Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


On Yule Eve the Potters went to Godric 's Hollow, like usual. It was completely glum by the time they Apparated to the tunnel, but there was plenty of light streaming out of the marvelous business firm 's windows. As they walked closer to the place, Albus could see the roars of laughter coming from inside.

`` Harry ! '' the door to the burrow flew open and Saint George stood in the doorway to greet them, a mug of eggnog in his mitt. `` How are ya, mate ? ``

`` I 'm neat, George V. I see you 're already booze, '' Harry grinned at him.

`` A drunkness only Mum 's eggnog can bring, '' George went back into the home and Albus and his family followed.

Albus smiled to himself as he saw the common chaos that was Christmas Eve at his grandparents'home. His sea of redheaded cousin were milling around eating and laughing with each former. This was what Albus loved about Christmastime at the burrow. He grabbed a pair off biscuits from the nearby tabular array and went to find rose wine. She was sitting on the floor near the fireplace with Hugo, Victoire, and Teddy.

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

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

`` Not very much. Uncle George, Uncle bill, and Uncle Charlie are inebriate. My dad 's on his way and so is Aunt Alicia. ``

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

`` nan 's been refilling the biscuit platters and talking with my mum and Aunt Fleur. I think she 's about to put on Celestina Warbeck, '' Rose gestured to the nearby wireless that Molly, Hermione, and Fleur were looking at. Fleur threw her hands up in the air and glared at Molly. `` Yup, here comes Celestina. ``

`` Mum hates her, '' Victoire shook her head, `` She 'll be heading for the eggnog now. ``

Sure enough, Fleur poured herself a large mug of eggnog as molly settled down to listen to the wireless. She was the exclusively one listening, though. Albus could hear bits and pieces of a heated Quidditch discussion going on between his Uncle Charlie, Uncle George II, Aunt Alicia, and Heather. Harry was making his way over to them now. It amazed Albus that his uncles and auntie could contain on a fully understandable Quidditch discussion while drunk.

`` How long are you staying, Victoire ? '' Albus asked.

`` Just until after Christmas. I 've got to get back to St. Mungo 's in a couple sidereal day. But I 've been here since yesterday when Amy left for Australia. I did n't want to be alone in the apartment, it would 've gotten awfully boring. ``

`` You would n't give had to be alone, '' chemise winked, `` And it would n't experience been boring. ``

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

`` Oh, Albus, '' rose wine began, `` Both lav and Amanda can make out to my sign of the zodiac on the 28th. Well, they can only come over for the day, but that should be enough time. mat 's still not sure. He said he wo n't know until after he gets back from Australia. ``

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

`` Quidditch ? '' Hugo snapped his head away from his deep brown frog cards, `` Can I play ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus replied.

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

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` We can get a real game going. I 'll just state my dad I 'm going menage with you. '' Albus looked around the way and saw Harry in the midst of a Quidditch word. `` Hey, Dad ! ``

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

`` It 's all right if I go to rosiness 's sign on the 28th, right ? And detain a couple sidereal day ? ``

`` That would be mulct, '' Harry said, `` But we 're actually going to Dudley 's star sign for New yr 's Eve, so we 'll come get you on the 31st before we leave. ``

`` We 're going to Dudley 's ? '' Albus stared at his dad.

`` Er, yeah, '' Harry gave Albus a half grin, `` Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon will be there as well .... ''

`` What ? ! ''

`` Dudley thought it would be a good idea, considering that Kaden is a wizard, '' Harry explained.

`` All right wing, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't really want to see auntie Petunia and Uncle Vernon, but he did n't really give birth a choice.

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

`` Well, at least I can come over for a few days, '' Albus said.

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

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

`` I 'm certain it 'll be fine, '' pink wine assured him. `` Plus, Kaden will be there. ``

`` That 'll make it even more occupy, '' Albus grinned.

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

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

`` Neither do I, '' Victoire agreed.

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

`` You 're not technically a Weasley, '' Rose commented.

`` last adequate. And anyway, who knows what 'll befall in the side by side few years, '' teddy winked at Victoire, who giggled. shift threw his arms around Victoire and kissed her.

`` punter not let granny see you doing that, '' rose warned.

`` Always a stickler for the rules, huh Rosie ? '' teddy bear laughed and lengthened his hairsbreadth until it was the perfect replica of Rose's.

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

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

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

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

`` Maybe another time, '' Albus glanced at Rose. Albus had n't really adjudicate whether or not to tell Teddy about the new map. Most of rose wine 's and Albus 's most recent pattern breaking was done in orderliness to decipher it. Albus knew he was n't going to tell his first cousin about it, but he was n't sure about chemise and James. One part of him thought they deserved to make love, considering that their father and grandfather were both Marauders, but on the other manus he kind of care keeping it a secret.

`` Aw, derive on, tell me. ``

`` Another time, '' Rose said adamantly.

`` Oh, fine, '' slip huffed, `` But I will find out. ``

Albus spent the balance of the even talking and playing game with blush wine, slip, and Victoire. He was really enjoying the sentence off from school and getting to expend time with his entire family at once. By the time he climbed up to the Ionic dialect bedroom that he shared with James and a few of their cousins, he was tired and stuffed from all the biscuits.

******

`` Saint James the Apostle ! Albus ! '' Albus snapped his eye open at the sound of his gens the next first light. He immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Lily. He heard her pace bounding into the elbow room. `` Albus, James ! It 's Christmas ! awake up ! ``

`` Hi Lily, '' Albus yawned.

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

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

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

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

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

After Lily 's early wake-up call, everyone in Albus 's elbow room was up. Albus settled down to open his own atomic reactor of presents with the former boys. The first few boxes were filled with sweets and respective Weasley 's maven Wheezes production. The side by side was this year 's Weasley jump shot. It had a red quaffle stitched onto the movement with a United States Navy blueing background. `` Opened your sweater yet, William James ? ``

`` Sure did, '' James replied, `` Red with a greens dragon on it. ``

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

`` Excellent. ``

Albus opened the next few presents, which consisted of numerous Word of God and former habiliment items. He also got a Broomstick Servicing Kit, which would be useful since his Firebolt 2000 had a few branchlet that needed to be plucked. Albus saved the present from his parents for last-place and was about to open it when James gave an excited shout from the bed above.

`` Whoa ! ``

`` What is it ? '' Cedric asked and jumped off his bed. Ben followed and the two of them ran over to King James 's bed.

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

Saint James the Apostle had a immense grinning on his facial expression as he held up a blank piece of sheepskin. `` face what I got. ``

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

`` He sure did ! '' James shouted.

`` This is perfect ! '' Cedric exclaimed.

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

`` That 's great, James, '' Albus smiled, `` But why you and not me ? '' Albus could n't help but feel a little left out, even though he now had his own Marauder 's Map that would potentially be better than the archetype. But his dad did n't bed about that, so why did he give the Map to James ?

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

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

What he saw made his mouth declension open up in shock. This would explicate why James got the Map ! Sitting in the middle of the shoot wrapping, was the invisibility Cloak. `` He, he gave me the Cloak, '' Albus whispered.

`` well, that 's why you did n't get the map, '' James replied, `` This is superb ! ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, pulling the cloak out of the swathe. He laughed to himself as he thought of how he and pink wine went through all that problem of stealing it earlier in the month and now he got it for Christmas. `` conjecture this is why Dad wanted the Map back. ``

James laughed, `` We gave it back only for him to sacrifice it to me. I think we ought to share them. ``

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

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

`` Of course of study we will, '' James assured them. `` We just have to be sneak about it. We ca n't let all of Hogwarts know we 've got these. ``

`` I 'm going to go tell rosebush, '' Albus wrapped the Cloak around himself and left the elbow room. He had never worn the Cloak at the Burrow before and he thought it was really funny that he passed Eddie on the steps and Eddie did n't even notice him. He pushed open the threshold to the room that blush wine shared with Victoire, Georgia, Gabriella, and Heather and waited for the girls'reactions.

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

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

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

`` Dad gave it to me ! ''

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

`` I just ca n't trust he gave you that, '' rose wine grinned, `` I 'll bet James is jealous. ``

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

`` Wow ! '' Rose shouted, `` That 's incredible. And you can portion them. ``

`` That 's the plan, '' Albus grinned. `` fountainhead, I 'll see you lot downstairs. '' He wrapped the Cloak around himself once more and left the room. Albus could n't believe that his dad had actually given him the Cloak ! He did n't think Harry would ever gift it up. The beneficial region was that he was now even more like his grandad had been at Hogwarts. Albus was even to a greater extent of a Marauder now that he had the Cloak.

Albus continued down the stairs and into the kitchen of the tunnel. A few of his cousins, aunts, and uncles were already up and starting to eat breakfast. Harry and Ginny were there as well, along with Lily. His grandmother was tending to multiple cauldron at once, while simultaneously bringing various detail to the table. Albus watched them all for a few present moment before pulling the Cloak off and shouting, `` Happy Christmas ! ``

bank note choked on his coffee and spat it across the board at George, who had started laughing. Harry, who had probably been expecting this, grinned and looked at Ginny, who was smiling back. Lily was staring at Albus with her mouth wide receptive. mollie dropped the pipe bowl of oatmeal she had been bringing to the board. Everyone else looked at Albus with various looks of shock and entertainment.

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

`` You gave him the Cloak ? '' George I asked.

`` Yep, '' Harry replied, `` I take it you 're enjoying it, Al ? ``

`` Sure am ! '' Albus went over to where his parents were sitting and gave them each a Brobdingnagian hug, `` Thanks ! ``

`` You 're welcome, '' Harry smiled, `` I figured you should be able-bodied to enjoy it while you 're at Hogwarts, like I did. Although I expect you to use it more responsibly than I did. ``

`` I 'll try, '' Albus said, thinking of when he snuck down to the Whomping Willow with it only two hebdomad ago. `` William James and I are going to share it. Same with the Map. ``

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

`` No, James got that. ``

`` I did n't opine you 'd ever give that away, '' George laughed.

`` Well, I can wander the palace whenever I want and it wo n't weigh who 's around, '' Harry explained, `` The son ca n't. Plus, I did n't want to traverse them the fun of it. ``

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

`` The rook is perfectly condom, even at dark. I 'm not saying I approve of you wandering around at night, '' Harry gave Albus a buns gaze, `` But there are more than enchantments than ever protecting it. ``

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

`` How could I draw a blank ? Sometimes, you just have to take risks in rules of order to exist a little. I trust the son enough to have it away they wo n't go wandering around late at dark very often. And if you see anything leery on the Map, '' Harry turned to Albus, `` state me about it right away. ``

Albus nodded. `` for sure. '' He took a seat at the table, with the Cloak on his lap, just as James ran into the room holding the Map in his hands.

`` Thanks, Dad ! '' James shouted, `` This is brilliant ! ``

`` I 'll tell you what I told Al. Do n't use that to break too many rules and if you see anything abnormal on it, separate me right away. ``

`` howdy, Weasleys ! '' Teddy strolled into the room, his fuzz one-half jet and half red. He sat down adjacent to Albus and pulled a disk of eggs towards him. `` happy Yuletide. ``

`` I know your pilus is Christmas Day tinge, but those two color just should n't be paired together, '' James shuddered as he noticed Teddy 's hair. `` I mean, Gryffindor and Slytherin at the Same clock time ? ``

`` It 's merry, '' Teddy grinned. `` You want me to charm yours to be red and jet, too ? Just learned some splendid charms for that sort of thing in breeding. Not that I 'll need them. ``

`` No thanks, '' James had a look of disgust on his face. `` I 'll keep the plain red. ``

`` Is that ... '' Teddy looked at the lambskin James was holding, `` The marauder 's Map ? ``

`` Oh, yeah ! Sure is ! '' Jesse James handed it to shift, `` Got it for Christmas ! ``

`` That 's with child ! '' Teddy grinned. `` What did you get Albus ? Do n't call back Harry could top that. ``

`` I got the Cloak. ``

Teddy turned to Albus, `` Really ? That 's great, too ! Wish I had an Invisibility Cloak. ``

`` But you can cast those disillusion charms, '' Albus pointed out.

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

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

`` Aw, do on, '' James River groaned.

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

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

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

`` commodity, '' Harry smiled, `` Now who 's up for a lilliputian wintertime Quidditch ? ``

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

******

Albus spent most of the day playing Quidditch outside with his family. Eventually they all had to come in because they were too cold to play any longer. Plus, it started snowing pretty knockout and nobody wanted to lose the Snitch. Albus spent the rest of the day with rose wine and reading a few of his new Holy Writ. The Cloak was passed around between his cousin, and most of them were amazed Harry had given it to him, and a little jealous as well. James I passed the Map around and everyone had fun watching the few dots that were left in the castle.

Xmas dinner party came and went in its usual chaotic Department of State. It was loud and laughable and Albus enjoyed every minute of it. He went to bed feeling very full and very content. The next day Albus 's aunty, uncles, and cousins all started to lead. Albus and blush wine 's families stayed for a twain more days, but they soon had to leave behind so Albus 's grandparents could go on holiday for New Year 's. Albus was actually excited to leave because he would be going to blush wine 's house and hopefully getting the hart print.

Albus landed in blush wine 's living room after Flooing from the tunnel. His Uncle Ron, Rose, and Victor Hugo had already arrived and his aunty Hermione was proper behind him. There was an owl waiting next to the window and Hermione ran over to let it in.

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

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

Albus found a quill and quickly scribbled a response on the back of the letter and sent it off with the owl. He and Rose ran up the stair and into rose wine 's room to talk about plans for getting the print.

`` I hope you 've got some ideas, '' Albus said as he shut Rose 's door.

`` Of course of instruction I do, '' blush wine grinned. `` We 'll tell my parents that we 're going to go exploring in the forest and we 'll bet for a stag while we 're in there. Once we find one, we 'll all try and stun it- ''

`` What about the underage legerdemain laws ? '' Albus definitely did n't want someone from the Ministry showing up shortly after they stunned a hart. The last matter he wanted to do was explain why he had done it.

Rose laughed, `` Have n't you figured it out yet ? They ca n't tell who 's done the trick, only that magic 's been done. The Ministry has no way to tell if it was us or my parents who performed the illusion. ``

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

`` Yes, really. The Ministry just relies on parents to not let their kids use magical outside school. So I would n't paint a picture doing it a lot. I 'm sure we 'd get in big trouble with our parents. I would n't even be suggesting we do this if there was another way to get the print. ``

Albus nodded. He did n't really need to break the law either, but what could they do ? There was no way to get a rat print if the hart was n't stunned. `` I just hope we actually find one tomorrow. ``

`` Me, too. But we do receive a couple days. You 'll be here until the 31st, so that 's four days to get it. ``

`` Yeah, but John and flatness want to facilitate, too. ``

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

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

`` Yup, '' rose grinned.

`` Now we 've just got to find the charm to keep Kaden quiesce, '' Albus replied.

`` You 're going to differentiate him everything after I find that magical spell ? '' Rose asked.

`` I think so. I mean, as long as the charm works he ca n't tell anyone about it. It 's obvious now that he 's Wormtail, although I 'm trusted he 'll be a beneficial one. But it 's up to Matt whether he wants to tell Kaden he 's a werewolf. ``

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

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

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

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


A/N : J.K. Rowling did country in an interview that Harry was n't going to establish the map and the cloak to James & Al, but it fits the plot so I 'm just ignoring that for this serial publication. Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Denas, Miguel, Johanne, Luke, Slytherinlover, wolverine83, Moonylupin, XDNLxtlz99, maraudersfan a w, and Jen for the reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist.


Albus, Rose, and Hermione went to the Leaky caldron the side by side day to meet Matt and Amanda, who was also being dropped off there. John had arrived earlier by Floo and went with them as well. When they got there, both mat and Amanda were already there.

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

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

`` It was brilliant, '' Albus replied, `` Wait public treasury you see what I got. ``

`` What ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Ca n't depict you here, '' Albus whispered. `` I 'll evidence you when we get back. ``

`` Let 's go now, '' lustrelessness said impatiently.

`` You kids go ahead, '' Hermione told them, `` I 've got a bit of shopping to do. ``

Albus bade goodbye to his aunt and turned back to the Floo. Within seconds he was back in blush wine 's dwell elbow room. A few minutes later all his friends were back as well.

matte and Amanda stared around the room. `` Nice star sign, '' Amanda smiled.

`` Yeah, '' Matt agreed, `` Kind of looks like mine. ``

`` Thanks, '' rose wine replied.

`` So, Albus, what did you get for Christmas ? '' Matt asked.

`` This, '' Albus pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of his cloak pocket. He had been carrying it around with him ever since Christmas.

matte let out a pant. `` Whoa ! You really got the Cloak ? That 's completely astound ! ``

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

`` And to recollect we steal it just a few hebdomad ago, '' trick snorted.

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

`` Oh, sorry. ``

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

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

`` He did. ``

`` You two are so favorable, '' Matt replied.

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

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

`` I hope it 'll run. Sir Isaac Newton would n't stay still and the parchment is kind of crisp. ``

`` I 'm sure it will work, '' Albus said.

`` effective affair we did n't have the photographic print go directly on the map, '' matte replied.

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

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

`` I ca n't believe you ate that stallion thing, '' Rose screwed up her side in disgust after john ate the finale bite of his lunch.

`` It was adept, '' he shrugged.

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

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

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

Once they were all done with lunch, rosiness and Albus led the way outside and over to the forest. The forest was situated next to the large give field that was next to the house. Albus and Rose went exploring in it quite a bit and knew their way around it well. The grouping crunched across the snow laden field until they came to the forest 's edge. rosebush found the path they usually took and lead the group down it. `` keep your heart pealed for a hart, '' she told everyone.

`` This reminds me of the forest near my old house in Australia, '' Matt commented after a few minutes of walking.

`` How was Australia this yr ? '' Albus asked, remembering that his friend just returned to Britain the premature day.

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

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

`` Do n't think so. Mum and Dad do n't really want to. Plus they want to go visit my Uncle Jack in New House of York this summer. ``

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

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

The radical continued walking into the forest until pink wine announced that it would be better if they sat completely still and waited for a stag to walk by. She said their movement would fright the puppet away. Albus sat down in the snow behind a shrub with his friends and watched and listened for animals. After a half hour of waiting, Albus was bored. How long was it going to acquire for a stag to cross their course ? He would much rather just walk around to witness one. rose wine seemed perfectly subject matter to sit still, as did lusterlessness. bathroom had made a heavy pile of bamboozle balls, along with a coke star. Amanda was in use creating a coke witch to go along with his wizard.

`` I 'm tire, '' whoremonger sighed as he made yet another C Lucille Ball. `` How long is this going to shoot ? ``

`` I do n't know, '' Rose shrugged, `` We do n't see hart that often in here, so it might be a while. ``

Albus glanced at his watch, `` Well it 's just after two, so if we do n't rule one soon, we 'll feature to go back. '' He stared into the wood and willed a stag to fall. Albus was getting frustrated by this degree. They needed that stag print for the map ! There was no place else to ascertain one. What if they could n't find a stag before the end of the holiday ? They would have to wait until the summertime to look again. Albus could n't waitress that long. He wanted the map now.

`` Wait, '' Matt stood up and turned around, `` I think I hear something over there. '' He pointed to a clump of bushes a couplet m away.

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

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

Matt started slowly making his way towards the clump of bushes. Albus and the others followed behind, cypher saying a word. `` verge fix, '' mat whispered.

Albus pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the pubic hair, his judgment racing with excitement as he went. This was it ! They were going to get the stag photographic print ! character of Albus 's mind knew that this was n't necessarily a stag, but he did n't pay attention to that. What else could it be ? Most of the animals in the forest were too minor to be rustling the bushes this much. As Albus got unaired to it, he could distinctly hear the step of the animal, and they were much too tacky to be a cony or a squirrel. There were n't many magnanimous creature in the forest, stag being some of the few. It could be a doe, but Albus hoped it wasn't.

The group was now only a couple feet away from the bushes. Everyone had their wand pointed at them, waiting for the brute to do its appearing. The consequence Albus saw the leaves part, he shouted, `` Stupefy ! ``

`` Stupefy ! '' Rose, John, lustrelessness, and Amanda all shouted at once.

Whatever was in the bushes jumped to the side and missed all five stunning turn. `` Whoa ! What the bloody hell do you lot think you 're doing ! ''

It was slip. The noise Matt had heard in the bushes was Teddy. Albus lowered his wand and sighed. So much for finding a stag. Now that shift was with them, they would no longer be able-bodied to reckon. Albus turned to his friends and saw them all put their wands away.

chemise fully emerged from the bush and walked over to where Albus was with a baffled tone on his nerve. `` Do I even want to hump what you 're up to ? ``

`` Er, '' Albus began, trying to think up an excuse fast.

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

`` screeching, maybe ? '' shift gave them a awry smiling, `` But not attack me. ``

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

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

`` I 'll say, '' blush wine muttered. Albus listened to the two of them but did n't add anything. He was forever thankful that his first cousin was a unspoilt liar than he was.

`` It 's kind of cold to be going for a wage increase, '' Teddy commented, `` But Ron said you were here, so I figured I 'd see if I could chance you. '' He eyed John 's pile of snowballs and grinned, `` Planning on having a snow orchis conflict ? ``

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

`` follow it ! '' Albus shouted as the snowball made impinging with his expression. He spat out the nose candy and flex down to pass water his own snow ballock. He aimed it at Teddy but Teddy jumped out of the way and it hit mat instead.

`` Hey ! '' lustrelessness shouted as he picked up one of John 's snowballs and threw it at Albus. It landed square on Albus 's chest.

A few moments later, a Brobdingnagian snowball battle broke out. It was every man for himself for a piece and Albus was getting pummeled by shift 's snowballs. He tried to get Teddy back, but slip was too quick for him. Instead, Albus decided to focus on Matt, who was trying to get Albus back for the Abronia elliptica that had hit him instead of teddy bear. Rose eventually joined Albus in his attempt to get matt, while Amanda evened out the betting odds by joining Matt 's incline. trick, who seemed to be the but one with enough skill to hit teddy, was having a person-to-person fight with the blue haired boy and was actually doing well.

The six of them were completely soaked by the clip the fight ended. matt and Amanda surrendered to Rose and Albus after the cousins decided to produce about twenty snowball and lob them constantly at their two friends. lav surrendered to Teddy a few minute later, once chemise decided to fascinate a pile of Baron Snow of Leicester to turn itself into snowball, resulting in a unremitting supplying of ammunition for teddy. John did n't know that spell and was stuck hand making his snow bollock while teddy continuously sent Abronia elliptica at him.

`` Who 's up for Quidditch ? '' Teddy asked as they were walking back through the forest to Rose 's house.

`` M-maybe after I d-dry off, '' Albus shivered. The nose candy had completely penetrated his cloak and was now freezing it into an icicle. His protagonist nodded in agreement.

`` strait good, '' Teddy replied, `` Harry and James IV should be at the house by now.

A little while later, Albus found himself back at blush wine 's house, where everyone was waiting for the Quidditch match to bulge. Albus, along with his friends, ran upstairs to dry off and exchange quickly.

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

`` Me, '' Amanda said. She was the only one. John and lusterlessness, who both had brooms, had brought them knowing they would wager Quidditch.

