Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up compensate before the hexes started flying. Realizing that he dropped his scepter when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the solid ground. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby George Bush and watched.

Jarrett did n't stick around long. He sent one pathetic peach at Harry, who easily deflected it, and disappeared on the spot. Harry immediately disarmed Lubar before he could do the same.

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safety of the bush and shakily stood up. He reached the ardour and was able to see who the other two wizards next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with daze all over again.

The shorter of the two was Matt 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone glower 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 other wizard that nearly caused Albus to hap out in shock. He was none other than Professor Balladanis. What in the gens of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and Matt 's dad. But why ? Did n't Matt 's dad hate Balladanis ?

"Eckerton, what a pleasant surprisal,"Lubar smirked.

"Lubar, if we were n't in the presence 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 choice of words, but remembering what mat had told him at the beginning of the year, 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 unlike turn at Lubar at the same time, 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 conscious 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 reach Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

Harry looked up from Kaden 's unconscious shape and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his arms around his dad and the two of them hugged each other tightly.

"Al, thank pigeon hawk,"Harry said.

"Dad, what 's Balladanis doing here ?"Albus asked immediately,"And Lubar, what 's going to bechance to him ? And Willinson ?"

"I 'll explain it all once we get you back to Hogwarts,"Harry assured him.

Balladanis had a business firm handgrip on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a broken plastic cup. A few seconds later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with matte in his arms."Can you take toilet, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will come with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of toilet 's arm before pulling his own broken plastic cup out of his pocket. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly confused, but did not bear metre to ask his dad anymore interrogative sentence 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 annex. The doubt of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts grounds was the least adjure question on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both mat and lav on the dear layer while Madam Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

"facial expression 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 Matt 's and then turned to Albus.

"I 've got to speak with Professor Kendrick and go to the Ministry-"he began.

"But Dad !"Albus interrupted,"What was Balladanis doing there ?"

"I promise I 'll severalise 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 tell me everything that happened."

"But-"

"No buts !"gentlewoman Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need rest !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his drumhead was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the last affair he needed was eternal sleep. He needed to know what was going on.

"I 'll explicate once you 've gotten some sleep,"Harry assured him.

Albus muttered under his breath and got into bed. Once Madam Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping Draught, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight off the rest he knew was coming.

******

The ward was tranquil when Albus woke up. It was completely dingy outside, although Albus did n't have the slender clue as to what day it was. John, Matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious or strait 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 married woman. Both of them were nodding off in hot seat next to lustrelessness '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 hand to his head. There was a patch on the spine of it. Another patch was wrapped around his right arm, although he could n't recall when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt exhausted.

The room access to the ward opened, letting in a minor flood of lighting from the corridor. A figure stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

"Dad,"Albus replied, recognizing his Father of the Church,"Are you going to tell me about Balladanis now ?"

"Yes,"Harry chuckled,"Perhaps we ought to go to the Room of Requirement."

Albus shook his head, remembering something he had been debating for the past year. He had waited long enough. It was time.

"No,"Albus said,"I know someplace better."

Without saying a Good Book, Albus got out of bed and lead his dad out the door and up to the fifth floor corridor. Harry did not ask a 1 doubt as Albus pulled the arm down on the capture horse and turned to face the face-to-face wall.

Albus located the paw prints and touched his hand 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 last year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a personnel casualty for words.

"There was Thomas More to it. Instructions on how to get into this way. It was theirs, the marauder'. Their mystic unwashed 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 trusted 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 vulgar room,"Albus answered.

"Then it is the perfect place to utter,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down next to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll tell 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 castle and ending with throwing the Christ's Resurrection Harlan Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a forest in Commonwealth of Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to make, the affaire d'honneur, the fact that the resurrection Stone did n't make for to bring Voldemort back.

"Why did n't it mould ?"Albus asked,"I mean, I 'm gladiola it did n't, but why ?"

Harry thought for a few minutes and then looked at Albus."There are a few reasons that might explain it. The Resurrection Stone brings back hoi polloi we love, but it does not bring them back completely. It 's almost as if their soul is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's potential that since Voldemort split his somebody so many time, he ca n't be brought back with the pit. The Harlan F. Stone may call for the soul to be inviolate to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved one can be brought back with the Stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not roll in the hay Voldemort ; they did not know him. They wanted to get him back for their own agenda,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to detect out which it is ?"Albus asked.

"No, I do n't think so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the Stone is once again gone. Which is something I 'm very thankful that you did."

"wellspring, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden timber for a cause,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it best if nobody had that Stone."

Albus nodded."Yeah, that makes sentiency. But what was Balladanis doing there ?"

Harry laughed."You 're not going to let that go, are you ?"

"Nope, you said you 'd severalise me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you hump 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 object lesson he gave me,"Albus explained.

"wellspring, that makes my explanation easier,"Harry said,"A little over a year ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to hire a Presuler to avail find 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 probably working with Ralph Lubar, I had to contact Balladanis and let him know. He came with us, and I have to accept that he was very helpful. We would not consume found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

"But why was he teaching here ?"Albus asked.

"The Minister, professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be sound scheme to have him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would take back to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of trend, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able-bodied to treat teaching.

"This is all quite secretive, Al. I 'd prefer you did n't tell anyone. I will be telling Matt, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right field to know, but I do n't want anyone else knowing about it."

"What about Rose and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

"I suppose I 'll tell them as well, otherwise Kaden is sure to tell apart 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 tricky site. Lubar is n't a Brits citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Aussie Ministry to either put him on trial or collapse him to us to put on run. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not sure they 'll do either."

"But that 's not bonnie !"Albus stood up angrily,"aspect what he did ! count what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like nothing more than to impart him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the police force do n't influence that way."

"He and Balladanis get along anyway,"Albus said,"Balladanis probably would n't want to go after him."

"I do n't know about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes masses to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry affiliation, he does not have to aim a case if he 's offered it."

"He told me I 'd make a upright Presuler,"Albus said quietly as I sat back down,"Malfoy, too."

Harry sighed."What do you recollect about that ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus shrugged,"I mean, I like dueling, but I do n't really want to decide what I want to do right now."

"You do n't have to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't require to tell you what to do, but I am going to tell you something.

"Being a Presuler is a hard job and often a lonesome one. You have no coworkers. You work with respective Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can wee it difficult to give a family. It 's not an well-off course to go down. Not one I 'd choose for myself."

Albus had n't even thought about that. He did n't imagine he 'd desire to rarely ever see his friends and family.

"There 's plenty of former things you could do that would put your dueling skills to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no need to resolve now."

"I know, I do n't plan to,"Albus replied.

"Well, you should probably get back to the hospital flank before lady Pomfrey bill 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 elbow room and walked back to the hospital Wing, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, Madam Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the hospital Wing with his dad, she was running about the ward shouting at the top of her lungs. lustrelessness, John, and Kaden were all awake, staring at her.

"There you are !"she shrieked,"Where have you been ?"

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to talk 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 eternal sleep !"

"I 'm his Father of the Church,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't care if you 're the Minister of illusion !"brothel keeper Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the breast feeding point !"

"How long has she been shouting ?"Albus whispered to Matt as he got back in bed.

"fifteen mo or so,"lustrelessness answered.

lady Pomfrey returned to her desk and Harry strode over to where the Eckertons were sitting.

"Could I have a Word in private ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to brothel keeper Pomfrey."Do I require your permission for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"ma'am Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to sleep a fiddling 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, love, but it 's afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to accept breakfast."

"Only Lord's Day ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than two dozen minute since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

"Time zone changes are difficult to adjust to,"madam Pomfrey explained,"Australia 's quite a few hours ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was sharp-set. When he thought about it, it must hold been at least a day since he 'd eaten anything.

"I wonder how the Quidditch match went,"Kaden mused as he shoved toast in his mouth.

Albus choked on his eggs. He 'd blank out about the match !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

"Is your dad going to differentiate us why Balladanis was with him when he came to save us ?"King John asked,"I mean, he 's had mint of time."

"He will,"Albus said,"He already told me. You lot were asleep."

The doors to the Hospital fender banged open and pink wine and Amanda came running in. lady Pomfrey made a move to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

"William Tell us what happened !"rose 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 discussion about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the epithet of merlin 's saggy left-"

"young lady Weasley !"gentlewoman Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't lower your voice, you 'll have to go forth !"

"Sorry,"Rose turned back to Albus,"But you lot have got to evidence us what happened !"

Albus launched into the entire tarradiddle, which took the advantageously division of a half 60 minutes to tell. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the totally thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the sentence Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"blush wine asked.

"My dad 's going to tell you,"Albus said,"He 's already told me. He 'll probably tell the rest of you today."

"Falco columbarius, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How much trouble can you get into ?"

