Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


On Christmas Eve the Potters went to Godric 's Hollow, like usual. It was completely wickedness by the time they Apparated to the tunnel, but there was plenty of light streaming out of the tall house 's windowpane. As they walked closer to the blank space, Albus could learn the roars of laughter coming from inside.

`` Harry ! '' the door to the Burrow flew open and George stood in the doorway to recognise them, a mug of eggnog in his helping hand. `` How are ya, mate ? ``

`` I 'm enceinte, George. I see you 're already drunk, '' Harry grinned at him.

`` A drunkness only Mum 's eggnog can bring, '' George went back into the sign of the zodiac and Albus and his phratry followed.

Albus smiled to himself as he saw the usual chaos that was Christmas Eve at his grandparents'house. His sea of redheaded cousins were milling around eating and laughing with each other. This was what Albus loved about Christmas Day at the burrow. He grabbed a couple cookie from the nearby table and went to get rosebush. She was sitting on the floor near the fireplace with Hugo, Victoire, and Teddy.

`` Albus ! '' she shouted over the dissonance, `` Over here ! ``

Albus pushed his way past Peach State and Gabriella who were laughing at something Fred was saying. `` Hi Rose ! What 's been going on ? ``

`` Not much. Uncle George VI, Uncle neb, and Uncle Charlie are drunk. My dad 's on his way and so is aunt Alicia. ``

`` Would n't be Christmas Eve if they were n't, '' Albus laughed.

`` Gran 's been refilling the biscuit platters and talking with my mum and aunty Fleur. I think she 's about to put on Celestina Warbeck, '' pink wine gestured to the nearby receiving set that molly, Hermione, and Fleur were looking at. Fleur threw her hands up in the air and glared at Molly. `` Yup, here comes Celestina. ``

`` Mum hates her, '' Victoire shook her head, `` She 'll be heading for the eggnog now. ``

Sure enough, Fleur poured herself a bombastic mug of eggnog as Molly settled down to listen to the radiocommunication. She was the only one listening, though. Albus could hear snatch and pieces of a stir up Quidditch discussion going on between his Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, aunt Alicia, and heather. Harry was making his way over to them now. It amazed Albus that his uncles and aunt could carry on a fully understandable Quidditch give-and-take while drunk.

`` How long are you staying, Victoire ? '' Albus asked.

`` Just until after Yuletide. I 've got to get back to St. Mungo 's in a couple days. But I 've been here since yesterday when Amy left for Commonwealth of Australia. I did n't want to be alone in the apartment, it would 've gotten awfully boring. ``

`` You would n't have had to be alone, '' Teddy winked, `` And it would n't have been boring. ``

Victoire playfully slapped him. `` Teddy ! Do n't let Mum hear you say that. ``

`` Oh, Albus, '' Rose began, `` Both St. John and Amanda can amount to my house on the 28th. Well, they can only come over for the day, but that should be enough time. mat 's still not sure. He said he wo n't cognise until after he gets back from Australia. ``

`` Ok. Great, we can play Quidditch ! ``

`` Quidditch ? '' Victor-Marie Hugo snapped his head away from his chocolate frog plug-in, `` Can I play ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus replied.

`` The 28th ? '' Teddy commented, `` I 'll come over, too. I do n't have to be back at the Ministry until the 29th. I 'm up for some Quidditch. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` We can get a genuine game going. I 'll just tell my dad I 'm going home with you. '' Albus looked around the elbow room and saw Harry in the midst of a Quidditch discussion. `` Hey, Dad ! ``

`` What is it, Al ? '' Harry got up and squeezed his way through the gang over to Albus.

`` It 's all right if I go to blush wine 's house on the 28th, right ? And delay a pair years ? ``

`` That would be fine, '' Harry said, `` But we 're actually going to Dudley 's house for New Year 's Eve, so we 'll come get you on the 31st before we leave. ``

`` We 're going to Dudley 's ? '' Albus stared at his dad.

`` Er, yeah, '' Harry gave Albus a half smile, `` Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon will be there as well .... ''

`` What ? ! ''

`` Dudley thought it would be a good approximation, considering that Kaden is a wiz, '' Harry explained.

`` All right, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't really want to see Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, but he did n't really have a choice.

`` I 'm sure they 'll be ... civilized, at least, '' Harry gave Albus a hug before leaving to rejoin his Quidditch discussion.

`` fountainhead, at least I can arrive over for a few 24-hour interval, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but you 've got to go see the Dursleys, '' chemise screwed up his grimace in disgust.

`` It 's definitely going to be an interest day, '' Albus replied.

`` I 'm sure enough it 'll be fine, '' Rose assured him. `` Plus, Kaden will be there. ``

`` That 'll make it even more interesting, '' Albus grinned.

`` You know, he 'd fit right in with this lot, '' Rose gestured to the loud and boisterous Weasley kinsperson around them. `` Except without the red tomentum. ``

`` Hey, I have n't got red hair ! ''

`` Neither do I, '' Victoire agreed.

`` I do, '' Teddy laughed as he changed his fuzz from its usual amobarbital sodium to red.

`` You 're not technically a Weasley, '' pink wine commented.

`` Close enough. And anyway, who knows what 'll happen in the side by side few eld, '' Teddy winked at Victoire, who giggled. Teddy threw his arms around Victoire and kissed her.

`` punter not let nan see you doing that, '' Rose warned.

`` Always a stickler for the rules, huh Rosie ? '' Teddy laughed and lengthened his whisker until it was the perfect replica of Rose's.

`` Do n't do that ! '' Rose groaned, `` And I do break rules. Just ask Albus. ``

Teddy shortened his hair again and turned to Albus. `` Really ? ``

`` She does, '' Albus confirmed, `` Quite a few times, actually. ``

`` This I 've got to hear. ``

`` Maybe another meter, '' Albus glanced at rose. Albus had n't really decided whether or not to evidence Teddy about the new map. Most of rose wine 's and Albus 's most recent rule break was done in order to decipher it. Albus knew he was n't going to tell his cousin-german about it, but he was n't sure about teddy and William James. One percentage of him thought they deserved to bonk, considering that their Padre and grandfather were both marauder, but on the early hand he kind of liked keeping it a secret.

`` Aw, come on, tell me. ``

`` Another time, '' Rose said adamantly.

`` Oh, fine, '' Teddy huffed, `` But I will find out. ``

Albus spent the rest of the evening talking and playing games with Rose, Teddy, and Victoire. He was really enjoying the clock time off from school and getting to drop time with his full house at once. By the time he climbed up to the noodle bedroom that he shared with James River and a few of their cousins, he was tired and stuffed from all the biscuits.

******

`` James ! Albus ! '' Albus snapped his oculus open at the sound of his gens the next sunrise. He immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Lily. He heard her footstep bounding into the way. `` Albus, King James I ! It 's Christmas ! Wake up ! ``

`` Hi Lily, '' Albus yawned.

`` trade good, you 're up ! King James ! Get up ! ``

`` I 'm up, I 'm up ! '' St. James the Apostle mumbled.

`` We 've got present tense, Epistle of James ! '' Lily grinned.

`` Right ! '' James said excitedly and Albus heard him crawling to the end of the top bunk to his quite a little of presents.

`` I 'm going to spread out mine ! '' Lily shouted as she ran out of the room.

After Lily 's early wake-up telephone call, everyone in Albus 's room was up. Albus settled down to open his own deal of nowadays with the early boys. The first few boxwood were filled with sweets and various Weasley 's Wizard Wheezes merchandise. The next was this class 's Weasley jumper. It had a red quaffle stitched onto the front with a navy blue scope. `` Opened your jumper yet, Jesse James ? ``

`` Sure did, '' James I replied, `` Red with a green flying dragon on it. ``

`` Mine 's blue with a red quaffle. ``

`` Excellent. ``

Albus opened the next few presents, which consisted of legion rule book and early clothing detail. He also got a Broomstick Servicing Kit, which would be useful since his Firebolt 2000 had a few sprig that needed to be plucked. Albus saved the award from his parents for last and was about to open it when James gave an excited shout from the bed above.

`` Whoa ! ``

`` What is it ? '' Cedric asked and jumped off his bed. Ben followed and the two of them ran over to Jesse James 's bed.

Albus crawled out of his bed and joined his full cousin. `` What ? '' he asked.

James had a huge grinning on his face as he held up a blank piece of lambskin. `` see what I got. ``

Albus stared at the sheepskin. `` You 're kidding ! Dad gave you the marauder 's Map ? ``

`` He sure did ! '' James River shouted.

`` This is perfect ! '' Cedric exclaimed.

`` I ca n't believe he gave it to you, '' Ben grinned.

`` That 's great, Saint James, '' Albus smiled, `` But why you and not me ? '' Albus could n't serve but feel a short leftfield out, even though he now had his own predator 's Map that would potentially be estimable than the original. But his dad did n't know about that, so why did he give the Map to James ?

`` Dunno, '' James shrugged. `` What did they get you ? ``

`` Have n't opened it yet, '' Albus picked up the software package from his parents and snap off the wrapping.

What he saw made his mouth declension surface in shock. This would excuse why James got the Map ! Sitting in the center of the lacerated wrapping, was the Invisibility Cloak. `` He, he gave me the Cloak, '' Albus whispered.

`` Well, that 's why you did n't get the map, '' King James replied, `` This is splendid ! ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, pulling the cloak out of the wrap. He laughed to himself as he thought of how he and rose wine went through all that trouble of stealing it earlier in the calendar month and now he got it for Christmas Day. `` guesswork this is why Dad wanted the Map back. ``

James laughed, `` We gave it back only for him to hand it to me. I think we ought to share them. ``

`` That 's a good musical theme, '' Albus agreed, not mentioning that hopefully he would have his own map working soon.

`` And share them with us, too, '' Cedric gestured to himself and Ben.

`` Of course we will, '' Saint James the Apostle assured them. `` We just have to be sneaky about it. We ca n't let all of Hogwarts know we 've got these. ``

`` I 'm going to go William Tell pink wine, '' Albus wrapped the Cloak around himself and left the room. He had never worn the Cloak at the tunnel before and he thought it was really comical that he passed Eddie on the stairs and Eddie did n't even notice him. He pushed open the door to the room that Rose shared with Victoire, Georgia, Gabriella, and Heather and waited for the fille'reactions.

broom jumped when she heard the door clear and saw that no one was there. Victoire and Gabriella laughed and then shrugged. rosiness got up from her bed and walked cautiously over to the door.

`` Boo, '' Albus pulled the Cloak off and grinned.

All five girls shrieked as they saw Albus emerge from the Cloak, then they all started laughing. `` Where did you get that ? '' Rose demanded.

`` Dad gave it to me ! ''

`` He did ? '' Victoire stared in astonishment. `` Wow, that is really slap-up. ``

`` I just ca n't believe he gave you that, '' Rose grinned, `` I 'll bet James is jealous. ``

`` He got the vulture 's Map, so he 's fine. ``

`` Wow ! '' Rose shouted, `` That 's incredible. And you can share them. ``

`` That 's the program, '' Albus grinned. `` Well, I 'll see you lot downstairs. '' He wrapped the Cloak around himself once more and left the room. Albus could n't believe that his dad had actually given him the Cloak ! He did n't think Harry would ever give it up. The best constituent was that he was now even more like his grandfather had been at Hogwarts. Albus was even more of a predator now that he had the Cloak.

Albus continued down the stair and into the kitchen of the tunnel. A few of his cousin, auntie, and uncles were already up and starting to eat breakfast. Harry and Ginny were there as well, along with Lily. His grandmother was tending to multiple cauldrons at once, while simultaneously bringing versatile items to the table. Albus watched them all for a few moments before pulling the Cloak off and yelling, `` glad Christmastide ! ``

Bill choked on his coffee and patter it across the table at George, who had started laughing. Harry, who had probably been expecting this, grinned and looked at Ginny, who was smiling back. Lily was staring at Albus with her mouth wide open air. Molly dropped the bowl of oatmeal she had been bringing to the table. Everyone else looked at Albus with several looks of jounce and amusement.

`` Albus ! '' Molly shrieked as she cleaned up the spilled oatmeal with a wave of her wand, `` Do n't do that ! ``

`` You gave him the Cloak ? '' George VI asked.

`` Yep, '' Harry replied, `` I take it you 're enjoying it, Al ? ``

`` Sure am ! '' Albus went over to where his parents were sitting and gave them each a huge hug, `` thank ! ``

`` You 're welcome, '' Harry smiled, `` I figured you should be able to relish it while you 're at Hogwarts, like I did. Although I expect you to use it more responsibly than I did. ``

`` I 'll try, '' Albus said, cerebration of when he snuck down to the Whomping Willow with it only two weeks ago. `` Henry James and I are going to plowshare it. Same with the Map. ``

`` Wait, you gave him the marauder 's Map, too ? '' George I stared at Harry.

`` No, James got that. ``

`` I did n't think you 'd ever afford that away, '' St. George laughed.

`` wellspring, I can roll the castle whenever I want and it wo n't matter who 's around, '' Harry explained, `` The son ca n't. Plus, I did n't want to deny them the fun of it. ``

`` Are you sure that 's good, Harry ? '' Molly asked anxiously.

`` The castle is perfectly safe, even at night. I 'm not saying I approve of you wandering around at night, '' Harry gave Albus a tail end gaze, `` But there are More spell than ever protecting it. ``

`` That wo n't protect them from thaumaturgist already in the rook ! '' Molly commented, `` Remember that Willinson kid last-place year ? ``

`` How could I leave ? Sometimes, you just have to take endangerment in order to hold up a footling. I trust the boys enough to know they wo n't go wandering around late at night very often. And if you see anything suspicious on the Map, '' Harry turned to Albus, `` narrate me about it right away. ``

Albus nodded. `` Sure. '' He took a seat at the board, with the Cloak on his lap, just as St. James ran into the room holding the Map in his hands.

`` Thanks, Dad ! '' James shouted, `` This is superb ! ``

`` I 'll tell you what I told Al. Do n't use that to break too many rule and if you see anything abnormal on it, tell me right away. ``

`` howdy, Weasleys ! '' Teddy strolled into the room, his hair one-half green and half red. He sat down next to Albus and pulled a record of testicle towards him. `` Happy Christmas. ``

`` I know your hair is Yuletide one-sided, but those two colors just should n't be paired together, '' James II shuddered as he noticed shimmy 's hair. `` I mean, Gryffindor and Slytherin at the same time ? ``

`` It 's festive, '' teddy grinned. `` You want me to catch yours to be red and green, too ? Just learned some excellent appealingness for that sort of affair in training. Not that I 'll need them. ``

`` No thanks, '' Saint James the Apostle had a look of disgust on his grimace. `` I 'll keep the field red. ``

`` Is that ... '' Teddy looked at the sheepskin James II was holding, `` The Marauder 's Map ? ``

`` Oh, yeah ! for sure is ! '' James handed it to shift, `` Got it for Dec 25 ! ``

`` That 's majuscule ! '' Teddy grinned. `` What did you get Albus ? Do n't think Harry could top that. ``

`` I got the Cloak. ``

Teddy turned to Albus, `` Really ? That 's great, too ! compliments I had an invisibleness Cloak. ``

`` But you can cast those Disillusionment appeal, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Not nearly as fun as that Cloak, though, '' Teddy commented.

`` Oh, boys, '' Harry began, `` You 're going to birth to share those with Lily once she gets to Hogwarts. ``

`` Aw, descend on, '' James groaned.

`` If you do n't I 'll just steal them, '' Lily smirked, `` And veil them in my dormitory, which you two wo n't be able to get into. ``

`` She 's got a point, '' Ginny grinned.

`` We 'll share, '' Albus assured them. He would n't mind sharing with Lily, just as long as she kept the Cloak arcanum. The last thing they needed was the total palace knowing about it.

`` good, '' Harry smiled, `` Now who 's up for a little winter Quidditch ? ``

`` Me ! '' Albus, James, Teddy, and mostly everyone else shouted at the Saami time.

******

Albus spent most of the day playing Quidditch outside with his family. Eventually they all had to come in because they were too low temperature to dally any longer. Plus, it started snowing pretty hard and nobody wanted to drop off the Snitch. Albus spent the rest of the day with rose and reading a few of his new account book. The Cloak was passed around between his cousins, and most of them were amazed Harry had given it to him, and a little envious as well. James passed the Map around and everyone had fun watching the few Department of Transportation that were left in the castle.

Christmas dinner came and went in its usual chaotic State. It was loud and shady and Albus enjoyed every minute of arc of it. He went to bed look very full and very content. The following day Albus 's aunts, uncles, and cousins all started to depart. Albus and rose 's families stayed for a couple more days, but they soon had to leave so Albus 's grandparents could go on vacation for New Year 's. Albus was actually excited to go forth because he would be going to Rose 's theater and hopefully getting the stag print.

Albus landed in Rose 's living room after Flooing from the Burrow. His Uncle Ron, rosiness, and Hugo had already arrived and his Aunt Hermione was right behind him. There was an owl waiting next to the window and Hermione ran over to let it in.

`` That 's Matt 's owl, '' Albus announced as he and rose wine went over to retrieve the letter. Albus opened the envelope and scanned the varsity letter, `` He can issue forth, but only for tomorrow. We 're supposed to meet him at the Leaky cauldron at eleven. ``

`` Sure, '' Hermione smiled, `` Tell him that will work. ``

Albus found a quill and quickly scribbled a response on the rear of the letter and sent it off with the owl. He and Rose ran up the stairs and into blush wine 's elbow room to talk about plans for getting the print.

`` I hope you 've got some ideas, '' Albus said as he shut Rose 's door.

`` Of course I do, '' Rose grinned. `` We 'll tell my parents that we 're going to go exploring in the forest and we 'll wait for a stag while we 're in there. Once we find one, we 'll all try and stun it- ''

`` What about the underage magic police force ? '' Albus definitely did n't need someone from the Ministry showing up shortly after they stunned a hart. The last thing he wanted to do was explicate why he had done it.

Rose laughed, `` Have n't you figured it out yet ? They ca n't tell who 's done the conjuring trick, only that magic 's been done. The Ministry has no way to tell if it was us or my parents who performed the trick. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. All cobbler's last summer he could take in done magic and the Ministry would n't sustain found out. `` Really ? ``

`` Yes, really. The Ministry just relies on parents to not let their nestling use magic outside school. So I would n't suggest doing it a lot. I 'm sure we 'd get in big trouble with our parents. I would n't even be suggesting we do this if there was another way to get the print. ``

Albus nodded. He did n't really want to break the law either, but what could they do ? There was no way to get a sleuth print if the stag was n't stunned. `` I just hope we actually find one tomorrow. ``

`` Me, too. But we do take in a pair days. You 'll be here until the 31st, so that 's four days to get it. ``

`` Yeah, but whoremonger and Matt want to help, too. ``

`` I know and we 'll try. Hey, I 'll bet Amanda 's gotten the dog mark by now ! ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus said excitedly, `` So we 're pretty much halfway there. ``

`` Yup, '' Rose grinned.

`` Now we 've just got to find the magical spell to keep Kaden lull, '' Albus replied.

`` You 're going to tell him everything after I find that charm ? '' Rose asked.

`` I think so. I mean, as long as the magic spell works he ca n't say anyone about it. It 's obvious now that he 's Wormtail, although I 'm sure he 'll be a bettor one. But it 's up to lustrelessness whether he wants to narrate Kaden he 's a wolfman. ``

`` Is n't it kind of necessary for this ? ``

`` Probably, but I ca n't exactly say Kaden that. ``

`` Yeah, you definitely ca n't, '' Rose agreed.

`` Let 's just try and get the stag print first, '' Albus suggested, `` Then we 'll visualise out the Kaden thing. ``


A/N : J.K. Rowling did State Department in an interview that Harry was n't going to give the map and the cloak to James & Al, but it fits the game so I 'm just ignoring that for this series. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Denas, Miguel, Johanne, Luke, Slytherinlover, wolverine83, Moonylupin, XDNLxtlz99, maraudersfan a w, and Jen for the reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus, Rose, and Hermione went to the Leaky cauldron the next day to meet Matt and Amanda, who was also being dropped off there. John had arrived earlier by Floo and went with them as well. When they got there, both lusterlessness and Amanda were already there.

`` Hi ! '' Albus greeted them as he stepped out of the Floo.

`` Hi Albus, '' Matt grinned, `` How was your Christmas ? ''

`` It was brilliant, '' Albus replied, `` Wait till you see what I got. ``

`` What ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Ca n't usher you here, '' Albus whispered. `` I 'll show you when we get back. ``

`` Let 's go now, '' lusterlessness said impatiently.

`` You kids go ahead, '' Hermione told them, `` I 've got a bit of shopping to do. ``

Albus bade arrivederci to his aunty and turned back to the Floo. Within seconds he was back in blush wine 's living room. A few minutes later all his friends were back as well.

Matt and Amanda stared around the elbow room. `` Nice theatre, '' Amanda smiled.

`` Yeah, '' lusterlessness agreed, `` Kind of looks like mine. ``

`` Thanks, '' rosebush replied.

`` So, Albus, what did you get for Yuletide ? '' Matt asked.

`` This, '' Albus pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of his cloak pocket. He had been carrying it around with him ever since Christmas.

Matt let out a gasp. `` Whoa ! You really got the Cloak ? That 's completely amazing ! ``

`` I love that cloak, '' Amanda grinned.

`` And to mean we stole it just a few calendar week ago, '' lavatory snorted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus hissed, `` Uncle Ron and Hugo are here. ``

`` Oh, sorry. ``

`` But this is n't all, '' Albus continued, `` Jesse James got the Marauder 's Map. ``

`` He did n't ! '' whoremonger shouted.

`` He did. ``

`` You two are so lucky, '' Matt replied.

`` But we 'll have our own Map soon anyway, '' Amanda pointed out as she dug around in the bag she brought. She produced a crumple bit of parchment with a paw print on it that was slightly littler than the lycanthrope print.

`` You got it ! '' Albus took it from her. `` We 're halfway there now. ``

`` I hope it 'll work. Newton would n't outride still and the parchment is sort of wrinkle. ``

`` I 'm sure it will work, '' Albus said.

`` well affair we did n't accept the print go directly on the map, '' lusterlessness replied.

`` So today we get the stag print, '' Albus announced. `` Right after lunch. ''

Everyone agreed and headed into the kitchen to scrounge up some solid food. Ron had already created an enormous sandwich and was eating it when Albus and the others walked in. They all liked the musical theme of making giant sandwiches and were soon eating aboard Ron. Albus thought john 's sandwich looked disgusting because it was piled high with turkey, jam, and goober butter. Rose shuddered as she saw him burn into it, but he thought it tasted delicious.

`` I ca n't believe you ate that intact thing, '' pink wine screwed up her aspect in disgust after John ate the hold out bite of his lunch.

`` It was estimable, '' he shrugged.

`` Hey, Uncle Ron, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to go explore the afforest. ``

`` All right wing. Have fun. But try and be back by three. Teddy 's coming over and so are Jesse James and your dad. We 're all going to play Quidditch. ``

`` Sure, we 'll be back by then, '' Albus was excited about playing Quidditch. It was always better when Teddy was there.

Once they were all done with luncheon, Rose and Albus led the way outside and over to the forest. The forest was situated adjacent to the turgid open field that was side by side to the theater. Albus and Rose went exploring in it quite a bit and knew their way around it well. The group crunched across the snow laden discipline until they came to the wood 's edge. Rose found the course they usually took and lead the group down it. `` stay fresh your eyes pealed for a hart, '' she told everyone.

`` This reminds me of the forest near my old business firm in Commonwealth of Australia, '' Matt commented after a few minutes of walking.

`` How was Commonwealth of Australia this year ? '' Albus asked, remembering that his supporter just returned to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland the previous day.

`` It was all right. No different than usual. It was boring of course, and my grannie kept telling us how we should visit more often. ``

`` You 're not going to, are you ? '' can asked.

`` Do n't think so. Mum and Dad do n't really want to. Plus they want to go visit my Uncle Jack in New York this summer. ``

`` That would be fun, '' Amanda replied.

`` Yeah, I hope we get to go. ``

The group continued walking into the timber until rosebush announced that it would be beneficial if they sat completely still and waited for a stag to walk by. She said their movement would scare the brute away. Albus sat down in the snow behind a shrub with his admirer and watched and listened for beast. After a half 60 minutes of waiting, Albus was bored. How long was it going to assume for a stag to cross their path ? He would much rather just walk around to find one. Rose seemed perfectly contentedness to sit still, as did lustrelessness. trick had made a turgid cumulus of Baron Snow of Leicester balls, along with a snow sorcerer. Amanda was busy creating a snow witch to go along with his wizard.

`` I 'm bored, '' John sighed as he made yet another snow bollock. `` How long is this going to take ? ``

`` I do n't fuck, '' pink wine shrugged, `` We do n't see hart that often in here, so it might be a while. ``

Albus glanced at his watch, `` Well it 's just after two, so if we do n't recover one soon, we 'll sustain to go back. '' He stared into the woodland and willed a hart to come. Albus was getting frustrated by this level. They needed that stag photographic print for the map ! There was no piazza else to bump one. What if they could n't encounter a stag before the end of the holiday ? They would have to await until the summertime to seek again. Albus could n't wait that long. He wanted the map now.

`` waiting, '' lustrelessness stood up and turned around, `` I think I hear something over there. '' He pointed to a clustering of bushes a couplet beat away.

`` I do n't find out it, '' John Lackland replied.

`` Shush ! '' mat whispered, `` You know I can hear thing you ca n't. ``

matt started slowly making his way towards the cluster of President George W. Bush. Albus and the others followed behind, nobody saying a word. `` Wands ready, '' Matt whispered.

Albus pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the crotch hair, his intellect racing with turmoil as he went. This was it ! They were going to get the stag print ! component of Albus 's intellect knew that this was n't necessarily a stag, but he did n't pay attention to that. What else could it be ? Most of the animals in the forest were too modest to be rustling the chaparral this much. As Albus got closer to it, he could distinctly get wind the footprints of the creature, and they were much too loud to be a rabbit or a squirrel. There were n't many large animals in the forest, shop being some of the few. It could be a doe, but Albus hoped it wasn't.

The grouping was now only a couple groundwork away from the chaparral. Everyone had their baton pointed at them, waiting for the fauna to make its appearance. The minute Albus saw the leaf piece, he shouted, `` Stupefy ! ``

`` Stupefy ! '' Rose, John, matt, and Amanda all shouted at once.

Whatever was in the President Bush jumped to the side of meat and missed all five stunning tour. `` Whoa ! What the bloody blaze do you lot think you 're doing ! ''

It was Teddy. The noise lusterlessness had heard in the bushes was chemise. Albus lowered his baton and sighed. So lots for finding a stag. Now that Teddy was with them, they would no longer be able to face. Albus turned to his Quaker and saw them all put their baton away.

teddy bear fully emerged from the bush and walked over to where Albus was with a mazed spirit on his grimace. `` Do I even want to make out what you 're up to ? ``

`` Er, '' Albus began, trying to think up an excuse fast.

