Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Pouring a can of pea soup into the toilet and pretending it was vomit ? No, he 'd done that the utmost time. Ketchup on the nose, pretending it was blood ? No, that one was just stupid. Faking a concern ? Nope, his mum would just turn that around on him and tell him it was his own error for staying up too late the old night.

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

Ever since Kaden awoke at noon, he had been trying to consider up a thoroughly exculpation to skip going to dinner at his grandparents'house later that day. His grandparents were possibly the most insufferable hoi polloi on the face of the planet, save for his aunt marge.

Kaden had never liked his grandparents. Sure, they 'd showered him with interminable natural endowment on his birthday and Christmastime, but that was the only way they showed their affection. Well, aside from his grandmother 's bone shattering hugs, which were surprisingly miserly considering her modest physique. His grandparents were downright boring, their conversations ranging from the weather to what the side by side door neighbors were doing that morning.

However, the absolute worst thing Kaden 's grandparents had done was ensure that he had to go to Smelting 's in the fall. Smelting 's was an elite group schoolhouse that his grandad and his father had both attended. Kaden had visited legion times and hated everything about it. He hated the awful uniforms, the stuck-up prof, and the Kyd who constantly argued about whose sire had the easily job.

Kaden had told his parents that he did n't want to go. At first, his father was willing to consider letting him attend public school with all his ally, but after his gramps had his say, there was no discussing the matter. Smelting 's it was. And after that, he would surely be destined to do work for Grunnings, the same exercise company that his grandfather and father worked for. What a ho-hum life.

Perhaps if he tried real hard, Kaden would be able to leave himself a febrility. He 'd done it once, a few years ago. His parents had wanted him to assist some sort of oeuvre related company for his grandfather, and Kaden had been dreading it. Half hour before they were supposed to leave alone, his temperature spiked to five degrees above normal and he 'd been able to bound off the party. The best part was, the febricity had been gone within the hour.

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

There was a lenient belt on his door and Kaden hastily got out of his bed. He opened the room access, revealing his mother standing in the doorway. She was a shortly adult female with uncoiled brown fuzz, the same color as his own, that was level with her chin.

"Kaden, good, you 're awaken,"she smiled."Your grandfather wants to see you in your Smelting 's uniform tonight. He 's gotten a new digital photographic camera and needs to take some flick of you in it."

Kaden groaned."But I wore it net clock time I saw him."

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

"fine,"Kaden muttered.

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

Not ten bit later the door volley open and Bethany practically flew into the room. She never knocked, something Kaden would normally call at her for. However, this meter he was too shocked at her appearance to chafe shouting.

Bethany was wearing a princess outfit, complete with sparkly shoes and a crown. She was grinning ear to ear and her long blond tomentum was curled.

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

"Grandma petunia got it for me,"Bethany grinned,"It 's so very much just than the early princess costumes I 've seen. Now Grandpa Vernon can ingest pictures of me, too."

"wishing he 'd just take word-painting of you,"Kaden muttered.

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

"lovely,"Kaden replied.

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

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

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

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

"hello,"the man greeted them. He was shorter than Kaden 's father, but taller than Kaden. His blond hair looked windswept and he had a well-chosen smile on his face.

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

"Are your parents in ?"the man asked.

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

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

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

More curious than ever, Kaden glared at Bethany until she turned around and ran into the kitchen. Kaden turned back to the man and watched him. He seemed skillful enough, still smiling as he stood on the stoup. Kaden assumed he was selling something, perhaps the strange dress-like rig he was wearing ? If that was the casing, then he 'd have no hazard at the Dursley 's house. At to the lowest degree he had n't showed up at Kaden 's grandparents'house, though. He certainly would n't be smiling after that. Petunia and Vernon hated anything abnormal and that would certainly admit men wearing dresses.

Bethany returned with their parents following behind her. Dudley was dressed in blue jean and a t-shirt that was stretched over his rather with child belly. His blonde hair was neat and tidy, which Kaden was sure was due to the dinner with his grandparents. Normally Dudley did n't overprotect around with his pilus.

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

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

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

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

Kaden held the door candid and Neville Longbottom stepped inside. Kaden followed as his parents precede them into the sustenance room. Christina ran to bring drinks while Neville settled himself onto one of the lounge. Dudley sat in the death chair across from him, looking confused and slightly shocked. Bethany was staring at Neville.

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

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

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

Dudley spat out his soda pop and started coughing. Christina let out a little gasp and turned to look at Dudley, who had gone pale white. The two shared a look and then turned back to Neville.

Kaden was more fox than ever. What was Hogwarts ? A school ? Why would a prof from a schoolhouse he 'd never try of show up at his room access ? His parents had obviously heard of it.

"That 's a dolt name,"Bethany announced.

"You do n't mean,"Dudley began, ignoring Bethany."You ca n't be serious. This has got to be a joke !"

"It 's not a joke,"Neville assured him."I 've come to tender Kaden a post at Hogwarts."

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

Kaden was fully qui vive now. What sort of school was Hogwarts ? And what had he done to earn a property ? He had n't applied to any other schools besides Smelting 's. Of track, if this Hogwarts school really was offering him a office, he wanted to go. Anything was skillful than Smelting's.

"But what is Hogwarts ?"Kaden asked.

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

Harry ? What did Harry have to do with this ? Kaden had met his dad 's cousin, Harry Potter, only a few clip. All he knew was that Harry had three Thomas Kid around his own age and that they lived in London. For whatever ground, Kaden 's folk rarely visited them. Kaden found this rather odd since his grandparents had raised Harry after Harry 's parents were killed in a car crash.

"Not much,"Dudley muttered.

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

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

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

"Well, you 're going to have to excuse now,"Neville said."I 'll await. Unless you 'd rather I do it-"

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

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

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

cypher said anything for a few moments. Kaden continued to glower at his father. He was sick of having to do what his grandparents wanted. Why would n't his own founding father stick up for him ?

"enough,"Christina said loudly."looking, Dudley, we knew this could happen. It runs in the genes ! He 's been making odd things happen for eld. We tried to brush aside the signs, but we knew it might go on. And frankly, I 'm happy. You and I both know he would n't have been happy going to Smelting 's. I also could n't care less about what your parents think. You 're a spring up man, Dudley, make decisions regarding your kidskin based on what you think, not what your parents think."

What ran in his genes ? It could n't be intelligence information. Kaden knew he was average, no better than well-nigh of the Kyd his age. Maybe it was football attainment ? Kaden was a fair football player, but no one else in his family was particularly ripe. How would that run in his genes ?

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

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

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

"postponement,"Kaden interrupted."magic ? Like Abra Kadabra and legerdemain wands and stuff ?"

"Wands yes, but Abra Kadabra is not a trance,"Neville said as he pulled out a longsighted control stick which Kaden assumed was a wand.

Kaden watched skeptically as Neville pointed his sceptre at his spyglass of sodium carbonate. He muttered something in a unlike language and the glass began to swim. Kaden gaped as he glass floated around the room and then back to Neville. Neville caught it and then pocketed his wand.

"Holy crap,"Kaden gasped."So I 've got trick running through my gene ?"

"Apparently so,"Dudley said.

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

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

Kaden persuasion, then his eyes opened wide and he stared at Neville."What if a mortal really did n't want to go somewhere and they got a febricity all of a sudden and then it went away once they did n't have to go where they did n't want to ?"

Neville grinned."Yes, that would be charming. Did that fall out to you ?"

"Er, yes,"Kaden said, avoiding his beginner 's middle."But I did n't do it on use. corporate trust me, I 've tried to do it again and it does n't work."

"Of line you did n't do it on purpose."Neville laughed."Things like that happen to a lot of young witches and wizards."

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

"They did n't,"Dudley said."They were murdered by an malign sensation, noble something or the other-"

"Voldemort,"Neville muttered.

"right hand,"Dudley said."Harry was sent to live with my parents and I, who told him his parents died in a car clank. They told him nothing about magic or his parents. They thought if they ignored the deception, they could stamp it out of him. They hate magic. When he turned eleven a man showed up to tell him all about it and propose him a station at Hogwarts."

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

"James and Albus are currently attending Hogwarts, but Lily is too Thomas Young,"Neville explained."And Voldemort was defeated years ago ; no demand to worry."

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

"So,"Dudley said."He 's going to birth to get a- a wand ?"Dudley 's typeface paled a bit when he said 'wand'.

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

Kaden took the letter and ripped it open. It was printed on thicker paper than what he was used to, almost like the sort of paper he imagined mass wrote on hundred ago.

He unfolded it and scan it out loud to his parents and Bethany. It told him of his acceptance and was signed by the deputy sheriff headmistress, Professor Padma Patil. Then it said that the Hogwarts Express would leave from King 's hybridizing station on September first, from a platform 9 3/4.

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

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

"Muggles ?"Kaden repeated.

"people who ca n't perform magic, such as your parents,"Neville explained.

"Oh,"Kaden replied as he unfolded the list of supply. It was good of odd books such as Magical herb and Fungi, brass scale, and even a pewter caldron. If his sire had n't have already known about magic trick, he would 've thought the hale thing was a joke.

"I can take you to London and shew you where Diagon skittle alley is, if you would like,"Neville suggested.

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

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

"Am I a beldame ?"Bethany asked.

"well, I 'm not sure,"Neville answered."If you get a letter the summertime you 're eleven then you 're a witch. If not, then you 're not a witch."

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

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

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

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

"What do you teach ?"Kaden asked.

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

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


The solely phone at dinner was the Chinaman of utensils hitting the china plates and the loud burp that Kaden let out after chugging half a drinking glass of soda, earning him a prat gaze from his grandmother. It seemed that cypher could imagine of anything to talk about. Even the usual topics of the weather, athletics, and oeuvre had been exhausted.

Kaden and Bethany had been given nonindulgent orders by their beginner not to mention anything about Hogwarts, Harry, or magic whatsoever. Kaden 's grandparents hated magic with a passion, something that kind of amused Kaden but seemed to frighten his father. Kaden has also learned that his grandparents did not like Harry due to his being a wizard, which explained why he rarely saw Harry or his kid.

Vernon and petunia were still under the impression that Kaden was going to attend Smelting 's and Kaden had just endured an minute of having his photo taken by his grandfather while wearing his Smelting 's uniform.

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

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

"Football ..."Vernon muttered."amend than nothing, I suppose. Smelting 's does get an excellent football squad. I 'll give the coach a ring and let him know you 'll be joining."

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

"You 'll join a fun, though,"Vernon insisted."son grow into right men when they play a sport."

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

"I 've already been to the schooling twice,"Vernon said as he took another large gulp of brandy."Spoke with all your professor and they 're quite wind up to gather you. Long line of Dursley men who attended Smelting 's, you know."

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

"What was that ?"Vernon asked.

"zilch,"Kaden muttered.

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

"Dudley had a wonderful prison term at Smelting 's,"genus Petunia commented as she refilled Vernon 's brandy meth."Another methamphetamine hydrochloride, Dudley ?"

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

"Every vacation, coming home with wonderful stories of your Quaker and all you 'd done during the past times term ..."Petunia smiled as she reminisced.

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

Not really, Kaden thought. More like he had the thrower blood. Or perhaps not. He was n't technically related to the ceramicist side of the folk, just the Sir Arthur John Evans position. So he had Herbert McLean Evans rip.

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

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

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

"This is ridiculous, Dudley,"Christina said."It 's not average to the kids."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"world school ?"Vernon roared.

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

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

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

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

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

Kaden wished the ground would give up and swallow him whole. Was that the kind of thing he could do with magic ? It would be very useful for dinners with his grandparents.

"You 'll repent this, Dudley,"Vernon said."Mark my parole. Smelting 's is the only suitable schooling out there. He 's going to miss out on a lot."

Kaden glanced up and glared at his grandfather, who luckily did not notice. Why was he so against any shoal besides Smelting 's ? He knew the reason why Dudley did n't want his grandfather to have intercourse he was attending Hogwarts, but would it really be that awful if they told him ? Did he really hate magic trick that much ? But he, Kaden, was a genius. A wizard just like Harry, and Vernon hated Harry and all hotshot. Did that mean his own grandfather would hate him, Kaden ? It gave Kaden a sickening feeling in the pit of his breadbasket and he pushed his plate away.

"May I be excused ?"Kaden asked quietly.

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

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

Earlier in the day he 'd felt so excited about finding out that he was a wizard. It explained all the strange thing he 'd done in the past. The fever was not the only prison term something inexplicable had happened to him. Once, he had fallen off his bike, landed hard on his wrist, and suffered no more than a scratch. Another time he 'd left a library leger at home that he had meant to impart back to schoolhouse, only to get hold that it had appeared in his backpack during lunch.

Why had n't his dad told him about Harry being a maven ? Perhaps there was some sort of law preventing wizards telling Muggles about magic ? That would explicate why most Muggles did not make love about trick. But his mother had known. Dudley had clearly told her. Harry must feature done strange things as a child and Kaden wondered if his own Father-God had realized what Kaden was when he did strange things.

There was a knock on the door a few arcminute later. Christina popped her head into the room and told Kaden they were leaving. She looked angry. Kaden nodded and quickly followed her down the step and out the door, without even saying goodbye to his grandparents.
***


The next few weeks were both exciting and awkward. Kaden put up a calendar on his wall to enumerate down the days until he got to entrust for Hogwarts. Harry had said he would drive them to Diagon bowling alley a few weeks before term started and Kaden was very much looking forward to that.

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

It took a foresightful time for Christina to convert Dudley that he should state his parents about Kaden attending Hogwarts, but she finally did. In fact, it was the even before Kaden and his crime syndicate were to go to Diagon Alley with Harry that they went over to Vernon and Petunia 's for dinner once more.

The function was very quiet at first, with nobody knowing what to say and the only idiom mentioned being"passing game the salt"or"could I have some more brandy, please ?"Kaden did not say a single word, which even he knew was rarified, since he liked to talk a lot.

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

Dudley and Christina exchanged glances."No, actually, Kaden was never going to attend populace school,"Dudley said quietly."He 's been selected to go to a small, buck private school in Scotland. He did n't employ, but he 's been selected to attend."

"Then why did you tell us-"

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

Kaden watched as both of his grandparents visibly paled. Vernon dropped his brandy glass. genus Petunia let out what could only be described as a small squeak. Vernon 's brass then turned the purplish colour it did when he got angry.

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

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

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

"A opinion about what ?"Petunia asked.

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

Vernon gave Kaden a very unknown face, one that made Kaden palpate mildly uncomfortable. It was a weird mix of confusion, angriness, and the thin bit of repugnance, as if he could not stick out to retrieve that someone actually related to him was a wizard. Vernon had surely prided himself on the fact that he was not actually related to Harry.

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

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

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

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

"He 'd be effective off at Smelting 's,"Vernon muttered as he poured himself another generous helping of brandy, in a new chicken feed."Smelting 's wo n't be happy to hear this."

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

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

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

Vernon chose to ignore this and continued eating. The board settled into uncomfortable silence once more and Kaden managed to perish down a few bites of chicken before Petunia brought out dessert. She served Kaden a very large helping of pud, but he only ate a few bites before stopping.

Kaden and his class did not linger after pudding was finished. No one seemed inclined to chitchat any prospicient. Vernon and genus Petunia walked them to the door, but Vernon beckoned Kaden into the bread and butter elbow room before they left.

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

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

Kaden lay in bed that nighttime feeling very cognitive content. His grandparents may not have been felicitous about his attendance Hogwarts, but they did not seem to detest him for being a wizard, and that was as proficient as he expected. Plus, the following day he would get to go to Diagon Alley with Harry and the rest period of his magical cousins. It would be his first penchant of the magical reality and he could not hold back.


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

If you enjoyed this, insure out Albus potter and the Tracks They Left Behind, in which Kaden 's story is continued in.

Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus Severus Potter stared out his bedroom windowpane and watched as an owl flew closemouthed and closer to Grimmauld piazza. The sun was just above the celestial horizon and was already shining brightly into Albus 's room. Albus ran a hand through his messy black hair as he waited for the owl. True, he did n't really know if the owl was for him or not, but he was bore to see. He was the merely one awake at this hour anyway. His crony James was surely sleeping in, as he had been doing all summer. Albus slept in for the first few weeks, but after a while the novelty wore off and he started rising at an earlier time of day. Albus watched the owl through his green eyes as it soared towards his window. Albus leaned over and opened the door latch, and the owl landed on his desk.

It was a large brown screech owl that Albus immediately recognized as his friend, mat Eckerton 's. It stood proudly on top of Albus 's metamorphosis book with its leg sticking out, waiting for Albus to untie its missive. Albus went over to the owl and retrieved the letter. Once he did so, the owl flapped its wings and flew out the windowpane once more. Albus flopped down onto his bed and ripped open the envelope. It had been weeks since he had concluding seen his friends from Hogwarts and eagerly anticipated their letter of the alphabet. John Brickston and Matt Eckerton had each written him a couple times. Albus unfolded the letter and silently read it.

Albus,

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

We 're going to run across up with you in Diagon back street, since we 're not
on the Floo Network. John the Evangelist tells me he 's visiting some of his
cousins proper before your party, but that he 'll be able to stay at
your theater after.

I ca n't wait until the party. Things at my house are dreadfully
oil production. And my parents have been kinda depressed. Amy
moved out last week. You probably already knew that since
Victoire went with her. But Mum 's been crying a lot. She 's
talking about how her baby is all full-grown up.

Anyway, I 'll see you in a few hebdomad !
Your protagonist,
lustrelessness

Albus grinned broadly as he set matt 's letter down next to John 's most recent one. He was thrilled that both of his expert champion would be able to go to his birthday company. John had said yes proper away, but matt 's parents were very protective of him and had to be convinced. Both of his champion would wander up spending about a week with Albus and he could n't wait. Albus wondered what Mrs. Eckerton would do with herself while her son was at Grimmauld Place. Albus had only met the fair sex twice, but he got the feeling that she was even more protective of her children than his own nan was. He could only imagine what lusterlessness 's mum was doing now that her daughter had moved out. Only a hebdomad before, mat 's sister, Amy, and Albus 's cousin, Victoire, had moved into a flat in Jack London. The two of them were beginning their therapist grooming in September.

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

Albus sat down next to her and watched her as she fed the minor creature whiz O's.

`` Hi, Albus ! '' she said cheerfully, `` Wan na feed Dino Paul Crocetti ? ``

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

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

`` speech sound good, '' Albus said as his belly growled, `` I got a letter from lusterlessness just now. He can come to the political party and he 's coming a few days early. ``

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

`` Would young master key like any Cucurbita pepo juice ? '' Kreacher appeared at Albus 's side carrying a flagon of juice and a cup.

`` Sure, thanks, Kreacher, '' Albus told the planetary house elf. Albus liked Kreacher. He was always there to help oneself whenever Albus needed him. Harry had told him that Kreacher was not always this Nice, but Albus could hardly suppose it.

Albus took the glass of pumpkin succus and grabbed the written matter of the dawn oracle that was laying nearby. He immediately opened it to the Quidditch section. `` Ha ! '' he laughed when he saw the headline, `` I wonder if matte 's read this ! ``

Ginny glanced over at Albus 's shout and looked at him quizzically. `` The Chudley carom just lost another game. Their newest seeker tripped over his own heather as he was kicking off from the primer coat and gave himself a black eye, '' Albus laughed. `` Matt supports the Cannons. ``

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

`` matt does, '' Albus said and he tossed James IV the theme, `` Read that. ``

King James read the paper silently for a few bit and then split out laughing. `` They 're hopeless. ``

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

`` There 's oatmeal in the cauldron, honey, '' Ginny smiled warmly at him and got up from the table. She planted a fast kiss on his face as he reached for an empty bowl.

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

`` Someday you 'll understand, St. James the Apostle, '' Ginny laughed, `` Someday soon, young lady wo n't have cootie anymore. ``

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

`` Do you have to go into piece of work today ? '' Ginny asked as Harry sat down following to her at the table.

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

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

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

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

Harry grinned, `` I 'm gladiolus you like it. What do you say we have a whizz 's Bromus secalinus tourney after breakfast ? ``

`` Yeah ! '' Albus shouted excitedly. `` might actually have a chance at winning since Uncle Ron and rosiness are n't here. ``

The unharmed ceramist kinsperson played game after game of chess, until James River was declared the champion. By the time tiffin rolled around, Albus was pale of the game. `` Can we go take on Quidditch after lunch ? '' he asked.

`` Maybe, '' Harry said in between raciness. Harry often took them to play Quidditch at Rose 's home. Since the ceramicist lived in London, they really could n't run Quidditch at their own house. `` Rose wo n't be there, though. They 're visiting aunty Hermione 's parents. ``

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

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

At that instant, Albus heard a high-pitched pitched ring coming from the kitchen buffet. He looked over and saw the small fluid telephone set that always sat adjacent on the window sill. The Potters did not induce many Muggle devices in their planetary house, but they did have one telephone in typesetter's case they had to reach any Muggles. Usually the earpiece was just used when Harry talked to his cousin, Dudley. But Saint James the Apostle and Albus had given the number to their Muggle Born friends. Amanda had called Albus earlier in the summer to separate him that she would be able to go to his party.

Harry glanced at Ginny, who shrugged. It was obvious that neither of them were expecting a cry. Harry wordlessly got up from the tabular array and answered the headphone. `` Hello ? '' he said. He went quiet for a few import while whoever was on the other end told him something. Harry 's eyes widened in impact and a smile spread cross his face. `` What ? Are you severe ? Dudley, that 's glorious ! ``

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

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

Harry listened for a few moments as he started to yard alongside the counter. `` Hmm, well, if you 'd like, we 'll take him to Diagon alleyway with us when we go. You can arrive, too, of line. ``

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

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

`` You 'll never guess .... ''

`` So tell us ! '' Ginny replied.

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

Albus 's mouth fell open. Harry 's cousin, Dudley, had two nipper. The older one, Kaden, was a footling youthful than Albus. Dudley had never been a fan of magic and Albus could only suppose what he would think of his own son being a wizard.

