A/N : Brief author 's line prior to the chapter. This chapter is from shimmy 's head of view, as I wanted to write the specific of what happened during the mission to enamour Johnny. An article in the Prophet just would n't do it justice. Hope you enjoy !


shift Lupin had been a Junior Auror for nearly eight month. In that clip he had n't done much in terminus of fighting shadow wizards, and nigh of the mission he 'd gone on had been rather boring. Up until the Azkaban break-out most of his employment had consisted of paperwork and the occasional stake-out. Being an Auror, Teddy had discovered, was a lot more than chasing down iniquity star and saving people 's lives.

It was for this very ground that Teddy had been surprised when his godfather, Harry Potter, had approached him the previous day and told him of his young assignment. He, teddy lupine, brand-new junior Auror, had been assigned to the deputation of capturing get off lycanthrope, Fenrir Greyback. Rebel, the Saame werewolf who had infected his founder with lycanthropy decades ago. Greyback, one of Britain 's to the highest degree cherished fugitive from justice.

The missionary station, Harry had informed him, was very sensitive in nature and had to be handled with circumspection. There was to be no honorable mention of it to anyone outside of the hoi polloi assigned to it. There were very few masses assigned to the commission and they included Harry himself, the school principal of the Regulation and ascendence of Magical Creatures, and Ron Weasley. That was it. A few others had been assigned to keep an eye on the children Greyback attacked the previous month, but they were n't to be directly involved with the Greyback commission itself.

Harry had explained the particular of the missionary work, including the fact that the entirely thing had been Albus 's idea, along with one of his friend, who happened to be the head word of the regulating and ascendancy of Magical puppet 's son. Who also happened to be a werewolf. It took Teddy a few minutes to wrap his mind around the entire situation. To take a shit things even more insane, Albus 's werewolf booster was the brother of shimmy 's acquaintance, Amy.

But when it came down to it, all of this meant that Teddy was going on his 1st rattling mission as an Auror.

Harry had instructed him to present up at the Hog 's point, in disguise, at seven o'clock. Once there, he was to society a drink and sit at the bar, avoiding contact with everyone. Harry, Ron, and Bruno Walter Eckerton were going to do the same.

Disguising himself was teddy bear 's main potency. Before he Apparated to Hogmseade he morphed his face so he looked a few years older and his haircloth so that it was a generic brown color rather than its usual aqua. He finished off the look by shrinking himself and adding a few pounds. After donning a tatterdemalion old cloak, teddy bear turned on the spot and reappeared in the alley next to Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes.

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

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

Teddy ambled up to the bar, deciding at the last minute that his fake role should walk with a limp. Aberforth was there and Teddy ordered a Butterbeer. Probably not the common drinkable for the Hog 's Head, but he needed to keep his nous take in for the mission. He took the crapulence and began to sip it slowly, as he had no musical theme how long he 'd need to pretend he was n't an Auror.

A one-half hour later the door opened again and Harry and Walter walked in. Walter joined Ron at his rear mesa while Harry went up to the bar. He sat future to Teddy.

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

"Fine,"Aberforth grunted.

"We 're here on Ministry concern,"Harry said."might be here a few hours. Could be the totally night. Do you mind ?"

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

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

Aberforth nodded and set a few more Butterbeers on the counter. Harry picked them up and gestured for shimmy to trace him to the rear board, where Ron and Walter were now crouched over a slice of parchment.

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

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

No one had told him, but Teddy knew the real reason why he 'd been assigned to this mission, and it had nothing to do with his Auror skills. sure as shooting, that had been a addition, but any of the other Junior Aurors were just as characterise. And the broad Aurors were even more so. The cause was that he was the only Auror who was related to a werewolf, and thus would n't give care that a werewolf at Hogwarts was an integral part of this plan. It was also the reason why Harry and Ron were there, when Auror Newman had previously been assigned to the Greyback case. Walter Eckerton did n't desire any danger of his son 's condition being leaked to the public, and putting Harry, Ron, and Teddy on the case would ensure that it would n't.

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

"Fairly sealed,"Bruno Walter said."werewolf are attracted to the birdsong of their own kind and greyback is set on creating his own ingroup of Whitney Moore Young Jr. wolfman. He spent the last full moon lurking around the scream hutch, after he attacked those children. He knows Matt 's there. He 'll issue forth back."

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

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

"I suppose the disguises were a bit purposeless,"Ron said as he pointed his wand at his face. His nose returned to its normal shape.

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

The group settled into silence again. Outside, there was the strait of faint howl. teddy glanced at Bruno Walter and noticed that he winced slightly every time there was a particularly garish howl. Harry and Ron sent him sympathetic looking at that shimmy tried to mimic. He did n't have any kids so he really had no approximation what that was like, let alone having a kid with lycanthropy.

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

All four men crowded around the map once more. One of the Zen was indeed labeled 'Fenrir Limnodromus griseus ,'but the others were names Teddy did n't recognize.

"James Meredith Jenner and Mx Edward Jenner,"slip read."Who are they ?"

"They must be other werewolves,"Ron said.

"Or Animagi,"Harry pointed out.

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

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

"Mine either,"Walter said.

"What about the others ?"Ron asked."John Henry Newman and the two from the Werewolf Control Unit ?"

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

"Yeah, well, they 'd induce no opportunity following three loup-garou on foot,"Walter said.

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

Teddy stood and drew his scepter. He followed the three older men out of the pub and shut the doorway behind him.

The Hog 's Head was not far away from the shrieking Shack. Within three mo they arrived and found Cardinal Newman and the other two magician attempting to restrain the three werewolves.

"They 're the youngster from finale month !"one of the werewolf ascendence social unit employees shouted.

"Be measured with them !"Walter shouted back."They 've done null wrong !"

"We 're trying !"

The two smaller werewolves were currently attempting to attack the Werewolf Control Unit employees and Cardinal Newman, while Greyback seemed to deal far more about getting into the Shrieking hovel. He was a much bigger wolf, greyness in color, and had bright yellow eyes. He was on the porch, biting at the room access, and not paying any attention to the wizards around him. It seemed to Teddy that he had far more than mastery over himself than a normal lycanthrope.

Bruno Walter and Ron joined the wolfman mastery Unit employees in trying to encumber Meredith and Maxwell. It was a difficult task because they had to do it without hurting them. shimmy was fairly certain that the law would n't worry whether the two children were hurt in the process, but that had never been how Walter ran the department.

Harry nodded to Teddy and they walked slowly up the lawn, their scepter out in front of them. If they could just catch Greyback by surprise then they 'd be able to conjure some ropes and restrain him before he even knew what was happening.

They were only 20 ft away when it happened. Calidris canutus suddenly froze and then turned around. He must 've smelled them. With a trashy snarl, he jumped the twenty ft separating them in one leap.

teddy and Harry jumped back, sending spells forward as they did so. knot lunged, the spells not seeming to feign him at all, and made a swipe at shimmy. shift jumped to the English and sent another knockout at Johnny.

Battling a werewolf was very different from battling a wizard, Teddy realized. And battling wolfman had not been covered in breeding. Sure, they 'd learned and practiced the spells used against werewolves, but they 'd never performed them on actual werewolf. The main difference was that werewolf did n't consume wands and thus could not cast turn. But at the same clip, they had teeth, claws, and were much solid than the average human. Plus there was the fact that one bite would ferment you into one forever.

Teddy and Harry took turns sending Stunners at Johnny Reb and were able to obscure him enough that he did n't quite bed who to round. As they worked, they were steadily moving closer and closer to the Shrieking Shack.

Greyback soon realized that he was being cornered back onto the porch and decided to ask another spring forward. He snarled loudly and lunged toward Harry, nearly making contact. chemise jumped forward and sent another lulu toward Greyback.

Reb flew backward and slammed into the front door, his head making a sickening crunch as it collided with the doorknob. He slid down the doorway and landed on the floor, not moving.

Teddy looked at Johnny and then at Harry, who was getting up from the ground. Teddy had n't even pull in that he 'd fallen over.

"Harry, you okay ?"teddy bear asked.

"Fine,"Harry said."You ?"

teddy nodded and began to have a few cautious steps toward Greyback. Harry was soon by his side.

"Is he ..."teddy bear began.

"I do n't cogitate so,"Harry said quietly."Just unconscious. Here."Harry muttered a spell and forget me drug flew from the end of his wand. They wrapped them around Greyback until he was secure.

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

shimmy glanced over to the relief of the radical, but they 'd finished, too. Bruno Walter was currently tying the two werewolf children up with ropes while the early men stood around watching. Ron looked up and met Teddy 's centre, then walked over toward them.

"Done ?"Harry asked.

Ron nodded."They 're tied up and Stunned. I suppose we 'll have to keep on Stunning them until the moon sets."

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

"Bruno Walter said he 'll personally make a visit to their menage in a few days to talk over forethought for following calendar month,"Ron said."But still, their parents must be idiots. They could 've been killed."

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

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

"I wonder why they did n't listen to Werewolf Support Robert William Service,"Harry mused."I know for a fact they visited."

"wellspring, at to the lowest degree no one was hurt,"Teddy pointed out. He turned back to where the former wolfman had been tied up, but noticed that they were now being levitated to the porch of the Shrieking shack by the Werewolf Control whole employees. Walter and Paul Newman were following them.

"What is that infernal racket ?"Newman exclaimed, nodding his school principal to the Shrieking Shack.

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

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

"Loud ghosts,"Newman muttered."Has the feeling variance ever looked into it ?"

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

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

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

Newman and Lee, who was one of the wolfman Control unit employees, Disapparated on the spot. Harry grabbed hold of greyback and instructed Walter and Parks, the other loup-garou Control building block employee, to each involve one of the fry. With an exceptionally garish crack, the integral group Disapparated.
***


Each of the werewolves were set up in an examination room to await the remaining time of day until sunrise. Teddy, along with Bruno Walter, had been assigned to keeping watch on Reb, Stunning him when necessary. Harry, Ron, Parks, and Lee had been assigned to the child. Newman got started on the paperwork.

"So if a werewolf were to have somebody there to stun them every hour or so while they were transformed, they 'd be harmless, right ?"chemise asked as Bruno Walter Stunned Greyback for the one-fourth clip."Why do n't hoi polloi do that ?"

"Repeated Stunning is n't healthy,"Bruno Walter replied."It 's why it 's not allowed on almost prisoners. It 's only allowed on loup-garou because they 're classified as savage and not Beings."

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

"Depends on the werewolf,"Walter said."It has no semipermanent effects on mountain, but others wind up ill or with computer storage loss."

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

"Me either,"Walter said.

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

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

"Just a bit."

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

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

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

Teddy and Walter lapsed back into silence. Teddy could hardly consider that he was sitting in an interrogatory room with the wolfman who had turned his begetter. If only his dad could see him now.

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

Teddy gulped and he hoped Bruno Walter could n't hear his heart beating. He had n't been nearly as queasy about facing Reb as a wolf, but the sentiment of facing him as a homo was slightly terrifying. He almost wanted the next one-half hour to lastly forever, but at the like time he did n't. It had been a very yearn day and he wanted to go house and eternal rest, eat, and see Victoire. Unfortunately, there was still a wad of paperwork ahead.

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

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

Teddy was instill. He himself would n't have even thought about that, but Walter had clearly been planning that all along. Teddy supposed it came from having a son who was a wolfman. If slip 's own Father of the Church had lived, would he accept standardized sentiment ?

There were no silencing appeal on the interrogative rooms. Soon the corridor was filled with howling and was then replaced by painful shrieks. The screeching soon gave way to a long stream of profanity.

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

chemise had no musical theme what to expect when he entered the elbow room. He 'd only seen pictures of Greyback from the Prophet and black-and-white photo never did a person justice.

Fenrir Greyback was crouched on top of the table, dressed in the article of clothing that Walter had provided. His gray-headed hair was stringy and matted with stain and blood, and his boldness bore various workweek 's worth of grey byssus. His case was lined with deep wrinkles and teddy realized that he had absolutely no musical theme how old the man was.

Greyback took a deep snuff as Walter and Teddy entered. He grinned and let out a maniacal laugh."Head of the Department,"he muttered."conjecture I 'm popular."

chemise froze, all his training suddenly out the window. He could hardly believe that this man had attacked his Padre when he was only a small fry. Fenrir grayback was far more sinister in person and slip felt a twinge of fellow feeling for his Fatherhood as a five-year-old.

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

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

Rebel sneered."Yeah, wanted to go back for that lycanthrope in the Shrieking shack. He smelled young, impressionable."

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

"We 'll see,"Greyback replied.

"Enough chat,"Walter said, turning to Teddy."Arrest him."

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

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

Johnny 's center grew wide."lupin. Any coitus to Remus lupin ?"

"He was my father,"shift said proudly.

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

"Fenrir Johnny Reb, you are under arrest,"Teddy repeated, ignoring him. He conjured a pair of handcuffs and walked over to grayback."You have the right to remain silent. I suggest you use it,"he said as he cuffed the werewolf."If you choose not to be mum, anything you say can be used in your trial. You will have a trial. If you can not find internal representation, we will find it for you."

Teddy grabbed Greyback 's arm and pulled him off the table and into a standing position. As he did so, he met the honest-to-goodness man 's middle. They were yellow, pure yellow, and completely unappeasable. He looked like the face of evil, as if Greyback had no man person left. It was in that moment that Teddy knew for sure as shooting that this werewolf held no similarity to his forefather. Greyback lived to spread evil, while Remus Lupin had lived to stop it.

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

Harry was waiting for them when they arrived. He shoved Reb into a cellphone and locked the doorway behind him.

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

slip nodded and gave Harry a half-smile.


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

The rights Teddy read to Johnny Reb are adapted from the Miranda Rights, created by the United States Supreme royal court in 1966.


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

Albus-

We got him.

-Dad

That was all it said, but it did n't necessitate to say anything else. His dad probably could n't say anything else in a letter, anyway. Albus folded up the parchment and shoved it into his bedside mesa. He glanced at the clock and realized there was no point in time in going back to bed since classes would start in two hour.

Instead, he got started on that workweek 's Charms reading while he waited for John to wake up. This took a good minute and when he finally did wake up, it took him fifteen minute of arc to fully wake up and get dressed. John was not one for sunup.

Albus waited until they were in the Great manse for breakfast to tell St. John about the letter from his dad, so that he could state Kaden, Rose, and Amanda, too. Luckily they managed to find a relatively secret part of the table.

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

"Oh thank God !"pink wine exclaimed.

"Did he enjoin you about it ?"John asked.

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

The grouping decided to eat a very quick lunch later in monastic order to visit Matt before their good afternoon classes. Albus wanted to say him about Greyback as soon as potential.

Albus found it incredibly difficult to keep his sass shut during potions because the respite of his schoolmate were discussing Greyback and whether he had attacked anyone the previous night. Janie Creevey swore she saw him on the cause from her residence hall window last night, but Karina and Marina said it was only a dog. Two of the Slytherins said they heard howling all Night, and Scorpius said one of the sr. educatee had received a letter from his brother claiming to have seen Rebel in Diagon alleyway. It seemed that Albus and his friends were the only 1 in the entire castle who knew Greyback had been captured.

Scorpius Malfoy left potions early after speaking in whispers with Slughorn. Whatever it was it was a good exculpation since Slughorn actually let him go. Albus thought this was very curious, but did n't dwell on it since his judgement was still racing about Johnny Reb. He wanted details about the seizure, but probably would n't get any until he read the clause in the Prophet.

