Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Pouring a can of pea soup into the gutter and pretending it was vomit ? No, he 'd done that the last prison term. Ketchup on the nose, pretending it was blood ? No, that one was just unintelligent. Faking a cephalalgia ? Nope, his mum would just change by reversal that around on him and tell him it was his own fault for staying up too late the previous night.

Kaden Dursley sighed and sat up on his bed. He gazed out the windowpane at the overcasting sky. It was out of the question to tell the sentence of day since the sun was blocked by clouds, but his clock said it was nearly one o'clock. It would probably rain later, which only worsened Kaden 's mood.

Ever since Kaden awoke at noon, he had been trying to think up a good excuse to skip going to dinner at his grandparents'house later that day. His grandparents were possibly the most insufferable hoi polloi on the expression of the planet, save for his Aunt margarin.

Kaden had never liked his grandparents. certain, they 'd showered him with eternal giving on his birthday and Noel, but that was the only way they showed their warmness. Well, aside from his nan 's ivory shattering hugs, which were surprisingly tight considering her small shape. His grandparents were downright boring, their conversations ranging from the weather to what the next room access neighbor were doing that morning.

However, the absolute worst thing Kaden 's grandparents had done was see to it that he had to go to Smelting 's in the tumble. Smelting 's was an elite schooltime that his grandad and his father had both attended. Kaden had visited numerous metre and hated everything about it. He hated the awful uniforms, the persnickety professors, and the Kid who constantly argued about whose father had the best job.

Kaden had told his parents that he did n't desire to go. At first gear, his Church Father was bequeath to see letting him serve public shoal with all his supporter, but after his granddaddy had his say, there was no discussing the matter. Smelting 's it was. And after that, he would surely be destined to work for Grunnings, the Lapplander drill ship's company that his grandfather and father worked for. What a tire life.

Perhaps if he tried literal hard, Kaden would be capable to give himself a fever. He 'd done it once, a few years ago. His parents had wanted him to serve some sorting of work related party for his grandpa, and Kaden had been dreading it. Half time of day before they were supposed to give, his temperature spiked to five degrees above normal and he 'd been able to skip the party. The sound percentage was, the fever had been gone within the hour.

He had no idea how he 'd done it, though. Kaden concentrated hard, thinking of hot matter such as vent and the Equator, but even after fifteen minutes of thinking, he still felt perfectly normal. It must have been a flue, the other time. Must 've just been a random fever.

There was a lenient knock on his door and Kaden hastily got out of his bed. He opened the room access, revealing his mother standing in the doorway. She was a short woman with unbent brown hair, the same color as his own, that was level with her chin.

"Kaden, good, you 're come alive,"she smiled."Your grandpa wants to see you in your Smelting 's uniform tonight. He 's induce a new digital camera and needs to read some video of you in it."

Kaden groaned."But I wore it last time I saw him."

"I know,"she said."But it 's really not a big deal, is it ?"

"Fine,"Kaden muttered.

His mother left and Kaden shut the door again. She had always been the peacekeeper in the class. Whether dousing arguments between Kaden and his seven-year-old sister, Bethany, or easing the tensity between Kaden and his grandparents, she was always keeping the peace.

Not ten moment later the room access burst open and Bethany practically flew into the room. She never knocked, something Kaden would normally yell at her for. However, this sentence he was too shocked at her appearance to bother shouting.

Bethany was wearing a princess kit, dispatch with sparkly shoes and a diadem. She was grinning ear to ear and her hanker blonde hair was curled.

"Why are you wearing that ?"Kaden asked. Bethany was n't normally the girly type and preferred to wear jeans and a t-shirt while kicking a football around with Kaden.

"nanna Petunia got it for me,"Bethany grinned,"It 's so much better than the other princess costumes I 've seen. Now Grandpa Vernon can deal pictures of me, too."

"Wish he 'd just take pictures of you,"Kaden muttered.

"Mummy did my whisker. Do you like it ?"Bethany asked.

"Lovely,"Kaden replied.

"I-"Bethany began, but stopped as the doorbell rang."I 'll get it !"she shrieked as she ran out of the room.

Kaden ran after her. She was n't supposed to get the threshold, and not only because of the understanding about parents would n't let their seven-year-old daughter answer the door. A few hebdomad ago she had purchased over fifty burnt umber bars from a kid who was selling them, with their mum 's money.

"Bethany, movement !"Kaden shouted as they reached the door.

Kaden pushed her out of the way and peered out the window. There was a man standing on their front porch wearing an outfit even stranger than Bethany 's. In fact, it variety of looked like Bethany 's. It was a garb. A black robe-like wearing apparel. Kaden had to repress his laughter as he opened the door.

"Hello,"the man greeted them. He was shorter than Kaden 's father, but improbable than Kaden. His blond haircloth looked windswept and he had a glad smile on his face.

"Er, hi,"Kaden said, still trying not to laugh.

"Are your parents in ?"the man asked.

"Yeah,"Kaden answered."Bethany, go get them."

"Why are you wearing a dress ?"Bethany giggled.

"Not a dress,"the man said."Go get your parents and I 'll explain."

More curious than ever, Kaden glared at Bethany until she turned around and ran into the kitchen. Kaden turned back to the man and watched him. He seemed dainty enough, still smiling as he stood on the stoop. Kaden assumed he was selling something, perhaps the strange dress-like outfit he was wearing ? If that was the case, then he 'd take no lot at the Dursley 's star sign. At least he had n't showed up at Kaden 's grandparents'sign of the zodiac, though. He certainly would n't be smiling after that. Petunia and Vernon hated anything unnatural and that would certainly include men wearing dresses.

Bethany returned with their parents following behind her. Dudley was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt that was stretched over his rather large belly. His blond whisker was tasteful and tidy, which Kaden was sure was due to the dinner with his grandparents. Normally Dudley did n't fuss around with his hairsbreadth.

"Dudley and Christina Dursley ?"the strange man asked.

"Yes,"Dudley said as he furrowed his brow."Can I help you ?"

"My epithet is professor Neville Longbottom,"the man said as he stuck out his hand."I have something I wish to discuss with you. May I come in ?"

"I suppose,"Dudley said as he shook the prof 's hand.

Kaden held the door open and Neville Longbottom stepped inside. Kaden followed as his parents lead them into the living room. Christina ran to fetch beverage while Neville settled himself onto one of the couches. Dudley sat in the death chair across from him, looking confused and slightly shocked. Bethany was staring at Neville.

Kaden sat down in a beanbag chair on the floor and waited for the adults to start talking. He was glad his parents had n't kicked him and Bethany out of the room. He hated when they did that. It was rather pointless anyway since Kaden had become very adept at listening in on his parents'conversations.

Christina returned with drinks and passed them out. Neville took a sip of his, set it down, and then turned to Dudley.

"This may come as a bit of a shock for you,"Neville began."But I am a prof at Hogwarts."

Dudley spat out his sodium carbonate and started coughing. Christina let out a small pant and turned to wait at Dudley, who had gone pale white. The two shared a look and then turned back to Neville.

Kaden was more disordered than ever. What was Hogwarts ? A schooling ? Why would a professor from a school he 'd never take heed of show up at his door ? His parents had obviously heard of it.

"That 's a stupid gens,"Bethany announced.

"You do n't intend,"Dudley began, ignoring Bethany."You ca n't be grave. This has got to be a laugh !"

"It 's not a laugh,"Neville assured him."I 've come to declare oneself Kaden a seat at Hogwarts."

"But, but,"Dudley said faintly."Oh my God."

Kaden was fully alert now. What sort of shoal was Hogwarts ? And what had he done to earn a place ? He had n't applied to any other schools besides Smelting 's. Of line, if this Hogwarts school really was offering him a place, he wanted to go. Anything was better than Smelting's.

"But what is Hogwarts ?"Kaden asked.

"Dudley,"Neville said quietly."What have you told your children about Harry ?"

Harry ? What did Harry make to do with this ? Kaden had met his dad 's cousin, Harry Potter, only a few clock time. All he knew was that Harry had three kids around his own age and that they lived in British capital. For whatever cause, Kaden 's family rarely visited them. Kaden found this rather odd since his grandparents had raised Harry after Harry 's parents were killed in a car crash.

"Not much,"Dudley muttered.

"You told them Harry 's parents were killed in a car smash, did n't you,"Neville said, more as a assertion than a question.

"What else was I supposed to say ?"Dudley groaned.

Kaden stared at his father, who was looking more and more uncomfortable. Had Harry 's parents really not died in a car clang ? Why would his dad lie about that ?

"fountainhead, you 're going to have to explain now,"Neville said."I 'll look. Unless you 'd rather I do it-"

"No, no, I 'll do it !"Dudley exclaimed."But only if we decide that Kaden can attend this school."

"Of course I 'm going !"Kaden shouted."Dad, you know I do n't want to go to Smelting 's and here 's the sodding reason not to !"

"I do n't hump,"Dudley sighed."What will my parents say ?"

Nobody said anything for a few moments. Kaden continued to glare at his don. He was sick of having to do what his grandparents wanted. Why would n't his own father stick up for him ?

"enough,"Christina said loudly."Look, Dudley, we knew this could come about. It runs in the genes ! He 's been making odd matter happen for twelvemonth. We tried to snub the signs, but we knew it might pass off. And frankly, I 'm happy. You and I both know he would n't have been happy going to Smelting 's. I also could n't deal less about what your parents think. You 're a grown man, Dudley, make decisions regarding your small fry based on what you think, not what your parents think."

What ran in his genes ? It could n't be news. Kaden knew he was modal, no better than about of the kids his age. Maybe it was football game skills ? Kaden was a fairly football instrumentalist, but no one else in his family was particularly just. How would that run in his factor ?

"All right,"Dudley said quietly."He can go."

"Excellent !"Kaden exclaimed."Now can somebody tell me what Hogwarts is ? And what exactly I 've got running through my factor ?"

Dudley looked up and his eyes met Kaden 's."Hogwarts is a schooltime. A exceptional school that Harry attended when we were kids. It 's a school day of illusion, for witches and wizards-"

"Wait,"Kaden interrupted."Magic ? Like Abra Kadabra and wizard verge and stuff ?"

"scepter yes, but Abra Kadabra is not a piece,"Neville said as he pulled out a hanker pin which Kaden assumed was a wand.

Kaden watched skeptically as Neville pointed his wand at his glass of soda. He muttered something in a different language and the glass began to float. Kaden gaped as he glass floated around the room and then back to Neville. Neville caught it and then pocketed his wand.

"sanctum crap,"Kaden gasped."So I 've got magic running through my genes ?"

"Apparently so,"Dudley said.

"Then how come I ca n't do magic, like make my preparation magically do itself ?"Kaden asked.

"You are n't trained,"Neville said,"but even then you wo n't be able to produce prep do itself. think, Kaden, has anything ever happened to you that you ca n't explain ?"

Kaden view, then his eye opened widely and he stared at Neville."What if a person really did n't want to go somewhere and they got a fever all of a sudden and then it went away once they did n't induce to go where they did n't require to ?"

Neville grinned."Yes, that would be illusion. Did that materialize to you ?"

"Er, yes,"Kaden said, avoiding his father 's eyes."But I did n't do it on aim. faith me, I 've tried to do it again and it does n't work."

"Of course of instruction you did n't do it on purpose."Neville laughed."Things like that happen to a lot of Young crone and wizards."

"But what about Harry ?"Kaden asked."You said his parents did n't die in a car clash ?"

"They did n't,"Dudley said."They were murdered by an evil wizard, Lord something or the other-"

"Voldemort,"Neville muttered.

"Right,"Dudley said."Harry was sent to populate with my parents and I, who told him his parents died in a car smash. They told him zero about trick or his parents. They thought if they ignored the thaumaturgy, they could stamp it out of him. They hate magic. When he turned eleven a man showed up to distinguish him all about it and propose him a place at Hogwarts."

"So, do James, Albus, and Lily go to Hogwarts ?"Kaden asked."And is this Voldemort bloke still around ?"

"James and Albus are currently attending Hogwarts, but Lily is too young,"Neville explained."And Voldemort was defeated days ago ; no penury to worry."

Kaden nodded. Quite a few questions were going through his drumhead, but he could n't figure out which to ask first.

"So,"Dudley said."He 's going to ingest to get a- a verge ?"Dudley 's facial expression paled a bit when he said 'wand'.

"Yes,"Neville smiled,"Everything you need can be found in Diagon Alley in London."He rose from his chair and pulled a letter out of his robe, handing it to Kaden."Your acceptance letter and list of supplies."

Kaden took the varsity letter and ripped it unresolved. It was printed on thicker paper than what he was used to, almost like the variety of report he imagined people wrote on one C ago.

He unfolded it and show it aloud to his parents and Bethany. It told him of his toleration and was signed by the lieutenant headmistress, prof Padma Patil. Then it said that the Hogwarts Express would leave from big businessman 's Cross post on Sept first, from a program 9 3/4.

"9 ¾ ?"Kaden asked questioningly."That 's not a real platform, is it ?"

"It is,"Neville laughed."It 's hidden from Muggles."

"Muggles ?"Kaden repeated.

"People who ca n't do magic, such as your parents,"Neville explained.

"Oh,"Kaden replied as he unfolded the list of supply. It was to the full of odd Holy Scripture such as Magical Herbs and Fungi, nerve weighing machine, and even a pewter cauldron. If his father had n't have already known about deception, he would 've thought the whole thing was a joke.

"I can remove you to capital of the United Kingdom and show you where Diagon bowling alley is, if you would like,"Neville suggested.

"No, no, I think I 'll ask Harry,"Dudley said.

"That 's fine,"Neville replied."Do either of you have anymore questions ?"

"Am I a Wiccan ?"Bethany asked.

"wellspring, I 'm not sure enough,"Neville answered."If you get a letter the summertime you 're XI then you 're a enchantress. If not, then you 're not a witch."

"Oh,"Bethany said disappointedly."I want to be a witch."

"I 'm sure Kaden will tell you all about Hogwarts once he 's there,"Neville assured her as he stood up."I 'm going to have to go, but if you 've got any questions, just get ahold of Harry."

"Thanks,"Dudley said as he shook Neville 's hand. He still looked in jolt and not all the color had returned to his face.

"I 'll see you at Hogwarts,"Neville said to Kaden.

"What do you teach ?"Kaden asked.

"Herbology,"Neville replied."Magical plants."

Kaden watched as Neville left the sign and then turned his attention to his parents. Dudley had slowly sat down on the close chair and let out a belittled moan.
***


The only auditory sensation at dinner was the click of utensils hitting the china plates and the forte burp that Kaden let out after chugging half a glass of soda, earning him a derriere gaze from his grandmother. It seemed that nobody could consider of anything to talk about. Even the common matter of the weather, athletics, and work had been exhausted.

Kaden and Bethany had been given strict rules of order by their Fatherhood not to mention anything about Hogwarts, Harry, or magic whatsoever. Kaden 's grandparents hated illusion with a Passion, something that sort of amused Kaden but seemed to frighten his father. Kaden has also learned that his grandparents did not like Harry due to his being a whiz, which explained why he rarely saw Harry or his children.

Vernon and Petunia were still under the opinion that Kaden was going to attend Smelting 's and Kaden had just endured an hour of having his photo taken by his grandfather while wearing his Smelting 's unvarying.

"You should get involved with boxing at Smelting 's,"Vernon said in between bites of potatoes."Your dad was a champ boxer when he was there."

"I like football,"Kaden muttered while wondering if Hogwarts would have football game. Wizards would still play sports, would n't they ?

"Football ..."Vernon muttered."ripe than nothing, I suppose. Smelting 's does have an excellent football team. I 'll make the carriage a gang and let him screw you 'll be joining."

"Well I 'm not sure yet what I 'll be joining,"Kaden said as he pushed his carrots around his plate.

"You 'll link up a mutation, though,"Vernon insisted."Boys grow into right men when they play a sport."

"We 'll need to bulk you up, too,"genus Petunia commented as she placed another pork chopper on Kaden 's plate.

"I 've already been to the school twice,"Vernon said as he took another declamatory gulp of brandy."Spoke with all your professor and they 're quite excited to meet you. Long personal line of credit of Dursley men who attended Smelting 's, you know."

"Yeah, you 've mentioned it five clock time,"Kaden said under his breath.

"What was that ?"Vernon asked.

"Nothing,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden really did n't wish lying to his grandparents. His parents had always taught him that lying was wrong, but now he knew that they had been lying to him his totally life about Harry. Now, he had to lie to his grandparents. How long would he stimulate to keep lying ?

"Dudley had a fantastic meter at Smelting 's,"Petunia commented as she refilled Vernon 's brandy glass."Another drinking glass, Dudley ?"

"No, no, I 'm fine,"Dudley said. His own brandy shabu was still half-full.

"Every vacation, coming plate with wonderful fib of your friends and all you 'd done during the preceding terminus ..."genus Petunia smiled as she reminisced.

"And that 's where he started his boxing career !"Vernon said proudly."You 'll do us proud, Kaden. You 've got the Dursley blood."

Not really, Kaden thought. More like he had the Potter blood. Or perhaps not. He was n't technically related to the Potter English of the family line, just the Arthur Evans side. So he had Evans line of descent.

"You know what ?"Christina said."That 's it. Dudley, we 're telling them."

"relation us what ?"Vernon asked, setting down his brandy glass.

"We ca n't,"Dudley hissed."We said we would n't tell them tonight."

"This is preposterous, Dudley,"Christina said."It 's not fair to the kids."

"Tell us what ?"Vernon asked, more loudly this time.

Christina stood up."I 'd like to talk with you in secret, Dudley."

Dudley got up and followed Christina out of the way. The two of them disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Kaden and Bethany alone with their grandparents. Petunia was sitting straight up, wearing a pinched expression, and staring at the kitchen door. Vernon was sipping on his brandy again. It was all very awkward. Kaden pushed his uneaten food around on his plate and tried to avoid his gramps 's eye.

Christina and Dudley returned a few minutes later, Christina looking triumphant and Dudley looking anxious. They resumed their tush and Christina gave Dudley a knowing look.

Dudley sighed and glanced at Vernon, before staring at his plate."Mum, Dad, we 've got to tell you something. Kaden 's not going to Smelting's."

Vernon dropped his brandy deoxyephedrine and it shattered onto the table. Petunia looked so shocked that she did not even go to clean it up."He 's WHAT ?"Vernon exclaimed.

"He 's not going,"Dudley said quickly."It 's not for him. He has n't wanted to go there from the outset and we 're not going to wedge him."

Kaden felt his grandfather staring at him, despite the fact that he was not looking up from his plate."That 's not truthful, Kaden,"Vernon said.

"It is,"Kaden muttered. Kaden finally looked up and saw that his uncle was staring agape at Dudley. Petunia looked mildly uncomfortable.

"Then where 's he going ?"Vernon asked."Not public school. You know the issues that exist with them."

"Yes, public school,"Dudley said immediately. Christina turned and glared at him.

"world schooling ?"Vernon roared.

Public school ? Kaden thought. Was his dad really going to switch one lie for another ?

"He wants to stay with his friends, Dad,"Dudley said."We just ca n't coerce him to go somewhere that he does n't want to go."

"Every boy in our kinsperson has gone to Smelting 's !"Vernon exclaimed as he slammed his fist down on the board."You ca n't break that tradition."

"Vernon ..."Petunia said quietly."Kaden is their son. It 's up to them."

"It 's exorbitant, genus Petunia. The boy wo n't get a proper education in populace school,"Vernon insisted.

Kaden wished the ground would unfold up and swallow him whole. Was that the sort of matter he could do with legerdemain ? It would be very useful for dinners with his grandparents.

"You 'll regret this, Dudley,"Vernon said."Mark my words. Smelting 's is the only desirable school out there. He 's going to miss out on a lot."

Kaden glanced up and glared at his granddad, who luckily did not notice. Why was he so against any school besides Smelting 's ? He knew the reason why Dudley did n't need his grandpa to know he was attending Hogwarts, but would it really be that awful if they told him ? Did he really hate deception that much ? But he, Kaden, was a mavin. A wizard just like Harry, and Vernon hated Harry and all genius. Did that mean his own grandfather would hate him, Kaden ? It gave Kaden a sickening opinion in the pit of his tum and he pushed his home plate away.

"May I be excused ?"Kaden asked quietly.

"Yes, that 's OK,"Christina said as Vernon continued to shout.

Kaden escaped the dining room and ran upstairs to the belittled chamber. He knew it had been Harry 's bedroom, although it no longer contained any remnant of his wizard cousin. It was great as could be, decorated in pastels and flowers. Kaden sat on the bed and stared out the window.

Earlier in the day he 'd felt so energize about finding out that he was a necromancer. It explained all the strange things he 'd done in the past. The fever was not the but time something incomprehensible had happened to him. Once, he had fallen off his bike, landed hard on his wrist, and suffered no more than a scratch. Another meter he 'd left a program library book at home that he had meant to impart back to school, only to find that it had appeared in his backpack during lunch.

Why had n't his dad told him about Harry being a necromancer ? Perhaps there was some sorting of law preventing wizards telling Muggles about magic ? That would explain why nearly Muggles did not jazz about charming. But his mother had known. Dudley had clearly told her. Harry must consume done strange things as a youngster and Kaden wondered if his own father had realized what Kaden was when he did foreign matter.

There was a bash on the door a few minute of arc later. Christina popped her head into the way and told Kaden they were leaving. She looked furious. Kaden nodded and quickly followed her down the stairs and out the door, without even saying goodbye to his grandparents.
***


The adjacent few weeks were both stimulate and awkward. Kaden put up a calendar on his wall to count down the days until he got to leave for Hogwarts. Harry had said he would use up them to Diagon Alley a few weeks before term started and Kaden was very a great deal looking forward to that.

Kaden 's parents had a very big row in the sidereal day following the dinner at Vernon and Petunia 's. Christina insisted that they tell Vernon and Petunia about Kaden attending Hogwarts and Dudley still wanted to go on it a secret. In fact, during those few workweek, they did not see Vernon and petunia at all, when they normally saw them once a week.

It took a long time for Christina to win over Dudley that he should assure his parents about Kaden attending Hogwarts, but she finally did. In fact, it was the evening before Kaden and his menage were to go to Diagon Alley with Harry that they went over to Vernon and genus Petunia 's for dinner once more.

The affair was very quiet at first, with cypher knowing what to say and the only when phrases mentioned being"pass the salt"or"could I hold some more brandy, delight ?"Kaden did not say a single Word of God, which even he knew was rare, since he liked to blab out a lot.

It was Vernon who finally broke the silence."Still set on this public school, are you ?"

Dudley and Christina exchanged glance."No, actually, Kaden was never going to attend public school,"Dudley said quietly."He 's been selected to go to a small-scale, private school in Scotland. He did n't apply, but he 's been selected to attend."

"Then why did you narrate us-"

"He 's going to Hogwarts, Dad,"Dudley interrupted, clearly wanting to get it over with."There. I told you. He 's going to Hogwarts. Kaden is a wizard, just like Harry."

Kaden watched as both of his grandparents visibly paled. Vernon dropped his brandy spyglass. petunia let out what could only be described as a lowly narrow escape. Vernon 's face then turned the purplish color it did when he got angry.

Petunia squeaked again and Vernon slammed his fist down on the table."That place ! That shoes where the boy went. Where unnatural people go. You ca n't honestly be thinking of sending Kaden there ? ! I wo n't have it, I wo n't !"

"It 's not up to you,"Christina said shortly."He 's our son."

"He 's going, Dad,"Dudley said quietly."Christina and I, we had a intuitive feeling ...."

"A feeling about what ?"Petunia asked.

"Kaden 's done foreign things,"Dudley answered."Like Harry did when we were kids. We never told him about thaumaturgy, but we half expected this."Dudley left out the part about him debating whether or not to let Kaden attend.

Vernon gave Kaden a very unknown look, one that made Kaden feel mildly uncomfortable. It was a weird mix of confusion, anger, and the slightest bit of revulsion, as if he could not stick out to think that individual actually related to him was a magician. Vernon had surely prided himself on the fact that he was not actually related to Harry.

"You do n't throw to send him there,"Vernon said, after he tore his eye away from Kaden."It 's not required. You 're under no obligation-"

"He 's going, Dad,"Dudley said."It 's what 's best for him."

"No, it 's not !"Vernon exclaimed."He 'll get miscellaneous up that same crowd that your aunt did and you know what happened to her."

"She was murdered !"Dudley exclaimed."You ca n't blame her for being murdered. And the madman who did it is gone."

"He 'd be better off at Smelting 's,"Vernon muttered as he poured himself another generous helping of brandy, in a new methamphetamine hydrochloride."Smelting 's wo n't be well-chosen to take heed this."

Kaden could n't give care less about Smelting 's. He was just well-chosen he 'd never ingest to set foundation in the place again. Anything would be better than Smelting 's and what niggling he knew about Hogwarts was better. He just wished his grandfather would be a trivial more accepting. Kaden may not induce particularly liked his grandpa, but he still loved him and hated feeling as if it was not mutual.

Vernon sighed and stared at Kaden once more. Kaden immediately looked down at his photographic plate of uneaten food.

"Vernon,"Petunia said quietly."He 's still your grandson. You may not like that he 's a wiz, but he 's still your grandson."

Vernon chose to brush off this and continued eating. The table settled into uncomfortable silence once more and Kaden managed to decease down a few pungency of Gallus gallus before Petunia brought out dessert. She served Kaden a very large helping of pudding, but he only ate a few sharpness before stopping.

Kaden and his family did not linger after pudding was finished. No one seemed inclined to visit any thirster. Vernon and genus Petunia walked them to the door, but Vernon beckoned Kaden into the life room before they left.

"Er,"Vernon began."Your grandmother 's right wing. You are still my grandson. I ca n't say that I 'm not disappointed you 're not going to Smelting 's and I absolutely hate that other ... shoal ... but you 're still my grandson."Vernon gave Kaden an awkward one-armed hug.

Kaden nodded, smiling. As far as he was concerned, that was as respectable as an apology from his granddaddy. He caught up with his parents and Bethany, gave his grandmother a hug, and they left.

Kaden lay in bed that night feeling very mental object. His grandparents may not possess been happy about his attendance Hogwarts, but they did not appear to hate him for being a wizard, and that was as good as he expected. Plus, the following day he would get to go to Diagon alley with Harry and the remainder of his magical cousins. It would be his for the first time gustatory perception of the magical world and he could not wait.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype writing radical who helped me come up with a title for this ! Especially to Mikayla, who came up with the title I used.

If you enjoyed this, see to it out Albus ceramicist and the raceway They Left Behind, in which Kaden 's tarradiddle is continued in.

Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus Severus Potter stared out his bedroom window and watched as an owl flew closer and near to Grimmauld shoes. The sun was just above the purview and was already shining brightly into Albus 's room. Albus ran a manus through his messy Black hair as he waited for the owl. True, he did n't really bang if the owl was for him or not, but he was eager to see. He was the merely one awake at this hour anyway. His brother James I was surely sleeping in, as he had been doing all summertime. Albus slept in for the foremost few calendar week, but after a while the novelty wore off and he started rising at an earliest hour. Albus watched the owl through his green middle as it soared towards his windowpane. Albus leaned over and opened the latch, and the owl landed on his desk.