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

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

`` I would think not, '' Ginny said, `` Falco columbarius, they 're going to flip. ``

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

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

Harry and Ginny continued to talk about Kaden even after William James and Albus left the table. The two of them went up to James II 's way, where they spent a few arcminute discussing it themselves.

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

`` I 'd approximate Hufflepuff, '' James commented. Albus had to concord with that. He had met his cousin, Kaden, before and he 'd appear the Hufflepuff sort. James had managed to rend quite a few pranks on him over the age and he did n't seem to be the sharpest quill feather in the box. Albus remembered the stopping point time they 'd seen Kaden. It had been a brace long time ago. Albus and his folk tended to chaffer the Dursleys every twosome of years, but the Dursleys had never been to Grimmauld Place. Albus guessed it was probably because Kaden and his babe did n't know about magic trick. Well, they did now, Albus thought.

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

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

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

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

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

`` Just wait until Kaden asks for his firstly broom, '' James grinned.

Albus burst out laughing, thought process of the feel on Dudley 's face when Kaden announced he was going to bet Quidditch, `` We 'll have to teach him how to run Quidditch ! ``

`` Definitely, '' James agreed. `` This is going to be a with child year, I can feel it ! ``

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

`` I know, '' St. James grinned, `` I ca n't await ! ``

`` Plus, Washburn 's gone, '' Albus commented, `` Wonder who they 'll get to put back him ? ``

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

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

`` Or who 's end in biography is to become the following Voldemort. ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` Yeah ! '' the son shouted at the Lapplander time. James grabbed his ling off the top of his desk and found a Quaffle, along with a practice Snitch.

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

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

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

Albus followed his dad and James down the stairs and into the lottery elbow room. Harry grabbed a handful of Floo powder, threw it into the fire, and shouted, `` Ron and Hermione Weasley 's sign ! '' Jesse James followed after him, and then Albus.

Albus landed in his Uncle Ron and auntie Hermione 's animation room. Their mansion was a modest, cozy place in the midsection of a field with a woodland nearby. It seemed strangely quiet without anyone else in it. Albus, James, and their dad headed out the door and into the bailiwick. Albus watched as Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a few enchantment that would keep the Snitch from roaming too far.

`` Let 's do some Quaffle drills, '' Albus suggested as he mounted his broom, `` I need to recitation for try-outs. ``

Harry and James agreed and mounted their heather as well. The two of them were up in the air before Albus was, due to their higher-ranking brooms. Albus saw St. James the Apostle resign the canary and wait a few moments before taking off after it. Harry had the Quaffle in his helping hand and once Albus was in the air, he passed it to him. Whipping out his wand, Harry conjured a with child wooden hoop and suspended it in mid-air.

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

`` You 've got to press two more, Dad, '' Albus told him, `` Otherwise it 's too easy for you. ``

Harry laughed and conjured a few more hoops. Albus flew around him for a little while before sending the Quaffle into the left most basketball hoop. Harry was too boring and the Quaffle sailed through.

`` Good one ! '' James shouted as he caught the Quaffle on the other side of meat. He tossed it to Harry, who then tossed it back to Albus.

They continued playing for a couple hr, taking short interruption to rest. Albus managed to score a lot of finish, with Harry only blocking a couple. After a while of catching and releasing the snitcher, James IV joined Albus and the two of them teamed up against Harry. Harry was n't able to save many goals with both his Logos passing the Quaffle back and forth. Eventually, they all got tired and decided to call off it a day. Albus flooed back to Grimmauld Place tired, but happy.



A/N : Well, here it is, the first chapter of the sequel ! I hope everyone enjoyed it. Just a note to any new readers out there, I highly recommend you read Albus ceramist and the mystery Within, which can be found on my author page.

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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` Can we go now, Dad ? '' Albus asked impatiently. He was supposed to meet lustrelessness at the Leaky Cauldron in five minute of arc, but Harry was on the phone talking to Dudley.

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

`` Dad ... '' Albus tapped his foot. Harry said he would take Albus to Diagon bowling alley a one-half hour ago, but then Dudley had called. The two of them had been talking for the yesteryear thirty minutes.

`` Listen, Dudley, '' Harry began, `` I 've got to select Albus to Diagon alley. Yes, that 's the office Kaden will go to get his clobber. Ok, I 'll lecture to you later. Bye. '' Harry closed the phone and set it down on the windowsill.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` mulct, '' Hannah grinned, `` Just a couple Thomas More months and there will be another sister Longbottom ! So, what can I get you ? ``

The group ordered their food and a suddenly while later it arrived. Albus and lustrelessness spent the whole time telling each other about their calendar week apart while the adult talked quietly with each other.

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

`` What ? '' Matt asked.

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

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

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

`` What ? ! '' mat spat out a mouthful of pumpkin juice.

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

`` Sorry, Mum, '' lusterlessness wiped the pumpkin juice up off the board and turned back to Albus, `` Are you serious ? ``

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

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

`` Dunno, Dudley has n't told him yet, '' Albus said, `` That 's why we were a little latterly. Dad was on the speech sound with Dudley trying to win over him to distinguish Uncle Vernon and aunty Petunia. ``

`` We 'd better be getting menage, '' Harry stood up, `` See you in a few Clarence Day, Walter and Julie. ``

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

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

`` I 'll be ticket, Mum, '' mat replied once his female parent stopped hugging him.

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

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

`` Er, yeah, but not in a distich class, '' mat eyed the fireplace nervously.

`` You 'll be fine, '' Harry told him, `` Just throw the gunpowder in and say 'Number 12 Grimmauld place .'''

`` 12 Grimmauld post, '' lustrelessness repeated, `` Got it. ``

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

Albus threw it into the flame and shouted, `` number 12 Grimmuald Place ! '' He was whisked away in a whirl of leafy vegetable fire and came out in the draught elbow room of his house. He quickly stepped away and waited for matt and his dad to appear.

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

`` You 'd better step away, '' Albus pulled Matt away from the fire just before Harry appeared.

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

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

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

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

`` Yeah, it used to be Canicula 's house, '' Albus told him, `` It was a lot dissimilar then. It had a lot of creepy and Dark poppycock in it. The Black family was pretty involved in the Dark fine art. Except for Dog Star, and his chum Regulus changed his views at the end of his animation and tried to ruin a Horcrux. Anyway, my dad managed to get most of the Dark stuff out. ``

`` well, that 's good, '' Matt said as they entered the adjacent floor.

`` My room 's the hold out one on the right wing, but first I 've got to show you something, '' Albus led matt into one of the other rooms, `` This is Saint James the Apostle 's way. But it used to be Sirius 's. ``

`` Your brother 's not very groovy, is he ? '' Matt asked as he stepped over a quite a little of dirty shoal robes and books.

`` Nope, he 's not, '' Albus said and walked over to one of the bulwark, `` Here 's what I wanted to read you, '' he pointed to a exposure of four boys, `` Sirius put a crowd of moving picture up on the wall and no one can get them off. My dad covered up well-nigh of them, but he left this one. It 's my grandpa, Sothis, Teddy 's dad, and Simon Peter Pettigrew. ``

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

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

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

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

`` Sure, '' Matt replied, turning away from the image. `` Let 's go. ``

******

A few days later, bathroom arrived at Grimmauld stead. The son spent their clock time playing biz and talking. John was just as shocked as matt was that Kaden was a wizard. Harry took them to Rose 's house to diddle Quidditch a few times. Amanda was there and the five of them managed to do a bit of homework after pink wine prodded them a few times.

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

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

`` Hmm, '' Albus caught the Quaffle and stopped to think. He had given his friends the grand tour of Grimmauld Place as soon as they 'd arrived, but there was one place he had yet to render them. `` Want to search the attic ? '' he grinned mischievously.

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

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

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

Albus led his friends down the hall and towards the stairs. They climbed all the way up to the top and opened the threshold. The bonce of Number 12 Grimmauld blank space was a very bombastic room, filled with old box seat and piece of furniture. It was dark, cramped, and dusty and hard to move around in. `` Here we are, '' Albus announced and walked into the room.

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

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

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

`` Nah, '' Albus assured him, `` My parents got rid of all the serious and iniquity stuff. ``

`` Wicked ! '' John shouted as he pulled out an old flatware tea tray, `` I 'll bet this is Charles Frederick Worth shipment of galleons. ``

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

`` What 's in there ? '' Matt had walked over to the only threshold leading off the room, besides the one they had come in.

Albus jumped over three box seat and threw himself against the room access. `` Do n't go in there ! '' he shouted.

`` Why not ? '' Matt asked curiously.

`` There 's a portraiture of Canicula 's mum in there, '' Albus told them, `` She 's horrible. The portrait used to be in the hallway downstairs, but my dad managed to use a relocation charm to get it up here. He could n't banish it from the house, though. There 's some sort of charm on it that keeps it in the house. ``

`` What did she do to bring in you hold on her up here ? '' John asked.

`` She insults everyone who comes into the star sign. The screaming 's awful. My Uncle Percy came up here once looking for some spare kitchen utensils and we had n't told him not to go in there. It took three hours to shut her up. ``

`` She sounds horrible, '' flatness agreed.

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

`` take care at all this ! '' John grinned, `` The unhurt box is filled with illusion stuff. Goblets, silverware. '' whoremonger pulled out a very large candelabrum and examined it. `` Are those, snakes ? '' he pointed to the component part of the candelabra that would defy candle. Each of them was a Snake 's head teacher, and the taper would sit in the snake 's mouth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` Uh, yeah, all werewolf are, '' Matt explained.

`` That 's interest, '' John said.

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

`` Well, '' lustrelessness grinned, `` There 's not much silver in the Gryffindor common way. It 's too Slytherin. '' The boys all laughed.

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

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

trick agreed and put down the tray and teapot. lusterlessness looked very thankful as they started wandering around the attic. Albus and John the Evangelist peered into the loge, looking for one that did n't feature any silver in it.

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

`` Here ! '' Albus announced, pointing to a turgid box at the far end of the way. `` This says 'Sirius'on the side. I 'm sure there 's no silver in it. It would be too Slytherin. Plus, Dog Star hated his mob. ``

`` Excellent, '' John the Evangelist sat down and opened the box. Albus and Matt joined him and started pulling stuff and nonsense out.

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

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

`` Broken canary, '' lustrelessness announced, `` Broken Sneakoscope, a few dungbombs, humbled quills, aught too exciting. ``

`` Wait, what 's that ? '' Albus pointed to a small, worn out leather rule book at the bottom. It did n't appear much like a text book. Albus reached into the box and pulled it out. He opened it up in silence, while John and matte looked over his shoulder. On the first Thomas Nelson Page was a word-painting of four boys. `` It 's photograph album, '' he murmured. He flipped through the next few pageboy, noticing that the film were always of the same four boys, though occasionally one or two of them were missing.

`` Who are they ? '' St. John the Apostle asked.

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

`` Makes sense, since it was in Sirius 's box, '' can agreed, `` Which one is Sirius ? ``

`` Probably him, '' Albus pointed to the tall, long haired boy. `` And the short chubby one has got to be Peter Pettigrew. So, that 's Remus, '' Albus pointed to the skinny boy.

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

`` Dunno, '' Albus replied. He continued to turn the pages, looking at each image. It was a bit strange looking at all these mental picture and seeing the vulture at Hogwarts. There were mental picture of them in their residence hall, in the common way, on the primer, in Hogsmeade. There was even one of them with the Whomping Willow in the background. There were also a brace of James playing Quidditch. In all the pictures, all four son waved wildly at Albus, John, and mat. They all looked so happy. It felt weird to know that only a few years after these flick had been taken, shaft would stag James and Lily. The Marauders had trusted each other with their sprightliness, literally. kind of like how Albus trusted his admirer. But they would never betray each other. Albus knew that. None of them were rats like Pettigrew was.

Towards the end of the photo album, a female child started appearing in a lot of the pictures. She would hold her arms wrapped around James IV and would snog him every once in a while.

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

`` My grandmother, '' Albus explained. `` I think this has all their class of Hogwarts in it. '' Albus flipped to the very shoemaker's last Thomas Nelson Page and saw that the last film was of all the vulture, plus Lily, standing in strawman of the lake in their shoal gown, holding diplomas. They all wore huge grins on their faces.

`` Graduation, '' lavatory commented.

`` Yup, '' Albus replied, `` They look very well-chosen there. ''

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

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

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

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

St. John and Matt peered at the parchment and looked at the paw prints. `` What 's that mean ? '' St. John asked.

`` I 've never seen it before, '' Albus replied, `` But I think it 's supposed to make up the Marauders. I 'm guessing they 're a wolf, dog, stag, and rat prints. ``

`` It 's dummy, though, '' John commented, `` I mean besides that. Why would Sirius keep an old piece of parchment ? ``

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. But in his gut, he had a flavor that it was n't a nonmeaningful piece of parchment. After all, to the average person, the Marauder 's Map was just a nonmeaningful piece of parchment. Albus shoved the parchment back in the album, which he then shoved at the bottom of his trunk once the male child returned to Albus 's room.

******

`` Are you kids ready to depart ? '' Harry shouted up the stairs, the day of Albus and rose wine 's natal day party.

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

`` trade good, '' Harry replied, `` Have you got everything, Ginny ? ``

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

`` Like my submit ? '' Albus hinted.

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

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

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

Harry was right. This sentence, lusterlessness did not inhale nearly as a good deal smoke and managed to not decrease over as he arrived at the Burrow. When they got there, the house was already crowded with people.

`` Albus ! '' mollie Weasley came running over to them and gave Albus a big hug, `` Happy birthday ! ``

`` Thanks, Grandmum, '' Albus replied.

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

`` Yeah, this is John Brickston and lustrelessness Eckerton, '' Albus gestured to his friends.

`` Nice to conform to you, '' Molly smiled, `` Now, Ginny, I need your assist in the kitchen. Harry, would you serve Ron set up the tables in the yard ? ``

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

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

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

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

`` Pretty lots, '' Albus laughed, `` If they 've got red hair, opportunity are they 're related. ``

`` Wow, I ca n't suppose having this many first cousin, '' Matt replied, `` Well, I have n't got any cousins. ``

The grouping managed to take a shit it through the gang and into the backyard. They saw Harry and Ron setting up the table magically. A few of Albus 's cousin were in the air on brooms and a few others were playing with the gnomes in the garden. Albus spotted rose and Amanda at a nearby table.

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

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

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

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

`` Us, too. ``

`` I hate flooing, '' Amanda groaned, `` pack me XV transactions to stop coughing. ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` Wow, '' rosebush replied, `` Still ca n't believe it. ``

`` Me, neither, '' Albus laughed.

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

`` splendid ! '' Albus grinned.

bill set the pinata down on the board and glanced out across the thou. `` Oi ! Teddy ! Want to do the pinata ? ``

shift, who had turned his hair scarlet and amber for the social occasion, came running over to the mesa. `` Sure ! We doing it in the middle of the yard ? ``

`` That would probably be best, '' Bill replied. The two of them set off to light up a topographic point for the pinata.

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

`` Hang it on ? '' Albus asked.

`` wellspring, yeah. That 's what you do with pinatas. You hang them on Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree so they 're in the air, '' Amanda said.

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

`` Whoever wants to do the pinata can total over here now ! '' Teddy shouted. All at once, all of Albus 's first cousin ran over to Teddy. Albus, Rose, and their ally managed to push their way through the crowd to the battlefront.

`` All right ! '' Bill shouted, `` Albus and pink wine first, then immature to oldest. ``

rosebush went first. government note put a blind-fold charm over her eyes and handed her an old broom. Teddy levitated the pinata and flung it around rosiness. After a few poorly aimed bang, her bout was over. Albus was up adjacent. He took the ling from rose wine and was blind-folded. He loved this theatrical role of his natal day parties, but he was never very goodness at it.

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

`` I bet you anything that Bradley 's going to split it open, '' Albus said once his act was over. `` He does at everyone 's company. ``

`` well, this is the form of thing a beater would be beneficial at, '' Rose pointed out.

`` I know, '' Albus replied. The pinata bashing continued for a while and no one had managed to even advert it. Teddy was laughing hysterically as everyone flung the Scots heather around. Soon, all the short kids had finished and Albus 's ally were up. Amanda was the first one to actually touch on the pinata with the ling, but she did n't realize any onward motion in smashing it unfold. lustrelessness actually managed to hit himself in the head with the broom, instead of the large Gryffindor lion.

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

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

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

As common, Tom Bradley was the one to give the final blow to the pinata. Everyone rushed forward to grab the sweetness that had fallen out of it. Albus and his Friend each got a declamatory bag of sweets.

`` Time for nowadays ! '' Molly shouted over the crowd. Albus and rosebush sat down at one one of the mesa next to two large piles of present tense. They alternated opening them, each receiving a lot of books, sweets, Weasley thaumaturge Wheezes products, and versatile clothing detail. Soon, there was just one confront left.

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

Albus took the box and tore the wrapping off. fervor washed over him as he saw what it was. `` A Firebolt 2000 ! '' he shouted, `` Wow ! This is bloody vivid ! Just like Georgia 's ! Thanks Mum and Dad ! ``

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

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

`` You will, '' Epistle of James assured him.

`` I 'm going to try it out now ! '' Albus grinned. He ran to the heart of the yard with his friend and first cousin following. He mounted the Calluna vulgaris and took off into the air. The evening breeze felt cool as he soared gamey and higher. It flew just like GA 's did. The acceleration was grand and it turned at the slightest touch. Albus flew around the railyard for a few arcminute, enjoying the thrill that only flying could bring. Albus had loved flying and Quidditch for as long as he could recollect. He had received his first base toy broom on his first birthday. He promptly crashed into a Tree the next day and broke it. Albus had gotten a lot better at flying since then, but he still was n't nearly as good as James was. After a few Thomas More minutes, Albus descended and landed on the ground.

`` How is it ? '' John asked.

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

`` Of course ! '' Saint John took the broom and flew off into the sky. Albus spent the following half hour lending his broom to his cousin and friends. They all agreed that it was a superb broom and that Albus was sure to reach Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

mollie served dinner shortly after everyone had tried out Albus 's new ling. The word centered mainly around Quidditch, like it often did when all the Weasleys got together. With such a orotund number of masses, there was always a in effect bit of disagreement about which team were the respectable. matte was thrilled that Albus 's Uncle Ron was a Chudley shank fan and the two of them defended their team to the relaxation of the group.

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

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

`` All rightfulness, '' Ginny replied. Harry turned on the blot and disappeared. `` You boys go first, '' Ginny gestured to the pot of floo gunpowder.

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

`` That was really fun, Albus, '' lusterlessness yawned as they lay down to go to slumber, `` Your family is fun. Makes me wish I had some cousin. ``

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

`` Mine, too, '' John agreed, `` If you think Albus 's folk is nuts, you should satisfy mine. You 'll meet one of my cousins this yr. It 's her offset year at Hogwarts. All my cousin are younger than me. ``

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

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

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

`` nighttime, '' John the Evangelist replied.

`` nighttime, '' mat said.



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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




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

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

Albus sighed. He, Harry, John, and Matt were all standing outside the Leaky cauldron. The Muggle incline. It was a few days after Albus and rosebush 's birthday party and Matt was meeting his parents to go home in a twain time of day. Harry had agreed to subscribe them a few minute early so they could buy their new books. Harry also decided that it would be a trade good time to deal Dudley and Kaden shopping for Kaden 's supplies.

A few minutes later a dismal saloon pulled up to the bridle. A rather enceinte blond-haired man stepped out, along with a short brunette fair sex, and two small fry. Albus recognized the boy as Kaden. He was brusque, only an inch or so marvelous than Matt, and a bit on the chubby side. His pilus was brown and looked in motivation of a cut. Kaden 's younger sister, Bethany, had inherited her father 's blond whisker and was about a head forgetful than Kaden. Albus thought she was seven, but he was n't certain.

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

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

`` Why do n't we go inside the pub and we 'll let the cat out of the bag to a greater extent there ? '' Harry suggested and opened the threshold to the Leaky caldron. Everyone filed inside. The Durlseys stared around, gaping at everything in mass while they followed Harry out the back door. Harry took out his wand, tapped one of the bricks, and Diagon bowling alley appeared in figurehead of them. `` This is Diagon Alley. ``

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

`` Sure is, '' Harry grinned, `` The commencement thing you 'll need to do is set up an account at Gringotts. '' He pointed to the tumid blank building at the end of the street. `` hammering wo n't buy much here. You have to use superstar money, Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts. ``

Albus really did n't want to go to Gringotts and wait while the Durlseys learned about wizard money. `` Dad, can me, whoremonger, and matt go looking at at the shop class by ourselves ? ``

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

`` Sure, '' Albus said, happy to not possess to go to Gringotts, `` Let 's go. '' The boys set off down the street, none of them really sure where to go first. Kaden seemed to be gazing in awe at everything he saw. Albus led them to a bench outside Quality Quidditch supplying. `` Ok, Kaden, these are my booster, John and Matt. ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` Do n't care, you 'll overtake up fast. Muggles are mass who ca n't do magic. Like your parents, '' Albus told him, `` Let 's go into the Quidditch shop class. ``

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

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

Kaden 's oral cavity fell open, `` Like beldame do in movie ? ``

John laughed even harder, `` Yes, just like that ! ``

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

Albus, John, and matt spent a soundly 20 moment telling Kaden all about Quidditch.

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

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

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

`` well, there 's no football at Hogwarts, '' John told him, `` It 's Quidditch or nothing. Just wait until you first fly a heather, you 'll switch your mind about football game. ``

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

`` Not on my House team. First old age are n't allowed to play. And this year the just first step is for a Chaser. My position is Beater. But Albus is trying out. ``

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

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

`` What 's Gryffindor ? ''

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

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

`` What ? ! ''

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

`` How do you get sorted ? ``

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

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

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied, `` All my cousins are, too. ``

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

`` Let 's go to Weasley 's Wizard Wheezes, '' John the Evangelist suggested. Although he looked a little taken aback that Kaden did n't want to take care at brooms anymore.

The son left the shop class and made their way to Weasley 's sorcerer Wheezes. Kaden kept up a constant watercourse of questions the whole way there. By the fourth dimension they made it to the shop, Albus was getting a bit tired of answering them. Albus had remembered Kaden as being rather tranquillity, but now he seemed to be very hyper. Maybe the excitement of finding out he was a adept had caused him to be Thomas More outgoing.

