A/N : brief generator 's line prior to the chapter. This chapter is from Teddy 's point of thought, as I wanted to indite the specifics of what happened during the mission to capture Greyback. An clause in the prophesier just would n't do it justice. Hope you enjoy !


teddy bear Lupin had been a Junior Auror for nearly eight months. In that time he had n't done much in terms of fighting dark-skinned wizards, and nigh of the missionary station he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his work had consisted of paperwork and the episodic stake-out. Being an Auror, Teddy had discovered, was a lot more than chasing down Dark wizards and saving people 's lives.

It was for this very ground that Teddy had been surprised when his godfather, Harry Potter, had approached him the late day and told him of his newest assignment. He, shift lupine, brand-new junior Auror, had been assigned to the mission of capturing lam werewolf, Fenrir Greyback. grayback, the same loup-garou who had infected his male parent with lycanthropy decades ago. Rebel, one of United Kingdom 's well-nigh wanted fugitives.

The charge, Harry had informed him, was very sensitive in nature and had to be handled with discretion. There was to be no mention of it to anyone outside of the citizenry assigned to it. There were very few multitude assigned to the mission and they included Harry himself, the Head of the rule and Control of Magical Creatures, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to save an eye on the children knot attacked the previous month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Greyback mission itself.

Harry had explained the details of the mission, including the fact that the whole affair had been Albus 's idea, along with one of his supporter, who happened to be the Head of the Regulation and Control of Magical wight 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took Teddy a few minutes to wrap his caput around the entire place. To make things even more mad, Albus 's werewolf friend was the Brother of Teddy 's friend, Amy.

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

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

Disguising himself was Teddy 's chief strength. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his fount so he looked a few years older and his hair so that it was a generic Brown coloration rather than its usual turquoise. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few pounds. After donning a tattered old cloak, shimmy turned on the spot and reappeared in the skittle alley next to Weasleys'wizard Wheezes.

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

The pub was practically vacate. There was an old witch at one of the tabular array, nursing a drink, and a bloke quiescence at the end of the bar. Ron was already there, sitting at a table with a goblet in front of him. He 'd clearly attempted to disguise himself, but there was no mistaking his red haircloth. Harry and Bruno Walter did n't appear to be there yet.

slip ambled up to the bar, deciding at the net min that his simulated persona should take the air with a limp. Aberforth was there and teddy ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the usual drink for the Hog 's head, but he needed to keep his oral sex realize for the mission. He took the drinking and began to sip it slowly, as he had no idea how long he 'd need to pretend he was n't an Auror.

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

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

"Fine,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry business,"Harry said."might be here a few minute. Could be the unanimous night. Do you mind ?"

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

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

Aberforth nodded and set a few more Butterbeers on the counterpunch. Harry picked them up and gestured for Teddy to follow him to the back table, where Ron and Walter were now crouched over a piece of lambskin.

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

"moon just rose,"Walter said quietly."Just a waiting biz now."

No one had told him, but slip knew the real reason why he 'd been assigned to this mission, and it had zip to do with his Auror skills. trusted, that had been a plus, but any of the other next-to-last Aurors were just as qualified. And the full phase of the moon Aurors were even more so. The reason was that he was the only Auror who was related to a loup-garou, and thus would n't give care that a werewolf at Hogwarts was an integral part of this plan. It was also the reason why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror Cardinal Newman had previously been assigned to the Johnny vitrine. Walter Eckerton did n't desire any risk of his son 's condition being leaked to the populace, and putting Harry, Ron, and chemise on the case would secure that it would n't.

"Are you certain Greyback is even going to show up ?"slip asked quietly as he stared at the map.

"Fairly sure,"Walter said."Werewolves are attracted to the call of their own kind and Johnny is set on creating his own camp of young werewolf. He spent the end full moon lurking around the screech Shack, after he attacked those baby. He knows flatness 's there. He 'll come back."

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

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

"I suppose the disguises were a bit pointless,"Ron said as he pointed his wand at his typeface. His nose returned to its rule condition.

"Well, with the Hog 's top dog, you never know,"Harry said.

The group settled into silence again. Outside, there was the audio of faint howling. shift glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every time there was a particularly brassy howl. Harry and Ron sent him good-hearted tone that Teddy tried to mimic. He did n't stimulate any kids so he really had no musical theme what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

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

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

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

"They must be former lycanthrope,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Walter said as he shook his head."Those are the two fry who got bitten last month."

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

"Mine either,"Walter said.

"What about the others ?"Ron asked."Cardinal Newman and the two from the loup-garou ascendance unit ?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Be heedful with them !"Walter shouted back."They 've done cypher wrong !"

"We 're trying !"

The two minuscule werewolves were currently attempting to attack the Werewolf Control Unit employees and John Henry Newman, while Greyback seemed to deal far more about getting into the screeching Shack. He was a much enceinte wolf, grey in colouring, and had bright yellowish centre. He was on the porch, biting at the threshold, and not paying any aid to the superstar around him. It seemed to Teddy that he had far to a greater extent control over himself than a normal werewolf.

Walter and Ron joined the Werewolf Control unit of measurement employees in trying to intimidate Meredith and Maxwell. It was a difficult task because they had to do it without hurting them. Teddy was fairly certain that the law would n't care whether the two minor were hurt in the outgrowth, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to Teddy and they walked slowly up the lawn, their baton out in figurehead of them. If they could just capture Reb by surprise then they 'd be capable to conjure some roach and restrain him before he even knew what was happening.

They were only twenty feet away when it happened. grayback suddenly froze and then turned around. He must 've smelled them. With a loud snarl, he jumped the twenty feet separating them in one leap.

teddy bear and Harry jumped back, sending spells forward as they did so. greyback lunged, the go not seeming to regard him at all, and made a swipe at shift. Teddy jumped to the side and sent another Stunner at Greyback.

Battling a werewolf was very unlike from battling a wizard, Teddy realized. And battling werewolves had not been covered in training. Sure, they 'd learned and practiced the spells used against werewolf, but they 'd never performed them on genuine werewolves. The primary difference was that werewolves did n't hold scepter and thus could not shake off spells. But at the same time, they had dentition, nipper, and were much stronger than the mean homo. Plus there was the fact that one bite would deform you into one forever.

Teddy and Harry took turns sending smasher at greyback and were able-bodied to confuse him enough that he did n't quite know who to round. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the Shrieking Shack.

greyback soon realized that he was being cornered back onto the porch and decided to take another leap forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making contact. teddy jumped forward and sent another Stunner toward Greyback.

Johnny flew backward and slammed into the battlefront doorway, his capitulum making a sickening compaction as it collided with the doorknob. He slid down the door and landed on the floor, not moving.

Teddy looked at greyback and then at Harry, who was getting up from the dry land. Teddy had n't even realized that he 'd fallen over.

"Harry, you okay ?"shift asked.

"amercement,"Harry said."You ?"

shimmy nodded and began to learn a few cautious pace toward Johnny. Harry was soon by his slope.

"Is he ..."Teddy began.

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

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

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

"Done ?"Harry asked.

Ron nodded."They 're tied up and Stunned. I suppose we 'll birth to go on Stunning them until the lunar month sets."

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

"Walter said he 'll personally make a sojourn to their house in a few days to discuss precaution for following month,"Ron said."But still, their parents must be idiots. They could 've been killed."

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

Ron nodded."Newman said they locked the Kyd in the backyard shed but did n't put any ward up. It must 've been well-fixed for Johnny to break in."

"I wonder why they did n't listen to loup-garou Support Services,"Harry mused."I know for a fact they visited."

"well, at least no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the former lycanthrope had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the scream Shack by the Werewolf ascendency Unit employees. Bruno Walter and Newman were following them.

"What is that damn fraudulent scheme ?"Paul Newman exclaimed, nodding his psyche to the Shrieking Shack.

Walter glanced a the hovel and then turned to Newman."Ghosts. I 've heard that blank space has been haunted for years, long before I moved to this country."

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

"Loud ghosts,"Paul Leonard Newman muttered."Has the disembodied spirit partition ever looked into it ?"

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

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

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

Newman and Lee, who was one of the wolfman ascendance unit employees, Disapparated on the slur. Harry grabbed hold of Johnny Reb and instructed Walter and Rosa Parks, the former loup-garou control building block employee, to each take one of the tyke. With an exceptionally loud sally, the entire group Disapparated.
***


Each of the loup-garou were set up in an interrogation room to wait the remaining hours until sunrise. Teddy, along with Walter, had been assigned to keeping watch on Greyback, Stunning him when necessity. Harry, Ron, parking area, and Lee had been assigned to the children. Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a wolfman were to take person there to sandbag them every 60 minutes or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"shimmy asked as Walter Stunned grayback for the fourth metre."Why do n't people do that ?"

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

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

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

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

"Me either,"Walter said.

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

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

"Just a bit."

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

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

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

Teddy and Bruno Walter lapsed back into silence. Teddy could hardly believe that he was sitting in an interrogation elbow room with the werewolf who had turned his Father-God. If only his dad could see him now.

Walter glanced at his watch."Moon should be setting within the one-half hour."

teddy bear gulped and he hoped Walter could n't get word his heart licking. He had n't been nearly as nervous about facing Greyback as a wolf, but the thought of facing him as a homo was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the next half hr to final stage forever, but at the same meter he did n't. It had been a very long day and he wanted to go home and nap, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a stack of paperwork ahead.

Greyback began to shake up, but Bruno Walter did n't Stun him. Instead, he conjured a simple set of robes, set them on the table, stood up, and gestured for shift to stick with him out into the corridor. Teddy did so, but looked at Bruno Walter quizzically.

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

Teddy was impressed. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Bruno Walter had clearly been planning that all along. Teddy supposed it came from having a son who was a werewolf. If teddy 's own father had lived, would he make similar thoughts ?

There were no silencing charms on the interrogation suite. Soon the corridor was filled with ululation and was then replaced by abominable shriek. The shrieks soon gave way to a prospicient stream of profanity.

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

teddy bear had no idea what to expect when he entered the room. He 'd only seen pictures of Greyback from the prophet and black and white photo never did a individual justice.

Fenrir knot was crouched on top of the table, dressed in the clothing that Walter had provided. His grayish whisker was stringy and matted with dirt and blood, and his fount bore several week 's Charles Frederick Worth of grey-headed byssus. His grimace was lined with oceanic abyss seam and teddy bear realized that he had absolutely no musical theme how old the man was.

Limnodromus griseus took a deep sniff as Walter and Teddy entered. He grinned and let out a maniacal laugh."Head of the department,"he muttered."guess I 'm popular."

Teddy froze, all his education suddenly out the windowpane. He could hardly believe that this man had attacked his Father of the Church when he was only a tiddler. Fenrir greyback was far more sinister in person and shift felt a twinge of sympathy for his father as a five-year-old.

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

"We were waiting for you, Limnodromus griseus,"Walter said."We knew you 'd revert to Hogsmeade."

Greyback sneered."Yeah, wanted to go back for that werewolf in the Shrieking Shack. He smelled young, impressionable."

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

"We 'll see,"Greyback replied.

"enough chat,"Walter said, turning to shimmy."Arrest him."

Teddy snapped out of his opinion and immediately went back into Auror-mode. He set himself apart from the situation and ran on autopilot.

"Fenrir Greyback, I am Auror Ted lupin and you 're under arrest,"Teddy began.

Greyback 's eyes grew wide-eyed."Lupin. Any relation to Remus lupine ?"

"He was my Padre,"teddy said proudly.

"I made him who he was,"Greyback said as he stared directly into Teddy 's eyes."I changed his life."

"Fenrir Greyback, you are under arrest,"shimmy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a pair of manacle and walked over to Greyback."You have the right field to rest mute. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the werewolf."If you choose not to be silent, anything you say can be used in your test. You will consume a test. If you can not find representation, we will find it for you."

Teddy grabbed Johnny 's arm and pulled him off the table and into a resist military position. As he did so, he met the older man 's oculus. They were chickenhearted, pure yellow, and completely stern. He looked like the face of malevolent, as if Greyback had no human soul left. It was in that instant that chemise knew for sure as shooting that this werewolf held no similarity to his Fatherhood. Greyback lived to disseminate evil, while Remus lupin had lived to stop it.

Teddy slapped a set of cuff on Greyback. He opened the threshold and pushed Rebel out into the corridor, still holding onto his arm. Walter followed and the two walked alongside each former as they led Greyback to the holding cells.

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved Greyback into a cell and locked the threshold behind him.

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

Teddy nodded and gave Harry a half-smile.


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

The right teddy read to Greyback are adapted from the Miranda right hand, created by the United States Supreme lawcourt in 1966.


Albus awoke the next morning to the sound of an owl pecking at the windowpane. He rose from his bed and went to let it in. The owl was unfamiliar, but he vaguely recognized it as the breed of owl the Ministry of Magic used. The letter was addressed to him, so Albus took it, let the owl back out into the cold, and set down on his bed to open it.

Albus-

We got him.

-Dad

That was all it said, but it did n't postulate to say anything else. His dad probably could n't say anything else in a varsity letter, anyway. Albus folded up the lambskin and shoved it into his bedside table. He glanced at the clock and realized there was no item in going back to bed since course would start in two time of day.

Instead, he got started on that workweek 's good luck charm reading while he waited for John to wake up up. This took a respectable 60 minutes and when he finally did stir up up, it took him fifteen hour to fully inflame up and get dressed. John was not one for mornings.

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

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

"Oh thank God !"rosiness exclaimed.

"Did he distinguish you about it ?"can asked.

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

The group decided to eat a very quick lunch later in Holy Order to visit Matt before their good afternoon classes. Albus wanted to tell him about Greyback as soon as potential.

Albus found it incredibly difficult to keep his backtalk shut during potions because the rest of his schoolfellow were discussing Greyback and whether he had attacked anyone the previous night. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the grounds from her dorm window last night, but Karina and Marina said it was only a dog. Two of the Slytherins said they heard howling all night, and Scorpius said one of the honest-to-god students had received a letter of the alphabet from his chum claiming to have seen Greyback in Diagon Alley. It seemed that Albus and his friends were the only 1 in the entire rook who knew Greyback had been captured.