`` We 've got spares, '' Ron announced, holding a twain Scots heather in his hand.

Once everyone had a broom to use, Teddy started to take up charge of creating teams. `` All right. Let 's see, we 've got Me, Harry, Ron, James, Albus, John, Matt, Amanda, Hugo, and rose wine, are you playing ? ``

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

`` Good, then we 've got ten players. That 's five per team. So each team will consume a Seeker, a beater, a Keeper, and two chaser, that 'll work. I 'll be one of the Seekers, '' he turned to Harry and King James I, `` Which one of you will be the early ? ``

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

After a few mo of organizing, the two teams were created. Albus 's team consisted of teddy as Seeker, Ron as Keeper, Hugo as the simply Beater, and mat and himself as the two Chasers. On the other squad, Saint James the Apostle was seeker, Amanda was Keeper, toilet was the Beater, and rosiness and Harry as Chasers.

The two team trooped outside into the low temperature wintertime day. It was just starting to play false a picayune, but Albus did n't mind. He would keep warm while he was playing anyway. Harry and Ron conjured end hoops and everyone flew into the air. Hermione released the glob ( only one Bludger, since there were only two beaters ) and threw the Quaffle into the air, then conjured herself a chair to watch.

The couple was nothing like the ace at Hogwarts. It was much more cozy, and in a way, Albus enjoyed it more. There was only friendly competition between the two squad and no one got angry when person dropped the Quaffle, which happened a lot. The two team were pretty evenly matched in footing of Chasing acquirement. Albus, who was the only veridical chaser on either team, was easily the practiced. Harry was a decent chaser, but it was clear that Seeking was his real acquirement. Rose was absolutely dreadful and was the first to admit it. She was n't a big fan of flying in the first-class honours degree piazza and did n't care to postulate her hands off her broom in rescript to catch and flip the Quaffle. Matt was better than Rose, but dropped the Quaffle legion sentence. Albus and lustrelessness scored more gunpoint than Harry and Rose did.

Ron, of course, was a very practiced custodian and Amanda was as well. Albus was variety of surprised at this, because she never really played Quidditch before. Maybe she could try out for the Gryffindor team once Georgia left. lavatory was an stick Beater and Albus already knew that he 'd be trying out for the team after Bradley and Ryan left. Hugo was also a very good Beater and it was obvious he had received all the Quidditch genes in his family. Then, of course, there were the Seekers. Both chemise and James were amazing Seekers and by far the two best players on either team.

After about an hour of playing, during which Albus was sure both Teddy and James had seen the stoolpigeon but ignored it in gild to sweep up the game on longer, both Seekers flew directly up into the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. A few seconds later, they both came flying back down and James had the snitch clutched in his hand.

`` I got it ! '' he shouted.

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

`` Yes ! '' Saint James the Apostle exclaimed, landing on the land. Albus and the respite of the thespian landed after him and congratulated him and his squad for winning. `` Ha ! I beat you at Quidditch, Teddy ! '' James gloated.

`` Yeah, yeah, goodness job, '' Teddy sighed, `` Knew I should n't birth trained you that well. ``

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

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

Despite the fact that his team did n't win, Albus was happy. He loved playing Quidditch with his phratry, even more than playing on his business firm team. It was even better with his friends there, too. He walked back into the mansion with his friends and family, frigidness but very content. Hermione had made a denture of sandwiches for them, which everyone ate enthusiastically once they had dried off.

After all the food had been eaten, Gospel According to John Flooed back to his house and Albus, Rose, and Hermione went with mat and Amanda back to the Leaky caldron to meet their families. It had been a short sojourn, but a fun one nonetheless. Albus only wished that they had managed to get the stag mark. He and rose were planning on trying again the next day, and the following if it was necessary. They had three Sir Thomas More days to do it and Albus was determined to succeed.

******

Albus and Rose spent as much time as they could in the forest looking for stags the succeeding day. When they were n't in the wood, they spent their time in the library in blush wine 's house, looking for a charm to keep Kaden quiet.

`` There 's Word of God in here that are n't in the school depository library, '' Rose announced as they walked into the room after a particularly cold jaunt in the forest.

`` I 'm still not sure enough we should take a break from looking for a stag, '' Albus replied.

`` It 's too dusty out there now. Plus there 's a storm coming and it wo n't do us any good if we get lost out there. '' rosiness went over to a ledger ledge and Albus followed. He had been in this room good deal of times before, just never to look for a specific charm.

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

`` That 's what this is for, '' rose wine slammed a heavy Word of God down on the table penny-pinching to the shelf she pulled it off of.

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

`` Yes, '' Rose confirmed as she opened the cover, `` It 's a rather ingenious musical theme, really. All I 've got to do is take my wand, head it at the book, and say'I need a charm to keep someone tranquillize'and it will thumb to the right varlet. ``

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

`` All right, '' rosiness pointed her baton at the book, `` I need a charm to keep someone quiet. '' The Bible 's pages immediately started turning until they stopped about a quarter of the way into the book. Rose peered at it and then shook her head. `` Nope, that 's not it. This one 's just a silencing charm. ``

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

Rose nodded. `` I need a appealingness to prevent someone from talking about something. '' The Thomas Nelson Page started turning again and stopped a few minute later. resurrect sighed after she read the description. `` This one charms a person 's sass shut. ``

Albus laughed, `` Well that would definitely save Kaden from talking about the map ! ``

`` People might notice, though, '' Rose smirked, `` Although it does have it 's advantages. I 'll try something else. ``

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

`` commodity idea, '' pink wine poised her baton above the book, `` I need to keep Kaden Durlsey from revealing secrets about matte Eckerton and about a map. He must only be capable to lecture about these secrets with five other mass and not bring up them to anyone else. He should be able-bodied to converse normally about other topics. ``

`` That ought to be specific enough. '' Albus watched as the Christian Bible hesitated for a few minute and then change by reversal its pages to one of the final stage ones. Both Rose and Albus leaned over the book while rose wine read aloud.

`` 'The Sileo Altus spell is the most building complex and intricate of the silencing magical spell. This magical spell has the power to retain a person from revealing one specific piece of information to others, unlike other silencing charms which prevent a person from speaking at all. The charm also has the ability to involve others, which will result in the somebody the magic spell is cast on to be capable to converse about the secret with those specific people. When done correctly, this charm will concluding forever or until the comeback charm is performed. The Sileo Altus Charm keeps a person 's secret safe much like the Fidelius spell keeps a individual 's location secret and is said to be just as safety .'

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

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

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

Albus glanced at the entryway, `` Oh, it says there 's more data in appeal of Protection by Natalia Journo. ``

`` You 're right, I had n't noticed that, '' Rose leaned over the book again and read the deed of conveyance of the urge Quran. `` I think we might actually have that one. '' blush wine jumped up from her seat and ran across the room. Albus sat back and watched her. He had no idea how she could possibly love if she had that Holy Scripture or not. The full room was filled with shelf and shelves of playscript. Albus would n't even bed where to look to find the account book they needed.

Rose returned a few minutes later with a book in her weapon and a smile on her human face. `` We do give birth it ! This was easier than I thought it would be. ``

`` I think doing the real good luck charm is going to off-set the relaxation of finding it, '' Albus pointed out.

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

Albus watched as his cousin flipped through the varlet of the book until she found the magic spell they were looking for. He was very well-chosen that rosiness was so eager to check new magical spell. It certainly helped that she was good at it, too. Albus had made a lot of progress in magical spell ever since professor Cedonia arrived, but he was still average. Rose was easily the best in their division. That and her keenness to check would certainly help if she was going to master this charm.

Rose read in silence for a few minute of arc and then turned to Albus. `` All right. This explains it pretty well. number 1, of course, we 've got to tell Kaden the secrets. Then we 've got to pick the clandestine keeper. I 'm thinking that I 'll take in to be the arcanum steward since the secret keeper is the one to perform the charm. ``

Albus nodded, `` I 'm amercement with that. We 've just got to make sure Matt is. What does the surreptitious steward do ? ``

`` Just perform the charms. And the secret keeper is the solitary one who can perform the return magical spell on Kaden. Normally the secret keeper would be the only one the individual could babble out about the mystical with as well. But we 'll use another charm to assure that Kaden can babble about the closed book with you, john, Matt, and Amanda as well. ``

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

`` wellspring, the confidential keeper performs a appealingness on themselves, which turns them into the hole-and-corner steward. Then they perform a charm on Kaden. Then Kaden will recite the secrets in detail. After that, the enigma keeper performs another appealingness on Kaden. Then charms are performed on the rest of the people involved. Then a final waterproofing spell on everyone, including Kaden and the secret custodian, and it 's done. ``

The melodic theme of all those different enchantment made Albus 's brain hurt. `` Wow, that 's a lot of good luck charm. We 've never done I that are a combining of multiple appeal. ``

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

`` What 's the counter charm involve ? '' Albus asked, thinking that maybe there would be a sentence when Kaden would mature and they would n't take to rely on conjuring trick to keep him from spilling secrets to Malfoy.

`` Erm, it seems pretty lots like the factual charm, '' Rose looked back at the book, `` You pretty much go backwards, using different charms. ``

`` shuffle sense. ``

`` I 'll depart practicing as soon as we 're back at school, '' Rose shut the record book and got up. `` I 'll fetch the Koran. Mum 'll never know, she 's got way too many to keep cart track of. ``

`` All right, '' Albus got up and followed her to the room access, `` Now we 've just got to observe that hart. ``

`` It 's going to have to wait until tomorrow, Albus, '' Rose pointed to the windowpane. It was White River with swirling snow and the wind was howling. `` Mum and Dad 'll never let us out in that. ``

******

Albus was getting quite fed up with the stag hunt by the sentence latterly afternoon arrived the next day. He and develop spent the integral sunrise in the timber, taking a rift for lunch, and then returning in the afternoon. Albus looked at his watch and saw that they would have to be starting to return to the house soon. `` We 're never going to find a stag ! '' he groaned.

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

`` We 've been tranquillise for the preceding two hr, '' Albus said flatly.

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

Albus sighed and stared out into the forest. So far Albus had seen no less than ten hare and four owls, but no hart. He was getting very cold sitting in the snow and his cloak had foresightful since soaked through. Albus was determined, however, and refused to go back to Rose 's house until they found a stag.

It had seemed so simple-minded at low, to daze a stag in the wood and get its footprint. This was not supposed to be the severe photographic print to get. Looking back, even the lycanthrope one seemed gentle. certain, they got locked out of Hogwarts, but they never got in trouble for it. The dog photographic print had been the easiest, since Amanda had a dog. The rat would be easy, too, once Gospel According to John managed to hitch one.

Albus pulled out his wand and started to poke at the snow wizard he had constructed earlier. The wand melted holes into the snow hotshot until it started to resemble a piece of lead by the nose Swiss people cheese. Albus was just beginning to do the same to the snowfall hippogriff that had been formed after the whiz when Rose poked him and hissed, `` Albus, expression ! ``

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

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

Albus sat completely still with his wand facing towards the doe. originate did the Sami and the two of them did n't run for a good five minutes. The doe inched slowly ahead, walking to the leftfield of Albus and Rose. Then Albus heard a rustle behind the doe and excitement washed over him as he saw a vast stag appear from behind a cluster of trees. `` This is it, '' he whispered to rosiness. She nodded but did n't say anything. The stag walked towards the doe, who had turned around to bet at her mate. `` On the count of three. One ... two ... three. Stupefy ! '' Albus shouted.

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

The doe shot off like a Eruca sativa as soon as the cousins shouted the while. The stag started to be but was hit by Albus 's stunner. blush wine 's turn hit a nearby Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and burned a minor fix into the bark.

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

`` Thanks. ``

`` Let 's hurry. We wo n't have a great deal time before he wakes up, '' rosiness reached into her robes and pulled out a piece of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a key brush.

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

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

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


A/N : supernumerary long chapter and an early update ! Just to let everyone live, I 'll be away at a Harry thrower convening from tomorrow ( hence the early update ) until Sunday and although I 'll take in my laptop with me, I might not make a chance to react to your critical review. I 'll get to them afterwards, though.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Denas, XDNLxtlz99, Saint Luke, sinwillys822, Slytherinlover, maraudersfan a w, Miguel, Moonylupin, and drownzer for the reveiws !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry thrower, Barbie, or Wii.


Albus 's family came to piece him up from Rose 's firm the next afternoon. They were all dressed in Muggle vesture, although Harry looked a little uncomfortable in his Muggle suit. Probably due to the tie, Albus thought. He could never understand why Muggles wore those.

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

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied. He had to admit that he was a bit nervous about this dinner, but there was zippo he could do about it now. `` See you at school, rosebush. ``

`` Bye, '' blush wine smiled.

The rest of the potter and Weasleys said goodbye to each other and then Albus disapparated with his mob. They appeared in a dark alley near a deserted street. Harry motioned for them to surveil him and the family started down the street. They made a few Thomas More turning until they came upon a neighborhood of average out sized houses. The houses all looked different, but seemed to be well cared for. It was a very subdued region with few people out and about. There were a partner off mass outside shoveling the newly fallen snow off their driveway, but none of them seemed to comment Albus and his family.

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

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

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

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

`` Yeah, but it 's so boring without, '' Kaden whispered in Albus 's ear, `` Magic. ``

Albus stifled a laugh and followed Kaden into the house. Kaden led them to the living room, where Dudley was fidgeting with his tie. Christina was setting out roll of grapeshot and crank and Bethany was helping.

`` Get anything goodness for Yuletide ? '' Kaden asked Albus once they sat down on the couch. `` I got a few new plot for my Wii, a new football, a skateboard, and a bunch of apparel. ``

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

`` video game system, '' Kaden explained, `` It 's really fun. I 'll establish you sometime. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus nodded, `` I got some clothes, Christian Bible, a incumbrance of sweets, poppycock from my Uncle George 's shop, and my dad 's Invisibility Cloak. ``

Kaden 's mouth fell undetermined, `` He gave it to you ? ! ``

`` Yup, '' Albus grinned. He had told Kaden about the Cloak a while ago, although Kaden had never seen it. He pulled it out of his bag and handed it to Kaden.

`` Whoa, that 's splendid ! '' Kaden threw the cloak around himself, `` count, I 'm invisible ! ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` fountainhead, I was kind of hoping you would all make up, '' Dudley mumbled.

Harry shook his head and looked back at Ginny, who looked worried. Then the bell rang and Harry turned to Dudley. Dudley gave him a small smile and turned to get the door.

Albus gulped and looked at James. Albus could only ever withdraw seeing his Uncle Vernon once. Albus was only five or six at the time and the entirely affair he remembered was Vernon asking Harry if Albus was'a freak like you are'. Albus had no desire to ever see the man again, and now he had to spend the evening with him.

The voices of Dudley greeting his parents started to become louder as they came into the bread and butter way. Albus got up from the sofa and stood succeeding to James, who was hiding behind Harry. Vernon and petunia followed Dudley into the elbow room and their faces visibly paled as they saw the Potters.

`` Wha-wha, Dudley ? '' Vernon gaped at Harry and then looked at his son.

Albus watched as pandemonium broke out amongst the adults. Vernon 's face turned assorted shadowiness of red and purple as he tried to grasp what was happening. petunia clung to her hubby with a coalesce spirit of dislike and fear on her face.

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

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

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

Christina stood near the entree to the kitchen, looking uncomfortable. Bethany clung to her leg and hid her nerve, clearly afraid of her grandfather 's cheering. Albus, James IV, Lily, and Kaden glanced around at the adults, paying rapt attention to the unfolding argument, but not saying a Word of God. Ginny pursed her sassing and watched her husband with a disapproving look. Albus had to admit that his Uncle Vernon was a bit scary right now and Albus had no desire to cross paths with him. Dudley looked nervous as he tried to make peacefulness between his relatives. His voice was drowned out amongst Vernon and Harry 's yelling, and genus Petunia 's screech.

`` Mum, Dad, '' Dudley stood in front of his parents, `` I invited them here, so we could all get reacquainted. ``

`` Why would you do that ? '' Vernon demanded.

`` Kaden 's a virtuoso, Dad, so Harry 's a part of his life now. You know he 's one of Kaden 's instructor. ``

Vernon 's face turned from ghostly white to a deep shade of purple. `` What could he possibly learn ? Abnormalness ? ``

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

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

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

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

`` Vernon, '' petunia put her manus on her husband 's arm, `` Let it go. ``

`` You do recognise that this sort of abnormality is what got your sister killed ! ``

`` I 'm fully aware of what happened to my baby, '' Petunia snapped. `` This does n't accept anything to do with that. It 's about accepting your grandson for who he is. '' Vernon continued glaring at Harry, but he did n't say anything.

`` Let 's all sit down, '' Dudley suggested.

`` And I 'll get us some boozing ! '' Christina announced eagerly. She rushed into the kitchen and came back with a bottle of brandy, a bottle of wine, and a some glasses, along with fizzy drinkable for the kids.

Vernon and Petunia regained their composure and Petunia gave Dudley a bone crunching hug and smothered him with buss. She then moved on and did the same with both her grandchildren, making sure to completely ignore Albus, James, and Lily. Albus sat down on the couch and to his disfavor, Vernon chose to sit next to him. After a few moments of sticky secretiveness, Vernon turned to Albus. `` So, '' he began, causing Albus to jump, `` You go to this, schoolhouse, too ? ``

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

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

Albus forced himself to reckon at Vernon. `` I 'm taking Transfiguration, appeal, Potions, Herbology, uranology, account of conjuring trick, and Defense Against the darkness artistic creation, '' he mumbled quietly.

Vernon seemed to flinch at the audio of those figure. `` I see. And are you any good at them ? ``

`` Um, I guess so, '' Albus replied. He was wishing more and more that he could accept just stayed at Rose 's house instead of coming here. Why was Vernon questioning him ? Why not St. James or Kaden ?

`` What field does your father Teach ? '' Vernon barked.

`` Defense Against the dark humanities, '' Albus muttered.

`` And what is that, exactly ? ``

`` Defensive piece, dueling, stuff you use to defeat shadow wizards like Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, and Professor potter defeated Voldemort ! '' Kaden interrupted and for once Albus was grateful for his cousin-german 's big mouth.

`` So I 've heard, '' Vernon replied.

`` He 's a swell instructor, grandpa ! I love my new schooling. It 's much better than Muggle schooltime, '' Kaden grinned. `` I 'll be good back. '' He ran up the stairs and came back a few seconds later with his sceptre. `` Look at this ! ``

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

`` Of course I do ! '' Kaden laughed, `` I wish I could show you some witching, though. I ca n't do it away school. Hey, prof potter can show you ! ``

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

`` No thanks ! '' petunia shouted at the Lapplander time.

Kaden looked disappointed. `` Sorry, Kaden, '' Harry with an apologetic look, `` Maybe another day. ``

`` Or never, '' Vernon muttered.

cipher said much after that. Albus preferred it that way. He was very well-chosen that Uncle Vernon appeared to have given up his inquiry and answer session. Christina announced that dinner was quick a few second later, and everyone eagerly went into the dining room. Albus made sure that he was n't sitting adjacent to Vernon and relaxed a small as he began to eat.

The Dursleys dominated most of the dinner conversation, with Vernon and Petunia asking Dudley and Christina about what was new in their life sentence. They wanted to recognize every survive point, down to what rank Bethany had gotten on her latest book report in shoal. Eventually they had exhausted this topic and the board descended into an embarrassing secretiveness before Vernon started drilling Harry about his life.

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

`` I 'm the Head of the Auror department at the Ministry of thaumaturgy, '' Harry smiled.

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

`` A Dark wizard catcher, '' Harry explained.

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

Harry sighed, `` You know most of that was n't my fault. ``

`` Like hell it was n't. It was all due to your abnormality, '' Vernon replied.

`` Dad, ca n't you just drop it ? '' Dudley asked.

`` No, Duddy, I wo n't ! Vernon slammed his fist on the table, `` He 's obviously done something to Kaden to make him abnormal ! ``

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

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

`` No he was n't ! '' Vernon yelled, his look turning purpleness again. `` And I want the boy to exchange him back ! ``

`` Uncle Vernon, listen to me, '' Harry announced, `` You ca n't call on individual into a ace, it just does n't work. Kaden was born a necromancer, which does n't surprise me at all. There is witching in his descent, the Saami magic that was in my mother 's and is in mine. ``

`` Wonderful, '' Vernon pettifoggery, `` And I suppose you 're going to tell me that Bethany will be unnatural, too ? ``

`` There 's a chance she 'll be a enchantress, yes, '' Harry told him.

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

`` Vernon, there 's zero we can do ! '' Petunia shrieked, `` I do n't like it either, but the boy did not do this ! ``

`` How do you know ? ``

`` Because my freak of a sister told me it 's not possible, that 's how ! ``

`` Do n't prognosticate her a lusus naturae ! '' Harry glared at both of them.

Petunia ignored him. `` I asked her, when I was an chesty child. I asked her if individual could turn me into a witch before I knew any easily. She said no. There is not one thing we can do to change Kaden. We just have to hope that he 's going to be bright than my sister was and not get killed just out of school day. ``

`` amercement, '' Vernon snapped, `` But I do n't like it. I do n't like it one bit. ``

`` Neither do I, neither do I, '' Petunia agree.

Albus glanced nervously from one adult to the next, hoping that the fight was over. He realized now how often Uncle Vernon and aunt petunia hated magic now. The two of them were still going on about how Albus 's granny had been killed, thirty-some days later. Albus was still amazed that Vernon had actually blamed Harry for Kaden being a wizard. Albus knew Vernon disliked Harry, but he did n't think Vernon would still pick Harry for things he did n't like, this many years later.

`` You 'd be improve off just keeping him out of that shoal, '' Vernon announced after a few hour of secretiveness. `` There 's no law requiring him to go, is there ? ``

`` No, '' Dudley replied. `` But he likes it there, so he 's staying. ``

`` This is utterly absurd, '' Vernon muttered, `` Wait till oleo hears about it. ``

`` I hate aunty Marge, '' Kaden said loudly, causing Albus to snort into his juice. `` All she talks about is breeding frankfurter. ``

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

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

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

`` Of course I have n't ! '' Vernon raised his voice, `` Can you imagine what she is going to think ? That someone, like, like you is actually associate to her ? She takes comfort in the fact that you are n't actually related to her ! But to stimulate Kaden be one of your lot, she 'll be horrified ! And I should believe so after you blew her up twelvemonth ago ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden and Bethany shouted at the same time. Kaden spat his juice out and started choking. Albus slapped him on the back, trying to hold in his own laughter. Harry told them this narration a long prison term ago and just thinking about it made Albus laugh.

`` That was n't his fault ! '' Ginny came to Harry 's defense, `` He could n't control it ! What your sister said about his parents was absolutely stinking and you know it ! ``

`` It was the true statement ! '' Vernon shouted, rising to his feet.

`` No it was n't ! '' Ginny stood up as well.

`` What do you think, blew her up ? '' Kaden asked.

`` His parents were retard and that 's why they were killed ! '' Vernon continued.

`` No they were n't ! '' Harry stood and stared at his uncle. Albus had rarely ever seen his sire so raging before. `` They were working against Voldemort. ``

`` Another one of your lot who went on a cleanup rampage ! '' Vernon yelled.

