making his way toward them, his enceinte Newfoundland, Fetch, at his side.

“ Albus ? ” Hagird asked as he drew nearer. “ lusterlessness ? What're yeh doing out here ? And Malfoy ? ”

“ Er, goose egg, ” Albus muttered.

“ fountainhead, yer breaking the rules so I'm going to feature to take aim 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 lusterlessness and looked at his radiocarpal joint. “ O'trend, ” he said. “ What did yeh do ? ”

“ Tripped over a root, ” Matt said. “ Landed on a rock. ”

Hagrid nodded and clapped Matt on the spine, a motion clearly meant to comfort him but instead nearly knocked him over again. After he recovered they set off for the castle, walking next to Hagrid. Malfoy followed at a shortly distance. Hagrid didn't ask them what they were doing by the Whomping willow tree again, although Albus had a feeling he probably knew. After all, he knew why the tree was there and the fact that Matt was a werewolf.

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 feature passed. So much for not getting in trouble.

Hagrid walked them to the hospital fender and left Albus and flatness there while he then escorted Malfoy to Slughorn's written report. Malfoy had remained quiet during the stallion walkway, but lost the leer he'd worn when he insulted Matt.

“ I thought you lot had grown out of this, ” madam Pomfrey said as she examined lustrelessness's wrist. “ This sneaking about in the dead of dark, following people. At to the lowest degree you didn't get locked out this time.

“ Yes, your wrist is definitely get around. But I can touch on it quickly. ”

madam Pomfrey took her wand out of her gown and pointed it at matte's carpus. She muttered a spell and instantly, his radiocarpal joint was healed.

“ Thanks, ” mat said, bending his wrist.

“ You're welcome, ” the nurse replied. She hurried over to a locker and returned with a goblet of potion. “ hold this for the annoyance and you'll be good as new. No need to stay the night. I know you stay here enough as it is. You're to waitress here until prof Longbottom comes to take in you. ”

mat nodded and downed the potion in one large gulp. Albus sat down next to him on the bed and they waited for Longbottom. Albus didn't think Hagrid had seen him with his verge pointed at Malfoy, so his punishment shouldn't be too bad.

“ You don't think he'll make you miss Quidditch tomorrow, do you ? ” Matt asked.

Albus hadn't thought of that. “ I hope not. Fred would pop me. ”

The doors to the ward opened and professor Longbottom walked inside. He looked tire and slightly annoyed. He sighed and shook his forefront 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 uncanny calling Professor Longbottom'sir & # 039 ;, but figured it couldn't damage in this situation.

“ Should I bother asking why ? ” Longbottom replied.

Albus shook his headspring, knowing that telling Longbottom why wouldn't get them any fewer detentions, nor would it stop Malfoy from trying to enter out how to get into the Shrieking Shack.

“ I'll make this easy, then, ” Longbottom said. “ Ten detail from Gryffindor, each. And you'll both serve detention tomorrow, immediately following the Quidditch match. argumentation, in my role. I'll see you then. ” Longbottom turned to leave. He nodded to Madam Pomfrey as he walked to the door. “ goodness night, Poppy. ”

“ Good night, Neville, ” Madam Pomfrey said.

Albus and flatness said unspoiled night to the nurse and then left the ward, both automatically going back to the common way rather than the Marauder's Den. If they were caught outside of Gryffindor tower twice in one night they'd get a much worse punishment than twenty lost points and a custody. Albus thought they'd gotten off easy, to be honest. He wondered what Slughorn had set for Malfoy.

John Lackland, Kaden, blush wine, and Amanda were waiting for them when they got back. John and Kaden were smirking.

“ Don't say a word, ” Albus muttered. “ I knew whoever followed him would get caught. ”

“ Figured you did, seeing as you've been gone for over an hour, ” John said. “ What's your punishment ? ”

“ detainment tomorrow after Quidditch and we each lost ten points, ” Albus said.

“ You got off light, ” Kaden replied. “ If it had been me and John we would've gotten three detentions. ”

“ I think Longbottom took pity on us because Matt broke his wrist while we were out there, ” Albus said.

John laughed. “ Of line he did. ”

“ Shut it, ” Matt said. “ It really ache. I was dodging a swearword 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 lusterlessness explained what had happened, including the percentage where Malfoy insulted flatness and Albus nearly hexed him.

“ Very odd, ” pink wine mused. “ What can he possibly want the hut for ? And what did he mean when he said he had other stuff going on ? What other stuff could he possibly have going on besides school ? ”

“ Whatever he's got going on with Willinson ? ” lavatory 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 shanty ? ”

“ Who knows, ” John said.

“ I bet it's got something to do with that letter, ” Amanda said. “ And why he's acting so strangely lately. ”

“ Speaking of acting strangely, Elsie Willinson is still acting Wyrd, ” Rose said. “ I thought she would've adjusted by now, but she hasn't. She doesn't seem to let any friends. ”

“ Does her brother still pick her up from tutoring ? ” Albus asked.

“ Yeah, ” rose wine replied. “ It's very odd. I asked her if she wanted to fall out with me and Amanda until curfew, but she said she couldn't. So I said maybe another time and she said probably not. ”

“ That's odd, ” privy said. “ Clearly they're up to something. ”

“ They're always up to something, ” Albus pointed out. “ I'd love to lie with what it is, though. I wonder if they've been in contact with Quinton. ”

“ They'd be stupid to be, ” pink wine said. “ Kendrick didn't penalise Felix for what happened to Kaden two years ago, telling him if he did it again he'd get expelled. ”

“ I still say you've got to figure out what's up with Elsie, ” John said.

“ I'm trying, ” blush wine insisted. “ It's not as easy as you'd think. She hardly talking at all. ”

“ Just keep trying, ” whoremonger said.

“ squad ! ” Fred suddenly shouted from across the common elbow room. “ Off to bed, all of you ! We've got a second chance at this and let's not ruin it by staying up all night. ”

Albus didn't argue. Turning in early was a dear thought and he was actually quite tired after his excursion to the Whomping Willow. He bade effective night to his admirer and went up to his quiet, empty dormitory. It didn't take him long to lessen 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 review ! I am doing Camp NaNoWriMo again this calendar month ( probably not a safe idea... ), and I'm written material this for it, so hopefully I'll finish it !



The weather for the rematch was vastly different from the former Saturday's weather. The sky seemed to be all out of snow and the sun was shining. Although it was still bitterly cold, there was little jazz. Albus hoped the compeer would be a recollective one since as soon as it was over, he had to serve detention with Professor Longbottom.

Albus went down to the Great hall by himself for breakfast. His betimes night had given way to him waking up far sooner than he normally did. It was nice being able to lurk over breakfast, though, and concentrate on the upcoming friction match rather than interact with his friends. As he ate, the Great anteroom slowly filled. He had just finished the last of his nut when the position owls arrived.

Albus observed the owls and didn't recognize any of them. Clearly he was not receiving any post today, which was a good thing because he was fairly certain Longbottom had owled his parents about his hold. But then he noticed a very boastfully owl holding a red envelope in its mouthpiece ; it was a belly laugh and the owl was heading toward the Slytherin board. Albus continued watching it and saw it land right in strawman of Scorpius, who yanked the envelope off the owl's leg and tripped over the terrace in his haste to pull up stakes the room. Albus actually sympathized with him ; it was awful opening a howler in world. From the sound of it, Malfoy didn't quite make it to a loo or empty classroom. Muffled cheering could be heard coming from the entree Hall.

Malfoy didn't restoration to the Great Asaph Hall. Albus figured it must have been a particularly awesome howler and was wondering what it could possibly feature said when his friends sat down next to him.

“ Malfoy got a sidesplitter, ” John said as he started loading his shell with bacon.

“ I know, ” Albus said. “ Saw him get it. ”

“ well, we heard the tail end of it, ” John Lackland said.

“ It was awful, ” rose replied.

“ What did it say ? ” Albus asked. “ Who was it from ? ”

“ His dad, I'm guessing, ” John said. “ It was a man's voice. We crouched down on the stairs when we saw him. Basically his dad was yelling at him for getting in trouble for stupefied things when he should be studying and concentrating on his school day work and keeping his forefront down. Then he said something about how Malfoy knows that they, meaning his parents, have far more important things on their minds than worrying about Malfoy getting in trouble in shoal. And how they can't worry about him at schoolhouse when they're busy worrying about former things. ”

“ That's vague, ” Albus said. “ He didn't say what the other affair were ? ”

“ Nope, ” bathroom said. “ But Malfoy obviously knows what they are because he was shaking and he ran for the dungeons after the belly laugh blew up. ”

“ I told you the letter he read at practice 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 Death Eater, wasn't he ? ”

“ Sort of, ” Albus said. “ His granddaddy 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 uncanny, ” lustrelessness said. “ Maybe his grandfather is planning on joining them. ”

Albus shrugged. “ Maybe, but it just doesn't sound right. Listen, I've got to get to the auction pitch. I'll see you after. ”

“ Yeah, for detention, ” matt muttered. “ Going to be a blast. ”

Albus's indirect request for a retentive match came confessedly. Since the weather condition was cooperating, James II put off catching the snitch until Gryffindor was up by 200 points, instead focusing his elbow grease on faking honkytonk to preserve Ravenclaw's Seeker away from the stoolie. It worked, and three and a half hours later James River caught the Snitch and won the match for Gryffindor. Albus was sorely frustrated that he'd have to overleap the resulting party in the coarse way, but figured that's what Longbottom was going for when he scheduled detention for right after the mates.

mat was waiting for Albus in the Great Hall and the two of them grabbed a prompt tiffin before hurrying to Longbottom's billet. They spent the next two hours writing'I will not filch out of the castle after dark'over and over again. By the fourth dimension they were done Albus wanted to curve up and take a nap, since the Quidditch match itself had exhausted him. He and matte decided to spend the good afternoon in the marauder's Den, just relaxing if not actually sleeping.

