Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent to the highest degree of the mean solar day preceding Christmas at Rose 's home. James was determined to use all of his bare clock time for Quidditch practice session, and he had to go to blush wine 's house for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Victor-Marie Hugo would facilitate James drill while Rose read.

Harry had to practically separate James from his broom by magic on Yule Eve so they could go to Godric 's Hollow. James wanted to stay on at Rose 's house and keep practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The trip-up was quiet since James River was rather sullen the entire time.

"professor Patil says I 'm a lifelike at Transfiguration,"Lily bragged to Albus as they walked towards the burrow afterwards.

"That 's good,"Albus replied.

"Yeah, so I 'm going to suit an Animagus eventually. I want to be a cat."

"You do n't get to choose what sort of animal you transform into,"Albus told her.

"Oh,"Lily said,"But I think I 'll become a cat."

Albus nodded as Lily began to trace in great detail what kind of cat she would metamorphose into.

Everyone else was already at the Burrow and Albus felt an straightaway lovingness come over him as he stepped inside. It had naught to do with the fact that it was so cold and white outside, either. There was something so comforting about being at the Burrow surrounded by all his family. He was able to forget all the exit with the Quidditch tournament and prof Killigan. All he could guess about was how ravenous he was and how good some of his nanna 's preparation would be aright about then.

blush wine sat down next to Albus as he tucked into a large trough of onion soup with a side of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and Aunt Katherine are going back to Romania this summer,"Rose announced.

"To domesticize more than dragons ?"Albus asked. His uncle and aunt had n't done that since Sir Henry Morton Stanley started Hogwarts, but they often talked about how they wanted to go back.

"Yeah,"rose wine nodded,"They might persist even after the summer 's over, but Heather and sign will come back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

"Yup. Stanley and Eddie are going, too. Stanley 's quitting his job for it. He 's definitely staying in Rumania after the summer 's over. He wants to get into dragon training."

"Wow,"Albus replied,"They 're lucky. I guess it 's good that John Rowlands decided what he wants to do."

Francis Edgar Stanley had been working at the Magical Menagerie since he finished Hogwarts, but knew he did n't want to do that his whole life. He just did n't know what he did want to do.

"I wish our parents would take us to some other country,"Albus sighed.

"Me, too,"blush wine agreed,"Imagine the story we could learn."

Albus personally had adequate of chronicle from professor Binns, but he supposed learning history by traveling would be fun.

"Christmas Quidditch tomorrow ?"Teddy asked as he sat down adjacent to Rose.

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

"I would n't count on it, Teddy,"molly said as she handed Albus another hunk of bread,"We 're supposed to get the snowstorm of the ten tomorrow. The Muggle electricity is already out in town."

"Is it really ?"Arthur popped his heading into the room,"Fascinating ! I may have to go see it tomorrow !"

"You 'll do no such thing !"Molly shouted,"It 's near impossible to Appparate during such a storm. Not to mention the fact that it 's Christmas and you should be here."

"We do n't need electricity to bet Quidditch !"Teddy exclaimed,"It 'll be arrant training status ! If you can overhear a snitcher in the middle of a snowstorm, you can catch one in any weather. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

"We 'll see tomorrow, Teddy,"mollie sighed.

Albus finished his soup and he and Rose went into the den, where they were greeted by a loud chorus of 'Odo the Hero', sung by George, Alicia, Charlie, and Ron. Bill and Fleur were laughing while Hermione shook her head. Albus had a feeling the sole reason why Fleur approved was because the telling was drowning out Celestina Warbeck.

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven Sickles for that !"Percy said to Katherine, who was only sort of paying attention,"And the gent looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that much for a tour of a questionably historical old building. There really should be regulation on such thing. It 's one affair I 'll modify if I 'm ever Minister."

Albus stifled a laugh. His Uncle Percy had been talking about running for Minister for the preceding ten years, but still had n't done it. most of his uncles and aunty got regurgitate of hearing him talk about what he would and would not transfer.

"Hey, Albus, Rose,"Victoire waved at him from across the room.

"Hi Victoire,"Albus made his way over to her,"How is Healer training ?"

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to cypher out which part of the infirmary I want to do the respite of my breeding in by September. We 've been rotating throughout all the floor, but now we have to pick one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until Sept,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a long clip to him.

"I know,"Victoire replied,"But Amy 's known where she wants to polish off breeding since we were in fourth part year."

"You 're not in Amy 's situation,"teddy appeared and put his arm around her,"And I think you 'll do great anyplace you decide."

"Thanks, Teddy,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the motherliness ward or magical spell Damage."

"There 's a officious ward,"shift grinned,"while wrong. You 'll get all the good story harm there."

"That 's not a good reason to peck a specialization,"Victoire groaned.

"Good a reason as any,"Teddy shrugged.

The time grew later and after Albus played numerous round of drinks of Exploding Snap with his cousin, his grandma announced that it was time for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no point. Everyone, including the other adults, knew that arguing with Molly Weasley was useless.

Albus trudged up the step to the mellow bedroom that he shared with St. James the Apostle, Ben, and Cedric. He climbed into bed and then realized just how big this imminent snowstorm was. The wind instrument was howling louder than he 'd ever heard before.

The winding was so mighty that Albus could finger it through the break in the window. Every once in a while, the mansion would squeak and didder. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his auricle to try and drown out the ululation.

Albus did n't make do to drift off to sleep until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no conjuring trick outside of school pattern to put a silencing charm on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his yearbook Yuletide wake-up call, Lily. She breezed through the door shouting about how they all needed to waken up and open their presents.

"And there 's three feet of Charles Percy Snow outside,"Lily said as she left the room,"I checked."

"pigeon hawk !"James jumped off the top bunk and looked out the window,"There is ! And it 's still coming !"

"Whoa, you ca n't see anything !"Cedric added.

"We could ramp up the world 's great blow mavin later,"Ben suggested.

"We could build up an entire C genius regular army,"Albus said.

"Presents first,"James said as he located his batch of presents.

Albus descended upon his own pile of present and began opening them. There were the usual sugariness and Weasleys'product from his aunty and uncles. Another Weasley sweater, this one scarlet and gold striped. He pulled it on over his pajamas and opened the eternal sleep of the presents from his auntie and uncles. His Aunt Hermione had gotten him a few books he 'd probably never read, including one about the history of menage elves at Hogwarts.

Albus saved his parents'present for last, although he doubted they could top concluding year 's. There really was n't anything in the humans that was honorable than the Invisibility Cloak.

"Al, did you open Mum and Dad 's yet ?"Henry James shouted.

"I 'm opening it now,"Albus said as he ripped the paper off the small box.

"You 'll never guess what they got us !"

Albus opened the box and saw two ticket. Two tag for the Quidditch World Cup that was taking lieu this summer !

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"worldly concern Cup tag !"

"I did n't even know they were on sales event this other !"James said.

"You two get the advantageously presents,"Cedric said.

"Hey, I got two slate,"James replied.

"Yeah, two,"Ben sighed,"You can only nibble one of us to go."

Albus suddenly realized he had the same problem. Two tag. Five friends he would want to lease. Who was he going to choose ? Not Rose. They may experience been Friend since they were babe, but she just did n't have a heat for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to cross off the list. John and Matt were the Quidditch sports fan. He 'd deliver to select between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't follow a squad or anything.

"Those are specify edition tickets,"Ben said,"They do n't do it who 's playing yet, so they do n't betray very many tag ahead of time."

"They 're for the top box, too,"James said in awe.

Lily burst into the way with a big smile on her face. She was holding two tickets as well."Did you get Quidditch slate ?"

"Yeah,"Albus and James said at the same time.

"This is going to be brilliant,"Lily said and then ran out of the room.

Albus 's parents were already in the kitchen by the time Albus went downstairs. They were sitting at the table eating breakfast. Albus gave them each a Brobdingnagian hug and then sat down.

"How did you get the tag ?"he asked.

"They were a giving from the Minister,"Harry replied,"The Cup is in Canada this year and he 's beneficial friends with their minister. Got him a lot of free tickets."

Albus grinned as he began to eat breakfast. Somehow his parents had come close to topping lastly year 's present. Now not only was he going to get to see the earthly concern Cup, he would get to go to a different country.

Rose came downstairs a little while later and was impressed with the tag. She had no desire to go to the Cup and had no suggestions on how Albus was going to pick out between bathroom and Matt.

"Anyone up for Quidditch later ?"teddy bear announced as he sauntered into the kitchen.

"Not under my watch !"Molly shouted,"You ca n't see a foot in presence of you out there ! And it must be close to 15 below !"

"Maybe after lunch, then,"teddy shrugged.

molly shook her head and sighed as she set a few More disc of egg and toast onto the table.

There was a knock on the door that could only just be heard over the howl wind instrument. Molly glanced at Chester A. Arthur, who shrugged and got up to see who it was. Albus followed, very queer to see who would chatter on Dec 25 aurora in the middle of a huge blizzard.

"Xeno, is that you ?"Chester A. Arthur shouted outside.

"Yes !"Xenophilius Lovegood shouted back. Arthur stood aside as the man walked in and then shut the room access behind him."Quite the storm we 're having ! Just thought I 'd break off by and see if this place was still standing."

"Quite the storm, yes,"President Arthur agreed,"I heard the Muggles lost electricity. Fascinating. I wonder what they do without it. But yes, the house is still standing."

"commodity, but if you feel it 's too rickety, just let me know and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy Plants. The leave-taking do wonders on old buildings. Makes them like new. I just put a bunch into my place and it 's a good affair, too. Of course, they tend to attract Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's voice trailed off.

"I 'll keep that in psyche,"Chester A. Arthur smiled,"Are you spending the holiday alone ?"

"Yes, yes,"he replied,"Luna and Rolf are with his family this Christmas."

"Then you must continue here a while. Molly 's falsify far too a great deal food, like usual,"Arthur wind Xeno into the kitchen.

Albus followed them. He always found Xenophilius Lovegood to be an concern wizard, if not a little mad. Always going on about Nargles or Nom-Noms or something.

molly was more than happy to ply Xenophilius with a large platter of breakfast and he settled down to discuss the storm with the adults.

Albus spent nearly of the cockcrow playing Exploding press stud, whizz 's chess game, and Gobstones with his cousins. They tried to play fell and go seek, but the family was too crowded to work it properly.

shift and James River kept looking out the window, bequeath it to stop snowing. Both of them were just itching to go play Quidditch. Albus would have gladly gone and played if it would stop snowing so much. He was dedicated to the secret plan, but not enough to play in this storm.

lunchtime came and the snow was still falling. George went outside to valuate it and came back with the news that it was three and a half groundwork.

Teddy went upstairs after lunch and came back decked out in three pinny, a thickheaded cloak, and a span of boots. Under one arm was his broom and under the other was a box of Quidditch balls. James II was correctly behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus lupin !"molly shouted,"I suppose I ca n't cease you from going out there and catching last of a cold, but I will not let you drag James with you !"

"He 's not dragging me, Grandma,"James rolled his centre,"I want to go !"

"Just let them, Molly,"Harry said,"They 'll get cold soon enough and come back inside."

"amercement,"molly replied and went back into the kitchen.

"Excellent,"Teddy grinned,"Anyone care to join us ?"

Peach State, Fred, and Scots heather suited up in fond clothes and joined teddy bear and James. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't want to stop dead when he could stay inside and be warm.

The Christmastime Quidditch lasted a half an hour. Teddy, Epistle of James, Empire State of the South, Heather, and Fred all stumbled back into the house shivering with their faces red and covered in snow and ice. Molly immediately descended upon them with mugs of hot chocolate and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

"C-ca n't find the Sn-Snitch,"Teddy muttered.

Harry laughed."That does n't surprise me. You 'll encounter it when the storm calms down. You put the charm on it to stay in the grand, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"Teddy replied.

Christmastide dinner came and went in its usual chaos. Xenophilius stayed for it and William James snuck sneezing powder into his soup, which he found incredibly funny. Molly was not as impressed and gave James quite the scolding. How she found out it was James I was beyond Albus.

The storm continued throughout the Nox and Cedric had to put the silencing appeal back on their room in ordering for any of them to get any sleep.

******

Nobody left the Burrow until two days after Christmas Day. That was when the snowfall finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half feet, which was a new disc for Albus 's lifetime. The Burrow 's K had been decorated by 12 of play false witches and wizards, along with hippogriffs, bird of night, and a sort of other magic puppet.

When Albus found out what his crime syndicate was doing after they left the tunnel, he wished the snow would have kept coming. They were going shopping for attire robes for the New Year 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old frock gown ?"King James whined as they walked down Diagon Alley towards dame Malkin's.

"Because they 're five inch too short,"Ginny replied,"They 're even too small for Al."

"Yeah, Hugo 's the golden one,"Henry James muttered. Victor Hugo was wearing St. James 's old dress robes to the party and therefore did not have to go shopping.

"mummy, I want purple gown,"Lily announced.

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the first off duad of clothes robes he found, so long as they were n't pink or purpurate. The sooner they were done gown shopping the better.

rosebush and Lily made a beeline for the girls dress robes as soon as they walked in the door. Albus stood awkwardly future to Saint James while their mother found various gown for them.

"Here, try these on, Al,"Ginny handed him a duad of emerald green robes.

"Very Slytherin,"James snickered.

"Shut it, Epistle of James,"Albus muttered.

"They 'll bring out your eyes, Al,"Ginny told him,"Now go try them on."

Albus reluctantly tried on the Slytherin colored robe and then left the dressing room for his mother to see.

"Too short,"she announced,"But the color is utter. I 'll bump a bigger size."

Saint James the Apostle wound up with a navy gamy twain of gown, which Albus would have preferred. Lily found her purple gown and rosebush got a sky risque distich.

"Next time you 're getting green gown,"Albus muttered to Saint James the Apostle, who was still making fun of the color of Albus 's robes.

"No I wo n't. I do n't have super C eyes,"James grinned.

"Then we 'll get you a nice red set,"Ginny said,"They 'll collide horribly with your hair."

"I do n't manage. They 'd be Gryffindor colored,"Saint James the Apostle laughed.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome hoi polloi who have read and reviewed this ! Also, for anyone who read In Moonlight 's shadow, the first chapter of the subsequence, Beyond the Shadow, is now up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The party was at the Minister 's Mansion, the house where all the parson of Magic had lived. Albus had been there a few prison term before, but not in a span years. Usually all the political party the Minister held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few minute before the party, Ginny made Albus, St. James, and Lily all take showers and ransack their tomentum properly. She spent a thoroughly fifteen min trying to get James 's hair to lie two-dimensional and another fifteen instant putting Lily 's up in some sort of elaborate bun eccentric thing. Albus was very happy his own hair was far too short for that sort of thing.

Before they left, Albus 's parents sat him, James, and Lily down on the couch and proceeded to recount them the normal for the evening.

"Absolutely no making fuss !"Ginny stared at James as she said this,"None at all ! This is the Minister 's house ! I will not cause you wreaking havoc in it."

"We 're trusting you to keep yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to take in to jumble with everyone and we wo n't be able to watch you every irregular,"Harry added,"You 're all at Hogwarts now. You 're old enough to not be glued to us for the evening."

"Do n't worry,"St. James the Apostle said,"I know when mischief is n't appropriate."

"Let 's Leslie Townes Hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his household Apparated to the Minister 's theater, which meant side-along fantasm for Albus. He hated side-along specter. It felt like he could n't breath. It was worse when the person who was Apparating him was also Apparating another person, which was always the case in his family unit. It was the whammy of being the midway child. He was either with William James or Lily. This metre it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

When Albus had regained his ability to breath properly, he looked around at where they had landed. He was standing on the front lawn of what was the most extravagant mansion he had ever seen. It could n't be considered a theatre ; it was just too monstrous.

A long and winding pavement, framed with President Bush and twinkle on either English, guide up to the front end door. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

The mansion seemed to get adult as they got closer. It was painted brown with a black roof and reminded Albus of a castle. It was n't nearly as big as Hogwarts, of track, but it was still huge.

Harry rang the doorbell when they arrived at the door and it was answered by the Minister himself."Harry !"he shouted,"seminal fluid in !"

Minister Langston Hartwell was the third base parson since the twilight of noble Voldemort. He was a marvellous, corpulent man with very little haircloth left on his read/write head. He did boast a rather large mustache, which caused Albus to recall of him as a much taller interlingual rendition of Professor Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very educated wizards who spoke using very tumid words that Albus could n't really empathize. He was wordy and most of his delivery could be condensed down into a few time, according to Harry, that is. He was a very nice man, though.

"Right this way,"Hartwell motioned for them to follow him.

Hartwell lead them through the theater, which was just as immaculate as Albus remembered, and into what could only be described as a grand ballroom. It was the same dance palace all the parties Albus had been to were held.

The elbow room was decorated with silver and black and was already filling up with people. Albus spotted blush wine and lusterlessness in the back of the way and left his family in the door to go see them.

"Some place, huh ?"Albus said once he reached them.

"This is the biggest house I 've ever seen,"rose wine agreed,"I see you 're wearing your Slytherin robes."

Albus rolled his eyes."Shut it."

"What do you think, Matt ?"pink wine turned to flatness,"His mum says they match his eyes, but James says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"Matt said immediately.

"Then yours are Ravenclaw,"Albus pointed out, gesturing to Matt 's blue robes.

"I do n't like,"flatness shrugged,"So, did you just get here ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

"I 've been here for two hr already,"matte said,"We were the first off one here. Dad keeps introducing me to people and they all think I 'm a commencement year."

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you make love most of these people ?"

"Some,"lusterlessness said,"That 's the bloke Dad 's pickings over for,"he gestured to a very large virtuoso,"McVicar."

"Right,"Albus said,"I 've heard of him. Dad 's always said he would never retire."

"Dad never thought he would either,"Matt laughed,"Then we 've got your Uncle Percy, I think you probably know him. Those multitude are a few of Dad 's fellow worker,"Matt gestured to a few more than witches and ace,"Then there 's a clustering of people from other department, but I do n't retrieve any of their names."

"Looks like it 's going to be a fun dark,"Albus said sarcastically.

"Oh, it will be,"Matt grinned,"When I was really little, we went to company like this a few sentence a month. You make your own fun."

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the vino and bubbly. It 'll still try exactly the Same,"Matt grinned mischievously,"By the time midnight rolls around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not inebriated. It 'll be funny."

"You 've done this before ?"Rose raised an eyebrow.

"Amy has,"Matt said,"She 's here somewhere and she 's going to do it soon."

"I have to admit, that 's really creative,"rose giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the food for thought. captivate the deep brown to taste like vanilla, charm the serving utensils to act every time you go to pick them up, that sort of stuff,"matte explained.

"My parents gave us this speech about how we ca n't flirt pranks here,"Albus said,"She was saying it mostly for King James, but I think she should 've given it to you."

"My parents never say that stuff to me,"matte laughed,"They never suspect me of anything. The minute they find out the alcohol 's been charmed out of the drinks, they 'll find Amy."

"She is the one who 's going to do it,"Rose pointed out.

"It was my estimate, though. She was n't originally going to do it at this company,"Matt explained.

"alcoholic drink 's gone,"Amy said quietly as she came up behind Matt,"This is going to be interesting."

"What exactly happens when you use this charm ?"rosebush asked.

"Oh, it 's bully,"Amy grinned,"First, only a couple hoi polloi notice and they make a very quiet reference to another person and then that person agrees that there 's something wrong with the drinks. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will quiz the drinks, observe the inebriant 's been charmed away, put back it, and then everyone will exhort. But some of them will act drunk because they think there 's alcoholic drink in the drinks."

"Are n't your parents going to be upset ?"Rose asked.

"They might differentiate me they wish I had n't done it, but there 's not much they can do,"Amy shrugged,"That 's why I 'm doing it and not Matt."

"I could n't see your parents yelling at you anyway,"Albus laughed.

"You never know,"matte shrugged.

"I bet St. James and Cedric are going to do something,"Albus said as he scanned the gang. James and Cedric were sitting at one of the mesa, heads close together like they were plotting something.

"I 'd be shocked if they did n't,"Rose smirked,"auntie Ginny has no promise of stopping James."

"And I 'd bet my hold up Galleon that GA and Bradley are talking about Quidditch,"Albus gestured to his early two cousin, who were standing near the buffet.

"That 's all they talk about,"pink wine said,"And Lily looks bored. Five Sickles says she 's over here in about ten hour or so."

"I would n't bet against that,"Albus said,"And Samantha and Lindy will hook out of the room the next time Aunt Corrine looks away."

Albus 's auntie Corrine was talking with two witches Albus did n't know and his twin cousins were chasing each other around the room.

"Are any of your other cousins coming ?"Amy asked.

"Nope,"Albus shook his head,"None of my other aunty and uncles work for the Ministry."

"Let 's go get something to eat,"Matt said.

Albus and rose wine agreed. Amy left to go talk to mortal else and the three supporter walked over to the buffet. There was already a small queue in movement of it.

"There go Samantha and Lindy,"rose wine said as they waited. The twins ran out one of the threshold and Corrine quickly followed.

The queue moved quickly and soon Albus was in forepart. He grabbed a collection plate and piled it heights with just about everything. There was always the outflank food at this variety of political party.

They found an empty board far enough away from James and Cedric. Albus did n't want to be anywhere near them when they did whatever they were planning on doing.

"I do n't even recognize what half this clobber is,"Matt said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

Sir Thomas More and more people arrived as Albus ate his dinner. He recognized a few of them, but did n't think any figure. He also noticed that cipher was acting strangely due to Amy 's magical spell. They were all acting perfectly normal for adult who had had a few drinks.

Albus, Matt, and rosiness wandered around the way once they finished their nutrient. A few adults stopped to exclaim how big they 'd gotten and to inquire what year they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't need to be associated with James and Cedric 's mischief.

"Hello, everyone !"Minister Hartwell shouted from the podium at the front of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to observe him. Albus, Rose, and Matt were somewhat close to the podium.

"Thank you,"he smiled,"I assume you all know why I 've thrown this party, and it 's not just to unlade the large amount of wine I was given for Christmas !"

The adults all chuckled at Hartwell 's effort at a joke and then quieted down once again.

"Yes, yes, well, this party is in laurels of none former than Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the position of headway of the section of Regulation and command of Magical Creatures. There is no one else whom I would entrust with such a job ...."

Hartwell 's spoken communication soon descended into one of his usual manner of speaking, which Albus could not realise. It was long, drawn-out, and Albus could 've sworn he saw his dad yawn at one point.

Albus clapped loudly when Hartwell finally finished and turned the dais over to McVicar.

"Thank you, Minister,"McVicar began,"That was quite an interesting spoken language. I, too, would care to felicitate Bruno Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am surely at least one-half of you were quite surprise to hear that I was retiring. I myself was surprised. In fact, I probably would n't sustain done it if it were n't for the fact that my wife has been begging me to for the past times ten years.

"However, the independent reason for my lack of an earlier retirement was because there was not a undivided person employed in the Ministry whom I would have trusted with this job. Nobody had the capability to acquit out this position in the way I would like. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my motto up until five years ago, that is.

"A trivial over five years ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the Department of the regularisation and mastery of Magical Creatures. He applied for a job in werewolf Support Services, a spot that had been open for well over a year. I was ready to hire anyone who walked through the doorway at that point, but I had no idea what was to come when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may roll in the hay that Walter has experience in this field. He was the Head of the section of Regulation and command of Magical Creatures in Australia for three years before leaving the position in order to affect to England.

"Walter revolutionized Werewolf Support divine service as soon as he started. The melodic theme he had were ones that even I had n't thought of. In five short years, he has bettered life for those plagued with lycanthropy more than anyone else in the department have in their total careers.

"It took only six months for me to realize that I wanted Walter to take over for me when I retired. Not only does he have the experience and intelligence for the job, but he also has loyalty that I have never seen before. I even have to admit that his dedication surpasses my own. I have never seen anyone fight as concentrated for werewolf rights as he has.

"The only thing left for me to do was win over myself it was clock time to retire,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did take the bettor division of five long time to do that. But now, I feel very convinced as I handwriting the reins over to Walter."

Everyone clapped as McVicar stepped away and Matt 's dad took the podium."That was quite the manner of speaking,"Albus muttered to Matt.

"I 'll say,"Matt agreed,"And McVicar does n't usually kudos citizenry like that."

"Well,"matte 's dad began,"Thanks for your balloting of confidence, Rob. I certainly hope I can be up to your expectations.

"I have to begin by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no intention of becoming the point of the entire department again, no matter which country I was living in. werewolf Support religious service has been such a great property to do work these past few year. It truly is my passion.

"However, when Langston and Rob approached me about taking over when Rob retired, I found it difficult to say no. In the end, I said yes because I want to make Thomas More of a conflict.

"Of course, I could not let gotten to this topographic point without the avail of my married woman, Julie,"he gestured to lusterlessness 's mum, who was standing near the podium,"And my daughter, Amy, and my son, Matt.

"I 'm not one for yearn delivery, so I 'll just say that I look forward to starting the job and I truly hope I can be at least one-half of the head of the section Rob has been."

"I just hope none of them find out why my dad 's so dedicated,"Matt whispered.

"They 're too salute to think much on it,"pink wine smirked.

"They 're not really drunk,"Albus reminded her.

"They 're certainly acting like they are,"Rose pointed out.

A good portion of the adults were acting very drunk. In fact, if Albus had n't known about Amy 's appeal, he would say they all really were rummy. The Wyrd thing was that everybody was acting inebriate. There did n't seem to be anyone who was thinking there was something unseasonable with the drinks.

"Let 's go ask Amy about it,"matte suggested.

Amy was standing nearby, so Albus, Matt, and rose wine squeezed their way through the crowd to get to her.

"Amy,"matte whispered,"Why 's everyone acting normal ?

"I do n't have a go at it,"she whispered back,"Let 's go look at the drinks."

Jesse James and Cedric were also standing near the drinking mesa, looking nearly as obscure as Albus felt about this charm. That was kind of strange.

Amy grabbed a glass of wine and tried it."Well, it tastes delicately, but it 's supposed to."

"You 'll have to drink in a lot more than that to get properly drunk,"Matt grinned.

"I 'm not doing that,"Amy rolled her eyes.

"Actually,"Jesse James grinned mischievously,"That might get you drunk."

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some redundant alcohol to that wine-colored,"James whispered.

Albus, Rose, Matt, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not think it. All of their pranks had backfired. The wine was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so funny ?"Cedric asked.

"Amy pulled a prank, too,"Albus said.

"I put a charm on all the wine-colored to remove the intoxicant, while keeping the taste,"Amy explained,"I did it rightfield when the company started."

"So much for that put-on,"James II groaned.

"Now you wo n't get in difficulty,"Albus pointed out,"Mum 's been watching you two."

"I know,"James muttered,"That 's why we ca n't do it again."

"What do you want to do now ?"Albus asked as James, Cedric, and Amy left.

"want to explore the curate 's Mansion ?"Matt suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"Rose asked skeptically.

"I do n't see why not, I mean, this is my dad 's political party,"Matt pointed out,"Plus, we 'd just be walking around."

"Let 's go,"Albus said and lead them out of the ballroom.

It was much quieter in the quietus of the house. They started wandering through any rooms that had exposed doors.

"This place is so bloody fancy,"Albus said.

"It reminds me of my grandparents'house,"Matt said.

"Their household is this big ?"Rose asked.

"Nearly,"mat replied,"They 've got a ballroom and everything."

The three friends wound up in a very big living room filled with antique furniture. There was an oriental carpet on the ground and oak mesa and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the tabular array were fancy vases of efflorescence and crystal sculptures.

"We 'd better be thrifty in here,"pink wine said as she walked into the room,"If we break any of this clobber, our parents would murder us."

"Cinda 's got one of these,"mat pointed to a crystal swan.

"Do n't disturb it !"Rose hissed.

"I was n't,"lusterlessness assured her,"I broke Cinda 's once, but Mum fixed it."

"Look at all these Koran,"Albus gazed up at one of the bookcases,"ma'am Pince would have intercourse to get her hands on these."

"They 're all about politics, though,"matte pointed out,"Pretty boring."

"Mum would wish them,"Rose said

"I wonder how old this furniture is,"Matt said as he looked at a rather uncomfortable looking armchair.

"Probably honest-to-god than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, Matt, total here,"Rose said as she looked out the window.

Albus and lustrelessness walked over to the window and leaned over the table that was in front of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"look, there's-"

Matt leaned farther over the table and knocked one of the crystal sculptures off. blush wine gasped and managed to catch it before it crashed onto the floor.

"merlin,"blush wine whispered as she set it back on the table,"Be careful."

"Sorry,"Matt replied,"What were you saying ?"

"There 's someone sneaking around out there,"Rose said.

Albus peered out the windowpane into the darkness. He could just barely make out a darkness lurking around the bushes. It did n't depend like the person was walking up towards the sign of the zodiac to go to the party. Plus, why would he prove up three hours late ?

"There 's definitely person out there,"matt said.

"Let 's go find out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't induce a clew as to who it was, but he wanted to find out. There was no reason for someone to be sneaking around the minister of religion 's Mansion at this clip of night.

"Albus Severus Potter, are you bloody insane ?"Rose exclaimed,"I think you are !"

"looking at, I just want to go see if we can ascertain out who it is. I 'm not saying we should go duel them. Plus, there 's a unanimous way full phase of the moon of Ministry officials in font whoever is out there is mortal bad,"Albus said.

"That 's a good point,"Matt replied,"Why would mortal sneak around a household that 's full of Ministry officials, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

"I do n't recognize,"Albus said,"But I want to happen out who it is."

rosebush reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and Matt, muttering under her breathing spell. They found the nearest door and went out into the cold Night, drawing their wand as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll freeze to death,"rosebush muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the house and tried to maintain himself concealed in the bushes as he looked for the physical body. However, he could n't see or see anything.

"Do you hear anything ?"he whispered to Matt.

"No,"lusterlessness replied,"It 's like they disapparated or something."

"goodness,"rose wine muttered,"Now let 's go back inside."

"They could 've just moved,"Albus pointed out,"Let 's hold on going."

Albus continued creeping around the household, with his wand out in front of him. His heart was beating fast and his deal were sweaty despite the cold. He did n't need to stop, though. Figuring out who this bloke was was exciting and boldness wracking at the Same time.