It was a expectant Brown University screech owl that Albus immediately recognized as his friend, Matt Eckerton 's. It stood proudly on top of Albus 's Transfiguration book with its leg sticking out, waiting for Albus to undo its letter. Albus went over to the owl and retrieved the alphabetic character. Once he did so, the owl flapped its annexe and flew out the window once more. Albus flopped down onto his bed and ripped open the envelope. It had been weeks since he had last seen his friends from Hogwarts and eagerly anticipated their missive. John the Divine Brickston and Matt Eckerton had each written him a twain times. Albus unfolded the letter and silently scan it.

Albus,

My parents said yes ! I can go to yours and rosiness 's natal day party !
I really was n't sure if they 'd actually let me, but they 've been
talking to your parents a lot and they finally agreed. They 've got
it all arranged. I 'm going to go to your planetary house a twosome days before
the party, in about three weeks, and I can stay a couple days after,
too. But then I 'll give to go home ; you know why.

We 're going to play up with you in Diagon skittle alley, since we 're not
on the Floo Network. toilet tells me he 's visiting some of his
cousins right before your company, but that he 'll be able to stay at
your house after.

I ca n't wait until the party. affair at my house are dreadfully
boring. And my parents have been kinda depressed. Amy
moved out terminal week. You probably already make out that since
Victoire went with her. But Mum 's been crying a lot. She 's
talking about how her sister is all turn up.

Anyway, I 'll see you in a few week !
Your friend,
lusterlessness

Albus grinned broadly as he set Matt 's letter down next to john 's most Recent one. He was thrilled that both of his best Friend would be able to go to his birthday party. John Lackland had said yes right away, but matte 's parents were very protective of him and had to be convinced. Both of his friends would curve up spending about a week with Albus and he could n't waitress. Albus wondered what Mrs. Eckerton would do with herself while her son was at Grimmauld Place. Albus had only met the woman twice, but he got the feeling that she was even more protective of her small fry than his own granny was. He could only opine what Matt 's mum was doing now that her daughter had moved out. Only a week before, lusterlessness 's sister, Amy, and Albus 's cousin, Victoire, had moved into a flat in London. The two of them were beginning their therapist training in September.

Albus heard footsteps running down the hall that he recognized immediately as his footling sister Lily 's. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly nine. His mother must be up, too. Albus got up from the bed and got dressed. He opened the door and went down to the kitchen. When he got there, he saw his mother standing near the fire tending to a caldron. Lily was sitting at the board in her pajamas, playing with her pet pygmy puff.

Albus sat down side by side to her and watched her as she fed the small animate being star O's.

`` Hi, Albus ! '' she said cheerfully, `` Wan na feed Dean Martin ? ``

`` Er, no thanks, '' Albus told her.

`` Hi, Al, '' Ginny looked up from the cauldron and smiled at him, `` I 'm cooking some oatmeal. ``

`` Sounds good, '' Albus said as his stomach growled, `` I got a alphabetic character from Matt just now. He can come to the party and he 's coming a few days early. ``

`` That 's wonderful, '' Ginny smiled and went back to stirring the cauldron.

`` Would untried master copy like any pumpkin vine juice ? '' Kreacher appeared at Albus 's English carrying a flagon of juice and a cup.

`` Sure, thanks, Kreacher, '' Albus told the mansion elf. Albus liked Kreacher. He was always there to avail whenever Albus needed him. Harry had told him that Kreacher was not always this nice, but Albus could hardly imagine it.

Albus took the trash of pumpkin vine juice and grabbed the copy of the cockcrow prophet that was laying nearby. He immediately opened it to the Quidditch section. `` Ha ! '' he laughed when he saw the newspaper headline, `` I wonder if Matt 's read this ! ``

Ginny glanced over at Albus 's shout and looked at him quizzically. `` The Chudley Cannons just lost another biz. Their New Seeker tripped over his own broom as he was kicking off from the terra firma and gave himself a pitch blackness eye, '' Albus laughed. `` Matt supports the Cannons. ``

`` Who supports the Cannons ? '' St. James came slowly down the step, yawning as he rubbed his eyes.

`` Matt does, '' Albus said and he tossed James the composition, `` Read that. ``

James read the paper silently for a few transactions and then erupt out laughing. `` They 're hopeless. ``

Albus nodded in agreement as he started eating the oatmeal that Ginny had served him. He discussed Quidditch with King James I and his mother for the succeeding half time of day. All of them agreed that the Cannons had no chance of ever making it to the conference Cup. When Albus had finished his rolled oats, Harry came stumbling down the stairs in his pajamas.

`` There 's rolled oats in the caldron, dear, '' Ginny smiled warmly at him and got up from the table. She planted a promptly osculation on his face as he reached for an empty bowl.

Albus twisted his face up in disgust as James River shouted, `` Mum ! Ca n't you do that when we 're not looking ? ``

`` Someday you 'll empathize, St. James, '' Ginny laughed, `` Someday soon, daughter wo n't stimulate cooties anymore. ``

`` That 's already happened, '' Henry James muttered quietly so only Albus could hear him, `` It 's just I 'll never want to see my own parents doing that. ``

`` Do you cause to go into work today ? '' Ginny asked as Harry sat down side by side to her at the table.

`` No, thank Merlin, '' Harry told her, `` First Sabbatum off in a month. I had n't realized how far I got behind when I was teaching. ``

`` Have you decided if you 're teaching yet adjacent year ? '' James asked. He and Albus had been asking their father this over and over again for the by month, but he had yet to make a decision.

Harry sighed, `` I 'm still not sure. prof Kendrick is looking for another teacher, but he has n't found anyone yet. It would look as if the great unwashed think the job 's cursed again. If he does n't find anyone else, I guess I 'll do it. ``

`` I hope you do teach, Dad, '' Albus told him, `` I like having you for a teacher. ``

Harry grinned, `` I 'm glad you like it. What do you say we have a Wizard 's Chess tournament after breakfast ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' Albus shouted excitedly. `` mightiness actually have a prospect at winning since Uncle Ron and Rose are n't here. ``

The all Potter family played biz after biz of chess, until James was declared the champion. By the time luncheon rolled around, Albus was sick of the game. `` Can we go work Quidditch after dejeuner ? '' he asked.

`` Maybe, '' Harry said in between pungency. Harry often took them to act Quidditch at Rose 's house. Since the ceramist lived in Greater London, they really could n't play Quidditch at their own house. `` rosebush wo n't be there, though. They 're visiting Aunt Hermione 's parents. ``

`` That 's all right, '' Albus said, `` Rose does n't really like Quidditch anyway. ``

`` I 'll never understand that, '' James sighed.

At that present moment, Albus heard a gamey pitched ring coming from the kitchen counter. He looked over and saw the small Mobile River phone that always sat future on the window sill. The ceramist did not have many Muggle devices in their house, but they did have one telephone in slip they had to contact any Muggles. Usually the telephone was just used when Harry talked to his cousin, Dudley. But James and Albus had given the turn to their Muggle born champion. Amanda had called Albus earlier in the summer to tell him that she would be able to go to his party.

Harry glanced at Ginny, who shrugged. It was obvious that neither of them were expecting a birdcall. Harry wordlessly got up from the tabular array and answered the phone. `` hello ? '' he said. He went calm for a few second while whoever was on the other end told him something. Harry 's eyes widened in shock and a grin bedspread cross his face. `` What ? Are you serious ? Dudley, that 's glorious ! ``

Dudley ? Albus thought. Normally, Dudley only called around vacation and birthdays. Even then, the conversations tended to be short and not filled with excitement like this one obviously was. Albus was very odd at this distributor point and he glanced at James, who looked just as curious.

Harry 's excitement calmed down a bit as he continued the conversation. `` Well, you 'll have to recite them sometime. Yes, I know they wo n't be thrilled, '' he paused, furrowing his eyebrow as he listened. `` No, I 'm not going to tell them for you ! ``

Harry listened for a few here and now as he started to tempo alongside the tabulator. `` Hmm, well, if you 'd care, we 'll take him to Diagon skittle alley with us when we go. You can come, too, of class. ``

Harry talked for a few more minutes and then fall up the phone. He started laughing as he sat back down at the board. `` Just spoken with Dudley .... ''

`` Yes, I 'd guessed that ! '' Ginny said quickly, `` What about ? ``

`` You 'll never suppose .... ''

`` So tell us ! '' Ginny replied.

`` Kaden is a sensation, '' Harry grinned.

Albus 's mouth fell subject. Harry 's cousin, Dudley, had two kid. The older one, Kaden, was a niggling younger than Albus. Dudley had never been a fan of conjuration and Albus could only suppose what he would believe of his own son being a wizard.

`` You 're kidding ! '' Ginny shouted.

`` Nope, he got his letter this morning, '' Harry told them, `` The owl scared the heck out of Christina, but Dudley says Kaden is thrilled. '' Christina was Dudley 's wife. Dudley had told his married woman about conjuration, but had not gone into great point and neither of the kids knew anything about it. `` He 's not looking forward to telling Vernon and Petunia. ``

`` I would think not, '' Ginny said, `` Merlin, they 're going to sky. ``

`` Dudley actually asked me if I 'd tell them, '' Harry laughed, `` I told them definitely not. ``

`` commodity, '' Ginny agreed, `` I would n't even desire to be in the Same room as your aunt and uncle the moment they find out about Kaden. ``

Harry and Ginny continued to blab about Kaden even after James II and Albus left the board. The two of them went up to James IV 's room, where they spent a few moment discussing it themselves.

`` Wonder what house he 'll be in, '' Albus said as he tossed around one of James 's practice Snitches.

`` I 'd guess Hufflepuff, '' James commented. Albus had to agree with that. He had met his cousin, Kaden, before and he 'd seemed the Hufflepuff sort. James had managed to pull quite a few buffoonery on him over the years and he did n't seem to be the sharp-worded quill in the box. Albus remembered the close clock time they 'd seen Kaden. It had been a match years ago. Albus and his family tended to visit the Dursleys every couple of long time, but the Dursleys had never been to Grimmauld Place. Albus guessed it was probably because Kaden and his sister did n't know about magic. Well, they did now, Albus thought.

`` Think he 'll be any good at Quidditch ? '' Albus asked.

`` Who knows ? '' Jesse James shrugged, `` He 's never been on a broom before, but look at Dad. ``

`` I ca n't wait to see him eat Bertie Bott 's dome for the first time, '' Albus grinned mischievously, `` The first time Amanda had one of those, she spat it out in toilet 's face. ``

`` I guess he 's coming to Diagon alleyway with us. Dudley, too, probably, '' James said, `` That 'll be interesting. ``

`` Yeah, I ca n't wait to see what Dudley thinks of the place, '' Albus laughed.

`` Just waiting until Kaden asks for his beginning broom, '' James grinned.

Albus burst out laughing, mentation of the facial expression on Dudley 's typeface when Kaden announced he was going to toy Quidditch, `` We 'll have to teach him how to act Quidditch ! ``

`` Definitely, '' Epistle of James agreed. `` This is going to be a outstanding twelvemonth, I can feel it ! ``

`` That 's because you get to go to Hogsmeade this class, '' Albus reminded him.

`` I know, '' King James I grinned, `` I ca n't hold off ! ``

`` asset, Washburn 's gone, '' Albus commented, `` Wonder who they 'll get to supplant him ? ``

`` Hopefully person who 's not a Slytherin-loving git. ``

`` Or who wants to steal the Hallows. ``

`` Or who 's goal in life is to become the succeeding Voldemort. ``

`` Or who stares at you so menacingly you ca n't even do the simplest spell. ``

`` Or who gives you detention every other day. ``

James and Albus continued to list off Washburn 's faults, which quickly turned into insulting the way he looked, until they were both laughing so hard they were in weeping. They were still laughing hysterically when Harry came into the room a while later.

`` What 's so funny ? '' he asked.

Albus stopped laughing and looked up at him, grin, `` We, er, were talking about Washburn. ``

`` Ever notice how he 's kind of got a unibrow ? '' William James asked, laughing.

`` I guess, '' Harry smiled. `` Anyway, do you two want to go play Quidditch ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' the boys shouted at the same time. William James grabbed his broom off the top of his desk and found a Quaffle, along with a practice Snitch.

Albus ran out of the elbow room and grabbed one of his mother 's old brooms from the nearby cupboard. It was old and started vibrating if you flew too fast, but it worked. He was hoping he would get a new broom if he made it onto the Quidditch team this year. `` gear up, '' he said as he rejoined his dad and brother.

`` Are Mum and Lily coming ? '' James asked.

`` No, they 've got some shopping to do in Diagon back street, '' Harry told them as he left the room, `` I think we 'll Floo. ``

Albus followed his dad and King James I down the step and into the drawing way. Harry grabbed a smattering of Floo powder, threw it into the fire, and shouted, `` Ron and Hermione Weasley 's firm ! '' King James followed after him, and then Albus.

Albus landed in his Uncle Ron and auntie Hermione 's animation elbow room. Their house was a small, tea cozy place in the midsection of a field with a timber nearby. It seemed strangely quieten without anyone else in it. Albus, James, and their dad headed out the door and into the study. Albus watched as Harry pulled out his sceptre and muttered a few spell that would keep open the Snitch from roaming too far.

`` Let 's do some Quaffle practice session, '' Albus suggested as he mounted his ling, `` I need to drill for try-outs. ``

Harry and James agreed and mounted their heather as well. The two of them were up in the air before Albus was, due to their superordinate Calluna vulgaris. Albus saw James let go of the Snitch and expect a few bit before taking off after it. Harry had the Quaffle in his manus and once Albus was in the air, he passed it to him. Whipping out his wand, Harry conjured a large wooden basketball hoop and suspended it in mid-air.

`` There you go, Al, '' Harry grinned, `` Try and put the Quaffle through that. I 'll Keep. ``

`` You 've got to machinate two Thomas More, Dad, '' Albus told him, `` Otherwise it 's too tardily for you. ``

Harry laughed and conjured a few more than basketball game. Albus flew around him for a short while before sending the Quaffle into the left most hoop. Harry was too slow and the Quaffle sailed through.

`` honorable one ! '' St. James the Apostle shouted as he caught the Quaffle on the early face. He tossed it to Harry, who then tossed it back to Albus.

They continued playing for a couple hours, taking short disruption to rest. Albus managed to hit a lot of end, with Harry only blocking a couple. After a spell of catching and releasing the sneaker, Henry James joined Albus and the two of them teamed up against Harry. Harry was n't able-bodied to save many end with both his boy passing the Quaffle back and Forth River. Eventually, they all got tired and decided to address it a day. Albus flooed back to Grimmauld piazza tired, but happy.



A/N : Well, here it is, the first chapter of the continuation ! I hope everyone enjoyed it. Just a short letter to any new readers out there, I highly recommend you read Albus Potter and the closed book Within, which can be found on my writer pageboy.

Thanks to my sister and beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to my early sister and my brother.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` Can we go now, Dad ? '' Albus asked impatiently. He was supposed to conform to lusterlessness at the Leaky caldron in five second, but Harry was on the phone talking to Dudley.

`` Dudley, you just have to tell them, all right wing ? '' Harry sighed, `` You ca n't keep open it from them forever. ``

`` Dad ... '' Albus tapped his foot. Harry said he would take Albus to Diagon Alley a half hour ago, but then Dudley had called. The two of them had been talking for the past thirty minute.

`` Listen, Dudley, '' Harry began, `` I 've got to take Albus to Diagon skittle alley. Yes, that 's the blank space Kaden will go to get his stuff. Ok, I 'll talk to you later. Bye. '' Harry closed the phone and set it down on the windowsill.

`` Finally ! '' Albus sighed, `` Can we go now ? ``

`` Yes, '' Harry told him, `` Sorry about that. Dudley still has n't told Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia about Kaden. I 've told him he 's got to do it soon. ``

Albus followed his dad to the fireplace and the two of them flooed to the Leaky cauldron. The pub was very crowded since it was a Saturday. Albus tried to peek through the crowd in order to find his friend, but he did n't see Matt.

`` Hey, it 's Harry Potter ! '' someone sitting at the bar shouted. He was clearly drunk. `` Hi Harry thrower ! '' he waved lazily.

Everyone else in the pub looked over at the fireplace that Harry and Albus just came through. Harry nodded to the drunken wizard as he and Albus walked past the bar. The crew parted in order to tolerate them through. Once they made it through the crowd, Albus spotted Matt and his parents at one of the tables in the back. Albus hurried over to him with Harry following closely behind.

`` Matt ! '' Albus shouted as he sat down, `` How are you ? ``

`` I 'm great ! How are you ? ``

`` Brilliant, '' Albus grinned, `` I 'm so glad you could come. ``

`` Me, too. I 've been bored out of my brain, '' Matt told him, `` I 've even started some of my homework. ``

`` Wow, you must 've been bored, '' Albus laughed.

Harry sat down next to Mr. Eckerton and the two of them didder hands. `` Why do n't we get some dejeuner ? '' Harry suggested. Everyone agreed.

`` Hi, Harry ! '' A pregnant Hannah Longbottom walked over to their table.

`` Hannah, how 've you been ? '' Harry asked.

`` mulct, '' Hannah grinned, `` Just a dyad more than calendar month and there will be another Baby Longbottom ! So, what can I get you ? ``

The group ordered their food and a curtly while later it arrived. Albus and lusterlessness spent the unit fourth dimension telling each other about their hebdomad apart while the grownup talked quietly with each other.

`` So guess what ? '' Albus said while eating a bit of his sandwich.

`` What ? '' Matt asked.

`` You know my cousin, Kaden ? '' Albus grinned.

`` Is he your dad 's cousin Dudley 's kid ? ''

`` Yeah, and he 's a superstar ! ``

`` What ? ! '' flatness spat out a mouthful of autumn pumpkin succus.

`` Matthew, '' Mrs. Eckerton scolded, `` Be polite. ``

`` Sorry, Mum, '' Matt wiped the pumpkin vine succus up off the table and turned back to Albus, `` Are you good ? ``

`` Yup, he got his varsity letter a couple weeks ago, '' Albus told him, `` Mad, is n't it ? Of course, it is n't that surprising. I mean, there 's obviously magic in the family. ``

`` Yeah, '' matte laughed, `` But what did your Uncle Vernon say ? ``

`` Dunno, Dudley has n't told him yet, '' Albus said, `` That 's why we were a little former. Dad was on the phone with Dudley trying to convince him to separate Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. ``

`` We 'd better be getting home, '' Harry stood up, `` See you in a few 24-hour interval, Walter and Julie. ``

Albus, Matt, and his parents stood up as well, `` See you then, '' Mr. Ecketon replied and turned to Matt, `` Have fun, and do n't seduce too lots trouble. ``

Mrs. Eckerton hugged Matt tightly, `` I love you, Saint Matthew the Apostle. Do n't waver to owl if you need us. ``

`` I 'll be fine, Mum, '' flatness replied once his mother stopped hugging him.

`` Do n't worry, Julie, '' Mr. Eckerton put an arm around his wife, `` Let 's go visit Amy before we go dwelling house. '' Mrs. Eckerton nodded and the two of them left the pub.

`` We 're flooing place, '' Harry said as they walked over to the open fireplace, `` Have you ever done that, lustrelessness ? ``

`` Er, yeah, but not in a couple year, '' lustrelessness eyed the hearth nervously.

`` You 'll be finely, '' Harry told him, `` Just throw the powder in and say 'Number 12 Grimmauld Place .'''

`` 12 Grimmauld Place, '' Matt repeated, `` Got it. ``

`` You can go first, Al, '' Harry handed him the bag of floo powder.

Albus threw it into the fire and shouted, `` telephone number 12 Grimmuald place ! '' He was whisked away in a whirl of green fire and came out in the drawing room of his house. He quickly stepped away and waited for matte and his dad to appear.

A few minutes later, Matt fell out of the fire and landed on the floor. He was coughing and sputtering. `` I did n't like that, '' he groaned as he stood up.

`` You 'd better ill-use away, '' Albus pulled Matt away from the flame just before Harry appeared.

`` Are you all right ? '' Harry asked when he saw lustrelessness coughing.

`` Yeah, I think so, '' Matt coughed, `` But I think I prefer fantasm. ``

`` You get used to it, '' Albus told him, `` Come on, you can drop your stuff in my way. ``

`` Wow, this is a pretty big house, '' lustrelessness gazed around as he followed Albus up the stairs. `` Reminds me of the house we had in Australia. ``

`` Yeah, it used to be Canicula 's house, '' Albus told him, `` It was a lot different then. It had a lot of creepy and Dark stuff in it. The Black household was pretty involved in the Dark Arts. Except for Sirius, and his brother genus Regulus changed his views at the end of his life and tried to destroy a Horcrux. Anyway, my dad managed to get most of the Dark stuff out. ``

`` Well, that 's good, '' Matt said as they entered the future trading floor.

`` My way 's the last one on the right, but first I 've got to show you something, '' Albus led Matt into one of the other elbow room, `` This is St. James 's room. But it used to be Sirius 's. ``

`` Your brother 's not very neat, is he ? '' mat asked as he stepped over a down of sordid school day gown and books.

`` Nope, he 's not, '' Albus said and walked over to one of the paries, `` Here 's what I wanted to show you, '' he pointed to a pic of four boys, `` Dog Star put a bunch of pictures up on the wall and no one can get them off. My dad covered up most of them, but he left this one. It 's my grandpa, Sirius, teddy 's dad, and Peter Pettigrew. ``

`` Wow, '' mat stared at the picture, `` So that 's Moony, the only other, you know, to have gone to Hogwarts ? ``

`` Yup, '' Albus told him, `` Thought you 'd like to see it. ``

`` Yeah, thanks, '' Matt said, still looking at the picture.

`` Well, do you want to go to my room ? '' Albus asked after a few minutes.

`` Sure, '' matte replied, turning away from the photograph. `` Let 's go. ``

******

A few Clarence Day later, John arrived at Grimmauld situation. The male child spent their time playing games and talking. John was just as shocked as Matt was that Kaden was a wizard. Harry took them to Rose 's home to wager Quidditch a few multiplication. Amanda was there and the five of them managed to do a bit of homework after Rose prodded them a few clock time.

`` So, what do you require to do now ? '' King John asked. The three boys were lounging around in Albus 's room, tossing a Quaffle back and forth.

`` I dunno, '' Matt threw the Quaffle to Albus, `` What do you want to do ? ``

`` Hmm, '' Albus caught the Quaffle and stopped to guess. He had given his friends the 1000 tour of Grimmauld Place as soon as they 'd arrived, but there was one place he had yet to demo them. `` Want to explore the Ionic ? '' he grinned mischievously.

`` Yeah ! '' whoremaster jumped up from the bed. `` What 's in it ? ``

`` All sorts of old stuff, '' Albus replied. `` I do n't go up there very often, but it 's gravid for exploring. ``

`` Let 's go, '' lustrelessness agreed and got up.

Albus led his friends down the entrance hall and towards the stairs. They climbed all the way up to the top and opened the doorway. The attic of identification number 12 Grimmauld seat was a very large room, filled with old boxful and furniture. It was dark, cramped, and stale and voiceless to go around in. `` Here we are, '' Albus announced and walked into the room.

`` Whoa, '' toilet exclaimed, `` What is all this stuff ? ``

`` Mostly old Black person sept heirlooms and other poppycock that belonged to the blackamoor family. But some of it is my mum and dad 's. When they moved in, they moved a lot of the poppycock that was here originally into the attic, '' Albus explained.

`` It 's not dangerous, is it ? '' Matt asked as he peered into one of the boxes.

`` Nah, '' Albus assured him, `` My parents got rid of all the dangerous and dark stuff and nonsense. ``

`` Wicked ! '' John shouted as he pulled out an old silver tea tray, `` I 'll bet this is worth cargo of galleons. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus agreed and went over to probe the tray, `` It 's got the Black menage crest on it, too. ``

`` What 's in there ? '' lusterlessness had walked over to the exclusively room access leading off the room, besides the one they had come in.

Albus jumped over three boxes and threw himself against the threshold. `` Do n't go in there ! '' he shouted.

`` Why not ? '' Matt asked curiously.

`` There 's a portrait of Sirius 's mum in there, '' Albus told them, `` She 's horrible. The portrait used to be in the hall downstairs, but my dad managed to use a relocation charm to get it up here. He could n't banish it from the theater, though. There 's some kind of spell on it that keeps it in the sign of the zodiac. ``

`` What did she do to make you preserve her up here ? '' King John asked.

`` She insults everyone who comes into the planetary house. The shrieking 's awful. My Uncle Percy came up here once looking for some supererogatory kitchen utensils and we had n't told him not to go in there. It took three 60 minutes to shut her up. ``

`` She sounds frightful, '' lusterlessness agreed.

`` I bet she was worse when she was alive, '' Albus commented. The two of them walked back over to the box John was rifling through.

`` Look at all this ! '' John grinned, `` The whole box is filled with partiality stuff. Goblets, silverware. '' St. John the Apostle pulled out a very with child candelabra and examined it. `` Are those, Snake River ? '' he pointed to the character of the candelabra that would keep back candles. Each of them was a snake 's head, and the candle would sit in the ophidian 's mouth.

`` I think so, '' Albus took it from St. John and stared at it, `` That 's kind of creepy. No marvel it 's up here. ``

`` Not to mention the fact that it 's very Slytherin, '' John commented. Albus and John bent down and continued to look through the box, while lustrelessness watched them. `` good story, '' John announced as he picked up yet another silver item. It was an old teapot that looked like it went with the tray, `` There 's not a great deal gold up here. If the Blacks were so rich, why did n't they have any gold ? ``

`` It 's too Gryffindor, '' Albus laughed.

`` True, '' John replied. He examined the teapot more closely. `` Hey, lusterlessness, could you hand me that tray ? '' He pointed to the tea tray that he had set on the level earlier.

`` Erm, '' Matt glanced from the try and then to John, `` Sorry, I ca n't. I 'm hypersensitised to silver. ``

`` Really ? '' John asked as he picked up the tray himself.

`` Uh, yeah, all werewolves are, '' flatness explained.

`` That 's interesting, '' John the Evangelist said.

`` How did we go a whole year without knowing that ? '' Albus asked.

`` Well, '' lusterlessness grinned, `` There 's not much silver in the Gryffindor green room. It 's too Slytherin. '' The boys all laughed.

`` These definitely go together, '' can announced, holding up the tray and teapot. `` I 'll bet there 's a whole set. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus agreed and stood up, `` Let 's rule another box, one that does n't give birth silver in it. ``

King John agreed and put down the tray and teapot. matt looked very thankful as they started wandering around the attic. Albus and St. John the Apostle peered into the corner, looking for one that did n't throw any silver in it.

`` Are there any without silver ? '' John asked after they 'd looked at at least ten different boxes.

`` Here ! '' Albus announced, pointing to a large box at the far end of the room. `` This says 'Sirius'on the side. I 'm sure there 's no silver medal in it. It would be too Slytherin. Plus, Sirius hated his family line. ``

`` Excellent, '' bathroom sat down and opened the box. Albus and Matt joined him and started pulling material out.

`` depend at these old robes, '' Albus held up a very old set of Gryffindor robes.

`` And this, '' John pulled out an old copy of 1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi. `` Bet it has n't changed in the least. ``

`` Broken snitch, '' Matt announced, `` Broken Sneakoscope, a few dungbombs, ruin quills, nothing too exciting. ``

`` Wait, what 's that ? '' Albus pointed to a small, worn out leather book at the bottom. It did n't look much like a text book. Albus reached into the box and pulled it out. He opened it up in secretiveness, while John and Matt looked over his shoulder. On the first gear Thomas Nelson Page was a picture of four male child. `` It 's photo album, '' he murmured. He flipped through the next few pages, noticing that the pictures were always of the same four boys, though occasionally one or two of them were missing.