Scorpius Malfoy left potions early after speaking in whispers with Slughorn. Whatever it was it was a good self-justification since Slughorn actually let him go. Albus thought this was very funny, but did n't dwell on it since his mind was still racing about Greyback. He wanted details about the seizure, but probably would n't get any until he read the article in the Prophet.

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

"No musical theme,"Albus said."Maybe he was ill ?"

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

Albus and his champion ate the fastest tiffin they 'd ever use up and stimulate up to the hospital wing. Kaden had Herbology after lunch and would need a good bit of metre to get there, so they wanted to spend as much of lunch as possible in the hospital wing.

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

"Guess Malfoy 's not here,"John said as he led the radical over to Matt 's bed.

John pulled the curtains back and Albus saw that Matt was sitting up in bed, eating tiffin. This month he was sporting a bandage wrapped around his stallion fountainhead and unity on his custody as well. He seemed to be having a bit of difficulty holding his sandwich.

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

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

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

"I do n't think you 'll have to care about that again,"St. John said."They 'll probably put twice as many guards on Rebel 's cell."

"I think this is the worst headache I 've ever had in my life,"Matt muttered.

John grinned mischievously."Shall Kaden and I do a repetition of in conclusion week 's prank ?"

flatness gave him a face of slaying."If you do, I 'll obliterate you and I wo n't be responsible for my actions."

"Just kidding,"John said.

"dame Pomfrey wants me to eat lunch and then she 's going to make me sufficiency sleeping tipple to slumber until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"Well, I 'm going to take a lovely afternoon of fertilizing witching plants with Dragon droppings,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a savage matter and the raging headache, I 'm kind of jealous."

"I 'd contract the tartar dung,"Matt said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to follow the last debate today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his mind."They 've actually put it off two More workweek. It was in the newspaper publisher this morning. I guess they want it fresh in people 's minds or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Saturday and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"matte asked.

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

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

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

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

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

"I 'll connect you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The little girl decided that a second sweet was in order as well, so the entirely group hurried back to the Great Hall before their next social class. On the way there Albus realized just how much better he felt now that Greyback was once again behind bars.
***


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

"Seriously ?"rosiness exclaimed, grabbing the prophesier."I did n't even have intercourse he went on that mission."

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and matt 's dad. Plus Newman and a few werewolf Control Unit employees. And those minor who got attacked cobbler's last week were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any wards up on the shed they were in."

"That 's pillock,"rosiness said.

"Was anyone damage ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, look, they 've quoted Laurentis,"Rose said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's recapture is marvellous word for wizarding Britain. I applaud both the Auror Department and the department for the regulation and command of Magical animate being for their collaboration in this gaining control, especially Harry thrower and Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four captive at turgid. The work is not done and we must commend this before celebrating .'”

"Did they quote your uncle ?"John asked.

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

"I honestly think that this is only going to make his musical accompaniment of your dad feel better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a winner. I mean, just smell at the clause. Absolutely nothing went wrong with that capture. There were three werewolves on the loose in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was dead on target. Three light loup-garou would normally be a nightmare for a quiet village like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the loup-garou ascendancy unit of measurement employees, nobody got hurt.

"I 'll just be happy when this election is over,"Albus said.

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


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

Albus awoke early on Sun, suddenly riddled with nerves about the dueling tournament. This month 's tourney was the bit to net of the year since all the prof had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the seventh yr had expressed that they could n't supervise practices while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two more than luck to batten down a win for his team, something that had n't happened yet this year.

Albus and Amanda were the first of their team to get in the Great Hall before the tourney. The rest of the team trickled in slowly as they waited. Five minutes before the tournament was scheduled to start out, the only soul missing was Malfoy.

"It 's not like him to be late,"Amanda commented."Usually he 's here early tattle you what an amazing job as captain you do."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus had to admit that this news gave him as often disappointment as mental confusion. Scorpius Malfoy was one of the squad 's best duellist, no matter how annoying he was.

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

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

"tending students !"Neville called out."The tournament is about to start !"

Albus managed to push all cerebration of Malfoy out of his mind for the length of the tournament. Most of his teammates dueled well, although only Albus and a few other fourth years won both their duels. In the end they secured third base place, which was certainly substantially than a estimable portion of the rest of the team, but still was n't first. They were still in the running for winning boilers suit at the end of the season, but they 'd need to do really well in the net tournament.

Albus and Amanda met the rest of their friends in the Marauder 's Den after the tournament was over.

"Did Malfoy cut the tournament ?"can asked as soon as they entered."Not that I 'm complaining since your squad probably would 've beat mine if he had showed."

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

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

"You 're not allowed to omit classes unless it 's a good excuse,"rosiness pointed out."I do n't think going on holiday is a good excuse."

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

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

But whatever was going on with Scorpius Malofy, Elsie Willinson was just as clueless as Albus and his ally. She either had no estimation or refused to severalize Rose, despite the fact that Rose prodded her about it ever ten minutes during their tutoring academic term on Monday.

Malfoy returned to category on Tuesday, walking into potions fifteen minutes late, and Slughorn made no mention of his tardiness or the classes he missed the old week. Albus attempted to watch his font during class but he gave no hint about his emotions.

"Hey, Malfoy !"Albus shouted as they left the schoolroom a light while later.

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

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

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

"third gear station,"Albus answered."Where were you ?"

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


The following workweek passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his cryptic disappearing. The election was now only a calendar week away and everyone in the castle, scholarly person, professors, and ghosts alike were talking about it. With only one disputation remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The Prophet published a public opinion poll they 'd taken and neither candidate had a significant lead on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, former Head of the Auror Department, was the last diplomatic minister of conjuring trick selected by the Wizengamot,"prof Banks said in form two days before the final debate."His selection was very quick and he stepped into role the day after Voldemort 's death. While most of the wizarding worldly concern knew that the Ministry needed an overhaul, they also needed someone to take kick and superintend the overhaul.

"Shacklebolt held government agency for three class while supervising the drastic changes that made the Ministry of Magic the governing entity we see today."

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

"The three years Shacklebolt held office were very tumultuous. conclusion had to be made, drastic ones, and they were not easy. The first and near obvious decision was the decision to switch the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly taint. commemorate that prior to this redesign every pureblooded family held a seat on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born witches and whizz without histrionics.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry official working to reorganize the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle world for stirring. The former Wizengamot bore more resemblance to the Muggle menage of Lords, the Upper House of Parliament. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the business firm of Commons, the Lower family of sevens. In the Muggle world, these representatives are called member of Parliament, MPs for short, and are elected. In the wizarding man, they are simply visit members of the Wizengamot.

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

Amanda raised her hand."Yes, Miss tagging program ?"bank building said.

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

"Correct,"Banks said."Because of this the districts, if shown on a map, would look vastly unlike in terms of size. For representative, London has three sort district because there is a very large wizarding universe in Jack London. It 's far easy for genius to commingle in in a prominent city than a small town since things generally go unnoticed in big cities. On the other hand, wale only has two districts, and therefore two example, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

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

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

Albus looked at the sheet after he received it. London seemed to be divided into due west London, North capital of the United Kingdom, and East/South London. North Greater London, where Albus lived, was District Two, currently represented by a chap named Joseph Oliver Prang.

"Elections are held every five years,"Banks said."None of the representative are up for election this year, but most are up for election next yr. None of you will be of age to vote in side by side year 's election, but I suggest you read up on your interpreter views and beliefs anyway.

"To entice you to ascertain,"banking company continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two weeks. Figure out who your interpreter is and write me a foot-long essay detailing your representative 's beliefs and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old copies of the oracle as well as archived transcriptions of Wizengamot merging, both available in the depository library. You are welcome to use any other rootage as you see fit."

There was a general moan from the class, which made Banks grin. He always seemed to love assigning preparation.

"Now onto the more exciting news,"depository financial institution said."This Saturday is the final debate and four of you will be able to attend. I apologize in advance for those whose figure have not been chosen, but there simply were not decent debates. As usual, the rest of you will listen to the debate in the Transfiguration classroom.

"The two from Hufflepuff are Sam Bordeaux and sweet acacia Hornell. The Gryffindors are John Brickston and Janie Creevey. Your essay on this debate, to be formatted like the previous two, will be due in a calendar week. Class dismissed."

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

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

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

"That essay, though ..."St. John the Apostle said."The one on our congresswoman. That 's going to rent forever."

"Not if you do your research right,"blush wine said as they left the way.

"Any of you in District seven ?"john asked.

The sleep of the group shook their headspring. They compared dominion numbers, but none of them were in the same. rose and mat were the closest, with their territory bordering on each early.

"I guess we 're all doing our own research then,"Gospel According to John said with a sigh.

Rose gave him a live up to smirk, clearly happy that she would n't have to cope with Gospel According to John attempting to bum off her enquiry. Albus wished that he and blush wine were in the same district because he, like John, did not bask doing this research. Usually they only had to use their text edition for research, but not this time. This time, their text would n't facilitate at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! It 's prison term for the annual Dobby awards at HPFF and nominating speech are now open ! top dog to the assembly to nominate your front-runner tarradiddle ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a radio link to the forums on the right side of the page. Be indisputable to record the rules before you nominate ! We hate having to disqualify stories for go against rules.

The information about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the home of the Lords and the parliament Wikipedia varlet. I hope I got everything right, but I 'm not British, so feel free to point out any errors.


As the week progressed more than and more of the Prophet was dedicated to election reporting. By the time Saturday arrived it became nearly impossible to find a single clause that was n't about the election. There were editorials, consultation, argument from the nominee, opinion poll parrot, and more. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glance at Saturday 's version.

"Place your bets here !"

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

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

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

"No, that 's boring,"St. James said."We 're taking bets on how long it 'll take the public debate moderator to bring up that weirdo Australian bloke who kidnapped you utmost year. This public debate is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

It had n't even crossed Albus 's mind that last year 's incident would be brought up in this debate, but James River was probably right. It was the biggest international scandal wizarding Britain had seen in years.

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

"Ten proceedings,"Jesse James said."We 've had a few mass say it 'll chance right away and others who are giving it as long as a half hour."

"You do realize that your dad 's the one moderating this debate, do n't you ?"Rose asked, setting down her copy of the Prophet.

James, Cedric, and Ben exchanged a glance."Er, no, we did n't bonk that,"James said."How do you do it ?"

"Says right here in the paper,"rosiness said, pointing to it."He might not institute it up."

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

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

rosebush shrugged."It 's possible."

"So what would Uncle Sir Henry Percy say if he knew you three were taking bet on the debate ?"Albus asked with a grin.

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

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

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

"Any stake, then ?"James asked.

Albus and his friends all shook their heads no. end year 's incident was far too personal for them to post wager on whether it would be a debate theme.

"We 're wasting time, then,"Henry James said as he led Cedric and Ben further down the aisle."Place your stakes here !"

"They 're idiots,"rosebush muttered.

Albus agreed.

An hour later Albus, Rose, Matt, and trick were back in the Great Hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this debate would be watched by even more citizenry than the by one, with many people standing in the dorsum due to lack of seating. Personally, Albus thought most the great unwashed would 've already made up their minds since the election was only four days away, but clearly it was still a democratic upshot.

John had to sit with the other student who 'd been picked while Albus, rosebush, and Matt sat up front, like usual. All of Albus 's cousins were there, including Peach State, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Georgia,"Albus said.

"Hi, Al,"Georgia replied."I 'm so glad this is nearly over."

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

Georgia 's faker grin grew unfeigned."Oh, they 're tremendous ! Connor Blythe, the Keeper, he put in his notice that he 's only going to do one Sir Thomas More time of year after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to take his berth. Me ! And I 've only been on the team for a year !"

"That 's tremendous !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll have to get me slate to your first match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the family to be there at my number 1 match as permanent keeper,"GA said."And I want Dad right hand there in the front row, cheering me on."

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

"Yes, well, I want it to be veridical,"GA said."We 'll see."

"Could everyone please take their hind end ?"Kendrick announced in a magically amplified voice.

Georgia left and went to her own tush, as did everyone else who was still standing. The room grew tranquillity and Kendrick took a few step forward.

"Thank you. I 'd like to receive you all to Hogwarts. This is the last debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to take such a big role in it. It has been a grand learning opportunity for faculty and students alike. Remember, Wed is election day, so please cast your votes. Now, I would like to bring out today 's moderator, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Harry Potter, forefront of the Auror section !"

The room erupted in thunderous applause. It seemed that no matter how Laurentis tried to discredit Albus 's dad, no one could conduct away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

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

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

"I am trusted both our candidates know the linguistic rule by now. Five minute solution and five minute rebutter,"Harry began."Mr. Weasley, you will begin."

Albus had to stifle his laughter at the fact that this dad called Uncle Percy 'Mr. Weasley .'

"The foremost query is very superior general,"Harry said."In your opinion, how is Britain 's kinship with its foreign neighbour ? Should the Ministry be making More of an crusade to work with its neighbor or are things OK as they are ?"

"I think overall our ministry has a good relationship with foreign ministries and politics,"Percy began."We have no current feuds with any foreign countries and all foreign talks have gone well in the retiring few days. However, I believe there is always room for improvement when speech production of kinship with other land. There are always chances to reach out to our neighbor, and you never know when such relationships will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My opposition makes clean points,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our relationship with foreign ministries is an excellent idea, I wonder if that is really where our energies should be focused right now. There are many issues we need to call here at habitation, and as Mr. Weasley said, our stream family relationship with foreign body politic are good."

"The department of International Magical Cooperation passel solely with International magical cooperation,"Percy pointed out."Working to fix outcome at home is obviously a good idea, but what do you suppose this section does while we do that ?"

"fountainhead, yes, of track, that section is always working on international issues,"Laurentis said."I was merely speaking of the Minister and his immediate officials."

"Thank you,"Harry said."future question. The topic of changing the classification of wolfman from Beasts to Beings was brought up at the last debate. Both of you expressed no desire to bring this up with the international community. Have either of you changed your position on this in light of the recent capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you explicate in more detail why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at matte. Maybe now they 'd figure out exactly why Uncle Walker Percy did n't want to vary the loup-garou classification, more than just it was n't worth the effort.

