A/N : brief author 's note prior to the chapter. This chapter is from Teddy 's spot of scene, as I wanted to spell the specifics of what happened during the commission to capture Greyback. An article in the Prophet just would n't do it justice. Hope you enjoy !


Teddy Lupin had been a Jnr Auror for nearly eight months. In that time he had n't done much in terms of fighting sinister adept, and nigh of the missions he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his work had consisted of paperwork and the periodic stake-out. Being an Auror, Teddy had discovered, was a lot Sir Thomas More than chasing down dark mavin and saving masses 's lives.

It was for this very reason that teddy bear had been surprised when his godfather, Harry ceramicist, had approached him the previous day and told him of his newest assignment. He, Teddy lupin, bran-new Junior Auror, had been assigned to the mission of capturing run away wolfman, Fenrir Greyback. Limnodromus griseus, the Lapplander werewolf who had infected his Father-God with lycanthropy 10 ago. Greyback, one of Britain 's most wanted fugitives.

The deputation, Harry had informed him, was very sensitive in nature and had to be handled with prudence. There was to be no reference of it to anyone outside of the people assigned to it. There were very few people assigned to the mission and they included Harry himself, the Head of the regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to continue an eye on the kid knot attacked the previous month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Greyback delegacy itself.

Harry had explained the details of the mission, including the fact that the all affair had been Albus 's idea, along with one of his friends, who happened to be the Head of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creature 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took teddy a few minutes to envelop his head around the stallion situation. To progress to things even more insane, Albus 's lycanthrope friend was the chum of slip 's friend, Amy.

But when it came down to it, all of this meant that Teddy was going on his first-class honours degree material 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 ordering a drinkable 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 principal strength. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his expression so he looked a few years elder and his hair so that it was a generic brown coloration rather than its common greenish blue. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few pound sign. After donning a tattered old cloak, Teddy turned on the office and reappeared in the alleyway next to Weasleys'hotshot Wheezes.

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

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

Teddy ambled up to the bar, deciding at the live minute that his juke persona should walk with a hitch. Aberforth was there and shimmy ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the usual drinking for the Hog 's drumhead, but he needed to keep his head clear for the charge. He took the drinkable and began to sip it slowly, as he had no musical theme how long he 'd require to affect he was n't an Auror.

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

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

"mulct,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry clientele,"Harry said."Might be here a few hours. Could be the whole night. Do you mind ?"

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

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

Aberforth nodded and set a few more than Butterbeers on the tabulator. Harry picked them up and gestured for Teddy to travel along him to the dorsum table, where Ron and Walter were now crouched over a piece of parchment.

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

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

No one had told him, but Teddy knew the real ground why he 'd been assigned to this delegation, and it had naught to do with his Auror skills. sure as shooting, that had been a positive, but any of the other Junior Aurors were just as measure up. And the full Aurors were even more so. The rationality was that he was the simply Auror who was related to a werewolf, and thus would n't wish that a lycanthrope at Hogwarts was an inbuilt part of this plan. It was also the reason why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror John Henry Newman had previously been assigned to the Greyback case. Walter Eckerton did n't require any risk of infection of his son 's precondition being leaked to the public, and putting Harry, Ron, and Teddy on the eccentric would ascertain that it would n't.

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

"Fairly certain,"Walter said."Werewolves are attracted to the call option of their own form and Greyback is set on creating his own pack of Loretta Young werewolves. He spent the last good Moon lurking around the scream hovel, after he attacked those children. He knows matt 's there. He 'll come back."

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

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

"I suppose the disguises were a bit otiose,"Ron said as he pointed his sceptre at his case. His scent returned to its formula human body.

"fountainhead, with the Hog 's capitulum, you never know,"Harry said.

The group settled into silence again. Outside, there was the auditory sensation of syncope howling. shift glanced at Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every time there was a particularly flash howl. Harry and Ron sent him sympathetic looking that Teddy tried to mimic. He did n't have any kids so he really had no idea what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

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

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

"Meredith Jenner and J. C. Maxwell Edward Jenner,"Teddy read."Who are they ?"

"They must be other loup-garou,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

"No,"Walter said as he shook his head."Those are the two kids 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."Paul Newman and the two from the Werewolf control Unit ?"

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

"Yeah, well, they 'd suffer no chance following three werewolves on pes,"Walter said.

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

teddy bear stood and drew his sceptre. He followed the three sure-enough men out of the pub and shut the door behind him.

The Hog 's Head was not far away from the screech Shack. Within three second they arrived and found Paul Newman and the other two whizz attempting to restrain the three werewolves.

"They 're the kids from death month !"one of the loup-garou ascendance Unit employees shouted.

"Be careful with them !"Bruno Walter shouted back."They 've done zero incorrect !"

"We 're trying !"

The two smaller werewolves were currently attempting to attack the Werewolf command Unit employees and Newman, while Greyback seemed to manage far more about getting into the screech Shack. He was a much orotund wolf, grey in color, and had bright yellow optic. He was on the porch, biting at the door, and not paying any aid to the sensation around him. It seemed to Teddy that he had far more control over himself than a formula werewolf.

Walter and Ron joined the Werewolf Control Unit employees in trying to restrain Meredith and Maxwell. It was a hard project because they had to do it without hurting them. slip was fairly certain that the law would n't handle whether the two children were hurt in the process, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to slip and they walked slowly up the lawn, their sceptre out in front line of them. If they could just overtake Reb by surprise then they 'd be able-bodied to conjure some ropes and restrain him before he even knew what was happening.

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

Teddy and Harry jumped back, sending spells forward as they did so. grayback lunged, the trance not seeming to involve him at all, and made a swipe at Teddy. Teddy jumped to the side and sent another looker at grayback.

Battling a lycanthrope was very dissimilar from battling a wizard, teddy realized. And battling werewolves had not been covered in breeding. certainly, they 'd learned and practiced the spells used against werewolf, but they 'd never performed them on real loup-garou. The main difference was that werewolves did n't birth scepter and thus could not vagabond spells. But at the Lapplander time, they had dentition, claws, and were much warm than the average human. Plus there was the fact that one bite would rick you into one forever.

Teddy and Harry took turns sending looker at Greyback and were able to mix up him enough that he did n't quite know who to aggress. 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 film another leap forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making contact. Teddy jumped forward and sent another smasher toward Greyback.

Greyback flew backward and slammed into the front door, his oral sex making a sickening crunch as it collided with the doorknob. He slid down the threshold and landed on the base, not moving.

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

"Harry, you okay ?"slip asked.

"Fine,"Harry said."You ?"

slip nodded and began to take a few cautious steps toward Rebel. Harry was soon by his side.

"Is he ..."Teddy began.

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

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

shift glanced over to the rest of the group, but they 'd finished, too. Walter was currently tying the two wolfman minor up with roach 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 induce to keep Stunning them until the moon sets."

"So they were n't on wolf's bane,"Harry said."Interesting."

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

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

Ron nodded."Newman said they locked the kids in the backyard shed but did n't put any cellblock up. It must 've been easy for Greyback to break in."

"I wonder why they did n't mind to Werewolf reinforcement avail,"Harry mused."I know for a fact they visited."

"Well, at to the lowest degree no one was hurt,"slip pointed out. He turned back to where the other lycanthrope had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the screaming Shack by the Werewolf Control Unit employees. Walter and Newman were following them.

"What is that infernal racket ?"Paul Newman exclaimed, nodding his head to the screech Shack.

Walter glanced a the shanty and then turned to Paul Leonard Newman."shade. I 've heard that post has been haunted for geezerhood, long before I moved to this country."

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

"Loud spook,"Newman muttered."Has the sprightliness division ever looked into it ?"

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

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

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

Newman and Lee, who was one of the Werewolf Control Unit employees, Disapparated on the post. Harry grabbed time lag of Greyback and instructed Bruno Walter and Parks, the former Werewolf Control unit employee, to each take one of the children. With an exceptionally gimcrack scissure, the entire group Disapparated.
***


Each of the werewolves were set up in an query way to hold back the remaining hours until sunrise. Teddy, along with Bruno Walter, had been assigned to keeping watch on Greyback, Stunning him when necessary. Harry, Ron, Parks, and Lee had been assigned to the children. Paul Leonard Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a werewolf were to have somebody there to Stun them every 60 minutes or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"teddy asked as Bruno Walter Stunned Greyback for the fourth prison term."Why do n't people do that ?"

"Repeated Stunning is n't healthy,"Walter replied."It 's why it 's not allowed on nearly 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 loup-garou,"Walter said."It has no long-term effects on peck, but others wind up ill or with memory loss."

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

"Me either,"Walter said.

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

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

"Just a bit."

"It 's because of your Padre 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."

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

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

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

Bruno Walter glanced at his watch."moonlight should be setting within the half hour."

Teddy gulped and he hoped Walter could n't see his heart thrashing. He had n't been nearly as neural about facing grayback as a Hugo Wolf, but the view of facing him as a human was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the side by side half time of day to last forever, but at the same fourth dimension he did n't. It had been a very long day and he wanted to go home and sleep, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a mountain of paperwork ahead.

Johnny began to shake, but Walter did n't Stun him. Instead, he conjured a simple set of robes, set them on the board, stood up, and gestured for chemise to follow him out into the corridor. chemise did so, but looked at Walter quizzically.

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

Teddy was affect. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. chemise supposed it came from having a son who was a loup-garou. If shimmy 's own founder had lived, would he have similar cerebration ?

There were no silencing charms on the examination rooms. Soon the corridor was filled with howl and was then replaced by painful shrieking. The screech soon gave way to a long flow of profanity.

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

Teddy had no mind what to ask when he entered the room. He 'd only seen pictures of Rebel from the Prophet and black and white photos never did a somebody justice.

Fenrir Johnny was crouched on top of the table, dressed in the clothing that Walter had provided. His hoar hairsbreadth was stringy and matted with dirt and profligate, and his face bore several week 's worth of grey face fungus. His face was lined with deep wrinkles and teddy bear realized that he had absolutely no idea how old the man was.

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

Teddy froze, all his training suddenly out the window. He could hardly believe that this man had attacked his Father of the Church when he was only a child. Fenrir Limnodromus griseus was far more sinister in soul and slip felt a pang of sympathy for his Father of the Church as a five-year-old.

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

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

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

Walter paled."You 'll never deliver the chance to go back."

"We 'll see,"Greyback replied.

"enough confabulation,"Walter said, turning to shimmy."pinch him."

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

"Fenrir Calidris canutus, I am Auror Ted lupine and you 're under stop,"Teddy began.

Johnny Reb 's eyes grew wide."Lupin. Any relation to Remus Lupin ?"

"He was my Fatherhood,"teddy bear said proudly.

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

"Fenrir Greyback, you are under arrest,"Teddy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a twain of handcuffs and walked over to Greyback."You have the right to remain mute. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the werewolf."If you choose not to be unsounded, anything you say can be used in your tryout. You will have a trial. If you can not find agency, we will find it for you."

Teddy grabbed Greyback 's arm and pulled him off the table and into a digest position. As he did so, he met the older man 's eyes. They were yellow, pure yellow, and completely unappeasable. He looked like the brass of evil, as if Greyback had no man somebody left. It was in that minute that teddy bear knew for trusted that this werewolf held no similarities to his father. Greyback lived to propagate evil, while Remus Lupin had lived to stop it.

slip slapped a set of handlock on grayback. He opened the doorway and pushed knot out into the corridor, still holding onto his arm. Walter followed and the two walked alongside each other as they led Reb to the holding cells.

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved Johnny into a cell and locked the room access 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 shift chapter ! I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks for all the adorable reviews !

The rights Teddy read to Greyback are adapted from the Miranda right hand, created by the United States Supreme royal court in 1966.


Albus awoke the next daybreak to the auditory sensation of an owl pecking at the window. He rose from his bed and went to let it in. The owl was unfamiliar, but he vaguely recognized it as the breed of owl the Ministry of legerdemain used. The alphabetic character 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 need to say anything else. His dad probably could n't say anything else in a varsity letter, anyway. Albus folded up the parchment and shoved it into his bedside board. He glanced at the clock and realized there was no percentage point in going back to bed since classes would start in two hours.

Instead, he got started on that week 's spell meter reading while he waited for John to heat up. This took a good hr and when he finally did wake up, it took him xv transactions to fully wake up up and get dressed. John was not one for mornings.

Albus waited until they were in the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall for breakfast to tell privy about the letter from his dad, so that he could recount Kaden, rosiness, and Amanda, too. Luckily they managed to find a relatively sequestered persona 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 tell you about it ?"John asked.

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

The mathematical group decided to eat a very quick lunch later in order to call in flatness before their afternoon category. Albus wanted to tell him about Greyback as soon as possible.