`` Who are they ? '' John asked.

`` I think they 're the Marauders, '' Albus pointed to a mental picture of a messy haired boy with Methedrine, `` Because that is definitely my granddaddy. ``

`` make sense, since it was in Canicula 's box, '' St. John the Apostle agreed, `` Which one is Dog Star ? ``

`` Probably him, '' Albus pointed to the tall, long haired boy. `` And the scant chubby one has got to be cock Pettigrew. So, that 's Remus, '' Albus pointed to the tightly fitting boy.

`` Wow, '' Matt whispered, `` Wonder if your dad knows it was here. ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus replied. He continued to turn over the pages, looking at each pic. It was a bit strange looking at all these pictures and seeing the Marauders at Hogwarts. There were pictures of them in their dormitory, in the common room, on the grounds, in Hogsmeade. There was even one of them with the Whomping Willow in the background. There were also a brace of James playing Quidditch. In all the characterization, all four boys waved wildly at Albus, trick, and Matt. They all looked so happy. It felt weird to have sex that only a few eld after these pictures had been taken, cock would deceive James and Lily. The predator had trusted each other with their lifespan, literally. Kind of like how Albus trusted his supporter. But they would never betray each other. Albus knew that. None of them were rats like Pettigrew was.

Towards the end of the photo album, a lady friend started appearing in a lot of the photograph. She would sustain her arms wrapped around James and would kiss him every once in a while.

`` Who 's that ? '' lustrelessness asked, pointing to the girl.

`` My grandmother, '' Albus explained. `` I think this has all their years of Hogwarts in it. '' Albus flipped to the very last Thomas Nelson Page and saw that the last picture was of all the piranha, plus Lily, standing in front of the lake in their shoal robes, holding diplomas. They all wore huge smile on their faces.

`` Graduation, '' John commented.

`` Yup, '' Albus replied, `` They look very happy there. ''

`` What are you going to do with it ? '' whoremaster asked.

`` I think I 'll proceed it, '' Albus replied. `` I mean, no one 's going to miss it if it 's up here. '' Albus closed the photo record album and a folded up piece of parchment fell out.

`` What 's this ? '' Matt picked it up. `` Looks blank. ``

Albus took it from him, unfolded it, and examined it. It was almost dummy. In one of the corners were four very lowly paw prints. `` No it 's not. Look, '' Albus pointed to the corner.

bathroom and Matt peered at the parchment and looked at the paw photographic print. `` What 's that mean ? '' privy asked.

`` I 've never seen it before, '' Albus replied, `` But I think it 's supposed to represent the predator. I 'm guessing they 're a wildcat, dog, stag, and rat print. ``

`` It 's blank, though, '' John the Evangelist commented, `` I mean besides that. Why would Sirius hold open an old piece of parchment ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. But in his gut, he had a feeling that it was n't a meaningless man of sheepskin. After all, to the average individual, the vulture 's Map was just a meaningless piece of parchment. Albus shoved the parchment back in the album, which he then shoved at the undersurface of his trunk once the boys returned to Albus 's room.

******

`` Are you kids ready to allow ? '' Harry shouted up the stairs, the day of Albus and blush wine 's birthday party.

`` Yeah ! '' Albus shouted back. He ran down the step with lav and Matt following him. They ran into the drafting room, where Albus 's parents were, along with James and Lily. `` We 're ready ! ``

`` commodity, '' Harry replied, `` Have you got everything, Ginny ? ``

`` I think so. I took most everything to the tunnel earlier. ``

`` Like my present ? '' Albus hinted.

`` Yes, like your present, '' Ginny laughed.

`` Are we going by floo ? '' lustrelessness eyed the fireplace warily.

`` I thought we would, '' Harry told him, `` Do n't interest, it 'll be better this time. ``

Harry was right. This clock time, Matt did not inhale nearly as much smoke and managed to not fall over as he arrived at the tunnel. When they got there, the house was already crowded with people.

`` Albus ! '' molly Weasley came running over to them and gave Albus a big hug, `` glad Birthday ! ``

`` Thanks, Grandmum, '' Albus replied.

`` Oh, are these your friends ? '' Molly asked.

`` Yeah, this is St. John the Apostle Brickston and lusterlessness Eckerton, '' Albus gestured to his friends.

`` Nice to match you, '' molly smiled, `` Now, Ginny, I need your help in the kitchen. Harry, would you help Ron set up the board in the yard ? ``

The adults quickly left to set up for the party, leaving Albus and the former kids alone.

`` I 'm off to find Cedric and Ben, '' St. James announced, `` See you later. ``

`` Let 's go to the thou, '' Albus suggested.

`` Is everyone here related to you ? '' lustrelessness asked as they walked through the house towards the back door.

`` Pretty practically, '' Albus laughed, `` If they 've got red haircloth, chances are they 're related. ``

`` Wow, I ca n't guess having this many cousins, '' lustrelessness replied, `` Well, I have n't got any full cousin. ``

The radical managed to pretend it through the crowd and into the backyard. They saw Harry and Ron setting up the tables magically. A few of Albus 's full cousin were in the air on Scots heather and a few others were playing with the gnome in the garden. Albus spotted Rose and Amanda at a nearby table.

`` Rose ! '' Albus ran over to them, `` Amanda ! ``

`` howdy, '' Rose and Amanda greeted them. `` Did you just get here ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yeah, have you been here for a piece ? '' Albus asked as he sat down.

`` For about a half hour. We flooed, '' Rose told them.

`` Us, too. ``

`` I hate flooing, '' Amanda groaned, `` Took me 15 minutes to stop cough. ``

`` It gets better, '' Matt assured her, `` I had n't done it in eld, but I did it to get to Albus 's house. Took me forever to stop coughing. But then when we came here, I was exquisitely. ``

`` Did Kaden come with you ? '' Rose peered around at the thou like she was looking for Albus 's cousin.

`` Oh, no. Dad invited him, and Dudley, too. But they were having dinner with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, '' Albus explained.

`` Did Dudley tell them ? '' Rose asked.

`` Sure did. Apparently Uncle Vernon went mad. He was shouting and swearing. Said he was n't going to stimulate anymore freak in the sept. But Aunt Petunia got him to stop. She 's actually ok with it. ``

`` Wow, '' blush wine replied, `` Still ca n't think it. ``

`` Me, neither, '' Albus laughed.

`` Hi, kids ! '' Bill had appeared next to the table, holding what appeared to be a gigantic Gryffindor social lion. `` Everyone 's arrived, so I think we 're going to do the pinata soon. ``

`` magnificent ! '' Albus grinned.

greenback set the pinata down on the table and glanced out across the yard. `` Oi ! chemise ! wish to do the pinata ? ``

Teddy, who had turned his hair scarlet and gold for the occasion, came running over to the mesa. `` Sure ! We doing it in the middle of the 1000 ? ``

`` That would probably be best, '' account replied. The two of them set off to sack up a piazza for the pinata.

`` There 's no trees there, '' Amanda commented, `` What are they planning to hang it on ? ``

`` hang it on ? '' Albus asked.

`` Well, yeah. That 's what you do with pinatas. You hang them on tree diagram so they 're in the air, '' Amanda said.

`` Oh ! That 's how Muggles do it ! '' Albus realized, `` slip 's just going to hover it. He 'll move it around and it 'll be really voiceless to hit. ``

`` Whoever wants to do the pinata can fall over here now ! '' Teddy shouted. All at once, all of Albus 's cousins ran over to teddy bear. Albus, pink wine, and their friends managed to crusade their way through the gang to the figurehead.

`` All right ! '' Bill shouted, `` Albus and Rose first, then youngest to oldest. ``

rosebush went first. bank bill put a blind-fold charm over her heart and handed her an old heather. chemise levitated the pinata and flung it around Rose. After a few poorly aimed hit, her turn was over. Albus was up succeeding. He took the broom from Rose and was blind-folded. He loved this part of his natal day parties, but he was never very practiced at it.

`` To the right ! '' someone shouted. Albus swung the broom around to his right wing, but did n't make contact with anything. Teddy always made it difficult.

`` I bet you anything that Bradley 's going to burst it open, '' Albus said once his number was over. `` He does at everyone 's political party. ``

`` Well, this is the kind of thing a beater would be good at, '' rosebush pointed out.

`` I know, '' Albus replied. The pinata bashing continued for a while and no one had managed to even touch it. slip was laughing hysterically as everyone flung the broom around. Soon, all the little kids had finished and Albus 's friends were up. Amanda was the first one to actually relate the pinata with the broom, but she did n't puddle any progress in smashing it open. Matt actually managed to hit himself in the head with the broom, instead of the large Gryffindor lion.

`` See, I was n't exactly lying when I told you I was clumsy last year, '' he whispered to Albus as he rubbed his head.

John was up next and he hit the pinata with a loud crunch that sounded like it should birth smashed the entirely thing. `` Yes ! '' he shouted.

`` Sorry, it 's a magically reinforced pinata since there 's so many of us, '' teddy grinned, `` It 'll admit a few more of those. ``

As usual, Bradley was the one to chip in the final bump to the pinata. Everyone rushed forward to take hold of the sweets that had fallen out of it. Albus and his friends each got a orotund bagful of sweets.

`` Time for presents ! '' Molly shouted over the crowd. Albus and Rose sat down at one one of the mesa next to two large piles of nowadays. They alternated opening them, each receiving a lot of books, confection, Weasley hotshot Wheezes merchandise, and various clothing items. Soon, there was just one introduce left.

`` It 's from us, Al, '' Harry smiled as he handed Albus a long, rectangular box.

Albus took the box and shoot down the wrap off. Excitement washed over him as he saw what it was. `` A Firebolt 2000 ! '' he shouted, `` Wow ! This is crashing glorious ! Just like Georgia 's ! Thanks Mum and Dad ! ``

`` You 're welcome, '' Harry grinned, `` It 'll be perfect for when you get on the Quidditch team this year. ``

`` If I get on the team, '' Albus replied.

`` You will, '' James assured him.

`` I 'm going to try it out now ! '' Albus grinned. He ran to the middle of the yard with his friends and full cousin following. He mounted the Scots heather and took off into the air. The evening breeze felt cool down as he soared higher and higher. It flew just like GA 's did. The speedup was tremendous and it turned at the slightest touch. Albus flew around the yard for a few hour, enjoying the quiver that only flying could get. Albus had loved flying and Quidditch for as long as he could remember. He had received his first toy broom on his firstly natal day. He promptly crashed into a Tree the next day and broke it. Albus had gotten a lot better at flying since then, but he still was n't nearly as good as Henry James was. After a few to a greater extent minute, Albus descended and landed on the ground.

`` How is it ? '' John Lackland asked.

`` Completely wonderful, '' Albus grinned, `` Want to try ? ``

`` Of course ! '' John took the broom and flew off into the sky. Albus spent the following half minute lending his ling to his cousins and acquaintance. They all agreed that it was a superb broom and that Albus was sure to make chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

mollie served dinner shortly after everyone had tried out Albus 's new broom. The discussion centered mainly around Quidditch, like it often did when all the Weasleys got together. With such a large number of people, there was always a thoroughly bit of divergence about which squad were the full. lustrelessness was thrilled that Albus 's Uncle Ron was a Chudley Cannons fan and the two of them defended their squad to the rest of the group.

The evening ended with a magnificent Gryffindor Leo shaped cake that Molly had made. Hermione had enchanted it to roar realistically when it was inaugural cut. Shortly after everyone finished their cake, they started going base. Albus 's phratry were some of the in conclusion to leave.

`` I 'm going to Apparate abode with Lily, '' Harry said as they walked to the fireplace. Lily was asleep in his arms.

`` All rightfield, '' Ginny replied. Harry turned on the spot and disappeared. `` You boys go first, '' Ginny gestured to the pot of floo powder.

Albus stepped out of the fireplace at Grimmauld topographic point and waited for John and matte. They appeared a few minutes later, and the three of them went up to Albus 's room.

`` That was really fun, Albus, '' mat yawned as they lay down to go to sleep, `` Your phratry is fun. Makes me compliments I had some cousins. ``

`` You 're welcome to share mine, '' Albus laughed.

`` Mine, too, '' whoremaster agreed, `` If you think Albus 's phratry is nuts, you should run into mine. You 'll fit one of my cousins this yr. It 's her first base year at Hogwarts. All my cousin are young than me. ``

`` The exclusively one of my cousin coming to Hogwarts this year is Kaden, '' Albus told them.

`` well, half of Gryffindor is your cousins, Albus, '' John laughed, `` And if you make the Quidditch team, Ryan will be the only non-Weasley and non-Potter on the team. ``

`` Yeah, we 're taking over, '' Albus joked. `` Well, good Night. ``

`` night, '' john replied.

`` Night, '' lusterlessness said.



A/N : Thanks to my sister and beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my former sister and my brother. Thanks also to XDNLxtlz99, teddysxxgirl, Moonylupin, smirkyhaha, and ginnyweasleypotter87 for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` Do you see them yet, Dad ? '' Albus asked.

`` No, not yet, '' Harry replied.

Albus sighed. He, Harry, John the Divine, and Matt were all standing outside the Leaky cauldron. The Muggle side. It was a few days after Albus and pink wine 's birthday party and Matt was meeting his parents to go habitation in a mates hours. Harry had agreed to take them a few 60 minutes early so they could buy their new record book. Harry also decided that it would be a good time to take Dudley and Kaden shopping for Kaden 's provision.

A few minutes later a amobarbital sodium sedan pulled up to the curb. A rather large blond-haired man stepped out, along with a short brunette fair sex, and two kids. Albus recognized the boy as Kaden. He was short-change, only an inch or so tall than Matt, and a bit on the chubby side. His tomentum was brown and looked in need of a cut. Kaden 's younger sister, Bethany, had inherited her father 's blond hair's-breadth and was about a head shorter than Kaden. Albus thought she was seven, but he was n't certain.

`` hi, Dudley, '' Harry extended his hand to his cousin.

`` Hi, Harry, '' Dudley took his helping hand and shook it.

`` Why do n't we go inside the pub and we 'll babble out more there ? '' Harry suggested and opened the door to the Leaky Cauldron. Everyone filed inside. The Durlseys stared around, gaping at everything in mountain while they followed Harry out the punt door. Harry took out his wand, tapped one of the bricks, and Diagon alleyway appeared in front of them. `` This is Diagon Alley. ``

`` This is where you got all your, your magic stuff ? '' Dudley gaped.

`` Sure is, '' Harry grinned, `` The inaugural affair you 'll want to do is set up an account at Gringotts. '' He pointed to the large white building at the end of the street. `` Pounds wo n't buy much here. You have to use wizard money, Galleons, reap hook, and Canute the Great. ``

Albus really did n't want to go to Gringotts and time lag while the Durlseys learned about wizard money. `` Dad, can me, John, and lusterlessness go look at the workshop by ourselves ? ``

`` I suppose so, '' Harry said after he thought for a moment, `` I 'll take Dudley and Christina to Gringotts and testify them around. Why do n't you film Kaden with you ? '' he suggested. `` We can get together you at Flourish and Blotts in an hour. ``

`` Sure, '' Albus said, happy to not have to go to Gringotts, `` Let 's go. '' The male child set off down the street, none of them really sure where to go first. Kaden seemed to be gazing in awe at everything he saw. Albus led them to a terrace outside quality Quidditch Supplies. `` Ok, Kaden, these are my friend, John Lackland and Matt. ``

`` Are your parents witches and wizards, too ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, '' John replied. matte nodded.

`` Oh, '' Kaden said, `` Are there a lot of tyke whose parents are n't witches and wizards ? ``

`` A middling few, '' Albus answered, `` Our ally Amanda has Muggle parents. ``

`` I wish I 'd known about thaumaturgy earlier, '' Kaden told them. `` What 's a Muggle, anyway ? ``

`` Do n't interest, you 'll captivate up fast. Muggles are multitude who ca n't do magic. Like your parents, '' Albus told him, `` Let 's go into the Quidditch workshop. ``

`` What 's Quidditch ? '' Kaden asked as they walked into the shop, `` Whoa ! There 's ling in here ! Are we going to be clean something ? '' he asked skeptically.

John burst out laughing, `` scavenge with brooms ? No way. We fly on them ! ``

Kaden 's rima oris fell heart-to-heart, `` Like witches do in motion picture ? ``

Gospel According to John laughed even harder, `` Yes, just like that ! ``

`` So what 's Quidditch ? '' Kaden asked again as he inspected a Firebolt 2000.

Albus, privy, and lusterlessness spent a good twenty minutes telling Kaden all about Quidditch.

`` That sounds very complicated, '' Kaden announced once they 'd finished.

`` I suppose, '' John shrugged, `` But it 's fun, better than that play Muggles play. Football or something ? ``

`` Hey ! I play football ! '' Kaden shouted, `` And it 's fun. ``

`` Well, there 's no football at Hogwarts, '' John told him, `` It 's Quidditch or zero. Just wait until you first fly a Calluna vulgaris, you 'll transfer your intellect about football. ``

`` Do you play Quidditch ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not on my House squad. First years are n't allowed to play. And this year the exclusively opening is for a pursuer. My office is Beater. But Albus is trying out. ``

`` Oh, really ? '' Kaden looked at Albus.

`` Yup. I hope I make it. James II is already on the team. He 's the searcher. One of the in force Gryffindor has ever had, '' Albus said.

`` What 's Gryffindor ? ''

`` Energy n't know much about Hogwarts, does he ? '' Saint John whispered to Albus.

Albus shook his top dog. `` Gryffindor is one of the Houses at Hogwarts. You get sorted on your maiden day into one of the four houses. Gryffindor is usually where you go if you 're brave, Ravenclaw if you 're wise, Hufflepuff if you 're loyal, and Slytherin if you 're evil. ``

`` What ? ! ''

`` Well, technically Slytherins are cunning, but most of the evil witches and wizards were in Slytherin. ``

`` How do you get sorted ? ``

`` Ca n't tell you, '' Albus grinned, `` It 's voice of the fun not to know. ``

`` Are you all in Gryffindor ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied, `` All my full cousin are, too. ``

`` I hope I 'm there, '' Kaden replied. `` Can we go somewhere else ? I 'm be sick of looking at brooms.

`` Let 's go to Weasley 's wiz Wheezes, '' trick suggested. Although he looked a picayune taken aback that Kaden did n't need to look at heather anymore.

The boys left the shop and made their way to Weasley 's whiz Wheezes. Kaden kept up a constant stream of head the entirely way there. By the time they made it to the shop, Albus was getting a bit tired of answering them. Albus had remembered Kaden as being rather quiet, but now he seemed to be very hyper. Maybe the turmoil of finding out he was a wizard had caused him to be more outgoing.

`` Whoa ! What is this post ? '' Kaden gazed around at the inside of George Weasley 's shop with a look of awe on his face.

`` Joke workshop, '' John told him, `` well workshop in Diagon Alley. ``

`` Why thank you, john ! '' George IV greeted them. `` Hello, Albus ! Hi, Matt ! ``

`` Hi, Uncle George V, '' Albus grinned, `` This is my cousin, Kaden. Dudley 's son. ``

`` Oh, yeah, Harry told me you 're a wizard, '' George turned to Kaden, `` If you 're ever in penury of any pranking point at Hogwarts, just send me an owl, I 'll make what you 're looking for. ``

Kaden nodded and stared at George V. After a few import, he asked, `` What on earth happened to your ear ? ``

`` Lost it during the war against Voldemort, '' George III told him, `` I 'm a bit holey now. ``

Kaden laughed, `` Holey, like a saint ! ``

George turned to Albus, `` You sure he 's not a Weasley ? ``

`` positive degree ; he thinks football 's better than Quidditch, '' Albus told him.

`` I 'm certain that 'll transfer after he sees Quidditch, '' George IV replied. `` wellspring, I 've got to get back to work. See you later, Albus. ``

`` Bye, '' Albus said as George went back behind the counter. Albus started looking around the shop with can and matt while Kaden bounced from one display to the next, announcing how brilliant everything was and asking the other boys more questions.

`` What are these ? '' Kaden pointed to a few Skiving Snackboxes.

`` Skiving Snackboxes, sweets that make you ill, '' Matt told him.

`` Why would you desire to do that ? '' Kaden grimaced.

`` To get out of boring classes, '' lustrelessness explained, `` Once you 've sat through one of Binns 's classes, you 'll understand. ``

`` And what are those ? '' Kaden pointed to a exhibit of Extendable Ears.

`` extendable Ears, '' Albus told him, remembering when he used them finis Yuletide only to take in his dad talking about the Hallows. `` You use them to listen in on conversations masses are having. ``

`` care I had some money, '' Kaden sighed as he put back a software package of Extendable Ears.

`` You will soon, once your parents are done at Gringotts, '' Albus told him, `` Speaking of which, we should probably head back to Flourish and Blotts. ``

The son waved goodbye to George I and left the store. Albus, matte, and John listened as Kaden commented on everything they passed on their way to the book computer memory. Albus hoped that his cousin-german would calm down once he was more used to the Wizarding World. They continued their manner of walking to flourish and Blotts while explaining about wizardly signifier of conveyance to Kaden. He was amazed that wiz could look and disappear 'just like that', as he put it and snapped his fingers.

When they got to the Flourish and Blotts, Harry and the Dursleys were already waiting for them outside. `` Are you having fun ? '' Harry asked.

`` Yeah ! Albus has told me about Quidditch and fantasm and Flooing and all sorts of sorcerous pragmatic joke point, '' Kaden grinned.

`` Well, let 's go get your books now, '' Harry said as the group walked into the shop. expand and Blotts was quite vacuous today. There were only a few former the great unwashed inside, none of whom Albus recognized. Harry and the Dursleys took the son'lists to a sales event person while the boys started looking around.

Albus, John, and Matt had been to this record book store legion times and did n't find anything exciting about it. The three of them would rather have been in lineament Quidditch Supplies. Kaden, on the other hand, seemed as commove there as he had been in George 's shop. He ran all over the shop class, picking up random playscript and bringing them back to show the other boys.

`` Look at this ! '' he panted, running back to Albus for what must take been the tenth metre, `` It 's a Good Book about brewing potions ! Am I going to get to do that ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied wearily. He had already given this answer in reception to query about charms, transfiguration, and justificatory spells.

`` I ca n't wait ! '' Kaden shouted and disappeared into another row of books.

Albus turned to his acquaintance and groaned. `` I do n't guess he 'll ever run out of excitement. ``

John stifled a laugh, `` Just delay until he gets his low gear Potions essay. He wo n't be too thrilled about it then. ``

`` Look at this book ! '' Kaden came running back a few minutes later with a book entitled, dark Creatures : How to Protect Yourself. `` It 's got stuff about lamia and wolfman in it ! I did n't know those were real ! ``

Albus felt mat stiffen next to him. Albus glanced at him and saw the face of panic on his facial expression. Albus immediately took the book from Kaden, `` Yeah, they 're tangible. But they 're nothing like the ace in Muggle fag tales. And you do n't need to read this playscript. It 's too march on. You 've got to protrude out with the basics. '' Albus quickly stuffed the Word of God onto a nearby shelf. He did not need Kaden to read about the prejudices wizard had about lycanthrope.

Kaden took off into another section of the memory board and mat relaxed. `` That was close down, '' he whispered.

`` I 'm not going to let him buy into that werewolf prejudice, '' Albus assured him, `` Even though he 'll probably never find out out about you. ``

`` Thanks. ``

`` I 've got everyone 's rule book ! '' Harry announced as he, Dudley, Christina, and Bethany walked back to where the son were standing.

`` Can we go get my wand now ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he ran back from the other section of the store.

`` Sure, '' Dudley replied, `` You lead the way, Harry. ``

Harry, Kaden, and the rest of the Dursleys walked ahead of Albus and his protagonist on their way to Ollivander 's. Kaden was practically skipping up the street in his fervor about his sceptre. In demarcation, Matt was starting to play out out due to the upcoming full moon. By the clock time Albus, lavatory, and Matt got to Ollivander 's, Kaden was already trying out his start verge. He gave it a undulation and one of the vacate wand boxes on Ollivander 's desk exploded. Kaden thought that the detonation was tasteful, but Ollivander disagreed. Kaden tried out verge for the side by side fifteen minutes before finding one that created Au arc when he waved it. Dudley paid for the baton and the group left the workshop. The succeeding stop was the Apothecary and then Madam Malkin 's. An hour later, Kaden was all set for his 1st year at Hogwarts.

Once they were done shopping, the chemical group met lustrelessness 's parents at the Leaky Cauldron. Everyone was thirsty, so they all decided to eat dinner together. Albus, John, lustrelessness, and Kaden sat at their own table while the grownup and Bethany sat at the other.

`` Ca n't believe the summertime 's almost over, '' Albus said as he took a swig of butterbeer. `` What are you guys doing for the eternal rest of it ? ``

`` I 'm going to visit some more than of my cousins after I go home, '' Saint John the Apostle told them.

`` That 's probably what I 'm doing, too, '' Albus told them, `` And the big political party we have at the end of every summer. That 's always awesome. What are you doing Matt ? ``

Matt glanced up from his intellectual nourishment, which he was only picking at, and looked at Kaden before answering. Kaden was currently staring as a hotshot at the succeeding tabular array cut his steak with his baton. `` I 've got to go to St. Mungo 's, '' he whispered.

`` What 's St. Mungo 's ? '' Kaden asked loudly and turned his care back to the other boys.

`` superstar infirmary, '' Albus replied, hoping that Kaden would n't entreat for more information. Luckily, at that bit, a waitress came walking by while levitating two phonograph record of food. Kaden immediately turned his attention to the levitating trays and did n't observe ask anything about St. Mungo's.

`` Why have you got to go there ? '' Albus asked very quietly, as he leaned in finisher to Matt. John leaned over as well.

`` I 'll explain sometime else, when we 're alone, '' he gave a meaningful glance at Kaden, `` Maybe on the train. But do n't interest about it, I 'm very well. ``

Albus was n't very reassured by this. He did n't suppose the great unwashed went to St. Mungo 's when they were alright. But he did n't press for more info, he knew matt disliked discussing his condition, especially around so many people.

`` We should probably get going, '' Mr. and Mrs Eckerton stood up and walked over to Albus 's tabular array. Mrs. Eckerton sent a apprehensive look at her son. Matt was resting his head on his hand and had his eyes closed. `` Are you all right, dear ? '' she asked quietly.

matte lifted his forefront up and nodded. `` I 've just got a head ache. I 'll see you on the train, Albus, can. Nice to meet you, Kaden. ``

Harry and the Dursleys got up and said their goodby to matte 's parents. Mr. Eckerton drew Matt into a squiffy hug, and the three of them Disapparated.

Kaden gawked at the post that lustrelessness and his parents had been just instant before, `` That was magnificent. I want to do that. ``

`` You 'll get to, '' Albus told him, `` When you 're in your 6th year, you can convey deterrent example. And then when you 're seventeen, you take a test to get your licence. ``

Kaden sighed, `` That 's so far away. But how come lusterlessness got to do it now ? ``

`` He just did side-along fantasm. somebody who 's got their Apparition licence can take early hoi polloi with them while they do it. ``

`` Have you done that before ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, but I prefer Flooing. ``

`` So do I, '' King John told him, `` But Matt likes side-along Apparition better. ``

`` Time to go, Kaden, '' Christina Durlsey came over to the table.