"The capture of Fenrir Greyback was undoubtedly a succeeder. I hope nobody has misconstrued my words on that. The fact that it was done without any trauma, let alone human death, was nothing short of amazing. The Aurors and wolfman Control Unit employees who executed the plan of capture are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the seizure of one wolfman should impact our decisions on the mathematical group as a whole. If anything, if loup-garou had been classified as Beings during that capture the Aurors and lycanthrope dominance whole employees would not have been able-bodied to use the method of gaining control they used. To be honest, I fail to see any benefits of reclassification."

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

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my antagonist about the capture of Fenrir Rebel. However, I disagree with her about the potential benefit of reclassification. First, the Aurors and lycanthrope ascendency Unit employees could sustain used the same method acting they used last night, as foreland of Department Bruno Walter Eckerton does not allow any method of capture that would not be allowed if lycanthrope were classified as Beings. In terms of Department for the Regulation and dominance of Magical tool rules and regulation, werewolf are to be treated as Beings. This has been the case since Eckerton took over as fountainhead over a year ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is incognizant of this fact.

"As for benefits, those with lycanthropy would be able to secure chore far more easily and would birth the same rights given to goblins, house-elves, centaurs, lamia, and homo alike."

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

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

"Then perhaps Walter Eckerton ought to take up another facial expression at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly legal of him to use more harsh methods to bestow werewolves into seizure. But since this seizure was a roaring succeeder, I will not fault him for that. As for werewolf right, I have yet to hear of any complaints by werewolf about their rights."

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

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not have time to fully answer the question, I will continue,"Percy said."While it would be beneficial for werewolves if they were reclassified as being, I do not think it 's viable. It would require agreement from all nations, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Commonwealth of Australia would never be on plank, and considering our bouldery relationship with that particular state, I do not feel it is in our scoop interests to begin talks of the reclassification of werewolves. In conclusion, I feel it would be a worthwhile endeavor, but given the unlikelihood of it amounting to anything, it would be a waste of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."next head. In regards to our rough relationship with Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you feel it would be beneficial to extend trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United Kingdom ? Mr. Weasley."

Albus glanced at his watch. Whoever betted on forty min would be very happy, he thought. Albus had been hoping this topic would n't be brought up, but he supposed it was too big of an issuance not to be.

"If elected I would submit this conclusion to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the essential expertise on the subject. However, it is my personal belief that it would be Charles Frederick Worth pursuing. I believe it is authoritative to transport a substance that Ministry employees, even high-ranking officials such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was horrendous and in no world should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

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

"If we give up, it will be telling the public that anyone can go dedicate a crime in another body politic and not be punished,"Percy said."more than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Aboriginal Australian government and having our citizens believe their government to be corrupt will not help International charming cooperation."

"The potential rottenness of the Australian government is not any of our concern at the current time. We can not hale them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal opinion that they will never do so. I daresay that the department of International Magical Cooperation has to a greater extent pressing matters to deal with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have time for one more motion, but in brightness of the fact that the election is on Wed, I am going to chip in each of the campaigner a opportunity to pee a universal language instead. Mr. Weasley, you may speak first."

"Thank you, Harry."

Sir Henry Percy seemed ineffectual to call Harry 'Mr. potter .'Albus giggled at this.

"I would care to give thanks professor Kendrick and the residual of the Hogwarts staff for being so accommodating, as well as the students. None of the students sitting in this way right now were animated before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the students in this room were alive during Voldemort 's sovereignty of terror. They read about both of these in history volume, because to them, it is simply chronicle. To me, and the quietus of the adults in this room, the old Ministry and Voldemort are our past, our memories. We remember the brat, the unknown, the fear.

"I was a share of the reorganisation of the Ministry. We all know the age that have followed- the years where we have lived without reverence, without panic, without the obscure. I have been with the Ministry every footstep of the way since Voldemort 's licking and I will work it my responsibility to remain the public security that we 've had for over twenty old age. I will celebrate this unretentive because I, like to the highest degree of you surely do, believe that the best speech is a curt talking to. If you want a minister of religion who will continue the success of Minister Hartwell 's clock time in bureau, vote for me, Sir Henry Percy Weasley, on Wednesday. Thank you."

There was a handful of applause, but it did n't go prospicient. Albus had a feeling that most of the remainder of the students wanted the election to be over.

"My antagonist routinely brings up the past tense. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the future, except in vague instruction about keeping matter the same. It 's true that I was not involved with the reorganization of the Ministry over twenty years ago. I got into politics later in life. But I do not finger that this will relieve oneself me an deficient minister, nor do I guess it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"chronicle is just that. chronicle. We certainly need to see from our history to ensure that we do not nominate the same mistakes we did before, but it is not necessary to sustain lived through account to be a successful leader. There are muckle of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking officials, who were not here during Voldemort 's reign. Walter Eckerton, for example, did not hold out in Britain during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the Department for the regularisation and Control of Magical Creatures.

"In scant, I believe we need to focus on our hereafter rather than our past. If elected minister I will build progressive changes in not only our ministry and law of nature, but our educational organisation as well. Things have been ran the like for over twenty long time, and while I am not denying the success, I think we have needed modification for a patch. Escaped prisoners are running free. Hogwarts lessons are being taught the Saami way they were when these tyke 's grandparents were in schooling. The ministry, along with its legal philosophy and policies, needs to adapt as the class go by. If you feel change is needed, if you are at all upset about the way things are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

There was another smattering off applause. Albus did n't clap at all and neither did any of his first cousin. If the election was based upon transmissible reenforcement, Hotspur would have it in the bag.

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

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

"Nope,"flatness said."But she does n't look to have an issue with my dad, which is honorable if she gets elected."

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

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

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

"Why ?"King John asked incredulously."He kidnapped us and tried to bring Voldemort back !"

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

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

"Because if he gets extradited he 's going to be wild,"matte explained."He 's got quite a temper. And when he does n't get his way he attempts to break the life story of those who stand in his way. Just think about it. If he were brought back here, what 's stopping him from making my ... precondition ... world ?"

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

"You think Lubar would care ? He did it in Australia !"lusterlessness snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in bother for it nil could take what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be expert if the world just forgot about the whole thing."

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

"Plus, there 's no way Australia will extradite him,"matte said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both aright about one affair. The Australian government is very corrupt, and I do n't call back anything will materialise until that rottenness ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and werewolves wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

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

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


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! Once again, I 'd care to shamelessly plug my stories for Dobby nominations ! Head over to the assembly to nominate my ( or any early ) stories for a Dobby award ! Be trusted to read the convention before nominating.


Albus had been hoping category would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such luck. Kendrick organized it so that the Great Hall would be the polling place and that voting would not affect the general educatee body. Hogwarts was the denominate polling plaza for the district it was in, so there would be other people coming to the school to vote. Albus 's cousins who were of age ( Bradley, Fred, and broom ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling station had been set up.

Albus and his friends spent nearly of Herbology watching the great unwashed walking from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in purchase order to vote. It was very disorder and Neville did n't bother telling hoi polloi to get back on chore.

"When are we going to know who won ?"John asked as they walked back to the rook for Defense.

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

John laughed."You do n't birth to go to the company ?"

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

"What about you two ?"John asked blush wine and Matt.

"No,"blush wine said. Matt shook his head.

"goodness,"John said."We should have our own party here. A political party to lionize the end of this election. Maybe it 'll signify Embry will let up on the essays. Anyone else writing their debate essay during refutation today ?"

For the by few months most people had used Defense as a study mansion house. The worksheets Pres Young assigned never took longer than XV transactions and he did n't seem to wish what his students did with the balance of the class. Just as long as they were n't being loud. Albus did n't retrieve anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox afters in defensive measure this class, since there was n't lots point.

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

"I can always cease it in story of magic, too,"Saint John said as they entered the castle.

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

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four lowly cubicles curtained off where the staff tabular array should 've been. A short-change queue of people were off to one English and seemed to be waiting their number for the cubicles. It did n't seem very exciting.

"Any input on the election ?"

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

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

"I do n't cogitate they 're allowed inside,"rose wine mentioned."So they ca n't discommode people who are voting."

"That makes sense,"Amanda said."fountainhead, let 's go get those essays done with. Then we 'll never ingest to write essays on argumentation again."

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

The remainder of the day passed quickly. Albus, lustrelessness, and Amanda managed to finish their essays during Defense, but toilet only got halfway done. balloting was suspended during dejeuner and then again at dinner. Albus overheard a few of the sixth and seventh years talking about balloting and the election during dinner. A couple of Ravenclaws even got into an argument about it.

"Let 's stool a pact now not to get in any fights over the next election when we can all vote,"Rose said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws storm out of the Great entrance hall.

The rest of the group heartily agreed. Albus could n't think ruining a friendship over something as silly as an election.

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

"Yeah,"Albus said.

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

"It 's supposed to promote good sportsmanship and that variety of affair,"Rose explained.

"Still ... I ca n't think Laurentis being a full sportswoman,"trick said.

After dinner party Albus and his friends returned to the uncouth elbow room, deciding that it might be interesting to spend the evening there rather than the Marauder 's Den. They also wanted to hear firsthand from Tom Bradley and Cedric who won.

The commons room had the distinct tone that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch catch. Jesse James, Fred, Heather, Mark, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to have a party to celebrate the end of the election and thus the end of disputation and essays on debates. There were event of Butterbeer and trays of cookie and nobody was working on any prep.

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

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

Albus shrugged."I do n't recognise. Amanda seems fairly pattern and her uncle 's the Prime Minister."

"That 's because nobody here cares about the Prime government minister,"Amanda said."At home everyone knows I 'm the niece of the Prime Minister. My babe and brother certainly are n't anonymous at their school. My sister 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in secondary winding school."

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

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

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

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just curious,"lustrelessness said.

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

"There 's still a bunch of people voting,"Albus said, gesturing to the Great foyer. About a half dozen or so dose were milling about.

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

"No idea,"Albus said. He glanced at his watch."half minute until the poll close."

"How long do you think Tom Bradley and Cedric will stay ?"Kaden asked.

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

"Albus,"whoremaster said, pointing to the map."Is it just me or is Malfoy going into Moaning Myrtle 's gutter ?"

Albus peered down at the map. surely enough, a dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'had just entered the 2nd floor daughter 's washbasin. That did n't make any sense.

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

"myrtle 's there,"John commented."expression, she 's floating over toward him."

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

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

"Dad says the map never lies,"Albus explained."Well, there 's only one way to regain out. Let 's come after him."

"Sounds good to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This political party is getting boring anyway."

John and Kaden nodded their heads in agreement. rosebush raised her eyebrows.

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

"Oh, come on, it 's just a miss 's loo,"Amanda said."spirit, there are n't even any girls in there too Vinca minor. And she 's a ghost !"

John laughed."Myrtle 's got a bit of a crush."

"Gospel According to John, shut up !"matt said, his cheeks turn red.

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

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

"I said, shut it !"mat shouted.

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

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"mulct,"John said."case yourself. resurrect ?"

"I 'll outride here, thanks,"Rose said."You 're wasting your prison term anyway. It 's not like he 'll differentiate you anything."

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

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

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the basin as they walked quickly down flights of steps. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the second floor corridor, after the stairs decided to result them directly to the number 1 floor rather than the second.

"He 's leaving !"Albus exclaimed as they got back on the step after their slim detour.

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

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

Their current localisation gave them an excellent view of the Great Charles Francis Hall. A few Ministry officials were currently carrying pieces of the balloting cubicles out of the room, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half hour until they had a new parson of Magic.

Saint John the Apostle nudged Albus."There he is."

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

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Potter,"Malfoy replied.

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

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

So much for being careful, Albus thought.

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

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

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

"Next time check a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the last stall and when I heard you come in I had to stay there because you 're a bloke and it would just be weird to come in out of a bathroom stall and fall face to expression with a bloke. I heard you talking to Myrtle, though."

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

"Then do n't conduct your business in a daughter 's loo,"Amanda said with a laughter."Let 's go. We do n't desire to neglect the newsworthiness about the new curate. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the stairs. Albus, whoremonger, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their aftermath. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as pale as lusterlessness is right before a good moon.

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

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

"That 's brilliant,"John said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

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

"Seriously,"John the Evangelist said."The only way you 'd entrance me in a missy 's loo is if you paid me a lode of Galleons."

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

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

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

When Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the common room they were greeted by loud moan and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his brother, who was nearest the portraiture hole.

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

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

"Oh, right."

rose and Matt were in the middle of a game of chess. lustrelessness was losing spectacularly.

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

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

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

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

"Wish I could 've seen that. I 've always wanted to say off Malfoy."

"You should 've get along,"Saint John the Apostle said."We did n't even see Myrtle."

"Still ... not taking any chances,"lusterlessness said."King to D6."

Rose instructed her horse to travel nigh to Matt 's king."checkmate.

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

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

Albus, John, lusterlessness, and Amanda settled down to watch as Rose clobbered Kaden. Albus could 've sworn he saw Kaden 's chessmen quiver as they were set up on the circuit board. pink wine 's queen was most definitely grinning maliciously. Over the next half hour Kaden 's spell were viciously slaughtered by Rose 's, but not without putting up a scrap. Kaden was in fact getting better.

"Exploding ginger nut ?"Matt asked after Rose and Kaden repaired their chessmen.

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

Albus ran up to his dormitory to call back his Exploding snap bill of fare. As he returned, the portrayal hole opened.

The full common room froze and was silent. Not a single person moved. Not a single somebody said a Book. Even the inaugural years, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the penetrate gradation to the dorm and waited.

Bradley walked inside, followed by Cedric. Neither seemed overly excited, but that did n't mean that Sir Henry Percy had n't won. After all, they, like Albus, did n't really desire Percy to be minister of religion, but they did n't want Laurentis as minister either.

"wellspring ?"Epistle of James asked.

"Dad lost,"Omar Nelson Bradley said quietly. He whispered something to Epistle of James and then he turned and left the common room, followed by Cedric.

Albus could n't believe it. He had n't realized it until now, but he truly had believed that Uncle Percy would win. He had the accompaniment of Harry Potter. Did n't that mean anything anymore ?

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

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

"That and probably high-risk, too,"Albus said.