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

`` Joke shop, '' John told him, `` easily shop in Diagon back street. ``

`` Why thank you, John Lackland ! '' George greeted them. `` how-do-you-do, Albus ! Hi, Matt ! ``

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

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

Kaden nodded and stared at George. After a few moments, he asked, `` What on worldly concern happened to your ear ? ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` Bye, '' Albus said as George went back behind the replication. Albus started looking around the shop class with Saint John and Matt while Kaden bounced from one showing to the next, announcing how glorious everything was and asking the other boys more questions.

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

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

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

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

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

`` extendible Ears, '' Albus told him, remembering when he used them last Dec 25 only to catch his dad talking about the Hallows. `` You use them to take heed in on conversations people are having. ``

`` wish well I had some money, '' Kaden sighed as he put back a software system of Extendable Ears.

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

The boy waved arrivederci to George I and left the shop. Albus, lustrelessness, and bathroom listened as Kaden commented on everything they passed on their way to the leger memory. Albus hoped that his cousin-german would calm down once he was more used to the Wizarding World. They continued their walk to Flourish and Blotts while explaining about magic phase of transit to Kaden. He was amazed that magician could come out and disappear 'just like that', as he put it and snapped his fingers.

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

`` Yeah ! Albus has told me about Quidditch and Apparition and Flooing and all kind of magical practical joke items, '' Kaden grinned.

`` fountainhead, let 's go get your Word of God now, '' Harry said as the group walked into the store. Flourish and Blotts was quite void today. There were only a few early mass inside, none of whom Albus recognized. Harry and the Dursleys took the son'tilt to a gross sales person while the boys started looking around.

Albus, John, and Matt had been to this book memory legion times and did n't get anything exciting about it. The three of them would rather give been in Quality Quidditch Supplies. Kaden, on the other hired man, seemed as energize there as he had been in George 's workshop. He ran all over the shop, picking up random books and bringing them back to demonstrate the other boys.

`` count at this ! '' he panted, running back to Albus for what must feature been the 10th time, `` It 's a book about brewing potions ! Am I going to get to do that ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied wearily. He had already given this response in response to head about charms, Transfiguration Day, and justificative spells.

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

Albus turned to his booster and groaned. `` I do n't think he 'll ever run out of exhilaration. ``

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

`` take care at this Scripture ! '' Kaden came running back a few minute of arc later with a book entitled, dark creature : How to Protect Yourself. `` It 's got lug about vampires and loup-garou in it ! I did n't know those were real number ! ``

Albus felt lusterlessness stiffen succeeding to him. Albus glanced at him and saw the spirit of panic on his case. Albus immediately took the book from Kaden, `` Yeah, they 're very. But they 're nothing like the one in Muggle pansy tales. And you do n't want to take this book. It 's too advanced. You 've got to part out with the basics. '' Albus quickly stuffed the book onto a nearby shelf. He did not want Kaden to register about the prejudices virtuoso had about lycanthrope.

Kaden took off into another subdivision of the computer storage and Matt relaxed. `` That was close, '' he whispered.

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

`` Thanks. ``

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

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

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

Harry, Kaden, and the relief of the Dursleys walked ahead of Albus and his Friend on their way to Ollivander 's. Kaden was practically skipping up the street in his excitement about his wand. In contrast, lusterlessness was starting to play out out due to the upcoming full moonshine. By the time Albus, John, and lusterlessness got to Ollivander 's, Kaden was already trying out his first wand. He gave it a moving ridge and one of the evacuate wand box on Ollivander 's desk exploded. Kaden thought that the burst was neat, but Ollivander disagreed. Kaden tried out wand for the next XV instant before finding one that created gold sparks when he waved it. Dudley paid for the wand and the mathematical group left the shop. The next stop was the pill pusher and then Madam Malkin 's. An hr later, Kaden was all set for his firstly year at Hogwarts.

Once they were done shopping, the mathematical group met Matt 's parents at the Leaky caldron. Everyone was athirst, so they all decided to eat dinner together. Albus, King John, Matt, and Kaden sat at their own tabular array while the grownup and Bethany sat at the other.

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

`` I 'm going to travel to some more than of my first cousin after I go domicile, '' John told them.

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

Matt glanced up from his solid food, which he was only picking at, and looked at Kaden before answering. Kaden was currently staring as a virtuoso at the succeeding table cut his steak with his scepter. `` I 've got to go to St. Mungo 's, '' he whispered.

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

`` wizard hospital, '' Albus replied, hoping that Kaden would n't urge for more information. Luckily, at that instant, a waitress came walking by while levitating two platter of food. Kaden immediately turned his attention to the levitating trays and did n't mention ask anything about St. Mungo's.

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

`` I 'll explicate sometime else, when we 're alone, '' he gave a meaningful glance at Kaden, `` Maybe on the gearing. But do n't worry about it, I 'm fine. ``

Albus was n't very reassured by this. He did n't imagine people went to St. Mungo 's when they were fine. But he did n't press out for more information, he knew Matt disliked discussing his condition, especially around so many people.

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

mat lifted his head up and nodded. `` I 've just got a cephalalgia. I 'll see you on the power train, Albus, John. Nice to see you, Kaden. ``

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

Kaden gawked at the place that Matt and his parents had been just moments before, `` That was brilliant. I want to do that. ``

`` You 'll get to, '' Albus told him, `` When you 're in your sixth year, you can take lessons. And then when you 're seventeen, you take a test to get your licence. ``

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

`` He just did side-along fantasm. Someone who 's got their Apparition permit can take other citizenry with them while they do it. ``

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

`` Yeah, but I prefer Flooing. ``

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

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

`` All right, '' Kaden sighed and stood up, `` I 'll see you rib on the string. I ca n't hold off ! ``

Albus waved goodbye as the Dursleys left the pub to go back into the Muggle world. Albus was n't sure what to think about Kaden. He had n't seen him in class, but he 'd be seeing a lot of him now. Kaden was definitely a chunk of Department of Energy, that was for sure enough. Kaden seemed to think that everything in the wizarding globe was dandy. He was going to be in for a rude awakening when he learned about Voldemort and early evil wizards.



Wealsey-Potter-Dursley class Tree

Bill-Fleur Charlie-Katherine ( witch ) Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Victoire, 18 Stanley, 7th year Georgia, 6th year
Gabriella, 6th year Heather, 5th year Bradley, 4th year
Ben, 3rd year Mark, 4th year Cedric, 3rd year
Eddie, 6 years old Samantha & Lindy ( twins ), 7 years old

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

Dudley-Christina ( Muggle )
Kaden- 1st class
Bethany- 7 yr old

*all in Gryffindor*



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

I also want to invite everyone to check out my meet the Author page on the meeting place. There 's a data link to it in my profile. look liberal to ask about my storey or writiing in general there.


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


`` rush up ! '' Ginny called back to James II and Albus, `` It 's already one-quarter to eleven ! ``

Albus sped up as he pushed his trolley car through the crowded King 's crossing station. James I was right next to him, pushing his own trolley. Their parents and Lily were in presence of them, walking as fast as they could without actually running. The thrower were running late, very late. It was September first-class honours degree and the Hogwart 's limited would be leaving in exactly fifteen minutes. The whole morning had been very look sharp. Albus woke up tardy and James woke up even later. Albus had stayed up until midnight the night before working on his Transfiguration Day essay, and James always woke up late. Then, St. James could n't find his practice Snitch and refused to depart before he found it. Lily finally found it in a cauldron that was in the kitchen. No one was really sure how it got there.

But because of all this, the ceramicist sept was now practically running through mogul 's crown of thorns, trying to get to Platform 9 3/4 on time. This was earning them many unusual look from the Muggles, especially due to the fact that they had two irritated owls on their trolleys.

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

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

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

Albus nodded and ran through the barrier. A few consequence later, Albus was standing on platform 9 3/4, and Rose was running up to him.

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

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

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

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

`` I 'll load your trunks, '' Ron appeared and took James and Albus 's trolleys to the train.

`` Be good, St. James the Apostle, '' Ginny warned, `` You, too, Albus. ``

`` We 're always good, Mum, '' James grinned and slapped Albus on the back, `` right field, Al ? ``

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

Ginny gave them a stern look, `` I do n't need any bird of night from Professor Kendrick. ``

`` Aw, do n't vex, Mum, '' James laughed, `` You have n't draw one yet. ``

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

`` Kaden punter hurriedness up, '' Albus replied.

At that instant, Kaden fit through the barrier with a Brobdingnagian grin on his brass. Harry was behind him, pushing another trolley. Ron grabbed it and ran it over to the train.

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

`` You 've got to get on the train now ! '' Ginny shouted as she herded everyone over to one of the wagon train doors. She gave James and Albus a fast hug and kiss. `` Bye, kids ! Be good, all of you ! ``

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

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

`` That was closely, '' rose sighed as the string left the station.

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

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

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

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

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

Albus and pink wine continued down the corridor, peeking into compartments as they looked for their Friend. Kaden followed closing curtain behind, still wanting to talk about the barrier. Anything remotely magic seemed to energize him, and Albus had to stifle a laugh as he thought about what Kaden was going to do when he saw the Sorting Hat.

`` There they are, '' Rose announced when they were halfway down the gear. rosebush pulled open the door and they walked inside. john, flatness, Amanda, and a lady friend with foresighted, black, curly hair Albus had never seen before were sitting inside.

`` I was wondering when you two would record up, '' John grinned.

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

`` I was on clock time, '' pink wine announced, smirking at Albus.

`` Hey ! It was n't my fault. James would n't go forth until he found his practice Snitch. ``

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

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

`` Hi, '' Isabelle said quietly.

`` howdy, '' Albus smiled, `` I 'm Albus Potter. ``

Isabelle 's eyes opened blanket and she stared at him. `` Really ? ``

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

`` Wow, '' Isabelle replied.

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

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

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

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

`` Yeah. ``

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

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

`` He 's been going on about the barrier for the past tense ten minute, '' Albus whispered to toilet and Matt.

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

`` How was your holiday in Irish Republic, Amanda ? '' rosiness asked.

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

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

`` I hope we go back sometime, I had a really undecomposed time, '' Amanda told them, `` How were the eternal sleep of your summers ? ``

`` Mine was good, '' can said, `` Visited Isabelle 's syndicate and we all went to Diagon Alley together. Nothing too wind up. ``

`` I love Diagon Alley ! '' Kaden shouted, `` I ca n't waitress to go back there ! ``

`` Yeah, it 's a pretty neat place, '' Albus agreed, `` Went back there with Epistle of James after you left, whoremaster. former than that I spent the respite of my holiday doing homework and playing Quidditch. ``

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

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

`` Not really, '' Matt replied quickly, giving Albus a aspect that meant he would tell him later. `` So, I wonder who the new Charms instructor will be ? '' lustrelessness asked, changing the subject.

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

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

`` He was the appeal teacher, '' Albus told him, `` He got fired for trying to steal, er, certain affair that would help him reach Voldemort 's ideals. And he started a duel with me, Gospel According to John, Amanda, matt, and Rose. One of his admirer dueled with my dad, too. It was pretty bad. ``

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

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

Kaden stared at his full cousin, lost for discussion for the for the first time time. After a few mo he whispered, `` Blimey. So that 's why your family 's famous ? Because my dad said you were, he just did n't assure me why. ``

`` Er, yeah, '' Albus replied.

The mathematical group spent much of the remainder of the journeying talking about who the next Charms teacher would be, Quidditch, the Dueling Club ( which they 'd be allowed to join this year, as back years ), and a great deal of other stuff. Around lunch time, the beldam came around with the tramcar and everyone bought gravid sum of money of nutrient. Everyone had a lot of fun watching Kaden try all the superstar sweets. Kaden announced that he liked Bertie Botts Every Flavor bean plant good, despite the fact that the 1st one he tried was a emetic flavor. When he opened his first Chocolate Frog, he was shocked that it could hop and even more shocked when he saw the flick of Rowena Ravenclaw disappear from the card that came with it.

After they polished off the remainder of the sweets, the conversation turned to which houses Kaden and Isabelle wanted to be in. Apparently John and Isabelle 's sept consisted of an touch number of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs. Isabelle 's dad had been a Gryffindor and her mum had been a Hufflepuff. Isabelle did n't really care if she was in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, but she knew she did n't want to be in Slytherin. She decided that Ravenclaw would n't be bad, but she wanted to be some place where her mob had been. Kaden on the other hand, definitely wanted to be in Gryffindor. Albus was n't too sure he 'd roll up there, still thinking that his cousin was more of a Hufflepuff, but he did n't tell Kaden this.

Soon the train made it to Hogsmeade place and it was time for everyone to get off. Albus and his friends joined the large crowd of students exiting onto the platform.

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

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

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

`` My full cousin Kaden 's starting this year, and St. John the Apostle 's cousin, Isabelle, '' Albus gestured to the two kickoff years standing near him.

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

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

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

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

`` Finally, '' Albus muttered as he lead his ally to the perambulator, `` I thought he 'd never leave us alone. '' Albus liked Kaden, but found his constant company to be taxing.

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

`` Well, you 're kind of like him, John, '' Albus laughed and climbed into the nearest hollow pushchair. `` Although you 're a bit less rag, '' Albus turned around and grinned at his friend.

`` Gee, thanks, '' John laughed and sat down next to Albus. rosebush, Amanda, and Matt followed after, and sat down on the seat across from them.

`` So, matt, you were awfully tranquillity on the train, '' Albus began, `` Something go on during the final part of the summertime ? ``

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

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

`` I 'm fine, honestly. It 's just, think of over the summertime when I said I was going to St. Mungo 's ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus said.

`` And remember that subject area I told you about ? The one I 'm in ? ``

Albus nodded and remembered back to earlier in the year where Matt had briefly explained about a study as to why Wolfsbane Potion had no effect on him and other werewolves.

`` I know I did n't tell you a whole lot about it, but it 's the reason I was at St. Mungo 's. Someone has to detect me after every translation. Usually Madam Pomfrey or my parents do it, but the healer like to do it at least twice a class. ``

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

`` That makes gumption, '' Rose commented.

`` Yeah, but that 's not all. I figure I should probably tell you a bit more about the study. It started when I was 8. For the first 2 class, I did n't get any wolfbane potion. The succeeding 2 twelvemonth, I got regular Aconitum lycoctonum. Not that it made much of a difference. ``

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

`` Dunno. No one does, that 's why they 're doing it, '' mat told them, `` But anyway, the therapist and Potion beer maker that are working on the wolfsbane have come up with anther variety and I 'm going to start trying it out. ``

`` When ? '' John asked.

`` I think in January, because I 'll be home on Christmastide break. I 've got to take it a twain sidereal day beforehand and it 'll be full if someone can look out closely, '' Matt told them.

`` Has it been tested before ? '' rose wine asked.

`` No, '' Matt said quietly. `` That 's the point of the study, to test the potions. ``

Albus glanced at lustrelessness. He looked a bit scar at the panorama of taking an untested potion. No wonderment he had been quiet on the train. Albus was n't sure if he would want to take an untested potion. Of row, if the potion worked, Matt 's life would drastically change for the better. But what if it did n't work, what if it had frightful side personal effects ?

`` But they 've been researching it, right ? '' Rose asked, `` I mean, they 're somewhat trusted it wo n't do anything bad ? ``

`` Oh, yeah, they do n't opine it 'll wound me. They 're just not certainly if it will cause the effect it 's supposed to, '' Matt assured them, `` But it is a bit scary. ``

`` Yeah, '' blush wine agreed, `` I 'd say so. ``

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

******

`` Brings back memory board, does n't it ? '' whoremonger said as the first gear years filed into the Great Hall.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, remembering how dreadful he 'd been of being in Slytherin the previous year. He still had n't told his champion that the sort Hat had considered it, and he was n't trusted if he ever would.

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

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

professor Patil motioned for the elbow room to be quiet and the Sorting Hat burst out in song. Albus had to asphyxiate a laugh as he saw Kaden 's backtalk open in shock. Albus knew that hat would baffle his cousin. Kaden turned around and whispered something to Isabelle, who nodded. Once the hat stopped singing, Professor Patil started the sorting. The first gear two students were both sorted into Ravenclaw.

`` Brickston, Isabelle, '' Patil called, and John 's first cousin walked over to the stool. Patil dropped the hat on her head and a few mo later, it shouted out, `` Hufflepuff ! '' Isabelle got up and joined her fellow Hufflepuffs.

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

`` wellspring, you said there are a lot of Hufflepuffs in your family, '' Rose pointed out.

`` Yeah, I know, '' lavatory sighed, `` Hufflepuff 's good, too. But it 's not nearly as soundly as Gryffindor. ``

`` Dursley, Kaden, '' Patil announced. Kaden ran forward immediately and sat down on the dejection, with a big smile on his fount.

Patil put the hat on his heading and after a few mo, it opened its brim wide and announced, `` Gryffindor ! ``

Albus turned to look at Jesse James, who was sitting a few seats down, wearing an superposable look of shock to the one Albus was. `` Gryffindor ? '' he mouthed, shaking his head. He was so sure that Kaden would wind up in Hufflepuff.

`` fountainhead, the hat did take an awfully long clock time to settle, '' Rose pointed out. `` Maybe he 's got aspects of all the sign of the zodiac. ``

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

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

`` Wo n't be the weird affair you 'll see here, '' Albus told him, thinking of Nearly Headless dent, the portraiture on the walls ( Sir Cadogan in particular ), the Whomping willow tree, Moaning Myrtle, and numerous other aspects of the castle that Kaden would ingest never seen before.

The sorting stay and the group of outset years dwindled until there were only a duad scholar left. Albus had n't recognized any of the former maiden years, besides Kaden and Isabelle. He thought this must induce been the first year in a foresighted time that a Weasley had n't been sorted.

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

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

`` moldiness be some relation, '' John shrugged.

`` Maybe a cousin ? '' Rose suggested, `` I remember Slughorn mentioning that Willinson was an only tyke at one of the slug baseball club meetings last class. ``

`` Great, '' Albus sighed, `` I thought we 'd be done with Willinson after net yr, but now we 'll have to deal with his cousin. ``

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

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

`` May I have your aid, please ! '' Albus and his friends stopped talking and looked up to see that Kendrick had stood up. `` Thank you. I do have a few get-go of term promulgation, but I think they can expect until after the feast. Enjoy. '' Kendrick waved his arms and food appeared on the golden platters.

`` Whoa ! '' Kaden shouted loudly, `` That 's bloody brilliant ! ``

`` That 's how the nutrient always appears, Kaden, '' Albus laughed and served himself a large percentage of steak and kidney pie.

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

`` Told you he was like you, '' Albus whispered to St. John the Apostle as John filled his own shell with as much food as he possibly could.

`` Wut, is'goob foob, '' St. John the Apostle replied with his mouth full of potatoes.

`` That 's disgusting, John, '' rose wine screwed up her face in disgust.

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

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

`` What ? '' lusterlessness asked Kaden.

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

Matt glanced at Albus, clearly unsure about what to order Kaden. Albus glanced at his other champion, who all shrugged. `` Er, '' Albus began, `` Remember what I said about the magic spell teacher on the wagon train ? '' Kaden nodded, while stuffing his face with the rest of his roll.

`` Well, professor Washburn was n't the lone one in on that duel. Some thaumaturge named Jarett Willinson was fighting alongside Washburn ; we think he 's the one who was in bearing. He has a son, Quinton, who was a seventh year last twelvemonth. Quinton drove us mad all last class and then fought along with Washburn and his dad. We 're all trying to image out if Felix is related. We think he is, only probably just a cousin because Quinton does n't have any siblings. ``

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

Throughout the relief of the feast, Albus talked to his admirer about Felix Willinson and whether or not he was anything like Quinton. Rose wanted to pass him the benefit of the question and hold and see if he shared the Sami view as Quinton. John, on the former hand, was ready to hex him as soon as the feast was over. He figured that Felix must agree with Quinton, since he was in Slytherin. lustrelessness and Amanda both agreed that Felix probably did gibe with his full cousin, but did n't think they should pop hexing him before they really met him. Albus was n't certain what to conceive, and he just thought they should ward off Felix, not trying to be friendly with him or hex him.

Kaden received a skillful shock when Nearly-Headless Nick decided it would be his plate he would appear out of during the banquet. Kaden dropped his roll in surprise, but another one of his huge grins appeared on his brass shortly after. He gazed around in astonishment and watched all the trace circling the room. Albus laughed and told him that they even had a touch teacher. Kaden was amazed by this and said he could n't wait for that class.

`` It 's just History of Magic, '' flatness told him, `` Boringest stratum in the schooling. trump one for sleeping, though. ``

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

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

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

`` Trust me, the thrill wears off after the first day, '' mat said.

A few minutes later the food disappeared and deserts appeared just moments later. Kaden and John immediately piled their plates with every pud there was. Albus and his Friend informed Kaden about the rest of their professors and they all speculated about the new charm teacher. Albus had noticed one new teacher sitting at the stave table and assumed she was the new appeal teacher. She was an old witch, with her gray hair pulled back in a wet bun. She was very penny-pinching and Albus was guessing she was quite tall, but it was firmly to severalize as she was sitting down. Albus thought she had an almost bird-like appearance.

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

Whispering immediately erupted in the way, as to what this big announcement could be. Kendrick waited a few moments before continuing, `` Anyway, first I 'd like to usher in you to our new Charms teacher, Professor Cedonia. '' The old witch stood up and Albus noticed that she was, indeed, very tall. She gave a small wafture and sat back down again. `` I also need to prompt you that the Forbidden Forest is, as always, out of bounds, as is the Whomping willow tree. ``

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

`` Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that dueling in the corridors is veto. Also, that the inclination of forbidden objects now includes the new 'Extra-Strength Dung bomb'that have just been released at Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes. All former mathematical product uncommitted for leverage there are also forbidden and students may inspect the full list on Mr. Filch 's door. ``

Albus, who had experienced the personal effects of one of his uncle 's new muck bomb calorimeter, could translate why they were banned, but knew the ban would n't stop people from using them. He laughed to himself as he remembered the face on his grandmother 's face when Uncle George I brought one of the dung bombs to the end of summer get together at the Burrow.