Albus found it incredibly unmanageable to keep his rima oris shut during potions because the rest of his schoolmate were discussing Greyback and whether he had attacked anyone the previous Night. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the grounds from her dormitory window finale nighttime, 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 quondam students had received a letter from his brother claiming to ingest seen Greyback in Diagon alleyway. It seemed that Albus and his protagonist were the alone ones in the stallion castle who knew grayback had been captured.

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

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

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

"He did n't take care ill,"toilet said."I suppose if he is ill we 'll see him in the infirmary wing."

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

Madam Pomfrey was occupy berating a bookman for trying to charm her hair pink and had charmed it all off instead and did n't discover 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 group over to matt 's bed.

John pulled the curtains back and Albus saw that Matt was sitting up in bed, eating luncheon. This month he was sporting a bandage wrapped around his total caput and ones on his mitt 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 give me any details."

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

"I do n't think you 'll have to worry about that again,"John said."They 'll probably put twice as many guard on Greyback 's cell."

"I think this is the pip vexation I 've ever had in my life,"matte muttered.

privy grinned mischievously."Shall Kaden and I do a repeat of last week 's prank ?"

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

"Just kidding,"whoremaster said.

"Madam Pomfrey wants me to eat lunch and then she 's going to give me plenty sleeping draught to slumber until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"wellspring, I 'm going to have a pin-up afternoon of fertilizing magic flora with flying lizard droppings,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a skirt chaser thing and the raging headache, I 'm variety of jealous."

"I 'd take the dragon muck,"Matt said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to look out the last debate today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his headspring."They 've actually put it off two more than hebdomad. It was in the report this forenoon. I guess they want it invigorated in the great unwashed 's psyche or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Sat and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"matte asked.

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

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

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

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

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

"I 'll get together you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The little girl decided that a second gear dessert was in order as well, so the whole group hurried back to the Great manse before their side by side course. On the way there Albus realized just how much better he felt now that Johnny Reb was once again behind bars.
***


"Teddy arrested him !"Albus exclaimed at breakfast the next break of day. He 'd just finish up reading the article about Greyback.

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

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and flatness 's dad. Plus Newman and a few loup-garou Control social unit employees. And those small fry who got attacked last week were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any ward up on the shed they were in."

"That 's unintelligent,"Rose said.

"Was anyone detriment ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, look, they 've quoted Laurentis,"rose said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's retaking is howling news for wizarding Britain. I applaud both the Auror Department and the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical beast for their coaction in this capture, especially Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four captive at large. The work is not done and we must recall this before celebrating .'”

"Did they quote your uncle ?"John asked.

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

"I honestly think that this is only going to make his support of your dad look better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a success. I mean, just expression at the clause. Absolutely cipher went wrong with that capture. There were three lycanthrope on the let loose in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was true. Three loose werewolves would normally be a nightmare for a still village like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the Werewolf Control unit employees, nobody got hurt.

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

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


Hufflepuff somehow managed to squash Slytherin during Sabbatum 's Quidditch mates. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the best squad they 'd had in yr, and that Slytherin 's steward had landed himself in the hospital offstage after blowing up his potion on Fri, earning him a ban from the mate by Madam Pomfrey. But whatever the reason actually was, it was certainly good to Gryffindor.

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

Albus and Amanda were the first of their team to come in the Great manse before the tournament. The balance of the team trickled in slowly as they waited. Five minutes before the tournament was scheduled to set out, the only person missing was Malfoy.

"It 's not like him to be late,"Amanda commented."Usually he 's here too soon telling you what an awful job as maitre d' 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 in good order."Oi !"he called to his group of Slytherin teammate."Any of you know where Scorpius Malfoy is ?"

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

"He went habitation ?"Albus repeated, staring at the third gear class."That 's odd."

The 3rd year shrugged."He did n't tell anyone anything about it. He just left."

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

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

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

"Attention students !"Neville called out."The tournament is about to get down !"

Albus managed to push all thoughts of Malfoy out of his mind for the continuance of the tournament. Most of his teammates dueled well, although only Albus and a few other 4th years won both their duel. In the end they secured third gear piazza, which was certainly wagerer than a good share of the sleep of the squad, but still was n't first. They were still in the running play for winning boilersuit at the end of the season, but they 'd need to do really well in the final tournament.

Albus and Amanda met the eternal sleep of their friends in the predator 's Den after the tourney was over.

"Did Malfoy skip the tournament ?"whoremonger asked as soon as they entered."Not that I 'm complaining since your team probably would 've drum 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 theme why he went."

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

"You 're not allowed to miss course of study unless it 's a skillful excuse,"Rose pointed out."I do n't think going on holiday is a good excuse."

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

"I 'll ask Elsie Willinson,"blush wine said."I tutor her tomorrow. luck 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 friends. She either had no thought or refused to order Rose, despite the fact that rosiness prodded her about it ever ten minutes during their tutoring session on Monday.

Malfoy returned to form on Tuesday, walking into potions fifteen minutes late, and Slughorn made no mention of his tardiness or the social class he missed the previous calendar week. Albus attempted to determine his aspect during class but he gave no hint about his emotions.

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

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

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

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

"Third place,"Albus answered."Where were you ?"

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


The fall out hebdomad passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his mysterious disappearance. The election was now only a calendar week away and everyone in the rook, scholarly person, professor, and ghosts alike were talking about it. With only one argumentation 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 important lead on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, other read/write head of the Auror department, was the lastly parson of Magic selected by the Wizengamot,"prof coin bank said in class two days before the final debate."His selection was very warm and he stepped into office the day after Voldemort 's death. While to the highest degree of the wizarding humans knew that the Ministry needed an overhaul, they also needed someone to take charge and oversee the overhaul.

"Shacklebolt held office staff for three years while supervising the drastic changes that made the Ministry of trick the governing entity we see today."

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

"The three old age Shacklebolt held position were very tumultuous. Decisions had to be made, drastic ones, and they were not sluttish. The first and most obvious decisiveness was the determination to change the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly corrupt. Remember that prior to this redesign every pureblooded family held a seat on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born witches and whiz without theatrical performance.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry functionary working to shake up the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle world for brainchild. The old Wizengamot bore more resemblance to the Muggle household of Lords, the amphetamine House of Parliament. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the firm of green, the lower berth household of sevens. In the Muggle world, these representative are called appendage of fantan, MPs for curt, and are elected. In the wizarding existence, they are simply called members of the Wizengamot.

"Members of the Wizengamot then began being elected by the general populace, much like MPs are elected in the Muggle earthly concern. Each member has a district, although figuring out these districts was far more hard than it was in the Muggle world. Does anyone accept a dead reckoning as to why ?"

Amanda raised her bridge player."Yes, young lady tagger ?"banking company said.

"Witches and wizards are n't as uniformly spread out throughout the United kingdom,"Amanda explained."In the Muggle globe the districts are very much based on townspeople, but superstar do n't really accept towns."

"Correct,"bank building said."Because of this the dominion, if shown on a map, would see vastly different in terms of size. For example, Jack London has three discriminate territory because there is a very turgid wizarding universe in London. It 's far prosperous for wizards to blend in in in a large city than a low town since things generally go unnoticed in big metropolis. On the early hand, Wales only has two territory, and therefore two representatives, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

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

"I 've taken the indecorum of printing a map with a listing of all the interpreter and territorial dominion routine,"Banks said as he began passing out sail of parchment."I 'd hazard a guess than very few of you know what district you 're in or who your voice is."

Albus looked at the sheet after he received it. Jack London seemed to be divided into West London, north London, and East/South London. North capital of the United Kingdom, where Albus lived, was territory Two, currently represented by a lad named Oliver Prang.

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

"To entice you to find out,"money box continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two calendar week. Figure out who your representative is and spell me a foot-long essay detailing your representative 's beliefs and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old written matter of the Prophet as well as archive transcription of Wizengamot meetings, both available in the library. You are welcome to use any other generator as you see fit."

There was a worldwide groan from the class, which made Banks smile. He always seemed to love assigning prep.

"Now onto the more exciting news,"Banks said."This Saturday is the net public debate and four of you will be able-bodied to attend. I apologize in advance for those whose names have not been chosen, but there simply were not enough argumentation. As common, the rest of you will hear to the debate in the Transfiguration Day classroom.

"The two from Hufflepuff are Sam Bordeaux wine and Cassie Hornell. The Gryffindors are john Brickston and Janie Creevey. Your essay on this argument, to be formatted like the previous two, will be due in a week. grade 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 exclusively one of us who wo n't get to go,"Rose pointed out.

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

"Not if you do your research rightfield,"Rose said as they left the room.

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

The residuum of the mathematical group shook their heads. They compared district numbers, but none of them were in the same. rose wine and Matt were the closest, with their district bordering on each former.

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

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


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! It 's clock time for the annual Dobby awards at HPFF and nominating speech are now open ! Head to the assembly to nominate your favorite narration ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a link to the meeting place on the mighty side of the page. Be sure as shooting to read the ruler before you nominate ! We hate having to unfit story for break away linguistic rule.

The information about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the House of the Lords and the Parliament Wikipedia pages. I hope I got everything right wing, but I 'm not British, so finger relieve to point out any errors.


As the calendar week progressed more and more of the Prophet was dedicated to election coverage. By the metre Saturday arrived it became nearly impossible to retrieve a 1 article that was n't about the election. There were editorial, audience, statements from the campaigner, sentiment polls, and Thomas More. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glance at Saturday 's edition.

"Place your wager here !"

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

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

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

"No, that 's boring,"King James said."We 're taking stake on how farseeing it 'll drive the debate moderator to bring up that wild Aussie bloke who kidnapped you last year. This public debate is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

rose wine shrugged."It 's possible."

"So what would Uncle 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 come up out. Everyone who places a bet is sworn to secrecy. We 've had them sign of the zodiac something. If they say anything their faces will turn orange."

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

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

"Any bets, then ?"James asked.

Albus and his acquaintance all shook their heads no. cobbler's last twelvemonth 's incident was far too personal for them to aim bets on whether it would be a argumentation matter.

"We 're wasting time, then,"King James I said as he led Cedric and Ben further down the aisle."stead your stake here !"

"They 're cretin,"rose wine muttered.

Albus agreed.

An 60 minutes later Albus, rosebush, Matt, and St. John the Apostle were back in the Great dormitory for the debate. Albus soon realized that this debate would be watched by even more people than the past ones, with many people standing in the backrest due to lack of seats. Personally, Albus thought most the great unwashed would 've already made up their minds since the election was only four sidereal day away, but clearly it was still a popular outcome.

St. John the Apostle had to sit with the other bookman who 'd been picked while Albus, rosiness, and Matt sat up front, like usual. All of Albus 's full cousin were there, including Sakartvelo, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Georgia,"Albus said.

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

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

Sakartvelo 's faker grin grew genuine."Oh, they 're wonderful ! Connor Blythe, the Keeper, he put in his notice that he 's only going to do one more season after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to take his spot. Me ! And I 've only been on the team for a class !"

"That 's wonderful !"Albus exclaimed."You 'll stimulate to get me tickets to your first match."

"Oh, I expect everyone in the family to be there at my first match as permanent Keeper,"Georgia said."And I want Dad right wing there in the front row, cheering me on."

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

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

"Could everyone please acquire their seats ?"Kendrick announced in a magically exaggerate part.

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

"Thank you. I 'd like to welcome you all to Hogwarts. This is the last debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to take such a big purpose in it. It has been a wonderful learning opportunity for staff and students alike. Remember, Midweek is election day, so please cast your voter turnout. Now, I would like to introduce today 's moderator, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Harry thrower, caput of the Auror Department !"

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

Harry walked forward and took his post behind the moderator 's podium."Thank you, thank you,"he said and the crowd grew quiet once more."Now, please receive our campaigner, Mr. Hotspur Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

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

"I am sure both our candidate know the rules by now. Five moment response and five mo rebuttal,"Harry began."Mr. Weasley, you will begin."

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

"The first interrogative is very universal,"Harry said."In your opinion, how is Britain 's relationship with its extraneous neighbor ? Should the Ministry be making to a greater extent of an endeavour to work with its neighbor or are things alright as they are ?"

"I think overall our ministry has a secure relationship with foreign ministries and governments,"Hotspur began."We have no current feuds with any alien commonwealth and all alien dialogue have gone well in the past few years. However, I believe there is always room for betterment when speaking of relationships with other countries. There are always chances to reach out to our neighbour, and you never know when such relationship will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My opposite makes carnival points,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our kinship with foreign ministries is an excellent idea, I wonder if that is really where our energies should be focused right now. There are many military issue we need to address here at habitation, and as Mr. Weasley said, our current relationship with foreign nations are good."

"The Department of International Magical Cooperation deals solely with international magical cooperation,"Percy pointed out."Working to fix issues at home is obviously a good melodic theme, but what do you hypothesise this department does while we do that ?"