James walked up to the table."Al, pink wine, we 're all going to the room of necessary. Omar Bradley and Cedric want to break us more details."He glanced the balance of the grouping."Sorry, family only."

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

Albus, James, and rosiness walked to the elbow room of Requirement in muteness. When they arrived they saw that the door was already there. They walked inside.

The eternal sleep of their full cousin had already arrived. Albus took a seat on the last remaining couch and James II and pink wine sat on either side of him. cypher was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Bradley, Cedric, ling, Mark, Ben, Fred, Hugo, Lily, James, Rose, and Angie. And himself. They were the middle grouping of cousin-german. Not the oldest, not the youngest, but the ones in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything finish. They were n't the inaugural to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the stopping point to graduate. They stood by each other, through the good and through the bad.

Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the front of the way, near its room access. The entire elbow room was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with mismatched article of furniture and organized topsy-turvydom everywhere. Albus liked it.

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

"How did he take it ?"ling asked.

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

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

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

"Just a bit,"Calluna vulgaris said."What is Uncle Harry Hotspur going to do now ? I doubt Laurentis will keep him on."

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

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

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

The room descended into secrecy. Nobody seemed to know what to say, Albus included. His intuitive feeling on his uncle becoming minister had been all over the place for the past seven months, but now that Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was disappointment. It was unusual. Just last calendar week he had been kind of hoping Percy would miss, and now that he had, Albus felt the thoroughgoing opposite.

It was already past curfew for Lily, Victor Hugo, and Angie, but nobody was telling them to go back to the green room. Albus was vaguely curious about what was going on in the common elbow room, but not curious enough to actually go back. matte, John, Kaden, and Amanda would tell him later.

What Albus was really worried about, Thomas More than anything, was what Laurentis was going to do to both the Ministry and Hogwarts. Laurentis had made it brighten that she was going to commute the school, but Albus liked it the way it was. Then there were the variety to the Ministry, such as the dementors. How long would it take for Laurentis to bring them back ? Surely she had to go through proper channels to do it.

James, Tom Bradley, and Cedric were the firstly to bring back to the common room, claiming they had to stool good on all the stakes they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and rose returned a few minutes later, leaving the sleep of their cousin-german talking quietly in the Room of Requirement.

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

"Who are you writing to ?"rose asked.

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

"Your uncle meets the minister of religion of magic ?"whoremonger asked.

"fountainhead, yes,"Amanda said."The two worlds do get to coexist. Sometimes there are job that affect both. Voldemort, for instance. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the run away Death Eaters."

"That 's so Wyrd,"John said.

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

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

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

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

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


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


The succeeding day 's edition of the seer was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The achiever did not surprise anyone in Hogwarts since Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the full front line Thomas Nelson Page article at breakfast and he was glad he did, because the article still held surprises.

LAURENTIS winnings ; Begin APPOINTING military position

In the closest race for rector of illusion to
appointment, campaigner Patricia Laurentis won the
stead last night. Polls closed at eight,
with the official winner announced at a unopen
company at the Minister 's manse at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a simple 342 suffrage, which is the
closest race we have ever seen.

'I am of course very pleased with this turn of
events ,'Laurentis said at the rector 's
sign after the announcement was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as Minister of
Magic on May first. I feel I will be able to
feed the public what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my duty to give them what
I promised during my cause. I of course
fling my condolences to Percy Weasley. He truly
was a pleasure to run against over the past
seven calendar month .'

'I offer my congratulation to my opponent ,'Percy
Weasley said to Daily oracle reporters at the
Minister 's house. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, fair and straight. I am frustrated,
of course, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the next month Laurentis will make up one's mind who
she wishes to appoint to top Ministry situation,
before she is sworn in as rector of Magic on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
sentence with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this morning .'I already have masses
picked out for virtually view ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
flow officials, but I will be replacing quite
a few in society to skilful unite the Ministry .'

One person has already confirmed his intent
to take Laurentis up on her offer of a position.
Ironically, he is set to take over Percy Weasley 's
electric current position under Minister Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to foretell that Draco Malfoy is
going to submit the situation of Senior
Undersecretary for the mechanical drawing and editing
of Laws. Dragon Malfoy has been a acquaintance of mine
for many eld as we have worked together in the
Azkaban section for nearly a decade. I am very
excited to keep working with him .'

Laurentis plans to annunciate the names of her
officials as they confirm throughout the month.

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

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

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

"Wait, remember in Hogsmeade back in Oct ?"Albus replied."When he talked about how my family wo n't be running the wizarding Earth for long ? Not that my family has ever ran the wizarding mankind ... But he seemed to know something we didn't."

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

"mo highest for drafting law,"Rose said."Given his relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most potential pass."

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

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

Albus had quite a few hours to wait to witness out just what exactly Malfoy would have to say to them. chronicle of trick, his get-go class of the day, was as tire as ever. Professor Binns showed absolutely no credit that the election had taken plaza the previous day. prof Patil was the complete contrary, making no motility to cover up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to blow up the desk she was attempting to transmogrify.

"Do you think Laurentis will actually bear teacher sacked ?"lavatory asked as they walked to the Great Hall for lunch."Because if she does, Patil wo n't stand a chance."

Albus shook his head."Only if they 're really awing instructor. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's twenty percent year and I think the great unwashed will be outraged if Laurentis does the same matter. Honestly, I think Binns and Whitney Moore Young Jr. are the simply single in danger."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I 'll be certain to tell him,"Albus replied."He 'll be thrilled that he made a Malfoy felicitous. must be nice that your dad 's got some literal business leader now."

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

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

Malfoy laughed."I think I might know a bit more than you on that. Laurentis was over at my sign of the zodiac for dinner party concluding week."

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

"It never came up."

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

That wiped the smirk off Malfoy 's face. He turned stony and took a measure closer to Albus."Do n't say a give-and-take about that. It 's none of your business."

"Touchy,"John commented.

"Stuff it, Brickston. This does n't concern you. Your parents will have office in the Ministry the day Hagrid adopts a normal pet."

"We 'll see who 's got the power the here and now one of your kinsfolk winds up at St. Mungo 's,"John Lackland snapped.

Malfoy paled."Just shut up. The point is, my dad 's going to suffer a best position than yours."

"nonentity cares what your dad does for a living,"Matt said.

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

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

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

"verge away, boys."

Albus turned and saw Professor Slughorn standing in the threshold. He breathed a sigh of succour. The utmost thing John needed was another detention.

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

Both whoremaster and Malfoy were lucky they did n't get custody, Albus thought. Neither of them had thrown any hexes, but a stricter teacher would 've handed out detention just for having their wands drawn. Not Slughorn, though. Albus got the sense that Slughorn did n't like handing out detentions, probably because that meant having to supervise them.
***


The comply few twenty-four hours passed without anymore position announcement from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively quiet few days, especially when compared with the past seven month. For the first sentence all class, there was picayune coverage of the election, that is until they had politics on Tuesday. At the end of the lesson, Embry reminded them of their research essays on their instance, an grant that had completely slipped Albus 's mind. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped Saint John and matte 's nous as well. Rose and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to indite their conclusions. Amanda had even asked her uncle for help, devoting contribution of her essay to the law of similarity and differences between the wizarding and Muggle authorities.

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

"Dammit,"matt muttered."I 'm going to possess to drop a line the stallion thing tonight. The full moon 's tomorrow."

"Usually you 're much better about remembering to do assignments before that,"pink wine commented.

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

"But you 'll be missing class on Thursday,"whoremaster pointed out."So you can move around it in Tuesday and get four excess days."

"I 've never done that with long-term assignment,"lusterlessness said."I do n't need to start now. Albus can turn it in, like usual."

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

"Hey, Amanda, want to lease a walk around the lake before we write our decision ?"rose asked."The weather 's so nice tonight we might as well direct advantage."

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

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five hour later Albus, Matt, John, and Kaden had taken over one of the big tables in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a metamorphosis essay due the next day and soothsaying prevision to do. Albus was considering hexing two first yr at the board next to them who kept giggling, if brothel keeper Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his friends lived in his district ; it would make this so much easier.

Albus did have a clear-cut advantage over both lustrelessness and John, in that his representative was far more well-known than theirs. Oliver Prang, who had been serving the Frederick North London dominion, was on his fourth sequentially term, which amounted to over fifteen years. That was More than Albus 's entire life sentence. London in itself was a location that required far more attention than early arena of the country, which resulted in far more than information being available on it. John was able to situate a fair amount of information on his illustration, Nadine Abernathy, but matt, since he lived in one of the most removed areas of England, had difficulty locating information on Marcus Whitby.

"doe this bloke even exist ?"Matt asked as he looked through the very last archived copy of the Prophet that was published during Whitby 's one terminal figure."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a sentence that acknowledgment he won the election. And of course he won. He did n't suffer any opponents."mat groaned and banged his head repeatedly on the table."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the minutes from Wizengamot confluence,"Albus said, pointing to the three large scores of paper in the center of the board. He really did finger bad for Matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a paper like this, but having to do it when the replete moon was only two mean solar day away ?

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

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"John said."There. I 've got my introduction. reckon at it this way. Your chap 's only been in office for a yr. So you 've got far less thrust to look through. It wo n't deal as long."

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

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

"You have a weird way of doing research."

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

Matt tossed the papers he 'd been looking at onto his rejection pile, which was so disorderly that dame Pince would probably induce a heart attack if she saw it. He then let out a loud sigh and put his top dog in his hands.

"Could you please make compassion on him ?"Albus asked rosebush.

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

"His illustration has only been in authority for a twelvemonth,"Albus explained."And the lone thing he 's found is one time in a prophet from a year ago saying he won the election, which was against nonentity. And the full moon moon is tomorrow."

"Please, Rose ?"matte asked, picking his caput up to look at her. His font was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

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

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

blush wine sighed."Fine. But only because you look so pitiful. And mine was pretty heavy, too, because my district is also remote. Just let me finish my conclusion."

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

"Absolutely not, whoremonger Brickston,"rose wine said and lowered her voice."As soon as you turn into a wolf once a month I 'll help oneself you with your procrastination."

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the next four hr managed to get it half done. He did n't suppose it was very safe, but it was forward motion. Gospel According to John was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to call it a night. trick settled in to help oneself Kaden with his fake divination predictions. Matt was still working on his, with practically coaching from rose wine.

"Did you find anything ?"Albus asked.

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

lusterlessness yawned."How foresighted does this have to be again ?"

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

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

The program library was now only filled with fifth part through seventh eld. It was certainly quieter.

"We should probably finish in the uncouth room, then,"Rose said.

"I do n't think I can,"Matt said."Too tired. I 'll end up it tomorrow since I 'll probably hop-skip afternoon classes anyway."

The mathematical group packed up their affair and walked quickly back to the common room. By some shot of chance they managed to avoid the prefects and did n't get any detention from being out after curfew.

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

"With Johnny caught they do n't need to do it anymore,"Albus pointed out.

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

"I just hope your dad was able to avail those parents with the two kids,"blush wine said.

"He 'll probably go do the cellblock himself,"Matt said."At to the lowest degree for this month. And I 'm sure they 've got Wolfsbane this month."

Albus nodded. It was going to be a meliorate total moonshine for everyone involved.
***


Albus, lustrelessness, and St. John the Apostle managed to get their essays done in time and turned in on Th. The full moon was relatively normal, as replete Sun Myung Moon go, without any reports of werewolf attacks. flatness wound up in the hospital wing for two full days, having resorted to chewing on himself since the wolf no longer had the misdirection of Calidris canutus outside. But Albus had a tone Matt preferred it that way. Greyback 's bearing was just too creepy and too unknown region.

A few mean solar day after the full moon moon James II returned to the commons room fuming. Albus raised his eyebrows at his sidekick as he straightened a peck of career tract that had once again appeared on the common room tables.

Saint James the Apostle stomped over to Albus 's mesa, pulled up a chairperson, and squeezed himself between Albus and Matt."career advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just have it ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, with Longbottom,"William James said."Neville always seemed so Nice when we were little and even in course he 's easily the good prof here. But for career advice ? He 's terrible !"

"Well, what did you talk about ?"

"Careers."

pink wine snorted."Obviously."

"He wants me to pick something now. I do n't get it on what I want to do with my life. I 'm only sixteen for God 's sake !"

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

"I know that,"James snapped."But I do n't want to do anything that 's going to expect loads of N.E.W.T.s. I want to fiddle Quidditch."

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

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

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

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

"And of course of study Neville did n't like that,"rosebush said."Honestly, James, just nibble something."

"But I ca n't !"Jesse James said as he picked up a stack of pamphlets."flavor at these. goblin amour, Gringott 's Counterfeit Coin checker, Security Troll trainer. They 're all all in boring."

"There 's loads of line in the Ministry and St. Mungo 's,"rosiness said.

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

Albus had to harmonise with that. James had about the same power to centralize as a troll."Hey, you could direct security department trolls."

"I said that 's boring. And I do n't want to wreak for the Ministry. Not now that Laurentis has won. Just you lot waitress. You 'll have to go through this next year."

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

"Of course you do,"James II muttered.

"If it makes you palpate better, teammate, I 've no idea what I want to do,"St. John the Apostle said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

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

Albus shrugged. He had n't thought much about vocation since the previous yr when Balladanis told him he could be a Presuler. The idea was very tempting, but he did n't require to tell anyone else about it.

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

"If you 'd quit complaining and start studying you 'd overstep to a greater extent of them,"Rose pointed out.

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

"James, wait !"Rose shouted as King James I neared the portrait hole."Forgetting anything ?"

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

James ran up to his dormitory and returned with his bag a minute later. Grinning at Albus and the others, he left the vernacular room.

"I swear, I 'm not certain how we 're related,"Rose muttered.

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

"More than ever,"rosebush said."It is weird, knowing exactly what I want to do this early."

"You 're like my sis,"flatness pointed out."You two really are alike. It 's form of weird."

"I like your sister,"rosiness said."So I 'll take that as a compliment. What about you ? Do you know what you want to do ?"

lustrelessness laughed and picked up the Gringott 's pamphlet."Considering that werewolves are n't going to be changed from fauna to Beings anytime soon, I do n't guess I 'm going to have many choice to pick from."