`` All right, '' Kaden sighed and stood up, `` I 'll see you guys on the train. I ca n't wait ! ``

Albus waved bye as the Dursleys left the pub to go back into the Muggle globe. Albus was n't sure what to think about Kaden. He had n't seen him in days, but he 'd be seeing a lot of him now. Kaden was definitely a ball of push, that was for sure. Kaden seemed to consider that everything in the wizarding domain was with child. He was going to be in for a rude awakening when he learned about Voldemort and other evil wizards.



Wealsey-Potter-Dursley folk Tree

Bill-Fleur Charlie-Katherine ( crone ) Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Victoire, 18 Stanley, 7th year Empire State of the South, 6th class
Gabriella, 6th year Heather, 5th year Bradley, 4th class
Ben, 3rd year Mark, 4th year Cedric, 3rd yr
Eddie, 6 years old Samantha & lindy hop ( counterpart ), 7 twelvemonth old

George-Alicia Spinnet Ron-Hermione Ginny-Harry
Fred, 5th year Rose, 2nd yr James, 3rd year
Angie, 9 years old Victor Hugo, 10 twelvemonth old Albus, 2nd year
Lily, 10 years old

Dudley-Christina ( Muggle )
Kaden- 1st year
Bethany- 7 years old

*all in Gryffindor*



A/N : Thanks to my baby and beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to my former Sister and my buddy. And thanks to ginnyweasley98, smirkyhaha, sinwillys822, Moonylupin, and ladymblack for their reviews !

I also want to invite everyone to check out my meet the Author varlet on the forums. There 's a link to it in my profile. look free to ask about my stories or writiing in general there.


Disclaimer- As always, I do not own Harry Potter.


`` hurriedness up ! '' Ginny called back to James and Albus, `` It 's already quarter to eleven ! ``

Albus sped up as he pushed his trolley through the crowded Billie Jean Moffitt King 's Cross station. James was right next to him, pushing his own trolley. Their parents and Lily were in figurehead of them, walking as fast as they could without actually running. The potter were running late, very late. It was Sep first and the Hogwart 's express would be leaving in exactly fifteen minutes. The whole sunup had been very rushed. Albus woke up recent and King James woke up even later. Albus had stayed up until midnight the Night before working on his Transfiguration essay, and Henry James always woke up late. Then, James could n't obtain his drill stool pigeon and refused to leave before he found it. Lily finally found it in a cauldron that was in the kitchen. No one was really sure how it got there.

But because of all this, the thrower class was now practically running through Billie Jean King 's Cross, trying to get to Platform 9 3/4 on time. This was earning them many unknown looking from the Muggles, especially due to the fact that they had two irritated owls on their trolleys.

`` James IV, you first ! '' Ginny shouted as they reached the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. Albus watched as his blood brother disappeared into a seemingly solid state wall.

`` I 'll stay here and wait for the Dursleys, '' Harry said as he glanced at his ticker. It appeared that the Dursleys were even later than the Potters.

`` All right, '' Ginny replied, `` Albus, you next. ``

Albus nodded and ran through the barrier. A few moments later, Albus was standing on political program 9 3/4, and pink wine was running up to him.

`` Albus ! '' she shouted, `` There you are ! ``

`` Yeah, we 're running a bit later. ``

`` A bit ? ! The gear 's leaving in seven minutes ! ``

`` I know, '' Albus said as Ginny and Lily appeared behind him, `` But Kaden 's even later. ``

`` I 'll dilute your trunk, '' Ron appeared and took King James I and Albus 's trolleys to the train.

`` Be respectable, William James, '' Ginny warned, `` You, too, Albus. ``

`` We 're always just, Mum, '' James grinned and slapped Albus on the back, `` Right, Al ? ``

`` 'Course we are, '' Albus grinned back.

Ginny gave them a stern look, `` I do n't want any owls from professor Kendrick. ``

`` Aw, do n't occupy, Mum, '' James laughed, `` You have n't gotten one yet. ``

`` Five minute until the train leaves ! '' Hermione told them.

`` Kaden bettor hurry up, '' Albus replied.

At that moment, Kaden burst through the barrier with a huge grin on his face. Harry was behind him, pushing another trolley car. Ron grabbed it and ran it over to the train.

`` That was brainy, '' Kaden announced as he joined the group.

`` You 've got to get on the string now ! '' Ginny shouted as she herded everyone over to one of the gearing room access. She gave St. James and Albus a flying hug and kiss. `` Bye, child ! Be proficient, all of you ! ``

`` I 'll see you later at the feast, '' Harry gave each of his sons a hug.

`` Bye, Mum, bye Dad, bye Lily ! '' Albus shouted as he climbed onto the train. Kaden and Rose got on after him. James jumped on just as the train was starting to move.

`` That was close, '' blush wine sighed as the train left the station.

`` Yeah, '' Saint James the Apostle agreed, `` But we made it. I 'll see you lot later. '' He ran down the train corridor to find his friends.

`` C'mon, Rose, '' Albus started to walk down the corridor, `` Let 's go find John, mat, and Amanda. ``

`` How does that work ? '' Kaden asked while he followed Albus and Rose, `` I mean, how on earth can you go through a solid brick paries ? ``

`` I dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` It 's magic, you know. ``

`` Yeah, but still ... '' Kaden shrugged.

Albus and pink wine continued down the corridor, peeking into compartments as they looked for their friends. Kaden followed nigh behind, still wanting to peach about the barrier. Anything remotely magical seemed to stimulate him, and Albus had to stifle a jape as he thought about what Kaden was going to do when he saw the Sorting Hat.

`` There they are, '' Rose announced when they were halfway down the train. Rose pulled open the threshold and they walked inside. John, Matt, Amanda, and a girlfriend with long, black, curly hair Albus had never seen before were sitting inside.

`` I was wondering when you two would show up, '' toilet grinned.

`` Barely made it, '' Albus told him as he sat down future to John.

`` I was on time, '' rosebush announced, smirking at Albus.

`` Hey ! It was n't my fault. St. James the Apostle would n't pass on until he found his drill stoolie. ``

`` wellspring, you made it, that 's all that matters, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah, good matter you did n't omit the train. I suppose you could 've just Flooed, but the power train is better, '' John told them. `` By the way, this is my cousin-german, Isabelle, '' he gestured to the fille Albus had n't recognized. `` She 's just starting this year. ``

`` Hi, '' Isabelle said quietly.

`` hello, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm Albus ceramist. ``

Isabelle 's centre opened wide and she stared at him. `` Really ? ``

Albus sighed, he was tired of of going through this with everyone he met, `` Yes, really. ``

`` Wow, '' Isabelle replied.

`` I 'm Rose Weasley, '' Rose told her, `` Albus 's cousin-german. '' Isabelle nodded, but did n't say anything.

`` Oh, Amanda, Isabelle, '' Albus said, `` This is my cousin, Kaden. He 's Dudley 's son. ``

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Amanda smiled at him. Isabelle again just nodded.

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied and sat down future to Amanda. `` You 're, what 's the word ? Muggle-born, too, right ? ``

`` Yeah. ``

`` Were n't you amazed by the barrier, too ? '' Kaden asked, `` I mean, it was just so foreign, going through a solid brick rampart. ``

`` I suppose. It was kind of scary at first, but it does n't bother me much now. ``

`` He 's been going on about the barrier for the preceding ten minutes, '' Albus whispered to John the Evangelist and Matt.

`` Just wait until he first gets jinx, '' John whispered back, `` He wo n't be thinking everything 's brilliant then. ``

`` How was your holiday in Ireland, Amanda ? '' Rose asked.

Amanda grinned, `` It was wonderful ! We went all over the place, just wandering around and seeing everything. I kissed the coaxing Stone, too. ``

`` I 've done that ! '' Kaden announced.

`` I hope we go back sometime, I had a really skilful time, '' Amanda told them, `` How were the residue of your summertime ? ``

`` Mine was expert, '' John said, `` Visited Isabelle 's family and we all went to Diagon Alley together. Nothing too exciting. ``

`` I love Diagon skittle alley ! '' Kaden shouted, `` I ca n't wait to go back there ! ``

`` Yeah, it 's a pretty not bad place, '' Albus agreed, `` Went back there with Epistle of James after you left, privy. early than that I spent the rest of my holiday doing homework and playing Quidditch. ``

`` Me, too, '' blush wine said, `` Although I mainly watched James and Albus play Quidditch. ``

`` How about you, lustrelessness ? Do anything exciting ? '' Albus asked, looking at his friend. Albus really wanted to screw why Matt had been in St. Mungo 's, but he knew that Matt would not expatiate on it while Kaden and Isabelle were in the compartment.

`` Not really, '' matt replied quickly, giving Albus a look that meant he would tell him later. `` So, I wonder who the new charm teacher will be ? '' Matt asked, changing the subject.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` Anyone will be better than Washburn. ``

`` Who 's Washburn ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` And what happened to him ? ``

`` He was the Charms teacher, '' Albus told him, `` He got fired for trying to steal, er, certain affair that would aid him accomplish Voldemort 's ideal. And he started a duel with me, can, Amanda, Matt, and rose wine. One of his friends dueled with my dad, too. It was pretty bad. ``

`` Who 's Voldemort ? '' Kaden asked, `` And what affair ? ``

Albus sighed and looked at Rose, who shrugged. It was going to be a recollective trip. Albus turned to Kaden and explained all about Voldemort. He left out the contribution about the Hallows, though, as he was n't sure if his dad would want him to tell Kaden. `` So you see, not all mavin are good, '' Albus finished.

Kaden stared at his cousin, lost for words for the 1st prison term. After a few bit he whispered, `` Blimey. So that 's why your family line 's renowned ? Because my dad said you were, he just did n't assure me why. ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied.

The group spent much of the rest of the journey talking about who the future appeal instructor would be, Quidditch, the Dueling night club ( which they 'd be allowed to conjoin this yr, as sec years ), and a with child mess of former stuff. Around lunch clock time, the Wiccan came around with the trolley and everyone bought enceinte measure of food. Everyone had a lot of fun watching Kaden try all the sensation sweets. Kaden announced that he liked Bertie Botts Every tone edible bean best, despite the fact that the first one he tried was a vomitive flavor. When he opened his first coffee Frog, he was shocked that it could hop and even more shocked when he saw the film of Rowena Ravenclaw disappear from the card that came with it.

After they polished off the balance of the sweets, the conversation turned to which planetary house Kaden and Isabelle wanted to be in. Apparently St. John the Apostle and Isabelle 's family consisted of an equal number of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Isabelle 's dad had been a Gryffindor and her mum had been a Hufflepuff. Isabelle did n't really care if she was in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, but she knew she did n't want to be in Slytherin. She decided that Ravenclaw would n't be bad, but she wanted to be some place where her family had been. Kaden on the former hand, definitely wanted to be in Gryffindor. Albus was n't too trusted he 'd scent up there, still thinking that his full cousin was more than of a Hufflepuff, but he did n't tell Kaden this.

Soon the gearing made it to Hogsmeade post and it was clip for everyone to get off. Albus and his supporter joined the orotund gang of pupil exiting onto the platform.

`` Firs'years ! true fir'yr ! '' Hagrid called out.

Albus lead his group over to him, `` Hi, Hagrid ! ``

`` 'Ello, Albus ! '' Hagrid greeted him.

`` My cousin Kaden 's starting this year, and toilet 's cousin, Isabelle, '' Albus gestured to the two first long time standing near him.

Kaden gaped at Hagrid, `` Are you the one who gave my dad a pig 's bum ? ``

`` Oh, yer Dudley 's son, then, '' Hagrid turned to Kaden, `` Tha'was me. ``

Kaden started laughing, `` I ca n't hold off to learn how to do something like that. ``

`` Soon enough, soon enough, '' Hagrid told him, `` Le 's go, then, '' he said to Kaden and Isabelle. The two of them waved to Albus and the others, and followed Hagrid to the lake.

`` Finally, '' Albus muttered as he lead his admirer to the carriages, `` I thought he 'd never entrust us alone. '' Albus liked Kaden, but found his constant party to be taxing.

`` I kinda like him, '' John laughed, `` He 's got heart. ``

`` Well, you 're form of like him, trick, '' Albus laughed and climbed into the nearest void carriage. `` Although you 're a bit less irritation, '' Albus turned around and grinned at his friend.

`` Gee, thanks, '' John laughed and sat down following to Albus. Rose, Amanda, and Matt followed after, and sat down on the bum across from them.

`` So, matte, you were awfully quietly on the caravan, '' Albus began, `` Something happen during the last part of the summer ? ``

matt sighed and glanced around at his friends, `` Yeah .... I just did n't want to separate you with Kaden and Isabelle around. ``

`` I figured, '' Albus replied, `` What happened ? Are you all right ? ``

`` I 'm amercement, honestly. It 's just, remember over the summer when I said I was going to St. Mungo 's ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus said.

`` And think of that study I told you about ? The one I 'm in ? ``

Albus nodded and remembered back to earlier in the class where Matt had briefly explained about a bailiwick as to why wolfsbane Potion had no effect on him and former werewolves.

`` I know I did n't tell you a completely lot about it, but it 's the reason I was at St. Mungo 's. person has to notice me after every transformation. Usually Madam Pomfrey or my parents do it, but the Healers like to do it at least twice a year. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus replied, relieved that lustrelessness being severely injured was n't the reason he was in the hospital.

`` That makes common sense, '' rosiness commented.

`` Yeah, but that 's not all. I figure I should probably severalise you a bit more about the report. It started when I was 8. For the initiative 2 yr, I did n't get any Wolfsbane potion. The succeeding 2 age, I got regular Wolfsbane. Not that it made much of a divergence. ``

`` I wonder why, '' Albus said. He had been curious about this study ever since Matt told him about it the premature condition, but Albus had been reluctant to ask about it.

`` Dunno. No one does, that 's why they 're doing it, '' lustrelessness told them, `` But anyway, the healer and Potion brewer that are working on the wolf's bane have come up with anther diversity and I 'm going to startle trying it out. ``

`` When ? '' bathroom asked.

`` I think in January, because I 'll be home on Christmas break. I 've got to take it a partner off days beforehand and it 'll be improve if someone can observe closely, '' matte told them.

`` Has it been tested before ? '' rosebush asked.

`` No, '' Matt said quietly. `` That 's the degree of the study, to try the potions. ``

Albus glanced at mat. He looked a bit scared at the prospect of taking an untested potion. No admiration he had been quiet on the railroad train. Albus was n't sure if he would want to choose an untested potion. Of line, if the potion worked, Matt 's life would drastically change for the better. But what if it did n't work, what if it had ugly position effects ?

`` But they 've been researching it, right ? '' rose wine asked, `` I mean, they 're pretty sure it wo n't do anything bad ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, they do n't think it 'll injure me. They 're just not certain if it will have the effect it 's supposed to, '' mat assured them, `` But it is a bit scary. ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose agreed, `` I 'd say so. ``

`` It 's worth it, though, if they ever find one that works for me. ``

******

`` Brings back memories, does n't it ? '' John said as the first yr filed into the Great Hall.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, remembering how fearful he 'd been of being in Slytherin the premature year. He still had n't told his friends that the classification Hat had considered it, and he was n't sure if he ever would.

`` There 's Kaden, '' Rose pointed to Albus 's cousin, who was standing right at the front of the group.

`` And Isabelle 's right behind him, '' John told them.

professor Patil motioned for the room to be repose and the sort Hat burst out in song. Albus had to stifle a laugh as he saw Kaden 's mouth open in shock. Albus knew that hat would amaze his cousin. Kaden turned around and whispered something to Isabelle, who nodded. Once the hat stopped singing, prof Patil started the categorization. The first two scholarly person were both sorted into Ravenclaw.

`` Brickston, Isabelle, '' Patil called, and whoremaster 's cousin walked over to the stool. Patil dropped the hat on her oral sex and a few present moment later, it shouted out, `` Hufflepuff ! '' Isabelle got up and joined her young man Hufflepuffs.

`` Dang, '' John said, `` I thought she 'd be here. ``

`` Well, you said there are a lot of Hufflepuffs in your family, '' rose wine pointed out.

`` Yeah, I know, '' John the Evangelist sighed, `` Hufflepuff 's safe, too. But it 's not nearly as dependable as Gryffindor. ``

`` Dursley, Kaden, '' Patil announced. Kaden ran forward immediately and sat down on the can, with a big grinning on his cheek.

Patil put the hat on his head and after a few minutes, it opened its rim blanket and announced, `` Gryffindor ! ``

Albus turned to face at King James I, who was sitting a few seats down, wearing an indistinguishable look of shock to the one Albus was. `` Gryffindor ? '' he mouthed, shaking his foreland. He was so certain that Kaden would lift up in Hufflepuff.

`` Well, the hat did take an awfully long prison term to decide, '' rosiness pointed out. `` Maybe he 's got look of all the houses. ``

Like me, Albus thought to himself. He looked up and saw Kaden running over to the Gryffindor table. Albus did n't imagine it potential, but his smile was even wider now. A few of the older Gryffindors congratulated him as he wedged his way in between Albus and Matt on the bench. `` Good job, Kaden, '' Albus said.

`` Thanks ! I still ca n't conceive that hat can talk. uncanny thing I 've ever done, have a conversation with a hat, '' Kaden laughed.

`` Wo n't be the weirdest affair you 'll see here, '' Albus told him, thinking of Nearly Headless Nick, the portraits on the wall ( Sir Cadogan in finical ), the Whomping willow, Moaning Myrtle, and numerous other look of the castle that Kaden would have never seen before.

The sorting uphold and the group of first years dwindled until there were only a couple students left. Albus had n't recognized any of the early offset years, besides Kaden and Isabelle. He thought this must have been the first class in a long time that a Weasley had n't been sorted.

`` Willinson, Felix, '' Patil announced. One of the two remaining boys walked sullenly to the stool and waited for the hat to sort him. A few mo later, the hat shouted, `` Slytherin ! ``

`` Willinson ? '' Albus turned to calculate at his friends, who were all starting at each other, `` You do n't think- ''

`` Must be some relation, '' bathroom shrugged.

`` Maybe a cousin ? '' Rose suggested, `` I remember Slughorn mentioning that Willinson was an lonesome child at one of the lick Club meetings cobbler's last yr. ``

`` Great, '' Albus sighed, `` I thought we 'd be done with Willinson after last year, but now we 'll have to address with his cousin. ``

`` Felix Willinson might not be like his cousin, '' blush wine pointed out.

`` But he 's in Slytherin, '' trick said adamantly.

`` May I have your care, please ! '' Albus and his friends stopped talking and looked up to see that Kendrick had stood up. `` Thank you. I do stimulate a few start of term announcements, but I think they can look until after the feast. Enjoy. '' Kendrick waved his munition and intellectual nourishment appeared on the golden platters.

`` Whoa ! '' Kaden shouted loudly, `` That 's all-fired brilliant ! ``

`` That 's how the food always appears, Kaden, '' Albus laughed and served himself a great helping of steak and kidney pie.

`` I could definitely get used to this, '' Kaden grinned as he piled his home plate high with everything within reach.

`` Told you he was like you, '' Albus whispered to Gospel According to John as trick filled his own home plate with as much food as he possibly could.

`` Wut, is'goob foob, '' John replied with his mouth wax of potatoes.

`` That 's disgusting, St. John, '' pink wine screwed up her brass in disgust.

`` Wut were you wis'ring abo befo ? '' Kaden asked with part of a roll in his mouth.

`` Ugh, he does it too ! '' Amanda commented.

`` What ? '' Matt asked Kaden.

Kaden swallowed, `` I said, what were you whispering about before ? You know, when Felix Willinson got sorted. ``

Matt glanced at Albus, clearly unsure about what to tell Kaden. Albus glanced at his other protagonist, who all shrugged. `` Er, '' Albus began, `` Remember what I said about the Charms instructor on the gearing ? '' Kaden nodded, while stuffing his case with the relaxation of his roll.

`` Well, Professor Washburn was n't the lone one in on that affaire d'honneur. Some thaumaturgist named Jarett Willinson was fighting alongside Washburn ; we think he 's the one who was in charge. He has a son, Quinton, who was a seventh year final stage year. Quinton drove us mad all close year and then fought along with Washburn and his dad. We 're all trying to figure out if Felix is related. We think he is, only probably just a first cousin because Quinton does n't cause any siblings. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden replied and served himself another helping of poulet. He clearly was n't too worried about Felix Willinson.

Throughout the balance of the fiesta, Albus talked to his friends about Felix Willinson and whether or not he was anything like Quinton. Rose wanted to hand him the benefit of the doubt and hold and see if he shared the Same views as Quinton. Gospel According to John, on the early hand, was quick to hex him as soon as the spread was over. He figured that Felix must agree with Quinton, since he was in Slytherin. Matt and Amanda both agreed that Felix probably did agree with his cousin, but did n't conceive they should start hexing him before they really met him. Albus was n't sure enough what to think, and he just thought they should invalidate Felix, not trying to be friendly with him or hex him.

Kaden received a nice jolt when Nearly-Headless Nick decided it would be his plate he would appear out of during the feast. Kaden dropped his paradiddle in surprise, but another one of his huge grins appeared on his face shortly after. He gazed around in amazement and watched all the wraith circling the way. Albus laughed and told him that they even had a ghost teacher. Kaden was amazed by this and said he could n't expect for that class.

`` It 's just History of Magic, '' flatness told him, `` ho-hum class in the school. Best one for quiescence, though. ``

`` You 'd know, would n't you ? '' John joked.

`` Oh, shut it, John, '' Matt laughed, `` But seriously, Binns is the most boring professor here. ``

Kaden looked a bit thwarted at this, `` Really ? How can a class be boring if it 's taught by a ghost ? ``

`` trustfulness me, the charge wears off after the first day, '' lustrelessness said.

A few moment later the food disappeared and desert appeared just bit later. Kaden and John immediately piled their home with every pudding there was. Albus and his supporter informed Kaden about the rest of their prof and they all speculated about the new Charms teacher. Albus had noticed one new teacher sitting at the staff table and assumed she was the new Charms teacher. She was an old witch, with her gray-haired haircloth pulled back in a mean bun. She was very tightfitting and Albus was guessing she was quite marvelous, but it was hard to tell as she was sitting down. Albus thought she had an almost bird-like appearance.

`` Your attention, please, '' Kendrick stood up once again and the student quieted down, `` Thank you. I hope everyone had a good summer and are set to get back to studying. I have a few start-of-term annunciation, as well as one rather big proclamation. ''

Whispering immediately erupted in the room, as to what this big announcement could be. Kendrick waited a few minute before continuing, `` Anyway, first I 'd like to introduce you to our new appeal teacher, Professor Cedonia. '' The old witch stood up and Albus noticed that she was, indeed, very tall. She gave a little wave and sat back down again. `` I also need to cue you that the Forbidden woodland is, as always, out of limit, as is the Whomping willow tree. ``

Kaden turned to Albus and mouthed, 'Whomping willow ?', with another look of amazement on his face. Albus chose to discount this and went back to paying attention to the headmaster 's speech.

`` Mr. Filch has asked me to prompt you that dueling in the corridors is forbidden. Also, that the list of forbidden aim now includes the new 'Extra-Strength dung bomb calorimeter'that have just been released at Weasleys'sorcerer Wheezes. All other products available for purchase there are also forbidden and students may inspect the full-of-the-moon leaning on Mr. Filch 's doorway. ``

Albus, who had experienced the effects of one of his uncle 's new droppings bombs, could understand why they were banned, but knew the ban would n't stop mass from using them. He laughed to himself as he remembered the look on his grannie 's face when Uncle George II brought one of the dung bombs to the end of summer get together at the Burrow.

`` If you want to try out for your mansion 's Quidditch team, please commit your name to your head of mansion. I think those are all the common announcements. Now, onto the more exciting announcement, '' Kendrick paused and none of the educatee said a word, `` It has come to my attention that the stress between the houses have been increasing over the yesteryear few years. I know that certain mansion have always had rivalries, '' Kendrick turned to count at the Gryffindor and Slytherin board before continuing, `` But I think the rivalry has gotten too heavy. I believe we need more integrity. A smashing Muggle man once said'A house divided against itself can not stand-'''

`` But our house is n't divided, '' Cedric Weasley shouted out, `` Gryffindor is perfectly unified. ``

`` Thank you, Mr. Weasley, '' Kendrick said sternly, `` I was talking about Hogwarts as a whole. I, along with the early prof, believe that their is too much theatre rivalry. Therefore, we will be taking steps this year to palliate it. ``

`` This wo n't be in force, '' John muttered under his breathing space, `` I can see it coming, we 're going to take to be friendly with the Slytherins. ``

`` We have decided to change the Dueling Club, '' Kendrick continued, `` This class, unlike past twelvemonth, we will have inter house team. ``

`` What ! ? '' Most of the Great Charles Francis Hall erupted into shout of utter astonishment. The Gryffindors were glaring at the Slytherins, and vice versa.

`` No way am I dueling with Gryffindors ! '' an elderly Slytherin shouted, `` I 'm only dueling against them ! ``

`` wellspring, we do n't want any blooming Slytherins on our team either ! '' Fred Weasley shouted back.

`` Thank you for proving my point, '' Kendrick shouted over the randomness. The room quieted down immediately, `` As I said, there is too much rivalry. I believe this will help ease it. You will give birth to process together with extremity of other star sign in rules of order to win the dueling championship. There will be more than details to follow during the number 1 coming together of the Dueling Club. As always, the club is open to irregular years and above. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted loudly and turned to Albus, `` I ca n't join ? ``

`` No, '' Albus told him, `` Sorry. kickoff years do n't know enough spells to join. But you can link next twelvemonth. '' Kaden scowled and turned back to the headmaster.

`` What about Quidditch ? '' William James asked, `` That 's not inter house, is it ? ``

`` Of path not, Mr. Potter, do n't worry, '' Kendrick smiled, `` I believe I would be run out of the palace if I tried to go inter firm Quidditch. ``

`` He probably would, '' Albus replied quietly, so only his friends could hear him.

`` I think those are all the promulgation I have for now. I suggest you all get a good nighttime 's eternal sleep for stratum tomorrow morning. First geezerhood, please keep abreast a Prefect to your uncouth elbow room. secure nighttime, everyone, '' Kendrick sat back down.

`` Blimey, '' John sighed and shook his capitulum as he stood up, `` Inter theatre dueling. ``

`` Yeah, this could get messy, '' matt agreed, `` I 'm not sure it 's going to own the effect Kendrick wants. ``

`` Oh, I do n't know, '' blush wine shrugged, `` I kind of think it 's a good idea. ``

`` I do n't think it 'll make us get along with Slytherins, '' Albus commented as they exited the Great Hall.

`` Nothing could do that, '' John said.

`` Are you guys still joining ? '' matt asked.

`` Definitely, '' Albus replied. john, rosebush, and Amanda all nodded their heads.

`` trade good, me too, '' lusterlessness told them, `` Just have to go for I 'm not with Scorpius Malfoy. ``

`` We 've all got to trust that, '' Albus agreed.

Albus and his acquaintance continued their trek to Gryffindor tug, and the conversation turned to the new spell teacher. None of them could reckon what Professor Cedonia was like, but they all assumed she was strict. She had a very stern look about her all during the fete. When they got to the vulgar room, they all decided to take Kendrick up on his advice and turn in early. They were all tired from the journeying to Hogwarts. Albus got into his lovesome four-poster bed, and realized that with Professor Washburn gone, he would n't give anymore of those Legilimency dreams he had last year. With that felicitous thought in his head, Albus drifted off into a restful sleep.