`` If you want to try out for your planetary house 's Quidditch team, please give your name to your head of sign of the zodiac. I think those are all the usual annunciation. Now, onto the more energise announcement, '' Kendrick paused and none of the pupil said a Bible, `` It has come to my attention that the tensity between the menage have been increasing over the past few years. I know that sealed houses have always had rivalries, '' Kendrick turned to look at the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables before continuing, `` But I think the contention has gotten too gravid. I believe we need more wholeness. A great Muggle man once said'A house divided against itself can not stand-'''

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

`` Thank you, Mr. Weasley, '' Kendrick said sternly, `` I was talking about Hogwarts as a whole. I, along with the other professors, believe that their is too practically firm rivalry. Therefore, we will be taking whole step this year to alleviate it. ``

`` This wo n't be good, '' John muttered under his breath, `` I can see it coming, we 're going to take in to be well-disposed with the Slytherins. ``

`` We have decided to change the Dueling baseball club, '' Kendrick continued, `` This year, unlike past tense years, we will have inter menage teams. ``

`` What ! ? '' almost of the Great hall erupted into vociferation of staring astonishment. The Gryffindors were glaring at the Slytherins, and vice versa.

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

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

`` Thank you for proving my point, '' Kendrick shouted over the noise. The elbow room quieted down immediately, `` As I said, there is too much rivalry. I believe this will avail alleviate it. You will throw to work together with penis of other houses in lodge to win the dueling championship. There will be Thomas More inside information to follow during the inaugural confluence of the Dueling nightspot. As always, the club is undecided to second eld and above. ``

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

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

`` What about Quidditch ? '' James asked, `` That 's not lay to rest house, is it ? ``

`` Of course not, Mr. Potter, do n't interest, '' Kendrick smiled, `` I believe I would be run out of the palace if I tried to begin inter house Quidditch. ``

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

`` I think those are all the annunciation I have for now. I suggest you all get a good dark 's rest for form tomorrow sunup. First years, please accompany a Prefect to your coarse room. practiced nighttime, everyone, '' Kendrick sat back down.

`` Blimey, '' bathroom sighed and shook his head as he stood up, `` Inter house dueling. ``

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

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

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

`` zero could do that, '' John said.

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

`` Definitely, '' Albus replied. John, Rose, and Amanda all nodded their heads.

`` Good, me too, '' Matt told them, `` Just stimulate to hope I 'm not with Scorpius Malfoy. ``

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

Albus and his friend continued their trek to Gryffindor column, and the conversation turned to the new good luck charm teacher. None of them could guess what Professor Cedonia was like, but they all assumed she was strict. She had a very stern feeling about her all during the feast. When they got to the vernacular room, they all decided to remove Kendrick up on his advice and go in early. They were all tired from the journey to Hogwarts. Albus got into his lovesome four-poster bed, and realized that with Professor Washburn gone, he would n't induce anymore of those Legilimency dreaming he had finally year. With that happy thought in his headland, Albus drifted off into a relaxing sleep.



A/N : Thanks to my sis and beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my early sister and my crony. Thanks also to sinwillys822, Moonylupin, TheAlbusPotterCritic, XDNLxtlz99, potterfan89, and Draco ginger for their reviews !

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

I 've also written a new one-shot, That Night, which is about the Nox lusterlessness got bitten. If you want to check it out, the link is in my visibility.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




`` What have we got next ? '' John asked at lunch the next day. The Gryffindor second years had just gotten back from a particularly boring History of Magic class. Before that, they had Transfiguration, which was almost as irksome as History of Magic.

Albus looked at his schedule, `` threefold Potions. I hope we 're not with the Slytherins this twelvemonth. ``

`` Yeah, we 're already with them for Transfiguration, '' lusterlessness groaned.

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

`` English ? '' John laughed, `` Why in the name of Merlin would they teach us to speak English ? ``

`` Muggles select English people class in school day, whoremonger, '' Amanda sighed, `` They learn grammar and punctuation mark and say literature. ``

`` Oh, '' John replied, `` Sounds boring. ``

`` It is, '' Kaden announced, `` Anyway, I had Uncle Harry for Defense first this dayspring ; it was so full-strength. ``

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

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

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

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

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

`` We 'd better get going to Potions, '' rose wine stood up and grabbed her bag.

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

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

Albus and his friends walked out of the Great Hall and towards the stairs that lead to the dungeon.

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

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

`` Oh, Merlin ! '' Gospel According to John shouted once they reached the dungeons, `` We 're with the Slytherins again ! ``

`` Of all the year to deliver with them, '' Albus muttered.

The educatee stood outside the dungeon, in assort radical of Gryffindors and Slytherins, waiting for Slughorn to get in. He arrived a few transactions later and unlocked the door. Albus went inside with everyone else and sat down at one of the desks, succeeding to Matt.

`` Ah, my two favored Houses together again ! '' Slughorn grinned and clapped his script together, `` Just let me run through attendance real quick. '' Slughorn read off the figure of all the students, `` Excellent, first-class, we 're all here !

`` Now, seeing as we have a dual class today, I thought a piffling contest would be appropriate ! Let 's see how a good deal you remember from last year. The pardner that brew the best Forgetfullness Potion will each get a large slab of Honeyduke 's umber ! '' Slughorn glanced around at his scholarly person. The Gryffindors were on one side of the way, Slytherins on the former, much like it had been in the premature twelvemonth.

`` I 'm sure you all heard Professor Kendrick 's talking to last night, about the fact that the school needs to be more unified, '' Slughorn continued in an uncharacteristically serious tone, `` Therefore, I have decided that it would be a good theme to have got inter-house mate this year. ``

Albus turned to Matt and mouthed, honorable idea ? mat was looking as shocked as Albus felt. Neither of them wanted to influence on Potions with any of the Slytherins. How could Slughorn imagine this would be a honest idea ? Albus thought it would most probably cause More explosions than usual.

Once the course of instruction stopped groaning, Slughorn continued, `` I, for one, agree with the master in that there needs to be lupus erythematosus stress between the sign of the zodiac. So, delight halt moaning. I 'm sure you 'll find that you can work together for the afternoon. I will read off the pairs and then you may propel. ``

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

Albus glanced at matt who had a feel of stark horror on his face. He was shaking his head and mouthing the word 'no'. Albus knew that matte would have rather worked with any Slytherin other than Scorpius. Albus turned his head slightly and saw that Scorpius had a self-satisfied aspect on his face. He probably thought he 'd find out flatness 's closed book now. But he would n't, not if Albus could do anything about it.

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

Could be worse, Albus thought. He did n't really get laid Jackson, although he did know that Thomas J. Jackson was an fantabulous Potions brewer. Albus was decent with Potions, but not nearly as just as Jackson.

`` Bilius Katherine Mansfield is with Patrick Parlan and Leigh Montague is with Rose Weasley, '' Slughorn looked up from his lambskin and tapped his wand on the black control panel. Instructions appeared on it. `` There you go ! ``

Albus gave mat a half-hearted grin that lusterlessness did not return, and Albus got up to unite Jackson Limbert at his desk. Scorpius Malfoy got up and took Albus 's lift seat. `` Limbert, '' Albus nodded as he set his cauldron down on the desk.

`` ceramicist, '' Limbert nodded back. `` I 'll get the ingredients, you light a fire. ``

Albus nodded and lit a fire beneath his caldron as Limbert joined the queue of students getting ingredients from the cupboard. Limbert returned a few minutes later and he and Albus started to prepare the ingredients. They worked in quiet the whole time. Albus did n't have it away what Slughorn was thinking. The honest he could probably trust for was what Albus and Limbert were doing ; working civilly with each other, but not talking. Albus dropped a few beetle into the cauldron and looked around at everyone else. It seemed like Albus and Limbert were some of the few who were getting along. Scorpius Malfoy was whispering something to lustrelessness, that matt was trying hard to ignore. rose was telling Leigh something and Vivien Leigh looked like she was ready to hex rose. John was correcting Goyle, who was stirring his cauldron in the incorrectly direction, and King John looked like he wanted to scream. Amanda and Delila seemed to be getting along all right, but like Albus and Limbert, were n't talking.

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

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

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

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

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

`` Leigh is a bit smarter than that, '' Rose replied, `` But she wo n't listen to a parole I say, so we were both doing the Lapplander instruction over again ! ``

`` At least you were n't with Malfoy, '' matte said, `` He spent the whole clock time asking me I would be visiting my nan this year. ``

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

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

`` I do n't have it off what Slughorn was thinking, '' Amanda sighed, `` We 're never going to all get along. I 'm just beaming I was with Dalila. She 's not that bad. She 's very serenity, so we just ignored each early. ``

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

`` Worked out good, '' St. John the Apostle said, `` You got the chocolate. ``

******

The next morning, after breakfast, the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw second years found themselves waiting outside the good luck charm classroom. None of them had met the new teacher and they were all eager to see what she was like. Albus did n't care what she was like, as long as she was nicer than Washburn. Shortly after the gong rang, Professor Cedonia came ambling up the corridor. She did n't say a word to her educatee as she unlocked the threshold. Albus filed inside with the others and sat down at a table with bathroom and Matt.

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

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

`` Quiet, please, '' prof Cedonia said in a quiet, but forceful, part. `` Thank you. I 'll just run through the attendance. '' Cedonia called out all their epithet and when she was fulfill that everyone was there, she walked out from behind her desk. `` Now, I know your finish year of instruction in this subject was lupus erythematosus than satisfactory, and I hope to change that for this yr. I know some of you, '' her eyes fell upon Albus 's board, `` Spent more meter in custody with professor Washburn than in family with him. I do not believe that that is a good way of teaching. Now, do n't get me wrong, if there is any misbehavior, I will founder detentions, but I do not bridge player them out lightly. I would much rather find out why a student is misbehaving and work to fix it, than just give out detentions like they 're relinquish sampling. ``

`` I think I 'm going to like her, '' lusterlessness whispered. Albus and St. John the Apostle nodded.

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

`` Now, with that in thinker, I 'd care to embark on off with a review of last twelvemonth. Please withdraw out your parchment and quill pen. ``

The rest of the class was rather pleasurable, Albus thought. They spent one-half of it taking notes, which Cedonia actually made pretty fun. She kept everyone engaged, but did n't wedge you to serve a doubt you did n't know, like Washburn had done. The other half was spent practicing charms they had learned lowest year. Albus found that he was much better at charm when he was n't being watched by a teacher who hated him. He actually managed to levitate his textbook a twin ft in the air and he did n't set anything or anyone on fire.

`` I 'm going to like Charms this year, '' Gospel According to John announced as they walked out of the room.

`` Me, too, '' matt agreed, `` I wish we 'd had her terminal year. ``

`` I like her style, too, '' rose commented, `` She is n't going to be giving out a lot of custody. I like that. ``

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

`` You 'll just get to do other things to realise detentions, '' John laughed, `` Like pull pranks on the Slytherins. ``

`` It 'd be better just to beat them at the Dueling nine, '' rose wine said, `` You could n't get in hassle for that. ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

`` good, '' Albus said, relieved that lusterlessness would not be missing the first Dueling Club meeting.

******

The rest of the week passed by quickly. Albus and his friend fell right back into their usual Hogwarts subroutine. They spent their evenings in the usual room either doing homework or just talking and playing games. Kaden usually spent the evenings with him. Kaden seemed to spend meter with Albus 's radical rather than the early Gryffindor first of all years. Albus was not sure why, and was starting to go a bit annoyed at the fact that Kaden was always around. The lone prison term Albus seemed to get away from Kaden was during classes. Classes were going well so far. Albus was doing a lot better in appeal with prof Cedonia, and was doing about the Same as the former twelvemonth in the rest of his classes.

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

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

`` Probably, '' pink wine replied, `` There are n't many people who do n't join. ``

`` repose, please ! '' Harry shouted out over the crowd. Everyone stopped talking and turned to calculate at him. `` Thanks. Now, like past years, we 're having Jr Dueling as well as the fixture Dueling ball club. If you 're second gear, one-third, or one-fourth year, you have to fall in the Junior nine. If you 're in fifth year or above, delight follow prof Longbottom to the next room where you will hold your meeting. ``

`` Well that 's a relief, '' Matt commented as the honest-to-god student left the way, `` I did n't fancy dueling with seventh old age. ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` My cousin Francis Edgar Stanley is a brilliant dueler. I would n't need to be paired up against him. ``

`` Oh, I do n't know, '' John grinned and pulled out his baton, `` I bet I could subscribe to on a seventh year. ``

`` Yeah, sure, '' blush wine rolled her eyes.

`` Wands away ! '' Harry shouted, and John quickly stowed his wand. `` Now, as you know, Professor Kendrick has decided that we will not have home teams this twelvemonth. There will be eight teams, just like end year, but they will receive members from each theatre on them. ``

There was a collective groan from the crowd. Everyone was standing in mathematical group consisting of students of their own house. Albus sighed, he had kind of hoped that prof Kendrick would change his brain, but it did n't appear that way.

`` Yes, I know none of you are happy about it. And frankly, I 'm not sure if it will cause less tension between the houses, but it 's worth a try. Now, once we get everything organized, this will influence much like Quidditch. Each team headwaiter will set up pattern times, and there will be competitor throughout the year. Unlike Quidditch, there is no trying out ; everyone gets on a team.

`` First, I 'll order you who the maitre d' will be. prof Longbottom and I picked them at the end of last twelvemonth, based on your performance. All the captains are one-quarter years. There are two from each house.

`` They are Tom Bradley Weasley, Tasha Kasey, Kate Waverly, Leo Davies, April Finch-Fletchley, Paul Galivant, Nadine Neal, and Barty Heath. ``

There was a expectant amount of cheering and groaning at the promulgation of the captains. Albus did n't recognize any of the maitre d'hotel besides his full cousin, Bradley. He hoped he was on Bradley 's team.

The residue of the encounter consisted of Harry putting everyone onto a squad. Albus found it rather boring and spent the whole clock time talking to his booster. Eventually, he was put on a team. He was on Kate Waverly 's team, along with Amanda. They were the only when two Gryffindor first of all years on that team. Jesse James was n't on it either. Albus was happy he was on Kate 's team. She was a Ravenclaw and on the Quidditch squad. Albus was very projected that his police chief was not a Slytherin. However, shortly after Harry told Albus he was on Kate 's team, he found out that Scorpius Malfoy was on his team. He was not looking forward to having to cooperate with Malfoy. He had hoped he would be capable to duel Malfoy, but it did n't look like that would be happening.

`` I 'm so glad I 'm not on Malfoy 's squad, '' Matt said, as they entered the common room after the meeting was over.

`` Yeah, well, me and Amanda are, '' Albus groaned and threw himself into one of the chairs.

`` But you are n't his Potions married person, '' Matt pointed out, `` I 'd go mad if I had to be on his dueling team, too. ``

`` Good point, '' Albus sighed, `` But you really lucked out. You have my cousin-german for your chieftain. ``

`` At least you have n't got a Slytherin for your captain ! '' lavatory shouted. Rose nodded. She and John both had Slytherin sea captain, but not the like I. St. John the Apostle 's captain was Nadine Neal and rosiness 's was Barty Heath.

`` Oh, you 'll hold up, '' Amanda laughed.

`` Easy for you to say, with your Ravenclaw captain, '' Gospel According to John muttered.

`` Albus ! '' Kaden came running out of the threshold leading to the male child'dormitories, `` How was dueling ? Was it fun ? Did you win ? Was the other guy unconscious for a spell ? Is he still unconscious ? '' Kaden sat down excitedly in the chair next to Albus's.

Albus sighed ; he had yet to see his first cousin without his endless amount of vigor. Albus was beginning to question if Kaden could ensconce down enough to sleep. `` Er, we did n't really duel today, Kaden. It was just an informational meeting. We got impute teams, though. ``

`` Neat ! Who 's on your squad ? ``

`` Me, Amanda, Cedric, and a bunch of Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins that I do n't know. Our captain is Kate Waverly, she 's a Ravenclaw. ``

Kaden grinned, `` I ca n't wait to join the Dueling Club next year. I 'll beat everyone ! '' He pulled out his wand and waved it around. It produced a trickle of water that landed on Albus 's head.

`` ascertain it ! '' Albus shouted and shook the water system out of his optic, `` And put your sceptre away.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden replied and put his wand into his gown. `` What are you going to do now ? ``

`` Probably go down to the Quidditch pitch and practice for try-outs tomorrow, '' Albus told him.

`` Ooo ! Can I follow, please ? Flying deterrent example start next workweek. I ca n't wait ! Can I try out your broom ? '' Kaden begged.

Albus did not want Kaden on his new ling. Kaden had never flown before and Albus was sure he would break up it. `` You can come watch, I guess. But sorry, you ca n't try out my broom. ``

Kaden 's expression fell a bit, but he still looked emotional, `` All right, let 's go ! At to the lowest degree I can watch out you run Quidditch. I still do n't see how it can be full than football. ``

`` It is, '' Albus replied adamantly. He stood up and turned to his champion, `` You lot want to come ? ``

`` Yeah, definitely ! '' John stood up. `` I 'll bring my broom and service you practice. ``

`` I 'll come, '' flatness agreed.

`` Do n't think so, '' Rose replied, `` I 'm going to do some preparation. Want to stay here with me, Amanda. '' rose gave Amanda a look.

`` Sure, '' Amanda said, `` See you later, Albus. ``

Albus and John grabbed their brooms from their student residence and the four male child left the common room.

`` rosiness and Amanda are probably having girl public lecture, '' can grinned.

`` Yeah, they 're probably talking about us, '' Albus laughed.

Albus, bathroom, lustrelessness, and Kaden spent the rest of the afternoon performing Quidditch. Kaden watched the whole clip, amazed that Scots heather could enable people to fly. He still thought football was better, but Albus assured him that after he saw a catch, he would deepen his mind. John let Matt fly his heather for a short while and Albus practiced his chaser skills with both of them. By the time Night fell, and Albus was exhausted, Gospel According to John and lusterlessness were for sure he would get on the team.



A/N : Thanks to my sister and beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to my other sister and my chum. Thanks to ginnyweasley98, XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, potterfan89, Moonylupin, and ladymblack for their reviews !

Just to let everyone love, the future chapter might not be up until Friday of next hebdomad instead of Thursday. I might have to switch my update day to Fri instead of Thursday from now on, since schooling is starting and my Thursdays are going to be quite busy.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus woke up the following day feeling very aflutter. The Quidditch try-outs were n't until the afternoon, but Albus did n't eat much breakfast anyway. He spent most of the morning in the park room with his ally, trying to get some homework done, but found that he could n't digest. Eventually he gave up and played a few rounds of Exploding centering with John, who was putting off his preparation until the conclusion minute.

Harry stopped by the Gryffindor table during lunch and wished Albus good luck. Shortly after tiffin, Albus headed down to the Quidditch pitch with his new broom over his articulatio humeri. rose, John, matte, and Amanda went with him.

`` Albus, hey, Albus ! '' Albus turned around as he was leaving the castle to see Kaden running out of the Great Hall.

`` What ? '' Albus asked impatiently. He was uneasy to get down to the lurch and see how many former the great unwashed were trying out. He did n't want to be late.

`` Are you going to try-outs now ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` Uh, yeah, '' Albus replied.

`` Oh, can I come ? '' Kaden asked hopefully.

`` Sure, '' Albus answered and stepped out of the castling. The radical continued their walkway to the pitch, listening to Kaden talk animatedly about his showtime hebdomad at Hogwarts. Albus did n't cogitate Kaden would ever run out of matter to say, and found his unceasing jabbering a bit irritating. Albus was n't in the mood to get a line about how professor Patil had yelled at one-half of Kaden 's transfiguration course of study the premature day. Soon, Albus just adopted the policy of smiling and nodding when Kaden paused, like he did with his early younger cousins. Right now, all Albus wanted to do was condense on his try-out.

John, lusterlessness, blush wine, Amanda, and Kaden went to go sit in the stands while Albus went down to the tumid crowd of Gryffindors trying out. Albus turned his care to the former Chaser hopeful gathered around him. There was a seventh year boy who Albus vaguely recognized as one of Stanley 's friends, two burly looking sixth year boys who looked like they 'd score better Beaters than Chasers, a dyad fifth year young lady, quite a few fourthly and third years, and even a bunch of first years. After a few Sir Thomas More instant of waiting, the Gryffindor team emerged from the locker room, lead by Albus 's cousin, Georgia. Georgia had become the new captain over the summer. Albus distinctly remembered the dawning she got the letter of the alphabet informing her of her captaincy. Her head had appeared in the hearth at Grimmauld Place, where she shouted the intelligence so loudly, Ginny had dropped the ladle she was stirring porridge with.

`` Attention, please ! '' Peach State shouted over the gang. She had a very loudly articulation and everyone was quiet immediately. `` Thanks. Now, there 's only one available spot this year, for chaser. And I 'm not kicking any of last year 's thespian off, so if any of you are seeking a status other than chaser, clear off now. ``

There were a few groans from the gang, and the two sixth year boy stalked off the orbit. One of the one-fourth days left as well.

`` Also, I 'm dismal but the pattern have not changed since last year, and first off eld are not allowed on the squad. I encourage you to try out again when we next have available positions. '' The rather magnanimous group of first years scowled and left the pitch in a huff.

`` fountainhead, now that that 's taken care of, '' Georgia pulled out a cartridge clip control panel, `` kickoff, I 'll require to see you all fly around the pitch. Fifth through 7th years first. ``

Albus watched as the older students flew around the pitch shot a few time. Sakartvelo watched them carefully and wrote tone on her clip board. Albus thought they all flew remarkably well except for one of the fifth year girls. She kept lurching downwards every time she accelerated, almost falling off her broom. After a few turns around the delivery, the older students landed next to Georgia.