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

"No idea,"Albus said."Maybe he was ill ?"

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

Albus and his friends ate the libertine tiffin they 'd ever eaten and rushed up to the hospital wing. Kaden had Herbology after luncheon and would need a good bit of metre to get there, so they wanted to spend as a great deal of luncheon as potential in the hospital wing.

Madam Pomfrey was busy berating a student for trying to charm her tomentum pink and had charmed it all off instead and did n't acknowledge Albus and the others walk in. Only one bed was occupied and the mantle were drawn around it.

"Guess Malfoy 's not here,"John said as he led the chemical group over to mat 's bed.

toilet pulled the curtains back and Albus saw that matte was sitting up in bed, eating lunch. This month he was sporting a bandage wrapped around his full drumhead and single on his mitt as well. He seemed to be having a bit of difficulty holding his sandwich.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Just kidding,"John the Evangelist said.

"Madam Pomfrey wants me to eat dejeuner and then she 's going to devote me enough sleeping draught to log Z's until dinner. I ca n't wait."

"Well, I 'm going to induce a pin-up afternoon of fertilizing magical industrial plant with flying lizard droppings,"Kaden said."So aside from the turning into a wolf thing and the raging concern, I 'm variety of jealous."

"I 'd charter the dragon dung,"matte said and then turned to Albus."Embry is announcing who gets to watch the last debate today, is n't he ?"

Albus shook his head."They 've actually put it off two more calendar week. It was in the paper this morning. I guess they want it unfermented in people 's minds or something. Plus, we 've got Quidditch Saturday and dueling Sunday."

"Is Gryffindor playing ?"flatness asked.

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

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

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

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

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

"I 'll link up you,"Kaden said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

The girls decided that a 2d dessert was in order as well, so the whole chemical group hurried back to the Great Charles Martin Hall before their side by side class. On the way there Albus realized just how lots better he felt now that Rebel was once again behind bars.
***


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

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

Albus nodded."It was him, my dad, your dad, and flatness 's dad. Plus Newman and a few Werewolf Control unit of measurement employees. And those kids who got attacked go workweek were captured, too. Apparently their parents did n't put any wards up on the shed they were in."

"That 's stupid,"rose wine said.

"Was anyone hurt ?"Amanda asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Oh, look, they 've quoted Laurentis,"blush wine said."Listen to this. 'Greyback 's recapture is grand news for wizarding Britain. I applaud both the Auror section and the Department for the regulation and mastery of Magical animal for their collaboration in this capture, especially Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton. However, there are still four captive at enceinte. The work is not done and we must remember this before celebrating .'”

"Did they cite your uncle ?"lav asked.

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

"I honestly think that this is only going to make his support of your dad looking at better,"Amanda said."Laurentis can try, but this is a achiever. I mean, just spirit at the article. Absolutely nothing went wrong with that capture. There were three wolfman on the loose in Hogmseade and nobody got attacked. It 's that simple."

Albus had n't thought about it in that way, but it was on-key. Three loose lycanthrope would normally be a nightmare for a quiet Greenwich Village like Hogsmeade, but thanks to the Aurors and the Werewolf mastery Unit employees, nobody got hurt.

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

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


Hufflepuff somehow managed to crush Slytherin during Saturday 's Quidditch friction match. Albus chalked this up to the fact that Hufflepuff had the intimately team they 'd had in long time, and that Slytherin 's steward had landed himself in the infirmary wing after blowing up his potion on Friday, earning him a ban from the match by madam Pomfrey. But whatever the rationality actually was, it was certainly beneficial to Gryffindor.

Albus awoke early on Sunday, suddenly riddled with nerves about the dueling tournament. This month 's tourney was the second to last of the twelvemonth since all the professors had agreed to end it earlier due to exams. Many of the 7th years had expressed that they could n't oversee practices while studying for N.E.W.T.s. But this meant that Albus only had two more prospect to procure a win for his team, something that had n't happened yet this year.

Albus and Amanda were the first of their team to arrive in the Great Radclyffe Hall before the tournament. The balance of the squad trickled in slowly as they waited. Five minutes before the tournament was scheduled to start out, the but person missing was Malfoy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus had to take that this news program gave him as much letdown as confusion. Scorpius Malfoy was one of the team 's honorable duelers, no issue how annoying he was.

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

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

"Attention students !"Neville called out."The tourney is about to set about !"

Albus managed to push all mentation of Malfoy out of his judgment for the continuance of the tourney. Most of his teammates dueled well, although only Albus and a few other one-quarter years won both their duels. In the end they secured tierce place, which was certainly undecomposed than a unspoilt dowry of the rest of the teams, but still was n't first. They were still in the running for winning boilersuit at the end of the time of year, but they 'd need to do really well in the final examination tourney.

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

"Did Malfoy skip the tourney ?"John asked as soon as they entered."Not that I 'm complaining since your team probably would 've beat mine if he had showed."

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

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

"You 're not allowed to pretermit form unless it 's a good excuse,"blush wine pointed out."I do n't think going on holiday is a skilful excuse."

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

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

But whatever was going on with Scorpius Malofy, Elsie Willinson was just as clueless as Albus and his admirer. She either had no idea or refused to tell Rose, despite the fact that rose prodded her about it ever ten minutes during their tutoring academic session on Mon.

Malfoy returned to classes on Tuesday, walking into potions 15 hour late, and Slughorn made no mention of his tardiness or the social class he missed the late week. Albus attempted to see his expression during class but he gave no clues about his emotions.

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

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

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

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

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

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


The following week passed quickly and Albus soon forgot about Malfoy and his inscrutable disappearance. The election was now only a week away and everyone in the castle, educatee, professor, and ghosts alike were talking about it. With only one debate remaining, it was up in the air as to who would win. The Prophet published a poll they 'd taken and neither candidate had a significant lead on the other.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt, erstwhile Head of the Auror section, was the last Minister of trick selected by the Wizengamot,"prof Banks said in socio-economic class two days before the final argumentation."His selection was very ready and he stepped into part the day after Voldemort 's death. While most of the wizarding world knew that the Ministry needed an overhaul, they also needed someone to take charge and manage the redevelopment.

"Shacklebolt held power for three eld while supervising the drastic alteration that made the Ministry of Magic the governing entity we see today."

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

"The three years Shacklebolt held office were very tumultuous. decision had to be made, drastic ones, and they were not easy. The initiative and about obvious conclusion was the conclusion to change the way the Wizengamot was set up. The Wizengamot as it was was incredibly corrupt. recall that prior to this redesign every pureblooded family held a seat on the Wizengamot, but this left half-blood and Muggle-born beldam and whiz without representation.

"Shacklebolt, along with the other Ministry official working to reorganize the Wizengamot looked to the Muggle world for inspiration. The previous Wizengamot bore more resemblance to the Muggle House of Lords, the Upper theatre of Parliament. It was decided that the Wizengamot ought to more closely resemble the sign of the zodiac of third estate, the lower home of Parliament. In the Muggle earthly concern, these illustration are called Members of sevens, MPs for short, and are elected. In the wizarding globe, they are simply called members of the Wizengamot.

"Members of the Wizengamot then began being elected by the general populace, much like MPs are elected in the Muggle world. Each member has a district, although figuring out these dominion was far more unmanageable than it was in the Muggle humans. Does anyone induce a conjecture as to why ?"

Amanda raised her hand."Yes, Miss Tagger ?"coin bank said.

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

"Correct,"camber said."Because of this the districts, if shown on a map, would look vastly unlike in term of size. For good example, capital of the United Kingdom has three separate dominion because there is a very vauntingly wizarding population in capital of the United Kingdom. It 's far comfortable for wizards to blend in in a large city than a small-scale town since matter generally go unnoticed in big cities. On the early mitt, Wales only has two districts, and therefore two representatives, since it 's much less densely populated by wizards."

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

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

Albus looked at the rag after he received it. British capital seemed to be divided into W Jack London, northward Jack London, and East/South Jack London. Union Jack London, where Albus lived, was District Two, currently represented by a bloke named Oliver Prang.

"Elections are held every five long time,"Banks said."None of the voice are up for election this year, but nigh are up for election next year. None of you will be of age to vote in future year 's election, but I suggest you read up on your representatives position and beliefs anyway.

"To tempt you to learn,"cant continued as he walked around his desk,"I am assigning an essay, due in two weeks. Figure out who your representative is and write me a foot-long essay detailing your congressman 's belief and whether you agree with them or not. I suggest looking at old transcript of the Prophet as well as file away arranging of Wizengamot encounter, both uncommitted in the library. You are receive to use any other sources as you see fit."

There was a general groan from the class, which made Banks smiling. He always seemed to jazz assigning homework.

"Now onto the more exciting news,"bank building said."This Saturday is the final examination debate and four of you will be able-bodied to give ear. I apologize in advance for those whose names have not been chosen, but there simply were not plenty disputation. As common, the rest of you will listen to the debate in the Transfiguration classroom.

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

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

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

"Karina 's the simply one of us who wo n't get to go,"pink wine pointed out.

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

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

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

The balance of the group shook their heads. They compared territorial dominion numbers, but none of them were in the Saami. Rose and mat were the closelipped, with their district bordering on each other.

"I guess we 're all doing our own inquiry then,"toilet said with a suspiration.

Rose gave him a meet smirk, clearly happy that she would n't have to make out with toilet attempting to bum off her research. Albus wished that he and Rose were in the same district because he, like John, did not savor doing this research. Usually they only had to use their schoolbook for research, but not this metre. This clip, their textbooks would n't help at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! It 's time for the yearbook Dobby awards at HPFF and nominating speech are now open ! Head to the assembly to nominate your favorite history ( such as this one, *hint, hint* ). There is a liaison to the meeting place on the correctly slope of the Thomas Nelson Page. Be sure to read the rules before you nominate ! We hate having to disqualify stories for broken rule.

The selective information about the Muggle Ministry was adapted from the House of the Lord and the Parliament Wikipedia varlet. I hope I got everything right, but I 'm not Brits, so feel free to point out any errors.


As the hebdomad progressed More and more of the prophet was dedicated to election coverage. By the time Saturday arrived it became nearly impossible to find a one clause that was n't about the election. There were editorials, interviews, affirmation from the nominee, opinion poll parrot, and to a greater extent. Albus was getting so tired of it that he did n't even glance at Saturday 's edition.

"Place your bets here !"

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

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

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

"No, that 's boring,"James said."We 're taking bets on how long it 'll take the debate moderator to play up that looney Australian bloke who kidnapped you last class. This debate is on International Magical Cooperation, after all."

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

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

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

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

James River, Cedric, and Ben exchanged a glance."Er, no, we did n't get laid that,"James said."How do you lie with ?"

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

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

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

Rose shrugged."It 's possible."

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

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

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

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

"Any bets, then ?"James II asked.

Albus and his friends all shook their heads no. lowest year 's incident was far too personal for them to place stake on whether it would be a debate topic.

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

"They 're idiots,"Rose muttered.

Albus agreed.

An hour later Albus, Rose, lustrelessness, and John were back in the Great residence hall for the debate. Albus soon realized that this argumentation would be watched by even more people than the past single, with many people standing in the back due to lack of seating. Personally, Albus thought about citizenry would 've already made up their mind since the election was only four 24-hour interval away, but clearly it was still a pop event.

John had to sit with the other educatee who 'd been picked while Albus, rose wine, and Matt sat up front, like common. All of Albus 's cousins were there, including Georgia, who looked like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Hey, Georgia,"Albus said.

"Hi, Al,"Empire State of the South replied."I 'm so glad this is nearly over."

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

Georgia 's faker grinning grew unfeigned."Oh, they 're rattling ! Connor Blythe, the Keeper, he put in his notice that he 's only going to do one Sir Thomas More season after this one and he told me he 's recommending me to take his spot. Me ! And I 've only been on the squad for a class !"

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

"Oh, I expect everyone in the family to be there at my commencement couple as permanent custodian,"Sakartvelo said."And I want Dad right there in the front line row, cheering me on."

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

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

"Could everyone please direct their seats ?"Kendrick announced in a magically inflate vocalisation.

Empire State of the South left and went to her own seat, as did everyone else who was still standing. The room grew repose and Kendrick took a few steps forward.

"Thank you. I 'd care to welcome you all to Hogwarts. This is the survive public debate of the election and I appreciate the Ministry allowing Hogwarts to make such a big role in it. It has been a wondrous learning opportunity for staff and scholarly person alike. Remember, Wednesday is election day, so please cast your ballot. Now, I would care to introduce today 's moderator, a man who needs no introduction, Mr. Harry thrower, top dog of the Auror department !"

The way erupted in thundery hand clapping. It seemed that no matter how Laurentis tried to disbelieve Albus 's dad, no one could take away the fact that he remained the Boy Who Lived.

Harry walked forward and took his place behind the moderator 's podium."Thank you, thank you,"he said and the crowd grew hushed once more."Now, delight welcome our candidate, Mr. Hotspur Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

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

"I am sure both our campaigner know the rules by now. Five moment answers and five hour rebutter,"Harry began."Mr. Weasley, you will begin."

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

"The first question is very cosmopolitan,"Harry said."In your legal opinion, how is Britain 's kinship with its extraneous neighbor ? Should the Ministry be making more of an endeavour to work with its neighbors or are things fine as they are ?"

"I think boilersuit our ministry has a in force human relationship with foreign ministries and authorities,"Percy began."We have no stream feuds with any alien area and all foreign negotiation have gone well in the past few years. However, I believe there is always room for improvement when speaking of relationships with other land. There are always chances to arrive at out to our neighbors, and you never know when such relationships will be necessary."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"My adversary makes fair item,"Laurentis said."And while I feel that furthering our relationship with foreign ministries is an fantabulous idea, I wonder if that is really where our Energy should be focused right now. There are many egress we need to speak here at home, and as Mr. Weasley said, our current relationships with extraneous nations are good."

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

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

"Thank you,"Harry said."next enquiry. The topic of changing the sorting of werewolves from Beasts to beingness was brought up at the in conclusion debate. Both of you expressed no desire to add this up with the international residential district. Have either of you changed your position on this in light of the recent capture of Fenrir Greyback ? If not, will you explain in more detail why you feel the way you do ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

Albus glanced at Matt. Maybe now they 'd cypher out exactly why Uncle Hotspur did n't want to shift the loup-garou assortment, more than just it was n't worth the drive.

"The gaining control of Fenrir Rebel was undoubtedly a success. I hope nobody has misconstrued my words on that. The fact that it was done without any harm, let alone fatality, was zip shortstop of amazing. The Aurors and werewolf Control building block employees who executed the programme of seizure are to be applauded. However, I fail to see why the seizure of one werewolf should dissemble our decisions on the grouping as a whole. If anything, if werewolves had been classified as existence during that capture the Aurors and loup-garou control building block employees would not have been able to use the method of capture they used. To be honest, I fail to see any welfare of reclassification."

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

"Mr. Weasley."

"I agree with my opponent about the capture of Fenrir Johnny Reb. However, I disagree with her about the likely benefit of reclassification. starting time, the Aurors and Werewolf control Unit employees could have used the same methods they used last night, as mind of section Walter Eckerton does not allow any method of capture that would not be allowed if werewolf were classified as Beings. In terms of section for the rule and control of Magical Creatures normal and ordinance, lycanthrope are to be treated as beingness. This has been the case since Eckerton took over as nous over a year ago. Perhaps Ms. Laurentis is unaware of this fact.