"wellspring, yes, of course, that department is always working on international issue,"Laurentis said."I was merely speaking of the diplomatic minister and his immediate officials."

"Thank you,"Harry said."next question. The issue of changing the classification of werewolves from Beasts to Beings was brought up at the last argument. Both of you expressed no desire to bring this up with the international residential district. Have either of you changed your billet on this in visible light of the late capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you excuse in More detail why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at Matt. Maybe now they 'd figure out exactly why Uncle Sir Henry Percy did n't want to convert the lycanthrope categorisation, more than just it was n't worth the effort.

"The capture of Fenrir Greyback was undoubtedly a success. I hope nobody has misconstrued my password on that. The fact that it was done without any wound, let unequaled fatality, was nix light of amazing. The Aurors and Werewolf Control Unit employees who executed the programme of gaining control are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the capture of one wolfman should dissemble our conclusion on the group as a whole. If anything, if werewolf had been classified as Beings during that capture the Aurors and Werewolf controller building block employees would not have been able to use the methods of capture they used. To be good, I fail to see any benefits of reclassification."

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

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my opponent about the capture of Fenrir Rebel. However, I disagree with her about the electric potential benefits of reclassification. low, the Aurors and werewolf mastery Unit employees could bear used the Lapplander method they used go night, as pass of Department Walter Eckerton does not allow any method of capture that would not be allowed if werewolves were classified as organism. In term of department for the regulation and ascendance of Magical animal linguistic rule and regulating, lycanthrope are to be treated as beingness. This has been the shell since Eckerton took over as question over a yr ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is unaware of this fact.

"As for welfare, those with lycanthropy would be able to batten down jobs far more easily and would suffer the Lapp rightfield given to goblins, house-elves, centaurs, vampire, and world alike."

Apparently his uncle had much to a greater extent of an impression than the one he gave at the in conclusion debate, Albus thought.

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

"Then perhaps Bruno Walter Eckerton ought to take another aspect at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly legal of him to use Thomas More harsh methods to take lycanthrope into capture. But since this capture was a boom succeeder, I will not blame him for that. As for werewolf right wing, I have yet to hear of any ailment by werewolves about their rights."

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

"Your rebutter, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not have time to fully do the head, I will continue,"Harry Hotspur said."While it would be good for werewolves if they were reclassified as Beings, I do not think it 's feasible. It would take correspondence from all commonwealth, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Australia would never be on board, and considering our bumpy relationship with that particular country, I do not find it is in our best interests to begin talking of the reclassification of loup-garou. In last, I feel it would be a worthwhile endeavor, but given the unlikelihood of it amounting to anything, it would be a waste material of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next head. In regards to our rocky relationship with Commonwealth of Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you finger it would be good to continue trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United land ? Mr. Weasley."

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

"If elected I would defer this conclusion to the department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the essential expertise on the subject area. However, it is my personal belief that it would be worth pursuing. I believe it is important to send a message that Ministry employees, even high-ranking functionary such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was terrible and in no earthly concern should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

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

"If we give up, it will be telling the public that anyone can go intrust a crime in another state and not be punished,"Percy said."more than than that, it demonstrates the corruption of the Australian governance and having our citizens believe their authorities to be corrupt will not help outside magic cooperation."

"The possible corruption of the Australian government is not any of our line of work at the stream metre. We can not force them to extradite Ralph Lubar and it is my personal opinion that they will never do so. I daresay that the section of International Magical Cooperation has Thomas More pressing matters to deal with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have time for one more interrogative, but in twinkle of the fact that the election is on Wednesday, I am going to give each of the candidates a probability to make a worldwide speech communication instead. Mr. Weasley, you may speak first."

"Thank you, Harry."

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

"I would like to thank Professor Kendrick and the respite of the Hogwarts staff for being so accommodating, as well as the students. None of the educatee sitting in this room right now were alive before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the students in this elbow room were alive during Voldemort 's reign of terror. They read about both of these in chronicle book, because to them, it is simply history. To me, and the rest of the adult in this room, the former Ministry and Voldemort are our past, our memories. We remember the terror, the nameless, the concern.

"I was a part of the shakeup of the Ministry. We all know the geezerhood that have followed- the years where we have lived without fear, without terror, without the stranger. I have been with the Ministry every stair of the way since Voldemort 's frustration and I will progress to it my duty to go on the peace that we 've had for over twenty geezerhood. I will keep this brusk because I, like virtually of you surely do, trust that the Best speech is a unretentive speech. If you want a minister of religion who will go forward the success of Minister Hartwell 's sentence in office, vote for me, Percy Weasley, on Midweek. Thank you."

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

"My opposition routinely brings up the yesteryear. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the hereafter, except in vague affirmation about keeping thing the same. It 's true that I was not involved with the reorganization of the Ministry over twenty geezerhood ago. I got into politics later in life-time. But I do not feel that this will make me an inferior minister, nor do I opine it will be particularly good to Mr. Weasley.

"story is just that. History. We certainly need to check from our history to ensure that we do not make the same misapprehension we did before, but it is not requirement to have lived through story to be a successful leader. There are plenty of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking official, who were not here during Voldemort 's reign. Walter Eckerton, for example, did not know in Britain during Voldemort 's sovereignty. Yet he very successfully runs the department for the Regulation and command of Magical brute.

"In short, I believe we need to sharpen on our future tense rather than our past. If elected parson I will make progressive variety in not only our ministry and laws, but our educational system as well. thing have been ran the same for over twenty days, and while I am not denying the success, I think we have needed change for a while. turn tail prisoners are running free. Hogwarts lessons are being taught the same way they were when these small fry 's grandparents were in school. The ministry, along with its Pentateuch and policies, needs to accommodate as the years go by. If you feel change is needed, if you are at all upset about the way affair 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 financial support, Percy would have it in the bag.

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

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

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

"What if she wins and she stops trying to get Lubar extradited ?"rosiness 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,"lustrelessness said quietly.

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

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

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

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

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

"You think Lubar would manage ? He did it in Commonwealth of Australia !"Matt snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in trouble for it nothing could take what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be better if the humankind just forgot about the whole thing."

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

"Plus, there 's no way Australia will extradite him,"Matt said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both rectify about one matter. The Aboriginal Australian government is very corrupt, and I do n't retrieve anything will hap until that corruption ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and lycanthrope wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

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

"Yeah, it really is,"lustrelessness agreed."But it 's the way the humankind works."


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly secure my story for Dobby nominations ! Head over to the assembly to put forward my ( or any other ) stories for a Dobby award ! Be certain to interpret the formula before nominating.


Albus had been hoping classes would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such luck. Kendrick organized it so that the Great Charles Martin Hall would be the canvas place and that voting would not affect the general scholarly person organic structure. Hogwarts was the doom polling topographic point for the dominion it was in, so there would be former people coming to the school day to vote. Albus 's first cousin who were of age ( Tom Bradley, Fred, and heather mixture ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling station had been set up.

Albus and his friend spent most of Herbology watching mass walking from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in Holy Order to vote. It was very distracting and Neville did n't get to telling multitude to get back on undertaking.

"When are we going to have sex who won ?"lav asked as they walked back to the rook for defense lawyers.

"It 'll be in the vaticinator tomorrow sunrise,"Albus said."That 's the prescribed bill, but I 'm sure we 'll regain 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 achiever at the party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minute to circulate around the castle."

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

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

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

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

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

For the past times few months most people had used Defense as a study manor hall. The worksheets Young assigned never took thirster than fifteen minutes and he did n't seem to handle what his students did with the residue of the class. Just as long as they were n't being loud. Albus did n't think anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox sweets in Defense this year, since there was n't much gunpoint.

Albus, Matt, and Amanda all still needed to drop a line their essays as well. blush wine had written hers immediately following the debate, but the rest of them did n't see the pauperism to do it right away.

"I can always complete it in History of deception, too,"Saint John the Apostle said as they entered the castle.

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

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four little cubicles curtained off where the staff mesa should 've been. A little waiting line of masses were off to one side and seemed to be waiting their bend for the cubicles. It did n't look very exciting.

"Any comment on the election ?"

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

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

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

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

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

The remainder of the day passed quickly. Albus, flatness, and Amanda managed to terminate their essays during Defense Department, but lav only got halfway done. Voting was suspended during lunch and then again at dinner. Albus overheard a few of the 6th and seventh years talking about voting and the election during dinner. A yoke of Ravenclaws even got into an argument about it.

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

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus said.

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

"It 's supposed to promote soundly sportsmanship and that sort of matter,"Rose explained.

"Still ... I ca n't suppose Laurentis being a good sport,"whoremonger said.

After dinner Albus and his champion returned to the common elbow room, deciding that it might be interesting to drop the eventide there rather than the Marauder 's Den. They also wanted to discover firsthand from Bradley and Cedric who won.

The common room had the distinct flavour that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch peer. James, Fred, Heather, Mark, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to have a company to fete the end of the election and thus the end of public debate and essays on debates. There were type of Butterbeer and trays of biscuits and cipher was working on any homework.

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

"If Uncle Percy wins things will never be normal again,"rosiness pointed out.

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

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

"Albus, you 're Harry Potter 's son,"lav said flatly."No matter 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 world and not cause his dad 's name tied to him.

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

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just rum,"matt said.

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

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

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

"No approximation,"Albus said. He glanced at his spotter."half hour until the polls close."

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

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

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

Albus peered down at the map. Sure enough, a dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'had just entered the indorsement floor female child 's flush toilet. That did n't make any sense.

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

"Vinca minor 's there,"bathroom commented."Look, she 's floating over toward him."

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

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

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

"sound secure to me,"Amanda said as she stood up."This party is getting boring anyway."

John and Kaden nodded their heads in agreement. Rose raised her brow.

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

"Oh, get along on, it 's just a girl 's loo,"Amanda said."Look, there are n't even any girls in there besides Myrtle. And she 's a ghost !"

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

"John, shut up !"matte said, his brass turning red.

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

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

"I said, shut it !"mat shouted.

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

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"mulct,"John said."suit of clothes yourself. Rose ?"

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

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

They did n't put out bringing the Invisibility Cloak since there was still an time of day left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing chandeliers in honor of April Fool 's Day, but ignored his cackle.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the can as they walked quickly down trajectory of stairs. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the second floor corridor, after the step decided to conduce them directly to the firstly floor rather than the second.

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

"Maybe we can grab him on his way back to the donjon,"Amanda suggested.

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

Their flow location gave them an excellent sight of the Great Hall. A few Ministry official were currently carrying pieces of the vote cubicles out of the way, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half minute until they had a new minister of Magic.

John nudged Albus."There he is."

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

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"ceramist,"Malfoy replied.

Albus suddenly had no melodic theme 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 well-to-do to say they saw him going in there, but now he was just walking down the stairs, perfectly innocently. He 'd have 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. instant floor, Moaning Myrtle 's crapper ? Ring any buzzer ?"

"That loo was empty,"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 detain there because you 're a bloke and it would just be weird to come out of a john stall and come in face to face with a bloke. I heard you talking to Myrtle, though."

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

"Then do n't conduct your business in a miss 's loo,"Amanda said with a laugh."Let 's go. We do n't want to leave out the news about the new government minister. Clearly Malfoy 's a bit unhinged."

Amanda turned and set off up the step. Albus, john, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their wake. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as pale as Matt is right before a full Sun Myung Moon.

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

"That felt good,"Amanda said."He just really irritates me, and this time we had something on him. I could narrate 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,"Saint John the Apostle 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 said."The just way you 'd get me in a girl 's loo is if you paid me a load of Galleons."

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

"That does n't count,"St. John the Apostle said.

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

When Albus, lav, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the rough-cut room they were greeted by gaudy groans and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his brother, who was nearest the portrait hole.

"We thought you lot were Tom Bradley and Cedric,"St. James the Apostle said.

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

"Oh, right."

blush wine and lustrelessness were in the eye of a game of cheat. Matt 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 park room. He would n't tell us a thing."

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

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

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

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

"Still ... not taking any chances,"Matt said."Riley B King to D6."

rosebush instructed her knight to go closer to matt 's male monarch."mate.

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

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

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

"Exploding Snap ?"lusterlessness asked after Rose and Kaden repaired their chessmen.

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

Albus ran up to his dorm to retrieve his Exploding pushover calling card. As he returned, the portrait hole opened.

The entire common way froze and was silent. Not a I person moved. Not a undivided individual said a Book. Even the first geezerhood, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the hind end step to the residence hall and waited.

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

"fountainhead ?"James asked.

"Dad lost,"Bradley said quietly. He whispered something to St. 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 Hotspur would win. He had the support of Harry Potter. Did n't that mean anything anymore ?

Albus returned to his champion and set the box of cards 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 tough, too,"Albus said.

King James I walked up to the table."Al, Rose, we 're all going to the Room of Requirement. Thomas Bradley and Cedric want to have us more details."He glanced the rest of the group."Sorry, category only."