"Do n't move !"individual shouted and all of a sudden there was a brilliant illumination in Albus 's eyes. baton light.

rose screamed and grabbed hold of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own scepter, his hand shaking.

"Who are you ?"the somebody shouted.

"Wh-who are y-you ?"Albus stammered.

"He sounds familiar,"Matt whispered,"Hang on. Bloody hell, that 's Professor Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a 2nd and the voice did sound a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the curate 's Mansion ?

"Albus Potter, is that you ?"the man shouted.

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The wand light lowered and Albus heard the man step through the snow towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed Professor Balladanis. He breathed a suspiration of rest as rosiness let go of his arm.

"Mr. Potter,"Balladanis said and then waved his wand around,"And Miss Weasley, Mr. Eckerton. Oh, I suppose this party is for your sire, Mr. Eckerton ?"

"Y-yes, sir,"lusterlessness replied.

"What are the three of you doing sneaking around outside in the dead of night ? I thought I 'd taught you considerably than that. You 're just asking for hassle,"Balladanis said sternly.

"Told you,"blush wine whispered to Albus.

"Er,"Albus began,"We saw mortal lurking around out here and went to investigate. I guess that person was you ...."

"And you 're lucky it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could possess been absolutely if that individual had been a dark genius. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

Albus nodded and followed Balladanis through the snowfall and towards the threshold."Sir,"Albus said,"If you do n't mind my asking, what were you doing outdoor ?"

"If you must recognize, the Minister asked me to check the grounds in order to make sure nonentity was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did zippo but arc Albus 's curiosity even more. He knew considerably than to urge on further, though. Balladanis was not one to explain his motives.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


It was nearing midnight when Albus, Matt, and Rose re-entered the edifice, escorted by prof Balladanis. Albus had been hoping the professor would just see them to the threshold and then continue his search of the perimeter, but instead he went back to the ballroom with them and marched them right up to Harry.

"ceramist,"Balladanis interrupted the conversation Harry had been having with some genius Albus did n't do it,"I found your son, your niece, and their friend wandering around outside."

"Albus,"Harry groaned,"I thought we made it illuminate that you were to stay inside."

"I 'll leave them with you,"Balldanis said,"Happy New Year."

"Happy New class,"Harry replied,"And thanks."

Balladanis disappeared into the bunch and Albus shifted uncomfortably as his dad stared at him for a few moments.

"tutelage to explain ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

"We were just, er, exploring,"Albus muttered.

"Do n't do it again,"Harry sighed.

"We wo n't,"Albus assured him.

Harry went back to his conversation and Albus lead his protagonist back to the buffet.

"I hope you 've learned your lesson,"Rose muttered,"I am not doing that again."

"We wo n't do it again. Not tonight, that is,"Albus grinned.

"10 !"individual shouted.

Albus looked at the nearest clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their ice of Champagne-Ardenne in the air. Amy joined Albus, Rose, and flatness.

"3, 2, 1, Happy New year !"Albus shouted along with everyone else.

The crowd began to thin out a little while later. near of the people Albus did n't know left, along with his Uncle Sir Henry Percy, Aunt Corrine, and his first cousin. Albus 's parents did n't look like they were in any hurry to leave, so he got a plate of the leftover afters and at them with his friends.

Rose 's family and Amy left, and then it was just the ceramist, matte, his parents, the Minister, and his married woman left. All the adult were talking, James I was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and Matt were finishing off the hold out of the desserts.

"Do you conceive there 's any way for Hogwarts to win the Quidditch tournament ?"matt asked as he polished off a musical composition of drinking chocolate cake.

"Only if Linda 's sick the day of one of the match,"Albus sighed.

"Maybe that 'll happen,"matte said,"You never know."

"Al, we 've got to go,"Ginny tapped him on the shoulder.

"Ok, Mum,"Albus replied and then turned back to lustrelessness,"I 'll see you soon."

"Yeah, see you on the train,"mat said.

Albus waved bye and then joined his mum, dad, James River, and Lily. They all said congratulations to matt 's dad and then left the Minister 's manse. Albus peered into the bushes as he left, but there was no sign of the zodiac of prof Balladanis.

******

The remainder of the Christmastime holiday went by very slow for Albus. He did all his homework, which was quite boring, and there was nothing to do after that. Rose was visiting her former grandparents and James was at Nathan 's house. Even Kaden was busy visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and Petunia ). He sent Albus a letter of the alphabet complaining about it, since the visit was also with auntie Marge. Albus was very grateful that he did n't have to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and genus Petunia again.

Finally the day to pass to shoal arrived and the ceramist made it to Platform 9 ¾ just in meter. Albus found all his ally in one of the compartments and once they kicked Lily, Ashtyn, and Hugo out, they told each early about their holidays.

"Aunt Marge has got to be the most ugly aunt in the integral world,"Kaden fumed,"My dad told her about magic a few months ago and she 's been horrendous ever since. I mean, she was always sort of horrible, but now she 's worse. She just hates magic so much. She 's regretful than my grandparents."

"Wow,"Albus replied,"Glad I 've never met her."

"Consider yourself lucky,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had unspoilt holiday ?"

"We found prof Balladanis lurking around the minister of religion 's Mansion,"Albus announced.

"What ?"Gospel According to John, Kaden, and Amanda shouted at the Saami time.

"I saw someone sneaking around outside and Albus insisted we go inquire,"Rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the pastor had apparently asked him to mark the curtilage for trouble."

"Did he bump you ?"John asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"He was n't to felicitous either."

"Told us we could 've been killed,"Matt explained.

"Well, we could 've,"rosebush muttered.

"Weird though,"John said,"Why would the diplomatic minister think mortal would be hiding around his house ?"

"Does n't he give safeguard around anyway ?"Amanda asked,"The Muggle government minister does."

"Again, that 's why it 's uncanny,"John replied,"He does let guards."

"Why would he ask Balladanis anyway ?"Matt asked,"Why not ask an Auror ? Balladanis is a professor."

"He has n't always been,"Albus pointed out,"He had some sort of secret job before."

"Again, weird,"John said.

"Yeah, there were a bunch of Aurors at the party, not to remark Albus 's dad,"lustrelessness pointed out.

"That settles it,"John announced,"Albus, you 've got to retrieve out what he did before he started teaching defending team ?"

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

"Because you 've got those special dueling lessons with him. He likes you for some reason. Of class, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a honorable dueler, too,"John explained.

"I 'll try,"Albus sighed,"But I really do n't believe he 'll evidence me."

"You never know,"John said.

******

"Quiet, tranquillize !"Balladanis shouted the pursual Tuesday, their first day of defense force after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to Matt and lavatory and turned to front Balladanis. He was really hoping that the professor would say nothing about what happened at the political party and so far Balladanis was showing no recollection of it.

"I trust you all had superb holiday,"Balladanis said,"But the holidays are over and although I am sure enough none of you thought a bit about defensive conjuring trick during said holidays, it is now time to commence that thinking once again.

"first gear, I 'll say that there is no sentence to not be thinking about defensive magic, as the dark artistic creation do not take fracture for footling matter such as holidays.

"Second, in this term we will commence to explore creatures far more dangerous than hinkypunks and kappas. In this terminal figure we shall learn about those terrifying creature such as acromantulas, basilisks, loup-garou, dragons, and vampires."

Albus could n't help but peek at Linda when Balladanis said vampires. Balladanis had glanced at her as well, and he also glanced at matte when he said werewolves. Of course, he had looked at Albus when he said basilisks, so it did n't necessarily mean anything, but Albus had a feeling it did.

"As the headmaster would find it highly inappropriate for a Draco to manifest itself in this classroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this term,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few times. You will incur that there are Sir Thomas More lectures in this terminus, much to my dislike. There is goose egg I would care in force than to teach you about acromantulas and werewolves with practical lessons, but there are both legal philosophy and school principle that prevent such lessons."

Albus and matte glanced at each early. It was functionary. professor Balladanis was insane. What kind of instructor would want to teach about tartar with live dragons ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the same as Balladanis.

"Take out some lambskin,"Balladanis said,"We 're going to lead off learning about acromantulas today ...."

The rest of the day went by relatively quickly. Albus actually did not have Quiditch practice that Night, so everyone went to the vulture 's Den after dinner.

"Divination is such a joke,"bathroom said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and collapsed onto a lounge,"We started quartz glass Ball gazing today. All I saw was a load of fog."

"I told you not to take it,"blush wine said as she pulled a stack of book out of her own bag.

"I did n't intend it would be this bad,"trick groaned,"There is no way anyone could see anything in a watch crystal ball."

"Palmistry was better,"Amanda said,"And Trelawney makes the unit matter worse."

"Trelawney could attain Defense bad,"Albus replied.

"Balladanis told us that he wished he could teach us about dark creatures using the anamatek,"rose said,"Seriously, he wanted a basilisk to appear in the middle of the classroom."

"That would be stupid,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a cocoa Frog,"Those can kill you with their eyes."

"I know,"rosiness said,"Balladanis is insane."

"Do you think that anamatek could work into a wolfman if the moon was n't full ?"St. John asked.

"Probably not,"Matt answered,"It would just be a wolf. I think it would just be a woman chaser any other metre of the month, too, because there 's no way it could turn someone into a werewolf by biting them."

"That 's goodness,"Albus said,"Because he did say that he 'd use the anamatek a few times this term. Wonder if he 'll have it work into a vampire."

"No need,"John laughed,"We 've got Linda."

"If you think of it that way, there 's no point to get it turn into a misrepresent werewolf either,"Rose pointed out.

"Good point, I guess,"John muttered.

******

The residuum of the week went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch pattern Th eventide, and Wood informed the whole team that they 'd induce rusty over the holiday. He also told them that the adjacent couple was in two hebdomad and they 'd be playing New York. If they won, they 'd be in second place.

Albus had a dueling lesson with Balladanis the following evening and he had absolutely no musical theme how he was going to ask what Balladanis 's old job had been.

Albus arrived at Balladanis 's room before Malfoy and entered to find Balladanis clearing all of the desks from the middle of the room.

"Mr. Potter,"Balladanis turned around and greeted Albus,"Is it safe to assume that you did not go wandering about late at Night alone after New Year 's ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus muttered as he felt his face turn red. He was quite gladiola Malfoy was n't there yet.

"Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis said as Malfoy walked into the way,"Now we may begin. I have decided that your sympathy of the Protego charm is satisfactory so we are going to move on to something else.

"This specific charm, when performed correctly, manages to disarm and disorient a person at the same clip. The sensation is often described as dizziness. Can either of you tell me what why this charm would be more useful than a standard disarming tour ?"

"Because it 's sluttish to duel someone who 's dizzy than individual who is n't,"Malfoy said.

"More specifically than that,"Balladanis said,"Mr. thrower ?"

"Er, because you can get the individual tied up while they 're disoriented ? If they 're a morose wiz you 're trying to grab,"Albus replied.

"Another unspoilt reasonableness, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to take the air slowly around the elbow room,"Wizards who are expecting to have to duel other wizards often keep multiple wands on their somebody. There are spells that can be performed on these wands to save them attached to your gown or your actual trunk, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't overpower easily. However, these charm require constant tightness.

"If a adept is hit with the appeal I am about to learn you, they will lose the concentration necessary to observe their extra wands affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the spear carrier wands."

"Can you teach us that appealingness to keep open surplus wands in our robes ?"Malfoy asked.

"Perhaps towards the end of the year. It takes immense density and magical muscularity to simultaneously perform that good luck charm while dueling someone,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will study the spell to disarm and disorient a person at the same time.

"The conjuration is 'Confundo-Expelliarmus'. A combination of Confundus and Expelliarmus. Mr. Malfoy, you will go first. When I say so, perform the spell against Mr. Potter. Mr. Potter, you may try and stop him using the Protego charm I taught you earlier."

Albus nodded, wishing he had been chosen to perform the new good luck charm first, and faced Malfoy. He held his scepter up and muttered 'Protego'under his breath. He focused all of his concentration on holding the shield up.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis muttered.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted.

Albus felt the charm hit his shell, but it did n't break through. He gripped his wand harder and stared at Malfoy.

"Keep going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The charm hit Albus 's cuticle a little harder this time. Albus could finger pearl of sweat forming on his forehead.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five times to break through Albus 's shield. When it happened, Albus felt his wand leave his hand and was overcome by a wave of dizziness at the Lapplander clip. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the old class, only without the fever.

Albus did n't pay any attending to what Malfoy and Balladanis were doing. He felt like he was going to come about out and he had to sit down. He sat down right on the story and was vaguely aware of Balladanis standing over him.

Then, all of a sudden, the vertigo was gone. Albus shook his school principal and then looked up and saw Balladanis and Malfoy standing in front of him. Malfoy looked impressed and Balladanis looked like he always did.

"You did quite well with that shield,"Balladanis said as Albus stood up,"And I think it 's safe to arrogate that you could n't ingest held concentration for any spells after Mr. Malfoy succeeded in breaking your shield."

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

"Normally the appeal 's gist would have lasted longer, but I performed the counter-curse because it looked like you were ready to pass out,"Balladanis explained,"When you 're ready, you can try the charm."

"I 'm ready,"Albus said as he took his wand back from Malfoy.

Balladanis gave Malfoy a few s to get his shield up and then nodded at Albus to perform the charm.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted. As he expected, the spell did not break Malfoy 's shield.

Much to Albus 's delight, he managed to break dance the shield on the fourth try. One less try than Malfoy had needed for Albus.

The charm hit Malfoy in the thorax and his baton soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy set over and fell to the soil, much like Albus himself had done.

Balladanis gave Albus one of his rare grinning and then pulled out his own wand. He waved it at Malfoy and Malfoy looked up.

"That was weird,"Malfoy muttered.

"It 's supposed to be,"Balladanis said,"Now get up and we 'll do it again."

Balladanis kept them at it for the better part of an hour, past when Albus would have liked to quit. It was exhausting to be hit with that spell time after clip while trying to take hold up a shield charm. Malfoy did n't seem to be faring practically better and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to discontinue after a half hour, but Malfoy closed his mouth, obviously thinking dear of it.

The drill was n't for nix, though. Albus managed to hold Malfoy off retentive and longer each clip and although Malfoy was getting bettor at the carapace magical spell as well, Albus broke through it a few more times.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must let been the tenth fourth dimension that night,"I 'll see you in class on Tuesday."

Malfoy made a beeline for the door, but Albus turned to Balladanis instead. He might as well just get it over with. There was no good way to ask Balladanis what his previous job had been. He just had to do it.

"Er, Sir,"Albus began,"I was just wondering, what did you do before you began teaching here ?"

Balladanis gave Albus the strangest look he had ever seen. It was a mixture of anger, sadness, and even repent. For a moment, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should have just told John they would n't be able-bodied to chance out.

"Now is not the time,"Balladanis said quietly,"All in good meter, I will tell you."

Albus was taken aback. That was more than he had expected. He had thought Balladanis would have told him to heed his own business and get back to Gryffindor towboat before curfew. Albus was going to find out, he was just going to have to be patient.

Albus left the way as quickly as he could in his exhausted state, before Balladanis could change his mind about eventually telling Albus about his former career. The walk back to Gryffindor column seemed longer than usual and all Albus wanted to do was collapse into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his friends. All five of them looked shocked and Amanda looked like she was going to be sick. He looked around the common room and saw that to the highest degree people looked shocked and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even James was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

"What happened ?"Albus whispered as he followed them back to their common tabular array.

rose opened her mouth to address and then closed her heart, unable to do so. Albus turned to John the Evangelist and raised his eyebrows.

"You know that bloke who owns Dervish and Banges ?"John asked quietly.

Albus nodded, having seen the man on legion occasions when he was in Hogsmeade. He was slightly older than Albus 's parents, with greying hair and a very acute personality. He never hesitated to make his opinions known

"Someone killed him,"John said in barely more than a whisper.

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to search at all his Quaker in turn. Matt nodded ever so slightly and then put his head teacher on his hands.

"Must 've just happened,"privy said,"They just found him. ma'am Rosmerta heard a din and Flooed here, to get the Auror on duty. By the fourth dimension they got back, his store was a fill out mess inside and he was laying dead on the level. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the woods, the grounds, and the schooling. Nobody 's allowed out of their plebeian suite and dormitories."

"We thought Balladanis would bring you back here when it happened,"Rose said.

"Nobody even came in to tell us,"Albus replied, still in shock.

hoi polloi were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That sort of thing just did n't hap anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. Well, professor Torro had been killed back before his first year and then that one witch from the Ministry had been killed over Xmas, but their slayer had never been found and nothing had happened since.

"Why would anyone bolt down him ?"Matt wondered aloud.

"Why would anyone kill anyone ?"blush wine replied.

The portraiture fix opened and all the whisper stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was prof Longbottom, looking worse for the wear. His robes were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the castle and the curtilage,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some sleep. The search will be long over by aurora, so you will be free to leave the common room then."

Albus and his friends looked at each other after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their dormitories, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the second yr'hall. Nobody said anything as he curled up on the base with one of Albus 's spare blankets. Albus got into bed and stared at the roof. He had been so expel earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get much sopor that night.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awful subscriber and reviewers !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Lunch was very subdued the adjacent day. Most people had slept quite late since it was a Saturday. Every student of Hogwarts had their nose in a written matter of the Prophet, be it their own or a Quaker 's. The staff table looked the same, with every professor either reading the prophet or whispering with another professor, no doubt about what they 'd translate.

Albus was reading Georgia 's prophet as she had finished with it and made a genial note of hand to take up subscribing himself. All of his friends were peering over his shoulders. Even Linda was hovering around them, a foot or so away.

HOGSMEADE shopkeeper MURDERED

A disturbance in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
resident to Hogwarts to come up the Auror on
responsibility atomic number 82 to the discovery of the expiry
of a shopkeeper.

Leroy Wisander, 42, the ten-year owner of
Dervish and Banges was pronounced utter
on the prospect by Ministry Aurors yesterday
evening. His workshop had been broken into
and it showed star sign of a struggle.
Wisander was discovered in the centre of
destroyed merchandise with his baton
laying a few metrical foot away. Aurors confirmed
that he was killed with the killing curse.

An broad hunting of Hogsmeade, the
forest, Hogwarts, and its grounds turned
up nothing despite the hour Aurors spent
searching. No fingermark were found on
the scene.

Aurors will be devoting fourth dimension to finding
Wisander 's orca and a possible motive.

Leroy Wisander had owned Dervish and Banges
for a small over ten years, when he
purchased the shop class from its previous owners
who retired. However, Wisander is more
known for the scathing editorials he writes
for this very newspaper.

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very strong view and did not hesitate
to let others get it on his opinions. His most
late editorials have explored the subject
of lycanthrope, vampire, and other so called
'half-breeds'right hand. Aurors have declined
commentary on whether they believe Wisander 's
column are a potential need for his
execution. Wisander 's obituary can be found
on varlet five.

Albus set the paper down and his friends all resumed their seats. nobody said a word for a few minute. Albus did n't eff what to cogitate. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his beliefs. However, it did n't exactly say what his belief were. Albus had n't ever study any of his column, so he could n't say either.

"What kind of editorials did he write ?"Matt asked quietly.

"I have no idea,"Albus replied, looking at his friend whose face was quite pale,"want to go to the elbow room ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"I 'm not really hungry."

Albus got up and was followed by all of his friends. John and Kaden each grabbed a deal of pledge before leaving. Even rose wine and Amanda went with them instead of going off to study with Linda.

"Have any of you read his column ?"Matt asked as soon as they were in the marauder 's Den.

nobody had read them. Not even blush wine. flatness sighed and collapsed onto one of the couches."I 've got to ascertain out what they were about. I do n't even know which would be beneficial, him being for or against lycanthrope right wing. If he 's for them, that means some bloke is on the loose killing hoi polloi for wanting werewolf rights."

Matt did n't even have to preserve for Albus to know why that worried him. Matt 's dad was possibly the handsome proponent of werewolf right in all of Britain and everyone knew it. If mortal had been killed just for writing about werewolf rights, what would befall to mortal who was actually passing laws for them ?

"That might not be why Wisander was killed,"Rose pointed out.

"Why else would someone suffer killed him ?"Matt asked,"He was just a shop owner in Hogsmeade."

"Why did person kill Professor Torro ?"John replied,"He was n't even writing any newspaper column or anything."

"To scare masses,"Albus said quietly,"The Defense teacher position used to be cursed, back when our parents were in school."

"Well, I do n't think you should worry until you find out what the editorials are about,"Rose said to Matt.

"The early choice is n't often better,"flatness muttered,"If he did n't pen editorials for wolfman rightfield, then he wrote them against them."

Albus thought mat had a full stop, but he kept his mouth shut. Any way you looked at it, this murder pointed to the fact that things were changing. Aurors had been patrolling Hogwarts for months, but Albus had quickly adjusted to that and did n't really think much about it, but maybe there was more happening outside of Hogwarts than Albus was aware of.

"Let 's go to the library,"rose wine said as she stood up,"They 'll have got old copy of the Prophet there."

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the library. When they arrived, they were surprised to get how crowded it was. Usually Saturdays were the days everyone put off their preparation and then William Ashley Sunday were spent in the library.

Once they stepped inside, Albus saw that everyone was looking through old copy of the Prophet. Nearly every table had a few newspaper publisher on it and a few students poring over them. Madam Pince was bustling about, no doubt worrying about whether the pupil would rip her precious newspapers.

"might not be any give,"John muttered.

"This is goodness,"Albus replied,"Now it wo n't look shady for us to be investigating."

John was almost right. There was a very small stack of paper left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded mesa towards the vertebral column of the subroutine library. Albus, lusterlessness, and Rose each took a newsprint while John, Kaden, and Amanda played tic-tac-toe on a trim bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two years old, until he got to the editorial subdivision. In the very in-between, in the biggest baptismal font, was an column by Leroy Wisander.

healer, BREWERS TO rap, NOT MINISTRY official

As I was locking up my store last night,
I noticed that it was a full moon. I
could not help but recall of the miserable
people plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

Now, I know what you all are thinking.
wolf's bane. The poppycock works miracles
if taken correctly. However, it does
no good if it 's sitting in St. Mungo 's
and not being used by enchantress and
magician with lycanthropy.

The stuff and nonsense is expensive. I myself did
the calculation and discovered that
it would be extremely difficult for
anyone with a low income to open it.

And what kind of Job are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
1. The business where they make hardly
enough money to pay the rent and buy
food for thought, let solitary purchase a potion that
could alter their life story for the better.

I am absolutely appalled that healer
and potion brewer charge for this
important potion. They must be making
a nice lucre. They can use the profits
to take extravagant holiday while the
misfortunate witches and necromancer who buy it
struggle to open it.

There is only so much Ministry official
can do. question of Werewolf Support divine service,
Walter Eckerton, says he would screw to
render away barren Wolfsbane, but there just
is n't way for it in the budget.

What do I propose ? I propose that Healers
and potion brewers give it away for free.
They have the abilities to brew it, not
the Ministry. to the highest degree healer claim to be intimate
helping citizenry, but often it is those who
need it most, such as those with lycanthropy,
are often forced to go without, all because
those with the abilities to brew it like
to give a short additional disbursement money.

"nil in this one,"rose wine said as she shoved hers aside.

"This one 's got one about lamia,"Matt said as he set his newspaper publisher on top of Rose's.

"Read this,"Albus handed Matt his report,"Wisander even mentions your dad."

Matt took the report and he and Rose began to read it. john, Amanda, and Kaden peered over as well. Albus sat and waited while they read.

"Let 's go back to the room,"Matt said as soon as he 'd finished reading it.

Albus nodded and they returned the newspapers and walked as fast as they could back to the predator 's Den.

"Bloody Hell, that bloke must consume had so many foe !"lav shouted as soon as they were back.

"I know,"Albus agreed,"And that one 's from two years ago. conceive of what he 's written recently."

"Why did he suffer to mention my dad ?"Matt groaned,"He made it sound like my dad agrees with that editorial and he definitely doesn't."

"He was just trying to stimulate something up,"rosiness replied,"And look where it got him."

"Healers are n't like that. Most of the ones I 've met would give away spare wolfsbane, but it 's more elaborate that that. The ingredient are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to mention how difficult it is. There are n't many therapist who can brew it and even nearly beer maker ca n't brew it,"matt explained.

"That bloke did n't cognize the half of it,"John agreed,"My dad 's a healer and he 'd love to give away free potions. It just does n't work that way."

"My dad 's linked with that feller,"lustrelessness said quietly,"And now that he 's head of the entire section, he 'll be passing more law of nature. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really unspoilt wizard, though,"Albus pointed out to his worry friend,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are loads of Aurors milling about. And your business firm is more protected than any early house I 've seen, well, except the rector 's Mansion."

"I know, but it 's still not good,"mat sighed.

Albus could n't debate with that. Something was going on outside of Hogwarts. Something far more important than the Quidditch tourney and the dueling tournament.

******

Albus and his admirer scoured the Daily Prophet every morning the following week. Every day there was an article about Wisander, the investigation, or both. So far the probe had turned up nothing. The Aurors had questioned quite a few masses, namely those very straight-from-the-shoulder against werewolf and lamia rights, but the search had proved fruitless.

The articles about Wisander were far more concern. It seemed that his newspaper column about Wolfsbane Potion was one of the tamer ones. Each day little pieces of his several editorial were being published. In one, he stated the rationality why werewolves should n't be locked up on wide-cut moons. The reasons were quite the absurd, but the seer had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampires should be allowed access to human being to bite. He suggested using prisoner and allowing vampire to draw them dry. Thus helping vampires and reducing prison toll at the same time.

"I reckon this feller was off his rocking chair,"St. John announced at breakfast the come William Ashley Sunday. He had just finished reading an article about how Wisander spent a year living with a vampire tribe in Turkey when he was young. They were some of the few mass actually up at an other hour, as Albus had Quidditch drill and lav had a morning detainment with Filch for putting dungbombs in the crapper in Moaning myrtle 's bathroom the old day.

"That 's a squeamish way of putting it,"Albus said as he served himself more eggs.

"What are you doing after Quidditch pattern ?"John asked.

"After Quidditch ?"Albus laughed,"You mean, I 'm going to get to lead eventually ? woodwind wo n't make us exercise for the next week ? I thought he was going to keep going until the genuine match on Saturday."

"He 's got to let you out for class,"John grinned.

"What a shame,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Anyway, I 'll probably give to do homework, since exercise will go until late. How about you ? Any program for after detention ?"

"idea I might make another detention,"Saint John the Apostle grinned,"But Kaden 's occupy with Bromus secalinus gild this afternoon-"

"Wait,"Albus nearly choked on his juice,"Kaden joined the chess game nine ? Kaden ? Kaden Dursley ?"

"Know any other Kadens ?"John laughed,"Rose said they want to teach him how to act as properly, you know, like a challenge of sorts."

"I 'll tell Rose in effect fortune with that,"Albus said.

"Yeah, so both Kaden and pink wine will be busy with that. Not that rosebush would require to pull in hold with me anyway. And Amanda 's doing something with Linda today, homework, I think. And I doubt Matt will be up for doing anything,"lav continued.

"Right,"Albus said, remembering that the good moon was that night,"But you did the dungbombs on your own."

"But it 's not as fun,"John sighed,"I guess I 'll just hang around the den with lusterlessness. I can have a nice nonreversible conversation."

"You can do your homework,"Albus told him.

"Nope, I 'm waiting until you get back for that,"lavatory said.

"well, have fun in your detention. I 've got to get to practice,"Albus said as he got up.

There were a few choice words Albus had for practice session that day. Long, grueling, and vivid. woods was in his finest mannequin as he ordered the team to do practice session 60 minutes after minute. He seemed to get More and more stressed as the day wore on.

James IV did a lot of person-to-person training with Teddy and Albus was more than a little envious. shimmy was a much more affected role skipper than Wood was and yelled a whole lot less. Tyler Pike mostly helped Wood.

Sir Henry Wood let them have a curtly breaking for lunch, making indisputable they knew to follow back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the team talking about skipping out of the rest of practice, but they were back on the pitch at the clock time Wood told them to be.

The afternoon was very similar to the sunrise and Albus found that he could tune out Wood 's yelling quite easily. It was alike to tuning out his mum 's yelling.

Practice finally ended at three, when the New House of York team walked onto the pitch and demanded they leave, because they had booked the pitch for three o'clock that day.

"Remember, exercise Tuesday even !"Wood shouted as the whole team rushed to get off the pitch.

Albus trudged back to the castle tired and shivering. He went straight to Gryffindor pillar and took a very long, hot shower and then set off to see his Quaker.

Rose, Amanda, and Linda were in the common room, but the boys were n't. Albus figured they were in the piranha 's Den and set off to attend for them after saying a quick howdy to the girls.

John and Kaden were in the middle of a het game of Exploding Snap when Albus walked into the marauder 's Den a few minutes later. John 's face was wide of ash, but Kaden 's was quite an clear. There was also a big grin on his face which contrasted the scowl on John 's side. Matt was laying on the put facing them, like he had been watching the game, but he was sound asleep.

"Albus !"Kaden shouted,"How was praxis ?"

"Grueling. Wood 's ten times spoilt than Empire State of the South. Five hours we were out there. Five all-fired hours in the cold !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the other couch.

"better than scrubbing Moaning Vinca minor 's privy with a soup-strainer,"John muttered,"I do n't know what was spoilt, the scrubbing or listening to Myrtle."

"All three of you are so cheery today,"Kaden said,"So many complaints."

"Can you blame us ?"Albus muttered.

"No, not really,"Kaden shrugged.

"How was chess ?"Albus asked.

"I got beaten by every undivided person in the chess society,"Kaden shook his brain,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"John said as the lineup blew up in his face again,"Have you done that defence force test ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

"I need your help,"John said as he got up and started digging around in his bag.

Albus groaned again and fished around in his own bag for his Defense book. Balladanis wanted a foot long essay about basilisks, which were the current wickedness tool of the week.

John the Divine sat down at the board while Albus lay on the couch. He just could n't bring himself to get up and do his essay. Instead, he mumbled solution to John whenever he asked a question.

"Do you hatch the chicken egg under a toad frog or a anuran ?"whoremonger asked.

"Toad,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could pull a Rose and tell you to do your essay,"John replied.