"It 's not my shift,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you tell us about the match ?"

rosebush exchanged glances with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the catch, let me tell you,"Amanda said.

"Nobody won, Al,"rosebush said.

"What ?"John interrupted,"How can nobody win ?"

"About xlv min into the friction match, Fred and ling ran onto the pitch-"

"The match lasted that long ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Yes,"rose wine said,"I do n't know why. Anyway, Fred and broom ran right up to Ludo bagman and started talking to him. nobody could hear what they were saying. Then commercial traveller blew his whistling and they went into a time-out.

"roadman left the sales talk and had a really long talk of the town with all the headmasters and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the mate was called off and told everyone to return to their unwashed rooms.

"Everyone was really angry of trend. 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 phone it off ?"privy 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 mate who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the movement of the bunch and try what Fred and Heather were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"Well, they were,"matt muttered.

"I know,"Rose agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and broom. I 'm certain they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told someone sooner. They found out Linda 's a lamia and now the entire schooltime knows."

"How did they figure it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her privy quite well. Fred and broom were sixth years, they would n't accept heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

"They 've been trying to figure it out all yr,"rosebush explained,"And since they 're impertinent, they figured it out."

"But what about the match ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to cancel the tournament, Albus,"Rose said quietly.

"Cancel the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"cancel the tourney ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the unharmed year on that tournament ! Do you know how a great deal meter I 've spent on the Quidditch sales talk this year ? More clip than I 've spent in class, probably ! And now they 're going to cancel the bloody tourney ?"

"I do n't know, Al,"Rose said shortly,"And if they do it 's not my fault."

"Sorry,"Albus mumbled,"It 's just a little 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 peer. Killigan 's gone, too."

"Wow,"matte replied,"Ca n't say I blame her, though."

"I guess,"Rose said,"Anyway, they 'll probably make an proclamation about the tourney 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 Thomas More chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to tell everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. ma'am Pomfrey two-dimensional out refused to let any of them leave the infirmary fender, so she agreed to lock the door and go to her study while Harry explained. Matt 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the parts about why it was not all that advisable to become a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to get a line that Balladanis had been hired to help oneself capture Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought newsworthiness of Lubar. News that was not all that welcome.

"As of right now, he 's completely liberate and in the gain,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to extradite him, and they wo n't pursue him in Australia either. To them, it 's like nothing 's happened."

Albus noticed that Mr. Eckerton looked positively savage with this. Harry looked quite furious as well, but it did not come close to how Mr. Eckerton looked.

"We 're not going to pass on up,"Harry said,"We 'll prevent negotiating with them."

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the premature night, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first base year, when Matt had told them about his dad 's unseasoned adult pipe dream of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside board, where Madam Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the previous night. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a face of awe on his face.

"Falco columbarius '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 minutes 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 astonishing. I would know to part the fib with my sidekick. Perhaps I could preface you to him at the existence Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be alright. Perhaps I will eventually tell him as well."

******

Albus wanted null more than to be allowed out of the infirmary extension in time to go to dinner that Nox. He was sure Professor Kendrick would make some sort of announcement about the tournament and he did not want to miss it.

After a wax ten minutes of begging on his character ( helped out by Matt, John, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit land to get out the ward. Albus thought this was derisory because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a triangular bandage ? That should n't quit him from eating dinner with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a quiet meal in the infirmary Wing and wait anxiously for Rose and Amanda to secern him what Kendrick said.

The girls showed up right after dinner ended. Albus immediately asked them what Kendrick had said.

"tourney 's canceled,"rose sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The kids from New York are staying to finish out the twelvemonth, but the tourney 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"Merlin !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to scratch it ? Could n't they just disqualify Australia ?"

"No,"Rose shook her pass,"To do that Hogwarts would experience to play New York in another final."

"Why do n't they do that ?"John asked.

"Too close to exams,"Rose shrugged,"It 'll mess up everyone 's studying."

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you sense better, I 'm pretty for certain Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't possess been here,"pink wine pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred house points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the menage had the great unwashed on the team, so that does n't really help,"Albus muttered.

"well,"rosiness grinned,"I know one thing that 'll cheer you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was nothing that could cheer him up.

"There were Quidditch scouts at that match,"Rose told him,"And even though the match was disastrous, they did find soul they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"Rose exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to play 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 more than Georgia.

"Yup, she 's their novel reserve keeper,"rose wine said,"She says Uncle Sir Henry Percy 's not instill. He wanted her to ferment at the Ministry. She does n't care what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Harry Hotspur 's got plenty of other kids to work at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"John Lackland said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"lustrelessness grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the cannon,"John groaned.

"She 's just happy to be on a squad,"Rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be able-bodied to work 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 bat, but I do n't cognise for sure."

Albus nodded, feeling slightly better about the tournament. It was n't pointless now that he knew his full 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 son leave the succeeding day after breakfast. She did n't really possess a choice since exam began that day. Albus felt perfectly OK and was quite happy to get out the place.

Rose handed him a transcript of the Prophet as soon as he and the early boys reached the common room. Albus took it, happy that he had a few minutes before his number one exam to translate the article that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL CHEATS- TOURNAMENT CANCELED

After a startling breakthrough made by two Hogwarts
students, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack academy of
conjuration, and the Australian school of Sorcery
has been canceled.

The tourney 's net Quidditch match was
interrupted this past Saturday by two Hogwarts
sixth age, Fred Weasley and Scots heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Aboriginal Australian squad
had been cheating throughout the full
tournament.

A few calendar month ago, allegations were brought upon
the Aboriginal Australian squad after their seeker, Linda
morale, 14, flew at an exceptionally profligate speed.
An investigation found zilch. The tournament
continued.

Fred and Heather Weasley accused Linda esprit de corps
of being a lamia. vampire are outlawed
from playing on pro Quidditch squad due
to the unfair reward they have.

The match was immediately stopped while all three
schoolmaster questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Aussie
School of Sorcery admitted to allowing Morales
to be the Seeker of his squad in order to win the
tourney. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, team spirit, and the remainder of the Australians
participating in the tourney left Hogwarts previous
on Saturday, declining to verbalise with any of our
reporters.

tourney officials as well as the other two
headmasters have decided to strike down the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

'It is regrettable that the tournament turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told newsman, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few years .'

"Killigan is an idiot,"Albus said.

"flavour at the next clause,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON dorsum IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the net Quidditch match was ending in disaster
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and genius, Harry
Potter 's middle kid, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus Potter, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and John the Divine Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, top dog of the section of the Regulation
and ascendence of Magical creature in Australia.

The four Hogwarts scholarly person were taken to Commonwealth of Australia
where Harry potter and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is unreadable 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 Aussie Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four boy have recovered from the ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the year examinations
at Hogwarts. Harry Potter has declined comment.

"Well, that 's not a very informative article,"Albus said as he tossed the paper onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can report much,"pink wine said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to save quiet about Lubar in return for giving him some kind of punishment.

"It wo n't matter,"Matt said,"They 're not going to do anything to him."

Albus was forced to push Lubar into the rachis of his brain as exams began. They were all significantly harder than the previous year 's had been, but he was sure he at least passed all of them.

There were myopic articles in the prophesier about Lubar everyday, but they all said the Sami matter. Australia refused to deport him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The week after exams was a strange one for Albus. There was cipher left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. pink wine and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the boys, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

things were dissimilar, though. Both blush wine and Amanda were a lot quieter than they used to be. Albus was certain they missed Linda, and he had no melodic theme whether she had said goodbye to them, or even if she 'd had the chance.

Matt was lost in his own thoughts most of the prison term, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went integral evenings without saying two quarrel to anyone, something that usually only happened around fully moons. However, the next fully moon was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was sure 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 daylights out of him.

Saint John the Apostle and Kaden remained as rambunctious as ever and did not seem to be fazed by what had happened in Australia. They spent their calendar week pulling clowning and playing interminable games of Exploding Snap that Albus occasionally joined in on.

Albus himself was quieter. His mind was racing with intellection of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the article ever mentioned Balladanis, but he knew that was because Balladanis 's job had to continue a secret. He wished more than anything that Lubar would get thrown in prison, whether it was Azkaban or Australia 's prison.

******

The gear ride back to London was subdued, the only noise being whoremaster and Kaden 's Exploding snap fastener cards. Albus and Matt both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a missive last-place night,"Rose said, breaking the silence.

Albus lifted his straits up and looked at her."What about ?"

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to recite you that she was no-good about the tournament,"rose told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a unlike country."

"To go to school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"rose wine shook her head,"She 's been through school a pair off fourth dimension already. She was n't even a student at the Australian school. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing quester for them. He 's a really smutty 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,"blush wine shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

"This whole year has been so messed up,"John sighed,"I hope next year 's better."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"We 've got the World Cup to look forward to, though,"Albus smiled.