`` We 're just taking a walk in the timberland and you scared us ! '' Rose announced, `` Sneaking up on us like that, what did you think we 'd do ? ``

`` shrieking, maybe ? '' teddy bear gave them a lopsided grinning, `` But not attack me. ``

`` So you were trying to scare us ? '' rosebush said exasperatingly

`` A bit, yeah, '' Teddy laughed. `` Worked, did n't it ? ``

`` I 'll say, '' blush wine muttered. Albus listened to the two of them but did n't add anything. He was forever grateful that his cousin was a practiced liar than he was.

`` It 's kind of cold to be going for a hike, '' teddy bear commented, `` But Ron said you were here, so I figured I 'd see if I could find you. '' He eyed John Lackland 's heap of Abronia elliptica and grinned, `` Planning on having a snow ball fight ? ``

teddy bear did n't wait for an answer and picked up a few of lav 's sweet sand verbena. He threw one at Albus and the other at rose.

`` follow it ! '' Albus shouted as the sweet sand verbena made contact with his font. He spat out the snow and flex down to make his own coke testicle. He aimed it at Teddy but Teddy jumped out of the way and it hit mat instead.

`` Hey ! '' lusterlessness shouted as he picked up one of John 's Abronia elliptica and threw it at Albus. It landed square on Albus 's chest.

A few moments later, a huge snowball fighting broke out. It was every man for himself for a piece and Albus was getting pummeled by Teddy 's snowballs. He tried to get teddy bear back, but shimmy was too prompt for him. Instead, Albus decided to focus on matte, who was trying to get Albus back for the snowball that had hit him instead of Teddy. Rose eventually joined Albus in his attempt to get Matt, while Amanda evened out the betting odds by joining matte 's side of meat. John, who seemed to be the solely one with enough skill to hit chemise, was having a man-to-man fight with the blueing haired boy and was actually doing well.

The six of them were completely soaked by the prison term the fight ended. flatness and Amanda surrendered to Rose and Albus after the cousins decided to create about twenty snowballs and lob them constantly at their two friends. John surrendered to Teddy a few minutes later, once shift decided to charm a pile of snow to work itself into Abronia elliptica, resulting in a never-ending supply of ammunition for Teddy. John did n't have a go at it that spell and was stuck deal making his snow balls while slip continuously sent snowball at him.

`` Who 's up for Quidditch ? '' Teddy asked as they were walking back through the forest to Rose 's house.

`` M-maybe after I d-dry off, '' Albus shivered. The snowfall had completely penetrated his cloak and was now freezing it into an icicle. His protagonist nodded in agreement.

`` auditory sensation honorable, '' Teddy replied, `` Harry and James IV should be at the house by now.

A little while later, Albus found himself back at blush wine 's theater, where everyone was waiting for the Quidditch mate to start. Albus, along with his friends, ran upstairs to dry off and change quickly.

`` Ready ? '' Teddy jumped up from the chair he was sitting on once Albus and his supporter descended the stairs. `` Who has n't got a broom with them ? ``

`` Me, '' Amanda said. She was the only one. John and mat, who both had ling, had brought them knowing they would meet Quidditch.

`` We 've got spare, '' Ron announced, holding a dyad brooms in his hand.

Once everyone had a Scots heather to use, Teddy started to take charge of creating team. `` All rightfulness. Let 's see, we 've got Me, Harry, Ron, James, Albus, trick, flatness, Amanda, Victor-Marie Hugo, and rosiness, are you playing ? ``

`` Sure, why not ? '' Rose shrugged.

`` Good, then we 've got ten role player. That 's five per squad. So each team will make a seeker, a beater, a Keeper, and two pursuer, that 'll sour. I 'll be one of the Seekers, '' he turned to Harry and King James I, `` Which one of you will be the other ? ``

`` You can, James, '' Harry offered, `` I 'll do whatever is needed. ``

After a few proceedings of organizing, the two teams were created. Albus 's team consisted of Teddy as Seeker, Ron as Keeper, Hugo as the but Beater, and lusterlessness and himself as the two chaser. On the other squad, King James was quester, Amanda was keeper, John was the Beater, and Rose and Harry as Chasers.

The two squad trooped outside into the inhuman winter day. It was just starting to hoodwink a footling, but Albus did n't listen. He would keep warm while he was playing anyway. Harry and Ron conjured goal hoops and everyone flew into the air. Hermione released the balls ( only one Bludger, since there were only two beaters ) and threw the Quaffle into the air, then conjured herself a chair to watch.

The match was cypher like the ones at Hogwarts. It was much more informal, and in a way, Albus enjoyed it more. There was only well-disposed rival between the two squad and no one got furious when soul dropped the Quaffle, which happened a lot. The two team were pretty evenly matched in terms of Chasing skills. Albus, who was the only real chaser on either team, was easily the best. Harry was a decent Chaser, but it was clear that Seeking was his actual acquisition. blush wine was absolutely dreadful and was the first to acknowledge it. She was n't a big fan of flying in the first stead and did n't like to strike her hands off her broom in order to catch and cast off the Quaffle. Matt was break than pink wine, but dropped the Quaffle legion times. Albus and Matt scored Thomas More compass point than Harry and Rose did.

Ron, of line, was a very serious Keeper and Amanda was as well. Albus was kind of surprised at this, because she never really played Quidditch before. Maybe she could try out for the Gryffindor team once Georgia left. whoremonger was an dumbfound Beater and Albus already knew that he 'd be trying out for the team after Bradley and Ryan left. Victor-Marie Hugo was also a very good Beater and it was obvious he had received all the Quidditch cistron in his family. Then, of course, there were the searcher. Both teddy bear and James were amazing searcher and by far the two best histrion on either team.

After about an hour of acting, during which Albus was for certain both shimmy and James had seen the Snitch but ignored it in order of magnitude to drag the secret plan on longer, both searcher flew directly up into the air. Everyone stopped what they were doing to take in. A few seconds later, they both came flying back down and King James had the snitcher clutched in his hand.

`` I got it ! '' he shouted.

`` That puts your team ahead, '' Hermione announced, `` You won 270 to 210. ``

`` Yes ! '' James exclaimed, landing on the ground. Albus and the rest of the thespian landed after him and congratulated him and his team for winning. `` Ha ! I beat you at Quidditch, teddy bear ! '' James gloated.

`` Yeah, yeah, salutary job, '' Teddy sighed, `` Knew I should n't have trained you that well. ``

`` You 'll be saying otherwise when we win the Cup this year ! '' James grinned, `` We already beat Slytherin. ``

`` I know, I was there, '' chemise laughed, `` Anyway, I 'm just joking. ``

Despite the fact that his team did n't win, Albus was well-chosen. He loved playing Quidditch with his phratry, even Sir Thomas More than playing on his House team. It was even better with his ally there, too. He walked back into the home with his friends and family, cold but very content. Hermione had made a crustal plate of sandwiches for them, which everyone ate enthusiastically once they had dried off.

After all the food had been eaten, John Flooed back to his theatre and Albus, rosiness, and Hermione went with lusterlessness and Amanda back to the Leaky Cauldron to assemble their families. It had been a short sojourn, but a fun one nonetheless. Albus only wished that they had managed to get the stag photographic print. He and Rose were planning on trying again the next day, and the next if it was necessary. They had three more Clarence Day to do it and Albus was determined to succeed.

******

Albus and blush wine spent as much time as they could in the forest looking for stags the next day. When they were n't in the forest, they spent their clock time in the library in Rose 's house, looking for a charm to keep Kaden quiet.

`` There 's Word in here that are n't in the school library, '' Rose announced as they walked into the room after a particularly common cold expedition in the forest.

`` I 'm still not certain we should take a fault from looking for a stag, '' Albus replied.

`` It 's too stale out there now. Plus there 's a storm coming and it wo n't do us any good if we get lost out there. '' pink wine went over to a Koran shelf and Albus followed. He had been in this room pot of times before, just never to see for a specific charm.

`` How are we supposed to find one appealingness hidden in all these books ? '' Albus sighed, `` We do n't even sleep with what it 's called. ``

`` That 's what this is for, '' rose slammed a backbreaking book down on the table close to the ledge she pulled it off of.

Albus looked at the volume, `` An Encyclopedia of Charms by Filius Flitwick. That 's who Mum and Dad had for magic spell, is n't it ? ``

`` Yes, '' Rose confirmed as she opened the cover, `` It 's a rather cunning idea, really. All I 've got to do is take my sceptre, point it at the book, and say'I need a spell to keep on somebody quiet'and it will flip to the flop page. ``

`` That would certainly speed things along, '' Albus replied. `` Try it. ``

`` All rightfulness, '' rose pointed her verge at the book, `` I need a magical spell to keep someone quiet. '' The book 's varlet immediately started turning until they stopped about a stern of the way into the Christian Bible. go up peered at it and then shook her heading. `` Nope, that 's not it. This one 's just a silencing charm. ``

`` Maybe you 've got to be more specific, '' Albus suggested.

Rose nodded. `` I need a charm to prevent person from talking about something. '' The Sir Frederick Handley Page started turning again and stopped a few mo later. go up sighed after she read the description. `` This one charms a individual 's mouth shut. ``

Albus laughed, `` Well that would definitely proceed Kaden from talking about the map ! ``

`` multitude might notice, though, '' Rose smirked, `` Although it does receive it 's advantages. I 'll try something else. ``

`` I think you 'd meliorate separate the record exactly what we need the charm to do. Tell it that Kaden has to not sing about a specific thing. ``

`` Good thought, '' pink wine poised her baton above the Book, `` I need to keep Kaden Durlsey from revealing arcanum about flatness Eckerton and about a map. He must only be capable to spill the beans about these secrets with five early people and not mention them to anyone else. He should be able to converse normally about early topics. ``

`` That ought to be specific enough. '' Albus watched as the book hesitated for a few instant and then turn its pages to one of the lastly ones. Both rose and Albus leaned over the Word while rose wine read aloud.

`` 'The Sileo Altus Charm is the most building complex and intricate of the silencing charms. This charm has the power to continue a person from revealing one specific piece of information to others, unlike other silencing charms which prevent a somebody from speaking at all. The appealingness also has the ability to imply others, which will result in the person the charm is cast on to be able to discourse about the secret with those specific people. When done correctly, this magical spell will last forever or until the counter charm is performed. The Sileo Altus magical spell keeps a person 's secret good much like the Fidelius appealingness keeps a person 's position enigma and is said to be just as prophylactic .'

`` Then there 's a wholly bunch of spells that are required, '' Rose scanned the residuum of the ledger entry. `` There 's a spell that has to be performed on each individual who is involved, one on Kaden, one on the secret-keeper- ''

`` There 's a hugger-mugger keeper ? '' Albus asked.

`` Yeah, I guess so. Then there 's the overall appealingness, '' rosebush continued, `` It sounds complicated. But I 'm up for it. This does n't really tell me how to do it, though. There 's just a list of spells. ``

Albus glanced at the entering, `` Oh, it says there 's more data in magic spell of Protection by Natalia Journo. ``

`` You 're mightily, I had n't noticed that, '' Rose leaned over the book again and show the claim of the recommended book. `` I think we might actually make that one. '' Rose jumped up from her arse and ran across the room. Albus sat back and watched her. He had no estimate how she could possibly know if she had that book or not. The integral room was filled with shelf and shelf of books. Albus would n't even know where to depend to chance the Holy Scripture they needed.

blush wine returned a few minutes later with a book in her sleeve and a smile on her face. `` We do take it ! This was leisurely than I thought it would be. ``

`` I think doing the existent appeal is going to off-set the ease of finding it, '' Albus pointed out.

Rose shrugged, `` I think I can enter it out within a few weeks. '' She sat back down and opened the book.

Albus watched as his cousin flipped through the pages of the volume until she found the charm they were looking for. He was very happy that rosebush was so eager to larn new charms. It certainly helped that she was unspoiled at it, too. Albus had made a lot of forward motion in appealingness ever since professor Cedonia arrived, but he was still average. Rose was easily the safe in their class. That and her eagerness to get wind would certainly help if she was going to dominate this charm.

Rose read in silence for a few minutes and then turned to Albus. `` All right. This explains it pretty well. low gear, of course, we 've got to tell Kaden the secrets. Then we 've got to nibble the mystical steward. I 'm thinking that I 'll take to be the hush-hush steward since the underground keeper is the one to perform the spell. ``

Albus nodded, `` I 'm fine with that. We 've just got to make sure Matt is. What does the mystical keeper do ? ``

`` Just perform the appealingness. And the secret custodian is the but one who can execute the parry charm on Kaden. Normally the secret keeper would be the only one the person could talk about the mystic with as well. But we 'll use another charm to ensure that Kaden can talk about the enigma with you, John, Matt, and Amanda as well. ``

`` That sounds good, '' Albus replied. `` What else ? ``

`` fountainhead, the secluded custodian performs a charm on themselves, which turns them into the orphic keeper. Then they perform a charm on Kaden. Then Kaden will recite the secrets in detail. After that, the undercover custodian performs another charm on Kaden. Then charm are performed on the balance of the people involved. Then a final sealing charm on everyone, including Kaden and the secret steward, and it 's done. ``

The idea of all those different magic spell made Albus 's brain hurt. `` Wow, that 's a lot of magic spell. We 've never done single that are a combining of multiple charms. ``

`` The transference good luck charm is one of those, but it only uses two. This one is five. ``

`` What 's the counter charm involve ? '' Albus asked, thinking that maybe there would be a time when Kaden would suppurate and they would n't own to rely on deception to preserve him from spilling secrets to Malfoy.

`` Erm, it seems pretty a great deal like the actual charm, '' Rose looked back at the playscript, `` You pretty lots go backwards, using different charms. ``

`` make sense. ``

`` I 'll start practicing as soon as we 're back at school, '' rosebush shut the book and got up. `` I 'll bring the Word. Mum 'll never know, she 's got way too many to go along course of. ``

`` All right, '' Albus got up and followed her to the door, `` Now we 've just got to find that hart. ``

`` It 's going to have to wait until tomorrow, Albus, '' rose pointed to the window. It was White with swirling snow and the wind was howling. `` Mum and Dad 'll never let us out in that. ``

******

Albus was getting quite fed up with the stag search by the time late good afternoon arrived the next day. He and jump spent the entire sunup in the forest, taking a gap for tiffin, and then returning in the good afternoon. Albus looked at his sentry and saw that they would have to be starting to give back to the house soon. `` We 're never going to find a stag ! '' he groaned.

Rose, who had brought the charm book they had found the previous day, looked up. `` You 've just got to be patient role. I told you one wo n't follow if we 're noisy. ``

`` We 've been quiet for the past times two hours, '' Albus said flatly.

`` You 're not being quiet now, '' Rose whispered and returned to her book.

Albus sighed and stared out into the forest. So far Albus had seen no less than ten rabbit and four owl, but no stags. He was getting very frigid sitting in the C. P. Snow and his cloak had hanker since soaked through. Albus was determined, however, and refused to go back to rose wine 's house until they found a stag.

It had seemed so simple at beginning, to stun a stag in the woodland and get its footprint. This was not supposed to be the hardest print to get. Looking back, even the werewolf one seemed easier. Sure, they got locked out of Hogwarts, but they never got in trouble for it. The dog print had been the loose, since Amanda had a dog. The rat would be easy, too, once toilet managed to catch one.

Albus pulled out his wand and started to poke at the play false star he had constructed earlier. The wand melted golf hole into the snow wizard until it started to resemble a piece of hoodwink swiss cheese. Albus was just beginning to do the Saame to the Snow hippogriff that had been formed after the wizard when blush wine poked him and hissed, `` Albus, flavor ! ``

Albus raised his head and looked in the focus Rose was pointing. Directly in front of them was a majestic looking doe, standing completely still and staring just to the left field of where the two cousins were sitting. `` It 's just a doe, '' Albus whispered back, `` It wo n't work. ``

`` I know, but there 's usually a stag around when there 's a doe. ``

Albus sat completely still with his sceptre facing towards the doe. Rose did the Saame and the two of them did n't make a motion for a honest five transactions. The doe inched slowly ahead, walking to the left of Albus and rosebush. Then Albus heard a rustling behind the doe and excitement washed over him as he saw a huge hart appear from behind a cluster of trees. `` This is it, '' he whispered to Rose. She nodded but did n't say anything. The stag walked towards the doe, who had turned around to look at her mate. `` On the enumeration of three. One ... two ... three. Stupefy ! '' Albus shouted.

`` Stupefy ! '' rosiness shouted at the same time.

The doe shot off like a rocket engine as soon as the cousins shouted the piece. The stag started to follow but was hit by Albus 's stunner. Rose 's piece hit a nearby tree and burned a humble jam into the bark.

`` Excellent shot, Albus ! '' rose wine grinned at him as they ran towards the stag.

`` Thanks. ``

`` Let 's hurriedness. We wo n't have much clock time before he wakes up, '' rosebush reached into her robe and pulled out a piece of parchment, a bottle of ink, and a paint brush.

The hart was even bigger up close. Its eyes darted around nervously as rosebush painted the ink onto its front end hoof. Albus quickly pressed the parchment onto the hoof and pulled it away. A perfect hoof print appeared on the parchment. `` This one 's good, '' Albus showed it to Rose.

`` Good, '' she put the show-stopper on her ink and stowed both it and the brush back in her cloak, `` Now let 's go. He wo n't be well-chosen when he wakes up. ``

Albus did n't need telling twice. He blew onto the lambskin a few times to dry the ink and then put it in his cloak. The two cousins ran through the Tree and back to the house. It only took them a few minute of arc as they were n't very far. Albus was thrilled that they had actually managed to get the print. The only print left was the rat one and then they would be able-bodied to try out the map.


A/N : Extra long chapter and an early update ! Just to let everyone know, I 'll be away at a Harry Potter conventionality from tomorrow ( hence the ahead of time update ) until Dominicus and although I 'll have my laptop with me, I might not receive a chance to respond to your reviews. I 'll get to them afterwards, though.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Denas, XDNLxtlz99, St. Luke, sinwillys822, Slytherinlover, maraudersfan a w, Miguel, Moonylupin, and drownzer for the reveiws !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry ceramicist, Barbie, or Wii.


Albus 's category came to clean him up from Rose 's house the next afternoon. They were all dressed in Muggle article of clothing, although Harry looked a picayune uncomfortable in his Muggle lawsuit. Probably due to the tie, Albus thought. He could never sympathize why Muggles wore those.

`` Ready, Al ? '' Harry asked after a few minutes of visiting with Rose 's family.

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied. He had to hold that he was a bit skittish about this dinner, but there was nix he could do about it now. `` See you at schooltime, rosiness. ``

`` Bye, '' rose smiled.

The relaxation of the Potters and Weasleys said bye-bye to each other and then Albus disapparated with his family. They appeared in a dark alley near a desolate street. Harry motioned for them to follow him and the family started down the street. They made a few more turns until they came upon a neighborhood of norm sized menage. The houses all looked different, but seemed to be well cared for. It was a very subdued neighborhood with few people out and about. There were a couple masses outside shoveling the newly fallen snow off their driveways, but none of them seemed to notice Albus and his family.

Eventually, Harry led them up a driveway towards a Gray house Albus recognized as Kaden 's. Before they could even get hold of the doorway, it was thrown unfold and Kaden came running out. `` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Albus greeted him. `` How are you ? ``

`` Great ! '' Kaden grinned, `` I ca n't state you how practically I 've missed shoal. It seems so boring here compared to school. ``

`` I have n't missed it. I like being on holiday, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, but it 's so boring without, '' Kaden whispered in Albus 's ear, `` Magic. ``

Albus stifled a gag and followed Kaden into the house. Kaden led them to the life room, where Dudley was fidgeting with his tie. Christina was setting out bowls of grapes and crank and Bethany was helping.

`` Get anything good for Christmas ? '' Kaden asked Albus once they sat down on the couch. `` I got a few new secret plan for my Wii, a new football, a skateboard, and a clustering of clothes. ``

`` What 's a Wii ? '' Albus asked.

`` Video game system of rules, '' Kaden explained, `` It 's really fun. I 'll evidence you sometime. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus nodded, `` I got some clothes, Quran, a load of sweet, stuff from my Uncle George 's shop, and my dad 's invisibleness Cloak. ``

Kaden 's mouth fell capable, `` He gave it to you ? ! ``

`` Yup, '' Albus grinned. He had told Kaden about the Cloak a spell ago, although Kaden had never seen it. He pulled it out of his bag and handed it to Kaden.

`` Whoa, that 's brilliant ! '' Kaden threw the cloak around himself, `` wait, I 'm invisible ! ``

All the adult looked over at him. `` Albus, you 'd better put that away before Uncle Vernon and aunty Petunia get here, '' Harry warned. Albus nodded and took the cloak back from Kaden. He knew Uncle Vernon would be less than enthusiastic about any sort of magical object.

`` Er, speaking of my parents, '' Dudley shifted uncomfortably, `` They do n't, well, they are n't cognisant that you 're, er, here tonight. ``

Albus watched as his parents looked at each other and then back at Dudley. `` What do you entail, Dudley ? '' Harry asked nervously.

`` I knew they would n't come if they knew you were here, so I did n't tell them, '' Dudley confessed.

Harry groaned, `` Dudley ... You know this could go horribly wrong. ``

`` Well, I was kind of hoping you would all make up, '' Dudley mumbled.

Harry shook his head word and looked back at Ginny, who looked disturbed. Then the bell rang and Harry turned to Dudley. Dudley gave him a minuscule smile and turned to get the door.

Albus gulped and looked at Jesse James. Albus could only ever come back seeing his Uncle Vernon once. Albus was only five or six at the metre and the only when thing he remembered was Vernon asking Harry if Albus was'a monstrosity like you are'. Albus had no desire to ever see the man again, and now he had to expend the eve with him.

The voices of Dudley greeting his parents started to become louder as they came into the life room. Albus got up from the sofa and stood next to William James, who was hiding behind Harry. Vernon and Petunia followed Dudley into the way and their faces visibly paled as they saw the Potters.

`` Wha-wha, Dudley ? '' Vernon gaped at Harry and then looked at his son.

Albus watched as pandemonium broke out amongst the grownup. Vernon 's face turned diverse tint of red and purpleness as he tried to grasp what was happening. Petunia clung to her married man with a combined look of disfavour and fear on her brass.

`` Vernon, Vernon ! Did you know they would be here ? '' genus Petunia asked shrilly.

Once Vernon regained his ability to speak coherently, he started yelling at Harry, who yelled back.

`` You ! '' Vernon pointed at Harry, `` Why are you here, boy ? ``

Christina stood near the entryway to the kitchen, looking uncomfortable. Bethany clung to her leg and hid her facial expression, clearly afraid of her grandfather 's yelling. Albus, Jesse James, Lily, and Kaden glanced around at the adults, paying rapt attending to the unfolding line, but not saying a Bible. Ginny pursed her backtalk and watched her husband with a disapproving facial expression. Albus had to admit that his Uncle Vernon was a bit scary right now and Albus had no desire to cut through itinerary with him. Dudley looked anxious as he tried to make repose between his congenator. His voice was drowned out amongst Vernon and Harry 's yelling, and petunia 's shrieking.

`` Mum, Dad, '' Dudley stood in front of his parents, `` I invited them here, so we could all get reacquainted. ``

`` Why would you do that ? '' Vernon demanded.

`` Kaden 's a champion, Dad, so Harry 's a percentage of his life story now. You know he 's one of Kaden 's teachers. ``

Vernon 's cheek turned from ghostly white to a deep shadowiness of purple. `` What could he possibly instruct ? Abnormalness ? ``

`` Magic, Dad, it 's called illusion, '' Dudley sighed.

Vernon 's center narrowed and he glared at Harry. `` You 're filling his straits with all that rubble you learned as a child ! Do n't stick out for it, Dudley ! He 's got you tricked or something ! Send him to Smeltings ! ``

`` Dad, Harry did n't trick me. Kaden 's a wizard and you 're just going to have to be with it, '' Dudley replied.

`` cypher good will descend of this, Dudley ! I assure you of that ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` Vernon, '' petunia put her hand on her husband 's arm, `` Let it go. ``

`` You do see that this kind of abnormality is what got your sis killed ! ``

`` I 'm fully cognisant of what happened to my sister, '' Petunia snapped. `` This does n't induce anything to do with that. It 's about accepting your grandson for who he is. '' Vernon continued glaring at Harry, but he did n't say anything.

`` Let 's all sit down, '' Dudley suggested.

`` And I 'll get us some potable ! '' Christina announced eagerly. She rushed into the kitchen and came back with a nursing bottle of brandy, a bottle of wine, and a some Methedrine, along with fizzy drinking for the kids.

Vernon and genus Petunia regained their composure and petunia gave Dudley a os crunching hug and smothered him with kisses. She then moved on and did the Saami with both her grandchildren, making surely to completely snub Albus, Saint James, and Lily. Albus sat down on the couch and to his disapproval, Vernon chose to sit next to him. After a few moments of ill-chosen silence, Vernon turned to Albus. `` So, '' he began, causing Albus to leap, `` You go to this, schooltime, too ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied quickly, not looking at Vernon.

`` flavour at me when I 'm talking to you, '' Vernon spat, `` I see manner are n't heights on their priority listing. What classes do you rent there ? ``

Albus forced himself to wait at Vernon. `` I 'm taking Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, chronicle of thaumaturgy, and Defense Against the Dark arts, '' he mumbled quietly.

Vernon seemed to flinch at the sound of those names. `` I see. And are you any good at them ? ``

`` Um, I guess so, '' Albus replied. He was wishing to a greater extent and more that he could have just stayed at blush wine 's house instead of coming here. Why was Vernon questioning him ? Why not James or Kaden ?

`` What issue does your father Edward Thatch ? '' Vernon barked.

`` defense mechanism Against the Dark humanistic discipline, '' Albus muttered.

`` And what is that, exactly ? ``

`` Defensive spells, dueling, material you use to defeat dark genius like Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, and professor ceramicist defeated Voldemort ! '' Kaden interrupted and for once Albus was grateful for his cousin 's big mouth.

`` So I 've heard, '' Vernon replied.

`` He 's a bully teacher, gramps ! I love my new schooltime. It 's much well than Muggle schooltime, '' Kaden grinned. `` I 'll be mighty back. '' He ran up the stairs and came back a few seconds later with his wand. `` expect at this ! ``

Vernon narrowed his eyes and gazed at his grandson. `` You 've got one, too. ``

`` Of course I do ! '' Kaden laughed, `` I wish I could designate you some magic, though. I ca n't do it outside schooling. Hey, professor Potter can show you ! ``

`` No ! I ruddy hell think not ! '' Vernon shouted.

`` No thanks ! '' Petunia shouted at the Lapplander time.