"Do n't even trouble,"Albus said. Even Rose would n't be able to get him off the couch.

"Quidditch seems less grueling than football,"Kaden commented,"I mean, you fly, you do n't run."

Albus lifted his chief up and glared at Kaden."Natalie Wood had us doing push-ups and running laps."

"Really ?"Kaden sounded surprised,"Why ?"

"To get us into pattern after the holiday,"Albus answered,"So yes, Quidditch is a lot of work."

"Ok, ok,"Kaden muttered as he located some of his own homework.

Albus managed to get in a somewhat comfortable position on the couch and wrote his essay with his volume and sheepskin perched on his knee joint. It beat sitting at the table ; at least he was capable to sort of lie down.

A few minute later both Albus and lav had their essays completed. Kaden was still scribbling furiously on whatever prep he was working on.

"We should probably ignite him up,"Albus gestured to Matt, who had not moved one sinew since Albus had came back from practice.

can got up and began to poke flatness 's arm. It took a good two hour for Matt to unfold his eyes.

"It 's nearly six,"toilet told him.

"Then I should probably go,"Matt mumbled,"Oh, Albus, you 're back from practice."

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"It was really long, though."

"I 'll go with you to the hospital wing,"John said and lusterlessness did not object. Albus assured him they 'd visit him the next day and then they left, leaving Albus and Kaden alone in the room.

St. John returned a picayune while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the predator 's Den afterwards and can and Kaden continued working on their prep while Albus slept on the couch.

******

"Albus, get up !"

Albus mumbled something incoherently and rolled over in his bed. It felt far too early to wake up.

"Albus !"Whoever was shouting was now prodding him in the side.

Albus opened his eyes and saw shift standing over his bed. A glance at the clock told him that, yes, it was far too early to wake up. It was six in the morning. On a Sabbatum. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch match against New York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a backlog thespian anyway.

"Albus, you 'd better get up now. Wood 's in the rough-cut room,"Teddy whispered.

That got Albus 's care. His oculus shot back exposed and he sat up."What ?"

"fielding 's sick,"Teddy told him,"You 're playing today."

Now Albus was full awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the other reserve Chaser, a seventh year Slytherin.

"She 's tired of, too,"shimmy explained,"The two of them are going out, so it does n't surprise me."

Albus took that to mean that Teddy thought they were snogging and one got the other sick.

"I 'll be down in two bit,"Albus muttered.

teddy bear nodded and left. Albus threw on a T-shirt and a couplet of dungaree before running down to the common room, where he found Oliver woods tempo in front of the empty fire.

"Albus,"he said as soon as Albus stepped into the common way,"You 're playing Chaser today."

Albus nodded and sat down for what was certainly to be a very prospicient actor's line. Wood paused and then launched into an account of tactics, which Albus had already heard during praxis that week. He could n't image out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. woods could have accomplished the Saame thing at ten.

Wood and teddy bear left after Wood finished lecturing Albus and Albus considered going back to bed, but as he was wide awake, it would be pointless.

share of Natalie Wood 's words had been on the weather, which was cold and slightly snowy. Could be tough, Albus thought. At least there was n't a blizzard. The conditions were very similar to those they had been practicing in all week.

Albus sat in the common elbow room reading a Bible he found laying around until his friends got up around ten.

"There you are,"mat, who was looking significantly better than he had a few days ago, said,"What prison term did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"chemise got me up. Mrs. Henry Wood had to tell me I 'm playing pursuer today."

"What ?"Matt shouted,"That 's smart as a whip !"

"This is great, Albus !"Saint John grinned,"But why ?"

"Fielding 's sick and so is the former reserve chaser,"Albus explained,"I 'm just glad we 're playing New York and not Australia."

Albus went to the Great Charles Francis Hall to eat tiffin with his champion, but he was n't really hungry. He did n't think he had ever been more nervous for a Quidditch couple. This was a really important couple, as Wood had pointed out legion meter. If they won by a across-the-board enough margin, they 'd be in second place.

Word had gotten around that Albus was playing in the match and numerous the great unwashed came over to the Gryffindor tabular array to wish Albus luck.

"Al,"Harry sat down following to Albus.

"Dad,"Albus smiled. He had n't been sure if his dad was coming to the match or not.

"I 'll be watching the whole time. I 'm sure you 're going to do great. Just think of it as a friction match against another home. Ravenclaw, I guess, since their robes are blue,"Harry grinned,"Good luck."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the rest of the Hogwarts team a few minutes later. All his friends wished him near circumstances as he left the Hall.

Nobody talked much as they changed into their gown. Everyone sat down afterwards, ready for Wood 's pre-match speech.

However, Wood seemed to be all speeched out. He merely said that they 'd trained well and to hold it their all. Albus was a little shocked by the shortness of the speech, but quickly got over it as he walked out onto the sales pitch.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome people who have read and reviewed this !

Also, I wrote a new song fic ! It 's from Snape 's point of view, as I wanted to try something unlike. It 's on my Author pageboy if you want to check it out !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Ten minutes into the match, Albus decided there were four case of Quidditch in the existence. Casual Quidditch, like what he played with his cousin ; school Quidditch ; professional Quidditch ; and then there was the type of Quidditch he was playing now.

It was a combining of school Quidditch and professional Quidditch. The crowd was louder, the player more determined, and the stakes were higher than a convention school Quidditch peer.

Albus dodged one of the New York Chasers and flew up to catch the Quaffle, which had been dropped by Waverly as he had been hit by a bludger. As soon as Albus had the Quaffle, he was flanked by the other two New York Chasers.

Albus pushed his broom to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his chest. Then he plunged down to the ground, where nobody else was flying. He was back up high two minute of arc later when he had reached the New House of York goal military post. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the get out goal mail. The custodian was too slow and the Quaffle soared through.

"Potter of Hogwarts has scored !"Todd Ian Douglas Smith shouted,"40-30 Hogwarts !"

St. James the Apostle grinned at Albus as he flew past. Albus smiled to himself and joined Waverly and Reilly, who were waiting for New York 's Keeper to cast off the Quaffle out. That had been his first end of the match.

The Quaffle continued to commute hands quickly as the mates went on. An 60 minutes later there was still no sign of the Snitch and both teams were neck in neck as far as gunpoint went. New York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few more goals and he began to relax a little. The match began to feel more like a school lucifer and less like a professional match, even though the stakes were still high.

Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least fifty peak when James River caught the snitch, or they would n't be able to catch New York as far as overall decimal point went.

"New York 's Seeker has seen the Snitch !"Smith announced.

Albus, who had been following one of New York 's pursuer ( the one who had the Quaffle ), turned around and saw that their Seeker was making a beeline for the top of Hogwarts'center goal.

King James I noticed as well and flew straight at the hoop. He had been significantly closer than New York 's Seeker and flew away from the wicket with the struggling Snitch in his hand.

The crowd roared and James held the Snitch high above his head. Both teams flew to the terra firma and Albus saw the pained look on Wood 's face. They had n't won by enough to be in moment place overall.

"I had no choice !"James shouted to him,"She was going to get it !"

Wood nodded in agreement, but he still looked discomfited. Albus chose to ignore this and helped the residue of the team to lift James IV onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the points, the Australian School of black magic is in first gear space. New York and Hogwarts are currently tied for second. The adjacent peer will drive position at the end of February !"smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't meet up with his friends until they were back in the common room. Teddy had gone to Hogsmeade and a party was currently underway in the Gryffindor common room. chemise informed everyone that the three other sign were hosting parties as well. The students from New York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their searcher, were sulking in a corner.

"I think that was your best lucifer yet,"John said to Albus as they settled down at their usual table.

"I think so, too,"Albus agreed,"I variety of wish I could play in the succeeding match."

"Maybe Henry Fielding will still be sick,"John said.

"Doubt it,"Albus replied,"plus, I 'm sure O'delle will get first dibs on the next compeer if any of the early Chasers get sick."

"At least you got to recreate in one peer,"Rose pointed out.

"Anyway, the next match you 'll probably be playing Australia,"matte said.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"If we win that one, it 'll be a miracle. But we 're not even playing in the side by side one. Next mates is New York versus Australia."

The company continued until dinner time, when people began to allow for as nobody had snuck down to the kitchens to get food. Harry came in to congratulate Albus and Jesse James shortly before Albus and his champion left for dinner. He was also scheduled to patrol the school for the residuum of the weekend and wanted to let his kids know.

******

life sentence at Hogwarts returned to formula shortly after the Quidditch friction match. The vaticinator printed few and fewer article about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to blank out about his death. Everyone except Matt, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

However, the bookman at Hogwarts were reminded again of the unsolved murder when the next Hogsmeade misstep arrived two days after Valentine 's Day. A portion of the pupil were too lovesick to notice the boarded up shop of Dervish and Banges as they made their way to Madam Puddifoot's.

Neither Albus, bathroom, or lustrelessness were too preoccupied to detect the abandoned edifice, though. The three of them stopped to look at it for a while despite the biting steer. rosiness and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

"Who owns it now ?"St. John asked as they looked at the empty building.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"The oracle never mentioned any family."

"It 's probably still voice of the investigation,"mat pointed out,"Plus, who would want a building that someone was killed in ? I do n't even need to go in it."

Albus did n't think it was a good metre to prompt Matt that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the shriek Shack.

"commodity level,"Albus said,"But so far they have n't found anything."

"They wo n't find who it was,"John the Evangelist said quietly,"They never found out who killed Torro."

"I really hope they find who it was,"Matt replied.

"They will,"Albus said,"They 're still focused on it."

Albus, Matt, and St. John went to the trine Broomsticks a little while later because all three of them were frozen. They warmed up with Butterbeer and were just thinking about heading back to the rook when Albus heard soul whisper his name behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

Albus turned around, but no one was there. The voice sounded fellow, though. Albus slowly reached his handwriting out and it touched something solid, but it looked like no one was there.

"Kaden,"Albus groaned,"Is that you ?"

"Yeah,"Kaden whispered back,"I stole your cloak."

Albus immediately stood up and motioned for matte and John, who were both looking confused, to follow him. He assumed Kaden would come as well. Albus lead them up High Street until they reached the Shrieking Shack. Nobody was hanging around it that day.

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do realise how dazed this was."

"Yes,"Kaden replied as he took off the cloak.

"Bloody Hell !"John shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"matte asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a adept prison term, but there was a cause I changed my psyche and told you not to hook in today. virtually of the teachers come to Hogsmeade for the February trip. My cousins told me. They want to make for sure no one does anything stupid because they 're in lovemaking or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"Matt asked.

"One-eyed hag statue,"Kaden replied,"Leads right into Honeyduke's."

"Kaden, do you know how hard it 's going to be to get you back unnoticed ?"

Kaden 's brass turned white and his sass dropped candid. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met face to face with Professor Balladanis.

"Quite difficult, I 'd expect,"Balladanis replied,"Come with me, all of you."

Albus groaned inwardly as he followed Balladanis down the street. They had gone all year without Kaden getting them into fuss, but Albus should have known better than to call up they could go the whole year.

Nobody spoke until they were shut in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis sat down in his professorship and looked at Kaden.

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

"They had nothing to do with it,"Kaden said quickly,"Albus was just telling me how stupid I was."

"Then it would seem that Mr. Potter and I agree on something,"Balladanis replied,"Where 'd you get that cloak ?"

"It 's Albus 's,"Kaden said quietly,"I took it. He did n't sacrifice it to me to swipe in or anything."

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, Mr. Eckerton, and Mr. Brickston, you may give back to your common room. Mr. Dursley will join you after I arrange his detention."

Albus, matt, and Saint John the Apostle could not get out of there prompt enough. They walked straight back to the rough-cut room, talking about how favorable they had been. It must ingest looked like all three of them had helped Kaden cabbage into Hogsmeade. Good thing Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned fifteen proceedings later, looking quite unhappy. He collapsed onto a chair and stared mutinously at the table.

"Detention every Saturday for the future month,"Kaden muttered,"Plus he gave me a speech about how dangerous it was for me to sneak out and if I did it again I 'd get a unsound penalisation than detention. Did n't enlarge on that, though."

"He 'd probably get you kicked out,"John commented.

"Did he say what you have to do for detention ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Kaden said,"Guess it 'll be a surprise."

******

Kaden discovered what his detention was that Night. Balladanis decided to have him alphabetize his private library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the piranha 's Den rant about the measure of Holy Writ Balladanis had.

"He 's got more books on wickedness puppet than your dad 's got,"Kaden said to Matt.

"That 's impressive,"mat replied.

"wishing he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his hold alphabetizing those Good Book. He almost did n't make do to finish up and if that had been the character, Balladanis would have given him a fifth detention.

The succeeding total synodic month came and went, as did the next Quidditch match. Albus was beginning to distrust that the full phase of the moon moons were becoming defective for Matt, although he did n't get laid why.

New House of York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch match. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the snitcher a one-half hour in. Wood insisted that this was a estimable thing, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to tally a good amount of goal before Linda caught the canary in their adjacent match, they would possess more overall gunpoint than New House of York. woodwind instrument seemed to have lost any Hope that King James I could tick Linda in seeking, something James II fumed about on a near daily basis.

March arrived and with it a three day rain storm that left the primer coat completely flooded. Both Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had to take in place inside, which resulted in incredibly boring lessons. Wood continued to hold Quiditch drill and Albus returned to the palace completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

All of the teachers were piling on the homework and professor Patil had even gone so far as to mention the O.W.L.s even though they were a unhurt two year away. The only instructor who was n't talking about the end of term examination was prof Balladanis.

Balladanis conducted his lessons as if end of terminus exam did not exist. He changed nothing about his lesson except the dark tool they were learning about.

"We 're starting lamia next week,"Balladanis announced at the end of socio-economic class on Thursday,"Please read the chapter on them by Monday."

Albus could n't help but see at Linda before he began packing up his thing. He wondered if Balladanis would be teaching them enough about identifying vampires for anyone to cipher out that Linda was one.

"So,"Saint John said as he flipped through his United States Department of Defense Koran the following evening. Albus, flatness, can, and Kaden were in the vulture 's Den and John was just finishing the chapter on lamia."feeling what 's after vampires.

Albus looked through his own Word."loup-garou,"he said quietly and then looked at Matt.

"Yeah,"lustrelessness muttered,"It was bound to happen eventually."

"I wonder if Balladanis is going to make you go in for redundant help during that unit,"John grinned,"I 'm sure you 'll postulate loads of extra help in identifying werewolves."

lusterlessness rolled his eyes."He effective. It 'll look mistrustful if I do n't go in for redundant help. public speaking of extra help, we 're due to go in for it in fifteen minutes."

"We 'd better go then,"privy said,"See you two later."

Albus managed to finish his Herbology homework while John and flatness were gone. Then it was time for him to go in for his dueling lessons.

The desks were n't pushed to the slope of the classroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a stone basin sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silvern twine of something out of his head and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the strings were memories, Albus realized. For a import, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to assure him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

"Mr. Potter,"Balladanis said quietly,"Come in."

Albus stood awkwardly next to one of the front board while he waited for Malfoy. Balladanis stared into the pensieve and acted like Albus was n't there. When Malfoy arrived, he looked up and stared at the two male child for a few minute before speaking.

"We 're not dueling today,"he said,"Instead, I am going to present you something."He motioned for them to get together him at his desk.

Albus glanced nervously at Malfoy. Balladanis was n't one for explanations, but Albus would birth appreciated one right on then.

"This is a pensieve,"Balladanis said,"It is used to explore retentivity. That is exactly what we 're going to do. Albus, lean forward and put your head into the pensieve. Your torso will follow. Scorpius, you will follow. I will come after you."

Albus 's pulse sped up a little bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a unintelligent idea ? He did n't even know what he was getting into. But it was just a memory. zero could hurt him in a store, right ?

Albus took a inscrutable hint and plunged his expression into the pensieve. He had never been in one before. He landed on the firmly sens and looked around.

It was dusk and very tranquilize. There was a small sign in the distance, atop of a bouldery Alfred Hawthorne. In fact, the solid region was mostly rocky. Albus had landed on the one lone slice of grass in the unhurt berth. It did n't depend like any shoes in Britain.

He stood up as Malfoy landed next to him, followed quickly by Balladanis. Balladanis landed on his understructure and they waited for Malfoy to get up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis said quietly.

Albus did so, but he still felt like he deserved an explanation. Where were they ? Why were they there ? Whose memory was this ? What did it stimulate to do with dueling ?

"Excuse me, Sir,"Malfoy said,"Where are we ?"

"Ellas,"Balladanis replied.

This did nada but increase Albus 's curiosity. Why were they in Greece of all places ? But he did n't ask. It did n't look like Balladanis was in an explaining mood, judging by his short, one Holy Writ answer to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the little home. The exclusively stochasticity was their step. There were n't even any owls hooting or dogs barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

The sign of the zodiac must have been their destination. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the fall in down wooden fence surrounding it. The menage reminded Albus of the Shrieking hutch, only smaller. It was kind of fracture down and did n't face like a spot that would be good to know in.

Someone lived there, though. A brightness level was on upstairs. It remained on for a few more minutes and then somebody turned it off.

Balladanis made no move towards the mansion. Instead, he seemed focused on the forest that lay just beyond it. Albus decided the forest was as dear a place as any to watch.

They watched the forest for a half an minute before anything happened. Then five hooded figures practically flew out of the forest. They were at the house before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His case was hardened.

All was quiet for two minutes. The frame entered the theatre, but did not turn on any lightness. Then the wow started. Albus jumped at the auditory sensation of the first one.

They were agonizing, long screams. Albus wanted nothing more than to go in and help whoever was screaming, but he knew he could n't. It was aught Thomas More than a memory. Instead, he looked again at Balladanis.

His professor 's facial expression showed nothing. Nothing but the Saame hardened facial expression he had seen on it so many sentence. Malfoy on the other hand, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The scream was coming from two different masses. There was a high one that must have been coming from a woman, and a lower one that must have been coming from a man.

Then, they stopped. kickoff the woman, then the man. The hooded pattern left the house as quickly as they had entered and returned to the forest.

Balladanis, however, made no motion to leave. Instead he stared at the business firm. Two minutes later, someone fled from it.

They ran from the house, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew stuffy, Albus could see that the person was a boy who looked no erstwhile than Albus himself. His look was etched with a gloominess Albus had never seen before. It was too non-white to order, but Albus was sure there were tears running down his face.

The boy obviously did n't comment the three masses watching him. He ran right past them, up the rocky hill in the distance. It occurred to Albus after he passed that the boy looked somewhat familiar. There was something about his expression that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite position it.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all of the awesome hoi polloi who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


professor Balladanis did n't say anything for a long time after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the defending team classroom. Albus landed next to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in front of Balladanis 's desk. Balladanis landed behind his desk, facing the wall, and did n't turn around for a few minutes.

Albus glanced nervously at his professor as he thought of questions he was just burning to ask. In fact, there was zilch about the scenery he had just witnessed that did n't make Albus curious. Everything about it had been confusing.

Malfoy looked just as confused. They kept looking at each other and it was kind of strange. They were on the Lapplander side. Both of them wanted Balladanis to explain.

Balladanis finally turned around and looked at them. He put his hands on his desk and leaned forward, looking both Albus and Malfoy in the eye.

It happened in a split second. Albus looked at his prof and immediately thought back to the typeface of the boy in the picture. That was why he looked familiar. The boy was Balladanis. Then, Balladanis shifted slightly and the semblance was gone. But Albus knew it. That scene had been from Balladanis 's childhood.

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

Albus and Malfoy sat down quickly at the mesa in front of Balladanis 's desk. They were sitting right next to each other and Albus did n't care. At the moment, finding out what that scene was was more crucial than staying away from Malfoy.

"A few weeks ago you asked me what I did before I started teaching here, Mr. Potter,"Balladanis began,"I have always had the aim of telling you, of telling both of you. I was merely waiting for the rightfield minute. I feel that that mo is now."

Balladanis paused and walked around to the front of his desk. He began to pace in figurehead of it.

"There is a intellect why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my classes what I did before teaching. The reasonableness is that you two are incredible duelers. Both of you have skills beyond your years that I have never seen before, and believe me, I have seen plenty of exceptional duelers in my time. This may be a good time to tell you how uncommon it is to deliver two such skilled duelers in the same year at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to attend at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the get-go of some sorting of household unity speech or something.

"I know the two of you are n't the advantageously of friends,"Balladanis continued,"But I must say how instill I am that you seem to put the animosity behind you when you step into my schoolroom for your lessons."

The solitary cause for that, at least for Albus, was because of Balladanis himself. Albus doubted he would digest Albus and Malfoy bickering with each other during lessons.

"Back to what I was going to tell you,"Balladanis said,"That prospect that I just showed you, in instance you have not figured it out yet, took post while I was a boy of only thirteen. It was the summer before my third class at school.

"I grew up in Greece, in that very business firm we just saw. My parents, although they loved me deeply, were very poor and could barely give to put solid food on the mesa. I think they were grateful when I went away to schooling, the fillet of sole reason being that they would n't have to worry about me getting enough to eat.

"I had two blissfully innocent and fun years at the Grecian School of legerdemain. I returned home during summers broad of stories about my friends and all the mischief we 'd draw into."

Albus found it difficult to imagine Balladanis getting into trouble at school or doing anything fun in general.

"Everything changed the summer before my one-third yr. It changed on the Night you just witnessed. A coven of vampires entered my house that Nox. They attacked my parents and drank them dry. I hid in a W.C., too scared to do anything. Then, once the vampires left, I fled. I ran until I could not run anymore. I wound up at the house of one of my friend. His parents took me in, but affair were obviously never the same. I changed on that night."

Balladanis stopped talking and Albus sat in complete stupor. Balladanis 's parents had been murdered by lamia ? That was one thing that had never crossed Albus 's head.

"I returned to school day that September hardened. Nothing was fun anymore. Nothing was funny. It was then that I decided to pay my lifespan to ridding the world of such evils. vampire, dark-skinned magician, wolfman, anyone and anything that murders viciously."

Albus could n't serve but glare at Balladanis when he mentioned werewolves. Balladanis seemed to note this and gave Albus the slightest of smiles.

"However, I did realize that not all vampires, werewolves, giants, and former beings are inherently evil. Not all of them want to bolt down. It was for this reason that I did not wish to be employed by the Greek Ministry. The Greek Ministry prefers to deal with charming animate being as a whole and not describe between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very bombastic population of vampires.

"Thus, becoming an Auror was out of the enquiry. Instead, I chose to enter a more secretive profession. One that you will not find pamphlets on when you get vocation advice from your heads of house. One that no one except me is going to suggest to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

Albus 's heart sped up at this. Balladanis was going to give them career advice ? They were only thirteen. But at the same time, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a good enough dueller for this career, whatever it was.

"I am a Presuler,"Balladanis said,"I am surely neither of you have heard of one. A Presuler is somewhat like an Auror, in that we seek out dark maven and dark illusion. However, we not only assay out dark virtuoso and dark deception, we seek out dark and dangerous creatures as well.

"The biggest difference is that Presulers are not employed by the Ministry. There are very few Presulers in the world and we are often sought out by various Ministries and hired on an as-needed basis. We travel from country to state, whenever we are needed. It is quite secretive. I suppose Presulers are a compounding of Aurors and private investigators."

Balladanis was right in that Albus had never heard of a Presuler before. The approximation intrigued him, though. A secretive sort of Auror who did not work for the Ministry.

"I never caught the vampires who killed my parents. I have met one vampire who knew them, but she is not like them. I am still searching for them, however."

Balladanis stopped pacing and leaned up against the front of his desk. He looked at Albus and Malfoy, but did not say anything else.

"Why are you teaching here, then ?"Malfoy asked.

"That is one affair that is between myself and Professor Kendrick,"Balladanis replied.

"Are you coming back following year ?"Malfoy asked.

"As of rightfulness now, I have no idea,"Balladanis answered,"It is getting late. I 've kept you here much longer than convention. If you think of anymore dubiousness, do not hesitate to see me. I 'll walk you back to your common rooms."

Albus walked alongside Balladanis in silence on his way back to the Gryffindor Tower. His mind was racing with what he just learned. He did n't know what to make of it. It was just so lots information at once.

The commons room was nearly void when Albus climbed through the portrait golf hole. It must sustain been really late, since it was Friday Nox. Albus really did n't jazz what sentence it was.

"There you are !"Rose shouted,"pigeon hawk, you 've been gone for minute !"

"What did he induce you doing ?"matte asked.

"I 'll tell you tomorrow,"Albus muttered, realizing that all he wanted to do was lay in his bed and think about what Balladanis had just said.

Albus was vaguely aware of his friend sighs of disappointment as he went up to his dormitory, but he did n't feel like talking about it right then. He was tired and his creative thinker was racing at the Lapp time.

Albus tossed and turned the entire dark. He alternated thinking about what he had seen in the pensieve and about becoming a Presuler himself. Then he wound up thinking about Linda and what Balladanis thought of her. He had said he did n't hold a grudge against vampires that did n't kill people, but who knew what he really thought.

Was Linda the vampire he had met who knew the vampires who killed his parents ? It was possible since lamia never aged. Or maybe she was a completely different lamia. Albus wondered how many vampires Balladanis knew.

Eventually Albus fell into a ungratified rest, but his dreams were plagued by what he had seen in the pensieve.

******

"Merlin, Albus, get up !"

Albus rolled over in his bed and put his pillow over his brain. After waking up drenched in sweat at four in the morning after a nightmare in which his whole family had been killed by vampires, he had finally drifted off into a somewhat decorous sleep. One that he wished he was still in.

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

"He 's like you are after to the full moons."

"Shut it. Seriously, Albus, get up."

"Yeah, we want to know what happened final stage night."

Someone pulled the curtains open and took the pillow off Albus 's caput. He looked up and saw privy and Matt.

"Did you lose to Malfoy or something ?"John the Evangelist asked,"Because that would make me require to hole up in bed for the day."

"No, it 's not that,"Albus muttered,"I 'll state you, but I 'm only explaining it once, so one of you easily find Rose, Amanda, and Kaden. And I 'll order you in the Marauder 's Den because there is no way Linda can be around to hear this."

The young lady and Kaden met them in the piranha 's Den after Albus, john, and Matt had lunch. King John kept pestering Albus all through lunch, wanting to have it off why Linda could n't see about it, but Albus said zero. He was n't even sure if he was allowed to narrate his friend about this, but Balladanis had n't really forbidden him.

"Albus, what in the public figure of merlin happened last night ?"Rose asked as soon as they were all in the Marauder 's Den.

"Balladanis told us what he did before he started teaching at Hogwarts,"Albus said quietly.

"And you neglected to tell us until now ?"John gaped,"I 've been wanting to know for the entire yr !"

"I know, John,"Albus snapped,"But it 's not anything what you 'd think."

"Sorry,"John muttered.

"Balladanis took us into a pensieve last night,"Albus began.

"Really ?"Rose looked imprint,"What was that like ?"

"Not that enceinte, to be honest,"Albus said,"Probably would bear been better if it was a better computer memory.

"Anyway, he took us without any explanation of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down planetary house in Ellas. variety of looked like a smaller more run-down translation of the Shrieking Shack."

"In Greece ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the business firm for what seemed corresponding hour and then these image broke into it and we heard this awful shrieking. Then the figures left. Then this fellow who was about our age came running out with this frightful scared look on his face. Then we left."

"What does that have anything to do with what Balladanis does for a support ?"St. John asked.

"Everything,"Albus sighed,"That had been his business firm. The screams were his parents. The boy was him. He told us this after. His parents were killed by a coven of vampires."

nonentity said anything for a foresightful metre. Albus looked at his ally and they all wore equal feeling of shock.

"And you watched it ?"lustrelessness asked.

"From a distance,"Albus replied.

"Falco columbarius, no curiosity Balladanis is so bloody insane,"John Lackland let out a low whistle.

"He decided to commit his life to ridding the world of evil, whether it be lamia, dark necromancer, or early shadow creatures,"Albus continued.

"So he 's an Auror ?"rosiness asked.

"No,"Albus shook his promontory,"He 's a Presuler."

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's like an Auror, only they go after dark brute, too. And they are n't employed by the Ministry. They 're hired by Ministries all around the human race. They 're investigators as well. Apparently it 's all very closemouthed,"Albus explained.

"Wow,"John said,"I thought he was an Auror or something."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed,"Instead he just hunts down vampire. And, werewolves."

"Only I that kill people,"Albus assured his lycanthropic friend.

"All werewolf have the capability of killing the great unwashed, Albus,"Matt said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

"Whatever his sentiment on vampire and loup-garou truly is, it 's going to be interest to see how he teaches us about them,"Rose mused.

"conjecture this is why you did n't require Linda to see about this,"john said.

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Apparently he still has n't found the vampire who killed his parents, but he knows a vampire who knows them. That vampire does n't wipe out people. I wonder if it 's Linda."

"Who knows ?"rosebush shrugged,"I doubt we 'll ever find out."

"Oh, I 've got to evidence you what he said after he told us all of this,"Albus took a mystifying breath,"He thinks Malfoy and I should suit Presulers."

"Seriously ?"Matt asked.

"Yeah, because we 're beneficial duelist,"Albus explained,"But I do n't know."

"You do n't stimulate to be intimate. You 're only thirteen. And Albus, do n't decide anything until you 've read about this. Do n't just go on what Balladanis is saying. I think we 've finally discovered why he 's so passionate about fighting the iniquity prowess, but it might cloud his judgement sometimes,"pink wine warned.

"I know, that 's what I do n't get,"Albus said,"Why is he telling us this now ?"

"Maybe because he does n't plan on staying,"Matt replied,"Why would he contain searching for the vampire who killed his parents to teach here anyway ?"

"Malfoy asked,"Albus told him,"But he would n't assure us. He said it 's between him and Kendrick."

"Because that 's not shady or anything,"St. John rolled his eyes,"There 's still something good story about Balladanis."

"What are you going to do, Albus ?"Matt asked.

"I 'm not deciding anything now,"Albus replied,"I 'm just not going to retrieve about it."