A/N : Thanks to my sister and Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my other sister and my pal. Thanks also to sinwillys822, Moonylupin, TheAlbusPotterCritic, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan89, and Draco ginger for their critical review !

quote that Kendrick said in his spoken language was said by Abraham Lincoln and all credit goes to him.

I 've also written a new one-shot, That Night, which is about the night mat got bitten. If you want to arrest it out, the contact is in my visibility.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` What have we got next ? '' Saint John the Apostle asked at dejeuner the next day. The Gryffindor second long time had just gotten back from a particularly dull chronicle of Magic class. Before that, they had transfiguration, which was almost as bore as story of Magic.

Albus looked at his schedule, `` two-fold Potions. I hope we 're not with the Slytherins this year. ``

`` Yeah, we 're already with them for transfiguration, '' flatness groaned.

`` Hi, everyone ! '' Kaden threw himself onto the bench next to Albus and started piling his plate with food, `` The classes are brilliant here ! There is n't any maths or English language class ! ``

`` English ? '' John laughed, `` Why in the public figure of Merlin would they learn us to verbalize side ? ``

`` Muggles take English people class in school day, john, '' Amanda sighed, `` They learn grammar and punctuation and study literature. ``

`` Oh, '' whoremonger replied, `` Sounds tedious. ``

`` It is, '' Kaden announced, `` Anyway, I had Uncle Harry for Defense first this sunrise ; it was so neat. ``

`` Glad you liked it, '' Albus responded.

`` I ca n't wait to use my scepter for something, '' Kaden pulled out his scepter and started waving it around.

`` Watch it ! '' lusterlessness shouted as Kaden nearly poked his eye out.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden put his wand back in his robe.

`` You 'll use it soon, '' Albus assured him.

`` We 'd improve get going to Potions, '' rosebush stood up and grabbed her bag.

`` Potions ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That sounds fun ! Like chemistry. '' He pulled out his own schedule, `` I 've got it tomorrow, I ca n't wait ! ``

Albus stood up, `` We 'll see you later, Kaden. ``

Albus and his Quaker walked out of the Great Asaph Hall and towards the step that lead to the dungeon.

`` Is there anything Kaden is n't excited about ? '' Matt asked.

`` I do n't think so, '' Albus laughed, `` We 'll see what he 's like when examination time comes. ``

`` Oh, Merlin ! '' John shouted once they reached the keep, `` We 're with the Slytherins again ! ``

`` Of all the classes to sustain with them, '' Albus muttered.

The students stood outside the dungeon, in fall apart mathematical group of Gryffindors and Slytherins, waiting for Slughorn to go far. He arrived a few instant later and unlocked the door. Albus went inside with everyone else and sat down at one of the desks, future to Matt.

`` Ah, my two front-runner Houses together again ! '' Slughorn grinned and clapped his deal together, `` Just let me run through attending real quick. '' Slughorn read off the name of all the students, `` Excellent, excellent, we 're all here !

`` Now, seeing as we have a double stratum today, I thought a little contest would be capture ! Let 's see how much you remember from net twelvemonth. The partners that brew the well Forgetfullness Potion will each get a large slab of Honeyduke 's cocoa ! '' Slughorn glanced around at his student. The Gryffindors were on one side of the room, Slytherins on the other, practically like it had been in the previous class.

`` I 'm sure you all heard Professor Kendrick 's speech close nighttime, about the fact that the school needs to be more commix, '' Slughorn continued in an uncharacteristically serious note, `` Therefore, I have decided that it would be a commodity idea to bear inter-house partners this year. ``

Albus turned to Matt and mouthed, Good idea ? Matt was looking as shocked as Albus felt. Neither of them wanted to shape on Potions with any of the Slytherins. How could Slughorn think this would be a goodness estimate ? Albus thought it would most likely cause Sir Thomas More plosion than usual.

Once the class stopped groaning, Slughorn continued, `` I, for one, agree with the schoolmaster in that there needs to be less tenseness between the star sign. So, please block up moaning. I 'm sure you 'll find that you can work together for the good afternoon. I will read off the span and then you may move. ``

Slughorn picked up another part of lambskin and started reading off it, `` Dalila Avish is with Amanda Tagger, John Brickston is with Saint Francis Xavier Goyle, Janie Creevey is with Nessa Vaisey, Matt Eckerton is with Scorpius Malfoy. ``

Albus glanced at Matt who had a look of complete horror on his face. He was shaking his promontory and mouthing the word 'no'. Albus knew that Matt would ingest rather worked with any Slytherin other than Scorpius. Albus turned his psyche slightly and saw that Scorpius had a smug look on his side. He probably thought he 'd ascertain out Matt 's mystery now. But he would n't, not if Albus could do anything about it.

Slughorn continued reading names, `` Celeste Faxon is with Karina Jordan-Bell, Marina Jordan-Bell is with Elle Yeardley, Ethan Kesse is with Garth Octavius, Jesse Jackson Limbert is with Albus Potter. ``

Could be worse, Albus thought. He did n't really make love Jackson, although he did have it off that Jackson was an splendid Potions brewer. Albus was right with Potions, but not nearly as good as Jackson.

`` Bilius Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp is with Patrick Parlan and Leigh Montague is with rose wine Weasley, '' Slughorn looked up from his sheepskin and tapped his wand on the pitch-dark plank. instruction manual appeared on it. `` There you go ! ``

Albus gave mat a half-hearted smile that Matt did not turn back, and Albus got up to connect Jackson Limbert at his desk. Scorpius Malfoy got up and took Albus 's vacated rear end. `` Limbert, '' Albus nodded as he set his cauldron down on the desk.

`` potter, '' Limbert nodded back. `` I 'll get the element, you light a fire. ``

Albus nodded and lit a fire beneath his cauldron as Limbert joined the queue of scholarly person getting element from the cupboard. Limbert returned a few minutes later and he and Albus started to devise the ingredients. They worked in silence the whole metre. Albus did n't know what Slughorn was thinking. The near he could probably trust for was what Albus and Limbert were doing ; working civilly with each early, but not talking. Albus dropped a few beetles into the caldron and looked around at everyone else. It seemed like Albus and Limbert were some of the few who were getting along. Scorpius Malfoy was whispering something to matte, that lustrelessness was trying hard to ignore. Rose was telling Leigh something and Leigh looked like she was ready to hex rosebush. John Lackland was correcting Goyle, who was stirring his cauldron in the wrong direction, and Gospel According to John looked like he wanted to call. Amanda and Delila seemed to be getting along all right hand, but like Albus and Limbert, were n't talking.

`` Time 's up ! '' Slughorn announced a while later. Albus stepped back from his cauldron as Slughorn started to prove the potions. He inspected each one, telling its owner what they could have done to cause it better. Slughorn was impressed with rosiness and Vivien Leigh 's potion, but not with any of the others. Finally, he made his way to Albus and Limbert 's cauldron.

He leaned over the cauldron and prodded it with his scepter. `` Excellent ! Well done, boys ! I think we have a winner ! '' Slughorn produced two bars of chocolate and gave them to Albus and Limbert. `` Please understand chapter one of your record book and write a six in summary of it for next class. ``

Albus and his friends cleaned up their cauldrons as quickly as they could. They met up with each other just outside the dungeon room access. `` Well, that was n't as bad as I thought it would be, '' Albus said.

Matt, John, and Rose all stared at him with look of disgust on their faces. `` Speak for yourself, '' matte muttered. John and Rose both nodded.

`` I think Goyle 's actually dumber than a round, '' John Lackland commented, `` Does n't fuck the difference between clockwise and counter-clockwise. ``

`` Leigh is a bit smarter than that, '' rosebush replied, `` But she wo n't mind to a Word I say, so we were both doing the same instruction over again ! ``

`` At to the lowest degree you were n't with Malfoy, '' Matt said, `` He spent the whole time asking me I would be visiting my gran this year. ``

`` What did you say ? '' Albus asked.

`` That I would be, '' lusterlessness answered, `` What else was I going to say ? You know I 'll be visiting her this year. '' He gave Albus a significant look.

`` I do n't know what Slughorn was thinking, '' Amanda sighed, `` We 're never going to all get along. I 'm just gladiolus I was with Dalila. She 's not that bad. She 's very quiet, so we just ignored each other. ``

`` fountainhead, you 're still too, '' Albus grinned, `` But yeah, that 's what Limbert and I did. ``

`` Worked out skillful, '' John said, `` You got the drinking chocolate. ``

******

The next sunup, after breakfast, the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw moment years found themselves waiting outside the charm schoolroom. None of them had met the new teacher and they were all eager to see what she was like. Albus did n't give care what she was like, as long as she was nicer than Washburn. Shortly after the bell rang, Professor Cedonia came ambling up the corridor. She did n't say a word to her students as she unlocked the room access. Albus filed inside with the others and sat down at a tabular array with John and Matt.

`` Gon na set her on fire, too ? '' John grinned at Albus.

`` Only if she tries to read my thinker, '' Albus whispered back.

`` Quiet, please, '' professor Cedonia said in a quiet, but forceful, vocalism. `` Thank you. I 'll just run through the attendance. '' Cedonia called out all their names and when she was fulfil that everyone was there, she walked out from behind her desk. `` Now, I know your last year of instruction in this theme was less than satisfactory, and I hope to change that for this twelvemonth. I know some of you, '' her optic fell upon Albus 's table, `` Spent More time in detention with professor Washburn than in class with him. I do not believe that that is a good way of teaching. Now, do n't get me legal injury, if there is any misdeed, I will move over detentions, but I do not hand them out lightly. I would much rather find out why a educatee is misbehaving and work to fix it, than just give out hold like they 're destitute samples. ``

`` I think I 'm going to like her, '' Matt whispered. Albus and John nodded.

`` For instance, some scholar cause chaos because they are bored with class. I do not want you to be bored in my classroom. If you are, please feel relinquish to let me know before you start causing any pandemonium.

`` Now, with that in judgement, I 'd like to get going off with a review of survive yr. Please subscribe out your parchment and quills. ``

The rest of the division was rather enjoyable, Albus thought. They spent one-half of it taking notes, which Cedonia actually made pretty fun. She kept everyone engaged, but did n't force you to answer a question you did n't know, like Washburn had done. The former half was spent practicing charms they had learned live class. Albus found that he was much full at appealingness when he was n't being watched by a instructor who hated him. He actually managed to levitate his school text a couple infantry in the air and he did n't set anything or anyone on fire.

`` I 'm going to care magical spell this class, '' Saint John announced as they walked out of the room.

`` Me, too, '' Matt agreed, `` I wish we 'd had her last yr. ``

`` I like her fashion, too, '' rosiness commented, `` She is n't going to be giving out a lot of detentions. I like that. ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus nodded, `` I 'm going to have so much more liberate prison term this year without all the detentions, '' he joked.

`` You 'll just have to do former affair to make detentions, '' John laughed, `` Like pull trick on the Slytherins. ``

`` It 'd be better just to beat them at the Dueling order, '' Rose said, `` You could n't get in trouble for that. ``

`` Yeah, but they might be on our team, '' John said disgustedly, `` And we probably wo n't all be on the like team. ``

Albus groaned, `` Now it 's not going to be as fun as I thought it would be. I do n't want to duel you lot. I want to duel the Slytherins. ``

`` Oh, you 'll get to duel them, too, '' rose wine assured him.

`` When 's the first group meeting, anyway ? '' Matt asked.

`` This Saturday, '' Albus told him, `` Day before Quidditch try-outs. That 's not a, er, bad time for you, is it ? ``

`` No, luckily it 's not, '' Matt replied quietly, `` The you-know-what is n't until succeeding Thursday. ``

`` goodness, '' Albus said, relieved that lustrelessness would not be missing the first off Dueling golf club meeting.

******

The rest of the week passed by quickly. Albus and his champion fell right back into their usual Hogwarts routine. They spent their eventide in the park room either doing homework or just talking and playing games. Kaden usually spent the evenings with him. Kaden seemed to spend time with Albus 's radical rather than the former Gryffindor first years. Albus was not sure why, and was starting to become a bit annoyed at the fact that Kaden was always around. The just time Albus seemed to get away from Kaden was during classes. family were going well so far. Albus was doing much better in appeal with professor Cedonia, and was doing about the Same as the old year in the rest of his classes.

When Saturday arrived, everyone was talking about the Dueling cabaret. The 1st meeting was taking place that afternoon, after lunch. Albus and his friend went immediately to the Dueling room after they finished eating. When they got there, it seemed like everyone in the unhurt school was joining. Well, everyone except the first years.

`` Wow, '' Albus said as he looked around, `` Is everyone joining ? ``

`` Probably, '' rosiness replied, `` There are n't many citizenry who do n't fall in. ``

`` repose, please ! '' Harry shouted out over the crew. Everyone stopped talking and turned to look at him. `` Thanks. Now, like by years, we 're having Jr Dueling as well as the regular Dueling night club. If you 're 2nd, one-third, or fourth year, you have to connect the junior order. If you 're in one-fifth yr or above, please follow Professor Longbottom to the future way where you will feature your meeting. ``

`` Well that 's a succour, '' Matt commented as the sr. students left the room, `` I did n't fancy dueling with seventh age. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` My cousin Stanley is a brilliant dueler. I would n't need to be paired up against him. ``

`` Oh, I do n't know, '' John grinned and pulled out his wand, `` I bet I could take on a one-seventh year. ``

`` Yeah, sure, '' pink wine rolled her eyes.

`` Wands away ! '' Harry shouted, and John quickly stowed his verge. `` Now, as you know, Professor Kendrick has decided that we will not have business firm teams this year. There will be eight squad, just like last class, but they will possess members from each house on them. ``

There was a collective moan from the gang. Everyone was standing in grouping consisting of student of their own house. Albus sighed, he had kind of hoped that Professor Kendrick would change his brain, but it did n't seem that way.

`` Yes, I know none of you are happy about it. And frankly, I 'm not sure if it will cause less tension between the family, but it 's worth a try. Now, once we get everything organized, this will influence much like Quidditch. Each team skipper will set up practice prison term, and there will be competitor throughout the yr. Unlike Quidditch, there is no trying out ; everyone gets on a team.

`` outset, I 'll tell you who the captains will be. Professor Longbottom and I picked them at the end of last year, based on your performance. All the captains are fourth long time. There are two from each house.

`` They are Bradley Weasley, Tasha Kasey, Kate Waverly, Leo Humphrey Davy, April Finch-Fletchley, Alice Paul Galivant, Nadine Neal, and Barty Heath. ``

There was a large amount of money of cheering and groaning at the announcement of the captains. Albus did n't eff any of the police captain besides his cousin, Bradley. He hoped he was on Bradley 's team.

The rest of the meeting consisted of Harry putting everyone onto a team. Albus found it rather boring and spent the unharmed clock time talking to his friends. Eventually, he was put on a team. He was on Kate Waverly 's team, along with Amanda. They were the but two Gryffindor firstly old age on that team. St. James the Apostle was n't on it either. Albus was glad he was on Kate 's team. She was a Ravenclaw and on the Quidditch team. Albus was very relieved that his police chief was not a Slytherin. However, shortly after Harry told Albus he was on Kate 's team, he found out that Scorpius Malfoy was on his team. He was not looking forward to having to cooperate with Malfoy. He had hoped he would be capable to duel Malfoy, but it did n't look like that would be happening.

`` I 'm so glad I 'm not on Malfoy 's squad, '' Matt said, as they entered the common way after the meeting was over.

`` Yeah, well, me and Amanda are, '' Albus groaned and threw himself into one of the chairs.

`` But you are n't his Potions partner, '' mat pointed out, `` I 'd go mad if I had to be on his dueling team, too. ``

`` Good point in time, '' Albus sighed, `` But you really lucked out. You have my cousin for your maitre d'hotel. ``

`` At least you have n't got a Slytherin for your captain ! '' John shouted. Rose nodded. She and lavatory both had Slytherin captains, but not the same one. whoremaster 's captain was Nadine Neal and Rose 's was Barty Heath.

`` Oh, you 'll hold up, '' Amanda laughed.

`` Easy for you to say, with your Ravenclaw chieftain, '' John muttered.

`` Albus ! '' Kaden came running out of the door leading to the male child'hall, `` How was dueling ? Was it fun ? Did you win ? Was the early guy unconscious for a piece ? Is he still unconscious ? '' Kaden sat down excitedly in the professorship next to Albus's.

Albus sighed ; he had yet to see his first cousin without his endless amount of energy. Albus was beginning to inquire if Kaden could finalize down enough to catch some Z's. `` Er, we did n't really duel today, Kaden. It was just an informational encounter. We got depute teams, though. ``

`` Neat ! Who 's on your squad ? ``

`` Me, Amanda, Cedric, and a gang of Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins that I do n't have it off. Our captain is Kate Waverly, she 's a Ravenclaw. ``

Kaden grinned, `` I ca n't wait to link the Dueling Club next year. I 'll scramble everyone ! '' He pulled out his wand and waved it around. It produced a trickle of H2O that landed on Albus 's head.

`` Watch it ! '' Albus shouted and shook the water out of his eyes, `` And put your baton away.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden replied and put his wand into his gown. `` What are you going to do now ? ``

`` Probably go down to the Quidditch slant and drill for try-outs tomorrow, '' Albus told him.

`` Ooo ! Can I do, please ? Flying lessons start future week. I ca n't hold off ! Can I try out your broom ? '' Kaden begged.

Albus did not want Kaden on his new broom. Kaden had never flown before and Albus was trusted he would ram it. `` You can come watch, I guess. But dark, you ca n't try out my Calluna vulgaris. ``

Kaden 's aspect fell a bit, but he still looked excited, `` All right, let 's go ! At to the lowest degree I can watch you play Quidditch. I still do n't see how it can be ameliorate than football. ``

`` It is, '' Albus replied adamantly. He stood up and turned to his friends, `` You lot want to come in ? ``

`` Yeah, definitely ! '' John stood up. `` I 'll bring my broom and help you practice. ``

`` I 'll come, '' Matt agreed.

`` Do n't cerebrate so, '' rose replied, `` I 'm going to do some homework. Want to ride out here with me, Amanda. '' blush wine gave Amanda a look.

`` Sure, '' Amanda said, `` See you later, Albus. ``

Albus and trick grabbed their brooms from their dormitory and the four boys left the common room.

`` Rose and Amanda are probably having girl talk, '' Saint John the Apostle grinned.

`` Yeah, they 're probably talking about us, '' Albus laughed.

Albus, bathroom, lusterlessness, and Kaden spent the rest of the afternoon playing Quidditch. Kaden watched the whole time, amazed that brooms could enable mass to fly. He still thought football was better, but Albus assured him that after he saw a friction match, he would change his judgement. Saint John let lusterlessness fly his broom for a picayune while and Albus practiced his Chaser skills with both of them. By the clock time night fell, and Albus was exhausted, John and flatness were sure he would get on the team.



A/N : Thanks to my baby and Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to my other sister and my crony. Thanks to ginnyweasley98, XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, potterfan89, Moonylupin, and ladymblack for their reexamination !

Just to let everyone make out, the future chapter might not be up until Friday of side by side calendar week instead of Thursday. I might have to switch my update day to Fri instead of Thursday from now on, since shoal is starting and my Thursdays are going to be quite busy.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus woke up the next day feeling very nervous. The Quidditch try-outs were n't until the afternoon, but Albus did n't eat very much breakfast anyway. He spent to the highest degree of the break of day in the park elbow room with his friends, trying to get some homework done, but found that he could n't centralise. Eventually he gave up and played a few rounds of Exploding Snap with John Lackland, who was putting off his homework until the terminal minute.

Harry stopped by the Gryffindor table during luncheon and wished Albus effective circumstances. Shortly after lunch, Albus headed down to the Quidditch auction pitch with his new broom over his shoulder. Rose, john, flatness, and Amanda went with him.

`` Albus, hey, Albus ! '' Albus turned around as he was leaving the rook to see Kaden running out of the Great Hall.

`` What ? '' Albus asked impatiently. He was anxious to get down to the pitch shot and see how many other people were trying out. He did n't need to be late.

`` Are you going to try-outs now ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` Uh, yeah, '' Albus replied.

`` Oh, can I come ? '' Kaden asked hopefully.

`` Sure, '' Albus answered and stepped out of the palace. The group continued their walking to the pitch, listening to Kaden public lecture animatedly about his first workweek at Hogwarts. Albus did n't think Kaden would ever run out of things to say, and found his unceasing jabbering a bit irritating. Albus was n't in the mood to hear about how Professor Patil had yelled at half of Kaden 's Transfiguration class the previous day. Soon, Albus just adopted the insurance of smiling and nodding when Kaden paused, like he did with his other vernal cousins. Right now, all Albus wanted to do was centralise on his try-out.

John, Matt, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden went to go sit in the rack while Albus went down to the large crowd of Gryffindors trying out. Albus turned his care to the early pursuer wannabe gathered around him. There was a seventh year boy who Albus vaguely recognized as one of Francis Edgar Stanley 's Friend, two buirdly looking sixth year male child who looked like they 'd arrive at better Beaters than chaser, a couple fifth year young lady, quite a few fourth and third base age, and even a bunch of showtime old age. After a few more minute of arc of waiting, the Gryffindor squad emerged from the locker room, Pb by Albus 's first cousin, Georgia. Georgia had become the new headwaiter over the summer. Albus distinctly remembered the morning she got the letter informing her of her captainship. Her headspring had appeared in the fireplace at Grimmauld blank space, where she shouted the intelligence so loudly, Ginny had dropped the ladle she was stirring porridge with.

`` Attention, please ! '' Georgia shouted over the crowd. She had a very loud voice and everyone was quiet immediately. `` Thanks. Now, there 's only one available spot this year, for Chaser. And I 'm not kicking any of last twelvemonth 's participant off, so if any of you are seeking a stead former than Chaser, clear off now. ``

There were a few groans from the crowd, and the two sixth year boy stalked off the field. One of the fourth years left as well.

`` Also, I 'm sorry but the rules have not changed since last year, and first days are not allowed on the team. I encourage you to try out again when we next have available positions. '' The rather big group of beginning years scowled and left the pitch in a huff.

`` fountainhead, now that that 's taken precaution of, '' Georgia pulled out a clip dining table, `` starting time, I 'll need to see you all fly around the delivery. Fifth through seventh class first. ``

Albus watched as the older scholar flew around the pitch a few times. Georgia watched them carefully and wrote tone on her clip display panel. Albus thought they all flew remarkably well except for one of the one-fifth twelvemonth daughter. She kept lurching downwards every prison term she accelerated, almost falling off her broom. After a few turns around the pitch, the aged educatee landed adjacent to Georgia.

`` commodity. But I 'm good-for-nothing, Carrie, '' Georgia turned to the fifth year who did n't fly very well, `` I do n't mean you 're cut out for this. '' The girl shrugged and went to sit in the stands. She did n't look too disappointed and Albus suspected the only reason she tried out was because the former fifth twelvemonth girlfriend did n't desire to do it alone.

Next, it was Albus 's act to fly around the rake. He took off along with the third and fourth years. Once in the air, he started feeling better about the try-out. He could do this, he was a good throwaway. He sped around the pitch, going faster than the other students. Albus noticed that they were outstanding throwaway as well, even considerably than the seventh and fifth age who had flown earlier.

`` Excellent, '' Georgia grinned as Albus landed in strawman of her. The others landed shortly after. `` Now I just have to see how well you work with Quaffles and the rest of the team. ``

During the next part of the try-outs, all the Chaser hopefuls went up into the air along with the rest of the team and passed the Quaffle back and forth. Albus only dropped it once. The same could n't be said for everyone else. Everyone else dropped it at least once. The only other somebody who only dropped it once was one of the quartern long time, Gabe Bourne.

`` You all did large, '' Georgia smiled after they finished tossing the Quaffle around, `` But I have narrowed it down to Gabe bourne and Albus Potter. '' The other aspirer sighed and left the rake.

After this, Georgia simulated a real match, in rules of order to feel out who fit adept with the team. Albus, who had played pursuer with his cousins numerous times, worked quite well with Heather and Fred. Albus already knew the way they played and found that it was very easy to communicate with them while he was flying.

`` All right, '' GA announced once everyone had landed, `` I 've decided on Albus ceramicist. I 'm lamentable, Gabe, finger free to try-out again another sentence. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus grinned. The respite of the team clapped him on the shoulder and congratulated him.

`` I knew you 'd get it, Albus, '' James IV grinned.

`` physical body, '' Gabe muttered as he left the pitch, `` Had to pick your full cousin. Are n't there enough of them on the squad ? ``

`` He 's just jealous, '' James II commented. `` You obviously worked better with heather and Fred. ``

`` Thanks, James I, '' Albus grinned. He did n't give care what Gabe Bourne thought. He was on the squad !

`` Great job, Albus ! '' whoremonger shouted as he ran onto the slant. `` I knew you 'd get it. ``

`` Yeah, congratulations ! '' mat agreed. pink wine and Amanda grinned.

`` vivid ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Maybe I 'll get to be on the team someday. ``

`` I thought you liked football game, '' Albus laughed.

`` I do, football 's still better than Quidditch, '' Kaden assured him, `` But flying is brilliant. ``

`` Quidditch is better, '' Albus replied adamantly, `` But I 'll see you lot up in the castle. We 're going to stay and drill a bit. ``

Albus and the rest of the team spent the completely good afternoon practicing. Albus loved every bit of it. Georgia was very felicitous that Albus worked so well with Heather and Fred. Usually, when a team got a new chaser it took a partner off weeks for the new pursuer to get used to the team, but Albus fit right in. Georgia was sure they would be ready for the first base match, and they might even be able to win the Quidditch Cup again.

******

Albus climbed through the portrait hole the following Thursday feeling thoroughly worn out. The Quidditch team had just practiced for two hours and Albus just got back from snagging a late supper afterwards. The team was only practicing a couple nights a week, but it was enough that Albus hardly had any time for anything other than homework. He could only conceive of what it would be like when they were practicing every Nox of the week.

Albus immediately spotted John and flatness sitting at their usual table in the spinal column. He looked longingly at the doorway leading to the dormitories. All he wanted to do was catch some Z's, but they had uranology at midnight that dark. Albus ran up to the residence hall for a few mo to deposit his broom and get his schooltime bag, wishing all the spell that he could just fall in into bed.

`` Hi, guys, '' Albus said as he sunk into a chair at the table his friends were at.

`` Hi, Albus, '' John greeted him, `` You look almost as bad as Matt does. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied flatly, but he knew he looked exhausted. Although not nearly as exhausted as Matt did. The full moon was that Night lusterlessness was sleeping with his question on his Transfiguration Day book.

`` How was praxis ? '' John Lackland asked, without looking up from her account of Magic notes.

`` Exhausting, '' Albus replied, `` And I got hit with two Bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' John said.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, massaging his left arm where both Bludgers had made contact. He heard the portraiture open and saw Kaden coming in, looking more stamp down than he usually did. He made a beeline for Albus and sat down next to him.

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Albus said.

`` Hi, Albus. ``

`` Er, is something wrong ? '' Albus asked. He was n't used to seeing Kaden so quiet.

`` Patil assigned another essay today. A infantry long ! '' Kaden shouted so loudly that mat woke up. `` A whole substructure ! ``

Albus looked at John and both of them abound out laughing.

`` What 's so funny ? '' Kaden asked loudly, his voice returning to its usual tone.