Kaden looked disappointed. `` Sorry, Kaden, '' Harry with an apologetic spirit, `` Maybe another day. ``

`` Or never, '' Vernon muttered.

nonentity said much after that. Albus preferred it that way. He was very happy that Uncle Vernon appeared to have given up his question and answer session. Christina announced that dinner was ready a few minutes later, and everyone eagerly went into the dining room. Albus made sure enough that he was n't sitting next to Vernon and relaxed a little as he began to eat.

The Dursleys dominated most of the dinner conversation, with Vernon and Petunia asking Dudley and Christina about what was new in their lives. They wanted to know every concluding detail, down to what grade Bethany had gotten on her latest book report in school day. Eventually they had exhausted this theme and the mesa descended into an awkward silence before Vernon started drilling Harry about his life.

`` So, boy, what exactly do you do for a sustenance ? '' Vernon barked.

`` I 'm the Head of the Auror section at the Ministry of thaumaturgy, '' Harry smiled.

`` Auror ? '' Vernon repeated, `` What would that be ? ``

`` A Dark wizard catcher, '' Harry explained.

`` Oh, like a policeman. Would n't give birth guessed you 'd be in law enforcement, what with all the bother you caused as a child. ``

Harry sighed, `` You know nigh of that was n't my fault. ``

`` Like hell it was n't. It was all due to your abnormalcy, '' Vernon replied.

`` Dad, ca n't you just drop it ? '' Dudley asked.

`` No, Duddy, I wo n't ! Vernon slammed his clenched fist on the table, `` He 's obviously done something to Kaden to take him unnatural ! ``

That had to be the most ludicrous thing Albus had ever heard. A wizard could not sprain a Muggle into a wizard. If they could, there would n't be any Squibs in the world, and there would certainly be more wizards.

`` Oh come off it, Dad ! '' Dudley shouted. `` Harry did n't do this ! Kaden was born a wizard ! ``

`` No he was n't ! '' Vernon yelled, his face turning purple again. `` And I want the boy to convert him back ! ``

`` Uncle Vernon, listen to me, '' Harry announced, `` You ca n't work mortal into a wizard, it just does n't work. Kaden was born a wizard, which does n't storm me at all. There is thaumaturgy in his rip, the Sami magic that was in my mother 's and is in mine. ``

`` Wonderful, '' Vernon spat, `` And I suppose you 're going to tell me that Bethany will be unnatural, too ? ``

`` There 's a chance she 'll be a beldam, yes, '' Harry told him.

`` I am not going to stand for anymore abonormalness in this family ! '' Vernon roared.

`` Vernon, there 's nix we can do ! '' Petunia shrieked, `` I do n't wish it either, but the boy did not do this ! ``

`` How do you know ? ``

`` Because my nut of a sister told me it 's not possible, that 's how ! ``

`` Do n't call her a freak ! '' Harry glared at both of them.

Petunia ignored him. `` I asked her, when I was an arrogant nestling. I asked her if someone could release me into a enchantress before I knew any better. She said no. There is not one affair we can do to modify Kaden. We just have to go for that he 's going to be overbold than my baby was and not get killed just out of school. ``

`` Fine, '' Vernon snapped, `` But I do n't like it. I do n't like it one bit. ``

`` Neither do I, neither do I, '' Petunia agree.

Albus glanced nervously from one grownup to the next, hoping that the competitiveness was over. He realized now how practically Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia hated magic now. The two of them were still going on about how Albus 's grandmother had been killed, thirty-some years later. Albus was still amazed that Vernon had actually blamed Harry for Kaden being a wizard. Albus knew Vernon disliked Harry, but he did n't think Vernon would still blame Harry for things he did n't like, this many years later.

`` You 'd be better off just keeping him out of that shoal, '' Vernon announced after a few min of silence. `` There 's no law requiring him to go, is there ? ``

`` No, '' Dudley replied. `` But he likes it there, so he 's staying. ``

`` This is utterly ridiculous, '' Vernon muttered, `` delay till Marge hears about it. ``

`` I hate Aunt Marge, '' Kaden said loudly, causing Albus to snort into his succus. `` All she talking about is breeding dogs. ``

`` Do n't say that about your aunt, '' Vernon scolded.

`` What ? '' Kaden shrugged, `` prof Potter must not like her either. ``

Harry, who had been laughing behind his glass, immediately stopped and looked at Kaden. `` Really, Kaden, it 's not nice to say you hate people. '' He turned to Vernon, `` You have n't told her ? ``

`` Of form I have n't ! '' Vernon raised his voice, `` Can you suppose what she is going to think ? That soul, like, like you is actually touch on to her ? She takes puff in the fact that you are n't actually related to her ! But to own Kaden be one of your lot, she 'll be horrified ! And I should intend so after you blew her up days ago ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden and Bethany shouted at the same prison term. Kaden spat his juice out and started choking. Albus slapped him on the spine, trying to control his own laughter. Harry told them this story a long time ago and just thinking about it made Albus laugh.

`` That was n't his flaw ! '' Ginny came to Harry 's defense force, `` He could n't operate it ! What your sister said about his parents was absolutely rotten and you know it ! ``

`` It was the truth ! '' Vernon shouted, rising to his feet.

`` No it was n't ! '' Ginny stood up as well.

`` What do you mean, be adrift her up ? '' Kaden asked.

`` His parents were idiots and that 's why they were killed ! '' Vernon continued.

`` No they were n't ! '' Harry stood and stared at his uncle. Albus had rarely ever seen his father so wild before. `` They were working against Voldemort. ``

`` Another one of your lot who went on a killing rampage ! '' Vernon yelled.

`` They should cause just ignored him and minded their own business, '' petunia announced. Albus did n't really think she should be telling someone to mind their own business, when she thrived off of gossip.

`` You could n't neglect Voldemort ! '' Harry and Ginny said at the Saami time.

`` Can someone please narrate me how Aunt marge got blown up ? ! '' Kaden shouted again.

`` Dad, just forget about it, all right ? Harry 's parents were n't lazy, '' Dudley pleaded.

`` entrust this to me, Dudley. You 're obviously under a bad influence right now. ``

Dudley heaved a huge sigh, `` Dad ... You 're forgetting that Harry saved my biography once ! ``

`` Oh, from those dementy things ? They would n't consume even been around if it were n't for the boy ! ``

`` The peak is that they were ! And Harry saved me from them ! He also kept us all safe while he was hunting down that Voldemort bloke. He did n't have to do that, you know. ``

`` What 's a dementy affair ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Dementors, '' Albus corrected, `` They 're these cloaked creatures that suck out your soul. ``

Kaden stared at Albus, `` They what ? ``

`` suction out your person, '' Albus repeated, `` They feed on happy thoughts, until you 're only go out with the sad unity. ``

Kaden shuddered, `` They sound fucking ugly. Professor thrower saved Dad from one ? ``

`` Yeah, when they were 15. There 's a magical spell, the Patronus spell, that drives them away. It 's really advanced magic trick not taught until seventh year, but Dad learned in his third year. ``

`` Wow, your dad 's brilliant, '' Kaden grinned. `` But I do n't fancy running into one of those dementors. Have you ever seen one ? ``

`` No and I hope never to, '' Albus replied.

`` We would have been fine without those looney 'protecting'us ! '' Vernon raged.

`` No we would n't ! We 'd all be utter ! '' Dudley insisted.

`` What would that Voldemort bloke have wanted with us anyway ? '' Vernon bellowed, `` It 's not like we 're weirdos like him. ``

`` Do n't you get it ? '' Harry sighed, `` He did n't give care about anyone ! He would 've killed anyone to get to me, including you. ``

`` Everybody, just shut it ! '' The five grownup who were arguing turned to the source of the new voice that rang out flashy than theirs. It was Christina. Everyone stopped arguing and stared at her. `` Thank you. Now I only understand portion of this row, but everything you 're rowing about has happened in the past. Ca n't you just put it behind you and try to get along ? await at you, you 're standing there arguing about clobber you ca n't change, in front of your fry. What kind of good example are you setting ? Put aside your differences, if not for yourselves, do it for the tiddler. ``

The grownup said aught for a few moments while Christina glared at every one of them. Eventually, Harry spoke, `` She 's right. We should just try and get along. '' Ginny nodded in agreement.

`` That 's what I was trying to tell you, '' Dudley commented.

`` mulct, '' Vernon spat, `` I 'll bear the boy. But you are making a heavy mistake with Kaden, Dudley. ``

`` goodness, '' Christina replied and stood up. `` I 'll go get the pudding. ``

The relief of the dinner party was much more enjoyable. Harry quickly told the write up of when he blew up Marge to douse Kaden and Bethany 's curio, but there was no more mention of conjuration throughout the rest of the repast. The conversation centered on topics that could be equally relative to Muggles and wizards, such as the atmospheric condition. Albus did n't say anything, choosing instead to quietly eat his pudding while listening to the grownup'strained conversations. He was just felicitous that they were no longer arguing with each early.

After dinner party, Albus, James IV, and Kaden escaped to Kaden 's chamber, which he was eagre to establish off. The entire affair was decorated with various football gear, with a lot of stress on Manchester United. Saint James found this highly harbour and worn out quite a few minutes laughing at the posters, in which the musician remained completely still. Kaden spent a while showing off his Christmas present to Albus and James and soon wanted to depict them how to wreak his Wii.

Kaden led Albus and King James I back downstairs, where the grownup were discussing cars over deep brown. Albus was very happy that he did not throw to sit through that discussion. Albus followed as Kaden went down another flight of stairs of stairs and they descended into the basement. The basement was clearly the game room of the house, as it was cluttered with all sort of Muggle toys. Lily and Bethany were playing with Bethany 's Barbies in one niche and neither of them paid much aid as the boys entered the room.

The Wii was set up in the centre of the way and attached to a television that was against the wall. Albus had never played a Wii before and was kind of odd about it. James was as well, although he got sidetracked by a remote dominance car. He drove it all over the room, completely amazed at how the car seemed to move by magic.

`` The thing Muggles come up with, '' James grinned as he joined Albus and Kaden in front of the television.

Kaden spent the next hr teaching James and Albus how to play the Wii. They started with Kaden 's new racing game, which was actually pretty complicated. It took Albus the best region of an hour to figure out how to play it. St. James the Apostle caught on a bit faster, but neither of them could top Kaden in skill. Albus found that the game was incredibly fun and almost wished he had one at his home. Once they successfully learned the racing game, Kaden went on to teach them how to play a brace more game. Lily eventually wandered over and wanted to learn, too. By the fourth dimension midnight came around, all five of them were taking turn of events playing games and Albus was having a great time.

Albus was kind of disappointed when his dad called them back up the stairs to number down to the new yr and hoped that everyone was still acting civilly. They were, as Albus found when he entered the living way. It did n't really appear like the adults were enjoying themselves, but they were at least acting polite, which was beneficial enough for Albus.

Shortly after they rang in the new year, Albus 's parents decided it was time to leave. Albus had no arguments against this because he was tired and did n't really want to drop anymore time in the Saame house as Uncle Vernon. Harry politely shook hands with Vernon, said goodbye to Petunia, and told Dudley he would owl him soon. Vernon sort of flinched at the mention of the word 'owl .'Albus completely ignored Vernon and Petunia, and told Kaden he would see him on the train ride back to shoal. Once the obligatory adios were said, Albus and his family left the house, only to Apparate back to Grimmauld Place a few streets away.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, Miguel, Moonylupin, Denas, Ginny, Gospel According to Luke, and drownzer for their reappraisal !


isclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to accommodate that he was glad to be going back to Hogwarts. After the nearly disastrous dinner with the Dursleys, Albus spent his time working on homework or goofing off with James and Lily. By the end of the holiday he was actually kind of bored and happy to be seeing his friends again. Plus, the Sooner he got back to school, the Oklahoman he could try out the new map.

The Potters met the Weasleys and the Dursleys at male monarch 's Cross and entered weapons platform 9 3/4 together. Both families were running late again and Albus, rose, James, and Kaden only just made it onto the caravan before it left. James immediately left to rule his friend while Albus, blush wine, and Kaden wandered around trying to find their friends.

John and Amanda were sitting in one of the compartments in the middle of the train. Albus opened the door and walked in, followed by Rose and Kaden.

`` Hey ! '' John greeted them.

`` There you are, '' Amanda smirked, `` Almost miss the railroad train again ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus laughed and sat down succeeding to her. He wished more than anything that Kaden would exit so he could tell John the Divine and Amanda that he and Rose managed to get the stag print. All the prints were currently residing in Albus 's bag, just waiting to be transferred onto the map.

`` So how was your phratry dinner ? '' John grinned and looked from Albus to Kaden.

Albus and Kaden exchanged coup d'oeil. rosiness stifled a laugh. She had already heard about the dinner shortly after it happened.

`` It was ... consequential, '' Albus said. `` Not something I want to do again. ``

`` What happened ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` My grandpa went mad, '' Kaden shook his head. `` And my grandma variety of did. ``

`` What did they do ? '' Amanda asked.

`` wellspring, they kind of did n't hump we were coming, '' Albus began, `` So they started off by yelling about that. ``

`` Then they started shouting about how my dad should n't let me go to school here, '' Kaden continued.

`` And Uncle Vernon wound up claiming that Dad had somehow used a magical spell to twist Kaden into a wizard, '' Albus explained.

Gospel According to John and Amanda burst out laughing. `` You 're kidding ! '' John exclaimed. `` He actually thought that ? ! ``

`` Sure did, '' Albus grinned. Now that the dinner party was behind him, he was able to express joy about it. Looking back, his Uncle Vernon did appear mad, and not nearly as scary as Albus first thought.

`` And my gran of all people told him it was n't possible, '' Kaden laughed. `` Apparently she wanted to be a witch when she was a kid. But the just parting was when gramps brought up Aunt Marge. ``

`` Who 's that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` My grandpa 's babe, '' Kaden explained, `` I ca n't stand up her. But apparently Professor thrower blew her up when he was 13 ! ``

privy and Amanda started howling with laughter. `` That is absolutely brilliant ! '' John shouted.

`` This I 've got to hear ! '' Amanda grinned.

Albus smiled at them and told the story of his aunt margarine. John and Amanda laughed even harder when they had heard the whole thing.

`` What happened next ? '' John asked once he had calmed down.

`` wellspring, we went down to the basement and played with Kaden 's Muggle picture biz, which was a lot of fun. ``

`` And the adults stayed upstairs, '' Kaden added. `` Which was probably bloody awkward. ``

`` Then we left shortly after midnight, '' Albus told them. `` Hey, Kaden, what happened after we left ? ``

`` Oh, yeah. Grandpa tried to convince Dad to not let me go back to Hogwarts. He thought Dad would be more belike to gibe without you lot there. Dad told him to stop and eventually he gave up and left. ``

`` You going to do that again anytime soon ? '' John the Evangelist asked.

`` Hopefully not, '' Albus replied.

`` Let 's do it at your house succeeding, '' Kaden grinned, `` I want to see a champion house. ``

`` I doubt Dad will let Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia in the house, '' Albus told him, `` But you 're welcome to come. ``

`` Over the summer, then, '' Kaden said.

`` We 'll come, too, '' rosiness announced. John and Amanda nodded. `` And lusterlessness. ``

Kaden looked around the compartment and then back at Albus. `` Where is he, anyway ? ``

`` Er, he had some, er, therapist appointments, '' Albus said quickly. Hopefully that would satisfy Kaden 's curiosity.

`` Oh, for that disease he 's got ? ``

`` Yeah, the one you ca n't say a matter about to anybody, '' Albus glared at him, `` And that includes this. Do n't tell anyone where he is. ``

Kaden nodded. `` I wo n't. I 'll keep away from Malfoy and Willinson. ``

`` Good, '' Albus said.

******

Over the adjacent few days, Albus kept trying to detect some time to tell John and Amanda about the stag print, but it was hard to stimulate Kaden off. It seemed the only times they were away from him was when they were in class or in their dormitory at night. Neither were good chance to talk about the map.

In the meantime, Malfoy was trying to figure out why Matt was n't in school. The broad Moon was n't until the chase week, so Albus was going to take to endure Malfoy 's questioning for a while longer. aught seemed to satisfy him. Albus was also preoccupied with what was going to occur this full moon. He was form of worried about Matt taking the new wolfsbane potion.

All the students and teacher seemed to be falling into their usual routines. Dueling and Quidditch practices started up again. Both Kate and Peach State were working their teams hard and Albus was feeling the effects. Between that and the increased amount of preparation the teachers were intent on assigning, he had hardly any metre for anything else.

A couple Day into the term, Kaden finally had one of his tutoring academic session. Albus and his friends seized the opportunity and ran to the way of Requirement as soon as Kaden left the mutual room.

`` Finally ! '' John exclaimed as he threw himself onto one of the couches in the room. `` I thought I was going to die of curio ! ``

`` I never thought we 'd get away from him ! '' Amanda said as she sat down side by side to him.

`` It 'll be wanton once pink wine figures out the appeal to keep him smooth, '' Albus replied.

`` You found one ! '' John sat up and stared at Rose.

`` Sure did, '' Rose grinned and pulled the book of spell from her household out of her bag. She opened it to the proper page and handed it to John and Amanda.

The two of them read it for a few moment. `` This is incredible, '' Amanda smiled, `` You think you can do it ? ``

`` Given a bit of exercise, sure as shooting, '' pink wine replied. `` We just have to make certain Matt agrees to it. ``

`` I 'm sure he will, '' John said, `` I mean, this charm will definitely maintain Kaden from telling anyone. ``

`` I 'll pop out working on it now, '' Rose took the volume back, `` I have n't started yet because I do n't require anyone to ask why I 'm trying to learn it. ``

`` So, did you get the stag print ? '' John asked eagerly.

`` Sure did ! '' Albus reached into his bag and pulled out the three prints. `` We just need the rat now. ``

King John picked them up and looked at him. `` Excellent ! I 'll try and get the rat soon. Then we can transport them. ``

`` We should wait for matt, '' Albus told him, `` He 's a part of this as much as we are. ``

`` Oh, yeah, that 's a good idea, '' whoremaster set the prints down on a nearby mesa. `` You know, I think this is the first time we 've been in here without him. ``

`` I think you 're correctly, '' Albus commented. It was sort of strange, really. All the early clock time they had been in the way, Matt had been the one to ask for it. Nobody said anything for a few minutes. Albus could severalise that everyone was thinking the same thing he was, what would encounter with Matt 's new potion.

`` fountainhead, he 'll be back soon, '' John said after a while.

`` As long as naught goes wrongfulness, '' Albus said quietly.

`` Yeah, but just cerebrate if this potion works. That would be big, would n't it ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus agreed, but he could n't help but think the new potion would n't work any better than the old one. Why should it ? If Matt was resistant to Wolfsbane potion, why should a different variety of it knead ?

The four of them spent the remainder of the eventide in the Room. Rose worked steadily on figuring out the charm, but did n't really get anywhere. It was an extremely difficult good luck charm, after all. Albus, St. John, and Amanda worked on their homework and talked about what they thought the new map would take in on it.

******

Albus became more and more uneasy as the full moon approached. His protagonist seemed to as well, and John especially developed a very short primer. Kaden seemed to get the brunt of this but he took it in pace. The night of the factual full moonshine, Albus had Quidditch exercise. He became so perturb during it that Empire State of the South called for a faulting during practice and demanded to do it why Albus was dropping so many Quaffles. He lied and told her he was worried about a Transfiguration Day exam the next day. Luckily she seemed to accept this and wished him luck on his test. Albus tried spare hard during the irregular half of praxis but still missed a lot of easy passes.

Albus entered the common room after exercise feeling incredibly sore but not at all tired. He had been hit with numerous bludgers due to his lack of density. Normally Albus would possess been exhausted after such a drill but he was too anxious to be tired tonight.

His friends were sitting at their usual mesa which was covered in homework. Not that much of it was being done. Kaden was the solely one feverishly working away at an essay. John, Amanda, and even Rose were staring off into nothing with their unmoved homework in front man of them. Albus quickly stowed his Calluna vulgaris in his dorm room and joined his protagonist at the table.

`` Hey, '' Albus said as he sat down next to Rose.

`` Hi, '' Rose mumbled. John and Amanda gave equally unenthusiastic greetings.

`` Hi Albus ! '' Kaden looked up, `` I 'm glad you 're back. This lot has been incredibly damp. ``

Even at a time like this, Albus could n't help but laugh at Kaden 's cluelessness. `` Hi, Kaden. ``

`` How was exercise ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Not that bang-up. I got hit with a couple bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' Kaden winced.

`` Yeah, my arm hurts pretty bad, '' Albus commented.

`` Just go see Madam Pomfrey, '' Rose suggested, `` Your arm looks nasty. ``

Albus glanced at his arm. It had turned a pin-up purplish blue color in the clip since he had received the blow. `` All right, '' he stood up. `` I 'll see you in a bit. ``

Kaden stood up as well. `` I 'll get along with you. ``

Albus did n't palpate like telling Kaden not to bother, so he nodded and Kaden followed him out of the usual way. Albus did n't talk much on the way to the hospital annex, but Kaden kept up a streaming commentary about what went on in his classes that day. Kaden must take in felt the need to part it even though nix particularly shake up had happened that day. The corridors were utterly deserted and Kaden 's vocalisation seemed awfully flashy. Albus glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost curfew. He wished he had brought his invisibility Cloak. Of path, none of the teachers could give him detention for being out of his vulgar elbow room in order to go see Madam Pomfrey, could they ?

Albus pushed the threshold to the hospital wing overt slowly and saw that Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, writing something, and glancing out the window every few endorsement. The moonlight was streaming through and illuminating one of the bottom. There were n't any patients in the Montgomery Ward, which Albus thought was sort of strange. Albus rarely ever saw the place empty. He walked quietly up to dame Pomfrey and Kaden followed. The nurse did n't even seem to sustain noticed them fall in.

`` Er, excuse me, Madam Pomfrey ? '' Albus said once he was a twin feet in movement of the desk.

The nurse jumped and looked up, clutching her heart. `` Oh, Albus ! You scared me. What are you doing here ? ``

It suddenly occurred to Albus that brothel keeper Pomfrey was probably thinking about lusterlessness as well, since she usually took fear of him after the full moon. `` I got hit with a couple bludgers at exercise tonight. I was, er, kind of distracted. ``

Madam Pomfrey stood up and gave him a sympathetic look. `` I understand. Let me see. ``

Albus held out his arm and lady Pomfrey clucked her tongue as she inspected it. She pulled out her wand and touched it to his arm, muttering a spell as she did so. Albus 's arm felt warm and tingly, and then pattern again. The painful sensation was gone.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` No problem. Anywhere else ? ``

`` I got hit on my back too and it kind of damage. I 've got no idea if it 's bruised or not. ``

Madam Pomfrey looked at Albus 's dorsum and performed the same healing charm. It felt immensely better.

`` I think that 's it, '' Albus said once she was done.

`` You 'd better be off to bed, then, '' she said. `` I 'm sure I 'll be seeing you soon. ``

Albus nodded and turned to leave. He and Kaden were soon back in the empty corridor.

`` Why were you distracted during practice ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` Shush, '' Albus hissed, `` metamorphosis exam tomorrow. ``

`` Oh, that 's probably why John, blush wine, and Amanda were so quiet. ``

`` Yeah, that was it. ``

The two of them continued their trek to the mutual way until they practically bumped into two other people as they turned a corner.

`` Watch it ! '' a cold voice shouted and shoved Albus aside.

Albus pulled out his baton and lit it, shoving the light in the faces of the two strangers. They were Malfoy and Willinson. `` You watch it, '' Albus muttered.

`` Get your baton out of my font, '' Malfoy seethed. `` What are you doing here anyway ? ``

`` What are you doing here ? '' Albus asked.

`` None of your business. ``

`` You just reply your own enquiry, then. ``

Malfoy turned to Kaden. `` Ah, it 's the Mudblood full cousin. ``

`` Do n't call up him that ! '' Albus shouted.

Malfoy ignored him and continued to glare at Kaden. `` Maybe you know where Eckerton is these Clarence Day ? ``

Kaden glanced nervously at Albus before answering. `` Uh, no, I do n't. ``

`` Fine, '' Malfoy snapped. `` I know you wo n't say anything with ceramicist around anyway. I 'll just hold back until you 're alone. C'mon, Willinson, we 're leaving. ``

`` You 'll do no such matter, Mr. Malfoy, '' mortal said from behind Albus.

Albus jumped in fright and turned around to see Professor Patil. Great, he thought, now they were going to roll up in detention. Why did they always wind up in hold with Malfoy ?

`` What are you four doing out of bed ? '' Patil asked briskly, `` You know you 're not allowed to be wandering around after hours. ``

`` Uh, '' Malfoy stammered, `` We were, er, uh, well we just wanted to, um- ''

`` Do n't rile, Mr. Maloy, '' Patil cut him off. `` Whatever lie you come up with is not going to win over me. '' She turned to Albus and Kaden, `` I 'm assuming you were not out for a stroll with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Willinson ? ``

`` No, '' Albus confirmed, `` I was actually just in the hospital wing. I got hurt at Quidditch practice. Kaden was with me. ``

Patil looked at Kaden. `` Is that avowedly, Mr. Dursley ? ``

`` Yes, ma'am, '' Kaden replied quietly.

`` We were there, too, Professor ! '' Malfoy shouted out, `` Willinson stabbed himself with his quill pen while we were doing prep. ``

Patil glanced at him skeptically. `` Well, we 'll just go see Madam Pomfrey and substantiate all your story. ``

Any color that had been in Malfoy 's face drained. The four son quietly followed professor Patil to the hospital wing. Albus was very relieved. gentlewoman Pomfrey would tell Patil that he and Kaden had been there, and then she would n't pass on them detention.

Patil opened the doors to the hospital offstage, but Madam Pomfrey was no longer there. Patil motioned for the boy to last out there and she strode over to the nurse 's federal agency. She knocked lightly and waited for Madam Pomfrey to appear.

`` I hope I 'm not bothering you, '' Patil said once Madam Pomfrey came out.

`` Not at all, Padma, '' Madam Pomfrey smiled, `` I was n't benumbed. Is there something you need ? ``

`` I was wondering if any of these four boy, '' she gestured to Albus, Kaden, and the two Slytherins, `` Were here recently ? I caught them all out of bed and all of them insist they were here. ``

gentlewoman Pomfrey gazed at the boy. `` well, Albus and Kaden were here about xv minute of arc ago, but I have n't seen the other two in quite a piece. ``

`` That 's what I thought, '' Patil nodded, `` Thank you. ``

`` Not a problem, '' the nurse replied.

`` I 'll take you two back to your common room, '' Patil said to Albus and Kaden. `` As for you, '' she glared at Malfoy and Willinson, `` You will come back to my office and we shall arrange for detention. ``

Malfoy and Willinson sulked and muttered under their breath as the five of them exited the Barbara Ward. Albus laughed to himself on their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Malfoy and Willinson were glaring daggers at Albus and Kaden the unharmed way back, but Albus just smirked at them. They could n't do anything now anyway, not with Patil around. But surely they would pick Albus and Kaden for their detention and Albus would have to watch out out the next few days.