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be easier said than done, especially since defense lawyers division was soon devoted to learning about vampire. Balladanis seemed to learn that particular unit with much Thomas More enthusiasm than usual, a feat that nobody thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than usual, but almost just attributed it to the fact that he was blinking insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about lamia was stuff Albus already knew due to what mat had told them earlier in the school twelvemonth. It was still fairly interesting, though. Albus found that the more dangerous the creature they were learning about, the more matter to it was. Not to note the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every student was grateful for.

However, partway through their second week devoted to lamia, the anamatek 's automobile trunk reappeared in the Defense schoolroom. There was an hearable groan from every pupil who stepped into the room.

"If that thing turns into a vampire, I think I 'm going to get up and go out,"St. John seethed as they took their seats.

"Maybe we 're moving onto another tool,"Albus suggested even though he knew the chances were slim to none.

"That would n't be any practiced. We 're doing werewolves next,"whoremaster reminded him,"And Matt said that thing could n't turn into an real wolfman. public speaking of Matt, he 's golden he 's missing this."

"I think he 'd say otherwise,"Albus replied. The full moonshine had been the previous night.

"Quiet,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our vampire moral today. Today I wish to show you what a vampire looks like, which is why I have brought back the anamatek. However, you will not be fighting it. None of you have the skills necessary to agitate a vampire."

"He 's mental,"John muttered.

Balladanis drew his verge and pointed it at the trunk. It snapped open and out stepped a very pale man with chisel features. He did n't move, but merely stared out at all the students.

"Vampires are the perfect predator,"Balladanis announced,"They 're incredibly fast,"he pointed his wand at the vampire and it disappeared.

It reappeared in the spinal column of the schoolroom, but it had not Apparated. The lamia had moved so fast that Albus had missed it in the blink of an eye.

"They 're spry,"Balladanis continued,"They 're good looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are perfectly. The alternative is not great, either. From the moment their tooth break your skin, you begin to metamorphose into a vampire as well. You will become one if they do not fellate you dry. There is no way to halt it, no potion to weaken it.

"Vampires hunt at night when their vision is still fantabulous, but when homo vision is compromised. However, that is not the sole reason. Does anyone have sex the other ?"

Rose raised her hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, Miss Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"vampire are in essence allergic to the sun,"rose wine explained,"When the sunshine hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them concern and makes them feel sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rare grinning,"There is no potion to counteract the effect of the sun on vampires. Therefore they tend to inhabit orbit that see less sun and areas of dense forest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United State, portion of Canada, and parts of Soviet Russia. However there is also a significant vampire universe in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his wand at the vampire again and it retreated back into the automobile trunk. Everyone breathed a collective suspiration of relievo. The lesson continued until the doorbell rang. Balladanis made no mention of moving onto the future unit, nor had he assigned the usual end of the whole essay.

Albus and his champion went to visit Matt late that dark after Albus got out of Quidditch praxis. They only had a one-half hour or so until curfew, but they had n't visited at all yet.

"You missed an excellent Defense Department object lesson today,"John said once lady Pomfrey had gone back into her work after leaving to see who had entered her ward.

"Was it any different from the usual single ?"matt asked tiredly. He looked fix to fall asleep at any moment.

"Balladanis brought back the anamatek,"Albus told him.

"He what ?"lusterlessness shouted, although since his interpreter was hoarse it was n't very tawdry,"We 're still doing vampires, are n't we ?"

"Yeah, he had it turn into a vampire,"John said,"We did n't take in to fight it. He just used it to show how degenerate vampires were and what they looked like."

"That is weird,"Matt replied,"He assign the lamia essay yet ?"

"Nope,"Gospel According to John shook his head,"I think we 're in for a few more Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of vampires."

"Well, the thirster we spend on vampires, the more time we have before we start werewolves,"lustrelessness said quietly,"I really hope he does n't spend as much time on them as he has on vampires."

"I do n't imagine he will,"Albus said,"His parents were n't killed by werewolves."

"Thank Merlin for that,"lustrelessness yawned.

"You 're tired,"blush wine said,"We should leave."

"We 'll be back tomorrow after lunch,"Albus told him,"Good night."

"'Night,"matt said.

They left the ward just as lady Pomfrey was coming out of her subject, presumably to tell them to go forth and consecrate Matt more potions. Albus and his friends headed straight for the commons room, where they got started on all the homework that had been piled on them that day.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the amazing people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's cousins had begun to make up bets on how foresightful Balladanis was going to drop teaching the third geezerhood about vampires. Fred was sure he 'd spend the remainder of term, but Omar Nelson Bradley was convinced he 'd move onto the next whole partway through Apr. None of the third years were actually participating in these stakes because they were all afraid Balladanis would find out.

The vampire unit was still well underway when the next Quidditch match came along. This one was the moment Hogwarts versus Aussie shoal of Sorcery couple, which meant Wood was in his prime quantity when it came to practice. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing room since he spent Sir Thomas More of his time on the Quidditch sales pitch than in the Gryffindor vulgar room.

Albus awoke the day of the equal to whoremaster 's loud swearing instead of Teddy, which told him that he did not have to roleplay during that catch. He could n't serve but experience slightly frustrated. Figuring there was no compass point in going back to kip, he got up and asked lav what happened.

"Tripped over mat 's bloody cauldron,"John muttered, holding onto his right groundwork,"Why ca n't he just put that stupid thing away ?"

"Like you always do ?"Albus smirked and gestured to John 's own cauldron, which was sitting only a few feet away from Matt's.

John muttered something indistinguishable and shoved his cauldron under his bed. He went into the bathroom while Albus woke lusterlessness up. The three of them met Kaden in the coarse elbow room a little while later and then went down to the Great foyer to get something to eat.

A few hours later the son were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the equal to get down. Rose and Amanda were with them.

"Wonder how farsighted it 'll bring Linda to obtain the stoolie this metre,"Albus mused.

"I 'm betting on ten instant,"privy said,"Hey, remember that time we eavesdropped on Killigan ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied,"Was n't Linda supposed to part flying slower after that ?"

"That 's what I thought,"John shrugged,"But she did n't during the last match."

"She probably wo n't this clip, either,"flatness put in,"I mean, think about it, if James could fly that fast, would he really retard down to a convention speed ?"

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

Matt 's foretelling proved correct. Linda did not retard down in the slightest. She flew at her usual abnormally fast speed, beating James to the Snitch by a few yards. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Australia at that point and only wound up losing by 40 points.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New House of York as far as Quidditch points went. Commonwealth of Australia was still in the lead, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tournaments. As of the most recent tournament, Hogwarts was winning. Commonwealth of Australia was in last situation and New York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty sure that if the Quidditch and dueling tournament points were added up, Hogwarts and Australia would be neck in neck opening. Whatever the outcome of the remaining passing tournaments and matches, the final for both were going to mold the winner of the competition. The power point were just too close.

Although there was obviously no celebration in the Gryffindor usual room after the match, nobody was particularly depressed either. Albus figured this was because cipher had really expected Hogwarts to win anyway.

******

Two week into April, Bradley along with quite a few other honest-to-goodness Gryffindors, were able-bodied to cash in on their bets about Balladanis. Fred and a few others grumbled loudly about it as they handed over Galleons to the winners.

Balladanis had assigned the long awaited essay on vampires on Thursday, officially making the vampire unit of measurement the longest unit they had done. They had spent an total month and a half on it. The essay seemed to match this length, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a half feet.

Albus, Matt, and John saved their essays for the end possible mo, settling down to work out on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly strong essay because Balladanis had given them so much information on the bailiwick. It was just a very long essay to spell. rosebush and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't assist but be slightly envious of them because doing the essay with an actual vampire would make it the easiest essay ever.

"Bet Linda 's glad this social unit 's over,"Albus said as they worked on their essays in the predator 's Den Monday evening.

"She is,"Rose answered,"She hated every instant of those lessons. Ca n't say I blame her."

"How long is your essay, Rose ?"John the Divine asked as he measured his own essay.

"Three infantry,"rosebush answered.

can groaned."Do you suppose Balladanis will mark if mine 's three inches short ?"

"Yes,"blush wine said,"If there 's any essay he 'll be extremely finical about, it 'll be this one."

"Maybe if we do n't finish it we can just skip class tomorrow,"Matt muttered,"After all, I would n't want to show up in class without the essay done."

"But it 'll be regretful when you finally do go to class,"Rose pointed out.

"I still do n't particularly want to go to class tomorrow,"Matt said,"Whether I 've finished the essay or not."

"You 're going to finish up it,"Rose told him,"You 've got two in left."

"Finished,"Albus announced.

"Excellent,"John said as he grabbed Albus 's essay,"I 'll re-create minute of yours."

"You know,"Albus said quietly,"nonentity found out about Linda being a vampire even after we 've spent a calendar month and a half on them. I do n't suppose anyone 's going to find out you 're a loup-garou just because we 're learning about them."

"I know, I 've just got a bad feeling about it,"Matt sighed.

"Look on the bright face,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the lycanthrope essay, you 're sure to get a 100."

"I do n't really worry about the essay,"lusterlessness said flatly.

Both lustrelessness and john managed to finish their essays before curfew and they returned to Gryffindor tug, and they soon went to bed. Albus did n't recall Matt slept much, though. He heard him tossing and turning all night.

Albus, mat, and John the Divine got a late start since John had misplaced his vampire essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was sure how it go there ), the three boy rushed down to the Great Hall to grab small-arm of toast before running to Defense.

They walked into the room right on metre and barely had a luck to catch their breath before Balladanis asked for everyone to hand in their vampire essays. Albus passed his essay up and pulled out parchment and a quill.

"Well, our unit on vampire is over,"Balladanis said once everyone had handed in their essays,"I trust you have all read the chapter on werewolves for today ? If you had for some understanding decided not to do that, I highly suggest doing it tonight."

Balladanis began his common pacing in front end of the classroom. He stopped in front of Rose and Linda 's tabular array and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would start with werewolf history,"he announced,"Nobody is sure when the first lycanthrope came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding cultivation. Not only that, but even ancient Muggle cultures have lycanthropy in their histories.

"C of class ago, before the Muggle field of psychology came about and recollective before Muggles had any reason of the human head, they tried to make common sense of citizenry whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to attribute the insanity to the moon. Over the years, the myth of werewolves came about. Thus, loup-garou have had a significant part in Muggle storey. In reality, the people Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from schizophrenic psychosis or round of insanity."

Albus frantically tried to publish everything down. He knew absolutely zero about the Muggle view of lycanthropy. He glanced at lustrelessness and saw that he was n't writing anything down, but his script was shaking.

"Muggles of course know nothing about tangible werewolves,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created wolfman have minuscule in common with the real thing.

"Werewolves are plagued with the unwellness lycanthropy. Does anyone know what that means ?"

Rose was the lonesome one who raised her hand. Balladanis nodded to her."It comes from the Hellene Holy Writ 'lykos'and 'anthropos',"Rose explained,"Lykos means brute and anthropos way man."

"Very good,"Balladanis replied,"Lycanthropy refers to the disease and those who have it are called wolfman.

"werewolf have been shunned by wizarding society for as long as chronicle has told us about them. In recent years, there has been a great deal speculation about whether this is necessary or even a good melodic theme. However, it is difficult to change the minds of the bulk when we have been taught to avoid lycanthropes and shun them from wizarding society for so long.

"It has not been for no reason that this general prejudice has came about. When in skirt chaser mannikin, werewolf can not control their legal action and thus attack helpless hoi polloi. This has long been construed as lycanthropes wanting to assault masses, wanting to infect them with the horrible disease.

"This can not be farther from the example when it comes to most loup-garou. Most do not like to attack others. Within the past hundred years, werewolf have begun locking themselves up on the wide moon in edict to debar attacking others. However, there is one pregnant drawback to this for the lycanthrope. Does anyone do it this ?"Balladanis 's centre rested on flatness, but he continued staring down at his empty parchment.

pink wine and Linda raised their hands. This sentence Balladanis called on Linda."When werewolves do n't have anybody to assail, they attack themselves,"Linda said,"They do n't experience a choice and they often wind up really injured because of it."

Balladanis took Linda 's thought further, but Albus did n't hear what he said because Matt had knocked over Albus 's ink. He looked incredibly nervous and Albus was happy that the course was almost over. He quickly cleaned up the ink and tried to pay care to the rest of the lecture.

"We 'll plunk up next class with what happens before, during, and after full moons for a person with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the bell rang,"If you have not read the werewolf chapter, delight do so for next time. Mr. Eckerton, if you could please come see me."

Matt looked, if it was potential, even more skittish at this vista. The repose of the class left and Albus tried to put away his things as slowly as possible, but Balladanis shooed him, along with can, out of the room.

Malfoy was standing outside the classroom when Albus and St. John left. He had a slight smirk on his face.

"Interesting object lesson, Potter,"Malfoy said quietly,"Very interesting indeed."

"What do you desire, Malfoy ?"Albus asked, knowing perfectly well what he wanted.

"Oh, zippo. Just a very illume deterrent example. I 've learned so very much,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"Merlin,"can muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll know after next lesson. He 's onto it, that 's for sure,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"John replied,"That 's a prissy way of putting it. The whole school 's going to experience in two daylight, after the next class."

"What are we going to do ?"Albus groaned,"If we tell him what Malfoy said, he 's going to be too scared to do anything. I mean, did you see him during this lesson ?"

"Yeah,"John nodded,"We ca n't secern him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether Matt knows about it or not."

"I agree,"Albus nodded,"We wo n't tell."

"What are you two talking about ?"mat appeared behind them, looking no better than he had before.

"nothing,"John said,"What did Balladanis desire ?"

"Told me I did n't have to go to the extra help during this unit unless I wanted to,"Matt told them.

"What are you going to do ?"John asked.

"I do n't bonk,"Matt said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll look fishy if I do n't, but I really ca n't take many more than lessons like that. pigeon hawk, Thursday 's lesson is going to be awful."

Albus saw no point in denying that. matte did n't have a clue as to how awesome it would be. They said nothing more about it the hale way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so happy about having ridiculously long Quidditch practices as he was Tues and Wednesday eventide. He was perfectly glad to spend all his dislodge prison term on the Quidditch pitch and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so difficult for him to maintain what Malfoy said away from Matt. He wanted nothing more than to monish his protagonist about it, even though he knew that would execute goose egg. All it would do was throw Matt concern even more and then act even more uneasy during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's mind off of what would happen after Malfoy 's suspicions were confirmed. It would n't be anything like when Albus found out or even when Kaden found out. No, Malfoy was going to use this to his advantage. Albus was nearly one hundred percent sure Malfoy would announce it to all of Slytherin. Then, word would spread and the stallion school would find out. Falco columbarius only knew what would materialise when students'parents found out.

Albus knew that wolfman right wing had come a long way since teddy 's dad was in school, but he also knew that well-nigh masses would not be happy if their shaver were going to school with a werewolf, especially one that did not rent Aconitum lycoctonum. Not to bring up the field day the press would take in with it. Matt 's dad had just become head teacher of the department for the rule and Control of Magical beast for merlin 's sake. It would be a repeat of what had happened when Matt and his family had lived in Australia.

Not to mention what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a slender luck that Malfoy found out about the passing under the Whomping Willow. He had nearly had a scare plan of attack. What would happen if Malfoy found out he was a wolfman ?

It did not help that the full-of-the-moon moon was that Friday. lusterlessness barely spoke during the brief times that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch shot. He sat in the Marauder 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, Wood 's long Quidditch pattern took Albus 's mind off of all of that, but they did not stop Th from arriving and sooner than Albus would take liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and John exchanged spooky glance as Malfoy walked in with a very smug aspect on his look. Albus was so focused on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's trunk was back in front man of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked John in the side.

"What ?"John seethed. Albus gestured to the proboscis."merlin 's face fungus,"John exclaimed,"I do n't even want to make out what he 's going to do with that."

"tranquillity down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll continue our loup-garou treatment today by talking about what happens to a wolfman when the lunar month waxes.

"Werewolves, in a similar way to vampire, are somewhat allergic to the moonshine when the moon waxes. For the few Night before the actual full Moon, when exposed to moonlight loup-garou will feel ill. The moonlight gives them vexation and when exposed long enough, causes them to lose consciousness."

Albus did n't bother writing any of this depressed, as he knew first hand what happened when a werewolf was exposed to too much moonshine shortly before the full moon. Instead he stole quick glances at Malfoy and Matt. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing fast coup d'oeil at lustrelessness himself. matt was staring down at his parchment and Albus was sure he was trying to ignore everything Balladanis said. He was pale and ill, but Albus was n't certain if that was because of the lesson or because the to the full moon was the next day.

"Lycanthropes are often too ill to go about their day-to-day activities the day of the full moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the actual transformation, I wish to show you what a person with lycanthropy looking at like the day of the full moon."

For a brief endorsement, Albus thought Balladanis was going to call lusterlessness to the front of the room, but then realized that as a prof, Balladanis must give promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his scepter at the automobile trunk and a small man stepped out of it. His pallor looked exactly like matt 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces bore scratch and had a under the weather look to them.

Balladanis began to speak about what the anamatek looked like, but Albus paid no attention. Instead he looked to Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the anamatek for a min or so with shock and then he glanced at matte. Finally, he met Albus 's gaze and Albus saw the biggest smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's font. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The remainder of the lesson passed by in a sort of fog for Albus. He and John had exchanged glimpse and the looking at on John Lackland 's grimace told him he had noticed Malfoy 's realization as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's lecture, but he did n't process it.

The lesson seemed to drag on and speeding by at the same time. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the Saami metre he did not want to know what was going to take place after.

"Next lesson will concentrate on wolf's bane Potion and the effects it has had on loup-garou right hand,"Balladanis announced at the end of the lesson,"Class dismissed."

Albus and John looked at each other. Albus did n't know what to do. Should he confront Malfoy ? Or should he tell lusterlessness what happened ? Matt seemed oblivious to the all thing.

They silently decided just to leave the classroom and decide what to do after. rose wine and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no estimate what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the way and Albus was not sure as shooting if this was a good or a bad matter. He had the sudden itch just to hex Malfoy powerful then and there.

"Another enlightening lesson,"Malfoy smirked,"Oh, Eckerton, feeling a bit ill ?"

"None of your business,"Matt muttered. Albus and Gospel According to John both stepped a bit closer to him and Albus clenched his hand around his wand.

"Bet you 'll be feeling even big tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that time of the month, is n't it ? Tomorrow night ?"

That got Matt 's attention. His principal snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to John with the most panicky look on his face Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun wax moon, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just loud enough for lustrelessness, Albus and can to hear.

flatness did n't say anything. He shook his head and then ran. He pushed through the crew, much to the dislike of the scholarly person who were trying to get to division, and disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Albus suddenly felt more hatred for Malfoy than ever. Not only had he worked out Matt 's secret, but he had used it to scare him. In pith, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the worst matter he could stimulate done.

Ignoring all the other students who were going to class, Albus pulled out his wand and had it against Malfoy 's chest in two seconds.

"If you tell anyone,"Albus growled,"I will personally make sure you 're so undistinguishable that even your own parents wo n't acknowledge you."

"Is that a threat, Potter ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to spell it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to feel out just how much proficient I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the like time.

"Expelliarmus !"John shouted.

The gang moved away so that there was a rope of looker-on surrounding the duel. Albus ignored them. It was just him, John, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected John 's disarmament charm and pellet another spell at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's cuticle and hit a nearby portrait. The portrait 's occupier shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbor 's frame.

Albus concentrated on his buckler charm and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling lessons, Albus watched as his shell held up while the hex shooter at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a titillation jinx at John.

This one hit lav and he collapsed onto the flooring in a fit of giggles. Albus blastoff another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his face. Malfoy 's nozzle started bleeding and he rounded on Albus.

"What is going on out here ?"Balladanis shouted.

Albus did n't lower his wand and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't fire off anymore hexes either. Albus let his buckler down and noticed that the gang had dispersed. John was still rolling around on the ground.

Balladanis pointed his wand at whoremaster and john immediately stopped giggling and stood up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three boys followed Balladanis into his sketch. Albus looked nervously at John the Evangelist. Of all the prof to catch them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of course, the one adept matter about this was that Malfoy could n't announce Matt 's lycanthropy to the intact school while Balladanis was lecturing them.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awesome citizenry who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John sat as far away as possible from Malfoy in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis just stared at them before speaking.

"I can not begin to tell you how disappointed I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. I am certain I taught you amend than this. The two of you especially should know how uncalled for that was. You are well cognizant of your dueling skills and what sort of responsibleness lies with them. I have half a intellect to discontinue our training sessions. However, I am leave to hear all sides of this story before laying out any sort of penalty. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to family and ceramicist pulled out his wand and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to defend myself,"Malfoy said.

Albus had to try hard not to snort. He and John looked at each early and St. John rolled his center.

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. potter, if you please."

Albus took a deeply breath. He was going to say the story. The entirely story."Malfoy was threatening Matt, sir,"Albus began.

"Mr. Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked,"I did not see him anywhere."

"He left after Malfoy threatened him,"Albus continued,"You see, Malfoy has figured something out about lustrelessness, after listening to your lectures on werewolves."

Balladanis 's eyes widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that true, Mr. Malfoy ?"

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the right hand to know if I 'm in school with a werewolf."

Malfoy said 'werewolf'with disgust and it made Albus want to hex him once more.

"Mr. Eckerton has the right to prevent his medical checkup issues to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His health is none of your stage business whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After Matt left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go severalize the completely schoolhouse about Matt 's lycanthropy,"Albus explained,"And I guess we just wound up dueling."

"Just wound up dueling ?"Malfoy scoffed,"You had your verge on me."

"You sent the foremost hex,"Albus muttered.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Brickston ?"Balladanis asked.

"No,"King John replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

"Very well,"Balladanis replied,"I see this matter goes much encourage than a duel. All three of you will receive four nighttime'detention starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten points from your several houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the schoolmaster. There are things more significant to discourse than detentions,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew full well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and St. John the Apostle said nothing as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's cogitation. Malfoy walked a few feet behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's study since his foremost class, when he went to talk to Dumbledore 's portrait. The place had n't changed in the slight. Everything seemed to be in the exact same place. Both Dumbledore and Snape were alive and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, John, and Malfoy stood near the door while Balladanis strode forward.

"We have a trouble,"Balladanis said,"These three have been dueling."

"I trust you to helping hand out detentions, Aplysia,"Kendrick replied,"I am occupy at the moment."

"It 's not the dueling,"Balladanis said,"It 's what they were dueling about."

"And what would that be ?"Kendrick asked.

"Mr. Malfoy has discovered that matte Eckerton is a werewolf,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. Potter and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his quill and looked up."I 'll consider this from here. I believe you have a lesson to teach."

"I believe I do,"Balladanis replied and left the room.

Kendrick conjured a few chairs and gestured for the three male child to conjoin him at his desk. Albus sat down in the middle chair and waited for Kendrick to lead off. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying enraptured attention.

"wellspring, well,"Snape said,"Deja vu."

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. Potter, perhaps you can severalise me if anyone else knows about matt 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"rose wine Weasley, Amanda tagging program, and Kaden Dursley."

"I knew that Dursley kid knew something,"Malfoy muttered.

"Not now, Mr. Malfoy,"Kendrick said,"I 'll take to verbalise with them, as well as matte. I imagine they 're all in class."

"Sir,"Albus interrupted,"I do n't imagine Matt 's in class."

"You may be in good order,"Kendrick sighed,"Do you have any idea where he might be ?"

"Yes,"Albus answered.

"Very well. Please go find him,"Kendrick said,"And Mr. Brickston, please go find the others."

Albus nodded and he and St. John left the report. Albus went straight to the predator 's Den while St. John the Apostle went to the dungeon as Rose and Amanda would be in potions.

matt was sitting on his bed in the Marauder 's Den, staring at the wall and not moving a muscle.

"I suppose Malfoy 's told everyone,"Matt said without turning to look at Albus. His interpreter was hollow.

"No,"Albus replied,"He has n't had the luck. lav and I dueled him after you left. Balladanis gave us all four nights of detention and took percentage point away."

"He 'll differentiate everyone soon,"matte replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to finish schooling. That 's not even the worst part. It 's going to be all over the oracle. My dad 's going to turn a loss his job again. We 'll probably have to be active to New York."

He finally turned around and looked at Albus. He no longer looked anxious. He looked absolutely terrified, yet sad at the Saame time.

"Why did Balladanis consume to be such a soundly instructor ?"Matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sorting of awful teacher then maybe Malfoy would n't feature found out. He 's just so thorough ! He left nothing out ! Even the way he described the transmutation. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that stupid anamatek !"Matt sat up and looked at Albus,"That thing looked just like me, only older. No wonder Malfoy found out."

"You 're not going to get kicked out,"Albus assured him.

"How do you bed ?"Matt shouted,"How do you really lie with ? I know Teddy 's dad got to persist after Snape found out, but this is unlike. That was when Dumbledore was here ! Everyone says Dumbledore was barking mad. Kendrick is n't. Kendrick 's perfectly reasonable and he 's not going to need to deal with this."

Albus did n't really know what to say to that. Everything Matt said was true. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. nobody could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his survey. He wants to babble out to all of us. Me, whoremaster, Rose, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't want to go up there,"matt said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to stay here. Falco columbarius, my head is killing me."

"I think you have to go,"Albus said quietly.

"I know,"Matt groaned and got up off the bed,"This just is n't fair. I hate it. I hate this altogether affair. I do n't need to be a crashing werewolf anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how abject Matt was at that moment. Albus had never once heard him plain about being a werewolf. Not when he was too tire out to do anything because of the wide-cut moonshine or when he was laid up in the infirmary fender for days afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's subject area. Albus muttered the countersign, that he had overheard Balladanis say, to the gargoyle and they ascended into the study.

Everyone else was already there and they all turned to Albus and Matt when they walked in. Matt froze in place and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"convey a tooshie,"Kendrick gestured to the two vacuous professorship, one of which was next to Malfoy's.

Albus took the nates next to Malfoy 's, but did n't look at him. lusterlessness took the former one.

"First, I want to guarantee you that you do not have to leave Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to Matt,"cypher else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

Matt did n't expect reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My male parent wo n't consort with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your father has no say whatsoever in which pupil I admit to this schooltime,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I point out that his office is not very high."

"Matt,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"doe anyone else know ?"Matt shook his headspring."And did you severalise the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. Matt nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

Matt seemed unable to speak. After a few instant of secrecy, Kendrick turned to Albus."How foresightful have you known, Mr. potter ?"

"Two years,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this question with rose wine, John, and Amanda, who all gave the Sami answer as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus charm. He shared one horrified glance with Rose and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His lip was agape and he looked a fiddling frightened.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"Fine,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"prof, Sir,"rose wine began,"We sort of put this charm on Kaden, so he would n't tell anyone. He can only peach about it with us. He wo n't be able to say a affair about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's reaction, but before the headmaster could say a word, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus spell,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"Rose answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an incredible enchantress, missy Weasley."

"Too smart for her own full, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the nonplus feat, Miss Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you tell me how foresighted Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a year,"blush wine said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some things to discuss with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in private. The rest of you may go to the Great dormitory. I believe there is still a half hour or so leftover of lunch."

Albus did n't really require to leave without finding out what was going to pass off to Malfoy, but he knew Matt would state him.

Matt never showed up in the Great Hall for dejeuner, nor did he go to Ancient Runes or Charms. Albus could not concentrate on either of those stratum and was very happy when magic spell was over and he was able to leave.

Wood was not very glad that Albus had acquired four detainment. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty minutes telling Albus how he should n't be picking fight with former educatee so close to the following Quidditch match, especially in front of instructor'classrooms. The speech had only ended when Albus told him he was tardy for charm. Albus had run into Wood in in between antediluvian Runes and Charms.

"What do you hypothesise Balladanis is going to make up us do ?"John asked as they walked towards the Marauder 's Den.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"John agreed.

rosiness, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go find Matt before they went to dinner. They had to wait a patch for the corridor to top out before they were actually capable to get into the room, though.

mat was fast asleep on the couch when they entered."dear affair he does n't have detainment tonight,"John pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

John gently shook Matt 's shoulder until he cracked his oculus open."Wake up,"John said,"Or you 'll miss dinner."

"I 'm not hungry,"lusterlessness muttered.

"What 's Kendrick doing about Malfoy ?"Albus asked as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

"He should put that charm on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"Matt sighed,"All he did was tell Malfoy how crucial it was not to mention anything. He said telling his father would do zilch. Then he told him that if he ever did differentiate anyone, he would face expulsion for revealing another student 's medical information. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did predict he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? indisputable, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't get it back. I 'd still have to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't suppose he 's going to tell anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy kinsperson, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified ace. Malfoy wo n't want that."

"I guess you 're rectify,"Matt sighed,"It 's just so foreign, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you require to go eat dinner ?"

"No,"mat shook his head,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to send an owl to my parents, let them know about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. St. John the Apostle and I have got custody tonight."

"Oh, right. Good luck with that,"mat replied.

******

Balladanis 's detention was a bit anticlimactic. Albus had been expecting him to call up up some really creative and taxing detention, but instead he assigned them lines. Lines were possibly the most ho-hum hold ever thought up, but they were preferred to cleaning the bathrooms or something.

"Potter, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten second,"Your dueling lesson is canceled for tomorrow night due to your detention. Detention will be at nine, after my extra help session, something I 'll carry you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said nix more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three boys, which Albus did n't really heed. He just wanted to get his lines done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on full moons, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a werewolf used to learn here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the honest Defense Department teacher any of our parents ever had."

"Quiet !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was thankful for Balladanis 's scolding. Malfoy stopped asking questions and went back to his logical argument. Albus sighed and went back to his own. How far was Malfoy going to go ? Why could n't he just be satisfied with having worked out lustrelessness 's secret ?

A one-half hour into their line writing, when Albus was contemplating switching hands despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his right-hand mitt, there was a knock on the threshold. Albus looked up and saw professor Kendrick standing in the doorway, along with none former than matt 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to King John. lavatory had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last thing they needed was for Balladanis to commend they were there and secernate them to get out so he could have whatever conversation he was about to take in private.

"genus Aplysia,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John. matte 's dad knew Balladanis ? How ? mat had never mentioned that before.

"That 's his dad ?"Malfoy whispered.

"Shush !"Albus said again.

"I wish to talk to you about what happened earlier today,"mat 's dad said quietly.