When they arrived they found whoremaster and Kaden in the midriff of plotting their new caper. Rose and Amanda were in the program library, apparently avoiding Saint John the Apostle and Kaden and their prank.

“ Are you two sure you don't want to be involved with this ? ” whoremaster asked. “ It's going to be legendary. ”

“ It won't be worth the detentions, ” Albus said.

“ Seriously, ” mat agreed. “ If it's legendary it's going to mean a lot of detentions. ”

“ amercement, ” John said.

whoremonger and Kaden lowered their voices, but Albus distinctly heard the discussion'Weasleys'& # 039 ;,'itching powder,'& # 039 ; Slytherins,'and'alarm clocks.'At that point, he really didn't want to experience. He and lusterlessness decided to start a plot of chess and attempted to tune out Gospel According to John and Kaden's voicelessness.

“ I was thinking the other night and realized if my dad loses his job when Laurentis is elected it's going to be just like Commonwealth of Australia, ” Matt said as he captured one of Albus's pawns.

“ I hadn't thought of that, ” Albus said. “ Does that mean you'd move again ? ”

“ I don't know, ” matt said quietly. “ I really hope not. I guess I don't think so because the real grounds we moved here was so I could go to school, not for Dad to get a new job. ”

“ Then you probably won't, ” Albus replied, taking one of Matt's bishops.

“ But if he does fall back it, it's going to probably think Laurentis disagrees with him on werewolf egress, ” Matt pointed out. “ That could be really bad. ”

“ You never know, ” Albus said. “ There's other affair your dad good deal with that they might disaccord on. ”

“ But my dad's the most vocal on werewolf rights. Everyone knows that, ” lustrelessness said. “ If they're going to disagree on something, that's going to be it. ”

“ I guess you'll have to expect until the argumentation, ” Albus said.

“ I'm thinking of going, ” lusterlessness said quietly. “ It might be awful, but I want to know what she says firsthand, not from the Prophet. ”

“ That makes sense, ” Albus said. “ When is it ? ”

“ In three weeks, ” Matt said. “ Feb 15th. That's the only affair ; it's the day of the Hogsmeade trip. ”

“ That happened last Hogsmeade weekend, ” Albus said, “ when Rose went. Sucks that they do that. ”

flatness nodded. “ I think I'll go anyway. I mean, it is the Valentine's Hogsmeade slip. 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 honorable. I guess we'll detect out when the Hogsmeade trip-up comes. ”

“ Just as long as Fred doesn't agenda Quidditch practice for that day again, ” matt pointed out.

Albus laughed. “ He won't. None of us minded too practically since the conditions was so dainty, but I think if he did it again the unit team would hate him. ”

“ That would make an ill-chosen kinsperson dinner, considering over half the team are your first cousin, ” lusterlessness said.

“ kinsperson dinners with my family have become ill-chosen by definition, ” Albus said. “ Luckily the future one won't be until far after the election. ”

“ Only a little over two month to go, ” Matt said. “ You can make it. ”

“ I hope so, ” Albus replied, as he moved his poove in the mastermind communication channel of lustrelessness's big businessman. “ Checkmate. ”
***


“ Rufus Scrimgeour was the last pastor of Magic to be appointed by the Wizengamot, ” professor Embry said as he strolled around his classroom. It was the first week of February and the division had finally gotten to the full stop where they were beginning to discourse the second war. “ He was appointed quickly, after Cornelius Fudge resigned.

“ minister of religion Fudge is commonly known as the least competent rector ever to harbor office, ” Embry continued. “ He refused to believe evidence that was laid out plainly in front of him, for fear of being known as the parson who held government agency when Voldemort returned. Somehow, he thought that if he ignored what was justly in front line of him, it would just simply go away. This backfired, of line, because he is now known for being the least competent curate.

“ Scrimgeour is seen in a slightly sound light source than Fudge, although he was Minister when the Ministry fell to Voldemort in August of 1997.... ”

Albus knew all of this, of course. He'd grown up listening to his parents laughter at the incompetency 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 long and unmanageable.

“ The time of the second war was a time of concern and pandemonium, ” Embry said as he reached the front of the way again. “ No one knew what was going on or who to believe. Many people heartily believed Fudge and what he said, believing Albus Dumbledore to be a impostor or even senile. When this realism was shattered for them in June of of 1996, they didn't know what to do or who to call on to, or even what to believe. They'd been fooled for a full 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 didn't reliance anyone, let alone the Ministry. most citizenry's goals were to protect their kin and friends and that was it.

“ It was the fear and chaos that allowed Voldemort and his following to take control of the Ministry. Without the bread and butter of wizarding Britain, the Ministry was weak and susceptible to a takeover. It was elementary for Voldemort to slip in and coup d'etat in a matter of weeks. ”

“ self-justification me, Professor ? ” Olivia cost said, raising her hand.

“ Yes, miss price ? ” Embry replied. “ You have a question ? ”

“ Yes, sir, ” Olivia replied. “ I was just wondering, and you don't have to answer, but what were you doing during the indorsement war ? ”

If Embry was surprised that Olivia asked him a question about his personal life, he didn't show it. Instead he gave a svelte smile and began to walk around the classroom again.

“ I don't idea answering that, ” Embry said. “ Many of your parents were involved with the war exertion, so of course you're odd. When the Ministry fell I'd been working there for about six eld. I got a job as an undersecretary in the section of Magical transportation system when I was just out of Hogwarts and worked my way up the ranks.

“ I'd received a promotion shortly before Minister Fudge resigned and worked to outline laws, but I quit after Scrimgeour got appointed because I saw that the Ministry was debile and grease one's palms and no longer wished to align myself with it. After Voldemort's defeat, I was approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt asking if I would like to be involved with rebuilding the Ministry, and I said yes. ”

Albus was impressed. Embry hadn'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 important to educate all of you about the history of the Ministry and how it is organized now, ” Embry finished. “ Looks like we're out of time for today so delight publish an eight inch essay on Rufus Scrimgeour's term as Minister for preparation, due next Tuesday. ”

Albus packed up his bag and headed back up to Gryffindor tower with his friends. When they arrived, there was a gang around the poster board, which was unknown. The Hogsmeade weekend date had already been announced and rarely did former notices garner such a crowd around the bill instrument panel.

Albus shrugged at his friend and they squeezed through the crowd until they could understand it. It was a large poster, covering the majority of the circuit board, imposing an betimes curfew Sunday dark. Everyone, first through seventh years, were to be back inside the castle by five in the even, no exclusion. Below that it warned that Filch was going to shut up the presence door at exactly five and that everyone was to cover to their common elbow room at five-thirty.

“ That's weird, ” Albus said as he and his Friend retreated. “ I don't think they've ever imposed a curfew so early before, and for everyone ? ”

“ It's because Johnny Reb hasn't been caught, ” lusterlessness said quietly. “ William Ashley Sunday's the wide moon. ”

“ They must mean he's going to total back, ” Albus replied.

“ Scary, ” King John added. “ Do you really think he will ? ”

“ I don't know, ” Matt said. “ But I'd bet my parents'completely Gringotts vault that he's going to seize with teeth mortal William Ashley Sunday night. ”

“ postponement, ” Rose said. “ You don't usually go to the Shrieking Shack until six or seven. ”

“ They're probably doing it early just to be safe, ” Matt said. “ In case some people don't follow it or something. It says on there that the prefects are going to do a forefront numeration. That's why we all have to come back to the coarse room at five-thirty. ”

rosebush nodded. “ Then you'll have to leave alone later, after the door are locked. ”

“ Either that or Madam Pomfrey will give birth me go early, ” Matt replied. “ I really hope not, though. I hate sitting out in the Shrieking Shack. ”

“ I hope not, too, ” Albus said quietly.

Albus and his champion were probably the exclusively students who knew the intellect why a curfew had been imposed on Sunday. Even the prefects seemed clueless, since Albus overheard a few of them trying to reckon it out. more than a few students were angry about it, although Albus had no idea why since it wasn't common for pupil to take a stroll on the grounds on a Sun night in February. He supposed they liked the pick, though.

As Sunday drew closer flatness 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 calendar month. Both Albus and blush wine tried to get him to open up about it, but he shrugged them off and insisted he was fine. St. John and Kaden didn't seem to notice any difference in lusterlessness, and Amanda wasn'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 hop-skip the tournament in monastic order to log Z's, which was odd since he'd normally at least try to take part. At least Malfoy made Albus's life easy 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 Billy Sunday Albus and his friends spent the day in the Marauder's Den, working on homework and playing games. Matt slept for much of the day and he still wasn't saying anything. While Albus was worried, he was fairly sure the intellect Matt was so quiet was grayback. When a fourth part to five rolled around, they had to return to Gryffindor to rise they were in the castle. lusterlessness was still asleep, so Albus told everyone else go to on ahead and that they'd follow.