******

Albus did n't sleep very well that dark, despite his weariness from Quidditch pattern. He fell asleep in the wee time of day of the morning and woke up only a few hours later. John was just as exhausted and the two of them stumbled down into the usual room, only to find rosiness slumped over a script at their usual table.

`` Rose ! '' Albus shook his cousin 's shoulder, `` come alive up ! ``

Rose slowly lifted her head and then jumped at the spate of Albus and Gospel According to John. `` Wha-what are you two doing ? ``

`` Uh, it 's morning, Rose, '' Albus explained, `` We 've got to get to Transfiguration in an hour. ``

`` Oh ! '' Rose jumped up and pushed her bushy hair out of her nerve.

`` What were you doing down here ? Did you ever go to bed ? '' Albus asked.

`` No, could n't kip, '' Rose shrugged, `` So I came back down and worked on the Sileo Altus magical spell. I just ca n't estimate it out. It 's driving me mad ! ``

`` That 's a really in high spirits level charm, Rose. You know it 's going to take you a while, '' Albus reminded her.

`` I know, I know. I 'll get it eventually, '' rosebush sighed, `` I guess I 'll go change and notice Amanda. Then we can go down to breakfast. ``

A few minutes later, Albus and his protagonist walked to the Great Hall. Albus noticed Malfoy and Willinson at the Slytherin table as they walked by and both of the Slytherins were shooting daggers at Albus.

Kaden was already at the Gryffindor tabular array and immediately hailed Albus and the others to sit near him.

`` Did you see Malfoy this aurora ? '' Kaden asked once Albus had sat down.

`` Yeah, he 's not too happy. ``

`` wonderment when his detention is ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Who knows, '' Albus shrugged. He did n't particularly care when Malfoy and Willinson were going to help detention.

Kaden began to sing about some potion he was going to be brewing that day, but Albus tuned him out. All Albus seemed to be able-bodied to think about at the moment was whether the new potion Matt had taken worked.

As if on cue, a large brownish owl flew down and landed neatly next to Albus 's plate.

`` You 've got a varsity letter ! '' Kaden shouted eagerly.

`` I know, '' Albus rolled his eyes and pulled the letter off the owl 's leg. He gave the owl a few bits of toast and the gravid hiss flew off.

Rose, who was on Albus 's other face, looked over his shoulder as he looked at the envelope. St. John and Amanda were leaning over the table and Kaden was leaning over Albus 's early shoulder.

`` Wonder who it 's from, '' Kaden said.

`` It 's from matt, '' Albus told him. `` That was his owl. ``

`` Maybe he 's telling you when he 's coming back ! '' Kaden shouted.

`` Shush ! '' Albus, bathroom, pink wine, and Amanda said at once.

`` fountainhead, we 'd better be off to Transfiguration Day, '' Albus said and gave Rose a pregnant glance.

`` Yes, we 'd better, '' blush wine stood up.

`` Are n't you going to open it ? '' Kaden asked.

`` On the way, '' Albus told him.

`` I 'll come, too ! ``

Albus sighed and got up from the table. He could n't open that letter in front of Kaden. rose wine, John, and Amanda got up as well and followed Albus out of the Great Hall. Kaden was right behind him, but Albus did n't dare open it yet. Kaden stalled in the Entrance G. Stanley Hall, but eventually gave up and headed down to the dungeons for Potions.

`` Well, now we have n't got time to read it, '' Albus groaned and glanced at his watch. `` Why could n't he birth left sooner ? ``

`` 'Cause he 's Kaden, '' toilet shook his head.

`` We 'll just read it after History of trick, '' rose said as they climbed the step, `` We 've got the whole afternoon off. ``

The morning dragged by at an extremely slow rate, in Albus 's persuasion. Transfiguration was n't too bad, since it was a virtual lesson. Malfoy descended upon Albus and the others after the grade was over, wanting to roll in the hay where mat was. Albus lied and told him lustrelessness was having a of late holiday with his grandparents and then took off for History of magic, ignoring Malfoy 's complaints about detention that followed.

history of Magic was as boring as common. Albus thought he saw the clock 's hand go backwards at one decimal point. He passed notes with John and Amanda while pink wine took bill. She seemed to have got inherited her mother 's ability to bide awake during that grade. lav nodded off at one head and Albus had to dig him awake with his shaft. prof Binns did n't even look to notice.

After story of trick finally ended, Albus and his friends went to the Great Hall to seize a prompt lunch. Kaden was there when they arrived and immediately launched into an explanation of the potion he had just brewed. Apparently it was so impressive that Slughorn gave him a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate and an invitation to the next type slug guild meeting.

`` What ? ! '' Albus choked on his pumpkin juice.

`` Yup, '' Kaden grinned. `` The succeeding group meeting is this Sabbatum. He told me that a lot of your full cousin go. ``

`` Er, yeah, they do, '' Albus coughed. He had not been expecting Kaden to get invited to any Slug golf-club meetings. Albus had n't even gone to any since the late year. He just told Slughorn he had Quidditch practice or too much homework to go. Slughorn had n't even had his Christmas political party this twelvemonth. Albus was n't sure why, but he was guessing it was because he had n't been able to come up anyone famous to attend.

`` But he said you 're always too engaged to go, '' Kaden said, `` testament you go to this one ? ``

Albus groaned inwardly, `` Oh, I do n't fuck .... ''

`` Please ? '' Kaden pleaded.

`` Fine, '' Albus sighed. It could n't be that bad now that Quinton Willinson was gone. And it was just one get together. `` But just this once. And if Georgia calls for Quidditch practice, I wo n't go to the meeting. ``

`` Yay ! '' Kaden shouted.

Once Kaden left for his adjacent division, Albus and his friends went straight for the way of Requirement. Albus and Rose sat on one of the couch while John and Amanda sat on the opposite word one. Albus reached into his bag and found the letter.

`` Here it goes, '' Albus whispered.

`` That potion better have worked, '' Saint John the Apostle said.

Albus tore open the gasbag and unfolded the varsity letter. He read it aloud.

dearest Albus, Rose, John, and Amanda,

finale Nox Matt told me to spell you
and tell you what happened if he couldn't.
Since he ca n't, you have probably guessed
that the potion did not work.

`` Damn ! '' John shouted.

matte will explain more when he gets back to
Hogwarts. I 'll just say that it 's not worse
than common. He 's at St. Mungo 's right now so
the Healers can observe the after affects of
the potion and the transformation.

He only has to stay on in St. Mungo 's overnight
and then tomorrow he 'll be back at home. I 'm
pretty sure he 'll be back at Hogwarts on
Sunday, but we 're not exactly sure.

Hope you are all doing well. I 'll see you
soon, maybe at the next Gryffindor
Quidditch match.

From,
Amy

Albus folded up the letter and looked at his champion. `` fountainhead, I guess that 's it, then. ``

`` At least it was n't any worse, '' Amanda said quietly.

`` Yeah, '' rosebush agreed.

Nobody said anything for a few second. Albus felt very disappointed that the potion had n't worked, but he was sure it did n't even total close to what mat was feeling.

`` Maybe he 'll let us become Animagi now, '' John suggested.

Rose glared at him, `` He wo n't. He 's still in that study, which means he 's still got to demand that potion for the next two years or so. Then there 'll probably be another one for him to prove. And maybe that one will work. ``

`` well, it would still be assuredness to become an Animagus. ``

`` Then you can do it when you 're older, '' blush wine said, `` You could n't do it now anyway, it 's too advanced. ``

`` Albus 's grandfather did it. ``

`` When he was in fifth year, '' rosiness reminded him.

`` Fine, three more years then, '' John shrugged.

Rose sighed, `` mat wo n't let you join him on the full lunar month, though. And I would n't suggest doing it behind his back. ``

`` I wo n't, '' John assured her, `` I just think it would be a fun matter to do, be an Animagus. ``

`` Definitely, '' Rose agreed.

Albus and his friends spent the better function of the next hour talking about what they would do if they could transform into animals. They all agreed that listening in on people 's conversations and sneaking up on people like Malfoy would be top on the list of stuff to do. Eventually, Rose insisted that they all start their homework, which took them most of the evening to complete.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, Denas, Moonylupin, phoenixy friend, drownzer, and potterfan296 for their reappraisal !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that Quinton Willinson was no longer at Hogwarts, Albus still dreaded the biff nine meeting on Sabbatum. His rational side told him that it would n't be nearly as bad with Willinson gone, but Albus still was n't looking forward to it.

Kaden, on the former hand, spent the days leading up to Saturday talking non-stop about the Slug nine confluence. Albus had already explained in item what they involved, but that did n't stop Kaden from constantly wondering aloud about what the merging would be like.

Sabbatum arrived quickly and Albus was still without an self-justification to not advert the coming together. Georgia had not called for Quidditch recitation that day, mainly due to the fact that the Ravenclaws booked the pitch all morning and the Slytherins had it all afternoon. The two menage were scheduled to play each other the observe Saturday.

`` It 's time for the sluggard Club encounter, Albus ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly a few minutes before eleven.

Albus sighed and got up out of his chairwoman in the common room. `` See you lot in a little while, '' he said to John the Divine and Amanda.

`` Have loads of fun ! '' whoremaster laughed.

`` See you later, '' Amanda grinned.

Albus, Kaden, and Rose, who had also decided to go, set off for the dungeon. Albus hoped he would only have got to remain for a piddling piece, maybe an hour at virtually. Just long enough for Kaden to see what the meetings were like.

The meeting was held in the Potions schoolroom and a few students were milling about when Albus, Rose, and Kaden walked into the room. Albus recognized most of them from last year 's merging. A few of his cousins were there as well, but not all of them. Saint James was n't there, but Albus knew he had dueling praxis that day. Albus was also felicitous to note that Felix Willinson was not there. Of course, after what happened with Quinton and his father, Albus guessed he should n't be surprised that Quinton 's cousin-german would n't be invited to the poke Club.

There was a tabulate total of food along one of the side of meat walls and about everyone was crowding around it trying to get some lunch. Slughorn had a home base of food in front of him and was sitting at a large table in the front of the room.

Albus led rosiness and Kaden over to the mesa and picked up a plate.

`` What is this hooey ? '' Kaden pointed to a disk of some sort of meat.

`` Pheasant, '' Albus replied. Slughorn always served pheasant at his get together. Albus tried it live year and hated it.

Kaden shrugged and piled the pheasant onto his home base. Once Albus and his champion had gotten enough food, they sat down at the tabular array across from Slughorn. Shortly after, everyone else had sat down at the table as well.

`` Good to see you all again ! '' Slughorn greeted them and then turned to Albus. `` And Albus and pink wine ! I 'm very glad that you two decided to come in ! How have social class been going ? ``

`` Good, '' Albus replied.

`` Excellent, excellent, '' Slughorn nodded, `` We also have someone new here today. This is Kaden Dursley, '' Slughorn gestured to Kaden. `` He 's Albus 's first cousin and is turning out to be quite the Potions brewer ! Lily 's genes must be coming out in you ! ``

Kaden grinned, `` Potions is fun. lode amend than Transfiguration. ``

Slughorn laughed, `` Do n't let professor Patil hear you say that. But I daresay I agree with you. ``

Kaden laughed as well and then took a prominent snack of pheasant. Albus watched him as he did so, wondering if he 'd like it. Kaden chewed for a few moments before a big grin appeared on his face.

`` This stuff is fantabulous ! ``

`` I 'm beaming you like it ! '' Slughorn said.

Albus chuckled to himself. Of course of action Kaden liked the pheasant. If there was one matter Albus had learned about his cousin over the preceding six month, it was that he 'd eat pretty much anything. This was obviously something he had inherited from his father.

Slughorn soon launched into a lengthy explanation of what he did over his holiday and who he had spent fourth dimension with. ( `` Barry Ryan used to play for Ireland, you know. '' ) Albus found the all thing rather tire but he noticed that Kaden seemed to hang on Slughorn 's every watchword. rosiness seemed to be paying attention as well, but probably only out of courtesy.

Albus let his mind wander as Slughorn continued talking about his dinner with Barry Ryan. Matt was supposed to return to Hogwarts the succeeding day, which meant that in as little as twenty-four hr, they could be having the map working. Well, if they could hook away to the way of Requirement, that is. Albus hoped pink wine would have that magic spell working soon. Then they could just do all of this with Kaden. It would take in it a totally lot easier. Of course, matt still had n't said that he agreed to tell Kaden even with the charm. Albus kept forgetting about that part. But why would n't he agree ? The appeal seemed like it would wreak well.

Albus, Kaden, and pink wine wound up staying until the end of the meeting. Kaden was enthralled by the integral thing and Albus knew he would refuse to lead early. Albus was incredibly bored by the time the thing was over and Rose looked as bored as Albus felt. Once the group meeting was finally over, the three of them said sayonara to Slughorn and left the dungeons.

`` That was so chill, '' Kaden grinned.

`` Boring 's more like it, '' Albus replied.

`` How can you conceive it was boring ? '' Kaden stared at Albus, `` Slughorn knows so many famous people. ``

`` Trust me, it gets old after a piece, '' Albus said.

`` well, are you two going to the future one ? ''

Albus looked at Rose. She did n't await like she wanted to go to the next one either. `` Er, well, I might have Quidditch exercise. ``

`` And I 'll probably cause too much homework, '' Rose explained.

`` I 'd go even if I did give birth too much preparation, '' Kaden told them.

`` That really is n't a good theme, '' Rose warned him. `` You 'll get behind. ``

Albus laughed as Rose launched into a discussion about how of import clock time management is and how prep should always come in first. The three of them were nearly to the common room by the clip blush wine finished and Kaden was wearing a blank look on his face, much like the one Albus had worn during the Slug golf club meeting.

******

`` Got any idea what time he 's coming back ? '' John asked shortly after lunch the next day in the commons room.

`` No idea, '' Albus shrugged.

Albus, John, Kaden, Rose, and Amanda were all sitting around their common table in the common room. blush wine and Kaden were playing Bromus secalinus and it was apparent that Rose was going wanton on Kaden. The two of them had been playing the Lapp game for fifteen minutes. If rosiness wanted to, she probably could have beat Kaden in five minutes. John and Amanda were both working on the Transfiguration essay that was due the following day. Albus had already finished that fussy essay and was watching rosebush and Kaden 's chess match.

`` Queen to D3, '' Kaden said. The queen gave Kaden a menacing glare and then reluctantly moved to the square.

`` Bishop to D3. '' rose 's bishop smashed Kaden 's queen to firearm. `` Checkmate, '' Rose grinned.

`` Crap, '' Kaden muttered as his king dropped its blade in defeat.

`` You 're getting a bit better, '' Rose said as she repaired all the patch with a Wave of her wand.

`` Do you have Quidditch pattern today, Albus ? '' John asked.

`` Yeah. Georgia managed to earmark the slant for an hour after dinner. The Hufflepuffs were n't too happy, but Georgia got it first. ``

`` I hope matt gets back before you leave, '' Amanda said.

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed. `` But Amy did n't say when he 'd be coming back. ``

`` He 's going to have a loading of homework to make up, '' Kaden announced.

`` That sounds like something you 'd say, Rose, '' Gospel According to John laughed.

`` How 's your essay coming, John ? '' Rose smirked.

`` Yeah, yeah. I 've got the first paragraph done, '' John grumbled.

`` I 've only got one more to go, '' Amanda said.

`` need to flirt again, Rose ? '' Kaden asked.

Rose shrugged. `` Sure, why not. ``

Rose and Kaden set up their while and started to play again. Albus watched them. It was pretty suspect to watch the two of them play chess. Kaden would sit there forever figuring out what move to draw and once he made it, blush wine would smile and make a motion one of her own firearm within seconds. rose wine 's moves usually involved killing one of Kaden 's pieces.

The portrait trap to the common elbow room opened a few mo later and Albus looked up. mat was just climbing through and headed straight for Albus 's table once he noticed them.

`` Hey, Matt ! '' Albus grinned, `` Welcome back ! ``

`` Hi Albus, '' Matt grinned back. He looked tired, but happy. There was still a yellowish contusion on his forehead, but former than that he looked fine.

John, blush wine, Amanda, and Kaden all looked up from what they were doing and greeted Matt as well. Matt grabbed a hot seat from a nearby table and sat down next to Albus.

`` How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` All right, '' matt shrugged.

`` Er, Kaden, '' Albus began, `` You know how you said matte 's got a lot of preparation to clear up ? ``

`` Uh-huh, '' Kaden nodded as rose wine declared mate once again, `` Crap ! ``

`` Well, it would probably be a good estimation for him to go see all the teacher now about it. So, we 'll all go with him to do that, since we 're in his course. We 'll help. You can rest here since you 'd probably be bored. ``

`` Ok, I 've got my own homework to pop out on anyway. ``

`` trade good, '' Albus replied, `` Saint John the Apostle ? Amanda, rosiness ? You can come with us. ``

`` Sure, anything to put off finishing this essay, '' John closed his al-Qur'an and stood up.

Once they were out of the vernacular way and into the corridor, mat turned around and looked at Albus. `` You 're not really making me go collect all my homework are you ? ``

Albus laughed, `` No. Just had to cogitate of an alibi for Kaden to stay there while we went to the elbow room. ``

`` goodness, '' lav said, `` I do n't really want to go roll up your homework with you. ``

`` You wo n't have to. I 've already gotten it. They owled it to me over the holiday. I 've already finished it all, '' lustrelessness explained.

`` You 're far along than Gospel According to John, then, '' Rose laughed.

`` Shut it, Rose, '' John said.

The five Quaker continued their walkway to the room of demand, which manifested itself in its common form for them. They walked into the Room and settled onto the usual scarlet and gold furniture.

`` So, '' Albus began, `` What happened with this new potion ? ``

`` well, it did n't work the way it was supposed to, but Amy already told you that, '' Matt said.

`` Did it help at all ? '' Rose asked.

`` Nope. ``

`` And you 'll still have to keep taking it ? '' John asked.

`` Yeah, that 's what stinks, '' Matt sighed. `` It did n't work the way it was supposed to, but it did former clobber. ``

`` I thought it was n't going to have any bad effects, '' Albus said.

`` They were n't really dangerous incline essence. It just made me really tired. ``

`` But you 're always tired before the full moon, '' John pointed out.

`` I know, but the potion made it spoiled. Usually I can at least go to morning classes on the day of the full moon but with the new potion I 'll just sleep right through them. It makes me tired as soon as I start taking it, which is a week before the full moonlight, just like the steady Wolfsbane was. ``

`` So you 'll be tired for an entire week ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` The healer are trying to find a potion to antagonise the fatigue, but I doubt they 'll have one in time for future month. ``

`` I do n't get why you have to keep taking it if it does n't even work, '' King John shook his head.

`` Because they have to make sure it was n't just a fluke or something. That 's the affair about these field of study, they have to do multiple trial run to canvas the upshot and clobber. ``

`` There 's a chance it might work next month ? '' Amanda asked confusedly.

`` I suppose, but I doubt it. ``

`` You do n't appear that overturn or anything, '' Rose commented.

`` I honestly did n't think it was going to work. My parents told me not to get my hopes up about any of these experimental potions. Plus, this was only the first one I 've tried. They 'll get up with others. ``

`` I just hope one of them actually works, '' John replied.

`` Me, too, '' Matt agreed, `` You 've got no theme how much I wish that.

`` Let 's not talk about it anymore now, though. You 've got to state me if you got the denounce photographic print ! It 's been driving me mad for workweek now. ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus grinned. He had almost forgotten about that. Almost being the key watchword. The new map was always on Albus 's mind now. `` We got it. Rose and I did. ``

`` Brilliant ! '' lustrelessness exclaimed.

`` And I 've got the transference charm all worked out, '' Rose told him.

`` John 's just got to get the rat print, '' Albus said.

`` I 'm working on it ! '' John replied, `` It 's harder than you 'd think to blemish a rat during Potions. ``

`` fountainhead, we 've got Double Potions tomorrow, so try then. Slughorn 'll be having us brew the whole course of study probably, so just hold on your eye out, '' Albus told him.

`` I will. I 'll pay more attention to potency rats than to my potion, '' lav grinned.

`` I would n't suggest that, '' Rose smirked. `` It 'll blow up or something, since you 've got Goyle as a partner. ``

`` Eh, I 'll bring one failing grade if I can get the rat mark, '' john shrugged.

`` Well, try to get the rat without destroying your potion, '' Rose sighed.

`` Just think, this time tomorrow, we may receive the map working, '' Matt commented, `` That would be awesome. ``

`` We 'll throw to get away from Kaden first, '' Amanda pointed out.

`` And I 'm not entirely sure the map will puzzle out after we do this, '' Albus said, `` It almost seems too simple. ``

Albus had been thinking this for a few Day now. They had had an incredibly sluttish metre getting the prints. Almost too easy a meter. blackguard, stags, and scab were quite vernacular and anyone who could cast a elementary Petrificus Totalus charm could get those prints. The exclusively one that would be difficult for the mediocre wizard to get was the werewolf print. Even so, Albus did n't opine the Marauders would take a shit it this easy to access the map.

`` I 've been thinking the same thing, '' Rose agreed.

St. John groaned, `` That would suck. ``

`` We 'll get it eventually, '' Albus assured him. `` Plus, the map said we had to be like the predator. We have n't done anything that only the Marauders could ingest done so far. We got a bunch of paw prints. Anyone can do that. ``

`` Not anyone could get a werewolf print, '' John pointed out.

`` I know. But it 's not something only the Marauders could have done, '' Albus told him.

`` speechmaking of the Marauders, '' Saint John turned to Rose, `` How 's the Sileo Altus charm coming ? ``

`` The what ? '' Matt asked.

`` Oh, yeah, we 've got to order you about that, '' Gospel According to John said. `` Want to explicate it, rose ? ``

`` Sure, '' Rose shrugged, `` It 's a magical spell I found in a Word of God at my house. It 's a way to make for sure individual keeps something a secret. sort of like the Fidelius Charm, only it 's for verbal secrets, not places. Whomever performs the charm is the Secret custodian and only that someone can unwrap the charm. After the charm is performed, the person ca n't verbalise about the mysterious with anyone except the Secret keeper and anyone else who was involved in the magical spell performing. It 's a way to celebrate Kaden from telling anyone that you 're a werewolf. ``

Albus held his breather as blush wine explained and hoped that Matt would call up it was a skilful estimate. Albus watched as matte thought about what pink wine had said. Albus could n't really tell what he thought. lustrelessness looked a bit surprised, almost like he did n't think Rose would bear ever found a appeal to do that.

`` fountainhead, what do you think ? '' Albus asked after a few consequence silence.

`` I 'm not sure, '' Matt said quietly, `` leave it really work ? ``

`` I 'm pretty sure as shooting it will, '' pink wine said, `` The only thing that will overcome it is Veritaserum. ``

`` And what if Kaden drinks Veritaserum ? '' matt asked.

`` When would he toast that ? '' can raised his eyebrows.

`` I do n't know, '' Matt sighed, `` But he could. ``

`` I really do n't think he would. ``

`` What if he did ? What if he spewed all about me in the middle of the Great Hall or something ? ``

`` I doubt he 's ever going to drink any Veritaserum, '' Rose said,"And even if he did, someone would throw to ask him if you were a werewolf. He would n't just randomly starting signal telling people."

`` Is there even any of that in the castle ? '' Amanda asked.

`` There 's some in Slughorn 's private Potions cupboard, but that 's it, '' Albus answered, `` But that 's locked anyway. ``

`` See ? Hardly any chance of Kaden crapulence any, '' whoremonger said.

`` Yeah, but still ... I do n't know ... '' Matt groaned, `` I just do n't really want to tell him. ``

`` I know. Just think about it, ok ? '' Albus gave matte a one-half smile.

`` All right field, '' mat sighed, `` We do n't involve Kaden yet, do we ? ``

`` No, '' Albus replied, `` I 'm not sure when we 'll ask him. The map just said we had to be like the piranha, which means we 'll demand mortal to be Wormtail at some point. ``

`` And I want to test that charm out before we use it on Kaden, '' Matt said.

`` We will, '' rose assured him, `` I 've got to practice it anyway. ``

`` So, anyone got any mystery we can practice with ? '' John the Divine grinned mischievously.

******

`` settee down, determine down, '' Slughorn barked at his class.

Albus turned around in his stern. He had been talking to St. John the Apostle, who was sitting behind him future to Goyle. Albus was sitting side by side to Limbert and Matt was looking thoroughly miserable next to Maloy in the next row over at the front. Slughorn was still plowing forward with his inter-house partners in family, but Albus did n't think it was helping to decrease the aggression between Gryffindor and Slytherin. So far, the best that had happened was mum detestation during practical example and jinxing and hexing at forged. Based on the little affaire d'honneur between Ethan and Garth Octavius the previous workweek, it was only a matter of time before things really got out of hand.

`` Thank you, '' Slughorn said once everyone was paying aid, `` Today you 'll be brewing the discombobulation Potion I taught you about on Friday. He waved his wand at the blackboard, `` Directions are on the dining table. You have the stallion division. ``

`` Light the blast, '' Limbert grunted as he got up from his chair.

Albus nodded and pulled out his wand. Albus and Limbert had come to an unvoiced agreement with brewing potions. Limbert would collect ingredient while Albus lit the fire and unpacked all the various scales and tongue. Then, Albus would prepare the component while Limbert added them and stirred the caldron. Albus was hunky-dory with this since Limbert was a break Potions brewer than he was.

Limbert returned with the element and Albus started chopping them. He never said anything to Limbert while they worked and Limbert never said anything to Albus besides the periodic 'pass the asphodel'or something of the like.

Albus listened to everyone else in the year as he chopped up fixings. He thought it was especially amusing to listen to John and Goyle.

`` No, that 's not clockwise, '' John the Divine groaned, `` You 're stirring counter-clockwise. ``

`` Oh. ``

`` bustle it the other way ! '' John shouted.

Albus stifled a laugh and glanced to his left, where rosiness and Leigh Montague were having a similar conversation.

`` They 've got to be chopped finer than that. It says minced, not diced, '' blush wine instructed.

`` They look fine to me, '' Vivien Leigh snapped.

`` No, they wo n't lick like that. Let me do it, '' rose wine grabbed a knife and started mincing the shrivelfig.

`` Fine. You do the unharmed affair if you 're so smart, '' Vivien Leigh huffed.

`` You can stir the caldron. Clockwise, '' Rose replied.

Albus was n't close enough to either Amanda or Matt to hear what was going on at their tables. It looked like Amanda and Dalila Avish were working much the Lapp way Albus and Limbert were, since neither of their sassing were moving. Malfoy appeared to be yelling at matte for something, but Albus could n't quite make out what it was. Matt got up from the tabular array with a bowl full of something and then emptied it in the bin. When he returned to his board, he started carefully chopping something up. Albus was guessing it was Thomas More of whatever he had thrown away.