"What about it, Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked.

"My son told me about your lessons,"Mr. Eckerton said,"How, informative they are."

"I teach my students what they 'll need to know in rescript to fight themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"Merlin, showing them exactly what a lycanthrope looks like before a transformation with an anamatek ? Do you realize how dangerous those are ?"

"Of course,"Balladanis said, raising his voice a bit,"You 're not the merely expert on wizard beast. I have pure ascendency over my anamatek."

"Nobody has sodding command over an anamatek !"Mr. Eckerton said.

"The headmaster has already told me I 'm not allowed to use it anymore, so you really do n't need to be lecturing me about this,"Balladanis seethed.

"Oh, it 's not only that,"Mr. Eckerton stepped a bit closer to Balladanis,"It 's how often you taught the third class about loup-garou. The details about their transformations, how to pick one out of the general population, what happens before, during, and after transformations. Your lesson was far more detail than a third yr text edition book."

"You 'd find that all my lessons are like that,"Balladanis replied,"text Holy Writ do not give enough details."

"I think giving enough particular about identifying a loup-garou so that a tierce year would be able-bodied to run out that person not even in their same house is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should have been a bit more timid with your lesson."

"Withholding information from an integral course of study because of one educatee is not a thoroughly method of teaching,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be dangerous for that one bookman,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the greatest good for the greatest number, are we ?"

"There are time when that is a good philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll agree to disagree, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your example are putting my son in danger anymore, you may find that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll instruct however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three boys, none of whom were writing lines any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the tabular array Albus, whoremonger, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded hello to Albus and John before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the schoolmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the need to retell that there will be consequences if you make world my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"Good,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the castle tomorrow to search your subject area and classroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his breath as Matt 's dad left the room with professor Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with Gospel According to John. He wanted zip more than to leave, so he could talk about what had just happened.

"That 's sufficiency for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow dark at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his precipitation to get up. He ran out of the room as fast as he could with John following. Malfoy made no move to try and mouth to them again, so they headed straight to the marauder 's Den.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the lovely the great unwashed who have read and reviewed this ! You guy wire are awesome !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and privy burst into the vulture 's Den a little while later to witness that Matt and Kaden were the only ones there. Matt 's cheek was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the heart of a game of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four win for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the poster,"Oh, Albus, St. John the Apostle ! How was your detainment ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down adjacent to lustrelessness,"matt, did you love your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"matt nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talk of the town to Kendrick. I went with him."

"Well, do you bonk where he went after ?"John Lackland asked.

"Home, I guess,"mat shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our detention,"whoremaster said.

"He what ?"flatness replied.

"Yeah, it was really odd,"Albus said,"He came in with Kendrick and Kendrick introduced him to Balladanis. Only Balladanis said 'we 've met'. You never told us your dad knew Balladanis."

"I never knew,"Matt shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really angry,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too much about how to figure out if someone 's a wolfman and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how dangerous it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"Matt said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the grounds he came here, to distinguish Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to audit Balladanis 's room tomorrow to make sure he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's teaching puts you in danger again, the Ministry 's going to investigate him."

"It 's really not a salutary idea to get on my dad 's bad side,"Matt said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to teach however he wanted,"Albus explained,"Honestly, he did not search felicitous that your dad was there. I think something happened between the two of them."

"But what ?"flatness asked,"Dad 's never mentioned him before."

"Think he 'd narrate you if you asked ?"can wondered.

"Probably,"Matt said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd amend not enjoin anyone you 're a lycanthrope,"John said,"He looked pretty scary, too. I do n't cerebrate Malfoy 's going to secernate anyone."

******

It did not hire very long for word to disperse that Balladanis had gotten in difficulty for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the next cockcrow at breakfast, as a few older bookman had bet on how prospicient he would have it. Somehow everyone knew that mat 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the late Night and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had Defense Department that morning and reported to Albus at lunch that Balladanis was even strict than common and seemed incredibly angry. That did not bode well for Albus 's hold that evening.

"He 's right-down shivery,"Kaden said as he piled steak and kidney pie onto his plateful,"Yelled at one of the Ravenclaws in my class for spilling her ink. She was nearly in tears. But I 'd hate to be in your class, Albus, he 's going to be brutal. I mean, it 's pretty much because of Matt that he got in trouble."

Matt had gone up to the predator 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in lunch. Albus knew that Kaden was proper. Balladanis was going to take this out on matte, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't know why he cares so a good deal,"John shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could have just taken that thing away. He 's lucky he just had to take it back to his firm or whatever."

"I do n't think he likes the regime,"Albus said,"That 's the feeling I got after listening to him talk about what he did before teaching here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"Well, I think it 's a skilful thought for the Ministry to pretend him consume that thing home,"privy said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a manticore next."

Kaden went to stratum after lunch while Albus and John the Evangelist went up to the marauder 's Den with Rose and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"trick asked as he gestured to matte, who was asleep in his bed.

"Doubt it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"merlin, I just want to sleep with what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"whoremaster groaned.

"You 're so raring,"blush wine commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to wake up him up,"John muttered.

The remainder of the good afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his detention later and lavatory complained loudly about how he had to go to the extra help academic term about werewolves when he already knew so much about them.

Albus woke Matt up shortly before dinner and he looked much speculative than he usually did the day of good synodic month. They all escorted him to the infirmary wing, where dame Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to depart the hospital wing, the room access opened and in walked Matt 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to see if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

toilet nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"lavatory whispered.

"He 's not going to distinguish us now,"Albus muttered back,"Look at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to Matt 's bed and talking to Madam Pomfrey in hushed whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detention for nix. He entered the elbow room before Malfoy and John was already doing his lines. Balladanis said absolutely nothing to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a little while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not talk either. He did not ask anything about matte and did n't even gloss that the total moon was that night.

Balladanis let them will at half past ten. Albus and toilet found Kaden in the Marauder 's Den and spent the remaining time left until astronomy playing Exploding Snap and wizard 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to have got this class with the Slytherins ?"John Lackland groaned as they made their way to the Astronomy Tower,"If Malfoy does n't urinate a exclusive comment about the to the full Sun Myung Moon, I 'll eat an entire cauldron."

"I 'm going to sustain you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't cerebrate you 'll make to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his telescope up side by side to Albus 's. professor Polo spent ten min telling them that they were to plat the placement of Red Planet, Venus, the moon, and a handful of stars before turning them lose to actually do so.

"The moon is so bright,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... wide ...."

Albus looked at John."Looks like I wo n't be eating my caldron tonight,"John muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the Head of the Department for the regulating and command of Magical fauna ? Yeah, he must be, because he 's the one who made Balladanis get rid of the anamatek. Ca n't say I 'm really upset about that,"Malfoy said quietly,"But how ironic."

"Just discontinue talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, descend on, ceramicist. Even you have to treasure the irony,"Malfoy said.

"will you just close up,"Albus seethed.

"Quiet over there,"Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more clock time before going back to his telescope. The relief of the lesson passed without anymore comment from Malfoy and Albus was quite happy when he was able to return to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in first year,"Albus sighed,"Remember when ma'am Pomfrey locked the hospital fender ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"Rose said.

"Well, she did n't lock up us out this sentence,"John pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his ally had slept late on Saturday morning and after grabbing a flying chomp to eat, had gone to chatter matt in the infirmary wing. Madam Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the Marauder 's Den, trying to cipher out why.

"She always lets us in,"John the Divine groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad Nox,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"rosiness wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the broad lunation have been unfit the past few months ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us become Animagi,"John muttered.

"Saint John the Apostle, I honestly do n't think you could become an Animagus,"rosiness replied,"You 'd wind up up with a permanent poop affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"St. John grinned,"Always thought it would be cool to suffer a tail."

"You 're not helping,"Albus sighed,"What are we going to do ?"

"I think all we can do is just keep going back to the hospital wing,"John the Evangelist shrugged,"Until Madam Pomfrey lets us in."

Their cause proved fruitless, though. They went to the hospital wing twice that afternoon and then right before Albus and privy had to go to detention. ma'am Pomfrey told them 'no'each meter.

Sunday, the last day of Albus and John 's detention, was the Saame. lady Pomfrey was quite livid when they showed up for the third metre that day.

"nil 's changed !"she shouted,"seminal fluid back tomorrow eventide ! I 'll give the lot of you detention if you come back any to begin with than that !"

With that, she strode back into the Aaron Montgomery Ward and slammed the door."Can she even give detention ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and St. John the Apostle broke away from the group to complete their last detention. Balladanis gave them railway line, just like he had the past three nights. Albus sat quietly completing them, very grateful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two Son to him since Astronomy.

"You may stop,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an hour and a half.

Albus threw his calamus down and leaned back in his hot seat. Finally, it was over.

"I hope you learned something,"Balladanis said, which shocked Albus. He had been expecting Balladanis to continue his silence."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the upshot will be much more hard than detainment and lost points.

"Mr. ceramicist and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should continue giving you redundant example. I have decided to open you one More chance. object lesson will carry on this Friday at their normal time. However, if either of you disregard my prescript again, I will no longer maintain them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in class on Tuesday."

"Falco columbarius, I 'm gladiolus that 's over,"John muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be awful in class, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't boil down at all in his classes the succeeding day. All he wanted to do was go to the infirmary wing and chance out how Matt was, but Madam Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

Rose and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, John, and Kaden near the hospital wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very bucket along dinner due to Albus 's Quidditch drill at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the threshold to the hospital flank, one-half expecting Madam Pomfrey to yell at them again. He walked quietly inside, followed the the others. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk and she visibly sighed when she noticed them.

"Go ahead,"she gestured to the merely use up bed, which had the pall pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the curtains back. matt looked exhausted and there was a rather large bandage wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd derive visit me,"Matt gave them a one-half smile.

"We 've been trying !"John said,"brothel keeper Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"Matt smirked,"I 've heard her call at you. It 's kind of amusing."

"Well, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't Madam Pomfrey let us follow visit ?"

"Because I did n't waken up until yesterday afternoon,"Matt answered.

"But that was-"Saint John the Apostle began.

"Nearly two daytime later ?"Matt cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"Rose asked.

"A bunch of things, really,"lustrelessness sighed,"outset, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always worsened when I 'm worry about something. Second, I hit my drumhead really firmly at some point that nighttime. It still hurts. Third, the transmutation in worldwide are getting worse, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's mind. Albus and all his friends were obviously getting older and that brought plenty of changes, but he had n't even thought about how the beast would change when mat got older.

"So, are all of the full moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"matte shook his straits and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really know what 'll find in the future, but this one was just a combination of bad things."

"That 's good, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to leave ?"

"Tomorrow Night at the earliest,"Matt sighed,"Although that means I 'll pretermit Defense."

"Wish I could overlook Defense,"John muttered,"speech production of Defense, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"john, he just woke up yesterday,"blush wine pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"matte said,"But he came to see me before and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"John grinned,"And ?"

"And,"matte said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really surprised that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed pass of the section for the regulating and Control of Magical Creatures in Commonwealth of Australia, he hired Balladanis to captivate a band of vampire who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too easy on them."

"What did he do to them ?"John asked.

"Sent them to prison house. I think they got 20 years. Balladanis thought they should give gotten liveliness sentence. Dad and Balladanis got into this Brobdingnagian argumentation at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Aussie Ministry did n't hire him after that,"lusterlessness explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would gibe on punishments. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"Matt replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of outlet. Oh, and he wanted me to warn you not to mind to everything Balladanis says during those dueling lessons you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a different position of Balladanis during the past week."

******

Tues daybreak dawned quickly and Albus trudged to Defense with John. Neither of them really knew what class would be like, but judging from what he heard about late Defense grade in the common room, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug ego now that hold was over. He sat next to Goyle wearing a smirk on his face. Albus ignored him and went to his common table.

Balladanis stormed into the room a few minutes later. He waved his wand at the door and it slammed shut with a smasher loud enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell twins, who had been sitting close-fitting to it, to jump.

"Pass your prep questions forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the table in front of him and waited for Balladanis to garner it. He paused in presence of the table in figurehead of Albus's.

"Potter,"he began,"You can tell Eckerton that his preparation is tardily and therefore I will not take on it. If he wished to get deferred payment for it, he could receive graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him glares from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the homework unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"Wolfsbane potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the name of King Oliver Belby. He finished the founding in 1991. For most werewolf, the potion was a lifesaver. Who can explain what it does ?"

Nobody, not even rosebush and Linda, raised their hands. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't call on him.

"cypher ?"he said,"Pity. wolf's bane potion renders a wolfman harmless during full moons. The wolfman turns into a wolf, but a harmless one. One that will just kip until the moon exercise set and will not give the itch to burn and kill.

"The potion is a lifesaver to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to show you what a lycanthrope would count like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the castling,"Balladanis said with malevolency,"Therefore you will take to go without the visual. It seems that certain parents, Ministry official, and the headmaster do not okay of my methods of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't foretell it suffering,"John muttered.

"lull, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to contribute to the class."

"No, sir,"Saint John the Apostle replied.

"good,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore coming into court in this classroom and your Education is going to suffer for it. nada, and I repeat goose egg can supercede manus on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the blood at having what was in marrow a live manticore in movement of him. There were some times when reading sufficed.

The lesson continued with Balladanis talking about Wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't work for all werewolves and Albus found his judgement drifting. All in all, the lesson had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his brief rant about his anamatek being banned from the castling, he had been pretty rule. formula for Balladanis, that is.

"Next lesson will be the utmost on werewolves,"Balladanis announced at the end of year,"We will pick up about lycanthropy 's effect on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. Matt would be out of the hospital annexe by then. Why could n't Balladanis just finish the loup-garou unit already ?

"He wo n't be back succeeding year,"John muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just question who we 're going to get instead."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all the lovely people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"Place your bets here !"Fred shouted the following day as he walked around the green room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrayal hole with Georgia and James after a particularly unmanageable Quidditch practice. Wood was getting them prepared for the mates against New House of York, which was to drive place in a niggling over a week.

"Georgia, James, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"charge to set a bet ?"

"What are you taking bets about ?"Georgia asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on stuff, your mum is bound to chance out."

"She wo n't care,"Fred shrugged. He was probably right. Albus 's aunt Alicia was the to the lowest degree stern out of all of his aunty. She 'd probably put a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just ameliorate Bob Hope grannie does n't find out,"Georgia smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't fault him. Molly Weasley would probably send him a howler if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And Heather and I are taking bets on how often longer Balladanis is going to finis. Care to take a conjecture ?"

"I suppose,"Georgia said as she pulled out some atomic number 79,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a week. I heard he had three outset years in tears today."

"He nearly had half of my class in tears,"Fred said as he took Georgia 's amber,"James, Al ?"

"leash Galleons says he 's gone in two workweek,"James said as he tossed Fred some atomic number 79 and then left to go find his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his caput.

"Suit yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his walk around the common room,"stakes here, position your stake !"

Albus found his Friend crowded around their usual table in the plebeian elbow room. Linda was with them. All three girls were working on homework. trick and Kaden were trading Chocolate batrachian cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in difficulty,"Rose muttered as Albus sat down,"You did n't bet anything, did you ?"

"No,"Albus shook his mind,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten reaping hook he wo n't last the class,"whoremaster said.

"You should know exactly when he 'll leave, what with your taking prophecy,"Rose smirked.

"prophecy 's a jocularity,"John muttered,"I ca n't hold back to overlook it after fifth year."

"Told you so,"Rose grinned,"Sick of making up stuff ?"

"It 's just so pointless,"John groaned,"We 're still doing crystal globe. I just secern her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking Divination,"Kaden announced,"Bloody permissive waste of a class."

Kaden had chosen his category for next year a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. prior. He decided on Care of Magical beast, antediluvian rune, and Arithmancy.

"Easy preparation, though,"John sighed,"I just hold open reminding myself about that."

"What 's got well-off homework ?"lusterlessness asked as he sat down in the chairperson following to King John 's. He looked a bit better than he had the previous day, but still endure out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"John asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in clip for defensive structure tomorrow,"matte groaned,"I 'm tempted to use a Fainting Fancy to get out of it."

"I think half the first years are going to do that on Fri,"Kaden said,"I overheard them talking. Apparently Balladanis completely flipped out on one of them today, all over one uncompleted homework head. Made her cry."

"That 's what Peach State was saying,"Albus replied,"Makes me want to use a Fainting Fancy. Two weeks. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd give him."

******

St. John the Apostle filled his sac with vomiting Pastilles before he set off to Defense the next morn. Albus did n't devil. His curiosity always trumped his dislike for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and know exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"Werewolves,"Balladanis said as soon as the Alexander Bell rang,"When the term is used, most multitude conjure up figure of speech of unfrequented grownup, condemned to a miserable life story that revolves around the moon.

"However, there is a whole group of werewolves that are mostly overlooked. Children. Ah, yes, children do get attacked by werewolf. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too recent. Even few survive the initial transformation. Werewolf transformations, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few children are strong enough to make it through."

Balladanis paused and began to pace the room."Parents are faced with a decision after their child is bitten. They have three pick. number one, they can deal with it. conduct with the monthly transformation and try and take in life as normal as possible for the minor. turn two, they can abandon their kid. Force them to live with a wild pack of werewolves, to grow up to toss off. However, there is a one-third choice. Does anyone aid to guess as to what it is ?"

nobody raised their hand. Balladanis looked at his family until his center rested on Matt. A very creepy smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, care to recount us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to search at Matt throughout the lesson, stole a quick glance at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in hand, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"lusterlessness stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The tertiary option is to put the youngster down. Not a pleasant option, but one that a few parents select anyway. This option used to be readily suggested by therapist, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the first option, to continue to raise their child, are in for a very tough life. werewolf children are difficult to conjure up. It is a huge adjustment for parents and siblings if there are any. The bite affects the whole family unit. It changes sprightliness, it can rip class apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects children and Albus looked again at Matt. His hand was shaking even harder and his brass was as white as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a feeling with John and John reached into his pocket. He slid a Puking Pastille across the table towards Albus and then slid one to Matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to shove it into his mouth. John and lustrelessness did the same. Albus clutched his breadbasket as the sweet began to bring affect.

"Lycanthropic children rarely, if ever, get to attend school,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"can shouted,"I do n't sense so well. May I go to the hospital Wing ?"

"I do n't finger too well either,"Albus added.

"Shut it, you two,"Balladanis shouted,"And no you may not go to the-"

Balladanis was cut off by the sound of all three male child vomiting at the Same time. Albus leaned over his table and vomited right onto the floor. The course of study erupted into outcry and Balladanis tried to keep order.

"Fine !"he seethed,"Get to the hospital annexe, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the itch to vomit again as he ran for the door. Matt and Gospel According to John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the sweets into their rima oris as soon as they shut the door behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's iniquity !"John shouted,"How could he teach that ?"

"Not here,"Matt muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the piranha 's Den."As I was saying,"lav began,"What is wrong with that bloke ?"

"I think a lot of things,"Albus muttered,"He 's a raving lunatic."

"He 's only doing it because you 're in the class,"can said to lustrelessness as he paced around the room,"None of what he said today is actually in the Christian Bible. I mean, did you read the script ? There 's not much in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his stupid person anamatek,"Matt muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to pee-pee you miserable because of what your dad did with those lamia years ago."

"It 's just not average,"flatness groaned,"I mean, did you listen to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it dependable ?"

"Yes,"lusterlessness said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the Healers did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more sick than he had when he ate the disgorgement pastil. How could a therapist, soul whose job it was to induce multitude healthy, actually suggest that to a child 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"King John asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle Jack hexed him at the Lapplander time,"mat gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own hospital bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really like to play your Uncle Jack,"lav grinned,"He sounds like a bully bloke."

"He is,"lusterlessness smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a while ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"toilet sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"mat said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to throw to do anything."

"leash days,"whoremonger said after lusterlessness left,"I give Balladanis three more days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't waste any prison term,"rosiness said to lustrelessness as she unfolded her copy of the seer the next morning at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and register the paper over Rose 's articulatio humeri.

HOGWARTS PROFESSOR TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The department of Magical educational activity received an inquiry
late yesterday afternoon, requesting an probe
of Hogwarts defence reaction Against the night Arts professor,
genus Aplysia Balladanis. The inquiry was submitted by none
other than the newly appointed mind of the section
for the Regulation and Control of Magical tool,
Bruno Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

professor Tethys Balladanis has been teaching Defense Department at
the schooltime since September, when he replaced mind Auror
Harry ceramicist. ceramist had taught the subject for two
old age and wished to focus solely on his Auror career,
resulting in his resignation at the end of end school
year.

The impending investigation comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this week Walter Eckerton visited Hogwarts
after receiving a tip that Balladanis was holding an
anamatek in his classroom. This proved to be on-key and
Eckerton ordered him to remove it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's self-control, so all he had to
do was remove it from shoal premise. Eckerton told
newsman that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the prof
repeatedly put bookman in danger and humiliated them
in movement of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told newsperson,
'I 'm filing this inquiry as a parent, not as a Ministry
official. starting time and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigation will begin today and be carried out
by officials from the Department of Magical teaching,
a department that was set up for this design after
the precipitation of Lord Voldemort. Officials will see
the shoal and interview both pupil and faculty as
a part of their investigation.

genus Tethus Balladanis will continue to learn defence mechanism Against
the Dark humanistic discipline during this time.

"He 's still going to teach ?"John said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to Defense anymore,"lusterlessness said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't stop him from teaching until they do the investigating,"rosebush explained,"Only Kendrick can bar him from teaching at the moment."

"Then why does n't Kendrick do that ?"Albus asked as he looked up at the faculty table.

Kendrick was talking with Neville and there was a copy of the vaticinator laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't fuck,"rosiness said quietly,"But defense reaction is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"Matt said adamantly.

For once, pink wine did not chastise him about skipping class. Albus could n't fault him. He himself was half tempted to skip, but he knew his curiosity would get the ripe of him.

"Somehow, I do n't cogitate you 'll give the chance to skip,"rose wine muttered,"We do n't have defensive measure until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"whoremonger grinned,"Now I wo n't possess to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"rosiness replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"expression, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the staff table.

"May I have your tending !"Kendrick shouted and the chatter in the hall immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or learn about the article on the straw man Sir Frederick Handley Page of the Prophet.

"Ministry functionary will be visiting the school today and tomorrow to carry their investigating. They will be selecting scholarly person to interview. If you are selected, I advise you to suffice their motion truthfully.

"As of right now, prof Balladanis is still your teacher, therefore you need to treat him with respect and attend his classes. This is, at the moment, an probe and nothing more. Now, you 'd best be off to class."

"Albus,"blush wine whispered as they made their way out of the Great Hall to account of conjuring trick,"You 're not going to that dueling lesson tonight, are you ?"

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged. He had n't really thought about it until then.

"I do n't think you should,"rose wine told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't want to go, but he also did n't require to find out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't show up that evening.

Nobody fell asleep during account of magic. It must have been a new record, one that was previously set back when Binns was still alive. However, the lack of fatigue was not due to Binns 's speech. No, that was just as boring as usual. The students remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The classroom was filled with the quiet down rustling of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw third years and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six pupil in the rook who knew the particular reason why Matt 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, rosebush, Gospel According to John, Amanda, Kaden, and Matt himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not know that it had been Balladanis 's lecture on lycanthropic tike that pushed Mr. Eckerton to submit the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the school put the blame on the anamatek, even though Matt 's dad had come out and said that was n't the real cause. The Prophet had only glazed over the grounds, not getting into specifics. The Hogwarts bookman wanted particular. They wanted to know what had pushed Matt 's dad to posit an inquiry when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The intellect the students fabricated ranged from plausible to outrageous. A few seventh years, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his extra service sitting and perhaps used Matt as an representative of someone who did not have the skills to defeat drear maven. meld that with an overprotective parent ( what the 7th yr claimed matt 's dad to be, which was not actually an overstatement ), and the investigation was born. They believed that the investigating would swash over and within two week everything would be back to normal, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited offset years were the on the opposite incline of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a Chimera loose in his schoolroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin third years. Apparently they overlooked the fact that cypher had turned up injured after class and the fact that Balladanis would cause been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

Matt had become somewhat of a celebrity inside the Hogwarts paries. There was n't a single person, living, ghost, or portrait, who did n't know it was his dad who launched the enquiry. He was stopped no less than six time on the way from History of deception to Herbology by people wanting to make love the details of the inquiry. It was something Albus could tell Matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"Merlin, when will they see that I do n't want to talk about it !"Matt groaned as they made their way back to the castle after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second old age had just run up to lusterlessness, demanding to know why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just digest up on the Gryffindor board and produce an announcement during lunch,"John suggested.

"Definitely not,"matt said,"I 'm just glad we do n't have class this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, smell, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking people striding up towards the castle. There were two witch and a wizard.

"Probably,"lavatory said,"I wonder who they 're going to interview ?"

"Ten Galleons says they audience me,"mat replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those common soldier lessons."

"Let 's just Hope they do n't interview those two Ravenclaws,"whoremonger said.

Albus, lusterlessness, and toilet continued their trek to the Great Charles Martin Hall, where they ate a very fast lunch. None of them wanted to persist very long since everyone was still asking matt about the research. After they finished, the boys went to Gryffindor Tower to deposit their bags before going to the vulture 's Den to put off their homework.

The green room was mostly abandon when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the board.

"Do n't you three have class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got defense reaction and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's nothing you can do to lay down me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your course of instruction where Balladanis made someone cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't care if we get detention either. Oh, and Gospel According to John, you 'd better not tell Mum."

"I wo n't,"John said,"The three of us used Puking Pastilles to get out of Defense yesterday."

"You should stimulate just skipped from the beginning,"Ashtyn told them.

"Well, you three enjoy your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, believe me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The male child quickly stowed their udder in their hall and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portrait hole and ran straight into Gabriella.

"There you are, Al !"Gabriella exclaimed,"I 've been looking for you. Kendrick wants to see you in his study. Oh, knack on."Gabriella consulted the piece of sheepskin she was holding."He wants to see Matt, too."

"Looks like you two are getting interviewed,"John said as Gabriella went into the common room.

"Guess so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving buck private lessons with Balladanis, he probably would have been interviewed. It was one of those affair that happened when your Father of the Church was the most famous whizz in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"whoremonger replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Loads."

Albus and flatness left for Kendrick 's study while John continued towards the Marauder 's Den. Albus had no idea what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that whoremonger would be bored within fifteen minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April chump 's Day Prank ! The staff really outdo themselves this year. Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this story !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing side by side to the gargoyle that concealed the entrance to Kendrick 's study. It was apparently his job to mutter the watchword to the gargoyle to let all the scholarly person being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and flatness ascended into the study and found three former students waiting in front of Kendrick 's unopen room access. A very world-weary looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in sixth or one-seventh twelvemonth, Scorpius Malfoy, and much to Albus 's consternation, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the grounds earlier.

Albus was not at all surprise to see Scorpius Malfoy there. After all, he had secret object lesson with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to ignore Malfoy 's presence and leaned against the wall to begin the long wait.

What had been the stage in sending them all to Kendrick 's study at the Lapp time ? They were obviously only interviewing one someone at a clock time. Why could n't they give just summoned Albus later, when there were LE mass waiting ?

Kendrick 's doorway opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor first year walked out. She hurried out of the field of study and one of the Ministry functionary motioned for the Ravenclaw to enter.

The Ravenclaw was in Kendrick 's study for about 15 minute of arc. Then it was Malfoy 's turn. He took a bit more clock time, but finally came out and left without so much as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the average time, two Sir Thomas More educatee had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the pursuer from the Slytherin Quidditch squad. The other was a Brigham Young Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must have been at least an hr, Albus was finally called into the room.

Kendrick was not in his study. Only the three investigators were. Albus was now able to see them up close. The one who had called him into the room was quite tall and wore a menacing glare. Her robe were perfectly pressed, without a single wrinkle, and her hair was pulled into a tight bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The other witch was the finish antonym. She was short and quite a bit stoutness. Her nappy brown hair stuck up at all sorts of odd angles and she had a small pair of crank perched on her nose.

The remaining tec was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a shaft in bridge player. He looked a bit bored by the entire matter. He was gazing about the room and had the looking at of someone who was n't quite paying attention.

Two multitude who were paying enraptured attention, or should he say portraits, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The tall witch gestured for Albus to take a seat in social movement of the desk. Albus did so.

"My name is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lothringen Smyth,"the tall hag gestured to the short beldam,"And that is Herb Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No wonder he was so blase, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please state your good name, age, year, and home for the book,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his eyebrows. Would n't they already know all of that information ?

"It 's protocol, dear,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus ceramist, thirteen, tertiary year, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can tell us what goes on in an average moral with prof Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"wellspring, he comes in and tells us all to stop talking. Then he 'll collect the prep. Oh, and you have to get the preparation in on time, no matter what. He does n't assume late work, even if you 've got a good apology. You could be sick in the hospital fender and he would n't drive latterly homework.

"Then he 'll learn us a new charm or about some new beast. Then we 'll have to perform the spell."

"What happens if you do n't execute it properly ?"Smyth asked.

"He makes you do it again, and again, until you get it,"Albus answered,"If you do n't get it, he makes you go to extra assistant sessions."

"Has this caused distress to any of the educatee in your grade ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my grade, but I 've heard of other students crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"rich person you attended any extra help sessions ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"professor Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling lessons by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you recount us a bit about them ? What do they lie of ?"

"Most meter he just teaches me new spells, spells that are intemperately than the ones we learn in class. Scorpius Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each other with the spells,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he induce you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his chair,"One time he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by lamia,"Albus said after a brief hesitancy. He doubted Balladanis would be happy about this, but Kendrick had said to be truthful.

Both Torenzo and Smyth looked horrified. Cletus was writing away furiously on the sheepskin. Snape was smirking and Dumbledore 's face had seemed to harden.

"We did n't actually see it,"Albus said quickly,"We stood outside the house as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the house. Then we watched Balladanis, in the memory, run away from the house. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't enjoin you ahead of time ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"He just told us to go in the pensieve."

"Did he explain why he wanted you to see this ?"Torenzo asked.

"Yeah. He wanted to show us why he became a Presuler,"Albus said.

"He told you he 's a Presuler ?"Torenzo raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, he thinks me and Malfoy should become Presulers,"Albus explained.