“ mat, ” Albus whispered as he shook his friend awake. “ We've got to go back to the common room. ”

“ This is stupid person, ” Matt muttered. “ They're counting everyone to create sure no one gets attacked by a werewolf when they've got one aliveness in the castle. ”

“ Is that why you've been so quiet this week ? ” Albus asked as Matt got up. He didn't reply. “ You and Greyback aren't the same. ”

“ I know, ” matt said as they left the room. The corridor was empty, so he continued to talk. “ It's just the fact that we're both werewolves. That's the same. What if they start doing this curfew affair every full lunation, all because of me ? ”

“ They won't, ” Albus said. “ You're not dangerous because you're in the screeching Shack. It's all sealed up. ”

“ I guess, but it's still possible. ”

“ You and knot are different because he wants to bite multitude. He purposely transforms near people, not on wolfsbane, so he can infect people. You hide yourself away to protect everyone. That's a huge difference. ”

“ But what if he does come up to Hogsmeade, ” Matt continued. “ He'll hear me howling and know there's a werewolf in the Shrieking Shack and he'll try to get in. ”

“ But he won't be able to, ” Albus pointed out.

“ And then if he does sting individual, and let's face it, he will, ” Matt said. “ It's going to front bad for all werewolves. All it'll take is a few onrush and hoi polloi will take up believing we should throw our rightfield taken away. That's what happened in Australia. ”

“ You're getting ahead of yourself, ” Albus said as they reached the commons room. “ Right now you don't know that any of that's going to go on. Wandering banshee. ”

“ You're nearly late, ” the Fat Lady said as she swung her portrait open.

Albus and mat climbed inside and found the park 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 count on out why such an betimes curfew had been set. The room was so crowded that Albus and matte couldn't find the relaxation of their booster and since being in a crowded room was not the beneficial estimation for mat right before the full moon moon, they quit searching and instead sat down near the dormitory doors.

“ Everyone, muted, delight ! ” Heather announced in a magically blow up voice. The elbow room finally quieted down. “ I know you're all upset about the curfew but they haven't even told us prefects why it's been imposed. It's not that big a deal since it's February, dark, and freezing outside. None of you would be extraneous anyway. Now just remain quiet while we take roll so we can all get downstairs for dinner. After we're done you'll be allowed to roam the castle until your normal curfew. ”

Heather began calling out names in alphabetical gild by class. It took her fifteen or so minutes to get to the one-quarter years and after that Albus tuned her out. Fifteen min after that she finished and all the Gryffindors had been accounted for. The common elbow room emptied out quickly, since everyone wanted to get to the Great dorm for dinner. mat had fallen asleep and after Albus prodded him wake up, he went up to the residence hall to sleep until he had to go to the hospital fender.

When Albus and his friends returned from dinner Matt had already left for the hospital wing. They decided to just deposit around the common room since it was fairly vacuous and spent the evening working on their essays for Professor Embry.

“ Any fortune you lot cognise why we're stuck inside ? ” James II asked as he snagged the lowest chair at Albus's board. “ Cedric, Ben, and I are asking everyone. ”

Albus exchanged a glance with pink wine. He supposed it couldn't hurt to tell James the reason why, just so long as he didn't tell him why they knew. Of course, as soon as he told St. James the Apostle it would broadcast around the palace like tartar pox at a wizarding greenhouse school, but again, that wouldn't really pain anything.

“ We've got a hunch, ” Albus said. “ Remember how Quinn Gregory saw greyback on the grounds during the Quidditch catch ? ”

“ Yeah, ” James said.

“ fountainhead, tonight's a to the full Sun Myung Moon, ” Albus said. “ Put it together. ”

James was silent for a moment and then his middle grew big. “ You think Kendrick thinks he's going to fall here tonight ? ”

“ That's our guess, ” Albus said and his ally nodded.

“ shuffling sentiency, ” James said. “ Can you imagine what kind of difficulty Kendrick would be in if mortal got bitten by a loup-garou on the earth ? ”

Albus didn't want to believe about it. He doubted Matt wanted a associate in the shrieking Shack.

“ Scary, ” James said, “ thinking about Greyback transformed while wandering around the grounds. I wonder why they didn't just tell us. No one would be angry about it if they'd told us the reason. ”

“ Probably didn't want anyone to panic, ” Albus said.

“ surmise so, ” James 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 Johnny would be common knowledge in the castling within ten minutes, Albus guessed.

Albus managed to finish his essay and decided to call it a dark shortly after. He didn't feel like talking, not with the theory that knot was either running around the Hogwarts dry land or setting himself on some unsuspicious village, wanting to infect small child with lycanthropy. It was fearful to think about. Albus laid awake for hours, trying not to cogitate about it, but try as he might, he just could not push the intellection from his mind.


It was a rare occasion that Albus witnessed the sun rise. Being fourteen-years-old, Albus preferred to sleep until the very deep morning or early afternoon, but this particular proposition morning he was up before the sun. He hadn't slept much that dark due to his worry about Fenrir Johnny Reb and Matt, and decided that it was pointless to try and log Z's when he'd just have 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 peaceful, and not at all like the piazza where a werewolf could've been roaming just a few time of day before. The moon had set and both matt and greyback would be back in their human conformation by now. Whatever had happened was over now and there was nada anyone could do to exchange it. Albus wondered just how tenacious it would take for the oracle to publish some sort of article on any tone-beginning Greyback might've been the cause of.

Bilius and Ethan awoke before King John did and busied themselves with talk of the Balycastle and Kenmare match that had taken place Saturday, completely unworried about Greyback. Albus wasn't surprised since neither of them had any sort of personal connection with the escape lycanthrope. But they at to the lowest degree experience that the late dark had been a full moonlight, since William James had spread that selective information around the palace.

Saint John the Apostle finally rose shortly after Bilius and Ethan left for breakfast. Albus was relieved since they could now speak freely.

“ What meter is it ? ” John asked as soon as he sat up. “ Have we got time to visit flatness before Herbology ? ”

“ Just after eight, so not really, ” Albus said. “ And there's no spot in visiting him now as he's probably unconscious or sleeping. The moon just set two time of day ago. ”

“ Yeah, but he might recognize something, ” whoremonger 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 moonshine, ” Albus pointed out.

“ It's still worth a injection, ” John replied.

Albus thought it would be kind of pointless, but they didn't have sentence before Herbology anyway. After John finished, the two hurried out of the dormitory and down to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast before class. Rose, Amanda, and Kaden were already there.

“ Anything in the prophesier ? ” Albus asked as he grabbed a mess of toast.

Rose shook her head and swallowed her bacon before answering. “ No. Absolutely nothing, but that doesn't mean value much. It could just be too soon for enough details to have emerged. ”

“ Well, we've got a disembarrass period this good afternoon, so we can go ask Matt, ” John said.

“ I told you that he's not going to know anything, ” Albus reminded him.

John Lackland shrugged. “ You never know. ”

The rest of the educatee body seemed to have already forgotten about the former curfew and the full lunation. Albus didn't hear anyone discussing it on his way to Herbology or at lunch later that day. Since there hadn't been anything in the paper about an blast, it was old news for the Hogwarts educatee. Everyone that is, except for Albus, lavatory, blush wine, and Amanda.

Albus, King John, and Amanda were still discussing it on their way to Care of Magical Creatures that good afternoon. When they arrived they found Hagrid surrounded by John Milton Cage Jr. filled with small, pitch-dark, 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 gem. They like shiny things. ”

“ Tha's right, ” Hagrid said. “ So if you've got sentry or jewellery on, take it off. I've buried a load of leprechaun Au and your job for today will be to use the nifflers to find it. Everyone pair off and then arrive get a niffler. Whichever pair finds the most golden gets a pack of coffee Frogs. ”

There was a flurry as everyone hurried to lead off their jewelry and encounter a niffler that looked like it would be a particularly gem hunter. Albus took off his watch, shoved it into his pocket, and followed lavatory and Amanda over to the nifflers. With matte in the hospital annexe, Albus was without a partner and decided to just join John and Amanda.

trick grabbed the niffler with the longest snoot and held the end of the lead while they followed it around the solid ground. Every so often the niffler would lay off and dig through the Charles Percy Snow, revealing a minor cumulation of coins. Albus collected them and shoved them into a bag Hagrid had provided.

The entire subprogram was rather nurse. Albus enjoyed watching not only his niffler, but the quietus of the class's nifflers as well. They were endearing, funny tool. At one gunpoint, 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 scales in there anyway ? ” lav asked as they watched. “ We haven't got potions today. ”

Albus shrugged. “ No idea. ”

“ Albus, bathroom, look ! ” Amanda shouted, pointing toward the castle.

Albus turned around and saw two material body walking toward Hagrid's hut. It took a few seconds, 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 Paul Newman and he'd been one of the Aurors to assist when Kaden was kidnapped two years ago. The endorsement man was none early than Matt's dad.