`` They should have just ignored him and minded their own business, '' Petunia announced. Albus did n't really call up she should be telling someone to heed their own business, when she thrived off of gossip.

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

`` Can individual please enjoin me how aunty oleo got blown up ? ! '' Kaden shouted again.

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

`` Leave this to me, Dudley. You 're obviously under a bad influence right now. ``

Dudley heaved a huge sigh, `` Dad ... You 're forgetting that Harry saved my life once ! ``

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

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

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

`` Dementors, '' Albus corrected, `` They 're these cloaked tool that suck out your mortal. ``

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

`` Suck out your individual, '' Albus repeated, `` They feed on happy thoughts, until you 're only left with the sad 1. ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` What would that Voldemort bloke have wanted with us anyway ? '' Vernon bellowed, `` It 's not like we 're weirdos like him. ``

`` Do n't you get it ? '' Harry sighed, `` He did n't worry about anyone ! He would 've killed anyone to get to me, including you. ``

`` Everybody, just shut out it ! '' The five grownup who were arguing turned to the reservoir of the new voice that rang out tatty than theirs. It was Christina. Everyone stopped arguing and stared at her. `` Thank you. Now I only understand function of this row, but everything you 're rowing about has happened in the past tense. Ca n't you just put it behind you and try to get along ? bet at you, you 're standing there arguing about clobber you ca n't change, in front of your children. What variety of model are you setting ? Put aside your differences, if not for yourselves, do it for the kids. ``

The adult said nothing for a few moments while Christina glared at every one of them. Eventually, Harry spoke, `` She 's justly. We should just try and get along. '' Ginny nodded in agreement.

`` That 's what I was trying to narrate you, '' Dudley commented.

`` fine, '' Vernon spat, `` I 'll permit the boy. But you are making a sculpture misapprehension with Kaden, Dudley. ``

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

The residual of the dinner was much more pleasurable. Harry quickly told the story of when he blew up Marge to douse Kaden and Bethany 's wonder, but there was no more mention of magic throughout the rest of the meal. The conversation centered on topics that could be equally congeneric to Muggles and genius, such as the weather condition. Albus did n't say anything, choosing instead to quietly eat his pudding while listening to the adult'filter conversations. He was just happy that they were no longer arguing with each former.

After dinner, Albus, James, and Kaden escaped to Kaden 's bedroom, which he was eager to exhibit off. The total thing was decorated with various football paraphernalia, with a lot of emphasis on Manchester United. James found this highly hold and drop quite a few minute of arc laughing at the bill sticker, in which the role player remained completely still. Kaden spent a while showing off his Xmas presents to Albus and James and soon wanted to show them how to play his Wii.

Kaden led Albus and James back downstairs, where the adults were discussing cars over coffee. Albus was very happy that he did not have to sit through that discussion. Albus followed as Kaden went down another flight of stair and they descended into the basement. The basement was clearly the game room of the house, as it was cluttered with all sorts of Muggle miniature. Lily and Bethany were playing with Bethany 's Barbies in one corner and neither of them paid much attention as the male child entered the room.

The Wii was set up in the middle of the room and attached to a television that was against the wall. Albus had never played a Wii before and was kind of queer about it. Saint James was as well, although he got sidetracked by a remote ascendancy car. He drove it all over the room, completely amazed at how the car seemed to make a motion by magic.

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

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

Albus was kind of frustrated when his dad called them back upstairs to look down to the new year and hoped that everyone was still acting civilly. They were, as Albus found when he entered the living room. It did n't really seem like the adults were enjoying themselves, but they were at least acting polite, which was trade good enough for Albus.

Shortly after they rang in the new year, Albus 's parents decided it was time to leave. Albus had no arguments against this because he was tired and did n't really need to spend anymore time in the same house as Uncle Vernon. Harry politely shook hired man with Vernon, said good-by to Petunia, and told Dudley he would owl him soon. Vernon form of flinched at the mention of the password 'owl .'Albus completely ignored Vernon and genus Petunia, and told Kaden he would see him on the train drive back to schoolhouse. Once the obligatory auf wiedersehen were said, Albus and his family left the house, only to Apparate back to Grimmauld Place a few streets away.


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


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to hold that he was happy to be going back to Hogwarts. After the nearly calamitous dinner with the Dursleys, Albus spent his time working on homework or goofing off with James I and Lily. By the end of the holiday he was actually sort of tire and happy to be seeing his friends again. Plus, the sooner he got back to school, the sooner he could try out the new map.

The ceramicist met the Weasleys and the Dursleys at King 's Cross and entered Platform 9 3/4 together. Both mob were running late again and Albus, Rose, Henry James, and Kaden only just made it onto the train before it left. James immediately left to find his friends while Albus, Rose, and Kaden wandered around trying to find their friends.

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

`` Hey ! '' King John greeted them.

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

`` Yeah, '' Albus laughed and sat down following to her. He wished more than anything that Kaden would result so he could tell John and Amanda that he and Rose managed to get the stag print. All the prints were currently residing in Albus 's bag, just waiting to be transferred onto the map.

`` So how was your family dinner party ? '' John grinned and looked from Albus to Kaden.

Albus and Kaden exchanged glances. rose wine stifled a laugh. She had already heard about the dinner shortly after it happened.

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

`` What happened ? '' whoremonger asked eagerly.

`` My grandpa went mad, '' Kaden shook his mind. `` And my grannie form of did. ``

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

`` well, they form of did n't hump we were coming, '' Albus began, `` So they started off by yelling about that. ``

`` Then they started shouting about how my dad should n't let me go to school here, '' Kaden continued.

`` And Uncle Vernon wound up claiming that Dad had somehow used a charm to turn Kaden into a wizard, '' Albus explained.

John and Amanda burst out laughing. `` You 're kidding ! '' John exclaimed. `` He actually thought that ? ! ``

`` Sure did, '' Albus grinned. Now that the dinner was behind him, he was able to laugh about it. Looking back, his Uncle Vernon did seem mad, and not nearly as scary as Albus first thought.

`` And my grandma of all masses told him it was n't possible, '' Kaden laughed. `` Apparently she wanted to be a crone when she was a kid. But the effective role was when Grandpa brought up auntie marge. ``

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

`` My grandad 's sister, '' Kaden explained, `` I ca n't abide her. But apparently Professor ceramist blew her up when he was 13 ! ``

John the Evangelist and Amanda started howling with laughter. `` That is absolutely brilliant ! '' John shouted.

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

Albus smiled at them and told the report of his aunt oleo. King John and Amanda laughed even harder when they had heard the whole thing.

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

`` wellspring, we went down to the basement and played with Kaden 's Muggle video game, which was a lot of fun. ``

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

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

`` Oh, yeah. Grandpa tried to convince Dad to not let me go back to Hogwarts. He thought Dad would be more likely to agree without you lot there. Dad told him to stop and eventually he gave up and left. ``

`` You going to do that again anytime soon ? '' whoremaster asked.

`` Hopefully not, '' Albus replied.

`` Let 's do it at your house succeeding, '' Kaden grinned, `` I want to see a wizard house. ``

`` I doubt Dad will let Uncle Vernon and aunt Petunia in the mansion, '' Albus told him, `` But you 're welcome to come. ``

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

`` We 'll come, too, '' Rose announced. John and Amanda nodded. `` And lustrelessness. ``

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

`` Er, he had some, er, healer appointments, '' Albus said quickly. Hopefully that would fulfil Kaden 's curiosity.

`` Oh, for that disease he 's got ? ``

`` Yeah, the one you ca n't say a thing about to anybody, '' Albus glared at him, `` And that includes this. Do n't tell anyone where he is. ``

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

`` Good, '' Albus said.

******

Over the next few twenty-four hours, Albus kept trying to happen some clock time to separate King John and Amanda about the stag print, but it was voiceless to shake up Kaden off. It seemed the only times they were away from him was when they were in course or in their dormitory at dark. Neither were good opportunities to speak about the map.

In the meanwhile, Malfoy was trying to forecast out why Matt was n't in school. The full-of-the-moon moon was n't until the travel along week, so Albus was going to own to survive Malfoy 's questioning for a piece longer. null seemed to satisfy him. Albus was also preoccupied with what was going to encounter this full moonlight. He was kind of worried about Matt taking the new wolfsbane potion.

All the educatee and teacher seemed to be falling into their usual routines. Dueling and Quidditch practices started up again. Both Kate and Sakartvelo were working their squad hard and Albus was feeling the effects. Between that and the increased amount of prep the teachers were intent on assigning, he had hardly any time for anything else.

A couple days into the term, Kaden finally had one of his tutoring seance. Albus and his friends seized the opportunity and ran to the elbow room of necessity as soon as Kaden left the common room.

`` Finally ! '' John exclaimed as he threw himself onto one of the couch in the room. `` I thought I was going to die of oddity ! ``

`` I never thought we 'd get away from him ! '' Amanda said as she sat down side by side to him.

`` It 'll be easier once rosebush bod out the charm to keep him hushed, '' Albus replied.

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

`` Sure did, '' Rose grinned and pulled the book of charms from her star sign out of her bag. She opened it to the proper page and handed it to John and Amanda.

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

`` Given a bit of practice, sure, '' Rose replied. `` We just have to make sure Matt agrees to it. ``

`` I 'm surely he will, '' John said, `` I mean, this magical spell will definitely keep Kaden from telling anyone. ``

`` I 'll bulge working on it now, '' Rose took the book back, `` I have n't started yet because I do n't want anyone to ask why I 'm trying to larn it. ``

`` So, did you get the hart print ? '' John asked eagerly.

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

whoremaster picked them up and looked at him. `` first-class ! I 'll try and get the rat soon. Then we can transfer them. ``

`` We should wait for Matt, '' Albus told him, `` He 's a part of this as a lot as we are. ``

`` Oh, yeah, that 's a ripe idea, '' can set the prints down on a nearby table. `` You know, I think this is the low time we 've been in here without him. ``

`` I think you 're right, '' Albus commented. It was form of strange, really. All the other times they had been in the elbow room, matt had been the one to ask for it. nobody said anything for a few minute of arc. Albus could tell that everyone was thinking the same thing he was, what would happen with matt 's new potion.

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

`` As long as nothing goes wrong, '' Albus said quietly.

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

`` Definitely, '' Albus agreed, but he could n't help but remember the new potion would n't work any skillful than the old one. Why should it ? If flatness was tolerant to Aconitum lycoctonum potion, why should a unlike variety of it act upon ?

The four of them spent the remainder of the evening in the room. blush wine worked steadily on figuring out the charm, but did n't really get anywhere. It was an extremely difficult magic spell, after all. Albus, John, and Amanda worked on their homework and talked about what they thought the new map would deliver on it.

******

Albus became more and more anxious as the wide moon approached. His friends seemed to as well, and Gospel According to John especially developed a very short fuze. Kaden seemed to get the brunt of this but he took it in step. The night of the actual wide moon, Albus had Quidditch practice. He became so distracted during it that Georgia called for a break during practice and demanded to know why Albus was dropping so many Quaffles. He lied and told her he was worried about a Transfiguration exam the succeeding day. Luckily she seemed to accept this and wished him luck on his exam. Albus tried supernumerary hard during the second one-half of exercise but still missed a lot of easy passes.

Albus entered the common way after pattern feeling incredibly sore but not at all tired. He had been hit with numerous bludgers due to his want of concentration. Normally Albus would have been exhausted after such a practice but he was too anxious to be tired tonight.

His friends were sitting at their usual table which was covered in preparation. Not that much of it was being done. Kaden was the solitary one feverishly working away at an essay. John the Divine, Amanda, and even blush wine were staring off into nothing with their uninfluenced homework in front of them. Albus quickly stowed his Calluna vulgaris in his dorm room and joined his friends at the table.

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

`` Hi, '' Rose mumbled. Saint John and Amanda gave equally unenthusiastic greetings.

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

Even at a clock time like this, Albus could n't avail but gag at Kaden 's cluelessness. `` Hi, Kaden. ``

`` How was practice ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not that great. I got hit with a yoke bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' Kaden winced.

`` Yeah, my arm hurts pretty bad, '' Albus commented.

`` Just go see dame Pomfrey, '' Rose suggested, `` Your arm looks tight. ``

Albus glanced at his arm. It had turned a lovely purple bluing people of color in the time since he had received the blow. `` All right, '' he stood up. `` I 'll see you in a bit. ``

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

Albus did n't feel like telling Kaden not to chafe, so he nodded and Kaden followed him out of the common room. Albus did n't talk much on the way to the hospital wing, but Kaden kept up a streaming comment about what went on in his year that day. Kaden must have felt the need to share it even though zilch particularly exciting had happened that day. The corridors were utterly deserted and Kaden 's voice seemed awfully loud. Albus glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost curfew. He wished he had brought his Invisibility Cloak. Of course, none of the instructor could give him detention for being out of his common room in orderliness to go see Madam Pomfrey, could they ?

Albus pushed the room access to the infirmary wing open slowly and saw that brothel keeper Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, writing something, and glancing out the window every few second base. The moonlight was streaming through and illuminating one of the beds. There were n't any affected role in the Montgomery Ward, which Albus thought was kind of strange. Albus rarely ever saw the post empty. He walked quietly up to ma'am Pomfrey and Kaden followed. The nurse did n't even seem to have noticed them come in in.

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

The nanny jumped and looked up, clutching her nitty-gritty. `` Oh, Albus ! You scared me. What are you doing here ? ``

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

Madam Pomfrey stood up and gave him a benevolent aspect. `` I understand. Let me see. ``

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

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` No trouble. Anywhere else ? ``

`` I got hit on my vertebral column too and it kind of distress. I 've got no idea if it 's bruised or not. ``

Madam Pomfrey looked at Albus 's rachis and performed the Lapp healing charm. It felt immensely better.

`` I think that 's it, '' Albus said once she was done.

`` You 'd better be off to bed, then, '' she said. `` I 'm sure I 'll be seeing you soon. ``

Albus nodded and turned to exit. He and Kaden were soon back in the empty corridor.

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

`` Shush, '' Albus hissed, `` transfiguration test tomorrow. ``

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

`` Yeah, that was it. ``

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

`` determine it ! '' a moth-eaten voice shouted and shoved Albus aside.

Albus pulled out his verge and lit it, shoving the visible radiation in the faces of the two alien. They were Malfoy and Willinson. `` You watch it, '' Albus muttered.

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

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

`` None of your business. ``

`` You just answered your own question, then. ``

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

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

Malfoy ignored him and continued to glower at Kaden. `` Maybe you know where Eckerton is these Clarence Day ? ``

Kaden glanced nervously at Albus before answering. `` Uh, no, I do n't. ``

`` mulct, '' Malfoy snapped. `` I know you wo n't say anything with Potter around anyway. I 'll just wait until you 're alone. C'mon, Willinson, we 're leaving. ``

`` You 'll do no such thing, Mr. Malfoy, '' someone said from behind Albus.

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

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

`` Uh, '' Malfoy stammered, `` We were, er, uh, well we just wanted to, um- ''

`` Do n't rile, Mr. Maloy, '' Patil cut him off. `` Whatever lie you come up with is not going to convince me. '' She turned to Albus and Kaden, `` I 'm assuming you were not out for a stroll with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Willinson ? ``

`` No, '' Albus confirmed, `` I was actually just in the hospital wing. I got hurt at Quidditch practice. Kaden was with me. ``

Patil looked at Kaden. `` Is that on-key, Mr. Dursley ? ``

`` Yes, ma'am, '' Kaden replied quietly.

`` We were there, too, prof ! '' Malfoy shouted out, `` Willinson stabbed himself with his quill while we were doing homework. ``

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

Any color that had been in Malfoy 's face drained. The four boys quietly followed professor Patil to the hospital wing. Albus was very eased. madam Pomfrey would separate Patil that he and Kaden had been there, and then she would n't give them detention.

Patil opened the doors to the infirmary annexe, but Madam Pomfrey was no longer there. Patil motioned for the male child to stick around there and she strode over to the nurse 's bureau. She knocked lightly and waited for Madam Pomfrey to appear.

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

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

`` I was wondering if any of these four boys, '' she gestured to Albus, Kaden, and the two Slytherins, `` Were here recently ? I caught them all out of bed and all of them insist they were here. ``

ma'am Pomfrey gazed at the boy. `` Well, Albus and Kaden were here about fifteen minutes ago, but I have n't seen the early two in quite a piece. ``

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

`` Not a problem, '' the suckle replied.

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

Malfoy and Willinson sulked and muttered under their breath as the five of them exited the Ward. Albus laughed to himself on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Malfoy and Willinson were glaring daggers at Albus and Kaden the hale way back, but Albus just smirked at them. They could n't do anything now anyway, not with Patil around. But surely they would blame Albus and Kaden for their detainment and Albus would throw to look out out the next few days.

******

Albus did n't sleep very well that night, despite his fatigue from Quidditch practice. He fell asleep in the wee hr of the morning and woke up only a few hours later. John was just as exhausted and the two of them stumbled down into the coarse room, only to find rose wine slumped over a book at their usual table.

`` Rose ! '' Albus shook his cousin-german 's articulatio humeri, `` awaken up ! ``

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

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

`` Oh ! '' pink wine jumped up and pushed her bushy hair out of her face.

`` What were you doing down here ? Did you ever go to bed ? '' Albus asked.

`` No, could n't sleep, '' rose shrugged, `` So I came back down and worked on the Sileo Altus charm. I just ca n't envision it out. It 's driving me mad ! ``

`` That 's a really high stratum charm, Rose. You know it 's going to lease you a while, '' Albus reminded her.

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

A few mo later, Albus and his Quaker walked to the Great lobby. Albus noticed Malfoy and Willinson at the Slytherin table as they walked by and both of the Slytherins were shooting obelisk at Albus.

Kaden was already at the Gryffindor table and immediately hailed Albus and the others to sit near him.

`` Did you see Malfoy this morning ? '' Kaden asked once Albus had sat down.

`` Yeah, he 's not too felicitous. ``

`` Wonder when his detention is ? '' Kaden asked.

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

Kaden began to verbalize about some potion he was going to be brewing that day, but Albus tuned him out. All Albus seemed to be able to think about at the instant was whether the new potion Matt had taken worked.

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

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

`` I know, '' Albus rolled his eye and pulled the letter off the owl 's leg. He gave the owl a few bits of toast and the magnanimous Bronx cheer flew off.

rosebush, who was on Albus 's other position, looked over his shoulder as he looked at the envelope. John and Amanda were leaning over the mesa and Kaden was leaning over Albus 's other shoulder.

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

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

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

`` Shush ! '' Albus, Saint John the Apostle, Rose, and Amanda said at once.

`` wellspring, we 'd better be off to transfiguration, '' Albus said and gave Rose a meaning glance.

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

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

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

`` I 'll come, too ! ``

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

`` Well, now we have n't got time to scan it, '' Albus groaned and glanced at his scout. `` Why could n't he possess left sooner ? ``

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

`` We 'll just read it after History of magic trick, '' rosiness said as they climbed the stairs, `` We 've got the whole afternoon off. ``

The morning dragged by at an extremely retard yard, in Albus 's feeling. Transfiguration was n't too bad, since it was a pragmatic moral. Malfoy descended upon Albus and the others after the class was over, wanting to know where matt was. Albus lied and told him Matt was having a latterly holiday with his grandparents and then took off for History of trick, ignoring Malfoy 's complaints about detention that followed.

History of deception was as deadening as usual. Albus thought he saw the clock 's mitt go backwards at one gunpoint. He passed notes with can and Amanda while Rose took notes. She seemed to have inherited her mother 's ability to appease awake during that class. trick nodded off at one point and Albus had to prod him arouse with his pinion. Professor Binns did n't even seem to notice.

After account of magic trick finally ended, Albus and his admirer went to the Great Granville Stanley Hall to grab a fast dejeuner. Kaden was there when they arrived and immediately launched into an explanation of the potion he had just brewed. Apparently it was so impressive that Slughorn gave him a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate and an invitation to the next type slug Club meeting.

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

`` Yup, '' Kaden grinned. `` The adjacent merging is this Saturday. He told me that a lot of your cousins go. ``

`` Er, yeah, they do, '' Albus coughed. He had not been expecting Kaden to get invited to any Slug Club confluence. Albus had n't even gone to any since the previous yr. He just told Slughorn he had Quidditch practice or too much homework to go. Slughorn had n't even had his Christmas political party this yr. Albus was n't sure why, but he was guessing it was because he had n't been able-bodied to recover anyone famous to attend.

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

Albus groaned inwardly, `` Oh, I do n't get it on .... ''

`` Please ? '' Kaden pleaded.

`` amercement, '' Albus sighed. It could n't be that bad now that Quinton Willinson was gone. And it was just one get together. `` But just this once. And if Georgia calls for Quidditch practice, I wo n't go to the meeting. ``

`` Yay ! '' Kaden shouted.

Once Kaden left for his next course of study, Albus and his friends went straight for the Room of prerequisite. Albus and rose sat on one of the couches while John and Amanda sat on the opposite one. Albus reached into his bag and found the letter.

`` Here it goes, '' Albus whispered.

`` That potion better have worked, '' John said.

Albus tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter. He read it aloud.

Dear Albus, Rose, John Lackland, and Amanda,

Last nighttime Matt told me to write you
and distinguish you what happened if he couldn't.
Since he ca n't, you have probably guessed
that the potion did not work.

`` red cent ! '' John shouted.

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

He only has to outride in St. Mungo 's all-night
and then tomorrow he 'll be back at plate. I 'm
pretty sure he 'll be back at Hogwarts on
Sunday, but we 're not exactly sure.

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

From,
Amy

Albus folded up the letter of the alphabet and looked at his friends. `` wellspring, I guess that 's it, then. ``

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

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed.

cypher said anything for a few minutes. Albus felt very disappointed that the potion had n't worked, but he was sure it did n't even derive close to what flatness was feeling.

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

Rose glared at him, `` He wo n't. He 's still in that report, which means he 's still got to take that potion for the next two years or so. Then there 'll probably be another one for him to try out. And maybe that one will work. ``

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

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

`` Albus 's grandfather did it. ``

`` When he was in twenty percent year, '' rose reminded him.

`` Fine, three Sir Thomas More eld then, '' John shrugged.

rose sighed, `` flatness wo n't let you bring together him on the full moon, though. And I would n't suggest doing it behind his back. ``

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

`` Definitely, '' pink wine agreed.

Albus and his supporter spent the just part of the next hour talking about what they would do if they could transform into animals. They all agreed that listening in on people 's conversations and sneaking up on hoi polloi like Malfoy would be top on the list of stuff to do. Eventually, Rose insisted that they all start their homework, which took them nearly of the evening to complete.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, Denas, Moonylupin, phoenixy friend, drownzer, and potterfan296 for their recap !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that Quinton Willinson was no longer at Hogwarts, Albus still dreaded the Slug clubhouse meeting on Sabbatum. His intellectual side told him that it would n't be nearly as bad with Willinson gone, but Albus still was n't looking forward to it.

Kaden, on the other hand, spent the days leading up to Sabbatum talking non-stop about the Slug baseball club meeting. Albus had already explained in item what they involved, but that did n't terminate Kaden from constantly wondering aloud about what the coming together would be like.