"As for benefit, those with lycanthropy would be capable to secure jobs far more easily and would bear the Saame rights given to goblins, house-elves, centaurs, vampires, and humanity alike."

Apparently his uncle had much Thomas More of an popular opinion than the one he gave at the finale debate, Albus thought.

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

"Then perhaps Walter Eckerton ought to take another face at the law,"Laurentis began."Because it is perfectly sound of him to use More harsh methods to convey werewolf into capture. But since this gaining control was a roaring success, I will not fault him for that. As for loup-garou right hand, I have yet to hear of any charge by lycanthrope about their rights."

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

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"As I did not birth time to fully answer the question, I will continue,"Percy said."While it would be beneficial for werewolves if they were reclassified as organism, I do not think it 's feasible. It would require accord from all Nation, which is frankly asking a lot. I know for a fact Australia would never be on board, and considering our stony family relationship with that particular nation, I do not sense it is in our best pursuit to get down talks of the reclassification of loup-garou. In conclusion, I feel it would be a worthwhile effort, but given the unlikeliness of it amounting to anything, it would be a waste of manpower."

"Thank you,"Harry said."Next query. In regards to our jolty family relationship with Australia, as Mr. Weasley put it, do you feel it would be beneficial to continue trying to get Ralph Lubar extradited to the United realm ? Mr. Weasley."

Albus glanced at his watch. Whoever betted on 40 minutes would be very well-chosen, he thought. Albus had been hoping this topic would n't be brought up, but he supposed it was too big of an issue not to be.

"If elected I would give in this decision to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, since they possess the necessity expertise on the depicted object. However, it is my personal feeling that it would be Worth pursuing. I believe it is important to air a message that Ministry employees, even high-ranking functionary such as Ralph Lubar, are not above the law. What Lubar did was terrible and in no world should he get away with it."

"Ms. Laurenits."

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

"If we give up, it will be telling the public that anyone can go commit a offense in another country and not be punished,"Percy said."to a greater extent than that, it demonstrates the corruptness of the Aussie government and having our citizens believe their government to be corrupt will not help international wizardly cooperation."

"The possible corruption of the Aussie government is not any of our business at the flow time. We can not ram them to deliver Ralph Lubar and it is my personal opinion that they will never do so. I daresay that the section of International Magical Cooperation has more pressing matters to plow with."

"Thank you both,"Harry said."We have metre for one more doubt, but in light of the fact that the election is on Wednesday, I am going to grant each of the candidate a chance to build a world-wide speech instead. Mr. Weasley, you may speak first."

"Thank you, Harry."

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

"I would like to thank Professor Kendrick and the rest of the Hogwarts faculty for being so accommodating, as well as the students. None of the students sitting in this elbow room right now were animated before the Ministry was reorganized in 1998 through 2001. None of the scholar in this room were animated during Voldemort 's reign of little terror. They read about both of these in history books, because to them, it is simply history. To me, and the rest period of the grownup in this elbow room, the late Ministry and Voldemort are our past, our memories. We remember the threat, the unknown, the fear.

"I was a theatrical role of the reorganization of the Ministry. We all know the years that have followed- the years where we have lived without fear, without terror, without the unidentified. I have been with the Ministry every pace of the way since Voldemort 's defeat and I will make it my duty to continue the peace that we 've had for over xx old age. I will maintain this short because I, like most of you surely do, believe that the best speech is a inadequate spoken language. If you want a Minister who will continue the achiever of minister Hartwell 's time in billet, vote for me, Percy Weasley, on Wednesday. Thank you."

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

"My adversary routinely brings up the past. He speaks of the war, Voldemort, and the old Ministry, but never once has he discussed the future, except in shadowy statements about keeping things the same. It 's lawful that I was not involved with the shake-up of the Ministry over twenty years ago. I got into politics later in aliveness. But I do not feel that this will make me an inferior minister, nor do I recollect it will be particularly beneficial to Mr. Weasley.

"chronicle is just that. history. We certainly need to learn from our history to ensure that we do not take a leak the Lapplander mistakes we did before, but it is not necessary to have lived through story to be a successful drawing card. There are sight of Ministry employees, even a few high-ranking official, who were not here during Voldemort 's reign. Walter Eckerton, for deterrent example, did not populate in Great Britain during Voldemort 's reign. Yet he very successfully runs the Department for the regulation and Control of Magical animal.

"In short, I believe we need to focus on our future rather than our past. If elected government minister I will make progressive changes in not only our ministry and laws, but our educational system as well. things have been ran the Saame for over 20 years, and while I am not denying the winner, I think we have needed change for a while. bunk prisoners are running destitute. Hogwarts lessons are being taught the same way they were when these children 's grandparents were in schooltime. The ministry, along with its laws and insurance policy, needs to adapt as the year go by. If you feel change is needed, if you are at all upset about the way things are, vote for me, Patricia Laurentis, on Wednesday."

There was another smattering off applause. Albus did n't spat at all and neither did any of his cousins. If the election was based upon transmissible support, Percy would feature it in the bag.

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

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

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

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

"She ca n't. The man is harebrained,"bathroom said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You think Lubar would worry ? He did it in Australia !"lustrelessness snapped."He 's already broken the law. And even if he got in difficulty for it cypher could take what he said back. It sucks that he 's not getting punished, but I think it would be respectable if the world just forgot about the totally thing."

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

"addition, there 's no way Australia will extradite him,"lustrelessness said."Your uncle and Laurentis are both right about one thing. The Australian governance is very corrupt, and I do n't think anything will happen until that corruption ends. Lubar wo n't be punished, and werewolves wo n't get reclassified as Beings."

"So even though you moved, the Australian government still has some ascendence over your lifespan,"John said."That 's messed up."

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


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! Once again, I 'd like to shamelessly plug away my level for Dobby nominations ! Head over to the forums to nominate my ( or any other ) stories for a Dobby awarding ! Be for sure to translate the ruler before nominating.


Albus had been hoping course of study would be suspended the day of the election, but there was no such circumstances. Kendrick organized it so that the Great foyer would be the canvass place and that voting would not affect the world-wide student consistency. Hogwarts was the designate polling home for the district it was in, so there would be other multitude coming to the schoolhouse to vote. Albus 's cousins who were of age ( Bradley, Fred, and Heather ) all voted after breakfast, as soon as the polling post had been set up.

Albus and his friends spent most of Herbology watching citizenry walking from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts in order to vote. It was very disorder and Neville did n't discommode telling people to get back on undertaking.

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

"It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow aurora,"Albus said."That 's the official notice, but I 'm for certain we 'll obtain out earlier. Thomas Bradley and Cedric have to go to the end of the election company tonight. It starts at six and the public opinion poll close at eight. They 're announcing the achiever at the political party at eight-thirty. Bradley and Cedric will be back after that and I give it about five minute of arc to fan out around the castle."

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

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

"What about you two ?"Saint John the Apostle asked rosebush and Matt.

"No,"Rose said. matt shook his head.

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

For the past few months most people had used Defense as a study vestibule. The worksheets offspring assigned never took recollective than xv minutes and he did n't seem to care what his students did with the sleep of the class. Just as long as they were n't being gaudy. Albus did n't think anyone had used any Skiving Snackbox Henry Sweet in Defense this yr, since there was n't lots full point.

Albus, matte, and Amanda all still needed to write their essays as well. Rose had written hers immediately following the argument, but the rest of them did n't see the demand to do it rectify away.

"I can always stop it in History of conjuring trick, too,"John said as they entered the castle.

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

Albus glanced inside and saw that there were four belittled cubicles curtained off where the staff table should 've been. A short waiting line of people were off to one English and seemed to be waiting their crook for the cubicles. It did n't seem very exciting.

"Any scuttlebutt on the election ?"

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

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

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

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

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

The residual of the day passed quickly. Albus, lustrelessness, and Amanda managed to finish their essays during Defense, but John only got halfway done. voting was suspended during tiffin and then again at dinner party. Albus overheard a few of the sixth and one-seventh age talking about voting and the election during dinner. A couple of Ravenclaws even got into an argument about it.

"Let 's progress to a accord now not to get in any scrap over the next election when we can all vote,"blush wine said as they watched one of the arguing Ravenclaws violent storm out of the Great foyer.

The residual of the group heartily agreed. Albus could n't ideate ruining a friendly relationship over something as silly as an election.

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

"Yeah,"Albus said.

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

"It 's supposed to further full sportsmanship and that sort of thing,"Rose explained.

"Still ... I ca n't imagine Laurentis being a undecomposed sportswoman,"John said.

After dinner Albus and his friends returned to the uncouth room, deciding that it might be interesting to pass the even there rather than the marauder 's Den. They also wanted to hear firsthand from Bradley and Cedric who won.

The common elbow room had the distinct look that Gryffindor had just won a Quidditch match. James, Fred, Heather, bell ringer, and Ben had taken it upon themselves to make a party to celebrate the end of the election and thus the end of debates and essays on debates. There were typeface of Butterbeer and trays of cooky and nobody was working on any prep.

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

"If Uncle Percy wins things will never be rule again,"rose pointed out.

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

"That 's because nobody here cares about the flush Minister,"Amanda said."At home everyone knows I 'm the niece of the heyday minister. My sister and blood brother certainly are n't anon. at their schools. My sister 's at university now and she says it 's a bit better than it was in subaltern school."

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

Albus supposed that was true, but sometimes he wished it was n't. Sometimes, he wished he could take a leak his own way in the world and not stimulate his dad 's name tied to him.

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

"Yeah, why ?"

"Just funny,"Matt said.

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

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

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

"No idea,"Albus said. He glanced at his sentinel."half hr until the polls close."

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

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

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

Albus peered down at the map. Sure enough, a dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'had just entered the second storey girl 's privy. That did n't make any sense.

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

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

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

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

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

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

King John and Kaden nodded their head word in agreement. rosiness raised her supercilium.

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

"Oh, hail on, it 's just a girl 's loo,"Amanda said."Look, there are n't even any miss in there as well Myrtle. And she 's a ghost !"

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

"John, shut up !"Matt said, his cheek turn red.

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

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

"I said, shut it !"Matt shouted.

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

"I 'm not going. I refuse."

"Fine,"John said."cause yourself. spring up ?"

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

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

They did n't bother bringing the invisibleness Cloak since there was still an hour left until curfew. On their way there, they spotted Peeves unscrewing pendent in accolade of Apr saphead 's Day, but ignored his yack.

Albus watched the map as they went. Malfoy remained in the washbasin as they walked quickly knock down flights of step. But they got stuck on the stairs leading to the second gear base corridor, after the step decided to lead them directly to the number one floor rather than the second.

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

"Maybe we can see him on his way back to the keep,"Amanda suggested.

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

Their current localisation gave them an excellent view of the Great Hall. A few Ministry functionary were currently carrying pieces of the voting cubicles out of the way, polling clearly over. It would only be about a half hour until they had a new Minister of illusion.

John nudged Albus."There he is."

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

"Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Potter,"Malfoy replied.

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

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

So much for being careful, Albus thought.

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

"Yes, you were,"Amanda said."I was in there, too. Second base, Moaning Myrtle 's sewer ? Ring any gong ?"

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

"Next fourth dimension check a bit harder,"Amanda said."I was in the conclusion kiosk and when I heard you come in I had to stick around there because you 're a bloke and it would just be unearthly to get out of a bathroom stall and issue forth face to face with a lad. I heard you talking to myrtle, though."

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

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

Amanda turned and set off up the step. Albus, King John, and Kaden followed, leaving Malfoy frozen in their wake. Albus glanced back and saw that he was still as pale as mat is ripe before a full lunar month.

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

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

"That 's brilliant,"John said.

Amanda grinned."I have my moments."

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

"Seriously,"St. John the Apostle said."The solitary way you 'd catch me in a daughter 's loo is if you paid me a consignment of Galleons."

"Or you got detention."Amanda smirked.

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

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

When Albus, John, Kaden, and Amanda returned to the common elbow room they were greeted by garish groans and sighing. Confused, Albus turned to his crony, who was nearest the portrait hole.

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

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

"Oh, right."

Rose and lustrelessness were in the heart of a game of chess. Matt was losing spectacularly.

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

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

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

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

"regard I could 've seen that. I 've always wanted to recount off Malfoy."

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

"Still ... not taking any chances,"Matt said."king to D6."

rosiness instructed her knight to move closer to Matt 's Rex."Checkmate.

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

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

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

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

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

Albus ran up to his dormitory to remember his Exploding Snap menu. As he returned, the portraiture trap opened.

The intact rough-cut elbow room froze and was silent. Not a ace soul moved. Not a undivided individual said a word. Even the first long time, who had been tossing a Quaffle around, were still. Albus stood on the fundament whole tone to the dorm and waited.

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

"Well ?"Saint James the Apostle asked.

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

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

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

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

"That and probably worse, too,"Albus said.

James walked up to the table."Al, Rose, we 're all going to the Room of Requirement. Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric want to kick in us Sir Thomas More details."He glanced the residuum of the grouping."Sorry, kinsfolk only."

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

Albus, James IV, and Rose walked to the Room of essential in silence. When they arrived they saw that the door was already there. They walked inside.

The respite of their cousins had already arrived. Albus took a rump on the last remaining couch and James and rose wine sat on either side of meat of him. Nobody was speaking, so he glanced around and watched all of his cousins.

Bradley, Cedric, Heather, grade, Ben, Fred, Hugo, Lily, James, Rose, and Angie. And himself. They were the middle group of full cousin. Not the oldest, not the youthful, but the ones in the middle, who never did anything first and never did anything hold out. They were n't the first to go to Hogwarts and they would n't be the live on to fine-tune. They stood by each other, through the good and through the bad.

Bradley and Cedric were n't seated. They were standing at the nominal head of the elbow room, near its doorway. The entire elbow room was decorated like the den in the Burrow, with mismatched furniture and organized Chaos everywhere. Albus liked it.

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

"How did he submit it ?"ling asked.

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

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

"Is it terrible that I 'm well-chosen he lost ?"Cedric asked as he squeezed onto the lounge between Henry James and Albus."Because I am, kind of."

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

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

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

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

The room descended into silence. cypher seemed to fuck what to say, Albus included. His notion on his uncle becoming pastor had been all over the place for the past seven month, but now that Percy had actually lost, all Albus felt was disappointment. It was foreign. Just last week he had been kind of hoping Percy would lose, and now that he had, Albus felt the complete opposite.

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

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

James IV, Bradley, and Cedric were the showtime to return to the common room, claiming they had to make goodness on all the bet they 'd taken. Albus had a feeling all three of them were now slightly in debt. Albus and pink wine returned a few minutes later, leaving the eternal sleep of their cousin talking quietly in the Room of Requirement.

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

"Who are you writing to ?"rose wine asked.

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

"Your uncle meets the diplomatic minister of Magic ?"John asked.

"wellspring, yes,"Amanda said."The two worlds do hold to coexist. Sometimes there are problems that affect both. Voldemort, for example. And Hartwell personally told my uncle about the head for the hills Death Eaters."

"That 's so eldritch,"John said.

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

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

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

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

Albus heartily agreed, and that was exactly what they did. Two 60 minutes later, all of their faces ashen, they were finally tired. But when Albus climbed into bed, his thoughts began racing and he found himself unable to sleep.