`` commodity. But I 'm blue, Carrie, '' Georgia turned to the twenty percent year who did n't fly very well, `` I do n't think you 're cut out for this. '' The little girl shrugged and went to sit in the stands. She did n't look too disappointed and Albus suspected the only reason she tried out was because the early fifth yr lady friend did n't want to do it alone.

Next, it was Albus 's turn to fly around the pitch. He took off along with the third and twenty-five percent eld. Once in the air, he started feeling better about the try-out. He could do this, he was a good bill. He sped around the sales pitch, going faster than the other scholarly person. Albus noticed that they were great flier as well, even effective than the 7th and twenty percent years who had flown earlier.

`` Excellent, '' Georgia grinned as Albus landed in battlefront of her. The others landed shortly after. `` Now I just have to see how well you work with Quaffles and the rest of the team. ``

During the adjacent share of the try-outs, all the Chaser hopefuls went up into the air along with the residue of the team and passed the Quaffle back and forth. Albus only dropped it once. The Same could n't be said for everyone else. Everyone else dropped it at to the lowest degree once. The only early individual who only dropped it once was one of the quarter years, Gabe Bourne.

`` You all did slap-up, '' Empire State of the South smiled after they finished tossing the Quaffle around, `` But I have narrowed it down to Gabe Bourne and Albus thrower. '' The other wannabe sighed and left the sales talk.

After this, Georgia simulated a actual mate, in social club to find out who fit outflank with the team. Albus, who had played Chaser with his cousins numerous clip, worked quite well with heather and Fred. Albus already knew the way they played and found that it was very easy to communicate with them while he was flying.

`` All right, '' Georgia announced once everyone had landed, `` I 've decided on Albus ceramicist. I 'm sorry, Gabe, feel gratis to try-out again another clock time. ``

`` Yes ! '' Albus grinned. The rest of the squad clapped him on the berm and congratulated him.

`` I knew you 'd get it, Albus, '' James grinned.

`` Figures, '' Gabe muttered as he left the sales pitch, `` Had to pick your full cousin. Are n't there enough of them on the team ? ``

`` He 's just covetous, '' James commented. `` You obviously worked better with heather mixture and Fred. ``

`` Thanks, James, '' Albus grinned. He did n't care what Gabe bourne thought. He was on the team !

`` Great job, Albus ! '' john shouted as he ran onto the sales talk. `` I knew you 'd get it. ``

`` Yeah, congratulations ! '' Matt agreed. Rose and Amanda grinned.

`` vivid ! '' Kaden shouted, `` Maybe I 'll get to be on the squad someday. ``

`` I thought you liked football, '' Albus laughed.

`` I do, football 's still better than Quidditch, '' Kaden assured him, `` But flying is brilliant. ``

`` Quidditch is better, '' Albus replied adamantly, `` But I 'll see you lot up in the rook. We 're going to stay on and practice a bit. ``

Albus and the sleep of the team spent the unit afternoon practicing. Albus loved every bit of it. Georgia was very happy that Albus worked so well with Heather and Fred. Usually, when a squad got a new Chaser it took a couple workweek for the new pursuer to get used to the squad, but Albus fit right on in. Georgia was sure they would be cook for the first lucifer, and they might even be able-bodied to win the Quidditch Cup again.

******

Albus climbed through the portrait hole the play along Thursday feeling thoroughly worn out. The Quidditch team had just practiced for two hours and Albus just got back from snagging a recent supper afterwards. The team was only practicing a couple dark a hebdomad, but it was enough that Albus hardly had any time for anything other than homework. He could only reckon what it would be like when they were practicing every night of the week.

Albus immediately spotted John and Matt sitting at their usual table in the spine. He looked longingly at the threshold leading to the dormitories. All he wanted to do was sleep, but they had Astronomy at midnight that Night. Albus ran up to the dormitory for a few minutes to stick his broom and get his schooling bag, wishing all the piece that he could just give way into bed.

`` Hi, guys, '' Albus said as he sunk into a chair at the table his friends were at.

`` Hi, Albus, '' John greeted him, `` You look almost as bad as matte does. ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied flatly, but he knew he looked tucker out. Although not nearly as exhausted as Matt did. The good moon was that night matt was sleeping with his head on his transfiguration book.

`` How was exercise ? '' Gospel According to John asked, without looking up from her History of Magic notes.

`` Exhausting, '' Albus replied, `` And I got hit with two Bludgers. ``

`` Ouch, '' John said.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, massaging his left arm where both Bludgers had made contact. He heard the portrait outdoors and saw Kaden coming in, looking to a greater extent subdued than he usually did. He made a beeline for Albus and sat down next to him.

`` Hi, Kaden, '' Albus said.

`` Hi, Albus. ``

`` Er, is something wrong ? '' Albus asked. He was n't used to seeing Kaden so quiet.

`` Patil assigned another essay today. A foot long ! '' Kaden shouted so loudly that Matt woke up. `` A whole foot ! ``

Albus looked at John and both of them burst out laughing.

`` What 's so funny ? '' Kaden asked loudly, his vocalization returning to its usual tone.

`` It 's just, '' Albus grinned, `` that you seemed so in love with everything magical and it did n't appear like you thought anything was bad in the magical world and here at Hogwarts. You loved every single class and did n't let a charge. I knew that would change once you 'd been assigned a farsighted essay. ``

`` Haha, '' Kaden replied flatly, `` But still ! I mean, occur on, how can I write a foot long essay about transfiguring matchsticks into needles ? It 's not that complicated ! You mutter an incantation and your match modification, that 's all there is to it ! There 's no way I can stretch that into a foot unless I write as big as Bethany does and I do n't mean Patil would like it if I wrote like a seven-year-old. ``

`` A ft is zippo, '' Albus told him, `` Eventually, you 'll be doing essays that are two drum roll of parchment. ``

`` Two rolls ! '' Kaden shouted, `` How is that possible ? It 's not ! I give up ! ``

`` Could you talk still ? '' lusterlessness whispered.

Kaden paused long enough to see at matte. `` You look atrocious. You should go see ma'am Pomfrey. You know magic trick localisation everything ! It 's amazing. I had a cold the early day and she gave me a potion and it was gone in an jiffy ! ``

`` She ca n't fix this, '' matte muttered.

`` Sure she can. I saw her fix this chap 's ivory with her sceptre. It was glorious. She 'll have you better in no time, '' Kaden assured him.

`` No she wo n't, '' lusterlessness said quietly.

Albus and John the Divine shot Kaden warning face. Albus willed his cousin to terminate talking now. Kaden had absolutely no idea what lustrelessness went through every month. Albus was getting fed up with Kaden 's belief that everything about the wizarding world was grand and that magic fixed everything.

`` Yeah she will, '' Kaden pressed, `` Just go ask her for a potion. ``

`` Just blank out it, '' Matt replied a bit more loudly, and stood up. He turned to Albus and John, `` I have to go now. I 'll see you tomorrow, right ? ``

`` Of course, '' Albus assured him.

`` Yeah, we 'll see you then, '' can said, `` Want me to come ? ``

`` No, I 'm fine, '' Matt replied and left the unwashed room.

`` Is he going to see Madam Pomfrey ? '' Kaden asked, `` I do n't recognise why he did n't go right when he got sick. Seems stupid to me. ``

That was the concluding pale yellow. Albus had had it with Kaden. He turned to his cousin with a looking at of cult in his eyes. `` Kaden, just close it ! '' he shouted. `` Do n't send for him stupid ! You 've got no idea what illness he 's got, '' Albus whispered so that only Kaden and John could hear him, but his voice was every bit as forceful as it had been when he was shouting. `` And get it through your fountainhead that magic does not fix everything ! There are some things that Madam Pomfrey ca n't fix with potions. Do n't ever tell him to just go see lady Pomfrey so she can make it all better. Because she ca n't. ``

Kaden stared at Albus and did n't say a news. His usual cheery smile faded away and was replaced by a look of impact and hurt. `` Sorry, '' he mumbled and got up from the table. He ran over to the hall and went up the stairs without so a lot as a glimpse back to Albus.

Albus looked at Saint John the Apostle, who was wearing a look of shock on his facial expression as well. `` I do n't think I 've ever heard you yell at anyone like that. Besides me, of course, when we were fighting over whether to narrate lustrelessness we knew he was a loup-garou, '' John said quietly.

`` Yeah, well, he was really starting to get on my nerves, '' Albus replied, `` And this was it. He should n't suffer done that. He should deliver stopped talking when Matt said dame Pomfrey could n't assist him. ``

`` But how was he supposed to know ? '' St. John asked, `` Do n't you think you were a bit harsh ? ``

`` No, '' Albus answered, `` Not when it comes to this. He 's got to learn not to butt into Matt 's illness, especially if he 's going to be around us all the time. ``

`` I 'm not sure he will anymore, '' John Lackland replied.

The two friends sat in silence for the next few minute of arc. Albus thought about what John had said. Maybe he had been too harsh. Maybe he should accept just told Kaden not to bother flatness. But Kaden had practically called matt pudding head, had n't he ? That was uncalled for. Could what Albus said really been enough to dissuade Kaden from spending time with Albus and the others ? Albus was n't sure. He was n't even sure if he wanted Kaden to block up outgo clip with him. As much as Kaden annoyed him, he had grown used to his younger cousin being around.

`` You 're awfully quiet over here, '' Rose said as she and Amanda sat down at the table. `` Oh, did matte leave ? ``

Albus nodded. `` How is he ? '' Rose asked.

`` He 'd have been better if it was n't for Kaden, '' John the Divine pointed out.

Rose groaned, `` What did he do ? ``

`` I was wondering why Kaden was n't here, '' Amanda said, `` It 's kind of odd seeing you without him around, Albus. ``

`` Kaden insisted that matte go get a potion from dame Pomfrey because he looked vomit up, '' John told the little girl. Albus was perfectly volition to let John secernate the story. `` And of line he looked upchuck, considering what tonight is. But Kaden did n't know that, of course, and he would n't block up telling Matt how wizard can fix everything. ``

`` Oh, did he really ? '' rosiness sighed, `` Then what happened ? ``

`` matte left. I think he really did have to will then, but I 'm sure he was pretty irritated by Kaden, '' John continued.

`` I 'll bet, '' Amanda said quietly, `` Your cousin does n't always know the best thing to say, Albus. ``

`` That 's why Albus yelled at him, '' John announced.

`` What ? ! '' both girls shouted at the like time.

`` Yup, '' John the Divine replied, `` Probably would have turned into a big row if Kaden had n't receive just left. He 's in his residence hall right now. ``

`` Oh, Albus, you did n't, '' Rose sighed.

`` I did, '' Albus said, a little annoyed that Rose seemed disappointed, `` And you would sustain to if you 'd been there. I just told him I was tired of him talking about how magic fixes everything. I told him that there are some things that Madam Pomfrey 's potions wo n't fix and not to cite them around lustrelessness. I also yelled at him because he practically called Matt stupid. Kaden said Matt was stupid for not getting a potion when he first got sick. ``

`` I see your level, '' Rose replied, `` But honestly, Albus, you could receive said it without yelling. I think Kaden 's having a rough time adjusting and making friends. Having you angry with him is n't going to aid thing. ``

`` Maybe if he learned to be quiet once and a patch, he 'd seduce friends, '' Albus muttered.

`` Well, you can rationalize in the good morning, '' rose wine told him, while taking out her homework.

`` Apologize ? He 's the one who 's got to excuse to flatness, '' Albus said adamantly.

`` He does n't even roll in the hay why that overturn matte, '' Rose insisted, `` And unless you plan on telling him, he 's probably not going to apologize. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. There was no way he was going to secernate Kaden that Matt was a werewolf. `` All right, fine. I 'll apologize. But if he does that again, I 'll hollo at him again and I wo n't rationalize. ``

`` And I 'll be right there yelling with you, '' John assured him.

`` Boys, '' rosiness muttered to Amanda, who nodded.

******

Albus was extremely tired when he trudged down to breakfast with his booster the next daybreak. Due to astronomy, he had n't gotten to bed until 1:30 am, and had had about six hours of sleep. Albus had n't seen Kaden at all that first light, which was strange because Kaden usually waited for Albus in the vulgar room before breakfast. Albus figured he was probably still upset about the previous night. Albus really did n't require to apologize, but he supposed he would throw to.

Albus sat down and poured himself a glassful of orangeness juice. He was gladiolus that it was a relatively leisurely day. doubled Herbology in the good morning and then a single course of Potions after lunch. Following Potions, Albus and his friends would go sojourn Matt in the Hospital Wing. Albus felt like he would rather spend the day in the hospital Wing sleeping instead of going to course, but he knew that would n't happen.

The C. W. Post owls flew into the room and Albus noticed his mother 's owl flying towards him. The owl landed next to Albus, Albus took the letter, and the owl was off again.

`` letter of the alphabet from aunt Ginny ? '' blush wine asked.

`` Yeah, '' Albus told her and opened the letter.

love Al,

How are you ? I hope your initiative two workweek have gone well.
I 'm happy the new Charms teacher is nice, and I do hope
you 'll conduct yourself in her class.

Congratulations on making the Quidditch team ! I 'm so
proud of you. Lily is very worked up as well and is
telling me that she is going to become the new
steward after Georgia grad. We 'll see about that.

Dudley called last night and told me about the row
you had with Kaden hold up night. I realize that Kaden
may take been less than likable with Matt, but
please apologize to him. Kaden is having a rough
time adjusting to Hogwarts. I know it seems like
he loves everything magical, but he has not made a
whole lot of friends. He needs you to be sort to
him and include him in your activities.

With love,
Mum

Albus folded the missive and sighed. Even his female parent wanted him to apologise to Kaden. Did n't anyone infer that Kaden had been out of subscriber line last night ? John seemed to mean so, but thought Albus should have been nicer about it.

`` Aunt Ginny agrees with me, '' rose wine commented.

`` Her and everyone else, '' Albus muttered. He still did n't really want to justify to Kaden.

`` Well, looks like you 'll experience to rationalise later, '' blush wine announced and stood up, `` We 've got to get to Herbology. ``

Relieved that he had an excuse not to apologize now, Albus made his way to the greenhouses with his friends. Neville spent the lesson teaching about Mandrakes and helping the course of instruction to re-pot them. Albus found rather easy, but not everyone in the grade did. One of the Mandrakes attached itself to Karina 's hair and would n't let go until Neville stunned it.

Albus did n't see Kaden at lunch and did n't stimulate sentence to go get him before Potions, not that he minded. He was still mad at Kaden and did not want to apologize. Potions was pretty wearisome because all Slughorn did was talking to. Albus felt himself nodding off a few multiplication, only to be prodded awake by Rose who was sitting future to him.



A/N : Thanks to my sis and Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my other baby and my brother. Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, potterfan89, ginnyweasley98, and Moonylupin for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




After Potions, Albus and his friends went to chatter lusterlessness like they usually did after a full moonshine. Albus was relieved that they did n't run into Kaden on the way there. He was n't sure what he would say in rescript to didder off his cousin-german if Kaden decided to try and inspect Matt with them.

`` Hello, Kyd, '' dame Pomfrey greeted them as they entered the ward. She was used to them visiting by then and left them alone as long as they were n't too loud.

Albus made a beeline for the bed mat usually stayed in and pulled back the pall. Matt was sporting numerous cuts all over his human face and arms, a black eye, and bruises all along his arms. He was also asleep.

`` Aww, he 's sleeping, '' John grinned mischievously as he shut the curtains behind them.

`` Well, that 's not really surprising, '' rose commented, `` Maybe we should issue forth back later. ``

`` No, I 'm awaken, '' Matt mumbled hoarsely and opened his centre a bit. `` Is Kaden here ? ``

`` Nope, have n't seen him since last night, '' Albus told him.

matt breathed a sigh of fill-in, `` good. I was trying to arrive up with a something to tell him as to why I 'm here, but now I do n't have to. ``

`` I do n't think you 're going to possess to interest about that, '' John replied.

`` Why not ? I 'm sure as shooting he 'll ask. He 's always hanging around. And last dark he was so bloody irritating. I think I would 've had a go at him if I had n't had a splitting headache. ``

`` Albus had a go at him, '' John told him, and proceeded to severalize matt what had happened after he left.

`` Wow, Albus, '' lusterlessness said quietly when John had finished, `` Thanks, I guess. ``

`` No problem. I 'm not going to let him butt into why you 're tired of all the fourth dimension, '' Albus said.

`` And you have n't seen him since ? '' Matt asked.

`` Nope. He got really upset, I think. And Mum says I 've got to apologize to him. I do n't really desire to, though, '' Albus answered.

`` well, you probably should. He is your first cousin, after all. But I ca n't say I 'd mind if he did n't spend as lots clip with us, '' Matt told him.

`` I know, me too, '' Albus responded. `` Anyway, how are you ? ``

`` Been better, been worse, '' Matt replied, `` Got a few broken ribs, but Madam Pomfrey fixed them. I 'm just a bit sore. And tired, of path. ``

`` When do you get to give ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Probably Dominicus, '' matt yawned.

`` Do you want us to leave so you can log Z's ? '' rosiness asked.

`` No, I 've got all nighttime to sleep. Tell me what I missed in class. ``

`` well, a mandrake attached itself to Karina 's hair in Herbology, '' Albus told him.

`` Bet she loved that, '' matt stifled a laugh.

`` And Albus fell asleep in Potions, '' Rose announced, `` I had to wake him up a few times. ``

`` I was n't asleep. I was just closing my eye for a bit, '' Albus insisted. `` Slughorn was just talking and it was boring. I had Quidditch practice yesterday and uranology. I 'm shopworn. ``

`` What did I miss in astronomy ? ``

`` Not much. Just review, mostly. form of the Sun Myung Moon, that variety of matter, '' Albus replied.

`` I think I 've got those down pretty well, '' Matt laughed. Everyone else started laughing, too. Albus was felicitous that Matt was getting to be more comfy about talking and joking about his condition with them.

Albus and the others spent the remainder of the fourth dimension until dinner in the Hospital offstage with Matt. Once dinner fourth dimension came, madam Pomfrey chased them out. Albus knew he 'd have to peach to Kaden soon, but he did n't get the opportunity to during dinner. After they finished eating, Albus and his friends went up to the common elbow room to get started on their growing mess of homework.

`` You should go lecture to Kaden now, '' blush wine said as she looked up from her notes.

Albus sighed. He had just gotten started on an essay that he really did n't feel like written material, but he 'd rather drop a line it than talk to Kaden. `` I do n't even see him in here, blush wine. ``

`` He 's over there, sitting by himself, '' blush wine pointed behind Albus.

`` Just get it over with, Albus, '' John told him as he twirled his quill pen around his fingers, `` You 've got to do it sometime. Just apologise and tell him not to inconvenience oneself Matt anymore. Make certain he knows that, because if he does that again I 'll yell at him, too. And I 'm much louder than you, '' John Lackland grinned.

`` He 's your first cousin, Albus, you 've got to at to the lowest degree be genteel to him, '' Amanda said, `` Even if you 're not best friends. ``

`` That 'll never bechance, '' Albus rolled his eyes. `` Oh, fine, I 'll go public lecture to him. ``

Albus got up from the tabular array and squeezed his way through the crowd together common room to the chairperson Kaden was sitting in. Kaden was leafing through his potions text book and writing the occasional musical note down on a art object of parchment. `` Er, hi Kaden, '' Albus said and sat down in the president opposite his first cousin. `` Could I talk to you ? ``

`` Oh, hi Albus, '' Kaden replied quietly, `` I thought you were still mad at me. ``

`` That 's what I wanted to talk to you about. ``

`` Oh, well, go ahead, '' Kaden closed his potions book.

`` I guess I just want to say I 'm sorry for yelling at you net Night, '' Albus said as he picked at a liberate thread on the chair. `` I did n't really entail to discompose you. I just wanted you to stop telling Matt to go to the infirmary wing. He told you to stop and you did n't. ``

`` fountainhead, I thought Madam Pomfrey could just give him a potion and he 'd be all in effect, you know, like magic, '' Kaden gave a half-hearted laugh, `` I just do n't get why anyone would n't go get a potion when they 're sick. ``

Albus sighed. He knew it was prison term for Kaden to realize that conjuring trick did n't fix everything. `` Kaden, you 've got to interpret that conjuration ca n't fix everything. I do n't think you get that yet. I know it 's firmly to amount into the charming human race after livelihood in the Muggle one for eleven years. Well, actually, I guess I do n't make love that. You 'd be better off talking to Amanda about that, or my dad, or my auntie Hermione- ''

`` I think charming is bloody brilliant ! '' Kaden interrupted.

`` That 's the matter ! '' Albus stared his full cousin in the eye, `` Not all magic is brilliant ! And it wo n't fix everything ! ``

`` I do n't see why it ca n't, '' Kaden shrugged, `` It 's thaumaturgy after all. ``

`` This is why virtually Muggles do n't know about magic. Most of them think magic can fix all their problems, just like you do, '' Albus explained, `` But it ca n't. And I guess you 'll just own to teach that for yourself, if you do n't believe me. ``

`` I think I do believe you, Albus, '' Kaden replied, `` And I already know that not all conjuration is secure. I remember what you told me about Voldemort. ``

`` Yeah, I think you do do it that, '' Albus agreed, `` But back to the early thing. You 've got to understand that there are some, er, '' Albus chose his words carefully so as not to sacrifice away lusterlessness 's secret, `` illness, that ca n't be fixed by magic. They 're sorry than your median low temperature or flu, and the healer, those are magical MD, have n't found therapeutic yet. ``

`` Oh, '' Kaden said. Albus could tell he was giving this a good bit of thought. `` But why ca n't you just brandish your sceptre and make up it better ? ``

Albus sighed. This was severely than he thought. He tried to think of a way of putting this in a Muggle perspective. Amanda would be better at this, he thought. Or even Rose. `` I 'm not sure as shooting exactly why. It just wo n't work. I guesswork magical healing is n't that different than Muggle medicine. Healers try to receive cure just like doctor do. Dr. ca n't fix everything either, like cancer, '' Albus remembered a Muggle disease he heard his dad talking about once, one that was very hard to bring around. `` Doctors try to fix it and sometimes they do, but there 's no remedy. ``

Kaden 's eyes opened wide and he whispered, `` Matt 's got malignant neoplastic disease ? ``

`` Oh, no ! '' Albus exclaimed, `` wiz do n't get that ; it 's a Muggle disease. And what he 's got is n't the wizard version of it. He 's not going to die from it. He just gets sick every once and a while. What you 've got to see is that dame Pomfrey ca n't fix it with potions. So, you should n't tell him to go get some. Just do n't mention anything like that. And definitely do n't scream him stupid for not going to see Madam Pomfrey, '' Albus said sternly.