"Oh, yeah !"John grinned,"Owl me as soon as you find out when we 're leaving for it."

"Definitely,"Albus said,"Your babe 's going, too. Lily told me she 'd invited her. Hugo 's not really happy about that."

"Neither am I,"whoremonger muttered,"I do n't want Ashtyn going."

"Well, I 'd prefer Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! naught can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"Good point,"lavatory agreed.

"Let me know when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

"Why ? So you can convert your parents to take you ?"whoremaster smirked.

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can have it away when to invite you lot to my house. My dad said he 'd take us camping."

"Excellent !"John grinned,"bivouacking like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"Living in tents, no electrical energy, 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,"lustrelessness answered,"That was the prison term I got bitten."

"Oh,"Kaden looked a little taken aback,"Sorry."

"It 's ok,"Matt shrugged,"Just do n't go during a entire Sun Myung Moon. I do n't want any of you having to join me in the shriek Shack next year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did feel bad that Matt would n't get to go, but he sort of thought Matt would n't want to go anyway.

The balance of the trip was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sort of returning to normal. It was almost skillful to hear John and Matt arguing about the Cannons again and Kaden arguing about football.

The geartrain arrived in London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying good-bye to his friends, Albus left the station with his category feeling that just maybe spirit would be normal from then on. Well, maybe the summer would be at least be rule. Albus could n't get his hopes up too high.


A/N : Hard to consider it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awesome hoi polloi who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the fourth account but it 'll be a piece before the outset chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every other hebdomad at 1st, understudy workweek with Beyond the Shadow. In the have in mind time, if you want something new to scan, I suggest checking out Remember the shank, which is a collab I worked on last class and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley cannon and their downfall. It 's under the username The Golden Snitches and is also in my ducky narrative so you can rule it that way.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.

note : This is the one-fourth narrative in a series. I suggest reading them in order, but it 's not necessary.



"Ouch, that was my human foot !"

"Shush ! You 're going to wake them up !"

"It 's your fault for stepping on my foot !"

"They 're weighed down sleeper goby, do n't worry."

Albus Severus ceramicist sighed to himself as he and two of his best friends neared the tent. John, whose foot had been trodden upon, was carrying a spraying can of lather cream, and Kaden, the one who had stepped on can 's pes, was brandishing a heavy owl feather. It had been Kaden 's thought to extract a antic on his nine-year-old baby, Bethany, while she slept, and John had been all too bore to participate. Albus personally thought it was pudden-head to prank someone whose parents were in the same tent, but Kaden had assured him that both of his parents could sleep through anything.

It was their tertiary and final night of camping with Kaden 's fellowship which was in Kaden 's view, the staring meter to draw a prank. After three Clarence Day of being on their best demeanour, the boy had successfully lured Dudley and Christina Dursley into a false sense of protection. well, a false sentiency of security when it came to them and Bethany, that is. The male child had pranked each other constantly throughout the trip. Albus had been pushed into the lake three clock time already, been snuck up upon in the Grant Wood twice, and had a nosebleed nougat hidden in his dinner. He had gotten retaliation by stealing both Kaden and John 's canoe paddles, leaving them stranded in the middle of the lake for a half hour.

"Happy Birthday, by the way,"Albus said.

"Is it midnight already ?"Kaden asked.

A twig snapped behind them and Albus jumped."What do you three think you 're doing ?"mortal shouted in a creepy tone.

Kaden shrieked and John jumped backwards, bumping into Kaden and causing both of them to fall over. John 's digit slipped and the whipped cream came shooting out, covering both of them in the sugary subject matter. They were both shouting profanity and Albus smirked despite the fact that his gist was still hammering. Who was that ? He turned and saw none other than Bethany, standing with her blazon folded across her chest of drawers, glaring at all three of the boys.

"And just what were you planning on doing with that whipped cream ?"she demanded.

"zero,"Kaden muttered."What are you doing out here ?"

"sexual climax back from the lav,"Bethany replied."And I know you were planning on squirting that on my hand and then tickling my nose with a plume. Honestly, you 're so predictable."

With one last glower at her brother, Bethany stalked off to the tent she shared with her parents, went inside it, and zipped it closed. Albus turned to his two gluey friends and erupt out laughing. They were both sitting on the priming covered in a mixture of strap cream and dirt that was just visible by the light of Albus 's torch. The two rarely had a clowning backfire on them like that.

"Bloody minuscule Sister,"Kaden muttered as he scrubbed the slash cream off in the bathroom a few minutes later.

"Yeah,"Gospel According to John agreed as he tried to get the pip cream out of his whisker by sticking his headland in the sink."Why do they have to be such a nuisance ?"

"I think it 's their job,"Albus mused."Lily would 've done the Same thing."

"You two are favourable you 've only got one,"John pointed out."Try living with three."

"I 've got enough full cousin to make up for it,"Albus said.

"lustrelessness 's the lucky one, then,"John said as he pulled his head out of the sink and shook the body of water out."He has n't got any small baby or petty cousins."

"Wish he would 've came with us,"Kaden said as they left the bathroom.

"We never could 've convinced him,"John replied."Remember his grimace when you invited us ?"

"Do you find fault him ?"Albus said."I mean, it was probably a night like this when, you know, when it happened."

The Nox was very tranquillise. The boys made the exclusively noise as they walked back to the campsite. The only light visible was the light source from Albus 's torch. He let out an nonvoluntary shudder. It probably had been a night just like this one. No wonder he had n't wanted to go camping again.

"Only, you know,"Kaden said as he looked up at the sky."There would 've been a moon."

Albus smiled. Leave it to Kaden to head out the obvious. Yes, there would 've been a moon. Currently the Sun Myung Moon was in its new moon phase angle and was not visible in the sky.

The son made it back to their tent and climbed into their quiescency bags. Albus was n't in the least bit tired, so he did n't trouble turning off his torch. John pulled out a inner circle of Exploding Snap cards, figuring that since it was the dead of nighttime, no Muggles would notice.

"What should we do tomorrow ?"can asked.

"Canoeing ?"Albus suggested.

The former two boys glared at him."Only if you promise not to steal our paddles,"whoremaster muttered.

"What ? It was n't a bad swim. And you asked for it by putting that nosebleed nougat in my food."

"It was cold !"Kaden shouted indignantly.

"It 's summer ; it 's supposed to be refreshing,"Albus pointed out.

"well, it 's my birthday, so I say we hike up to that orbit and play football game,"Kaden decided.

Albus and John the Evangelist both groaned loudly, but knew they 'd be spending their utmost day playing football with Kaden. It was his natal day after all, so it was only average that he find fault the day 's activeness. Albus only wished that they did n't admit football.
******


The two workweek that separated the encampment misstep and the Quidditch World Cup seemed to draw on forever. They reminded Albus of History of conjuring trick and he was sure that length of time was longer than two hebdomad, but his calendar told him otherwise. Nothing particularly exciting happened during that couplet of fourteen days ; the highlight being three Hogwarts letters being delivered to Number 12 Grimmauld spot. All three missive contained Good Book list and to nobody 's surprise, James 's did not contain a Prefect 's badge. Cedric and Ben had not received the badge either, but James 's champion Nathan had. William James supposed Neville had to pick someone and Nathan was the least mischievous of the twenty percent class Gryffindor boys.

The most exciting tidings of the two weeks arrived at Albus 's cousin-german Fred 's theatre informing him that he had been made Quidditch chieftain for Gryffindor. James IV was quite excited about this since while Fred was fanatical about Quidditch, he was n't nearly as bad as Sakartvelo. Heather was disappointed, but Fred assured her she would be his second-in-command.

Speaking of Georgia, she had begun her grooming with the Kenmare Kestrals shortly after commencement exercise and planned to move into a savourless close to their sales pitch very soon. Apparently Hotspur had been dropping not-so-subtle suggestion about getting her an internship at the Ministry instead of playing professional Quidditch and she was sick of it. It was still a touchy subject with both Percy and Georgia, so much so that Albus was n't even trusted if Georgia was going to go to the yearly before school Weasley dinner party. Albus thought it was rather stupid of Percy to be arguing about it since it was Sakartvelo 's life and she was skilful at Quidditch.

Albus spent to the highest degree of the two weeks at rosiness 's family, although it was not rosiness whom he was spending time with. Hugo was planning on trying out for the available Keeper place on Gryffindor 's team and needed Albus to have Quaffles at him while he tried to protect the goals. Unfortunately Hugo was not very good, but he was improving, even if it was at a very easy rate. Hugo was also quite sore with Lily over her choosing Ashtyn to take aim to the Cup, which somehow caused him to need to praxis Quidditch nearly twenty-four/seven.