`` It 's just, '' Albus grinned, `` that you seemed so in love with everything magical and it did n't seem like you thought anything was bad in the magic cosmos and here at Hogwarts. You loved every single course of instruction and did n't have a complaint. I knew that would convert once you 'd been assigned a long essay. ``

`` Haha, '' Kaden replied flatly, `` But still ! I mean, occur on, how can I write a foot long essay about transfiguring matchsticks into acerate leaf ? It 's not that complicated ! You mutter an conjuration and your match modification, that 's all there is to it ! There 's no way I can stretch that into a foot unless I write as big as Bethany does and I do n't call back Patil would like it if I wrote like a seven-year-old. ``

`` A substructure is nothing, '' Albus told him, `` Eventually, you 'll be doing essays that are two curl of lambskin. ``

`` Two gyre ! '' Kaden shouted, `` How is that possible ? It 's not ! I give up ! ``

`` Could you talk quieter ? '' Matt whispered.

Kaden paused long enough to look at flatness. `` You look terrible. You should go see ma'am Pomfrey. You know magic mend everything ! It 's amazing. I had a cold the early day and she gave me a potion and it was gone in an instant ! ``

`` She ca n't fix this, '' Matt muttered.

`` Sure she can. I saw her fix this cuss 's bone with her verge. It was brilliant. She 'll give you better in no fourth dimension, '' Kaden assured him.

`` No she wo n't, '' Matt said quietly.

Albus and John blastoff Kaden warning feeling. Albus willed his cousin to stop talking now. Kaden had absolutely no theme what matt went through every month. Albus was getting fed up with Kaden 's notion that everything about the wizarding cosmos was fantastic and that legerdemain fixed everything.

`` Yeah she will, '' Kaden pressed, `` Just go ask her for a potion. ``

`` Just bury it, '' Matt replied a bit more loudly, and stood up. He turned to Albus and John, `` I have to go now. I 'll see you tomorrow, right ? ``

`` Of course, '' Albus assured him.

`` Yeah, we 'll see you then, '' can said, `` Want me to amount ? ``

`` No, I 'm fine, '' lusterlessness replied and left the common room.

`` Is he going to see Madam Pomfrey ? '' Kaden asked, `` I do n't know why he did n't go right when he got gruesome. Seems stunned to me. ``

That was the last stalk. Albus had had it with Kaden. He turned to his cousin with a look of rage in his eyes. `` Kaden, just shut out it ! '' he shouted. `` Do n't call in him pillock ! You 've got no idea what illness he 's got, '' Albus whispered so that only Kaden and John could hear him, but his articulation was every bit as forceful as it had been when he was shouting. `` And get it through your drumhead that deception does not fix everything ! There are some things that ma'am Pomfrey ca n't fix with potions. Do n't ever tell him to just go see Madam Pomfrey so she can make it all better. Because she ca n't. ``

Kaden stared at Albus and did n't say a word. His common cheery grin faded away and was replaced by a look of shock and suffering. `` Sorry, '' he mumbled and got up from the table. He ran over to the dormitories and went up the stairs without so much as a glance back to Albus.

Albus looked at Saint John, who was wearing a smell of impact on his face as well. `` I do n't think I 've ever heard you yell at anyone like that. Besides me, of trend, when we were fighting over whether to tell Matt we knew he was a werewolf, '' trick said quietly.

`` Yeah, well, he was really starting to get on my nerves, '' Albus replied, `` And this was it. He should n't accept done that. He should make stopped talking when lustrelessness said gentlewoman Pomfrey could n't aid him. ``

`` But how was he supposed to love ? '' John the Divine asked, `` Do n't you guess you were a bit harsh ? ``

`` No, '' Albus answered, `` Not when it comes to this. He 's got to learn not to butt into matt 's illness, especially if he 's going to be around us all the meter. ``

`` I 'm not sure he will anymore, '' John replied.

The two friends sat in secrecy for the adjacent few moment. Albus thought about what John the Evangelist had said. Maybe he had been too harsh. Maybe he should have just told Kaden not to bother Matt. But Kaden had practically called Matt pudding head, had n't he ? That was uncalled for. Could what Albus said really been enough to dissuade Kaden from disbursement time with Albus and the others ? Albus was n't certainly. He was n't even surely if he wanted Kaden to check spending time with him. As much as Kaden annoyed him, he had grown used to his untested cousin being around.

`` You 're awfully still over here, '' rosebush said as she and Amanda sat down at the tabular array. `` Oh, did lustrelessness leave ? ``

Albus nodded. `` How is he ? '' rose asked.

`` He 'd have been good if it was n't for Kaden, '' John pointed out.

Rose groaned, `` What did he do ? ``

`` I was wondering why Kaden was n't here, '' Amanda said, `` It 's kind of odd seeing you without him around, Albus. ``

`` Kaden insisted that Matt go get a potion from brothel keeper Pomfrey because he looked upchuck, '' John told the female child. Albus was perfectly will to let privy tell the news report. `` And of grade he looked sick, considering what tonight is. But Kaden did n't know that, of course, and he would n't discontinue telling mat how magical can fix everything. ``

`` Oh, did he really ? '' rose sighed, `` Then what happened ? ``

`` flatness left. I think he really did have to leave then, but I 'm sure he was pretty irritated by Kaden, '' John continued.

`` I 'll bet, '' Amanda said quietly, `` Your full cousin does n't always know the best matter to say, Albus. ``

`` That 's why Albus yelled at him, '' John announced.

`` What ? ! '' both young lady shouted at the same time.

`` Yup, '' Gospel According to John replied, `` Probably would induce turned into a big row if Kaden had n't have just left. He 's in his dormitory right now. ``

`` Oh, Albus, you did n't, '' Rose sighed.

`` I did, '' Albus said, a piddling annoyed that pink wine seemed disappointed, `` And you would possess to if you 'd been there. I just told him I was tired of him talking about how magic fixes everything. I told him that there are some things that gentlewoman Pomfrey 's potions wo n't fix and not to mention them around flatness. I also yelled at him because he practically called Matt dullard. Kaden said Matt was stupid for not getting a potion when he first got sick. ``

`` I see your point, '' Rose replied, `` But honestly, Albus, you could have said it without yelling. I think Kaden 's having a rough time adjusting and making booster. Having you wild with him is n't going to help things. ``

`` Maybe if he learned to be quiet once and a while, he 'd relieve oneself friends, '' Albus muttered.

`` Well, you can excuse in the morning, '' Rose told him, while taking out her homework.

`` Apologize ? He 's the one who 's got to apologize to lustrelessness, '' Albus said adamantly.

`` He does n't even experience why that turnover Matt, '' rosebush insisted, `` And unless you plan on telling him, he 's probably not going to excuse. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. There was no way he was going to tell Kaden that matt was a werewolf. `` All right, finely. I 'll apologize. But if he does that again, I 'll hollo at him again and I wo n't apologize. ``

`` And I 'll be right there yelling with you, '' john assured him.

`` son, '' Rose muttered to Amanda, who nodded.

******

Albus was extremely tired when he trudged down to breakfast with his friend the next morning. Due to Astronomy, he had n't gotten to bed until 1:30 am, and had had about six 60 minutes of sleep. Albus had n't seen Kaden at all that morning, which was strange because Kaden usually waited for Albus in the common room before breakfast. Albus figured he was probably still upset about the premature night. Albus really did n't want to justify, but he supposed he would take to.

Albus sat down and poured himself a glass of orange juice. He was glad that it was a relatively easily day. Double Herbology in the break of the day and then a single socio-economic class of Potions after lunch. Following Potions, Albus and his champion would go sojourn lustrelessness in the Hospital flank. Albus felt like he would rather drop the day in the hospital offstage sleeping instead of going to class, but he knew that would n't happen.

The post owl flew into the way and Albus noticed his female parent 's owl flying towards him. The owl landed adjacent to Albus, Albus took the letter, and the owl was off again.

`` letter from Aunt Ginny ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus told her and opened the letter.

Dear Al,

How are you ? I hope your kickoff two weeks have gone well.
I 'm glad the new appeal teacher is nice, and I do hope
you 'll acquit yourself in her class.

Congratulations on making the Quidditch team ! I 'm so
proud of you. Lily is very excited as well and is
telling me that she is going to turn the new
Keeper after Georgia alumna. We 'll see about that.

Dudley called last night and told me about the row
you had with Kaden close night. I realize that Kaden
may get been less than sympathetic with Matt, but
please rationalise to him. Kaden is having a rough
time adjusting to Hogwarts. I know it seems like
he loves everything wizardly, but he has not made a
whole lot of Quaker. He needs you to be kind to
him and include him in your activities.

With dearest,
Mum

Albus folded the alphabetic character and sighed. Even his female parent wanted him to rationalize to Kaden. Did n't anyone sympathise that Kaden had been out of transmission line last night ? toilet seemed to think so, but thought Albus should have been nicer about it.

`` Aunt Ginny agrees with me, '' Rose commented.

`` Her and everyone else, '' Albus muttered. He still did n't really desire to rationalize to Kaden.

`` Well, looks like you 'll have to rationalize later, '' Rose announced and stood up, `` We 've got to get to Herbology. ``

Relieved that he had an excuse not to apologize now, Albus made his way to the glasshouse with his protagonist. Neville spent the moral teaching about Mandrakes and helping the stratum to re-pot them. Albus found rather easy, but not everyone in the class did. One of the Mandrakes attached itself to Karina 's hair and would n't let go until Neville stunned it.

Albus did n't see Kaden at lunch and did n't have time to go find him before Potions, not that he minded. He was still mad at Kaden and did not desire to apologize. Potions was pretty boring because all Slughorn did was lecture. Albus felt himself nodding off a few times, only to be prodded awake by Rose who was sitting next to him.



A/N : Thanks to my sister and genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my other sister and my brother. Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, potterfan89, ginnyweasley98, and Moonylupin for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




After Potions, Albus and his friends went to chatter Matt like they usually did after a full moon. Albus was relieved that they did n't run into Kaden on the way there. He was n't indisputable what he would say in order to shake off his full cousin if Kaden decided to try and shoot the breeze mat with them.

`` hi, kids, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey greeted them as they entered the ward. She was used to them visiting by then and left them alone as long as they were n't too loud.

Albus made a beeline for the bed Matt usually stayed in and pulled back the curtains. Matt was sporting numerous gash all over his case and arm, a melanise eye, and bruises all along his weapon system. He was also asleep.

`` Aww, he 's quiescency, '' John grinned mischievously as he shut the curtains behind them.

`` Well, that 's not really surprise, '' blush wine commented, `` Maybe we should come back later. ``

`` No, I 'm awake, '' Matt mumbled hoarsely and opened his eye a bit. `` Is Kaden here ? ``

`` Nope, have n't seen him since last Night, '' Albus told him.

matte breathed a sigh of backup man, `` adept. I was trying to come up with a something to distinguish him as to why I 'm here, but now I do n't have to. ``

`` I do n't guess you 're going to suffer to care about that, '' John replied.

`` Why not ? I 'm sure he 'll ask. He 's always hanging around. And utmost Night he was so bloody irritating. I think I would 've had a go at him if I had n't had a splitting headache. ``

`` Albus had a go at him, '' St. John the Apostle told him, and proceeded to tell Matt what had happened after he left.

`` Wow, Albus, '' lustrelessness said quietly when John had finished, `` Thanks, I guess. ``

`` No trouble. I 'm not going to let him butt into why you 're sick all the meter, '' Albus said.

`` And you have n't seen him since ? '' Matt asked.

`` Nope. He got really upset, I think. And Mum says I 've got to apologize to him. I do n't really need to, though, '' Albus answered.

`` fountainhead, you probably should. He is your cousin, after all. But I ca n't say I 'd mind if he did n't spend as a lot metre with us, '' Matt told him.

`` I know, me too, '' Albus responded. `` Anyway, how are you ? ``

`` Been better, been defective, '' lustrelessness replied, `` Got a few discontinue ribs, but dame Pomfrey fixed them. I 'm just a bit sore. And tired, of course. ``

`` When do you get to entrust ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Probably Lord's Day, '' Matt yawned.

`` Do you want us to depart so you can sleep ? '' Rose asked.

`` No, I 've got all nighttime to catch some Z's. Tell me what I missed in division. ``

`` well, a mandrake attached itself to Karina 's hair in Herbology, '' Albus told him.

`` Bet she loved that, '' Matt stifled a laugh.

`` And Albus fell asleep in Potions, '' pink wine announced, `` I had to wake him up a few times. ``

`` I was n't asleep. I was just closing my middle for a bit, '' Albus insisted. `` Slughorn was just talking and it was boring. I had Quidditch praxis yesterday and Astronomy. I 'm tired. ``

`` What did I miss in uranology ? ``

`` Not much. Just follow-up, mostly. phase angle of the Moon, that sort of thing, '' Albus replied.

`` I think I 've got those down pretty well, '' Matt laughed. Everyone else started laughing, too. Albus was felicitous that flatness was getting to be more comfortable about talking and joking about his shape with them.

Albus and the others spent the rest of the time until dinner in the infirmary Wing with Matt. Once dinner metre came, Madam Pomfrey chased them out. Albus knew he 'd give birth to spill the beans to Kaden soon, but he did n't get the chance to during dinner. After they finished eating, Albus and his acquaintance went up to the usual room to get started on their growing mountain of homework.

`` You should go talk to Kaden now, '' Rose said as she looked up from her notes.

Albus sighed. He had just gotten started on an essay that he really did n't sense like composition, but he 'd rather write it than talk to Kaden. `` I do n't even see him in here, Rose. ``

`` He 's over there, sitting by himself, '' rose pointed behind Albus.

`` Just get it over with, Albus, '' John told him as he twirled his quill feather around his fingerbreadth, `` You 've got to do it sometime. Just apologize and tell him not to chafe mat anymore. ready certain he knows that, because if he does that again I 'll hollo at him, too. And I 'm much louder than you, '' John grinned.

`` He 's your cousin, Albus, you 've got to at least be genteel to him, '' Amanda said, `` Even if you 're not expert friends. ``

`` That 'll never happen, '' Albus rolled his eye. `` Oh, OK, I 'll go lecture to him. ``

Albus got up from the table and squeezed his way through the crowded common room to the chair Kaden was sitting in. Kaden was leafing through his potions text book and writing the occasional bank note down on a piece of parchment. `` Er, hi Kaden, '' Albus said and sat down in the chair opposite his full cousin. `` Could I talk to you ? ``

`` Oh, hi Albus, '' Kaden replied quietly, `` I thought you were still mad at me. ``

`` That 's what I wanted to mouth to you about. ``

`` Oh, well, go ahead, '' Kaden closed his potions book.

`` I guess I just want to say I 'm sorry for yelling at you hold up Night, '' Albus said as he picked at a loose screw thread on the chairperson. `` I did n't really mean to upset you. I just wanted you to give up telling lusterlessness to go to the Hospital annexe. He told you to stop and you did n't. ``

`` wellspring, I thought brothel keeper Pomfrey could just give him a potion and he 'd be all better, you know, like magic, '' Kaden gave a half-hearted laugh, `` I just do n't get why anyone would n't go get a potion when they 're sick. ``

Albus sighed. He knew it was fourth dimension for Kaden to understand that magic did n't fix everything. `` Kaden, you 've got to understand that legerdemain ca n't fix everything. I do n't think you get that yet. I know it 's hard to number into the wizard worldly concern after keep in the Muggle one for eleven geezerhood. Well, actually, I guess I do n't know that. You 'd be better off talking to Amanda about that, or my dad, or my Aunt Hermione- ''

`` I think magic is bloody brilliant ! '' Kaden interrupted.

`` That 's the thing ! '' Albus stared his cousin in the eye, `` Not all magic is brilliant ! And it wo n't fix everything ! ``

`` I do n't see why it ca n't, '' Kaden shrugged, `` It 's magic after all. ``

`` This is why nearly Muggles do n't acknowledge about magic. nigh of them think magic can fix all their problems, just like you do, '' Albus explained, `` But it ca n't. And I guess you 'll just have to learn that for yourself, if you do n't believe me. ``

`` I think I do trust you, Albus, '' Kaden replied, `` And I already know that not all magic trick is sound. I remember what you told me about Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, I think you do hump that, '' Albus agreed, `` But back to the other affair. You 've got to understand that there are some, er, '' Albus chose his row carefully so as not to give away mat 's secret, `` unwellness, that ca n't be fixed by deception. They 're worse than your average cold or flu, and the healer, those are magical Doctor, have n't found remedy yet. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. Albus could evidence he was giving this a practiced bit of persuasion. `` But why ca n't you just curl your wand and make it better ? ``

Albus sighed. This was harder than he thought. He tried to think of a way of putting this in a Muggle perspective. Amanda would be respectable at this, he thought. Or even rose wine. `` I 'm not certainly exactly why. It just wo n't work. I guess wizard healing is n't that different than Muggle medicine. healer try to find cures just like doctors do. doc ca n't fix everything either, like Cancer the Crab, '' Albus remembered a Muggle disease he heard his dad talking about once, one that was very firmly to cure. `` Doctors try to fix it and sometimes they do, but there 's no cure. ``

Kaden 's eyes opened wide-cut and he whispered, `` flatness 's got cancer ? ``

`` Oh, no ! '' Albus exclaimed, `` hotshot do n't get that ; it 's a Muggle disease. And what he 's got is n't the superstar translation of it. He 's not going to die from it. He just gets queasy every once and a patch. What you 've got to understand is that Madam Pomfrey ca n't fix it with potions. So, you should n't recount him to go get some. Just do n't mention anything like that. And definitely do n't call him stupe for not going to see Madam Pomfrey, '' Albus said sternly.

Kaden nodded his head solemnly. Finally he seemed to be getting it, Albus thought. `` But what has he got ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had hoped this would n't come up, but he knew it would. `` I ca n't evidence you. That 's for him to order you, if he wants to. And honestly, I do n't think he will. So do n't ask him, ever. ``

`` You know what it is, compensate Albus ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, I do, '' Albus replied. `` Oh, and do n't blab out about this with anyone else, besides me. Not any of the former beginning years, or anyone. Do n't observe that you know anything whatsoever about him getting sick. forebode me you wo n't. ``

Kaden looked questioningly at his cousin. `` I wo n't. But why is it so closelipped ? ``

`` It 's all office of what it is, and that 's all I 'm going to say, '' Albus stood up.

`` All right, so you 're not mad anymore ? ''

`` No, '' Albus replied. `` I 've got to go fetch up an essay. You want to come sit with us ? '' Albus was n't for certain what his friends would think of Kaden sitting with them, heck he was n't really sure if he wanted Kaden to sit with them, but it seemed like the veracious matter to do.

A huge smiling appeared on Kaden 's face and he stood up. `` Yeah, of course ! ``

Albus walked back to his friends, Kaden following like a puppy, and he knew things were back to normal.

******

`` Hey, Albus, '' Kate Waverly sat down next to Albus at breakfast the following Monday.

`` Oh, hi Kate, '' Albus said once he 'd swallowed his mouthful of eggs.

`` Listen, I 've been trying to find a prison term for dueling practice, '' she began, `` It 's been laborious than I thought it 'd be. I obviously ca n't do it during Quidditch practice. I do n't think the whole team will be capable to meet at the Same time ; it just wo n't solve. But that 's all right. The team I was on last twelvemonth rarely ever met at the same time. I 've been talking to everyone and it looks like Wednesday evening will work for a lot of people. Can you make it ? ``

Albus thought for a instant. He had been wondering when the first dueling practice would read place. Saint John the Apostle and Rose had already been to their first recitation. Matt missed his because it took place while he was in the hospital offstage. `` I should be able to make it, '' he told Kate.

Kate grinned, `` Great. How about you, Amanda ? '' she turned to Amanda, who was sitting across from Albus.

`` Sure, I 'll be there. I have n't gotten anything else to do besides homework, '' she laughed.

`` Perfect. The meeting will be in the dueling way, seven in the eve. I 've already talked to professor ceramist and he said it 's resign. I 've got to go talking to the Slytherins now. I 've been saving them for last, '' she groaned and walked over to the Slytherin table.

`` Finally, we 're having a meeting ! '' Albus said excitedly. `` I ca n't wait to get dueling people. ``

`` Me too, '' Amanda grinned.

`` It 's fairly brilliant, '' John Lackland told them, `` We have n't really learned any new spells yet, but I got to disarm a couple people. ``

`` I disarmed a duad third base yr at my encounter, '' pink wine announced. `` I 'm charge about learning new enchantment, though. ``

`` bid I had n't missed mine, '' Matt muttered.

`` You 'll make it to the next one, '' Albus assured him, `` You heard Kate, not everyone makes it to every group meeting. ``

`` Can I go with you to the meeting, Albus ? Please ? '' Kaden begged.

`` I do n't recollect you can, sorry, '' Albus told him, `` First yr are n't allowed. ``

Kaden mumbled something that sounded like 'stupid pattern'and left to go to his first class.

`` We ought to go, too, '' Rose announced. Albus and his friend left the Great Hall and made their way to Transfiguration.

The future few daylight seemed to drag on for an eternity. Albus was very excited about the dueling practice session and he did not feel like concentrating on anything else. He momentarily forgot about it during Quidditch practice on Tuesday, but once that was finished, he was back to waiting impatiently for dueling.

After dinner on Wed, Albus and Amanda said cheerio to their friends and made their way to the dueling way. When they got there, they saw 7 or 8 other students, along with Kate Waverly milling about. Albus noticed that the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs were all talking with each early, but the Slytherins were sulking by themselves in one corner.

A couple more students ran into the room as Albus and Amanda went over to the radical of non-Slytherins. Harry walked in a moment later, and stood side by side to Kate in the front of the room.

Kate looked at the clock and then back at the team. `` All right wing, I think almost of us are here. I 'm Kate Waverly, 4th year Ravenclaw, as most of you know. I know a lot of you are n't happy about the inter-house teams this year, but we 'll have to deal with it. It 's not easygoing for me, either. death year, captains only had to accommodate one Quidditch team, this year we have to accommodate four.

`` Professor thrower, Professor Longbottom, or one of the early professor will supervise the practices, at least for the first few. But if you have an outlet, please total to me first because I 'm the police chief. Now, for our first gear meeting, I 'd just like to evaluate what dueling skills you 've got. So distich off and disarm each early. Disarm only. ``

Albus and Amanda stepped a few feet apart and faced each other. `` Ready ? '' Amanda asked.

Albus grinned, `` You know, if this was a real duel, you would n't ask me if I 'm set up. ``

`` I know, '' Amanda laughed, `` I 'm just used to it. ``

`` It 's all right wing. ``

A few seconds later, Amanda shouted out, `` Expelliarmus ! ``

Albus felt his wand chill in his hand, but it stayed there. `` That was a upright try, '' he said.

`` I 've done it in grade, '' Amanda told him.

`` I know. I 've seen you. ``

`` You try now. ``

`` Ok, '' Albus pointed his baton at Amanda and shouted, `` Exeplliarmus ! '' Amanda 's wand flew out of her hired man and it landed at Albus 's feet.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Kate shouted from across the room.

`` Nice one, '' Amanda told him.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied, `` You try again. ``

Albus and Amanda disarmed each other for the next 15 minutes. Amanda managed to disarm Albus a couple meter, but she was n't nearly as good at it as Albus was.

`` All right ! '' Kate shouted, `` Switch spouse, everyone ! Preferably someone who 's not in your theatre. ``

`` Potter, '' Malfoy appeared next to Albus, smirking at him, `` Let me usher everyone how much of a bettor duellist I am. ``

`` Bring it on, Malfoy, '' Albus growled, suddenly wanting to hex Malfoy, rather than just disarm him.

`` Too bad we 're not on separate teams, '' Malfoy commented, `` Then I could wipe the floor with you in a real affaire d'honneur. Oh, well, this 'll ingest to do. ``

`` Bit entire of yourself, are n't you ? '' Albus muttered, raising his wand.

`` Expelliarmus ! '' Malfoy shouted. Albus 's sceptre flew out of his hand and landed a couple feet away. `` Told you, '' he laughed. `` I am a safe dueler than you. ``

`` I have n't tried disarming you yet, Malfoy, '' Albus replied, `` Do n't look your Snidgets before they hatch. ``

`` pass me your unsound, Potter, '' Malfoy smirked.

`` Expelliarmus ! '' Albus shouted with all the power he could muster up. Malfoy 's baton left his mitt and landed a couple metrical unit away, just as Albus 's had done. `` There, we 're even. ``

`` We 'll never be even, ceramist, '' Malfoy replied haughtily.

`` Great job, everyone ! '' Kate announced, `` That 's enough for now. I see we have some large duelers in here. With a little recitation, I 'm sure we 'll flummox the former squad. I think for simplicity, I 'll apply practice every workweek this same day and time. It might be in a different elbow room occasionally, and I 'll let you bed if it is. Do n't interest if you ca n't cause all the meetings. Just try and ready as many as you can. I 'll see everyone next calendar week. ``

`` That was pretty fun, '' Amanda said as they were getting quick to leave.

`` Yeah, although I could do without Malfoy, '' Albus replied

`` Hey, Al, '' Harry put his arm around his son, `` Could I talk to you for a bit ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus said and then turned to Amanda, `` I 'll see you in the rough-cut room. ``

`` All right, '' Amanda left the room.

`` I have n't had a luck to babble out to you much, '' Harry said once the elbow room was void. He walked over to a span president and sat down in one. He patted the one next to him. `` How have you been ? ``

`` Great. I love Quidditch, '' Albus grinned and sat down in the chairperson next to his dad.

`` I 'm sword lily you made the team, although I heard some of the other Gryffindors were n't too felicitous. ``

`` Yeah, a couple view I just got on the team because Georgia 's captain. And Ryan 's the only when one who 's not a Weasley or a ceramicist on the team now, '' Albus explained.

`` I 'm trusted that 's not why you made the team, '' Harry assured him. `` You 're a great Chaser. ``

`` And I 'm already used to working with broom and Fred. ``

`` Exactly, you were the best one, '' Harry agreed, `` How have class been ? ``

`` Fine. Charms is much better than net year. I like Professor Cedonia. ``

`` She 's very decent. She 's definitely not the usual variety of instructor Hogwarts has, but that 's not really a bad thing, '' Harry commented.

`` Yeah, she has n't given out many custody, '' Albus told him.

`` But she has her division under controller. I think the other teachers could learn a lot from her. ``

`` I 'd love it if nobody gave out detention anymore, '' Albus grinned.

`` That 's not really what I meant, but anyway, '' Harry continued, `` I heard you had some trouble with Kaden recently. Mum sent me an owl about it. ``

Albus felt his cheeks crook red. `` Er, yeah, but it 's all worked out now. I 'm not mad at him anymore. ``

`` Glad to hear it, '' Harry smiled, `` If you have anymore problems, feel destitute to come to me. I know Kaden can be a bit, er, exuberant, to put it nicely. ``

Albus laughed, `` I 'll say. He just does n't make out when to take leave sometimes. ``

`` Some citizenry are like that, '' Harry stood up. `` It 's getting late. You should probably go back to Gryffindor. ``

`` All right wing, '' Albus stood up as well and gave his dad a hug. `` G'night, Dad. ``

`` 'Night, Al, '' Harry gave his son a hug back and the two of them left the room.




Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter. Nor do I own 'Bothering Snape'or anything else related to Potter tool Pals.




The second half of September passed the like way the first one-half had. Albus 's days were filled with course, preparation, Quidditch drill, and dueling practice. Albus was really enjoying both Quidditch and dueling, although he liked Quidditch better. Kate had begun teaching them new enchantment in dueling, and it was fun, but Malfoy kept trying to cooperator up with Albus during praxis. Albus suspected that Malfoy was trying to vanquish Albus in one of the praxis duel, but he had yet to succeed. The first dueling sports meeting was n't until the end of October and Kate felt that the team would be fully prepared by then.