"Very well,"Torenzo said as she walked towards Albus,"I have one final question. Would you experience comfortable if Professor Balladanis continued to teach here ?"

Albus thought about it for a consequence. Balladanis was certainly a motivated teacher and one Albus could learn a lot from. But on the former hand, he was n't the variety of sorcerer Albus felt comfortable around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please recurrence to your common elbow room. You are not to verbalize of this interview to anyone until after the investigation is completed."

Albus got up from the chair and Torenzo followed him out of the way. She called Matt in as Albus left. Albus muttered a quiet 'good luck'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just evidence us ?"John lamented as the son sat around the Marauder 's Den after dinner. Rose and Amanda were currently in the lady friend'dormitory room with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry witches said we could n't peach about the interview."

"But how would they hump ?"John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the unit schoolhouse about it."

"Neither will I,"Kaden added.

Albus snorted."I 'll tell you about it after Balladanis is sacked, or is n't sacked. I do n't think it 's going to take long for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"Matt said adamantly and then turned to John,"You 're not going to his redundant help session tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid twenty Galleons,"John replied,"Well, ok, maybe if I was paid twenty Galleons, but not for less than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling lesson ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to know was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz around down to the dungeons, hoy into the Slytherin common room, and ask.

"No melodic theme,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"flatness said,"If you go, I 'm going to start worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you want to go ?"John gave Albus a unknown look.

"I might retrieve out something about how the investigation is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

lav opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the door. A meretricious squawking noise had seemed to emit from it.

"Did you hear that ?"trick asked.

Albus nodded and got up from his rear. He walked over to the door and paused next to it. The squawking disturbance was repeated.

One matter Albus loved about the piranha 's Den was that it was always very subdued. No stochasticity could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard noise from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the door and instead of the bizarre hoot he had expected to see, Rose was standing there with her wand out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never come to the door."

"Rose ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"Rose said hurriedly,"I had to get you to come out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the unwashed room. I told him I 'd find you."

Albus turned around and told mat, Gospel According to John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the elbow room, that he would be back soon. He had no idea what his dad wanted, but it must have been important for him to go to the castle on a day he did n't induce to patrol it.

Harry was sitting in one of the sloppy armchairs in strawman of the fervidness when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, virtually probably about Quidditch judgement by their excessive use of hand motion, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portrait hole.

"Let 's talk outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrait cakehole and down the corridor a little ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"Nothing,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"wellspring, I 'm no longer a teacher here, so I wo n't say a word about you causing trouble, if that 's what you were doing,"Harry told him,"But anyway, what I wanted to ask you is whether you were planning on going to professor Balladanis 's dueling lesson tonight ?"

That seemed to be the question of the eve, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the decision is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would advise you not to go. Professor Balladanis is under a considerable amount of strain, of which you do n't know the half of. I 'd say the chance are high that he may take out this accent on you and Scorpius."

"Do you know if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no idea,"Harry answered,"But I tend to believe he won't."

"I do n't think I will either,"Albus said.

"A wise conclusion,"Harry smiled.

Harry said unspoiled night to Albus and then Albus went back to the Marauder 's Den. Kaden was in the centre of showing matt and King John how to make a proper newspaper publisher airplane.

"What did your dad want ?"John Lackland asked without looking up from the sheepskin he was folding.

"To tell me it was n't a good mind to go to Balladanis 's lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the discharge couch.

"And ?"flatness asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"Good,"Matt replied.

"You know what was eldritch, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of emphasis, nigh of which I do n't know about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Weird,"Kaden shook his header,"I 'll be well-chosen when he 's sacked."

"We do n't lie with for sure as shooting that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to battle a beautiful charwoman,"John smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't believe I did n't put that together sooner. It was n't a beautiful woman ; it was a vampire. It 's so obvious now that we know what happened to his parents, too."

"Yeah, that does seem fairly obvious,"Matt agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his tension ?"

"Probably nix,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"toilet began,"This is the first Friday we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're right,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And spend the Nox here,"matt added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The male child snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many Sweet and pudding as they could persuade by the house elves. Then they stayed up late eating all of it and playing diverse games. Albus was even able to forget about Balladanis for a while, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry official remained a permanent wave habitue at Hogwarts throughout the remainder of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of students mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including trick 's cousin Isabelle, one of the pursuer on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and Gabriella.

Professor Balladanis did not show up at a 1 repast. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. Nobody saw him, which raised the question of whether he was even still in the palace.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a chance to ready their decision. Albus was more than a trivial aflutter about going to Defense on Tuesday and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence from their dueling lesson.

It was on Mon break of day that all the Hogwarts students knew a verdict had been reached. Professor Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something important happened. He was flanked by the two witches from the Ministry. The ace was no longer there.

The Hall immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's at hand announcement, since there had not been a ace mention of Balladanis in that morning 's Prophet.

"A conclusion has been reached about prof Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"madam Torenzo will inform you of it. The vaticinator has kindly agreed not to issue the article about it just yet, as I wished to inform you of it first."

"He 's sacked,"privy muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"Good point,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the pupil with a impersonal tone on her face."Upon extensive investigating of prof Balladanis 's pedagogy methods and thoroughgoing interviews of selected pupil, the Ministry has seen it fit to move out him from his teaching position here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. prof Balladanis packed his affair late lastly night and no longsighted resides in the castle. Professor Kendrick will inform you about what will bechance with defence mechanism classes for the remainder of the year. I would wish to thank all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and extend eating her breakfast like naught had happened. The Great Hall immediately erupted into whispers, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"defending team Against the shadow fine art social class will not contain station until further notice. I will try and pander a suitable replacement for professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, delight use the prison term to study for your upcoming exam,"Kendrick said and then resumed his buttocks. He began to talk with Torenzo and the students voices rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"Matt exclaimed,"Best news I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Georgia shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Merlin !"James groaned,"Why 'd they give to do that investigating so quickly ?"

Money began to exchange hands throughout the Gryffindor table as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you recall Kendrick 'll get a alternate ?"can asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to begin with."

"gladiolus I did n't do that werewolf essay,"whoremonger grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't notice a replacing,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd give one less exam."

"That would be brilliant,"St. John replied.

The atmosphere in the castle for the rest of the day was incredibly upbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few scholarly person asked matt to thank his dad for them. It seemed that the merely educatee upset by it were those who had lost bets because of it.

Argus Filch was another who was unhappy. The general excitement of the castle caused him more employment. Peeves destroyed the defense lawyers schoolroom in celebration ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), St. James the Apostle and his protagonist set off a few Weasley fireworks, and then there was the world-wide mess that was associated with students celebrating by playing external in the muddy locoweed. Plus, Moaning myrtle flooded her lavatory when a few student told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not hold. For some odd reasonableness it reminded her of her death.

One someone who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the castle with a big smile on her human face. Albus could only attribute this to the fact that Balladanis had taught so extensively about vampires. But he never taunted her the way he 'd taunted Matt. Perhaps that was because his liberal fright was vampires.

There was even a political party in the Gryffindor usual elbow room that night. Rose thought it was a small ridiculous, to lionize the release of a teacher, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an excellent thing to celebrate.

"Just think,"John said,"We do n't ever possess to mind to him go on and on about how bad the dark arts are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"Matt added,"I could 've gone my hale sprightliness without seeing one of those."

"What do you believe he 's doing now ?"blush wine mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some seat far, like Republic of Madagascar or somewhere."

"Yeah,"matte agreed,"I bet he 's not even in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd bother to stick around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the dark to avoid anyone seeing him."

"Wish we could 've seen him leave,"Saint John the Apostle grinned mischievously,"Would 've been courteous to give him a proper send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"rose wine muttered,"Maybe now you lot can contract on examination. And maybe the palace will get back to normal."

"normal ?"Albus raised his eyebrows,"This place will never be normal. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Saturday. It 's the last catch before the final."

"When 's the net ?"rosiness asked.

"Beginning of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Commonwealth of Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, John, Matt, and Kaden all sent scathing feeling at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New York in this mate,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Wood is in replete form this week. I 'm practicing every night starting tomorrow."

"Oliver Wood is insane,"rosebush muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch pitch,"John Lackland grinned,"I would have intercourse to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can subscribe to my place."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight and everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not have Defense Against the Dark artistic production the following morning, Albus was down in the Great hallway bright and early because he wanted to read Rose 's Daily vaticinator. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's firing was one matter, reading it in the Prophet was entirely different.

Rose was already there when Albus, matt, and John sat down at the Gryffindor table. Amanda and Linda were on either side of her and all three girls were reading the article. Albus drummed his fingerbreadth impatiently on the tabular array while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, blush wine handed him the paper without saying a watchword and Albus read it, with Matt and John looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS teacher REMOVED FROM emplacement BY MINISTRY

In an event that causes much of the wizarding macrocosm to remember
back to Voldemort 's reign, Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark
graphics teacher, Tethys Balladanis, has been removed from his
position by the Ministry of Magic 's Department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's reign, Defense teachers rarely lasted more
than a year at the school, a mystery that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two years
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense teacher since that
fateful May day.

professor Torro taught at Hogwarts for years until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three class ago. He was
replaced by head word Auror, Harry potter, who is rumored to
have only taken the position after cypher else agreed to
filling it.

Harry Potter left the position this past autumn and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two years ago, when he was removed
from his situation. Approximately a week and a half ago, a
complaint was lodged by Head of the Department for the
regulating and Control of Magical beast, Bruno Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The ill included abrasive teaching method acting, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching puppet, singling students out for lack of
science, and embarrassing students in front of their match.

An investigation by Ministry officials ensued and included
the interviewing of take students and stave. The department
concluded their investigating late Dominicus evening and informed
both Balladanis and schoolmaster Fabius Kendrick of their decision.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
conclusion. When asked for a statement on the issue, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the news show, Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very happy
with the determination and that the investigation was concluded in
a seasonable fashion. I am not glad that it came to this, but I
feel that naught should be put ahead of children 's safety .'

Hogwarts scholar will not attend defence classes until a replacement
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd stick your dad in there somehow,"John announced once they 'd finished reading.

"There was n't anything in there that we did n't already know,"Albus muttered,"I was hoping Balladanis would 've said something or we 'd notice out what happened when he left the castle."

"Maybe he really did go quietly,"matt shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"Doubt it,"Rose answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

life story soon returned to normal for the Hogwarts pupil, as it often does after something exciting happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the article was published, but soon there was nothing left to say and the scholarly person focused on the upcoming Quidditch match, which was bare days away.

Albus had an easy time forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch practice. He was out on the rake every eve and was soon hearing woodwind instrument 's instruction in his head as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed normal. Albus was almost happy that the class was drawing to an end because once the tournament was over, he would n't sustain to manage with Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus gain that Gryffindor would have a new captain the next year since Georgia was graduating. Albus was sure it would be either Fred or Scots heather, but he was n't certainly which.

Albus trudged into the Great Hall on Thursday first light sorely wishing that John had n't woken him up. They did n't have a year foremost thing, so why 'd he bother doing that ? Albus was already running on little sleep.

"I 'm going to wake you up at five in the break of day this Sabbatum,"Albus muttered to lav as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"lav grinned,"I need you to help me finish that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the reason for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't Rose avail you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"lavatory muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not have got accidentally set attack to her Potions musical note end night,"John said.

"And I should have to suffer because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you do that anyway ?"

"It was n't an fortuity,"lustrelessness put in,"John and Kaden were tinkering with those super effectiveness dung bomb go nighttime in the Marauder 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the table rightfulness where rose 's notes were. The droppings bomb calorimeter exploded and rosiness 's notes caught fire."

"See, an stroke !"John exclaimed.

"No, stupidity,"Matt said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't suggest going in the Marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't receive time to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch practice again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"St. James the Apostle shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this hebdomad ?"James asked.

"I do n't sleep with, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"James River pointed to the staff table.

Albus looked up and saw that his dad was talking with Neville. Except he was n't wearing his Auror robes, he was just wearing normal gown. Albus glanced back at Epistle of James who shrugged.

"May I have your attention ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just wish to inform you all that Harry Potter has kindly agreed to take over Defense class for the residuum of term. Because of this, defence classes will resume today."

"trade good thing I woke you up,"John grinned.

"speculation you wo n't be capable to finish that essay,"Albus dead reckoning back.

"merlin,"privy muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he care that much. He 'd already had his dad teach for two years and it had n't been bad at all. Plus, his dad was a far better teacher than Balladanis.

Albus walked with Matt and St. John to Defense. rose was still not speaking to john and she walked with Amanda and Linda a niggling ways ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't turn into what happened earlier in the year.

The intact class erupted in clapping as soon as Harry entered the room and Albus noticed that this caused him to flush. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"Well, I did not consider I 'd be back here. I do throw to bear on with the curriculum, so I must ask that you complete the wolfman essay for next Thursday. However, it only has to be one foot of parchment."

There was a corporate groan from the entire class."Great,"John muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that severely,"Matt rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be fourth dimension consuming,"whoremonger replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a month and a half of term left and I ca n't just let you possess this clip to mess around."

The class was the most enjoyable Defense class the thirdly eld had had in quite a patch. Harry lectured for the integrality of the class, but it was n't boring. Albus did not heed in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the time Sabbatum arrived, virtually no one in the castle was talking about professor Balladanis. Quidditch was on the forefront of everybody 's creative thinker and the tensity ran high-pitched than they had all year. The outcome of this match would determine who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly interest. Hogwarts had already beaten New York once and they could easily do it again. The entire squad was in unspoiled wellness and none of the alternate were needed. Albus was perfectly content to sit in the stands with his ally and just follow the catch, rather than accept to play in it.

It was a quick spring day with a rebuff wind and cloud screen, perfect playing conditions. woodwind instrument had spoke of the conditions during the previous night 's drill, telling the team that a large storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The friction match commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the bunch. Hogwarts scored five goals within the first fifteen mo of the match and New York scored two. The teams remained neck opening in neck opening for the difference of the catch, until James pulled out of a diva clutching the golden snitcher in his left hand.

The crew erupted into cheers and Epistle of James was soon hoisted onto the shoulder of some of the sure-enough students.

"I have an promulgation to make !"Professor Kendrick shouted over the crowd,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Commonwealth of Australia in the final exam Quidditch peer, scheduled to take place on the first of June !"

The common after Quidditch party ensued in the usual way and everyone rehashed their darling parts of the match. No one talked about the final catch, although Albus was sure enough it was in the spine of everyone 's minds. Australia seemed impossible to beat.

Once the excitement from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts educatee seemed to realize that examination were quite nearly. The subroutine library soon became a popular berth to be and fifth and one-seventh days in item could be seen there all hour of the day.

As the eye of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a restrained green room in the even, much like her sister had two geezerhood prior. Albus and his booster spent more meter in the marauder 's Den after that, usually without Rose, Amanda, and Linda. The three young woman seemed to like the quietness of the common room.

rosebush did forgive whoremonger for messing up her notes, but she became more strain and snappish as examination drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a sort of end of term tradition with Rose.

United States Department of Defense moral took a drastic turn for the better. Albus and all of his friends got stark marks on their werewolf essays, to the surprise of no one. After that, the classes bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, Merlin !"John Lackland shouted at breakfast one Friday in the middle of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as Defense teacher or something.

"England did n't make it into the World Cup net,"St. John sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did ca-ca it ?"Albus grabbed the paper from John, suddenly remembering the tag he 'd find for Christmas. He had n't picked who he was going to invite to go with him. Actually, he had n't even told his ally about the tickets.

"Portugal and Russia,"John groaned,"Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic ! They 've got a tripe Quidditch squad !"

"Obviously not,"Rose smirked,"Albus, did you find fault who you 're going to take when you go to the Cup ?"

"waiting, what ?"Saint John gaped at Albus,"You got tag ?"

"Er, yeah, for Noel,"Albus said.

"And you did n't severalise me !"privy exclaimed.

"Well, I only got one spear carrier and I did n't recognize how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and lustrelessness. brain you, if you hate Russia, I 'll just pick Matt,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,"lavatory said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to pick then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't have to,"Matt said as he sat down next to Albus.

"Nice to see you awaken,"John grinned. Albus and John had attempted to wake Matt up before they went down to the Great Hall and had no circumstances. The fully moon was the side by side day, so Albus had n't even been for sure if Matt was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad time of the month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"mat shook his school principal,"It 's just that my dad got tickets, so you can just fall in your special one to John."

"Oh,"Albus grinned,"That makes thing easy."

"Where is the Cup ?"Amanda asked.

"Canada,"rose wine replied.

"How are we getting there, Albus ?"Gospel According to John asked,"Are we going to contain a Muggle airplane ?"St. John looked excited at that prospect.

"No idea,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's drilling,"Saint John said.

"Wish I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"can asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're Weird, Kaden,"King John laughed.

"So are you. plane are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"Matt said,"I 'd take a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for exams and Quidditch practice, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squeeze in time to gossip Matt in the infirmary wing on William Ashley Sunday, but only briefly before he went to Wood 's day long Quidditch practice.

The conform to weekend was the last match of the Junior 's Dueling nine, something Albus had been forced to neglect due to Quidditch recitation. After begging Grant Wood and a bit of helper from Teddy, Albus was able to attend the final. Albus 's team won, a lot to the delight of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with Professor Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a Son to Albus, or any of his friends. Malfoy remained mysteriously quiet around the full moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or matte. It was strange, but not something any of the boys were going to kick about it.

Three twenty-four hours before the Quidditch net, the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall was filled with whispering voices that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. transcript of the oracle were being passed back and forth and quite a few student looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked Rose as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"rose wine whispered, her expression completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the nearest copy of the Prophet. Matt and John crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN BREAKOUT

official have reported that three prisoners
broke out of Azkaban late finis Nox. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban guards
have refused to verbalise with reporters, and the
Ministry does not care to divulge entropy
at this time.

The gens of the escaped prisoners have been
released and anyone with information reguarding
any of them are asked to contact the Ministry.

The Prophet then gave detailed selective information about all three of the escaped captive. Albus only recognized Willinson. The early two had been imprisoned for more petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an cretin !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"Rose said.

Any hope Albus had of getting preparation done that week was gone. He was lucky he was capable to concentrate on Quidditch practice. Willinson was out of Azkaban. He was galavanting about England, doing whatever he pleased. That in itself was not necessarily that bad, due to Willinson 's stupidity. If he somehow met up with his male parent and Washburn, then it could be quite bad.

What worried Albus the most was the fact that he would be after the Hallows, all of which still resided somewhere in or around Hogwarts. Willinson was bound to amount back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the night before the Quidditch final arrived and Wood called the squad into the changing room after ending practice.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to manage this team,"woods said as he began to footstep in front of them,"There were difficulties in the beginning,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the team,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a team wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a group of bookman from all four houses can come together and play together on the same team. I am not sure this could have been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a long way over the year. You 've all made vast betterment in your skill. Quite a few of you are seventh years and I am very happy to tell you that there will be talent scout from a twosome Quidditch teams watching tomorrow 's catch. I have high Bob Hope for the lot of you, when it comes to Quidditch.

"I can not say whether we will win tomorrow. Australia is good, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and give it your best. Now, I think you should all turn over in early and eat a proper breakfast tomorrow before the match. slip, Tyler, anything to add ?"woodwind instrument turned to the boys.

teddy bear and Tyler both shook their heads and Wood turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. Good night."

Wood, shimmy, and Tyler stayed behind to discourse tactics while the team left. Albus and King James were the last two to provide. Georgia had left with the other seventh years, excitedly discussing the prospect of scouts.

"You think Georgia 's going to signalise with one of the master teams ?"Albus asked Jesse James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"William James said,"I just hope it does n't hurt her chances when we lose."

"We might not lose,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to lose,"King James muttered,"Linda 's too skillful of a Seeker."

Albus said naught. He wished he could just secernate James I that Linda was a vampire. It would be so a great deal easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own thoughts. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a brassy quip in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a branch breaking,"James answered.

"It was too brassy,"Albus said as he looked into the forest,"It sounded like someone Apparating in there."

"I do n't think you can Apparate in the woods,"James pointed out,"And it did n't voice that loud. You 're just tired from all the Quidditch practice."

"I guess,"Albus said as he and Epistle of James kept walking,"But what if it was person Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too often, Al,"James IV groaned,"This plaza is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here full time now. You 'd take to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is stupid enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"James laughed,"If he 's stupid person enough to do that, he 's going to get caught and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be stupid, but he did manage to snatch Kaden the former spring, and he had been on the run for a yr prior to that. He may be a rubbish dueler, but he was certainly good at not getting caught for the most part.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the wonderfully awesome people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The atmosphere in the Great entrance hall the side by side morning was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts team was sitting together at the Ravenclaw tabular array, surrounded by students from all four mansion. teddy and Tyler seemed to be in the thick of it and were loudly discussing tactic.

The Aboriginal Australian team was sitting together at the Hufflepuff table, with a large aloofness between them and the Hufflepuffs. A lowly crowd of Australians had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to join the rest of the Hogwarts team at the Ravenclaw table. Nobody was unable to play that day, so Albus 's days on the team were pretty practically over. To be honest, he was sort of relieved. There was just so much pressure.

"I think this tournament has been good for Hogwarts,"rosebush mused,"Look at everyone. nobody seems to deal who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to normal once the catch is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"blush wine shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't recognise, Rose,"Matt said,"I do n't think one twelvemonth can deepen hundred of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"Rose said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't think this has helped international charming cooperation,"Saint John gestured to the Aboriginal Australian team. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"competition rarely does that,"Rose muttered.

"Well, they 'll all be going home soon,"matte said cheerfully.

Rose shot him a dirty look and then looked up at the staff tabular array. Albus 's regard followed. The stave table was quite overcrowded that morning. There were scout from Quidditch teams, Ministry officials including Albus 's Uncle Percy, and a mixture of people from Australia and New York.

"flavor at that witch,"John pointed to a very improbable, beautiful beldame with pale Theodore Harold White skin and recollective nighttime hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"Rose told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"blush wine whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"bathroom said without taking his eyes off the witch.

There was a loud cheer from the Ravenclaw tabular array and the Hogwarts team began to leave the Marguerite Radclyffe Hall. Their entourage followed until they reached the room access and then they went to sit back down at respective tables.

The Australian team followed shortly. The fervor only seemed to increase now that the squad had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few minutes later multitude began to will for the pitch. The crowd at the staff board left first and the pupil followed.

"Albus,"John said as they got up from the table,"I 've got a few twain of omnioculars in my tree trunk. I want to see it up close when Linda catches that Snitch."

"Let 's go get them, then,"Albus replied.

Rose rolled her eyes."sports meeting us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the door as the boys ran up the heroic staircase.

"Why did n't you just bring them to breakfast ?"Matt asked.

"Forgot,"John said.

The castle was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor column. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

Saint John the Apostle had to empty out his entire trunk in decree to find the omnioculars. He had four duet and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to miss the commencement of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running in the corridors pattern as he made his way through the rook. There was n't anyone to scold him anyway. The footsteps behind him told him his supporter were n't far behind.

Albus turned a corner and ran smack into something. He fell down onto his back and looked up, only to see that it was somebody. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with Matt 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would ingest manifested itself into what Albus was well-nigh afraid of. At that consequence, it probably would have been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to look at his friends.

mat had turned white and looked far more afraid than Albus had ever seen him before, including when he had faced the boggart and when Malfoy had found out about his lycanthropy. John was looking from lusterlessness to the man, an obvious horror on his face. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his friends, pulling them into the nearest classroom. He slammed the door and pulled out his wand, putting every lockup magic spell he knew onto the knob.

Matt collapsed onto the dear chair and put his head in his custody."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the inferno is he doing here ?"lav ranted,"He 's got no business here !"

"Why 's he in the castle anyway ?"Albus began to pace around the room,"If he 's here to observe the Quidditch match, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to determine the Quidditch ?"John said darkly.

"Who the bloody hell is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at matte before looking at Kaden. matt did n't look to induce heard Kaden 's question.

"His name 's Lubar. He 's the Head of the department for the Regulation and controller of Magical Creatures in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the reason why lusterlessness had to move here, amongst former things."

"He 's a throw up and twisted evil git,"John Lackland muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the threshold and peered out the small window at the top. Lubar was no longer in sight.

"I 've g-got to go to the Ministry,"matte said,"I 've got to t-tell my dad. L-Lubar, he ca n't be here."

Albus paced back and forth in front of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? broom ? No, that would necessitate too long. They 'd birth to use the Floo meshing, but none of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to have to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll cabbage into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

mat nodded."You guys do n't have to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you mental ?"John exclaimed,"That bloke out there is probably worse than Willinson. We 're not letting you do this alone."

Albus nodded in concord before waving his wand and undoing the locking charms. He cautiously looked out into the corridor before leaving. It was empty.

Much to Albus 's easing, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd left them. He shoved them into his robe and ran back to the classroom. Matt, John, and Kaden were all talking quietly. Matt did n't depend any less scared, but at least he did n't seem to be in jolt anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"lavatory said immediately,"I 'm tall so I 'll shoot up the most room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the best liar."

Albus could n't argue there. Both he and Matt were horrible liars and Kaden still had n't gotten over his inability to keep secrets.

"You take the map, then,"Albus handed the map to John,"We 've got to get to the one-eyed witch statue on the third floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, matt, and Kaden, and the three of them followed St. John the Apostle out of the room. The corridor was still empty, much to Albus 's relief.

John set a very degraded pace and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would give away his presence. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the to the lowest degree measure of noise possible.

The boys made it down the two flight of stairs of steps requisite to get to the third base base and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and stuffed it into his air pocket. With a agile tap of his wand, he statue 's hump opened and the male child climbed inside.

Albus lit his wand and took off down the small passage. lustrelessness, John, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"John asked as they ran,"Does n't he know what he did ?"

"Yes,"matt answered,"I do n't cogitate Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't think he came here to see you ?"Albus asked Matt,"I mean, remember when Killigan saw us that one clip and he seemed so interested in finding you ?"

"Of course I do,"Matt muttered,"And it really would n't surprise me if that 's why he 's here. But I 'm betting there 's another reason."

"What did he do ?"Kaden repeated, a bit louder.

"Why else would he be here ?"Albus asked,"The match ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"flatness replied,"I do n't lie with for sure, but it seems too simultaneous for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he desire to see you ?"

matt stopped running and wheeled around to calculate at Kaden."It 's a long story. Lubar 's got a score against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Commonwealth of Australia for six years,"matte paused,"He passed a bunch of laws against loup-garou and I wound up having to metamorphose with a crowd of early loup-garou. It was bad."

lustrelessness resumed walking and did n't work out on the issue. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Matt shrugged,"Maybe public lecture to Kendrick or something."

There was no doubt in Albus 's brain that Matt 's dad would be able to get Lubar to leave Hogwarts, possibly even leave the commonwealth. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this year, but now he knew that you did not want to be on his bad side of meat. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The musical passage finally began to rise up until it came to an abrupt stop at a gnarly wooden door. Albus pressed his ear to the threshold, but heard cipher. He carefully pushed it clear, wincing as it creaked.

eyesight cypher in the storehouse elbow room beyond, Albus beckoned his friends forward. The elbow room was dimly lit, enough for Albus to see a vast sum of money of corner littering the floor. On the far rampart he could see a fireplace.

The male child climbed over the assorted boxes and stood in front of the fireplace. Albus located a pocket-sized sack of Floo Powder and then lit a fire. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into someone 's subject area at the Ministry. We 're going to take in to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a handful of pulverisation and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the powder into the attack and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of legerdemain !"

Albus stumbled out of a different fireplace seconds later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, save for a few wizards striding towards the lifts, clearly too busy to notice Albus.

mat landed rather ungracefully on the story. He picked himself up, brushing range ash off his robes.

"blank space is deserted,"Matt said as he looked around.

"It 's a Saturday,"Albus pointed out,"Does your dad work Saturdays ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"At to the lowest degree mornings."

privy was succeeding to step out of the fire, doing so more elegantly than Matt had. He stood in movement of the fervour, staring around at the Atrium. His eyes rested on the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more fancy than I imagined,"can said.

"Bloody hell !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"matte said quickly,"But we have n't got time to explore. Let 's go."

Albus followed lusterlessness towards the desk in the presence of the Atrium. There was an old wizard leafing through a copy of the caviler, oblivious to his environment. Albus almost thought they 'd be able-bodied to slip around him, but he looked up just as they were about to pass.

"Where do you think you 're going ?"he asked and then his eyes rested on Albus,"Albus Severus Potter. Why are n't you in school day ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a piddling unnerve that the man knew who he was.

Matt stepped in front of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the caput of the department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It 's kind of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your wands up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed suit. They waited impatiently as the old whiz tested their baton and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the gunpoint of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can distinguish whose wand did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the lift arrived, the male child piled in and flatness pushed the routine four. Nobody said anything as the raising creaked its way to the fourth floor.

matte took off at a run down the corridor after they left the ski lift. Albus had never been to this particular floor. It looked rather similar to the Magical Law Enforcement 's floor, with nondescript bent of three-fold doorway on one side.

Matt skidded to a stoppage in forepart of the only if doorway that was unmarried and banged his hand loudly on it. When there was no answer after a few minute, he banged again.

"clasp your hippogriffs !"called a vocalization from the inside,"I 'm coming, I'm-"Matt 's dad said as he opened the door.

Mr. Eckerton seemed to block at the visual modality of his son and the former three boys. He gaped at them for a second before shaking his head.

"Matt ?"he asked and rubbed his eyes, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in school ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and bathroom, Kaden ?"

His eye rested on Matt again."Matt ? What 's wrong ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the boys into his subject area. He shut the door quietly behind them.

The study reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were large window on the side opposite the door, although the scene outside was not real, nor was the blue pelting that was pattering onto it.

There was a vauntingly leather covered chair behind the Brobdingnagian oak desk and a few smaller chair in front of it. Along the other two walls were shelves with loading of books. virtually of them were about versatile magical creatures.

Albus, Matt, and Gospel According to John took the bum that were in front of the desk while Kaden wandered around the study looking at matter. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the front of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"matte said in barely more than a whispering,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch concluding,"matt said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody hell !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his fist loudly against his desk,"Did Professor Kendrick allow this ?"