By the meter the day finally arrived to leave for the Cup, Albus was getting quite pale of throwing Quaffles at Hugo and was even nursing a sore arm. He was very thankful for the suspension that going to the Cup would provide. Albus 's family was scheduled to arrive at the bivouac near the pitch the day before the match, which was not bad at all. Some the great unwashed had to get as much as a week beforehand.

"When is lusterlessness getting there ?"John asked Albus as they sat in Albus 's room, packing for the misstep. John had arrived the previous day and somehow all of his stuff had been scattered throughout Albus 's room despite his exclusively having been there for twenty-four hours.

"He 's already there, I think,"Albus answered, remembering the letter Matt had sent him the previous week.

"Did n't you say everyone who goes to the Cup has to bivouac ?"John asked as he inspected a air sock to determine whether it was his or not."How come his parents will go to the Cup but they would n't let him tent with us ?"

"He 's not camping,"Albus said, deciding that the sock John had was his and snatched it away, stuffing it in his bag."His uncle lifespan in New York, so they 're staying there and Apparating to the Cup right before."

"Oh,"lavatory replied."I thought international phantasma was illegal."

"Not from the United States to Canada and back,"Albus explained."If you Apparate to the mete, they let you Apparate into Canada if you 've got the right hand identification."

"Are any of your other cousins going ?"Gospel According to John asked.

"I think Georgia 's going with her teammates, but early than her, no. James II picked Nathan because he did n't want to choose between Cedric and Ben."

"Is Victor-Marie Hugo still angry with Lily ?"John asked."Ashtyn said he was n't speaking to either of them."

"Yeah,"Albus nodded as he rubbed his sore arm."And because of it he 's had me practicing with him for the preceding two weeks."

"Is he going to be Gryffindor 's next Keeper ?"

"Only if the repose of the citizenry who try out play Quidditch like mat and Kaden do,"Albus answered.

"So I 'm guessing the new steward wo n't be a Weasley ?"

"Nope, I do n't think so.

"Are you boys prepare ?"Harry asked as he popped his head into the room.

"Just about,"Albus said as he stuffed one cobbler's last shirt into his bag and zipped it closed."How far do we have to go to reach the Portkey ?"

"Not far, just outside of London,"Harry replied."There 's an Apparition and Floo station nearby, so we wo n't have to walk much."

A few min later the ceramicist were congregated in the posing room, along with John the Divine, Ashtyn, and Nathan. Everyone was going to Floo because Harry and Ginny could n't side-along Apparate six kids between the two of them. Harry had been right ; the Portkey was only a short-change ways away from the specter and Floo station, and in no time they were standing in a small clearing searching for the Portkey. Lily was the one who found it, hiding behind one of the lone bushes. It was an old deflated football that looked to have teeth marks in it.

"When 's it leaving ?"Lily asked.

"In about five transactions,"Harry said as he checked his scout."Remember, Ontario, Canada, is five 60 minutes behind us, so when we get there it will be around xi o'clock in the morning."

nonentity else had been assigned to this specific Portkey, so five minutes later the ceramist, John, Ashtyn, and Nathan disappeared from the field. Albus thought the journey lasted much long than a normal Portkey trip, but that made sense since they were going all the way to Canada.

They landed in another small clarification and once Albus steadied himself, he could see a fleet of collapsible shelter in the distance. Directly in front of them was a pocket-size wooden building that bore a house that read 'Lakeside Park- camping government agency'. He looked around for a lake, but did n't see one.

"If we find the lake, we can go canoeing,"Albus said.

"Yeah, and perhaps we 'll get a decent Defense teacher this year,"bathroom replied."There 's no bally way I 'm canoeing with you ever again."

"And maybe you wo n't put foul sweets in my food anymore."

"Ca n't make any promises,"John grinned.

Albus and John followed everyone else towards the little wooden building. Once inside, Albus noticed that it was being manned by a very garbled looking Muggle, who was staring off into quad. He did n't even appear to remark when they walked in.

"computer memory charm,"Harry whispered to the boys. He walked up to the bloke and set a piece of paper down on the desk."campground reserve for ceramist. Two nights."

"ceramicist, ceramist,"the bloke muttered as he began to type on something that Albus was pretty sure as shooting was called a computing device."You 're site 43. Be heedful, mind you, there 's a lot of odd people camping this week."

"Thanks,"Harry replied.

Campsite 43 did n't seem to be anywhere near the little wooden edifice so Albus and the others had to walk through most of the camping area to discover their land site. A second into the walk Albus realized why the Muggle in the building needed so many remembering appealingness. It did n't seem like anybody was trying to conceal thaumaturgy. The Cup was between Russia and Italian Republic and it was very obvious who was rooting for whom.

The Italians had red, green, and White person tents, some of which had the actual signal flag design on the sides. One group had a cauldron boiling over a green and red fire and there was a wizard pouring pasta into it.

"Who cooks alimentary paste on a camping trip ?"Harry muttered as they passed."No wonder that bloke thinks something funny 's going on."

The Russians were n't any effective since their collapsible shelter were also adorned with signal flag and some had even littered the surrounding ground with magical fake snow. Since it was at least seventy-five degree, Albus thought that was slightly strange.

Albus only saw a few other people he knew. Damien and Kate Waverly from the Ravenclaw Quidditch team were at camping site issue 35 and he also saw a Hufflepuff whom he recognized but did n't remember the name of. Most of the people appeared to be Russian, Italian, Canadian, or American English. Albus figured that was since the Cup was so far away from U.K.. about British people would n't go see the Cup in Canada if they did n't really support Soviet Union or Italy. Albus did n't sustain either team, but his dad had gotten free tag.

After passing a eventuality of Russians, Albus noticed a few people who looked oddly familiar. He paused to watch over them for a minute or so and then realized that they were the Quidditch team from the Adirondack honorary society of Magic.

"James,"Albus said as he poked his brother."feeling, the New York Quidditch team."

The New Yorkers had noticed Albus and James River as well. They abandoned their blast and strolled over to the walkway.

"You came a long way for the Cup,"the tallest of the lot said. Albus recognized him as one of the Beaters.

"My dad had tickets,"Albus replied.

"Oh, right,"the boy said, craning his neck to see Harry, who was a few meter away."Your dad 's Harry potter. Learned about him in chronicle of Magic a few yr ago."

"disgrace about the mates,"James said, clearly wanting to maneuver the conversation away from Harry."That Australian schoolmaster is soil cheater."

"Sure is,"the boy replied."It sucks."

"I wish they would 've let us trifle each other,"James said mutinously."examination ? Really ? That was a stupe excuse."

"I 'll say,"he agreed."Hey, you 'll never guess who else is here."

"Who ?"James asked.

"Linda, you know, the vampire,"the boy said excitedly."Saw her a few hours ago, but she turned the former way when she saw me."

Albus exchanged looks with John, and the two of them silently agreed to go feel for Linda as soon as they could sneak away from James, Nathan, Lily, and Ashtyn, plus Albus 's parents.

The New Yorkers went to eat luncheon and Albus and the others continued their trek to campsite 43. It was situated in a low glade of trees, next to a group of Canadian virtuoso and a rather rowdy group of Italians. Harry and Ginny had the collapsible shelter up in no prison term with help from Nathan, who was Muggle-born. James River and Nathan each made a quick sandwich and then went off to search. Lily and Ashtyn begged to be allowed to do the same, but both Harry and Ginny insisted that they stay at the bivouac.

"Can we go explore ?"Albus asked as he polished off his lunch.

"I suppose so,"Ginny said."But be careful, and be back in time for dinner."

"We will,"Albus assured her.

Albus and John set off down the path, both keeping an eye out for Linda."This office is huge,"John said."How in the name of Merlin are we going to retrieve her ?"

"I have n't the svelte idea, but I suppose if we keep walking we might find her,"Albus replied."Maybe we 'll see that lake as well."

"I am not canoeing with you."

"courtship yourself."

Albus and John did not get hold the lake, but after walking around the campsites for about an hr, they eventually came upon Linda. She was at a smallish campsite that contained a Amytal tent that actually looked like it could belong to a Muggle. Linda was reading a book at the picnic table while another witch was bent over a firing and she turned when she heard the boys get. She was quite beautiful, with prospicient moody hair like Linda's.

"Can I help you ?"she asked. Her dialect was not Australian and Albus could n't place it.

Linda looked up and her eyes rested upon Albus. She got up from the board and walked over to the boys.

"Do you have intercourse them ?"the other witch asked.

"They 're from Hogwarts,"Linda replied. The enchantress raised her eyebrow."It 's fine,"Linda said."I 'll be back soon."

