Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Matt did n't devolve to the plebeian room until Billy Sunday afternoon. Albus and his admirer had spent about of the weekend doing homework and playing daily round of Exploding snap. Kaden made himself scarce and Albus hardly saw him at all. Albus vaguely wondered where he was, but he did n't really think about it much. All that mattered was that Kaden was n't hanging around Albus anymore. Albus and his protagonist did n't get a opportunity to tell matte about what Kaden told Malfoy while he was in the hospital wing because it had been very crowded that weekend. Apparently, quite a few bookman had decided to praxis their dueling for the upcoming mate while they were unsupervised in the corridor. This caused ma'am Pomfrey to have an awful lot to do. She looked very frazzled when Albus and the others visited Matt on Saturday.

Albus was sitting in the common elbow room with the others, doing preparation, when Matt returned from the infirmary Wing. He still looked a bit tired and the cuts on his face were n't completely healed yet, but he looked much better than he had on Thursday. Albus closed his book and glanced at his friends when Matt came through the portrait hole.

`` What 's with you lot ? '' Matt asked, `` You 're awfully subdued. ``

`` We 've, er, got to tell you something, '' Albus replied quietly, `` Let 's go to the Room. '' Albus got up and left the vulgar room. His friends all followed, not saying a news. Albus led them down the seventh base corridor until they reached the painting of Barnabas the Barmy. Albus paced three metre in battlefront of it and opened the doorway that appeared. It looked just like it did whenever Albus or his friends asked for a stead where they could be alone. There were a few squashy armchairs and lounge, a fireplace, and it was decorated in scarlet and gold.

`` Ok, so what 's this all about ? '' flatness asked immediately, once the door was shut.

`` Why do n't you sit down ? '' Rose suggested.

lustrelessness sat down on one of the couches and looked nervously at the others. `` You look like my parents did when they told me I could n't go to schooling in Australia. ``

`` well, we 're obviously not going to enjoin you that, '' Albus gave a half-hearted laugh as he sat down on a death chair. Rose, Gospel According to John, and Amanda sat down as well.

`` Well, get on with it, '' Matt said.

`` All right, '' Albus began, `` You 've probably noticed that Kaden is n't around. ``

`` Yeah, I thought that was a bit odd, '' Matt commented, `` What 's he done now ? ``

Albus sighed, `` I do n't really know the effective way to say this. Kaden, er, for some reasonableness was talking to Scorpius Malfoy- ''

`` Malfoy ? ! '' Matt interrupted with a look of shock on his face.

`` It gets uncollectible, '' Albus continued, `` You know how I told Kaden that you get sick of every once in a while, so he would shut up finish month ? ``

`` Yeah ... ''

`` And I made him promise not to tell anyone, '' Albus said quickly, `` But for some reasonableness he told Malfoy. ``

Matt sank back into his professorship and his face went glass Elwyn Brooks White. Albus was glad rose wine told him to sit down, because if he had n't let been sitting he probably would suffer fainted. Albus watched as lusterlessness processed the information. After a few moments he asked very quietly, `` What did he tell Malfoy ? ``

`` That you 've got some form of wizard disease that Madam Pomfrey ca n't bring around, '' Albus answered. `` And Malfoy put two and two together and figured out that you do n't visit your cat gran. ``

`` Oh, no, '' Matt closed his eyes and started rubbing his drumhead, `` This is n't good. Malfoy ca n't find out, he just ca n't. ``

`` We 're going to try and make surely he does n't, '' St. John the Apostle said adamantly.

`` But you ca n't really stop him ! All he 's got to do is a bit of research and he 'll sleep together everything, '' Matt moaned.

`` Maybe he 'll be too lazy to discommode, '' Amanda suggested.

`` There 's another affair, '' Albus started, `` Kaden may have also told him about the Whomping Willow. ``

`` No, he ca n't have, he just ca n't, '' Matt whispered.

`` We do n't know for sure, '' Albus reminded him, `` I 'm watching the vulture 's Map and if we see Malfoy anywhere near the tree, we 'll go hex him or something. ``

flatness nodded, `` You know, if Malfoy finds out and tells anyone, hazard are I 'll have to leave. ``

`` No, you wo n't, '' rosebush assured him.

`` How do you know ? ``

`` Rose is right, '' Albus agreed, `` When the Marauders were in school, Snape found out about Teddy 's dad and he still got to remain in schoolhouse. Dumbledore made him promise not to tell anyone. I 'm sure Kendrick would do the Sami matter. ``

`` I sure hope so, '' matte sighed, `` What about Kaden ? ``

`` Rose had to stop me and John from hexing him, '' Albus explained, `` But I yelled at him quite a bit. Have n't seen him much since and I do n't really want to. ``

`` But he 's your first cousin, '' Matt said.

`` DOE n't matter, '' Albus assured him, `` I hardly saw him at all until he started coming here. I told him not to tell anyone and he did, so I ca n't commit him anymore. And no one 's going to win over me to apologise this time. ``

`` All right hand, '' Matt replied. `` Let 's stoppage here for a while. I think if I saw Kaden right now I 'd sustain to hex him. ``

Rose groaned, `` What is with son ? Do you always have to hex people to figure out your problem ? ``

`` It 's a leaven fact that hexing works best when dealing with Slytherins, '' John grinned.

`` Kaden 's not a Slytherin, '' rosiness commented.

`` What he did was a reasonably Slytherin matter to do, '' Albus replied. nobody argued with that.

******

The weekend before Halloween was a very exciting one for the pupil at Hogwarts. There was the first Hogsmeade sojourn on Sabbatum, which the senior educatee were very excited about. Albus, of row, was n't allowed to go since he was a second year. James made certain to lord this over him at every moment potential during the week preceding the visit. James would be going on his number one Hogsmeade sojourn, and Albus was sure as shooting that Hogwarts would be treated to a variety of clowning following. When James and his ally returned from Hogsmeade, they ran into the common room with their udder bulging with what could only be Weasley 's products, and quickly stowed it all in their hall. certain enough, at dinner that night, the student body was treated to a very think of repast. Somehow, Saint James the Apostle and his friends had managed to pilfer a potion into the Slytherins'food that caused their hair and fingernails to turn scarlet and gold. The rest of the school laughed hysterically as the Slytherins tried to cipher out how to turn their pilus and nails back to normal.

`` Nothing will change it, '' James IV informed the Gryffindor table in between paroxysm of laugh, `` Uncle George told me it will fag out off within 24 hours, though. ``

`` Too bad it 's not permanent wave ! '' John laughed.

`` I was going to save it for the day of the Quidditch match, '' Henry James explained, `` But I just could n't expect. ``

`` I ca n't find fault you, '' Albus grinned. He looked up at the staff board and saw his dad trying to asphyxiate his laughter, but he was n't succeeding. The other members of the stave were smiling slightly, except for Slughorn, who was looking a bit distraught at the sight of his house decked out in Gryffindor colors.

The comply day was the first dueling tourney for the next-to-last dueling club. The honest-to-goodness scholar had already had their inaugural tourney the previous weekend. Albus 's cousin Stanley 's team had won. The tournament was to acquire place immediately following tiffin, at one o'clock, and the second, third, and fourthly years were filled with fervor about it.

`` What if we have to duel each early ? '' Albus said worriedly at lunch. `` I really do n't require to duel you lot. ``

`` I do n't either, '' John agreed, `` But we might throw to. It 'll be all right. None of us know any go that could do any lasting damage. I 'm just hoping I get to duel Malfoy. ``

`` Me, too, '' Matt agreed.

`` I almost wish first years could fall in the dueling club, so I could duel Kaden, '' Albus commented, `` I would n't mind beating him in front of the entire school. ``

`` I 'm probably just going to lose, no issue who I duel, '' Amanda sighed, `` The entirely matter I can do is demilitarize someone, and I 'm not even that honest at that. ``

`` Sure you are, '' Albus assured her, `` And if you duel a second year, or even a thirdly class, you 'll accept a chance at winning. Fourth class, on the other hand, I 'm not sure any of us have got a prospect at winning a affaire d'honneur with one of them. They probably know all sorts of spells we do n't. ``

`` Albus, '' Rose began, `` commend that the teams have citizenry from all years on them. I do n't consider any team has an advantage over another. ``

`` I guess, '' Albus agreed, `` But I still bid there were House team. I do n't like being on the same team with Malfoy. ``

`` Me neither, '' Amanda said.

`` We wind up practice dueling with each other every group meeting, '' Albus explained, `` And neither of us has really won any of them. ``

`` You 're both really good duellist, '' Amanda replied. `` You 're going to beat anyone you 're up against, Albus. ``

`` I 'm not sure about that, '' Albus said.

`` attention ! '' Professor Kendrick stood up, `` The junior dueling tournament will commence shortly. Please shit your way to the dueling chamber. ``

Albus stood up, `` Well, soundly luck everyone. '' Albus 's friends all wished each other good luck as they got up and left the Great Hall. It was a bit odd being on differentiate teams, Albus thought. He wished his acquaintance good luck, but he wanted his own team to win.

Albus and Amanda quickly lost the others in the sea of educatee filing into the dueling chamber near the Great entrance hall. They found Kate at one of the board that had been set up for each team to hold back at. Their team name, The Dueling Dragons, was written on a part of parchment that was stuck to the table. There was a realistic looking tartar breathing fire drawn on it. Scorpius Malfoy was sitting scowling at one end of the table, his hair still bright orange red and Au. Albus and Amanda stifled their laughter and sat down on the opposite end. A few minutes later, once everyone on their team had arrived, Kate began to speak.

`` aid ! '' she shouted and the table became quiet, `` Thanks. The tourney will start in a couple minutes. I 'm sure we 'll do great. Everyone remember what you 've learned within the yesteryear month and you 'll do fine. Just do your best and even if you do n't win today, there 's still following clock time. I know this inter-house team thing is hard, but I think everyone here has really come together to work on as a squad, and I 'm proud of all of you for that. So, with that, dependable portion ! '' Kate sat back down and started talking to one of the other fourth twelvemonth on the team.

A minute later, Professor Kendrick stood up at the front of the room and raised his hands for hushed. The room fell silent and he began to speak. `` Welcome to the showtime Dueling Tournament for the Jnr Dueling night club. This is the initiatory of six qualifying tournament of the year. At the end of the year, the top two squad will look off in a final tournament. There will be two affaire d'honneur going on simultaneously, with Professors Potter and Longbottom presiding over them. Every student will duel twice today. The victor of each affaire d'honneur will be awarded one decimal point. At the end of the tournament, the team with the most points will be declared the winner. The percentage point will persona over to each tournament, after the sixth tournament, the two teams with the most points will face off in the final exam. Now, each headwaiter was given a list of duels for today, so I will give you a few minutes to get organized and for the police captain to inform their team of the schedule. practiced chance to all. ``

Kate quickly went over the docket with her team. Albus 's starting time duel was about halfway down the inclination and his irregular was the one-third to last. The only thing he could do now was wait until his turn came. Albus was growing steadily more nervous as sentence wore on. What if he lost ? Malfoy would never let him inhabit that down. Albus watched the first-class honours degree duet of affaire d'honneur while talking with Amanda. After a few affaire d'honneur, James 's turn came and he lost to a Ravenclaw fourth year. rosebush was up next and she easily beat her third twelvemonth Slytherin opponent. Quite a few of Albus 's teammates had dueled by now and most of them had won. Before foresighted, Amanda 's tour was up. Albus wished her luck and she went nervously to the dueling doughnut that Neville was watching over.

Amanda was up against a s year Hufflepuff and the number 1 part of the affaire d'honneur consisted of each of them mostly dodging the spells sent towards them. Eventually, Amanda managed to unarm her opponent and won. She came back grinning ear to ear. Kate congratulated her as she sat back down future to Albus.

`` Great job ! '' Albus smiled, `` Told you you could do it. ``

`` Thanks, '' Amanda grinned.

Matt was up next against a Slytherin fourth yr. The duel hardly lasted two minutes before the Slytherin used an ripe magic spell that caused flatness to bang into the wall behind him. Harry quickly disarmed the Slytherin and disqualified him. Professor Cedonia took lustrelessness to the infirmary wing while Harry assigned the Slytherin a couple detentions.

`` What a git, '' Albus growled, `` I hope Matt 's ok. ''

`` He 'll be fine, '' Amanda assured him, `` I think he just cut his arm a bit. ``

`` Yeah, but still, '' Albus continued, `` That Slytherin knew he could n't use tour like that. ``

`` I could induce blocked it, '' Malfoy announced.

`` No you could n't, '' Albus shot back. `` And how 's the hair ? ``

Malfoy scowled and turned away from Albus. A moment later his public figure was called and he was off to duel a fellow Slytherin. It was a very fast paced duel. Both of them were excellent duelers, but Malfoy won in the end. Albus was not sure whether to be happy about this or not. He did n't have long to dwell on it, though, because a minute later, he was called.

Albus walked nervously to the dueling ring where Neville was and he faced his Ravenclaw opponent. He was dueling President Carter Eubert, a young man bit twelvemonth.

`` Both of you know the prescript, '' Neville said to them, `` You can get when I let out red sparkle. ``

Albus and Carter bowed to each other and took a dueling stance. Neville 's sceptre shot out red sparks and the duel began. Albus sent out a disarming spell, but Carter easily blocked it. Carter then sent one at Albus, but Albus was able to obturate it as well. This went on for five transactions, each of them sending patch that the other blocked. Eventually, Albus managed to hit Carter with a tickling hex that had him bent over in laughter. Albus took advantage of this and disarmed him easily. He had done it ! He won !

`` degree goes to Potter, '' Neville announced. Albus and Carter shook custody and went back to their teams.

`` Good job, Albus ! '' Kate grinned as Albus sat down.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied.

`` That was amazing dueling, Albus, '' Amanda greeted him, `` Carter 's safe, too, but that tickling matter was great. He could hardly proceed. ``

`` I 'll let to commemorate that if I ever duel him again, '' Albus said.

The afternoon wore on and Albus found himself getting a bit drill with watching the dueling. It was taking all good afternoon. John dueled Albus 's cousin-german, Cedric, and lost. Albus was n't surprised by this, as Cedric was an fantabulous dueler. rosiness and Malfoy each won their second duel, while John and Amanda lost theirs. Matt returned from the hospital wing in clip for his indorse duel, but wound up losing to his tierce yr Ravenclaw opposite. Albus dueled a third gear year Gryffindor in his second duel and narrowly won. His opponent did not look happy about this. Malfoy also won his second affaire d'honneur, which was against a third or fourth year Hufflepuff ; Albus was n't surely which.

Eventually, all the affaire d'honneur finished and Professor Kendrick stood up once again. `` Great dueling, everyone ! You all did a wonderful job. Now, to annunciate the winner. I am please to harbinger that the flying Phoenixes, captained by Barty Heath of Slytherin have come in first station with 23 points ! Thank you, everyone. The future tourney will hire stead at the end of November or outset of Dec. Your captains will be informed of the exact date as it comes closer. ``

`` We 'll win next time, '' Kate assured her team as they got up. `` See everyone at practice on Midweek. ``

Albus and Amanda made their way out of the way, but realized they would never line up their friends in the gang. `` We 'll fill them in the unwashed room, '' Albus said as they started up the stairs.

When they got to the commons room, it was already full with students rehashing component part of the affaire d'honneur. Albus noticed Kaden listening to James 's account of his duels. St. James the Apostle had won his second base affaire d'honneur and appeared to be very proud of it. Albus and Amanda ignored Kaden and found John the Evangelist and Matt sitting at their common board. Albus and Amanda sat down and a few here and now later were joined by Rose, who was glowing.

`` Congratulations ! '' Albus announced as his cousin sat down. The others echoed his word.

`` Thanks, '' rose wine replied, `` I was n't surely we were going to win. heath is n't the greatest captain. I think we just have naturally goodness dueller on our team. James Earl Carter is amazing, although not as adept as you, Albus. ``

`` I 'm just sword lily I beat him, '' Albus grinned, `` Malfoy would n't receive shut up about it otherwise. ``

`` gladiolus I 'm not on his squad, '' whoremaster muttered, `` Ca n't consider I lost both my duel. ``

`` You 'll do better next time, '' Albus assured him.

`` At least you did n't weave up in the hospital flank, '' Matt commented, `` I 'm the only one that did. build. ``

John laughed a bit at this, `` I think you 've got some kind of attraction for that plaza. ``

`` Oh shut it, '' flatness replied.

`` That was n't your fracture, though, '' rosiness pointed out, `` That Slytherin was n't supposed to use that hex on you. ``

`` You 're ok now, right ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Oh, yeah, I 'm ok, '' Matt assured him, `` madam Pomfrey healed my arm in an instant, but she was fretting over me as usual. prof Cedonia convinced her to let me go back for my second affaire d'honneur. ``

`` Good, '' Amanda said, `` I like professor Cedonia. She reminds me of the teachers I had in primary schooling. ``

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed, `` She hardly ever gives detainment. ``

`` And no examination ! '' Gospel According to John grinned. Albus liked this as well. So far, the only gradation they had in that class were from essays they had been assigned as homework. Cedonia had not given them a exclusive in class test.

`` I 'm not sure I like that, '' rosebush sighed. The four other students looked at her like she was mental.

`` Are you mad ? '' Albus asked.

`` How is she supposed to know if we 've mastered the magical spell if she does n't screen us ? ''

`` She watches us in class to see if we 've improved, '' Albus replied.

`` And those essays for preparation, '' Matt commented.

`` But those are n't at all what the O.W.L.s will be like, '' blush wine reminded them, `` We 've got to get used to taking exam in charms. ``

`` Those are three eld away ! '' John the Divine sighed.

`` Two and a half, '' Rose corrected him, `` And it 's unspoiled to lead off preparing early. ``

`` All I know is that I 've learned to a greater extent charms this twelvemonth than end year, '' Albus said.

`` wellspring, I 'm going to ask her about it on Tuesday, '' Rose replied.

`` No ! '' Albus and the others shouted at the same meter. Albus liked Cedonia 's style of teaching and he did n't need her to start giving them exams like the other instructor did. Without magical spell exams, Albus had less to worry about. Hopefully, Cedonia would ignore Rose 's supplication for test and continue the way she had been.