Saturday arrived quickly and Albus was still without an self-justification to not pay heed the meeting. Sakartvelo had not called for Quidditch practice session that day, mainly due to the fact that the Ravenclaws booked the pitch all first light and the Slytherins had it all afternoon. The two mansion were scheduled to play each early the comply Saturday.

`` It 's clock time for the sluggard Club meeting, Albus ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly a few minute before eleven.

Albus sighed and got up out of his president in the common room. `` See you lot in a lilliputian while, '' he said to John and Amanda.

`` Have loads of fun ! '' John laughed.

`` See you later, '' Amanda grinned.

Albus, Kaden, and rose wine, who had also decided to go, set off for the dungeons. Albus hoped he would only have to stick around for a little patch, maybe an hour at most. Just long enough for Kaden to see what the confluence were like.

The meeting was held in the Potions schoolroom and a few students were milling about when Albus, Rose, and Kaden walked into the room. Albus recognized nigh of them from cobbler's last year 's confluence. A few of his cousin-german were there as well, but not all of them. James was n't there, but Albus knew he had dueling practice that day. Albus was also well-chosen to note that Felix Willinson was not there. Of course, after what happened with Quinton and his begetter, Albus guessed he should n't be surprised that Quinton 's cousin-german would n't be invited to the type slug Club.

There was a defer full of food along one of the side paries and most everyone was crowding around it trying to get some luncheon. Slughorn had a collection plate of intellectual nourishment in forepart of him and was sitting at a large table in the front of the room.

Albus led rose wine and Kaden over to the table and picked up a home plate.

`` What is this material ? '' Kaden pointed to a record of some sorting of meat.

`` Pheasant, '' Albus replied. Slughorn always served pheasant at his get together. Albus tried it live twelvemonth and hated it.

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

`` Good to see you all again ! '' Slughorn greeted them and then turned to Albus. `` And Albus and pink wine ! I 'm very happy that you two decided to come ! How have year been going ? ``

`` trade good, '' Albus replied.

`` Excellent, excellent, '' Slughorn nodded, `` We also have individual new here today. This is Kaden Dursley, '' Slughorn gestured to Kaden. `` He 's Albus 's full cousin and is turning out to be quite the Potions beer maker ! Lily 's cistron must be coming out in you ! ``

Kaden grinned, `` Potions is fun. Loads in force than Transfiguration. ``

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

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

`` This material is splendid ! ``

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

Albus chuckled to himself. Of course Kaden liked the pheasant. If there was one affair Albus had learned about his cousin-german over the preceding six calendar month, it was that he 'd eat pretty practically anything. This was obviously something he had inherited from his father.

Slughorn soon launched into a drawn-out account of what he did over his vacation and who he had spent time with. ( `` Barry Ryan used to play for Hibernia, you know. '' ) Albus found the whole thing rather boring but he noticed that Kaden seemed to hang on Slughorn 's every Scripture. Rose seemed to be paying care as well, but probably only out of courtesy.

Albus let his idea wander as Slughorn continued talking about his dinner party with Barry Ryan. lusterlessness was supposed to return to Hogwarts the next day, which meant that in as little as xxiv hours, they could be having the map working. Well, if they could sneak away to the Room of essential, that is. Albus hoped Rose would feature that charm working soon. Then they could just do all of this with Kaden. It would puddle it a unit lot easier. Of course of study, Matt still had n't said that he agreed to tell Kaden even with the spell. Albus kept forgetting about that piece. But why would n't he agree ? The charm seemed like it would lick well.

Albus, Kaden, and rose wound up staying until the end of the meeting. Kaden was enthralled by the entire thing and Albus knew he would refuse to leave betimes. Albus was incredibly bored by the clip the thing was over and pink wine looked as bored as Albus felt. Once the meeting was finally over, the three of them said goodbye to Slughorn and left the dungeons.

`` That was so cool, '' Kaden grinned.

`` Boring 's more than like it, '' Albus replied.

`` How can you consider it was boring ? '' Kaden stared at Albus, `` Slughorn knows so many illustrious people. ``

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

`` Well, are you two going to the next one ? ''

Albus looked at blush wine. She did n't see like she wanted to go to the next one either. `` Er, well, I might hold Quidditch pattern. ``

`` And I 'll probably feature too often homework, '' Rose explained.

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

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

Albus laughed as Rose launched into a discourse about how crucial metre management is and how homework should always come first. The three of them were nearly to the commons elbow room by the sentence Rose finished and Kaden was wearing a blank aspect on his face, much like the one Albus had worn during the Slug nightclub meeting.

******

`` Got any approximation what sentence he 's coming back ? '' John asked shortly after lunch the following day in the common room.

`` No melodic theme, '' Albus shrugged.

Albus, John Lackland, Kaden, rose wine, and Amanda were all sitting around their usual table in the mutual room. rosebush and Kaden were playing chess and it was seeming that pink wine was going prosperous on Kaden. The two of them had been playing the same secret plan for fifteen instant. If pink wine wanted to, she probably could have beat Kaden in five minutes. John Lackland and Amanda were both working on the Transfiguration essay that was due the next day. Albus had already finished that detail essay and was watching pink wine and Kaden 's chess match.

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

`` Bishop to D3. '' Rose 's bishop smashed Kaden 's queen mole rat to part. `` Checkmate, '' Rose grinned.

`` poop, '' Kaden muttered as his king dropped its sword in defeat.

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

`` Do you have Quidditch practice today, Albus ? '' whoremaster asked.

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

`` I hope Matt gets back before you leave, '' Amanda said.

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed. `` But Amy did n't say when he 'd be coming back. ``

`` He 's going to have a load of prep to realize up, '' Kaden announced.

`` That sounds like something you 'd say, Rose, '' John laughed.

`` How 's your essay coming, St. John the Apostle ? '' blush wine smirked.

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

`` I 've only got one more to go, '' Amanda said.

`` lack to play again, rosebush ? '' Kaden asked.

Rose shrugged. `` Sure, why not. ``

Rose and Kaden set up their pieces and started to play again. Albus watched them. It was pretty comical to catch the two of them wreak chess game. Kaden would sit there forever figuring out what move to make and once he made it, rose wine would smile and move one of her own pieces within seconds. Rose 's motion usually involved killing one of Kaden 's pieces.

The portrayal hole to the park room opened a few moment later and Albus looked up. Matt was just climbing through and headed straight for Albus 's table once he noticed them.

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

`` Hi Albus, '' flatness grinned back. He looked fatigue, but happy. There was still a yellow bruise on his forehead, but former than that he looked fine.

John, rose, Amanda, and Kaden all looked up from what they were doing and greeted Matt as well. Matt grabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat down next to Albus.

`` How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` All right, '' Matt shrugged.

`` Er, Kaden, '' Albus began, `` You know how you said mat 's got a lot of preparation to make up ? ``

`` Uh-huh, '' Kaden nodded as rose declared checkmate once again, `` dogshit ! ``

`` wellspring, it would probably be a right idea for him to go see all the teachers now about it. So, we 'll all go with him to do that, since we 're in his category. We 'll help. You can ride out here since you 'd probably be bored. ``

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

`` goodness, '' Albus replied, `` Saint John the Apostle ? Amanda, pink wine ? You can come with us. ``

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

Once they were out of the unwashed room and into the corridor, matt turned around and looked at Albus. `` You 're not really making me go collect all my homework are you ? ``

Albus laughed, `` No. Just had to call back of an excuse for Kaden to stay there while we went to the Room. ``

`` Good, '' whoremonger said, `` I do n't really desire to go pull together your homework with you. ``

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

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

`` Shut it, pink wine, '' privy said.

The five admirer continued their walk to the Room of demand, which manifested itself in its usual form for them. They walked into the Room and settled onto the usual scarlet and gold furniture.

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

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

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

`` Nope. ``

`` And you 'll still own to go along taking it ? '' John asked.

`` Yeah, that 's what stinks, '' Matt sighed. `` It did n't work the way it was supposed to, but it did former stuff. ``

`` I thought it was n't going to let any bad essence, '' Albus said.

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

`` But you 're always tired before the full moon, '' John pointed out.

`` I know, but the potion made it uncollectible. Usually I can at least go to morning stratum on the day of the total moon but with the new potion I 'll just sleep right through them. It makes me tired as soon as I start taking it, which is a week before the full phase of the moon moonshine, just like the unconstipated wolf's bane was. ``

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

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` The Healers are trying to find a potion to neutralize the fatigue duty, but I doubt they 'll take one in prison term for next calendar month. ``

`` I do n't get why you have to retain taking it if it does n't even mould, '' John the Divine shook his head.

`` Because they have to earn sure enough it was n't just a fluke or something. That 's the thing about these subject, they have to do multiple run to analyze the gist and stuff. ``

`` There 's a chance it might work next month ? '' Amanda asked confusedly.

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

`` You do n't look that disturbance or anything, '' rosebush commented.

`` I honestly did n't think it was going to mold. My parents told me not to get my Leslie Townes Hope up about any of these experimental potions. Plus, this was only the initiatory one I 've tried. They 'll come in up with others. ``

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

`` Me, too, '' Matt agreed, `` You 've got no melodic theme how much I wish that.

`` Let 's not talk about it anymore now, though. You 've got to tell me if you got the shit print ! It 's been driving me mad for calendar week now. ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus grinned. He had almost forgotten about that. Almost being the key word. The new map was always on Albus 's mind now. `` We got it. Rose and I did. ``

`` bright ! '' Matt exclaimed.

`` And I 've got the transference appealingness all worked out, '' blush wine told him.

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

`` I 'm working on it ! '' John the Evangelist replied, `` It 's harder than you 'd believe to spot a rat during Potions. ``

`` Well, we 've got Double Potions tomorrow, so try then. Slughorn 'll be having us brew the unharmed class probably, so just celebrate your eye out, '' Albus told him.

`` I will. I 'll pay more aid to possible rats than to my potion, '' trick grinned.

`` I would n't evoke that, '' Rose smirked. `` It 'll explode or something, since you 've got Goyle as a partner. ``

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

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

`` Just reckon, this sentence tomorrow, we may take the map working, '' mat commented, `` That would be awesome. ``

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

`` And I 'm not entirely sure the map will sour after we do this, '' Albus said, `` It almost seems too dim-witted. ``

Albus had been thinking this for a few daytime now. They had had an incredibly well-fixed time getting the mark. Almost too easy a clip. detent, stags, and squealer were quite usual and anyone who could cast a simple Petrificus Totalus charm could get those photographic print. The sole one that would be difficult for the average wizard to get was the loup-garou print. Even so, Albus did n't think the marauder would score it this easy to access the map.

`` I 've been thinking the Saame thing, '' rose agreed.

John groaned, `` That would nurse. ``

`` We 'll get it eventually, '' Albus assured him. `` Plus, the map said we had to be like the Marauders. We have n't done anything that only the Marauders could have done so far. We got a bunch of paw photographic print. Anyone can do that. ``

`` Not anyone could get a loup-garou print, '' John pointed out.

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

`` Speaking of the Marauders, '' John turned to rose, `` How 's the Sileo Altus magic spell coming ? ``

`` The what ? '' Matt asked.

`` Oh, yeah, we 've got to assure you about that, '' John said. `` Want to explain it, rosiness ? ``

`` Sure, '' rose shrugged, `` It 's a magic spell I found in a ledger at my house. It 's a way to prepare sure as shooting somebody keeps something a closed book. form of like the Fidelius Charm, only it 's for verbal secrets, not place. Whomever performs the charm is the secret steward and only that person can undo the charm. After the appeal is performed, the person ca n't spill the beans about the secret with anyone except the secret keeper and anyone else who was involved in the charm performing. It 's a way to keep Kaden from telling anyone that you 're a wolfman. ``

Albus held his breathing place as Rose explained and hoped that Matt would think it was a dependable idea. Albus watched as flatness thought about what Rose had said. Albus could n't really narrate what he thought. Matt looked a bit surprised, almost like he did n't reckon blush wine would have ever found a appeal to do that.

`` Well, what do you consider ? '' Albus asked after a few moments silence.

`` I 'm not sure, '' mat said quietly, `` bequeath it really work ? ``

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

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

`` When would he drink that ? '' John raised his eyebrows.

`` I do n't recognise, '' mat sighed, `` But he could. ``

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

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

`` I doubt he 's ever going to booze any Veritaserum, '' rose wine said,"And even if he did, person would have to ask him if you were a werewolf. He would n't just randomly start telling people."

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

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

`` See ? Hardly any chance of Kaden drinking any, '' Saint John the Apostle said.

`` Yeah, but still ... I do n't know ... '' matt groaned, `` I just do n't really want to tell him. ``

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

`` All right, '' matt sighed, `` We do n't take Kaden yet, do we ? ``

`` No, '' Albus replied, `` I 'm not sure when we 'll need him. The map just said we had to be like the vulture, which means we 'll need someone to be Wormtail at some point. ``

`` And I want to try that good luck charm out before we use it on Kaden, '' Matt said.

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

`` So, anyone got any enigma we can recitation with ? '' whoremaster grinned mischievously.

******

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

Albus turned around in his seat. He had been talking to John, who was sitting behind him following to Goyle. Albus was sitting next to Limbert and Matt was looking thoroughly miserable next to Maloy in the next row over at the front. Slughorn was still plowing forward with his inter-house mate in socio-economic class, but Albus did n't recollect it was helping to decrease the ill will between Gryffindor and Slytherin. So far, the comfortably that had happened was dumb loathing during practical lessons and jinxing and hexing at uncollectible. Based on the little affaire d'honneur between Ethan and Garth Octavius the former week, it was only a matter of time before things really got out of hand.

`` Thank you, '' Slughorn said once everyone was paying attending, `` Today you 'll be brewing the Confusion Potion I taught you about on Friday. He waved his wand at the chalkboard, `` counselling are on the board. You have the full class. ``

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

Albus nodded and pulled out his wand. Albus and Limbert had come to an unvoiced agreement with brewing potions. Limbert would collect ingredients while Albus lit the fire and unpacked all the versatile plate and knives. Then, Albus would prepare the element while Limbert added them and stirred the cauldron. Albus was fine with this since Limbert was a better Potions brewer than he was.

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

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

`` No, that 's not clockwise, '' can groaned, `` You 're stirring counter-clockwise. ``

`` Oh. ``

`` Stir it the early way ! '' John Lackland shouted.

Albus stifled a laugh and glanced to his left hand, where Rose and Vivien Leigh Montague were having a alike conversation.

`` They 've got to be chopped finer than that. It says minced, not diced, '' blush wine instructed.

`` They look fine to me, '' Leigh snapped.

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

`` amercement. You do the totally thing if you 're so sassy, '' Leigh huffed.

`` You can stir the caldron. Clockwise, '' blush wine replied.

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

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

`` Keep stirring CLOCKWISE for another second, '' St. John the Apostle said slowly and clearly, `` Then switch to COUNTERCLOCKWISE. I 've got to go get something. Do n't do anything besides the stirring. ``

Goyle grunted and Albus heard John get up. Albus felt a prod in his slope and looked up to see John standing succeeding to him. `` What ? '' Albus whispered.

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

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

Albus tried to concentrate on his shrivelfig, but he could n't check glancing up at privy. He was almost to the closet now, and the rat still had n't moved. Albus watched as John pointed his sceptre at the rat, but he could n't hear what spell out toilet was using due to the noise in the room. Luckily everyone was concentrating on their potions and not paying an ounce of aid to John the Evangelist. Albus grimaced as bathroom picked up the rat and shoved it inside his robe. Albus was incredibly happy that St. John the Apostle was unforced to do the rat print. The thought process of putting a rat in his gown creeped Albus out.

John went into the cupboard for a few instant and came back out carrying a jar of something. Probably a cover story, Albus thought.

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

`` Excellent, '' Albus said.

Suddenly there was a loud explosion from somewhere behind Albus and he felt a hot liquid nation on his mind and dribble down the rachis of his robes.

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

`` Boody the pits ! '' bathroom exclaimed as the orange potion landed on the front end of his robes.

Pandemonium erupted in the schoolroom. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at the exploded potion. Albus turned around and saw that the detonation had come from bathroom and Goyle 's cauldron. Goyle was wearing a dumbstricken look on his face and was staring into quad while holding his ladle in the air. His face was covered with potion as well as his robes. His hair was singed and there was a small fire on his table.

Albus could experience the potion burning down his back and it hurt like hell on earth. It felt like his skin was on fervor. He got up from his death chair and felt his back. His robes were burnt straight through. St. John the Apostle 's and Limbert 's were as well.

`` What did you do ? '' Slughorn asked as he strode to John and Goyle 's table.

`` Uh ..., '' Goyle stared up at the ceiling.

`` You must 've gotten potion in your mouth, '' Slughorn shook his principal. `` Hospital annexe. Who else got hit ? ``

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

`` Hospital Wing, all of you, '' Slughorn replied, `` If one of you could please make indisputable Mr. Goyle arrives there, that would be appreciated. ``

Limbert immediately dragged Goyle out of the way with Celeste following. Albus and lav walked a little ways behind them and Karina behind them.

`` Idiot, '' lavatory muttered as they climbed the stairs out of the dungeons.

`` What did he do ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not a cue, '' John shrugged, `` Not what I told him to do. ``

`` I heard you talking to him. It seemed pretty straightforward. ``

`` Well, he 's dull than a troll, '' John groaned, `` Merlin this clobber burns. ``

`` At to the lowest degree we did n't eat any of it, '' Albus pointed to Goyle, who was stumbling down the corridor like he was drunk.

`` True, '' John laughed and then lowered his articulation, `` Hey, it was worth it since I got the rat. ``

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

`` Er, yeah, have n't had a prospect to take it out. ``

`` I just hope it stays stunned. ``

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

Madam Pomfrey was already interfering taking maintenance of a girl who had gotten bitten by something in upkeep of Magical puppet and told them they would feature to waitress. Once she had finished healing the fille, she moved on to Goyle, since he was n't able to sit still and was wandering around the room tripping over things. She took maintenance of Limbert, Celeste, and Karina, and then moved on to the bed Albus and John were sitting on.

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

`` Well, Matt, rose wine, and Amanda were all too far away to be hit by the potion, '' Albus explained.

`` I swear the lot of you are exactly like your grandad and his friends, '' Madam Pomfrey shook her head as she handed Albus a potion.

John, who had just started drinking his own potion, choked and coughed the potion up onto the bed. He turned and grinned at Albus, who grinned back. Well, Albus thought, that was the superior general idea of the map.

madam Pomfrey sighed and with a wave of her wand the potion was cleaned up. `` Drink the rest period of it, '' she instructed them.

Madam Pomfrey applied some sort of ointment to their burn mark and a few minutes later they were allowed to leave. The give suck told them to go directly to their residence hall to get new robes and that she did n't desire to see them in the infirmary annex for the next few weeks.

`` Fat chance that 'll happen, '' John smirked as they started back to Gryffindor Tower.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed. It seemed like one of them was always winding up in the hospital Wing. Albus himself had already been there twice since returning to shoal after the Christmastide holiday.

`` Next Quidditch match is what, in three workweek ? '' privy asked.

`` Just about, '' Albus said.

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

`` Shut it, '' Albus replied, `` I did n't land myself there live match. ``


A/N : Extra long chapter ! Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, Miguel, invisiblecloak, potterfan296, Luke, and drownzer for the recapitulation !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist or frankfurter Sinatra.


Albus and John were immediately bombarded by Kaden when they entered the usual room. rosebush, Amanda, and Matt were standing just behind Kaden with smirks on their faces.

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

`` The potion did, '' John replied, `` And it was completely Goyle 's faulting, really. I gave him centering as to what to do and he screwed it up. ``

`` You know, '' Rose said, `` You 're not exactly the best potion beer maker either, bathroom. ``

`` Are you two all right field ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Oh, yeah. brothel keeper Pomfrey sorted everything out, '' Albus assured her.

`` So what are you doing tonight, Albus ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he followed Albus and John to the dormitory room access.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had been planning on grabbing a quick dinner with his friends after he changed gown, and then foreland to the elbow room to try out the new map. They had all the paw print ( bathroom had gone up to the student residence ahead of Albus with the rat and got the print from it. Albus did n't desire to make out what happened to the rat afterwards ) now, so Albus was impatient to try it out. But they would n't be able to if Kaden was around.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged.

Kaden spent the entire evening with Albus and his acquaintance. Normally, this really would n't have bothered Albus, but that night his cousin was driving him mad. All Albus wanted to do was try out the map, but he could n't remember up a good alibi for them to go somewhere and not let Kaden follow. So they spent the evening in the uncouth elbow room, working on homework.

Albus and his friends were far too meddling the future few daylight to try out the new map. Albus had Quidditch practice session on Tuesday and Thursday and dueling practice on Wednesday. rosiness had dueling practice on Friday. John normally had his practice on Saturday, but due to the Quidditch lucifer, it had been rescheduled for Sun. Any bit of fourth dimension where neither Albus or his supporter had any practices, Kaden was around. It was n't until Saturday, following Slytherin 's spectacular red to Ravenclaw, that they were finally capable to try out the map. Kaden had been recruited to tutor a comrade first year in Potions and was going to be spending a few hours in the donjon after the Quidditch match.

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

`` Got the mark ? '' Matt asked.

Albus nodded and grabbed his bag. They quickly left the green room and ran for the way of necessary. They almost bumped into a Ravenclaw prefect, but luckily he was feeling generous ( near likely due to the Quidditch win ) and did n't chew up them for running in the corridors.

Matt paced three times in front end of the void wall and as soon as the doorway appeared, the five Friend ran inside. Albus set his bag down on the mesa and everyone crowded around it. Albus pulled out all four photographic print and the map.

`` All right, '' Albus unfolded the map, `` Rose, you 're good with the appeal, right ? ``

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

`` Good, '' Albus stared at the map, unsure of how to commence, `` Er, maybe I should do what I did last time to get it to tell apart us we 've got to try we know the predator ? ``

`` Probably, '' rosebush agreed.

`` Wait ! '' lavatory shouted, `` Can I do it this clock time ? ``

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

`` Excellent, '' John grinned and pointed his baton at the map, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Padfoot. ``

Ink appeared on the map, but not nearly as often as when Albus had done it earlier in the year.

'No, you 're not .'

The ink disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

`` What ? '' John shouted, `` But it worked live time ! ``

Albus 's hopes plummeted. Why was n't it working now ? Was it on some kind of a timer ? Like it could only operate on a sealed day of the month ? He had been so excited about getting the new map to function, and now it would n't even distinguish them to prove they knew the Marauders.

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

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

`` This sucking, '' John muttered, `` It worked last metre. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to be Albus, '' Rose suggested.

Albus wordlessly grabbed the map and pointed his own wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

The ink he had been expecting to appear rose to the surface of the parchment and formed the comrade words.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the predator 's Map, arcsecond Edition .'

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

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

`` Dunno, '' Albus sighed. He really hoped his booster would be able to be Padfoot and Moony. Who else could be Padfoot and Moony ? The map would n't even work without someone to be Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail. Albus could n't do it alone.

'Mr. Prongs disagrees with you and insists that you are not Prongs. However, you could be the back Prongs .'