"I do n't make out,"Matt replied,"B-but everyone else was at the mate and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's face hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with Professor Balladanis earlier in the term."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to experience a word with Professor Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his study and down towards the lifts. John 's walking speed was nothing compared to Matt 's dad 's. The boys had to run to keep up.

"Where did you Floo from ?"Mr. Eckerton asked once they were in the lift.

"Honeyduke 's,"Albus answered.

"We 'll Floo there now,"Mr. Eckerton replied.

The champion at the welcome desk looked at them curiously as they rushed towards the hearth, but did n't say anything.

Mr. Eckerton handed Albus a bit of Floo Powder and gestured for him to go first. Albus stepped into the fervency and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to spin around faster and faster. He saw glance of people 's home, shops in Diagon Alley, and a variety of former space he did not recognize. Then, out of one of the fireplaces, came a hand. Everything seemed to slow down, but Albus was n't certainly if it actually did or not.

The hand grabbed him. Albus fought against it, but it was too solid. All of a sudden he was laying on a cold wooden floor, one that was not at all like the one in Honeyduke's.

Albus coughed and stood up. His heart was beating fast. What had happened ? Why was n't he in Honeyduke 's ? Where was he ? Whose mitt was that ?

Albus grappled for his wand and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the elbow room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, Potter,"a cold voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching adjacent to the hearth with his deal inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank room than he did in Hogwarts.

The fireplace glowed super C and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. John came tumbling out of the ardor and scrambled too his feet, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breathing time and stuck his hired hand in the fire again.

"What the ?"John whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody pit !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the way. It looked vaguely companion, but Albus could n't put his finger's breadth on it. The windows were boarded up, but it was definitely not the screech hovel. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo Network anyway.

The fireplace glowed super acid yet again, this time sending Kaden onto the level. This earned another shout from Lubar, who stuck his hand in the fire again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his metrical unit and stood next to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid middle on Lubar.

Albus wanted nothing more than to run from the room, but he did not love where the construction was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stupefy him or something.

Green Christ Within filled the room as the fireplace glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that Matt would be the one to next fall out of the flame. Mere seconds later, that intuition was confirmed.

matte coughed and scrambled to his infantry. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the fervor and lit his wand, which illuminated his sinister cheek. He began to tread slowly in front of them.

"fountainhead, well, you went crying to pappa just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do love when things work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could palpate lusterlessness shaking next to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and unarm Lubar.

"Any idea where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. cover girl shop, pity about the owner. Yes, a literal shame."

Lubar did n't look at all upset about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"Well, let 's not waste our clip here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few people who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his fingers three times and Albus heard step on the stairs.

Three virtuoso descended the stairs and strode into the room. They lit their baton at the Same meter and Albus gasped when the spark showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three citizenry Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As goodness a duelist he was, he was up against four fully characterize genius. Three of them did not possess the science to duel, but Albus had no melodic theme what Lubar was capable of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a endearing reunion. Unfortunately we have n't got time to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his wand pointed at his neck. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his father had toilet. Matt, seeing his Friend restrained, made a run for the nearest window.

"Not so fast, youthful wolfman,"Lubar caught him by the spine of his robes and wrapped one of his branch around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robe with his devoid manus and pulled out an old tea kettle. He held it out to the other three men and each one put a spare hired man on it. Albus knew what was going to take place right before it did. He shared a frightened coup d'oeil with Matt before feeling a jerk behind his belly button.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as everyone who has read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist.
A/N : I decided to do part of this chapter from Harry 's point of view. It begins in his point of persuasion and then switches back to Albus 's. Asterisks indicate where the point of view switches.


"Spectacular save by Georgia Weasley !"the observer shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into manoeuvre. It was immediately taken into possession by Hogwarts, and all three pursuer threw it back and forth as they flew to the Aussie end of the pitch.

"musical score ! Hogwarts has scored against Australia, bringing the tally to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as tatty as the student. One thing he loved about the Quidditch tournament was that he did n't take in to try and conceal his excitement when Hogwarts scored. During theater matches, he had to try and dissemble he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As happy as Harry was about the Hogwarts Chasers being very skilled, he did not have Leslie Townes Hope that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's Seeker, Linda team spirit, was the estimable Seeker Harry had ever seen outside of professional Quidditch. He knew that his son, St. James, was good, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his finger on it. Her velocity on a Calluna vulgaris just did n't seem natural. professional person Quidditch role player would kill for her speed.

"I 'm surprised she has n't found the Snitch yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the pitch. James was doing the same,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the rest of the staff who were sitting around him. Most of them were quite reserved. Nobody seemed to be showing the enthusiasm Harry was. He did n't care. Harry did n't contribution their opinion that teacher could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few prof stood up and then sat back down again as someone squeezed their way past them. Harry craned his head and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't have sex the man well. They 'd met on occasion at the Ministry, although Harry had a flavor he 'd be seeing Thomas More of him now that he was Head of the Department for the Regulation and restraint of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than professional layer. Harry had never met a Church Father who was more protective of his son than Walter Eckerton, although he did have unspoilt understanding. Never a more devoted father, either.

Walter continued his way past the other professors until he stopped in front of Harry. Harry was even Sir Thomas More shocked to see the verbalism on his grimace. vexation was etched in every parting of his human face, bringing out the wrinkles, but there was anger in his eyes.

"Walter,"Harry shook his handwriting as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Bruno Walter muttered,"I need a word in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be in good order back and he followed Bruno Walter out of the base. They continued walking until they were a short distance away from the sales talk and then Walter stopped.

"The boys have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"Wait, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and lustrelessness ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Bruno Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the Head of the department for the regularisation and ascendancy of Magical Creatures in Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the modification of bailiwick."Yes, not a very kind bloke, is he ?"

Bruno Walter 's aspect hardened."That 's a gracious way of putting it. The bloke is sick and twisted and he 's got a score against me. Very yearn story and I have n't got time to tell it. inadequate version is that when lusterlessness was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to transmute in a building with other loup-garou, honest-to-goodness werewolves. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever understanding, Lubar decided to visit Hogwarts today, possibly under the pretense of attending the Quidditch match.

"The male child saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. Matt 's absolutely terrified of him, which is why they came to me. I came back with them. They Flooed before I did, but when I arrived at Honeyduke 's they were n't there. I 've already spoken with the possessor of the shop as well as a few other Hogsmeade occupier. No one 's seen them. We 've got to incur them."

Harry 's heart sank."You do n't think Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not grievous, is he ?"

"To Matt, yes, but I have n't the slightest idea as to why he 'd desire the other boy,"Bruno Walter said.

"Even if he did only desire flatness, he 'd have to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him take flatness sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every useable Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to dislodge himself from Washburn 's grasp as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the localization was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instantaneous, but this time there was a significant lag. Albus had prison term to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The endorsement cue that their destination was far away was the fact that it was very dark when Albus finally landed on the ground. Not morose like an at hand storm either. nighttime as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his feet. loudly thud around him told him that his friends had landed as well.

The ground was moist and hard and the foliage around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some sorting of timberland. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar tree that seemed to stretch out towards the starry sky.

There was no Moon to illuminate the wood. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yards away from the son and were whispering to each early. All four had lit their sceptre, but it was n't enough wand brightness to give Albus a honorable prospect of his surroundings.

Matt, John, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their wands out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't dare light it.

"Why is it night ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the hell are we ?"John asked.

"We 're in Commonwealth of Australia,"Matt said in awe, as if he was just coming to terms with that fact.

"We Portkeyed across an ocean ?"Kaden gasped.

When Albus thought about it, it made sentience. Lubar was from Australia, so why should n't he take them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't cook sense was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could tell, the four wizards seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the world. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old family ?"St. John asked.

"How should I know ?"Matt snapped,"Australia 's a huge body politic !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could enshroud there,"St. John the Apostle muttered.

"You would n't want to,"flatness said,"My stupid cousin owns it now."

"You have a cousin ?"Albus asked.

"Not important,"flatness said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying care,"lav whispered, gesturing to where the four magician stood huddled in a circle,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right there,"lusterlessness pointed to the tea kettle, which was a few substructure away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the numeration of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to pick it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the other three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you bear ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you realize how much more unmanageable this is going to be now ? We only needed Potter ! But no, you had to go and insist on bringing that werewolf kid as well."

"You would n't even deliver managed this if it were n't for me !"Lubar growled,"So do n't go telling me what I should and should n't have done."

"wellspring, now we 've wound up with two surplus I as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're youngster, how much fuss can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't know this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the grounds we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your incredible betise,"Lubar said.

Albus was very intrigue. Lubar was arguing with them as if he knew them well. Had Lubar really been working with them all along ?

What did they need him for anyway ? What had Willinson meant when he said 'we only needed Potter'?

"Shut it, Lubar,"Jarrett said.

"I 'll say what I like,"Lubar replied,"This is my George Walker Bush, not yours."

"You own the timber now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a thing of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to matte,"So many year have passed. severalize me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprise, it was John and not flatness who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed John with a lazy wave of his wand, leaving whoremonger stunned in front of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better dueler than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing john 's wand, Lubar turned back to mat, who was shakily holding his wand up.

"It does n't matter what country you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the same thing no matter where you live. The natural law do n't commute what you are. make believe as much as you like, but it wo n't deepen a thing."

Now Albus wanted to go after Lubar. The anger was boiling up inside of him and he did n't believe he had ever felt more angry in his entire lifetime, and that included every encounter he had had with Scorpio Malfoy. Malfoy was like a fluffy kitten compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. Saint John was already wandless. It would do them no good if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to wait, to wait until he could catch them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the head of the department in UK now,"Lubar smirked,"Guess it 's just a matter of clip until the same thing happens. You 'll throw to flee again."

lusterlessness was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his brain, trying to figure out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for Falco columbarius 's sake !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping things ? Did we really risk Portkeying a crew of kids to Australia just to waste time taunting one of them ?"

"tranquillity !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"excuse me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the name of Merlin do you know them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breath, waiting for Lubar to put some sort of hex or torment on Kaden. Sometimes his cousin was quite dense. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a metre not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprise, Lubar smiled. It was a twisted kind of grinning, but a grin nonetheless.

"I think that 's a fair doubt,"Lubar said."My cousin married this idiot,"Lubar pointed at Jarrett.

"You 're married ?"Kaden gaped at Jarrett, causing Albus to groan. Why would n't Kaden just shut up ?

"Not for much longer,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we delight just get on with this ?"

"patience, cousin-german,"Lubar said as he began to walk slowly around the other three,"We mus n't do this hastily. Haste is the reason you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The only thing Albus could think of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their programme, they would n't stimulate taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at Matt, who still looked scared out of his head. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed smart, much wise than the early three, and that scared Albus more than anything else. There was a big difference between dueling someone who was saucy and dueling soul who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a short while later. Harry had briefly questioned the owner of Honeyduke 's, but they had not seen any of the boys.

Harry and Bruno Walter ran towards the lifts at top speed, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the bloke at the welcome desk. The lifts could not go fast enough for the two men. Harry nearly pulled the door open when they finally arrived at Magical Law Enforcement 's floor.

The Auror authority was slightly more lively than the eternal rest of the Ministry, but not much. Three Aurors were inside, two of whom hastily shoved away a mickle of Exploding press stud batting order and stood up upon seeing Harry make it. The other Auror, a rather short but stocky enchantress, shoved the Quran she was reading in the drawer, and joined the other two.

"thrower, sir !"the witch said,"We thought you were at Hogwarts today !"

"I was,"Harry said in darkness and explained the situation.

The three Aurors looked grim as they waited for Harry to return them instructions.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the wizards,"Brighton,"he looked at the beldam,"Get started with an panoptic search of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't meddlesome with anything else. Tiburon and Oswald are on duty in Hogsmeade today, inform them of the situation."

Dabney and Brighton nodded before dashing out of the way. Harry turned to the remaining Auror."Lewster, you will be searching the Forbidden Forest as soon as someone else arrives."

Harry pulled out his baton and muttered a spell. An enormous silvery stag flew out of his wand and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the room and Harry leaned against the nearest desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the door just as Ron was running through, followed by half a dozen other Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a worried tone.

Harry rehashed the entire berth again. Ron 's face paled."What about Rose, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his header,"It was just the boys."

"Thank Merlin,"Ron whispered,"But Harry, what about Willinson ? D'you think he 's got anything to do with this ?"

"It 's crossed my mind,"Harry muttered,"But I have n't got a clew as to how Lubar would know him."

"With drear wizards, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the hunting of the Forbidden forest. Lewster 's going with you. And take aim Daniel and Julia Evelina Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the room, followed by Lewster and two former magician. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The eternal sleep of you can search the castling and grounds. Be discrete. I do not wish to break up the Quidditch couple unless it is absolutely necessary,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the room and Harry turned to Bruno Walter. He slowly shook his head. Why was it always Albus ? This was the third year he had gotten into bother. Albus 's years at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd better go Floo home and differentiate Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to pass apart."

Harry nodded as Bruno Walter left the room. Ginny. Harry snapped his brain up. She was going to be watching the mate, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the elbow room. How was he going to severalize his wife that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't give birth a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go legal injury ? We 're halfway across the human beings from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your foolishness,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the cosmos ? Harry potter 's son ! You have n't a clue as to how things work in the Ministry !

"I can assure you that at this very moment, the stallion Auror Department is looking for them. Harry Potter 's probably got every Auror on this compositor's case. It wo n't consume them long to make that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to Matt,"He 's got the most meddling parents in the populace. They 'd sooner pop everyone in the world before letting something happen to him. Very irritating. They wo n't pillow until they find him. Not to mention the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry functionary. We 've got two kids of two of the most outstanding Ministry official of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be deliberate !"

"Well, you 're the one who wanted to take the werewolf, too,"Jarrett growled.

"And you 're the one who insisted we take thrower 's son !"Lubar shouted,"Why do we even need him ?"

"We just do !"Jarrett shouted back.

"If both of you idiots had n't wanted to bring the kids, we could 've done this hale matter without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the same time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't give birth a prospect to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only hope that the wizards would have enough to argue about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the house ?"

"have you learned nothing ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the first place they 'll look is the house."

"Got any expert ideas ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a surreptitious piddling hutch somewhere in this res publica ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. lot of space to hide, not very inhabit. Perfect place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice grip again. Matt was once again in the clutches of Lubar, and John and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very short about the Australian outback, just that it was n't worthy for often human inhabitation. However, the one piece of entropy he did know about it was that it was where most of the dementors that used to hold Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat popular place for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two seconds to realize what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sensation of side-along Apparition.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all of the awesome the great unwashed who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the premature chapter, this one goes back and Forth River between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking justify of Jarrett 's grasp. He tripped over a rock and landed face first in the sand. Spitting the grittiness out of his mouth, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too dark-skinned to see anything but the outlines of hatful in the length. The outback seemed very empty and very quiet. There was a very small chunk of George Bush and trees nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see lots else in the way of plant life.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a derelict place in his life. There was absolutely nothing around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't have gotten very far. As grave as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would have no chance of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to jazz that Albus and the others would n't run away. He neglected to use any sort of rophy to tie them up or put any while around them. Instead, he walked a short distance in the direction of the mountains and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to succeed them.

"What are we going to do ?"Saint John the Apostle seethed,"Has anyone got any theme where we are ?"

"The outback 's immense,"Matt replied,"I bet we 're veracious in the eye of it. The dear civilization 's probably miles away."

"So we 're done for,"John Lackland groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No idea,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not get to find out."

"Do you really cogitate your pappa are going to be able to find us ?"John asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's right,"Albus said,"The whole Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll find us."

"Department of Energy stuff like this happen every class ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, end year I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll happen side by side twelvemonth ?"

"Hopefully nothing,"Albus said.

"If there is a next year,"whoremaster muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the boys,"I did n't tell you to babble !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the distance,"There 's people gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his heart leapt a bit. There was a small gathering of figures a few pace away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"Calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just lamia. They wo n't inconvenience oneself us. I know that coven. They know meliorate than to mess with me. I 'll make life pretty woeful for them if they do."

"press clipping good deal with vampires now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's Hope sank once again. Lubar seemed more confusing than ever. He cut deals for vampire but passed restrictive laws on werewolves ? It did n't make sense.

The men lowered their voices again and Albus wished he had a few Extendable Ears with him. He did n't dare let the cat out of the bag to his friends, just sent them anxious coup d'oeil every now and then.

A frigid wind blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the kind of frigidness that chilled him to the bone. Hoping that it was n't going to rain, or C. P. Snow ( was n't it winter in Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no swarm, but what Albus saw was much bad than clouds.

Five or six cloaked soma were slowly circling above them. Although he had never before seen one, Albus recognized them as dementors immediately. Despite the dark, Albus could clearly fix out their forms. As they got closer, he could even hear their rattling breath.

The Earth in figurehead of him began to float. He felt like he was going to pass out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the happiness out of him. Albus was left with all his unhappy thoughts.

His dad was n't going to witness them. They would be stuck on the Australian outback until Lubar and the others did what they were going to do. Then who knew what would fall out ?

"No, no, no !"lustrelessness shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to look towards his friend. flatness was kneeling on the earth, shaking violently. Both whoremonger and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of course the dementors would affect lusterlessness the rack up. He had gone through things that Albus, bathroom, and Kaden could n't even reckon. It probably did n't help that Lubar was actually present, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his sceptre out of his robes. He 'd find out the incantation for the Patronus appeal before and figured it was Worth a nip. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his sceptre at the sky. naught happened.

A happy thought ! How could he have forgotten that ? It was unmanageable to think of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to Matt shouting on the ground.

When the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his scepter to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the incantation while using several happy memories. Nothing was happening, but lusterlessness 's yelling was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the background. It looked like mat had passed out.

intellection of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his wand at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his wand and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few seconds. He had sorting of done a Patronus magic spell !

"Bloody Scheol,"John whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"person shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar run at them with his wand pointed at the dementors. A silvery squirrel was floating ahead of him and the dementors scattered as it reached them.

Albus 's foggy brain immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his wand in his gown before Lubar thought to demilitarise him.

"Leave him,"Lubar growled at John and Kaden, who were bent grass to the flat coat trying to get lustrelessness to wake up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a bloody brilliant place to come."

Lubar paid no care to Washburn 's comment. His center were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very curious look. Albus took a nervous step back, but Lubar did not avert his gaze. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"Potter, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up high Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some good news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the centaurs,"Lewster said,"They saw three wizards in the wood a few hours ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my last Galleon the other two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the Centaurus know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the forest floor for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't storm him. The resurrection Stone was someplace in the forest."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his school principal,"And the Centaur are pretty surely they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can find out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't think that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no doubt in my intellect,"Harry answered,"It 's just a affair of finding them. Listen, I 've got to go hunting Dervish and Banges. I 've got this hunch about the place. Seems like the perfect place for Washburn to submit them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go entrance the end of the catch. I wo n't mention anything to James and Lily yet."

"Good,"Harry said,"I 'll be in touch soon."He kissed her lightly on the forehead."We 're going to detect him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"check safe."

Ginny turned around to walk back to the Hogwarts grounds while Harry picked up the tempo and walked the short circuit length to Dervish and Banges.

The building looked utterly abandoned. The window were still boarded up, the grass overgrown around it. It certainly did n't reckon like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his wand, he crept cautiously to the door. He carefully pulled the board off of it and quietly wrenched the door outdoors. Without lighting his wand, he walked inside.

The place had the odor of a recent flak in the hearth. someone had been there. However, there was not a speech sound from anywhere in the building. Harry lit his verge and saw that it was deserted.

After a thorough assay of the integral building, in which Harry found no aliveness creatures, he returned to the main room. The hearth was filled with nearly suddenly embers and there was a minuscule cumulation of Floo gunpowder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an conjuration that would severalize him where the last person to use the fireplace had Flooed from. He waited for the conjuration to work, his sum pounding.

Soft red fume emitted from his scepter, curling together to form the words 'Ministry of conjuring trick .'Harry breathed a sigh of moderation. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a doubt, Harry knew that Albus and the other boys had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The solitary motion was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, thrower ?"Lubar asked.

"thirteen,"Albus replied, still a bit uneasy as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the second dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus Charm to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his question, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may hold taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the for the first time time I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't secern me you were skilled at Defensive magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is Potter 's aptitude for Patronuses really relevant to what we 're doing ?"

"It matters if they decide to try and hex us !"Lubar snapped,"I think it might be best if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his wand harder. He glanced at Matt, who was still unconscious. St. John the Apostle did n't have his sceptre. Kaden was n't very good at dueling. It would be up to him, to Albus, if this came to a duel.

"The just one who 's got any skill is Potter,"Jarrett said,"The early three are n't going to be difficult."

"Fine,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to talk to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few yards away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where Matt had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing spell or two."Matt, Matt,"he whispered,"Wake up."

After a min or two, Matt 's eyes fluttered overt and he sat up."What happened ?"he asked, looking around confusedly.

"You passed out,"Albus told him,"When the dementors were here."

"But Albus cast a Patronus !"John Lackland said excitedly.

"You what ?"flatness gaped at him.

"It was just silvery mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his sake,"Matt shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The other three boys shook their heads."Figures,"Matt muttered.

"You need some hot chocolate or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"Might,"Kaden began fishing around in his pockets. He produced a chocolate salientian and handed it to Matt, who took it without saying a word.

"Listen,"Albus said,"Whatever it is that they want to do here, they 're doing it soon. Do you think you can get up ?"

matt nodded and Albus helped him to his substructure. Lubar and the others were walking towards them again. Albus slowly pulled his verge out of his robes and held it to his position, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a pile of wood and set fire to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the boys. Albus was now clearly able to see the wrench look on Lubar 's aspect.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"fervidness 's going to attract care !"

Lubar laughed."firing 's going to ensure that those vampire stay away and we 've got to see what we 're doing !"

Albus glanced towards where the vampires had been congregating. They were currently walking farther away from Albus and the others. Thinking back to Linda 's boggart, he remembered that vampires are destroyed by fire. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his hired hand, but Albus could n't draw out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you know what this is, Potter ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to vocalize too nervous.

"It 's the Resurrection Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly hold in his gasp as he peered unaired at Jarrett 's outstretched hand. There was a very pocket-sized Harlan F. Stone sitting in it. The Resurrection pit. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three objects he had been after for years. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to vocalise confident.

"Ancient deception is a beautiful thing, ceramist,"Jarrett answered,"There are long leave spells, patch that work very nicely with foresighted leave magical physical object such as this gemstone. It was merely a matter of finding the correct trance, getting to the Forbidden woods, and putting it to use. Quite uncomplicated now that I look back on it."

"Only because you did n't do any of the employment,"Lubar muttered,"It was I who found the spell !"

"The former Hallows will prove to be easy to find with the assistant of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the sound of that. The Stone itself did one matter and that was bring back the spirits of people who had passed on. How would that help oneself Jarrett get the other Hallows ?

The Invisibility Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his robe. He really hoped Jarrett would n't realize that.

"Another matter that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot cares who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the fire and strode skinny to Albus. Albus took a footmark back as his spirit started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, ceramist. You should be afraid,"Jarrett 's gaze swept over all four boy,"You should all be afraid."

"Quit taunting them and just do it,"Washburn said impatiently.

"With this stone,"Jarrett said a bit louder,"I will bring back Divine Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the doorway completely off its hinges as he did so. He had to find oneself Walter. He had to find Walter and then go to the Ministry. The fireplace did not show mansion that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop class. That left either phantasm or a Portkey, both of which would give birth left traces that he 'd need the department of Magical Transportation for.

Harry rounded a niche as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a witch. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a strange look of confusion and shock, fuse with unify fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a problem,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the friction match over ? How badly did we fall back by ?"

"Only a 100 points,"Ginny said,"But we might not have actually lost. Listen, did you know Commonwealth of Australia 's Seeker is a vampire ?"

"Wait, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to wrap his thinker around that fact while still focusing his nous on Albus.

"I 'll explain after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"right,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead story. soul was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm surely it was Al and the others. I 've got to find Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not indisputable where that will conduct us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be measured,"Ginny said as she gave him a kiss,"And fetch him back."

"I will,"Harry said as he kissed her back,"I 'll see you soon."

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Walter striding out of Honeyduke 's. With one stopping point look at Ginny, Harry met Walter half-way.

"We 've got to get to the Ministry,"Harry said immediately, and explained about what he had found at Dervish and Banges and what Lewster had learned from the centaurs.

Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the point. They reappeared a small while later in a small fantasm bedchamber in the Ministry.

Passing the bemuse looking security guard for the tertiary time that day, Harry and Walter ran to the lifts. Neither of them said a news as the lift clattered to the section of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, economize for one very bored looking crone sitting at a desk.

"Mr. thrower, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her feet off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to experience if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that Saame location. And if you 're able to, I need to have intercourse where they went."

"Of course, Mr. Potter, of course,"the witch said as she got up. She disappeared into another room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the penny-pinching chair. Walter sat down in the side by side one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll recover them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Bruno Walter replied,"However, that is not the only when affair I am worried about. The finale time matt had an fracas with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for calendar month afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not know much about therapy, except that whizz did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must have been bad.

"Do you beware if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not indisputable if he was overstepping some sorting of boundary.

Walter did not speak for several seconds."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't receive to explain."

"I will,"Walter said quietly,"Shortly after Matt was bitten, I became the oral sex of the department for the regularization and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia. Nobody outside of the department knew about his shape, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my erstwhile position of Head of the lycanthrope Control unit, and was quite envious that I was given the Head placement. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a score he held against me for many days, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it slip that Matt was a loup-garou. A bit of legislation had been passed that required all property of transformation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected matte 's and it failed on a technicality. Ministry centers were set up for werewolves to transmute in, together. Matt was required by law to transform there since his prophylactic room did not passing. I refused to receive him transform there. The newspaper were all over it. I lost my job. Lubar was appointed to the mind position.

"more statute law was passed. A law that stated that Ministry functionary could physically force werewolves into the transformation marrow. On the day of the replete moon, Lubar Flooed into our menage and took flatness to the heart. By the clip I figured out which center it was, the moon had risen. It was too late.

"mat spent hebdomad in St. Mungo 's. By that metre we were nearly gear up to move here. He was so traumatized, it took month for him to get over it. To be honest, I do n't suppose he 's fully over it.

"The exclusively rationality Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so sick and wrestle,"Walter finished as he put his headway in his hands,"I swore I 'd never let him near lusterlessness again. Swore I 'd belt down him if he went near mat again.

Walter gave an odd form of laugh."Listen to me, I 'm telling the Head of the Auror section that I 'd commit murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go save the son,"Harry said, still processing what Bruno Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so loth to let lusterlessness out of their survey, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One matter that Harry could separate was that Bruno Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to James, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your fault,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't have mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no good to dwell on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my brother said when flatness was in St. Mungo 's,"Walter said wryly.

"Mr. potter !"the witch came bustling out of the room she had gone into, brandishing a piece of sheepskin, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the parchment. His eyes scanned the lambskin. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few short hour ago. That in itself did not appall Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Bruno Walter, who had visibly paled at the word,"They 're in Australia."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awe-inspiring multitude who have read and left such pin-up reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the previous chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so hard that he could Apparate. Why did you have to be seventeen to get your fantasm license anyway ? If he ever worked in the section of Magical conveyance, he would change that law. Apparition would 've enabled him to get out of Commonwealth of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to institute back noble Voldemort with the Resurrection Stone.

Albus could not remember being more scared in his life. This was far sorry than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two years ago, far worse than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the premature year. Lord Voldemort was far scarier than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort look like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Harlan Fisk Stone could n't actually bring the great unwashed back to sprightliness. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a spectre. But would he be capable to do magic, to do the curses and hexes he did when he was alive ?

Albus held his breathing space as he watched Jarrett sprain the stone over in his hand. Albus had no idea how it worked, but judging by how quiet all of the adults were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the stone. He did it for so prospicient that Albus had to let out his breath. The excited glimmer on Jarrett 's face slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it work ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you confirming this is the right Harlan Fiske Stone ?"

"Of course of study I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the Stone,"The go said it was !"

"wellspring, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a suspiration of relief. Either they had the wrong stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the stone over in his hands. On the third gear turn, a unknown sort of mist appeared in front of him. Albus 's essence sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to exonerate and a fig was standing in front of Lubar. The figure was not noble Voldemort, though. Albus had no musical theme who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This individual was a charwoman, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging peculiar coup d'oeil. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the digit, his face contorted with something Albus could only assume was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped airless to the woman.

"You idiot !"Jarrett shouted,"That 's not Voldemort !"

"I know that !"Lubar snapped and the looked back to the adult female, who was apparently his mother,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the adult female replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his champion, who were all staring in confusion at Lubar. Matt in particular was giving Lubar a very strange look. Apparently the stone was the Resurrection Harlan Fisk Stone and it did indeed employment, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's mother agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very proud of you, son."

Albus had to cover his mouth to conceal his snigger. What sort of mother could be proud of what Lubar had done ?

"I 've tried,"Lubar said,"I swore I would after, after what happened."

"You have,"Lubar 's mum replied,"You 've done me proud."

"Oh for Merlin 's saki !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to take forgotten that there were other citizenry around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Lucy Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's mother began to blow over as soon as Jarrett took the stone. Running towards her, Lubar held out his hands trying to hold on her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's mother completely disappeared, Lubar had his wand out and was holding it up at Jarrett. Jarrett had taken out his own wand, but neither man was hurling jinxes. Washburn and Quinton had taken a few steps back.

"You arse !"Lubar shouted,"That was my mother !"

"I know !"Jarrett replied,"That 's why I did it ! We 're trying to bring back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not insult my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his wand.

Jarrett fell to the background, completely ineffective to move. Lubar stood over him with his wand directed at his chest.

"My mother was a lovely person,"Lubar growled,"You 're vomit to be speaking ill of the dead like that."

Albus did n't really think Lubar should be talking about who is sick and who is n't. Nor did he remember his female parent was particularly lovely. Never before had Albus thought he 'd agree with Jarrett Willinson on anything, but when it came to Lubar 's mother, he did.

"Better they hex each former than us, right ?"privy muttered.

"goodness point,"Albus replied.

"Can we delight just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the notion that that 's what we were here for, not to diss each other 's mothers."

Lubar turned his wand on Washburn."Have you anything to say about my mother ? Well, do you ?"