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


The adjacent day 's edition of the Prophet was devoted entirely to election day and Laurentis 's win. The winner did not surprise anyone in Hogwarts since Bradley and Cedric had spread that as soon as they returned. Albus still read the integral front page article at breakfast and he was glad he did, because the clause still held surprises.

LAURENTIS winnings ; Begin APPOINTING spot

In the closemouthed race for Minister of conjuring trick to
date, candidate Patricia Laurentis won the
position terminal Nox. Polls closed at eight,
with the official victor announced at a fill up
political party at the minister 's Mansion at eight-thirty.
Laurentis won by a mere 342 vote, which is the
close race we have ever seen.

'I am of course of study very pleased with this turn of
events ,'Laurentis said at the Minister 's
mansion house after the announcement was made .'I am
very excited to be sworn in as Minister of
Magic on May first. I feel I will be capable to
give the public what they need, for they have
spoken and now it is my duty to give them what
I promised during my political campaign. I of course
offer my commiseration to Percy Weasley. He truly
was a pleasure to run against over the past
seven months .'

'I offer my congratulations to my opponent ,'Percy
Weasley said to Daily Prophet newsperson at the
government minister 's residence. 'We both campaigned hard
and she won, fair and square. I am disappointed,
of course, but I still congratulate her .'

Over the adjacent month Laurentis will adjudicate who
she wishes to charge to top Ministry positions,
before she is sworn in as minister of religion of Magic on
May first of this year. Laurentis is wasting no
clip with this, as she was seen at the Ministry
earlier this break of day .'I already have people
picked out for most positions ,'she said upon
questioning .'I will be keeping a few of the
current official, but I will be replacing quite
a few in Order to better connect the Ministry .'

One individual has already confirmed his intentions
to involve Laurentis up on her offer of a position.
Ironically, he is set to take over Percy Weasley 's
current position under Minister Hartwell .'I am
very pleased to declare that Draco Malfoy is
going to carry the positioning of Senior
Undersecretary for the Drafting and redaction
of Laws. Draco Malfoy has been a friend of mine
for many years as we have worked together in the
Azkaban sectionalisation for nearly a 10. I am very
excited to continue working with him .'

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Second gamey for drafting police,"rose wine said."presumption his relationship with Laurentis anything he drafts will most likely pass."

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

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

Albus had quite a few hr to wait to find out just what exactly Malfoy would have to say to them. History of illusion, his initiatory class of the day, was as drill as ever. Professor Binns showed absolutely no acknowledgement that the election had taken place the previous day. Professor Patil was the concluded opposite, making no move to cover up her indignation at Laurentis 's win, which led her to blow up the desk she was attempting to spiritualize.

"Do you consider Laurentis will actually experience teachers sacked ?"John asked as they walked to the Great Hall for tiffin."Because if she does, Patil wo n't stand a chance."

Albus shook his brain."Only if they 're really awed teacher. Umbridge sacked a few in my dad 's fifth year and I think mass will be outraged if Laurentis does the Saame matter. Honestly, I think Binns and offspring are the only I in danger."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"zero 's set for sure about the Auror section,"Albus countered.

Malfoy laughed."I think I might know a bit more than you on that. Laurentis was over at my theater for dinner live week."

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

"It never came up."

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

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

"Touchy,"John the Divine commented.

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

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

Malfoy paled."Just shut up. The point is, my dad 's going to have a salutary spot than yours."

"Nobody cares what your dad does for a living,"Matt said.

"Nobody asked you. At to the lowest degree my dad does n't wreak his work domicile with him."Malfoy laughed.

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

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

"verge away, boys."

Albus turned and saw prof Slughorn standing in the doorway. He breathed a sigh of ease. The last thing King John needed was another hold.

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

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


The accompany few twenty-four hours passed without anymore position annunciation from Laurentis. In fact, it was a relatively calm few days, especially when compared with the preceding seven months. For the commencement time all year, there was little coverage of the election, that is until they had politics on Tuesday. At the end of the deterrent example, Embry reminded them of their enquiry essays on their representatives, an appointment that had completely slipped Albus 's judgement. It was due in two days.

Apparently, it had slipped John the Evangelist and matte 's creative thinker as well. rosiness and Amanda had been diligently working on theirs all week, only needing to publish their conclusions. Amanda had even asked her uncle for help, devoting part of her essay to the similarities and differences between the wizarding and Muggle government activity.

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

"Dammit,"Matt muttered."I 'm going to have to write the entire thing tonight. The broad moon 's tomorrow."

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

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

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

"I 've never done that with long-term assignments,"mat said."I do n't want to start up now. Albus can turn it in, like usual."

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

"Hey, Amanda, want to pack a walking around the lake before we write our conclusions ?"Rose asked."The weather 's so nice tonight we might as well convey advantage."

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

"Oh, shut up,"Albus muttered.

Forty-five mo later Albus, matte, John, and Kaden had taken over one of the larger tables in the library. Kaden had joined them since he had a metamorphosis essay due the next day and prophecy prediction to do. Albus was considering hexing two first gear days at the table succeeding to them who kept giggling, if madam Pince did n't get to them first. He wished that one of his friends lived in his district ; it would realize this so much easier.

Albus did have a distinct advantage over both lusterlessness and John, in that his representative was far more well-known than theirs. King Oliver Prang, who had been serving the North London district, was on his fourth consecutive term, which amounted to over fifteen long time. That was more than Albus 's intact lifetime. London in itself was a location that required far more attention than former expanse of the country, which resulted in far more info being available on it. privy was able to place a mediocre amount of information on his congresswoman, Nadine Abernathy, but Matt, since he lived in one of the most outback sphere of England, had difficultness locating information on Marcus Whitby.

"Does this bloke even exist ?"lustrelessness asked as he looked through the very last archive copy of the Prophet that was published during Whitby 's one term."Oh, here we go. Lovely. Now I know he exists. Here 's a prison term that mentions he won the election. And of course he won. He did n't accept any opponents."flatness groaned and banged his drumhead repeatedly on the mesa."This is hopeless."

"You 've still got all the minutes from Wizengamot meetings,"Albus said, pointing to the three gravid stacks of report in the midsection of the table. He really did palpate bad for Matt, though. It was bad enough having to do a paper like this, but having to do it when the full lunar month was only two days away ?

"I could probably just make poppycock up,"lustrelessness said as he took the top few pages."I mean, honestly, could Embry possibly eff anything about Marcus Whitby ? It 's the least densely inhabit district in all of England."

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

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

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

"You have a uncanny way of doing research."

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

Matt tossed the papers he 'd been looking at onto his rejection tidy sum, which was so disorderly that Madam Pince would probably own a warmheartedness attempt if she saw it. He then let out a garish suspiration and put his head teacher in his hands.

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

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

"His example has only been in office for a year,"Albus explained."And the only matter he 's found is one time in a prophet from a year ago saying he won the election, which was against nonentity. And the wide-cut moon is tomorrow."

"Please, rosiness ?"flatness asked, picking his head up to look at her. His face was flushed and he looked very frustrated.

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

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

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

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

"Absolutely not, John Brickston,"rose said and lowered her voice."As soon as you turn into a masher once a month I 'll assist you with your procrastination."

Albus turned back to his own essay and over the side by side four hours managed to get it half done. He did n't think it was very adept, but it was progress. privy was about halfway done as well, so the two of them decided to hollo it a night. John the Evangelist settled in to avail Kaden with his fake divination predictions. matte was still working on his, with much coaching from Rose.

"Did you incur anything ?"Albus asked.

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

Matt yawned."How long does this deliver to be again ?"

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

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

The subroutine library was now only filled with 5th through seventh yr. It was certainly quieter.

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

"I do n't mean I can,"lustrelessness said."Too tired. I 'll finish up it tomorrow since I 'll probably skim afternoon classes anyway."

The group packed up their thing and walked quickly back to the usual way. By some stroke of luck they managed to avoid the prefects and did n't get any detention from being out after curfew.

"No mandatary curfew tomorrow,"Kaden commented as they entered the common elbow room.

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

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

"I just hope your dad was able-bodied to help those parents with the two kids,"Rose said.

"He 'll probably go do the Montgomery Ward himself,"Matt said."At least for this month. And I 'm surely they 've got Aconitum lycoctonum this month."

Albus nodded. It was going to be a effective full moon for everyone involved.
***


Albus, Matt, and John Lackland managed to get their essays done in time and turned in on Thursday. The full moon was relatively normal, as wax moons go, without any reports of werewolf onrush. lustrelessness wound up in the hospital wing for two full days, having resorted to chewing on himself since the masher no longer had the distraction of Johnny Reb exterior. But Albus had a feeling Matt preferred it that way. Greyback 's presence was just too creepy and too strange.

A few days after the good lunation James returned to the vernacular room fuming. Albus raised his eyebrows at his blood brother as he straightened a pile of calling brochure that had once again appeared on the park elbow room tables.

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

"Did you just take in it ?"Albus asked.

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

"fountainhead, what did you lecture about ?"

"Careers."

pink wine snorted."Obviously."

"He wants me to pick something now. I do n't know what I want to do with my life. I 'm only sixteen for God 's rice beer !"

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

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

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

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

"She was going to plan ling,"pink wine said."Still might, after she 's done with Quidditch. Why do n't you do that ?"

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

"And of path Neville did n't like that,"Rose said."Honestly, James, just pick something."

"But I ca n't !"James said as he picked up a batch of tract."face at these. goblin affaire, Gringott 's Counterfeit Coin checker, Security round flight simulator. They 're all dead boring."

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

James II snorted."No one would desire me as their Healer."

Albus had to harmonize with that. James had about the Saami power to contract as a troll."Hey, you could educate security trolls."

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

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

"Of course you do,"James muttered.

"If it makes you find better, fellow, I 've no approximation what I want to do,"John said.

"Me either,"Kaden agreed.

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

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

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

"If you 'd quit complaining and set off studying you 'd pass more of them,"rose wine pointed out.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

matt laughed and picked up the Gringott 's booklet."Considering that werewolves are n't going to be changed from wolf to being anytime soon, I do n't think I 'm going to have many choice to pick from."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You 're insane,"John said."You seem so normal, otherwise. But seriously, cypher enjoys potions."

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

Kaden 's eyes grew turgid."waiting, really ? That 's a real career ?"

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

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

"Exactly,"rose said.

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

Albus laughed."You could transfer your mind."

Kaden shrugged."I suppose so."

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


A/N : Thanks for all the reassessment ! For those of you who read Beyond the Shadow, it made it through to the voting round of the Dobbys ! header over to the forums to vote for it. It was nominated in the Best OC category.


April went by quickly, as it usually did. The weather turned from chili and windy to warm up and rainy, resulting in more than one muddy Quidditch recitation. Albus did n't beware the mud as much as he minded the length of the practices. Both Fred and Heather seemed determined to win the Quidditch Cup now that it was their seventh year. They had n't won it yet, in all their years at Hogwarts. Albus wanted to win, too, but not enough that he enjoyed practicing for five time of day straight.

When he was n't on the pitch, virtually of Albus 's metre was spent at dueling practice. The last match of the year was on the last Saturday in Apr and Albus 's team was still in the running for a win of the entire tournament. They had n't won a one mates, but they were routinely in mo place by only a few points. The squad that had gotten firstly blank space never did that fountainhead in early tournaments, resulting in their overall compass point sum being quite low.

When the net Sat in April arrived, far sooner than Albus would 've liked, he found himself incredibly nervous. He was n't nervous at all about his duels, but he was nervous for the team. This was it. It was his last tourney in the Junior Dueling Tournament. His last chance to prove himself as captain and pull in a spot on Gryffindor 's dueling team next twelvemonth.

All four captains of the house dueling teams were give at this tournament because they would be hand selecting musician for their squad next twelvemonth. Unlike Quidditch, there were no try-outs for the dueling tournament.

"live tournament being on Malfoy 's team,"Amanda commented as Malfoy dueled a young lady from Ravenclaw.

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

"At to the lowest degree he showed up,"Amanda pointed out.

"item to Malfoy !"Neville shouted."Albus Potter and Matt Eckerton."

Albus groaned inwardly. He always felt awful when he had to duel matte because their acquirement levels were so drastically different. At the same time he did n't want to go well-off on his friend because the Gryffindor team captain was watching.

Albus and Matt bowed to each early and raised their wands. Albus thought a understood apology as he shot a Stunner at his just friend. lustrelessness dodged it and sent one back. Albus threw up a buckler and then sent three consecutive dish. The thirdly one made contact lens and Matt collapsed onto the floor, frozen.

"decimal point to putter around !"Neville declared. He waved his wand at Matt and the spell lifted.

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

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

Albus won his second affaire d'honneur as well. His team continued to win about of their duel, with some of his teammates winning their first affaire d'honneur ever. Amanda had begun a numeration of all the points on a spare bit of sheepskin and their squad was winning, with only a few duel left to go.

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

A few minutes later Neville stepped into the center of one of the dueling rings."I am pleased to announce that we have a winner of both today 's tournament and the year 's tournament boilers suit. felicitation to Team sevener for winning both today and the tourney boilers suit ! maitre d' Albus Potter, please come forward to accept the trophy."

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

Albus shook Neville 's deal while a Hufflepuff took their picture. The prize was a bit smaller than the Quidditch Cup, but certainly not minuscule by any means. After a few more image were taken, including one nip of the intact team, Albus joined Amanda and the two of them walked back to the common room.

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

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

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

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

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

Albus 's friends were waiting in the common elbow room when he and Amanda arrived. They offered congratulations and Butterbeer, which Albus drank quickly before heading extraneous for Quidditch practice session.

Later that night, between his happiness about the win and exhaustion from Quidditch drill, Albus slept expert than he had in months.
***


In April 's conclusion leftover 24-hour interval the Daily Prophet published at to the lowest degree one article a day on Laurentis and her upcoming swearing-in ceremonial, as well as her picks for top official. Albus had n't recognized any names of the officials, or the names of their occupation. Mostly they were jobs such as the one his Uncle Percy held under Minister Hartwell. Laurenits, as it seemed, was waiting until she became diplomatic minister to reveal the big positions, such as Albus 's dad 's position.

The Gryffindor table was unusually quiet the morning of May first. Albus, along with all his cousins, were n't saying a Word of God. Albus was thinking of his uncle Walker Percy and how this should 've been his day, not Laurentis 's, and he was certain his cousins were thinking the Saami.

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

"I heard they 're listening to it on the wireless in political sympathies today,"Saint John the Apostle said."regard we had it today. That would be much better than having actual class."

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

"Will he be completely sacked ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

"What metre is it happening ?"rosiness asked.

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

"rightfulness after account of illusion,"Rose mused."So you lot will have caution of Magical beast and I 'll have Arithmancy. Is anyone else thinking that we should break in out Uncle George V 's best-selling product this morning ?"

Albus thought he heard her wrong. Was his cousin actually suggesting they skip course of instruction ?

"waiting, rose,"John said."Are you saying we should skive off stratum ?"

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

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

"We 've got to be after it carefully, though,"rose wine said."We ca n't all get ill at the same clock time or it 'll look suspicious."

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

rose nodded."That leaves five of us. Matt, do you have an issue with skipping all of story of magic trick ?"

flatness laughed."Of course of action not."

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

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

"Because if someone finds out and asks it 'll be well-heeled for matte go just say he felt ill, rather than you. I 'll use a nosebleed nougat in Arithmancy since I 'm the only one of us in that course of study. Al, John, Amanda, two of you can use something in History of Magic and then the former one can use something right at the beginning of upkeep of Magical Creatures. We meet in the marauder 's Den by ten-thirty."