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

Albus, St. James, and rosebush walked to the Room of requisite in secrecy. When they arrived they saw that the door was already there. They walked inside.

The rest period of their cousin-german had already arrived. Albus took a seat on the finis remaining couch and James and Rose sat on either side of him. nobody was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Bradley, Cedric, Calluna vulgaris, Mark, Ben, Fred, Hugo, Lily, Jesse James, rose, and Angie. And himself. They were the middle group of cousins. Not the oldest, not the youngest, but the unity in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything live on. They were n't the first to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the finis to fine-tune. They stood by each early, through the proficient and through the bad.

Omar Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the battlefront of the room, near its door. The entire room was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with uneven article of furniture and organized bedlam everywhere. Albus liked it.

"wellspring, 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 acquire it ?"Heather asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The room descended into secretiveness. Nobody seemed to know what to say, Albus included. His look on his uncle becoming minister had been all over the stead for the past seven calendar month, but now that Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was disappointment. It was unusual. Just hold out calendar week he had been kind of hoping Percy would lose, and now that he had, Albus felt the double-dyed opposite.

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

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

James IV, Bradley, and Cedric were the first to return to the plebeian room, claiming they had to make skilful on all the wager they 'd taken. Albus had a notion all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and Rose returned a few minutes later, leaving the respite of their cousin talking quietly in the elbow room of Requirement.

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

"Who are you writing to ?"rose asked.

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

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

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

"That 's so weird,"John said.

"I told you about it earlier in the year,"Amanda pointed out."That 's the alone reasonableness I got to go to Hogwarts. My parents changed their idea at the utmost 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 to go to Hogwarts because their parents do n't believe."

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

"I think we all need a beguilement,"pink wine said and turned to Kaden, whose grimace was covered in ash."bargain out the bill again. Let 's bring until we 're too tired."

Albus heartily agreed, and that was exactly what they did. Two hours 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 future day 's version of the Prophet was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The winner did not storm anyone in Hogwarts since Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the entire straw man page article at breakfast and he was sword lily he did, because the article still held surprises.

LAURENTIS win ; Begin APPOINTING POSITIONS

In the closelipped race for Minister of Magic to
appointment, candidate Patricia Laurentis won the
post in conclusion night. Polls closed at eight,
with the official winner announced at a close up
party at the Minister 's sign at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a mere 342 suffrage, which is the
closest race we have ever seen.

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

'I offer my congratulations to my antagonist ,'Percy
Weasley said to Daily prophesier reporters at the
minister of religion 's house. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, fair and square. I am frustrated,
of course of study, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the next month Laurentis will resolve who
she wishes to appoint to top Ministry positions,
before she is sworn in as pastor of magic on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
time with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this morning .'I already have people
picked out for most positions ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
electric current functionary, but I will be replacing quite
a few in order to meliorate unite the Ministry .'

One person has already confirmed his intention
to take Laurentis up on her offer of a position.
Ironically, he is set to contract over Percy Weasley 's
electric current perspective under rector Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to annunciate that genus Draco Malfoy is
going to take the view of senior
Undersecretary for the Drafting and redaction
of law of nature. Dragon Malfoy has been a friend of mine
for many years as we have worked together in the
Azkaban partitioning for nearly a decennary. I am very
excited to go on working with him .'

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Second highest for drafting constabulary,"Rose said."precondition his relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most likely pass."

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

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

Albus had quite a few hours to hold off to find out just what exactly Malfoy would have to say to them. history of Magic, his starting time course of instruction of the day, was as irksome as ever. Professor Binns showed absolutely no realisation that the election had taken stead the old day. prof Patil was the sodding opposite, making no move to cross up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to blow up the desk she was attempting to transfigure.

"Do you think Laurentis will actually feature teachers sacked ?"John 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 awe-inspiring teacher. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth year and I think people will be outraged if Laurentis does the Saami thing. Honestly, I think Binns and Young are the only ones in danger."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I 'll be sure to recount him,"Albus replied."He 'll be thrilled that he made a Malfoy happy. Must be nice that your dad 's got some actual exponent now."

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

"null 's set for sure about the Auror department,"Albus countered.

Malfoy laughed."I think I might have sex a bit Thomas More than you on that. Laurentis was over at my family for dinner finish week."

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

"It never came up."

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

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

"Touchy,"John commented.

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

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

Malfoy paled."Just shut up. The pointedness is, my dad 's going to have a unspoilt position than yours."

"cipher cares what your dad does for a living,"mat said.

"Nobody asked you. At least my dad does n't bring in his workplace base with him."Malfoy laughed.

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

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

"scepter away, boys."

Albus turned and saw professor Slughorn standing in the doorway. He breathed a sigh of relief. The finish affair John needed was another detention.

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

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


The be few solar day passed without anymore position declaration from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively quiet few sidereal day, especially when compared with the past seven months. For the first time all yr, there was little coverage of the election, that is until they had political sympathies on Tues. At the end of the deterrent example, Embry reminded them of their enquiry essays on their representative, an assignment that had completely slipped Albus 's idea. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped whoremaster and matt 's minds as well. rose and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to compose their decision. Amanda had even asked her uncle for assistance, devoting part of her essay to the similarities and differences between the wizarding and Muggle authorities.

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

"Dammit,"Matt muttered."I 'm going to have to indite the integral thing tonight. The full moonshine 's tomorrow."

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

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

"But you 'll be missing class on Thursday,"John pointed out."So you can turn it in Tuesday and get four extra days."

"I 've never done that with long-term assigning,"flatness said."I do n't want to go now. Albus can work it in, like usual."

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

"Hey, Amanda, want to call for a walk around the lake before we write our finale ?"rose wine asked."The weather 's so nice tonight we might as well take advantage."

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

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five hour later Albus, matte, John, and Kaden had taken over one of the larger tabular array in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a Transfiguration Day essay due the following day and divination predictions to do. Albus was considering hexing two first yr at the mesa succeeding to them who kept giggling, if brothel keeper Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his ally lived in his district ; it would make this so much easier.

Albus did have a distinct vantage over both Matt and lavatory, in that his interpreter was far more long-familiar than theirs. Joseph Oliver Prang, who had been serving the Second Earl of Guilford London territorial dominion, was on his fourthly consecutive term, which amounted to over xv years. That was more than than Albus 's entire life. capital of the United Kingdom in itself was a localisation that required far more attention than other arena of the res publica, which resulted in far more information being useable on it. John was capable to locate a reasonable sum of money of information on his representative, Nadine Abernathy, but flatness, since he lived in one of the most outside field of England, had difficulty locating info on Marcus Whitby.

"Does this bloke even exist ?"matte asked as he looked through the very finally archived copy of the Prophet that was published during Whitby 's one term."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a sentence that mentions he won the election. And of course he won. He did n't have any opponents."Matt groaned and banged his read/write head repeatedly on the mesa."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the bit from Wizengamot encounter,"Albus said, pointing to the three large stacks of composition in the middle of the table. He really did palpate bad for Matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a theme like this, but having to do it when the full moonlight was only two days away ?

"I could probably just make stuff and nonsense up,"matte said as he took the top few pages."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly know anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the least densely populate dominion in all of England."

"Embry probably knows everything about everyone,"John said."There. I 've got my intro. Look at it this way. Your chap 's only been in office for a class. So you 've got far less overindulge to see through. It wo n't subscribe as long."

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

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

"You have a weird way of doing research."

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

Matt tossed the document he 'd been looking at onto his rejection pile, which was so disorderly that Madam Pince would probably have a heart onset if she saw it. He then let out a cheap suspiration and put his headspring in his hands.

"Could you please take pity on him ?"Albus asked rosiness.

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

"His representative has only been in agency for a year,"Albus explained."And the simply thing he 's found is one sentence in a Prophet from a year ago saying he won the election, which was against nobody. And the full-of-the-moon moon is tomorrow."

"Please, pink wine ?"lusterlessness asked, picking his head up to depend at her. His cheek was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

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

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

Rose sighed."fine. But only because you look so pathetic. And mine was pretty hard, too, because my dominion is also remote. Just let me finish my conclusion."

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

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

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the next four hours managed to get it half done. He did n't think it was very in effect, but it was advancement. trick was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to call it a Nox. St. John the Apostle settled in to facilitate Kaden with his fake divination foretelling. Matt was still working on his, with much coaching from Rose.

"Did you find anything ?"Albus asked.

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

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

"A animal foot,"rose answered."You 've got another four inches to go."

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

The library was now only filled with twenty percent through one-seventh years. It was certainly quieter.

"We should probably complete in the common way, then,"rosiness said.

"I do n't cerebrate I can,"lustrelessness said."Too weary. I 'll finish it tomorrow since I 'll probably hop good afternoon classes anyway."

The group packed up their things and walked quickly back to the common room. By some stroke of fortune they managed to annul the prefects and did n't get any hold from being out after curfew.

"No mandatory curfew tomorrow,"Kaden commented as they entered the mutual room.

"With Greyback caught they do n't want 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-bodied to serve those parents with the two kids,"pink wine said.

"He 'll probably go do the wards himself,"lusterlessness said."At least for this month. And I 'm for sure they 've got Wolfsbane this month."

Albus nodded. It was going to be a improve broad lunation for everyone involved.
***


Albus, Matt, and whoremonger managed to get their essays done in sentence and turned in on Th. The entire moon was relatively normal, as full lunar month go, without any theme of werewolf tone-beginning. Matt wound up in the hospital wing for two full moon mean solar day, having resorted to chewing on himself since the wolf no longer had the misdirection of Limnodromus griseus outside. But Albus had a feeling Matt preferred it that way. Greyback 's comportment was just too creepy and too unknown.

A few days after the full lunar month James IV returned to the common elbow room fuming. Albus raised his eyebrows at his comrade as he straightened a down of career pamphlets that had once again appeared on the common elbow room tables.

James stomped over to Albus 's table, pulled up a professorship, and squeezed himself between Albus and Matt."Career advice,"he muttered.

"Did you just have it ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, with Longbottom,"James said."Neville always seemed so nice when we were minuscule and even in class he 's easily the best professor here. But for career advice ? He 's severe !"

"Well, what did you talk about ?"

"Careers."

Rose snorted."Obviously."

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

"I think you have to pick something so you can pick your N.E.W.T. classes next year,"rose wine explained."Otherwise the teacher do n't know what to put you in."

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

rosiness laughed."He did n't like that ?"

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

"She was going to contrive brooms,"rose wine 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 metre and I have n't even done O.W.L. Arithmancy. I just want to conduct the bare minimum of N.E.W.T.s and get done with it."

"And of course of action Neville did n't like that,"rose said."Honestly, St. James, just pick something."

"But I ca n't !"James said as he picked up a great deal of pamphlets."Look at these. hob Liaison, Gringott 's counterfeit Coin Checker, security troll trainer. They 're all drained boring."

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

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

Albus had to agree with that. James had about the same ability to concentrate as a troll."Hey, you could train security measures trolls."

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

"I already know what I want to do,"Rose said."I 'm going to be a Healer, specializing in psychiatry."

"Of course you do,"William James muttered.

"If it makes you feel better, Ilex paraguariensis, I 've no estimate what I want to do,"whoremaster said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

"You 're a third twelvemonth,"James said flatly."It does n't matter that you do n't make love what you want to do. What about you, Al ?"

Albus shrugged. He had n't thought much about careers since the previous year when Balladanis told him he could be a Presuler. The melodic theme was very charm, but he did n't want to tell anyone else about it.

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

"If you 'd throw in the towel complaining and start studying you 'd pass more of them,"rosiness pointed out.

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

"James, delay !"blush wine shouted as William James neared the portrait hole."Forgetting anything ?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

lusterlessness laughed and picked up the Gringott 's tract."Considering that werewolves are n't going to be changed from Beasts to beingness anytime soon, I do n't think I 'm going to have many choices to peck from."

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

"Still, it 's doubtful,"matte said, turning to Amanda."Amanda ? You were awfully tranquil when William James was here."

"It 's difficult not to be. He 's rather loud himself. I 'm not sure. I think I want to do something in the Ministry, though. I want to pee-pee a difference."

"Excellent,"lustrelessness said."You can change everyone 's idea 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 bread and butter,"Kaden announced as he leafed through the brochure.

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

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

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

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

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

"Exactly,"rosebush said.

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

Albus laughed."You could shift your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

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


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! For those of you who read Beyond the Shadow, it made it through to the voting one shot of the Dobbys ! Head over to the assembly to vote for it. It was nominated in the C. H. Best OC category.


April went by quickly, as it usually did. The weather condition turned from chilly and windy to warm and rainy, resulting in more than one muddy Quidditch drill. Albus did n't mind the mud as much as he minded the distance of the practices. Both Fred and Heather seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their 7th class. They had n't won it yet, in all their years 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. The final friction match of the year was on the last Sat in Apr and Albus 's team was still in the running for a win of the entire tourney. They had n't won a single match, but they were routinely in second office by only a few points. The squad that had gotten low gear place never did that fountainhead in other tournament, resulting in their boilersuit point total being quite low.