Albus continued mincing his shrivelfig and listened mostly to John and Goyle. Limbert kept smirking every so often, which gave Albus the impression he was listening to John and Goyle, too.

`` livelihood stirring CLOCKWISE for another arcminute, '' trick said slowly and clearly, `` Then trade to COUNTERCLOCKWISE. I 've got to go get something. Do n't do anything besides the stirring. ``

Goyle grunted and Albus heard toilet get up. Albus felt a prodding in his side and looked up to see John standing succeeding to him. `` What ? '' Albus whispered.

John pointed to a recess of the room, near the closet of ingredients. There was a large rat sitting there. Albus shuddered and looked back at John.

`` I 'll be back, '' St. John the Apostle winked at him.

Albus tried to pore on his shrivelfig, but he could n't stop glancing up at St. John the Apostle. He was almost to the cupboard now, and the rat still had n't moved. Albus watched as John Lackland pointed his wand at the rat, but he could n't get a line what spell out John was using due to the noise in the room. Luckily everyone was concentrating on their potions and not paying an troy ounce of attending to John. Albus grimaced as John picked up the rat and shoved it inside his gown. Albus was incredibly felicitous that John was willing to do the rat photographic print. The thought of putting a rat in his gown creeped Albus out.

John Lackland went into the cupboard for a few minute and came back out carrying a jar of something. Probably a natural covering story, Albus thought.

`` Got it, '' John whispered to Albus on his way back to his desk.

`` Excellent, '' Albus said.

Suddenly there was a loud burst from somewhere behind Albus and he felt a hot liquidness realm on his psyche and drip down the back of his robes.

`` Ouch ! '' he and Limbert shouted at the same time.

`` Boody perdition ! '' John exclaimed as the orange tree potion landed on the strawman of his robes.

Pandemonium erupted in the schoolroom. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to gaze at the exploded potion. Albus turned around and saw that the detonation had come from John and Goyle 's cauldron. Goyle was wearing a stupefied aspect on his aspect and was staring into space while holding his ladle in the air. His face was covered with potion as well as his robes. His hairsbreadth was singed and there was a little flak on his table.

Albus could palpate the potion burning down his cover and it hurt like hell. It felt like his skin was on flack. He got up from his chair and felt his binding. His gown were burnt straight through. Saint John 's and Limbert 's were as well.

`` What did you do ? '' Slughorn asked as he strode to whoremaster and Goyle 's table.

`` Uh ..., '' Goyle stared up at the ceiling.

`` You must 've gotten potion in your mouth, '' Slughorn shook his top dog. `` Hospital Wing. Who else got hit ? ``

`` I did, '' Albus, John, Limbert, as well as Karina and Celeste Yeardly ( who had been sitting behind St. John and Goyle ) said at the Saami time.

`` Hospital flank, all of you, '' Slughorn replied, `` If one of you could please make sure Mr. Goyle arrives there, that would be appreciated. ``

Limbert immediately dragged Goyle out of the way with Celeste following. Albus and John walked a little means behind them and Karina behind them.

`` half-wit, '' King John muttered as they climbed the stairs out of the dungeons.

`` What did he do ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not a clue, '' St. John the Apostle shrugged, `` Not what I told him to do. ``

`` I heard you talking to him. It seemed pretty straightforward. ``

`` fountainhead, he 's dumber than a troll, '' John Lackland groaned, `` Merlin this stuff burns. ``

`` At to the lowest degree we did n't eat any of it, '' Albus pointed to Goyle, who was stumbling down the corridor like he was drunk.

`` True, '' John Lackland laughed and then lowered his articulation, `` Hey, it was worth it since I got the rat. ``

`` That affair 's not still in your robes, is it ? '' Albus glanced warily at John.

`` Er, yeah, have n't had a chance to use up it out. ``

`` I just hope it stays stunned. ``

`` It should, '' John said as they followed Goyle and Limbert into the Hospital Wing.

brothel keeper Pomfrey was already engaged taking precaution of a girl who had gotten bitten by something in Care of Magical Creatures and told them they would have to wait. Once she had finished healing the girl, she moved on to Goyle, since he was n't able to sit still and was wandering around the room tripping over things. She took attention of Limbert, Celeste, and Karina, and then moved on to the bed Albus and Saint John the Apostle were sitting on.

`` You lot again ? '' she sighed, `` I 'm surprised it 's only the two of you. ``

`` well, mat, rose, and Amanda were all too far away to be hit by the potion, '' Albus explained.

`` I swear the lot of you are exactly like your grandfather and his friends, '' madam Pomfrey shook her question as she handed Albus a potion.

John, who had just started drinking his own potion, choked and coughed the potion up onto the bed. He turned and grinned at Albus, who grinned back. well, Albus thought, that was the superior general estimate of the map.

ma'am Pomfrey sighed and with a wave of her sceptre the potion was cleaned up. `` toast the rest of it, '' she instructed them.

Madam Pomfrey applied some variety of salve to their burns and a few minutes later they were allowed to will. The nurse told them to go directly to their dormitory to get new robes and that she did n't need to see them in the hospital Wing for the future few weeks.

`` Fat chance that 'll happen, '' John Lackland smirked as they started back to Gryffindor Tower.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed. It seemed like one of them was always winding up in the Hospital wing. Albus himself had already been there twice since returning to school day after the Christmas holiday.

`` Next Quidditch friction match is what, in three workweek ? '' John asked.

`` Just about, '' Albus said.

`` Then you might be back there soon, '' toilet joked.

`` Shut it, '' Albus replied, `` I did n't set down myself there in conclusion match. ``


A/N : Extra long chapter ! Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, Miguel, invisiblecloak, potterfan296, Luke, and drownzer for the brushup !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or Frank Sinatra.


Albus and whoremonger were immediately bombarded by Kaden when they entered the common elbow room. pink wine, Amanda, and Matt were standing just behind Kaden with smirks on their faces.

`` Did your caldron really explode ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` The potion did, '' whoremaster replied, `` And it was completely Goyle 's mistake, really. I gave him directions as to what to do and he screwed it up. ``

`` You know, '' rose said, `` You 're not exactly the topper potion brewer either, Saint John. ``

`` Are you two all right hand ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Oh, yeah. gentlewoman Pomfrey sorted everything out, '' Albus assured her.

`` So what are you doing tonight, Albus ? '' Kaden asked excitedly as he followed Albus and St. John to the dormitory doorway.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had been planning on grabbing a quick dinner with his protagonist after he changed gown, and then header to the room to try out the new map. They had all the paw prints ( Gospel According to John had gone up to the dormitory ahead of Albus with the rat and got the mark from it. Albus did n't want to experience what happened to the rat afterwards ) now, so Albus was impatient to try it out. But they would n't be able to if Kaden was around.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged.

Kaden spent the entire even with Albus and his friend. Normally, this really would n't give birth bothered Albus, but that Night his cousin was driving him mad. All Albus wanted to do was try out the map, but he could n't think up a trade good excuse for them to go somewhere and not let Kaden play along. So they spent the eve in the mutual room, working on homework.

Albus and his friends were far too busy the next few days to try out the new map. Albus had Quidditch pattern on Tuesday and Thursday and dueling practice on Midweek. Rose had dueling practice on Fri. John normally had his practice on Saturday, but due to the Quidditch lucifer, it had been rescheduled for William Ashley Sunday. Any bit of fourth dimension where neither Albus or his Quaker had any recitation, Kaden was around. It was n't until Saturday, following Slytherin 's prominent exit to Ravenclaw, that they were finally able-bodied to try out the map. Kaden had been recruited to tutor a fellow first year in Potions and was going to be spending a few hours in the dungeon after the Quidditch match.

`` Come on, let 's go try it now, '' Albus whispered to his friends after Kaden left the coarse room.

`` Got the prints ? '' lustrelessness asked.

Albus nodded and grabbed his bag. They quickly left the common room and ran for the way of essential. They almost bumped into a Ravenclaw prefect, but luckily he was feeling generous ( nigh likely due to the Quidditch win ) and did n't berate them for running in the corridors.

mat paced three meter in front of the empty bulwark and as soon as the door appeared, the five friends ran inside. Albus set his bag down on the table and everyone crowded around it. Albus pulled out all four prints and the map.

`` All rightfield, '' Albus unfolded the map, `` blush wine, you 're just with the charm, right ? ``

Rose nodded, `` I 've practiced it and it works every time. ``

`` trade good, '' Albus stared at the map, unsure of how to begin, `` Er, maybe I should do what I did last meter to get it to separate us we 've got to evidence we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Probably, '' Rose agreed.

`` Wait ! '' John shouted, `` Can I do it this meter ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus shrugged and handed lavatory the map.

`` Excellent, '' John Lackland grinned and pointed his wand at the map, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Padfoot. ``

Ink appeared on the map, but not nearly as much as when Albus had done it earlier in the year.

'No, you 're not .'

The ink disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

`` What ? '' John shouted, `` But it worked finish metre ! ``

Albus 's hopes plummeted. Why was n't it working now ? Was it on some form of a timer ? Like it could only work on a certain day of the month ? He had been so turn on about getting the new map to work, and now it would n't even tell them to testify they knew the Marauders.

`` Let me try, '' matte grabbed the sheepskin and pointed his wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Moony. ``

'No, you 're not .'The map said once again.

`` This sucks, '' John muttered, `` It worked close time. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to be Albus, '' rosiness suggested.

Albus wordlessly grabbed the map and pointed his own wand at it, `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

The ink he had been expecting to seem rose to the control surface of the parchment and formed the conversant words.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the predator 's Map, Second Edition .'

`` Ha ! '' Albus grinned in turmoil, `` There it is ! ``

`` But why did n't it work for us ? '' John the Divine asked dejectedly. `` Does that mean we ca n't be Padfoot and Moony ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus sighed. He really hoped his friends would be able to be Padfoot and Moony. Who else could be Padfoot and Moony ? The map would n't even work without someone to be Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail. Albus could n't do it alone.

'Mr. Prongs disagrees with you and insists that you are not Prongs. However, you could be the endorsement Prongs .'

`` See ? Why did n't it say 'However, you could be the back Padfoot'when I did it ? ``

'When four boy, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendship and mischief, they may present themselves as the next multiplication of marauder. These four acquaintance must each exemplify one of the marauder, for if even one is missing, this map will not work. Before this goes any further, you must prove that you know the secrets of the Marauders. raise that you know, and you may continue along the path of uncovering .'

'The path of breakthrough ? I never knew you were so poetic, Mr. Prongs .'

'Oh, consider me, Mr. Padfoot, I am not. Mr. Moony came up with that whole affair .'

'Then I pay my wish on the wording to Mr. Moony .'

'Mr. Moony advises that whomever is reading this ignore Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot and start proving that they know the Marauders .'

'Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and also advises that if whomever is reading this has no estimation who the Marauders are, that they quit while they 're ahead .'

'The Marauders wish you soundly fate .'

`` well, now what ? '' Saint John asked.

`` I guess we 've just got to remove the paw print, '' Albus said tentatively.

Rose picked up the paw prints and the map, setting them down in front of her. She pulled out her wand and muttered an incantation at the loup-garou print. Then she muttered another incantation at the map. The loup-garou print appeared on the map, just as it had been on the early piece of parchment.

`` That, was bloody amazing, '' John said in awe.

Albus agreed. He was forever thankful that his cousin was so brilliant. Albus did n't retrieve he 'd ever be able to pluck off something like that. At least not until he was at least in fifth year.

rosiness repeated the subroutine with the dog, stag, and rat print, positioning them in the exact like way that the little Gospel According to Mark that the marauder had put on the map.

`` There, '' she said once she was done.

The five booster stared at the map for a few seconds, waiting for something to happen. The paw photographic print were n't doing anything and neither was the map. No new ink had appeared and the paw mark were n't disappearing or anything.

`` Er, '' Albus began, `` Maybe I 've got to tell the map that we know the Marauders ? ``

`` Worth a shot, '' John shrugged.

Albus pulled the map over to him and tapped his wand to it, `` I, Albus Severus thrower, the indorsement Prongs, know the Marauders. ``

The paw prints quickly faded until there was nothing left hand but a space lambskin. Albus glanced up and looked at his acquaintance before returning his gaze to the new map.

'Prongs agrees that you do know the predator, and is especially impressed that you managed to get a werewolf paw mark .'

`` It worked ! '' Albus shouted happily.

'Due to your obvious noesis of the Marauders'enigma, we shall now tell you More about this map. When the Marauders were seventh year, they realized that within a few short calendar month, they would be gone from Hogwarts, and the shoal would be left without their foreman roguishness makers.

'Prongs suggested-'

'Do you always talk about yourself in the third someone, Prongs ?'

'Only when I have a stroke of splendor, Padfoot .'

'Not too often then, right ?'

'Oh, get on with the explanation, Prongs .'

'Calm yourself, Moony. You 're letting your furry self show .'

'Shut it, Prongs .'

'All rightfield. Anyway, I ( happy now, Padfoot ? ) had a apoplexy of grandness that the Marauders could find a way to see to it that they would never be gone from Hogwarts .'

`` I knew it ! '' Rose shouted in glee, `` I knew that was what this was about ! ``

'The Marauders decided to create another map. The first map was only the beginning. The piranha wanted to find a way to put themselves into a map, in club to serve the side by side generation of rascality makers. That is what this map is about.

'However, not just anyone would be able-bodied to have access code to the map .'

'Yeah, we would n't want any old dunderheads stumbling upon it .'

'Right, Padfoot. Or even worse, having Slytherins get their slimy manus on it .'

'I shudder at that cerebration, Moony. Anyway, the Marauders had to envision out a way to ensure that only those worthy would be able-bodied to access this map. The vulture 's Map is actually quite simple to reckon out, compared to this one. All you have to do to open that is say a certain idiom. For this map, you have to be a sure individual to spread it.

'You may or may not have figured out that in social club to get the first off bit of info out of this map, you have to be a blood relation of one of the Marauders. However, not everyone representing the marauder must be related. Because, you know, we might not all have kids .'

'Yeah, you would n't want to be passing along any genes, Prongs .'

'Better mine than yours, Padfoot .'

`` That 's why only Albus could do it ! '' John shouted.

Albus felt vast relief from this. trick and Matt would be capable to stand for Padfoot and Moony.

`` So really, only King James I, Lily, chemise, my dad, and I could get it heart-to-heart, '' Albus said.

'The remainder of you must be Gryffindor boys, because we want you to be like us .'

'Lily wo n't care that, Prongs .'

'I know, Moony, but Lily does n't know about this. I do n't plan on telling her, either .'

`` conjecture that counts out my sister, '' Albus commented.

'So, now you 've proven that you know the Marauders. Your next footmark is to prove that you are the succeeding Marauders .'

The ink slowly faded once again until the parchment was as blank as before.

Albus stared at it for a few mo, thinking about what he had just found out. The map was n't going to work yet. He had been so sure that all they 'd have to do was demonstrate they knew the vulture. But now they had yet another thing to do. They had to prove that they were the succeeding marauder. How were they going to do that ?

`` That was weird, '' John said.

`` I 'll say, '' flatness agreed, `` They did n't even really assure us what it was a map of. ``

`` Yeah, they just said they wanted to lay down sure they 'd never lead Hogwarts. Like the map is a part of them, '' John the Divine replied.

`` To be honest, it sounds a bit like a Horcrux, '' Rose commented.

`` Yeah, but it 's not like they put their souls in there, Rose, '' Albus pointed out. `` It 's like the marauder 's Map. It 's just enchanted. ``

`` I still wish we knew what it was a map of, '' John muttered, `` I mean, this is n't bonnie ! We spend week getting those paw prints and we still have n't figured the map out. ``

`` I knew you 'd experience to do something like this, '' Rose said, `` Otherwise it would n't weigh if there were four of you to typify the predator. If it was just this, Albus could have done the whole affair himself. ``

She made a good point. Albus had n't really thought about that, but it was dead on target. They had to do something that required each of them to correspond one of the Marauders.

`` I guess we 've got to shew we are the Marauders, then, '' Albus said, `` marvel what that involves. ``

`` Maybe we 've got to do something the Marauders would have got done, '' Matt suggested.

`` Like become illegal Animagi ? '' bathroom grinned mischievously.

`` No ! '' Matt sighed, `` I told you, you 're not doing that ! ``

`` I do n't think that 's it, '' rosebush began, `` How would you go about proving to a piece of newspaper publisher that you 're illegal Animagi ? ``

`` Maybe we 've got to pull a huge prank or something, '' Albus said.

`` Again, how would you show that to the map ? '' Rose asked.

`` fountainhead, does anyone have got any other ideas ? '' Albus asked.

`` We 'll think of something, '' Amanda said, `` I mean, there 's got to be a way. ``

`` Of row their is ! '' Rose said, `` We 've just got to go to the library and see if we can find out anything there. ``

`` We ca n't do anything anyway until you 've got that Sileo Altus charm down, blush wine, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Right, '' rose replied, `` It 's coming along well. I just involve to get some practice. Anyone want to be my quizzer ? ``

`` I will ! '' John the Evangelist shouted and jumped up out of his chair.

`` Ok, number here, '' Rose got up and went to the other side of the room.

Albus watched as the two of them worked. first-class honours degree, they had to think up a secret, which took a good bit of meter. Gospel According to John finally suggested that the mystery be 'Filch the like to dance in the Moon with a long handgrip mop with frank Frank Sinatra music playing in the background .'

Albus burst out laughing at that. `` Filch ? dancing ? ``

`` Yes, '' John said in a serious spirit, `` I saw him once. He was rubbing the mop head to his expression and had on a look of pure joy. ``

`` And soon you wo n't be able to secern anyone about it, '' Amanda grinned. `` What a shame. ``

`` Yes, it is, is n't it ? '' King John laughed. `` You lot can still spread it around, though. ``

`` Ok, whoremaster, let 's try it, '' Rose said.

Rose pointed her scepter at herself and recited the magic spell that would nominate her the hidden keeper. Then, she pointed her wand at John and said a slightly different charm.

`` Now you say the secret, John. ``

`` Filch likes to dance in the moonshine with a long grip mop with Frank Francis Albert Sinatra music acting in the background, '' John smirked.

`` good, '' rosebush replied and then performed another charm on John. `` I 'm not ready to try including other people yet, so john will only be able to blab out about Filch 's niggling habit to me. ``

Rose waved her wand around in an intricate pattern and then said one last incantation. She lowered her wand and stared at John the Divine. Then she turned to face Albus.

`` There. Now you can try asking him about it, Albus. ``

Albus grinned, `` All rightfulness. So, John, heard anything interesting about Filch lately ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' John shouted, `` Actually, just the other night I saw him and he was- '' John 's mouth continued moving but no sound was coming out of it.

Albus and Amanda burst out laughing. Saint John the Apostle looked like a fish out of urine. `` I think it worked ! '' Albus shouted.

rosebush was staring at John with a little feel of disappointment. `` Not quite. He was n't even supposed to be able to move his mouth. You know, in fount people can read lips. I guess it 's a starting line, though. ``

`` Definitely. I mean, this is a really advanced appeal. You ca n't birth expected to get it on the first try, '' Albus pointed out. Although, he did kind of think rose wine expected to get it on the start try.

`` I suppose, '' Rose sighed, `` I 'll just undo it. ``

rose waved her verge around and muttered some more incantation. `` Ok, he should be capable to talk about it now. ``

`` Heard anything comic about Filch recently ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, he likes to dance with a farsighted handle mop by moonlight while wiener Francis Albert Sinatra plays in the setting, '' John told her.

`` Looks like the countercharm worked, '' Albus said.

`` But that 's not even what we 'll require, '' blush wine pointed out, `` We 're not going to execute the countercharm on Kaden. Not for another few years at least. ``

`` Yeah, but it 's favourable for St. John that it worked, '' Albus grinned, `` Otherwise he would n't be capable to share Filch 's secret delight of life. ``

******

Over the next few mean solar day, John actually did percentage that Filch liked to trip the light fantastic with a long handgrip mop by the moonlight with Frank Francis Albert Sinatra playing in the backdrop. All he had to do was observe it to a few other Gryffindors at meal times and the bit of gossip was soon spreading throughout the school. The reactions from students ranged from hysterical laughter to raised eyebrows to exclamations of 'Who the hell is Frank Sinatra ?'Albus could n't help but simper every time he heard his fellow students mentioning the story.

Filch, on the early hand, was actively trying to get hold the culprit. There was n't really any point, since he would n't be able to find who started it, but he tried. He spent the years prowling the halls and listening in on students'conversations, trying to find out any sort of information regarding the off-key narration. Whenever the students noticed him, they would burst out laughing, which would cause Filch to start muttering about 'rotten students'and 'ought to whip them all'.

Filch 's primary suspect was Kaden, which Albus found sort of funny. Kaden of course had laughed the garish when he heard the level. Since Filch had developed an intense dislike for Kaden since their hold calendar month ago, he gave Kaden baleful stares every time Kaden passed him in the corridors. Kaden just found this funny remark, since he knew John had invented the story.

The story about Filch provided a skillful gaolbreak from the intense studying that all the students were occupied with. Like usual, the instructor had increased the homework after the vacation. Albus was happy it was n't yet his O.W.L. year and he could n't imagine how he would finagle to cope with that in three short years. Along with homework, Albus also had Quidditch and dueling recitation. Both Georgia and Kate had increased practice times in Order to set for the upcoming mates and tournament. The third dueling tournament was to take spot the first weekend of February and Quidditch on the following weekend. Albus now had Quidditch recitation on Monday, Tues, Thursdays, and Sat. Dueling drill were as usual, not mandatory, but were now not only on Wednesday, but on Fri as well. The only day Albus had off was Sunday, which did n't reach practically time for him to try and figure out how to prove he was like the vulture to the new map.

The forenoon of the Dueling tourney was inhuman, snowy, and blustery. Albus was very well-chosen the Quidditch match was n't that day. He got up a few hours before the tournament started and went down to breakfast with his friends.

`` I ca n't hold off until I can duel next year, '' Kaden said in between bit of egg.

`` It 's not really as cool as it 's made out to be, '' lav commented, `` A lot of waiting around sentence during tournament. ``

`` That 's because there 's so many of us, '' Rose explained, `` In the regular Dueling Club, the one that you can only be in if you 're twenty percent class or above, not everyone gets on the teams. It 's like Quidditch and you have to try out. ``

`` That sounds better, '' trick said, `` But I do n't be intimate if I 'd make the team. ``

`` I know I would n't, '' Amanda replied.

`` You 're getting meliorate, '' Albus assured her, `` You might constitute it by the time you 're a fifth year. ``

`` Yeah, that 's the peak of the junior 's club, '' Rose said, `` So you can get better. They do n't expect us all to be technical dueller. ``

`` Albus is, '' Amanda grinned, `` He 's brilliant. ``

Albus felt his face bit red, `` Well, I 'm not that great ... I mean, there are consignment of people who are proficient than me. ``

`` Not on our team, '' Amanda continued, `` He 's beat almost everyone on the team. ``

`` Yeah, everyone except Malfoy, '' Albus muttered. He still had n't managed to flummox Malfoy during their recitation duels.

`` That 's good, though ! '' blush wine sighed, `` You 're both excellent duelers, so you 've got a dependable team ! ``

Albus shrugged. He sort of would rather just be able-bodied to beat Malfoy than beat the other team, but he did n't cite anything about it.

Albus and his friends continued their talk of the town about dueling throughout breakfast and as they sat around the vernacular way afterwards. Soon, it was time for them to go down to the dueling chamber for the tournament.

They passed Filch on their way down the steps, and he was muttering to himself as usual.

`` Damn kids ... better when Umbridge was around ... wonder if she 'll come back ... she 'd let me blister them ... ''

`` I swear he 's gotten more mad over the year, '' John the Divine muttered to Albus as they passed him.

`` Dad says he 's getting senile, '' Albus whispered back.

The dueling chamber was packed with scholarly person, just like the past two tournament. Albus and Amanda squeezed their way through the crew to their usual table, where their team was sitting.

`` Hi Albus, Amanda, '' Kate greeted them. `` prepare to win ? ``

`` Definitely, '' Albus grinned.

The tournament got under way a few minutes later. It was much like the retiring two tournaments, with a lot of sitting around clip. Albus was happy that he and Amanda were on the same squad so they were capable to talk to each other in between duels.

Albus won both of his affaire d'honneur, just like the lastly two tournament. So did Malfoy and once again, Albus found that he was form of happy and variety of angry about that. Amanda won one of her duel, which Albus was very glad about. He knew half her dueling number were from nerves and the fact that she thought she would n't do well.

Rose, john, and matt each won one of their duels as well. Albus clapped for them even though they were on other team, which earned him glare from Malfoy. Albus did n't wish, though. Malfoy could pout as long as he wanted, it was n't going to stop Albus from cheering for his friends.

The points were tallied after the last affaire d'honneur and John the Evangelist 's team was declared the winner. Albus was slightly disappoint, but there were still three more tournaments before the final examination. Harry announced the point total for the entire year and Rose 's team was in first-class honours degree place so far. In secondment was the team led by Hufflepuff St. Paul Galivant and in third was John 's team, led by Albus 's full cousin Bradley.

Albus did n't think that the inter-house dueling was decreasing the rivalry between planetary house. Albus was n't anymore fond of the Slytherins than he had been in the beginning of the twelvemonth. None of the Slytherins really got along with the Gryffindors on his team, and frailty versa. He was n't exactly sure how it was working with the regular dueling guild, but he had overheard Francis Edgar Stanley complaining about how disobliging the Slytherins on his team were. But that was month ago and he did n't know what had been going on with it recently.


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, Denas, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan296, Miguel, Luke, and mischiefmaker09 for their reviews !

I wrote my first Marauders Era story, English Effects May Include Gratitude and Feelings of Well Being, which is a one-shot from lady Pomfrey 's level of opinion. It 's on my author varlet, if you 're interest. I 'd do it it if you read and reviewed it !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


matte 's birthday was a few day after the Dueling Tournament. Albus and his admirer did n't hold him a party like they had finally year. That had mostly been done to cheer him up since he had been in the Hospital offstage at the time. This year they went down to the kitchens and got a cake, and then ate it in their hall. Kaden went with him and was amazed by the kitchens, with all the house-elves around. His reaction was curious to watch than Amanda 's the former year. He stood there with his sassing one-half open and then ran around grabbing as much food as possible.

By the time the Quidditch match arrived the take after Saturday, Albus was utterly exhausted. Between Quidditch practice and preparation, he hardly had anytime to catch some Z's. throw away in a trip down to the kitchens for mat 's birthday after Quidditch exercise the other night, and Albus was ready to sleep through an entire day.

Albus yawned, got out of bed, and looked out the windowpane. He had been hoping that the raging blizzard would consume let up, but it had n't. wondrous, he thought, James would n't be catching the snitch quickly in this weather.