Kaden was quickly becoming a permanent wave fixture in Albus 's group of protagonist. After Albus apologized and invited Kaden to sit with them in the commons room, he just never left. He was always with them whenever they were n't in socio-economic class and because of this, Albus and his ally were spending much less metre in the room of Requirement than they had the moment half of their first twelvemonth. They seemed to sustain come to an tongueless correspondence not to testify Kaden the Room, and Albus was perfectly well-chosen with this. After all, there might eventually issue forth a day when Albus and the others needed to be alone, without Kaden, and the Room might be the only spot in Hogwarts where they could go.

The second Billy Sunday of October, Albus found himself looking for his friends after a particularly long Quidditch practice. He shouldered his Calluna vulgaris, feeling very worn-out, and headed back to the castle. It was a warm gloam day, not a cloud in the sky, and a poise breeze was blowing. It had been the perfect day for Quidditch practice. Albus had gotten his first taste of Quidditch practice in the rain a couple hebdomad back and he had n't enjoyed it in the slightest.

On his way back to the rook, Albus noticed John and matt sitting a couple curtilage away from the Whomping Willow, beneath another tree. Kaden was wandering around nearby, playing with what appeared to be a round piece of plastic attached to a hanker string. Albus went over to John the Divine and Matt and sat down side by side to them.

`` How was exercise ? '' mat asked.

`` Exhausting, '' Albus replied, `` What have you been up to ? ``

`` Sitting around, putting off doing our homework, '' John the Divine grinned.

`` And watching Kaden play with that Muggle toy, '' mat laughed.

`` What is that thing ? '' Albus stared at the piece of charge card as it went up and down on the string.

`` He calls it a 'yo-yo', '' King John explained. `` Never seen anything like it. ``

`` I think I had one when I was really little, '' Matt commented, `` But I must have lost it ages ago. ``

`` How long has he been playing with it ? '' Albus asked, amazed that Kaden, who could n't sit still for fifteen hour, could have the attention span to act as with that toy.

`` About fifteen transactions, '' mat told him, `` But I think he 's noticed you, Albus. ``

Sure enough, Kaden pocketed his yo-yo and ran over to Albus. `` Hi Albus ! How was Quidditch practice ? ``

`` good, '' Albus told him, `` Tiring, but good. ``

`` I was watching. I think I 'd wish to be a Beater, it looks like fun to wallop those Bludgers around, '' Kaden grinned.

Albus, who personally thought Kaden should not be allowed near a Beater 's bat after he nearly put someone 's eye out with his wand a match times, laughed. `` Well, we wo n't be needing a new Beater for a while, '' he turned to lavatory and flatness, `` Where are Rose and Amanda ? ``

`` Up in the castle, doing homework, probably, '' John replied, `` They did n't want to come outside. ``

Kaden stood up and stared at the Whomping willow tree. `` D'you think that tree could kill someone ? ``

`` Probably, '' Albus said.

`` wonderment why they planted it, then, '' Kaden started to walk a petty closemouthed to the tree.

Albus glanced at his admirer and saw a facial expression of panic appear in Matt 's oculus. Why was it that Kaden always seemed to call into question the matter that had to do with lusterlessness 's being a werewolf ?

`` Er, Dumbledore probably thought it was odd, '' Albus lied.

`` He was mad, then, '' Kaden inched even closer to the tree, whose thrashing branches were now just a couple groundwork away from him.

`` A bit, yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` But he was brilliant, too. ``

`` It 's so foreign, though. I 've never seen a tree like this, '' Kaden started to circle the tree.

`` That 's because it 's magical, '' Albus told him.

`` You should probably mistreat back, Kaden, '' Matt warned him.

`` I 'll be careful, '' Kaden took a few more whole step towards the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. He was now within reach of its branches. `` must be a strong tree. '' He started to try and touch one of the branches, but the tree got there showtime and hit him on the leg with one of its subdivision. `` Ouch ! '' Kaden shrieked.

Albus, Matt, and John all stood up and ran over to him, but not close enough that they could get hit.

`` Kaden, I told you not to go near it ! '' flatness shouted.

`` It did n't even break the skin. I 'm alright, '' Kaden assured him and went back to inspecting the tree diagram. But the tree did n't like Kaden around it and started to hit him more forcefully. `` Ow ! ``

Albus rushed forward, dodging leg as he went. `` Kaden, movement ! ``

But Kaden did n't move away from the Tree. A outgrowth hit him in the heading and knocked him over. He stood up a short and peered secretive at the tree 's base.

`` Kaden, get away from there ! '' matte screamed in a very shaky tone. `` I 'm life-threatening, move ! ``

`` I think there 's a cakehole down there ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly.

Albus saw all the colouring waste pipe from Matt 's case, and he knew that Kaden had just found out how to get into the secret passage that led to the scream hutch. Albus was about to go grab Kaden away from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, when he disappeared from sight.

`` Oh, no, oh, no ! '' Matt shrieked, shaking his head back and forth.

Albus rushed forward towards the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. It hit him on his shoulder and his head as he tried to dodge the branches. He crept closer, still getting hit, and saw the gob Kaden was talking about. But it did n't look like there was any way to get into it without being killed. Albus had no idea how Kaden had done it.

mat ran forward and grabbed a long branch that was on the ground. He wordlessly shoved it into the al-Qaida of the tree, and the branch stopped. Albus turned to look at him, but he said nothing. Albus quickly jumped into the cakehole and found Kaden crouching in the entranceway of a long tunnel.

`` This is amazing ! '' Kaden grinned, `` I 've found a secret passageway ! ``

`` Listen, Kaden, we 've got to get out of here, '' Albus said urgently.

`` Aw, come on, Albus. Let 's watch it ! ``

`` No, Kaden, we ca n't, '' Albus insisted.

`` You do n't seem very excited, '' Kaden commented and he stared at Albus for a few seconds. `` I know, you already know about this, do n't you ? ``

`` Er, I, '' Albus tried to think up something to state Kaden. He was n't a very good lier, `` mulct, I do already know about it. My dad told me about it. But I have n't been in it. scholarly person are n't supposed to go in it. That 's why we 've got to leave, we 'll be in huge trouble. ``

`` Do you bonk where it leads ? '' Kaden asked.

`` No, '' Albus lied. He figured he 'd be able to pull that lie off, and he did n't require to tell Kaden where the transition led to. `` Now let 's go. ``

Kaden sighed, `` Fine. But you 're ruining the fun. ``

Albus did n't say another Book. He quickly climbed out of the fix, hoping that whatever matte had done to bar the branches was still working. Luckily, it was, and Albus was capable to climb out without receiving anymore injuries. Kaden climbed out behind him, the immense grin still on his face.

John and mat were standing nearby, but not near enough to be hit with offshoot. Matt was looking bloodless as a ghost, clearly worried that Kaden had found the Shrieking Shack. Albus was just about to tell his Friend that Kaden had n't gone down the tunnel when he heard a voice behind him.

`` Playing with the Whomping Willow. That is clearly against the rules. ``

Albus turned around and saw Filch making his way slowly towards them. Great, he thought, this is just what they needed.

`` Yes, yes, '' Filch wheezed, `` Follow me, delinquents. ``

Albus turned to calculate at lavatory and Matt. John the Evangelist was looking pretty simmer down, but Matt was still as sick as Nearly Headless snick. Kaden also looked a bit worried, but not nearly as lots as matte. Albus was a little nervous as well. He had never gotten in trouble with the caretaker before. He had heard horror taradiddle about Filch and was n't sure which ones were true.

Albus followed Filch up to the castling in between lav and Matt. Kaden was walking a footling way behind them. None of them said a word. Filch was muttering to himself as he slowly lead the group up to the castle. They continued following Filch through the castle while other students stared at them. The other students were whispering amongst themselves as Albus and the others passed. Albus stared at the dry land and tried to ignore them. Why was his problem making always so publicize ? Of form, this was n't even his fault, Albus thought bitterly. It was all Kaden 's shift. Why did he have got to keep messing with the tree ? He never seemed to need to let anything go. When he got an idea into his headspring, he never seemed to let go of it until Albus either yelled at him or physically stopped him.

Filch led them into a small, cramped, blue authority filled with versatile Muggle cleaning implements. There were only 3 death chair in the room, one of which was behind Filch 's desk and he sat in it immediately. Matt took one of the other chairs, as he appeared so neural that he might faint. Kaden immediately started snooping around the office, while Albus and John remained standing and watching Filch 's every move.

`` It 's in here somewhere, '' Filch muttered as he rifled through a cabinet. `` Let 's see. B. Belligerent towards instructor, bothering house imp, bothering wizardly creatures, bothering Snape, bothering other students, ah, here it is ! Bothering the Whomping Willow. '' Filch grinned and pulled out a piece of parchment. He set it down on his desk and looked up at Albus and the others.

Albus glanced at John, who shrugged. None of them had ever been in Filch 's office before and had no theme what to expect. Albus was prepared for the worse, including being shackled to the wall, as his cousin Fred told him Filch had done.

`` Quite the group of trouble makers you are, '' Filch muttered, `` I 've got the form right here, already made. Had quite a few others torment that tree in the yesteryear, especially after it was first planted. ``

Albus had his doubts as to whether Filch actually knew why the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree was planted. Matt seemed to be getting more unquiet with every reference of the Whomping willow, and Albus could n't blame him.

Filch opened his backtalk and was about to say something when there was a crash behind Albus. Albus turned around and saw Kaden standing with a few dozen Fanged Frisbees at his fundament. He was holding one in his hand and there was an empty box next to him.

`` Do n't partake anything ! '' Filch shouted and ran out from behind his desk. He yanked the Frisbee out of Kaden 's hand and picked up the others. He shoved the box back on the ledge and went back behind his desk.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden mumbled. Filch ignored him.

`` Back to your penalty, '' Filch continued, picking up a pinion. `` full moon names ? ``

For a split minute, Albus considered giving Filch a shammer name, but figured it would do no good with his dad as a teacher. `` Albus Severus potter. ``

Filch wrote his name down and a grin bedspread across his face. `` Following in your father 's footsteps ? And your grandfather 's ? Yes, yes, I have an entire draftsman in my filing cabinet dedicated to your grandfather and his juvenile delinquent friends. I do believe he once bothered the Whomping Willow as well. ``

Albus ignored Filch 's reminiscing. He had not been bothering that tree diagram. He had been saving Kaden from it. Although what Filch said had sparked his curiosity. Why had his grandfather messed with the tree diagram ? He knew his grandfather loved to take a crap trouble, but that tree concealed one of his topper friend 's enigma. Maybe it had happened before he knew about it, Albus thought.

`` What about the eternal rest of you delinquents ? '' Filch growled.

`` whoremonger Malcolm Brickston, '' John replied. Filch wrote it down and glared at Matt.

`` Matthew Conan Eckerton, '' lusterlessness mumbled very softly.

`` And you ? '' Filch glared at Kaden after he wrote down Matt 's name.

`` Kaden pecker Dursley, '' Kaden announced.

`` rightfulness, '' Filch finished filling out the form and put it into his very large filing cabinet. `` Your punishment. Three nighttime'custody. Tonight you 'll be scrubbing cauldron, Muggle mode of row, in the Potions elbow room. Tomorrow you can do lines. And Monday you 'll clean the astronomy tug, without magic as well. run into me in the donjon 8pm piercing tonight. Now get out of here. ``

Albus wrenched the door give and ran out of the part as fast as he could. Three nights of detention ! Two of which would be spent doing Muggle cleanup ! That was harsh. Albus was tempestuous now. Why did Kaden have to go near that tree ? None of them would be in this mess if he had n't. Albus stalked all the way up to Gryffindor Tower, with John and lusterlessness side by side to him, nobody saying a word. Kaden ran along aside them, trying to get them to verbalize to him. Albus knew what they had to do now. They had to make sure Kaden did not secern anyone about that tunnel.

When they climbed through the portrayal muddle, Albus was relieved to see that both Bilius and Ethan were in the common way. That meant the dormitory was absolve and Albus could talk to Kaden up there. He wordlessly led the mathematical group to the dormitory and shut the doorway behind them.

`` Ok, what is unseasonable with you lot ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` Why are you so quiet ? ``

`` We just got in problem because of you ! '' Albus shouted.

`` wellspring, sorry ! '' Kaden responded, `` But it 's not that bad, it 's just cleaning. ``

`` 3 nights Charles Frederick Worth ! '' matte groaned, `` And I did n't even do anything. Neither did John or Albus. ``

`` Albus was in that tunnel with me, '' Kaden pointed out.

`` Only to get you out ! '' Albus reminded him, `` And if you remember, we told you legion times to will that tree alone. This is what I was talking about live calendar month, Kaden. You never stop when people ask you to. And I 've been in Hogwarts longsighted than you have, if I tell you to lay off doing something, opportunity are there 's a good reason for it ! And this one just seemed like common signified to me ! 'Do n't go near the tree that could kill you .'Why on globe would n't you listen to that ? ``

`` Jeesh, Albus, '' Kaden replied, a little quieter, `` I was just curious about it. ``

`` wonder killed the kneazle, '' can muttered.

`` What ? '' Kaden stared at him.

`` Kneazle, it 's a wizardly creature, '' whoremonger explained.

`` Oh, well, Muggles just say curiosity killed the cat. ``

`` That 's strange, '' John said.

`` Anyway, '' Albus continued, `` You ca n't say anyone about that tunnel and I mean anyone. Not your mum, not your dad, not your sister, not any of the other first gear class, no Muggles or Wizards, immature or old, '' Albus turned to bathroom and lusterlessness, `` Have I left anything out ? ``

`` Do n't differentiate any creature either, '' John added, `` Or what appear to be inanimate aim either, you never know in this property. ``

Kaden stared at them with a confused feel on his face. `` Why not ? It looks to be a mystic passageway ! ``

If it was possible, Matt seemed to turn even whiter. `` Do n't tell anyone, '' he said forcefully. `` And do n't go back into it. Ever. ``

Kaden sighed. `` You lot take all the fun away. ``

`` Trust me, Kaden, what 's beyond that burrow is n't fun, '' Albus told him.

`` But you said you did n't make love what was beyond it ! ``

Oh, right, Albus thought. This was why he was a bad lier. He could never keep the prevarication straight. Now what was he going to say ? `` Oh, er, well, I kind of do know. But trust me, it 's zilch well. It 's not even that exciting, pretty boring really. ``

`` And you 're not going to differentiate me what it is, are you ? '' Kaden looked at all of them.

`` Nope, '' whoremaster replied.

`` So you all know where it goes ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' St. John answered.

`` I just do n't get it. You lot seem to be keeping quite a few things secret from me. Are they special enigma only people with wizard parents can sleep with ? '' Kaden asked darkly.

Albus was shocked. Where had his cousin come up with something like that ? `` No ! Of form not ! Why in the name of merlin 's whiskers would you suppose that ? ``

`` Certain people here seem to consider Muggle-borns should n't be taught conjuration, '' Kaden explained.

Albus knew this, of row. He just had n't known that they were bothering Kaden. `` Who, Kaden ? And are they doing this to you ? ``

`` Um, yeah, a bit, '' Kaden muttered, `` Mainly Felix Willinson. ``

Albus groaned. He should cause known. Felix had n't bothered Albus at all so far, but apparently he, like his cousin, enjoyed bullying other student. `` Just stay away from him. And if he bothers you again, just tell me. I 'll get my cousin to set him straight. ``

`` All right, '' Kaden replied, `` And I really am deplorable about the Whomping willow matter. ``

`` It 's ok, '' Albus assured him. `` We 'll just stimulate you do most of the cleaning these adjacent few nights, '' he grinned.



A/N : Thanks to my beta and sister, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my early sis and my brother. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Niki Lily, drownzer, XDNLxtlz99, Moonylupin, and potterfan89 for their reviews !


Diclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist. Nor do I own Monty Python, Spamalot, or any of their related material.




Albus never thought he would have a worse detention than the one he had cleaning the prize room the previous yr. He thought Washburn had been the sorry soul to stimulate detention with, but he was wrong. Albus went through his unit first twelvemonth without getting in trouble with Filch, and he was very felicitous about that. By the clip he finished his back detention on Monday night, he was beginning to care he was doing detainment with Washburn instead. At least Washburn had n't breathed down his neck opening the entire time. Filch spent all of Sunday nighttime staring at them while they scrubbed caldron, and all of the old dark staring at them as they churned out line after parentage. Filch seemed to necessitate joy in watching the students rub their men raw while scrubbing the cauldron. Of course of action, the channel could give been considered a gracious geological fault in between the two cleanup events.

By the time Albus trudged into the vernacular room on Tuesday evening after Quidditch recitation, he was ready to be done with detention. But no such destiny ; it was their final Nox and Filch was sure to relish every minute of it. Albus quickly dropped his broom off in his dorm room and went back to the common room to expend the ten minutes they had before they had to leave for detention.

`` The lowest matter I want to do is go clean something, '' Albus groaned.

`` look like you need to strip your clothes, '' John Lackland laughed.

Albus shot him a dirty flavor. `` What do you expect ? It 's raining and it 's squashy and I just spent 45 instant flying around. ``

`` I know, '' John grinned.

`` GA was n't felicitous about me leaving early, '' Albus told him. `` She 's ruthless. ``

`` I 'll bet, '' John agreed.

`` Hey, where 's Matt ? '' Albus asked, looking around the vernacular room.

`` Room of essential, '' whoremaster replied. `` Been there since right wing after you left for praxis. ``

`` Oh, right field, '' Albus said, remembering that the entire synodic month was the following eve. `` Why are n't you there with him ? ``

`` Wanted to, '' Gospel According to John sighed, `` Could n't shake Kaden. He 's been with me ever since you left. In fact, I think that 's why Matt left. He could n't get any rest with Kaden around. ``

`` But he 's not here now, '' Albus commented, noticing that Kaden was n't in the common room.

`` He went to put his books in his dormitory, '' St. John the Apostle explained, `` I 'm sure he 'll be back at any moment. ``

As if on cue, Kaden came flying out of the door leading to the dorm and made a beeline for Albus and John. `` fix ? It 's the last night ! '' Kaden announced.

`` Yes, we know, '' whoremonger said, `` You 've been telling us that all day. ``

`` Where 's flatness ? Have n't seen him since dinner. He 'd improve hurry up, wherever he is, '' Kaden peered around the room.

Albus and John exchanged looks. `` I 'll get hold him, '' Albus replied quickly. `` You two go on ahead. ``

This time it was John 's routine to devote Albus a disgusted look. He clearly did n't want to be the one who had to go to detention with Kaden. `` mulct. See you later, Rose, Amanda. ``

`` Enjoy yourselves, '' Rose replied.

`` See you later, '' Amanda waved.

Albus gave trick and Kaden a min 's top dog start before he left the common room and went to the elbow room of Requirement. He did n't want Kaden to bump out where he was going. Once the sea-coast was clear, he paced three times in movement of the blank bulwark on the one-seventh floor and waited for the door to appear. It materialized just like always and Albus went quietly inside. The elbow room was dark and Albus could hardly see where he was going. He wished there was some light. Immediately, torches lit up along the walls and revealed a four-poster bed in the heart of the diminished room.

Albus walked quickly over to the bed and wrenched the wall hanging assailable. Once he saw how exhausted matt looked, he immediately felt shamed about how he had complained about being too tired from Quidditch practice to do detention. His exhaustion was nothing compared to Matt's.

`` C'mon, we 've got detention, '' Albus gently poked his friend.

Matt opened his eyes and sat up, wincing. `` Already ? All right. '' He slowly got up out of bed and stretched.

Albus led the way out of the room and to the uranology towboat. Neither of them said anything for most of the journey, but Albus knew they were both thinking the Saame thing. They wished they did n't have to do detention that night.

`` Where are John and Kaden ? '' mat asked, suddenly realizing that they were n't there.

`` They went on ahead. Did n't want Kaden to know about the elbow room. ``

`` Oh, yeah, thanks for that, '' flatness replied.

Albus and matte slowly climbed the stairs leading to the Tower, and once they reached the top, Albus opened the room access and the two of them arrived. Luckily, it had stopped raining and the cloud had even dissipated. The almost full moon moon was shedding twinkle upon the tower, enough that Albus and the others would be able to do their hold with only a couple torches. Albus noticed lusterlessness shudder and screw up his eyes as the moonlight hit him. Albus figured it was probably giving him a splitting head ache at best.

`` You 're late, '' growled Filch, who gestured to John the Divine and Kaden. The two of them were already scrubbing telescopes.

`` Sorry, sir, '' Albus mumbled, not elaborating on why they were late.

`` Another Night 's detention, I think, '' Filch replied, `` Tomorrow night. You can continue cleaning cauldrons. There are still some left wing. ``

Albus glanced at lusterlessness who did n't even seem to be paying attending to Filch. He looked too busy trying not to be sick. There was no way that Matt could possibly do detainment the undermentioned eventide. He would just sustain to tell prof Longbottom about it the following day. Albus, however, groaned, as he would be capable of doing detention the side by side Night. However, he would make to miss dueling practice. At least Kate was n't overstrung about them missing recitation like Sakartvelo was.

`` wellspring, what are you waiting for ? '' Filch growled at Albus and matte, `` Start scrubbing ! ``

Albus picked up a rag out of the bucket that was standing nearby and ran quickly to where John and Kaden were scrubbing. He was partway there when he realized Matt was still standing near the room access. He did n't appeared to have moved since they entered the tugboat. Filch was glaring at him, looking like he was ready to blow up with fury. Albus grabbed Matt by the arm without looking at Filch and led him over to the telescopes.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus whispered and started to scavenge the nearest telescope.

`` F-fine, '' Matt stuttered. Albus looked at him and noticed that he was shivering.

Albus turned to look at Gospel According to John who shrugged with confusion. `` It 's a lot unfit than live night, '' Albus muttered. During the late night 's hold, Matt had nodded off a few metre, but he had been capable of producing a good bit of tune. Tonight, matte appeared to be frozen in place and definitely would n't be getting much cleaning done.

`` fountainhead, it is the night before, '' John whispered so quietly that Albus could barely hear him.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` But he seems sicker than most nights before. ``

`` Dunno why, '' John replied, `` We 'd better obliterate him from Filch, though. Filch will jazz he 's not cleansing. '' Albus nodded and moved to the other side of meat of Matt.

`` What 's damage with him ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` Is he throw up again ? ``

Albus and John shot Kaden ominous looks and Kaden immediately shut up. `` I was just wondering, '' he muttered a hour later.

`` Remember what I told you last time ? '' Albus asked quietly, `` Do n't impart it up. ``

`` Quiet ! '' Filch shouted loudly.

Matt jumped and looked at Albus with a looking of confusion on his typeface. `` What 're we doing ? '' he mumbled.

`` hold, '' Albus replied, `` Listen, d'you want to go to the Hospital annex ? ``

`` No, it 's not tonight, it 's tomorrow night, '' he said and slouched onto the telescope he was supposed to be cleaning.

`` I said restrained ! '' Filch yelled and waltzed over to the boy, `` Get to work thrower and Eckerton. ``

Albus and the others worked in muteness for the next half hour. John and Albus worked carefully down the row of telescopes, making sure Matt was between them at all times so it would look like he was cleaning. Kaden worked on Albus 's other side, looking much more sunny than the other three boys did.

`` Suomi, Finland, Finland ... '' he sung quietly, `` That 's the country for me .... ''

`` What ? '' Albus whispered. Kaden had been humming that Song dynasty for the past five moment and it was driving Albus mad. He had never heard it before and it sounded quite strange.

Kaden stopped singing and looked at Albus. `` Oh, come on ! You 've never heard of Monty Python ? Spamalot, the Great White Way play ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, wondering what that song could have to do with a Python. There had n't been any honorable mention of snakes in it.

Kaden sighed. `` I love the wizarding humans, but you lot are really lacking in gamy quality entertainment. Would it kill you to look on TV and movies ? Monty python is a moving picture, and a pretty comical one at that. You can watch over it at my theater sometime. Spamalot is a Broadway romp based on it. They turned it into a pic a few years back. ``

Albus was still a bit jumble about the call, but he figured he 'd interpret it if he ever watched the motion-picture show. He had seen a few Muggle films before, but never Monty Python or Spamalot. His auntie Hermione had a TV, but she did n't let Albus watch it very often. `` You 'll rot your encephalon out ! '' she always told him, `` Now go read a record ! ``

Albus and Kaden went back to their cleaning, and Kaden started humming a new song. Albus assumed it also was from Monty Python since it sounded just as confusing as the previous one. It had something to do with fish.

`` Stop that darned hum ! '' Filch screamed.

`` Sorry, sir ! '' Kaden replied. Filch scowled. Clearly he was raging about Kaden talking to him, but he could n't call on the carpet him again since what Kaden had said was polite.

The remainder of the custody was spent in almost everlasting silence. Every once and a while, Kaden would try to engage the others in conversation, but it was always stopped by Filch. Luckily, Filch never realized that Matt had n't done an snow leopard of cleanup. He seemed to busy glaring at Kaden and telling him to shut up. Albus realized that Filch probably had an eonian grudge against Kaden now, which Kaden seemed oblivious to. It would not surprise Albus if Kaden had a single file that rivaled his granddad 's by the metre he graduated. By the meter the detention was over, Matt was leaning against Albus, although he seemed thoroughly incognizant of it. Albus had caught Kaden staring at lustrelessness a few clock time, but as soon as Albus sent him a dirty face, Kaden went back to cleaning.

`` All right, you 're done, '' Filch growled, `` Get out of here or you 'll be out of bed after curfew. Then you 'll get another detainment. '' He smirked. Filch picked up the cleaning supplies and ambled down the stairs before Albus and the others.

`` We 're done now, '' Albus gently woke Matt up.

`` Done with what ? '' Matt mumbled without opening his eyes.

`` detention, where we 've been for the last hour, '' Albus explained while looking at John. John the Evangelist pulled Matt off of Albus, but he stumbled fell against a telescope.

`` Ouch ! '' Matt shouted and grabbed his head.

`` We 've got to get back to the common room, and quick, '' Albus said, more to John than to Matt, `` It 's almost curfew. ``

`` What 're we going to do with him ? '' John asked. Matt was now leaning on John. `` I wish we could levitate him. ``

`` You ca n't ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` No, that 's much more bring forward than we 're able-bodied to do, '' Albus explained, `` And small your voice. ``

`` Let 's just each get on one side of him, '' John threw one of Matt 's arms over his shoulder and gestured for Albus to do the same.

Albus followed John the Evangelist 's tether and told Kaden to get the door. Albus, John, and mat hobbled awkwardly down the steps and back into the main part of the castling. It was slowly going and they 'd already missed curfew.

`` honorable thing he 's light, '' Albus commented.

`` Yeah, '' John agreed.

`` Ugh, '' lustrelessness winced and opened his middle, `` I think I 'm going to be be sick. ``

Albus and John looked at each other for a split second before matte retched onto the floor in front line of them.

`` Ew, utter ! '' John exclaimed.

`` Told you he was purge, '' Kaden said. He had been walking a few paces ahead of them and kept looking back, wanting to say something but afraid to.

`` We knew that, '' Albus snapped.

matte retched a second time and Albus felt him crash onto the trading floor. Albus and John both grabbed his coat of arms as he went down and slowed the fall. Now what were they going to do ?