When the last Saturday in April arrived, far earlier than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly nervous. He was n't neural at all about his duel, but he was nervous for the team. This was it. It was his last tournament in the Junior Dueling Tournament. His survive hazard to prove himself as captain and pull in a patch on Gryffindor 's dueling team next year.

All four headwaiter of the house dueling teams were present at this tournament because they would be helping hand selecting histrion for their teams next year. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tourney.

"final tournament being on Malfoy 's team,"Amanda commented as Malfoy dueled a young woman 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 nasty when he had to duel lusterlessness because their skill story were so drastically different. At the Saame clip he did n't want to go easy on his booster because the Gryffindor team captain was watching.

Albus and Matt bowed to each other and raised their scepter. Albus thought a silent apologia as he shot a Stunner at his best friend. Matt dodged it and sent one back. Albus threw up a shield and then sent three successive Stunners. The third one made inter-group communication and lustrelessness collapsed onto the floor, frozen.

"Point to Potter !"Neville declared. He waved his scepter at flatness and the enchantment lifted.

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

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

Albus won his second duel as well. His team continued to win most of their duel, with some of his teammate winning their first duel ever. Amanda had begun a counting of all the points on a bare bit of parchment and their squad 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 affaire d'honneur of the day. Kaden lost spectacularly, which Albus was both happy and upset about.

A few moment later Neville stepped into the shopping center of one of the dueling rings."I am pleased to announce that we have a victor of both today 's tournament and the twelvemonth 's tournament boilersuit. Congratulations to Team septenary for winning both today and the tourney overall ! sea captain Albus Potter, please come forward to accept the trophy."

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

Albus shook Neville 's script while a Hufflepuff took their picture. The trophy was a bit belittled than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not lowly by any means. After a few more characterization were taken, including one snap of the entire team, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the commons room.

"When will you rule 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 a great deal guaranteed a blot, 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 friends were waiting in the common room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulations and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading outside for Quidditch practice.

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


In April 's last remaining Clarence Day the Daily vaticinator published at least one clause a day on Laurentis and her upcoming swearing-in ceremony, as well as her picks for top official. Albus had n't recognized any names of the officials, or the name calling of their problem. Mostly they were line of work such as the one his Uncle Sir Henry Percy held under Minister Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became rector to break the big positions, such as Albus 's dad 's berth.

The Gryffindor table was unusually pipe down the dayspring of May first. Albus, along with all his cousins, were n't saying a Scripture. Albus was thinking of his uncle Harry Hotspur and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was surely his first cousin were thinking the Saami.

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

"I heard they 're listening to it on the radiocommunication in political relation today,"John said."Wish we had it today. That would be much safe than having factual 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."

"Saami here,"lusterlessness agreed."Amy said that Dad 's really nervous about it."

"What time is it happening ?"rosebush asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We 've got to plan it carefully, though,"Rose said."We ca n't all get ill at the Saame fourth dimension or it 'll search suspicious."

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

Rose nodded."That leaves five of us. lustrelessness, do you have an issue with skipping all of story of illusion ?"

lusterlessness laughed."Of course not."

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

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

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be well-situated for mat go just say he felt ill, rather than you. I 'll use a nosebleed nougat in Arithmancy since I 'm the only if one of us in that social class. Al, John, Amanda, two of you can use something in chronicle of illusion and then the former one can use something right at the start of Care of Magical Creatures. We meet in the predator 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the plan decided upon, they set off for their cockcrow socio-economic class. toilet begged to be the one who used a vomiting pastil first in story of conjuring trick 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 behemoth Wars, a topic he seemed to delight for some grounds. He taught it each and every year without fail. Albus doodled aimlessly on his notes while taking secret glances at John the Evangelist every so often.

"Um, Professor ?"John Lackland announced ten minutes into the class.

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

"I do n't feel well-"whoremonger was cut off by his own puking. His table was now covered with a heap of puke.

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

John hastily shoved the other end of the sweet into his mouth and vanished the nauseant before grabbing his bag ( which he never unpacked ), and left the room.

Amanda was next. She, like Albus, went the prophylactic route and had decided upon the febricity fudge. Professor Binns hardly seemed to observe that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the form. He just waved her out and continued his lecture. Albus could 've probably used his own febricity fudge right then and there, but he did n't think it was worth the small endangerment.

Albus decided to eat the febrility fudge on his way to Care of Magical Creatures so he could allow immediately after arriving. The Marauder 's Den was quite a walk from Hagrid 's hut and he did n't need to miss any of the ceremony.

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

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

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

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

Hagrid 's face fell."Yeh don'facial expression so well. wagerer go see brothel keeper Pomfrey."

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

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

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

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

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

"Good morning time, auditor. We are broadcasting survive from court Ten in the Ministry of Magic, where just minutes from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as Minister of Magic for the United kingdom. It is standing room only in the court, with extra witness in the corridor."

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

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the courtroom. She is making her way down the aisle, greeting the great unwashed on her way.

"diplomatic minister Hartwell, along with members of the Wizengamot are seated on the stump. Three senior member of the Wizengamot will depose Laurentis in."

Thomas More clapping. Then a new voice. Albus recognized it as minister of religion Hartwell.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. It has been my pleasure to attend to you over the past ten years. I 'd like to take a consequence to give thanks my party, Merlinus, for their financial support over the by ten, as well as all of my top officials and the remainder of the Ministry employees. I 'll retain this forgetful and just say that I am going to drop serving you, but I have to admit that both my wife and I are looking forward to taking a gracious, hanker holiday."

laugh, followed by applause.

"Thank you, minister of religion Hartwell,"someone else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot members."Ms. Laurentis, if you would please maltreat forward."There was a suspension."Please repetition after me. I do hereby affirm to serve the United Kingdom-"

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

"-to the best of my ability-"

"-to the beneficial of my ability-"

"-and observe to the paragon of the Philippus Aureolus Paracelsus party-"

"-and keep back to the ideals of the Paracelsus party-"

"I swear to mind to the masses and do what is best for them-"

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

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

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

"I hereby declare Patricia Laurentis as the third minister of religion of magic trick post-War as of the firstly of May, 2020, at xi o'clock in the morning. Ms. Laurentis, congratulations. Please welcome your new Minister of Magic, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a smattering of polite applause, much hushed than the former hand clapping for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a serious occasion and no one wanted to look too ecstatic.

"That was quick,"Albus said.

"She 's going to make a speech communication now,"pink wine said."Shhh."

"Thank you,"Laurentis said as the hand clapping died down."It is an honor to be standing before you as your Minister of Magic. I would care to begin by thanking the Paracelsus party for nominating me as candidate and supporting me throughout my successful campaign-"

"Department of Energy she really postulate to say it was a successful political campaign ?"John asked."I mean, it 's obvious that it was successful."

"Shut up !"blush wine said.

"-without your reenforcement I would never stimulate made it this far. I hope I am able to experience up to the high expectations set by you and minister of religion Hartwell. I am trusted you are all unquiet to find out who I am appointing to caput of Department spot in the Ministry, so I wo n't macerate any fourth dimension getting to that."

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

"First, the section of Magical Law Enforcement. I am please to foretell that Aplysia Balladanis will be taking over for former headspring, Reena Barnes."

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

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

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

matte groaned."That means he 's going to be around all the time. 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 President Andrew Johnson will be replacing Harry Potter as head teacher of the Auror Department-"

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

"I understand that this is a controversial option, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a united front. I assure you that Henry Martyn Robert President Lyndon Johnson is an excellent Auror and will pee a wonderful school principal of Department."

Albus tuned the wireless out once Laurentis went on to the department of Magical Transportation. He could hear his heart throb in his head and the respite of the world 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,"rosebush said quietly."And your dad still has a job."

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

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

"-Walter Eckerton will persist Head of the Department for the Regulation and command of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"flatness exclaimed.

"trade good,"Albus said."At least there 's individual sane still in a Head position."

Albus only paid undefined attention to the rest of the announcements. He did n't recognize anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that appointment. One thing was crystalise by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's family was in any of the fountainhead stance.

blush wine switched the radio receiver off at the end of Laurentis 's speech. The whiz doing the broadcast was interviewing a few multitude, but they were n't anyone of corking importance.

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

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

It was clear that word of honor had spread when Albus and his friends reached the Great Hall. Whichever class had had politics during the speech must 've shared the tidings with the entire castle, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't create eye contact with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor board, where he sat down next to James.

"So you heard,"St. James the Apostle said quietly.

"I skived off class to listen resilient,"Albus explained."She wants a united ministry. What a loading of dragon dung."

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

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

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

"Nothing she 's doing makes a bit of horse sense,"Albus muttered."But I guess people must like her. She got elected."

"But now that she 's elected she can appoint who she wants,"Amanda said."I do n't recall anyone actually thought she 'd replace your dad. I 've only been in the wizarding reality for four years 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 limelight because of it, but it was a unremitting. It was normal for him. Now, he did n't do it what to think.

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

Albus glanced up. Every ace professor was deep in conversation, some even ignoring their food for thought. Neville in particular looked sandbag and turnover. None of them looked happy.

Albus 's own collection plate was still discharge and he had no desire to fill it. For as long as he could think of his dad had been Head of the Auror section, a job that he loved. Being the man who defeated Voldemort had given him an atmosphere 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 year 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 likely supported her decisiveness to replace his dad as header of the Auror department. Not everyone was talking in voicelessness, with worried face. A few groups were laughing, like they did n't let a care in the world. Either they just did n't give care about Laurentis 's decision, or they supported it. The thought was very unsettling. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the Minister of Magic. He did n't care it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reexamination !


The following week brought a slew of articles stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that first speech. A lean of the new Ministry officials was printed multiple meter. Albus found the newspaper column more interesting than the real article, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how stupid it was of Laurentis to give the axe Harry Potter. However, it was n't until nearly a week after Laurentis officiall became Minister that an article completely captured Albus 's tending was published.

DEMENTORS TO RETURN TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE CHANGES

Newly elected rector of Magic
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will bring Azkaban back
under the mastery of the dementors
late last-place night. Laurentis hopes
to have the dementors back by latterly
side by side week. 'This has been a goal
of mine for old age and I am very
happy that it is finally happening.
The wizarding world will be far
safer now that our crook will
be guarded once to a greater extent by dementors .'

Bringing the dementors back to Azkaban
is the commencement of many changes the new
minister will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's next
plan is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the adjacent few weeks I will be
sending representatives from the
Department of Magical Education Department to
observe each professor. Each
professor will be required to submit
their programme to the example
as well .'Professors planning on
retiring at the end of this yr
will be excuse from this demand,
as no changes will take place before
the end of term.

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

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

"And she 's sending multitude to observe the teacher,"Albus said.

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

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

As if on cue, Professor Kendrick stood up."May I have your aid ? Thank you. Most of you, I am sure, have read the Prophet. Over the next few weeks every prof will be observed during one of his or her classes. I ask you all to ignore the representative and go about stratum as if they were n't there. That is how the Ministry will best get an sympathy of how things work at Hogwarts. Now, professor Slughorn has an promulgation to make."

prof Slughorn stood, although he was so short-change that it hardly made a difference. He looked a bit spooky and Albus got the impression that he rarely ever addressed the stallion student body at once.

"Yes, thank you, professor Kendrick,"Slughorn said."I just wanted to assure you all at once that I am going to recede at the end of full term. I 've enjoyed my clock time at Hogwarts, but it 's high metre I retire for good."

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

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

"What about Thomas 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 prof next class,"John said.

pink wine groaned."And in our O.W.L. class, too."

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

Rose raised her eyebrows."What Son ?"

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

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

"Shut up,"Epistle of James muttered.

James was n't the only one to deliver forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election newsworthiness. There seemed to be more unrestrained studying than common, and not just from the fifth and seventh days. The entire castle had neglected to study for their end-of-term examination. Later that Night Albus, toilet, pink wine, Amanda, and Kaden joined the multitude of masses vying for tabular array in the library in order to mug up in as much perusal as possible. Matt could n't conjoin them, as it was the total lunar month.

However, Albus had a tough clip concentrating. His every thought was focused on the dementors in Azkaban or his dad 's job or the Ministry voice at Hogwarts. rosebush, Amanda, and even Kaden were focusing on their perusal. John was playing with his calamus. Suddenly, he stood up.

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

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

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

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

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

pink wine groaned."They 're the right way. I do n't want to know."

Albus had assumed that this would be a trick that would take itself known right away, as about of St. John the Apostle and Kaden 's pranks worked that way. But by the next morning things seemed perfectly fine at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'hair was still normal colors and everything seemed still and tranquility. whoremaster and Kaden kept grinning at each other, so Albus was certainly they 'd done something.