`` See ? Why did n't it say 'However, you could be the s Padfoot'when I did it ? ``

'When four male child, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendship and mischief, they may present themselves as the side by side genesis of vulture. These four Quaker must each represent one of the marauder, for if even one is missing, this map will not puzzle out. Before this goes any further, you must examine that you know the secret of the Marauders. establish that you know, and you may continue along the path of uncovering .'

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

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

'Then I pay my regard on the phrasing to Mr. Moony .'

'Mr. Moony advises that whomever is reading this ignore Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot and start proving that they know the Marauders .'

'Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and also advises that if whomever is reading this has no idea who the predator are, that they quit while they 're ahead .'

'The vulture wish you good circumstances .'

`` well, now what ? '' St. John the Apostle asked.

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

Rose picked up the paw photographic print and the map, setting them down in nominal head of her. She pulled out her wand and muttered an incantation at the werewolf print. Then she muttered another incantation at the map. The werewolf print appeared on the map, just as it had been on the other part of parchment.

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

Albus agreed. He was forever grateful that his cousin-german was so magnificent. Albus did n't cogitate he 'd ever be capable to attract off something like that. At least not until he was at to the lowest degree in fifth year.

Rose repeated the procedure with the dog, stag, and rat photographic print, positioning them in the exact same way that the minuscule mark that the Marauders had put on the map.

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

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

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

`` Worth a snapshot, '' King John shrugged.

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

The paw photographic print quickly faded until there was nothing left but a white sheepskin. Albus glanced up and looked at his acquaintance before returning his gaze to the new map.

'Prongs agrees that you do love the Marauders, and is especially strike that you managed to get a werewolf paw mark .'

`` It worked ! '' Albus shouted happily.

'Due to your obvious noesis of the vulture'enigma, we shall now tell you more than about this map. When the marauder were seventh year, they realized that within a few unawares months, they would be gone from Hogwarts, and the shoal would be left without their chief devilment makers.

'Prongs suggested-'

'Do you always talk about yourself in the tierce someone, Prongs ?'

'Only when I have a throw of genius, Padfoot .'

'Not too often then, right ?'

'Oh, get on with the explanation, Prongs .'

'Calm yourself, Moony. You 're letting your furry self show .'

'Shut it, Prongs .'

'All right. Anyway, I ( happy now, Padfoot ? ) had a stroke of grandeur that the piranha could find a way to ensure that they would never be gone from Hogwarts .'

`` I knew it ! '' Rose shouted in gloat, `` I knew that was what this was about ! ``

'The predator decided to create another map. The first map was only the beginning. The Marauders wanted to find a way to put themselves into a map, in order to help the next generation of maleficence makers. That is what this map is about.

'However, not just anyone would be capable to have accession to the map .'

'Yeah, we would n't desire any old dumbass stumbling upon it .'

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

'I shudder at that thought, Moony. Anyway, the Marauders had to cipher out a way to control that only those worthy would be capable to access code this map. The Marauder 's Map is actually quite simple-minded to figure out, compared to this one. All you have to do to open that is say a certain phrase. For this map, you have to be a certain person to open it.

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

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

'Better mine than yours, Padfoot .'

`` That 's why only Albus could do it ! '' John the Divine shouted.

Albus felt immense relief from this. Saint John the Apostle and Matt would be able to stand for Padfoot and Moony.

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

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

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

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

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

'So, now you 've proven that you know the predator. Your next step is to prove that you are the next Marauders .'

The ink slowly faded once again until the sheepskin was as blank as before.

Albus stared at it for a few moment, thinking about what he had just found out. The map was n't going to work yet. He had been so sure that all they 'd have to do was prove they knew the piranha. But now they had yet another thing to do. They had to examine that they were the next vulture. How were they going to do that ?

`` That was Wyrd, '' John said.

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

`` Yeah, they just said they wanted to make sure they 'd never pull up stakes Hogwarts. Like the map is a piece of them, '' John replied.

`` To be honest, it sounds a bit like a Horcrux, '' pink wine commented.

`` Yeah, but it 's not like they put their mortal in there, blush wine, '' Albus pointed out. `` It 's like the Marauder 's Map. It 's just enchanted. ``

`` I still wish we knew what it was a map of, '' Gospel According to John muttered, `` I mean, this is n't fair ! We spend weeks getting those paw prints and we still have n't figured the map out. ``

`` I knew you 'd have to do something like this, '' rosebush said, `` Otherwise it would n't matter if there were four of you to comprise the marauder. If it was just this, Albus could have done the whole thing himself. ``

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

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

`` Maybe we 've got to do something the Marauders would have done, '' Matt suggested.

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

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

`` I do n't cogitate that 's it, '' Rose began, `` How would you go about proving to a piece of newspaper that you 're illegal Animagi ? ``

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

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

`` well, does anyone stimulate any early ideas ? '' Albus asked.

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

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

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

`` right field, '' Rose replied, `` It 's coming along well. I just postulate to get some practice. Anyone want to be my tester ? ``

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

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

Albus watched as the two of them worked. First, they had to reckon up a arcanum, which took a dependable bit of time. John finally suggested that the secluded be 'Filch likes to dance in the moonlight with a farseeing grip mop with hot dog Francis Albert Sinatra medicine performing in the background .'

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

`` Yes, '' John said in a good whole tone, `` I saw him once. He was rubbing the mop school principal to his typeface and had on a look of pure joy. ``

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

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

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

Rose pointed her wand at herself and recited the spell that would reach her the secret keeper. Then, she pointed her wand at Gospel According to John and said a slightly unlike charm.

`` Now you say the secret, John. ``

`` Filch likes to trip the light fantastic in the moonlight with a long handgrip mop with Frank Frank Sinatra euphony playing in the background, '' John the Divine smirked.

`` goodness, '' rosiness replied and then performed another charm on John. `` I 'm not ready to try including other people yet, so John will only be capable to talk about Filch 's little habit to me. ``

Rose waved her scepter around in an intricate shape and then said one conclusion incantation. She lowered her wand and stared at John. Then she turned to confront Albus.

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

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

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

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

Rose was staring at John with a svelte look of dashing hopes. `` Not quite. He was n't even supposed to be able-bodied to actuate his mouth. You know, in case people can read lips. I guess it 's a starting signal, though. ``

`` Definitely. I mean, this is a really get ahead magical spell. You ca n't ingest expected to get it on the beginning try, '' Albus pointed out. Although, he did kind of think Rose expected to get it on the number 1 try.

`` I suppose, '' rosebush sighed, `` I 'll just unwrap it. ``

pink wine waved her wand around and muttered some more incantations. `` Ok, he should be able-bodied to talk about it now. ``

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

`` Yeah, he likes to dance with a long handle mop by moonshine while hotdog Sinatra plays in the background, '' toilet told her.

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

`` But that 's not even what we 'll need, '' rose pointed out, `` We 're not going to do the countercharm on Kaden. Not for another few years at to the lowest degree. ``

`` Yeah, but it 's favourable for John the Divine that it worked, '' Albus grinned, `` Otherwise he would n't be able-bodied to contribution Filch 's secret joyfulness of life. ``

******

Over the following few sidereal day, John actually did percentage that Filch liked to dance with a long handle mop by the moonlight with Frank Sinatra playing in the ground. All he had to do was mention it to a few other Gryffindors at repast times and the bit of gossip was soon spreading throughout the schooltime. The reactions from students ranged from hysterical laugh to raised supercilium to exclamations of 'Who the hell is wienerwurst Sinatra ?'Albus could n't serve but simper every clip he heard his fellow pupil mentioning the story.

Filch, on the early hand, was actively trying to notice the culprit. There was n't really any point, since he would n't be able to find who started it, but he tried. He spent the days prowling the manse and listening in on student'conversations, trying to chance out any sort of information regarding the put on story. Whenever the students noticed him, they would burst out laughing, which would cause Filch to get going muttering about 'rotten pupil'and 'ought to slash them all'.

Filch 's main defendant was Kaden, which Albus found kind of funny story. Kaden of course had laughed the loudest when he heard the story. Since Filch had developed an intense dislike for Kaden since their detention months ago, he gave Kaden ill stares every time Kaden passed him in the corridors. Kaden just found this funny, since he knew John had invented the story.

The story about Filch provided a Nice break from the intense perusing that all the educatee were occupied with. Like usual, the teachers had increased the homework after the vacation. Albus was happy it was n't yet his O.W.L. year and he could n't reckon how he would manage to make do with that in three short years. Along with homework, Albus also had Quidditch and dueling practice session. Both GA and Kate had increased pattern times in Order to prepare for the upcoming match and tournament. The 3rd dueling tourney was to take place the maiden weekend of Feb and Quidditch on the following weekend. Albus now had Quidditch practice on Mon, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Dueling practices were as common, not mandatory, but were now not only on Wednesdays, but on Friday as well. The only day Albus had off was Sun, which did n't generate much prison term for him to try and cipher out how to establish he was like the Marauders to the new map.

The morning time of the Dueling tourney was cold, snowy, and blustery. Albus was very happy the Quidditch peer was n't that day. He got up a few hours before the tournament started and went down to breakfast with his friends.

`` I ca n't wait until I can duel next year, '' Kaden said in between bit of egg.

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

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

`` That sounds better, '' John said, `` But I do n't know if I 'd defecate the team. ``

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

`` You 're getting better, '' Albus assured her, `` You might cook it by the prison term you 're a 5th year. ``

`` Yeah, that 's the pointedness of the junior 's order, '' Rose said, `` So you can get better. They do n't expect us all to be expert duelers. ``

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

Albus felt his face turn red, `` Well, I 'm not that great ... I mean, there are loads of mass who are just than me. ``

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

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

`` That 's honest, though ! '' Rose sighed, `` You 're both excellent duelers, so you 've got a ripe squad ! ``

Albus shrugged. He variety of would rather just be able to beat Malfoy than beat the other team, but he did n't bring up anything about it.

Albus and his supporter continued their talk about dueling throughout breakfast and as they sat around the plebeian room afterwards. Soon, it was time for them to go down to the dueling chamber for the tournament.

They passed Filch on their way down the stair, and he was muttering to himself as usual.

`` darn nipper ... better when Umbridge was around ... marvel if she 'll come back ... she 'd let me whip them ... ''

`` I swear he 's gotten more mad over the yr, '' John muttered to Albus as they passed him.

`` Dad says he 's getting senile, '' Albus whispered back.

The dueling chamber was packed with students, just like the past two tournament. Albus and Amanda squeezed their way through the crew to their common mesa, where their team was sitting.

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

`` Definitely, '' Albus grinned.

The tournament got under way a few arcminute later. It was much like the past two tournaments, with a lot of sitting around time. Albus was felicitous that he and Amanda were on the Same squad so they were able to let the cat out of the bag to each former in between duels.

Albus won both of his duels, just like the endure two tournament. So did Malfoy and once again, Albus found that he was kind of happy and kind of angry about that. Amanda won one of her duels, which Albus was very happy about. He knew half her dueling payoff were from cheek and the fact that she thought she would n't do well.

Rose, John, and lusterlessness each won one of their duels as well. Albus clapped for them even though they were on former teams, which earned him glares from Malfoy. Albus did n't care, though. Malfoy could sulk as long as he wanted, it was n't going to bar Albus from cheering for his friends.

The stop were tallied after the last duel and trick 's team was declared the victor. Albus was slightly disappointed, but there were still three more than tourney before the last. Harry announced the point sum for the entire year and Rose 's squad was in first position so far. In instant was the team led by Hufflepuff Paul the Apostle Galivant and in third gear was John 's team, led by Albus 's cousin Bradley.

Albus did n't reckon that the inter-house dueling was decreasing the rivalry between menage. Albus was n't anymore fond of the Slytherins than he had been in the root of the twelvemonth. None of the Slytherins really got along with the Gryffindors on his team, and frailty versa. He was n't exactly sure how it was working with the habitue dueling club, but he had overheard Stanley complaining about how uncooperative the Slytherins on his team were. But that was months ago and he did n't be intimate what had been going on with it recently.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan296, Miguel, Gospel According to Luke, and mischiefmaker09 for their followup !

I wrote my low piranha Era account, side outcome May Include Gratitude and Feelings of fountainhead Being, which is a one-shot from Madam Pomfrey 's pointedness of panorama. It 's on my author page, if you 're concerned. I 'd love it if you read and reviewed it !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Matt 's natal day was a few days after the Dueling Tournament. Albus and his protagonist did n't throw him a political party like they had stopping point year. That had mostly been done to urge on him up since he had been in the Hospital wing at the prison term. This year they went down to the kitchens and got a cake, and then ate it in their dormitory. Kaden went with him and was amazed by the kitchens, with all the house-elves around. His response was funny to watch than Amanda 's the previous year. He stood there with his back talk half clear and then ran around grabbing as much food as possible.

By the time the Quidditch friction match arrived the following Saturday, Albus was utterly exhausted. Between Quidditch practice and prep, he hardly had anytime to sleep. Throw in a head trip down to the kitchens for lusterlessness 's birthday after Quidditch practice the other night, and Albus was ready to log Z's through an entire day.

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

A few 60 minutes later, Albus bade his Friend auf wiedersehen and headed down to the changing rooms at the Quidditch pitch. His booster had bundled themselves up in as much vermilion and gold habiliment as they owned and were gear up to huddle against the howling malarkey for a few hr of Quidditch. John the Divine, Matt, and Amanda did n't appear to mind the weather at all and were excited about the match. Rose, on the other hand, clearly would own rather spent the good afternoon in the castle studying. Kaden still liked football game better than Quidditch and Albus had a look he would n't own minded the storm if he was watching a football game.

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

`` I know the atmospheric condition is n't ideal, '' Georgia began once everyone was gathered around her, `` But we 've played in worse than this ! ``

`` Yeah, if you count that flood we played in during third class, '' Fred muttered, `` But other than that .... ''

Peach State glared at Fred, `` Anyway, we 're playing Hufflepuff, so we 'll win. harpist 's still captain, but it 's her net year, so she 'll be dead set on getting the Cup. That means she 'll have trained her team even harder. They 've got a new keeper, though. Someone named Tanner Royce. He 's a fifth year. former than him, the team 's the Saami as finally twelvemonth. So, with that, get out there and recoil some badger ass ! ``

Albus grinned to himself as he picked up his broom and started to walk to the doorway. Peach State was a great captain, but was n't a great deal for long pursy spoken language.

`` Albus, '' GA whispered and put her hand on his shoulder.

`` Yeah ? ``

`` You 're, er, less neural this match, right ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' Albus smiled, remembering how he had told her he was extremely uneasy the terminal match. In reality, he 'd been too preoccupied with the new map. indisputable, he 'd been a lilliputian nervous, but not as a lot as Georgia thought he had been. This match, however, he was n't nearly as perturb, although he still was a bit nervous. `` I 'm a bit unquiet, but not as much. ``

`` Good, '' Georgia grinned and walked out the door and onto the pitch.

Albus followed his full cousin onto the pitch and was immediately hit by the emphatic lead that were prevailing.

`` Welcome to the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff match ! '' Sweeney Todd Smith 's voice sounded over the pitch. It sounded faint and form of far away in the steer. `` It 's blinking cold out here so let 's make it quick !

`` Here are the Gryffindors ! headwaiter Georgia Weasley, followed by Ryan O'Malley, Albus Potter, James Potter, Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, and heather mixture Weasley !

`` And the Hufflepuffs ! sea captain Jessica Harper, followed by Shawn Ames, Lisa Galivant, Andy Kaper, Stacey Manson, Anna Reilly, and tanner Royce ! ``

Professor Oteski motioned for GA and harper to shake bridge player and as soon as they did so, Albus and the balance of the players rose into the air. Oteski released the balls and Heather immediately took will power of the Quaffle.

`` And Scots heather 's got the Quaffle ! She passes to Fred, then back to heather, and to Albus. ``

Albus caught the Quaffle and started flying towards the Hufflepuff goals. He was amazed that he had actually caught it since the weather was so awful. He could hardly see two feet in movement of him. His gown were already soaked with snow and ice and he was frigidly cold. Nevertheless, he kept flying towards the goal until he had to stop short and toss the Quaffle back to heather, since he almost flew square into an oncoming Hufflepuff chaser.

heather mixture caught the Quaffle and flew it the residue of the way to the goal. She threw it in and it easily went past Hufflepuff 's new Keeper.

`` Goal ! Ten-zero Gryffindor ! Now hurry up and catch that sneak, James II ! I 'm freezing my bloody- ''

`` Smith ! '' Patil shouted, `` Watch your language ! ``

`` Sorry, prof. ``

The Quaffle was now back in play and was in Hufflepuff self-possession. Albus was n't even sure which chaser had it, but he knew it was a Hufflepuff. Whichever Hufflepuff had the Quaffle managed to take away it to the Gryffindor finish, but Peach State saved it.

Fred took the Quaffle and flew it back to the former end of the sales talk, scoring another end for Gryffindor.

The game continued this way for the next one-half time of day. Hufflepuff managed to seduce two end, but Gryffindor scored about eight. Albus currently had the Quaffle and was flying straight at the Hufflepuff goals.

He narrowly avoided a bludger and both Hufflepuff beaters, but soon he was within throwing aloofness of the goals. He faked to the right and then threw the Quaffle at the left field hoop. Royce tried to write it, but he was n't quick enough.

`` Goal ! Albus thrower has scored against Hufflepuff ! The score is now 90-20 Gryffindor ! ``

Albus was ecstatic. That was the first base goal he had ever scored in a Quidditch match. Up until now, all he 'd done were assists. Albus took a triumph lap around the pitch shot and then caught the Quaffle from heather mixture.

Albus managed to score another goal and Heather scored two more in the next half hour of the match. Hufflepuff scored a few more goals, but were still far behind. By now, Albus was sure he had turned into an icicle and was getting a bit sick of flying around in the cold. He was even getting a bit of a headache from it. Albus was n't even trusted if he 'd know if Henry James or Galivant caught the Snitch, due to the increasingly bad visibility and snowfall. The blizzard seemed to be getting sorry by the minute. If Hogwarts actually called off Quidditch, they would have called it off a spell ago.

A few minutes later, cheers broke out in the outdoor stage and Albus was certain someone must stimulate caught the sneak. He was very happy to shore his broom and knew he 'd be even happier when he finally got into the warm common room.

The rest of his team was shouting in glee and were surrounding Saint James. He must bear caught the Snitch, Albus thought. The rest of the Gryffindors were swarming the pitch and soon James was lifted onto a few people 's shoulder joint. Albus joined the concourse of his house and started his way back to the castle.

On his way back to the common room, numerous people stopped him in order to congratulate him on the win. Albus was thrilled that they had won, but all he really wanted to do was regain his friends and get into some quick robe. James loved the attention he got after winning a Quidditch match, but Albus could take it or result it. Right now, he could leave it since his cephalalgia was getting speculative.

The party in the commons room was just getting started when Albus entered a few minutes later. Someone must have snuck down to the kitchens because there was an total board filled with food. individual else had obviously gotten into Hogsmeade because just about everyone had a butterbeer in their hand.

Somebody shoved a butterbeer into Albus 's hand as he made his way through the crowd. James was in the thick of it as usual and was rehashing how he caught the Snitch.

`` And I saw it lurking near one of the destination posts. Galivant was on the early end of the delivery, so I knew she had no hope ... '' James River was saying to a couple of giggling girls.

The residual of the team was nearby and were digging into the food that was on one of the tables.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Georgia shouted as he passed, `` I knew you could get over those nerves ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled as he went up the step to his dormitory.

Albus quickly changed out of his cold, wet robes and felt a bit better afterwards. He went back down to the commons room and it was even Melville W. Fuller than before. It looked like all the Gryffindors had returned from the sales talk and the company was in wax swing.

Albus found his friends sitting at their common tabular array and they all seemed to be enjoying the party.

`` Albus ! '' privy shouted as Albus sat down, `` Brilliant playing ! ``

`` Definitely, '' lustrelessness agreed.

`` You 're quite a honest pursuer, Albus, '' Rose said, `` Although I honestly do n't know why they did n't strike down the match with this snowstorm ... ''

`` Cancel the mate ? '' lavatory stared at her, `` Never ! ``

`` If it was football, it would 've been canceled, '' Kaden commented.

`` Yeah, because you would n't be able to run around in two feet of blow, '' King John laughed, `` But Quidditch is in the air, so it does n't matter. ``

`` Will you two just quit arguing about football ? '' rosebush sighed.

`` Just trying to sour Kaden into a proper mavin, '' whoremaster shrugged.

`` Quidditch is hardly the definition of a proper wizard, '' blush wine said, `` I believe potion brewing is a bit more important and I 'm sure Kaden could teach you a thing about it, Mr. Exploding Potions. ``

`` That was Goyle 's fault, '' whoremaster muttered.

`` Why do n't all three of you just quit arguing ? '' Albus snapped. His head was pounding and listening to his Quaker'disputation was not helping.

`` What 's with you ? '' can asked, `` We 're not fighting anymore than normal. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to do that he 's been flying around in a snowstorm for the by two hours ? '' Rose suggested, `` If they 'd just experience canceled the match- ''

`` They do n't strike down Quidditch ! '' John shouted and then turned to Matt, `` You understand this, do n't you ? ``

`` It 's confessedly, '' Matt agreed, `` Quidditch is n't ever canceled for trivial matter like blizzards. ``

`` I think the weather just makes it more worry, '' Amanda commented.

`` Not you too ! '' Rose groaned.

`` Football 's only played in the warmly calendar month anyway, '' Kaden said, `` They would n't even schedule an outdoor football lucifer in the winter. ``

`` wellspring that 's boring, '' John replied.

Albus leaned his head on his hand and closed his eyes while trying to swim out his friends conversation. John, Rose, and Kaden continued to argue about the deservingness of Quidditch and football. lustrelessness and Amanda stayed out of it for the nearly character and seemed form of amused with the entire thing. Albus was n't, though. He wished they 'd just shut up. Albus 's head was steadily feeling worse, like he was being hit with a bludger over and over again. Besides that, he still had n't completely warmed up from the match and was shivering, despite his dry robes.

`` I think football would be a adequate sportswoman if it were played on brooms, '' John said.

`` Oh semen on, John ! '' rose sighed, `` Be dangerous ! You ca n't diddle football on brooms. How would you kick the ballock ? ``

`` Not to mention that Muggles play football ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Muggles ca n't fly ! ``

`` I 'm not saying that Muggles should play football on Scots heather. I meant if football were ever played by whiz, it should be done on ling. ``

Football on ling, Albus thought, what an insane idea. His friends were now trying to fuse football and Quidditch.

`` Albus, are you all right ? '' Matt asked.

Albus opened his eyes and lifted his head off his hand. `` I dunno. ``

`` You do n't seem that bang-up, '' matte said concernedly.

John, Rose, and Kaden stopped arguing and looked at Albus.

`` Yeah, you look worse than flatness does when he gets regurgitate, '' Kaden said loudly.

`` Thanks, '' mat muttered.

`` Matt 's right, '' Rose said, `` You do look awful, Albus. ``

`` I 've got a worry, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You should go see Madam Pomfrey, '' Kaden told him.

`` I think I 'll just go to bed, '' Albus got up from his death chair, `` I have n't really kip much the by few nights. I 'm probably just tired. ``

Albus stumbled over to the dormitory door, feeling worse than he had a few minute of arc ago. He collapsed into his bed and fell asleep instant later.