Albus was very surprised that Linda so willingly decided to walk with them and he shared a spirit with John before they set off along the way. All three were tranquillity for about ten minutes before Linda spoke.

"I just want you to know that I 'm sorry about the match,"she said quietly."I did n't want to do it. I do n't even normally go to school. It 's rather senseless since I 've been through school three clock time already. The headmaster insisted I play and said if I did n't he 'd get some sort of law passed to hold my life miserable."

"It 's not your fault,"Albus said."The Australian master is a git. We 've known that for years."

"Oh, your friend Matt ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered.

"Is he here ?"Linda asked.

"He 's going to the Cup but he 's staying at his uncle 's house in New York."

quiet fell upon them once again until John spoke a few minutes later."So what are you doing now ?"

"My female parent and I are living here, in Canada. Another state, though, one that 's even less inhabited than this one. We ca n't live in Australia after that Quidditch tragedy. The headmaster blamed me for everyone finding out what I am. Said I did n't conceal it well enough."

"That 's insane,"St. John replied.

It was strange, Albus thought, how the previous class none of the boys had really liked Linda because they were afraid she would reveal that Matt was a lycanthrope, yet she was being blackmailed by Killigan the unhurt time. Now, she seemed nice.

The conversation moved from Killigan to the upcoming couple and who they thought would win. Linda, like Albus and John, was rooting for Italy and they all agreed that Russian Federation did n't endure a chance. They circled the camping site and made it back to Linda 's campsite. Her mother was talking with a wiz who was camping in the next website over.

"Tell Rose and Amanda that I 'll owl them soon,"Linda said."Mum did n't require me to owl anyone until we 'd successfully gotten away from Killigan. But she thinks he 's given up and we should be dependable in Canada."

"Ok,"Albus said."Maybe we 'll see you at the match tomorrow."

Linda bade them goodbye and joined her mum. She turned and smiled at Albus and John as they left to go back to their campsite.



A/N : And so the fourth story begins ! I 'm hoping to update this once a month. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed the previous fib !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Neither of the boys slept much that night. This was partly due to excitement about the match and partly due to the fact that Harry and Ginny sent Lily and Ashtyn to the boy'tent after the two of them refused to settle down. Albus, John the Evangelist, Jesse James, and Nathan complained loudly about the addition of the girls in their tent, but Harry and Ginny were adamantine. King James I and Nathan decided to differentiate scarey stories in a vain attempt to scare Lily and Ashtyn back into the grownup'tent, but both little girl were now too old to get that scared.

The side by side day was similar to the previous day and Albus and John spent it trying to recover the lake, but had no portion. John was lamenting the fact that the campground was called"Lakeside"when there clearly was no lake around so often that Albus wished there was a lake just so he could push lav into it. Both male child begged Harry and Ginny to let them go to New House of York to see Matt, but had no luck. Harry and Ginny said they could see mat later that night at the match.

Dusk finally arrived and people began to trek through the Sir Henry Joseph Wood to the pitch. Albus did n't have the slightest idea how far away it was, but it seemed farther than the walk from the Whomping Willow to the screech shack or from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Once they finally did arrive, it seemed amazing that Muggles did n't observe it. The pitch shot was huge ; that was the only intelligence for it. There were Thomas More witches and star congregated in one home than Albus had ever seen in his life and more were coming up behind him.

King John had brought two pair of his omnioculars but the group had to lay off while William James, Nathan, and Lily each purchased a pair. Ashtyn had stolen a pair of lav 's, apparently without him knowing. Ginny quickly steered them all away from a brace wizards who were taking stakes.

A young necromancer standing near the entranceway asked to see their tickets and then lead them higher and higher in the stands until they reached one of the top box seat. There were fourteen chairman lined up in two rows, six of which were already occupied. Matt and his parents took up half of those chairwoman ; in the early three sat two wizards and a witch Albus did not know.

"Matt !"Albus shouted. He and John the Evangelist immediately took the two seat to Matt 's right hand while Harry and Ginny greeted his parents.

"Albus, Saint John the Apostle !"matt replied."This is brilliant !"

"Yeah it is ! Look how high up we are !"John said excitedly."topper seats ever !"

"Oh, this is my Uncle knave,"lustrelessness said, gesturing to one of the sorcerer Albus did n't recognize. He looked a lot like Matt 's dad, only with less grey tomentum and far fewer wrinkles."Uncle laborer, this is Albus and John."

"So you 're the ones who keep getting Matt into trouble."Jack grinned.

"That 's more than Kaden and trick than Albus,"flatness pointed out.

"Hey, Albus was the one who got Kaden and I stranded in a lake a few weeks ago,"Saint John the Apostle muttered.

"What ? !"Matt exclaimed.

"He stole our canoe boat paddle. We had to drown back."

"This was after John and Kaden pushed me into the lake multiple times,"Albus said.

"Makes sense to me."matt shrugged.

About a half hour later, during which Albus was introduced to the other witch and superstar in their box ( Canadian Ministry officials ) and then promptly forgot their figure, the lucifer finally began.

The Russian mascots were up first. Albus, after hearing about the leprechauns and Veelas at the World Cup his parents attended, was quite looking forward to the mascots. Unfortunately, he was disappointed in the Russian mascots. Or should he say 'mascot .'There was only one. The full Russian squad walked onto the pitch accompanied by what looked like a very sluggish, very hairy goat.

"What the bloody perdition is that ?"John asked as he got up and put his omnioculars to his eyes."It 's a goat !"

Albus and matte followed St. John and watched the laughingstock. With the omnioculars, Albus could see that the Capricorn the Goat 's fur was greying giving it a very old look.

"Looks as old as Aberforth Dumbledore,"Matt muttered.

"Probably belongs to him,"John pointed out.

"Let 's apply a strong welcome to Murphy the Mouflon !"the commentator shouted."Murphy has been with the Russian Quidditch team for nearly twenty years and is beloved by the integral squad. Murphy has been trained to do a variety of tricks ...."

The observer droned on as Murphy slowly climbed through what looked like a end post not on the post and caught a Quaffle in his mouth. Albus thought the whole show was sort of odd and the murmuring in the box by the rest of its resident told him his legal opinion was shared.

"What in the name of merlin is a mouflon ?"James asked.

"It 's a wild sheep,"Lily explained."Although this one is obviously not wild. In fact, it seems kind of awful to puddle him perform fast one like that at his age."

The Italian mascots were the complete antonym. As soon as the Russian team left the pitch shot with Murphy the mouflon, a very large number of adept dressed in what looked comparable armored robe stepped onto the battleground. As they stepped aside, they revealed a cage containing three chimeras.

"Bloody hell !"King John exclaimed.

"How can they bestow Chimera into a Quidditch compeer for merlin 's sake ?"Ginny shouted."They 're dangerous !"

"They 're being handled by master chimera animal trainer,"Mr. Eckerton explained."And the Canadian oral sex of the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures is here. They had to clear it with all the Ministries of major countries first."

All the letdown about the mouflon disappeared when Albus saw the handler taking the chimeras out. Each one was attached to a buddy-buddy metallic element Chain and controlled by two handlers. They roared and lunged at each other and at the various official and reader standing on the sidelines.

Albus 's eyes were glued to his omnioculars during the entire performance, which must not suffer lasted more than ten minutes. During those ten arcminute the Chimaera tried to vote out no less than five of the handlers and had scared one of the referees into the changing room. Meanwhile the commentator was keeping up a steadfast current of chimera information and history. Apparently Chimaera had a foresightful history in Rome.

The grownup in the way ( with the possible exception of diddley ) let out a collective suspiration of stand-in when the Chimaera were put back in their cages and moved to the by-line while James, Nathan, Albus, John Lackland, and Matt groaned. Even Ashtyn and Lily seemed slightly disappointed with their disappearance.

However, Albus soon nearly forgot about the chimaera ( it was unimaginable to completely forget about them as they roared every time a player got near them ) since the match started right after they left. The observer announced the names of the players, but Albus could n't keep any of them straight because they were flying far too fast. This Quidditch was acute, far more intense than any of the League matches he had been to.

The Quaffle exchanged hands faster than the commentator could say the names of the Chasers and the Bludgers were being sent after musician after instrumentalist. The searcher were staying out of the way, which seemed like a good idea to Albus since one of the Italian Chasers was injured only fifteen minutes into the match.

St. James kept up his own running commentary as well, much to the pain of Albus and everyone else. He constantly named the turn and critiqued the way the Russian Seeker sat on his broom.

"Shut it, James,"Albus finally said."He 's the one performing in the Cup, not you. He can sit on his broom however he likes."

"He 's not going to catch the stoolie with that stance,"Jesse James muttered before looking through his omnioculars.