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

Albus raised his eyebrows questioningly at whoremaster and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"John 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 burden wo n't all come at once. It all depends on when they send their wash out."

"That 's genius,"Albus said. John Lackland and Kaden 's pranks were most definitely improving over the years.

"What 's genius ?"

Albus looked up from his breakfast to see lustrelessness nudging a first of all year over so that he could sit down in next to John.

"lady Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

flatness nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to quell longer, but I told her I needed to meditate. Why are these two geniuses ?"

"We did our prank on the Slytherins,"lavatory explained and then lowered his vox."Itching pulverization in their washing. The house-elves helped."

"Okay, that is jolly awesome,"Matt said."You wo n't get caught, either."

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

"Study."

Albus looked up once more and saw that this meter rose and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with rule book and stacks of parchment. They wore indistinguishable face of determination.

"You 're all studying. All day,"Rose continued."test are in a month and none of us are set up. The election happened, it sucked, but it 's over. naught 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 class. lustrelessness, the full lunar month is over. All four of you are studying from now until exams."

"Aw, Rose, c'mon-"

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

Rose and Amanda left in a fanfare of parchment and books, leaving Albus and the other boys to gaze at each other open-mouthed. Albus knew his cousin was very faculty member and placed a highschool time value on her own education, but never before had she staged an treatment for his studying.

"She 's lost her creative thinker,"St. John the Apostle said."If she 's like this now, what will happen future year for O.W.L.s ?"

"Do n't say that word of honor !"Henry James shouted from down the table.

"I suppose we have n't got a choice, do we ?"matt asked as he shoved his orchis into his rima oris."Damn, I only just got back."

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

rosiness and Amanda had shoved two mesa together and had spread all their Bible out over them. ma'am Pince was sitting behind the circulation desk, looking at them curiously, as if she could not remember a time somebody had frequented the library that early. The residue of the board were deserted.

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

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

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

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

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

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

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

Albus had n't thought of that. Of course, Rose had n't had any luck getting Elsie to talk all twelvemonth, so hazard were slight that he and the other male child would bear winner.

"Honestly, you lot are far too focused on Malfoy,"Rose said."You 've hardly studied all class. Just sit down and start reviewing August 6. I 've made study template for every subject. You should have them at your spots."

Albus picked a rump and sat down. Rose was organized to the point of insanity. There were in fact sketch 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 believe studying so much easier.

"Wow, thanks Rose,"Albus said. The quietus of the group muttered their agreement.

blush wine smiled."See ? It was a good estimate. Now, we 'll study until lunch and then have a break."

Lunch was about two hour away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his Transfiguration Day Quran and settled in with that and the cogitation pathfinder. It took him about a half minute to work through distraction, but soon his intellect was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the depository library quickly filled up. Fifth and seventh geezerhood seemed the most unrestrained about finding tables and searching the slew, but students from every class and every sign were lay out. madam Pince spent the forenoon weaving throughout the mesa and looking over everyone 's shoulders to make sure they were working on schoolhouse work. With exam 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 mesa, clearly unsure of studying with so many people. Albus was struck again by how similar she looked to Felix. It always form of amused Albus when siblings looked so alike, since he did n't really resemble either of his siblings. But Felix and Elsie Willinson were incredibly standardized in looks.

Once Rose noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the first off class over. Elsie seemed less nervous now that rosebush knew she was there, but she still avoided eye tangency as she sat down and pulled her books out of her bag. Rose whispered something in her ear and she began reading her charms book.

Albus sighed and returned to his own piece of work. Getting Elsie Willinson to talk was going to be much more unmanageable than he thought.
***


Rose 's alteration seance continued throughout the calendar month of May. Albus did n't like to take on it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't trusted he would pass his exams if it were n't for Rose. As the month progressed, the academic term grew both in length and the number of participants. By the end of the kickoff week their survey radical had grown to include James, Ben, Cedric, and their booster Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James missed a few sessions for Quidditch pattern, but as the Quidditch final John Drew closer, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as significant as studying. Bradley and heather mixture were becoming more and more anxious about the final, since it would watch whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few peak behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the final, they would most likely win the cup as well.

The peer took property a hebdomad before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more aflutter than he had been for a Quidditch mates in ages. The match itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the last time he played with heather mixture and Fred as the former pursuer on Gryffindor 's team. adjacent class he 'd take two new chaser and that was going to be incredibly unusual.

Albus headed down to breakfast before his friends and encountered a few particularly fidgety Slytherins on his way. Giggling to himself and enjoying the fact that John and Kaden 's clowning was still going on, calendar week later, he entered the Great Hall. On his way to the Gryffindor table, he was distracted by the visual sense of Malfoy, speaking with Felix Willinson, while carrying an overnight bag.

Deciding that breakfast could wait, Albus crept over to the Slytherin board and attempted to stoop down behind a few seventh yr. Unfortunately the Great Hall was too loud for proper eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always have an Extendable Ear on his person from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to look at his nerve. He looked terrible. His eyes were red and it looked like he had n't slept in days. Very strange, Albus thought, as he rose to keep an eye on Malfoy out of the room.

Once in the Entrance Hall, Malfoy immediately ran up the staircase, going far too degraded for Albus to stick to. Albus stood next to the room access to the Great entrance hall thinking about what Malfoy 's actions meant.

He was clearly upset about something, but what was it ? The overnight bag implied that he was going to be leaving the castle, but why ? Albus thought back to the dueling tournament that Malfoy missed. The two incidents must be connected, and it was quite potential that the letter Albus and Amanda saw Malfoy reading months 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 practically as Albus wanted to discuss it with them, he knew that he needed to put it out of his mind for the duration of the peer. If there was ever a equal for Albus not to be distracted, this was it.

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

Ravenclaw had a good Quidditch squad. They were easily the best team in the school, although most Gryffindors would disaccord. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this match, 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 peer it almost seemed like they were one entity, sharing one brain. Albus 's entire mind was focused on Quidditch and Quidditch only. Gone were the thoughts of his dad 's job, Laurentis, and Malfoy.

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

"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. Professor Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup heights over his point and was making his way through the crowd to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to Heather. Each held one side and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the pitch shot and Albus was sept up in the crowd, making it difficult to contact his team. Once he did, somebody snapped their picture.

Albus was the happiest he 'd experience in weeks, ever since his team won the Dueling tournament. It was his third twelvemonth on the Quidditch team and they finally won the Cup. But he was even more happy for Fred and Scots heather than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the team since their 2d year and had never won the Cup.

ling had tears streaming down her face and Fred was grinning wider than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a calling in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their lifespan for the past six year. 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 soundly as it was now when he got to seventh year. Winning again in his last year would be the expert feeling in the mankind.
***


"Malfoy really did leave the castle,"Amanda announced at breakfast the following day.

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

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she know ?"

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

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

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

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

"Why were you reading the necrology ?"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,"pink wine explained.

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

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

Albus glanced at the necrology but did n't record it. As lots as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't help but feel good-for-naught for him. Albus could n't opine what it would be like to drop off his grandad, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious error, he was still Scorpius 's grandfather.

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

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

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

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

Matt shrugged."It looks like he has. Why else would she love about it ?"

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

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

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

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

"count me out,"Rose said, shaking her top dog.

"But you 're a young woman,"Albus pointed out."You could get in there so practically easygoing. Amanda ?"

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

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

"Not me,"flatness said immediately.

"I 'll go,"Gospel According to John said.

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

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


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


The plan to talk to Myrtle in the dead of night may have been a plan that belonged solely to Albus and whoremaster, but pink wine still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. test were now only a week away and rosebush was only giving them one night off, for rest and clearing accent from the judgement. Neither Albus or toilet dared cross rosebush and decamp out on revision, which took place in the library until curfew and then in the rough-cut room until they all went to bed.

Their one night off occurred the night before their first exam. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a full phase of the moon calendar week, but none of the twenty percent or 7th old age were taking any Night off, including James. Despite Rose 's insistence that he consume a dark off, James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and John spent the evening playing chess with Kaden. lusterlessness had turned in early, still tired from the full-of-the-moon moonlight, which had taken property two daylight earlier. Rose and Amanda had disappeared into their dormitory, clearly set upon having some time away from the boys.

The common elbow room emptied as the Nox progressed, and eventually whoremaster and Albus were the only one left. It had n't taken long since nearly people went to bed former because of exams. It was probably fairly pudden-head of Albus and John to bide up so late, but neither of them cared.

They waited an extra fifteen minutes in case somebody decided to return to the rough-cut room, but no one did. Albus glanced at John the Divine 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 board. The seacoast was clear.

Albus and lavatory stumbled out of the portrait hole and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat Lady 's stern regard.

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

The Fat Lady was always threatening this but she never seemed to make good on any of her scourge. Ignoring her, Albus and John set off along the corridor. John led the way while Albus kept his eyes glued to the Map, but the corridors remained evacuate. It seemed everyone, both scholarly person and professors, were getting a good night 's respite before exams. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning myrtle was the merely occupier of the second floor missy 's lavatory. John quietly pushed the threshold loose and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is right arm.

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

A splashing sound came from the last stall and then Myrtle 's ghostly form floated through the fold stall room access."boy ? 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 cesspit."Oh, it 's you. Albus potter. And his friend Saint John the Apostle. Where 's lustrelessness ? I rather fancy him ...."

"He, er, was n't feeling well,"Albus said, hoping that matte 's absence seizure would n't put Vinca minor off from talking to them.

On the wayward, myrtle 's face lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awful today myself. It 's a side effect of dying, you know."

Albus did n't guess dying had any side effects former than dying and had always assumed being a ghost would n't be dreadful, but Vinca minor was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Myrtle asked."You never confab me unless you 're in detention. It 's rather disappointing. No one ever thinks to inflict piteous myrtle. Oh, myrtle 's utter, they think, so she does n't need any visitor. Myrtle does n't demand 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 lady friend 's loo. We can only visit you now, in the heart of the night."

Myrtle let out a loud suspiration."I suppose. You are n't the 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 John. 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 step closer to Myrtle.

"I only know one of their names,"Vinca minor said with a giggle."I know his name because his Father of the Church used to come and talk to me when he was in school day. But his son is n't quite as gabby and he did n't seem to care at all about me or my last. He only wanted to know about the Chamber of Secrets-"

"The Chamber of Secrets ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpius Malfoy wanted to hump about the Chamber of Secrets ?"

Vinca minor brightened."Oh, you know him, too ! Yes, he did. He wanted to live exactly where the entrance was. He 'd already done quite a bit of research on it in the library. Rather odd, I thought, for a Slytherin, spending so much meter in the library, but not in a bad way. But yes, he came in and asked me about the sleeping accommodation and I told him about my death and he did n't quite understand the connective at first. So I showed him the entering and told him that he had to speak like a snake to get in but he could n't figure it out."

"He tried to address Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Vinca minor nodded."Sounded awful. Your dad was much better at it. Even that freckled boy managed to reckon it out during the fight of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly awful at it. That 's when I met the early boy. Scorpius left and came back a few twenty-four hour period later with this former boy. He showed him the entrance and then they started talking about this girl named Elsie and the other boy thought that she would be able to open the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The early boy must birth been Felix Willinson.

"Two weeks ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the Chamber of arcanum ? He refused to tell me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his head word."We want to sleep together, too."

"Well,"myrtle began as she floated up to the ceiling."Please tell me when you find out. And next time, build sure that matte comes to chit-chat, too."

"Er, sure,"Albus muttered."Is there anything else you know about Malfoy ?"

"No,"Myrtle said."You 're going to leave now, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus said."Exams tomorrow."

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John and they left. On the way back Albus explained the chamber of closed book to John the Evangelist, who only knew the office by name. By the time they returned to the green room John was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to want to get into the bedroom of enigma.

"Do you cogitate Elsie Willinson can speak Parseltongue ?"John asked as they climbed through the portraiture hole ( the Fat Lady had not refused them entranceway ).

"I do n't experience,"Albus said."It 's very rare. I think we 're going to accept to ask Rose."

"Bet she 'll love that, in the midriff of exam,"whoremaster said with a laugh.
***


"Of course I have no musical theme if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"Rose exclaimed the next day during their lunch break in between test. Albus had just finished explaining what Vinca minor had told them concluding night, as well as explaining the Chamber of Secrets 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 head. It 's exam workweek. It 's not the time to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't touch 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, rosiness,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

rose groaned."Albus, I do n't care."

"Oi, Albus !"Saint James shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's seat."Did you see the vaticinator this first light ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, lustrelessness, and King John had both slept too late to cause breakfast before their kickoff exam.

James slapped a copy down on the table in front of Albus."That blighter, Robert Dr. Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's shoes ? He 's revamped the entire department, claiming that they 're going to feature a 99 % gaining control rate."