******

Albus awoke with a start and he was n't for sure how much fourth dimension had passed since he went to kip. He still felt extremely tired and his forefront still hurt. He groaned and closed his oculus again, wanting only to catch some Z's for a few days straight.

rightfulness when he was about to tramp off again, someone threw the curtain back and Albus 's bed was flooded in light.

`` Ugh, '' Albus groaned and covered his eyes with his helping hand. `` What was that for ? ``

`` You 've slept almost an entire day, '' someone said.

Albus moved his hands and slowly opened his middle. can was standing over his bed with a looking at of fear on his grimace.

`` And I 'd wish to sleep a bit more if you do n't beware, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You slept through dinner final nighttime, and breakfast and lunch today. Are n't you hungry ? ``

`` Not really. ``

`` Are you sure you 're ok ? '' John asked, `` blush wine sent me up here to check on you. ``

Honestly, Albus was n't sure he was ok. He could n't think back the last clip he had slept an entire day. But right now all he wanted was for John to go away so he could sleep some more.

`` I 'll be mulct once I sleep some more, '' Albus replied and rolled over away from John.

`` If you 're indisputable, '' John said quietly and closed the curtains.

It did n't ask Albus long to fall back asleep. He had some foreign dreams that involved teddy telling him his Scots heather broke and he 'd make to trifle Quidditch without it by running around on the ground. Then, instead of a Quaffle, the match was played with a football.

Albus woke up briefly after one of these dreaming, only to determine that the dormitory room was blue. He could find out Ethan 's muffled snoring and an owl hooting outside. Unfortunately, he did n't feel any skilful than he had when John woke him up. In fact, he now felt worse. Every one of his muscular tissue were aching, like he had fallen from his broom during the match. But Albus could n't retrieve falling from his broom. When had the match been anyway ? Yesterday or the day before ? Albus could n't even remember and he did n't even jazz what day it was currently.

`` Albus ! '' person shouted. Albus was dreaming about Quidditch again and someone was hitting him with their beater 's bat.

`` Quit it, '' Albus mumbled.

`` Albus, are you all right ? ``

`` Go away, '' Albus said, `` And block smacking me with that beater 's bat. ``

`` Beater 's bat ? '' they repeated, `` That 's it, I 'm getting Professor ceramicist. ``

`` I 'll go, '' individual else said, `` You stay here with him. ``

Whoever had been hitting Albus with the bat had stopped, and he was grateful. Georgia had taken the bat away and was now yelling at its owner. Then she announced that they would be playing football instead of Quidditch. James complained loudly, since there were n't any Seekers in football.

`` Albus, wake up ! ``

`` I think Kaden said you 'll take to make for Defense Department, James, '' Albus mumbled in his quietus. `` There is n't a Snitch in football. ``

`` Hang on, Albus, John 's getting your dad. ``

`` My dad ? He 'll deliver to play defense, too. ``

`` What 's incorrect ? '' someone new shouted.

`` He 's been sleeping since after the match, professor Potter. I think he 's retch. ``

`` Since after the match ? ``

`` Er, yeah. We thought he was just tired, but he 's been sleeping for two years. ``

`` The match ? '' Albus muttered, `` Did we beat Slytherpuff yet ? ``

Albus felt himself being lifted out of his bed and into person 's munition. He rested his straits on their shoulder and shivered as his blanket fell back onto the bed. Albus fell back into a deeply sleep and next woke up as he was being laid down on another bed.

Albus heard people talking all around him, but he could n't draw out what they were saying. Someone poured a few disgusting potions down his pharynx and forced him to eat up them. There was more muttering around him, but Albus soon drifted off to sleep again.

The room was quieter when Albus next woke up. He opened his eyes and looked around. Where was he ? Albus was sure he had fallen asleep in his dormitory, but now it looked as if he was in the infirmary wing. The post was nearly deserted, save for lady Pomfrey sitting at her desk. Albus yawned and tried to sit up, but he was still light-headed. The skilful thing was that his caput felt much proficient. However, his physical structure still ached.

Madam Pomfrey looked up from her desk and got up once she saw that Albus was awake. She grabbed a few feeding bottle and put them on a tray, which she then carried over to Albus 's bed and set it on the bedside table.

`` goodness, you 're up, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey said as she poured one of the potions into a cup, `` You gave us all quite a fright. ``

`` What time is it ? '' Albus asked, still confused about what he was doing there.

`` Just after six o'clock. ``

`` Er, and what day ? ``

`` Monday, '' the nursemaid said as she thrust the cup under Albus 's nose, `` Drink that. ``

Albus downed the potion quickly, `` Yuck. It 's really Monday ? I 've missed grade ? ``

`` I 'd say so. ``

`` Er, what exactly happened ? I mean, I went to bed in my dorm and now I 'm here ... ''

`` You 're ill, '' ma'am Pomfrey said, `` You 've caught the flu. Your friends told me you slept for almost two days and then they went to get your male parent since you were n't getting any better and had started becoming delirious. You 've been here since around luncheon time. ``

`` Oh. Well, how long do I have to stay ? ``

`` Another two twenty-four hour period, probably, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey told him. `` Now I want you to tope these other two potions and eat that bowlful of soup. ``

Albus nodded and dame Pomfrey strode back over to her desk. Albus thought back and could vaguely remember being taken out of his dormitory, but it was only a blurred memory. The last thing he could really remember well was the Quidditch compeer. He was very felicitous he had n't fallen ill before the match.

No sooner had Albus drank the maiden potion that the threshold to the hospital flank swung undetermined and John, Matt, Rose, and Amanda came bursting through. Madam Pomfrey got up quickly from her desk and met them halfway.

`` Is Albus awake ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yes, he 's only just woken up. I suppose you can visit him for a few minutes. But calmly ! He needs to rest ! ``

`` Albus ! '' pink wine shrieked when she ran over to his bed, `` Thank Merlin you 're all right hand ! ``

`` How are you ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Doing better ? '' Saint John the Apostle asked.

`` wellspring, '' Matt said with a half grin on his pale expression, `` This is a switch. ``

Albus grinned at him, `` Yeah, ca n't really recollect a time where it was you visiting me here. ``

`` What exactly have you got anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Flu, '' Albus answered, `` But I 'm getting better. Not nearly as tired as before. ``

`` I would hope so, '' lavatory smirked, `` You slept two Clarence Day. ``

`` I 'll probably sleep another two, '' Albus said, `` Pomfrey said I 've got to detain another two days. ``

`` We 'll be here together, then, '' Matt replied.

Albus looked at his ally, who was looking a bit exhausted himself. `` When 's the full moon again ? ``

`` Tomorrow, '' matt sighed.

`` Did you take that new potion ? '' Albus asked.

Matt nodded, `` Yeah, and I 'm more knackered than common. ``

`` He fell asleep in chronicle of Magic and almost fell asleep in Potions, '' John said.

`` fountainhead, you did n't sleep through two whole Day like I did, '' Albus pointed out.

`` I 've done it before. I 've slept through to a greater extent than two day actually. I think four is my book. ``

`` All right ! '' madam Pomfrey announced, `` prison term for you lot to be off to bed, especially you, Matt. And Albus needs to roost. ``

`` See you tomorrow, '' Albus said as his Quaker left the room.

`` Sure will, '' Matt replied.

Albus slept on and off throughout the Night and the succeeding sunrise. He was still tired, but felt much better when he woke up late the next morning. His dad had stopped by former before class, but Albus fell back asleep after he left.

Madam Pomfrey was fussing over him and giving him numerous potions to wassail. Albus was the solitary patient role in the entire Barbara Ward, so the nurse 's fussing was all focused on him.

The nurse had been giving Albus what must have been his tenth methamphetamine of H2O that good morning when the doors to the hospital ward opened. lusterlessness stumbled inside and walked shakily over to the bed next to Albus 's. He collapsed onto it and winced in pain.

Madam Pomfrey immediately put down the pee pitcher and descended upon Matt.

`` You 're here earlier than usual, '' she said as she felt his head, `` And you 're burning up. ``

`` Why are you here earlier ? '' Albus asked once Madam Pomfrey had gone to get another potion.

`` Tired, '' matte mumbled, `` Fell asleep in Defense and your dad told me to come here. ``

`` Is it the new potion ? ``

`` Yeah, it does n't exactly assist much, does it ? ``

`` I thought you said they were going to witness something to counteract the part of it that makes you outwear, '' Albus said.

`` They are, they just have n't found it yet. ``

`` Oh. ``

madam Pomfrey returned a moment later and gave matte a few potions. He drank them and was asleep minutes later. Albus was n't really weary, but he fell asleep anyway out of lack of anything else to do.

John, Rose, and Amanda stopped by after dinner party to see Albus and flatness, but brothel keeper Pomfrey did n't let them remain long. Matt had been benumbed anyway. Shortly after their acquaintance left, Madam Pomfrey woke Matt up and took him down to the Whomping Wilow.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Moonylupin, potterfan296, Miguel, Luke, and Denas for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


When Albus awoke the succeeding dayspring, he felt much better. In fact, he felt mostly normal. He was n't aching anymore and his head felt better as well. He hungrily ate all the breakfast brothel keeper Pomfrey provided.

The same could n't be said for Matt, who was looking much worse than the previous day. He was either deceased or unconscious, Albus was betting on the latter, and he had numerous cutting off and scrapes on his face. His right arm and forehead were covered in a large bandages.

`` So when can I leave ? '' Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey performed some variety of magic spell on Matt.

`` Later today, most potential, '' she said after she 'd finished her incantation.

Albus sighed. He had been hoping he 'd be capable to result that daybreak. He was starting to feel incredibly bored with the infirmary Wing, although not bored enough to start the preparation rosiness had brought the previous evening.

Albus spent the oddment of the dawning drifting in and out of quietus out of lack of anything else to do. Madam Pomfrey gave him a few more nasty tasting potions and lunch, which Albus ate ravenously. After going two days without food, he was starving.

The door to the Hospital Wing opened just as Albus was finishing his luncheon. St. John, rose wine, and Amanda walked inside and immediately headed for Albus 's bed. Madam Pomfrey was in her bureau and did n't seem to note the visitors.

`` Hey, how are you ? '' Rose asked.

`` Bored, '' Albus replied.

`` That 's good, '' rosebush grinned.

`` Are you better now ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Pretty much. ma'am Pomfrey wo n't let me forget until later, though. Wish she 'd let me leave now. ``

`` She just wants to lay down sure as shooting you 're completely better, '' Rose said, `` And it 's not like you 're missing class since this is our afternoon off. ``

`` Exactly ! '' John sighed, `` He could be doing often estimable stuff on his afternoon off if he was n't here. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Like figuring out the new map. ``

`` How are we going to do that anyway ? '' privy asked.

`` Go to the library, '' Albus replied, `` We 've got to look for ways of proving who we are. ``

John groaned, `` And I doubt there will just be a Word titled Prove Who You Are to a composition of Parchment. ``

`` Probably not, '' Rose laughed. `` But we 'll obtain out somehow. ``

`` Making anymore progress on the charm for Kaden ? '' Albus asked.

`` A bit, yeah. I tried it again last-place dark on trick and this time he could n't even move his mouth like last fourth dimension. Now I 've just got to estimate out how to involve former people in the closed book. ``

`` And then all we 've got to do is convince matte that the charm is foolproof, '' John said.

Everyone glanced over at matt 's bed, where he was still sleeping.

`` He been asleep all day ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said, `` Ever since I 've been awake. ``

lusterlessness groaned and opened his eye, `` You lot here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John replied, `` How are you ? ``

`` Horrible, '' Matt said flatly, `` My head is killing me. Were you talking about me ? ``

`` A bit, '' whoremaster said, `` Just about that charm for Kaden. We 're going to get working on the map once you two are out of here. Got to find some way to essay to it that we 're like the predator. ``

`` speech sound good, '' matte yawned.

`` When do you get to allow ? '' Amanda asked, `` Albus is leaving later today. ``

`` No estimation, '' Matt said, `` Not until at least tomorrow night. Might be out in prison term for uranology. ``

`` Ca n't you not be outside when the moon is close to full ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Only when it 's waxing. When it 's waning I 'm exquisitely. ``

`` So, we 'll plan on working on the map this weekend, then, '' Albus said. `` Unless any of you catch what I had. ``

`` Bob Hope not, '' John said. `` Maybe Malfoy will arrest it, '' he added gleefully.

`` whoremonger, that 's not funny, '' Rose scolded, `` He 'd be really sick. ``

`` He 'd get better. Albus is fine now. ``

Albus heard a doorway opened and Madam Pomfrey came strolling out of her authority. She looked up and saw the bunch around Albus and mat 's layer and made a beeline for them.

`` What are you lot doing here ? '' she demanded.

`` Visiting Albus and lustrelessness, '' rosebush answered.

`` Oh, you 're awake ! '' the nurse exclaimed and went over to Matt 's bed, apparently forgetting that Rose, John the Evangelist, and Amanda had burst in without her permit. `` How do you finger ? ``

`` Awful, '' Matt replied. `` My read/write head injury and so does pretty much everything else. ``

`` You must have hit your school principal much worse than common last dark, '' Madam Pomfrey sighed, `` You had quite the concussion earlier. I 'll go get some pain potions. ``

She returned a minute later with a potion for Matt, who drank it in one gulp.

`` Now, you three have to leave, '' Madam Pomfrey said to Rose, John, and Matt, `` Albus will be out later and you can see him then. ``

ennui set in for Albus shortly after his friends left. Matt had fallen back asleep quickly after he took his pain sensation potion. Albus could n't even sleep anymore because he had already slept so much that day.

******

`` What are we supposed to be looking for anyway ? '' John sighed as he slammed a record shut.

Albus, privy, matt, rosiness, and Amanda were all crowded around a reclusive tabular array in the library. It was covered in books that covered all form of topics. The five of them had spent the close hour searching for ways to rise to the new map that they were like the Marauders. So far, nonentity had found anything useful.

`` I do n't roll in the hay, '' Albus replied, `` Anything that might evidence that we 're like the Marauders. ``

`` That 's not very particular, '' Gospel According to John muttered, `` I really do n't require to spend an intact Saturday here. ``

`` It 'll do you some good, '' rosiness said.

`` indirect request we could just use that book that you used to regain the former magic spell, '' Albus said to Rose, thinking of Flitwick 's book.

`` Me too, but it 's in the Restricted department, '' Rose said.

`` Why ca n't we just get Professor potter to give us a note ? Bet he would, '' toilet said.

`` Bet he would n't, '' Albus disagreed, `` He 'd know we 're up to something. ``

`` Besides, '' Rose interjected, `` It might not be a Charm we 're looking for. ``

`` We 're just going to have to keep looking, '' Albus said as he opened another book. `` But I 've got Quidditch practice in a half hour. ``

`` We 'll just search every metre we can get away from Kaden, '' lusterlessness suggested.

`` Where is he anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. come to think of it, he had n't seen Kaden since breakfast. It was sort of unknown since Kaden spent every waking bit of his day ( when he was n't in class ) no less than four feet away from Albus.

`` There he is, '' Matt pointed to somewhere behind Albus.

Albus turned around and saw his cousin-german running through the library with a clipboard in his hand.

`` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Quiet ! '' Madam Pince shouted even tawdry, `` Or I 'll throw you all out ! ``

`` Albus, '' Kaden said more quietly as he sat down in an vacuous death chair at their table.

Albus eyed Kaden 's clipboard but he could n't scan what it said. `` Hi Kaden. ``

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied, `` volition you sign my petition ? ``

`` Petition ? '' Albus asked, `` What in the name of Merlin are you petitioning for ? ``

`` TVs in the common rooms, '' Kaden grinned.

`` What ? ! '' John and lusterlessness shouted.

`` subdued ! '' Madam Pince screeched.

rosiness laughed, `` What on earth for ? ``

`` I would n't bear in mind having a TV in the coarse room, '' Amanda commented.

`` Exactly, '' Kaden said, `` It 's hard enough for us Muggle-borns to adjust to Hogwarts and if we had TVs, it would make it easier. ``

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' John laughed.

`` Nope, not kidding, '' Kaden said, `` I 've got loading of signatures already. I 'm not really sure enough how many I 'll need, though. I figure I 'll try and get as many as I can in a few days and then give it to professor Longbottom. ``

Albus tried to suppress his grin, but he could n't. The idea of Kaden trying to get idiot box put into the common room was just too funny story. There would be no way any of the teachers would agree to it even if everyone in Hogwarts signed the petition.

`` So will you sign it ? '' Kaden asked, `` If this goes through, I 'll try for computers next. ``

`` computing device, '' matte laughed, `` You 're mad. ``

`` I 'll sign up, '' Amanda grabbed the clipboard and quill.

`` Sure, why not ? '' Albus shrugged. It could n't anguish to sign the thing, and he was sure as shooting Kaden would n't hold back bugging them unless they did.

John and Matt signed as well, although they were laughing the unit time. rose signed a bit reluctantly, but she eventually gave in.

`` So what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked after rosiness finished signing.

`` Homework, '' Albus replied automatically.

Kaden stared at the large pile of script, `` Second year must be bloody insane. ``

`` Oh, it is, '' can said, `` You wo n't let any time to look on any TV. ``

`` I 'll name clock time, '' Kaden said as he stood up, `` Well, I 'm going to get more signatures. ``

Albus watched as his first cousin went from board to shelve trying to get people to signalize. Some of them liked the theme and signed willingly. Others laughed until Kaden gave up and others looked at him like he was unhinged. Eventually, gentlewoman Pince found out what he was doing and threw him out of the library.

`` Your cousin is the weirdest fellow I 've ever met, '' John said after Kaden was kicked out.

`` Yeah, he is a bit unknown, '' Albus agreed and closed the Koran he was reading, `` Well, I 'm off to practice. I 'll see you lot later. ``

After drill, Albus went to the common way and found his friends sitting around their usual table doing homework. Unfortunately, none of them had found anything that would facilitate them to prove that they were like the predator. Albus was beginning to wonder if they 'd ever get that map working. Even if they did observe a way to prove they were like the Marauders, what would they let to do next ? How many things would they let to do before they would actually be capable to see the map ? Albus had no idea, but he knew the piranha were n't going to make this easy.

******

The relaxation of February passed quickly. Albus and his friends continued to scour the library for any sort of charm, enchantment, or potion that would aid them in their quest to reveal the map. None of them found anything. Kaden thought they were all doing homework as they searched the books every weekend. rosiness was making progress with the Sileo Altus charm, but it was n't quite perfected enough to use yet. Rose was sure she 'd take in it learned by the end of the month. Matt never said lots when the charm was brought up and Albus was hoping he would still hold to secern Kaden once Rose perfected the magical spell.

Kaden 's petition to give birth televisions put into the green elbow room was rejected shortly after he gave it to Neville. Kaden did n't seem in the to the lowest degree bit discourage by this. He insisted it was rejected due to lack of convincing evidence as to how the television system would profit the scholarly person. He was planning on resubmitting it along with a detailed essay on the subject area later on in the term.

`` You know, Kaden, '' Rose said at dinner one nighttime, `` Even if the teacher accepted your postulation, the telecasting would n't even wreak here. There 's too much conjuring trick. ``

`` Oh, I 'm certainly there 's a magic spell that would countermine that, '' Kaden said.

`` It wo n't work, '' Matt said, `` Magic just does n't agree with electronics. This one prison term when we were visiting my Uncle diddly-squat in the United States, Amy accidentally broke one of the metal detector at the airport. It was n't her shift or anything, the trick just interrupted it or something. The matter started beeping and would n't stop until they turned it off. ``

St. John laughed, `` That would 've been hilarious to see. ``

`` Amy did n't think so. She was mortified, '' lustrelessness said, `` It was a while ago, before we even moved here. I think she was fourteen. ``

`` fountainhead, I still say they could find a way, '' Kaden said.

`` Hey, spirit, '' Albus pointed to the read/write head mesa. prof Kendrick was standing up.

`` Wonder what he 's got to say ? '' John asked.

`` Leslie Townes Hope it 's nothing bad, '' rosiness said.

`` He looks well-chosen enough, '' Amanda commented.

`` May I have your attending ! '' Kendrick announced. The way fell silent. `` Thank you. Do n't concern, I 'm not giving out bad intelligence. In fact, I think you 'll find this announcement most shake. ``

There was a general murmur of excitement throughout the Great Hall at this. Kendrick waited for everyone to stop talking before he continued.

`` If you 'll think at the beginning of the year, when I announced the changes for the Dueling Club, that that would only be one contribution of the House unity effort. I am announcing today that the former prof and I have organized another unity event. It will be a scavenger hunt, with inter-house squad, of course. ``

Albus groaned. A scavenger hunt would be fun, but not if he had to do it with Slytherins. Everyone else seemed to be in agreement, because there was a general groaning throughout.

`` I know you do n't wish it, but the schoolhouse needs to be unified. Now, I will excuse the upshot. It will not be like a unconstipated scavenger hunt. It will take place on the next three Saturdays. This Saturday will be for the initiatory and minute years. The following will be for third gear and fourth years. The last will be for fifth part, sixth, and seventh class.

`` The other prof and I will be organizing the teams, which will consist of fellow member of early years and former houses. Each team will accept about ten members. You will sustain one hour to complete the labor given.

`` You will receive a lean of items to obtain before this hour is up. There are rule, of track. Some of these items will be required to obtain without magic. We will be performing appeal on these detail and if we find that any of them were spelled, transfigured, conjured, charmed, etc. within the minute they will be disqualified.

`` However, the scavenger hunt will not only include a list of particular to find. You will also have multiple trifle sheets. These will include both wiz and Muggle trivia.

`` Finally, each team will experience a riddle, which if they deceiver correctly, will lead them on a pursuit throughout the castle and grounds. When you reach the end, there will be a bit of information that must be returned to me. If you are successful, you 'll get a 100 point incentive. However, there is also a imitation trail that will take you to worthless selective information. If that is brought back, you 'll receive no bonus.

`` I will hold you a more elaborate list of linguistic rule on the day of the consequence. Until then, keep your brains abrupt and do n't get rid of anything you would otherwise deem useless, '' Kendrick smiled and returned to his seat.

Albus turned to his friends, `` This sounds, er, interesting. ``

`` It 's really an excellent musical theme, '' blush wine grinned, `` I mean, there 's no way a bingle individual would be able to achieve all of it alone. It 's a big approximation for house unity. ``

`` It 'd be better if we did n't have to team up with Slytherins, '' John muttered.

`` But what if there 's something on that inclination that 's in the Slytherin common room or something ? '' Rose pointed out.

lav groaned, `` I guess you 're right. ``

`` Sounds fun, though, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah. Wonder what we get if we win ? '' lustrelessness asked.

`` Hopefully some coupons to get out of preparation or something, '' whoremaster said.

`` Since when have they given away those ? '' Albus laughed.

`` Now 's the perfect metre for them to start, '' John replied.

`` I hope I 'm on your team, Albus, '' Kaden piped up.

`` That would be not bad, '' Albus smiled, and he actually meant it. It sounded like there was going to be a lot of random stuff on that list and if there was anyone in the schooltime that had loads of random stuff, it was Kaden.