Kaden nodded his forefront solemnly. Finally he seemed to be getting it, Albus thought. `` But what has he got ? '' Kaden asked curiously.

Albus groaned inwardly. He had hoped this would n't descend up, but he knew it would. `` I ca n't tell you. That 's for him to tell you, if he wants to. And honestly, I do n't think he will. So do n't ask him, ever. ``

`` You know what it is, right Albus ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yeah, I do, '' Albus replied. `` Oh, and do n't talk about this with anyone else, besides me. Not any of the former inaugural years, or anyone. Do n't mention that you know anything whatsoever about him getting ghastly. foretell me you wo n't. ``

Kaden looked questioningly at his full cousin. `` I wo n't. But why is it so closemouthed ? ``

`` It 's all part of what it is, and that 's all I 'm going to say, '' Albus stood up.

`` All right, so you 're not mad anymore ? ''

`` No, '' Albus replied. `` I 've got to go finish an essay. You want to come in sit with us ? '' Albus was n't certainly what his friends would cerebrate of Kaden sitting with them, heck he was n't really indisputable if he wanted Kaden to sit with them, but it seemed like the correctly affair to do.

A vast grin appeared on Kaden 's grimace and he stood up. `` Yeah, of course ! ``

Albus walked back to his ally, Kaden following like a puppy, and he knew things were back to normal.

******

`` Hey, Albus, '' Kate Waverly sat down side by side to Albus at breakfast the following Mon.

`` Oh, hi Kate, '' Albus said once he 'd swallowed his mouthful of eggs.

`` Listen, I 've been trying to find a prison term for dueling practice, '' she began, `` It 's been backbreaking than I thought it 'd be. I obviously ca n't do it during Quidditch drill. I do n't mean the solid team will be able to fill at the Saami fourth dimension ; it just wo n't exercise. But that 's all right. The team I was on last year rarely ever met at the Saami clock time. I 've been talking to everyone and it looks like Wednesday eventide will shape for a lot of multitude. Can you make it ? ``

Albus thought for a moment. He had been wondering when the first dueling practice would subscribe to place. John and rosebush had already been to their first practices. Matt missed his because it took position while he was in the hospital wing. `` I should be able-bodied to make it, '' he told Kate.

Kate grinned, `` Great. How about you, Amanda ? '' she turned to Amanda, who was sitting across from Albus.

`` Sure, I 'll be there. I have n't gotten anything else to do besides homework, '' she laughed.

`` perfective. The confluence will be in the dueling room, seven in the evening. I 've already talked to Professor ceramist and he said it 's dislodge. I 've got to go talk to the Slytherins now. I 've been saving them for finis, '' she groaned and walked over to the Slytherin table.

`` Finally, we 're having a coming together ! '' Albus said excitedly. `` I ca n't wait to initiate dueling masses. ``

`` Me too, '' Amanda grinned.

`` It 's moderately brilliant, '' John the Evangelist told them, `` We have n't really learned any new spells yet, but I got to disarm a mate hoi polloi. ``

`` I disarmed a couple third geezerhood at my get together, '' rose announced. `` I 'm excited about learning new spells, though. ``

`` Wish I had n't missed mine, '' mat muttered.

`` You 'll make it to the adjacent one, '' Albus assured him, `` You heard Kate, not everyone makes it to every merging. ``

`` Can I go with you to the meeting, Albus ? Please ? '' Kaden begged.

`` I do n't recall you can, sorry, '' Albus told him, `` number one years are n't allowed. ``

Kaden mumbled something that sounded like 'stupid principle'and left to go to his first class.

`` We ought to go, too, '' Rose announced. Albus and his Quaker left the Great Hall and made their way to Transfiguration.

The next few days seemed to drag on for an eternity. Albus was very excited about the dueling exercise and he did not feel like concentrating on anything else. He momentarily forgot about it during Quidditch exercise on Tuesday, but once that was finished, he was back to waiting impatiently for dueling.

After dinner on Wednesday, Albus and Amanda said goodbye to their ally and made their way to the dueling room. When they got there, they saw 7 or 8 former scholarly person, along with Kate Waverly milling about. Albus noticed that the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs were all talking with each other, but the Slytherins were sulking by themselves in one corner.

A yoke more students ran into the room as Albus and Amanda went over to the group of non-Slytherins. Harry walked in a moment later, and stood side by side to Kate in the front end of the room.

Kate looked at the clock and then back at the squad. `` All rightfulness, I think almost of us are here. I 'm Kate Waverly, 4th year Ravenclaw, as virtually of you know. I know a lot of you are n't happy about the inter-house teams this year, but we 'll have to deal with it. It 's not tardily for me, either. Last year, captains only had to adapt one Quidditch team, this year we have to accommodate four.

`` professor thrower, Professor Longbottom, or one of the other professors will supervise the practices, at least for the number 1 few. But if you have an way out, please follow to me first because I 'm the maitre d'. Now, for our first merging, I 'd just wish to appraise what dueling science you 've got. So pair off and disarm each other. Disarm only. ``

Albus and Amanda stepped a few base apart and faced each other. `` Ready ? '' Amanda asked.

Albus grinned, `` You know, if this was a real duel, you would n't ask me if I 'm ready. ``

`` I know, '' Amanda laughed, `` I 'm just used to it. ``

`` It 's all right. ``

A few seconds later, Amanda shouted out, `` Expelliarmus ! ``

Albus felt his wand frisson in his helping hand, but it stayed there. `` That was a commodity try, '' he said.

`` I 've done it in stratum, '' Amanda told him.

`` I know. I 've seen you. ``

`` You try now. ``

`` Ok, '' Albus pointed his wand at Amanda and shouted, `` Exeplliarmus ! '' Amanda 's baton flew out of her hand and it landed at Albus 's feet.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Kate shouted from across the room.

`` Nice one, '' Amanda told him.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied, `` You try again. ``

Albus and Amanda disarmed each other for the next XV min. Amanda managed to disarm Albus a couplet times, but she was n't nearly as good at it as Albus was.

`` All right ! '' Kate shouted, `` replacement partners, everyone ! Preferably someone who 's not in your house. ``

`` potter, '' Malfoy appeared adjacent to Albus, smirking at him, `` Let me usher everyone how much of a secure dueler I am. ``

`` Bring it on, Malfoy, '' Albus growled, suddenly wanting to hex Malfoy, rather than just disarm him.

`` Too bad we 're not on disunite team, '' Malfoy commented, `` Then I could wipe the floor with you in a real duel. Oh, well, this 'll induce to do. ``

`` Bit full of yourself, are n't you ? '' Albus muttered, raising his wand.

`` Expelliarmus ! '' Malfoy shouted. Albus 's verge flew out of his hand and landed a couple metrical foot away. `` Told you, '' he laughed. `` I am a better dueler than you. ``

`` I have n't tried disarming you yet, Malfoy, '' Albus replied, `` Do n't look your Snidgets before they hatch. ``

`` Give me your worst, Potter, '' Malfoy smirked.

`` Expelliarmus ! '' Albus shouted with all the force he could muster. Malfoy 's baton left his paw and landed a match feet away, just as Albus 's had done. `` There, we 're even. ``

`` We 'll never be even, ceramist, '' Malfoy replied haughtily.

`` Great job, everyone ! '' Kate announced, `` That 's adequate for now. I see we have some great duelers in here. With a fiddling pattern, I 'm indisputable we 'll wash up the other team. I think for simplicity, I 'll concur drill every week this same day and meter. It might be in a different room occasionally, and I 'll let you know if it is. Do n't care if you ca n't make all the meetings. Just try and make as many as you can. I 'll see everyone next week. ``

`` That was pretty fun, '' Amanda said as they were getting make to leave.

`` Yeah, although I could do without Malfoy, '' Albus replied

`` Hey, Al, '' Harry put his arm around his son, `` Could I let the cat out of the bag to you for a bit ? ``

`` Sure, '' Albus said and then turned to Amanda, `` I 'll see you in the rough-cut elbow room. ``

`` All right wing, '' Amanda left the room.

`` I have n't had a chance to spill to you much, '' Harry said once the room was empty. He walked over to a couple chair and sat down in one. He patted the one next to him. `` How have you been ? ``

`` Great. I love Quidditch, '' Albus grinned and sat down in the chairman next to his dad.

`` I 'm sword lily you made the team, although I heard some of the other Gryffindors were n't too happy. ``

`` Yeah, a yoke idea I just got on the team because Georgia 's police chief. And Ryan 's the only one who 's not a Weasley or a Potter on the squad now, '' Albus explained.

`` I 'm sure that 's not why you made the squad, '' Harry assured him. `` You 're a not bad chaser. ``

`` And I 'm already used to working with broom and Fred. ``

`` Exactly, you were the best one, '' Harry agreed, `` How have classes been ? ``

`` Fine. Charms is much full than lowest year. I like Professor Cedonia. ``

`` She 's very dainty. She 's definitely not the usual kind of teacher Hogwarts has, but that 's not really a bad thing, '' Harry commented.

`` Yeah, she has n't given out many detentions, '' Albus told him.

`` But she has her classes under mastery. I think the other instructor could learn a lot from her. ``

`` I 'd love it if cipher gave out detention anymore, '' Albus grinned.

`` That 's not really what I meant, but anyway, '' Harry continued, `` I heard you had some trouble with Kaden recently. Mum sent me an owl about it. ``

Albus felt his cheeks turn red. `` Er, yeah, but it 's all worked out now. I 'm not mad at him anymore. ``

`` Glad to take heed it, '' Harry smiled, `` If you have anymore job, finger unloosen to come to me. I know Kaden can be a bit, er, exuberant, to put it nicely. ``

Albus laughed, `` I 'll say. He just does n't know when to drop out sometimes. ``

`` Some people are like that, '' Harry stood up. `` It 's getting late. You should probably go back to Gryffindor. ``

`` All right field, '' Albus stood up as well and gave his dad a hug. `` G'night, Dad. ``

`` 'Night, Al, '' Harry gave his son a hug back and the two of them left the room.




Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter. Nor do I own 'Bothering Snape'or anything else related to Potter Puppet Pals.




The second half of Sept passed the same way the low one-half had. Albus 's twenty-four hours were filled with classes, preparation, Quidditch practice, and dueling recitation. Albus was really enjoying both Quidditch and dueling, although he liked Quidditch better. Kate had begun teaching them new go in dueling, and it was fun, but Malfoy kept trying to married person up with Albus during practice session. Albus suspected that Malfoy was trying to beat Albus in one of the practice duels, but he had yet to succeed. The first dueling meet was n't until the end of October and Kate felt that the team would be fully prepared by then.

Kaden was quickly becoming a permanent fixture in Albus 's radical of friends. After Albus apologized and invited Kaden to sit with them in the coarse room, he just never left. He was always with them whenever they were n't in class and because of this, Albus and his friends were spending much less clock time in the room of Requirement than they had the second one-half of their first gear yr. They seemed to have come to an unspoken correspondence not to show Kaden the way, and Albus was perfectly felicitous with this. After all, there might eventually come a day when Albus and the others needed to be alone, without Kaden, and the way might be the but piazza in Hogwarts where they could go.

The second Billy Sunday of October, Albus found himself looking for his acquaintance after a particularly retentive Quidditch practice. He shouldered his broom, feeling very worn-out, and headed back to the castling. It was a warm surrender day, not a cloud in the sky, and a cool breeze was blowing. It had been the perfect day for Quidditch practice. Albus had gotten his first taste of Quidditch practice in the rain a couple workweek back and he had n't enjoyed it in the slightest.

On his way back to the castling, Albus noticed bathroom and Matt sitting a couple yards away from the Whomping Willow, beneath another tree. Kaden was wandering around nearby, playing with what appeared to be a around piece of plastic attached to a long string. Albus went over to John the Evangelist and Matt and sat down next to them.

`` How was practice ? '' matte asked.

`` Exhausting, '' Albus replied, `` What have you been up to ? ``

`` Sitting around, putting off doing our prep, '' John grinned.

`` And watching Kaden romp with that Muggle toy, '' lusterlessness laughed.

`` What is that matter ? '' Albus stared at the piece of charge card as it went up and down on the string.

`` He calls it a 'yo-yo', '' John explained. `` Never seen anything like it. ``

`` I think I had one when I was really small, '' lusterlessness commented, `` But I must have got lost it ages ago. ``

`` How long has he been playing with it ? '' Albus asked, amazed that Kaden, who could n't sit still for 15 hour, could hold the attention duad to roleplay with that toy.

`` About fifteen min, '' Matt told him, `` But I think he 's noticed you, Albus. ``

Sure enough, Kaden pocketed his yo-yo and ran over to Albus. `` Hi Albus ! How was Quidditch practice ? ``

`` Good, '' Albus told him, `` Tiring, but unspoiled. ``

`` I was watching. I think I 'd care to be a Beater, it looks like fun to whack those Bludgers around, '' Kaden grinned.

Albus, who personally thought Kaden should not be allowed near a Beater 's bat after he nearly put soul 's eye out with his wand a couple sentence, laughed. `` Well, we wo n't be needing a new Beater for a while, '' he turned to whoremonger and lustrelessness, `` Where are Rose and Amanda ? ``

`` Up in the castle, doing homework, probably, '' John replied, `` They did n't want to follow outside. ``

Kaden stood up and stared at the Whomping Willow. `` D'you think that tree could kill person ? ``

`` Probably, '' Albus said.

`` Wonder why they planted it, then, '' Kaden started to take the air a little tightlipped to the tree.

Albus glanced at his admirer and saw a smell of panic appear in lusterlessness 's center. Why was it that Kaden always seemed to oppugn the things that had to do with Matt 's being a werewolf ?

`` Er, Dumbledore probably thought it was funny, '' Albus lied.

`` He was mad, then, '' Kaden inched even closer to the tree, whose thrashing offshoot were now just a yoke feet away from him.

`` A bit, yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` But he was brilliant, too. ``

`` It 's so strange, though. I 've never seen a Tree like this, '' Kaden started to encircle the tree.

`` That 's because it 's magical, '' Albus told him.

`` You should probably step back, Kaden, '' Matt warned him.

`` I 'll be careful, '' Kaden took a few to a greater extent whole tone towards the Tree. He was now within reach of its leg. `` Must be a warm Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. '' He started to try and reach one of the branches, but the tree got there first and hit him on the leg with one of its branches. `` Ouch ! '' Kaden shrieked.

Albus, matt, and bathroom all stood up and ran over to him, but not close enough that they could get hit.

`` Kaden, I told you not to go near it ! '' Matt shouted.

`` It did n't even relegate the tegument. I 'm hunky-dory, '' Kaden assured him and went back to inspecting the Tree. But the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree did n't wish Kaden around it and started to hit him more forcefully. `` Ow ! ``

Albus rushed forward, dodging branches as he went. `` Kaden, move ! ``

But Kaden did n't move away from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. A offset hit him in the head and knocked him over. He stood up a little and peered nigher at the tree diagram 's base.

`` Kaden, get away from there ! '' matte screamed in a very wobbly tone. `` I 'm serious, move ! ``

`` I think there 's a hole down there ! '' Kaden shouted excitedly.

Albus saw all the color drainpipe from Matt 's boldness, and he knew that Kaden had just found out how to get into the underground passage that led to the screaming hutch. Albus was about to go grab Kaden away from the tree diagram, when he disappeared from sight.

`` Oh, no, oh, no ! '' matt shrieked, shaking his top dog back and forth.

Albus rushed forward towards the tree. It hit him on his articulatio humeri and his head as he tried to elude the branch. He crept closer, still getting hit, and saw the hole Kaden was talking about. But it did n't appear like there was any way to get into it without being killed. Albus had no theme how Kaden had done it.

mat ran forward and grabbed a long branch that was on the primer. He wordlessly shoved it into the basis of the tree, and the branches stopped. Albus turned to expect at him, but he said nada. Albus quickly jumped into the hole and found Kaden crouching in the entry of a longsighted tunnel.

`` This is stick ! '' Kaden grinned, `` I 've found a unavowed passage ! ``

`` Listen, Kaden, we 've got to get out of here, '' Albus said urgently.

`` Aw, number on, Albus. Let 's abide by it ! ``

`` No, Kaden, we ca n't, '' Albus insisted.

`` You do n't look very excited, '' Kaden commented and he stared at Albus for a few seconds. `` I know, you already know about this, do n't you ? ``

`` Er, I, '' Albus tried to mean up something to enjoin Kaden. He was n't a very good lier, `` Fine, I do already acknowledge about it. My dad told me about it. But I have n't been in it. bookman are n't supposed to go in it. That 's why we 've got to leave, we 'll be in huge difficulty. ``

`` Do you know where it leads ? '' Kaden asked.

`` No, '' Albus lied. He figured he 'd be capable to pull that lie off, and he did n't want to state Kaden where the passage led to. `` Now let 's go. ``

Kaden sighed, `` Fine. But you 're ruining the fun. ``

Albus did n't say another Word. He quickly climbed out of the hole, hoping that whatever matte had done to stop the branches was still working. Luckily, it was, and Albus was able to climb out without receiving anymore hurt. Kaden climbed out behind him, the huge smile still on his face.

John and Matt were standing nearby, but not near adequate to be hit with branch. Matt was looking white as a wraith, clearly worried that Kaden had found the Shrieking hut. Albus was just about to narrate his friends that Kaden had n't gone down the burrow when he heard a voice behind him.

`` Playing with the Whomping Willow. That is clearly against the rules. ``

Albus turned around and saw Filch making his way slowly towards them. Great, he thought, this is just what they needed.

`` Yes, yes, '' Filch wheezed, `` Follow me, delinquents. ``

Albus turned to await at St. John and Matt. St. John the Apostle was looking pretty calm, but Matt was still as pale as Nearly Headless nick. Kaden also looked a bit apprehensive, but not nearly as a good deal as matte. Albus was a footling queasy as well. He had never gotten in worry with the caretaker before. He had heard horror floor about Filch and was n't sure which ace were true.

Albus followed Filch up to the palace in between John and lusterlessness. Kaden was walking a little mode behind them. None of them said a countersign. Filch was muttering to himself as he slowly lead the grouping up to the castle. They continued following Filch through the castle while other students stared at them. The other scholarly person were whispering amongst themselves as Albus and the others passed. Albus stared at the ground and tried to ignore them. Why was his trouble qualification always so publicized ? Of course, this was n't even his fault, Albus thought bitterly. It was all Kaden 's fault. Why did he have to save messing with the tree ? He never seemed to want to let anything go. When he got an idea into his head, he never seemed to let go of it until Albus either yelled at him or physically stopped him.

Filch led them into a minuscule, cramped, dark office filled with diverse Muggle cleaning implements. There were only 3 chairs in the room, one of which was behind Filch 's desk and he sat in it immediately. Matt took one of the other chair, as he appeared so skittish that he might faint. Kaden immediately started snooping around the office, while Albus and lav remained standing and watching Filch 's every move.

`` It 's in here somewhere, '' Filch muttered as he rifled through a cabinet. `` Let 's see. B. belligerent towards teachers, bothering house elves, bothering sorcerous creatures, bothering Snape, bothering former students, ah, here it is ! Bothering the Whomping willow. '' Filch grinned and pulled out a piece of sheepskin. He set it down on his desk and looked up at Albus and the others.

Albus glanced at John, who shrugged. None of them had ever been in Filch 's office staff before and had no melodic theme what to expect. Albus was prepared for the risky, including being shackled to the wall, as his cousin Fred told him Filch had done.

`` Quite the group of trouble God Almighty you are, '' Filch muttered, `` I 've got the form right hand here, already made. Had quite a few others torment that Tree in the past tense, especially after it was first planted. ``

Albus had his incertitude as to whether Filch actually knew why the tree was planted. Matt seemed to be getting more anxious with every mention of the Whomping willow, and Albus could n't charge him.

Filch opened his mouth and was about to say something when there was a clangor behind Albus. Albus turned around and saw Kaden standing with a few 12 Fanged Frisbees at his foot. He was holding one in his hand and there was an empty box next to him.

`` Do n't touch anything ! '' Filch shouted and ran out from behind his desk. He yanked the Frisbee out of Kaden 's hand and picked up the others. He shoved the box back on the ledge and went back behind his desk.

`` Sorry, '' Kaden mumbled. Filch ignored him.

`` dorsum to your punishment, '' Filch continued, picking up a flight feather. `` full phase of the moon names ? ``

For a rive endorsement, Albus considered giving Filch a sham name, but figured it would do no good with his dad as a teacher. `` Albus Severus ceramicist. ``

Filch wrote his epithet down and a grin spread across his face. `` Following in your Padre 's stride ? And your grandad 's ? Yes, yes, I have an total drawer in my filing locker dedicated to your granddaddy and his delinquent friends. I do believe he once bothered the Whomping Willow as well. ``

Albus ignored Filch 's reminiscing. He had not been bothering that Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. He had been saving Kaden from it. Although what Filch said had sparked his curio. Why had his grandfather messed with the tree diagram ? He knew his granddaddy loved to realize trouble, but that tree concealed one of his substantially acquaintance 's mystery. Maybe it had happened before he knew about it, Albus thought.

`` What about the rest period of you delinquents ? '' Filch growled.

`` John Malcolm Brickston, '' John replied. Filch wrote it down and glared at Matt.

`` Matthew Conan Eckerton, '' Matt mumbled very softly.

`` And you ? '' Filch glared at Kaden after he wrote down lustrelessness 's name.

`` Kaden dick Dursley, '' Kaden announced.