A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, potterfan89, Luke, Denas, ladymblack, and Moonylupin for their review !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus was helping himself to some pumpkin vine juice when the post arrived on Tuesday sunup. He looked up and noticed a small brown owl flying towards him. He immediately recognized it as Victoire 's owl. `` Victoire 's sent me something, '' Albus announced as the owl landed adjacent to his crustal plate. Albus took the alphabetic character and gave the owl a man of toast before it flew off.

`` aspect, it 's addressed to all of us, '' Rose commented as she glanced at the letter.

Albus turned the envelope over, wondering what it could be about. Victoire had sent him a duet letters so far this year, most of them sent along with Amy 's letters to Matt. These usually arrived a match daytime after the full moon, as Amy always wanted to know how lusterlessness was. Since the good moon had been a few weeks ago, Albus was odd as to what Victoire had to order them. He opened the letter and began to read it. Rose, matte, lavatory, and Amanda read it over his shoulder.

love Albus, flatness, Rose, John, and Amanda,
How have you been ? I hope you 're enjoying socio-economic class and not making too
much trouble. felicitation on your winner in the dueling tournament,
especially you, Rose. I hope there are many dandy victory to come. thoroughly
luck in your first Quidditch match, Albus. We hope to be able to attend to, but
it depends on work and healer training schedules.

Training has been going well. We 've been attending classes in the morning
and education at St. Mungo 's in the afternoon, like always. Teddy has been
very busy with Auror training as well.

By now you 're probably wondering why we 're writing to you now, as it 's not
our common sentence to write. We 're not indisputable if you read the prophesier regularly,
which is why we 're telling you this in a letter. Quinton Willinson was
spotted yesterday-

Albus immediately stopped reading the missive and glanced at his friends. As Albus fell back into his school routine, he had almost forgotten about Washburn and the Willinsons. He felt his fear come back as soon as he read that Willinson had been spotted. Albus returned his eyes to the letter without saying anything.

He was spotted in a Muggle village in Southern England, quite far from Hogwarts. The Aurors are already on his tail end and are tracking him this very
minute. teddy heard about it while he was at grooming, and we decided to
give you a head word up. Uncle Harry will probably tell you as well.

Do n't worry about it too much. He ca n't get into Hogwarts and Uncle Harry
has it under control. dear fortune with Quidditch, dueling, and socio-economic class, and we
hope to see you soon.

Love,
Victoire, teddy bear, and Amy

`` I 'd nearly draw a blank about Willinson, '' John said darkly after they 'd finished reading the letter.

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed.

`` It explains why Professor Potter is n't here, '' Matt commented.

Albus looked up at the faculty table and noticed that his father was missing. `` Guess so. ``

`` Do n't vex, '' Rose said, `` I mean, it 's sort of trade good that someone spotted him. Before they had no Pb, and now they sort of know where he is. ``

`` I suppose, '' Albus replied. He had n't thought of that. But what about the other two ? Were they with Quinton or had they parted agency ? Albus just hoped his dad and the other Aurors managed to capture him.

`` Could I see the oracle ? '' rosebush asked one of the older educatee who was sitting across from her. The girl nodded and handed her the theme. `` Let 's find the article. '' Rose scanned the presence page and found a unawares clause on the unexpended side of the Page. She read it aloud.

`` 'Eighteen-year-old Quinton Willinson was seen near the Muggle town, Hythe, in Southern England early yesterday cockcrow. A wizard who prefers not to be named in this article saw him and immediately informed the Ministry. Willinson has been wanted by the Auror section since his blast on headland Auror and Defense Against the night Arts teacher at Hogwarts school day of witchery and Wizardry, Harry Potter, net spring. Five underage Hogwarts educatee were also attacked. Willinson, along with his father, Jaret Willinson, and the former Charms professor, Jameson Washburn, attacked ceramicist and the five scholar on the yard. ceramicist declined comment for this clause. The Head Auror has informed the wizarding public that all three men are dangerous and not to undertake to fight them. If any of them are seen, people are requested to inform the Ministry immediately. Ministry Aurors responded to the sighting and are currently investigating .'''

`` Wow, '' Rose said once she 'd finished reading the article, `` I hope they catch him soon. ``

`` Me, too, '' Albus agreed, `` I 'm happy he 's so far away, though. ``

`` But they 're going to come in back, '' Rose sighed, `` To find out the, you-know-whats. ``

`` Well, hopefully prof thrower will catch them before they get the chance, '' lustrelessness replied, `` Anyway, I hope Amy and Victoire come to the Quidditch match. I have n't seen Amy in historic period. ``

Albus looked over and saw that lusterlessness was looking a bit sad. Albus knew he and Amy were very close down, but had n't really thought about how different it must be for mat this year. Albus did n't think matt had ever gone this hanker without seeing her. `` They 'll probably fall, '' Albus assured him, `` And if they ca n't, they 'll bring down when they can. ``

`` Yeah, '' Matt gave a halfhearted smile.

`` We 'd better get to Charms, '' Rose announced. The five indorse years got up from the table and made their way out of the Great Hall. Albus noticed that Kaden was sitting next to James, talking animatedly about something. King James did n't come along too well-chosen about this and had the look of someone pretending to listen, but not really listening. Albus almost felt bad about King James I having to deal with Kaden, but not bad enough to make up with his cousin.

prof Cedonia spent the first one-half of class teaching the charm for tying shoes, and during the back half, the class practiced. Unlike last class, Albus thoroughly enjoyed hardheaded lessons in Charms. Professor Cedonia did not heed them talking with each other as they practiced, and although she watched their progress, she did n't vacillate like Washburn had done.

`` apology me, Professor ? '' pink wine announced shortly after she succeeded in charming her horseshoe to tie themselves.

`` Rose, do n't, '' Albus whispered. He knew she was about to ask if they were going to have any tests.

`` Yes, rosiness ? '' Cedonia walked over to her desk and immediately spotted her perfectly tied shoes. `` Oh, grand job ! ``

`` Thank you, professor, '' Rose replied. `` But I was just wondering, are we going to have any examination in this socio-economic class ? ``

Everyone in the intact room stopped what they were doing and looked over at rose wine. Most of them looked horrified, but a few appeared to also be wondering if they would own any exams. Since they had good luck charm with the Ravenclaws, this did n't really surprise Albus.

`` Ah, '' Cedonia smiled, `` I was wondering if anyone would ask. I, unlike the former teachers at this school, do not consider in testing students in the formal way. I prefer to assign essays that are done outside of class, where you are free to use your Good Book, to value your knowledge of hypothesis. As far as hard-nosed exams go, I prefer to assess your progress in stratum. If I have any belief that you are not mastering the task at hand, I will dedicate you supererogatory help until you can subdue it. However, in accordance with Hogwarts custom, there will be a virtual exam at the end of the semester. The theory examination will be an essay that you can finish using your Word of God, in socio-economic class. ``

`` Oh, '' blush wine said. She looked a bit stunned. `` All right. ``

`` If you 'd like an exam, I will create one for you, but no one else will throw to take it unless they want to, '' Cedonia announced.

`` No, that 's all right, '' rosebush replied.

`` Excellent. I assure you, Rose, that you will deliver a perfect understanding of second class magic spell by the time the year is up, and you will be in excellent shape to move on to third year. ``

Rose nodded and Cedonia walked back to the front of the elbow room. Albus turned to John and grinned. `` Yes, no test ! '' he said.

`` Brilliant, '' toilet agreed, `` I really thought Rose was going to convince her to try out us. ``

`` Well, I suppose she kind of is testing us, '' Matt explained, `` Just in a unlike way. I 've never had a teacher like her before. ``

`` Me, neither, '' St. John said.

Albus nodded. All of his teacher in chief schooling had been like the ones at Hogwarts, with conventional exams and homework. `` I went to a Muggle schooltime and all of the teachers gave us exam. Rose went to the Sami one. ``

`` Same here, '' John replied, `` rule Muggle school. ``

`` Not me, '' Matt announced, `` I was home-schooled. You can probably judge why. Amy went to Muggle school, though. ``

`` All the teacher were like Cedonia at my school, '' Amanda turned around to talk to the boys. `` We did n't have exams or mark or anything like that. It was fun. I really liked going to school. Except when I made unusual clobber happen. mass thought I was weird. Turns out I was, but in a good way, '' she laughed.

`` I suppose this will mold, '' Rose sighed, `` She is assessing us, just in a different way. At least she 's nice. Everyone seems to like her. ``

`` We do n't really sustain any think teachers this year, '' Albus commented.

`` I had n't really thought about that, '' King John said, `` But you 're right. ``

`` Who knows about next year, though, '' Matt replied, `` We 'll start new theme and who knows what those teacher will be like. ``

`` Hagrid teaches Care of Magical brute and he 's bully, '' Albus told them.

`` What kind of magical beast ? '' John grinned at Matt.

`` Do n't even go there, '' Matt grinned back. `` Amy says the ancient Runes instructor is skillful. ``

`` Trelawney 's kind of strange, but gracious enough, '' Albus commented. `` She teaches Divination. ''

`` No way am I taking that, '' Matt announced, `` I do n't want to know what my future holds. ``

`` Arithmancy sounds really concern, '' pink wine said, `` And Empire State of the South told me the teacher is strict, but not mean. ``

`` well, good, '' Albus replied, `` But we 've got calendar month before we have to decide what new subjects we 'll take. ``

`` I wish I could pack them all, '' Rose sighed.

`` You could, '' Albus laughed, `` But I do n't remember it would turn out well. '' Albus and Rose shared a jape that the others did n't really empathize. Albus saw their bedevil faces and decided to state them about Hermione 's third base twelvemonth schedule sometime soon.

******

Harry was back at Hogwarts in time for Albus 's defence mechanism class on Thursday. Harry called Albus up to his desk after class. Albus had been anxiously waiting the entirely course of instruction to see if Harry managed to catch Quinton Willinson. Albus had a belief he had n't because there was n't any mention of it in the Prophet that break of the day.

`` Hi, Al, '' Harry gave Albus a hug once all the former pupil left. `` I 'm guessing you know why I left ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied, `` Victoire sent us a varsity letter and I read it in the seer, too. ``

`` Good, '' Harry sighed, `` I 'm glad Victoire told you before you read it in the prophesier. I had to leave very abruptly and was afraid you would n't fuck what happened. ``

`` fountainhead, did you catch him ? '' Albus asked. The suspense was killing him and he did n't require to waitress any longer.

Harry sighed again and put his manus around his son 's shoulder. `` I 'm good-for-nothing, Al. He got away. We got some more leading, though. Talked to a few Muggles and a whizz who were around when Quinton showed up. I still have n't heard anything about Quinton 's father or Washburn. But we 're still searching and it 's only a matter of meter. ``

Albus 's face fell and he became more worried as he realized that not often progress had been made. He had been so certainly that his dad would get Quinton this meter. But he had n't. Washburn and both Willinsons were still out there. How long would it be until they went back to Hogwarts ? `` What if they come back here ? '' he asked quietly.

`` I 'm not going to refuse it. They probably will come back here. But there is a boastfully total of protection around the school day. last year, it was easygoing for them to be on the cause since Washburn was a prof and Quinton was a pupil here. They do n't make that going for them now. And I do n't suppose any of them could ill-treat foot in Hogsmeade without someone alerting me or the Ministry. ``

Albus thought about this for a present moment and felt a bit better. `` All right. Are you leaving again ? ``

`` Not unless one of them is seen, '' Harry explained, `` The other Aurors have it under control. ``

`` Good, '' Albus smiled. He felt a lot better knowing his dad was at the school.

`` Well, we 'd better caput to the Great entrance hall, '' Harry gave Albus another hug.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, `` If we do n't hurry, St. John the Apostle will eat all the solid food. '' Harry laughed and the two of them left the room together.

******

Albus wandered sleepily into the usual room the following week completely tired out from Quidditch praxis. The first friction match, against Slytherin, was on Saturday and Sakartvelo was having them practice every eventide. It had been a drizzly evening and Albus 's robes were soaked. He went up to his student residence to put away his broom and change. Once he was done, he grabbed his account book and went back to the mutual room to do his homework. When he got there, he could n't get hold his friends anywhere. Albus sighed. Where could they be ? They were n't in the dorm, Albus had just been up there.

Albus squeezed his way through the crowd common elbow room until he found Bilius and Ethan studying at a nearby table. `` Have you seen John and Matt anywhere ? '' Albus asked.

`` Oh, hi Albus, '' Ethan looked up from his playscript. `` How 's practice going ? We 're going to stupefy Slytherin, right ? ``

`` 'Course we are, '' Albus gave a tired grin, `` They 're pathetic. ``

`` Excellent, '' Bilius replied, `` I think Gospel According to John and Matt left an hr or so ago. I 'm not trusted where. ``

`` Yeah, '' Ethan agreed, `` pink wine and Amanda were with them. matte did n't look so good. Maybe they went to the hospital annex. ``

Oh, yeah ! Albus had completely forgotten that the fully moon was the adjacent night. They must sustain gone to the Room of Requirement. Albus had also momentarily forgotten about the room due to the fact that Kaden was always hanging around them, and they did not want him to get laid about the Room.

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied, `` I think I know where they are now. '' Albus waved to Bilius and Ethan and left the room.

Albus walked down the corridor as fast as he could without actually running. He slowed down as he reached the portraiture of Barnabas the Barmy, as there was a prefect roaming nearby. Albus loitered until the prefect turned a corner and then he started pacing in front of the wall. Three paces later, the threshold appeared and Albus walked in.

`` There you are ! '' Albus announced after he shut the threshold. `` I thought you 'd be in the common room. ``

Rose, John, and Amanda were all furiously scribbling on pieces of parchment and they looked up as Albus came in. Matt was sleeping on a nearby chair and did n't discover Albus.

`` We were, '' Rose said, `` But it was awfully aloud in there. Plus, now that Kaden has left us alone we thought we 'd start coming in here again. ``

`` Sounds practiced, '' Albus agreed. He grabbed a chairperson and sat down next to King John. `` What are you lot working on ? ``

`` Transfiguration, '' John groaned, `` Eight in essay due tomorrow. I 've got four inch so far. ``

`` history of trick, '' Amanda said, `` Also due tomorrow. ``

`` I finished those a while ago, '' Rose commented, `` Now I 'm doing Herbology. ``

`` I still have the account of trick stuff to do, '' Albus said as he pulled out his history script. `` How long has he been asleep ? '' Albus pointed to Matt.

`` Since we got here, '' Saint John the Apostle answered. `` Probably just as well since before that he was just rambling about how Malfoy 's going to research the Whomping Willow tomorrow night. ``

`` Why would Malfoy do it at dark ? '' Albus asked, `` He 'll get in more trouble if he 's out past curfew. ``

`` That 's what we told him, '' Rose explained without looking up from her book. `` I think he gets kind of delirious and does n't think straight at this meter of the month. ``

`` You 're probably right, '' Albus agreed, `` But can you blame him ? ``

`` No, not really, '' rosebush sighed.

Albus started to flick through his story of Magic script, but he could n't contract. It was n't past curfew now ; what if Malfoy was exploring the tree right now ? Albus closed his script and started rifling through his bag. He pulled out the piranha 's Map and set it down on the table.

`` What are you doing ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Looking for Malfoy, '' Albus replied. Everyone looked up from their work and watched Albus. `` I solemnly swear that I am up to no good, '' Albus pointed his wand at the map.

Albus searched the map for a few moments before his heart rested on Malfoy 's dot. He breathed a sigh of assuagement as he saw that Malfoy 's dot was currently residing in the Slytherin common room. `` He 's in his vernacular room. ``

`` Oh, good, '' Rose smiled. `` I really do n't recollect he 's going to investigate that tree. ``

`` Why 's that ? '' St. John asked skeptically.

`` He 'll get in big trouble if he gets caught, '' Rose reminded him.

`` So ? That probably would n't cease me, '' John laughed.

Albus was relieved that Malfoy was n't currently trying to get into the Whomping willow tree, but he did accord with Saint John that Malfoy would eventually try. The thing was, what were the prospect of it happening while Albus was looking at the map ? Not very high. And what would Albus do if he did see Malfoy near the tree ? Albus had no approximation. He sighed as he whispered, `` Mischief managed. '' Albus watched as all the ink disappeared from the map. He still did n't want to do his homework, but he had to. He started to put the map back in his bag, but the sight of a belittled crisscross on one of the corner made him stop.

Albus slowly lifted the map back out of his bag and stared at the corner. He had never seen any marks on the map after he wiped it clean before. But this soft touch was so pocket-size it could have easily been missed. He peered at the midget marking until he noticed what it was. It was four paw photographic print. A Hugo Wolf, dog, stag, and rat print. It obviously meant the predator. Albus knew he had seen it somewhere before, but where ? He continued to stare at the paw print, wracking his brainiac to try and remember why it seemed so familiar.

`` Albus, '' rose was watching him. `` What are you doing ? ``

Albus looked up at the sound of her voice, `` Oh, there 's something on the map. I never noticed it before. It 's a savage, dog, stag, and rat foot print. Here, look. ``

Rose, King John, and Amanda all leaned in to look at the mark. Rose furrowed her brow and tilted her head word as she looked at it. `` Why did the Marauders have this thing stay on the map ? All the other ink disappears. Now it 's just a random while of parchment with these paw prints on it. ``

Suddenly, Albus remembered where he 'd seen the paw mark before. The piece of lambskin that fell out of the photo album in the attic of Grimmauld Place ! Albus had completely forgotten about that during the course of action of the school day year. The symbol were exactly the same. They must imply something, Albus thought. He jumped up from his buns. `` I 've seen it before ! Remember when we were exploring the attic at my house, lav ? ``

John nodded his head teacher. `` Yeah ... ''

`` And the picture album we found in that box ? '' Albus continued, `` And the piece of sheepskin that fell out of it ? ``

Realization dawned on St. John 's face. `` Oh ! I 'd forgotten about that ! Do you still suffer it ? ``

`` Yup ! '' Albus shouted excitedly, `` In my trunk. I 'll go get it ! '' Albus ran out of the room, leaving a very turn on toilet and a thoroughly confused rose and Amanda.



A/N : Sorry for the cliffhanger, but the adjacent chapter is recollective and I had to split it up somewhere.

The idea for Cedonia 's teaching style and the schoolhouse Amanda used to go to came from a schooling that used to be near where I live. It recently closed due to lack of backing. But the students did n't ingest exam or receive grades. They also got to opt whatever they wanted to analyze. It was a really interesting idea and it worked well until it closed. I never went there, but I always thought it was neat.

Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as potterfan89, Denas, XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, Luke, and Moonylupin for their reviews !

Be on the lookout for my newest story, aliveness Is Good, which is a prequel to Secrets Within that chronicles how Albus, rosebush, flatness, John, and Amanda received their Hogwarts letters. I 'm hoping to mail the first of all chapter sometime succeeding hebdomad, as I have Spring Break.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



Albus ran all the way to the Gryffindor common room, narrowly avoiding another prefect. He went to his dormitory room, dug through his tree trunk, and found the lambskin. He was so glad he had n't left it in the noggin. He knew it meant something ! Albus ran back through the uncouth room, ignoring the strange stares he was receiving from his fellow classmates. When he got back to the way, Saint John was in the process of explaining to rose and Amanda about what they had found in the noggin. `` I 've got it ! '' Albus shouted. He ran back to the table and spread the lambskin out on the table.

`` You 're right ! '' Rose grinned, `` Exactly the same sucker. ``

`` But it 's just a blank opus of parchment, '' Amanda reminded him.

`` I know, but there 's definitely something occult about it. Why would the predator put this symbol on it if it meant nix ? ''

`` I think you 're right, Albus, '' John agreed, `` I do n't do it much about the Marauders, but from what you 've told me, there 's no way this is just a random spell of sheepskin. ``

Rose looked from the map to the new piece of parchment and back. `` Hmm, I wonder if this is like the map ? Do you think we have to say something to get it to work ? Maybe it 's an university extension of the map, Hogsmeade perhaps ? ``

Albus thought for a moment. That kind of made sense. The piranha frequented Hogsmeade quite a bit, during their total moon jaunts. Maybe they wanted a map of the village as well. `` There 's only one way to ascertain out, '' he grabbed his baton and tapped the slice of sheepskin, `` I solemnly swear that I am up to no commodity. ``

Ink spread across the map and Albus 's heart jumped. It had worked ! Albus and the others leaned over the table and watched the ink. But there was something different about it. It was n't forming a map, it was forming words. Once they were formed, Albus stared at them.

'Nice try. Mr. Padfoot would like to congratulate you, as you have obviously found the predator 's Map and figured out how to use it. However, he assures you that the Marauders would not use the same incantation for this specific item .'
Albus and Rose burst out laughing. This objet d'art of parchment was sort of like the map ! There was something magical about it, but it obviously was n't the same as the map. John smirked and shook his head.

Amanda stared childlike at the parchment. `` B-but, I thought h-he was absolutely ? How can he be talking through parchment ? '' she stammered.

Albus grinned at her. He still often forgot that she was muggle-born. `` It 's magic. The marauder either found or invented some variety of charm that enabled the predator 's Map to pass on with people who try to use it and they 've done the same matter with this. '' Albus pulled the vulture 's Map in front of him and tapped his wand to it, `` Watch this. I, Albus Severus Potter, demand you to prove yourself. ``

Ink appeared across the map, but it was n't the usual ink. St. John the Apostle and Amanda stared in awe, as they had never seen the map do this before. Albus and rosebush had done this on affair and they thought it was extremely funny.

'Mr. Moony would wish to would care to distinguish Mr. Potter to keep his dirty hands off the parchment.

Mr. Wormtail agrees with Mr. Moony and would like to add that despite the fact that Mr. ceramicist share a first-class honours degree name with the headmaster, it does not generate him the office do what he pleases.

Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and Mr. Wormtail and would like to add that Mr. ceramist 's middle name has got to be the most disgraceful gens he has ever heard.

Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, Mr. Wormtail, and Mr. Prongs, and would like to be capable to diss Mr. Potter 's last epithet, but feel he is ineffective to do so .'
Amanda and John started laughing hysterically after they finished reading the map. `` Does it do that to anyone ? '' john asked.

`` Yup, '' Albus laughed.

`` I did n't know Kendrick 's initiatory name was Albus, '' Amanda commented.

`` It 's not, '' Albus explained, `` When the predator were in school, Albus Dumbledore was headmaster. And the vulture hated Snape, so they always insult my figure. Except my granddaddy, he 's never capable to make do it. ``

`` That 's pretty impressive conjuration, '' lavatory said.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed.

`` You know, '' Rose began, `` If the Marauders did n't want anyone else reading that map, they would have just put a charm on it that prevented anyone except themselves to record it. I reckon they hoped somebody would eventually encounter out how to say it. ``

Albus contemplated that for a moment. Rose was probably right. The vulture were always tricker, and they would probably desire others to determine the map and use it for mischief.

`` But, '' Rose continued, `` Do you think they might have wanted another item that only they could translate ? ``

`` What are you getting at ? '' Albus asked.

`` That former art object of parchment. Maybe it 's something that the Marauders did n't want anyone to be capable to learn. ``

`` But then we could n't show it, '' Albus sighed. It did kind of shuffling common sense that the marauder wanted something to be private. But then why did they put the Lapp patsy on both parchments ?

`` There 's got to be a way, '' John said adamantly.

`` We do n't even know if rose is proper, '' Amanda argued.

`` Even if only the piranha could interpret it, would they still have to say something to await at it ? '' Albus asked.

`` I 'm not certain, '' Rose replied, `` I mean, there 's probably some kind of legerdemain that only enables a few mass to say it. kind of like a Fidelius appealingness for books or something. ``

Albus grabbed the parchment and pointed his baton at it. The only way to find oneself out if something would reveal it was to try. `` Hmm, I am going to bring in fuss. '' nada happened. `` I want to make mischief. I am going to rip a caper on someone. I promise I will make bother. '' Albus tried many unlike variations on the incantation for the Marauder 's Map, but cipher worked.

`` It wo n't work, Albus, '' rose said after a while, `` You ought to just do your preparation. ``

Albus did n't want to do his homework. He wanted to get the lambskin work. Right now, he did n't care about anything else. `` There 's got to be something. ``

`` If it 's something only the Marauders can record, then you 've got to be a Marauder to read it, '' Saint John the Apostle sighed.

`` That 's it ! '' Albus shouted. He had been thinking the incantation was like the Marauder 's Map, but it must be something that would leaven you 're a Marauder. `` I solemnly swear that I am a vulture. '' zip happened. Albus sighed. He had been so certain that that would possess worked.

`` Maybe you have to say which Marauder you are, '' John suggested.

`` Oh come off it ! '' rose shouted, `` There 's going to be some kind of charm on it to see if he really is a Marauder. Just saying so is n't going to bring. ``

Albus sort of agreed with rose wine at this distributor point, but he was unforced to try anything. But which Marauder ? Prongs. It had to be. Prongs was his grandfather. If this was going to work for anyone, it would play for him. He was related to one of the vulture. Albus pointed his baton at the lambskin with his heart beating fast. `` I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

Albus held his breath as he watched the parchment. Gospel According to John, rosiness, and Amanda watched as well. Albus 's eyes bugged out as he saw ink appearing across the parchment. `` It worked ! '' he whispered. His friends nodded, but did n't say anything. Albus began to translate as the words formed completely.

'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs welcome you to the Marauder 's Map, bit version .'
`` moment map ? '' John looked up, `` I thought there was only one. ``

`` So did I, '' Albus replied. He stared at the sheepskin as more Book appeared across it. John, blush wine, and Amanda all watched with him, no one saying a word.

'Mr. Prongs disagrees with you and insists that you are not Prongs .'
`` Merlin, '' Albus sighed. It had n't worked. The lambskin could realise dissimilar people.

`` Wait, '' Rose pointed at the parchment. `` It 's not done. ``

'However, you could be the second Prongs .'
`` What ? ! '' Albus looked up in confusion. Was this some kind of caper ? How could there be another Prongs ? And how could Albus be that second Prongs ?

`` What is this parchment ? '' John asked curiously.

`` Either it 's a trick or a highly advanced magical object, '' rosebush remarked. The four supporter continued to look out as more writing appeared.

'When four boys, who are Gryffindors, are linked together through friendly relationship and balefulness, they may present themselves as the side by side genesis of Marauders .'
`` The what ? '' Albus stared at the sheepskin. The next generation of Marauders ? What had his grandfather and his Quaker done ?

`` This is incredible, '' blush wine whispered.

'These four protagonist must each represent one of the Marauders, for if even one is missing, this map will not work. Before this goes any further, you must turn up that you know the mystery of the vulture. Prove that you know, and you may uphold along the path of discovery .'

'The way of discovery ? I never knew you were so poetic, Mr. Prongs .'

'Oh, consider me, Mr. Padfoot, I am not. Mr. Moony came up with that whole thing .'

'Then I pay my compliments on the wording to Mr. Moony .'

'Mr. Moony advises that whomever is reading this ignore Mr. Prongs and Mr. Padfoot and get proving that they know the Marauders .'

'Mr. Padfoot agrees with Mr. Moony and also advises that if whomever is reading this has no mind who the piranha are, that they quit while they 're ahead .'

'The Marauders wish you good luck .'

The ink disappeared from the parchment and Albus looked up at his admirer. `` What in the epithet of pigeon hawk is this ? ``

`` I think it 's something the piranha invented to secure that they would never be gone from this school, '' Rose said in awe, `` It 's dumbfound. ``

`` I 'll say, '' Amanda grinned, `` Probably the best magical thing I 've seen yet. ``

`` And I do n't call back we 've even discovered the most of it, '' Albus commented.

`` How are we going to bump out the rest ? '' John asked.

`` Well, I think we 've somehow got to leaven that we know who the Marauders are and that we know their enigma, '' Albus explained.

`` We already know their biggest secrets, '' blush wine said, `` But how would we prove it to a opus of parchment. ``

`` I 've got no idea, '' Albus told her, `` I mean, I doubt we can just tell the parchment. ``

`` Why could n't we ? '' bathroom asked.

`` Seems too elementary, '' Rose said.

`` It 's worth a try, though, '' John argued. `` Albus ? ``

Albus did n't think it would sour, but he did n't think it could really harm anything either. `` Worth a shot. '' Albus picked up the parchment and stared at it. This seemed really silly when he thought about it. He was about to talk to a while of parchment. `` Here goes cipher. Let 's see, Moony is a werewolf. Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail are all illegal animagi. Prongs is a stag, Padfoot is a dog, and Wormtail is a rat. ``

Albus and the others watched the lambskin. A few Holy Scripture appeared on it. Could it have actually worked ?

'Nice try .'
`` I told you it would n't work, '' rosiness smirked, `` It 's got to be more subtle than that. ``

`` We 'll just have to conceive on it, '' Albus replied. He had no idea how they were to prove to the new map that they knew the Marauders'enigma, but he had to find out. This parchment was perhaps even more interesting and magical than the Marauder 's Map, and he was going to see it out.

`` What are you lot doing ? '' Matt sat up and was looking around with a befuddled look on his nerve. `` What time is it ? ``

Albus looked up when he heard Matt 's voice. Albus had practically forgotten that he was there during the excitement of the new map. `` It 's about 8:30. We 've got a one-half hour until curfew. As for what we were doing, well, we 've got a new closed book on our hands. ``

Albus, whoremonger, Rose, and Amanda spent the future few minutes explaining about the new map to Matt. They told him about how Albus had noticed the symbolic representation on the Marauder 's Map, how he had gotten the new map to demonstrate the writing, and how they had to try out that they knew the Marauders'secret. Then they showed him the new map.

`` That is brilliant, '' flatness commented.

`` Yup. And we 're going to estimate out how to act upon it, '' Albus grinned. `` Maybe we are the new marauder. ``

`` Well, I know what we can do while we 're trying to figure it out how to test we know the vulture, '' Gospel According to John announced, `` We 've got to cipher out who we 're going to represent. ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' Albus said, `` I guess we each have to be one of the marauder. ``

`` I think it 's obvious who I am, '' lusterlessness said tiredly. `` I 'm definitely Moony. ``

`` I 'd say so, '' King John laughed, `` I 'll be anyone except Wormtail. ``

`` Me, too, '' Albus 's face fell as he realized that somebody was going to possess to represent Wormtail. cipher was going to require to be him.

`` You 're obviously Prongs, '' toilet replied, `` I mean, you 're his grandson. Plus, you 're a chaser, just like he was. ``

`` That makes sense, '' Albus agreed, `` How about you ? ``

`` He 's Padfoot, '' Matt yawned, `` He 's got to be. He 's firm like a dog. Remember that detention last yr in the trophy room, when he yelled at Washburn ? ``

John grinned sheepishly, `` I could be Padfoot. ``

`` Good, '' Albus agreed, `` We 've got Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs. But what about Wormtail ? ``

Everyone groaned. `` I 'm not going to be him, '' blush wine said disgustedly.

`` You do n't get to, '' Albus told her, `` The map clearly said four boys, four Gryffindor male child to be specific. ``

`` So Amanda and I do n't get to be involved ? ''

`` Hey, it 's not our shift the Marauders wanted it to be boys, '' Albus shrugged, `` But you can help us see the unscathed thing out. ``

`` Right now, we 've got to regain a Wormtail, '' Amanda said. `` Who else are you three good protagonist with ? ``

`` No one, really. Just Bilius and Ethan, '' Saint John explained, `` And whomever is Wormtail is going to retrieve out about Matt. ``

The friends all looked at Matt, whose face had paled at hearing this. Albus had n't thought about that. He did n't want anyone who resembled pecker Pettigrew finding out about Matt. If that 's what it took to bump out the secrets of this map, then the map would just stay secret.

`` We 're not doing it, '' John the Evangelist said adamantly, `` No one like Wormtail is going to regain out that Matt is werewolf. ``

`` And that 's why you 're Padfoot, '' Matt yawned. `` Thanks. ``

`` No trouble, '' John the Evangelist smiled.

`` You know, '' rosiness began, `` When this map was made, Wormtail had n't betrayed Albus 's grandparents. He was a predator. They trusted him. All we 've got to do is find someone who you lot are friends with, not necessarily individual who was like the Wormtail we 've heard of. We just need someone who is even slightly like Pettigrew. ``

Albus thought about this. It could work out. But could they really find mortal they could trust enough to unwrap lusterlessness 's secret ? Or, did they even have to reveal it ? Was it possible to do this without telling the fourth person ? `` Let 's just go along our eyes out for someone who is anything like Pettigrew and we 'll think about it. Who knows, we might not even have to let them know about mat, at least not for a while. Is that all right, lustrelessness ? ``

Matt had fallen asleep again and jerked his head word up when he heard his name. `` Huh ? Oh, yeah, that 's all right. ``

`` Sounds like a plan, then, '' John said.

`` We 'd amend get back to the common room, '' rose wine looked at her watch, `` It 's almost curfew. ``

Albus and the others left the elbow room and walked back to Gryffindor tugboat. Albus thought about the new map and what it could possibly restrain. It was obviously a more involved map than the marauder 's Map. Albus could only imagine what was actually on it. The prospect of finding out excited him, but he was wondering if they would even find out. What were the chances of them finding someone who would be will to represent Wormtail ? And if they did chance that person, could they figure out the map without telling that mortal that mat was a lycanthrope ? Albus hoped so, but he doubted it.



A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Gospel According to Luke, Moonylupin, TheAlbusPotterCritic, potterfan89, sinwillys822, Denas, and XDNLxtlz99 for their review !

The prequel to Secrets Within, animation Is Good, has been posted and the low chapter is up. I 'll be updating it weekly, near probable on Tuesdays.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Over the next few days, Albus constantly thought about the new map. He kept it in his bag all the time and found himself looking at it whenever he got the chance. He read the clues again and again, hoping to get something he missed before that would recount him how to demonstrate that he knew the Marauders'secrets. Albus found that he could n't really concentrate on anything else. He was sure he failed his Potions mental testing on Friday because he had so much trouble settling down to study the dark before.

His school work was n't the simply affair suffering, either. Albus was also having a difficult time paying aid during Quidditch pattern. Seeing as the match against Slytherin was on Sabbatum, this could n't accept happened at a worsened time. Georgia had to call at him at least five times during practice on Friday, and he dropped the Quaffle quite a bit.

`` Albus, '' Georgia said once practice was over and everyone was starting to go back to the castle, `` stop here for a 2nd, I need to talk to you. ``

Albus trudged over to Georgia. She had a dark look on her face that made Albus find horrific. He knew he had played ugly during practice, but he just could n't get the map out of his head. `` What is it ? '' he asked, knowing perfectly well what Sakartvelo wanted to lecture to him about.

`` Albus, '' Georgia began, `` I know you 're a terrifying Chaser. That is why I chose you to be on the team. It was not because you are my cousin-german. If one of the other people who tried out played better than you, they would have gotten in. You know perfectly well that I do not play front-runner. ``

This was confessedly. GA was ruthless about Quidditch. She was even more so than Samantha Meyers, which was saying something. Albus knew full well that if he continued playing this badly, he would get kicked off the team.

`` You play wonderfully with Fred and heather, which is why I chose you. You 've had experience working with them, and I thought that would help us. I think I know why your playing has declined over the by few days, '' Peach State softened her gaze, `` You 're nervous. ``

Albus glanced up when his cousin-german said this. To narrate the truth, Albus had n't even thought about being neural. But he was Thomas More than uncoerced to fault his terribly performing on nerves. `` Er, yeah, a bit. ``

`` I understand that. I was extremely nervous during my first equal as well. But you are going to do fine. We 're going to crush Slytherin tomorrow. And we 'll prove all those multitude wrong who thought I was favoring my family, '' Georgia grinned.

Albus gave a half-hearted smiling. He had to kibosh thinking about that map, if only just for tomorrow. If not, it could cost him his blank space on the team. `` Thanks. I 'll try to cool off down a bit. ``

`` Good, '' Sakartvelo replied, `` Now let 's get back to the rook. ``

******

Despite Albus 's lack of heart the by few sidereal day, he was certainly making up for it on Saturday dayspring. He woke up with butterfly stroke in his belly and could n't contend to eat anything for breakfast. Worse yet, he was still thinking about the map. Albus had to concentrate on this couple. His shoes on the team rested on it.

`` Are you ok, Albus ? '' Matt asked. He had returned from the hospital Wing the previous eventide and was looking much better. Judging by his tone of voice, Albus suspected that Matt looked intimately than he did.

`` Yeah, just queasy, '' Albus mumbled. He had n't told any of his booster about Sakartvelo 's talk last night.