******

The next few days seemed to drag on forever for Albus and the rest of the firstly and second years. Everyone was getting excited about the scavenger hunt and the teacher were getting a bit rag that nobody was paying attending in class.

Soon enough, Sabbatum arrived and Kendrick announced at lunch for all the first and minute years to remain sit after they were done eating. Once all the older educatee left, Kendrick got to his groundwork once more.

`` Now, the moment you 've all been waiting for, '' Kendrick said, `` The scavenger Hunt will start shortly. First, I have a few More rules to go over.

`` As I said earlier in the week, there are detail on this list that are not allowed to be created using magic. You may not call forth, transfigure, trance, or charm any of those point. Asking an honest-to-god educatee to do so is also against the rules. We have turn that will detect if any token was magicked during the hour of the magpie hunt.

`` The token must be found within the schooling and grounds. Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow, and Hagrid 's hut are all out of leaping and you may not search for detail in or around them. You may not ask sure-enough students or instructor for aid, nor may you owl crime syndicate members or other multitude. However, you may ask erstwhile students if they have any of the token on the list. It is up to them if they let you borrow them or not. Do not steal anything from anyone or there will be punishment. You are permitted to use the library for assistance with the trivia. ``

rose wine 's face lit up at that and Albus knew she would be the official depository library researcher for her team.

`` There are going to be eight teams of approximately ten students each. Your house prefects have your squad assigning. team one and two are to get together at the Hufflepuff tabular array, one at each end. team three and four at the Gryffindor table, five and six at Ravenclaw, and seven and eight at Slytherin. You will be given a few transactions to get organized in your teams and then the other professors will hand out the appropriate material. Each team is given one set of material, no more. If you lose it, tough destiny. Now please see your prefects. ``

Albus got up from the table and looked around until he spotted Georgia. He and his friends wound their way through the crowd until they managed to get to her.

`` Hey, Albus ! '' Georgia grinned and looked at her clipboard, `` quick ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm on a full squad, right ? ``

`` well, there are Slytherins on all the teams, if that 's what you mean, '' Georgia laughed, `` Anyway, you 're on squad Two. ``

Albus nodded and waited for his friends to get their team assignments.

Georgia scanned her clipboard again, `` Let 's see, blush wine is on Team One, St. John the Apostle is on squad IV, lustrelessness 's on Team Two ... ''

Albus grinned at flatness. He was relieved that one of his friends was on his team. Now all he had to do was go for Malfoy was n't on his team.

`` Amanda 's on team Four, and Kaden 's on squad Six, '' Georgia looked up at them, `` Have fun. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus said and then turned to his friends, `` guesswork we 'll see you after. Good luck. ``

Albus and Matt worked their way through the gang to the Hufflepuff table along with Rose. Albus was a bit thwarted that Kaden was n't on his team, but there was n't anything he could do about that. The prospect were n't dandy that he would take in two of his friends on his Sami team. He was just favorable he had one of his friends on the Sami team.

The Hufflepuff table was already filling with people from squad one and two. team Two was gathering at the half closest to the stave table, so Albus and lustrelessness made their way there.

There seemed to be a fairly even numeral of each house at the tabular array. Besides Albus and matte, there was one other Gryffindor, a first class lady friend Albus had seen but did n't get laid her figure. There were also two Ravenclaws Albus did n't know, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. Albus groaned when he saw who the Slytherins were, Felix Willinson and Leigh Montague. Leigh was Rose 's potions partner and not the sharpest quill feather in the box.

Felix Willinson narrowed his eyes when he saw Albus and Matt coming over. Albus found seats far away from him and sat down, waiting for the scavenger Hunt to begin.

One of the Ravenclaws stood up a few s later, `` Hi, I 'm Rachel underwood and I 've been assigned as squad captain. ``

Everyone muttered hi to her and Rachel had everyone introduce themselves. So far, Willinson and Montague did n't seem enthused about their team, but Rachel did n't pay any aid to their animosity.

Professor Patil came over a little while later with a handful of parchment. Albus assumed they were the lists of material to expect for and the trivia.

`` The hunting will bulge in one minute ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will give you your list as soon as I say go. You 'll experience one hour to be back here with as much stuff you can possibly get. ``

A minute later, Kendrick shot out a exhibitioner of blue sparks from his sceptre and Patil handed the mickle of parchment to Rachel.

`` All rightfulness ! '' Rachel shouted as she leafed through the parchment, `` We need someone to decipher the riddle and run around to get the bonus points. ``

`` I 'll do it, '' the other Ravenclaw volunteered. Rachel nodded and handed him the lambskin. He ran out of the Great Granville Stanley Hall while reading the riddle.

`` Ok, here 's the trivia, '' Rachel continued, `` We 've got famed Witches and wizard, Famous Muggles, What Not To Do While Interacting With Muggles, What Do You Know About Quidditch, and What Do You Know About Football. ``

Albus turned to Matt and laughed. Kaden would surely love the football game one.

Rachel handed out the small beer to the people who thought they 'd be able to do it. Willinson had n't taken any of the trivia tack, but Montague took the Quidditch one. Albus hoped she actually knew something about Quidditch.

`` Now we 've just got the list of token to find, '' Rachel announced to the remaining squad member, which were Albus, Matt, Willinson, and one of the Hufflepuffs. `` You four get started while I work on the trivia. Oh, but I 'll take tutelage of the costumes. You 'll just possess to wear them. ``

Albus nodded and took the sheepskin from her. Costumes ? He hoped he would n't have to tire out anything too humiliating. He set it down on the mesa and began to read it, with everyone else looking over his shoulder.

Items Are To Be Gathered Without Magic

-holly wand
-five vomit flavored Bertie Botts dome
-Slytherin wearing Gryffindor gown
-Gryffindor wearing Slytherin robe
-light sabre
-Dumbledore Chocolate frog menu
-twenty shoelaces tied together
-Quaffle signed by Oliver woodwind instrument
-Shooting star broom handle
-Muggle pen
-copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein
-a Nintendo DS
-girl dressed up as Godric Gryffindor
-boy dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff
-color changing ink
-beater bat
-drum spliff
-silver goblet
-Chudley Cannons Jersey
-six Extendable spike
-Muggle playing batting order
-receipt from dame Malkins
-Argus Filch 's John Hancock
-the names of five Hogwarts sign of the zodiac Elves
-rubber duck
-copy of Hogwarts, A History
-sneakoscope
-foe glass
-tea cozy
-Hogwarts graduation exercise picture
-band help
-green discharge potions bottle
-Beatles CD
-purple gloves
-Hershey 's cocoa bar
-My Little Hippogriff
-pet toad
-purple parchment
-two assault and battery
-tortilla chips

Albus looked up from the tilt and waited for everyone else to complete reading.

`` What the bloody inferno is a CD ? '' Willinson asked.

`` Muggle way of listening to music, '' Albus explained, `` One of my cousin-german might have one. ``

`` I 've got one, '' the Hufflepuff, who Albus now knew to be Viscount Nelson Rodner, said.

`` trade good, '' Albus replied, `` Anyone else know they 've got some of this stuff ? ``

Everyone nodded.

`` Let 's go get the stuff we know we 've got and then meet back here, '' Albus said as he got up. `` Then we can work on the stuff we do n't. ``

The early three boys agreed and Albus ran out of the Great Hall with Matt. The two of them ran as fast as they could up to Gryffindor Tower.


A/N : I ca n't strike credit for the scavenger hunt idea. There is a resort hotel in Penn called Woodloch Pines that I go to every summer and they have scavenger hunts like the one in this chapter. dispatch with costumes, trivia, and the riddle. It 's a lot of fun.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Luke, Moonylupin, EvilChaos, potterfan296, XDNLxtlz99, drownzer, Miguel, Denas, and phoenixy friend for their follow-up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or the idea for the scavenger hunt.


`` Willinson is acting polite, '' Albus commented as they were running up a flight of steps of stairs.

`` Yeah, '' lusterlessness agreed, `` kind of surprising. Either he really wants to win or he 's not as confident without Malfoy. ``

`` Probably both, '' Albus said, `` Whatever the reasonableness, we lucked out. ``

Everyone stared as Albus and Matt ran into the common way completely out of breathing place. `` magpie hunt, '' Albus muttered to his first cousin Ben and Cedric as he ran by.

`` Excellent, '' Ben grinned, `` Ca n't wait until our go next Saturday. ``

Bilius was also in their student residence collecting particular when Albus and matte entered. They nodded to each other, but did n't say anything.

Albus wrenched open his trunk and started rifling through it. He found a bag of Bertie Botts Beans, a Dumbledore umber frog board, his written matter of Hogwarts, A History, one extendible Ear, and the photo record album he found in the noggin of his theater. The graduation picture in the cover would wreak for the Hogwarts graduation picture.

`` What have you got ? '' he asked Matt once he emerged from his trunk.

`` My wand 's holly, a muggle pen, band aid, Chudley carom jersey, and a Nintendo DS, although I 'm not sure why I still bother to get it since it does n't work here. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Let 's get back to the Great manse. ``

When Albus and flatness got back to the Hufflepuff table, Willinson and Rodner had already returned. There was a voltaic pile of stuff on the table between them. Albus looked through it and saw that they now had a transcript of The Hobbit, color changing ink, a beater 's bat, Muggle playacting cards, and a sneakoscope.

`` All right, we 've got a full outset, '' Albus said as he added his and Matt 's stuff to the pile. `` I guess we 'll consume to ask the older scholar to borrow the rest.

`` Rodner, '' Albus began, `` You see if you can get a illumination saber, a Quaffle signed by Oliver Wood, a Shooting Star broomstick, barrel peg, a reception from ma'am Malkin 's, foe shabu, and a Beatles CD. ``

`` Sure, '' Rodner said and took off out of the room.

`` Willinson, '' Albus turned to the Slytherin, `` Go down to the kitchens and see if you can get a silver chalice, tortilla chip, a tea cosy, the epithet of five House Elves, and a Hershey bar. ``

`` Why should I ? '' Willinson grumbled, `` Who put you in burster ? ``

`` Someone 's got to do it, '' Albus told him.

`` Make Eckerton do it. ``

`` Him and I are getting the ease, '' Albus replied, `` If you want to win, you 'll get the stuff. ``

`` Fine, '' Willinson muttered and left the Great Hall.

`` Ok, that leaves the shoe lace, discharge putting surface potions bottle, purplish gloves, a My Little Hippogriff, a frog, purple parchment, a rubber duck, two battery, and five to a greater extent extendable spike. Oh, and Filch 's autograph. ``

`` We 'll do that one concluding, '' lustrelessness shuddered. `` We can probably just go back to the common elbow room and ask if anyone 's got this clobber. ``

`` Good idea, '' Albus agreed.

The two male child set off at a run back to their park room. Luckily it was still packed with bookman and some of them grinned as Albus and Matt entered.

`` How 's it going ? '' Ben asked.

`` Good, '' Albus grinned back, `` But we 've got a bunch of material to receive. Listen up everyone ! '' he shouted.

The intact common room quieted and turned to Albus. Albus was momentarily shocked that everyone actually stopped what they were doing to pay attention to him.

`` Er, we 're doing the scavenger Hunt and need some poppycock. Has anyone got a My Little Hippogriff, majestic baseball glove, a toad, purple parchment, a gumshoe duck's egg, stamp battery, or Extandable ear ? Also, we need twenty dollar bill shoe laces. I promise we 'll return it all once we 're done. ``

About half the pupil got up and went up to their dormitories. A few minutes later they came back down with various items for Albus. He managed to borrow a rubber duck, majestic lambskin, and a few extendable ear. Plus he got at least twenty shoe laces.

`` That worked well, '' Albus said as he and matt left the room.

`` I 'd say so, '' Matt agreed, `` Now Filch 's autograph. This ought to be fun. ``

Albus smacked his bridge player to his forehead, `` I should have grabbed the map ! ``

Albus groaned and ran back to the park room. Everyone laughed as he ran up to his student residence and back down to the vernacular elbow room. Albus ignored them and pointed his sceptre to the map. A few irregular later he saw that Filch was lurking near the library.

Albus and Matt took off for the subroutine library and spotted Filch a few K away from the door.

`` How are we supposed to ask him ? '' Albus whispered.

`` No musical theme, '' Matt said back.

Albus 's inwardness sped up as he got closer to the old caretaker. `` Er, Mr. Filch ? '' he asked.

Filch startled and turned around. He saw Albus and smirked. `` potter. Up to no good again ? In motive of another hold, perhaps ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, `` Actually, I was just, er, well, we 're doing this pack rat Leigh Hunt. Maybe Kendrick told you about it. It 's to promote Inter House Unity and we have to notice all this stuff throughout the palace and- ''

`` We need your autograph, '' Matt interrupted, holding a piece of parchment and the Muggle pen in his outstretched hand.

Filch stared at them and then started muttering to himself. `` Do n't see why I should devil ... Students never do anything for me ... ''

Nevertheless, Filch took the pen and scribbled his name onto the purpleness sheepskin. He thrust it wordlessly back into Matt 's hand and shuffled off down the corridor.

`` That went better than expected, '' matte said.

`` Yeah, thanks. I could n't really reckon out how to ask him. ``

`` I figured, '' lusterlessness grinned, `` Anyway, we still need a few things. Hey, Kendrick never mentioned anything about the Room. Do you think we could just ask it for the residual of this ? ``

Albus wondered why he had n't thought of that. It almost seemed like cheating, but Kendrick never said anything. `` That 's brilliant ! ``

The two of them set off for the way, but when they got there, there was a Hufflepuff prefect milling around right in front line of the Room. Albus slowly walked back and Forth in figurehead of it, keeping an eye on the prefect.

He was about to ca-ca his third liberty chit, when the prefect stopped him. `` Sorry, '' he said, `` You ca n't go in there if you 're in the magpie hunt. Kendrick 's rule. ``

Albus sighed, `` All right. ``

`` Of row, '' lusterlessness muttered as they left, `` Kendrick could n't announce that normal because then everyone would find out about the way. Oh, well. What have we got left ? ``

Albus handed Matt the tilt and he looked it over for a few second gear. `` Hey, I know ma'am Pomfrey 's got green potions bottles. ``

`` Let 's go, '' Albus said, `` We 'd better haste, there 's only fifteen second left. ``

They made it to the Hospital fender in disk clip. Albus pushed the doorway spread and walked in, followed by Matt.

`` I 've got patients to tend to ! '' madam Pomfrey was shouting at a Ravenclaw first yr, `` I have n't got clip for this pack rat hunt nonsense ! You 're the fifth person I 've had come in here looking for potions bottles and band acquired immune deficiency syndrome ! I have n't got any ! ``

The girl nodded and ran quickly out of the room, completely ignoring Albus and Matt as she went.

`` Er, she says she has n't got any, '' Albus whispered.

`` I know she does, '' Matt whispered back, `` Let me just ask her. ``

Albus shrugged and followed Matt over to the nurse, who was bent over one of the beds.

`` hi, gentlewoman Pomfrey, '' flatness greeted her.

Madam Pomfrey turned around and her irritated face softened immediately when she saw Matt.

`` Hello, Matt, dear. Are you all right ? You look a bit flushed, '' dame Pomfrey said and put her hand to his forehead.

`` I 'm fine, '' mat assured her, `` I 've just been running around working on the scavenger search. ``

`` Not you, too, '' gentlewoman Pomfrey sighed and then noticed Albus, `` Oh and Albus as well. ``

`` Yeah, '' matte said, `` We were just wondering if you might have an discharge greenish potions bottle. ``

The nurse sighed and walked over to her potions cabinet. `` I suppose. Just be sure to return it. ``

Albus watched in shock as she returned with the exact detail they were looking for. Matt grinned at Albus and took the bottle.

`` Thanks, '' flatness smiled.

madam Pomfrey shook her psyche, `` No problem. Have fun, boys. ``

`` We will, '' lustrelessness said as he turned to leave the room.

Albus followed him out the door, still in shock that the nanny had actually given them the bottleful when she had yelled at that get-go year only moment ago.

`` You 're certainly on her soundly side, '' Albus muttered after they left the room.

`` One of the few perks of being there once a month, '' Matt said dryly.

`` We 'd break get back to the Great Hall, '' Albus said as he looked at his watch.

Albus and Matt ran as fast as they could stake to where their team was. The rest of the squad was working hard to cease the remaining trivia. Rachel herself was dressed up as Godric Gryffindor, complete with a falsify beard. Rodner was dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff.

However, neither was as shady as what Willinson was wearing. He was decked out in Gryffindor okay, with robes, a scarf, and a 'Loyal Gryffindor'hat. Albus could hardly choke his laughter.

`` Do n't say a watchword, thrower, '' Willinson growled.

`` Albus ! '' Rachel shouted, `` You 've got to dress up as a Slytherin ! The robes I 've got are too big for Matt and Abby. '' Rachel pointed to the other Gryffindor on the team.

Albus groaned and Willinson burst out laughing. Albus reluctantly put on the Slytherin gown, scarf, and 'Slytherins Are C. H. Best'hat. It would only be for a few bit and if it helped them win ....

Albus did find a bit strange in the Slytherin robe. He could n't help but remember back to his sorting and how the hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin at first. If it had, he would be wearing these robe all the metre. He might have even been more favorable with Malfoy at first. He probably would n't induce really befriended John, Matt, or Amanda if he 'd been in Slytherin. Albus shook the thought from his head and concentrated on the fact that he was just wearing the robes to help his team win.

Rachel took stock certificate of the items on the tilt as lusterlessness tied all the shoelaces together. It turns out that the only things they were missing were the illume saber, Quaffle signed by Joseph Oliver Wood, shooting sensation broom handle, foe glass, Hershey 's bar, anuran, and one battery. Rachel thought that was pretty good.

The former Ravenclaw returned a moment later and told everyone that he had finished the riddle pursuit and had managed to get the incentive compass point.

`` Time is up ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will be around soon to go over your inclination. They will also collect your trivia sheets which will be marked later today. The succeeder will be announced at dinner tonight. ``

Patil came over to Albus 's team a few moments later and looked over their lean. She took a picture of the four people who were dressed up, much to Albus 's dismay. Now there would be permanent evidence of his Slytherin present moment. As soon as the picture was taken, Albus took off the robes and he noticed Willinson doing the same.

`` Ok, '' Patil announced as she gathered up the pieces of parchment, `` You can leave. Please return anything you borrowed. ``

Albus and mat gathered up their stuff as well as everything they 'd borrowed from various Gryffindors. They stopped by the infirmary extension to give back the bottle and then headed back to their unwashed room.

The two of them passed out everyone 's stuff and then went to sit down at their usual tabular array. rosiness, Saint John the Apostle, Amanda, and Kaden joined them shortly.

`` That was fun, '' pink wine said as she sat down.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Even though we were with Slytherins. Willinson was n't too bad. ``

`` That 's secure, '' John the Evangelist said, `` I caught a glimpse of him in the Gryffindor robe. Priceless. ``

`` Yeah, I thought so. Until I had to put on the Slytherin one, '' Albus replied.

John burst out laughing, `` I wish I 'd seen that ! ``

`` You 'll be capable to, '' Albus told him, `` Patil took a picture. ``

`` Excellent. ``

`` Did n't any of you lot have to groom up ? '' Albus asked.

`` I was Helga Hufflepuff, '' John said.

`` And I was Godric Gryffindor, '' Amanda added.

`` How did everyone do on the leaning of poppycock to find ? '' matt asked.

`` I 'm pretty sure my squad was the just one with a light cavalry sword ! '' Kaden said excitedly, `` I 'm so gladiolus I decided to play it. ``

`` We did all right, '' pink wine shrugged, `` Missed a lot of stuff and nonsense, but I think we did well in the small beer. ``

`` Of course you did, '' John the Divine grinned. `` Hey, did anyone manage to encounter the potions bottle ? Slughorn did n't bear any green one and Madam Pomfrey looked ready to hex me when I asked her. It 's not really fair that Kendrick put something on there that was insufferable to get. ``

Albus grinned at flatness, who grinned back.

`` What ? '' John asked.

`` We got it, '' Matt told him.

`` How ? '' Kaden asked, `` ma'am Pomfrey was downright shivery when I asked her. May have been because she was busy fixing someone 's broken arm, but still .... ''

`` Matt asked her and she gave him one, '' Albus explained.

Matt shrugged, `` simple, really. ``

lavatory sighed, `` Well, you 're probably the entirely one in the school who could get it. She 'd probably return you whatever you asked for. ``

`` Why ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

`` Sorry, not telling, '' Saint John the Apostle replied.

Kaden sighed, `` Oh, part of that totally secret I ca n't be intimate about ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John said and then changed the national, `` Hey, did any of you do the riddle thing ? ``

`` I did, '' Rose said, `` Want to get wind it ? ``

`` Of trend, '' toilet said.

`` Ok, I 'll see if you can get it. I thought it was a bit bare, really, '' rosebush said. She pulled a spell of sheepskin out of her robes and read off of it.

'' 'In an event known by wizards worldwide
Where good and evil are forced to clash
A wicked force can now no longer reside.
A post where just one contribution of Voldemort died .'''

Albus looked at John, Matt, and Amanda and shrugged. He did n't think it was simpleton, but rosiness was honorable at those sorts of things.

`` No idea, '' St. John announced.

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged.

`` Hmm, '' Amanda muttered.

`` Do n't look at me, '' Kaden said.

`` The Great Charles Martin Hall ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the stead where Voldemort died.

`` Nope, '' blush wine grinned, `` That was the trick role. It 's actually that monument outside, where Professor Longbottom killed Voldemort 's snake. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus groaned, `` Of course ! Did n't even believe of that. ``

`` How long did it drive you to figure it out ? '' matt asked.

`` Not long, '' blush wine smiled, `` But then I had to travel along the clues to witness the bit of entropy to give Professor Kendrick. ``

`` And where was that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Library, '' Rose grinned, `` Herbology part. ``

`` wonder how many squad got it, '' Albus thought aloud.

`` fountainhead, my team did, obviously, '' blush wine said, `` And you said your squad did, Albus. What about you two ? ``

`` We did n't, '' John sighed and Amanda shook her head.

`` We did, '' Kaden put in.

`` conjecture we 'll find out this night how everyone did, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` But I 'm not going to intend about it now. Might as well get some preparation done. ``

Albus managed to get half an essay done before dinner party. Rose wrote an entire essay and did a set of homework questions. Matt helped Amanda with her Astronomy and still got his Herbology done. John and Kaden on the other handwriting, spent he remainder of the afternoon goofing off and playing chess.

The excitement was running high in the Great Hall during dinner that evening. Everyone was comparing what they managed to find during the Scavenger Hunt. Albus kept glancing up to the stave table to see when Kendrick would make the announcement, but he seemed to be waiting until the go bit to do so.

After what seemed like forever, Kendrick got to his feet. `` Good evening, everyone. I hope all the world-class and second age enjoyed the Scavenger Hunt. It was certainly a success and I 'm trusted the older students will await forward to their turns.

`` And, without any further waiting, I shall harbinger the event. The commencement, back, and third place teams will all be awarded medals.

`` In third gear place, with 572 item, team Two ! '' Kendrick announced, `` Will the members of Team Two please come up here. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus shouted and jumped up, `` tierce station, that 's not bad ! ``

`` Yeah, I 'd say that 's pretty good, '' Matt grinned and followed Albus up to the stave table.