“ What's Matt's dad doing here ? ” john asked.

“ Yeah, and who's that other feller ? ” Amanda asked.

“ He's an Auror, ” Albus said. “ But why are they here ? ”

The two wizards walked past Albus, trick, and Amanda without making any sort of eye touch, acting as if they'd never seen them before. By now, the rest of the year was looking at them strangely. matt'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.

toilet tugged the niffler's steer and he and Amanda followed Albus. Albus stopped once they were within earshot, hiding behind a bush. can and Amanda crouched down on either incline of him.

“ I s'ppose I did discover some funny noises las'night, ” Hagrid said. “ Thomas More'n usual, that is. Always good story noises from the forest. A bit more howl than pattern las'night, coming from Hogsmeade. Could've been a werewolf, but I don'know for sure. ”

“ And did you see anything roaming the grounds ? ” lusterlessness's dad asked. His articulation sounded serious.

“ No, ” Hagrid said. “ Wasn'alfresco late. What's this about ? Johnny Reb ? ”

flatness's dad and John Henry Newman glanced at each early. “ Yes, ” Matt's dad said. “ We have reasons to consider Greyback was in the area shoemaker's last night and we're looking for anyone who might've seen something. ”

Hagrid shuddered. “ Wish I could help yeh. But yeh recognise, that howling from Hogsmeade could've just been- ”

“ Yes, I know, ” Mr. Eckerton cut him off, with a fast glance at Newman. “ We've had report of more brutal, louder ululation. Howling that seems to commute location. ”

“ Oh ! ” Hagrid exclaimed. “ Yeah, well, again, wish I could aid. I'll pay a bit more attention next full moon moon. ”

“ We'd appreciate it, ” Mr. Eckerton said. “ Thanks for your time. ”

lustrelessness's dad and Newman turned and left, without a sec glimpse at Hagrid or the class. The eternal sleep of the class had foresighted since returned to their nifflers and all had bagful of gold far prominent than Albus, John Lackland, and Amanda's. But Albus no longer cared about winning the Chocolate frog. It seemed that something did pass end night, but nobody knew exactly what.

At the end of the class, Albus, John, and Amanda came in dead last for amount of coins collected. Hagrid seemed frustrated, 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 bags and go visit flatness.

“ If Greyback isn't on wolfsbane shouldn't he be easy to find after the full moon moon ? ” Gospel According to John asked as they walked to the hospital flank. “ Wouldn't he be injured ? ”

“ Not necessarily, ” Albus said quietly. “ mat only bites and attacks himself because he has nada else to attack. If Limnodromus griseus's out roaming the countryside, he can attack beast and people. ”

“ But what about the actual transformation ? ” toilet replied. “ Even werewolves on wolfbane 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 finish affair on your mind, ” Albus pointed out. “ I'm not certainly. flatness would probably know. ”

Matt was the only if patient in the infirmary backstage and Madam Pomfrey was busy in her study, so Albus and his protagonist were free to discuss whatever they pleased. Albus was well-chosen to see that lustrelessness was awake, although he did look slightly unsettled.

“ Was there anything in the prophet ? ” matt asked as soon as Albus, bathroom, and Amanda had taken tail on his bed. “ And I'm fine, so don't bother asking. ”

“ Er, no, ” Albus said. “ Why ? ”

“ stopping point night was eldritch, ” Matt said.

“ Told you he'd know something, ” John said to Albus.

“ But I don't, ” lustrelessness replied. “ It was just weird. I don't know how else to describe it. ”

“ What happened ? ” Albus asked.

“ I don't know, ” Matt said quietly as he pulled his custody out from under the blankets. They were completely bandaged. “ facial expression. My hands are the only part of me that's injured. I mean, I ache all over from the transformations, but I didn't bite myself at all last night. ”

Albus looked at the bandages. “ But your handwriting. You didn't prick them ? Then why are they bandaged ? ”

“ Splinters, ” Matt said. “ Madam Pomfrey thinks I spent the nighttime scratching at the room access and trying to get out. I've never done that before. I never remember anything from when I'm the skirt chaser, but I do sometimes think of feel. Like if the wolf was really angry or something. Last night it was desperate, although I have no idea what for. I guess to get outside, if Madam Pomfrey is right. ”

“ And your wolfy self hasn't done that before ? ” Albus asked.

“ No, ” lusterlessness shook his head. “ I've been transforming in the shriek shack for three and a one-half years and the wolf has never done that before. ”

“ I'll tell you something weirder, ” Saint John the Apostle said. “ Your dad was here earlier. ”

“ What ? ” lustrelessness exclaimed. “ When ? ”

“ Just now, ” privy said. “ During Care of Magical Creatures, he and some Auror came to spill to Hagrid. We listened in- ”

“ Of course, ” lusterlessness cut in.

“ Your dad and the Auror, they were asking Hagrid if he'd seen or heard anything unearthly last night. Hagrid said he didn't see anything, but he thought he heard more noise than usual from Hogsmeade. Then he said that it may cause just been you, but your dad cut him off, probably because of the Auror. Then your dad said that there had been report card of more vicious 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 hovel ? ” matt asked. “ zero beneficial. But now he knows that I was there. He'll continue coming back until he's captured. I won't actually be able-bodied to hightail it from the hut. The ward are too good. ”

The door to the cellblock flew afford and lusterlessness's dad came striding inside, still looking as dangerous as he had earlier. After a prompt glance around the room, he strode over to Matt's bed.

“ Dad, ” Matt said.

“ You don't spirit surprised to see me, ” Mr. Eckerton replied as he gave his son a hug. “ How are you feeling ? ”

“ I'm all right field, ” 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 short-change jape and then turned to Albus. “ I saw you in the bushes. following clip you're trying to hide, don't hide with a niffler. They're ill-famed giveaway. Yours was trying to sniff out John Henry Newman's pocket watch. ”

“ I missed nifflers ? ” Matt asked, clearly frustrated.

“ Yeah, ” Albus said. “ I bet Hagrid would let you see one after you're better, though. ”

“ I need to mouth with you about close nighttime, lusterlessness, ” Mr. Eckerton said quietly. “ In secret, perhaps ? ”

Matt shook his head. “ I already told them about lastly night, so they might as well stay. ”

“ All right field, ” Mr. Eckerton said. “ I need you to try and remember if you heard or saw anything strange cobbler's last nighttime. I know you never recollect anything, but try. ”

Matt held up his bandaged paw. “ lady Pomfrey thinks I tried to get out of the hovel shoemaker's last night. That never happens. Whatever was outside kept the Friedrich August Wolf occupied all night. I didn't onrush myself. ”

Mr. Eckerton's eyes grew orotund and Albus noticed that the serious look had dissipated. It was replaced with a flavor Albus had seen quite often on his own father. It was a Father of the Church's shock and concern.

flatness explained the rest, including the part about the brute notion desperate. Mr. Eckerton seemed to contemplate this for a few minute before sighing and shaking his head.

“ What's going on, Dad ? ” flatness asked.

Mr. Eckerton sighed once more. “ I suppose it couldn't hurt to recount you. It'll be in the Prophet tomorrow anyway. Two children were attacked in Little Shingleton last night. It's a town about five miles away, on the former English of that hatful next to Hogsmeade. We've been trying to figure out whether it was Limnodromus griseus 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 attack. Little Shingleton is a Muggle village, with these two fry and their parents being the but witch and wizards in the area. It's too coincidental. And why attack both children ? Most lycanthrope take off immediately after biting someone, their replete telling them to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible. ”

“ And did they... come through ? ” Matt replied.

“ They're both in stalls condition at St. Mungo's. Once their sharpness heal, they'll be alright, save up for the fact that they now have lycanthropy. The snack were plumb and small, not normal werewolf raciness. These bites were inflicted just to taint. Another sign toward Greyback. ”

“ But what about Hogsmeade ? ” Albus asked.

“ Five international mile is not an impossible journeying for a werewolf in a night, ” Mr. Eckerton explained. “ Most likely Rebel heard lustrelessness's howls last night and followed the sound. Once there, he probably spent the rest of the dark attempting to get inside the shriek Shack, which is impossible. ”

“ So you really think it was him ? ” lustrelessness asked.

“ I do, and Auror Cardinal 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 can't you just go get him ? ” John asked. “ He can't be that far. No offense, Matt, but if you were outside you wouldn't get very far. ”

“ None taken. ”

“ The thing that makes lycnathropy so hard to learn, and also most probably the intellect why Wolfsbane doesn't study for all lycanthrope, is that each individual's lycanthropy is vastly dissimilar from others. Its effects depend a lot upon a person's views toward their own lycanthropy. Fenrir Rebel has spent his spirit embracing his lycnathropy and support for that one night a month where his true nature emerges. He embraces his Hugo Wolf side so very much that he even attacks people when the moon is not full.

“ You, matt, on the other hand, distinguish nigh with your human side of meat. As you should, considering you're only a wolf one Nox out of twenty-eight. Therefore, you resist the transformation. You fight it with your every fiber, every month. Greyback embraces it, and probably careen a lot easier than you do. His translation most potential do not do him the Sami pain. ”

“ I guess that makes good sense, ” matte said.