With the plan decided upon, they set off for their dawn classes. trick begged to be the one who used a puking troche first in History of magic trick and Albus and Amanda let him. He seemed strangely excited about it. Albus was just going to use the fever fudge.

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

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

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

"I do n't feel well-"John the Divine was cut off by his own vomiting. His board was now covered with a big money of puke.

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

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

Amanda was succeeding. She, like Albus, went the safe path and had decided upon the febrility fudge. professor Binns hardly seemed to note that she felt ill, despite her announcing it to the social class. He just waved her out and continued his talking to. Albus could 've probably used his own fever fudge right then and there, but he did n't intend it was deserving the small peril.

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

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

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

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

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

Hagrid 's look fell."Yeh don'look so well. wagerer go see Madam Pomfrey."

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

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

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

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

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

"trade good dawning, listener. We are broadcasting live from Courtroom Ten in the Ministry of Magic, where just minute of arc from now Patricia Laurentis will be sworn in as Minister of conjuring trick for the United Kingdom. It is standing way only in the courtroom, with extra spectators in the corridor."

Suddenly there was thundery applause, drowning out the observer 's voice. It died down a few second later.

"Patricia Laurentis has entered the courtroom. She is making her way down the gangway, greeting people on her way.

"Minister Hartwell, along with members of the Wizengamot are seated on the soapbox. Three elder members of the Wizengamot will swear Laurentis in."

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

"Welcome to the Ministry of thaumaturgy. It has been my pleasure to answer you over the past ten class. I 'd like to take a second to give thanks my party, Merlinus, for their accompaniment over the past decade, as well as all of my top officials and the rest of the Ministry employees. I 'll continue this myopic and just say that I am going to miss serving you, but I have to allow in that both my wife and I are looking forward to taking a Nice, long holiday."

Laughter, followed by applause.

"Thank you, government minister Hartwell,"someone else said. Albus assumed it was one of the Wizengamot extremity."Ms. Laurentis, if you would please step forward."There was a intermission."Please repetition after me. I do hereby avow to serve the United Kingdom-"

"I do hereby substantiate to serve the United Kingdom-"

"-to the best of my ability-"

"-to the skilful of my ability-"

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I hereby adjudge Patricia Laurentis as the third Minister of conjuration post-War as of the first of May, 2020, at eleven o'clock in the cockcrow. Ms. Laurentis, congratulations. Please welcome your new Minister of thaumaturgy, Patricia Laurentis !"

There was a smattering of polite applause, much quieter than the previous applause for Hartwell. Albus supposed it was a life-threatening occasion and no one wanted to appear too ecstatic.

"That was agile,"Albus said.

"She 's going to bring in a speech now,"blush wine said."Shhh."

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

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

"Shut up !"blush wine said.

"-without your support I would never ingest made it this far. I hope I am able to live up to the high expectations set by you and Minister Hartwell. I am certain you are all dying to hear who I am appointing to heading of Department positions in the Ministry, so I wo n't languish any meter getting to that."

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

"number 1, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. I am delight to announce that Tethys Balladanis will be taking over for sometime header, Reena Barnes."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"-Robert President Andrew Johnson will be replacing Harry thrower as Head of the Auror Department-"

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

"I understand that this is a controversial choice, but I feel that the Ministry needs to be a combine front. I assure you that Robert Johnson is an excellent Auror and will nominate a wonderful forefront of Department."

Albus tuned the wireless out once Laurentis went on to the Department of Magical transfer. He could pick up his centre pounding in his headspring and the rest of the Earth seemed so far away. It was almost surreal.

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

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

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

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

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

"-Walter Eckerton will continue Head of the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures-"

"Thank God !"matte exclaimed.

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

Albus only paid shadowy attending to the rest of the announcements. He did n't realize anyone, except for Malfoy 's dad when Laurentis reiterated that fitting. One matter was clear by the end, and that was no one in Albus 's category was in any of the Head perspective.

Rose switched the receiving set off at the end of Laurentis 's speech. The ace doing the broadcast was interviewing a few people, but they were n't anyone of great importance.

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

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

It was clear that Holy Scripture had spread when Albus and his friends reached the Great Hall. Whichever form had had politics during the voice communication must 've shared the news show with the entire castle, because everyone stared at Albus as he walked in. He did n't build eye contact with anyone and made a beeline for the Gryffindor mesa, where he sat down next to James.

"So you heard,"James said quietly.

"I skived off class to hear lively,"Albus explained."She wants a link up ministry. What a lading of firedrake dung."

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

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

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

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

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

That 's what Albus had always thought, too. He hated the fact that he was always in the spotlight because of it, but it was a constant. It was normal for him. Now, he did n't know what to think.

"spirit,"Amanda said as she pointed to the stave mesa."I do n't retrieve the teachers expected it, either."

Albus glanced up. Every single professor was deep in conversation, some even ignoring their food. Neville in finicky looked stunned and upset. None of them looked happy.

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

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

Albus looked around at his fellow Gryffindors. He knew that more than a few of them had voted for Laurentis, and therefore most in all likelihood supported her decision to replace his dad as Head of the Auror Department. Not everyone was talking in whisper, with worried reflexion. A few radical were laughing, like they did n't receive a tutelage in the world. Either they just did n't care about Laurentis 's determination, or they supported it. The sentiment was very unsettle. Laurentis herself was unsettling to Albus, and the more he thought about it, the more he did n't like that she was now the rector of Magic. He did n't like it at all.


A/N : Thanks for all the pin-up revue !


The following week brought a slew of articles stating and re-stating everything Laurentis said in that first of all spoken language. A list of the new Ministry functionary was printed multiple times. Albus found the editorials more occupy than the real articles, mostly because there were quite a few proclaiming how stupid it was of Laurentis to sack Harry Potter. However, it was n't until nearly a hebdomad after Laurentis officiall became rector that an clause completely captured Albus 's attention was published.

DEMENTORS TO issue TO AZKABAN ;
HOGWARTS TO SEE variety

Newly elected Minister of Magic
Patricia Laurentis officially signed
the law that will bring Azkaban back
under the control condition of the dementors
late last night. Laurentis hopes
to have the dementors back by late
adjacent week. 'This has been a destination
of mine for geezerhood and I am very
felicitous that it is finally happening.
The wizarding world will be far
safer now that our criminals will
be guarded once to a greater extent by dementors .'

Bringing the dementors back to Azkaban
is the first of many alteration the new
minister will be enacting over the
next few weeks. Laurentis 's following
programme is to enact changes at Hogwarts.
'Over the future few calendar week I will be
sending interpreter from the
section of Magical breeding to
observe each professor. Each
professor will be required to pass on
their curricula to the representatives
as well .'professor planning on
retiring at the end of this year
will be exempt from this requisite,
as no changes will submit place before
the end of term.

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

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

"And she 's sending people to remark the teacher,"Albus said.

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

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

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

professor Slughorn stood, although he was so short that it hardly made a deviation. He looked a bit nervous and Albus got the feeling that he rarely ever addressed the entire student body at once.

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

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

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

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

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

"So that 'll be two new professors next yr,"Gospel According to John said.

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

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

Rose raised her eyebrow."What countersign ?"

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

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

"Shut up,"James muttered.

James was n't the only one to let forgotten about O.W.L.s amidst all the election news. There seemed to be more frantic studying than usual, and not just from the twenty percent and one-seventh years. The full castle had neglected to take for their end-of-term exams. Later that night Albus, whoremaster, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden joined the multitude of mass vying for tabular array in the library in order of magnitude to ram in as much perusal as possible. lustrelessness could n't join them, as it was the full lunation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus had assumed that this would be a prank that would make itself known right away, as well-nigh of John and Kaden 's pranks worked that way. But by the succeeding morning thing seemed perfectly fine at Hogwarts. The Slytherins'whisker was still normal colors and everything seemed calm and quiet. St. John the Apostle and Kaden kept grinning at each other, so Albus was sure enough they 'd done something.

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

Albus raised his supercilium questioningly at St. John the Apostle and Kaden.

"Should we tell him ?"St. John asked.

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

Albus started laughing."Seriously ?"

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

"That 's sensation,"Albus said. John and Kaden 's harlequinade were most definitely improving over the years.

"What 's wizard ?"

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

"Madam Pomfrey let you out ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."Yeah, I think she wanted me to detain longer, but I told her I needed to read. Why are these two maven ?"

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

"okay, that is pretty awe-inspiring,"lusterlessness said."You wo n't get caught, either."

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

"Study."

Albus looked up once More and saw that this clock time Rose and Amanda had appeared, both heavily ladened down with Quran and plenty of parchment. They wore identical expression of determination.

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

"Aw, Rose, c'mon-"

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

pink wine and Amanda left in a flourish of parchment and books, leaving Albus and the former boys to stare at each other open-mouthed. Albus knew his full cousin was very academic and placed a high note value on her own Education, but never before had she staged an interference for his studying.

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

"Do n't say that Scripture !"Jesse James shouted from down the table.

"I suppose we have n't got a alternative, do we ?"Matt asked as he shoved his eggs into his backtalk."darn, I only just got back."

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

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

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

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

"As in Elsie Willinson ?"Albus replied.

"Yes, that 's the sole Elsie we know,"rosiness said."She needs avail studying and I 'm her tutor."

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

"And she needs assistance, John,"Rose said with a sigh."I 've been tutoring her all class and I 'm not going to lay off now."

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

Albus had n't thought of that. Of course, blush wine had n't had any chance getting Elsie to blab all twelvemonth, so chances were melt off that he and the other son would have winner.

"Honestly, you lot are far too focused on Malfoy,"pink wine said."You 've hardly studied all year. Just sit down and start reviewing Transfiguration Day. I 've made subject field guides for every depicted object. You should cause them at your spots."

Albus picked a seat and sat down. Rose was organized to the point of insanity. There were in fact written report guides for every topic, organized chronologically, from September until May. Albus was suddenly very grateful for his cousin, despite her obvious insanity. This was going to pee-pee studying so much easier.

"Wow, thanks blush wine,"Albus said. The rest of the group muttered their agreement.

Rose smiled."See ? It was a good idea. Now, we 'll study until tiffin and then bear a break."

Lunch was about two time of day away. That was n't too bad. Albus opened his Transfiguration book and settled in with that and the discipline guide. It took him about a one-half hr to work through beguilement, but soon his judgment was only focused on Transfiguration.

Around him, the depository library quickly filled up. Fifth and one-seventh years seemed the most mad about finding table and searching the lot, but scholar from every yr and every sign of the zodiac were show. Madam Pince spent the dawn weaving throughout the board and looking over everyone 's shoulder joint to give sure they were working on shoal work. With exam so near, the library was now closed to everyone who was n't going to revise.

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

Once rosebush noticed Elsie, she immediately stood up and beckoned the number 1 year over. Elsie seemed less queasy now that Rose knew she was there, but she still avoided eye contact as she sat down and pulled her book out of her bag. blush wine whispered something in her ear and she began reading her charms Quran.

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


Rose 's revision seance continued throughout the calendar month of May. Albus did n't like to accept it out loud, but they were incredibly helpful and he was n't certainly he would overhaul his exams if it were n't for blush wine. As the month progressed, the sessions grew both in duration and the bit of participants. By the end of the number one calendar week their study group had grown to let in James IV, Ben, Cedric, and their friend Nathan, who all now feared failing their O.W.L.s.

Albus and James missed a few academic term for Quidditch practice, but as the Quidditch final John Drew closer, both of them agreed that Quidditch was just as important as studying. Bradley and Heather were becoming more and more nervous about the concluding, since it would determine whether Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup. They were currently only a few points behind Ravenclaw and if they pulled off a win in the final, they would most likely win the cup as well.

The match took place a week before O.W.L.s were scheduled to begin and Albus awoke more nervous than he had been for a Quidditch match in historic period. The catch itself was going to be bittersweet since it would be the last time he played with Heather and Fred as the other pursuer on Gryffindor 's team. Next twelvemonth he 'd hold two new Chasers and that was going to be incredibly foreign.

Albus headed down to breakfast before his ally and encountered a few particularly itchy Slytherins on his way. Giggling to himself and enjoying the fact that bathroom and Kaden 's prank was still going on, weeks later, he entered the Great Radclyffe Hall. On his way to the Gryffindor mesa, he was distracted by the wad of Malfoy, speaking with Felix Willinson, while carrying an overnight bag.

Deciding that breakfast could wait, Albus crept over to the Slytherin tabular array and attempted to crouch down behind a few one-seventh geezerhood. Unfortunately the Great manor hall was too tawdry for right eavesdropping, and Albus made a vow to always throw an extendable Ear on his person from now on.

Malfoy stepped away from Felix Willinson and turned, allowing Albus to count at his face. He looked terrible. His centre were red and it looked like he had n't slept in day. Very strange, Albus thought, as he rose to follow Malfoy out of the room.

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

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

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

The mettle on the team were palpable as they stood waiting to walk onto the pitch shot. Fred did n't even give a lecture, since everyone knew how important the equal was, both to Fred and Heather.

Ravenclaw had a practiced Quidditch team. They were easily the scoop team in the schooltime, although almost Gryffindors would disagree. But the Gryffindor team was determined in this lucifer, causing them to take on fiercer than ever before.

Albus flew faster than he ever had before. He, Fred, and Calluna vulgaris had always worked very well together, but during this match it almost seemed like they were one entity, sharing one brain. Albus 's entire creative thinker was focused on Quidditch and Quidditch only. Gone were the mentation of his dad 's job, Laurentis, and Malfoy.

The mates only lasted an minute. Albus had n't even realized that James caught the Snitch until the tin whistle was blown. Gryffindor won 420-260, their easily win yet that year.

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

Albus could n't even hear the comment over the deafening applause of the spectators. Professor Longbottom was holding the Quidditch Cup high over his head and was making his way through the bunch to Fred. Fred took the Cup and held it out to Scots heather. Each held one side and raised it up. The Gryffindors were storming the pitch and Albus was sept up in the bunch, making it unmanageable to reach his team. Once he did, somebody snapped their picture.

Albus was the happy he 'd felt in week, ever since his team won the Dueling tournament. It was his tertiary year on the Quidditch team and they finally won the Cup. But he was even to a greater extent happy for Fred and Heather than he was for himself since they 'd both been on the team since their 2d yr and had never won the Cup.

ling had snag streaming down her face and Fred was grinning full than Albus had ever seen him. While neither of them were pursuing a career in Quidditch, Quidditch had been their lives for the past tense six years. Winning the Cup in their 7th year seemed more affecting than it would cause winning it any former yr. Albus hoped that Gryffindor 's squad was still as unspoilt as it was now when he got to seventh year. Winning again in his last year would be the best tactile sensation in the world.
***


"Malfoy really did forget the castle,"Amanda announced at breakfast the next day.

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

"Weirdly enough, Moaning Myrtle."

"How would she love ?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albus glanced at the obituary but did n't read it. As much as he disliked Malfoy, he could n't facilitate but feel grim for him. Albus could n't imagine what it would be like to lose his grandfather, and despite Lucius Malfoy 's obvious geological fault, he was still Scorpius 's grandad.

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

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

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

"You think he 's have chummy with Moaning myrtle ?"Albus asked.

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

"But why would he go into a fille 's loo ?"Saint John the Apostle asked, wrinkling his nozzle."That 's just blinking insane."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Not me,"matt said immediately.