`` Well, you 'd better win, '' Gabe bourne, the fourth-year who Albus had beat during try-outs was glaring at him. `` If not, Georgia made a big error in choosing one of her cousins over me. ``

`` Shove off, bourne, '' Bradley sat down across from Albus and glared at Gabe. Gabe turned to glare at Omar Nelson Bradley and then stalked off to the other end of the tabular array. `` Do n't concern about him. He thinks he 's best at everything. We 'll show him. ``

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. Albus was n't nearly as confident as Bradley was. But he knew they had to win that mate. If they did n't, Albus would stimulate to cover with bourn, and he did not want to do that. Albus never thought so much would be resting on one friction match of Quidditch, let alone his first match.

Soon enough, Georgia announced that the team needed to go to the changing room. Albus 's friends wished him luck as he left with the team. The majority of the Gryffindor board cheered as they left, with bourne and one of his friends glaring at Albus, but not clapping. Albus changed into his Quidditch robes in silence while the rest of the team talked animatedly around him. It seemed like Albus was the only one who was nervous about this match.

`` Time to go, everyone ! '' GA announced.

Albus grabbed his broom and followed the rest of the team out onto the pitch, with his heart pounding fast. He gazed up at the crowd, never realizing before how many citizenry actually attended Hogwarts. It was one matter to play Quidditch during practice, but in front of everyone ? Albus was sure he 'd pass off his Scots heather and humiliate the intact team.

`` Here is the Gryffindor team ! '' Albus heard the familiar voice of Todd David Roland Smith booming over the rake. `` Ryan O'Malley, Albus ceramist, James Potter, Bradley Weasley, Fred Weasley, Georgia Weasley, and Calluna vulgaris Weasley ! GA is the new police captain this year, and Albus ceramist has replaced Samantha Meyers as pursuer. Will he be able to live up to her legacy ? simply time will tell. ``

Albus gulped when he heard that. Why did Todd have to say that ? Albus felt as if every eye in the stadium was focused on him. Albus stood next to James I as they waited for the Slytherin team to add up onto the bailiwick. James II sent him a supportive smile that Albus returned nervously.

`` And here are the Slytherins ! Ferris fielding, Talan Flint, lancet Goyle, Peyton Howard Robard Hughes, Garth Octavius, Hailey Odele, and Jackson Naiser ! The Slytherins have replaced their Seeker since lowest yr. Garth Octavius is the new Seeker. ``

Albus remembered GA telling them this. Glenna Dabney, the Slytherin seeker from survive year, had been utterly incompetent of catching the Snitch. Albus hoped that Garth would be just as inept, but he doubted it.

`` Mount your brooms, '' professor Oteski announced, `` set, go ! ``

Albus soared into the air on Oteski 's whistling. He took a few deep breathing place to crystallise his capitulum and tried to block out the crowd 's cheering and booing. He glanced around the pitch and saw that Fred had the Quaffle. Albus flew towards the early side of the field in order of magnitude to get away from Odele, who was flying right next to him. With his faster heather, he was away from her in no clip. He could do this, Albus thought.

Albus dodged a Bludger and both Slytherin Beaters as he made his way down the auction pitch. He got nearer to Fred and Fred passed him the Quaffle. Albus grabbed it and flew towards the Slytherin end C. W. Post. He was almost there when a Bludger collided with his arm. `` Ouch ! '' he shouted as he dropped the Quaffle. He swore and examined his arm. It did n't appear to be broken. It was just a little afflictive. Albus looked around and saw that Haines had the Quaffle.

Albus flew after him, but he had already managed to reach it past both Bludgers and was heading straight towards Sakartvelo. He threw the Quaffle and it sailed into the left most hoop.

`` grade ! Slytherin scores the world-class goal of the plot, making it 10-0 Slytherin, '' Todd announced.

Albus groaned and flew towards the Gryffindor end. He zigzagged through the other role player, dodging both the Bludgers. Albus was very proficient at maneuvering his heather and avoiding other players. He saw that both heather mixture and Fred were covered by Slytherin Chasers as everyone waited for the Georgia to bewilder the Quaffle back into play. Georgia faked to the right and then threw the Quaffle to the left field. Albus immediately flew towards it, and with his fast new Scots heather, grabbed the Quaffle just as Fielding tried to catch it.

Albus turned his broom around and sped like lightning towards the other end of the tar. He looked all around him, noticing that the Slytherin Chasers were closing in, while the beaters aimed both Bludgers at him. Albus flew straight up and avoided all of them.

`` Albus ceramicist is really flying now ! He 's got that brilliant Firebolt 2000 that Georgia has. I believe they are the sole two in the school to hold one, '' Smith called out.

Albus ignored Ian Smith 's commentary and continued flying. He passed James, who gave him a ovolo up. Fielding was hot on his tail now. Albus looked around, he needed to snuff it the Quaffle. heather mixture was open and Albus gave the Quaffle a hard toss. Heather caught it and brought it down to the Slytherin goal posts. She threw it at the middle ring and it sailed through.

`` Score ! '' Smith announced, `` Heather Weasley has scored, making the biz tied with 10 spot each. ``

Albus grinned at Heather and flew to the Slytherin goal posts. He waited for Goyle to toss the Quaffle back out, and let his idea wander to the map. Albus had n't really thought about it at all so far, which was upright. Who could they get to represent Pettigrew ? Albus found himself thinking about this all the clock time. Every person he passed in the hallway made Albus wonderment, could he be the one ? No, he could n't, Albus always told himself. Because they 'd never find anyone. Albus, John, and lusterlessness were destined to just be a group of three friends, and that was n't going to work for the new map. Why would n't it just accept Rose or Amanda ? Albus thought bitterly. Of course, neither fille would agree to representing the traitor that was Saint Peter Pettigrew anyway.

`` Albus ! '' A loud part jerked Albus back into the match. He looked up and saw that Heather was glaring at him. He shook his mind and started flying again.

During the remainder of the match, Albus found his mind drifting Sir Thomas More and more towards the map. He dropped the Quaffle more than a few times, earning disapproving looks from Empire State of the South. Although he had n't scored a single goal, he did aid heather mixture and Fred score a few each. Unfortunately this was n't enough, and soon Slytherin was ahead.

`` Another end for Slytherin ! '' Ian Douglas Smith shouted, `` Making the grievance 120-80 Slytherin ! ``

Albus groaned and looked around at his teammate. Peach State looked tense, Scots heather and Fred looked determined, Bradley and Ryan looked angry, and James looked like he was concentrating hard on finding the Snitch. Odele currently had the Quaffle and Albus followed her towards the Gryffindor goal Emily Price Post. Fred intercepted it as Odele tried to score.

`` Albus ! '' Georgia shouted, `` You can do this ! Just concentrate ! ``

Albus nodded and sped down the pitch. He could do this. He just had to get his judgment off the map. There would be plenty of clock time to visualize it out later. Quidditch, Quaffle, scoring goals, that was what he had to think about now. Fred passed him the Quaffle and he continued flying towards Goyle. fielding was on his tail again and he passed the Quaffle to Heather, who was open.

All of a sudden, James IV whooshed yesteryear Albus, heading straight for Ryan. Albus looked over quizzically and realized that James must have seen the fink. Garth Octavius followed James but he was n't ready enough. William James grabbed the snitcher, which was idling near Ryan 's arm, and pulled out of the diva. He held it up with a triumphant grin.

`` ceramicist has caught the stool pigeon ! '' Smith announced happily, `` Gryffindor wins with 230 stage ! ``

Cheers erupted in the stands, with the Gryffindors storming the lurch. Albus landed happily next to Epistle of James. It was over, his first Quidditch match was over. He breathed a sigh of relief. They had won, Albus was not going to be kicked off the team. He stood there grinning with the balance of the squad as their chap Gryffindors clapped them on the cover and high-fived them. Albus had never been a fan of this sort of thing before, but he did n't really mind it right now.

`` Great job, Albus ! '' Gospel According to John broke through the crowd, followed by Matt, Rose, and Amanda.

`` Excellent, '' matte grinned.

`` You were awesome, '' Rose agreed.

`` good match, '' Amanda added.

`` Thanks, '' Albus smiled, `` But I did n't even score any destination. ``

`` Does n't count, '' flatness replied, `` You had quite a few assistance, and we won so it 's all good. ``

`` Party in the common room ! '' one of the older students shouted. Everyone else cheered and the gang started to motivate slowly to the castle.

`` Hi, Al. '' Albus turned around to see his dad wearing a immense grin. `` You did great ! ``

`` Thanks, Dad, '' Albus smiled as his dad gave him a hug, `` But I 'll do adept next meter. ``

`` Of row you will. The first mates is always the most nerve-wracking, '' Harry replied.

`` Yeah, '' Albus agreed, although nerves were only a theatrical role of why he had n't played one hundred percent that day.

`` fountainhead, I 've got to owl mum and let her cognize you 're all rightfulness, '' Harry laughed, `` She gets so disturbed about Quidditch. ``

Albus laughed to himself as his dad left. His female parent did vex a lot, although she did make a good rationality. His kinfolk always seemed to attract problem, and he was mildly surprised that he escaped his first match with only a minor bruise from a Bludger.

Albus walked to the mutual room with his friend and when they got there the common way was already filling up. Everyone congratulated Albus as he entered, telling him what a great job he did that day. Albus smiled at them and thanked them, but he broke into a huge grinning when he saw Victoire and Amy sitting at one of the tables.

`` You made it ! '' Albus shouted over the noise. `` Did you see the lucifer ? ``

`` Sure did ! '' Victoire replied. `` You were an first-class pursuer. ``

`` Definitely, '' Amy agreed.

`` Thanks, '' Albus said, `` I did n't see you on the tar. ``

`` We left right after James caught the snitch to go to Hogsmeade to get party supplies, '' Victoire gestured to the large measure of solid food and butterbeer.

`` What did you do to your arm ? '' Amy grabbed the arm that had been hit with a Bludger early in the match.

`` Bludger, '' Albus answered, `` It does n't hurt much anymore. ``

Amy reached into her gown and pulled out her scepter. `` I 'll cure it for you. '' Amy muttered an incantation and Albus 's arm immediately felt better.

`` Wow, '' Albus grinned, `` Does n't hurt at all now. ``

`` trade good, '' Amy smiled, `` We 're able to mend nonaged stinger and contusion right now, although most of the poppycock we 've learned is theoretical. It 's all quite capture, though. ``

`` I 'm gladiolus you like it, '' Albus said. `` How long until you 're Healers ? ``

Victoire laughed, `` Not for another two years. It 's a long operation. ``

`` Although not nearly as long as Muggle doctor, '' Amy told them, `` They 've got to go through eight geezerhood of schooling after secondary school. ``

`` That is mad, '' Saint John shook his head, `` Why would anyone desire to be in school that long ? ``

`` I would n't mind, '' Rose grinned.

`` Of course you would n't, '' John laughed.

`` We 've learned a bit of Muggle medicine, '' Victoire told them, `` Just in case we ever have to treat Muggles. Magical healing does n't ingest much of an effect on them. ``

`` I much prefer Magical healing, '' matte announced, `` Muggles use too many needles. Incantations and potions are much substantially. ``

`` If Muggles use needle, then I agree, '' John said.

`` It 's not that bad, '' Amanda laughed.

`` I think I 'd rather stimulate someone wave their wand than have somebody puzzle me with a needle, '' Albus shook his headway. Sometimes he just did n't understand the things Muggles did.

`` Ever hear of stitches ? '' Matt grinned mischievously.

Albus, pink wine, and Victoire laughed. They had all heard the story of their grandpa 's experimentation with Muggle stitches. `` My grandpa had them once, '' Albus grinned, `` Did n't move around out too well. ``

`` What are stitches ? '' John asked.

`` They sew your peel together, '' matt explained.

`` Sew ? '' can had a disgusted look on his face, `` Like what they do with apparel ? That 's mental. ``

`` Bloody dreadful, too, '' Matt commented, `` I had them once. I 'll secern you that story sometime. ''

`` Albus ! '' King James walked over to their table with a butterbeer in his hand. `` Great first match ! ``

`` Thanks, '' Albus replied, `` splendid catch. ``

`` Thanks, '' Saint James the Apostle grinned, `` Ca n't believe Octavius did n't see it. It was glittering in the sunlight. Oh, well, better for us if their new Seeker ca n't see the canary. ``

`` Ca n't argue with that, '' Albus laughed.

`` Listen, '' James lowered his voice and glanced around him. `` What did you do to Kaden ? ``

Albus was startled by the change in conversation. He had n't really thought about Kaden much the past few solar day. He assumed that Kaden just realized that Albus did not want to be around him anymore and found his own Quaker. Albus had not really paid a great deal attention to his little cousin since he told Malfoy that Matt gets throw up every calendar month. `` Er, Kaden ? ``

`` Yes, Kaden, '' Henry James sighed, `` He said you were mad at him. Are you still mad at him ? ``

`` Uh, yeah, '' Albus glanced around at his friends, who were all paying shut attention. Victoire and Amy were also listening.

`` Ugh, '' James groaned, `` Are you ever going to forgive him for whatever he did ? What did he do anyway ? ``

`` Er, '' Albus looked at mat and then back at Saint James, `` He kind of told someone something that I told him to keep on quiet about. ``

`` Well, whatever that was, you should make up with him, '' James replied, `` He 's been moping around me for the past month and it 's getting on my nerves. ``

`` What do you want me to do about that ? '' Albus asked coldly.

`` Be friends with him again ! ''

`` I was n't really friends with him to begin with, '' Albus commented, `` He just started hanging around us. I thought he found his own friend since I stopped talking to him. ``

`` Nope, he has n't, '' Jesse James groaned, `` Oh, smell, here he comes. ``

`` Saint James the Apostle ! '' Kaden said, `` There you are ! '' Kaden looked around at Albus and the others. `` Oh, hi Albus. ``

`` Kaden, '' Albus replied.

`` Good job on the equal. ``

`` Thanks. ``

`` well, see ya later, Albus, '' James stood up. Albus and the others said au revoir. Kaden followed James like a puppy dog.

`` Did n't think he 'd pop annoying Henry James, '' Rose commented.

`` make sensory faculty, though, '' Albus said.

`` I take it you 're not going to rationalise ? '' lustrelessness asked.

`` Nope, I told him not to tell and he did anyway, '' Albus said adamantly.

`` I 'm guessing you would n't tell us what he did ? '' Victoire asked curiously.

`` Actually, '' Albus lowered his voice, `` I would, if you 'd come in to the elbow room. ``

******

`` It 's been so long since I 've been in here, '' Victoire smiled as she looked around the Room of Requirement.

`` I know, '' Amy agreed, `` It 's foreign. I was getting used to not being here anymore, but now that we 're back, I 'm starting to miss it. ``

`` Me, too, '' Victoire said, `` But if soul told me that you 'd miss Hogwarts back when you first came here, I 'd never have believed them. ``

Amy laughed, `` I know, but I got used to it. ``

Albus watched them as they reminisced about Hogwarts. He had never imagined that Amy would have disliked Hogwarts. `` Why 's that ? ``

`` Well, '' Amy began, `` When I first came here, I missed my old schooling and my old Quaker. petty did I know that I would come to love this home even more and make even just friends. ``

`` All right, '' Victoire threw herself down on one of the couches, `` What 's this about you and Kaden ? ``

Albus sat down next to her, while his supporter and Amy took seats on various other professorship and couches. `` Have you ever met Kaden ? '' Albus asked his cousin.

`` Once, I think, '' Victoire answered.

`` wellspring, he 's very nark, to say the least. He thinks everything about the magical world is wonderful and that magic can clear everything, '' Albus explained.

`` I 'm guessing you 've tried to tell him otherwise ? '' Victoire asked.

`` Yeah, but he did n't appear to understand, '' Albus replied, `` Anyway, he latched himself onto me and started following us around everywhere. It got very irritating, but we tolerated it. Then, the day of the first wide-cut moonlight, Kaden got spew and Madam Pomfrey gave him some potion and he was better instantly. This really amazed him and he came back to the vulgar room praising lady Pomfrey and her potions. He came over to where we were sitting and he noticed how ill matt looked. ``

`` Oh, Merlin, I can see where this is going, '' Amy sighed and looked at Matt, who was looking a bit uncomfortable.

`` Yeah, he insisted that matt go see gentlewoman Pomfrey. I tried to explicate that magic trick could n't fix everything, but he just would n't listen. We told him to kibosh going on and on about healing potions, but he would n't. Matt left hand because he had to go to the infirmary Wing, and I yelled at Kaden. However, the fight did n't last long because we all agreed that Kaden did n't know about mat, therefore he had no idea that what he said was deleterious. I explained to Kaden once again that there were affair that magic could n't solve, and that Matt had a disease that deception could n't solve- ''

`` You did n't order him, did you ? '' Amy asked lustrelessness anxiously.

`` Of course not, '' matt assured her, `` He 's still got no estimation. ``

`` good. ``

`` After that, we just kind of accepted that Kaden would be around us all the clock time and got used to him, '' Albus continued, `` But then he decided to inquire the Whomping Willow. ``

`` What ? ! '' Victoire and Amy shouted at the exact same time. Amy 's brass lost all color as she stared at Albus.

`` He did. We were lying around the terra firma after Quidditch exercise and Kaden wanted to investigate it. We told him numerous times not to, but he did anyway. He got hit a couple times, but eventually he wound up inside the tunnel. ``

Amy turned to her brother with a look of care on her grimace. `` Did he follow it ? '' she whispered.

`` He wanted to, '' Albus answered, `` But I went in after him and persuaded him not to. We got out and Filch caught us. He gave us three exhausting Night of detention, which you already know about. ``

The girls nodded their heads. Albus had owled Amy and explained about the detention on the Astronomy tugboat, but had not told her why they were in detention.

`` Right after we got out of Filch 's agency, we took Kaden up to our student residence and persuaded him not to ever look for that burrow again or to recount anyone about it. He said he would n't, '' Albus continued, `` Just like he said he would n't tell anyone that mat had a disease that could n't be fixed by conjuration. ``

`` Oh, merlin, '' Victoire sighed, `` I 'm guessing he told someone ? ``

`` You 're right, '' Albus said darkly, `` He did. For some strange reason, known only to my pillock cousin, he decided to narrate Scorpius Malfoy that Matt gets nauseous every once and a spell, and tell him about the Whomping willow tree ! ``

`` What ? ! '' Both girls shouted and stood up with tone of anger on their faces.