“ But still, ” John said. “ They should be combing the forest for him. ”

Mr. Eckerton chuckled. “ They are. Trust me. They have the full Werewolf Control unit searching for him, along with six Aurors, and a smattering of Junior and trainee Aurors. They don't normally dispatch Aurors to capture rogue werewolves, as that's usually the Werewolf Control whole's job. And it's not usually my job to inquire werewolf tone-beginning. But this is a highschool visibility caseful, so they want many people on it, including people in kick. We'll get him. ”

Albus wondered if teddy was on the case. He was a Junior Auror now. Knowing Teddy, he'd want to be on the display case since Greyback had turned his dad into a wolfman.

“ 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 professor Longbottom's Floo. owl are easily intercepted. ”

flatness said goodby to his dad and soon the boy and Amanda were alone in the infirmary wing once more. Albus didn't know what to say. Fenrir knot, it seemed, was up to his old trick and somehow lusterlessness had gotten involved.
***


Fenrir Greyback's attack on the two children took the solid straw man Page of the Prophet the keep an eye on morning. The total Great foyer was talking about it, professor, scholar, and ghosts. transcript of the paper were being passed faster than phonograph recording of bacon. Albus managed to snag a copy from his full cousin Ben.

FENRIR Rebel fire IN LITTLE SHINGLETON

Fenrir knot, escaped inmate and werewolf,
was sighted final nighttime in Little Shingleton,
Scotland. Little Shingleton is nearly an
entirely Muggle village, save up for one
wizarding family. The phratry, whose
epithet have not been released due to the
Underage Lycanthrope security Law,
suffered an extreme tragedy net night,
when Fenrir grayback attacked both of
their youngster. Both tyke are
reportedly in stable condition at St.
Mungo's.

An investigation, organized by both the
Auror Department and the Department for
the regulating and control condition of Magical
Creatures, headed by pass of that department,
Walter Eckerton, concluded late yesterday.
'We've interviewed various eyewitnesses
who saw or try a wolfman in Hogsmeade
during the full moon. Hogsmeade is only
about five miles from Little Shingleton.'
researcher said that numerous former
clues led them to consider that the attempt
was by Fenrir Johnny, despite not having
actually seen him in Little Shingleton.
'We are not prepare to disclose all details
of the investigation. But we are convinced
that this was an approach by grayback. A team
of Aurors and Werewolf control Unit employees
are working around the clock to beguile
Greyback.'

The article was followed by a review of Greyback and the crimes that had landed him in Azkaban in the first piazza, along with a smutty photograph of him. Even in his human flesh he looked rather wolf-like, which was such a drastic line compared to flatness, who didn't resemble a wolf at all, save for his eyes. Albus glanced up from the article and his eyes fell on Matt's. They had a yellowish tint to them, with flecks of Au amidst their natural blue color. They were indeed the only wolf-like trait he possessed when the moon wasn't full moon.

“ This is why mass want stricter werewolf command Torah, ” Matt said quietly.

“ Even those couldn't have stopped this, ” Albus pointed out.

“ People won't think about that. All they'll think about is how their children aren't safe, and they're right. It's just lousy timing. Laurentis is going to use this to her advantage. ”

Albus wanted to guarantee lustrelessness that everything would be all right, that Laurentis wouldn't blow everything out of proportion, but he couldn't. He knew that Matt was right on, that Laurentis would once again use a terrible calamity to pull More musical accompaniment from the wizarding world. If his uncle Hotspur was going to put up a fortune against her, he was going to have to drastically change his campaign strategy.


A/N : So I just realized that I uploaded the wrongly chapter last Friday. This is the real chapter 25 and the one I uploaded net Fri is chapter 26. Sorry about that !


The thing about werewolf attacks was that they were only able to happen once a month. There was absolutely no chance of a wolfman attack during the rest of the month, so it was easy for the Hogwarts students to soon forget about Fenrir Greyback, or at least push him into the furthest recession of their minds. After the initial article about Johnny Reb's plan of attack on the two youthful children, the newspaper publisher returned to its usual election coverage, although both candidate were being very quieten about the attempt. Neither Hotspur nor Laurentis made a statement, which didn't surprisal Albus. The debate on ordinance of magical tool was scheduled for Saturday, so both candidates would make statements then. There had been a few newspaper column in the paper written by people pushing for stricter wolfman laws, but that had been it.

Saturday was also the day of the next Hogsmeade stumble, and this gave the Hogwarts bookman a much needed distraction from the outside world. Word spread amongst Albus's cousins that William James was once again taking Gabby Ellis to Hogsmeade, and quite a few of his other cousins had day of the month as well. Albus himself did not, and was planning on spending the day with bathroom, Kaden, rose, and Amanda. flatness had arranged to pay heed the argumentation with his dad, and would leave out the trip.

“ Are you sure you want to go to this debate ? ” Albus asked Matt as they played chess in the Marauder's Den.

“ What ? ” Matt asked, turning to Albus. He'd been staring at the bulwark under the pretext of taking his turn for the yesteryear five minutes.

“ You were zoning out, ” Albus said. “ I asked if you're sure you want to go to that argument Saturday. ”

flatness had seemed distracted all week and whether it was from Limnodromus griseus being so near during his transformation or the upcoming debate, Albus didn't know.

“ Yeah, I'm sure, ” mat said. “ I'd rather hear it straight from her than read it in the Prophet. ”

“ What about your dad ? ” Albus asked. “ Is he going to speak out against her if she wants stricter jurisprudence ? ”

Matt shrugged. “ I don't know. That didn't work too well in Australia. ”

The threshold to the Den salvo open and trick and Kaden came barging in, both wearing superposable grinning. It was slightly uncanny, how similar they looked.

“ We've finished, ” john announced.

“ Finished what ? ” Albus asked. He was slightly worried. It was never a good sign when John and Kaden were that happy about something.

“ Our prank, ” Kaden answered. “ We've finished planning. We're not quite sure when to do it, though. ”

“ Yeah, any trace ? ” John asked. “ Or are you two still being all prefecty on us ? ”

Albus burst out laughing and turned to mat, 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 don't want detention again, ” flatness explained. “ Honestly, I couldn't handle less if you prank the Slytherins. Malfoy's a git. clowning him all you want. ”

“ Are you sure you don't want to roll in the hay what it's going to be ? ” St. John asked.

“ No, ” Albus said.

“ Not a prospect, ” Matt said.

John shrugged. “ All right. But when should we do it ? ”

“ Let's just postponement and see when the clip feels right, ” Kaden suggested. “ It's not, er... time-sensitive.... ”

John and Kaden burst out laughing. “ Sure, ” John Lackland said. “ Not time-sensitive at all. ”

Albus and mat exchanged a glance.

“ We could secern you why that was so comical, ” John said.

“ Or you could just waitress and see like the rest of the castle, ” Kaden added.

“ We'll wait, ” Albus said. He was curious about it, but not curious enough to possibly wind up with another week's hold.

Whatever the frivolity was, John Lackland and Kaden didn't follow through it before the next day. Saturday brought blue skies and bitterly cold-blooded temperatures and Albus put on two Weasley jumpers in preparation for walking around Hogsmeade.

Matt left former for the debate, Flooing from Professor Longbottom's field. Albus and John slept late and met Kaden, Rose, and Amanda in the Great Hall for a agile dejeuner before setting off for Hogsmeade.

The February Hogsmeade tripper was always an worry one. The small town became filled with new couples either snogging passionately in front of the workshop or staring awkwardly at each other across a board in the Three broomstick or lady Puddifoot's. Having never been on a date before in his sprightliness, Albus found it really funny to check. John and Kaden found it amusing as well, but pink wine and Amanda seemed to gaze wistfully at the distich and didn't find them at all shady.

“ Where to first ? ” Albus asked.

“ Not ma'am Puddifoot's, ” whoremonger said immediately, grimacing as a few love-struck twosome headed toward the place.

“ I plan on never setting foot in there, ” Kaden said. “ I don't care how many little girl ask me to go there with them. ”

John laughed. “ You'd have to get a miss to like you first. ”

“ Shut up, ” Kaden said. “ Let's just go get some Butterbeer. ”

The relief of the group agreed and they were soon crowded around one of the only empty tables in the Three broom handle. Albus was hoping to catch a glimpse of James because despite the fact that James II had been out with Gabby Ellis before, Albus couldn't get over the fact that his brother was going out on date. It was just weird.

After finishing their Butterbeer, the group went to Honeyduke's and Weasleys'in order to blood up on Skiving Snackboxes and Chocolate Frogs. 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 ! ” toilet 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, ” King John said.

Albus squinted and just made out his comrade, leaning against the exterior of Honeyduke's, his mouth attached to Gabby Ellis's. They were so secretive that they almost looked like one person.

“ Oh my God, ” Albus said quietly.

“ That is disgusting, ” Rose added. “ I could've gone my full lifespan without seeing individual snog James. ”

John and Kaden were both laughing. “ Looks like they're enjoying it, ” John said.

“ Oh rank ! ” Albus exclaimed as he turned back to the way. “ 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 James River... ” Rose muttered.

“ Well, he does play Quidditch, ” Amanda pointed out.