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

"Still, it 's dubitable,"Matt said, turning to Amanda."Amanda ? You were awfully calm down when James was here."

"It 's heavy not to be. He 's rather gimcrack himself. I 'm not sure. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to make a difference."

"Excellent,"Matt said."You can change everyone 's minds about changing the werewolf classification."

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

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

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

"You can do that,"lusterlessness said."You can become a beer maker. My sis 's doing that along with her Healing degree."

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

matt nodded."Not everyone can brew potions, so they need people to brew them for them. You can do work at St. Mungo 's and brew healing potions or you could work for a ship's company and brew potions to sell."

"Sort of like a chemist, I suppose,"Amanda replied.

"Exactly,"rosebush said.

"Brilliant."Kaden grinned."James will detest me now. thirdly yr and I know what I 'm doing."

Albus laughed."You could change your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

Albus did n't really need to recall about what they would do after Hogwarts. It was three years away. He 'd rather enjoy the exhibit, but Rose had always been the person to look to the hereafter. She fantasized about their Hogwarts twenty-four hours when they were only six and now, she was fantasizing about what they 'd do after. Albus had never been the character to do that. There would be plenty of time for the futurity in the future.


A/N : Thanks for all the critical review ! For those of you who read Beyond the Shadow, it made it through to the voting bout of the Dobbys ! Head over to the meeting place to vote for it. It was nominated in the Best OC category.


Apr went by quickly, as it usually did. The weather turned from chilli and windy to warm and rainy, resulting in more than than one muddy Quidditch praxis. Albus did n't mind the mud as much as he minded the length of the exercise. Both Fred and broom seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their 7th year. They had n't won it yet, in all their eld at Hogwarts. Albus wanted to win, too, but not enough that he enjoyed practicing for five hours straight.

When he was n't on the pitch, virtually of Albus 's time was spent at dueling practice session. The final couple of the class was on the last Saturday in April and Albus 's team was still in the running for a win of the entire tournament. They had n't won a unmarried lucifer, but they were routinely in second place by only a few gunpoint. The teams that had gotten 1st place never did that well in former tournaments, resulting in their boilers suit compass point sum being quite low.

When the lowest Saturday in April arrived, far sooner than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly nervous. He was n't spooky at all about his duels, but he was nervous for the team. This was it. It was his last tournament in the Junior Dueling tourney. His last chance to establish himself as chieftain and realise a spot on Gryffindor 's dueling squad adjacent twelvemonth.

All four captains of the sign of the zodiac dueling squad were submit at this tournament because they would be paw selecting players for their team next year. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tournament.

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

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

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

"Point to Malfoy !"Neville shouted."Albus Potter and matt Eckerton."

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt awful when he had to duel flatness because their acquirement levels were so drastically different. At the same meter he did n't want to go easy on his Friend because the Gryffindor team maitre d'hotel was watching.

Albus and Matt bowed to each early and raised their sceptre. Albus thought a silent excuse as he shot a Stunner at his best friend. flatness dodged it and sent one back. Albus threw up a shield and then sent three consecutive Stunners. The third one made contact and flatness collapsed onto the base, frozen.

"Point to Potter !"Neville declared. He waved his wand at mat and the spell lifted.

"Sorry, Paraguay tea,"Albus said as he helped Matt up.

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

Albus won his moment duel as well. His team continued to win most of their duel, with some of his teammates winning their first duel ever. Amanda had begun a numeration of all the point in time on a spare bit of parchment and their team was winning, with only a few duel left to go.

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

A few moment later Neville stepped into the inwardness of one of the dueling anchor ring."I am pleased to announce that we have a winner of both today 's tournament and the class 's tourney overall. Congratulations to Team Seven for winning both today and the tournament overall ! Captain Albus Potter, please fare forward to accept the trophy."

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

Albus shook Neville 's handwriting while a Hufflepuff took their exposure. The trophy was a bit smaller than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not small by any substance. After a few more characterisation were taken, including one shot of the entire squad, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the plebeian room.

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

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

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

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

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

Albus 's ally were waiting in the unwashed room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulations and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading out-of-door for Quidditch praxis.

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


In April 's last remaining sidereal day the Daily Prophet published at to the lowest degree one article a day on Laurentis and her upcoming swearing-in ceremony, as well as her picks for top functionary. Albus had n't recognized any names of the official, or the name of their line of work. Mostly they were occupation such as the one his Uncle Hotspur held under Minister Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became Minister to give away the big posture, such as Albus 's dad 's spot.

The Gryffindor table was unusually calm down the morning of May first. Albus, along with all his cousins, were n't saying a parole. Albus was thinking of his uncle Sir Henry Percy and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was sure his cousin were thinking the same.

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

"I heard they 're listening to it on the radio set in political science today,"John said."Wish we had it today. That would be much better than having actual class."

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

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

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

"Sami here,"Matt agreed."Amy said that Dad 's really unquiet about it."

"What time is it happening ?"Rose asked.

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

"rightfield after History of illusion,"Rose mused."So you lot will have Care of Magical Creatures and I 'll have Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should break out Uncle George I 's best-selling product this morning ?"

Albus thought he heard her untimely. Was his cousin actually suggesting they skip socio-economic class ?

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

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

"I 'm in,"Albus said immediately. John the Evangelist, mat, Amanda, and Kaden agreed.

"We 've got to be after it carefully, though,"Rose said."We ca n't all get ill at the same prison term or it 'll count suspicious."

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

Rose nodded."That leaves five of us. matt, do you deliver an issue with skipping all of story of Magic ?"

flatness laughed."Of course not."

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

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

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be easier for lusterlessness go just say he felt ill, rather than you. I 'll use a nosebleed nougat in Arithmancy since I 'm the only one of us in that class. Al, lav, Amanda, two of you can use something in History of Magic and then the other one can use something right at the first of charge of Magical creature. We meet in the predator 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the architectural plan decided upon, they set off for their morning classes. St. John the Apostle begged to be the one who used a puking pastille first in history of Magic and Albus and Amanda let him. He seemed strangely excited about it. Albus was just going to use the febricity fudge.

Professor Binns began droning on about the Giant Wars, a topic he seemed to enjoy for some reason. He taught it each and every class without fail. Albus doodled aimlessly on his notes while taking surreptitious glances at John every so often.

"Um, professor ?"whoremonger announced ten minute of arc into the class.

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

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

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

whoremonger hastily shoved the other end of the sweet into his mouthpiece and vanished the vomit before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the elbow room.

Amanda was next. She, like Albus, went the rubber road and had decided upon the fever fudge. Professor Binns hardly seemed to notice that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the class. He just waved her out and continued his lecture. Albus could 've probably used his own fever fudge right then and there, but he did n't cerebrate it was worth the small risk of exposure.

Albus decided to eat the fever fudge on his way to maintenance of Magical Creatures so he could leave immediately after arriving. The marauder 's Den was quite a pass from Hagrid 's hut and he did n't want to omit any of the ceremony.

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

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

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

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

Hagrid 's face fell."Yeh don'smell so well. Better go see dame Pomfrey."

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

By the clip he arrived at the Marauder 's Den it was nearly ten-thirty. The eternal sleep of his friends were already there, huddled around a very old looking wireless.

"Albus !"Rose exclaimed."Nearly thought you would n't make it !"

"I practically ran here,"Albus said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and took a seat side by side to his cousin.

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

"Good good morning, hearer. We are broadcasting live from courtroom Ten in the Ministry of Magic, where just minutes from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as minister of religion of trick for the United kingdom. It is standing room only in the courtroom, with additional spectators in the corridor."

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

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the court. She is making her way down the aisle, greeting hoi polloi on her way.

"minister Hartwell, along with phallus of the Wizengamot are seated on the podium. Three elder members of the Wizengamot will swear Laurentis in."

Thomas More applause. Then a new voice. Albus recognized it as Minister Hartwell.

"Welcome to the Ministry of deception. It has been my pleasure to serve you over the past ten geezerhood. I 'd like to take a minute to thank my political party, Merlinus, for their support over the past ten, as well as all of my top officials and the relief of the Ministry employees. I 'll hold this short and just say that I am going to miss serving you, but I have to admit that both my wife and I are looking forward to taking a gracious, long holiday."

laugh, followed by applause.

"Thank you, minister of religion Hartwell,"person else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot fellow member."Ms. Laurentis, if you would delight step forward."There was a interruption."Please repeat after me. I do hereby affirm to attend to the United Kingdom-"

"I do hereby confirm to wait on the United Kingdom-"

"-to the better of my ability-"

"-to the best of my ability-"

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

"-and keep to the ideals of the Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus party-"

"I swear to listen to the multitude and do what is best for them-"

"I swear to listen to the mass and do what is best for them-"

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

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

"I hereby declare Patricia Laurentis as the third Minister of Magic post-War as of the first of all of May, 2020, at eleven o'clock in the morning. Ms. Laurentis, extolment. Please receive your new government minister of Magic, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a smattering of polite applause, much quieter than the previous clapping for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a sober occasion and no one wanted to seem too ecstatic.

"That was quick,"Albus said.

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

"Thank you,"Laurentis said as the applause died down."It is an purity to be standing before you as your rector of conjuration. I would like to start by thanking the Paracelsus political party for nominating me as candidate and supporting me throughout my successful campaign-"

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

"Shut up !"rose wine said.

"-without your support I would never suffer made it this far. I hope I am capable to hold out up to the high expectations set by you and Minister Hartwell. I am sure you are all anxious to hear who I am appointing to Head of Department positions in the Ministry, so I wo n't waste any time getting to that."

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

"First, the department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am pleased to announce that genus Aplysia Balladanis will be taking over for sometime top dog, Reena Barnes."

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

"Balladanis ?"rosebush shouted at the Saame time."But he did n't even like the Ministry, did he ?"

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

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

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

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

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

"-Robert Johnson will be replacing Harry thrower as mind of the Auror Department-"

There was an audible gasp from the hearing. Albus sat stunned, processing the information. parting of him had been expecting this, but now that it had actually happened, it was still a jolt. It was very similar to the election results.

"I understand that this is a controversial selection, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a united front man. I assure you that Robert Samuel Johnson is an splendid Auror and will make a terrific drumhead of Department."

Albus tuned the wireless out once Laurentis went on to the department of Magical Transportation. He could hear his pump buffeting in his head and the rest of the earthly concern seemed so far away. It was almost surreal.

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

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

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

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

"Exactly,"Albus said, glad that Amanda was able-bodied to put into Bible what he felt."First Uncle Percy lost and now this."

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

"Thank God !"flatness exclaimed.

"goodness,"Albus said."At least there 's someone sane still in a Head position."

Albus only paid vague attention to the rest of the declaration. He did n't recognize anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that appointment. One thing was clear by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's mob was in any of the principal positioning.

Rose switched the tuner off at the end of Laurentis 's speech. The magician doing the program was interviewing a few people, but they were n't anyone of large importance.

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

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

It was clear that tidings had spread when Albus and his friends reached the Great student residence. Whichever course of study had had political sympathies during the speech must 've shared the news program with the entire rook, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't realize eye touch with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor table, where he sat down next to James.

"So you heard,"James said quietly.

"I skived off category to hear live,"Albus explained."She wants a link up ministry. What a payload of dragon dung."

"This is bad,"James said."This is really bad."

"She 's replaced Thomas More officials than any diplomatic minister, ever,"Rose commented."She only kept three."

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

"nothing she 's doing makes a bit of sensation,"Albus muttered."But I guess hoi polloi must wish her. She got elected."

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

That 's what Albus had always thought, too. He hated the fact that he was always in the glare because of it, but it was a never-ending. It was rule for him. Now, he did n't know what to think.

"tone,"Amanda said as she pointed to the staff tabular array."I do n't think the teacher expected it, either."

Albus glanced up. Every single professor was bass in conversation, some even ignoring their nutrient. Neville in specific looked bedaze and broken. None of them looked happy.

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

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

Albus looked around at his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that Thomas More than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most potential supported her determination to replace his dad as school principal of the Auror department. Not everyone was talking in whispering, with occupy expressions. A few groups were laughing, like they did n't experience a maintenance in the world. Either they just did n't handle about Laurentis 's decision, or they supported it. The cerebration was very faze. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the Minister of legerdemain. He did n't like it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


The following week brought a mess of article stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that first delivery. A inclination of the new Ministry officials was printed multiple times. Albus found the column more interest than the genuine articles, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how stupid it was of Laurentis to sack Harry Potter. However, it was n't until nearly a week after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an article completely captured Albus 's attention was published.

DEMENTORS TO tax return TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE modification

Newly elected diplomatic minister of Magic
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will bring Azkaban back
under the controller of the dementors
late last night. Laurentis hopes
to own the dementors back by late
next week. 'This has been a goal
of mine for years and I am very
happy that it is finally happening.
The wizarding humanity will be far
safer now that our criminals will
be guarded once More by dementors .'

delivery the dementors back to Azkaban
is the first of many change the new
minister will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's next
design is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the adjacent few weeks I will be
sending representatives from the
Department of Magical pedagogy to
observe each professor. Each
prof will be required to present
their curricula to the example
as well .'professor planning on
retiring at the end of this year
will be excuse from this requirement,
as no changes will take lieu before
the end of term.

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

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

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

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

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

As if on cue, prof Kendrick stood up."May I have your attention ? Thank you. Most of you, I am sure, have read the Prophet. Over the next few workweek every professor will be observed during one of his or her form. I ask you all to ignore the example and go about class as if they were n't there. That is how the Ministry will best get an reason of how affair work at Hogwarts. Now, prof Slughorn has an announcement to make."

Professor Slughorn stood, although he was so short that it hardly made a remainder. He looked a bit flighty and Albus got the tactual sensation that he rarely ever addressed the full student body at once.

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

"Ten Galleons says he decided to retire after finding out he had to submit his curricula to the Ministry,"Rose whispered after Slughorn sat back down.

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

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

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

"So that 'll be two new professors next year,"John said.

blush wine groaned."And in our O.W.L. year, too."

"Do n't say that word !"James, who was sitting about five seats down from Rose, shouted.

rose raised her eyebrows."What news ?"