A few hour later, Albus bade his friends goodbye and headed down to the changing rooms at the Quidditch pitch. His friends had bundled themselves up in as much scarlet and gold wearable as they owned and were ready to huddle against the howling hint for a few hours of Quidditch. King John, Matt, and Amanda did n't seem to bear in mind the conditions at all and were excited about the equal. rose, on the early hired hand, clearly would have rather spent the afternoon in the castle studying. Kaden still liked football better than Quidditch and Albus had a tactual sensation he would n't have minded the storm if he was watching a football game game.

`` Ok ! '' Empire State of the South shouted a few minutes after Albus entered the changing rooms, `` Everyone come over here ! ``

`` I know the weather is n't ideal, '' Georgia began once everyone was gathered around her, `` But we 've played in worse than this ! ``

`` Yeah, if you count that photoflood we played in during third year, '' Fred muttered, `` But early than that .... ''

Georgia glared at Fred, `` Anyway, we 're playing Hufflepuff, so we 'll win. harpist 's still captain, but it 's her last year, so she 'll be idle set on getting the Cup. That means she 'll induce trained her team even harder. They 've got a new keeper, though. soul named sixpence Royce. He 's a fifth year. other than him, the team 's the same as last year. So, with that, get out there and give up some badger ass ! ``

Albus grinned to himself as he picked up his broom and started to take the air to the doorway. Georgia was a outstanding captain, but was n't very much for long wreathe delivery.

`` Albus, '' Georgia whispered and put her mitt on his shoulder.

`` Yeah ? ``

`` You 're, er, less nervous this couple, right ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' Albus smiled, remembering how he had told her he was extremely nervous the death match. In world, he 'd been too preoccupied with the new map. for sure, he 'd been a niggling nervous, but not as much as Georgia thought he had been. This match, however, he was n't nearly as distracted, although he still was a bit aflutter. `` I 'm a bit queasy, but not as much. ``

`` Good, '' Peach State grinned and walked out the door and onto the pitch.

Albus followed his first cousin onto the pitch and was immediately hit by the emphatic winds that were prevailing.

`` Welcome to the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff compeer ! '' Todd smith 's voice sounded over the pitch. It sounded syncope and sort of far away in the lead. `` It 's blinking cold out here so let 's shit it warm !

`` Here are the Gryffindors ! Captain Georgia Weasley, followed by Ryan O'Malley, Albus Potter, Saint James the Apostle potter, Omar Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Calluna vulgaris Weasley !

`` And the Hufflepuffs ! maitre d' Jessica harper, followed by Shawn Ames, Lisa Galivant, Andy Kaper, Stacey Manson, Anna Reilly, and Tanner Royce ! ``

professor Oteski motioned for Georgia and Harper to judder hands and as soon as they did so, Albus and the rest of the players rose into the air. Oteski released the lump and broom immediately took possession of the Quaffle.

`` And Calluna vulgaris 's got the Quaffle ! She passes to Fred, then back to Scots heather, and to Albus. ``

Albus caught the Quaffle and started flying towards the Hufflepuff goal. He was amazed that he had actually caught it since the weather was so frightful. He could hardly see two ft in social movement of him. His robes were already soaked with Snow and ice and he was frigidly cold. Nevertheless, he kept flying towards the finish until he had to stop poor and toss the Quaffle back to ling, since he almost flew straight into an oncoming Hufflepuff chaser.

broom caught the Quaffle and flew it the rest of the way to the goal. She threw it in and it easily went past Hufflepuff 's new Keeper.

`` Goal ! Ten-zero Gryffindor ! Now hurry up and becharm that sneaker, James ! I 'm freezing my bloody- ''

`` Smith ! '' Patil shouted, `` follow your language ! ``

`` Sorry, prof. ``

The Quaffle was now back in play and was in Hufflepuff willpower. Albus was n't even sure which chaser had it, but he knew it was a Hufflepuff. Whichever Hufflepuff had the Quaffle managed to take it to the Gryffindor goal, but Georgia saved it.

Fred took the Quaffle and flew it back to the other end of the sales pitch, scoring another goal for Gryffindor.

The game continued this way for the next half 60 minutes. Hufflepuff managed to score two goals, but Gryffindor scored about eight. Albus currently had the Quaffle and was flying straight at the Hufflepuff goals.

He narrowly avoided a bludger and both Hufflepuff beaters, but soon he was within throwing distance of the goals. He faked to the right and then threw the Quaffle at the left hoop. Royce tried to save it, but he was n't nimble enough.

`` end ! Albus ceramist has scored against Hufflepuff ! The score is now 90-20 Gryffindor ! ``

Albus was ecstatic. That was the first goal he had ever scored in a Quidditch compeer. Up until now, all he 'd done were assist. Albus took a victory lap around the pitch shot and then caught the Quaffle from Heather.

Albus managed to mark another end and Heather scored two more in the next half hour of the mates. Hufflepuff scored a few more end, but were still far behind. By now, Albus was sure as shooting he had turned into an icicle and was getting a bit brainsick of flying around in the frigidity. He was even getting a bit of a concern from it. Albus was n't even sure if he 'd bang if James or Galivant caught the snitcher, due to the increasingly bad profile and snowfall. The snowstorm seemed to be getting worse by the minute. If Hogwarts actually called off Quidditch, they would have called it off a spell ago.

A few min later, cheers broke out in the stands and Albus was sure someone must receive caught the stool pigeon. He was very happy to down his broom and knew he 'd be even happier when he finally got into the quick green room.

The remainder of his team was shouting in gloating and were surrounding James. He must take in caught the Snitch, Albus thought. The rest of the Gryffindors were swarming the pitch and soon Saint James the Apostle was lifted onto a few multitude 's articulatio humeri. Albus joined the throng of his sign and started his way back to the rook.

On his way back to the common room, numerous mass stopped him in society to plume him on the win. Albus was thrilled that they had won, but all he really wanted to do was find out his ally and get into some warm robes. James loved the attention he got after winning a Quidditch compeer, but Albus could take it or leave it. Right now, he could get out it since his headache was getting worse.

The party in the common way was just getting started when Albus entered a few proceedings later. Someone must ingest snuck down to the kitchens because there was an total table filled with food. person else had obviously gotten into Hogsmeade because just about everyone had a butterbeer in their hand.

Somebody shoved a butterbeer into Albus 's hand as he made his way through the crowd. James II was in the thick of it as usual and was rehashing how he caught the Snitch.

`` And I saw it lurking near one of the goal office. Galivant was on the former end of the pitch, so I knew she had no hope ... '' King James was saying to a couple of giggling girls.

The remainder of the team was nearby and were digging into the food that was on one of the tables.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Peach State shouted as he passed, `` I knew you could get over those nerves ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled as he went up the stair to his dormitory.

Albus quickly changed out of his common cold, wet robes and felt a bit better afterwards. He went back down to the park room and it was even fuller than before. It looked like all the Gryffindors had returned from the tar and the company was in full swing.

Albus found his friends sitting at their common table and they all seemed to be enjoying the party.

`` Albus ! '' John shouted as Albus sat down, `` Brilliant playing ! ``

`` Definitely, '' Matt agreed.

`` You 're quite a serious chaser, Albus, '' Rose said, `` Although I honestly do n't have a go at it why they did n't delete the mate with this blizzard ... ''

`` Cancel the lucifer ? '' can stared at her, `` Never ! ``

`` If it was football, it would 've been canceled, '' Kaden commented.

`` Yeah, because you would n't be able to run around in two feet of snow, '' whoremaster laughed, `` But Quidditch is in the air, so it does n't matter. ``

`` Will you two just depart arguing about football game ? '' Rose sighed.

`` Just trying to turn Kaden into a proper virtuoso, '' John shrugged.

`` Quidditch is hardly the definition of a proper wizard, '' Rose said, `` I believe potion brewing is a bit more crucial and I 'm sure Kaden could learn you a thing about it, Mr. Exploding Potions. ``

`` That was Goyle 's fault, '' John muttered.

`` Why do n't all three of you just renounce arguing ? '' Albus snapped. His head was pounding and listening to his champion'arguing was not helping.

`` What 's with you ? '' John asked, `` We 're not fighting anymore than formula. ``

`` Maybe it 's got to do that he 's been flying around in a snowstorm for the past two hours ? '' Rose suggested, `` If they 'd just have canceled the match- ''

`` They do n't scratch Quidditch ! '' John shouted and then turned to Matt, `` You understand this, do n't you ? ``

`` It 's true, '' lusterlessness agreed, `` Quidditch is n't ever canceled for petty matter like blizzards. ``

`` I think the weather just makes it more interesting, '' Amanda commented.

`` Not you too ! '' rosebush groaned.

`` Football 's only played in the warm month anyway, '' Kaden said, `` They would n't even schedule an outdoor football game peer in the winter. ``

`` Well that 's ho-hum, '' John replied.

Albus leaned his head on his hand and closed his eyes while trying to drown out his friends conversation. toilet, Rose, and Kaden continued to reason about the merits of Quidditch and football. matte and Amanda stayed out of it for the most part and seemed form of amused with the stallion thing. Albus was n't, though. He wished they 'd just shut out up. Albus 's chief was steadily feeling worse, like he was being hit with a bludger over and over again. Besides that, he still had n't completely warmed up from the mates and was shivering, despite his dry robes.

`` I think football would be a decent fun if it were played on Calluna vulgaris, '' John said.

`` Oh ejaculate on, John ! '' rose sighed, `` Be serious ! You ca n't play football game on Scots heather. How would you kick back the ball ? ``

`` Not to mention that Muggles play football game ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Muggles ca n't fly ! ``

`` I 'm not saying that Muggles should play football on brooms. I meant if football were ever played by hotshot, it should be done on Scots heather. ``

football on brooms, Albus thought, what an insane idea. His friend were now trying to merge football game and Quidditch.

`` Albus, are you all right ? '' flatness asked.

Albus opened his eyes and lifted his head off his hand. `` I dunno. ``

`` You do n't look that capital, '' Matt said concernedly.

toilet, blush wine, and Kaden stopped arguing and looked at Albus.

`` Yeah, you look worse than Matt does when he gets disgorge, '' Kaden said loudly.

`` Thanks, '' lusterlessness muttered.

`` Matt 's right field, '' rosebush said, `` You do calculate direful, Albus. ``

`` I 've got a headache, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You should go see lady Pomfrey, '' Kaden told him.

`` I think I 'll just go to bed, '' Albus got up from his hot seat, `` I have n't really slept much the past few nights. I 'm probably just tired. ``

Albus stumbled over to the dormitory door, feeling worse than he had a few minutes ago. He collapsed into his bed and fell asleep minutes later.

******

Albus awoke with a start and he was n't sure how very much time had passed since he went to kip. He still felt extremely tired and his heading still hurt. He groaned and closed his eyes again, wanting only to log Z's for a few 24-hour interval straight.

right when he was about to be adrift off again, person threw the drapery back and Albus 's bed was flooded in light.

`` Ugh, '' Albus groaned and covered his eyes with his manus. `` What was that for ? ``

`` You 've slept almost an entire day, '' someone said.

Albus moved his hands and slowly opened his eyes. Saint John was standing over his bed with a look of concern on his grimace.

`` And I 'd care to sleep a bit Thomas More if you do n't take care, '' Albus mumbled.

`` You slept through dinner conclusion Nox, and breakfast and tiffin today. Are n't you hungry ? ``

`` Not really. ``

`` Are you sure you 're ok ? '' privy asked, `` pink wine sent me up here to check on you. ``

Honestly, Albus was n't sure enough he was ok. He could n't remember the last time he had slept an entire day. But right now all he wanted was for John to go away so he could sleep some more.

`` I 'll be exquisitely once I sleep some more, '' Albus replied and rolled over away from privy.

`` If you 're sure, '' John said quietly and closed the curtains.

It did n't take Albus long to fall back asleep. He had some strange dreams that involved shimmy telling him his broom broke and he 'd have to play Quidditch without it by running around on the ground. Then, instead of a Quaffle, the match was played with a football.

Albus woke up briefly after one of these dreams, only to find that the student residence was wickedness. He could hear Ethan 's mute snoring and an owl hooting international. Unfortunately, he did n't feel any break than he had when John woke him up. In fact, he now felt worse. Every one of his brawniness were aching, like he had fallen from his Calluna vulgaris during the match. But Albus could n't call up falling from his ling. When had the match been anyway ? Yesterday or the day before ? Albus could n't even remember and he did n't even know what day it was currently.

`` Albus ! '' soul shouted. Albus was dreaming about Quidditch again and someone was hitting him with their beater 's bat.

`` Quit it, '' Albus mumbled.

`` Albus, are you all right ? ``

`` Go away, '' Albus said, `` And stop smacking me with that beater 's bat. ``

`` Beater 's bat ? '' they repeated, `` That 's it, I 'm getting professor Potter. ``

`` I 'll go, '' someone else said, `` You stay here with him. ``

Whoever had been hitting Albus with the bat had stopped, and he was grateful. Empire State of the South had taken the bat away and was now yelling at its possessor. Then she announced that they would be playing football instead of Quidditch. James complained loudly, since there were n't any searcher in football.

`` Albus, wake up ! ``

`` I think Kaden said you 'll birth to play demurrer, James, '' Albus mumbled in his sleep. `` There is n't a Snitch in football. ``

`` Hang on, Albus, John 's getting your dad. ``

`` My dad ? He 'll have to play denial, too. ``

`` What 's haywire ? '' somebody new shouted.

`` He 's been sleeping since after the match, professor Potter. I think he 's sick. ``

`` Since after the match ? ``

`` Er, yeah. We thought he was just tired, but he 's been sleeping for two days. ``

`` The match ? '' Albus muttered, `` Did we beat Slytherpuff yet ? ``

Albus felt himself being lifted out of his bed and into someone 's arms. He rested his head on their shoulder and shivered as his blanket fell back onto the bed. Albus fell back into a cryptical eternal sleep and next woke up as he was being laid down on another bed.

Albus heard citizenry talking all around him, but he could n't cook out what they were saying. someone poured a few disgusting potions down his throat and forced him to immerse them. There was more murmur around him, but Albus soon drifted off to sleep again.

The elbow room was quieter when Albus next woke up. He opened his heart and looked around. Where was he ? Albus was certain he had fallen asleep in his dormitory, but now it looked as if he was in the infirmary Wing. The seat was nearly deserted, save for Madam Pomfrey sitting at her desk. Albus yawned and tried to sit up, but he was still dizzy. The honorable thing was that his head felt much dear. However, his soundbox still ached.

ma'am Pomfrey looked up from her desk and got up once she saw that Albus was awake. She grabbed a few bottles and put them on a tray, which she then carried over to Albus 's bed and set it on the bedside table.

`` trade good, you 're up, '' dame Pomfrey said as she poured one of the potions into a cup, `` You gave us all quite a fright. ``

`` What metre is it ? '' Albus asked, still confused about what he was doing there.

`` Just after six o'clock. ``

`` Er, and what day ? ``

`` Monday, '' the nursemaid said as she thrust the cup under Albus 's nose, `` Drink that. ``

Albus downed the potion quickly, `` Yuck. It 's really Monday ? I 've missed classes ? ``

`` I 'd say so. ``

`` Er, what exactly happened ? I mean, I went to bed in my dormitory and now I 'm here ... ''

`` You 're ill, '' Madam Pomfrey said, `` You 've caught the flu. Your admirer told me you slept for almost two days and then they went to get your father since you were n't getting any better and had started becoming excited. You 've been here since around dejeuner clip. ``

`` Oh. Well, how recollective do I have to stay ? ``

`` Another two daylight, probably, '' ma'am Pomfrey told him. `` Now I want you to drink these early two potions and eat that sports stadium of soup. ``

Albus nodded and dame Pomfrey strode back over to her desk. Albus thought back and could vaguely think back being taken out of his hall, but it was only a foggy computer memory. The stopping point thing he could really think back well was the Quidditch mate. He was very felicitous he had n't fallen ill before the match.

No Sooner had Albus drank the first potion that the doors to the infirmary Wing swung exposed and John, Matt, pink wine, and Amanda came bursting through. Madam Pomfrey got up quickly from her desk and met them halfway.

`` Is Albus awake ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yes, he 's only just woken up. I suppose you can chat him for a few minutes. But calmly ! He needs to rest ! ``

`` Albus ! '' rose wine shrieked when she ran over to his bed, `` Thank Merlin you 're all right-hand ! ``

`` How are you ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Doing ameliorate ? '' John asked.

`` well, '' Matt said with a one-half smile on his blench face, `` This is a switch. ``

Albus grinned at him, `` Yeah, ca n't really remember a clock time where it was you visiting me here. ``

`` What exactly have you got anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Flu, '' Albus answered, `` But I 'm getting better. Not nearly as tired as before. ``

`` I would hope so, '' John the Evangelist smirked, `` You slept two daylight. ``

`` I 'll probably sleep another two, '' Albus said, `` Pomfrey said I 've got to stay on another two days. ``

`` We 'll be here together, then, '' flatness replied.

Albus looked at his friend, who was looking a bit exhausted himself. `` When 's the full moon again ? ``

`` Tomorrow, '' Matt sighed.

`` Did you take that new potion ? '' Albus asked.

Matt nodded, `` Yeah, and I 'm more knackered than usual. ``

`` He fell asleep in account of legerdemain and almost fell asleep in Potions, '' King John said.

`` Well, you did n't kip through two whole days like I did, '' Albus pointed out.

`` I 've done it before. I 've slept through more than two days actually. I think four is my record. ``

`` All rightfield ! '' brothel keeper Pomfrey announced, `` Time for you lot to be off to bed, especially you, matte. And Albus needs to breathe. ``

`` See you tomorrow, '' Albus said as his protagonist left the room.

`` Sure will, '' Matt replied.

Albus slept on and off throughout the Night and the next morn. He was still tired, but felt much better when he woke up late the side by side morning. His dad had stopped by earlier before class, but Albus fell back asleep after he left.

Madam Pomfrey was fussing over him and giving him legion potions to pledge. Albus was the only if patient role in the integral Mrs. Humphrey Ward, so the nanny 's fussing was all focused on him.

The nurse had been giving Albus what must ingest been his 10th glass of water that morning when the doors to the ward opened. lusterlessness stumbled inside and walked shakily over to the bed next to Albus 's. He collapsed onto it and winced in pain.

madam Pomfrey immediately put down the weewee pitcher and descended upon Matt.

`` You 're here earlier than usual, '' she said as she felt his head, `` And you 're burning up. ``

`` Why are you here earlier ? '' Albus asked once gentlewoman Pomfrey had gone to get another potion.

`` Tired, '' Matt mumbled, `` fell asleep in denial and your dad told me to follow here. ``

`` Is it the new potion ? ``

`` Yeah, it does n't exactly facilitate much, does it ? ``

`` I thought you said they were going to rule something to undermine the contribution of it that makes you tired, '' Albus said.

`` They are, they just have n't found it yet. ``

`` Oh. ``

gentlewoman Pomfrey returned a moment later and gave Matt a few potions. He drank them and was asleep minutes later. Albus was n't really hackneyed, but he fell asleep anyway out of lack of anything else to do.

John, Rose, and Amanda stopped by after dinner party to see Albus and matt, but Madam Pomfrey did n't let them quell long. matt had been asleep anyway. Shortly after their friends left, Madam Pomfrey woke Matt up and took him down to the Whomping Wilow.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to Moonylupin, potterfan296, Miguel, Luke, and Denas for their revaluation !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


When Albus awoke the next good morning, he felt much better. In fact, he felt mostly pattern. He was n't achy anymore and his head felt better as well. He hungrily ate all the breakfast lady Pomfrey provided.

The Lapplander could n't be said for matt, who was looking a good deal forged than the late day. He was either asleep or unconscious, Albus was betting on the latter, and he had numerous cuts and scrapes on his fount. His compensate arm and brow were covered in a large bandages.

`` So when can I go out ? '' Albus asked as gentlewoman Pomfrey performed some sort of charm on Matt.

`` Later today, most potential, '' she said after she 'd finished her incantation.

Albus sighed. He had been hoping he 'd be able to allow that cockcrow. He was starting to find incredibly bored with the hospital Wing, although not bored enough to bug out the homework Rose had brought the previous evening.

Albus spent the end of the dawn drifting in and out of quietus out of lack of anything else to do. madam Pomfrey gave him a few More smutty degustation potions and lunch, which Albus ate ravenously. After going two days without food, he was starving.

The doors to the hospital flank opened just as Albus was finishing his tiffin. lavatory, Rose, and Amanda walked inside and immediately headed for Albus 's bed. dame Pomfrey was in her office and did n't seem to notice the visitors.

`` Hey, how are you ? '' Rose asked.

`` Bored, '' Albus replied.

`` That 's upright, '' blush wine grinned.

`` Are you advantageously now ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Pretty much. Madam Pomfrey wo n't let me leave until later, though. wish she 'd let me leave now. ``

`` She just wants to make sure as shooting you 're completely better, '' Rose said, `` And it 's not like you 're missing class since this is our afternoon off. ``

`` Exactly ! '' lav sighed, `` He could be doing very much better poppycock on his afternoon off if he was n't here. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Like figuring out the new map. ``

`` How are we going to do that anyway ? '' John asked.

`` Go to the library, '' Albus replied, `` We 've got to wait for fashion of proving who we are. ``

John groaned, `` And I doubt there will just be a book titled Prove Who You Are to a opus of sheepskin. ``

`` Probably not, '' Rose laughed. `` But we 'll find out somehow. ``

`` Making anymore progress on the charm for Kaden ? '' Albus asked.

`` A bit, yeah. I tried it again last night on John and this metre he could n't even move his mouth like last time. Now I 've just got to figure out how to necessitate other citizenry in the mystery. ``

`` And then all we 've got to do is win over Matt that the magical spell is foolproof, '' John said.

Everyone glanced over at Matt 's bed, where he was still sleeping.

`` He been at rest all day ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said, `` Ever since I 've been awake. ``

lustrelessness groaned and opened his eyes, `` You lot here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' whoremaster replied, `` How are you ? ``

`` Horrible, '' matt said flatly, `` My head is killing me. Were you talking about me ? ``

`` A bit, '' John said, `` Just about that charm for Kaden. We 're going to get working on the map once you two are out of here. Got to find some way to prove to it that we 're like the Marauders. ``

`` auditory sensation good, '' matt yawned.

`` When do you get to leave behind ? '' Amanda asked, `` Albus is leaving later today. ``

`` No theme, '' lustrelessness said, `` Not until at least tomorrow night. power be out in time for Astronomy. ``

`` Ca n't you not be outside when the moon is close to total ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Only when it 's waxing. When it 's waning I 'm finely. ``

`` So, we 'll contrive on working on the map this weekend, then, '' Albus said. `` Unless any of you catch what I had. ``

`` Hope not, '' John said. `` Maybe Malfoy will arrest it, '' he added gleefully.

`` John, that 's not funny, '' rose scolded, `` He 'd be really be sick. ``

`` He 'd get better. Albus is fine now. ``

Albus heard a door assailable and Madam Pomfrey came strolling out of her office. She looked up and saw the crowd around Albus and lustrelessness 's layer and made a beeline for them.

`` What are you lot doing here ? '' she demanded.

`` Visiting Albus and Matt, '' Rose answered.

`` Oh, you 're awake ! '' the nurse exclaimed and went over to Matt 's bed, apparently forgetting that pink wine, John, and Amanda had burst in without her permit. `` How do you feel ? ``

`` Awful, '' flatness replied. `` My headspring damage and so does pretty much everything else. ``

`` You must have hit your point much high-risk than usual last Nox, '' Madam Pomfrey sighed, `` You had quite the concussion earlier. I 'll go get some pain potions. ``

She returned a minute later with a potion for Matt, who drank it in one gulp.

`` Now, you three have to leave, '' Madam Pomfrey said to blush wine, Gospel According to John, and mat, `` Albus will be out later and you can see him then. ``

Boredom set in for Albus shortly after his friends left. Matt had fallen back numb quickly after he took his pain potion. Albus could n't even sleep anymore because he had already slept so much that day.

******

`` What are we supposed to be looking for anyway ? '' bathroom sighed as he slammed a ledger shut.

Albus, can, Matt, blush wine, and Amanda were all crowded around a secluded tabular array in the library. It was covered in books that covered all kind of topics. The five of them had spent the last hour searching for room to prove to the new map that they were like the vulture. So far, nobody had found anything useful.

`` I do n't screw, '' Albus replied, `` Anything that might bear witness that we 're like the Marauders. ``

`` That 's not very specific, '' John muttered, `` I really do n't want to spend an entire Saturday here. ``

`` It 'll do you some thoroughly, '' pink wine said.

`` Wish we could just use that book that you used to find the other charm, '' Albus said to Rose, thinking of Flitwick 's book.

`` Me too, but it 's in the Restricted discussion section, '' Rose said.

`` Why ca n't we just get Professor potter to give us a preeminence ? Bet he would, '' Saint John said.

`` Bet he would n't, '' Albus disagreed, `` He 'd know we 're up to something. ``

`` Besides, '' rose wine interjected, `` It might not be a appeal we 're looking for. ``

`` We 're just going to have to keep looking, '' Albus said as he opened another record. `` But I 've got Quidditch practice in a half hour. ``

`` We 'll just look every prison term we can get away from Kaden, '' lustrelessness suggested.

`` Where is he anyway ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. Come to opine of it, he had n't seen Kaden since breakfast. It was sort of foreign since Kaden spent every waking present moment of his day ( when he was n't in class ) no less than four ft away from Albus.

`` There he is, '' mat pointed to somewhere behind Albus.

Albus turned around and saw his cousin running through the library with a clipboard in his hand.

`` Albus ! '' he shouted.

`` still ! '' Madam Pince shouted even louder, `` Or I 'll shed you all out ! ``

`` Albus, '' Kaden said more quietly as he sat down in an empty chairperson at their table.

Albus eyed Kaden 's clipboard but he could n't read what it said. `` Hi Kaden. ``

`` Hi, '' Kaden replied, `` Will you sign my petition ? ``

`` prayer ? '' Albus asked, `` What in the figure of Merlin are you petitioning for ? ``

`` TVs in the mutual rooms, '' Kaden grinned.

`` What ? ! '' John and lusterlessness shouted.

`` Quiet ! '' Madam Pince screeched.

Rose laughed, `` What on earth for ? ``

`` I would n't mind having a TV in the common room, '' Amanda commented.

`` Exactly, '' Kaden said, `` It 's hard enough for us Muggle-borns to adjust to Hogwarts and if we had TVs, it would make it easier. ``

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' John laughed.

`` Nope, not kidding, '' Kaden said, `` I 've got cargo of touch already. I 'm not really sure how many I 'll need, though. I figure I 'll try and get as many as I can in a few sidereal day and then afford it to professor Longbottom. ``

Albus tried to suppress his smiling, but he could n't. The idea of Kaden trying to get idiot box put into the usual rooms was just too good story. There would be no way any of the teacher would harmonize to it even if everyone in Hogwarts signed the petition.