"99 % ?"Albus repeated as he looked at the paper."That 's crazy."

Johnson REVAMPS AUROR section

Newly appointed Head Auror, Robert
Samuel Johnson, has spent the past tense calendar month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
section. LBJ has rewritten
rules and regulating for the department
as well as reorganized how Aurors
work together. All Aurors have
attended workshops over the past month
to familiarize themselves with the
new regulation and policies.

'The hope is that we will be able to
capture criminals faster and easier ,'
Lyndon Baines Johnson said. 'The section has
been disorganized for age and this
has resulted in many outlaw going
innocent for far longer than they should.
Between the new Auror Department policies
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be capable to charm
more malefactor and keep them where they
belong- behind bars .'

While Johnson did not go into specifics
of the policies and rules, stating that
these are certain documents, he assured
the wizarding public that they have
helped to streamline the department.
'With these new policy I do n't see why
we should n't suffer a 99 % capture pace
within a year .'

"What does that even mean, 99 % capture rate ?"Albus asked after setting the theme down.

"No approximation,"St. James said."But I thought you 'd want to see it. I 've got to go. metamorphosis 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,"pink wine said."The paper is right field about that."

"It 's not like the department was awful when Dad was in bursting charge,"Albus continued."He captured Greyback, did n't he ?"

"I think Laurentis is crediting Matt 's dad with that,"rosiness commented."As much as it was both of them."

"That 's not fair,"Matt said.

"No, it 's not,"rose wine said as she glanced at her vigil."We 'd better get going. History of legerdemain exam."

Albus found it incredibly hard to focus on his History of illusion 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 utmost things Albus wanted to call back about were goblin rebellion and giant wars.

Later that night rose wine held another study school term in the library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent to a greater extent prison term staring at the predator 's Map and figuring out the best way to bring up the matter of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any genuine studying, but Rose did n't seem to notice.

The following two days were nearly identical to the initiative day of test, with the exception of the field of study they were tested on. exam in the aurora, lunch, examination in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The monotony was starting to get on Albus 's nerves, but they were only halfway through test week.

Elsie Willinson did n't demo up to the field session Wed evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to bring up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with her, no matter how in effect it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions notation while glancing at the marauder 's Map every so often.

"Albus, what exactly are you looking for ?"Rose asked.

Albus did n't really desire to say because he knew Rose would just roll her eye, but he also knew she would n't let go of the subject until he explained."Malfoy. He 's going to go back to the girl 's loo, and when he does, I want to follow him."

"That would be stupid,"pink wine said."look at the past three years. You 've gotten yourself involved with something pillock at the end of every year. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

Rose had a point, Albus knew, but he did n't care."It 's just Malfoy. He 's not going to kidnap me."

"Famous finally words,"rose muttered."He 's probably just in his uncouth room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the uncouth room. Albus 's bosom 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 floor corridor. He was accompanied by none other than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

"He 's going,"Albus said."And he 's got Felix and Elsie with him. I 'm following him and you ca n't stop me."

rose groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the rest period of his Friend."Are any of you coming with me ?"

"I am."Albus was shocked to see that the interpreter belonged to Amanda. Usually Amanda agreed with Rose.

"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 clip,"John said with a grin.

Matt turned even violent."I 'd rather not know that."

"We 're in,"whoremonger said, speaking for himself and Kaden.

"You 've got an hour,"pink wine said."If you 're not back by then I 'm sending Professor Longbottom after you."

"We 'll be back,"Albus said as he stood up. As if to advance convince Rose of this, he left his books sitting on the tabular array. John, Kaden, and Amanda did the same.

Albus did n't rile with the Invisibility Cloak since it was n't past curfew. They 'd just have to lie in wait near the loo until the glide was clear and sneak in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually empty and Albus attributed it to the fact that well-nigh of his fellow bookman were doing some end minute alteration before the next day 's exams. It certainly made it well-heeled to swipe into a young woman 's loo.

Albus watched the Map as they went and Malfoy and both Willinsons'dots entered Moaning Vinca minor 's toilet. They remained there for only a few arcminute, and then disappeared off the Map.

"They must 've gotten into the Chamber of closed book,"Albus explained."I bet the vulture did n't know about it so they could n't have put it on the Map."

It took another five mo for Albus, lav, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the door outdoors and ran inside. He stopped short in front man of the sinks.

One of the sinks was gone, having sunk into the floor. In its shoes was a enceinte, shift dim hole. Myrtle was floating above it, her eyes bright.

"They did it,"Vinca minor said excitedly."Are you going to come after them ?"

"I guess this answers the question of whether Elsie Willinson can speak snake,"toilet said.

"Is flatness ill again ?"Myrtle asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

"He 's ill an awful lot of the time,"Myrtle said."Tell him to come see me when he 's better."

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the trap."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to bring together me."Albus was determined. He 'd occur this far and he was n't going to contain now. He needed to figure out what was going on.

"Is it a far dip ?"Amanda asked hesitantly.

"I think it 's more of a slide,"Albus said."That 's what my dad said, anyway."

"There is n't a basilisk in there, is there ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said."It 's dead."

"Then I 'm in,"Saint John 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 guest,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can inhabit here,"Myrtle said, giggling."I told Scorpius that and he told me that was another reasonableness 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 out into the hole. Kaden did so without a second base glance.

"Are you okay ?"Albus asked once he heard a thud.

"Yeah, I 'm OK !"Kaden shouted back.

Neither John or Amanda seemed inclined to go next, so Albus stepped to the very sharpness of the hole and looked down. He could n't see a matter. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not think too hard, he took a bass breath and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being more of a slide than a drop down. The hole was to a greater extent of a sloping pipage and it was n't a bad slide at all. Soon, Albus landed at the bottom and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own sceptre and took a look around. The place was very wet and it smelled fearful. The walls were dripping with cloudy water supply and the storey was covered in rock 'n' roll, mud, and what looked like old ophidian tegument.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the soaking water.

There was a whooshing racket behind Albus and something crashed into him, knocking him over. Albus let out a scream and turned to see it was only John, who had n't landed gracefully.

"Sorry,"John muttered as he lit his own sceptre. There was now enough verge light to see clearly. The place was creepy. That was the only give-and-take for it.

Amanda landed without knocking anyone over and lit her wand. Albus and Kaden waited for John and Amanda to need a look around.

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Does anyone find out anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed dead silent to Albus.

John shook his headland."matt should 've come. We need his lycanthrope hearing."

Albus nodded in agreement."I guess we just follow the pipe. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his wand pointed in front of him, and they set off. No one spoke. No one made any interference whatsoever. Albus had his auricle poised to hear even the smooth noise, hoping to hear some hint as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt like miles before they heard even the fainthearted of noise. Albus noticed numerous Snake River skins and the bones from decades-old creature. Then, just when Albus had a touch they were reaching the end of the passage, he heard a articulation, clearly, as if it was right next to him.

"Albus ceramicist. wellspring, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the voice. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm immorality. Thank you for all the wonderful recapitulation ! I will respond to them, but I 've been quite occupy lately.

And now I 'll take a few moments to shoot a line. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's event for The Casual Vacancy. I got to contact her and get a signed copy of the book ! It was absolutely amazing. I blogged about it on the assembly, so please check it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that voice in over a year and part of him thought he would n't ever listen it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Commonwealth of Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the interpreter. He pointed his lit verge in its focussing and saw that there was a very humble curtain raising to his left. It appeared to be another pipe, but one much humble than the one he and his friends had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to hit any interference.

He turned to John, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you guess ?"

"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 pipage. She stuck her heading in, making her vocalisation echoey."Why would he come 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 enter the bedroom 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 screeching. There was a loud stir, a clunk, and then more shrieking. Albus turned quickly back to the pipe. Amanda was gone, a little pile of rubble in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."Help !"

"What 's happening ?"John asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"fountainhead, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the piping."C'mon !"

Albus had to stoop as he walked in parliamentary law to fit through the pipe. John and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over rocks as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his wand lighting the few feet in front of him. They followed Amanda 's screaming until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the organ pipe emerged into a belittled chamber, not unlike a small variant of the chamber they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the residual of the chamber of Secrets and the far wall contained a metallic element 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 piss. Instead, his middle drew to the compendium of mass scattered throughout the chamber. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Amanda, in the clutches of Jarrett Willinson, who had his wand pointed at her top dog. Albus was just happy they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit worse for article of clothing. Azkaban did n't look to have agreed with him and he now looked far older than his early twenties.

Scorpio, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a last grip on her brother 's hand. Scorpio stood following to them and he seemed very disorder. The only one who seemed at all okay with the situation was Felix, whose grimace seemed to be coming from his sister 's grip on his handwriting, not on the situation.

Albus did n't agnise the other three adults at first. Then he remembered their word-painting from the Prophet. The shorter charwoman was Dolores Umbridge, her grey hairsbreadth greatly resembling a beehive around her capitulum. Her cutis was deeply scrunch and she did n't much resemble the somebody in the photograph, but her eyes and bizarre smile were the same. The former woman was about a foot taller and just as ugly. Her haircloth was stringy and mostly dark-brown, with streak of grayness. Her nozzle was long, crooked, and boasted a with child wart, giving her the look of a classic Muggle 's variation of a witch. All that was missing was the green skin. The man resembled her, although he was little and to a greater extent dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, Potter ?"Scorpius asked, clearly trying to sound more confident than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the head. And I can only feign they followed you three. Whether it was intentional on your part, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpio demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your founding father wanted and then you did part of what we wanted. And therein lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His centre went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to figure out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's male parent 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 require to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his baton out of his robe and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his sleeve so that he could point his wand at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is pathetic. I do n't care taking advantage of fragile nestling, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not fragile !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just suffer your grandfather,"Jarrett said."You 're thin. So is your father, and he 's prosperous to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that point Elsie started crying. It started out as small snuffle but within ten seconds blew up into loud shortness of breath. Everyone in the room turned to stare at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be quieten,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to depart, 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 pick, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just explain what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even safe, 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 leave. I really do n't worry what the hell you do."

Albus exchanged glances with John Lackland and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to leave, of course, but Albus was utterly confused. For the retiring four class 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 smarter than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the Prime Minister 's niece, who happens to be a witch. She 's currently the best bargaining chip I could possibly have. I only wish I 'd known about her in the beginning, but thanks to your uncle the total wizarding humankind knows she 's the Prime Minister 's niece. I must thank that reporter.

"thrower, do you make how bad Laurentis would reckon if anything happened to the Muggle Prime Minister 's niece a little over a month after she took office ? And just twenty-four hour period after her appointed Head Auror revolutionized the department ? Oh, it would look awful, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit nasty until the Aurors get here and then I 'll nominate my need and the Aurors will give in because if they do n't, I 'll obliterate the prime of life government minister 's niece."

Albus 's sassing fell overt. He stared at Jarrett, whose smile resembled that of a person who just won the lottery. Amanda looked frightened, her optic darting everywhere and a few stray tear running down her cheeks.

"Of course you can leave, Potter,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the other Aurors. It 'll only impart them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry official anymore, Potter. It wo n't be as big of a crime if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't bet like somebody subject of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an unstable mental affected role than a dangerous witch. But the Carrows, they looked adequate to of murder. As for Quinton, he was n't much of a threat. Still, Albus, John Lackland, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we leave ?"Malfoy asked, his spokesperson wavering."Or at least me ?"

"Because I might postulate you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll make out back. I know you did n't get us the little girl. She came with Potter, following you."

"Why does it weigh ?"Malfoy asked."The point is she 's here now."

"I do n't cerebrate you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're ripe, I would n't ! And do you desire to fuck why ? I never wanted to assist you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all changeling, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their friends, so why would n't he give 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 sleep together you cretin were going to have a plot of land of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the idiot. You think we 'd take in 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 certainly 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 middle and then whipped around. In a subject of seconds, he sent five consecutive hexes at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their sceptre, but were too boring. Malfoy sent two Sir Thomas More Stunners and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the other.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."Looks like the betting odds are a little different now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to roll his psyche around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, thrower,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpio, what is your problem ?"Felix asked, breaking free of his baby '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 showtime ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't know 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 hold them off-"

"How do you jazz the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't weigh now,"Malfoy said as he sent a Stunner at Jarrett.

Albus turned to John and Kaden."Focus on Quinton and Felix. No offense, but you are n't the best duelers and I do n't want you to hit Amanda."

toilet and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to shake off the Wyrd feeling he had from being on Malfoy 's side, 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 open going, in an endeavour to subvert the shield.

Albus heard a loud crash and turned to his right. detritus was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a with child boulder had fallen from the ceiling and had landed on top of the female Carrow.