“ So do over half my cousin-german, ” Rose said. “ So does Albus. ”

“ Can we change the subject ? ” Albus asked. “ Please. C'mon, let's hurry up. I bet Matt's back from the debate. ”

That seemed to get his Quaker'minds off of James I's amatory life. Albus himself wanted to put the image of his brother kissing someone out of his mind forever. At least she was a Hufflepuff and he'd never have to see them kissing in the commons room. If he did he may have to spend all of his time in the Marauder's Den.

dinner hadn't started yet when they arrived at the castle, so the group decided to go detect mat 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 public debate, but Matt was sitting on the couch casually reading his good luck charm Scripture, seeming hardly upset at all.

“ How was Hogsmeade ? ” Matt asked as he set his Bible down.

“ Disgusting, ” Albus said as he sat down next to matt. whoremonger, Rose, and Amanda pulled up chairs.

Matt raised his eyebrow. “ Disgusting ? ”

“ We saw James I snogging his new girlfriend, ” rosiness said with a shiver. “ combine me, there's nil pleasant about seeing the boy you remember eating a mud pie kissing a girl while pressed up against Honeyduke's. ”

flatness laughed. “ I haven't got any first cousin, so I'll take in your discussion for it. ”

“ look at yourself favorable, ” Albus muttered. “ But what happened at the debate ? ”

“ It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, ” flatness said. “ Well, okey, character of it weren't as bad as I thought they'd be. It was at the Ministry, in one of those court elbow room in the basement. Mostly it was the great unwashed who work at the Ministry there, but there were some other people there, too, because the room was so big.

“ I'm not sure how much you know about the section for the Regulation and mastery of Magical fauna, but every animal is divided into one of three category. Beings, hard liquor, and Beasts. Spirits are ghosts and poltergeists and boggarts. existence are creatures that aren't human being, but have homo intelligence. Beasts are everything else. The bloke who was running the argumentation started by asking Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis how they feel about the right wing given to being. You know, goblins, house-elves, centaurs, those sorts of creatures. They didn't have much to fence about that because neither of them think any of those creatures should stimulate their rights taken away. And blush wine's mum has worked so hard to get them right wing.

“ Then they moved on to the Spirit naval division and there wasn't practically contestation with that, either, since there's not much that can be done about spirits. They're just kind of there. Ghosts don't trauma anyone and poltergeists it all depends on the specific poltergeist. Laurentis brought up the topic of Peeves, which was odd, but Percy didn't seem to deliver an opinion on Peeves. ”

Albus hadn't expected much contestation with the organism division. There had been a lot of debate spine and forth about the rightfield of beingness back when his parents had been in school and his aunty Hermione had dedicated her piece of work life-time toward giving rights to beingness, especially house-elves. Over the class she'd done a very good job with it and hadn't met lots oppositeness. As for the intent naval division, Albus didn't think there had ever been a good deal controversy there. spook were just trace. They pretty much did as they pleased.

Matt paused. “ Then there was the animate being division. Throughout chronicle both loup-garou and lamia have sometimes been in the Being sectionalisation and sometimes been in the wolf division. assortment in the creature class is the reason why werewolves have been stripped of their rights and how the Ministry can get away with it. If they're not seen as Beings, then legally, they don't have to be given the like rights as homo. It's a technicality, really.

“ A hanker time ago wolfman were in the being class, but they got reclassified in the 1950s, after a vast werewolf attack on an entire Ithiel Town. It was horrible. But ever since then, no one has wanted to classify them as Beings again. My dad has been an advocate for classification as Beings ever since he started in Australia.

“ The thing about classification is that, for the most part, Ministries all over the humanity have to agree. That's why reclassification is such a time-consuming and difficult affair to do. Someone has to bring in it up and coordinate negotiations between countries and it requires a lot of elbow grease. When Voldemort came to business leader no one in United Kingdom had the meter or zip to put toward the reclassification of lycanthrope. Not to bring up they couldn't spare the the great unwashed to put the prison term into it. Since the bestial flack in the 50s happened in England, the early area haven't wanted to contact the idea. Although I'd bet that Australia would put up a secure fight if it was ever brought up again.

“ So, basically, my dad has been trying to do this for ages, but he doesn't have the support. Even Minister Hartwell hasn't wanted to refer it since it's such a controversial topic and he doesn't have much clip left. ”

“ Wow, ” Albus said. “ Binns didn't instruct us any of that in History of Magic. ”

“ And he probably won't, ” lustrelessness said. “ It's not a well-known outcome since almost people probably don't manage to put in the campaign to reclassify loup-garou. The solely hoi polloi who'd want to are werewolves. ”

“ That's awful, ” Amanda said. “ But what happened at the public debate ? ”

“ The wizard in burster of the argumentation dodged the question of Calidris canutus for a while, asking head about other creatures like thestrals and dementors and the the likes of. But he finally brought up the matter of Calidris canutus and Laurentis basically said that it wasn't a matter of werewolf control laws, but a matter of Azkaban security- ”

“ well, that's good, ” Albus said. He wouldn't have expected that of Laurentis.

“ form of, ” lustrelessness replied. “ I haven't finished. Anyway, your uncle agreed with her, but he of grade said that putting the dementors back would be dullard. Laurentis said that if the dementors had been there then Reb wouldn't have escaped and those kids would've been safe. Then they started arguing about Azkaban and dementors again. But the chap in billing cut them off.

“ Then he finally brought up the fact that my dad's been pushing for the reclassification of werewolves as Beings for years and how he's got the support of Rose's mum and asked what their persuasion of it was. ”

“ But if my mum was able to help house-elves and hob, then why couldn't she do it for werewolves at the Saami meter ? ” rosebush asked.

“ House-elves and goblins have always been classified as Beings, ” lusterlessness explained. “ They were being denied right that they technically already had. It was just a topic of reworking the jurisprudence and enforcing them properly. None of the werewolf right wing laws can be changed unless their classification is changed- ”

“ But that's just stupid, ” John said.

Matt shrugged. “ It is, but there's zero anyone can do about it. ”

“ wellspring, what did Laurentis say ? ” Albus asked.

“ Laurentis said that reclassifying werewolves as Beings would render the current werewolf restraint laws unenforceable and that it would give the Ministry far less ascendance over werewolf. Which is true, ” matte said. “ Not that it would be a bad thing. ”

“ Of course not, ” Albus agreed.

“ Then she said that if wolfman were currently classified as Beings it would make it difficult to even catch Johnny Reb and prosecute him for what he's done, which isn't true at all. My dad was turning purple at this head. She really knows nothing about the way his department works. ”

“ What about Uncle Percy ? ” rosebush asked.

Matt didn't say anything for a full moon second. “ He wasn't as bad as Laurentis, but well, your uncle doesn't want to vary anything. I'm sure you've noticed that he says everything's fine the way it is and we don't need to interchange anything, whether it's Azkaban or Hogwarts. He thought the same about werewolves. ”

“ What do you mean ? ” Albus asked. “ He thinks that- ”

mat averted his gaze, looking at Kaden rather than Albus and Rose. “ He thinks that'putting vigor into reclassifying wolfman as existence would be a hapless estimation, given the former issues facing the greater wizarding community.'And that is a engineer quote. I can't ever forget that. ”

Albus wished he was surprised. He really did. But the fact remained that Uncle Harry Hotspur didn't like to excite the cauldron, so to mouth. If thing were working the way they were, he wouldn't change them. He'd rather keep things the like then speak out openly either for or against anything, if it would cost him plunk for or suffrage.

“ Then he went on to explain, ” matt continued. “ He said that werewolf classification doesn't affect a large number of witches and wizards and that it's very complicated and would take a lot of effort, which is true. But it's like he didn't think it was worth it, just because it wouldn't affect a lot of people. ”

“ It doesn't surprise me, ” Rose said quietly. “ The election is so soon. I don't think he's going to say anything too controversial. ”

“ Honestly, it was almost uncollectible than Laurentis, ” matt said, turning back to Albus and Rose. “ Sorry. I know he's your uncle- ”

“ Don't apologize, ” Albus said, suddenly glad he wasn't of age and wouldn't have to opt between the two nominee.

“ It's like he doesn't even have a unattackable opinion on it. He doesn't want to have a strong opinion on it, ” matt added. “ Laurentis at to the lowest degree has a reason. Your uncle doesn't even have that. Honestly, Albus, I've no idea who my parents will vote for now. Saame with Amy. ”

“ I don't know who I'd right to vote for now, ” Albus said quietly.

“ But either way, I don't think werewolves will get reclassified, ” flatness replied. “ zero will happen without support of the British government minister at this point. ”

“ That's just not carnival, ” 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 matter that Matt hadn't ever spoke of before and Albus hadn't dared ask.

“ fountainhead, technically, ” lusterlessness began, “ I'm not allowed to be at Hogwarts. ”

“ What ? ” Albus shouted. The rest of his friends let out exchangeable ecphonesis of shock.

“ But Teddy's dad- ” rosiness began.