Washburn hastily pulled out his own wand."Er, no, she seemed quite lovely."

"Good,"Lubar said manically,"Keep it that way, or you 'll end up like him."Lubar gestured to Jarrett, who was still laying paralyzed on the undercoat, his eyes darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll need you to duplicate that Portkey,"Harry said to the witch, who nodded and left the room again.

"Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred pct sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly plus that they are with the boys in Australia."

"Right,"Walter agreed,"The evidence surely points that way."

"There is something about that probe that hardly anyone in the Ministry knows,"Harry lowered his voice,"Nearly a twelvemonth ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror section needed some help with capturing the early two. The government minister hired a Presuler."

Walter let out a low whistle and then fruition dawned on his font."waiting, you do n't mean-"

"Tethys Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the pretense of teaching defense team Against the Dark Arts."

"Bad musical theme on the minister 's voice,"Bruno Walter muttered.

"It was my estimate to station him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not have intercourse that he would be such an dread teacher."

"I wo n't hold it against you,"Bruno Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a part of this investigation, I have to touch him and he will consume to go with us to Australia. I understand that you have had your divergence, but-"

"If he helps to find flatness, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. Potter, Mr. Eckerton,"the witch returned holding a deformed plastic container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore aid, let me know."

"That 's it for now,"Harry said as he took the container,"Thanks."

******

Albus stood frozen as the four men dueled each other. completely unsure of what to do, yet very felicitous that they seemed to make momentarily forgotten about the boy, Albus just stood there watching. Matt, John, and Kaden did the same, although John looked more than a bit worried, most likely due to his lack of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to direct the endocarp from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not take on kindly to this and hexed Washburn. In the entail time, the knockout had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing hexes at each former while dodging the fire. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would misstep and cauterise their arms or something. Or even ripe, maybe one or more of them would drop their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely worse for wear. All three of them were sporting injuries. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's left arm was being held at an odd Angle.

Lubar seemed alright and even though it appeared that the early three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to admit that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red spark at Washburn, who went flying over the flame and landed with a sickening clunk in front line of the male child. He did not locomote. Albus looked down and saw a small stone next to Washburn 's foreland. He bent and picked it up. It was the Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all sophisticated towards him. Three wands were pointed at his chest, being held by three people with maniac glimmer in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own scepter, his arm shaking slightly. Matt and Kaden had done the Sami. John tried to hide behind lustrelessness, but was abortive since he was a good read/write head taller than him.

"Hand it over, potter,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant look at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Oliver Stone into the air pocket of his robe and held his wand up higher.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each other. Balladanis had Flooed to the Ministry shortly after receiving Harry 's Patronus. Harry had filled him in on what was going on, but the man had n't taken his eyes off of Walter the total time.

"We have n't got sentence for this,"Harry muttered and held out the plastic container,"Let 's just go."

Bruno Walter agreed immediately and laid his hand on the Portkey. Balladanis did so as well, with a minuscule hesitation.

With a familiar jerk behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey trip was a bit longer than one Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his human foot and held out his wand as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was sales pitch black and after he lit his scepter, Harry knew they were in the midsection of a forest.

The forest was disappointingly tranquillise. The just strait were those of animals and the casual rustling of trees, brought about by the wind. Not a single audio caused Harry to believe that there were people about, let alone his son.

"Spread out and search,"Harry announced. The plaza may seem deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the wizards said a Book as they combed the area. Harry left no Harlan F. Stone unturned as he looked for the smallest trace of evidence of where his son had gone. If only it was n't night. baton did n't furnish nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a tracing of anything that showed anyone had been in that area of the forest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was good at this, that was for sure enough. Harry swore as he returned to the same space he had started from.

Walter returned a few hour later, looking even more dying than he did before."null,"he muttered,"Not a ripped piece of cloak or a ace Knut. They did n't ride out here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the basis with his shoe. He and Bruno Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to return.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a small metal instrument in his bridge player and an unusual kind of emotional smirk on his face. He skidded to a freeze in front of Harry, holding out the pawn. Harry recognized it as an Apparition detector. They were quite rare. The British people Ministry only owned one, for the total Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Bruno Walter muttered,"Any estimate where ?"

"A general idea, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Walter 's sarcastic tone,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Bruno Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am aware,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his hands on the alloy cat's-paw. It would be capable to guide them to the relative area they needed to go.

Walter put his hand on the instrument as well and with an exceptionally loud crack, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The flat coat was dusty and sandy and there was hardly any plant life in sight. In the space there were tall mickle and cloaked chassis floated above them. Harry suppressed a chill and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a yowl bonfire blazed in the aloofness. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Bruno Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were More companion with the area.

"Only vampires and dementors ever venture out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to result the modest group towards the flickering Light Within in the distance.

******

"hired man it over, thrower,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to hold his wand more steady. His wand arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't look to be able to hold it steady. His substance was thumping hard in his dresser. Albus was sure everyone was able to try it. However, he did not desire to give up the Lucy Stone. That was one thing he was surely of. The lonesome way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put past him.

"Maybe you should just generate it to him,"John whispered,"I mean, it did n't work to get Voldemort back."

"No,"Albus seethed, surprised that Gospel According to John had suggested it. He probably would n't have if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to have to duel me, ceramicist ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't take in a wand. Not dependable odds, if you ask me."

"And do you realize that those two are ugly duelers ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that gem, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his baton and sent a jet of orange light source at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a carapace magic spell, concentrating on making it big enough to harbor him and his admirer. It worked and the Orange lightness bounced harmlessly off the cuticle and hit the ground.

"hitch behind me, John,"Albus muttered,"Matt and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever spells you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his shield up while casting other spells, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling lessons. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to go on the cuticle up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's carapace, but he quickly recovered and began sending hex after hex, nonverbally, at Albus and privy. Concentrating hard, Albus sent a Stunner at Lubar, but he flicked his wand and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone bush, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a glance at Matt and Kaden. Matt was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was kind of pathetic as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus feel better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus charms at each other and missing every time.

The buckler emitting from Albus 's wand faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his tightness, but the shell was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to send any magical spell through the shield now.

"Your shield is weakening, potter,"Lubar smirked as he sent another peach at Albus, which shook the shield.

"Merlin !"Quinton shouted to the rightfulness of them. He was hopping on one foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some sort of hex, although Albus was n't sure what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the soil. Albus gasped and his shield disappeared.

"Albus !"John shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the carapace back up before Lubar shot a hex at John Lackland, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be easier just to pass me the Stone ?"Lubar asked as he sent a Stunner at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and matt were still dueling. Both were sporting a few injuries, but nothing too life-threatening. Neither seemed to throw noticed that bathroom and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a trip curse, which gave him a few seconds to take in his breath while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a cut across his allow for cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the side and the spell hit a nearby rock. Lubar resumed his gestural tour and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any other jinxes.

"You ca n't keep dodging them forever, thrower !"Lubar grinned manically.

"lookout me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of course of action knew that Lubar was right. The odds had not really changed. trick and Kaden were both out of the fight and while John was easily the best dueler after Albus, his absence did not put Albus greatly behind. Washburn was out as well and both Willinsons were injured. Quinton was currently on his stifle panting, not in any embodiment to continue dueling. Matt was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both amazed and ravish by.

No, Albus was not trying to sweep over Lubar. He knew that would n't be potential. Albus was merely biding for time. He tried to fancy out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spell. It must give been at least three or four minute, although the dark Australian sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the moon had been out so he could have monitored its trip across the sky.

How long would it call for his dad to find them ? Longer than convention, Albus thought. They were in the middle of a foreign res publica, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, Potter, and you do n't want to see me when I 'm annoyed !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red light at Albus.

Before Albus even had clock time to show what sort of hex it was, Matt gave a shriek of pain sensation to Albus 's rightfield and collapsed to the ground. Jarrett wasted no time and pointed his baton at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a second to digest the fact that he was now utterly alone, facing two fully grown thaumaturge. The two sorcerer shot identical jet-propelled plane of blue ignitor at Albus and he managed to pull up a weakly shield.

The force hit him like a twelve Bludgers to the stomach. He lost his footing and landed flat on his rear, his head hitting a particularly astute rock'n'roll.

"I told you not to defend, thrower,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the Stone,"Albus said, forcing away the lightheadedness. He reached into his gown and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to grab the Stone.

With all the force play Albus could muster, he threw the Harlan Fisk Stone as far as he could to the right. In the darkness, it disappeared in a break open arcsecond and Albus did n't even get a line it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"wand where I can see them !"mortal shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his forefront slightly and caught a glance of his dad, along with a few early genius. He breathed a sigh of relief. They were saved.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the lovely people who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up right before the hexes started flying. Realizing that he dropped his baton when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the land. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby President Bush and watched.

Jarrett did n't stand by around long. He sent one pathetic ravisher at Harry, who easily deflected it, and disappeared on the post. Harry immediately disarmed Lubar before he could do the Lapp.

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the refuge of the George Walker Bush and shakily stood up. He reached the firing and was able-bodied to see who the early two wizards next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with shock all over again.

The shorter of the two was Matt 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone glare at anyone else with such hatred and loathing as lustrelessness 's dad glared at Lubar. And that included when his Uncle Ron talked about the Malfoys, or his mum when somebody mentioned Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

It was the former necromancer that nearly caused Albus to devolve out in shock. He was none other than professor Balladanis. What in the name of Falco columbarius was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and flatness 's dad. But why ? Did n't mat 's dad hate Balladanis ?

"Eckerton, what a pleasant surprisal,"Lubar smirked.

"Lubar, if we were n't in the front of an Auror and a Presuler I 'd rip you limb from limb, Muggle style,"Mr. Eckerton growled.

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's selection of words, but remembering what mat had told him at the get-go of the twelvemonth, all surprise left him.

"Lucky for me Potter and Balladanis are here, then,"Lubar replied and snatched Washburn 's wand off the ground.

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different spell at Lubar at the Sami meter, but it was too late. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still witting but not completely aware of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring difference between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past Quinton and Washburn to arrive at Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

Harry looked up from Kaden 's unconscious variant and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his coat of arms around his dad and the two of them hugged each early tightly.

"Al, thank Merlin,"Harry said.

"Dad, what 's Balladanis doing here ?"Albus asked immediately,"And Lubar, what 's going to befall to him ? And Willinson ?"

"I 'll explain it all once we get you back to Hogwarts,"Harry assured him.

Balladanis had a firm storage area on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a offend plastic cup. A few seconds later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with lusterlessness in his blazonry."Can you take King John, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will make out with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of St. John the Apostle 's arm before pulling his own get out plastic cup out of his pocket. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly bedevil, but did not have time to ask his dad anymore motion before feeling the familiar jerking behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thud in the middle of the Hospital Wing. The question of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts earth was the least iron out motion on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both flatness and can on the dear beds while Madam Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

"look at the state of them !"the nurse exclaimed,"Always this lot, too ! You 're a bad influence on them, Harry, I swear !"

Harry looked slightly sheepish as he set Kaden down on the bed next to lusterlessness 's and then turned to Albus.

"I 've got to talk with prof Kendrick and go to the Ministry-"he began.

"But Dad !"Albus interrupted,"What was Balladanis doing there ?"

"I promise I 'll tell you all of that and more,"Harry replied,"But I need to tell everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to need you to order me everything that happened."

"But-"

"No buts !"lady Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need rest !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his forefront was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the last affair he needed was rest. He needed to know what was going on.

"I 'll explain once you 've gotten some nap,"Harry assured him.

Albus muttered under his breath and got into bed. Once Madam Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping drawing, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight off the slumber he knew was coming.

******

The ward was still when Albus woke up. It was completely dark outside, although Albus did n't throw the fragile clue as to what day it was. King John, lusterlessness, and Kaden were either still unconscious or level-headed asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in chairman next to matt 's bed. It did n't look like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the same Ministry robes he had been wearing before.

Albus sat up and put his manus to his head. There was a bandage on the cover of it. Another patch was wrapped around his compensate arm, although he could n't recall when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt exhausted.

The door to the ward opened, letting in a small-scale inundation of Inner Light from the corridor. A public figure stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

"Dad,"Albus replied, recognizing his founding father,"Are you going to severalise me about Balladanis now ?"

"Yes,"Harry chuckled,"Perhaps we ought to go to the elbow room of Requirement."

Albus shook his head, remembering something he had been debating for the past tense year. He had waited long enough. It was time.

"No,"Albus said,"I know somewhere better."

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and lead his dad out the room access and up to the one-fifth floor corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate knight and turned to present the opposite wall.

Albus located the paw print and touched his script to them, turning it into a doorknob. He opened the door and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from net year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a personnel casualty for words.

"There was more to it. didactics on how to get into this room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their secret common room,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't respond. Instead he walked slowly around the room. Albus stood near the door and waited. He was n't sure how long he stood there, watching as his dad investigated the room that had once belonged to his grandfather.

"This,"Harry began,"This is just incredible, Al. How long have you known about it ?"

"About a year,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend time here ?"Harry asked.

"Probably more than we do in the common way,"Albus answered.

"Then it is the perfect post to talk,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down next to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll distinguish you that,"Harry said,"But first I want you to explain to me what happened."

Albus took a deep breath and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the rook and ending with throwing the resurrection Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a forest in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to make, the duel, the fact that the resurrection Stone did n't work to bring Voldemort back.

"Why did n't it act ?"Albus asked,"I mean, I 'm sword lily it did n't, but why ?"

Harry thought for a few arcminute and then looked at Albus."There are a few reasons that might excuse it. The Resurrection Stone brings back people we love, but it does not bring them back completely. It 's almost as if their person is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's potential that since Voldemort split his somebody so many multiplication, he ca n't be brought back with the endocarp. The Edward Durell Stone may need the soul to be intact to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved ace can be brought back with the Stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not get laid Voldemort ; they did not know him. They wanted to play him back for their own agenda,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to find out which it is ?"Albus asked.

"No, I do n't think so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the rock is once again gone. Which is something I 'm very grateful that you did."

"well, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden Forest for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it best if nobody had that Stone."

Albus nodded."Yeah, that makes sense. But what was Balladanis doing there ?"

Harry laughed."You 're not going to let that go, are you ?"

"Nope, you said you 'd state me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you make out what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling lesson he gave me,"Albus explained.

"Well, that makes my explanation easier,"Harry said,"A little over a class ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to lease a Presuler to help observe Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

"Yes,"Harry muttered,"The Minister believed the Aurors needed some help."

Albus thought he heard bit of contempt in his dad 's voice.

"When I realized that Washburn and the Willinsons were most likely working with Ralph Lubar, I had to contact Balladanis and let him know. He came with us, and I have to include that he was very helpful. We would not have found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

"But why was he teaching here ?"Albus asked.

"The parson, professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be unspoilt strategy to have him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would revert to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of course, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to do by teaching.

"This is all quite tightlipped, Al. I 'd prefer you did n't secernate anyone. I will be telling Matt, John, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right to know, but I do n't want anyone else knowing about it."

"What about rose wine and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

"I suppose I 'll tell apart them as well, otherwise Kaden is sure to tell them,"Harry said.

"What 's going to happen to Lubar ?"Albus asked,"Is Balladanis going to be after him now ?"

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be knavish situation. Lubar is n't a British citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Commonwealth of Australia. It 's up to the Aussie Ministry to either put him on trial or give him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not trusted they 'll do either."

"But that 's not fair !"Albus stood up angrily,"look what he did ! Look what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like naught more than to give him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the laws do n't work that way."

"He and Balladanis get along anyway,"Albus said,"Balladanis probably would n't need to go after him."

"I do n't know about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes multitude to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry tie-up, he does not have to submit a slip if he 's offered it."

"He told me I 'd take a crap a good Presuler,"Albus said quietly as I sat back down,"Malfoy, too."

Harry sighed."What do you think about that ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus shrugged,"I mean, I like dueling, but I do n't really require to adjudicate what I want to do right now."

"You do n't have to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't want to narrate you what to do, but I am going to say you something.

"Being a Presuler is a hard job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can make it difficult to take in a family. It 's not an loose course to go down. Not one I 'd prefer for myself."

Albus had n't even thought about that. He did n't think he 'd require to rarely ever see his admirer and family.

"There 's plenty of other things you could do that would put your dueling attainment to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no need to decide now."

"I know, I do n't design to,"Albus replied.

"well, you should probably get back to the infirmary Wing before Madam Pomfrey notices you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

Harry stood up and gave his son a hug. They left the room and walked back to the Hospital extension, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, brothel keeper Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the Hospital extension with his dad, she was running about the ward shouting at the top of her lungs. Matt, John, and Kaden were all awake, staring at her.

"There you are !"she shrieked,"Where have you been ?"

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to mouth to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

"You should have asked me first !"Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs remainder !"

"I 'm his father,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't care if you 're the Minister of Magic !"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing degree !"

"How long has she been shouting ?"Albus whispered to Matt as he got back in bed.

"Fifteen minute of arc or so,"lustrelessness answered.

lady Pomfrey returned to her desk and Harry strode over to where the Eckertons were sitting.

"Could I have a intelligence in individual ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to Madam Pomfrey."Do I need your permit for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"ma'am Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to slumber a little while later and when he next woke up it was light out and Madam Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

"Er, what day is it ?"Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey set his tray down.

"It 's Sunday, dearest, but it 's good afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to have breakfast."

"Only Sunday ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than 24 time of day since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

"Time zone changes are difficult to adjust to,"dame Pomfrey explained,"Australia 's quite a few hours ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was ravenous. When he thought about it, it must make been at least a day since he 'd eaten anything.

"I wonder how the Quidditch friction match went,"Kaden mused as he shoved pledge in his mouth.

Albus choked on his eggs. He 'd draw a blank about the match !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

"Is your dad going to severalize us why Balladanis was with him when he came to save us ?"privy asked,"I mean, he 's had plenty of time."

"He will,"Albus said,"He already told me. You lot were asleep."

The doors to the infirmary Wing banged open and Rose and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a move to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

"Tell us what happened !"blush wine demanded as she skidded to a halt in front of Albus 's bed,"When did you get back ? Where did you go ?"

"Who won the Quidditch match ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"Rose groaned,"I 'm not saying a Word about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the name of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"young lady Weasley !"ma'am Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't turn down your spokesperson, you 'll have to exit !"

"Sorry,"Rose turned back to Albus,"But you lot have got to severalize us what happened !"

Albus launched into the intact tale, which took the dependable part of a half time of day to severalize. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the whole matter. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the fourth dimension Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"rosiness asked.

"My dad 's going to tell apart you,"Albus said,"He 's already told me. He 'll probably enjoin the rest of you today."

"Falco columbarius, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How very much trouble can you get into ?"

"It 's not my fault,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you tell us about the match ?"

blush wine exchanged glance with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me tell you,"Amanda said.

"Nobody won, Al,"rose said.

"What ?"John interrupted,"How can nobody win ?"

"About forty-five minutes into the couple, Fred and Heather ran onto the pitch-"

"The match lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"blush wine said,"I do n't know why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo Bagman and started talking to him. cipher could find out what they were saying. Then commercial traveller blew his pennywhistle and they went into a time-out.

"Bagman left the slant and had a really long lecture with all the headmasters and chieftain. Then Kendrick announced that the match was called off and told everyone to bring back to their vulgar rooms.

"Everyone was really angry of line. Amanda and I were already worried because you lot had n't shown up yet. We thought something bad had happened and that was why they called it off."

"Why did they call it off ?"John Lackland asked.

"I 'm getting to that,"Rose said,"We got back up to Gryffindor and everyone was gathered around Fred and heather. Linda was n't there, and neither were any of her teammate who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the strawman of the crew and get wind what Fred and Heather were talking about. They were claiming that Commonwealth of Australia had been cheating the unanimous time-"

"wellspring, they were,"matte muttered.

"I know,"Rose agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and heather mixture. I 'm indisputable they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told someone Oklahoman. They found out Linda 's a lamia and now the entire school knows."

"How did they picture it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and Scots heather were sixth years, they would n't possess heard Balladanis 's lamia lecture."

"They 've been trying to figure it out all year,"Rose explained,"And since they 're smart, they figured it out."

"But what about the match ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to cancel the tourney, Albus,"rosiness said quietly.

"Cancel the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"Cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole year on that tournament ! Do you know how lots clip I 've spent on the Quidditch pitch this class ? more than meter than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to delete the bloody tournament ?"

"I do n't know, Al,"pink wine said shortly,"And if they do it 's not my fault."

"Sorry,"Albus mumbled,"It 's just a footling aggravating."

"I know,"Rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

"Gone,"Rose sighed,"Without a countersign. I have n't seen her or any of the Australians since the mates. Killigan 's gone, too."

"Wow,"Matt replied,"Ca n't say I blame her, though."

"I guess,"blush wine said,"Anyway, they 'll probably ready an promulgation about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome people who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one more than chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to secernate everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. Madam Pomfrey flat out refused to let any of them leave the infirmary offstage, so she agreed to lock the door and go to her study while Harry explained. flatness 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the component part about why it was not all that advisable to become a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to learn that Balladanis had been hired to help fascinate Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. news show that was not all that welcome.

"As of right now, he 's completely unfreeze and in the sack,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to deliver him, and they wo n't prosecute him in Commonwealth of Australia either. To them, it 's like nothing 's happened."

Albus noticed that Mr. Eckerton looked positively furious with this. Harry looked quite angry as well, but it did not come close to how Mr. Eckerton looked.

"We 're not going to ease up up,"Harry said,"We 'll keep back negotiating with them."

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous dark, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first year, when matt had told them about his dad 's young grownup dream of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside table, where Madam Pomfrey had placed the invisibility Cloak the previous dark. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a flavour of awe on his face.

"merlin 's beard,"he muttered,"It 's the Cloak."

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

"Unbelievable,"Mr. Eckerton whispered as he fingered it.

He spent a few proceedings trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the case of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is amazing. I would love to share the narrative with my brother. Perhaps I could introduce you to him at the World Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be ticket. Perhaps I will eventually secern him as well."

******

Albus wanted aught more than to be allowed out of the Hospital annexe in time to go to dinner that night. He was sure Professor Kendrick would make some form of declaration about the tournament and he did not require to escape it.

After a full ten minutes of begging on his piece ( helped out by matt, lavatory, and Kaden ), madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit nation to result the ward. Albus thought this was ridiculous because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a sling ? That should n't lay off him from eating dinner with the rest period of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a quieten meal in the infirmary Wing and wait anxiously for Rose and Amanda to severalise him what Kendrick said.

The girls showed up right after dinner ended. Albus immediately asked them what Kendrick had said.

"Tournament 's canceled,"rosiness sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The tyke from New York are staying to end up out the yr, but the tournament 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"Merlin !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to delete it ? Could n't they just disqualify Australia ?"

"No,"Rose shook her nous,"To do that Hogwarts would have to play New York in another final."

"Why do n't they do that ?"St. John asked.

"Too close to exams,"rose wine shrugged,"It 'll mess up everyone 's studying."

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you feel better, I 'm fairly sure Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't have been here,"Rose pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred menage points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the houses had people on the teams, so that does n't really help,"Albus muttered.

"Well,"Rose grinned,"I know one affair that 'll cheer up you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was cypher that could cheer him up.

"There were Quidditch Scout at that match,"Rose told him,"And even though the couple was calamitous, they did find mortal they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"rose wine exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to recreate for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

"That 's brilliant !"Albus replied. Rose had been right, that did cheer him up. There was no one he thought who belonged on a professional Quidditch team Sir Thomas More than Georgia.

"Yup, she 's their newest reservation Keeper,"Rose said,"She says Uncle Hotspur 's not impressed. He wanted her to work at the Ministry. She does n't wish what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Walker Percy 's got plentifulness of other kid to mold at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"John said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"Matt grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the Cannons,"whoremaster groaned.

"She 's just happy to be on a squad,"rose wine shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be capable to exercise her way up to a better one."

"Merlin, I hope so,"John shrugged.

"Is she the only one who got drafted ?"Albus asked.

"Only one I know for sure of,"rose said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle squash racket, but I do n't love for sure."

Albus nodded, feeling slightly better about the tournament. It was n't pointless now that he knew his cousin had been taken on by a professional Quidditch team because of it. However, that did n't take all the disappointment away.

******

Madam Pomfrey reluctantly let the boys leave the next day after breakfast. She did n't really suffer a choice since exams began that day. Albus felt perfectly fine and was quite happy to go forth the situation.

Rose handed him a copy of the vaticinator as soon as he and the former boys reached the common way. Albus took it, happy that he had a few minutes before his first off examination to read the article that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN schooltime CHEATS- TOURNAMENT CANCELED

After a startling discovery made by two Hogwarts
bookman, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack Academy of
Magic, and the Australian School of Sorcery
has been canceled.

The tournament 's final Quidditch match was
interrupted this preceding Sat by two Hogwarts
sixth years, Fred Weasley and Scots heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Aussie team
had been cheating throughout the integral
tournament.

A few months ago, allegations were brought upon
the Australian team after their seeker, Linda
Morales, 14, flew at an exceptionally fast speed.
An investigating found nothing. The tournament
continued.

Fred and Heather Weasley accused Linda Morales
of being a vampire. lamia are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch team due
to the unfair advantage they have.

The catch was immediately stopped while all three
headmasters questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

Headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Australian
schooling of necromancy admitted to allowing Morales
to be the Seeker of his team in orderliness to win the
tournament. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, Morales, and the rest of the Australians
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts late
on Saturday, declining to verbalise with any of our
reporters.

Tournament officials as well as the other two
headmaster have decided to cancel the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

'It is regrettable that the tournament turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told reporters, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few yr .'

"Killigan is an imbecile,"Albus said.

"Look at the next article,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON rachis IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final Quidditch equal was ending in catastrophe
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and genius, Harry
Potter 's midway child, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus ceramicist, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three yardbird were helped by
Ralph Lubar, headway of the Department of the ordinance
and ascendance of Magical Creatures in Australia.

The four Hogwarts scholar were taken to Australia
where Harry ceramist and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is indecipherable what the yardbird were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four male child have recovered from the ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the year examinations
at Hogwarts. Harry Potter has declined comment.

"wellspring, that 's not a very enlightening article,"Albus said as he tossed the composition onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can report much,"Rose said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to hold quiet about Lubar in paying back for giving him some form of punishment.

"It wo n't count,"mat said,"They 're not going to do anything to him."

Albus was forced to advertize Lubar into the dorsum of his creative thinker as exams began. They were all significantly grueling than the previous year 's had been, but he was sure he at least passed all of them.

There were short clause in the seer about Lubar everyday, but they all said the Lapplander thing. Australia refused to extradite him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The hebdomad after exams was a strange one for Albus. There was nothing left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. Rose and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the boys, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

Things were unlike, though. Both Rose and Amanda were a lot muted than they used to be. Albus was sure enough they missed Linda, and he had no estimation whether she had said goodbye to them, or even if she 'd had the prospect.

lusterlessness was lost in his own sentiment to the highest degree of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went entire evenings without saying two Logos to anyone, something that usually only happened around broad moons. However, the side by side entire moonlight was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was for certain this was because of what had happened in Australia. He never talked about it, but Albus knew that getting kidnapped by Lubar again had scared the daytime out of him.

John and Kaden remained as fierce as ever and did not seem to be fazed by what had happened in Commonwealth of Australia. They spent their calendar week pulling pranks and playing interminable secret plan of Exploding snap that Albus occasionally joined in on.

Albus himself was quieter. His judgment was racing with thought process of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the clause ever mentioned Balladanis, but he knew that was because Balladanis 's job had to stay on a undercover. He wished more than anything that Lubar would get thrown in prison, whether it was Azkaban or Commonwealth of Australia 's prison.

******

The train ride back to London was subdued, the simply noise being John and Kaden 's Exploding Snap cards. Albus and lustrelessness both gazed out the windowpane, mesmerized by the passing play landscape.

"Linda sent me a alphabetic character last Night,"Rose said, breaking the silence.

Albus lifted his head up and looked at her."What about ?"

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to recite you that she was bad about the tournament,"Rose told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a different country."

"To go to school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her head,"She 's been through shoal a couple on times already. She was n't even a scholarly person at the Aussie school day. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing Seeker for them. He 's a really nasty bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

"Where will they go ?"Albus asked, surprised that he was actually feeling sorry for Linda.

"No idea,"Rose shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

"This entirely year has been so messed up,"John sighed,"I hope next year 's better."

"Me, too,"flatness agreed.

"We 've got the earth Cup to look forward to, though,"Albus smiled.

"Oh, yeah !"whoremonger grinned,"Owl me as soon as you find out when we 're leaving for it."

"Definitely,"Albus said,"Your sis 's going, too. Lily told me she 'd invited her. Hugo 's not really happy about that."

"Neither am I,"toilet muttered,"I do n't want Ashtyn going."

"well, I 'd prefer Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! Nothing can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"Good point,"john agreed.

"Let me know when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

"Why ? So you can win over your parents to take you ?"lav smirked.

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can know when to invite you lot to my theater. My dad said he 'd hire us camping."

"Excellent !"John grinned,"bivouacking like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"Living in collapsible shelter, no electricity, no magic either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"Matt said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"Matt answered,"That was the time I got bitten."

"Oh,"Kaden looked a fiddling taken aback,"Sorry."

"It 's ok,"Matt shrugged,"Just do n't go during a broad moon. I do n't want any of you having to get together me in the Shrieking Shack next year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did find bad that matt would n't get to go, but he kind of thought Matt would n't require to go anyway.

The oddment of the stumble was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sorting of returning to rule. It was almost nice to hear whoremonger and lusterlessness arguing about the cannon again and Kaden arguing about football.

The string arrived in London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the political platform. After saying goodbye to his Friend, Albus left the post with his menage feeling that just maybe life would be convention from then on. well, maybe the summer would be at to the lowest degree be normal. Albus could n't get his hopes up too high.


A/N : Hard to believe it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awesome people who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the fourth story but it 'll be a while before the start chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every other workweek at first, alternating hebdomad with Beyond the shadow. In the stand for time, if you want something new to read, I suggest checking out Remember the carom, which is a collab I worked on shoemaker's last twelvemonth and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley Cannons and their fall. It 's under the username The Golden Snitches and is also in my darling stories so you can retrieve it that way.