`` So will you sign it ? '' Kaden asked, `` If this goes through, I 'll try for computers next. ``

`` Computers, '' mat laughed, `` You 're mad. ``

`` I 'll sign, '' Amanda grabbed the clipboard and quill.

`` Sure, why not ? '' Albus shrugged. It could n't pain to ratify the affair, and he was surely Kaden would n't stop bugging them unless they did.

privy and matt signed as well, although they were laughing the whole prison term. Rose signed a bit reluctantly, but she eventually gave in.

`` So what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked after blush wine finished signing.

`` Homework, '' Albus replied automatically.

Kaden stared at the heavy pile of Good Book, `` Second twelvemonth must be bally insane. ``

`` Oh, it is, '' John said, `` You wo n't have any time to watch any TV. ``

`` I 'll make clip, '' Kaden said as he stood up, `` Well, I 'm going to get more touch. ``

Albus watched as his full cousin went from mesa to table trying to get the great unwashed to sign. Some of them liked the idea and signed willingly. Others laughed until Kaden gave up and others looked at him like he was wild. Eventually, Madam Pince found out what he was doing and threw him out of the library.

`` Your cousin is the weirdest lad I 've ever met, '' Gospel According to John said after Kaden was kicked out.

`` Yeah, he is a bit strange, '' Albus agreed and closed the Quran he was reading, `` Well, I 'm off to practice session. I 'll see you lot later. ``

After practice, Albus went to the vernacular room and found his booster sitting around their common board doing homework. Unfortunately, none of them had found anything that would aid them to evidence that they were like the Marauders. Albus was beginning to inquire if they 'd ever get that map working. Even if they did detect a way to turn up they were like the piranha, what would they have got to do next ? How many thing would they have to do before they would actually be able-bodied to see the map ? Albus had no theme, but he knew the Marauders were n't going to make this easy.

******

The rest of February passed quickly. Albus and his friends continued to scour the library for any sorting of good luck charm, spell, or potion that would help oneself them in their bespeak to reveal the map. None of them found anything. Kaden thought they were all doing homework as they searched the books every weekend. rose wine was making progression with the Sileo Altus charm, but it was n't quite perfected enough to use yet. Rose was sure she 'd have got it learned by the end of the month. flatness never said much when the appeal was brought up and Albus was hoping he would still jibe to tell Kaden once rose perfected the charm.

Kaden 's petition to have televisions put into the green way was rejected shortly after he gave it to Neville. Kaden did n't seem in the least bit discourage by this. He insisted it was rejected due to lack of convincing evidence as to how the televisions would gain the students. He was planning on resubmitting it along with a elaborated essay on the subject later on in the term.

`` You know, Kaden, '' rosiness said at dinner one night, `` Even if the instructor accepted your prayer, the television system would n't even work here. There 's too often magic trick. ``

`` Oh, I 'm for sure there 's a charm that would counteract that, '' Kaden said.

`` It wo n't function, '' Matt said, `` deception just does n't match with electronics. This one meter when we were visiting my Uncle Jack in the United state, Amy accidentally broke one of the metal demodulator at the airdrome. It was n't her error or anything, the conjuration just interrupted it or something. The thing started beeping and would n't hold back until they turned it off. ``

John laughed, `` That would 've been screaming to see. ``

`` Amy did n't think so. She was mortified, '' Matt said, `` It was a while ago, before we even moved here. I think she was fourteen. ``

`` Well, I still say they could find a way, '' Kaden said.

`` Hey, aspect, '' Albus pointed to the Head table. Professor Kendrick was standing up.

`` question what he 's got to say ? '' John asked.

`` Hope it 's nothing bad, '' blush wine said.

`` He looks glad enough, '' Amanda commented.

`` May I have your attention ! '' Kendrick announced. The way fell tacit. `` Thank you. Do n't worry, I 'm not giving out bad news program. In fact, I think you 'll find this announcement most exciting. ``

There was a superior general murmur of fervor throughout the Great Hall at this. Kendrick waited for everyone to stop talking before he continued.

`` If you 'll remember at the offset of the year, when I announced the changes for the Dueling society, that that would only be one character of the House 1 endeavour. I am announcing today that the other professor and I have organized another wholeness event. It will be a scavenger hunt, with inter-house teams, of course. ``

Albus groaned. A scavenger hunt would be fun, but not if he had to do it with Slytherins. Everyone else seemed to be in agreement, because there was a general groaning throughout.

`` I know you do n't like it, but the schooling needs to be unified. Now, I will explicate the event. It will not be like a unconstipated scavenger hunt. It will take place on the next three Sat. This Saturday will be for the first of all and second age. The following will be for third base and fourth years. The last will be for fifth, sixth, and seventh class.

`` The early professors and I will be organizing the teams, which will consist of members of other age and other business firm. Each team will induce about ten members. You will get one hour to complete the tasks given.

`` You will incur a list of items to receive before this hour is up. There are rules, of class. Some of these items will be required to obtain without conjuring trick. We will be performing charm on these item and if we find that any of them were spelled, transfigured, conjured, charmed, etc. within the hour they will be disqualified.

`` However, the magpie hunt club will not only include a list of items to receive. You will also get multiple trivium sheets. These will include both wizard and Muggle trivium.

`` Finally, each team will receive a brain-teaser, which if they deceiver correctly, will lead them on a quest throughout the rook and cause. When you reach the end, there will be a bit of information that must be returned to me. If you are successful, you 'll get a 100 point bonus. However, there is also a simulated trail that will conduce you to worthless information. If that is brought back, you 'll receive no bonus.

`` I will give you a more elaborate list of rules on the day of the effect. Until then, keep your brains sharp and do n't get rid of anything you would otherwise deem useless, '' Kendrick smiled and returned to his seat.

Albus turned to his friends, `` This sounds, er, interesting. ``

`` It 's really an excellent idea, '' blush wine grinned, `` I mean, there 's no way a individual person would be capable to achieve all of it alone. It 's a nifty idea for House unity. ``

`` It 'd be better if we did n't have to team up up with Slytherins, '' bathroom muttered.

`` But what if there 's something on that list that 's in the Slytherin common way or something ? '' Rose pointed out.

John groaned, `` I guess you 're properly. ``

`` Sounds fun, though, '' Amanda said.

`` Yeah. Wonder what we get if we win ? '' matt asked.

`` Hopefully some coupons to get out of homework or something, '' John said.

`` Since when have they given away those ? '' Albus laughed.

`` Now 's the sodding clip for them to start, '' John replied.

`` I hope I 'm on your team, Albus, '' Kaden piped up.

`` That would be with child, '' Albus smiled, and he actually meant it. It sounded like there was going to be a lot of random stuff on that list and if there was anyone in the school that had loads of random material, it was Kaden.

******

The next few days seemed to cart on forever for Albus and the rest of the foremost and second geezerhood. Everyone was getting excited about the magpie hunt and the teachers were getting a bit pestered that cipher was paying attention in class.

Soon enough, Saturday arrived and Kendrick announced at lunch for all the first and moment years to remain seated after they were done eating. Once all the older student left, Kendrick got to his metrical unit once more.

`` Now, the moment you 've all been waiting for, '' Kendrick said, `` The Scavenger hunting will start out shortly. First, I have a few more regulation to go over.

`` As I said earlier in the calendar week, there are particular on this list that are not allowed to be created using magic. You may not conspire, transfigure, enchantment, or charm any of those detail. Asking an older student to do so is also against the linguistic rule. We have spells that will detect if any particular was magicked during the time of day of the scavenger hunt.

`` The items must be found within the school and yard. Hogsmeade, the Forbidden woodland, the Whomping willow tree, and Hagrid 's hut are all out of bounds and you may not search for token in or around them. You may not ask older scholar or teachers for help, nor may you owl family members or other people. However, you may ask one-time scholarly person if they have any of the particular on the list. It is up to them if they let you borrow them or not. Do not slip anything from anyone or there will be punishment. You are permitted to use the subroutine library for help with the trivia. ``

pink wine 's face lit up at that and Albus knew she would be the prescribed library researcher for her team.

`` There are going to be eight squad of approximately ten students each. Your business firm prefects have your team assignment. Teams one and two are to pucker at the Hufflepuff table, one at each end. squad three and four at the Gryffindor tabular array, five and six at Ravenclaw, and seven and eight at Slytherin. You will be given a few minutes to get organized in your teams and then the early professor will hand out the appropriate material. Each team is given one set of fabric, no more. If you lose it, tough circumstances. Now please see your prefects. ``

Albus got up from the mesa and looked around until he spotted Georgia. He and his Quaker wound their way through the crowd until they managed to get to her.

`` Hey, Albus ! '' Sakartvelo grinned and looked at her clipboard, `` Ready ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm on a good team, right ? ``

`` well, there are Slytherins on all the squad, if that 's what you mean, '' Sakartvelo laughed, `` Anyway, you 're on team Two. ``

Albus nodded and waited for his friends to get their team assignments.

GA scanned her clipboard again, `` Let 's see, pink wine is on Team One, John is on squad quatern, Matt 's on Team Two ... ''

Albus grinned at Matt. He was relieved that one of his friends was on his team. Now all he had to do was hope Malfoy was n't on his team.

`` Amanda 's on squad Four, and Kaden 's on squad Six, '' Sakartvelo looked up at them, `` Have fun. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus said and then turned to his protagonist, `` Guess we 'll see you after. proficient luck. ``

Albus and matte worked their way through the crowds to the Hufflepuff table along with rosebush. Albus was a bit disappointed that Kaden was n't on his team, but there was n't anything he could do about that. The luck were n't great that he would have two of his admirer on his same squad. He was just lucky he had one of his friends on the like team.

The Hufflepuff table was already filling with masses from team one and two. team Two was gathering at the half closest to the stave table, so Albus and Matt made their way there.

There seemed to be a fairly even turn of each house at the board. Besides Albus and Matt, there was one former Gryffindor, a first year daughter Albus had seen but did n't have sex her epithet. There were also two Ravenclaws Albus did n't know, three Hufflepuffs, and two Slytherins. Albus groaned when he saw who the Slytherins were, Felix Willinson and Leigh Montague. Leigh was Rose 's potions better half and not the sharpest quill in the box.

Felix Willinson narrowed his center when he saw Albus and Matt coming over. Albus found backside far away from him and sat down, waiting for the scavenger hunt to begin.

One of the Ravenclaws stood up a few endorsement later, `` Hi, I 'm Rachel Underwood and I 've been assigned as team captain. ``

Everyone muttered hullo to her and Rachel had everyone introduce themselves. So far, Willinson and Montague did n't seem enthused about their squad, but Rachel did n't pay any care to their animosity.

Professor Patil came over a little while later with a handful of parchment. Albus assumed they were the lean of poppycock to look for and the trivia.

`` The hunt will start in one minute ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will turn over you your tilt as soon as I say go. You 'll have one hour to be back here with as much stuff you can possibly get. ``

A instant later, Kendrick shot out a shower of downhearted Muriel Spark from his verge and Patil handed the smokestack of parchment to Rachel.

`` All right ! '' Rachel shouted as she leafed through the sheepskin, `` We need someone to decode the brain-teaser and run around to get the fillip points. ``

`` I 'll do it, '' the early Ravenclaw volunteered. Rachel nodded and handed him the parchment. He ran out of the Great manor hall while reading the riddle.

`` Ok, here 's the triviality, '' Rachel continued, `` We 've got notable Witches and Wizards, Famous Muggles, What Not To Do While Interacting With Muggles, What Do You Know About Quidditch, and What Do You recognize About Football. ``

Albus turned to lustrelessness and laughed. Kaden would surely love the football game one.

Rachel handed out the trivia to the people who thought they 'd be capable to do it. Willinson had n't taken any of the trivia tack, but Montague took the Quidditch one. Albus hoped she actually knew something about Quidditch.

`` Now we 've just got the listing of items to find, '' Rachel announced to the remaining team appendage, which were Albus, Matt, Willinson, and one of the Hufflepuffs. `` You four get started while I work on the small beer. Oh, but I 'll take care of the costumes. You 'll just sustain to don them. ``

Albus nodded and took the sheepskin from her. Costumes ? He hoped he would n't induce to assume anything too humiliating. He set it down on the table and began to read it, with everyone else looking over his shoulder.

Items Are To Be Gathered Without Magic

-holly wand
-five vomitus flavored Bertie Botts Beans
-Slytherin wearing Gryffindor robes
-Gryffindor wearing Slytherin robes
-light saber
-Dumbledore umber frog card
-twenty shoe string tied together
-Quaffle signed by Oliver Mrs. Henry Wood
-Shooting Star broomstick
-Muggle pen
-copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkein
-a Nintendo DS
-girl dressed up as Godric Gryffindor
-boy dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff
-color changing ink
-beater bat
-drum joint
-silver goblet
-Chudley carom jersey
-six Extendable Ears
-Muggle performing cards
-receipt from madam Malkins
-Argus Filch 's autograph
-the name calling of five Hogwarts house Elves
-rubber duck
-copy of Hogwarts, A story
-sneakoscope
-foe glass
-tea cozy
-Hogwarts commencement picture
-band acquired immune deficiency syndrome
-green evacuate potions bottle
-Beatles CD
-purple gloves
-Hershey 's chocolate bar
-My Little Hippogriff
-pet batrachian
-purple parchment
-two barrage fire
-tortilla chips

Albus looked up from the list and waited for everyone else to fetch up reading.

`` What the bloody infernal region is a CD ? '' Willinson asked.

`` Muggle way of listening to music, '' Albus explained, `` One of my full cousin might stimulate one. ``

`` I 've got one, '' the Hufflepuff, who Albus now knew to be Nelson Rodner, said.

`` trade good, '' Albus replied, `` Anyone else know they 've got some of this stuff ? ``

Everyone nodded.

`` Let 's go get the stuff we know we 've got and then meet back here, '' Albus said as he got up. `` Then we can work on the stuff we do n't. ``

The other three boys agreed and Albus ran out of the Great hallway with Matt. The two of them ran as fast as they could up to Gryffindor Tower.


A/N : I ca n't take deferred payment for the scavenger search idea. There is a haunt in Pennsylvania called Woodloch Pines that I go to every summer and they have scavenger James Henry Leigh Hunt like the one in this chapter. Complete with costumes, trivia, and the brain-teaser. It 's a lot of fun.

Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to St. Luke, Moonylupin, EvilChaos, potterfan296, XDNLxtlz99, drownzer, Miguel, Denas, and phoenixy friend for their brushup !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or the thought for the scavenger hunt.


`` Willinson is acting polite, '' Albus commented as they were running up a flight of stairs.

`` Yeah, '' Matt agreed, `` kind of surprising. Either he really wants to win or he 's not as confident without Malfoy. ``

`` Probably both, '' Albus said, `` Whatever the reason, we lucked out. ``

Everyone stared as Albus and lusterlessness ran into the plebeian room completely out of breath. `` Scavenger Holman Hunt, '' Albus muttered to his cousins Ben and Cedric as he ran by.

`` Excellent, '' Ben grinned, `` Ca n't expect until our turn next Saturday. ``

Bilius was also in their dormitory collecting item when Albus and Matt entered. They nodded to each other, but did n't say anything.

Albus wrenched open air his proboscis and started rifling through it. He found a bag of Bertie Botts Beans, a Dumbledore chocolate frog circuit card, his transcript of Hogwarts, A story, one extendable Ear, and the pic album he found in the attic of his house. The graduation picture in the back would crop for the Hogwarts graduation picture.

`` What have you got ? '' he asked lusterlessness once he emerged from his trunk.

`` My wand 's holly, a muggle pen, band economic aid, Chudley carom jersey, and a Nintendo DS, although I 'm not sure enough why I still bother to convey it since it does n't work here. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Let 's get back to the Great Charles Francis Hall. ``

When Albus and matt got back to the Hufflepuff table, Willinson and Rodner had already returned. There was a wad of stuff on the board between them. Albus looked through it and saw that they now had a copy of The Hobbit, colour changing ink, a beater 's bat, Muggle acting plug-in, and a sneakoscope.

`` All right, we 've got a unspoilt start, '' Albus said as he added his and flatness 's clobber to the pile. `` I guess we 'll have to ask the sometime students to borrow the respite.

`` Rodner, '' Albus began, `` You see if you can get a light sabre, a Quaffle signed by Oliver wood, a shot Star broomstick, barrel spliff, a receipt from madam Malkin 's, foe shabu, and a Beatles CD. ``

`` Sure, '' Rodner said and took off out of the room.

`` Willinson, '' Albus turned to the Slytherin, `` Go down to the kitchens and see if you can get a ash grey goblet, tortilla chips, a tea tea cosy, the public figure of five theater Elves, and a Hershey bar. ``

`` Why should I ? '' Willinson grumbled, `` Who put you in charge ? ``

`` soul 's got to do it, '' Albus told him.

`` Make Eckerton do it. ``

`` Him and I are getting the rest, '' Albus replied, `` If you want to win, you 'll get the stuff. ``

`` fine, '' Willinson muttered and left the Great Hall.

`` Ok, that leaves the shoe lace, hollow green potions bottle, empurple baseball glove, a My Little Hippogriff, a toad, purple lambskin, a rubber duck, two batteries, and five more extendible auricle. Oh, and Filch 's autograph. ``

`` We 'll do that one go, '' Matt shuddered. `` We can probably just go back to the common room and ask if anyone 's got this stuff. ``

`` good idea, '' Albus agreed.

The two male child set off at a run back to their common room. Luckily it was still packed with students and some of them grinned as Albus and Matt entered.

`` How 's it going ? '' Ben asked.

`` commodity, '' Albus grinned back, `` But we 've got a bunch of stuff to find. Listen up everyone ! '' he shouted.

The full coarse elbow room quieted and turned to Albus. Albus was momentarily shocked that everyone actually stopped what they were doing to pay aid to him.

`` Er, we 're doing the scavenger hunt and need some stuff. Has anyone got a My Little Hippogriff, purpleness gloves, a salientian, purpleness sheepskin, a India rubber duck's egg, bombardment, or Extandable auricle ? Also, we need twenty shoe laces. I promise we 'll return it all once we 're done. ``

About half the scholarly person got up and went up to their dormitories. A few minutes later they came back down with various items for Albus. He managed to borrow a rubber duck, purplish parchment, and a few extendable Ears. Plus he got at least twenty shoe laces.

`` That worked well, '' Albus said as he and Matt left the room.

`` I 'd say so, '' Matt agreed, `` Now Filch 's autograph. This ought to be fun. ``

Albus smacked his hand to his forehead, `` I should have grabbed the map ! ``

Albus groaned and ran back to the green elbow room. Everyone laughed as he ran up to his student residence and back down to the common room. Albus ignored them and pointed his wand to the map. A few seconds later he saw that Filch was lurking near the library.

Albus and Matt took off for the library and spotted Filch a few chiliad away from the doorway.

`` How are we supposed to ask him ? '' Albus whispered.

`` No estimate, '' matt said back.

Albus 's heart sped up as he got closer to the old caretaker. `` Er, Mr. Filch ? '' he asked.

Filch startled and turned around. He saw Albus and smirked. `` thrower. Up to no good again ? In demand of another detention, perhaps ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, `` Actually, I was just, er, well, we 're doing this scavenger hunt. Maybe Kendrick told you about it. It 's to promote Inter House wholeness and we have to observe all this clobber throughout the castle and- ''

`` We need your autograph, '' Matt interrupted, holding a small-arm of sheepskin and the Muggle pen in his outstretched hand.

Filch stared at them and then started muttering to himself. `` Do n't see why I should bother ... educatee never do anything for me ... ''

Nevertheless, Filch took the pen and scribbled his epithet onto the purple parchment. He thrust it wordlessly back into matt 's hand and shuffled off down the corridor.

`` That went near than expected, '' mat said.

`` Yeah, thanks. I could n't really figure out how to ask him. ``

`` I figured, '' Matt grinned, `` Anyway, we still need a few things. Hey, Kendrick never mentioned anything about the room. Do you think we could just ask it for the rest of this ? ``

Albus wondered why he had n't thought of that. It almost seemed like cheat, but Kendrick never said anything. `` That 's magnificent ! ``

The two of them set off for the Room, but when they got there, there was a Hufflepuff prefect milling around right in front of the room. Albus slowly walked back and Forth in front of it, keeping an eye on the prefect.

He was about to make his 3rd walk, when the prefect stopped him. `` Sorry, '' he said, `` You ca n't go in there if you 're in the pack rat hunt. Kendrick 's rule. ``

Albus sighed, `` All right. ``

`` Of row, '' Matt muttered as they left, `` Kendrick could n't denote that dominion because then everyone would find out about the room. Oh, well. What have we got left ? ``

Albus handed Matt the list and he looked it over for a few seconds. `` Hey, I know ma'am Pomfrey 's got gullible potions bottleful. ``

`` Let 's go, '' Albus said, `` We 'd better haste, there 's only fifteen minutes left. ``

They made it to the infirmary Wing in phonograph recording time. Albus pushed the threshold loose and walked in, followed by Matt.

`` I 've got affected role to incline to ! '' brothel keeper Pomfrey was shouting at a Ravenclaw offset class, `` I have n't got sentence for this scavenger hunt nonsense ! You 're the 5th person I 've had come in here looking for potions nursing bottle and circle aids ! I have n't got any ! ``

The girl nodded and ran quickly out of the way, completely ignoring Albus and Matt as she went.

`` Er, she says she has n't got any, '' Albus whispered.

`` I know she does, '' matt whispered back, `` Let me just ask her. ``

Albus shrugged and followed Matt over to the nanny, who was bent over one of the beds.

`` how-do-you-do, gentlewoman Pomfrey, '' lusterlessness greeted her.

Madam Pomfrey turned around and her irritated side softened immediately when she saw Matt.

`` howdy, lusterlessness, honey. Are you all right ? You look a bit flushed, '' brothel keeper Pomfrey said and put her hand to his forehead.

`` I 'm fine, '' Matt assured her, `` I 've just been running around working on the scavenger search. ``

`` Not you, too, '' madam Pomfrey sighed and then noticed Albus, `` Oh and Albus as well. ``

`` Yeah, '' mat said, `` We were just wondering if you might have an void green potions feeding bottle. ``

The nursemaid sighed and walked over to her potions cabinet. `` I suppose. Just be sure to return it. ``

Albus watched in shock as she returned with the precise token they were looking for. lusterlessness grinned at Albus and took the bottle.

`` Thanks, '' mat smiled.

Madam Pomfrey shook her caput, `` No trouble. Have fun, boys. ``

`` We will, '' Matt said as he turned to leave the room.

Albus followed him out the door, still in shock that the nursemaid had actually given them the bottleful when she had yelled at that initiative year only minutes ago.

`` You 're certainly on her commodity English, '' Albus muttered after they left the room.

`` One of the few perks of being there once a month, '' Matt said dryly.

`` We 'd better get back to the Great Hall, '' Albus said as he looked at his watch.

Albus and matt ran as fast as they could back to where their team was. The ease of the team was working hard to finish the remaining trifle. Rachel herself was dressed up as Godric Gryffindor, complete with a fake byssus. Rodner was dressed up as Helga Hufflepuff.

However, neither was as singular as what Willinson was wearing. He was decked out in Gryffindor all right, with robes, a scarf, and a 'Loyal Gryffindor'hat. Albus could hardly stifle his laughter.

`` Do n't say a word, potter, '' Willinson growled.

`` Albus ! '' Rachel shouted, `` You 've got to raiment up as a Slytherin ! The robes I 've got are too big for lusterlessness and Abby. '' Rachel pointed to the early Gryffindor on the team.

Albus groaned and Willinson burst out laughing. Albus reluctantly put on the Slytherin robe, scarf, and 'Slytherins Are Best'hat. It would only be for a few transactions and if it helped them win ....

Albus did feel a bit unknown in the Slytherin robes. He could n't avail but cerebrate back to his sorting and how the hat had wanted to put him in Slytherin at first. If it had, he would be wearing these robes all the time. He might have even been Thomas More friendly with Malfoy at first. He probably would n't have really befriended John, lusterlessness, or Amanda if he 'd been in Slytherin. Albus shook the thought from his head and concentrated on the fact that he was just wearing the robes to aid his team win.

Rachel took stock of the items on the tilt as Matt tied all the shoelaces together. It turns out that the but things they were missing were the brightness level cavalry sword, Quaffle signed by Oliver Ellen Price Wood, Shooting principal broomstick, foe field glass, Hershey 's bar, toad, and one battery. Rachel thought that was pretty good.

The other Ravenclaw returned a minute later and told everyone that he had finished the riddle pursuit and had managed to get the bonus percentage point.

`` meter is up ! '' Kendrick announced, `` The professors will be around soon to assure your inclination. They will also pull together your trivia bed sheet which will be marked later today. The succeeder will be announced at dinner tonight. ``

Patil came over to Albus 's team a few moments later and looked over their tilt. She took a picture of the four people who were dressed up, much to Albus 's dismay. Now there would be permanent evidence of his Slytherin moment. As soon as the motion-picture show was taken, Albus took off the robe and he noticed Willinson doing the same.

`` Ok, '' Patil announced as she gathered up the while of lambskin, `` You can leave. Please come back anything you borrowed. ``

Albus and Matt gathered up their hooey as well as everything they 'd borrowed from various Gryffindors. They stopped by the hospital flank to return the bottle and then headed back to their coarse room.

The two of them passed out everyone 's material and then went to sit down at their common tabular array. Rose, John, Amanda, and Kaden joined them shortly.

`` That was fun, '' rose said as she sat down.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` Even though we were with Slytherins. Willinson was n't too bad. ``

`` That 's good, '' John said, `` I caught a coup d'oeil of him in the Gryffindor robes. Priceless. ``

`` Yeah, I thought so. Until I had to put on the Slytherin ones, '' Albus replied.

John burst out laughing, `` I wish I 'd seen that ! ``

`` You 'll be able to, '' Albus told him, `` Patil took a picture. ``

`` Excellent. ``

`` Did n't any of you lot have to set up ? '' Albus asked.

`` I was Helga Hufflepuff, '' Saint John the Apostle said.

`` And I was Godric Gryffindor, '' Amanda added.

`` How did everyone do on the list of stuff to find oneself ? '' Matt asked.

`` I 'm pretty for sure my team was the entirely one with a light saber ! '' Kaden said excitedly, `` I 'm so gladiolus I decided to bring in it. ``

`` We did all right wing, '' Rose shrugged, `` Missed a lot of stuff, but I think we did well in the trivia. ``

`` Of track you did, '' John grinned. `` Hey, did anyone manage to find the potions bottle ? Slughorn did n't ingest any light-green ones and Madam Pomfrey looked ready to hex me when I asked her. It 's not really fair that Kendrick put something on there that was unacceptable to get. ``

Albus grinned at matt, who grinned back.

`` What ? '' Gospel According to John asked.

`` We got it, '' Matt told him.