`` And Malfoy has been trying to find out where I go every month and now he 's got more clues. Up until now we 've been telling him that I have to visit my sick granny, but that wo n't act anymore, '' Matt explained. `` It 's only a matter of time before he finds out. ``

`` We wo n't let him, '' Amy said adamantly, then she turned to Albus, `` So this Scorpius Malfoy knows about the tunnel under the Whomping willow ? ``

`` Er, we think so, yeah, '' Albus said quietly.

`` Not good, this is not honorable, '' Amy started pacing, `` Have you told any of the teachers ? ``

`` No, '' Matt answered.

`` You 've got to. He ca n't go exploring that tree diagram, he just ca n't, '' Amy told them. `` We 'll go tell Kendrick now. Come on, mat. ``

Matt stood up, his face as pale as Amy 's. `` All right wing. '' He reluctantly followed his sister out of the Room.

`` And you 've been ignoring Kaden ever since, '' Victoire said, not as a dubiousness, but a fact.

`` Yeah, '' Albus confirmed, `` It 's been over a month now. ``

They all sat in secretiveness for a few mo, all lost in their own thoughts. Albus had n't really given Kaden much thought the past few days. He 'd been much too busy thinking about the map. But now, the incident with Kaden was back in the front man of his mind. What was Kendrick going to do about Malfoy ? What if he decided that lusterlessness could n't stay in school anymore now that people knew about the tunnel ? Albus shuddered at the thought of his friend being kicked out of schooltime because of what Kaden had done.

`` Albus, '' Victoire said quietly, `` I know what Kaden did was horrible. Hell, I 'm mad at him now and I do n't really know him. But I really think there is to a greater extent to this than meets the eye. I do n't know why he told Malfoy, but I do n't think he just randomly decided to tell Malfoy. I really think you ought to recall about forgiving him, or at least asking him why he told Malfoy. ``

Albus thought about this for a second. The concluding affair he wanted to do was talk to Kaden, let alone forgive him. Kaden might be the reasonableness one of his friends is forced to depart the school ! If that happens, Albus decided, no way would he ever forgive Kaden. Sure, what Victoire said might be admittedly. There might be some form of underlying reason why Kaden told Malfoy, but the fact remains that he told him. And that could n't be changed.

`` I variety of agree with Victoire, '' Rose whispered, `` I do n't think he really meant to pass Malfoy cue about Matt 's lycanthropy. ``

`` I know that ! '' Albus shouted, `` Kaden does n't even jazz about it ! But I told him not to order and he did n't mind. We ca n't trust him with anything ! Everything I 've told him not to tell, he 's told someone, and it was Malfoy of all masses ! You realize that if I forgive him, he 'll start following us around again. He 'll get more suspicious about lustrelessness and eventually he 's going to find out. And what do you think he 'll do then ? We 'll tell him not to say anything, and he will. He 'll probably secernate Malfoy. ``

`` I agree with you, Albus, '' John said.

`` Me, too, '' Amanda replied.

`` Fine, '' rosebush snapped.

`` Just suppose about it, Albus, '' Victoire said as she got up. `` I 've got to be going. Teddy should be home by now and I want to go visit him. ``

`` Where is he ? '' Albus asked. He had been wondering where Teddy was.

`` He had some kind of Auror training thing today, '' Victoire responded, `` Training is pretty intense. And it 's at all kinds of screwball hours. I guess they 're preparing him for what it 'll be like when he 's a fully trained Auror. ``

Albus nodded. He knew what that was like. Harry was always leaving at random multiplication, only to return in the dead of nighttime. Aurors had some of the strangest hr he had ever heard of.

`` Of course, my time of day wo n't be much better when I 'm a healer, '' Victoire commented, `` With our hours, we 're never going to get to see each former. Well, I 'll see you soon, Albus and Rose. I 'm not surely when, but I 'll definitely see you at Noel. ``



A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight and Denas, Jen, sinwillys822, XDNLxtlz99, St. Luke, and Moonylupin for their reassessment !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




Albus and his friend sat around the Room of necessity for the next half hour, waiting for flatness to issue forth back. Nobody said very much, but Albus could state that they were all worried about what was going to happen. Albus certainly was. Albus looked up sharply as he heard the room access to the room heart-to-heart. `` What happened ? '' he asked immediately.

Matt ran over to his friends with a smile on his face. `` Not much. ``

`` You do n't suffer to pass on ? '' Rose asked.

`` Nope ! '' Matt grinned. `` Kendrick said he 'd take care of it and no one 's going to be able to get into the passageway anymore. ``

`` That 's great ! '' Albus replied. He was very relieved. It would not have been fair for lusterlessness to give to leave Hogwarts just because of Kaden 's stupidity.

`` Yeah. Kendrick said I should throw just told him immediately, though. ``

`` We did n't really think of it at the sentence, '' John commented.

`` I know, and Kendrick understands. He 's not giving me hold or anything, '' Matt told them.

`` goodness, '' Amanda replied.

`` So, '' John said tentatively, `` Nobody can get into the passageway now ? ``

`` Pretty practically. Kendrick did n't really explain, but he told me no one would be able to get in, '' Matt explained, `` Just me and Madam Pomfrey, I think. ``

`` Oh, '' Gospel According to John said, `` I was kind of hoping we could go search it some time. ``

Matt turned and glared at him, `` Are you mad ? There 's no way I 'd take you into the screaming hut. ``

`` It could bear been like our own common room, '' John continued.

`` No way. Nope. Not going to befall, '' lustrelessness said flatly.

`` All right field, fine, '' Gospel According to John sighed, `` Would 've been cool, though. ``

******

The next day at breakfast, Albus was still thinking about the new map. He kept wondering what made it so unlike from the master marauder 's Map. Albus was hoping that it would show Hogsmeade, along with everyone who was in Hogsmeade.

`` Who 's that old lady up there ? '' Amanda pointed to the staff mesa. There was a short old witch with a patched and frayed hat sitting where professor Longbottom usually sat.

Albus looked up and watched her. For some reason she looked rather conversant, but he could n't put his finger on it.

`` Yeah, and where 's Professor Longbottom ? '' Matt asked.

`` Dunno, '' Albus shrugged. He looked up towards the roof as the post owl started to arrive. rosebush 's family owl made a beeline for her and stood waiting for her to involve the missive off.

rose took the letter and gave her owl a piece of toast. She opened the letter and read for a few minutes before reemerging from behind it with a immense grin on her face. `` prof Longbottom 's wife has had her babe ! Her name is Lucy Augusta. That explains why Professor Longbottom is n't here. ``

Albus smiled. `` That 's great. '' Albus had n't seen Hannah since the summer, and she 'd been quite pregnant then.

`` You know, I never really reckon about the instructor having families, '' Matt commented.

`` well, we met Professor Longbottom 's married woman at the Leaky cauldron over the summer, '' lavatory pointed out.

`` I know, but I do n't really commemorate her that well, '' matte explained, `` I did n't feel too great that day. ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' John the Evangelist remembered, `` And Professor ceramicist obviously has a mob. '' John grinned at Albus.

`` He does ? '' Albus opened his eyes spacious in a look of fake shock. `` I never knew ! ``

matt laughed, `` I wonder about the early instructor, though. ``

`` I think Patil is married, '' Rose told them, `` Slughorn is n't, but I 'm not sure about the others. ``

`` May I have your attention ? '' Kendrick stood up and banged his spoonful against his goblet. `` Thank you. I have two declaration this good morning. The first one is that it has come to my attention that a few of you have not heeded my warning about staying away from the Whomping willow. I must tell you again how dangerous it is. ``

Albus stole a glance at Kaden, who was steadily turning more pink. Albus glared at him and this made him twist a undimmed shade of red.

`` As an tot forethought, I have put a few Barbara Ward around it that will inform me when someone neglect my rules. There will be severe punishment for anyone who is caught around the tree, '' Kendrick said sternly.

`` On a lighter greenback, I 'm sure you all have noticed that Professor Longbottom is not here today. ``

Most of the other scholar started whispering among themselves, no uncertainty wondering why this could be considered a 'lighter line'.

`` Yes, yes, no need to interest. Professor Longbottom 's wife has had a baby girl and he will be gone for a few week. professor Sprout, who taught here years ago has offered to take his place until he returns, '' Kendrick gestured to the elder witch.

That 's where he knew her from, Albus thought as Sprout stood up and waved. Albus had met Sprout once when he was much younger.

`` I believe that is all. I hope everyone has a safe Sunday and is well rested for class tomorrow, '' Kendrick sat back down.

`` I hope Sprout is nice, '' lusterlessness said as he and the others wandered around the undercoat after breakfast. It was a very meek day for November and most of the students were outside enjoying the weather.

`` She is, '' Albus assured him. `` My parents had her. So did most of my aunts and uncles. ``

`` Mine, too, '' John said.

`` I 've met her a few times, '' rose commented, `` I like her. ``

`` good, '' Matt smiled, `` It seems like we have n't got any mean teachers this year. ``

The chemical group spent the sunup wandering around the terra firma, putting off the homework they should have been doing. They talked some more about the map, but cipher had any musical theme as to how to get it to work or who could exemplify Wormtail. Albus also thought a lot about what Victoire had said. He was beginning to wonder if he should just forgive Kaden. It would certainly be a entirely lot gentle than trying to avoid him, like he had been doing the past month and a half.

`` I do n't think we 're going to be able to ignore Kaden forever, '' Albus announced as they were laying underneath a beechwood tree near the lake.

`` You 've just realized this ? '' Rose asked, smirking.

`` Well, I 'd been hoping we could just ignore him, '' Albus told her.

`` You ca n't, Albus, '' rosiness sighed, `` He 's your cousin, whether you like him or not. ``

`` I know, '' Albus replied, `` I 'm getting sick of having to void him all the time. ``

`` I still do n't like him, '' John said adamantly, `` I mean, maybe if he 'd get word how to exclude his mouth, I 'd care him considerably. ``

`` Maybe there 's some kind of spell we can use to get him not to verbalise about matter he 's not supposed to, '' Amanda laughed.

`` That 'd be skillful, '' Albus agreed. `` So, you think we should forgive him ? ``

`` We probably should, '' matte replied quietly. `` No one can get into the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree now, and Malfoy 's going to find out eventually, '' he sighed, `` It 's only a issue of time. He 'll find out whether Kaden gives him clew or not. He 's smart. Kaden wo n't figure it out until someone tells him, but Malfoy will receive out on his own. It 's only a topic of when. ``

Albus stared at his friend. Albus did not suppose flatness would ever be friendly with Kaden again, but what he said actually made sensation. Malfoy was going to find out. `` It 's all in good order with you if I forgive him ? ``

`` Yeah, '' lustrelessness said, `` He 's your cousin. If I had any cousins, I 'd want to be friendly with them. ``

Albus sighed. He knew the right thing to do was to just forgive Kaden. Albus knew that as soon as he made up with Kaden, Kaden would start hovering around them again. He just wished Kaden would find his own supporter. But it did n't expect like that was going to go on anytime soon. Every clip Albus saw Kaden, he was either alone or with James.

`` wishing to go back to the rook ? '' John asked a little while later. It was starting to get breezy and clouds were rolling in. It would probably rain soon.

`` Sure, '' Albus agreed.

`` I 've got to get hold Slughorn, '' Rose announced as she stood up. `` I need to talk to him about that last essay. Want to occur, Amanda ? '' Amanda nodded and the two girl took off for the castle.

`` Bet she thinks she lost a stage on it, '' John laughed.

`` Probably, '' Albus grinned as the three boy started walking back to the castle. They joined the large group of students now running towards the castling as it got darker outside.

`` What do you want to do ? '' John asked as they climbed the stairs.

`` Want to go to the elbow room ? '' Matt suggested.

`` sound good, maybe we can image out how to knead the new map, '' Albus said. `` After all, once I talk to Kaden, we wo n't be able to sneak off there without him wondering where we are. ``

`` I had n't thought of that, '' John groaned. `` Maybe you should n't talk to him. ``

`` I 've got to, John the Divine, '' Albus sighed. `` He 's my cousin. ``

`` How are you going to keep him from knowing about the map ? '' lusterlessness asked.

`` No idea. I guess we 'll just receive to mess with it while Kaden 's in socio-economic class. ``

The boys continued their journey up to the 7th floor corridor. They were halfway down the sixth floor corridor, heading towards the stair, when mat stopped in his runway. Albus stared at him quizzically, wondering why he had stopped. `` What 's wrong ? '' he whispered.

matt said naught but pulled his two booster into a nearby empty schoolroom. He shut the doorway and turned to face up his champion. `` There 's hoi polloi whispering just around the corner. ``

`` What ? '' Albus asked. He had n't heard anything in the corridor. It had seemed completely deserted.

`` Are you mad ? '' John stared at him, `` We were the only ace out there. ``

`` I 'm serious ! '' lustrelessness said.

`` No you 're not, '' John laughed, `` I 'm supposed to be Sirius. You 're Remus. ``

matte groaned, `` You know what I mean ! But I definitely heard something. My audition 's better than yours. ``

`` Oh, right wing, '' Albus replied, remembering that lycanthrope did get superior hearing. `` Well, what was it ? ``

`` There 's at least two people out there and one sounds scared, '' Matt explained.

`` Do you think they 're students ? '' Albus asked, immediately thinking of the Willinsons and Washburn. Had they come back to find the Hallows ?

`` Yeah, definitely bookman. ``

Albus breathed a sigh of relief. It could n't be Washburn or either Willinson, if they sounded like students.

`` Let 's go investigate, '' trick said mischievously.

Albus was undecided if he wanted to go see who was whispering around the corner or not. He was definitely curious, but he did n't want to get hex. Eventually, his curiosity beat out his veneration. `` All right. ``

`` Hold out your wands, '' Matt instructed as he opened the door. The male child crept quietly out into the corridor and walked to the recess. As they got closer, Albus could start up to make out flake of conversation.

`` seed on ! '' an icy representative seethed, `` You know to a greater extent. Just tell us and we wo n't hex you. ``

`` I swear, I told you everything ! '' person croaked. He sounded like he was shaking.

Albus quickened his pace. Someone was going to hex somebody. He had to stop them ! Albus vaguely recognized both the vocalism, but he could n't quite home them.

The male child rounded the street corner and Albus saw why he recognized the spokesperson. Scorpius Malfoy and Felix Willinson were standing with their sceptre pointed at Kaden, who was leaning on the bulwark, his bridge player shakily holding his baton out in front of him. Albus stopped in his tracks, and John and flatness did the Saame. Neither Malfoy, Willinson, or Kaden had noticed them yet.

`` Just tell me what 's beyond the tunnel, Dursley, '' Willinson snarled.

`` I do n't know ! '' Kaden repeated.

`` Liar, '' Malfoy raised his scepter a little higher.

That was it. Albus could n't have a bun in the oven to watch Malfoy interrogating his cousin like that. All his bitter thoughts toward Kaden flew out the windowpane the minute Albus saw Kaden 's panic-struck face. Albus ran forward and shouted, `` Expelliarmus ! '' Malfoy 's wand sailed out of his hand and landed on the story a few animal foot down the corridor. John ran forward and grabbed it.

Albus and lusterlessness stepped forward as Malfoy and Willinson turned around. `` Well, if it is n't Potter, '' Malfoy spat. `` What can you possibly need ? ``

`` Quit threatening my cousin, '' Albus growled. He pointed his verge at Malfoy 's chest.

`` That can be arranged, '' Malfoy replied, `` If you tell us where the tunnel under the Whomping Willow goes. ``

Albus did n't break eye contact with Malfoy, but he knew Matt had gone blank adjacent to him. `` Why would you recall I know where it goes ? ``

`` The Mudblood told us, '' Willinson smirked. `` But he claims he 's got no idea where it goes. I think you do. ``

`` Do n't hollo him a Mudblood ! '' Albus shouted.

At the same time, Saint John shouted, `` Expelliarmus ! '' and Willinson 's wand sailed neatly into John 's hand.

`` flavor like you 've got your cousin 's dueling skills, '' Albus commented. `` Quinton Willinson is your cousin, right ? ``

`` Sure is, '' Willinson confirmed. `` Now, will one of you tell us where the burrow goes ? I 'll let your Mudblood cousin go if you do. ``

`` I said do n't foretell him that ! '' Albus shouted, `` And no, we wo n't recount you where it goes. ``

`` fine, '' Malfoy smirked, `` Guess your cousin will get hexed. ``

can burst out laughing, `` Good chance with that, seeing as I 've got your wands. ``

Apparently both Malfoy and Willinson had forgotten about that and they stared at each other. Kaden, realizing that neither Slytherin could hex him, stumbled over to where Albus and the others were standing.

`` Dueling in the corridors, '' a trousering voice behind them said. `` That 's against the normal. ``

Albus jumped as he heard the voice and turned around to meet it. It was Filch. Albus groaned inwardly. Why did Filch always have to be around ? He, Matt, John, and Kaden all exchanged glances as Filch grinned at them all.

`` Follow me, all of you, '' Filch said gleefully.

`` But, Sir, '' Malfoy replied sweetly, `` Felix and I do n't have our wands. Clearly these four Gryffindors attacked us. ``

`` If I 've learned anything over the years, '' Filch growled, `` It 's that Slytherins are never innocent. ``

Albus stifled a laugh as he followed Filch down the hall. Nobody said anything as Filch led them into his cramped office. It was very difficult for the six boys to fit inside and everyone was too close down for comfort.

Filch went through his common routine of filling out build and filing them in the correct storage locker. He smirked as he filed Albus 's manakin. `` Seems you 'll feature a Indian file nearly as big as your Fatherhood and gramps 's by the prison term you graduate. ``

Albus said nothing as Filch continued to make full out and file away his forms. After what seemed like an hour, but was probably only a few minutes, Filch finished. `` You 'll stimulate two night 's detention. Tonight and tomorrow night. Meet me here. Now get out. ``

Albus did n't have to be asked twice. He was the world-class one out the threshold, followed quickly by lustrelessness, John, and Kaden. After the two Slytherins left and started heading towards the dungeons, Albus began to lead his admirer up the stairs. No one said much as they walked towards Gryffindor tugboat. Kaden stuck to them like someone had affixed a permanent sticking charm on him, but Albus did n't bear in mind. He needed to talk to Kaden anyway. Why were Malfoy and Willinson threatening him ? Was this the rationality he told Malfoy about the passageway in the Whomping willow ?