“ Not legal, ” Matt said. “ Dumbledore frequently broke the law and that was no different. Professor Kendrick follows the law a bit more but he liked the melodic theme of allowing me to attend. It's kind of murky, to be honest. It's in the law that werewolves can not go to Hogwarts, but at the Lapplander time, Hogwarts headmasters have complete control over who they admit. So as long as it's kept quiet- ”

“ But what about Malfoy ? ” pink wine asked. “ If he were to let it slip- ”

“ Then Kendrick would release him, ” Matt explained. “ And he'd be allowed to, since it would be damaging to another student's Education Department for him to expose my status. I told you ; it's very murky. ”

“ What else ? ” Amanda asked.

“ The ease has mostly to do with employment, ” Matt said. “ Well, that and the Ministry is allowed to go on wolfman for questioning about broad moon attempt without actually arresting them. Werewolves as prisoners have virtually no rights.

“ But anyway, employment. I'm legally obligated to inform any voltage employers of my status. If wolfman were classified as beingness, that wouldn'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 obscure thing in the world, ” Albus said. His head was spinning. “ How do you proceed all that straight ? ”

Matt shrugged. “ It's my life. That's the early matter, Albus, your uncle really has no idea how affair are run in the section for the Regulation and ascendancy of Magical Creatures. 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 somebody can not hire you just because you're a wolfman ? ” Amanda asked incredulously.

Matt nodded. “ Doesn't even thing if they're on wolfbane or not, either. ”

“ What will you do after Hogwarts ? ” Amanda asked.

“ No approximation, ” Matt said. “ I'm trying not to call back about that. But this unit pretending to be normal thing that I'm doing at Hogwarts ? It's temporary. That's all there is to it. ”

No one quite knew what to say after that. Albus certainly didn't. He wished more than anything that his uncle would suffer the reclassification of werewolves as Beings, despite the fact that it might lose him a few vote. It might even be him a few not to get spoken up, because now, Matt's parents and Amy might not vote for him. But this had such a larger effect than just the election. Matt was right ; this was his aliveness, and Uncle Walker Percy and Laurentis were just seeing it as a way to drum up more votes. Maybe Uncle Percy wasn't the right man for the job, after all. But Laurentis certainly wasn't, and since no one else was running, what would happen after the election ?


A/N : Thanks for all the awesome reviews !


The public debate on the regularization and Control of Magical Creatures did not seem to be a hot topic of treatment amongst the Hogwarts students. Unlike the debate on education, this especial debate did not relate directly to Hogwarts pupil, and thus there wasn't practically discussion beyond a few opinions at breakfast the future day. The article on the debate was much more tame than the late article, about likely because Percy and Laurentis hadn't disagreed on the matter. In fact, the article mostly focused on the dementor issue.

Albus and his Friend kept close ticker on the seer in eccentric there were any updates on the get by prisoners, but the quietus of February passed without any sightings or captures. It was sort of strange since the prisoners had to receive been hiding out somewhere. Yet they'd been loose for nearly two months and the solely one who had been sighted was greyback. Willinson, Umbridge, and the Carrows were nowhere, it seemed.

In the meantime, Laurentis used the lack of capture to her vantage, by publishing a new statement every few days declaring how incompetent the Auror section was. These statements were usually followed up with another declaration of how the captive wouldn't have escaped if the dementors had been in ascendance of Azkaban.

When March arrived, the oracle began putting a countdown until the election at the top of the front page, every single day.

“ April mark's Day, ” John commented as he pointed to the countdown, which read'29 days.'“ Doesn't that seem a bit weird, to do an election on that day ? ”

“ A little, ” Albus said. “ But I doubt the Ministry cares. ”

“ We should do our joke that day, ” Kaden said.

“ Don't, ” Rose said. “ Hogwarts is a polling home. You'll mess it up. ”

“ No, we won't do it then, ” St. John said as he exchanged a puckish smiling with Kaden. “ Want to bonk why ? ”

“ Not really, ” Albus said.

“ They'll happen out soon enough, ” Kaden said.

“ Does this induce anything to do with why you two disappeared all eventide yesterday ? ” Matt asked.

“ Possibly, ” John said. “ Oh, look at the time. We've got to get to potions. ”

Kaden burst out laughing. “ Oh, yes, looks like it's meter for me to go to Divination. ”

Albus looked at matt and shrugged. John and Kaden had been laughing at every quotation of'meter'or'clocks'for the past few calendar week, but had yet to ploughshare why. Albus could only assume that it had to do with their caper.

Albus, lusterlessness, John the Divine, pink wine, and Amanda said goodbye to Kaden and headed for the donjon. 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 mat partnered on their potion and worked quietly, chopping and mixing. Halfway through the endorse class they were chopping asphodel when matte suddenly stopped.

“ Did you hear that ? ” he asked Albus.

“ Hear what ? ” Albus replied. He hadn't heard anything.

“ Never psyche, ” Matt muttered. “ Could've sworn... guess I'm hearing things. ”

A few moment passed and lustrelessness stopped again. “ I swear there's something ringing away. It sounds like an consternation clock. ”

Albus glanced around the classroom, but nonentity else seemed to have heard it. Everyone was working quietly, except Gospel According to John, who was staring at the door for some unknown cause. Then Albus heard it. The swooning ringing.

“ Do you discover it now ? ” Matt asked.

“ Yeah, ” Albus said. It was becoming louder, too. The rest of the division was beginning to notice as well, and toilet suddenly turned around to await at them. He grinned widely and then returned to his potion.

“ It's their prank, ” Matt hissed. “ It's got to be. ”

Nobody was paying any care 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 password to the class. He returned a few minutes later.

“ Bottle your potions as is, ” he said. “ It seems there is some kind 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 St. John the Apostle as soon as they could. They met him, along with Rose and Amanda, outside the classroom a few instant later, and headed to the Great Hall. John still hadn'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 distinguish us what you've done ? ” Albus asked as he began making a sandwich.

“ Yeah, we might as well, ” John Lackland said. “ We put an alarm clock inside every single lawsuit of armor and charmed them to go off at five moment intervals. ”

Albus started laughing. “ That's brilliant ! ”

“ That's actually really good spell work, ” Rose said, clearly impressed.

“ It gets better, ” Kaden said. “ The instructor won't be able to turn them off with one spell. We charmed them so they have to be manually turned off. It's going to take them ages. ”

“ I feel bad for whoever's got Transfiguration of Jesus 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 flash in there you can barely hear yourself think. ”

“ Damn, ” Albus said. “ We've got Transfiguration next. ”

“ Look, Kendrick's standing up. Bet he cancels classes. ” John pointed to the staff table.

“ lull ! ” Kendrick shouted. “ Very amusing caper. It would look that the alarm redstem storksbill have to be manually turned off, so I am canceling classes for the afternoon while the staff and prefects turn off all the alarms. ”

There was a loud cheer as Kendrick resumed his buttocks. The staff board was only half-full, as the repose of them must hold been already turning the warning device off.

“ He doesn't seem upset, ” Albus said. “ This is actually kind of tame. I thought you were going to get revenge on the Slytherins. ”

whoremaster grinned. “ Oh, we are. That'll follow another day. ”

After tiffin Albus and his acquaintance went to the piranha's Den with the design of spending the day there, but the unceasing alarms quickly grew too annoying. Despite the coldness, they decided that outside would be preferred to inside. The blow had melted, so they were able-bodied to find a dry spot to sit.

“ I still hear the ringing, ” lustrelessness said as they settled down under a huge beechwood tree by the lake. “ It's like my head teacher is an alarm system clock. I think if you had done this around the full Moon I would've murdered you. ”

“ That's why we didn't do it around the entire Moon, ” John said.

“ Really ? ” Matt asked skeptically.

John laughed. “ No. Hadn't even thought of that, to be honest. ”

“ We did it today because I had a History of Magic exam this afternoon, ” Kaden said. “ I'm hoping Binns will forget about it. ”

“ It's soon, though, isn't it ? ” John asked.

“ The full moon ? Yeah, it's Monday, ” Matt answered. “ I've been thinking about it. About Greyback. He's probably going to come back unless the Aurors catch him before. ”

“ Probably, ” Albus agreed.

“ I had an idea, ” Matt said quietly. “ I think we can help catch them, using my wolfy side. ”

“ As bait ? ” Albus asked, shocked. “ Then you'd be in danger. ”

“ No, I wouldn't, ” flatness said. “ I wouldn't be doing anything different. I'd just be in the screeching hutch like common. Albus, the vulture's Map labels Animagi as their human name calling, right ? ”

Albus nodded. “ Yeah, of course. That's how chemise's dad found out about Pettigrew. ”

“ well, shouldn't it be the same for werewolves ? ” matte asked.

Albus hadn't thought about that before. In all his clock time of having the second edition marauder's Map, he'd never checked the Shrieking Shack during a full Moon. “ I think it should. ”

“ Then all the Aurors have to do is find out the new variant of the Marauder's Map during the full moon, wait for Rebel to record up, and then catch him. ”

Albus thought for a few here and now. It seemed so unproblematic, almost too simple to work. “ lustrelessness... that's brilliant. ”

“ When did you call up of this ? ” rose asked.