`` How ? '' Kaden asked, `` Madam Pomfrey was downright scarey when I asked her. May have been because she was busy fixing someone 's break-dance arm, but still .... ''

`` matt asked her and she gave him one, '' Albus explained.

flatness shrugged, `` simpleton, really. ``

John sighed, `` Well, you 're probably the only one in the schooling who could get it. She 'd probably pay you whatever you asked for. ``

`` Why ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

`` Sorry, not telling, '' bathroom replied.

Kaden sighed, `` Oh, part of that whole enigma I ca n't know about ? ``

`` Yeah, '' John said and then changed the subject, `` Hey, did any of you do the riddle matter ? ``

`` I did, '' rosiness said, `` Want to hear it ? ``

`` Of course, '' Gospel According to John said.

`` Ok, I 'll see if you can get it. I thought it was a bit simple, really, '' Rose said. She pulled a piece of parchment out of her robes and read off of it.

'' 'In an case known by thaumaturgist worldwide
Where good and evilness are forced to collide
A dreadful force-out can now no longer repose.
A place where just one portion of Voldemort died .'''

Albus looked at John, Matt, and Amanda and shrugged. He did n't suppose it was simple, but blush wine was dear at those kind of things.

`` No musical theme, '' John announced.

`` Dunno, '' matt shrugged.

`` Hmm, '' Amanda muttered.

`` Do n't attend at me, '' Kaden said.

`` The Great Hall ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the place where Voldemort died.

`` Nope, '' Rose grinned, `` That was the conjuring trick part. It 's actually that monument outside, where prof Longbottom killed Voldemort 's Hydra. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus groaned, `` Of course ! Did n't even reckon of that. ``

`` How long did it read you to image it out ? '' Matt asked.

`` Not long, '' Rose smiled, `` But then I had to take after the clues to find out the bit of data to make Professor Kendrick. ``

`` And where was that ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Library, '' Rose grinned, `` Herbology section. ``

`` Wonder how many squad got it, '' Albus thought aloud.

`` Well, my squad did, obviously, '' Rose said, `` And you said your team did, Albus. What about you two ? ``

`` We did n't, '' John sighed and Amanda shook her head.

`` We did, '' Kaden put in.

`` Guess we 'll retrieve out this night how everyone did, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, '' rosebush agreed, `` But I 'm not going to consider about it now. Might as well get some homework done. ``

Albus managed to get half an essay done before dinner. pink wine wrote an integral essay and did a set of homework interrogative sentence. lustrelessness helped Amanda with her Astronomy and still got his Herbology done. John and Kaden on the early hand, spent he rest of the afternoon goofing off and playing chess.

The excitation was running richly in the Great dormitory during dinner party that evening. Everyone was comparing what they managed to bump during the pack rat Hunt. Albus kept glancing up to the stave table to see when Kendrick would stimulate the announcement, but he seemed to be waiting until the last minute to do so.

After what seemed like forever, Kendrick got to his feet. `` Good evening, everyone. I hope all the first and second old age enjoyed the Scavenger Leigh Hunt. It was certainly a achiever and I 'm sure the former students will look forward to their turns.

`` And, without any further waiting, I shall announce the effect. The first, second base, and third place squad will all be awarded laurel wreath.

`` In third place, with 572 full stop, Team Two ! '' Kendrick announced, `` Will the extremity of Team Two please come in up here. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus shouted and jumped up, `` third gear place, that 's not bad ! ``

`` Yeah, I 'd say that 's pretty good, '' lusterlessness grinned and followed Albus up to the staff table.

Albus and Matt joined the rest period of their team in front of the faculty table. Kendrick put a bronze medal over each of their neck and pulled out a camera. He took a few moving picture and then told them to reelect to their seats.

Rose, Amanda, John, and Kaden congratulated Albus and Matt as they sat back down. A few of Albus 's cousin-german patted him on the backrest and told him good job.

`` Excellent, Albus, '' James II grinned, `` But my squad will get first place next hebdomad. ``

`` I 'll conceive it when I see it, '' Albus rolled his eyes.

`` And in 2nd place, with 580 points, is Team Seven ! '' Kendrick announced.

The phallus of squad VII ran up to the staff table to get their ash grey medals and have their picture taken.

`` And in start berth, with 673 distributor point, is Team Six ! '' Kendrick shouted. `` Congratulations to the winning team ! ``

`` Woohoo ! '' Kaden stood up and started jumping up and down as he ran up to the staff table, `` Yes ! ``

`` Wow, who would 've thought that, '' rosiness grinned, `` Kaden 's team won. ``

`` Well, he does have a very orotund amount of random poppycock in his dormitory, '' Albus commented.

`` I 'll bet it was the illumination saber that put his team over the border, '' John shook his pass, `` I mean, I think his team was the only one to get it. ``

`` Probably, '' Albus shrugged.

`` I ca n't believe I won ! '' Kaden shouted as he sat back down with his big gold medal a few hour later.

`` Congratulations, '' Albus grinned, `` At to the lowest degree one of us got firstly place. ``

`` We were so close to second, '' Matt groaned, `` ogdoad measly points ! ``

`` Well, third 's just, '' John muttered, `` Better than not getting a medal at all. ``

`` Oh, John, it 's just a game, '' Amanda said, `` The point is that we all had fun. ``

`` Congratulations to our winning squad and everyone else that participated, '' Kendrick said, `` I will be looking forward to the succeeding round, one-third and one-fourth eld, a workweek from today ! ``

Albus hung his bronze decoration from his bed post before he went to bed that night. He crawled beneath the covers feeling very content with tierce billet. He had n't really been expecting to win at all. The Scavenger Holman Hunt had been a lot of fun, and Albus hoped Kendrick would take hold it again sometime. It had been so much fun, that Albus had n't even thought about the new map the entire day. He made a mental bank note to ask rosebush about the Sileo Altus charm the side by side day. They would suffer to state Kaden about everything soon if they wanted to ready anymore forward motion on the map. Plus, they 'd throw to research more about how to essay to the map that they really were like the Marauders.


A/N : Bit of a shorter chapter, but the previous one was longer, so it evens out. Kaden has proved that it never hurts to have a light saber, a lesson that my brother agrees with since he brought his brightness level cavalry sword to LeakyCon and quite a few people told him they wished they 'd brought theirs.

I have created a site for my fan fic, where you can chance role profiles and a blog about news program and updates about my authorship. The link is on my profile Page here. I 'd love for you to check it out and impart comment in the News and Update section.

Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, who had to dress up as the Tin Man in net summer 's magpie hunt club. Big thanks to my friend, Rose, for coming up with the conundrum. Thanks as well to EvilChaos, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, mischiefmaker92, drownzer, Moonylupin, Miguel, Denas, and Tonks for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Throughout the repose of the month, rose wine continued to reach progress on the Sileo Altus charm, and by the fourth dimension April rolled around, she was positive in her ability to perform it. Albus wished the same could be said for the progress with finding out how to prove to the map that he and his friends were like the piranha. Albus spent every waking moment that he was n't doing prep, attending Quidditch practice, or dueling recitation, in the library trying to regain out a trance or charm that would work. His exploit were fruitless, though, because he still had n't found anything promising.

Albus also had another successful dueling tournament. He won both of his duels as did Malfoy, but their team still had n't won. Albus was beginning to doubt whether they 'd ever win.

Albus 's next Quidditch mate was the first-class honours degree Sat in Apr. He found himself distracted by the map even before he entered the changing way. They were playing Ravenclaw, and it was hard to order who had the better team, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Albus pushed cerebration of the map from his school principal as he walked into the changing room.

GA gave the squad the common pep talking, which this sentence included telling them that if they won this peer, they 'd be in the final. If Ravenclaw got less than 180 stop, then Ravenclaw might not make it to the final. GA did n't particularly manage who they played in the final, just so long as they won.

The catch went smoothly, in Albus 's opinion. Much better than the previous catch, in which Albus got fed up partway through. The weather was better for this match as well. Albus managed to keep from thinking about the map, which was good since it was a very high-scoring match for both sides and Albus was constantly being thrown the Quaffle. After only an hour of looseness, James went into a dive and caught the snitcher, right out from under one of the Ravenclaw beater 's broom.

The usual party in the common room ensued after the pupil returned to the castling, but Albus was n't really interested in it. Now that the match was over, all he could opine about was trying out the Sileo Altus charm on Kaden. Albus figured the good time to do it would be in the evening and the outflank lieu would be the Room.

Shortly after Rose had succeeded in performing the charm on John, lusterlessness had reluctantly given into trying it with Kaden. His only condition was first trying it with a harmless secret, and if that worked, to move onto the bigger one.

`` Are we doing it tonight ? '' John asked as he sipped his butterbeer.

`` Yeah, '' Albus whispered back, `` After dinner. ``

The rest of the afternoon and dinner seemed to go by at an alarmingly slow rate. Time seemed to go by much like it did in chronicle of Magic.

`` Kaden, '' Albus said after they had finished eating, `` We 're not going to the mutual way now. We 're going to show you a dissimilar way in the castle, one you 've never seen. ``

`` Excellent, '' Kaden grinned, `` What kind of way ? ``

`` You 'll see when we get there, '' Albus replied. `` Let 's go. ``

Kaden followed Albus and his supporter through the castle, with a constant stream of questions that Albus ignored.

`` Are you sure this is going to crop ? '' lustrelessness whispered nervously as they stopped in battlefront of the vacuous space of wall where the Room of prerequisite was.

`` Yes, '' pink wine assured him, `` It will work. ``

Matt nodded and started pacing in front of the wall.

`` Why did we contain ? '' Kaden asked, and then his heart popped out of his brain as he saw the doorway appear from nowhere. `` Wicked. ``

`` C'mon, '' Albus said as he opened the door.

`` What is this place ? '' Kaden asked in awe.

`` elbow room of requisite, '' Albus told him, `` Room that gives you what you need. ``

`` I ca n't believe you did n't shew me this yet ! ''

`` well, it 's not something we want you to say anyone about. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said, `` So it 'll apply me anything I ask it for ? I think I want an entire patty .... ''

`` It does n't do food, '' rosebush explained.

`` Oh, well, it 's still smart as a whip. ``

`` Kaden, come sit down, '' Albus told his first cousin.

`` You 're all so quiet, '' Kaden said as he took a stern on the cast next to Albus, `` What 's going on ? ``

`` fountainhead, '' Albus began, `` We 're going to test something. Rose found a charm that 's supposed to make someone not be able to narrate other hoi polloi 's secrets. If it works, we 're going to tell you a bunch of stuff and you wo n't be able to tell anyone. ``

`` What are you going to say me ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` We have to hold sure the magical spell works first, '' Albus sighed, `` Which is why we 're here. rose wine is going to execute the appealingness, using your cognition of this way as the enigma. If you have n't told anyone by following Saturday, we 'll secernate you the repose of it. ``

`` mulct, '' Kaden sighed, `` I ca n't believe you wo n't enjoin me without this magic spell. ``

`` Um, Kaden, you 've told Malfoy stuff I told you not to tell anyone, '' Albus reminded him.

`` That was n't my demerit ! ``

`` I know, but we 're not risking this. If you want to sleep together the secrets, you 'll suffer to have rose wine do the charm. ``

`` Ok, ok, I 'll do it, '' Kaden said.

`` good, '' Rose smiled, `` Now let 's get started. ``

It took Rose about ten proceedings to do the spell. Kaden was thoroughly amazed by the appealingness and Rose 's ability to perform it.

`` Let 's psychometric test it, '' Rose decided once they left the elbow room. She pointed to a girl who was walking towards them. `` Go recite her about the elbow room. ``

Kaden shrugged and ran up to the girl, who looked to be around Kaden 's age and was in Hufflepuff.

`` Er, '' Kaden began, `` So there 's this place- '' Kaden turned around and looked confusedly at Albus, then turned back to the little girl. `` Anyway, at this shoes, you can- ''

`` What 's wrong with you ? '' the young woman asked, trying to cover up her giggling. `` Are you ok ? ``

`` amercement, fine, '' Kaden muttered, `` Never mind. ``

Kaden ran back to Albus and the others, blushing furiously. `` It worked, but now everyone 's going to think I 'm an half-wit. ``

Albus laughed, `` No they wo n't. But that 's good that it worked. ``

`` Yeah, '' Kaden grinned, `` Definitely Worth it. ``

******

Albus kept a close eye on Kaden throughout the next calendar week. As far as he could secern, his cousin did n't evidence anyone about the Room of Requirement. They tested the magic spell a few more times, telling Kaden to distinguish mortal about it, but Kaden was never capable to. Albus was fully convinced that the Sileo Altus charm was a succeeder.

Kaden was positively beaming by the clock time Saturday arrived. Albus was kind of excited as well, because they would officially have Wormtail in their group of new predator. John, blush wine, and Amanda were excited as well. The only matter left to do after this would be to notice a way to prove to the map that they were like the piranha. Matt did n't seem excited at all. He was clearly queasy about telling Kaden that he was a wolfman. It probably did n't aid that the good moon was only a few days away. Albus could n't really pick flatness for his nerves, but Albus was sure the magic spell would persist in to work.

After dinner, Albus led his friends back to the Room of necessary, with the new Map in his robes.

`` Ok, what 's the underground ? '' Kaden said as he bounced around the Room once they were inside.

`` You 've got to sit down first, '' Albus told him. `` And Matt 's going to secern you the foremost one. ``

`` Oh ! '' A look of inclusion appeared on Kaden 's brass. `` Is this about how you get retch every month ? ``

`` Yes, '' Matt sighed.

`` And this is what you do n't want Malfoy to screw about ? ``

`` Yes, '' flatness said shortly, `` Now just let me recount you what it is. ``

`` Sorry, '' Kaden muttered.

`` It 's ok, '' lustrelessness said, `` First, you ca n't tell anyone this. I mean, do n't even try to test the magic spell like we 've been doing all week. You ca n't even try to order anyone this. Never mention it to anyone except us. ``

`` I wo n't, '' Kaden said.

`` goodness. Now, you know that wolfman are substantial, right ? ``

Kaden nodded, `` What does that take to do with you getting sick ? ``

`` Everything, '' lustrelessness said quietly, `` I am a wolfman. ``

`` What ? ! '' Kaden shouted, `` That is the coolest affair ever ! ``

`` No it 's not, '' Matt sighed, `` You do n't even really eff what happens when I turn into a werewolf. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I 've seen movies. ``

`` It 's not like that, '' matte told him, `` I get sickish a few years before the wide Moon, and then the night of the full moonlight, I turn into a woman chaser and bite myself because there 's nothing else for me to prick. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden deflated, `` So where do you go when you turn into a woman chaser ? ``

`` A hovel in Hogsmeade. ``

`` The screech Shack ? ``

`` Yes, that, '' matt replied, `` I 'm the one who does the shrieking. ``

`` Now that is aplomb, '' Kaden grinned. `` How long have you been a loup-garou ? ``

`` Since I was five. ``

`` That 's a recollective clock time, '' Kaden said.

`` virtually of my life, '' Matt explained, `` It 's horrible, really. ``

`` And that 's the big enigma ? '' Kaden asked, `` Why ca n't anyone do it that ? ``

`` Because nearly wizards do n't like werewolves, '' lusterlessness explained.

`` Well that 's dolt. ``

`` Yeah, it is, but it 's realism. ``

`` But why is n't there a spell to make you not a werewolf anymore ? Or a potion ? ``

`` illusion does n't fix everything, '' Matt sighed.

`` Yeah, that 's what I 've been trying William Tell you for the unscathed year, '' Albus pointed out.

`` But why ? ``

`` Dunno, '' lusterlessness shrugged, `` But there is a potion, called the wolfsbane Potion, that 's supposed to make it so you keep your human idea when you turn into a woman chaser. So you do n't want to attack anyone or yourself. ``

`` Why do n't you require that ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I do, '' Matt told him, `` Actually, I take a different variety than near wolfman take. For some reason, Aconitum lycoctonum does n't work for me. I 'm in this study at St. Mungo 's to figure out why and right now they 've got me taking a new kind of Wolfsbane. ``

`` Does it cultivate ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Matt replied, `` That 's kind of why I still bite myself every full Sun Myung Moon. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. `` So someday they might find a potion that will work ? ``

matte shrugged, `` Maybe. But I 'm not getting my hopes up. ``

`` So I 'll be charmed not to say anything about this ? '' Kaden asked after a few moments of silence.

`` Yes, '' Albus replied, pulling the new map out of his robes, `` And about this. ``

Albus spent the adjacent one-half hour showing Kaden the new map. Kaden thought it was the best thing he had seen yet at Hogwarts and could n't wait for it to completely work.

`` So we need you to represent Saint Peter Pettigrew, '' Albus said after he 'd finished explaining about the map.

`` Peter Pettigrew ? '' Kaden raised his supercilium, `` That malign bloke who betrayed your grandparents ? ``

`` Er, yes, '' Albus sighed.

`` You know my mum wanted to advert me Peter, but Dad said no because he did n't require me to have the same public figure as that idiot, '' Kaden commented, `` So it 's my midsection name. ``

`` perfective, '' toilet grinned, `` You even sort of contribution his name. ``

`` volition you do it ? '' Albus asked.

`` I guess so, '' Kaden said slowly, `` I mean, it 's not like I 'm going to be like Pettigrew now. ``

`` No, '' Albus agreed, `` But you have to be sort of like him for it to work. And you are because you 've sort of got the same figure. ``

Kaden shrugged, `` I guess. Anyway, when are you going to get the map to work ? ``

`` Whenever we figure out how to rise to it that we 're like the Marauders. Somehow we 've got to show the map that we are like to the vulture, '' Albus explained, `` Which is taking forever. ``

`` Oh, you mean like a finger photographic print ? '' Kaden asked.

`` What ? '' Albus asked.

`` You know, a finger print. Everyone 's is unlike, but your fingerbreadth print is similar to your relatives. It 's how Muggle cops find people and stuff when they 're missing. And how they identify soundbox. ``

`` A finger's breadth print ! '' Rose exclaimed, `` That 's it ! I ca n't believe I did n't think of it ! ``

`` What are you talking about ? '' John asked. `` Kaden just said everyone 's is dissimilar. So how will ours be like the predator'? ``

`` Not Muggle finger prints, '' blush wine said, `` hotshot ace. There 's a enchantment to get your magician 's fingerbreadth Print. It reveals your gens, congeneric, even your personality. ``

`` That 's kind of scary, '' Albus said, `` Anyone can find that hooey out if they 've got your finger's breadth print ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Rose shrugged, `` But I think it will run for this. ``

`` Hope so, '' Albus grinned. He could n't consider that Kaden had actually given rose an theme about the map. Kaden had helped with it. If this fingerbreadth print affair worked, they could have the map figured out in no time.

`` We 'll look for it tomorrow, '' pink wine stood up and drew her sceptre, `` Now let 's do the magic spell. ``

Albus nodded, feeling more excited than he had in month. They were so close, he could just feel it. The map would be working soon. Of trend, there was a nagging question in Albus 's gut that was telling him that there would be something to figure out even after the finger print thing.

******

`` What are you going to sign up for ? '' John asked as he glanced over the parchment all the indorse age had received just a minute earlier.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged, `` What about you, lustrelessness ? ``

`` concern of Magical Creatures, '' Matt replied, `` Not surely what else. ``

`` I 'll do that one, too, '' Albus decided and wrote it down on his parchment. `` Hagrid teaches it, so it 'll be fun. ``

`` mansion me up, '' John the Evangelist said, `` I could use with a fun class. ``

`` You ought to remember about what will be useful in your future life history, '' rose told them.

`` But I 've got no idea what I want to do, '' St. John the Apostle said.

Albus had no idea either. He had n't really thought about it. He thought being an Auror would be a good job, but he was n't sure that that was what he wanted to do. He still had five eld at Hogwarts anyway, why decide now ?

`` Me either, '' Amanda agreed, `` I think I 'll do Care of Magical beast, too. ``

`` I 'm taking Muggle field of study, '' rose announced, `` Plus Arithmancy and ancient Runes. ``

`` All three ? '' John asked, `` But we only have to take two. ``

`` Yeah, but I want to take all of them. I 'd really like to take Care of Magical Creatures, too, but there 's not enough fourth dimension. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Divination, '' John shrugged.

Rose snorted, `` fortune telling ? Mum says that should n't even be a subject. There 's no real learning involved. ``

`` But is it easy ? '' King John asked.

`` Uncle Ron said all you 've got to do is constitute up predictions about your end if you 've got Trelawney, '' Albus explained.

`` Excellent, '' John scribbled onto his parchment, `` I 'll take that and hope I 've got Trelawney. ``

`` I 'm taking that, too, '' Amanda said, `` It actually sounds interest. ``

`` Fine, '' rosiness sighed, `` But I still say it 's not really a depicted object. ``

`` Maybe I 'll do Ancient rune, '' Albus thought aloud, `` I think it 's leisurely than Arithmancy. What about you, Matt ? What else do you mean you 'll look at ? ``

`` antediluvian Runes sounds good, '' Matt yawned, `` I guess I 'll postulate that. Amy took it. She hated it in Australia, but she said it 's proficient here. ``

`` I 'd take everything, '' Kaden announced, `` I could n't determine. ``

`` You ca n't take everything, '' blush wine laughed, `` You 'd have to be in two places at once. ``

`` Oh, well I 'm pretty sure that 's impossible, '' Kaden sighed.

Albus turned and grinned at Rose, who grinned back. Albus could only reckon Kaden 's reaction to a time-turner.

`` Yeah, the most course of instruction you can subscribe to is three, '' Rose explained.

`` Then I 'll film three, '' Kaden decided.

`` Are you lot done choosing class ? '' Rose asked as she stood up, `` We 'd meliorate get to Transfiguration. ``

Albus spent the entire Transfiguration grade trying to change by reversal his plateful into a pipe bowl, and had almost managed to do it by the metre the socio-economic class was over. Rose, of course of action, did it within ten minutes and spent the balance of the class helping Albus and the relaxation of their friends.

History of conjuration was as dull as ever. lustrelessness slept the entire stratum, and Albus felt himself nod off a few metre. matt had seemed very stock in Transfiguration and probably would have fallen asleep in that class if it were n't for the fact that it was a hardheaded lesson. This was n't surprising considering the fact that the full Moon was the side by side day. The therapist still had n't found something to countervail the English effect of extreme fatigue duty of the new Wolfsbane that matt was on.

image Potions was after dejeuner, and Albus felt drowsy as soon as he walked into the room. This was odd since he had felt fine a present moment before. He did n't seem to be the only one who felt this either. Both John and Amanda yawned as soon as they sat down, and even rosebush 's eyes drooped a bit as she pulled out her parchment. flatness laid his head down on the desk and fell asleep immediately.

`` Good good afternoon, everyone ! '' Slughorn said, `` Now, I 'm sure you 're all feeling a bit wear upon, which is perfectly normal.

`` This, '' Slughorn gestured to a smoking cauldron on his desk, `` Is Drowsiness Potion. All it takes is one puff of this potion to put you into a state of fatigue. If you drink it, you 'll shine into an almost sleep-like commonwealth for about a one-half hour. Of course, you 'd know this if you did the reading that was due today. ``

Albus remembered being assigned the indication, but he had n't done it. He had just been too engaged with Quidditch practice, dueling exercise, and all his early prep.

`` You will be trying to brew this today, but you will only do half of it, '' Slughorn announced, `` It needs to simmer for about a hebdomad before you can dispatch it. Instructions are on the board. go with your usual cooperator. ``

Albus yawned and got up from his table. He joined Limbert at his board and lit the fire under the cauldron while Limbert collected ingredients.

The entire course of study was moving at a dull pace than common, and everyone was yawning every few minutes. It was form of strange. cipher was arguing with their partners either. Albus wondered if Slughorn had picked this particular potion for a reason. The retiring workweek, a duel had broken out between whoremonger and Goyle, resulting in both of them being sent to the hospital backstage for burns and then being assigned a hebdomad 's worth of detention.

Limbert returned wit the ingredients and he and Albus started to educate them, without exchanging any conversation. No different than usual.

Albus dumped some factor into the cauldron and began to conjure it. He watched Matt and Malfoy as he did so. Malfoy had returned with component and was prodding lustrelessness with his wand to get him to wake up.

`` What are you doing ? '' Albus whispered to Malfoy.

`` Waking him up, '' Malfoy said.

`` Wha-what 's going on ? '' lustrelessness lifted up his head.

`` Chop up those red beginning, '' Malfoy instructed. Albus was surprised with how unagitated Malfoy seemed.

flatness nodded and picked up his knife. Albus went back to stirring his potion.

`` prof ! '' Malfoy said after a few transactions. `` He keeps falling asleep. ``

Albus looked up from the overhang optic he was mincing. Matt was once again asleep on the table.

`` Ah, '' Slughorn waddled over to Matt and Malfoy 's table, `` The somnolence Potion affects everyone differently. '' Slughorn shook mat 's shoulder. `` Dear boy, you might want to go to the Hospital Wing. I do n't think the exhaust fumes from this potion are agreeing with you. They 're not supposed to put you into a deep sleep. ``

mat nodded and stood up. He stumbled and leaned back onto the desk.

`` Albus, '' Slughorn turned to Albus, `` Perhaps you could escort him. I 'm sure Mr. Limbert can deal your potion. ``

`` All rightfulness, '' Albus laid down his knife and went over to where flatness was standing.

Albus grabbed his arm and led him out of the elbow room. Albus felt immediately better as soon as they shut the door. The drowsiness went away completely.

`` I 've got to sit down, '' Matt mumbled and sat down on the floor.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked, sitting down next to him.

`` I dunno, '' Matt shrugged, `` I 'm guessing that that potion just made me even more tired than I already am. ``

`` Do you feel better now ? '' Albus asked.

`` Not really, '' matt replied.

`` Then you 'd better get to the hospital Wing. ``

`` Yeah, I suppose. ``

Madam Pomfrey wanted mat to stay for the eternal rest of the afternoon. Albus was n't even sure if she 'd let him exit at all before the full moonlight. Knowing the nurse, she probably wouldn't.

flatness never came back from the Hospital offstage that Night, so Albus assumed Madam Pomfrey was keeping him there until after the total moon. Albus and the balance of his protagonist decided that as soon as Matt was out of the infirmary annexe, they would start looking for the Wizard 's finger's breadth Print appeal. Rose was reasonably sure she had seen it in the library somewhere, but she could n't remember where. That meant that they would pass minute scouring the entire depository library for it. This was in increase to all the surplus studying they had to do now that the end of term exams were less than two calendar month away. Albus just hoped they 'd be able-bodied to figure out the map before school was over. It would be purposeless to figure it out during the summertime, when they would n't even be able to use it.


A/N : I hope everyone has enjoyed Half-Blood Prince or do enjoy it if you have n't seen it yet ! Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Moonylupin, EvilChaos, phoenixy friend, XDNLxtlz99, Tears of a Phoenix, Denas, Miguel, Luke, and tranc3rooney for their review !