When they got to the common room, it was packed. There was hardly any room for them. Albus wordlessly lead them up to his dormitory and shut the doorway behind them. lav and Matt sat down on Matt 's bed, but Albus and Kaden remained standing.

Albus was n't certainly where to commence. Should he just differentiate Kaden that he forgave him ? Or ask him what was going on with Malfoy and Willinson ? But before Albus could decide, Kaden started the conversation.

`` I 'm sorry, '' Kaden whispered quietly.

Albus did a double over take. Kaden was sorry ? `` For what ? '' Albus asked. Kaden had n't done anything wrong recently. Not since he talked to Malfoy over a month ago.

`` For telling Malfoy, '' Kaden explained. `` I know you 're mad at me and I 'm sorry, '' his vocalism cracked. `` And I 'm sorry for landing you lot in detention, again. ``

`` Kaden, this one was n't your fault, '' Albus insisted, `` It was Malfoy and Willinson 's break. Speaking of them, want to recount us what 's been going on ? '' Albus had n't paid an apothecaries' ounce of attention to his full cousin since their big scrap over a calendar month ago, but Albus was for sure that this was n't an isolated incident with the Slytherins.

`` They cornered me, '' Kaden whispered, `` Over a month ago. They knew I hung out with you, and they wanted to know if I knew anything about matt 's, er, illness. ``

Albus nodded. That 's why Kaden had told Malfoy. The Slytherin weaseled it out of him. `` Go on. ``

`` And I 'm dark, Albus, '' Kaden 's eyes watered, `` I really am. They just both pointed their sceptre at me, and I do n't know any good jinx, and I just got scared, and I know Gryffindors are supposed to be hardy, but they told me they 'd hex me if I did n't tell them what I knew. So I did, and before I realized it I mentioned the Whomping Willow. ``

So that was it, Albus thought. He should sustain just listened to Victoire. There was a reason Kaden had told Malfoy. Kaden had n't just willingly given him the information.

`` And it was too late, '' Kaden continued, `` They were going to hex me if I did n't tell them. So I told them there was a tunnel but I did n't know where it went. They did n't trust me, though. They 've been trying to get me to tell them about once a week and I get hexed every clock time. Madam Pomfrey fixes it, though. ``

Albus sighed, `` I told you to tell me if they were bothering you again. ``

`` But you were mad at me, '' Kaden 's vocalism wobbled, `` I figured you did n't deal anymore. ``

`` Kaden, sometimes you do things that I just do n't realise, '' Albus explained, `` But I 'll always care about you. You 're my cousin and nothing can interchange that. ``

`` I know, and I 'm really sorry about everything, '' Kaden replied, `` I wanted to keep it all a secret, but- ''

`` It 's all right, '' Albus cut him off. Kaden was obviously sorry about what he had done. Albus was starting to find really bad that he had ignored his cousin for so long, especially when he was being threatened by Slytherins. `` And I 'm sorry I did n't listen to you before. ``

Kaden nodded, split starting to run out out of his eyes. `` You 're not mad at me anymore ? ``

`` No, '' Albus answered, `` Just tell me next clock time they do that. And try not to enjoin anyone the things I tell you in private anymore. ``

Kaden nodded and turned to John and Matt. `` Are you two still mad at me ? ``

John and Matt looked at each early and then shook their brain. `` No, we 've been mad at you long enough, '' matt told him.

Kaden smiled through his rent and looked back at Albus. `` I do n't imagine you 'd tell me where the tunnel goes now ? ``

`` Not a chance, '' Albus grinned. Even after all that, Kaden was still his usual curious self, forever optimistic that Albus would actually tell him all of Hogwarts 's secrets.

`` Did n't believe so, '' Kaden replied, `` But it was worth a shot. Anyway, I have n't had a fortune to tell you, but I still think football is better than Quidditch. ``

`` Are you mad ? ! '' John and Matt shouted at the like time. Both of them had looks of disgust on their faces.

Kaden grinned sheepishly, `` I just think it 's better. You ca n't kick the Quaffle around like they do in football. ``

toilet turned his gaze from Kaden to Albus. `` We 've got to fix this, '' he said solemnly.

`` We 'll consume him to the Cup, '' Matt decided, `` No topic where it is. We 'll go and establish to him that Quidditch is best. ``

`` It wo n't vary my mind, '' Kaden replied.

`` Once you see the Cannons gambol, you 'll transfer your mind, '' Matt told him as he stood up.

`` The shank ? '' John laughed and walked over to the door, `` Are you the mad one now ? ``

`` Not at the moment, no, '' matte smirked. lavatory and Albus burst out laughing at John 's option of words and Kaden looked at them confusedly.

`` Another thing I do n't get to have it away ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Yup, '' the three early boy said at the same time.

`` Anyway, '' John continued as they left the room, `` The Cannons are the bad team, you do n't want to see them play. It 's not like they 'll bring in it to the League Cup. ``

flatness punched him playfully in the arm, `` Do n't insult my team like that. It 's not alike Puddlemre United is doing much better. ``

This meter it was John 's turn to punch mat in the arm. `` Puddlemere is better than the Cannons can ever hope to be. ``

John and matt continued their argument all the way down into the common elbow room, with Kaden paying rhapsodic aid. Albus smiled as he watched them. Maybe Kaden could fit in with their group after all.



A/N : Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing for me ! Thanks as well to Denas, sinwillys822, XDNLxtlz99, Rebecca, Moonylupin, Luke, and lilausty for their reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.




It did n't take tenacious for Kaden to fit himself back into Albus 's mathematical group of friends. By the end of the workweek, Albus, Kaden, and the others got back to their usual subroutine of doing homework in the common room after dinner. Of course of study, that did not start until after the boys served their detention with Filch. The caretaker had them clean almost every bathroom in the entire castle. This was a tense affair due to the fact that Malfoy and Felix Willinson were serving the detention alongside them. Albus was quite happy when the detention was over.

All in all, school day was going well for Albus. He was doing well in all his stratum and Quidditch and the Dueling Club were going well, too. Albus managed to shove aside his thoughts of the new map during Quidditch, which pleased GA greatly. The downside to having Kaden cover was that Albus and his former Friend could n't really sneak off to the room of necessity anymore, unless they wanted to get Kaden. They all liked Kaden well enough, but none of them really wanted the new boy to know about the Room yet. That, and they did n't want Kaden to sleep with about the map. He did n't even know about the regular Marauder 's Map. So, Albus had no alternative but to just think about the map, rather than mess around with it.

As November turned into Dec, snow fell upon the solid ground and scholar of all ages flocked to them to have snow ball fights. Albus and his acquaintance took voice in quite a few, usually being crushed by the sometime bookman. Albus enjoyed these conflict immensely, but opinion of the new map were always in the back of his mind. He just wished they could cause some meter away from Kaden to investigate it some more. The opportunity to do just that arose one day in the beginning of Dec. Kaden was not doing too well in Transfiguration and one of the older Ravenclaws had offered to tutor him and a few other foremost twelvemonth in the library.

Albus immediately shut his spell Holy Writ after Kaden left the common room. `` All right, he 's gone. Let 's go to the Room. ``

`` You 're awfully eagre for him to leave, '' bathroom smirked, `` I thought you did n't heed him so much now. ``

`` You know I do n't, Gospel According to John, '' Albus replied, `` I just want to mess around with the map. ``

`` Do you conceive you know how to ferment it ? '' lustrelessness asked.

`` I 've got an theme, '' Albus said.

`` Let 's go, '' rosebush announced.

The radical left the herd park way and followed the fellow path to the elbow room. Once there, they took their common seats and waited for Albus tell them his idea.

`` Well, '' Albus began. He took the map out of his bag and spread it out on the board. `` I think we should try writing on it. You know, remember what I tried to recount the map last time ? I think I should publish that on the map. ``

`` Are you out of your thinker ? '' John exclaimed, `` What if you ruin it ? ``

flatness and Amanda stared at Albus in shock, but rose did n't appear fazed at all.

`` No, listen, '' Albus continued, `` think back the diary Horcrux ? fountainhead, my mum and dad wrote in that and the ink just disappeared into it. ``

`` But this is n't a Horcrux ! '' John the Divine said.

`` Have you got any unspoiled ideas ? '' Albus asked.

`` Er, no, but- ''

`` Then we should just try it ! '' Albus insisted.

`` I agree, Albus, '' rose wine announced.

`` Thank you, Rose. ``

`` At least write it really humble, '' matte suggested, `` That way if it is n't the mightily way, it wo n't mess it up. ``

Albus nodded. That made sense. `` All right. '' He took a deep intimation. `` Here it goes. I solemnly swear that I am Messr Prongs. ``

The familiar ink appeared on the parchment, telling Albus that he needed to prove he knew all the Marauders'closed book. He looked up at his protagonist, who were all wearing looks of anticipation. Albus grabbed a quill and an ink pot. He poised his quill over the parchment and wrote in very tiny letters,

'Moony is a lycanthrope. Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail are all illegal animagi. Prongs is a stag, Padfoot is a dog, and Wormtail is a rat .'
Albus put the quill pen down and stared at the parchment. Everyone watched in complete silence. The ink disappeared into the map and Amanda let out a gasp. A few moments later, new words appeared.

'Close, but not quite .'

Albus let out a loud groan as the news dissolved. `` I really thought that would be it ! ``

`` We 're never going to figure this out, '' can sighed.

`` Does n't weigh anyway, we do n't induce a Wormtail, '' matt pointed out.

`` I think that would have been too obvious anyway, '' rosiness explained, `` It 's got to be something more subtle. ``

`` How do we subtly tell a piece of sheepskin that we know the Marauders'closed book ? '' Albus wondered aloud.

`` Well, '' rosiness began, `` We 've got to remember that these are the Marauders. And I 'm sure they wanted to do it unmanageable for whoever found this map. ``

`` respectable point, '' John said.

`` This most likely holds Thomas More selective information about Hogwarts than the Marauder 's Map did, and possibly Hogsmeade as well, '' Rose continued, `` So we 've got to think about this the way they would 've. ``

Albus had n't thought of that. Of course of study the Marauders would n't have just had them write something on the map. It was too easy. `` right field, so they liked getting in bother. They would probably want us to do something that might get us in fuss. ``

`` And almost likely dangerous, '' blush wine added.

`` Dangerous ? '' Amanda repeated, staring at Rose.

`` Definitely, '' Albus confirmed. The more he thought about it, the Sir Thomas More it made sensation. The Marauders spent their Hogwarts life history causing trouble and doing dangerous things. They obviously would need people just as daring to be the next Marauders.

`` How can it be dangerous to prove that we know their mystery ? '' John asked.

`` No idea, '' Albus sighed, `` And it 's got to be something we can put on this parchment. ``

`` What can we put on sheepskin that shows they were all animagi and a werewolf ? '' matt asked.

`` We could eviscerate paw photographic print on it, '' John laughed.

Rose 's facial expression lit up. `` lavatory, that 's it ! ``

`` draft paw prints ? '' John stared at her, `` How 's that dangerous ? ``

`` No, not that. But the paw print idea, '' Rose grinned mischievously, `` We 've got to get a wolfman, hart, dog, and rat paw print onto the map. ``

The theme sounded ludicrous to Albus, but it did seem like the kind of matter the Marauders would do. It would definitely be grievous to get the paw prints, and difficult as well. Not many people would actually be able-bodied to get them all. It was pernicious as well. No one would let any idea what the paw mark would signify unless they knew the predator'closed book. The only thing he did n't care about it was the melodic theme of a caboodle of animate being trampling the map.

They all stared at Rose, who was looking quite happy with the thought. Eventually, Albus spoke. `` Are you for certain ? ``

`` Not positive, '' rose answered, `` There 's only one way to find out. What do you lot remember ? ``

`` I think that might be it, '' Albus replied, `` It seems very Maraudery. ``

`` Is that a discussion ? '' Rose laughed.

`` Probably not, '' Albus grinned, `` But I like it. ``

`` trade good musical theme, Rose, '' John agreed.

`` Sounds like it might work, '' Amanda said.

`` make mother wit, '' lusterlessness replied.

`` So it 's settled, '' rosebush announced, `` We shall put paw print on the map. ``

`` Wait, '' Albus said, `` I really do n't like the idea of brute stepping on the map. What if it gets ripped accidentally. ``

`` secure point, '' Rose sighed. Everyone thought about this for a few minute, then rose had another musical theme. `` What if we use different pieces of sheepskin and then use a transference spell to put them on the map ? ``

`` Brilliant, '' Albus grinned. Sometimes, he loved how smart his cousin was. `` Anyone have it off how to do one ? ``

They all stared at each other and shook their heads. `` Er, that might be a problem, '' Albus sighed, `` I 'm middling sure that magical spell is well by O.W.L. ``

`` I 'll learn it, '' pink wine told him, `` I 'm sure I can retrieve it in the library somewhere. ``

`` We 're favorable you 're such a book worm, Rose, '' John laughed.

`` All rightfield, so we 're going to try this, '' Albus said adamantly. He was up for trying anything. Even if it did n't puzzle out, they would still be making forward motion. `` rosiness, you start figuring out the transference appealingness, and the rest period of us will get the paw prints. ``

`` The dog will be slow, '' Amanda announced, `` I 've got a dog, recollect ? ``

`` Oh, yeah ! '' Albus replied, `` So you can get the dog print over Noel. ``

`` Sure, '' Amanda grinned, `` It 'll be easy. ``

`` Christmas ? '' St. John the Apostle sighed, `` I thought we 'd accept it done before that. ``

`` It might take me a while to figure out the appeal anyway, '' blush wine commented.

Albus had wanted to figure out the map before Yule as well, but considering the fact that there were n't any firedog in Hogwarts, that would n't be possible. `` I think we can get a rat somewhere in the palace. Probably near the donjon. ``

`` Great, Slytherin territory, '' bathroom groaned.

`` I 've seen them in the Potions classroom, '' rose wine said, `` All we 've got to do is drop Petrificus Totalus on one during Potions and snarf it up here. Who wants to do it ? ``

Albus glanced around at his friends. He was n't real fond of crumb and would opt not to let to run one around in his bag all day.

`` I 'll do it, '' John said after a spell, `` It should n't be that hard. I just hope the spell lasts until I can get it up here. ``

`` It should, '' Rose replied, `` Just try and get up here as soon as possible. ``

`` Good, '' Albus said, `` We 've got the dog and the rat covered. Next is the stag. That 'll be a bit more difficult. ``

`` There are probably stags in the forest, '' Amanda suggested, `` But we 'd get in trouble. ``

`` That 's what the Marauders would have wanted, '' Albus told her.

`` We do n't stimulate to go to the Forbidden Forest, '' pink wine announced, `` We 've just got to go to a wood. I live right near a forest, Albus and I can try and get the print over Noel. ``

`` That is a brilliant idea, Rose, '' Albus smiled. He did not really desire to go wandering around the Forbidden Forest and not just because it was out of bounds. It would be very dangerous to go in there. `` And that just leaves- ''

`` The lycanthrope one, '' Matt whispered. Albus and the others turned to expect at lusterlessness. He had been very tranquility over the preceding few minutes and Albus noticed that he was paler than usual. Albus could understand why. The werewolf paw print could possibly be the most dangerous one to get.

`` You know, '' rosebush said quietly, `` This is why the paw mark thing makes so often gumption to me. I highly doubt a regular Hugo Wolf print is going to knead. And if this really is the way to get the map to play, the solitary way to get a loup-garou paw mark would be if a loup-garou was at Hogwarts. ``

Albus thought about this and it made perfect sentiency. This would be one way for the marauder to ca-ca sure that the new Marauders would have at to the lowest degree one law of similarity to the originals. `` But how do we get it ? We obviously ca n't go into the screeching shack the dark of the full Sun Myung Moon. ``

The room fell subdued as everyone tried to think of a way that they could safely get a werewolf 's paw print. Albus had no idea. They could n't exactly try and bedaze Matt while he was transformed like they were planning on doing with the rat and the stag.

`` All right, '' flatness sighed after a few min. `` I 've got an melodic theme. ``

Albus and the eternal rest of his supporter said nothing but watched as they waited for Matt to rarify. Albus could severalize that Matt really did n't desire to do this, but they had to. How else would they get the map to ferment ?

`` We go down to the screaming Shack a brace mean solar day before the wide-cut synodic month and adhere a few pieces of self-inking parchment to the story. Hopefully I 'll step on one of them and we 'll birth a paw mark, '' flatness explained quietly.

`` That could cultivate, '' Albus said slowly.

`` But we ca n't let anyone see us, '' Matt told them, `` So we 'll make to go at night. ``

`` We 'll get caught, '' Rose said.

`` Not if we use my dad 's invisibleness cloak, '' Albus grinned. `` I 'll snarf into his subject sometime when he 's in class and borrow it. ``

`` Really ? '' matt half-smiled. `` That would be great. ``

`` We wo n't all be able to fit underneath, though, '' Albus told them, `` Probably just two of us, three at nearly. ``

`` You three can go, '' Rose gestured to Albus, lusterlessness, and John the Divine, `` You 're going to be the new piranha anyway. ``

`` bent on, '' John interrupted, `` I thought Kendrick put up cellblock on the Whomping willow. How are we going to get in without him knowing ? ``

`` I know how to deactivate them, '' Matt explained, `` Otherwise I would n't be able to get in. ``

`` Oh, right. ``

`` When 's the next wax moon ? '' Albus asked.

`` Next week, '' flatness sighed, `` Are we doing it that soon ? ``

`` power as well, '' Albus replied, `` I 'll try and get Dad 's cloak tomorrow. He 's got course of study in the afternoon but we do n't. Then we can purloin down to the Shrieking hovel this weekend. ``

`` Perfect, '' rose wine grinned, `` And I 'll start searching the subroutine library for the good luck charm. Hopefully we 'll have it figured out right after Xmas. ``

`` Leslie Townes Hope so, '' Albus replied. He was excited. They were skinny to figuring this out ; he could feel it.

`` well, I 've got homework to do, '' Rose announced as she pulled out a few account book from her bag.