"O.W.L,"King James I said with a tremor."They 're only a calendar month away."

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

"Shut up,"St. James muttered.

James was n't the only one to have forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election news program. There seemed to be more frantic studying than usual, and not just from the one-fifth and seventh twelvemonth. The total castle had neglected to canvass for their end-of-term exams. Later that night Albus, Saint John, rosiness, Amanda, and Kaden joined the throng of citizenry vying for board in the library in parliamentary law to jam in as much studying as potential. flatness could n't conjoin them, as it was the full moon lunar month.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus had assumed that this would be a trick that would arrive at itself known right away, as most of John and Kaden 's harlequinade worked that way. But by the side by side morn things seemed perfectly fine at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'hair was still normal colors and everything seemed calmness and tranquillise. lavatory and Kaden kept grinning at each former, so Albus was sure they 'd done something.

It took another wax day for things to find fault up. Albus first noticed it at breakfast, when some of the Slytherins seemed a bit enervate. They were squirming in their behind and did n't seem capable to sit still. But it was only a few of them.

Albus raised his eyebrow questioningly at John and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"lavatory asked.

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

Albus started laughing."Seriously ?"

Kaden nodded."Completely untraceable and the outcome wo n't all fare at once. It all depends on when they send their laundry out."

"That 's mavin,"Albus said. whoremonger and Kaden 's prank were most definitely improving over the class.

"What 's genius ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see Matt nudging a number 1 year over so that he could sit down in next to John.

"Madam Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

mat nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to stay on longer, but I told her I needed to examine. Why are these two mastermind ?"

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

"okey, that is pretty awing,"matte said."You wo n't get caught, either."

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

"Study."

Albus looked up once to a greater extent and saw that this time Rose and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with book and stacks of parchment. They wore identical looks of determination.

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

"Aw, Rose, c'mon-"

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

rosebush and Amanda left in a tucket of sheepskin and Good Book, leaving Albus and the early boy to gaze at each former open-mouthed. Albus knew his cousin was very faculty member and placed a high up note value on her own Education Department, but never before had she staged an intervention for his studying.

"She 's lost her idea,"John said."If she 's like this now, what will come about next year for O.W.L.s ?"

"Do n't say that news !"James River shouted from down the table.

"I suppose we have n't got a option, do we ?"matte asked as he shoved his eggs into his mouth."red cent, I only just got back."

That was true, Albus thought. He and his friends quickly finished their breakfast and hurried up to the library, realizing once they arrived that they did n't have any of their account book. They ran up to their dormitories to retrieve them and made it to the library five min later than rosiness insisted they be there.

rosebush and Amanda had shoved two board together and had spread all their volume out over them. Madam Pince was sitting behind the circulation desk, looking at them curiously, as if she could not remember a fourth dimension mortal had frequented the library that early. The ease of the tables were deserted.

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

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

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the merely Elsie we know,"pink wine said."She needs assistance perusing and I 'm her tutor."

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

"And she needs help, bathroom,"rose said with a sigh."I 've been tutoring her all year and I 'm not going to arrest now."

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

Albus had n't thought of that. Of course, rose wine had n't had any luck getting Elsie to talk all twelvemonth, so chances were slim down that he and the early boys would accept success.

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

Albus picked a fundament and sat down. Rose was organized to the decimal point of insanity. There were in fact study guides for every discipline, organized chronologically, from Sept until May. Albus was suddenly very grateful for his cousin, despite her obvious insanity. This was going to make studying so much easier.

"Wow, thanks pink wine,"Albus said. The ease of the group muttered their agreement.

Rose smiled."See ? It was a good idea. Now, we 'll contemplate until lunch and then have a break."

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

Around him, the depository library quickly filled up. Fifth and seventh geezerhood seemed the most mad about finding mesa and searching the scads, but students from every twelvemonth and every house were present. brothel keeper Pince spent the morning weaving throughout the tables and looking over everyone 's shoulders to make surely they were working on schooltime work. With test so near, the library was now closed to everyone who was n't going to revise.

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

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

Albus sighed and returned to his own body of work. Getting Elsie Willinson to verbalize was going to be much more difficult than he thought.
***


Rose 's rescript sessions continued throughout the month of May. Albus did n't like to admit it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't sure he would pass his exams if it were n't for pink wine. As the month progressed, the sessions grew both in length and the number of participants. By the end of the low gear week their work chemical group had grown to include King James I, Ben, Cedric, and their friend Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James missed a few Roger Huntington Sessions for Quidditch recitation, but as the Quidditch final examination John Drew closer, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as authoritative as studying. Tom Bradley and Heather were becoming more and more anxious about the final, since it would determine whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few power point behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the concluding, they would most probably win the cup as well.

The match took position a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more nervous than he had been for a Quidditch lucifer in ages. The compeer itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the shoemaker's last metre he played with Calluna vulgaris and Fred as the other pursuer on Gryffindor 's team. Next year he 'd birth two new Chasers and that was going to be incredibly unusual.

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

Deciding that breakfast could look, Albus crept over to the Slytherin tabular array and attempted to crouch down behind a few seventh geezerhood. Unfortunately the Great foyer was too loud for proper eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always have an Extendable Ear on his somebody from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to see at his face. He looked terrible. His optic were red and it looked like he had n't slept in twenty-four hour period. Very foreign, Albus thought, as he rose to follow Malfoy out of the room.

Once in the entryway Hall, Malfoy immediately ran up the stairway, going far too degenerate for Albus to follow. Albus stood next to the door to the Great anteroom thinking about what Malfoy 's actions meant.

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

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

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

Ravenclaw had a good Quidditch team. They were easily the effective team in the schoolhouse, although most Gryffindors would disagree. But the Gryffindor squad was determined in this catch, causing them to play fiercer than ever before.

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

The match only lasted an time of day. Albus had n't even realized that James caught the fink until the tin whistle was blown. Gryffindor won 420-260, their best win yet that year.

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

Albus could n't even hear the commentary over the thunderous applause of the spectators. prof Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup high over his head and was making his way through the gang to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to Calluna vulgaris. Each held one slope and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the pitch and Albus was sept up in the crowd, making it difficult to get to his team. Once he did, person snapped their picture.

Albus was the glad he 'd feel in weeks, ever since his team won the Dueling tournament. It was his thirdly year on the Quidditch team and they finally won the Cup. But he was even more glad for Fred and broom than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the team since their second year and had never won the Cup.

Heather had tear streaming down her grimace and Fred was grinning wider than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a career in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their life sentence for the past six years. Winning the Cup in their seventh year seemed more poignant than it would have winning it any other year. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's team was still as good as it was now when he got to seventh year. Winning again in his cobbler's last yr would be the C. H. Best feeling in the human race.
***


"Malfoy really did leave the palace,"Amanda announced at breakfast the next day.

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

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she do it ?"

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

"Well, I just found out why he left,"blush wine said as she set down the Prophet."His grandfather passed away."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus glanced at the obituary but did n't read it. As a great deal as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't assist but sense sorry for him. Albus could n't imagine what it would be like to mislay his grandfather, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious faults, he was still Scorpius 's gramps.

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

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

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

"You think he 's gotten chummy with Moaning Myrtle ?"Albus asked.

mat shrugged."It looks like he has. Why else would she sleep with about it ?"

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

"speech sound like we need to pay a sojourn to myrtle,"Albus said.

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

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

"Count me out,"Rose said, shaking her head.

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

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

"We 'll go at dark, then,"Albus decided."John, Kaden, matt ? Which of you is going with me ?"

"Not me,"matte said immediately.

"I 'll go,"John said.

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

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


A/N : Sorry that the update is a day late ! I was really busy yesterday and did n't have a luck to update. Thanks for all the pin-up reviews ! I am very behind on answering them, but I 'll land up eventually !


The architectural plan to talk to Myrtle in the dead of night may take been a plan that belonged solely to Albus and John, but rosiness still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. Exams were now only a calendar week away and Rose was only giving them one nighttime off, for rest and clearing stress from the nous. Neither Albus or trick dared crossbreed Rose and skip out on revision, which took space in the subroutine library until curfew and then in the common way until they all went to bed.

Their one Nox off occurred the night before their first test. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a full hebdomad, but none of the twenty percent or one-seventh yr were taking any nighttime off, including James I. Despite Rose 's imperativeness that he subscribe a night off, Jesse James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and John spent the evening acting chess with Kaden. flatness had turned in early, still tired from the full moon, which had taken place two twenty-four hours earlier. rosebush and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory, clearly set upon having some time away from the boys.

The common room emptied as the Night progressed, and eventually trick and Albus were the simply unity left. It had n't taken long since about people went to bed early because of exams. It was probably fairly pudding head of Albus and whoremonger to appease up so previous, but neither of them cared.

They waited an additional 15 hour in case somebody decided to return to the vulgar room, but no one did. Albus glanced at John and then pulled the invisibility Cloak and the Marauder 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the mesa. The seashore was clear.

Albus and John stumbled out of the portraiture kettle of fish and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat lady 's Isaac Stern gaze.

"Do n't ask me to let you in when you return,"she said."I 'm quite exhausted."

The Fat Lady was always threatening this but she never seemed to make right on any of her threats. Ignoring her, Albus and John Lackland set off along the corridor. can led the way while Albus kept his heart glued to the Map, but the corridors remained empty. It seemed everyone, both students and professors, were getting a undecomposed Nox 's rest before exam. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning myrtle was the only occupant of the second storey female child 's lavatory. John quietly pushed the doorway spread out and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is right field arm.

"Myrtle ?"John shouted as he stepped into the room.

A splashing sound came from the stopping point stall and then Vinca minor 's ghostly form floated through the closed stall door."Boys ? Why do n't you go use your own-"Myrtle cut herself off with a giggle. She floated toward Albus and John and rested on the sinks."Oh, it 's you. Albus potter. And his friend John. Where 's Matt ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that lusterlessness 's absence would n't put Vinca minor off from talking to them.

On the opposite, Myrtle 's face lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awe-inspiring today myself. It 's a side effect of dying, you know."

Albus did n't think dying had any side effect early than dying and had always assumed being a ghost would n't be painful, but myrtle was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Myrtle asked."You never travel to me unless you 're in detention. It 's rather disappointing. No one ever thinks to visit poor Myrtle. Oh, myrtle 's dead, they think, so she does n't demand any visitors. Myrtle does n't need any friends ! All because she 's dead !"

"No, Myrtle, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a girl 's loo. We can only bring down you now, in the heart of the night."

Myrtle let out a loud sigh."I suppose. You are n't the only boy who talk to me, you know. Some of them even dare come during the day. I suppose they 're a bit braver than you are, which is odd since they are n't Gryffindors."

Albus glanced at lavatory. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought. Myrtle probably did n't have any loyalties to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a measure closer to Myrtle.

"I only know one of their name,"Myrtle said with a giggle."I know his figure because his begetter used to come and tattle to me when he was in schooltime. But his son is n't quite as talkative and he did n't seem to care at all about me or my death. He only wanted to know about the bedroom of Secrets-"

"The Chamber of mystery ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpius Malfoy wanted to know about the Chamber of Secrets ?"

myrtle brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to have it off exactly where the entrance was. He 'd already done quite a bit of research on it in the library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so very much time in the subroutine library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the sleeping room and I told him about my Death and he did n't quite sympathize the joining at kickoff. So I showed him the entry and told him that he had to speak like a ophidian to get in but he could n't figure it out."

"He tried to verbalise Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Myrtle nodded."Sounded dire. Your dad was much practiced at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the struggle of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly awful at it. That 's when I met the other boy. Scorpius left and came back a few days later with this other boy. He showed him the entranceway and then they started talking about this lady friend named Elsie and the other boy thought that she would be able to open the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The former boy must give been Felix Willinson.

"Two weeks ago, maybe ?"Vinca minor said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the sleeping room of arcanum ? He refused to tell me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his foreland."We want to know, too."

"Well,"Myrtle began as she floated up to the ceiling."Please tell me when you find out. And succeeding fourth dimension, hold sure that mat comes to visit, too."

"Er, sure,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"Myrtle said."You 're going to allow for now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."examination tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John and they left. On the way back Albus explained the Chamber of arcanum to John Lackland, who only knew the place by figure. By the fourth dimension they returned to the common room lavatory was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to want to get into the sleeping room of Secrets.

"Do you think Elsie Willinson can mouth Parseltongue ?"John the Evangelist asked as they climbed through the portrait hole ( the Fat noblewoman had not refused them entering ).

"I do n't know,"Albus said."It 's very rarified. I think we 're going to have to ask Rose."

"Bet she 'll have a go at it that, in the centre of exam,"lavatory said with a laugh.
***


"Of course I have no idea if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"rose exclaimed the next day during their lunch gaolbreak in between exam. Albus had just finished explaining what Myrtle had told them live on night, as well as explaining the sleeping room of closed book for Matt, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you sure she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"Positive ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your mind. It 's examination week. It 's not the prison term to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't bear upon you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a thing for his curiosity. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything good.

"They 're up to something, rosebush,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

Rose groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's bottom."Did you see the seer this morning ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, mat, and John had both slept too late to have breakfast before their first off test.

Epistle of James slapped a copy down on the table in front of Albus."That blighter, Robert President Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's property ? He 's revamped the entire section, claiming that they 're going to have a 99 % capture rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the paper."That 's crazy."

Lyndon Johnson REVAMPS AUROR section

Newly appointed top dog Auror, Robert
Johnson, has spent the past month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
Department. Lyndon Baines Johnson has rewritten
rules and regulations for the section
as well as reorganized how Aurors
piece of work together. All Aurors have
attended workshops over the by month
to familiarize themselves with the
new principle and policies.

'The hope is that we will be able to
capture criminals faster and easier ,'
Johnson said. 'The department has
been disorganized for years and this
has resulted in many crook going
liberal for far longer than they should.
Between the new Auror Department policies
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be able to catch
more felon and keep them where they
belong- behind saloon .'

While LBJ did not go into particular
of the policy and regulation, stating that
these are sealed text file, he assured
the wizarding public that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new policies I do n't see why
we should n't own a 99 % capture rate
within a yr .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % capture rate ?"Albus asked after setting the paper down.