`` Right, '' Filch finished filling out the manakin and put it into his very large filing cabinet. `` Your penalisation. Three nights'detainment. Tonight you 'll be scrubbing cauldrons, Muggle panache of course of study, in the Potions room. Tomorrow you can do bank line. And Monday you 'll scavenge the Astronomy Tower, without magic as well. encounter me in the dungeons 8pm sharp tonight. Now get out of here. ``

Albus wrenched the door open and ran out of the office as fast as he could. ternary nights of detention ! Two of which would be spent doing Muggle cleaning ! That was harsh. Albus was wild now. Why did Kaden have to go near that tree ? None of them would be in this great deal if he had n't. Albus stalked all the way up to Gryffindor pillar, with John and Matt adjacent to him, nobody saying a watchword. Kaden ran along aside them, trying to get them to talk to him. Albus knew what they had to do now. They had to make certain Kaden did not narrate anyone about that tunnel.

When they climbed through the portraiture golf hole, Albus was relieved to see that both Bilius and Ethan were in the common room. That meant the dormitory was exempt and Albus could verbalize to Kaden up there. He wordlessly led the group to the dorm and shut the door behind them.

`` Ok, what is wrong with you lot ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` Why are you so placid ? ``

`` We just got in trouble because of you ! '' Albus shouted.

`` Well, sorry ! '' Kaden responded, `` But it 's not that bad, it 's just cleansing. ``

`` Three nights Charles Frederick Worth ! '' lusterlessness groaned, `` And I did n't even do anything. Neither did Gospel According to John or Albus. ``

`` Albus was in that tunnel with me, '' Kaden pointed out.

`` Only to get you out ! '' Albus reminded him, `` And if you remember, we told you numerous sentence to leave that tree alone. This is what I was talking about finish month, Kaden. You never stop when mass ask you to. And I 've been in Hogwarts longer than you have, if I tell you to lay off doing something, hazard are there 's a good reason for it ! And this one just seemed like park sensory faculty to me ! 'Do n't go near the tree that could kill you .'Why on earthly concern would n't you listen to that ? ``

`` Jeesh, Albus, '' Kaden replied, a short quieter, `` I was just curious about it. ``

`` wonder killed the kneazle, '' John muttered.

`` What ? '' Kaden stared at him.

`` Kneazle, it 's a wizard animate being, '' John explained.

`` Oh, well, Muggles just say wonder killed the cat. ``

`` That 's unknown, '' Gospel According to John said.

`` Anyway, '' Albus continued, `` You ca n't recite anyone about that burrow and I mean anyone. Not your mum, not your dad, not your sister, not any of the other first days, no Muggles or Wizards, young or old, '' Albus turned to John the Divine and Matt, `` Have I left anything out ? ``

`` Do n't tell any animal either, '' Gospel According to John added, `` Or what appear to be breathless objective either, you never know in this blank space. ``

Kaden stared at them with a confuse flavour on his typeface. `` Why not ? It looks to be a secret passageway ! ``

If it was potential, Matt seemed to reverse even whiter. `` Do n't recite anyone, '' he said forcefully. `` And do n't go back into it. Ever. ``

Kaden sighed. `` You lot take all the fun away. ``

`` Trust me, Kaden, what 's beyond that tunnel is n't fun, '' Albus told him.

`` But you said you did n't know what was beyond it ! ``

Oh, right, Albus thought. This was why he was a bad lier. He could never keep the lies straight. Now what was he going to say ? `` Oh, er, well, I variety of do know. But trust me, it 's zippo dependable. It 's not even that exciting, pretty boring really. ``

`` And you 're not going to tell me what it is, are you ? '' Kaden looked at all of them.

`` Nope, '' John replied.

`` So you all know where it goes ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' St. John answered.

`` I just do n't get it. You lot seem to be keeping quite a few matter secret from me. Are they special closed book only people with wizard parents can love ? '' Kaden asked darkly.

Albus was shocked. Where had his cousin come up with something like that ? `` No ! Of course of instruction not ! Why in the public figure of Merlin 's beard would you suppose that ? ``

`` Certain mass here seem to suppose Muggle-borns should n't be learn magic, '' Kaden explained.

Albus knew this, of path. He just had n't known that they were bothering Kaden. `` Who, Kaden ? And are they doing this to you ? ``

`` Um, yeah, a bit, '' Kaden muttered, `` Mainly Felix Willinson. ``

Albus groaned. He should hold known. Felix had n't bothered Albus at all so far, but apparently he, like his cousin-german, enjoyed bullying early scholarly person. `` Just ride out away from him. And if he bothers you again, just distinguish me. I 'll get my first cousin to set him straight. ``

`` All rightfulness, '' Kaden replied, `` And I really am sorry about the Whomping willow tree thing. ``

`` It 's ok, '' Albus assured him. `` We 'll just cause you do most of the cleaning these future few nights, '' he grinned.



A/N : Thanks to my beta and sister, Dancer of Starlight, as well as my former sis and my chum. Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Niki Lily, drownzer, XDNLxtlz99, Moonylupin, and potterfan89 for their review article !


Diclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter. Nor do I own Monty python, Spamalot, or any of their pertain material.




Albus never thought he would own a worse hold than the one he had cleaning the prize room the previous year. He thought Washburn had been the pip person to induce detention with, but he was wrong. Albus went through his whole first year without getting in trouble with Filch, and he was very happy about that. By the time he finished his second gear detainment on Monday night, he was beginning to like he was doing detention with Washburn instead. At least Washburn had n't breathed down his neck the intact time. Filch spent all of Sunday dark staring at them while they scrubbed caldron, and all of the previous night staring at them as they churned out production line after dividing line. Filch seemed to film joy in watching the students rub their hired hand raw while scrubbing the cauldron. Of course, the lines could ingest been considered a decent time out in between the two cleaning events.

By the time Albus trudged into the common room on Tuesday evening after Quidditch practice, he was gear up to be done with detention. But no such luck ; it was their final night and Filch was sure to savor every minute of it. Albus quickly dropped his Calluna vulgaris off in his dorm room and went back to the common elbow room to spend the ten arcminute they had before they had to leave for detention.

`` The live thing I want to do is go clean something, '' Albus groaned.

`` feeling like you need to clean your apparel, '' John laughed.

Albus shot him a dirty look. `` What do you expect ? It 's raining and it 's muddy and I just spent 45 minutes flying around. ``

`` I know, '' John the Evangelist grinned.

`` Georgia was n't well-chosen about me leaving betimes, '' Albus told him. `` She 's ruthless. ``

`` I 'll bet, '' John Lackland agreed.

`` Hey, where 's flatness ? '' Albus asked, looking around the mutual room.

`` elbow room of Requirement, '' toilet replied. `` Been there since right after you left for praxis. ``

`` Oh, right, '' Albus said, remembering that the full moon was the keep up eventide. `` Why are n't you there with him ? ``

`` Wanted to, '' John sighed, `` Could n't stimulate Kaden. He 's been with me ever since you left. In fact, I think that 's why matte left. He could n't get any rest with Kaden around. ``

`` But he 's not here now, '' Albus commented, noticing that Kaden was n't in the common room.

`` He went to put his books in his dormitory, '' John Lackland explained, `` I 'm certainly he 'll be back at any consequence. ``

As if on cue, Kaden came flying out of the door leading to the dorm room and made a beeline for Albus and John. `` Ready ? It 's the last night ! '' Kaden announced.

`` Yes, we know, '' john said, `` You 've been telling us that all day. ``

`` Where 's matt ? Have n't seen him since dinner party. He 'd break speed up, wherever he is, '' Kaden peered around the room.

Albus and King John exchanged looking. `` I 'll find him, '' Albus replied quickly. `` You two go on ahead. ``

This sentence it was King John 's turn to give Albus a revolt flavour. He clearly did n't want to be the one who had to go to detention with Kaden. `` mulct. See you later, rose, Amanda. ``

`` Enjoy yourselves, '' rose replied.

`` See you later, '' Amanda waved.

Albus gave Gospel According to John and Kaden a second 's psyche commencement before he left the commons room and went to the room of Requirement. He did n't want Kaden to find out where he was going. Once the coast was exculpate, he paced three metre in figurehead of the lacuna paries on the one-seventh base and waited for the door to appear. It materialized just wish always and Albus went quietly inside. The room was nighttime and Albus could hardly see where he was going. He wished there was some light. Immediately, torches lit up along the walls and revealed a four-poster bed in the midriff of the small-scale room.

Albus walked quickly over to the bed and wrenched the hangings loose. Once he saw how exhausted Matt looked, he immediately felt hangdog about how he had complained about being too tired from Quidditch practice to do detention. His exhaustion was nada compared to Matt's.

`` C'mon, we 've got detention, '' Albus gently poked his friend.

matt opened his eyes and sat up, wincing. `` Already ? All right. '' He slowly got up out of bed and stretched.

Albus led the way out of the room and to the uranology Tower. Neither of them said anything for most of the journeying, but Albus knew they were both thinking the same matter. They wished they did n't feature to do detention that night.

`` Where are John and Kaden ? '' flatness asked, suddenly realizing that they were n't there.

`` They went on ahead. Did n't need Kaden to know about the Room. ``

`` Oh, yeah, thanks for that, '' matt replied.

Albus and matt slowly climbed the stairs leading to the Tower, and once they reached the top, Albus opened the door and the two of them arrived. Luckily, it had stopped raining and the swarm had even dissipated. The almost full moon was shedding tripping upon the Tower, enough that Albus and the others would be able to do their detainment with only a pair torches. Albus noticed Matt thrill and screw up his oculus as the moonlight hit him. Albus figured it was probably giving him a splitting concern at best.

`` You 're late, '' growled Filch, who gestured to toilet and Kaden. The two of them were already scrubbing telescopes.

`` Sorry, sir, '' Albus mumbled, not elaborating on why they were late.

`` Another nighttime 's detention, I think, '' Filch replied, `` Tomorrow Nox. You can continue cleaning cauldrons. There are still some left wing. ``

Albus glanced at lustrelessness who did n't even seem to be paying attention to Filch. He looked too busy trying not to be sick. There was no way that Matt could possibly do detention the stick with eve. He would just suffer to enjoin Professor Longbottom about it the next day. Albus, however, groaned, as he would be subject of doing detention the future Nox. However, he would give to miss dueling pattern. At least Kate was n't uptight about them missing praxis like Empire State of the South was.

`` wellspring, what are you waiting for ? '' Filch growled at Albus and lusterlessness, `` Start scrubbing ! ``

Albus picked up a rag out of the bucketful that was standing nearby and ran quickly to where whoremaster and Kaden were scrubbing. He was partway there when he realized Matt was still standing near the doorway. He did n't appeared to have moved since they entered the tugboat. Filch was glaring at him, looking like he was ready to set off with fury. Albus grabbed matt by the arm without looking at Filch and led him over to the telescopes.

`` Are you all right ? '' Albus whispered and started to clean the near telescope.

`` F-fine, '' flatness stuttered. Albus looked at him and noticed that he was shivering.

Albus turned to wait at John the Divine who shrugged with confusion. `` It 's a lot worse than last night, '' Albus muttered. During the previous Nox 's detainment, lustrelessness had nodded off a few multiplication, but he had been adequate to of producing a good bit of pedigree. Tonight, flatness appeared to be frozen in lieu and definitely would n't be getting much cleaning done.

`` fountainhead, it is the night before, '' can whispered so quietly that Albus could barely get word him.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` But he seems pallid than to the highest degree Night before. ``

`` Dunno why, '' John replied, `` We 'd better hide him from Filch, though. Filch will know he 's not strip. '' Albus nodded and moved to the other position of Matt.

`` What 's wrongly with him ? '' Kaden asked loudly, `` Is he sick again ? ``

Albus and john shot Kaden ominous flavor and Kaden immediately shut up. `` I was just wondering, '' he muttered a minute later.

`` Remember what I told you last time ? '' Albus asked quietly, `` Do n't bring in it up. ``

`` hushed ! '' Filch shouted loudly.

Matt jumped and looked at Albus with a flavor of muddiness on his face. `` What 're we doing ? '' he mumbled.

`` Detention, '' Albus replied, `` Listen, d'you want to go to the infirmary offstage ? ``

`` No, it 's not tonight, it 's tomorrow night, '' he said and slouched onto the telescope he was supposed to be cleaning.

`` I said quiet ! '' Filch yelled and waltzed over to the son, `` Get to make ceramicist and Eckerton. ``

Albus and the others worked in muteness for the next half minute. St. John the Apostle and Albus worked carefully down the row of scope, making sure lustrelessness was between them at all clip so it would calculate like he was cleaning. Kaden worked on Albus 's other side, looking much more cheery than the other three boys did.

`` Republic of Finland, Finland, Suomi ... '' he sung quietly, `` That 's the country for me .... ''

`` What ? '' Albus whispered. Kaden had been humming that Song dynasty for the past five minutes and it was driving Albus mad. He had never heard it before and it sounded quite strange.

Kaden stopped singing and looked at Albus. `` Oh, come on ! You 've never heard of Monty Python ? Spamalot, the Broadway manoeuvre ? ``

`` Uh, no, '' Albus replied, wondering what that Song could have to do with a python. There had n't been any mention of snakes in it.

Kaden sighed. `` I love the wizarding humans, but you lot are really lacking in high school tone entertainment. Would it drink down you to view TV and flick ? Monty Python is a pic, and a pretty funny one at that. You can watch it at my house sometime. Spamalot is a Broadway manoeuvre based on it. They turned it into a movie a few eld back. ``

Albus was still a bit confused about the Song, but he figured he 'd understand it if he ever watched the film. He had seen a few Muggle films before, but never Monty python or Spamalot. His Aunt Hermione had a TV, but she did n't let Albus check it very often. `` You 'll rot your brainiac out ! '' she always told him, `` Now go read a Word ! ``

Albus and Kaden went back to their cleaning, and Kaden started humming a new Song. Albus assumed it also was from Monty Python since it sounded just as confusing as the previous one. It had something to do with fish.

`` stop consonant that goddamn hum ! '' Filch screamed.

`` Sorry, sir ! '' Kaden replied. Filch scowled. Clearly he was tempestuous about Kaden talking to him, but he could n't scold him again since what Kaden had said was polite.

The end of the detention was spent in almost stark silence. Every once and a while, Kaden would try to absorb the others in conversation, but it was always stopped by Filch. Luckily, Filch never realized that Matt had n't done an oz. of cleansing. He seemed to occupy glaring at Kaden and telling him to shut out up. Albus realized that Filch probably had an eternal grudge against Kaden now, which Kaden seemed oblivious to. It would not surprise Albus if Kaden had a file that rivaled his grandfather 's by the metre he graduated. By the time the detention was over, Matt was leaning against Albus, although he seemed thoroughly incognizant of it. Albus had caught Kaden staring at Matt a few sentence, but as soon as Albus sent him a dirty flavour, Kaden went back to cleaning.

`` All right, you 're done, '' Filch growled, `` Get out of here or you 'll be out of bed after curfew. Then you 'll get another detention. '' He smirked. Filch picked up the cleanup supply and ambled down the stairs before Albus and the others.

`` We 're done now, '' Albus gently woke matte up.

`` Done with what ? '' Matt mumbled without opening his eyes.

`` detainment, where we 've been for the final stage minute, '' Albus explained while looking at John. John pulled Matt off of Albus, but he stumbled fell against a telescope.

`` Ouch ! '' lusterlessness shouted and grabbed his head.

`` We 've got to get back to the usual room, and quick, '' Albus said, More to St. John than to matt, `` It 's almost curfew. ``

`` What 're we going to do with him ? '' John asked. flatness was now leaning on John. `` I wish we could levitate him. ``

`` You ca n't ? '' Kaden asked loudly.

`` No, that 's much more advanced than we 're able to do, '' Albus explained, `` And lower your voice. ``

`` Let 's just each get on one side of him, '' Saint John the Apostle threw one of matte 's weapons system over his shoulder and gestured for Albus to do the same.

Albus followed John 's Pb and told Kaden to get the door. Albus, John, and Matt hobbled awkwardly down the stairs and back into the main part of the castle. It was dim going and they 'd already missed curfew.

`` Good thing he 's light, '' Albus commented.

`` Yeah, '' John agreed.

`` Ugh, '' matt winced and opened his eyes, `` I think I 'm going to be pale. ``

Albus and John looked at each other for a schism moment before Matt retched onto the story in front of them.

`` Ew, gross ! '' lavatory exclaimed.

`` Told you he was sick, '' Kaden said. He had been walking a few tempo ahead of them and kept looking back, wanting to say something but afraid to.

`` We knew that, '' Albus snapped.

lustrelessness retched a second gear time and Albus felt him crash onto the trading floor. Albus and lav both grabbed his arms as he went down and slowed the fall. Now what were they going to do ?

`` Matt ? '' Albus gently shook him and tried to get him to wake up, but it was no use.

`` What happened to him ? '' Kaden stared as Albus tried to waken Matt up.

`` Passed out, '' Albus said shortly. He was a bit annoyed that Kaden asked that. Was n't it obvious ?

`` I know that, '' Kaden replied, `` But why ? ``

`` How should I know ? '' Albus snapped.

`` Will you two end arguing ? '' Saint John the Apostle interrupted. `` What are we going to do ? ``

Albus shrugged and thought. What were they going to do ? terror overtook him as he assessed the office. They were out of bed after curfew and matt was passed out on the trading floor. It could n't get worse than this. There was no way for them to get Matt to the park room or the hospital wing without levitating him. And none of them could levitate a soul. Albus looked at matte and noticed he had begun shivering again. Albus took off his cloak and laid it over his admirer. `` Kaden, '' Albus began, `` Go get lady Pomfrey. ``

`` Why me ? '' Kaden asked nervously. He looked around at the night corridor, clearly worried about walking through them alone.

`` Just do it ! '' Albus shouted.

Kaden looked taken aback at Albus 's loud tone. `` Ok, ok ! '' he replied and took off down the corridor, towards the stairs.

`` He 's going to be ok, right ? '' Albus asked quietly once Kaden was out of sight.

`` I dunno, '' Saint John the Apostle whispered back. `` But it 's been bad before and he 's always recovered fine. ``

The son sat in silence for the next couple minutes, watching for mark of consciousness in their friend. However, lusterlessness remained unresponsive and very wan. Though he was still shivering, his forehead glistened with elbow grease in the moonshine that was streaming in through a nearby window.

`` What 's that ? '' John asked, pointing down the corridor.

Albus looked where John the Divine was pointing and saw a chassis floating towards him. He stood up and drew his scepter and John did the like. The figure came closemouthed and closer, and soon Albus was able to piddle it out. It was Peeves. Albus groaned inwardly. This was the last thing they needed, Peeves announcing their comportment to the whole castle.

`` Students out of bed ! '' Peeves shouted gleefully as he noticed the boys.

`` Shut up, Peeves ! '' Albus replied, very get at at Peeves 's felicitous tone.

Peeves peered down at Matt and then looked at lavatory and Albus. `` Dueling, have we ? It seems that you two have won. But Mr. Filch wo n't wish this ! No he wo n't ! Students out of bed and dueling, too ! ``

`` We have n't been dueling ! '' lav insisted, `` Now get out of here ! ``

`` Ha-ha ! '' Peeves laughed, `` Peeves does n't listen to scholar, no he does n't ! Peeves causes trouble when scholar are around ! ``

`` No, quieten ! '' Albus whispered.

Peeves cackled even louder and zoomed up and down the corridor. `` Students out of bed ! Students out of bed ! ``

Albus and John gave each former panicked feel. Albus had no idea what to do to silence the poltergeist. But if he did n't contain shouting, mortal would surely rule out that they were there. Albus 's veneration were soon realized as he heard hurried footsteps coming down the corridor. Albus wished he had his father 's invisibility cloak.

Peeves apparently heard them too, because he flew down towards them shouting, `` They 're over here ! Over here ! bookman out of bed ! ``

`` Go away, Peeves ! '' a loud Isaac Stern representative shouted, `` Or I 'll get the Bloody top executive ! ``

`` Yes, Madam nursemaid, mam ! '' Peeves saluted and sped down the corridor, cackling madly.

Albus breathed a suspiration of relief. It was just gentlewoman Pomfrey. Albus watched as the nurse ran the respite of the way down the corridor. She was surprisingly fast for someone her age. Kaden was panting behind her, trying to keep up.

lady Pomfrey rushed over to Albus, John the Evangelist, and mat, and immediately bent down and put her hand on Matt 's os frontale. `` What 's happened ? '' she asked briskly.

`` He collapsed, '' Albus told her.

The nurse clicked her tongue and conjured a stretcher. She waved her wand and lustrelessness landed on top of it. `` Well, you can explicate more once we get to the infirmary backstage. Quickly now. ``

Albus, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden ran behind Madam Pomfrey all the way to the infirmary wing. None of them said a word, although it looked to Albus like Kaden was trying to keep himself from asking more dubiousness. minute later, the group arrived at the hospital extension. Madam Pomfrey barged through the door and immediately deposited Matt onto a bed. She bustled around the Barbara Ward, gathering potions while asking the son more questions.

`` Why were you out of your coarse room ? '' she asked.

`` Detention, '' Albus responded.

`` Where and with whom ? ``

`` Filch had us cleaning the integral Astronomy tug, '' John replied with a disgusted tone.

madam Pomfrey stopped rifling through her potion locker and turned to look at St. John. `` Astronomy Tower ? ``

`` Er, yeah, '' John the Evangelist answered with a look of mix-up on his face.

`` Filch ! '' madam Pomfrey shouted as she ran back to Matt 's bed, `` I 'll have got him for this ! I thought I made it discharge to him live on yr when he had you scrubbing the bathroom ... I 'll hex him into future yr ! merlin 's face fungus, the astronomy tugboat ! And tonight of all nighttime ! '' The nurse continued to run back and Forth from her power, potion cabinet, and Matt 's bed while muttering about Filch.

`` What 's she going on about ? '' Kaden whispered. Albus jumped. He 'd leave Kaden was there. `` What 's Filch got anything to do with him being sick ? '' Kaden asked.