Albus sighed, `` I do, too. ``

The mathematical group worked silently on their prep for a while, only talking when they needed to ask interrogative sentence about it. Albus tried his best to pore on his Transfiguration essay, but his idea kept wandering back to the map. He wished they could get the paw print faster. Albus was very anxious to obtain out what this map had in computer storage for them. Of course, they still had to find someone to be Wormtail, but Albus tried to push that cerebration from his mind.

`` It 's so muted, '' can said, tapping his quill on his book.

`` Nice, is n't it ? '' Rose smiled.

`` Not really, '' lav replied, `` It 's too unruffled. I 've sort of gotten used to Kaden 's glitz. ``

`` It is variety of strange not having him around tonight, '' Albus agreed. He had kind of gotten used to Kaden 's constant quantity presence over the preceding few weeks. Albus would even go so far as to say that he was starting to get friends with his cousin.

`` He 's always around us, though, '' Matt laughed, `` He variety of follows us around like a puppy dog. ``

`` He looks up to Albus, '' rosebush explained, `` To him, Albus ca n't do anything haywire. ``

That 's it ! Albus dropped his pinion and stared at blush wine. Of grade ! Why had n't he realized it before ? Kaden did keep abreast them around and practically worship the flat coat they walked on. Kaden was Wormtail.

`` Albus ? '' Rose asked. `` Are you all right ? ``

Albus shook his caput and looked at blush wine. `` I 'm ok. Better than that, actually, '' he grinned. `` You 've just given me an idea as to who can be Wormtail. ``

`` Who ? '' St. John the Apostle asked anxiously.

`` Kaden. ``

`` What ? ! '' John the Divine, matt, Rose, and Amanda shouted at once.

`` You 're kidding, right ? '' Rose asked.

`` No, I 'm not, '' Albus replied. He did n't see how they could n't understand it. It made complete sense to him. `` You do n't see it ? ``

`` Not really, '' lavatory said.

`` Just listen, '' Albus sighed. `` commencement, we 've got to call up what the map said when I told it I was Prongs. It said 'four Gryffindors connected by friendly relationship and devilry'. The three of us are obviously connected through both. '' Albus gestured to King John and lustrelessness. `` But we need a fourth part individual. Since they have to be somehow connected through us, we ca n't just foot a random pupil. Can you think of anyone besides Kaden that we have gotten in fuss with ? ``

`` Not really, '' whoremaster said after a few moments silence.

`` Right, '' Albus continued, `` And I 'd say we 're friends with him now. Would you ? ''

John and Matt nodded. `` Yeah, I think so, '' lusterlessness agreed. `` I see what you 're getting at. But how is he like Wormtail ? ''

Albus looked at his champion for a moment before responding. Albus talked the to the lowest degree about Wormtail than all the other vulture. Obviously, Albus felt a abstruse hatred for Saint Peter Pettigrew, and this resulted in him not wanting to talk about him. So Albus 's friends really did n't sleep together a whole lot about him. Just the parts that had to do with him betraying Albus 's grandparents. `` Well, we 've got to remember that when the Marauders made this map they were friends with Wormtail. He had n't betrayed them yet. He did own honorable qualities, as a great deal as I hate saying that, '' Albus said grimly.

`` So what are these caliber ? '' John asked skeptically.

`` Er, I 'm not sure exactly, '' Albus confessed, `` I mean, all the predator were drained by the time I was born, so there 's not really anyone to tell me what they would be. But my dad has told me some clobber, and it sounds a bit like Kaden. He told me that Wormtail practically worshiped Sirius and my grandpa. ``

`` Like Kaden does with you three, '' Rose commented, a flavor of realization appearing on her fount.

`` Exactly, '' Albus said, happy that someone was finally understanding, `` And he used to do whatever they wanted. ``

`` Sounds like Kaden, '' Matt agreed.

`` Definitely, '' John replied.

`` You know, '' pink wine began, `` Wormtail obviously caved under scourge and Kaden did, too. ``

Albus had realized this as well, but he really did n't need to recollect about it. Albus did n't ever believe his cousin-german would betray anyone like Wormtail had done. `` Well, I guess we 've found our Wormtail. ``

`` When are we going to assure him ? '' John asked.

`` I dunno, '' Albus had n't gotten that far. There were still parts of him that wanted to preserve the map a secret from Kaden, but he obviously could n't do that if Kaden was supposed to be the new Wormtail. `` I 'm not sure how to tell apart him. I 'm not sure he 'll be that exhilarate about being Wormtail. ``

`` Oh, I do n't know, '' Rose said, `` I think he wo n't mind as long as he gets to be a contribution of this. ``

`` The map 's not the sole thing we 're going to have to tell him, is it ? '' Matt said quietly, `` He 's going to find out what I am. ``

This was the parting that Albus had tried to ward off thinking about ever since he first realized what they had to do to exercise the new map. Whoever was going to represent Wormtail was going to receive out that Matt was a werewolf, there was no avoiding it. It was part of the understanding that Albus had n't really thought about who would be Wormtail. Albus knew lustrelessness did n't want anyone else to find out. He never even really told Albus and the others. They had found out on their own. Albus knew Kaden would never encounter out on his own ; he was just too oblivious. He needed to have it away, though, if he was going to be a parting of this. Otherwise, he could n't really be one of the new predator. Albus just had a gut notion about that. But was it worth it to tell him ? Especially when he already told Malfoy everything Albus had told him to keep back secret ? Albus sighed, `` I think so. If we 're going to do this, Kaden will give to bed. ``

`` We ca n't do it then, '' Matt said adamantly, `` I ca n't tell him. I just ca n't. He 'll recite Malfoy and then the unit of Slytherin will know and then soon the altogether school will know and they 'll tell their parents and they 'll quetch and Kendrick will bear to kick me out. But then it wo n't weigh anyway because all of Wizarding Britain will live and no one will want to be around me or my family again and it will be just like Australia- ''

`` lusterlessness, '' Albus cut him off. He was getting hysterical. `` Calm down, that 's not going to go on. ``

`` How do you know ? '' lusterlessness whispered in a trembling voice.

`` Because Kaden wo n't tell anyone, '' pink wine interjected.

`` Not if I do n't tell him, '' Matt replied, `` And I 'm not going to enjoin him. You lot ca n't either, you promised. ``

`` We wo n't, '' Albus reassured him, `` Not unless you want us to. ``

`` I do n't, '' matt said in a slightly flashy voice.

`` Just listen to me for a minute, '' Rose said loudly. `` Remember what Amanda said about a magic spell to keep Kaden from giving away anymore secrets ? '' Everyone nodded. `` fountainhead, I 'm passably sure there is a spell like that, '' rose wine grinned.

`` Really ? '' Amanda stared at her, `` Magic just gets better and better. ``

`` Yes. I vaguely remember reading about it in a book. I 'm surely if I went to the library I could find it, '' Rose explained. `` I 'll just front for it when I 'm researching the transfer charm. ``

Albus 's hopes soared senior high school again, `` Excellent ! Would you be volition to tell him if rose wine found this turn ? ``

Albus held his breathing space as he watched Matt think about it. `` I, '' Matt paused, `` Suppose that could sour .... But, only if we try out the go with a less authoritative mystery first. ``

Rose nodded, `` Yeah, I could do that. ``

Albus grinned. They were onto something, he could sense it. They would unlock the secrets of this new sheepskin. Albus was so exalt with the expectation of finally discovering what the new map held, he could hardly log Z's that night. He was n't the solely one, either. Albus heard Matt and John tossing and turning all night, over the sounds of Ethan and Bilius 's stertor. Although, Albus suspected Matt 's sleepless night was more due to cheek than agitation. Judging by the look on his face as they went back to the mutual room that evening, he was still loath to let Kaden in on his biggest secret.



A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Denas, XDNLxtlz99, Luke, Moonylupin, Lily meet Ginny, and drownzer for their reviews !



Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



When Albus woke up the next morning, he found that he was overcome with boldness about stealing his Church Father 's Invisibility Cloak. Albus had been so caught up in the turmoil about the map the Nox before that he had n't really given it a second intellection. But now that the musical theme had simmered overnight, he realized that the plan might go horribly wrong. What had he been thinking ? Stealing the Invisibility Cloak ? That was exactly what Washburn had been trying to do the old year. Of course, Albus was technically only borrowing the Cloak, as he intended to sneak it back right after he was done with his late Night stroll to the screech Shack, but still. What if his dad discovered it missing ? Was that even likely ? Albus had no melodic theme how often Harry used his cloak nowadays. He probably did n't possess much use for it at Hogwarts because teacher could roam around wherever and whenever they wanted.

Albus did n't even eff where his father kept the cloak. He was planning on just trying a summoning charm as Jesse James had done to remember the Marauder 's Map. Albus just hoped that the cloak attempt would go just as smoothly. Harry still had n't noticed that the Map was missing. Either that or he knew James took it and was just letting him keep it. As Albus 's thoughts went to the original piranha 's Map, he remembered that he still had n't given it back to Saint James.

Albus remained distracted throughout his morning class and by the sentence lunch came, he was almost as neural as he had been for the first Quidditch couple. Nobody said much as Albus picked at his intellectual nourishment, well nobody except Kaden. Kaden rambled on about his morning classes until he had to leave for Potions a short while later. Once he was gone, Albus was unblock to let the cat out of the bag about their plan. `` I 'm not for sure if this is going to work. ``

`` It worked for the marauder 's Map, '' Rose reminded him.

`` I know, but still .... ''

`` It 's got to work, '' John insisted, `` How else will we lift down to, '' he lowered his vox, `` you know, without being caught ? ``

`` There is n't any former way, '' matt replied, `` We 'll get trance if we do n't sustain the cloak. ``

`` We might get caught when we 're trying to slip it, '' Albus commented.

`` No we wo n't, '' John assured him, `` And even if we do, we 'll just be caught by your dad. It 's not like we 'll get in trouble with Filch or anything. ``

`` But we 'll get caught by Filch if we try to swipe out at dark without the cloak, '' mat whispered.

`` Right, '' John agreed, `` So we 're off to steal the cloak. ``

Albus groaned, `` Does n't anyone else think this might not work ? ``

`` combine me, Albus, '' rose said, `` It 'll cultivate. We 'll pussyfoot the cloak back before Uncle Harry even knows it 's gone. ``

`` He 's leaving now, '' Amanda pointed to the faculty table, `` We 'll just hold back a couple more minutes. ``

`` I do n't guess we should all go, '' rose announced, `` It 'll search suspicious if we all go into his agency. I think just me and Albus should go. ``

`` trade good approximation, '' lusterlessness agreed, `` No one will call up anything of it if the two of you go into his office. ``

Albus nodded. That was probably the best way to do it. If all five of them went, luck are they would micturate enough haphazardness to attract another teacher. Albus was relieved that rose was going to go, though. She was much upright at summoning charms than Albus was.

`` We 'll wait for you in the Room, '' mat stood up. trick and Amanda followed lawsuit. `` See you in a bit. ``

`` Bye, '' rose grinned at them. She and Albus loitered a few minutes longer at the Gryffindor table before rose wine gestured that it was time to go.

Albus and Rose had lingered long enough at the table that the corridors were practically empty, save for a few straggling educatee who were much more intent on making it to class than giving Albus and rose a irregular glimpse. They quietly made their way to Harry 's office, narrowly avoiding Peeves near Moaning Vinca minor 's john. Judging from the loud cries that were emitted from the bathroom, Peeves had just finished making fun of poor Myrtle.

The corridor that Harry 's office was in was entirely deserted when Albus and rose wine descended upon it. Albus was very glad about this. Maybe they would get away with it. Albus tried to open the threshold, but it was locked. `` Merlin ! '' he shouted and looked at Rose.

rosiness did n't seem in phased in the least. `` Just use Alohamora. ``

Albus looked at her skeptically. Why would plague bother to shut away his door with a appeal that anyone could unfold ?

`` Just do it, '' Rose insisted, `` He 's got a charm on there that recognizes his magical theme song. Yours will be close enough to his that it 'll open for you, too. It worked with James finish year. It wo n't influence with me, though. I tried. Jesse James thought it was incredibly funny. ``

`` All right, '' Albus replied and pointed his wand at the lock chamber. `` Alohomora. '' The lock clicked and Albus turned the handle. It opened. The cousins quietly crept inside, carefully shutting the door behind them.

Harry 's function looked much like it had the finale clock time Albus had been in it. Parchment, Christian Bible, and other motley objects were strewn around all over the topographic point, cluttering up the desk, sofa, and chair. The bedroom room access had been left outdoors and Albus could see that that room was just as messy, with robe laying on the bed and written matter of the vaticinator on the floor.

`` Does he ever scavenge up ? '' Rose asked disgustedly, `` I mean, really. This is bad than James 's elbow room. ``

`` William James gets it from Dad, '' Albus laughed, `` Mum makes both of them clean up but Mum 's not here, so Dad can just do what he wants. ``

`` I 'll bet it 's somewhere in there, '' Albus pointed to the bedroom and started walking towards it. pink wine followed and soon they were in the bantam bedroom. Albus guessed that the cloak was either in Harry 's proboscis or the wardrobe.

Rose must have been thinking the same thing. She wrenched the automobile trunk open and pointed her wand at it. `` Accio Invisibility Cloak, '' she shouted. Nothing happened.

`` Great, '' Albus groaned, `` It 's not here. ``

`` waiting, '' Rose said as she crept closer to Harry 's automobile trunk, `` I 'm pretty sure Uncle Harry mentioned that you ca n't use a muster up charm on the cloak. ``

Albus thought for a present moment and then remembered his dad telling him that once. `` Oh, yeah. Well, now what are we going to do ? ``

`` We 'll do it the hard way, '' Rose sighed, `` You take the wardrobe, I 'll select the trunk. ''

Albus shook his head as he stepped over to his dad 's wardrobe. This was going to adopt forever. They would certainly get caught before they found it. Albus carefully weeded through his dad 's hooey, being careful to put it all back exactly as he found it.

`` Got it ! '' Rose announced, `` Bottom of the trunk ! ``

Albus felt an immense relief as Rose held up the cloak. They did it ! They actually found the cloak ! Nothing was stopping them now. They were going to observe out the secrets of the second map.

`` There. Told you we 'd get it, '' Rose grinned, `` Now let 's get out of here. ``

Albus nodded, well-chosen to do as Rose said. He certainly did n't want to get caught in his dad 's power with the Invisibility Cloak. rosebush handed him the cloak and he stuffed it into his gown. Once Albus and pink wine were certain that the way looked just as it had when they got there, they quietly left. Neither of them said a Bible as they walked quickly to the way of Requirement.

substitute washed over Albus when he made it into the Room a few minutes later. They had n't been caught ! Albus 's substance still beat fast with Adrenalin as he ran into the way and grinned at his friends. The thrill of what he and blush wine had done was starting to hit him. He had taken the invisibility Cloak. It was the first Marauder-like thing he had done. He knew this was exactly what the marauder had wanted him to do. To break rules and not get caught.

`` Did you get it ? '' John ran over with a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. matt and Amanda were right behind him sporting selfsame grinning on their faces.

`` Sure did, '' Albus smiled and pulled the silvery cloak out of his robes.

`` It was incredibly wanton, '' rose laughed. `` I found it right in Uncle Harry 's automobile trunk. ``

`` Can I hold it ? '' matt asked in awe. Albus handed him the cloak. `` This is incredible, '' lustrelessness whispered. `` I 'm holding one of the Hallows. I wish I could tell my dad about this. ``

`` You 'll be able to eventually. My dad just wants to get to acknowledge him first. ``

Matt put the cloak on and disappeared from view. He reappeared a few endorsement later. `` That is so cool. ``

`` Let me try, '' John took the cloak and wrapped it around himself. They spent the succeeding few mo passing the cloak around and trying it on.

`` You three ought to see if you fit, '' Rose announced.

Albus nodded and took the cloak back from Amanda. lav and Matt stood next to him as he threw the cloak over their fountainhead. Albus had been under the cloak with Saint James the Apostle, Lily, and his cousins before, so he was used to how cramped it was, but his friends weren't.

`` ticker it, '' King John snapped as lustrelessness stepped on his foot.

`` Sorry, '' Matt muttered. `` This is going to be difficult. ``

`` Can you see us ? '' Albus asked.

`` Nope, '' rosiness said, `` Walk around the room a few clip. ``

The son walked slowly around the elbow room, making sure not to expose any of their limbs. Gospel According to John and mat started to get the hang of it after a few arcminute of practice and they were soon able-bodied to go a slight faster.

`` perfective tense, '' Amanda announced after the fourth time they circled the room. `` I 'm still amazed by that cloak. ``

`` What night should we do this ? '' trick asked after they took the cloak off.

`` I say Sat because I 've got Quidditch practice session that dawn and I 'm going to have to get some sleep Friday night or Georgia will spend the whole prison term yelling at me to wake up, '' Albus explained, `` That good with you two ? ``

`` Sure, '' John agreed. Matt nodded.

`` Then we 're set, '' Albus replied, `` Saturday night, we sneak into the Shrieking hut. ``

`` You 're turning into quite the worry Lord, Albus, '' rosebush laughed, `` The vulture would be proud. ``

******

The next day Rose decided to get going her enquiry on the transfer charm. Albus and the others went with her and it did n't drive recollective to incur the right book. rose wine found it in a copy of Advanced appealingness and after she read a bit about the charm she decided that it was going to be difficult but not impossible for her to do. She decided to overcome that magic spell before trying to incur the good luck charm to observe Kaden quiet. That one was going to be harder to find since they did n't even lie with the name of it. turn out checked out the Advanced Charms book under the menacing limelight of Madam Pince. It looked to Albus like she was just burning to demand what they were up to and abnegate them the script. But, she could n't since the Christian Bible was n't in the Restricted Section.

rose wine spent the succeeding few Clarence Day trying to figure the charm out. There was n't a good deal Albus could do to help her, so he just did his homework and watched her. Albus thought the charm looked incredibly complicated and he was glad that Rose had volunteered to learn it. Rose was having a bit of difficulty mastering the charm, though. By the time Saturday Night rolled around, she still had n't managed to reproduce much of anything. Albus kept reassuring her that she would eventually get it. The charm was well beyond the O.W.L. level and it stood to reason that it would be unvoiced for her. This did not suit Rose well and she was quite frustrated by it. If there was one matter that drove Rose mad, it was having trouble learning something.