"I 'll go,"lavatory said.

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

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


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


The plan to let the cat out of the bag to myrtle in the dead of Night may have been a plan that belonged solely to Albus and John, but Rose still had somewhat of a say over when it happened. Exams were now only a calendar week away and Rose was only giving them one night off, for relief and clearing focus from the mind. Neither Albus or John Lackland dared hybridization rosiness and hop-skip out on rewrite, which took place in the subroutine library until curfew and then in the commons room until they all went to bed.

Their one nighttime off occurred the night before their first examination. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s had been going on for a full hebdomad, but none of the fifth part or one-seventh long time were taking any nights off, including James. Despite rosiness 's insistence that he take a Night off, James insisted upon studying. It was quite a switch.

Albus and John spent the evening playing Bromus secalinus with Kaden. Matt had turned in early, still tired from the entire moon, which had taken position two Clarence Shepard Day Jr. earlier. Rose and Amanda had disappeared into their dorm, clearly set upon having some clip away from the boys.

The commons room emptied as the dark progressed, and eventually John and Albus were the only one left. It had n't taken long since most hoi polloi went to bed early because of exam. It was probably fairly stupid of Albus and John to stay up so late, but neither of them cared.

They waited an additional XV minutes in case somebody decided to return to the common room, but no one did. Albus glanced at John Lackland and then pulled the invisibility Cloak and the vulture 's Map out of his bag. He carefully unfolded the map and set it out on the table. The coast was clear.

Albus and John stumbled out of the portrait muddle and once they righted themselves, Albus threw the Cloak over them, under the Fat ma'am 's stern gaze.

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

The Fat Lady was always threatening this but she never seemed to seduce in force on any of her terror. Ignoring her, Albus and John set off along the corridor. John led the way while Albus kept his optic glued to the Map, but the corridors remained empty. It seemed everyone, both student and professors, were getting a good Nox 's residuum before exam. Everyone that is, except for Albus and John.

Moaning Myrtle was the only resident of the back level missy 's lavatory. John quietly pushed the door open and Albus followed him in. Once inside, Albus pulled the Cloak off and held it under is correctly arm.

"Vinca minor ?"John shouted as he stepped into the room.

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

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

On the obstinate, Myrtle 's brass lit up."Oh my ! I 've been feeling rather awful today myself. It 's a face impression of dying, you know."

Albus did n't intend dying had any side effects former than dying and had always assumed being a specter would n't be painful, but Myrtle was very odd.

"But why are you here ?"Myrtle asked."You never claver me unless you 're in detention. It 's rather disappointing. No one ever thinks to chit-chat poor Myrtle. Oh, Myrtle 's dead, they think, so she does n't demand any visitors. Myrtle does n't demand any admirer ! All because she 's dead !"

"No, Vinca minor, that is n't it at all,"Albus said quickly."It 's just, you live in a young woman 's loo. We can only visit you now, in the centre of the night."

myrtle let out a cheap suspiration."I suppose. You are n't the sole boys who talk to me, you know. Some of them even dare come during the day. I suppose they 're a bit braver than you are, which is odd since they are n't Gryffindors."

Albus glanced at John. Maybe this was going to be easier than he thought. Vinca minor probably did n't have any loyalties to Scorpius Malfoy.

"Which boys ?"Albus asked carefully, taking a step closer to myrtle.

"I only know one of their gens,"Vinca minor said with a giggle."I know his figure because his beginner used to come in and talk to me when he was in school. But his son is n't quite as bigmouthed and he did n't seem to deal at all about me or my last. He only wanted to roll in the hay about the sleeping accommodation of Secrets-"

"The sleeping room of arcanum ?"Albus exclaimed."Scorpio Malfoy wanted to eff about the bedchamber of mystery ?"

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

"He tried to speak Parseltongue ?"Albus asked.

Vinca minor nodded."Sounded awful. Your dad was much better at it. Even that freckled boy managed to figure it out during the conflict of Hogwarts, but Scorpius Malfoy was truly direful at it. That 's when I met the early boy. Scorpius left and came back a few 24-hour interval later with this other boy. He showed him the entry and then they started talking about this girl named Elsie and the former boy thought that she would be able-bodied to spread the Chamber."

"And when was this ?"Albus asked. The other boy must make been Felix Willinson.

"Two workweek ago, maybe ?"Myrtle said."Do you know why he wanted to get into the chamber of secret ? He refused to recount me."

"No,"Albus said, shaking his head."We want to love, too."

"well,"Myrtle began as she floated up to the cap."Please evidence me when you find out. And next meter, make up certain that lustrelessness comes to visit, too."

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

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

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

Albus threw the Cloak back over himself and John and they left. On the way back Albus explained the chamber of Secrets to John, who only knew the piazza by name. By the time they returned to the common room John was just as shocked as Albus was about why Malfoy seemed to desire to get into the Chamber of Secrets.

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

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

"Bet she 'll jazz that, in the middle of exam,"privy said with a laugh.
***


"Of course I have no idea if Elsie Willinson is a Parselmouth !"rose wine exclaimed the next day during their lunch faulting in between exam. Albus had just finished explaining what Myrtle had told them last dark, as well as explaining the bedroom of Secrets for Matt, Amanda, and Kaden 's sake.

"Are you sure she has n't mentioned anything ?"Albus pressed.

"Positive ! And honestly, Albus, you need to get this out of your mind. It 's exam hebdomad. It 's not the time to be focusing on Malfoy. Whatever he does, it really does n't bear on you."

Albus knew that, but it did n't do a affair for his oddity. The fact remained that Malfoy was acting oddly, and if Felix Willinson was involved, it could n't be anything good.

"They 're up to something, Rose,"Albus said."I 'm telling you."

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

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted as he jogged over to Albus 's fanny."Did you see the Prophet this good morning ?"

"No,"Albus replied. He, Matt, and John had both slept too late to feature breakfast before their showtime exam.

James IV slapped a written matter down on the board in presence of Albus."That bloke, Robert Lyndon Johnson ? The one who took Dad 's place ? He 's revamped the full section, claiming that they 're going to receive a 99 % seizure rate."

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

President Johnson REVAMPS AUROR DEPARTMENT

Newly appointed heading Auror, Robert
Lyndon Baines Johnson, has spent the past tense month
revamping and reorganizing the Auror
Department. Johnson has rewritten
rules and rule for the department
as well as reorganized how Aurors
employment together. All Aurors have
attended workshops over the past calendar month
to familiarize themselves with the
new rules and policies.

'The hope is that we will be able to
capture criminals faster and easier ,'
Johnson said. 'The section has
been disorganized for years and this
has resulted in many criminals going
innocent for far foresightful than they should.
Between the new Auror department insurance policy
and the reinstatement of the dementors
in Azkaban, we should be able to capture
more criminals and prevent them where they
belong- behind taproom .'

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

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

"No idea,"James said."But I thought you 'd want to see it. I 've got to go. Transfiguration practical this afternoon and I need to practice."

"I wish they 'd say what the changes actually were,"Albus said as his pal left.

"They ca n't,"rosebush said."The paper is rectify about that."

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

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

"That 's not bonnie,"Matt said.

"No, it 's not,"rose said as she glanced at her watch."We 'd ameliorate get going. history of Magic exam."

Albus found it incredibly difficult to focus on his story of Magic test, and while he was fairly sure as shooting he passed it, he knew he had n't done well. There was just too much to centre on. Between Malfoy and the Auror Department, the hold up things Albus wanted to think about were hobgoblin rising and giant wars.

Later that night Rose held another cogitation session in the library. Albus managed to sit next to Elsie Willinson, who ignored him completely. Albus spent Thomas More time staring at the marauder 's Map and figuring out the best way to bring up the topic of speaking Parseltongue with Elsie than any literal poring over, but Rose did n't seem to notice.

The following two days were nearly monovular to the first day of exams, with the elision of the subjects they were tested on. examination in the morning time, lunch, exam in the afternoon, studying, dinner, then more studying. The humdrum was starting to get on Albus 's nerves, but they were only halfway through examination week.

Elsie Willinson did n't record up to the report sitting Wednesday evening. Albus was disappointed since he was finally going to bring up the theme of speaking Parseltongue with her, no matter how effective it would be. Instead, he looked over his Potions notes while glancing at the marauder 's Map every so often.

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

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

"That would be stupefied,"Rose said."Look at the past three geezerhood. You 've gotten yourself involved with something stupid at the end of every class. Following Malfoy would just be asking for trouble."

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

"Famous lastly words,"Rose muttered."He 's probably just in his common room."

Albus checked the Map. Malfoy 's dot was definitely not in the common room. Albus 's heart sped up as he checked the rest of the Map. It took him a while, but then he spotted Malfoy 's dot, making its way down the second level corridor. He was accompanied by none early than Felix and Elsie Willinson.

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

pink wine groaned."Albus, don't-"

Albus ignored her and turned to the ease of his admirer."Are any of you coming with me ?"

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

"Amanda, really ?"rose asked.

Amanda shrugged."I want a suspension from studying and I 'm just as curious as Albus is."

"count me out,"mat muttered, turning red."I 'm not going anywhere near Myrtle."

"She asked about you finis time,"John Lackland said with a grin.

matt turned even carmine."I 'd rather not be intimate that."

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

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

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

Albus did n't bother with the Invisibility Cloak since it was n't yesteryear curfew. They 'd just birth to lurk near the loo until the glide was authorise and sneak in when no one was looking. All they needed was the Map for that.

The corridors were unusually vacate and Albus attributed it to the fact that most of his chap educatee were doing some last instant revisal before the future day 's exams. It certainly made it gentle to abstract into a girl 's loo.

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

"They must 've gotten into the sleeping accommodation of Secrets,"Albus explained."I bet the piranha did n't know about it so they could n't take in put it on the Map."

It took another five bit for Albus, whoremonger, Kaden, and Amanda to get to the loo. Once there Albus burst the door open air and ran inside. He stopped short in front of the sinks.

One of the cesspit was gone, having sunk into the floor. In its place was a orotund, peddle black hole. myrtle was floating above it, her eyes bright.

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

"I guess this answers the motion of whether Elsie Willinson can mouth snake,"Saint John the Apostle said.

"Is matt ill again ?"Myrtle asked.

"Er, yeah,"Albus said.

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

"Sure,"Albus said as he crept closer to the hollow."I 'm going down there. You three are welcome to join me."Albus was determined. He 'd come this far and he was n't going to halt now. He needed to visualise out what was going on.

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

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

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

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

"Then I 'm in,"John said.

"Me, too,"Amanda agreed.

"I 'd go down there even if there was a basilisk in there,"Kaden said."I 'll go first, if you want."

"Be my guest,"Albus said, gesturing to the hole.

"If you die, you can survive here,"Myrtle said, giggling."I told Scorpio that and he told me that was another reason why he ca n't die down there. I do n't opine he likes me."

Albus ignored Myrtle and stepped aside so Kaden could jump into the hole. Kaden did so without a second base glance.

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

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

Neither trick or Amanda seemed disposed to go adjacent, so Albus stepped to the very edge of the cakehole and looked down. He could n't see a thing. Deciding that it was better to just do it and not think too hard, he took a cryptic breather and jumped.

His dad had been right about it being Sir Thomas More of a sloping trough than a drop down. The jam was more than of a sloping organ pipe and it was n't a bad slide at all. Soon, Albus landed at the undersurface and saw Kaden, who had lit his wand.

Albus lit his own sceptre and took a looking around. The stead was very wet and it smelled horrendous. The wall were dripping with turbid water and the floor was covered in rock, mud, and what looked like old snake skin.

"I think we 're near the lake,"Albus said, nodding to the dripping pee.

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

"Sorry,"John muttered as he lit his own wand. There was now enough wand light to see clearly. The place was creepy. That was the only word for it.

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

"What do we do now ?"Kaden asked.

"Energy Department anyone hear anything ?"Albus asked. It seemed dead silent to Albus.

John shook his head."matt should 've come. We need his loup-garou hearing."

Albus nodded in agreement."I guess we just follow the tube. It looks like it only goes one way."

The others agreed. Albus led the way, his wand pointed in front of him, and they set off. No one spoke. No one made any noise whatsoever. Albus had his ears poised to hear even the restrained noise, hoping to try some clew as to where Malfoy and the others had gone.

Ihey walked for what felt similar mil before they heard even the faintest of disturbance. Albus noticed numerous Snake River skins and the osseous tissue from decades-old fauna. Then, just when Albus had a feeling they were reaching the end of the transition, he heard a vox, clearly, as if it was correct next to him.

"Albus ceramist. fountainhead, well, is n't this a pleasant surprise."

Albus recognized the voice. It was Jarrett Willinson.


Cliffhanger ! I know. I 'm vicious. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews ! I will answer to them, but I 've been quite officious lately.

And now I 'll take a few mo to vaunt. On the 16th I went to NYC for J.K. Rowling 's upshot for The Casual Vacancy. I got to fulfil her and get a gestural transcript of the record ! It was absolutely amazing. I blogged about it on the forums, so delight insure it out !


Albus froze. He had n't heard that vox in over a year and character of him thought he would n't ever discover it again. He always assumed Jarrett Willinson had stayed in Australia, where absolutely no one was looking for him.

Slowly, Albus turned toward the voice. He pointed his lit wand in its direction and saw that there was a very little opening to his leftfield. It appeared to be another tube, but one much smaller than the one he and his booster had just been in. Albus crept toward it, trying not to earn any noise.

He turned to John, Kaden, and Amanda."What do you conceive ?"

"I think we should get out of here,"Kaden said immediately, stepping back."I thought we were just going after Malfoy."

"I bet Malfoy 's down there with him,"bathroom said.

"But why ?"Amanda asked as she walked over to the pipe. She stuck her head in, making her vox echoey."Why would he come back here ?"

"Can you see anything ?"Albus asked.

"Not much,"Amanda said, climbing fully into the pipe.

"We should just go back,"Kaden said, his voice wavering. All his braveness from being the initiative to enrol the Chamber was gone.

"I do n't know,"Albus said."We 've come this far ..."

"Albus, I think Rose might 've been right,"Kaden said."Let 's just go-"

Kaden was interrupted by Amanda 's shriek. There was a forte spatter, a clunk, and then more shrieking. Albus turned quickly back to the pipework. Amanda was gone, a small pile of rubble in her place.

"Amanda !"Albus screamed, stepping over to the pipe.

"Albus !"she shouted back."assist !"

"What 's happening ?"John asked.

"Told you we should 've gone back !"Kaden shouted.

"Well, we ca n't go back now,"Albus said, climbing into the pipe."C'mon !"

Albus had to scrunch as he walked in order to fit through the pipe. bathroom and Kaden followed him, occasionally tripping over rocks as they went. Albus splashed ahead of them, his scepter lighting the few human foot in front of him. They followed Amanda 's screeching until they grew muffled and disappeared all together.

Finally, the tube emerged into a small chamber, not unlike a low interlingual rendition of the sleeping accommodation they 'd just been in. It was wetter than the rest of the sleeping accommodation of arcanum and the far wall contained a metallic element grate that appeared to let out into the lake. But the water was n't going through it.