Albus and Matt joined the residual of their team in figurehead of the stave table. Kendrick put a bronze ribbon over each of their necks and pulled out a tv camera. He took a few movie and then told them to return to their seats.

Rose, Amanda, John, and Kaden congratulated Albus and Matt as they sat back down. A few of Albus 's cousins patted him on the book binding and told him effective job.

`` Excellent, Albus, '' James I grinned, `` But my team will get initiative seat next week. ``

`` I 'll think it when I see it, '' Albus rolled his eyes.

`` And in 2nd place, with 580 detail, is squad Seven ! '' Kendrick announced.

The members of Team Seven ran up to the faculty board to get their silver medal palm and have their picture taken.

`` And in 1st piazza, with 673 points, is squad Six ! '' Kendrick shouted. `` praise to the winning team ! ``

`` Woohoo ! '' Kaden stood up and started jumping up and down as he ran up to the staff tabular array, `` Yes ! ``

`` Wow, who would 've thought that, '' rosebush grinned, `` Kaden 's team won. ``

`` Well, he does accept a very large quantity of random stuff in his residence hall, '' Albus commented.

`` I 'll bet it was the lite cavalry sword that put his squad over the edge, '' whoremonger shook his headspring, `` I mean, I think his squad was the only one to get it. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus shrugged.

`` I ca n't think I won ! '' Kaden shouted as he sat back down with his big Au ribbon a few arcminute later.

`` praise, '' Albus grinned, `` At least one of us got commencement station. ``

`` We were so end to second, '' flatness groaned, `` octad measly points ! ``

`` Well, third 's full, '' toilet muttered, `` Better than not getting a decoration at all. ``

`` Oh, John the Evangelist, it 's just a game, '' Amanda said, `` The point is that we all had fun. ``

`` kudos to our winning team and everyone else that participated, '' Kendrick said, `` I will be looking forward to the next rhythm, third and fourth age, a week from today ! ``

Albus hung his bronze medal from his bed post before he went to bed that nighttime. He crawled beneath the cover version feeling very content with third place. He had n't really been expecting to win at all. The Scavenger William Holman Hunt had been a lot of fun, and Albus hoped Kendrick would hold it again sometime. It had been so practically fun, that Albus had n't even thought about the new map the entire day. He made a genial banker's bill to ask Rose about the Sileo Altus charm the following day. They would ingest to secernate Kaden about everything soon if they wanted to make anymore progress on the map. Plus, they 'd have to research more about how to prove to the map that they really were like the Marauders.


A/N : Bit of a shorter chapter, but the former one was longer, so it evens out. Kaden has proved that it never hurts to throw a light saber, a object lesson that my brother agrees with since he brought his promiscuous saber to LeakyCon and quite a few people told him they wished they 'd brought theirs.

I have created a website for my fan fic, where you can find part profile and a blog about intelligence and updates about my writing. The link is on my profile Thomas Nelson Page here. I 'd jazz for you to see it out and leave comments in the News and Update section.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, who had to coif up as the Tin Man in end summertime 's scavenger Richard Morris Hunt. Big thanks to my friend, rosiness, for coming up with the brain-teaser. Thanks as well to EvilChaos, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, mischiefmaker92, drownzer, Moonylupin, Miguel, Denas, and Tonks for their critique !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Throughout the rest of the month, Rose continued to make progress on the Sileo Altus charm, and by the time April rolled around, she was confident in her ability to perform it. Albus wished the same could be said for the progress with finding out how to prove to the map that he and his friend were like the Marauders. Albus spent every waking moment that he was n't doing homework, attending Quidditch practice, or dueling practice, in the program library trying to find out a spell or charm that would work. His efforts were fruitless, though, because he still had n't found anything promising.

Albus also had another successful dueling tourney. He won both of his affaire d'honneur as did Malfoy, but their team still had n't won. Albus was beginning to doubt whether they 'd ever win.

Albus 's next Quidditch friction match was the kickoff Sat in April. He found himself distracted by the map even before he entered the changing room. They were playing Ravenclaw, and it was hard to tell who had the practiced team, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Albus pushed thinking of the map from his read/write head as he walked into the changing way.

Georgia gave the team the usual pep talk, which this sentence included telling them that if they won this equal, they 'd be in the final. If Ravenclaw got less than 180 degree, then Ravenclaw might not pee it to the final exam. Georgia did n't particularly handle who they played in the final, just so long as they won.

The match went smoothly, in Albus 's thought. Much near than the previous lucifer, in which Albus got honk partway through. The atmospheric condition was best for this catch as well. Albus managed to keep from thinking about the map, which was just since it was a very high-scoring catch for both sides and Albus was constantly being thrown the Quaffle. After only an time of day of dramatic play, Saint James the Apostle went into a dive and caught the Snitch, right out from under one of the Ravenclaw beater 's broom.

The usual party in the vernacular room ensued after the students returned to the castle, but Albus was n't really matter to in it. Now that the match was over, all he could think about was trying out the Sileo Altus appeal on Kaden. Albus figured the best time to do it would be in the even and the best blank space would be the Room.

Shortly after rose had succeeded in performing the charm on privy, Matt had reluctantly given into trying it with Kaden. His entirely condition was first trying it with a harmless arcanum, and if that worked, to move onto the with child one.

`` Are we doing it tonight ? '' St. John the Apostle asked as he sipped his butterbeer.

`` Yeah, '' Albus whispered back, `` After dinner. ``

The respite of the good afternoon and dinner seemed to go by at an alarmingly slow rate. sentence seemed to go by much like it did in History of Magic.

`` Kaden, '' Albus said after they had finished eating, `` We 're not going to the common way now. We 're going to show you a different elbow room in the rook, one you 've never seen. ``

`` Excellent, '' Kaden grinned, `` What variety of way ? ``

`` You 'll see when we get there, '' Albus replied. `` Let 's go. ``

Kaden followed Albus and his acquaintance through the rook, with a constant current of head that Albus ignored.

`` Are you sure this is going to knead ? '' Matt whispered nervously as they stopped in movement of the blank blank space of wall where the Room of Requirement was.

`` Yes, '' rosiness assured him, `` It will operate. ``

Matt nodded and started pacing in nominal head of the wall.

`` Why did we stop ? '' Kaden asked, and then his eyes popped out of his nous as he saw the door appear from nowhere. `` Wicked. ``

`` C'mon, '' Albus said as he opened the door.

`` What is this situation ? '' Kaden asked in awe.

`` Room of requirement, '' Albus told him, `` Room that gives you what you need. ``

`` I ca n't believe you did n't exhibit me this yet ! ''

`` wellspring, it 's not something we want you to tell anyone about. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said, `` So it 'll give me anything I ask it for ? I think I want an entire cake .... ''

`` It does n't do intellectual nourishment, '' rosebush explained.

`` Oh, well, it 's still brilliant. ``

`` Kaden, come sit down, '' Albus told his cousin.

`` You 're all so tranquillize, '' Kaden said as he took a seat on the couch next to Albus, `` What 's going on ? ``

`` fountainhead, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to test something. Rose found a charm that 's supposed to make soul not be capable to enjoin other people 's secrets. If it works, we 're going to tell you a clustering of stuff and you wo n't be able to secernate anyone. ``

`` What are you going to state me ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` We have to make for sure the charm works first, '' Albus sighed, `` Which is why we 're here. Rose is going to perform the charm, using your knowledge of this room as the enigma. If you have n't told anyone by succeeding Sat, we 'll tell you the relief of it. ``

`` amercement, '' Kaden sighed, `` I ca n't believe you wo n't tell me without this appeal. ``

`` Um, Kaden, you 've told Malfoy stuff I told you not to tell anyone, '' Albus reminded him.

`` That was n't my fracture ! ``

`` I know, but we 're not risking this. If you want to make out the secrets, you 'll deliver to bear rosebush do the charm. ``

`` Ok, ok, I 'll do it, '' Kaden said.

`` good, '' pink wine smiled, `` Now let 's get started. ``

It took Rose about ten instant to perform the good luck charm. Kaden was thoroughly amazed by the charm and rosiness 's ability to perform it.

`` Let 's test it, '' rose decided once they left the way. She pointed to a girl who was walking towards them. `` Go severalise her about the room. ``

Kaden shrugged and ran up to the girl, who looked to be around Kaden 's age and was in Hufflepuff.

`` Er, '' Kaden began, `` So there 's this place- '' Kaden turned around and looked confusedly at Albus, then turned back to the girl. `` Anyway, at this piazza, you can- ''

`` What 's wrongly with you ? '' the female child asked, trying to cover up her giggling. `` Are you ok ? ``

`` Fine, fine, '' Kaden muttered, `` Never mind. ``

Kaden ran back to Albus and the others, blushing furiously. `` It worked, but now everyone 's going to think I 'm an retard. ``

Albus laughed, `` No they wo n't. But that 's right that it worked. ``

`` Yeah, '' Kaden grinned, `` Definitely worth it. ``

******

Albus kept a near eye on Kaden throughout the next week. As far as he could tell, his first cousin did n't state anyone about the Room of Requirement. They tested the magic spell a few more meter, telling Kaden to tell somebody about it, but Kaden was never capable to. Albus was fully convinced that the Sileo Altus appeal was a success.

Kaden was positively beaming by the time Saturday arrived. Albus was kind of excited as well, because they would officially give birth Wormtail in their group of new Marauders. John the Divine, Rose, and Amanda were excited as well. The entirely matter left to do after this would be to find oneself a way to test to the map that they were like the Marauders. Matt did n't look excited at all. He was clearly spooky about telling Kaden that he was a werewolf. It probably did n't assist that the full moonshine was only a few days away. Albus could n't really charge matt for his nerves, but Albus was certain the charm would preserve to work.

After dinner, Albus led his booster back to the way of demand, with the new Map in his robes.

`` Ok, what 's the secret ? '' Kaden said as he bounced around the Room once they were inside.

`` You 've got to sit down first, '' Albus told him. `` And flatness 's going to severalize you the first one. ``

`` Oh ! '' A facial expression of inclusion appeared on Kaden 's nerve. `` Is this about how you get regurgitate every month ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt sighed.

`` And this is what you do n't need Malfoy to know about ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt said shortly, `` Now just let me tell you what it is. ``

`` Sorry, '' Kaden muttered.

`` It 's ok, '' Matt said, `` First, you ca n't tell anyone this. I mean, do n't even try to test the charm like we 've been doing all week. You ca n't even try to assure anyone this. Never credit it to anyone except us. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said.

`` Good. Now, you know that loup-garou are real, right ? ``

Kaden nodded, `` What does that throw to do with you getting vomit ? ``

`` Everything, '' Matt said quietly, `` I am a werewolf. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That is the coolest thing ever ! ``

`` No it 's not, '' lusterlessness sighed, `` You do n't even really know what happens when I turn into a werewolf. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I 've seen movies. ``

`` It 's not like that, '' lusterlessness told him, `` I get sick a few days before the full moon, and then the nighttime of the full synodic month, I turn into a Wolf and bite myself because there 's nix else for me to burn. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden deflated, `` So where do you go when you turn into a skirt chaser ? ``

`` A shack in Hogsmeade. ``

`` The Shrieking hut ? ``

`` Yes, that, '' lusterlessness replied, `` I 'm the one who does the screeching. ``

`` Now that is cool, '' Kaden grinned. `` How long have you been a werewolf ? ``

`` Since I was five. ``

`` That 's a long sentence, '' Kaden said.

`` Most of my living, '' flatness explained, `` It 's horrifying, really. ``

`` And that 's the big secret ? '' Kaden asked, `` Why ca n't anyone know that ? ``

`` Because most wizards do n't like werewolves, '' matt explained.

`` Well that 's pudden-head. ``

`` Yeah, it is, but it 's realism. ``

`` But why is n't there a spell to make you not a loup-garou anymore ? Or a potion ? ``

`` conjuration does n't fix everything, '' lusterlessness sighed.

`` Yeah, that 's what I 've been trying William Tell you for the wholly twelvemonth, '' Albus pointed out.

`` But why ? ``

`` Dunno, '' flatness shrugged, `` But there is a potion, called the Wolfsbane Potion, that 's supposed to make it so you keep your homo head when you turn into a wolf. So you do n't want to attack anyone or yourself. ``

`` Why do n't you demand that ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I do, '' Matt told him, `` Actually, I take a different variety than nearly werewolves take. For some reason, Wolfsbane does n't work for me. I 'm in this study at St. Mungo 's to figure out why and right now they 've got me taking a new sort of wolfbane. ``

`` DOE it lick ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Matt replied, `` That 's kind of why I still bite myself every full moon. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. `` So someday they might find a potion that will work ? ``

matt shrugged, `` Maybe. But I 'm not getting my hopes up. ``

`` So I 'll be charmed not to say anything about this ? '' Kaden asked after a few here and now of silence.

`` Yes, '' Albus replied, pulling the new map out of his gown, `` And about this. ``

Albus spent the next half hour showing Kaden the new map. Kaden thought it was the best thing he had seen yet at Hogwarts and could n't wait for it to completely work.

`` So we need you to constitute Peter Pettigrew, '' Albus said after he 'd finished explaining about the map.

`` tool Pettigrew ? '' Kaden raised his eyebrow, `` That evil lad who betrayed your grandparents ? ``

`` Er, yes, '' Albus sighed.

`` You know my mum wanted to name me Saint Peter the Apostle, but Dad said no because he did n't want me to sustain the Saami name as that idiot, '' Kaden commented, `` So it 's my middle epithet. ``

`` perfective tense, '' King John grinned, `` You even sorting of contribution his name. ``

`` Will you do it ? '' Albus asked.

`` I guess so, '' Kaden said slowly, `` I mean, it 's not like I 'm going to be like Pettigrew now. ``

`` No, '' Albus agreed, `` But you have to be sort of like him for it to work. And you are because you 've sorting of got the same name. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I guess. Anyway, when are you going to get the map to mold ? ``

`` Whenever we figure out how to evidence to it that we 're like the Marauders. Somehow we 've got to record the map that we are like to the vulture, '' Albus explained, `` Which is taking forever. ``

`` Oh, you mean like a finger print ? '' Kaden asked.

`` What ? '' Albus asked.

`` You know, a finger's breadth mark. Everyone 's is different, but your finger's breadth print is standardized to your relative. It 's how Muggle cops find multitude and hooey when they 're missing. And how they identify bodies. ``

`` A finger's breadth mark ! '' Rose exclaimed, `` That 's it ! I ca n't consider I did n't recollect of it ! ``

`` What are you talking about ? '' whoremonger asked. `` Kaden just said everyone 's is different. So how will ours be like the predator'? ``

`` Not Muggle finger's breadth mark, '' Rose said, `` Wizard one. There 's a magical spell to get your wizard 's Finger Print. It reveals your name, congener, even your personality. ``

`` That 's kind of scary, '' Albus said, `` Anyone can get hold that stuff out if they 've got your finger print ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose shrugged, `` But I think it will mould for this. ``

`` Hope so, '' Albus grinned. He could n't believe that Kaden had actually given pink wine an thought about the map. Kaden had helped with it. If this finger's breadth print thing worked, they could have the map figured out in no time.

`` We 'll attend for it tomorrow, '' Rose stood up and drew her wand, `` Now let 's do the charm. ``

Albus nodded, feeling more energize than he had in months. They were so close, he could just experience it. The map would be working soon. Of course, there was a nagging doubt in Albus 's gut that was telling him that there would be something to figure out even after the finger print thing.

******

`` What are you going to signalize up for ? '' John asked as he glanced over the sheepskin all the second age had received just a min earlier.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` What about you, matte ? ``

`` Care of Magical tool, '' Matt replied, `` Not sure as shooting what else. ``

`` I 'll do that one, too, '' Albus decided and wrote it down on his lambskin. `` Hagrid Thatch it, so it 'll be fun. ``

`` star sign me up, '' King John said, `` I could use with a fun course of instruction. ``

`` You ought to suppose about what will be useful in your future career, '' Rose told them.

`` But I 've got no melodic theme what I want to do, '' privy said.

Albus had no melodic theme either. He had n't really thought about it. He thought being an Auror would be a in force job, but he was n't sure that that was what he wanted to do. He still had five years at Hogwarts anyway, why decide now ?

`` Me either, '' Amanda agreed, `` I think I 'll do Care of Magical Creatures, too. ``

`` I 'm taking Muggle discipline, '' rose wine announced, `` Plus Arithmancy and Ancient rune. ``

`` All three ? '' John asked, `` But we only have to take two. ``

`` Yeah, but I want to take away all of them. I 'd really like to take Care of Magical wight, too, but there 's not enough time. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Divination, '' whoremaster shrugged.

rosebush snorted, `` Divination ? Mum says that should n't even be a national. There 's no real eruditeness involved. ``

`` But is it easy ? '' John asked.

`` Uncle Ron said all you 've got to do is relieve oneself up predictions about your Death if you 've got Trelawney, '' Albus explained.

`` Excellent, '' John scribbled onto his parchment, `` I 'll take that and hope I 've got Trelawney. ``

`` I 'm taking that, too, '' Amanda said, `` It actually sounds interesting. ``

`` amercement, '' rosebush sighed, `` But I still say it 's not really a subject. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Ancient rune, '' Albus thought aloud, `` I think it 's easier than Arithmancy. What about you, matte ? What else do you opine you 'll take ? ``

`` Ancient rune sounds good, '' mat yawned, `` I guess I 'll take that. Amy took it. She hated it in Australia, but she said it 's better here. ``

`` I 'd take everything, '' Kaden announced, `` I could n't decide. ``

`` You ca n't take away everything, '' Rose laughed, `` You 'd feature to be in two topographic point at once. ``

`` Oh, well I 'm pretty sure that 's inconceivable, '' Kaden sighed.

Albus turned and grinned at rosiness, who grinned back. Albus could only imagine Kaden 's reaction to a time-turner.

`` Yeah, the most social class you can contain is three, '' blush wine explained.

`` Then I 'll take three, '' Kaden decided.

`` Are you lot done choosing classes ? '' rose asked as she stood up, `` We 'd meliorate get to Transfiguration Day. ``

Albus spent the entire Transfiguration grade trying to turn his plate into a bowl, and had almost managed to do it by the meter the socio-economic class was over. Rose, of course, did it within ten mo and spent the remainder of the division helping Albus and the residual of their friends.

history of Magic was as drill as ever. matt slept the entire family, and Albus felt himself nod off a few times. matte had seemed very banal in Transfiguration and probably would accept fallen asleep in that class if it were n't for the fact that it was a virtual deterrent example. This was n't surprising considering the fact that the broad moon was the next day. The therapist still had n't found something to counteract the side effect of uttermost fatigue duty of the new wolfsbane that matt was on.

Double Potions was after tiffin, and Albus felt drowsy as soon as he walked into the room. This was odd since he had felt finely a moment before. He did n't seem to be the sole one who felt this either. Both privy and Amanda yawned as soon as they sat down, and even rosiness 's eyes drooped a bit as she pulled out her parchment. Matt laid his principal down on the desk and fell asleep immediately.

`` undecomposed afternoon, everyone ! '' Slughorn said, `` Now, I 'm for certain you 're all feeling a bit commonplace, which is perfectly normal.

`` This, '' Slughorn gestured to a smoking cauldron on his desk, `` Is sleepiness Potion. All it takes is one puff of this potion to put you into a state of tiredness. If you drink it, you 'll fall into an almost sleep-like body politic for about a half hour. Of course, you 'd know this if you did the meter reading that was due today. ``

Albus remembered being assigned the reading, but he had n't done it. He had just been too busy with Quidditch recitation, dueling practice, and all his former prep.

`` You will be trying to brew this today, but you will only do half of it, '' Slughorn announced, `` It needs to simmer for about a calendar week before you can complete it. Instructions are on the dining table. function with your usual spouse. ``

Albus yawned and got up from his board. He joined Limbert at his table and lit the fire under the cauldron while Limbert collected ingredients.

The total class was moving at a slower yard than common, and everyone was yawning every few minutes. It was sort of strange. nobody was arguing with their pardner either. Albus wondered if Slughorn had picked this particular potion for a reason. The past week, a duel had broken out between John and Goyle, resulting in both of them being sent to the hospital backstage for burns and then being assigned a week 's worth of detention.

Limbert returned wit the ingredients and he and Albus started to devise them, without exchanging any conversation. No unlike than usual.

Albus dumped some ingredients into the caldron and began to conjure it. He watched matte and Malfoy as he did so. Malfoy had returned with ingredients and was prodding Matt with his wand to get him to wake up.

`` What are you doing ? '' Albus whispered to Malfoy.

`` Waking him up, '' Malfoy said.

`` Wha-what 's going on ? '' mat lifted up his head.

`` Chop up those ruby-red roots, '' Malfoy instructed. Albus was surprised with how serene Malfoy seemed.

matte nodded and picked up his knife. Albus went back to stirring his potion.

`` Professor ! '' Malfoy said after a few minutes. `` He keeps falling asleep. ``

Albus looked up from the beetle eyes he was mincing. Matt was once again asleep on the table.

`` Ah, '' Slughorn waddled over to Matt and Malfoy 's board, `` The Drowsiness Potion affects everyone differently. '' Slughorn shook Matt 's shoulder. `` Dear boy, you might want to go to the Hospital backstage. I do n't believe the fumes from this potion are agreeing with you. They 're not supposed to put you into a deep quietus. ``

mat nodded and stood up. He stumbled and leaned back onto the desk.

`` Albus, '' Slughorn turned to Albus, `` Perhaps you could escort him. I 'm certain Mr. Limbert can deal your potion. ``

`` All right, '' Albus laid down his knife and went over to where mat was standing.

Albus grabbed his arm and led him out of the room. Albus felt immediately better as soon as they shut the door. The sleepiness went away completely.

`` I 've got to sit down, '' lustrelessness mumbled and sat down on the floor.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked, sitting down next to him.

`` I dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` I 'm guessing that that potion just made me even more fatigue than I already am. ``

`` Do you feel better now ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not really, '' Matt replied.

`` Then you 'd break get to the Hospital Wing. ``

`` Yeah, I suppose. ``

ma'am Pomfrey wanted flatness to stay on for the rest of the good afternoon. Albus was n't even surely if she 'd let him leave at all before the full moon. Knowing the nurse, she probably wouldn't.

Matt never came back from the infirmary annex that Night, so Albus assumed lady Pomfrey was keeping him there until after the full Moon. Albus and the rest of his Quaker decided that as soon as lustrelessness was out of the infirmary Wing, they would originate looking for the Wizard 's digit Print charm. Rose was pretty sure she had seen it in the library somewhere, but she could n't commend where. That meant that they would spend hours scouring the total subroutine library for it. This was in addition to all the extra studying they had to do now that the end of term examination were less than two month away. Albus just hoped they 'd be capable to compute out the map before school was over. It would be senseless to figure it out during the summer, when they would n't even be able to use it.


A/N : I hope everyone has enjoyed Half-Blood Prince or do enjoy it if you have n't seen it yet ! Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, EvilChaos, phoenixy friend, XDNLxtlz99, Tears of a Phoenix, Denas, Miguel, Luke, and tranc3rooney for their reexamination !