`` lusterlessness ? '' Albus gently shook him and tried to get him to fire up up, but it was no use.

`` What happened to him ? '' Kaden stared as Albus tried to wake lusterlessness up.

`` Passed out, '' Albus said shortly. He was a bit vex that Kaden asked that. Was n't it obvious ?

`` I know that, '' Kaden replied, `` But why ? ``

`` How should I know ? '' Albus snapped.

`` Will you two stop arguing ? '' toilet interrupted. `` What are we going to do ? ``

Albus shrugged and thought. What were they going to do ? scare overtook him as he assessed the site. They were out of bed after curfew and Matt was passed out on the level. It could n't get spoiled than this. There was no way for them to get Matt to the vernacular room or the hospital wing without levitating him. And none of them could hover a mortal. Albus looked at Matt and noticed he had begun shivering again. Albus took off his cloak and laid it over his friend. `` Kaden, '' Albus began, `` Go get Madam Pomfrey. ``

`` Why me ? '' Kaden asked nervously. He looked around at the nighttime corridor, clearly worried about walking through them alone.

`` Just do it ! '' Albus shouted.

Kaden looked taken aback at Albus 's tacky spirit. `` Ok, ok ! '' he replied and took off down the corridor, towards the stairs.

`` He 's going to be ok, right ? '' Albus asked quietly once Kaden was out of sight.

`` I dunno, '' John whispered back. `` But it 's been bad before and he 's always recovered fine. ``

The boys sat in silence for the next mates minutes, watching for sign of consciousness in their Quaker. However, lustrelessness remained unresponsive and very blanch. Though he was still shivering, his forehead glistened with stew in the moonlight that was streaming in through a nearby window.

`` What 's that ? '' St. John asked, pointing down the corridor.

Albus looked where John was pointing and saw a figure floating towards him. He stood up and drew his wand and john did the same. The figure came closer and closer, and soon Albus was able-bodied to make it out. It was Peeves. Albus groaned inwardly. This was the final thing they needed, Peeves announcing their presence to the whole castle.

`` Students out of bed ! '' Peeves shouted gleefully as he noticed the boys.

`` Shut up, Peeves ! '' Albus replied, very irritated at Peeves 's glad tone.

Peeves peered down at Matt and then looked at whoremonger and Albus. `` Dueling, have we ? It seems that you two have won. But Mr. Filch wo n't like this ! No he wo n't ! Students out of bed and dueling, too ! ``

`` We have n't been dueling ! '' John insisted, `` Now get out of here ! ``

`` ha-ha ! '' Peeves laughed, `` Peeves does n't take heed to scholar, no he does n't ! Peeves crusade trouble when students are around ! ``

`` No, quiet ! '' Albus whispered.

Peeves cackled even louder and zoomed up and down the corridor. `` Students out of bed ! scholarly person out of bed ! ``

Albus and John gave each early terrified looks. Albus had no idea what to do to silence the poltergeist. But if he did n't stop shouting, someone would surely find out that they were there. Albus 's fears were soon realized as he heard hurried footsteps coming down the corridor. Albus wished he had his begetter 's invisibility cloak.

Peeves apparently heard them too, because he flew down towards them shouting, `` They 're over here ! Over here ! educatee out of bed ! ``

`` Go away, Peeves ! '' a loud stern voice shouted, `` Or I 'll get the Bloody business leader ! ``

`` Yes, gentlewoman Nurse, mam ! '' Peeves saluted and sped down the corridor, cackling madly.

Albus breathed a suspiration of moderation. It was just Madam Pomfrey. Albus watched as the nursemaid ran the rest of the way down the corridor. She was surprisingly fast for mortal her age. Kaden was panting behind her, trying to keep up.

Madam Pomfrey rushed over to Albus, whoremonger, and Matt, and immediately bent down and put her hired man on Matt 's forehead. `` What 's happened ? '' she asked briskly.

`` He collapsed, '' Albus told her.

The nanny clicked her tongue and conjured a stretcher. She waved her wand and Matt landed on top of it. `` Well, you can explain more once we get to the hospital wing. Quickly now. ``

Albus, john, and Kaden ran behind Madam Pomfrey all the way to the hospital wing. None of them said a word, although it looked to Albus like Kaden was trying to keep himself from asking more than inquiry. minute of arc later, the group arrived at the hospital annex. ma'am Pomfrey barged through the door and immediately deposited Matt onto a bed. She bustled around the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth, gathering potions while asking the boys more questions.

`` Why were you out of your commons elbow room ? '' she asked.

`` hold, '' Albus responded.

`` Where and with whom ? ``

`` Filch had us cleaning the entire uranology pillar, '' Gospel According to John replied with a disgusted tone.

Madam Pomfrey stopped rifling through her potion console and turned to reckon at trick. `` Astronomy column ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' John answered with a feeling of mental confusion on his face.

`` Filch ! '' Madam Pomfrey shouted as she ran back to lusterlessness 's bed, `` I 'll have him for this ! I thought I made it crystalize to him survive year when he had you scrubbing the bathroom ... I 'll hex him into following year ! Merlin 's beard, the uranology Tower ! And tonight of all nights ! '' The lactate continued to run back and Forth from her office staff, potion storage locker, and lusterlessness 's bed while muttering about Filch.

`` What 's she going on about ? '' Kaden whispered. Albus jumped. He 'd forgotten Kaden was there. `` What 's Filch got anything to do with him being sick ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I 'll get him for this ! '' Madam Pomfrey shouted as she waved her scepter over flatness. `` I swear I will .... ''

Albus looked at lady Pomfrey and then back at Kaden. He chose to ignore Kaden 's question. The nanny was getting dangerously close to cluing Kaden into why Matt was there. If she was n't heedful, she 'd give away everything.

`` I thought I 'd made it clear to him ! '' the nurse repeated while she poured a disgusting looking Orange River potion down lusterlessness 's pharynx. `` No detention on these Nox and certainly not on the Astronomy Tower ! If he 'd been out there any foresighted ... Well, I 'm not exactly trusted what would have happened ! ``

Kaden looked throughly confused. `` What 's the Astronomy Tower got to do with this ? ``

`` Of all the nighttime of the month- ''

`` lady Pomfrey ! '' Albus shouted, suddenly deciding that he had to get the nanny to stop ranting. madam Pomfrey looked up from what she was doing and glared at Albus. It generally was not a good approximation to break her while she was working, but Albus had no pick. He ran over to where the nurse was standing. `` Sorry, ma'am, '' he whispered, `` It 's just, there are certain, er, matter, that Kaden does n't know. '' Albus gestured to where his cousin was standing. `` And I know matt would favor it if he did n't know, '' Albus gave her a pregnant smell that he hoped would bring his thoughts.

Madam Pomfrey stared at him for a few seconds and then realisation came over her. `` Oh ! Oh, my ! '' she whispered back, `` I ca n't believe I, well, right. So drab about that. I 'll be a bit quieter. ``

Albus went back over to where Kaden and john were standing. John gave him a relieved look, but Kaden looked even more confused. `` What was that about ? '' Kaden asked.

`` nix, '' Albus gave Kaden another one of his 'shut up now'looks. Kaden immediately closed his mouth. Albus was getting good at conveying those looks now and Kaden seemed to obey mighty away, which was good.

`` All right, '' madam Pomfrey walked back to the three boys after a few more minutes, `` He 's going to be fine. He 'll just need to stay here for a couple days. '' She looked at Albus and John when she said this, and Albus knew she meant that he would be staying until after the full phase of the moon moon.

`` Ok, '' Albus nodded. `` We can visit him, right ? ``

`` Of class, dear, '' Madam Pomfrey 's expression softened. `` You know what clock time are salutary. Now, you three dependable be off to your hall. It 's very late. If anyone stops you, just distinguish them you were with me. And do n't worry about seeing Filch. I 'm off to find him now, and he 's going to be busy for quite a while. ``

Albus nodded and had to stifle a laugh. He knew the nurse would be seeking out the caretaker and would be giving him a farseeing and cheap objurgation at best.



A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Special thanks to my other babe and my brother for supporter with the Monty Python stuff. Speaking of Monty Python and Spamalot, I took some liberties in deciding that Spamalot was turned into a movie sometime during the present and 2017, when this takes shoes. Otherwise, Kaden could not have seen it as it sadly closed on Broadway last calendar month ( before I got to see it, unfortunately ).

Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, Gospel According to Luke, Moonylupin, and potterfan89 for their revue !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or Spamalot



Albus and toilet did n't own a fortune to tell Rose and Amanda about the detention until after lunch the adjacent day. It was their afternoon off and they were relaxing in the Room of Requirement for a few minutes before they went to visit matte. It was the first off metre since the detention that Kaden was n't around. Kaden had course of study all afternoon, so it was an paragon time to talk about what had happened the previous night. No one, not even rose wine, seemed to have any approximation why lusterlessness seemed so a great deal sicker that night than the former Nox before wax lunation. Their only when guess was that he was already worn out from the detentions on the previous two nighttime. Eventually, they just decided to go to the Hospital offstage and ask Matt. Albus was trusted he would tell them. After all, he told them all about that written report he was in.

However, when they arrived at the hospital Wing, flatness was fathom asleep. ma'am Pomfrey informed them that he had woken up for a short while early that break of the day, but had fallen asleep soon after. He had been asleep ever since, and the give suck monotone out refused to let them come alive him up. She insisted that he needed all the relief he could get before nightfall and that they could visit him the following afternoon.

Albus and his friends were very subdued that evening. Albus had just returned to the common elbow room after fulfilling his duplicate detention with Filch. It was just as miserable as the offset cauldron-cleaning detention had been. When he got back to the rough-cut way, all his friend were doing homework and not saying much. Amanda was already back from dueling praxis. Albus was worried about Matt and he could say the others were as well. It kind of reminded him of that night of the full lunation they stayed up waiting for sunup to come after uranology form the previous year. Only this twelvemonth, they had Kaden to fill in the quietness that surrounded them.

`` And then Slughorn had to give the whole class antidote ! '' Kaden laughed as he relayed his most Recent potions class. One of the early first of all age had heated her cauldron too a great deal and caused the potion to detonate all over the entire course of study. Albus and the others nodded their heads, like they had been doing for the preceding half hour, and continued working on their respective homework.

`` Is n't it funny ? '' Kaden sighed, `` What 's wrong with you lot ? You 've been sitting there not saying anything for the past hour ! I thought you 'd at least laugh at the idea of everyone in my potions social class having versatile division of their body wrick brilliant pinko. ``

`` We 're just worried about mat, '' rose explained, not looking up from her magical spell book.

`` ma'am Pomfrey said he 'd be fine, '' Kaden reminded her.

`` She does n't love that, '' blush wine replied.

`` Sure she does. She 's the nurse, '' Kaden grinned, `` And she can fix anything. ``

Albus sighed loudly, `` Not this again ! Listen, you just do n't empathize. She ca n't know for sure that he 'll be ok. ''

This time it was Kaden 's twist to sigh, `` Well, I 'm not going to understand unless you tell me what 's wrong with him. ``

`` Not going to bechance, '' Albus muttered as he jotted down something on his parchment.

`` Someday I 'll weasel it out of you, '' Kaden said. A few irregular later he started to laugh. `` Weasel. Get it ? Weasley, weasel ! And you 're half Weasley ! ``

`` Very funny, '' Albus murmured.

`` Oh, you 're no fun, '' Kaden said, still grinning at his own joke.

******

The next day after Herbology, Albus and his booster hurried up to their dorm to deposit their bags. Then they rushed to the infirmary Wing to see how Matt was. Luckily, Kaden was still in class. When they arrived at the infirmary wing, Albus saw Matt 's usual bed with the curtain pulled around it and made a beeline for it. He was halfway there when Madam Pomfrey came out from behind the mantle and jumped as she saw Albus and the others.

`` Oh ! '' she clutched her chest, `` You scared me ! I was n't expecting you until later. ``

`` Sorry, '' Albus replied, `` We decided to come now since I 've got Quidditch practice after dinner party. ``

`` Is that all right wing ? '' pink wine asked.

`` Yes, that 's delicately. Just for a few minutes, '' the nurse regained her calm and bustled into her office.

Albus ran the rest of the way to the bed and wrenched the drapery open up. Matt was awake and propped up on his pillows. He looked shopworn and was covered in diverse scratches and pungency, that looked a bit worse than usual. `` Hey ! How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` I 've been better, '' Matt said tiredly. `` It was bad. ``

`` It looks it, '' John commented.

`` St. John ! '' Rose scolded.

`` What ? '' John shrugged.

`` It 's not that bad, '' pink wine said to Matt.

`` It 's ticket, really, '' matte assured John.

`` So, '' Albus began, `` What happened during custody ? ``

`` Honestly, I 'm not even sure, '' mat sighed, `` I do n't really recollect it. ``

`` Really ? '' Rose raised her eyebrow, `` That 's odd. ``

`` Why do n't you two enjoin me what happened ? '' Matt laughed.

`` All right, '' Albus said, `` You sort of froze when we got up to the Astronomy tower and you would n't move. Filch yelled at us for being late and assigned us another custody for last night- ''

`` L-last Nox ? '' lusterlessness interrupted.

`` Yeah, scrubbing more cauldrons, '' Albus explained. `` I kinda figured something was untimely when you did n't object to it. ''

Matt groaned, `` I do n't even remember him saying that. Great, now I 've got another detention once I get out of here. Probably two since I missed it last Nox. ``

`` Oh, I do n't call back you 'll receive to do any detention, '' Albus assured him, `` Filch did n't note anything about you doing detention the whole clip I was scrubbing cauldrons last Night. You see, madam Pomfrey was livid when we told her what we had been doing for detention. ``

`` Yeah, '' Gospel According to John laughed, `` I 've never seen her so angry. She was storming around here, muttering and shouting and cursing Filch. It was kind of funny, really. ``

`` Anyway, she said she was going to mouth to Filch after we left the other nighttime, '' Albus continued, `` I imagine she yelled at him quite a bit. I 'm sure enough she insisted that you not do anymore hold. ``

`` That 's a respite, '' flatness replied, `` So, what happened after Filch gave us another detention ? ``

`` I pulled you over to where John and Kaden were cleaning telescopes and John and I stood on either side of you, so it seemed like you were cleaning too. It was almost like you were in a form of trance. You did n't appear to sleep with what was going on. So I asked if you wanted to go to the hospital wing and you said no. Then lavatory, Kaden, and I cleaned for about an hour and a one-half. No one talked a great deal except for Kaden. He kept humming random Song dynasty and Filch yelled at him. Then he told me what the songs were from. They were from a picture show called Spamalot. Kaden insisted that I watch it sometime, '' Albus explained.

matt laughed, `` You should, it 's a really funny picture show. ``

`` You 've seen it ? '' Saint John the Apostle asked.

`` Yeah. We 've got a TV at home, since my mum is Muggle-born and she did n't require to cave in up TV, '' Matt replied.

`` I 've never seen it, '' Amanda commented, `` I 've heard of it, though. We should all watch it sometime. ``

`` That would be fun, '' Albus agreed. `` Anyway, once we left the uranology Tower, we tried to get back to the mutual room, but you got purge partway there and passed out. I told Kaden to get Madam Pomfrey, and well, that was it. ``

`` And I do n't remember any of that, '' matt groaned and stared down at the bed.

`` It 's all rightfulness, '' Albus said quietly, `` You were n't really yourself. ``

`` Why 'd it happen, though ? '' john asked after a few indorsement, `` I mean, you 're usually tired the Nox before, but why was it that bad ? ``

`` Because I was in direct moonlight, '' Matt whispered, `` The reasonableness I get tired and sick beforehand is because the moon is getting fuller. The night we did detention, it was practically wax. And I was outside in the Moon for over an hr. ``

`` That would explain why lady Pomfrey got so angry, '' John said.

`` Yeah, '' mat replied, `` Makes the translation worse, too. Because I 'm already worn out from being in the moonshine so long the Night before. ``

`` I do n't get it, though, '' Rose said, `` Why did n't you just severalise Filch you could n't do detention that dark ? ``

`` I do n't know, '' lustrelessness sighed, `` I guess I just did n't want any sorting of special treatment anymore. It makes hoi polloi suspicious. I do n't want anyone to wonder why I can find fault my detention dark. Plus, I did n't really know that would bechance anyway. I knew I 'd be tired, but I did n't really make love I 'd go into a enchantment like that. It had never happened before. My parents always made sure not to let me go outside the night before. ``

`` wellspring, even so, you should n't do anymore detention like that the nighttime before, '' rose wine insisted, `` It 'll do you disturbed. ``

`` I know, Rose, '' matt assured her, `` And Madam Pomfrey talked to Filch and he 's not going to pass me anymore detainment at bad multiplication. ``

`` You mean, she told Filch ? '' Albus asked. He knew Filch did n't know about lusterlessness 's precondition, but he did n't think Madam Pomfrey would actually severalise him.

`` Oh, no, he does n't get laid. ma'am Pomfrey just said that he needed to check with her before assigning me hold due to 'health issues that will remain private'. And she made him depone not to tell anyone that he was checking detention with her, or else she 'd make sure Kendrick kicked him out. ``

privy let out a low whistle, `` Wow, remind me not to get on madam Pomfrey 's bad position. ``

`` She 's definitely emphatic, '' Matt yawned and closed his eyes.

`` Are you all right ? '' pink wine asked.

`` Umm-hmm, '' Matt mumbled, `` I 've just got a headache. ``

At that moment, the curtains opened and Madam Pomfrey appeared with another potion. This one was a deep blue angel and Albus thought it looked disgusting. The nurse took one looking at Matt, shook her head, and turned to Albus and the others. `` clip for you lot to go out. You 're receive to visit again tomorrow. ``

Albus and his supporter said goodbye to Matt and left the infirmary wing. Albus had just enough clip to grab dinner party before he had to be at the Quidditch pitch for practice. Peach State thought the team was doing wonderfully and was sure they would beat out Slytherin in the fist lucifer in November.

******

`` So, where is my splendid potions better half today ? '' Malfoy asked sarcastically as the Gryffindors and Slytherins left Slughorn 's dungeon the following afternoon.

`` Visiting his sick grandmother, like usual, '' John replied shortly while glaring at Malfoy. `` Have n't you figured that out by now ? Whenever you ask where he is, he 's always visiting his granny. ``

`` Funny, that 's not what Potter 's cousin said, '' Malfoy smirked. Helen Maria Fiske Hunt Jackson Limbert and Xavier Goyle nodded on either side of him.

`` What ? '' Albus shouted. His full cousin, except for Rose, probably did n't even know flatness left every month, let alone where he went. And rosebush obviously would n't tell apart Malfoy anything. `` Which cousin ? ``

`` The mud-blood, '' Malfoy said simply.

Kaden, Albus thought. Of course ! Albus had told Kaden that Matt got sick every so often, he just had n't told him what the illness was. But why on earth was Kaden talking to Malfoy ?

`` Do n't ring him that ! '' rose shouted, drawing her wand.

`` calm air down, '' Malfoy replied, drawing his own wand. `` I mean it in the nicest way. ``

`` You do not ! '' whoremonger shouted as he drew his wand.

`` Wait ! '' Albus stood in between them and stared at Malfoy. `` Before anyone hexes anyone, I 've got to find out what this is about. What did Kaden say ? ``

`` He mentioned that Eckerton is sick all the time. Apparently he 's got some disease that Pomfrey ca n't heal and you wo n't tell him what it is, '' Malfoy replied smugly.

Albus felt the people of colour drain from his face. He told Kaden not to evidence anyone about this ! And what had Kaden done ? He told Malfoy of all people ! Malfoy, the one person Matt did not want knowing where he went every calendar month. Albus groaned. Malfoy now had a few Sir Thomas More clues as to what was awry with lusterlessness. With just a bit of research he was sure as shooting to find out. `` When did he tell you this ? '' Albus growled. fury and anger were building up inside of him, and not only towards Malfoy. If Kaden was anywhere near Albus right now, he was sure he 'd hex him.

`` Last night, '' Malfoy answered, `` Very interesting bit of information, if you ask me. ``

Albus did n't say another word to Malfoy. He turned and ran towards the steps and out of the donjon. The footfall behind him told him that his friends were following. Albus did n't stop to let them catch up. All he cared about now was finding Kaden. He was angrier than he was the Night he yelled at Kaden. Albus knew if he found Kaden now, he 'd do Thomas More than just yell. He 'd hex him into the next hundred. What in the name of Falco columbarius had possessed Kaden to recite Malfoy that flatness got be sick ? Why Malfoy of all people ? Albus knew Kaden was aware of the Gryffindor/Slytherin rivalry. Heck, Albus knew that Kaden himself did n't like Slytherins. Felix Willinson had made Kaden well mindful of the prejudices many Slytherins felt. Yet, Kaden was obviously talking with Slytherins, and telling them things they should n't know.

`` Albus, where are you going ? '' rose shouted, as Albus ran up a flight of stairs.

`` To recover Kaden, '' Albus growled.

`` I 'm going with you, '' Gospel According to John said. He sounded, if it was possible, even wild than Albus felt. He sped up and fell into stead beside Albus. `` I told you before that if he did this again, I 'd hex him. I 'm keeping my tidings. ``

`` postponement, Albus, Saint John the Apostle ! '' rose shouted again.

But Albus did n't wait. He continued up escape of stairs towards the Gryffindor usual way. Students stared at them as they passed, but Albus did n't care. Rose kept shouting after them, but both Albus and John ignored her. Amanda gave a few half-hearted cry after them, but Albus could tell she did n't really care if they tried to hex Kaden or not. Eventually, Albus and John made it to the common room. They gave the Fat Lady the password and ran into the room. Albus immediately spotted Kaden sitting in a chair, playing with what looked to be another Muggle toy. It was a third power with numerous colorful squares all over it. It looked vaguely fellow. Albus thought he may have seen rosebush with one once. Albus ran over to Kaden and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the hall while glaring at him.

`` Hey, what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked. He dropped his third power in surprise. `` What 's gotten into you, Albus ? ``

Albus said nothing as he dragged Kaden to his student residence. Saint John followed without saying a word, and shut the door behind them when they reached the dorm. Albus let go of Kaden and glared at him for a few moments.

`` What is incorrectly with you, Albus ? '' Kaden asked, glancing from Albus to John.

`` I should be asking you that, Kaden, '' Albus replied in a low vocalisation. `` What were you doing talking to Scorpius Malfoy for ? ``

`` Scorpius Malfoy ? '' Kaden repeated as if trying to think of who that was. Then a look of realization appeared on his face. `` Oh. ``

`` Yeah, 'oh ,''' Albus said, `` You were talking to him last dark ! ``

`` Uh ... '' Kaden shifted uneasily on his feet.

`` I told you not to tell anyone about lustrelessness getting sick ! '' Albus erupted. `` You promised you would n't tell ! This is exactly why I did n't require to severalise you in the first plaza ! You just ca n't hold back your mouth shut ! And Malfoy ! He 's been trying to find out about Matt since the beginning of outset class, and let me separate you cipher honest will happen when he does find out. And you know what you 've done ? '' Albus paused for effect, but Kaden did n't say anything. `` YOU MADE IT EASIER FOR HIM TO breakthrough OUT ! ``

`` I did n't mean to- '' Kaden 's voice cracked.

`` I do n't care, '' Albus interrupted, `` The stage is, you did ! How can you not entail to tell someone something ? Especially somebody you never talk to in the clenched fist post ! ``

`` I- ''

`` Shut up, Kaden ! '' Albus shouted and drew his baton. John, who had been letting Albus take the lead, drew his as well.

`` Wha-what 're you g-going to do ? '' Kaden shakily drew his own wand.

Suddenly, the door burst opened and Rose and Amanda appeared, both of them clutching stitches in their side and panting. `` Expelliarmus ! '' Rose shouted. Albus 's wand left his manus and landed on the floor near Rose. Rose disarmed Saint John the Apostle and then gathered both wands.

`` Give it to me, rosebush, '' Albus growled.

`` No, '' Rose replied, `` I 'm not going to let you hex your own cousin. ``

`` You heard what he did ! '' Albus shouted.

`` I know, and I 'm not happy about it either, '' blush wine replied, `` But hexing him is n't going to fix it. You 'll just get detention. ``

On some level, Albus knew Rose was right, but he still wanted to hex Kaden. Albus sighed. There was n't anything he could do now. All he could do is desire that Malfoy did n't put the hint together. That, and never trust Kaden to keep a secret again. `` Just get out of here, Kaden. ``

`` But- ''

`` I said, get out of here, '' Albus growled, `` Or I 'll resort to Muggle dueling. ``

Kaden bit his lip and turned towards the doorway. He looked back at Albus once before running out of the dormitory.

Albus threw himself down onto his bed after Kaden left. `` I 'm never telling him anything again. ``

`` I do n't blame you, '' Saint John the Apostle sighed, `` Why 'd he have to narrate Malfoy anyway ? ``

`` I have n't got a clue, '' Albus replied, `` All I know is that this sentence, I 'm not forgiving him as easily. ``

`` I- '' rosiness started.

`` Do n't bother, Rose, '' Albus interrupted, `` Nothing you say is going to make me apologize to him. ``

`` I was n't going to say that ! '' pink wine shouted, `` I was going to say that I agree with you. I mean, he does n't deserve to be friends with you if he 's going to go telling half the schooltime things you told him in secret. You told him not to tell apart, right ? ``

`` Of course I did ! '' Albus said, `` I all but told him I 'd hex him if he told anyone. ``

`` Exactly, '' pink wine replied, `` What if he tells Malfoy about the Whomping Willow ? ``

`` Merlin ! '' Albus suddenly sat up, `` I had n't thought of that ! ``

`` What if he already told Malfoy ? '' John said darkly.

`` Then he 's already investigated it, '' Amanda said quietly, `` Or at least tried. ``

`` And he 'll try again, '' Albus replied, `` I know, I 'll check the map a lot. '' Albus got up from his bed and went to his trunk. He rummaged around in it until he found the Marauder 's Map. He took out his wand and tapped it, `` I solemnly swear that I am up to no proficient. ``

Ink appeared all over the map as Albus and the others crowded around it. Albus scanned it quickly for Malfoy. `` He 's in the Slytherin common room, '' Albus pointed to Malfoy 's dot in the keep. `` I 'll just contain it every once and a while. ``

`` trade good thought, '' John said.

`` What are we going to severalise Matt ? '' rose asked quietly. `` We 've got to tell him about this. ``

In all the Chaos of finding Kaden and trying to hex him, Albus had n't thought about what they were going to tell Matt. `` We 'll just give birth to tell him what happened, that 's all. I 'm not going to cover that Kaden was the one who told Malfoy. If Matt wants to hex him, he can go powerful ahead. ``

`` We 're not going to let him hex Kaden ! '' rose insisted, `` He does n't need anymore detention. ``

`` honorable distributor point, '' Amanda agreed. `` We 'll order him it was Kaden, but we wo n't let him hex him. ``

`` matt will just feature to forfend Malfoy, '' John commented, `` I mean, there 's zip we can do now. What 's done is done. We 'll all forefend Malfoy. ``

`` That 'll be hard, '' Albus announced, `` Malfoy is flatness 's potions partner. And he 's on mine and Amanda 's dueling team. ``

`` We 'll just accept to try, '' John sighed, `` Besides that, there 's not lots we can do. That, and never bank Kaden with another secret. ``





A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, potterfan89, Luke, Niki Lily, Moonylupin, Denas, and drownzer for their reviews !