`` I 'll get him for this ! '' gentlewoman Pomfrey shouted as she waved her sceptre over lustrelessness. `` I swear I will .... ''

Albus looked at Madam Pomfrey and then back at Kaden. He chose to ignore Kaden 's enquiry. The nurse was getting dangerously close to cluing Kaden into why Matt was there. If she was n't careful, she 'd cave in away everything.

`` I thought I 'd made it illuminate to him ! '' the nurse repeated while she poured a disgusting looking Orange River potion down Matt 's pharynx. `` No detention on these Night and certainly not on the Astronomy towboat ! If he 'd been out there any longer ... wellspring, I 'm not exactly surely what would throw happened ! ``

Kaden looked throughly confused. `` What 's the uranology Tower got to do with this ? ``

`` Of all the nights of the month- ''

`` brothel keeper Pomfrey ! '' Albus shouted, suddenly deciding that he had to get the nurse to terminate ranting. gentlewoman Pomfrey looked up from what she was doing and glared at Albus. It generally was not a good theme to interrupt her while she was working, but Albus had no alternative. He ran over to where the nanny was standing. `` Sorry, ma'am, '' he whispered, `` It 's just, there are certain, er, things, that Kaden does n't know. '' Albus gestured to where his full cousin was standing. `` And I know Matt would favour it if he did n't know, '' Albus gave her a pregnant look that he hoped would convey his thoughts.

Madam Pomfrey stared at him for a few bit and then realization came over her. `` Oh ! Oh, my ! '' she whispered back, `` I ca n't conceive I, well, right. So sorry about that. I 'll be a bit quieter. ``

Albus went back over to where Kaden and Gospel According to John were standing. can gave him a remedy smell, but Kaden looked even more confused. `` What was that about ? '' Kaden asked.

`` zero, '' Albus gave Kaden another one of his 'shut up now'looks. Kaden immediately closed his rima oris. Albus was getting good at conveying those looks now and Kaden seemed to obey the right way away, which was good.

`` All right, '' Madam Pomfrey walked back to the three boy after a few more minutes, `` He 's going to be OK. He 'll just ask to appease here for a couple days. '' She looked at Albus and King John when she said this, and Albus knew she meant that he would be staying until after the full moon.

`` Ok, '' Albus nodded. `` We can visit him, right ? ``

`` Of course, devout, '' Madam Pomfrey 's expression softened. `` You know what times are good. Now, you three topper be off to your dormitories. It 's very late. If anyone stops you, just say them you were with me. And do n't worry about seeing Filch. I 'm off to encounter him now, and he 's going to be busy for quite a piece. ``

Albus nodded and had to stifle a laugh. He knew the nurse would be seeking out the caretaker and would be giving him a long and loud chiding at best.



A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Special thanks to my other sis and my brother for service with the Monty Python hooey. Speaking of Monty Python and Spamalot, I took some familiarity in deciding that Spamalot was turned into a moving-picture show sometime during the present tense and 2017, when this takes stead. Otherwise, Kaden could not throw seen it as it sadly closed on Great White Way last month ( before I got to see it, unfortunately ).

Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, Luke, Moonylupin, and potterfan89 for their reexamination !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter or Spamalot



Albus and John did n't deliver a chance to tell Rose and Amanda about the detention until after lunch the future day. It was their afternoon off and they were relaxing in the room of Requirement for a few minutes before they went to inspect Matt. It was the first off time since the detention that Kaden was n't around. Kaden had classes all afternoon, so it was an ideal time to speak about what had happened the previous nighttime. No one, not even pink wine, seemed to have any idea why mat seemed so much sicker that nighttime than the other Night before full synodic month. Their exclusively guess was that he was already worn out from the detention on the premature two Nox. Eventually, they just decided to go to the Hospital wing and ask Matt. Albus was for certain he would tell them. After all, he told them all about that study he was in.

However, when they arrived at the Hospital Wing, lusterlessness was reasoned asleep. dame Pomfrey informed them that he had woken up for a short while early that dayspring, but had fallen asleep soon after. He had been asleep ever since, and the harbour flat out refused to let them rouse him up. She insisted that he needed all the repose he could get before nightfall and that they could visit him the following afternoon.

Albus and his ally were very subdued that evening. Albus had just returned to the common way after fulfilling his extra detention with Filch. It was just as poor as the first off cauldron-cleaning hold had been. When he got back to the common room, all his friends were doing homework and not saying much. Amanda was already back from dueling practice session. Albus was worried about lustrelessness and he could tell the others were as well. It kind of reminded him of that night of the full Sun Myung Moon they stayed up waiting for dayspring to total after uranology course of instruction the previous year. Only this twelvemonth, they had Kaden to satisfy in the tranquillity that surrounded them.

`` And then Slughorn had to collapse the whole class antidote ! '' Kaden laughed as he relayed his most Recent epoch potions division. One of the other for the first time years had heated her cauldron too a great deal and caused the potion to explode all over the entire class. Albus and the others nodded their heads, like they had been doing for the by half 60 minutes, and continued working on their respective homework.

`` Is n't it funny ? '' Kaden sighed, `` What 's wrong with you lot ? You 've been sitting there not saying anything for the past hour ! I thought you 'd at least laugh at the idea of everyone in my potions class having various division of their body work undimmed pinko. ``

`` We 're just worried about Matt, '' rose explained, not looking up from her Charms book.

`` Madam Pomfrey said he 'd be fine, '' Kaden reminded her.

`` She does n't know that, '' Rose replied.

`` Sure she does. She 's the nurse, '' Kaden grinned, `` And she can fix anything. ``

Albus sighed loudly, `` Not this again ! Listen, you just do n't empathize. She ca n't be intimate for for sure that he 'll be ok. ''

This time it was Kaden 's turn to sigh, `` Well, I 'm not going to interpret unless you tell me what 's wrong with him. ``

`` Not going to pass off, '' Albus muttered as he jotted down something on his parchment.

`` Someday I 'll weasel it out of you, '' Kaden said. A few seconds later he started to express joy. `` Weasel. Get it ? Weasley, weasel ! And you 're half Weasley ! ``

`` Very divert, '' Albus murmured.

`` Oh, you 're no fun, '' Kaden said, still grinning at his own joke.

******

The future day after Herbology, Albus and his friends hurried up to their dormitories to bank their pocketbook. Then they rushed to the Hospital fender to see how lustrelessness was. Luckily, Kaden was still in class. When they arrived at the infirmary wing, Albus saw Matt 's usual bed with the curtains pulled around it and made a beeline for it. He was halfway there when lady Pomfrey came out from behind the curtains and jumped as she saw Albus and the others.

`` Oh ! '' she clutched her chest, `` You scared me ! I was n't expecting you until later. ``

`` Sorry, '' Albus replied, `` We decided to amount now since I 've got Quidditch practice after dinner party. ``

`` Is that all right ? '' Rose asked.

`` Yes, that 's fine. Just for a few bit, '' the nurse regained her equanimity and bustled into her office.

Albus ran the rest of the way to the bed and wrenched the curtains unfold. Matt was awake and propped up on his pillows. He looked tired and was covered in assorted scratches and chomp, that looked a bit worse than usual. `` Hey ! How are you ? '' Albus asked.

`` I 've been better, '' matte said tiredly. `` It was bad. ``

`` It looks it, '' John commented.

`` John the Evangelist ! '' Rose scolded.

`` What ? '' John shrugged.

`` It 's not that bad, '' Rose said to Matt.

`` It 's fine, really, '' Matt assured John.

`` So, '' Albus began, `` What happened during detention ? ``

`` Honestly, I 'm not even sure, '' lusterlessness sighed, `` I do n't really commemorate it. ``

`` Really ? '' Rose raised her brow, `` That 's odd. ``

`` Why do n't you two tell me what happened ? '' mat laughed.

`` All right, '' Albus said, `` You kind of froze when we got up to the astronomy Tower and you would n't move. Filch yelled at us for being late and assigned us another detention for finally night- ''

`` L-last night ? '' mat interrupted.

`` Yeah, scrubbing more cauldron, '' Albus explained. `` I kinda figured something was damage when you did n't object to it. ''

Matt groaned, `` I do n't even recall him saying that. Great, now I 've got another hold once I get out of here. Probably two since I missed it last Night. ``

`` Oh, I do n't reckon you 'll throw to do any detention, '' Albus assured him, `` Filch did n't mention anything about you doing detention the whole metre I was scrubbing cauldron last night. You see, Madam Pomfrey was bloodless when we told her what we had been doing for detention. ``

`` Yeah, '' John laughed, `` I 've never seen her so angry. She was storming around here, muttering and shouting and cursing Filch. It was kind of funny remark, really. ``

`` Anyway, she said she was going to talk to Filch after we left the other Nox, '' Albus continued, `` I imagine she yelled at him quite a bit. I 'm sure she insisted that you not do anymore detention. ``

`` That 's a ease, '' Matt replied, `` So, what happened after Filch gave us another detention ? ``

`` I pulled you over to where John and Kaden were cleaning telescope and John and I stood on either side of you, so it seemed like you were cleaning too. It was almost like you were in a kind of trance. You did n't look to know what was going on. So I asked if you wanted to go to the infirmary wing and you said no. Then John, Kaden, and I cleaned for about an hour and a half. No one talked much except for Kaden. He kept humming random vocal and Filch yelled at him. Then he told me what the songs were from. They were from a movie called Spamalot. Kaden insisted that I watch it sometime, '' Albus explained.

Matt laughed, `` You should, it 's a really comic movie. ``

`` You 've seen it ? '' lavatory asked.

`` Yeah. We 've got a TV at plate, since my mum is Muggle-born and she did n't desire to hand up TV, '' mat replied.

`` I 've never seen it, '' Amanda commented, `` I 've heard of it, though. We should all determine it sometime. ``

`` That would be fun, '' Albus agreed. `` Anyway, once we left the uranology column, we tried to get back to the common way, but you got be sick partway there and passed out. I told Kaden to get ma'am Pomfrey, and well, that was it. ``

`` And I do n't remember any of that, '' Matt groaned and stared down at the bed.

`` It 's all right wing, '' Albus said quietly, `` You were n't really yourself. ``

`` Why 'd it happen, though ? '' King John asked after a few seconds, `` I mean, you 're usually tired the night before, but why was it that bad ? ``

`` Because I was in manoeuver moonlight, '' matte whispered, `` The reason I get tired and sick beforehand is because the Sun Myung Moon is getting fuller. The night we did detention, it was practically full. And I was outside in the moonlight for over an hour. ``

`` That would explicate why brothel keeper Pomfrey got so angry, '' King John said.

`` Yeah, '' lusterlessness replied, `` Makes the transformation worse, too. Because I 'm already worn out from being in the moonshine so long the night before. ``

`` I do n't get it, though, '' Rose said, `` Why did n't you just tell Filch you could n't do custody that Night ? ``

`` I do n't acknowledge, '' Matt sighed, `` I guess I just did n't require any sort of extra treatment anymore. It makes people suspicious. I do n't want anyone to wonder why I can nibble my detainment nights. Plus, I did n't really know that would happen anyway. I knew I 'd be tired, but I did n't really know I 'd go into a trance like that. It had never happened before. My parents always made sure not to let me go outside the night before. ``

`` Well, even so, you should n't do anymore detention like that the night before, '' Rose insisted, `` It 'll make you disturbed. ``

`` I know, Rose, '' Matt assured her, `` And Madam Pomfrey talked to Filch and he 's not going to cave in me anymore detentions at bad clip. ``

`` You mean, she told Filch ? '' Albus asked. He knew Filch did n't lie with about Matt 's condition, but he did n't believe Madam Pomfrey would actually tell him.

`` Oh, no, he does n't know. gentlewoman Pomfrey just said that he needed to check with her before assigning me detentions due to 'health issues that will remain buck private'. And she made him verify not to tell anyone that he was checking detentions with her, or else she 'd realize sure Kendrick kicked him out. ``

John let out a low whistle, `` Wow, remind me not to get on lady Pomfrey 's bad side. ``

`` She 's definitely forceful, '' lustrelessness yawned and closed his eyes.

`` Are you all right ? '' rosiness asked.

`` Umm-hmm, '' Matt mumbled, `` I 've just got a headache. ``

At that instant, the curtains opened and brothel keeper Pomfrey appeared with another potion. This one was a bass Amytal and Albus thought it looked disgusting. The nurse took one look at lustrelessness, shook her read/write head, and turned to Albus and the others. `` Time for you lot to bequeath. You 're welcome to visit again tomorrow. ``

Albus and his friends said au revoir to mat and left the infirmary flank. Albus had just enough time to grab dinner before he had to be at the Quidditch pitch shot for practice. Empire State of the South thought the team was doing wonderfully and was sure enough they would beat Slytherin in the fist match in November.

******

`` So, where is my brilliant potions partner today ? '' Malfoy asked sarcastically as the Gryffindors and Slytherins left Slughorn 's keep the following afternoon.

`` Visiting his sick gran, like usual, '' John replied shortly while glaring at Malfoy. `` Have n't you figured that out by now ? Whenever you ask where he is, he 's always visiting his gran. ``

`` good story, that 's not what thrower 's cousin-german said, '' Malfoy smirked. Jackson Limbert and Saint Francis Xavier Goyle nodded on either side of him.

`` What ? '' Albus shouted. His cousins, except for pink wine, probably did n't even know Matt left every calendar month, let alone where he went. And Rose obviously would n't tell Malfoy anything. `` Which cousin ? ``

`` The mud-blood, '' Malfoy said simply.

Kaden, Albus thought. Of course ! Albus had told Kaden that Matt got sick every so often, he just had n't told him what the illness was. But why on earthly concern was Kaden talking to Malfoy ?

`` Do n't call him that ! '' Rose shouted, drawing her wand.

`` calm down, '' Malfoy replied, drawing his own wand. `` I mean it in the gracious way. ``

`` You do not ! '' lav shouted as he drew his wand.

`` Wait ! '' Albus stood in between them and stared at Malfoy. `` Before anyone hexes anyone, I 've got to find oneself out what this is about. What did Kaden say ? ``

`` He mentioned that Eckerton is sick all the prison term. Apparently he 's got some disease that Pomfrey ca n't cure and you wo n't distinguish him what it is, '' Malfoy replied smugly.

Albus felt the gloss drain from his face. He told Kaden not to enjoin anyone about this ! And what had Kaden done ? He told Malfoy of all people ! Malfoy, the one individual lustrelessness did not want knowing where he went every month. Albus groaned. Malfoy now had a few Sir Thomas More clues as to what was wrong with flatness. With just a bit of research he was sure to find out. `` When did he distinguish you this ? '' Albus growled. Rage and ire were building up inside of him, and not only towards Malfoy. If Kaden was anywhere near Albus right now, he was sure he 'd hex him.

`` utmost Nox, '' Malfoy answered, `` Very matter to bit of information, if you ask me. ``

Albus did n't say another Son to Malfoy. He turned and ran towards the stairs and out of the dungeon. The footsteps behind him told him that his booster were following. Albus did n't block up to let them catch up. All he cared about now was finding Kaden. He was angrier than he was the night he yelled at Kaden. Albus knew if he found Kaden now, he 'd do More than just yell. He 'd hex him into the following C. What in the name of pigeon hawk had possessed Kaden to tell Malfoy that matte got puke ? Why Malfoy of all masses ? Albus knew Kaden was cognisant of the Gryffindor/Slytherin competition. Heck, Albus knew that Kaden himself did n't same Slytherins. Felix Willinson had made Kaden well aware of the prejudice many Slytherins felt. Yet, Kaden was obviously talking with Slytherins, and telling them thing they should n't know.

`` Albus, where are you going ? '' Rose shouted, as Albus ran up a escape of stairs.

`` To find Kaden, '' Albus growled.

`` I 'm going with you, '' John said. He sounded, if it was possible, even furious than Albus felt. He sped up and fell into place beside Albus. `` I told you before that if he did this again, I 'd hex him. I 'm keeping my Son. ``

`` waiting, Albus, John ! '' Rose shouted again.

But Albus did n't hold off. He continued up flights of stairs towards the Gryffindor green room. Students stared at them as they passed, but Albus did n't care. Rose kept shouting after them, but both Albus and John ignored her. Amanda gave a few tepid shouts after them, but Albus could recite she did n't really care if they tried to hex Kaden or not. Eventually, Albus and can made it to the vernacular room. They gave the Fat lady the password and ran into the room. Albus immediately spotted Kaden sitting in a chair, playing with what looked to be another Muggle toy. It was a cube with legion colored person squares all over it. It looked vaguely comrade. Albus thought he may suffer seen blush wine with one once. Albus ran over to Kaden and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the dorm room while glaring at him.

`` Hey, what are you doing ? '' Kaden asked. He dropped his cube in surprise. `` What 's gotten into you, Albus ? ``

Albus said nothing as he dragged Kaden to his dormitory. Gospel According to John followed without saying a word, and shut the door behind them when they reached the dormitory room. Albus let go of Kaden and glared at him for a few moments.

`` What is wrongfulness with you, Albus ? '' Kaden asked, glancing from Albus to John.

`` I should be asking you that, Kaden, '' Albus replied in a low spokesperson. `` What were you doing talking to Scorpius Malfoy for ? ``

`` Scorpius Malfoy ? '' Kaden repeated as if trying to think of who that was. Then a aspect of recognition appeared on his fount. `` Oh. ``

`` Yeah, 'oh ,''' Albus said, `` You were talking to him last nighttime ! ``

`` Uh ... '' Kaden shifted uneasily on his feet.

`` I told you not to tell anyone about lustrelessness getting grisly ! '' Albus erupted. `` You promised you would n't tell ! This is exactly why I did n't want to assure you in the for the first time place ! You just ca n't keep your mouth shut ! And Malfoy ! He 's been trying to find out about mat since the beginning of beginning year, and let me tell you nix good will hap when he does ascertain out. And you know what you 've done ? '' Albus paused for effect, but Kaden did n't say anything. `` YOU MADE IT EASIER FOR HIM TO FIND OUT ! ``

`` I did n't mean to- '' Kaden 's vocalisation cracked.

`` I do n't care, '' Albus interrupted, `` The breaker point is, you did ! How can you not mean to tell someone something ? Especially someone you never talk to in the fist property ! ``

`` I- ''

`` Shut up, Kaden ! '' Albus shouted and drew his wand. John, who had been letting Albus take the steer, drew his as well.

`` Wha-what 're you g-going to do ? '' Kaden shakily drew his own wand.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Rose and Amanda appeared, both of them clutching stitches in their face and panting. `` Expelliarmus ! '' pink wine shouted. Albus 's wand left his hired man and landed on the trading floor near Rose. rosebush disarmed John and then gathered both wands.

`` Give it to me, rosiness, '' Albus growled.

`` No, '' pink wine replied, `` I 'm not going to let you hex your own cousin. ``

`` You heard what he did ! '' Albus shouted.

`` I know, and I 'm not happy about it either, '' blush wine replied, `` But hexing him is n't going to fix it. You 'll just get detainment. ``

On some level, Albus knew rosebush was rightfield, but he still wanted to hex Kaden. Albus sighed. There was n't anything he could do now. All he could do is hope that Malfoy did n't put the clues together. That, and never trust Kaden to keep open a mystery again. `` Just get out of here, Kaden. ``

`` But- ''

`` I said, get out of here, '' Albus growled, `` Or I 'll fall back to Muggle dueling. ``

Kaden bit his lip and turned towards the door. He looked back at Albus once before running out of the dormitory.

Albus threw himself down onto his bed after Kaden left. `` I 'm never telling him anything again. ``

`` I do n't blame you, '' John Lackland sighed, `` Why 'd he own to tell Malfoy anyway ? ``

`` I have n't got a clue, '' Albus replied, `` All I know is that this clip, I 'm not forgiving him as easily. ``

`` I- '' Rose started.

`` Do n't bother, Rose, '' Albus interrupted, `` Nothing you say is going to ready me rationalise to him. ``

`` I was n't going to say that ! '' Rose shouted, `` I was going to say that I agree with you. I mean, he does n't deserve to be booster with you if he 's going to go telling half the school things you told him in mystery. You told him not to tell, right ? ``

`` Of course I did ! '' Albus said, `` I all but told him I 'd hex him if he told anyone. ``

`` Exactly, '' Rose replied, `` What if he tells Malfoy about the Whomping willow ? ``

`` merlin ! '' Albus suddenly sat up, `` I had n't thought of that ! ``

`` What if he already told Malfoy ? '' John said darkly.

`` Then he 's already investigated it, '' Amanda said quietly, `` Or at least time-tested. ``

`` And he 'll try again, '' Albus replied, `` I know, I 'll tally the map a lot. '' Albus got up from his bed and went to his luggage compartment. He rummaged around in it until he found the marauder 's Map. He took out his wand and tapped it, `` I solemnly swear that I am up to no effective. ``

Ink appeared all over the map as Albus and the others crowded around it. Albus scanned it quickly for Malfoy. `` He 's in the Slytherin common elbow room, '' Albus pointed to Malfoy 's dot in the dungeons. `` I 'll just tick it every once and a while. ``

`` good melodic theme, '' John said.

`` What are we going to separate Matt ? '' Rose asked quietly. `` We 've got to tell him about this. ``

In all the bedlam of finding Kaden and trying to hex him, Albus had n't thought about what they were going to order Matt. `` We 'll just induce to tell him what happened, that 's all. I 'm not going to hide that Kaden was the one who told Malfoy. If Matt wants to hex him, he can go right on ahead. ``

`` We 're not going to let him hex Kaden ! '' rose insisted, `` He does n't need anymore detention. ``

`` Good point, '' Amanda agreed. `` We 'll tell him it was Kaden, but we wo n't let him hex him. ``

`` lustrelessness will just have to fend off Malfoy, '' toilet commented, `` I mean, there 's nothing we can do now. What 's done is done. We 'll all avoid Malfoy. ``

`` That 'll be hard, '' Albus announced, `` Malfoy is flatness 's potions partner. And he 's on mine and Amanda 's dueling squad. ``

`` We 'll just induce to try, '' John sighed, `` Besides that, there 's not much we can do. That, and never trust Kaden with another enigma. ``





A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, potterfan89, Gospel According to Luke, Niki Lily, Moonylupin, Denas, and drownzer for their reviews !