"No musical theme,"James said."But I thought you 'd want to see it. I 've got to go. Transfiguration practical this afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the changes actually were,"Albus said as his brother left.

"They ca n't,"Rose said."The paper is right field about that."

"It 's not like the department was dire when Dad was in charge,"Albus continued."He captured Greyback, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting mat 's dad with that,"Rose commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not evenhandedly,"Matt said.

"No, it 's not,"rose said as she glanced at her watch."We 'd better get going. History of Magic exam."

Albus found it incredibly hard to focus on his chronicle of Magic exam, and while he was fairly sure he passed it, he knew he had n't done well. There was just too a great deal to focus on. Between Malfoy and the Auror Department, the last-place thing Albus wanted to think about were goblin rebellions and giant star wars.

Later that night rosiness held another subject session in the depository library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent more time staring at the marauder 's Map and figuring out the in effect way to bring up the issue of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any literal perusal, but blush wine did n't appear to notice.

The follow two days were nearly identical to the world-class day of test, with the exception of the subjects they were tested on. test in the morning, lunch, exam in the good afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The monotony was starting to get on Albus 's nerves, but they were only halfway through exam week.

Elsie Willinson did n't show up to the study session Wednesday evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to bring in up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with her, no subject how efficacious it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions notes while glancing at the piranha 's Map every so often.

"Albus, what exactly are you looking for ?"Rose asked.

Albus did n't really want to say because he knew Rose would just wheel her eyes, but he also knew she would n't let go of the study until he explained."Malfoy. He 's going to go back to the young lady 's loo, and when he does, I want to come him."

"That would be stupid,"Rose said."looking at at the preceding three years. You 've gotten yourself involved with something stupid at the end of every yr. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

rosebush had a full stop, Albus knew, but he did n't care."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to abduct me."

"Famous last watchword,"Rose muttered."He 's probably just in his plebeian room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the commons room. Albus 's heart sped up as he checked the rest of the Map. It took him a while, but then he spotted Malfoy 's dot, making its way down the second trading floor corridor. He was accompanied by none former than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

"He 's going,"Albus said."And he 's got Felix and Elsie with him. I 'm following him and you ca n't blockade me."

rosiness groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the rest of his Quaker."Are any of you coming with me ?"

"I am."Albus was shocked to see that the spokesperson belonged to Amanda. Usually Amanda agreed with pink wine.

"Amanda, really ?"rose wine asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a break from studying and I 'm just as curious as Albus is."

"Count me out,"Matt muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you last-place metre,"Saint John the Apostle said with a grin.

flatness turned even redder."I 'd rather not know that."

"We 're in,"lavatory said, speaking for himself and Kaden.

"You 've got an hour,"Rose said."If you 're not back by then I 'm sending prof Longbottom after you."

"We 'll be back,"Albus said as he stood up. As if to further convince Rose of this, he left his books sitting on the board. John, Kaden, and Amanda did the same.

Albus did n't discommode with the Invisibility Cloak since it was n't past curfew. They 'd just have to lurk near the loo until the coast was clear and prowler in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually abandon and Albus attributed it to the fact that well-nigh of his beau students were doing some last minute revision before the next day 's exam. It certainly made it easier to sneak into a girl 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'dots entered Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom. They remained there for only a few minutes, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of Secrets,"Albus explained."I bet the Marauders did n't know about it so they could n't have put it on the Map."

It took another five minutes for Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the door exposed and ran inside. He stopped short-change in front of the sinks.

One of the sinks was gone, having sunk into the floor. In its post was a great, vend smutty hole. myrtle was floating above it, her center bright.

"They did it,"myrtle said excitedly."Are you going to follow them ?"

"I guess this answers the question of whether Elsie Willinson can speak snake,"Saint John said.

"Is lustrelessness ill again ?"Myrtle asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an frightening lot of the clock time,"Vinca minor said."Tell him to come see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the hole."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to join me."Albus was determined. He 'd hail this far and he was n't going to stop now. He needed to figure out what was going on.

"Is it a far drop ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's more of a coast,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"John Lackland asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

"I 'd go down there even if there was a basilisk in there,"Kaden said."I 'll go first, if you want."

"Be my node,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can live here,"Myrtle said, giggling."I told Scorpius that and he told me that was another understanding why he ca n't die down there. I do n't think he likes me."

Albus ignored Myrtle and stepped aside so Kaden could jump into the hollow. Kaden did so without a second coup d'oeil.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm OK !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither lav or Amanda seemed inclined to go next, so Albus stepped to the very edge of the hole and looked down. He could n't see a thing. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not mean too hard, he took a deep breath and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being more of a slideway than a drop down. The hole was more of a sloping piping and it was n't a bad playground slide at all. Soon, Albus landed at the tail end and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own wand and took a look around. The place was very wet and it smelled direful. The paries were dripping with turbid water and the floor was covered in stone, mud, and what looked like old snake skin.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the dripping urine.

There was a whooshing noise behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a riot and turned to see it was only lavatory, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"John muttered as he lit his own wand. There was now enough verge light to see clearly. The place was creepy. That was the only word for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her sceptre. Albus and Kaden waited for John and Amanda to take a look around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Does anyone hear anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed perfectly silent to Albus.

lav shook his head."matt should 've come. We need his werewolf hearing."

Albus nodded in correspondence."I guess we just follow the tube. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his wand pointed in front of him, and they set off. No one spoke. No one made any haphazardness whatsoever. Albus had his ears poised to find out even the quietest noise, hoping to see some clue as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt like stat mi before they heard even the faintest of noise. Albus noticed numerous ophidian pelt and the finger cymbals from decades-old animals. Then, just when Albus had a feeling they were reaching the end of the passage, he heard a voice, clearly, as if it was compensate next to him.

"Albus potter. Well, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the spokesperson. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm evil. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews ! I will answer to them, but I 've been quite meddling lately.

And now I 'll shoot a few moments to brag. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's event for The Casual emptiness. I got to come across her and get a signalize copy of the playscript ! It was absolutely amazing. I blogged about it on the forum, so please check it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that voice in over a year and constituent of him thought he would n't ever hear it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the vocalization. He pointed his lit wand in its direction and saw that there was a very small scuttle to his left wing. It appeared to be another pipe, but one much diminished than the one he and his acquaintance had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to make any noise.

He turned to John the Divine, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you think ?"

"I think we should get out of here,"Kaden said immediately, stepping back."I thought we were just going after Malfoy."

"I bet Malfoy 's down there with him,"John said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the pipe. She stuck her head in, making her vocalism echoey."Why would he arrive back here ?"

"Can you see anything ?"Albus asked.

"Not much,"Amanda said, climbing fully into the pipe.

"We should just go back,"Kaden said, his voice wavering. All his bravery from being the first to put down the sleeping accommodation was gone.

"I do n't know,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think Rose might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's screaming. There was a forte splashing, a clunk, and then more scream. Albus turned quickly back to the pipe. Amanda was gone, a pocket-size peck of rubble in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."Help !"

"What 's happening ?"lavatory asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"fountainhead, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipe."C'mon !"

Albus had to bend as he walked in club to fit through the piping. John and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over rocks as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his wand lighting the few understructure in battlefront of him. They followed Amanda 's screeching until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the pipe emerged into a small chamber, not unlike a minuscule version of the chamber they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the ease of the bedroom of secret and the far bulwark contained a metal grating that appeared to let out into the lake. But the water was n't going through it.

Albus 's attention, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake piddle. Instead, his eyes drew to the collection of people scattered throughout the chamber. He breathed a suspiration of relief when he saw Amanda, in the clutches of Jarrett Willinson, who had his wand pointed at her fountainhead. Albus was just happy they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit tough for wear. Azkaban did n't seem to receive agreed with him and he now looked far sometime than his early twenties.

Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a death grip on her chum 's hand. Scorpio stood future to them and he seemed very overthrow. The simply one who seemed at all okeh with the state of affairs was Felix, whose face seemed to be coming from his sister 's grip on his hand, not on the situation.

Albus did n't recognize the other three adults at first. Then he remembered their pictures from the prophesier. The short woman was Dolores Umbridge, her hoar hair greatly resembling a beehive around her forefront. Her skin was deeply wrinkled and she did n't much resemble the soul in the photograph, but her eyes and bizarre grin were the same. The former womanhood was about a base taller and just as ugly. Her hair was stringy and mostly brownish, with streaks of grey. Her nose was long, crooked, and boasted a declamatory wart, giving her the look of a classic Muggle 's version of a witch. All that was missing was the jet skin. The man resembled her, although he was shorter and Sir Thomas More dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, potter ?"Scorpius asked, clearly trying to go more convinced than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the questions. And I can only usurp they followed you three. Whether it was intentional on your component part, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpius demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your father wanted and then you did part of what we wanted. And therein lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His oculus went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to visualize out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's Padre asked him to do ?

"I never said I 'd do what you wanted us to do,"Malfoy muttered, averting his gaze.

"And yet you did."Jarrett sneered.

"But I did n't want to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his wand out of his robes and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his arms so that he could point his wand at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is misfortunate. I do n't care taking advantage of fragile children, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not delicate !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just lost your grandfather,"Jarrett said."You 're fragile. So is your father, and he 's prosperous to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that percentage point Elsie started crying. It started out as minor sniffle but within ten second gear blew up into tatty breathlessness. Everyone in the way turned to stare at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be still,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to get out, Felix !"Elsie sobbed."I did n't want to do this. You know I did n't want to do this !"

"You did n't have a choice, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just explicate what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even better, let go of Amanda so we can get out of here and let you lot get back to whatever it is you 're doing ?"

Jarrett laughed."Oh, she 's not going anywhere. You three are free to allow. I really do n't care what the sin you do."

Albus exchanged glimpse with John and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to leave, of course, but Albus was utterly confused. For the past times four age Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to kidnap him and now, all of a sudden, they wanted Amanda ? They 'd never wanted her before.

"Oh, you have n't put it together yet, have you Potter ? I thought you were chic than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the heyday government minister 's niece, who happens to be a witch. She 's currently the practiced bargaining chip I could possibly hold. I only wish I 'd known about her earlier, but thanks to your uncle the entire wizarding world knows she 's the heyday Minister 's niece. I must thank that newsman.

"Potter, do you realize how bad Laurentis would attend if anything happened to the Muggle Prime Minister 's niece a piffling over a month after she took situation ? And just day after her appointed Head Auror revolutionized the department ? Oh, it would take care awful, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit compressed until the Aurors get here and then I 'll nominate my demands and the Aurors will yield in because if they do n't, I 'll vote down the Prime Minister 's niece."

Albus 's sass fell spread. He stared at Jarrett, whose grinning resembled that of a person who just won the drawing. Amanda looked terrified, her eyes darting everywhere and a few rove tears running down her cheeks.

"Of path you can leave, Potter,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the early Aurors. It 'll only bring them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry official anymore, Potter. It wo n't be as big of a offence if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't take care like person subject of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an unstable mental patient role than a life-threatening witch. But the Carrows, they looked open of murder. As for Quinton, he was n't a good deal of a terror. Still, Albus, trick, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we depart ?"Malfoy asked, his voice wavering."Or at least me ?"

"Because I might need you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll issue forth back. I know you did n't impart us the lady friend. She came with ceramist, following you."

"Why does it matter ?"Malfoy asked."The point is she 's here now."

"I do n't opine you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're mightily, I would n't ! And do you want to know why ? I never wanted to help you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all moron, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their champion, so why would n't he cause brought Amanda to Jarrett ?

"Then why are you here, Malfoy ?"

"To help my dad !"Malfoy said, his wand still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't know you moron were going to have a plot of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the idiot. You think we 'd have agreed to his plot if there had n't been something in it for us ? Meaning my son, here. Not these early three. I 'm not sure why they agreed to it. I 'm not even sure Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said much of anything since the escape."

"Do you really think you 're going to get anything out of this ?"Malfoy demanded.

"Yes, I do,"Jarrett snapped.

Malfoy narrowed his center and then whipped around. In a matter of indorsement, he sent five successive hexes at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their scepter, but were too slow. Malfoy sent two more Stunners and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the other.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."Looks like the odds are a little different now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, Potter,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpius, what is your problem ?"Felix asked, breaking complimentary of his sister 's grip."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do things his way,"Malfoy said."It 's like I told you at the beginning ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't acknowledge exactly what"this"was, but all that really mattered now was that they were no longer outnumbered.

"The Aurors are coming,"Malfoy said to Albus."If we can just halt them off-"

"How do you know the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't matter now,"Malfoy said as he sent a Stunner at Jarrett.

Albus turned to lav and Kaden."Focus on Quinton and Felix. No offensive activity, but you are n't the best duelist and I do n't want you to hit Amanda."

lav and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to shake off the Wyrd flavor he had from being on Malfoy 's side of meat, and started sending hex after hex at Jarrett. Jarrett, clearly unable to duel while holding Amanda, threw up a shield and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to keep going, in an attempt to dampen the shield.

Albus heard a cheap crash and turned to his right hand. Dust was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a large boulder had fallen from the ceiling and had landed on top of the distaff Carrow.

"I think she 's dead,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed intemperate. Death had never crossed his mind when he 'd come down here. Trying to push it from his thoughts, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't make out and Albus turned just in clock time to see him set ashore against the wall. Albus ran over and knelt side by side to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an awed headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't settle asleep,"Albus said."Stay awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five necromancer stumbled through the piping, their wands out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't know the vox."Nobody move !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the first one said as he walked around the room."aspect like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no position to relieve oneself demands,"the offset Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the pipe and let out a suspiration of succor. His dad had been the fifth Auror to arrive."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital wing. Now."

Harry knelt down next to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll make this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll take him."

"Let go of the girl, Willinson,"the number 1 Auror said. He took a few steps forward and Albus was able to see the English of his face. It was Robert Johnson, the new head word Auror.

"She 's the flush rector 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be deliberate, or I 'll kill her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"Andrew Johnson said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a huge scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's interest,"President Lyndon Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's wand flew in a perfect arc out of his script and Lyndon Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to elude the patch, but still keep open hold of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the story. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught clutch of her, directing her to sit next to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured ropes and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a word and none of them questioned any of the suspect. If Albus had n't known any intimately, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to find down here. It was all very confusing.