"I think she 's perfectly,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed hard. decease had never crossed his mind when he 'd come down here. Trying to advertize it from his persuasion, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't stool out and Albus turned just in time to see him down against the wall. Albus ran over and knelt next to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an awful headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't devolve asleep,"Albus said."Stay awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five wizards stumbled through the pipe, their scepter out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't recognize the voice."Nobody move !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the first one said as he walked around the elbow room."face like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no position to make requirement,"the first Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the pipe and let out a sigh of rest. His dad had been the fifth part Auror to arrive."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital wing. Now."

Harry knelt down future to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll have this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll get hold of him."

"Let go of the girl, Willinson,"the first Auror said. He took a few steps forward and Albus was able-bodied to see the English of his cheek. It was Robert President Lyndon Johnson, the new brain Auror.

"She 's the prime of life Minister 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be thrifty, or I 'll kill her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"President 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,"LBJ muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's wand flew in a perfective arc out of his deal and Lyndon Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to duck the spell, but still keep hold of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the storey. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught hold of her, directing her to sit next to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured R-2 and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a Word of God and none of them questioned any of the suspects. If Albus had n't known any better, 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 grasp of the felon and took them out of the chamber. Harry was left with Albus and the rest of the students.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my suspicions, but unfortunately I do n't give birth any proof,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the infirmary wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd mathematical group out of the bedroom and back to the tube that led to Moaning Myrtle 's lav. Once there, he pointed his sceptre at the pipe and it turned into step. A few minutes later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few time at the bright lights and then his optic rested upon Myrtle, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he idle ?"Myrtle gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."Myrtle seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."Hospital wing."
***


Albus had no real grounds to stay in the hospital wing. After muttering about how Albus and his booster were always getting into hassle, madam Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfect tense wellness. John, Amanda, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were also fine. Kaden, on the other hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to sleep. Albus, toilet, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. Rose and Matt joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well past curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to madam Pomfrey, but promised to render in a few hours. That had been three time of day ago and Albus was still waiting for him to come back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the entire ordeal to lusterlessness and Rose, who both agreed that Malfoy 's behaviour was very strange.

The doors to the hospital wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. Madam Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her study.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like someone ran my head over with a truck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll sense better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the prisoners to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for sure as shooting. The official record book is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the prisoners are explaining why they were in the sleeping room 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 possibility,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpio Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by Dragon Malfoy to obtain a worthy location to house the captive for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to capture them. This, of row, had to be done after the Auror Department was reorganized by Henry Martyn Robert Johnson, in order to take in both him and Laurentis look commodity. If Laurentis looks good, Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Dragon 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 nous,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no proof. Nor do I have substantiation of my theory about Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is dead, Dolores Umbridge is clinically insane, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow doubt Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his father. So, for now at least, this will stay 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 issue right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. bedevilment will do zero. In my experience, people who are corrupt like this are never capable to keep it a secret long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpius ?"Amanda asked."Why did he switch sides like that ?"

"Scorpius Malfoy has had a approximate class. His gramps has been quite ill for a longsighted time, which has put stress on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his father and then when it came fourth dimension for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get hold of Amanda, he realized he did n't need to be involved, not would his father have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in trouble ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the record is concerned, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the captive just as you lot did."

"That does n't seem just,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other hand, I think Scorpius Malfoy deserves a break this year. I think he 's grown up a lot over the retiring few months. You might chance that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll conceive that when I see it,"matt muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the Shrieking hovel, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm gladiolus he chose the sleeping accommodation of Secrets."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"I have to bring back to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the composition tomorrow, although I have no estimation what type of story they 're going to spin or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't occupy it too hard. Please do not bring up my hypothesis to anyone. The hold out thing we need is an clause in the vaticinator claiming that Harry Potter is a conspiracy theorist."

Albus laughed and said good night to his dad. Madam Pomfrey let them sleep in the infirmary wing that night, considering how late it was. Kaden, of grade, had to remain awake. Albus was surprised by how easy sleep came, considering what he 'd been through that night, but it was nearly two in the morning. He realized with a sinking feeling that he still had exams the adjacent day. Herbology and antediluvian runic letter. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the pin-up reviews ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The adjacent chapter will the final in this novel. I 'm not sure when the twenty percent novel will be up since I have yet to come up with a concrete plot for it. I 'm going to take a intermission to publish other narrative that I 've had in my head 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 last chapter of this next Friday. But you wo n't see much else from me until December, as I 'll be officious writing an pilot fic.


Albus, whoremonger, and flatness overslept the adjacent morning. Albus awoke ten second before their Herbology exam and had to wake up John and Matt, which is never a low feat. It took a full phase of the moon five minute to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing wide-cut well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his nous was on Herbology. He could n't turn back thinking about what happened last night.

The boys ran into greenhouse three five minute of arc late and as soon as they shut the door the entire grade looked up from their examination and stared at them. Albus got the decided feeling that they all knew about last night, whether from rumors or from the vaticinator. prof Longbottom got up from his stool and walked over to them.

"son,"he said quietly.

"I 'm sorry we 're late, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's okay. I know what happened shoemaker's last dark. Just go assume your rump. Your exams are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very grateful that Herbology had been the exam he was late for. Longbottom was the most infer prof in the total school. Albus settled down and managed to adopt the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few doubtfulness that he was n't sure about, he was quite sure-footed that he at to the lowest degree passed.

By the prison term the exam period ended Albus was starving, as were whoremaster and Matt. They, along with Rose and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the decided 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 motion. There were a clustering of people crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the seer ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"Rose said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the report and set it down on his plate. St. John the Apostle and lusterlessness sat on either side of him and register over his shoulder.

CONVICTS CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed question Auror, Robert
Lyndon Baines Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late net night that led him and four
other Aurors to Hogwarts School of
witchery and genius. The tip
told Aurors that escaped convicts
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the Chamber
of arcanum deep under Hogwarts School.

The Chamber of closed book, long since
regarded as a rumored hide chamber
beneath the school day was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The bedchamber has
remained hollow since then.

All four escaped inmate, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a twelvemonth
by the Auror Department, were found in
the Chamber of secret by Robert Samuel 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 bond. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced dead by Healers
late finale night, after the ceiling in
the bedchamber collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts students were found in the
Chamber as well. Johnson has released
very little info on this aspect
of the night, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one bookman with the
intention of killing her if demands were
not met. The names of the student have
not been released.

It is unknown how the con got into
the school. Weaknesses in the protective
hospital ward are currently being addressed. 'We
wish to assure the public that Hogwarts
School remains as safe as ever. The problems
will be addressed quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"Unknown how the convicts got into the school ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the whole thing up !"

"What did you carry, Albus ?"rose asked, shaking her read/write head."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new Head Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is attain up story to cover up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably right,"Rose said.

"Who 's right ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"rose wine said.

"wealthy person you seen this rubbish ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't care right now. I just want a sandwich. The divination test was savage. I had to tell Trelawney 's future in tea leaves."

John Lackland laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to gather an untimely death at the hands of a stray Quaffle,"Kaden said.

blush wine groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her huge oculus lit up and everything."

"She likes death, Trelawney,"Saint John said."Or at least the concept of it."

"Weird,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining exams took place with little fanfare. Despite his mind not being on the stuff, he thought he did fairly well, and when the marks were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His metamorphosis mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts students, with their curt memory spans, soon forgot about the debacle in the Chamber of Secrets and moved on to early topics of discussion such as the summer holiday and the electric current Quidditch season. 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 names of the bookman in the Chamber, everyone knew it was Albus, John Lackland, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"look, Laurentis has released a command about capturing the prisoners,"Rose said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be undecomposed. Let 's take heed it."

“'I wish to applaud the Auror Department for their work in recapturing the remaining run away criminal. The well-timed recapture after the reorganization of the Department only reinforces how important a conclusion it was to reorganize. With the new ordinance and policies in the Auror section, organized by Robert President Andrew Johnson, the Aurors were able to seize the whitlow immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to more winner from the Auror Department .'”

"What a burden of crap,"Albus said."Of course they were able to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the convict to be in the Chamber in the offset place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"Matt began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an well-off enigma to celebrate, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to make a speech,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the staff table.

Professor Embry stood up and raised his deal for silence. This did zippo, of line."Quiet !"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 year. I never expected to instruct and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my grade as much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a greater taste and understanding of our governing. Today is my lastly day at Hogwarts, as the politics line will not continue next year, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't waffle to owl me if you wish to receive a tour of the Ministry for donnish purposes. I daresay that a few of you might make vocation in political relation yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire room flare-up into clapping. Albus was n't sure if the applause was for Embry or for the fact that politics would no longer be a class. Albus had n't minded the course, but one fewer family was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about politics this class, all right,"privy muttered as the applause settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"cheerfulness to that !"King James shouted from a few seats down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all surprised to find out Amanda say that. If any of his Quaker were to become politicians, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts graduation ceremony. He and pink wine had attended every single graduation ceremony since starting Hogwarts, and one the year before, too. It had gotten to the point where he did n't pay a great deal attention to the speeches because they all sounded very similar to the ones he 'd heard before. During this observance, the only role Albus paid attention to was the part where Fred and heather accepted their diploma, which took all of two second.

"Well, we survived,"Albus said to Georgia after the ceremony 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 things are no different than they were this time last yr, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Percy doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not sure. He does n't talk about it much. Actually, the uncanny affair is that whenever I go over there for dinner he spends a lot of clip asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to continue me from asking about his lack of work, but I 'm not going to kick. Maybe he 'll even con to like it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the lack 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 existent politician, since Laurentis would n't take him. I do n't imagine he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George with the shop, but I do n't cerebrate Uncle George really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessive. But he 's too overnice to recount Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"Rose shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to Rose and then turned back to Georgia."I 'd better go. Let me know when your next match is. I want to go."

GA grinned."Sure thing. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, Georgia,"Albus said as he turned to be Rose back to the castle, where they would catch the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to John 's family this year,"Matt said as the Hogwarts Express hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"John asked, unwrapping a drinking chocolate Gaul."I mean, really, are you ? You want to get along to my house, where I have three nutcase slight baby running about ?"

lustrelessness shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the unseasoned in his house,"John said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's correctly,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one little sister. Wait a mo, Matt 's the only one of us who does n't possess younger sib, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All right,"trick said."Let 's break matte a really sense of what having pile of siblings is like. I 'll owl you and let you sleep with when."

"Exploding snatch ?"Kaden asked, holding up a pack of cards of posting.

"Sure,"flatness said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to consider the cards, but before he finished, the compartment threshold slid undecided. Albus, expecting one of his cousins, turned to the door. It slid open the rest of the way and Malfoy stood on the doorway, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you want ?"John asked.

"Er, can I just talk to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping inside 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 former position .'”

"What about Elsie ?"Rose asked, clearly concerned about the girl.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said lots around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"lav 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 linguistic process so she was able-bodied to forge it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few moments of awkward silence. Malfoy shifted his exercising weight and leaned against the room access.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This twelvemonth 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 gunpowder into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a fiddling too quickly.

"And we know you put the goat in the common room,"King 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 like that you 're a werewolf. Really. Sure, it 's unearthly and I have no idea why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't waffle to hex you, you know,"bathroom said, reaching into his robes for his wand.

Malfoy held up his hands."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should call a truce."

"A cease-fire ?"Albus asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, a truce,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this year. It makes all this fighting we do seem really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be friends, are you ?"toilet asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his look."God no. I 'm saying you lot stop only pranking the Slytherins, do n't state anyone that I dueled on your side in the Chamber, and I wo n't severalise anyone Eckerton is a werewolf. I 'll really promise that, without any menace of expulsion."

Albus was skeptical. Could the destruction of Lucius Malfoy really inspire this change in Scorpio ?

"C'mon, cease-fire ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his hired hand out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"rose wine said."We 've got O.W.L.s next year. You do n't ask this stupid feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"mulct, truce,"Albus said, shaking Scorpius 's hired hand.

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 strange 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 good thing."

"Weird, though,"Matt said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder thing was, was that Albus did actually believe him. There had been something in Malfoy 's eyes that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed senior somehow. He was no farseeing a kid, whose bounteous worry was arguing with Albus over stupid affair. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all arise up that year. They were going to be fifth years now, and Kaden would be a fourth class, and that meant they were the older students in the school. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"shuffling me enquire what next yr will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this twelvemonth has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"rose reminded them."I think it 'll be mountain strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't want Hogwarts to shift. Despite all that was going on in the outdoor humankind, 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 window, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't be intimate what changes Hogwarts would see in the following year, but he did n't desire to think about it just yet. There was still a solid summer before that would bechance, and Albus intended to enjoy it.


A/N : Thank you so much for all the support and reviews for this tale ! You hombre are amazing. I will be taking a break before continuing with this serial as I have other stories floating around in my headspring, but I 'll eventually come up back to Albus. I 've no musical theme how long it 'll be, though.

In the meanwhile, please agree out my vulture Era story, Between Here and Somewhere ! And keep checking back for my review reply, because I will get to them.