As it turned out, James was right. An 60 minutes later the Italian searcher pulled into a prima donna and came back up with the struggling winged bollock in his grip. The total box stood up and cheered, especially Saint John the Apostle who did n't like Russia 's Quidditch team. Albus did n't come after either squad, but he supposed if he had had to select, he would 've chosen Italian Republic. Italian Republic won with 520 period. Russia had 430. Both teams had played incredibly well.

"I knew it !"Henry James shouted as they made their way back to the campground."I knew he would n't pick up that Snitch ! A seeker ca n't sit up so straight on his broom and have a bun in the oven to trance the Snitch !"

Albus ignored him. James would be bragging about this for the next two calendar month.

"You should come stay with me in New York,"Matt said as they reached the campground.

"Can we Mum ?"Albus asked."Please ?"

"I do n't think that 's going to process, Al,"Ginny replied."They 're flying back on an plane and you two do n't have tickets."

"Aw, Merlin,"Albus groaned."I guess we 'll see you on the train, then."

"Yeah, definitely,"Matt replied.

Albus and St. John the Apostle said sayonara to lusterlessness and watched as he left with his parents to go Apparate back to the delimitation.

It was very recent, but the campground was far too loud for anyone to get to sleep. The Italians were celebrating and even the Russians seemed to be very loud and boisterous, despite their loss. Instead of going to bed, Harry lit another campfire and everyone sat around it, roasting whatever sweets they had over the fire and discussing the match.

"And when that moufflon got onto the delivery !"Nathan shouted."And the Chimera went testis ? I thought they were going to escape !"

"Did n't stop the musician, though,"Henry James pointed out."That was when one of the Russian Chasers got hit by that Bludger. He could have dodged that if he had been paying more attention to the match and to a lesser extent to the chimaeras."

"I think I 'd sooner pay attention to a potential chimaera escape than a Bludger,"Ashtyn muttered.

"Are you the leading expert on Chasing now, too ?"Albus asked James.

"I 'm just trying to amplify my cognition of the other positions because I 'm going to be Gryffindor 's skipper next year after Fred graduates."

Albus snorted."What makes you so sure ?"

"I 've been on the team since second year, I 'll be the onetime next year, and I 'm a honorable drawing card,"Saint James replied.

"They do n't always pick the oldest,"Albus pointed out."And Bradley and Ryan are older than you."

"What, you think you 'll get it ?"James asked incredulously.

"Boys,"Ginny warned.

"I do n't want it,"Albus said.

"No point in you getting it,"John chimed in."After all, you 're going to be Prefect next year."

James laughed."Yeah, that 'll happen."

"You 're not one to verbalize, James,"Ginny said."notice your missive did not control a Prefect 's badge this year."

"Well, yeah, because Kendrick would be pudding head to make me a Prefect,"St. James said."But he 'd be stupid to stimulate you-"

James was interrupted by a loud crack that sounded like someone Apparating or a outgrowth breaking. Lily shrieked and Harry stood with his scepter out. There was a rustle in the woods behind them and a form lumbered out.

He stepped forward and the visible radiation from the blast illuminated his look, which was old and wrinkled. There was barely a hair on his head and he walked with an obvious hobble. Adorned in a very old, very disgusting looking brown cloak, he did not seem to have showered in recent history.

"'Arry Potter,"he croaked. His phonation did n't go like it had been used in Recent history, either. His accent was not Canadian, nor was it British or Aboriginal Australian."A word."

"sceptre out where I can see it,"Harry replied.

"Don''ave a baton,"he muttered.

"shuffle it quick, then,"Harry said, his own verge still pointed at the stranger.

"Yer in trouble, ceramicist,"he said."An'not just 'bout what 'appened two months ago."

He sounded a bit like Hagrid, Albus thought, except this bloke seemed to sustain nothing but that in common with the friendly half-giant.

"Oh, no."The gent smiled slightly."Election year, ai n't it ? Oh, yes, you 've more to worry 'bout than that Willinson bloke."

"Who are you ?"Harry asked.

"Not important,"he said and turned to go back into the timber."proficient luck, Potter,"he said before disappearing completely.

"That was weird,"St. John said."How in the figure of Merlin can an election be bad for you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus agreed."Are you running for government minister or something ?"

Harry laughed."Definitely not. I reckon that bloke is off his rock 'n' roll musician. I would n't worry about it."

Ginny insisted they get to bed shortly after the strange blighter left since they had to get up early the next morning to catch their Portkey. Albus laid awake thinking about the stranger long after St. John the Apostle, James, and Nathan fell asleep. His dad may receive said not to worry about it, but is n't that what all fathers say when they do n't want their Word to occupy about something, even if it is worthy of worry ?
******


Early was an understatement for the time they had to get up the side by side morning. Ginny was waking them up when the sun was barely above the sensible horizon. Apparently everyone had to allow for the camping area before Muggles checked in, which meant everyone in the entire encampment was rushing about resulting in general topsy-turvyness. Eventually the potter managed to locate their Portkey and get back to London. When they arrived it was five hours later because of the time change, yet all Albus wanted to do was cower back in bed, which is exactly what he did. can fell asleep right on Albus 's floor without any sorting of blanket or pillow.

John spent two to a greater extent Clarence Shepard Day Jr. at Albus 's business firm, during which they went to Diagon Alley, along with Kaden, and spent virtually of their time speculating on who the new Defense teacher would be. Harry told them that he would not be returning, much to their displeasure, but he was certainly Kendrick would find a worthy replacement. Albus was not too certainly about this since Kendrick 's conclusion permutation turned out to be insane yet still capable of catching malign wizards. John left the day of the annual before school day Weasley family dinner because his family was going to visit his cousins, much to John 's dismay.

The before school dinner party was one of two times that Albus 's entire extended folk got together for a meal. The quietus of the year everyone was either in school or too busy to undertake the event. However, Albus 's grannie, Molly, insisted that they all spend an evening together before all the Kid went off to school. Albus loved it because there was always luscious nutrient and multiple game of Quidditch. Albus was not certain how much retentive everyone would attend, though, now that his previous cousin-german were graduating and getting jobs. Victoire was still in Healer training and teddy was in Auror grooming. Stanley was in Romania studying firedrake, just as his father had done. Georgia of course was engaged with training for the Kenmare Kestrals and Albus was for sure it would n't be long until she was playing for England. Gabriella, much to her parents'alarm, said she did not know what she wanted to do with her life and was spending her days painting characterisation of the sea in social movement of their cottage rather than working at the internship Bill had secured for her at Gringotts. The following twelvemonth, Fred and Heather would calibrate and it would n't be long after that more of the Weasley full cousin were out of Hogwarts than were in Hogwarts. Angie, Fred 's little sister, was just starting Hogwarts that year.

This was not the class that people began to not be able to evidence up, though. Each and every penis of the Weasley and ceramicist sept were going to be there, else face the wrath of molly Weasley. Albus almost felt sorry for the first base of his cousin-german to receive to work on the day the dinner party was scheduled. It certainly would n't be him because he still had more than half his Hogwarts life history left.

dinner, of trend, was a relative term. multitude started showing up at the Burrow shortly after dejeuner meter and did not leave until ten or eleven at night. Albus 's parents chose to read up around two, so that Ginny could help mollie with the cooking. When they arrived they found that Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Katherine, and their shaver were already there. Fleur and Katherine were helping in the kitchen while Bill and Charlie set up tables in the backyard. Arthur was tinkering with some sort of Muggle device in the den.

St. James the Apostle immediately hailed Ben and the two of them disappeared up to one of the bedrooms, no doubt to design some sort of clowning. Heather was in the backyard, already on a broom, with Eddie trailing after her on an old broom that was lagging. Gabriella and Mark were sitting in the den pretense to hear to Chester Alan Arthur 's commentary on whatever he was taking apart. Albus, who really had nothing to do until pink wine arrived, wandered around the house and yard with Lily, until his mother hailed him to hack carrot, the Muggle way of course.

Everyone else arrived while he was chopping, except for Victoire who did n't get off work until five. With what must have been at least five Ezra Pound of Daucus carota sativa finally chopped, Albus escaped outside, where to the highest degree everyone else was congregating.

Percy was donned in very fancy midnight blue angel gown which struck Albus as very odd since everyone else was wearing free-and-easy robe or Muggle wearing apparel. But Harry Hotspur was always slightly odd.

"Why 's Uncle Percy dressed up ?"Albus asked rosebush, who had just appeared by his side.

"No idea,"Rose said."But he 's quite excited about something and he wo n't tell anyone else what it is."

"He probably came up with some new case of cauldron bottom,"Georgia muttered.