Johnson and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed hold of the outlaw and took them out of the sleeping accommodation. Harry was left with Albus and the rest of the students.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my suspicion, but unfortunately I do n't suffer any proof,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the hospital wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd group out of the bedroom and back to the pipework that led to Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom. Once there, he pointed his wand at the pipe and it turned into step. A few minutes later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few times at the bright illumination and then his eyes rested upon myrtle, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he deadened ?"Myrtle gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Vinca minor seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."hospital wing."
***


Albus had no real reasonableness to appease in the hospital backstage. After muttering about how Albus and his friends were always getting into trouble, brothel keeper Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfect health. John, Amanda, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were also mulct. Kaden, on the former hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to slumber. Albus, privy, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. blush wine and flatness joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well past curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to madam Pomfrey, but promised to return in a few hours. That had been three hours ago and Albus was still waiting for him to come back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the full trial by ordeal to Matt and Rose, who both agreed that Malfoy 's deportment was very strange.

The room access to the infirmary wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. Madam Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her study.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like someone ran my head over with a motortruck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll finger better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the captive to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for certain. The functionary criminal record is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the prisoners are explaining why they were in the Chamber of Secrets or how they got in."

"When we were down there, Malfoy kept saying he was doing something for his dad, but he never said what it was,"Albus said.

"That helps confirm my theory,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpius Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by genus Draco Malfoy to rule a suitable location to planetary house the prisoners for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to catch them. This, of course, had to be done after the Auror Department was reorganized by Robert Johnson, in order to hold both him and Laurentis look proficient. If Laurentis looks beneficial, Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Draco Malfoy knew where the prisoner were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"Rose began."You do n't think that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my head,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no validation. Nor do I have test copy of my theory about genus Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is dead, Dolores Umbridge is clinically insane, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow doubt Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his male parent. So, for now at least, this will remain a theory."

"But Dad, it 's illegal,"Albus said.

"It is,"Harry replied."Do n't worry about it, Albus. The captive are back in Azkaban, which is all that matters right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. badgering will do nothing. In my experience, citizenry who are corrupt like this are never able-bodied to keep it a privy long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpio ?"Amanda asked."Why did he alternate side like that ?"

"Scorpius Malfoy has had a rough yr. His grandfather has been quite ill for a long time, which has put tenseness on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his Father-God and then when it came clock time for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get hold of Amanda, he realized he did n't need to be involved, not would his sire have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in trouble ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the record book is concerned, Scorpio, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the captive just as you lot did."

"That does n't seem fair,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other deal, I think Scorpio Malfoy deserves a good luck this year. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past few month. You might find that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll consider that when I see it,"Matt muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the Shrieking shanty, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm happy he chose the Chamber of Secrets."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"I have to return to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the paper tomorrow, although I have no idea what character of story they 're going to spin or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't take it too hard. please do not mention my hypothesis to anyone. The final thing we need is an article in the vaticinator claiming that Harry Potter is a conspiracy theorist."

Albus laughed and said skilful night to his dad. Madam Pomfrey let them kip in the hospital fender that night, considering how former it was. Kaden, of course of action, had to persist awake. Albus was surprised by how sluttish sleep came, considering what he 'd been through that night, but it was nearly two in the morn. He realized with a sinking tactile sensation that he still had exams the next day. Herbology and Ancient Runes. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the cover girl reappraisal ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The next chapter will the in conclusion in this novel. I 'm not certain when the fifth novel will be up since I have yet to follow up with a concrete plot for it. I 'm going to take a break to write other write up that I 've had in my headspring for a while.

It 's the end of October, which means it 's nearly NaNoWriMo season ! I 'll be continuing to update Between Here and Somewhere throughout November, as well as posting the lastly chapter of this next Friday. But you wo n't see a great deal else from me until Dec, as I 'll be fussy writing an original fic.


Albus, John, and lustrelessness overslept the next forenoon. Albus awoke ten moment before their Herbology test and had to wake up King John and Matt, which is never a little effort. It took a full phase of the moon five mo to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing full well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his mind was on Herbology. He could n't stop thinking about what happened final stage night.

The boys ran into greenhouse three five hour late and as soon as they shut the doorway the entire class looked up from their exams and stared at them. Albus got the distinct feeling that they all knew about last dark, whether from rumor or from the Prophet. Professor Longbottom got up from his feces and walked over to them.

"Boys,"he said quietly.

"I 'm dingy we 're belated, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's approve. I know what happened close dark. Just go take your seats. Your test are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very grateful that Herbology had been the test he was of late for. Longbottom was the most reason professor in the entire school. Albus settled down and managed to take the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few doubtfulness that he was n't certain about, he was quite sure-footed that he at least passed.

By the meter the examination flow ended Albus was starving, as were lav and lustrelessness. They, along with Rose and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Asaph Hall for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the distinct feeling that everyone was staring at them.

"You should 've been at breakfast,"Amanda said."Everyone was talking about it and they kept coming over and asking me interrogation. There were a caboodle of people crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the oracle ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"Rose said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the paper and set it down on his home base. John and mat sat on either side of him and read over his shoulder.

con CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed psyche Auror, Henry Martyn Robert
President Andrew Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late last-place night that led him and four
other Aurors to Hogwarts school day of
witchcraft and genius. The tip
told Aurors that escaped con
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the Chamber
of secret recondite under Hogwarts School.

The Chamber of Secrets, long since
regarded as a rumored hidden bedroom
beneath the schooling was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The Chamber has
remained empty since then.

All four escaped inmate, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a twelvemonth
by the Auror section, were found in
the Chamber of Secrets by Robert President Johnson
and four other Aurors. Amycus Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores Umbridge
have been returned to Azkaban prison.
Jarrett Willinson is currently being held
in Azkaban prison without bail. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced dead by Healers
late last night, after the roof in
the chamber collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts scholarly person were found in the
chamber as well. Johnson has released
very little information on this expression
of the nighttime, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one student with the
purpose of killing her if need were
not met. The name of the students have
not been released.

It is unknown how the inmate got into
the school. Weaknesses in the protective
wards are currently being addressed. 'We
wish to assure the public that Hogwarts
School remains as good as ever. The problem
will be addressed quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"stranger how the yard bird got into the school ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the whole thing up !"

"What did you expect, Albus ?"Rose asked, shaking her brain."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new oral sex Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is cook up stories to incubate up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably ripe,"Rose said.

"Who 's right ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"Rose said.

"Have you seen this rubbish ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't care right now. I just want a sandwich. The soothsaying exam was brutal. I had to say Trelawney 's future in tea leaves."

John laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to adjoin an untimely death at the hand of a stray Quaffle,"Kaden said.

rosebush groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her huge eyes lit up and everything."

"She likes decease, Trelawney,"John said."Or at to the lowest degree the concept of it."

"Weird,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining exams took place with minuscule fanfare. Despite his mind not being on the material, he thought he did fairly well, and when the marks were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His Transfiguration Day mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts educatee, with their short-circuit memory duad, soon forgot about the debacle in the Chamber of enigma and moved on to early topics of discourse such as the summertime holiday and the flow Quidditch time of year. Albus certainly did n't mind this because it meant he was no longer the center of care. Despite the fact that the Prophet never released the public figure of the students in the sleeping accommodation, everyone knew it was Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"Look, Laurentis has released a statement about capturing the prisoners,"rose wine said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be honorable. Let 's hear it."

“'I wish to acclaim the Auror department for their workplace in recapturing the remaining escaped crook. The timely retaking after the reorganization of the section only reinforces how important a decision it was to reorganize. With the new regulations and policies in the Auror department, organized by Robert President Johnson, the Aurors were able to captivate the criminal immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to more successes from the Auror department .'”

"What a load of horseshit,"Albus said."Of course they were able to retake them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the inmate to be in the bedroom in the first place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"lusterlessness began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an well-to-do mystery to retain, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to make a voice communication,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the staff table.

prof Embry stood up and raised his hands for silence. This did nothing, of course."repose !"Embry shouted."I have something I 'd like to say.

"Thank you,"he said, after everyone stopped talking."I just want to say what a pleasure it has been to learn you all this yr. I never expected to teach and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my family as much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a peachy appreciation and apprehension of our political science. Today is my utmost day at Hogwarts, as the politics form will not go on next year, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't pause to owl me if you wish to encounter a go of the Ministry for academic role. I daresay that a few of you might accept life history in politics yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the stallion room fit into clapping. Albus was n't certainly if the applause was for Embry or for the fact that political science would no longer be a course of study. Albus had n't minded the class, but one fewer class was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about politics this year, all right field,"lavatory muttered as the hand clapping settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"Cheers to that !"St. James the Apostle shouted from a few seat down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all surprised to hear Amanda say that. If any of his champion were to become political leader, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts commencement ceremonial. He and rose had attended every single graduation exercise ceremonial occasion since starting Hogwarts, and one the class before, too. It had gotten to the breaker point where he did n't pay very much attention to the speeches because they all sounded very like to the ones he 'd heard before. During this ceremonial, the only theatrical role Albus paid attending to was the part where Fred and heather mixture accepted their diplomas, which took all of two minutes.

"Well, we survived,"Albus said to Empire State of the South after the observance ended and everyone was milling around.

Georgia grinned."That we did. It 's kind of surreal, to be honest. Dad did n't win, so thing are no different than they were this time last yr, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Percy doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not trusted. He does n't blab about it much. Actually, the weird thing is that whenever I go over there for dinner party he spends a lot of time asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to keep me from asking about his lack of employment, but I 'm not going to complain. Maybe he 'll even learn to like it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the want of employment."

"He still has n't found a job ?"Albus asked.

"No. He could go back to the Ministry but he 'd have to do something where he 's not an literal political leader, since Laurentis would n't take him. I do n't think he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George V with the store, but I do n't think Uncle George really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessive. But he 's too gracious to distinguish Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"blush wine shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to blush wine and then turned back to Georgia."I 'd better go. Let me know when your next mate is. I want to go."

GA grinned."Sure affair. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, GA,"Albus said as he turned to adopt rosebush back to the castle, where they would catch the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to St. John the Apostle 's house this year,"lustrelessness said as the Hogwarts Express hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"John asked, unwrapping a burnt umber Frog."I mean, really, are you ? You want to come in to my star sign, where I have three crazy picayune babe running about ?"

flatness shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the immature in his family,"King John said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's right,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one short sis. wait a minute, matte 's the exclusively one of us who does n't have younger sib, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All right,"St. John the Apostle said."Let 's give Matt a real sensory faculty of what having lots of sibling is like. I 'll owl you and let you sleep with when."

"Exploding centering ?"Kaden asked, holding up a pack of cards of cards.

"Sure,"Matt said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to handle the cards, but before he finished, the compartment door slid open. Albus, expecting one of his cousins, turned to the doorway. It slid spread the residual of the way and Malfoy stood on the threshold, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you want ?"John asked.

"Er, can I just blab out to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping interior and sliding the door behind him.

"Where 's Willinson ?"Albus asked, standing up.

"He 's no longer speaking to me,"Malfoy explained."After I hexed his uncle and as he put it, 'joined the other side .'”

"What about Elsie ?"blush wine asked, clearly concerned about the girl.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said much around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"John asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the Chamber ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really good with speech so she was able to counterfeit it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few import of bunglesome silence. Malfoy shifted his system of weights and leaned against the threshold.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This yr sucked and I got caught up in a lot of things that I did n't want to do, which is exactly what happened to my dad when he was at Hogwarts."

Albus was utterly confused as to why Malfoy was telling them all of this. He exchanged looks with Matt and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not worth it anymore,"Malfoy continued."Hating you lot. I know it was you who somehow got itching powder into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a trivial too quickly.

"And we know you put the goat in the common room,"John added.

Malfoy nodded."As I was saying, it just does n't matter. Any of it."He turned to Matt."And I do n't care that you 're a werewolf. Really. Sure, it 's unearthly and I have no theme why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't hesitate to hex you, you know,"Saint John the Apostle said, reaching into his robe for his wand.

Malfoy held up his hands."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should hollo a truce."

"A truce ?"Albus asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, a armistice,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this twelvemonth. It makes all this scrap we do seem really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be friends, are you ?"John asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his brass."God no. I 'm saying you lot stop only pranking the Slytherins, do n't secern anyone that I dueled on your slope in the bedchamber, and I wo n't tell anyone Eckerton is a werewolf. I 'll really predict that, without any menace of expulsion."

Albus was skeptical. Could the death of Lucius Malfoy really prompt this change in Scorpius ?

"C'mon, armistice ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his hand out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"Rose said."We 've got O.W.L.s next year. You do n't need this stupid feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"fine, cease-fire,"Albus said, shaking Scorpius 's deal.

Malfoy nodded."I guess I 'll go, then. See you around, Potter."

Malfoy turned and left the compartment. Albus did n't move for a full minute."That was the unusual thing I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't think any of us will ever full understand what happened there,"Rose said."But I think it 's a upright thing."

"Wyrd, though,"Matt said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder matter was, was that Albus did actually believe him. There had been something in Malfoy 's heart that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed one-time somehow. He was no farseeing a kid, whose giving worry was arguing with Albus over pudden-head things. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all grown up that yr. They were going to be fifth eld now, and Kaden would be a fourth year, and that meant they were the sometime educatee in the school. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"Makes me marvel what next class will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this year has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"Rose reminded them."I think it 'll be plenty strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't desire Hogwarts to interchange. Despite all that was going on in the outside humans, Hogwarts had always remained the same. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his seat and stared out the windowpane, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't know what changes Hogwarts would see in the following year, but he did n't desire to consider about it just yet. There was still a all summer before that would hap, and Albus intended to revel it.


A/N : Thank you so lots for all the support and reviews for this story ! You guys are amazing. I will be taking a shift before continuing with this serial as I have former stories floating around in my caput, but I 'll eventually come back to Albus. I 've no musical theme how long it 'll be, though.

In the meanwhile, please determine out my predator Era account, Between Here and Somewhere ! And hold open checking back for my recapitulation reply, because I will get to them.