Albus 's attention, however, was n't focused on the magically contained lake urine. Instead, his eyes drew to the compendium of hoi polloi scattered throughout the chamber. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Amanda, in the clutch pedal of Jarrett Willinson, who had his verge pointed at her school principal. Albus was just well-chosen they found her. Jarrett was flanked by his son, Quinton, who was looking a bit unsound for wear. Azkaban did n't seem to have agreed with him and he now looked far older than his former twenties.

Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were there as well, looking very uncomfortable. Elsie was shaking and had a death grip on her brother 's script. Scorpio stood next to them and he seemed very upset. The only one who seemed at all okay with the situation was Felix, whose grimace seemed to be coming from his sister 's grasp on his hand, not on the situation.

Albus did n't make out the former three grownup at first. Then he remembered their pictures from the Prophet. The shorter woman was Dolores Umbridge, her grey hair greatly resembling a hive around her drumhead. Her skin was deeply wrinkled and she did n't very much resemble the person in the pic, but her eyes and gonzo grinning were the same. The other woman was about a foot taller and just as ugly. Her pilus was stringy and mostly embrown, with stripe of Zane Grey. Her nose was long, crooked, and boasted a boastfully wart, giving her the look of a classic Muggle 's version of a enchantress. All that was missing was the green skin. The man resembled her, although he was shorter and more dumpy. Both were sneering. Albus assumed they were the Carrows.

"What are you doing here, Potter ?"Scorpius asked, clearly trying to go more confident than he was.

"Shut up, Malfoy,"Jarrett snapped."I 'll ask the questions. And I can only assumed they followed you three. Whether it was intentional on your part, I have no idea."

"Ca n't we just go ?"Scorpius demanded."We did what you wanted-"

"No, no you did n't,"Jarrett interrupted."You did what your Father-God wanted and then you did persona of what we wanted. And therein lies the problem."

Albus was thoroughly confused. His eyes went from Jarrett to Malfoy and back again, attempting to visualise out what was going on. What exactly had Malfoy 's father asked him to do ?

"I never said I 'd do what you wanted us to do,"Malfoy muttered, averting his gaze.

"And yet you did."Jarrett sneered.

"But I did n't require to !"Malfoy looked scared now. He pulled his wand out of his gown and held it up shakily.

"Oh, are you going to duel me ?"Jarrett asked, shifting Amanda in his arms so that he could signal his wand at Malfoy.

"M-maybe."

Jarrett sighed."This is miserable. I do n't wish taking advantage of slight tyke, and yet here I am-"

"I 'm not fragile !"Malfoy shouted.

"You just lost your grandpa,"Jarrett said."You 're frail. So is your Father, and he 's light to deceive."

"He is not !"

At that point Elsie started crying. It started out as small sniffles but within ten seconds blew up into loud sobs. Everyone in the room turned to stare at her. Albus felt bad. It was obvious she had n't wanted to be here.

"Oh, shut her up !"Jarrett said.

"Elsie, you have to be quiet,"Felix muttered.

"I just want to go forth, Felix !"Elsie sobbed."I did n't desire to do this. You know I did n't want to do this !"

"You did n't stimulate a choice, Elsie. He 's our uncle and he needed our help."

"Could someone please just explicate what 's going on ?"Kaden asked loudly."Or even honest, let go of Amanda so we can get out of here and let you lot get back to whatever it is you 're doing ?"

Jarrett laughed."Oh, she 's not going anywhere. You three are free to pass on. I really do n't care what the Scheol you do."

Albus exchanged glimpse with John and Kaden, who both shrugged. None of them were going to go forth, of path, but Albus was utterly confused. For the past tense four years Jarrett and Quinton Willinson had tried to snatch him and now, all of a sudden, they wanted Amanda ? They 'd never wanted her before.

"Oh, you have n't put it together yet, have you Potter ? I thought you were smarter than that."

"Put what together ?"Albus asked, still confused.

Jarrett squeezed Amanda tighter."She 's the Prime Minister 's niece, who happens to be a witch. She 's currently the best bargaining chip I could possibly have. I only wish I 'd known about her sooner, but thanks to your uncle the total wizarding world knows she 's the Prime minister 's niece. I must thank that reporter.

"Potter, do you realise how bad Laurentis would look if anything happened to the Muggle Prime parson 's niece a fiddling over a calendar month after she took office ? And just days after her appointed read/write head Auror revolutionized the department ? Oh, it would see awful, Potter. So we, all of us, are going to sit tight until the Aurors get here and then I 'll produce my demands and the Aurors will ease up in because if they do n't, I 'll pop the efflorescence Minister 's niece."

Albus 's backtalk fell afford. He stared at Jarrett, whose smiling resembled that of a somebody who just won the lottery. Amanda looked panic-struck, her eyes darting everywhere and a few stray snag running down her cheeks.

"Of course you can impart, potter,"Jarrett said."Go get your dad. Go get the other Aurors. It 'll only bring them here sooner. And do n't even try to hex me because if you do, this lot-"Jarrett gestured to the Carrows, Umbridge, and Quinton,"-will hex you. Your dad is n't a Ministry functionary anymore, ceramist. It wo n't be as big of a crime if they hex you now."

Albus glanced at Umbridge and the Carrows. Umbridge did n't expect like someone capable of hexing anyone, given that she more closely resembled an fluid mental patient than a dangerous beldame. But the Carrows, they looked adequate to of slaying. As for Quinton, he was n't much of a threat. Still, Albus, John, and Kaden were more outnumbered than they ever had been before.

"But why ca n't we leave ?"Malfoy asked, his voice wavering."Or at least me ?"

"Because I might postulate you to do something else,"Jarrett snapped,"and I want you here because if I let you leave I doubt you 'll come back. I know you did n't fetch us the girl. She came with potter, following you."

"Why does it weigh ?"Malfoy asked."The period is she 's here now."

"I do n't think you would 've ever brought her to me, Malfoy."

"You 're compensate, I would n't ! And do you need to know why ? I never wanted to help you. That 's not why I agreed to this. I think you 're all half-wit, to be honest."

Albus stared at Malfoy, completely shocked. Malfoy hated Albus, Amanda, and all their friends, so why would n't he suffer brought Amanda to Jarrett ?

"Then why are you here, Malfoy ?"

"To help my dad !"Malfoy said, his wand still pointed at Jarrett."I did n't bonk you idiots were going to accept a plot of ground of your own."

Jarrett laughed."Now you 're the retard. You think we 'd possess agreed to his plot if there had n't been something in it for us ? Meaning my son, here. Not these other three. I 'm not certain why they agreed to it. I 'm not even certain Umbridge knows where she is, actually. She has n't said much of anything since the escape."

"Do you really think you 're going to get anything out of this ?"Malfoy demanded.

"Yes, I do,"Jarrett snapped.

Malfoy narrowed his eye and then whipped around. In a matter of irregular, he sent five successive jinx at the Carrows and Umbridge. Umbridge collapsed immediately, not moving. The Carrows both went for their wands, but were too slow. Malfoy sent two more stunner and the Carrows fell over, one on top of the early.

Malfoy turned back to Jarrett, breathing heavily."Looks like the odds are a picayune different now."

"Malfoy, what are you doing ?"Albus asked, still trying to enfold his brainpower around the fact that Scorpius Malfoy had just helped him.

"Shut up, thrower,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm not doing this for you."

"Scorpio, what is your job ?"Felix asked, breaking free of his sister 's handle."I thought we were in on this together."

"I thought we were, too, until your uncle decided to do affair his way,"Malfoy said."It 's like I told you at the beginning ; I only did this for my father."

Albus still did n't know exactly what"this"was, but all that really mattered now was that they were no longer outnumbered.

"The Aurors are coming,"Malfoy said to Albus."If we can just hold them off-"

"How do you know the Aurors are coming ?"Albus asked.

"That does n't matter now,"Malfoy said as he sent a Stunner at Jarrett.

Albus turned to John and Kaden."Focus on Quinton and Felix. No offense, but you are n't the best duelers and I do n't desire you to hit Amanda."

John and Kaden nodded. Albus glanced at Malfoy, attempted to shake off the Wyrd feeling he had from being on Malfoy 's side, and started sending hex after hex at Jarrett. Jarrett, clearly ineffective to duel while holding Amanda, threw up a shield and did n't hex back. Albus and Malfoy silently agreed to hold on going, in an attempt to subvert the shield.

Albus heard a loud collapse and turned to his rightfield. rubble was settling near where the Carrows and Umbridge lay. Once it settled, Albus saw that a large boulder had fallen from the ceiling and had landed on top of the female Carrow.

"I think she 's dead,"Kaden said.

Albus swallowed hard. end had never crossed his mind when he 'd come down here. Trying to push it from his thoughts, he returned to hexing Jarrett 's shield.

Kaden shouted something Albus could n't pass water out and Albus turned just in time to see him land against the wall. Albus ran over and knelt next to him."Kaden ! Kaden !"

Kaden stirred and looked at Albus."Albus ?"

"Kaden, thank God,"Albus whispered.

"I 've got an frightful headache,"Kaden muttered.

"Do n't devolve asleep,"Albus said."stoppage awake. You 've probably got a concussion."

Albus heard splashing and looked up. Five wizards stumbled through the pipe, their wand out.

"Wands up !"one of them shouted. Albus did n't realise the vocalization."Nobody motility !"

"Are they all here ?"another asked.

"I believe so,"the start one said as he walked around the elbow room."Looks like the tip was correct."

"Not so fast !"Jarrett shouted."I 've got a few demands."

"You 're in no position to ready demands,"the first Auror said.

"Albus ?"

Albus turned back to the pipe and let out a sigh of relief. His dad had been the fifth Auror to arrive."Dad. Kaden needs to go the hospital flank. Now."

Harry knelt down succeeding to Kaden and assessed him."We 'll consume this lot rounded up soon. Then I 'll take him."

"Let go of the girlfriend, Willinson,"the first off Auror said. He took a few steps forward and Albus was able to see the side of his aspect. It was Robert Johnson, the new chief Auror.

"She 's the peak minister of religion 's niece,"Jarrett said."You 'd better be careful, or I 'll kill her."

"You 're outnumbered, Willinson,"Johnson said."I would n't try anything if I were you."

"It 'll be a huge scandal if she dies down here."

"Oh for God 's sake,"Johnson muttered."Expelliarmus !"Jarrett 's wand flew in a perfective arc out of his helping hand and Johnson caught it."Petrificus Totalus !"

Jarrett attempted to dodge the spell, but still keep hold of Amanda. He failed and collapsed to the floor. Amanda ran forward and Harry caught hold of her, directing her to sit future to Albus and Kaden.

The Aurors conjured ropes and tied up Jarrett, Quinton, the Carrows, and Umbridge. None of them said a word and none of them questioned any of the suspects. If Albus had n't known any practiced, he would 've thought the Aurors knew exactly what they were going to find down here. It was all very confusing.

Johnson and the three unfamiliar Aurors grabbed handgrip of the malefactor and took them out of the chamber. Harry was left with Albus and the rest of the educatee.

"Dad, what 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"I have my suspicions, but unfortunately I do n't take in any trial impression,"Harry said."Let 's get you up to the hospital wing."

Harry carried Kaden, who had since passed out, and led the odd chemical group out of the chamber and back to the pipe that led to Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom. Once there, he pointed his wand at the pipe and it turned into steps. A few minute of arc later, they were back in the loo. Albus blinked a few time at the smart lighter and then his eyes rested upon Myrtle, who was floating near the far stall.

"You 're back !"she shouted."Is he dead ?"Myrtle gestured to Kaden.

"No,"Albus said."Just unconscious."

"Oh."myrtle seemed rather disappointed.

"Let 's go,"Harry said."Hospital wing."
***


Albus had no tangible understanding to quell in the hospital wing. After muttering about how Albus and his friends were always getting into trouble, Madam Pomfrey proclaimed him in perfective health. John Lackland, Amanda, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie were also fine. Kaden, on the other hand, had a concussion and was not allowed to kip. Albus, Saint John the Apostle, and Amanda remained in the hospital wing with him. rose wine and mat joined them as well, despite the fact that it was well past curfew.

Harry left after delivering them to Madam Pomfrey, but promised to yield in a few 60 minutes. That had been three 60 minutes ago and Albus was still waiting for him to number back, and for an explanation. They 'd explained the entire ordeal to Matt and Rose, who both agreed that Malfoy 's conduct was very strange.

The doorway to the hospital wing finally opened and Harry walked in, looking incredibly exhausted. Madam Pomfrey, upon seeing him, hurried off to her study.

"Kaden,"Harry said."How are you feeling ?"

"Like someone ran my headspring over with a motortruck,"Kaden said.

Harry chuckled."You 'll feel better soon."

"What was that about, Dad ?"Albus asked."Why was it almost like the Aurors expected all the captive to be there ?"

Harry sighed."No one knows for sure as shooting. The functionary record is that they received an anonymous tip, but none of the prisoners are explaining why they were in the sleeping room of closed book or how they got in."

"When we were down there, Malfoy kept saying he was doing something for his dad, but he never said what it was,"Albus said.

"That helps affirm my theory,"Harry said."I suspect that Scorpius Malfoy, along with Felix Willinson, were instructed by Dragon Malfoy to encounter a suitable fix to house the prisoners for safe-keeping until Aurors could be brought in to capture them. This, of track, had to be done after the Auror Department was reorganized by Henry Martyn Robert Samuel Johnson, in order to make both him and Laurentis look beneficial. If Laurentis looks good, Draco Malfoy looks good."

"But that means that Laurentis and Dragon Malfoy knew where the prisoners were,"Albus said.

"Yes, yes it does,"Harry said quietly.

"Uncle Harry,"blush wine began."You do n't think that Laurentis organized that break-out, do you ?"

"It 's crossed my thinker,"Harry said."But it 's irrelevant, because I have no proof. Nor do I have proof of my possibility about genus Draco Malfoy and his son. Alecto Carrow is dead, Dolores Umbridge is clinically insane, and Amycus Carrow is n't talking. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson are n't talking, either, and I somehow uncertainty Scorpius Malfoy will rat out his father. So, for now at least, this will rest a theory."

"But Dad, it 's illegal,"Albus said.

"It is,"Harry replied."Do n't worry about it, Albus. The prisoners are back in Azkaban, which is all that matters right now."

"But Dad-"

"Albus. torment will do nothing. In my experience, mass who are corrupt like this are never able to hold on it a secret long. Whatever happens will happen."

"What about Scorpio ?"Amanda asked."Why did he switch slope like that ?"

"Scorpius Malfoy has had a rough year. His grandfather has been quite ill for a long time, which has put stress on both of his parents and thus, on him. I am sure he was pressured into this by his father and then when it came time for him to get further into it, by helping Jarrett Willinson get hold of Amanda, he realized he did n't need to be involved, not would his Fatherhood have wanted him to be involved."

"Is he going to get in trouble ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Harry said."As far as the record is concerned, Scorpius, Felix, and Elsie stumbled upon the prisoners just as you lot did."

"That does n't seem fair,"Albus muttered.

"No, it does n't,"Harry said."But on the other hand, I think Scorpius Malfoy deserves a break this class. I think he 's grown up a lot over the past times few month. You might find that he 's not quite the bully he used to be."

"I 'll trust that when I see it,"flatness muttered."I guess that 's why he wanted to get into the shriek shack, though. Probably wanted it for the prisoners."

"I suspect that, too,"Harry said."I must say I 'm glad he chose the chamber of Secrets."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"I have to return to the Ministry,"Harry said as he stood up."This will be in the report tomorrow, although I have no theme what type of story they 're going to spin or how involved you will be. Whatever they publish, do n't take it too hard. Please do not cite my theory to anyone. The last affair we need is an clause in the Prophet claiming that Harry potter is a cabal theorist."