Albus turned around to see Georgia, still in practice Kestral robe, with her arms crossed glaring at her Father."He 's still not keen on the Quidditch thing, is he ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"Georgia replied."Nothing he says is going to convert my mind, though. I 've even gotten a flat with one of the other actor. I 'm moving out tomorrow, but he does n't eff it yet. I do n't get it. He 's more angry about this than Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur are about Gabriella not interning at Gringotts."

"I do n't see what 's haywire with a Quidditch career,"Albus agreed."I mean, so long as you 're good. And you are."

"Thanks, Albus. He just does n't get Quidditch, and in two age he 's going to have to deal with it all again when Bradley graduates."

"You think Bradley 's going to get into Quidditch, too ?"Rose asked.

"No idea, but I know he does n't desire to get into the Ministry. He hates political science,"Sakartvelo explained."And Merlin knows Cedric would never mold in the Ministry. He causes far too much trouble."

"I suppose he can trust Samantha or lindy will try for a Ministry career,"blush wine joked, pointing to the two identical red-haired missy playing tag with Eddie, who had abandoned his broom.

"He better not,"Georgia muttered."They 're too young to have his dreams forced upon them. They 're not even in Hogwarts yet."

"How is training ?"Albus asked, changing the subject.

GA 's eyes lit up."Oh it 's tremendous ! I mean, I have n't gotten to bet in a real match yet but it 's really something to be able-bodied to spiel Quidditch every day of your life history and get paid for it. One of the Beaters, the girl I 'm getting a flat with, says I 'm a shoe-in for a permanent Keeper post once their Keeper gets drafted for England. There 's been talk that he will be and I would n't be surprised since he 's the best player on the team."

"Oi, Georgia !"James shouted as he crossed the yard, followed by Ben and Cedric."Want to get a match going ?"

"Definitely !"Georgia replied."Interested, Al ?"

"Sure,"Albus answered.

Albus set off towards the family to locate his broom, which he had brought, the completely time thinking how lucky he was that Harry would digest whatever career he chose to get into. He liked his Uncle Percy well enough, but he could n't envisage being told he should n't do what he most wanted to do with his life.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I will be responding to all of your endearing reviews soon.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
Weasley house Tree is in the Author 's Note at the bottom.


Molly Weasley did n't defy serve dinner until after the Quidditch match had been completed because even she did n't have the power to drag Weasleys away from Quidditch. shift secured a win for his squad by practically stealing the Snitch out Epistle of James 's appreciation and then everyone was off their Scots heather and sitting at the turgid crowd of tables in record time. After all, Quidditch was one of the right affair one could do to develop a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very ripe mood as he had been on slip 's team.

Albus and rose sat adjacent to each other in the middle of the group of tables and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Percy due to his drug abuse of talking politics during dinner, something that even bored rosiness. The two of them looked at each early as Percy sat down and Albus readied himself for political conversation rather than Quidditch talk.

"I 'm telling you,"Percy said to no one in peculiar as he served himself some carrot,"something 's going to happen. I guarantee it. It 's been too quieten in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought things would get a bit riled up last class when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had similar views. More interchangeable than I expected anyway ..."

Leave it to Percy to try and find something wrong with the Ministry when all was OK, Albus thought. He reached over Rose to take hold of a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping constituent onto his plate.

"What do you think, Harry ?"Hotspur turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting next to him."Any inspiration in the Auror department that I may not give birth heard about ?"

"Things are middling calm, Harry Hotspur,"Harry replied.

"Of course they are. I would 've heard if they were n't,"Walker Percy decided.

Albus was n't exactly trusted what his uncle Hotspur actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the Minister, but his actual title was so long and complicated that Albus never bothered to recall it.

"Well, it 's an election year,"Harry Hotspur pointed out."affair never stay tranquilize during election eld. Party announcements come first week of Sept and after that matter will be helter-skelter around the Ministry. Loads of body of work to do. Let me separate you, when I run for Minister-"

"Oh, here we go again !"Ron said loudly."When Percy runs for Minister. It 's never gon na hap, Perce. Honestly."

"I would vote for you, Percy,"Molly assured him."You would form a fantastic minister. But this dinner is supposed to be about the Thomas Kyd. St. James ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. class ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must sedate down a bit and study."

"Gran, really,"James muttered."We 're going to be hearing this from the instructor. Uncle Percy, why do n't you distinguish us more about your running for diplomatic minister ?"

"well, as a matter of fact."Percy stood up."I have a rather exciting promulgation to make and I feel I must tell my menage first, before the rest of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for striking result."I will be formally announcing on Monday, September second that I will be running for Minister for April 's election."

There was right-down silence for about five seconds before a unharmed lot of things happened at once. Ron, George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her supercilium as far as they could go. Ginny, greenback, and Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her head slightly and then jumped up from her hot seat, running towards Hotspur and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

"Oh, Hotspur !"she exclaimed."I 'm so lofty of you ! You 've been talking about it for years and I think it 's highschool sentence you actually did it. I always wanted a son who was this successful !"

"Mum !"Ron groaned."It 's not like your other sons have n't done anything. I 'm an Auror for merlin 's sake !"

"And you 're a fine proficient one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being Minister. You just do n't suffer the aspiration Hotspur does,"Molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

Au was exchanging hands at the other end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some sort of bet involving when Percy would run for Minister. That bet must have been in the employment for years.

Albus was personally stunned. He of course had been on the receiving end of many a Percy claptrap about what he 'd do when he ran for government minister, but he had always believed Percy would n't ever do it. If Albus was honest with himself, he did n't really want Percy running. His family was famous enough without having an real pastor in it.

"Honestly, Mum, do you reckon he 's really going to win ?"Ron exclaimed."I mean, do n't get me wrong, Percy, I 'll vote for you, but what about the rest of the wizarding world ?"

"Sir Henry Percy, do you really think you 're cut out for this ?"Harry asked skeptically.

"Why would n't I be ? I 've been involved with the Ministry for decades !"

"I think what Harry 's trying to say is that you 're all bark and no raciness,"Bill pointed out.

"I am not !"Sir Henry Percy shouted."And I would 've expected more keep from my own family."

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"Boys,"Arthur warned."Percy 's right. If he wants to run for pastor he can without any of us making it hard for him. You do n't sustain to vote for him, but I wo n't give birth you arguing during dinner. You 'll upset your mum."

Everyone resumed their seats but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Hotspur running for curate. They just continued to do so in lower voices. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a seat near Percy.

"Do you know who else is running ?"Hermione asked.

"Not sure enough,"Walker Percy replied."Hartwell 's not running again, if that 's what you 're getting at. He 's had enough. But I 've got his backup. After all, I am the senior Undersecretary for the Drafting and editing of legal philosophy to the Minister."

So that 's what Percy 's title was, Albus thought. He had no estimate if that was a position that had a lot of power or not, but apparently it was enough to receive funding for a minister of religion run.

"Hey, Dad,"GA shouted from a picayune ways down the table."I figure this is as good a time as any to distinguish you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

Hotspur choked on whatever he was eating."You 're what ?"

"Moving out. You know, leaving the draw close. I 've got a flat with a protagonist closer to the pitch. It 'll be more convenient, for work."

"Work,"Walker Percy muttered."If Quidditch can be considered work."

"Look, I know how these elections work. You 're going to want to make yourself take care like a kin man, so you 're not going to need to study me your sick daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd amend start thinking of me as your girl who 's the newest taciturnity Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll sound intimately to the press."

Percy stared at her with his mouth agape love. He shook his headway slightly and resumed eating, without another word to Georgia. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that little argument.

Albus turned to Rose and grinned. Peach State certainly knew how to make Sir Henry Percy 's running game for minister of religion work to her advantage.

"Rose, have you heard from Linda yet ?"Albus asked, deciding not to join the residuum of his class in political conversation.

"Not yet."Rose shook her head."Her mum might bear wanted her to wait a bit after they settled in Canada, though. Have you heard anything about what the Ministry 's doing about Lubar ?"

"If anything 's changed Dad 's being really hushed about it,"Albus answered.

"It 's so wrongly, though, that he can completely get away with what he did,"blush wine muttered."It 's like I could go to France, rob a bank, get back to England, and I 'd get away with it."

"You 're robbing a bank ?"James shouted.

"Of course not,"Rose replied."It 's none of your business."

Albus and Rose did n't take a chance talking about Lubar for the respite of the evening. Sure, the residue of their folk do it about what had happened but neither of them wanted to talk over their theories with any of them.

The rest of the evening was rather out of role for usual Weasley family dinners. All the previous years'dinner party had consisted of talking of Hogwarts and the adults exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the first fourth dimension would get a fair bit of aid, but this yr Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the aid was focused on Percy. The grownup were talking government and Albus 's elder cousins were placing stakes on whether he 'd win or not.