“ Few calendar week ago, ” Matt answered. “ Greyback was there by the Shrieking Shack for nearly the entire Nox. It would've been slowly to conquer him if someone just knew he was there. ”

“ wait, ” rosiness said, looking at Albus. “ You aren'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 don't think my dad's in tutelage of the Greyback capture, ” Albus pointed out. “ It's that other Auror, Newman. ”

“ If I'm going to go along with this and tell them my programme then it's got to be your dad, ” Matt said adamantly. “ He already knows I'm a werewolf. Newman doesn't. I don't know 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 wasn't earn whether admitting loup-garou to Hogwarts was legal or not. “ All right field. That make sense. ”

“ But why are you so sure he's going to come back to this Saame point ? ” Amanda asked. “ If he were smart he'd transform someplace completely different. ”

“ He's got a hangup about werewolf pretending to be human, ” matt said quietly. “ He thinks that we've all got to cover our wolf-selves and go together in pack. I don't think he's going to give up easily on finding me. He did the same matter with slip's dad. ”

“ Then he might be transforming near those tyke he attacked finis month, ” Rose pointed out. “ They should station Aurors there, too. ”

Matt nodded. “ Let's go send some owls. ”
***


Albus and Matt didn't say much in their letter to their fathers, wanting to keep to the highest degree of the details for later. Both of them replied saying they would contact the son at Hogwarts Friday even in order to put to work out the point.

The hebdomad went by very slowly and Albus noticed that lusterlessness drew quieter and quieter as it progressed. He never said it out loud, but Albus had a feeling he was incredibly dying about the plan and his role in it, despite his saying he would be alright. By the time Fri arrived he was completely silent, except for the few times he snapped at John and Kaden for being irritating.

“ You know if this architectural plan actually works and Calidris canutus is captured it's going to puddle Uncle Harry front very good, ” Rose said. “ Which will be good for Uncle Percy. ”

“ I thought of that, ” Albus said. “ And since the election is only three workweek away, it's perfect timing. ”

“ When are you meeting your dads ? ” King John asked.

“ septenary, ” Albus answered as he glanced at his ticker. “ We should probably go. ”

Albus shoved the last bite of his cake into his mouth and left the Great G. Stanley Hall with Matt at his face. Professor Longbottom had leant them his study for the meeting, so Albus and Matt walked up to the fourth part floor.

Professor Longbottom wasn't there when they arrived but the door was partially capable. Albus led Matt inside and they sat down on a redact to wait. Albus had always loved Longbottom's study. It was filled with all sorts of exotic plants that you never wanted to touch because some of them bit. The furniture was mismatched and the all shoes was pleasantly cluttered. It felt very safe.

Harry and Walter walked in a few minutes later and shut the door behind them. Both looked very intrigued and slightly confused.

“ Al, ” Harry said as he gave his son a ready hug. “ What's going on ? ”

Albus glanced at matt, who had just been let go of by his own Fatherhood. This was his program to explain.

“ I know how you can catch grayback, ” Matt said quietly, and then proceeded to excuse the entire program. “ See ? trade good plan, right ? ”

Harry and Walter exchanged glances. Bruno Walter looked incredibly worried. “ Matt, look, I know you want to help and I know the fact that Greyback's out there scares you out of your mind- ”

“ I'm not that scared, ” Matt interrupted, but everyone in the room knew he was. “ Look, he's going to come in to Hogsmeade anyway. You might as well be there waiting for him. ”

Bruno Walter sighed. “ Yes, I suppose you're right- ”

“ So what's the problem ? I'll be in the scream Shack with all the Ward up. ”

“ There really isn't a trouble, ” Bruno Walter said. “ It just sounds bad on the surface, me using my son as decoy. What do you think, Harry ? ”

“ I think it's up to you, ” Harry said. “ You're in burster of this hunt. I'm not even on it. I assigned it to Newman. ”

“ Paul Newman can't be there, ” mat said quickly as he turned to his dad. “ He can't be. He doesn't know about me. ”

“ He's right, ” 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 werewolf at Hogwarts. ”

Harry sighed and began to pace the room. “ I hadn't opinion of that. But there's got to be more of us. I'll bring Ron in, and Teddy. ”

“ Ron ? ” Matt asked.

“ Rose's dad, ” Albus explained. “ My uncle. ”

Matt breathed a sigh of relief. “ Oh, all right then. ”

“ They'd be alright, ” Walter said. “ Four of us should be able-bodied to do by it. What about those shaver in Little Shingleton ? ”

“ I'll depute Newman to them, ” Harry decided. “ And you can foot a few people form your department to go with him. ”

Walter nodded. “ What about the villagers ? We can't knack around the shrieking Shack all nighttime. It'll spirit 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 out until he gets there. ”

Harry grinned. “ I'd forgotten about this. ” He turned to Walter. “ Map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, created by my dad, Dog Star Black, Remus lupine, and pecker Pettigrew. It shows where everyone is, so it should establish us when Johnny turns up. We can wait at the Hog's Head until then. No one there will pay us any attention. ”

“ And in the report ? In the newspaper publisher the next day ? ” Bruno Walter asked.

“ No honorable mention of flatness or his being in the scream shanty, ” Harry said. “ We'll say we got an anon. tip that he'd show up in Hogsmeade. ”

“ Can I wait with you ? ” Albus asked.

Harry laughed. “ Absolutely not. You'll arrest in the castle, where it's safe. I believe they're doing a mandatory early curfew again ? ”

Albus nodded. They'd put up posters in the common rooms a few day ago. This 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. ”

“ fountainhead, if people are smart they'll detain inside with wards up, ” Harry pointed out.
***


Never before had Albus heard so many people talking about the full moon. All weekend, everywhere he turned, he heard someone mentioning either the full Moon or Greyback or both. Suddenly, werewolf were the hot theme of discussion at Hogwarts.

to the highest degree the great unwashed, from what Albus could gather, didn't have a secure legal opinion on werewolves one way or another. But a few citizenry, most having had a congenator murdered by Fenrir Greyback, told anyone who would take heed how happy they were that neither candidate wanted to shift the classification of werewolves from wolf to organism. It only took Matt overhearing one of these conversations to settle to spend the rest of the weekend in the predator's Den.

“ It'll all be over in three weeks, ” Amanda said. “ Once the election takes situation no one is going to give care as a great deal. But these past few weeks have certainly made me wonder if I should go into the Department for the regularization and Control of Magical Creatures. ”

It was William Ashley Sunday Nox and Albus and his friends were in the Marauder's Den, yet again, working on their prep that was due tomorrow.

“ You could work with my dad, ” lustrelessness announced from the couch. “ That'd be weird. ”

“ wellspring, it's just dire, ” Amanda said. “ And it doesn't make sense. Why should hob and house-elves be being but not werewolves ? You're Sir Thomas More human than a house-elf. ”

Matt laughed. “ Tomorrow night I won't be, and that's what it comes down to. House-elves aren't that dangerous. Werewolves are. ”

“ I don't know, ” Albus began. “ When my dad was a back yr a house-elf charmed a Bludger to bump his arm. That's fairly dangerous. ”

“ What about vampire ? ” rose asked. “ I ought to owl Linda. ”

“ Vampire are existence, ” Matt explained. “ It's because they don't have to drink in human descent to survive. It's a choice. werewolf, when we bite somebody, it's not a pick. We can't control it. ”

“ Except with wolfsbane, ” blush wine pointed out.

“ Yeah, and maybe if individual invents Wolfsbane that works for all wolfman we might get reclassified, ” Matt said.

“ What about lamia who bite multitude ? ” Amanda asked.

“ They're put in prison house, ” Matt said.

“ So can vampires go to school and withstand jobs ? ” Kaden asked.

“ I suppose they could. Linda went to school. But they live forever so nearly don't want to go to shoal or already make, because most vampire are honest-to-goodness. As for task, they don't have to tell employers what they are, so yeah, they could. ”

“ It's so crashing confusing, ” John the Divine said. “ Doesn't make a bit of sense. ”

“ It really doesn't, ” matt said with a yawn. “ But it's life. ”

Matt slept the rest of the evening and most of the future day, not attending any of his classes. Albus couldn't blame him, what with all the werewolf talking that was going around the school. Albus himself found it difficult to concentrate on any of his classes or homework since there was the trenchant possibility that Fenrir greyback would be captured that night.

Albus and his friends reported to the vernacular room at five, as per the curfew, and then went to dinner. Matt didn't link them. He was gone when they returned. Albus gave up on prep for the Nox and played a few tepid bout of Exploding duck soup with John and Kaden before deciding to go up to his dormitory early. He knew he wouldn't rest, but figured it would be slightly more generative than cleaning ash off his face.

Instead of sleeping, Albus sat in the windowsill and watched the sky. It was shed light on, giving him a very honest purview of the lead. After locating a few constellations Albus watched the skyline and the faint glow that was above it. Then, the moonshine rose.


A/N : So, some of you may have noticed that I screwed up last week's update. I accidentally skipped chapter 25 ( full-of-the-moon Moon Attacks ) and went right to chapter 26 ( hard drink, existence, and Beasts ). If you haven't already done so, go back and read the real chapter 25. The taradiddle will make much more sentience after that.

I am please to announce that I have finished this story ! It topped out at 37 chapters. I may jump updating this twice a week, but haven't quite decided yet. A lot of you are asking in recapitulation when the next update will be, so I'll reiterate that I update every Friday. The exact time will vary. Thanks for all the follow-up !