Albus laughed and said good night to his dad. lady Pomfrey let them log Z's in the infirmary annexe that Night, considering how lately it was. Kaden, of course, had to persist alive. Albus was surprised by how easy sleep came, considering what he 'd been through that night, but it was nearly two in the dawning. He realized with a sinking feeling that he still had exams the next day. Herbology and Ancient rune. He hoped they would n't go too horribly.


A/N : Thanks for all the lovely reviews ! I will be getting to them as soon as I can. The next chapter will the last in this novel. I 'm not sure when the fifth novel will be up since I have yet to descend up with a concrete plot of land for it. I 'm going to take away a break to write other stories that I 've had in my head for a while.

It 's the end of Oct, which means it 's nearly NaNoWriMo time of year ! I 'll be continuing to update Between Here and Somewhere throughout Nov, as well as posting the last chapter of this next Friday. But you wo n't see much else from me until December, as I 'll be officious writing an original fic.


Albus, John, and flatness overslept the following morning. Albus awoke ten minutes before their Herbology exam and had to fire up up John and Matt, which is never a minuscule feat. It took a to the full five minutes to get them up, but soon they were running through the corridors knowing full well that they would be late. Unfortunately for Albus, none of his psyche was on Herbology. He could n't block off thinking about what happened last nighttime.

The male child ran into greenhouse three five arcminute late and as soon as they shut the door the stallion social class looked up from their exam and stared at them. Albus got the distinguishable opinion that they all knew about concluding dark, whether from rumors or from the oracle. prof Longbottom got up from his stool and walked over to them.

"male child,"he said quietly.

"I 'm sorry we 're recently, sir,"Albus said."We overslept-"

"Albus, it 's fine. I know what happened last dark. Just go film your seats. Your examination are already laid out."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus was very grateful that Herbology had been the exam he was belated for. Longbottom was the most understanding professor in the stallion school. Albus settled down and managed to take the exam without falling asleep. While there were a few interrogation that he was n't sure about, he was quite sure-footed that he at least passed.

By the time the exam period ended Albus was starving, as were whoremonger and Matt. They, along with Rose and Amanda, headed immediately to the Great Granville Stanley Hall for lunch. As they walked in, Albus again got the distinct flavour that everyone was staring at them.

"You should 've been at breakfast,"Amanda said."Everyone was talking about it and they kept coming over and asking me questions. There were a cluster of people crowded around Malfoy, too."

"Do either of you have the oracle ?"Albus asked as they sat down.

"Yeah, here,"blush wine said, handing it to him.

Albus unfolded the composition and set it down on his plate. Saint John the Apostle and Matt sat on either position of him and register over his shoulder.

CONVICTS CAUGHT AT HOGWARTS

Newly appointed Head Auror, Henry M. Robert
Dr. Johnson, received an anonymous tip
late finis night that led him and four
other Aurors to Hogwarts schooling of
witchery and Wizardry. The tip
told Aurors that escaped yardbird
Amycus Carrow, Alecto Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores
Umbridge could be found in the Chamber
of closed book bass under Hogwarts School.

The sleeping room of Secrets, long since
regarded as a rumored cover chamber
beneath the school day was proven to
exist in mid-1993. The Chamber has
remained empty since then.

All four escaped convicts, along with
Jarrett Willinson, wanted for a year
by the Auror section, were found in
the Chamber of Secrets by Robert Lyndon Johnson
and four other Aurors. Amycus Carrow,
Quinton Willinson, and Dolores Umbridge
have been returned to Azkaban prison house.
Jarrett Willinson is currently being held
in Azkaban prison without bail. Alecto
Carrow was pronounced dead by healer
late concluding night, after the cap in
the Chamber collapsed, crushing her
instantly.

Six Hogwarts scholarly person were found in the
Chamber as well. Johnson has released
very little information on this aspect
of the night, but has said that Jarrett
Willinson captured one student with the
intentions of killing her if requirement were
not met. The names of the scholarly person have
not been released.

It is unknown how the yardbird got into
the school. weakness in the protective
Mary Augusta Arnold Ward are currently being addressed. 'We
wish to see the populace that Hogwarts
School remains as safety as ever. The job
will be addressed quickly. There is no
need to panic .'

"Unknown how the convicts got into the school ?"Albus said incredulously."They 've covered the all thing up !"

"What did you expect, Albus ?"rose asked, shaking her promontory."Uncle Harry said it would happen."

"I bet that new head word Auror is in on it,"Albus muttered."He 'll probably say he investigated but all he 'll do is make up stories to deal up what Laurentis did."

"You 're probably good,"rosebush said.

"Who 's right ?"Kaden asked as he sat down.

"Albus,"Rose said.

"Have you seen this rubbish ?"Albus asked, holding up the paper.

"Yeah,"Kaden replied."But honestly, I do n't handle right now. I just want a sandwich. The divination exam was brute. I had to tell Trelawney 's time to come in tea leaves."

bathroom laughed."What did you say ?"

"Told her she was going to cope with an ill-timed dying at the hands of a tramp Quaffle,"Kaden said.

rosiness groaned."Oh, Kaden, you didn't."

"She actually liked it,"Kaden said."Her huge centre lit up and everything."

"She likes last, Trelawney,"St. John the Apostle said."Or at least the concept of it."

"Wyrd,"Albus muttered.

Albus 's remaining examination took home with niggling fanfare. Despite his nous not being on the material, he thought he did fairly well, and when the cross were released he discovered that he had passed everything. His transfiguration mark was a bit low, but still passing.

The Hogwarts educatee, with their short retention duet, soon forgot about the slaughter in the Chamber of Secrets and moved on to other topics of discussion such as the summertime holiday and the current Quidditch time of year. Albus certainly did n't mind this because it meant he was no longer the center of attention. Despite the fact that the Prophet never released the gens of the students in the Chamber, everyone knew it was Albus, bathroom, Kaden, and Amanda, along with the three Slytherins.

"flavour, Laurentis has released a command about capturing the prisoners,"blush wine said at breakfast on their day in the castle.

Albus groaned."This ca n't be upright. Let 's hear it."

“'I wish to applaud the Auror Department for their work in recapturing the remaining fly the coop criminals. The timely recapture after the reorganization of the Department only reinforces how important a decision it was to reorganise. With the new regulations and policies in the Auror Department, organized by Robert President Johnson, the Aurors were able-bodied to catch the criminal immediately after receiving the tip. We can most assuredly look forward to Sir Thomas More successes from the Auror department .'”

"What a lode of horseshit,"Albus said."Of path they were able to recapture them quickly after receiving that tip. They organized for the convicts to be in the sleeping accommodation in the first off place."

"It 's like your dad said, though,"lustrelessness began."Everything will get revealed eventually. That 's not an easy secret to stay fresh, what they did."

"Hey, it looks like Embry 's going to make a speech,"Kaden said, gesturing toward the staff table.

prof Embry stood up and raised his hands for silence. This did zip, of course."tranquillize !"Embry shouted."I have something I 'd like to say.

"Thank you,"he said, after everyone stopped talking."I just want to say what a pleasance it has been to teach you all this year. I never expected to teach and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you enjoyed taking my year as much as I enjoyed teaching it, and I hope you all have a greater appreciation and understanding of our government. Today is my shoemaker's last day at Hogwarts, as the politics course will not stay on next year, and I am once again needed at the Ministry. Please do n't hesitate to owl me if you wish to take in a turn of the Ministry for academic determination. I daresay that a few of you might have career in politics yourselves."

Embry sat back down and the entire way burst into applause. Albus was n't sure as shooting if the hand clapping was for Embry or for the fact that politics would no longer be a class. Albus had n't minded the division, but one fewer class was to be appreciated.

"I learned something about political science this year, all right field,"John muttered as the applause settled down."And that 's that I never want to be a politician."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed.

"Cheers to that !"King James I shouted from a few seating area down.

"Oh, I do n't know."Amanda shrugged."I think it might be interesting."

Albus was n't at all surprised to hear Amanda say that. If any of his friends were to become politicians, it would be Amanda.
***


Later that day Albus found himself at yet another Hogwarts graduation ceremony. He and Rose had attended every single graduation ceremonial since starting Hogwarts, and one the yr before, too. It had gotten to the degree where he did n't pay lots attending to the language because they all sounded very similar to the ace he 'd heard before. During this ceremonial, the solitary part Albus paid attention to was the contribution where Fred and ling accepted their diplomas, which took all of two min.

"well, we survived,"Albus said to Georgia after the ceremony ended and everyone was milling around.

Peach State grinned."That we did. It 's kind of surreal, to be honest. Dad did n't win, so thing are no different than they were this meter live on year, really."

Albus nodded."How is Uncle Percy doing ?"

Georgia shrugged."I 'm not sure. He does n't talk about it much. Actually, the eldritch thing is that whenever I go over there for dinner he spends a lot of time asking about Quidditch. I think it 's mostly to keep me from asking about his lack of employment, but I 'm not going to complain. Maybe he 'll even determine to wish it. The Quidditch, I mean, not the lack of employment."

"He still has n't found a job ?"Albus asked.

"No. He could go back to the Ministry but he 'd have to do something where he 's not an actual political leader, since Laurentis would n't convey him. I do n't think he wants to do that. He 's been helping Uncle George with the store, but I do n't consider Uncle George really likes that. Says Dad 's too obsessive. But he 's too skillful to separate Dad he ca n't help."

"Albus !"blush wine shouted."We 've got to go. The carriages are leaving."

Albus nodded to Rose and then turned back to Peach State."I 'd better go. Let me know when your succeeding match is. I want to go."

Georgia grinned."sure thing. See you soon, Al."

"Bye, Georgia,"Albus said as he turned to follow Rose back to the rook, where they would get the thestral-drawn carriages back to Hogsmeade.
***


"I say we go to John 's house this year,"Matt said as the Hogwarts expressage hurtled back to London.

"Are you mad ?"John asked, unwrapping a umber Gaul."I mean, really, are you ? You want to come to my house, where I have three disturbed little sisters running about ?"

Matt shrugged."They ca n't be that bad."

"Says he who is the youngest in his family,"John the Evangelist said, looking at Albus for support.

"He 's right on,"Albus agreed."And I 've only got one small sister. Wait a minute, Matt 's the only one of us who does n't have younger siblings, is n't he ?"

The others nodded."All rightfield,"Saint John the Apostle said."Let 's give Matt a real sense of what having piles of sib is like. I 'll owl you and let you know when."

"Exploding pushover ?"Kaden asked, holding up a deck of cards.

"Sure,"Matt said. Everyone else nodded.

Kaden began to sell the cards, but before he finished, the compartment door slid clear. Albus, expecting one of his cousins, turned to the threshold. It slid open the rest of the way and Malfoy stood on the threshold, looking a bit unsure of himself. He was alone. Albus wondered where Felix was.

"What do you want ?"John asked.

"Er, can I just talk to you lot ?"he asked quietly, stepping inside and sliding the doorway behind him.

"Where 's Willinson ?"Albus asked, standing up.

"He 's no longer speaking to me,"Malfoy explained."After I hexed his uncle and as he put it, 'joined the other side .'”

"What about Elsie ?"Rose asked, clearly concerned about the missy.

Malfoy shrugged."She 's always with Felix. She never said a lot around me."

"Is she really a parselmouth ?"John asked."I assume she 's the one who got you into the sleeping accommodation ?"

"Yeah, she did, but she 's not a parselmouth. She 's just really respectable with languages so she was able to falsify it,"Malfoy explained.

There were a few moments of awkward silence. Malfoy shifted his weight and leaned against the door.

"So,"Albus said."Why are you here, exactly ?"

Malfoy sighed."This year sucked and I got caught up in a lot of thing that I did n't desire to do, which is exactly what happened to my dad when he was at Hogwarts."

Albus was utterly confused as to why Malfoy was telling them all of this. He exchanged looks with lusterlessness and then focused on Malfoy once more.

"But it 's just not Worth it anymore,"Malfoy continued."Hating you lot. I know it was you who somehow got itching powder into all the Slytherins'laundry-"

"That was n't us,"Kaden said quickly, a little too quickly.

"And we know you put the laughingstock in the common room,"lavatory added.

Malfoy nodded."As I was saying, it just does n't matter. Any of it."He turned to Matt."And I do n't care that you 're a wolfman. Really. Sure, it 's weird and I have no idea why Kendrick even lets you be here-"

"I wo n't hesitate to hex you, you know,"John said, reaching into his robes for his wand.

Malfoy held up his hands."No, do n't. I guess what I 'm saying is that I think we should address a truce."

"A truce ?"Albus asked, raising his brow.

"Yeah, a armistice,"Malfoy said."You all know my grandfather died this year. It makes all this fighting we do seem really stupid."

"You 're not saying we should be admirer, are you ?"John asked incredulously.

Malfoy screwed up his face."God no. I 'm saying you lot stop over only pranking the Slytherins, do n't assure anyone that I dueled on your slope in the Chamber, and I wo n't tell anyone Eckerton is a werewolf. I 'll really predict that, without any threats of expulsion."

Albus was questioning. Could the destruction of Lucius Malfoy really actuate this variety in Scorpio ?

"C'mon, truce ?"Scorpius asked, sticking his hired man out to Albus.

"Oh, just do it, Albus,"Rose said."We 've got O.W.L.s succeeding twelvemonth. You do n't require this stupefied feud distracting you. Or any of us."

"Fine, truce,"Albus said, shaking Scorpius 's hand.

Malfoy nodded."I guess I 'll go, then. See you around, Potter."

Malfoy turned and left the compartment. Albus did n't act for a entire minute."That was the unknown thing I 've ever seen,"he finally said, resuming his seat.

"I do n't think any of us will ever full understand what happened there,"Rose said."But I think it 's a good thing."

"Weird, though,"Matt said."You think he means it ?"

The weirder thing was, was that Albus did actually believe him. There had been something in Malfoy 's heart that Albus had n't seen before. It was like Malfoy seemed older somehow. He was no longer a kid, whose biggest worry was arguing with Albus over stupefied things. Somehow, Malfoy had grown up.

Albus supposed they 'd all mature up that class. They were going to be fifth age now, and Kaden would be a fourth yr, and that meant they were the elder scholarly person in the schooling. They were growing up. All of them. Even Malfoy.

"Makes me wonder what next year will be like,"Amanda mused."Everything about this year has been strange."

"We 've got Laurentis reforming Hogwarts,"Rose reminded them."I think it 'll be pot strange."

Albus had nearly forgotten about that. He did n't require Hogwarts to shift. Despite all that was going on in the outside world, Hogwarts had always remained the like. But now it was n't. Hogwarts was going to change.

Albus leaned back in his rear end and stared out the window, watching the countryside fly by. He did n't make out what changes Hogwarts would see in the following year, but he did n't require to cogitate about it just yet. There was still a whole summer before that would happen, and Albus intended to enjoy it.


A/N : Thank you so much for all the sustenance and reviews for this story ! You guys are amazing. I will be taking a breakout before continuing with this serial publication as I have other chronicle floating around in my oral sex, but I 'll eventually follow back to Albus. I 've no idea how foresighted it 'll be, though.

In the meantime, delight learn out my Marauders Era story, Between Here and Somewhere ! And keep checking back for my review responses, because I will get to them.