John Rowlands was the first to leave as he had to go back to Romania the following morning time. Charlie and Katherine had finished their yr in Roumania and had returned to England permanently the previous calendar month. Victoire and Teddy left shortly after that since they both had to work the adjacent day.

Sir Henry Percy was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousin were humble and he had to pretend he was interest in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was clip to result. For the first off time in his life history, he was actually happy to leave and get back to Grimmauld Place. The before school dinner party was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to throw fun all together before shoal started, and this time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some stroke of lot or miracle that had never descended upon the thrower before, King James I had packed his trunk the night before they left for schooling. Albus was sure that some sort of apocalypse was going to arrive soon because Walker Percy running for Minister and the Potters arriving early for the Hogwarts Express were two events that cypher ever thought would happen. Albus did n't interrogate it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at Platform 9 ¾ prior to going through the roadblock, was not early, so the potter went through without him. rosiness and her family were already there of course, so Albus said a quick goodbye to his parents before getting on the caravan to find Rose. With any hazard his friends would n't be there yet and he could talk to turn out alone. Usually there was nothing he would n't talk to his protagonist about, but the strange opinion he had had about his family was something he only wanted to talk to Rose about.

rosebush was alone in a compartment about halfway down the train, reading one of her new schoolbook. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't own the slim estimation what any of the symbols in it meant. He chose the hindquarters side by side to her and waited for her to be done reading whatever it was she was deciphering.

"I 'm witnessing a miracle, apparently,"Rose said after setting her Book down.

"James packed last nighttime,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is prosperous if St. James packs in the beginning than five minute of arc before you leave."

"It 's definitely odd,"Albus agreed."Listen, do you get the notion things are changing ?"

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three years, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the Sami time. I know they 're really dolt when it comes to dueling but I think they 're smarter than anyone 's giving them credit for. Things are going to commute, Al. The cosmos 's getting scarier,"blush wine said quietly.

Albus swallowed hard. That was in the back of his mind of course of action, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to talk to rear about.

"I guess,"Albus replied."But I was n't really getting at that. I was thinking about our family."

"Oh,"was all rosebush said. Both cousins sat quietly for a second before she continued."I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner party at Gran and granddad 's ? It was all Percy. O.W.L.s were mentioned once and no one said anything about Angie starting Hogwarts."

"I know. It was odd. It just seems like everything 's changing. There are LE of us at Hogwarts now so I guess that 's what 's going to happen-"

"There 's still a lot of us here,"Rose interrupted."And Eddie and the twin have n't even started yet. Plus it 's not like we even talked about Teddy, Victoire, Stanley, and Georgia. We talked about Sir Henry Percy for Merlin 's sake !"

"What do you recall will happen if he wins ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't know. I do n't think thing will change political-wise but I think it 's going to be really weird for Empire State of the South and Omar Bradley and Cedric. Even the Twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most important someone in the wizarding world has got to be stressful."

"William Tell me about it,"Albus muttered."Can you opine if my dad ran for Minister ?"

"Percy would n't put up a chance."

"Dad 'll never run, though,"Albus pointed out."I just think that affair are already different from last year. Everyone 's going to be focused on Uncle Percy 's campaign."

"things never stay the Same, Al,"Rose said.

"What 's not staying the same ?"john asked as he entered the compartment, followed by Kaden."I 'm hoping you 're talking about my soothsaying mug, blush wine, because my parents nearly murdered me this by summer when they saw it."

"I think we 'll just deliver to parcel out with your murder, John, because that mark is not getting any high,"Rose replied.

"Seriously, what were you talking about ?"Kaden asked as he sat down across from Rose.

"Nothing,"Rose said quickly.

"I 'll tell apart you once matt and Amanda get here,"Albus said, figuring he 'd severalise them about Percy running for Minister.

"This is going to be the dependable year ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a piece of sheepskin out of his bag."Look, it 's my Hogsmeade permission slipperiness !"

"Excellent,"John replied."Now I do n't have to buy your dungbombs for you."

"Do you really have to buy dungbombs this year ?"Matt asked as he entered the compartment."They 're so nasty."

"Just for the Slytherin coarse room,"John assured him."Our goal is to project out how to get a few in there."

"Not going to work,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the early side of Rose."You ca n't get into somebody else 's commons room unnoticed."

"That 's what Albus 's cloak is for,"Kaden said.

"Not if it 's going to smell out like dungbomb after,"Albus said.

"Told you we should have just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,"John told Kaden.

Kaden shrugged."All right field, everyone 's here. say us what you and Rose were talking about before any of us got here."

"Fine."Albus took a rich intimation."Well, my Uncle Percy 's track for Minister."

"Seriously ?"King John replied.

"aplomb !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"lusterlessness asked.

"Is n't he the one who 's been talking about doing that for years ?"Amanda asked.

"Yes,"Albus answered."He 's seriously running, it 's not that aplomb, I 'm honestly not surely why, and yes he 's been talking about it for years."

"Why does n't your dad run ?"Kaden asked.

Albus and rose both burst out laughing."Because that 's the last thing he 'd ever want to do. He would n't want anymore power than he 's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is variety of power hungry,"Albus replied.

"Do you know who he 's running against ?"Amanda asked.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus said."They 're supposed to be announcing the candidates on the second."

"What 's that got to do with everything changing ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's our family,"rosiness said quietly."Uncle Percy is so rivet on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Sakartvelo 's got it all figured out. Percy 's going to venture he 's completely happy with her Quidditch playing just to make himself seem like a folk man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's stupid,"John said."Georgia 's not going to care that."

"She 's the one who brought it up,"pink wine pointed out.

"He 's right, you know,"Amanda said.

"What do you mean, he 's veracious ?"Albus stared at her. She had a knowing smile splayed across her face.

"You, Rose, and mat are n't the but ones of us who have menage in politics,"Amanda said.

"But you 're a Muggle,"john replied.

"I never said the Ministry of deception, St. John the Apostle. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle 's the ground minister."

Albus continued to gaze at her. Amanda was always rather quiet and rarely talked about her family. He always figured that was because she was so placidity and never guessed that it might be because her family was just as influential in the Muggle world as his was in the wizarding world.

"Michael Smythe, that 's my uncle. He 's my mum 's brother,"Amanda elaborated."Imagine my mum 's surprise when she told him that I was a witch only to discover out that he already knew about the wizarding world."

"So if Percy wins ...,"Albus began, his voice trailing off.

"He 'll fill my Uncle Mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, Georgia does have it all figured out. If tidings gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch playing, it 's going to issue forth off improper in the military press and lose him votes. So, he 'll keep it to himself and will be in the look row of every single one of her matches, pretending to be a immense Kenmare Kestrals fan."

"Wow, that seems so wrong,"rose wine muttered.

"It 's politics from the early side of meat. The public wants multitude in power to have a sure image."

"Still, it 's like lying,"Rose went on."Just another reason I am not getting into politics."

"My cousin Leanne went a little wilderness at university her first-class honours degree year, our first year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photo of her and put it on the natural covering of some sheet, but that was the only when one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not care Georgia 's partying. She 's got Quidditch accomplishment and is using them to make an honest bread and butter,"rose wine pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't desire the populace to have it off he 's not happy with her career choice so he 's going to make himself appear like a devoted father."

"See, everything 's changing."Albus sighed."Sometimes I just wish I had a normal family."

"It 's not all it 's cracked up to be,"bathroom said. Kaden nodded.

"It 's true, Albus,"lustrelessness said."Amanda 's completely right. It 's the whole intellect why my dad got sacked. The public did n't like that I was a lycanthrope, which is division of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, nobody wanted him in politics anymore."

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but mat was the right way. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before flatness mentioned that. And now the Lapp affair was happening with his family. Percy was going to pretend and while that did n't really directly effect him, how long would it take before the world did n't like the image he and the respite of his cousins were presenting ?


A/N : From now on, updates for this will come about on the first of every month and updates for Beyond the Shadow will happen on the 15th. That way they 'll be spread out. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this !

Here 's the Weasley-Potter mob tree !

Bill-Fleur
Victoire- 20
Gabriella- 18
Ben- 5th class

Charlie-Katherine ( hag )
Stanley- 19
Heather- 7th twelvemonth
Mark- 6th twelvemonth
Eddie- 8

Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Georgia- 18
Bradley- 6th twelvemonth
Cedric- 5th twelvemonth
Samantha & lindy hop ( twins ) - 9

George- Alicia Spinnet
Fred- 7th class
Angie- 1st class

Ron-Hermione
Rose- 4th yr
Hugo- 2nd class

Ginny-Harry
James- 5th year
Albus- 4th year
Lily- 2nd year

*All in Gryffindor*