`` Why do n't you take a break ? '' Albus suggested while they were in the coarse room on Sabbatum Nox. `` You 've been at it for Day. ``

`` Maybe you 're right, '' rose wine sighed. She had been trying for the past hour to multiply her public figure onto another small-arm of lambskin. `` I 'll just unbend for a patch. '' She pulled out her Transfiguration book of account and opened it to one of the ulterior chapters.

`` I do n't know how you can think that relaxing, '' lav screwed up his face in disgust.

`` What are you doing anyway ? '' Kaden asked loudly, looking up from his Herbology essay.

`` spear carrier course credit charms homework, '' Rose lied.

`` Oh, '' Kaden looked vaguely shocked that Rose would postulate superfluous credit.

`` I 'm doing it for the fun of it, '' rosebush explained.

`` You 'll get it eventually, '' Kaden told her, `` You 're smart. ``

`` Thanks, Kaden, '' Rose smiled at him.

Albus had no doubt that blush wine would figure the charm out eventually. It was just taking her longer than she expected. Albus was in no rushing because the charm would be useless until they got all the paw mark they needed. That would n't find until after Christmas Day. John had n't managed to find a rat in Potions on Fri, but he was keeping his oculus peeled.

The group stayed in the common elbow room for another couple 60 minutes, waiting until it was completely discharge. Albus thought Kaden would never go to bed, but shortly after eleven he finally gave in to his weariness and went up to his residence hall. Eventually, Albus and his friends were the only ones left.

`` set up ? '' Albus asked. John and flatness nodded. Albus rummaged in his bag and pulled out the cloak. `` I 've got the parchment in my robe. I think we 're set. ``

`` Let 's do it, '' can stood up.

`` Good circumstances, '' Amanda said as the three boys pulled the cloak around themselves. `` We 'll be waiting. ``

`` See you in a bit, '' Rose told them as she held the portraiture open for them to leave. `` Do n't get caught. ``

`` We wo n't, '' Albus assured her. `` I 've got the Map. '' Albus was n't nearly as aflutter about sneaking out of the castle as he had been about stealing the cloak. And clearly he was breaking to a greater extent rules this evening than he had the other day. He figured it had something to do with the fact that stealing the cloak was something his founding father would be disappointed in, whereas sneaking out would just get him in bother with another teacher.

Whatever the reason, Albus felt almost excited about this eventide. The only clock time he had really snuck out after curfew was when he had his maiden Occlumency dream the previous year. Tonight 's escapade was a much better condition. Besides, Albus was a bit excited about following the tunnel to the Whomping Willow and seeing the inside of the screaming Shack. He felt sort of guilty about this because he knew lustrelessness did n't require them to and was only agreeing to this for the sake of the new map.

Albus motioned for them to stop before they started down the stairs. He took out the Map and scanned it for a couple minutes. Filch was currently striding along the third floor corridor. They would have to be careful about that. They could easily run right into him. Peeves was flitting around a classroom on the fourth level, no doubt wreaking havoc for one of the teacher to fix in the morning. Luckily, all of the teacher were in their position. All they had to worry about were Filch and Peeves. Albus wondered when Filch slept. It seemed that he was always patrolling the corridors.

Albus, Gospel According to John, and lustrelessness continued their cautious trek down to the entree Hall, with Albus glancing at the Map every few minutes. The son made it down to the third floor corridor without trouble, but Albus immediately noticed Filch creeping along the corridor, muttering about insolent fry. Albus gave his acquaintance a worry look as they quietly moved towards the nearest stair case. Albus held his breath as Filch passed them. Filch continued on his way without even noticing the three unseeable boys. Albus was very happy when they made it onto the minute floor and even well-chosen when they got to the front door and found that Filch left them unlocked. That was the one thing that could have gone wrongly with their program. move up had tried to learn him a few Sir Thomas More complex unlocking spells but he was n't very good at them and was hoping he would n't need to use them.

`` Made it ! '' John let out a huge breathing space once the castle threshold were shut.

`` Not quite, '' Matt replied.

`` Yeah, but at to the lowest degree we can speak now. I wish this cloak would underwrite up noise, too. Reckon we can convey the cloak off ? ``

`` No, '' Albus answered immediately. `` What if one of the teachers is looking out the window ? Or if Hagrid is wandering around ? '' Albus loved Hagrid, but he would n't desire to own to explain why he was sneaking down to the Whomping willow tree in the dead of dark if the lovable half-giant caught them.

The three boys continued along the path that lead them through the grounds. There was about six inches of Snow on the ground and the air was bitingly cold. Albus was beaming he remembered his cloak, but was still a bit chilly. He continued to check the Map every couple of minutes, but so far the dry land were deserted. Albus had hoped they would be capable to walk libertine once they were on the land, but he had been wrong. It was still awkward for the three of them to stay concealed under the cloak and it was even harder now because matte was slowing down. `` Are you all right ? '' Albus asked after the cloak almost slipped off of him.

`` Fine, '' he panted. `` Just the moonlight. Let 's hold open going. ``

Albus looked from his friend 's threadbare facial expression to the sky. The almost full moon was shining down on the ground, illuminating it enough that Albus had n't bothered to light his wand. `` We should suffer done this earlier in the week, '' Albus commented, remembering the disastrous hold with Filch the former month.

`` No, I 'm fine, '' Matt assured him, `` It wo n't be full until Tuesday. ``

Albus looked at him skeptically but did n't say anything else. He and privy slowed down their tempo to match Matt 's, although Albus thought it would be better for them to bucket along up in ordering to reach the tree diagram faster. Eventually, they reached the Whomping willow. The three boys paused just beyond the reach of the branches and Albus and St. John the Apostle looked to flatness for instructions.

`` We 're not going to be capable to get into the pickle wearing the cloak, '' lusterlessness explained. Albus nodded and took it off, stuffing it into his robes. `` All right, '' matt continued, pulling out his baton. `` I 'll just disable the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth. '' He muttered something quietly and pointed his baton at the tree. Albus strained to hear to the spell but he could n't hear it.

`` Now what ? '' privy asked, jumping out of the way of one of the branches.

Matt walked around to the other side of the tree with Albus and John the Evangelist following. matte set over, searched through the snow, and picked up a long stick, stumbling and shivering a little as he stood up. He pressed his hand to his forefront, wincing a little. `` Headache, '' he answered to Albus and privy 's questioning stares. He dodged one of the Tree 's branches and stuck the long joint into the tree 's automobile trunk. The ramification immediately freeze and the Whomping Willow looked just as domesticize as any of the other trees on the grounds. `` Quick, before they start again, '' Matt stumbled towards the tree and disappeared down the passageway.

Albus, who had already been in the burrow once, gestured for John to go first. Albus followed his friends and made it into the hole just as the offset started flailing again. Albus and John lit their wands and looked around the cramped burrow while Matt put the Montgomery Ward back up.

`` Let 's go, '' Matt announced once he was done.

`` This is honestly pretty aplomb, '' trick said in awe as they started down the passage, `` Kinda spooky, but aplomb. '' Matt sent him a dirty spirit. `` I mean, besides the whole werewolf affair, '' John replied quickly.

Albus could see what John meant. It was sort of a cracking tunnel, although very dark and sort of damp. The soundly thing was that it was slightly strong than outside. The roof was low and Albus had to crouch down a lilliputian in society to walk. There were rock 'n' roll and beginning along the course, but the unit atmosphere was quite exciting. Albus loved wandering through secret passage and this one was n't any different. He was excited about finally being able-bodied to follow it. His dad had told him about this burrow and the Shrieking hut legion times, but always said no when Albus asked if he could go explore it. Now he was finally getting to do it. Granted, he was breaking about a twelve school rules to do it, but it was worth it.

They followed the burrow for what felt like at to the lowest degree a half hour. The flush of it was beginning to wear off as Albus got colder. The month of December was not a convenient time to be doing this. By the time they reached the Shrieking shanty, Albus was quick to crawl into his warm four-poster bed and go to catch some Z's. John 's turmoil had waned as well and he was looking disgruntled from the tenacious, chilly walk. Matt, despite the fact that they were no longer being pelted by the Moon, did n't see much better than he had earlier. He looked incredibly exhausted and was breathing as heavily as if he 'd just run a marathon.

`` How do you possibly induce it here before the full moon ? '' John asked, out of breathing place. `` You 're practically falling asleep by the time you go down here. ``

`` I 'm ... not really ... sure, '' Matt replied in between breaths, `` Madam Pomfrey ... helps. ``

`` fountainhead, next metre I ca n't sleep I 'll just walk up and down this a few times, '' John joked.

`` In. Here, '' lusterlessness panted as he opened an old looking room access that creaked as he opened it. Albus and Saint John the Apostle quietly followed him through it, into a very decrepit looking room.

Albus was shocked at what he saw. Broken furniture lay everywhere, a lot of it covered in dry blood. There was n't anything that remained unbroken. Pieces of tables, chairs, and couches were all over the place with bite marks on them. There was a staircase nearby that looked like it had been gnawed on numerous times. Albus swallowed as he realized that his friend was the one who caused all the damage.

`` What did all this ? '' bathroom asked slowly.

Matt glared at him. `` Use your brain, '' he snapped.

St. John the Apostle looked from him to the broken furniture and back again. `` Oh, '' he said quietly, `` Sorry. ``

`` It 's all right, '' Matt sighed and sat down on the base near the open fireplace. He leaned his chief against the paries. `` See why I did n't really want you to do here ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus and trick nodded.

`` It 's one thing for you to recognise what I am, '' Matt continued, `` But another to see what I actually do, what I could do ... '' his phonation trailed off.

Albus knew what he wanted to say, but could n't. What he could do if he was n't in the screeching hut during the fully moon. `` But you 're not really you then. You 're the woman chaser. ``

`` I guess, '' matt said quietly.

`` You know what we could do, though, '' toilet replied, `` Become Animagi. ``

`` What ? ! '' Albus and Matt shouted at the same time.

`` Become Animagi, '' John repeated, `` If we 're trying to get the adjacent marauder, we might as well do it properly. ``



A/N : Bit of a cliffy ! But I had to take up a new chapter somewhere. Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, potterfan89, Moonylupin, smirkyhaha, Denas, myself, and Luke for their revaluation !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus had to admit the sentiment did cross his head every once in a while. But really, it was n't very naturalistic. Yes, the Marauders had done it, but they were favourable it had worked out all right. There was a rationality that hardly anyone could suit an Animagus and why you had to be registered with the Ministry. Plus, they were only second years. The Marauders had n't done it until their twenty percent year. They were exceptionally voguish, too. well, three of them were. Albus did n't call back he was anywhere near good enough at transfiguration to pull it off. rose wine was probably the exclusively one of them who had a chance at succeeding. And even though Rose did not hesitate to damp rule when she needed to, there was no way she would agree to this. `` Oh come on, John Lackland, we ca n't be Animagi. ``

`` Why not ? '' John asked, `` The vulture did it. ``

`` They were really smart, '' Albus explained, `` I 'm definitely not that smart. And what did you get on your last Transfiguration mental testing ? A 50 or something ? ``

`` 55, thank you, '' John corrected him, `` And we 'd reckon it out. spring up could aid us. ``

`` But this is n't as simple as figuring out a magical spell for class ! '' Albus shouted, `` It 's serious. What if we ca n't change back ? What if we get stuck halfway ? Rose does n't have sex everything. Even she would have trouble with this. ``

`` It 's worth the risk, '' John said adamantly, `` I do n't care if I mess up a few prison term. I 'll just try again. ``

`` That 's the thing. Sometimes when you mess up, you do n't get the hazard to try again. My dad explained this all to me over the summertime. He talked to me about becoming an Animagus as soon as shoal was over finish yr because he knew the thought process would cross my mind. He 'll screw if I try and he wo n't let me do it. I 'd consider trying when we 're older, but definitely not right now. ``

privy sighed, `` It would be great if we could, though. I mean, we would be the ultimate new Marauders then. Imagine if we could even change into the same animals the piranha were. I fancy myself as a dog. ``

`` I could see that, '' Albus agreed, relieved that John the Evangelist seemed to take on the fact that Albus was n't going to stir on the outlet. `` I do n't know if I 'd be a stag, though. Maybe a fox or something, I dunno. ``

`` Can you see Kaden as a rat ? '' John asked, grinning.

Albus smirked, `` Not really. He 'd probably be one of those yappy frump, not a big assuredness dog like you 'd be, but a tiny chihuahua or something that 's always barking and jumping. ``

`` Definitely, '' Saint John laughed, `` It could n't anguish to research Animagi, though. I mean, if anyone asks we could say it 's for extra citation. ``

`` My dad would see right through that one, '' Albus told him.

`` Energy Department n't count, '' matt said quietly. He had been exceptionally tranquil ever since John the Divine had first mentioned the theme. `` You ca n't go Animagi with me on the wax lunation. ``

`` Why ? '' john asked. `` We know it 's dangerous. I do n't care. ``

`` It 's not that. You think I have n't thought about you lot becoming Animagi ? That my parents have n't thought about doing it ? Amy ? They have. My parents have ever since we found out Wolfsbane did n't crop for me. Amy has ever since she first saw me after a transformation. My parents actually started working on it. But then they decided to consume me do the wolfsbane study instead. You see, if anyone is with me as an Animagus on the wide-cut moon, I wo n't offend myself and it 'll seem like the potion actually worked. It 'll mess up the cogitation big time. My parents decided it would be better for me to find a potion that would lick than to have to rely on other people 's Animagus abilities. They even forbade Amy from trying it ; she was n't very glad. ``

Albus had n't thought about that. He was actually a little relieved. He did n't need to get an Animagus behind his dad 's vertebral column. It was one affair to steal the Invisibility Cloak for a couple days, but to snarf around as an animal every full synodic month ? That was just too close for Albus 's liking. He hoped that toilet would throw up on the thought now.

`` But if the study ever ends without finding me a potion that works, I wo n't quit you from trying. ``

`` auditory sensation fair, '' whoremaster replied, `` How long does the study go ? ``

`` No idea. Probably at to the lowest degree another two age. It all depends on how many different anatomy of wolfbane people come up with, '' Matt closed his center and leaned his head against the wall again.

`` Headache still there ? '' Albus asked. Matt nodded without opening his eye. `` Let 's hurry up, then. Where should we put the lambskin ? ``

`` Room behind the stairs, '' Matt shakily stood up. `` That way dame Pomfrey does n't see it. ``

`` We 'll do it. You stay here, '' John gently pushed his supporter back onto the floor. `` How often parchment should we put down ? ``

`` How much did you bring ? ``

`` About a one-half roll, '' Albus pulled a partially used pealing of parchment out of his cloak.

`` All of it, then. Chances are most of it will get ripped. ``

Albus nodded and stood up. He walked over to the steps with John following and saw the small elbow room matt was talking about. It was also filled with diverse check spell of furniture. `` We should n't have done this tonight. I did n't even conceive about the synodic month. ``

`` Me neither, '' can shook his headspring as he bent down to impress some of the furniture aside. `` But it 's not as bad as the time with the hold. I think he 'll be ok. ''

`` Yeah. He can slumber all tomorrow if he wants, '' Albus commented as he ripped pieces off the roll of parchment.

`` Him and me both, '' John yawned. `` Was n't expecting the tunnel to be that long. ``

`` Me neither, but it is a foresightful way from the earth to Hogsmeade, so it makes common sense. ``

Albus finished ripping the parchment and the two son each took a push-down store to stick on to the floor. It took them a few hour and once they were done, the room was covered in while of parchment.

`` I can see why he did n't want gentlewoman Pomfrey to see, '' John Lackland laughed as he re-lit his wand.

`` It would definitely raise some questions, '' Albus lit his own wand. `` Let 's just hope this whole caboodle. I ca n't see any former way to safely get a loup-garou 's paw photographic print. ``

The two boys took one more than look at the parchment coated room and then went back to the large main room. mat was right hand where they left him, leaning against a partially broken hot seat. Albus nudged him awake.

`` Finished ? '' lustrelessness yawned.

`` Yup, let 's get back to the castle, '' Albus helped his friend up and the three of them left the shack.

The trip back through the tunnel took a lot longer than when they were going to the hovel. All three male child were incredibly tired and the flush had worn off for Albus and John. Albus glanced at his watch as they neared the end of the tunnel and saw that it was nearly 1:30. He was very gladiolus they had done this on a weekend.

`` It 's gruelling getting out than getting in, '' Matt said tiredly as he removed the wards. `` Whoever goes first has to dodge the offshoot and then push the knot on the trunk for the other two. ``

Albus and John looked at each other, for both of them knew matt was too exhausted to be able to evade the offset properly. `` I 'll do it, '' Albus told him, `` I 'm making you get the rat. '' Albus climbed up the wall and crawled out of the hole. He was immediately hit in the articulatio humeri with one of the flailing outgrowth. `` Ouch ! '' he shouted as he groped the trunk for the Calidris canutus. His hand made touch with it and the branches immediately froze. `` You can follow out now, '' he whispered through the passageway.

Albus stood aside and pulled the invisibility Cloak out of his cloak. matte appeared out of the hole first and shuddered as the moonlight hit him. John the Divine was right behind him and the two of them got under the cloak with Albus once matte re-set the wards.

`` You ok ? '' John asked Albus once they were back on the path leading to the castle.

`` Yeah. Just got me in the berm, '' Albus replied. His berm stung and he could feel some line dripping down his arm, but he could n't go see dame Pomfrey. She would fuck immediately what gave him the wound and would no doubt insist on knowing what they were up to.

The male child trudged along through the cold night air. Albus looked up to the sky and saw that thick swarm were moving in. It would probably snow soon. Of course of study, Albus would be much too tired the side by side day to delight it, so it did n't much matter. It was Charles Frederick Worth it, though. Within a few day they would consume one of the four paw prints needed to unlock the secrets of the new map.

A little while later they reached the castle doors. Albus glanced quickly at the Map and saw that Filch was up on the sixth floor and Peeves was in Moaning myrtle 's bathroom. No one else was wandering around. Albus grasped the hold of the door and pushed. It did not budge. He tried again, but no fate. `` Filch must 've remembered to lock up it ! '' Albus muttered.

`` Try one of those turn Rose taught you, '' John suggested.

Albus nodded and pointed his verge at the handle. He muttered a spell but the door remained locked. He tried a few Sir Thomas More, but none of them worked. `` I think we 're locked out ! '' Albus said in a panicked tone.

`` We 're locked out ? '' whoremaster questioned and pushed the door himself, `` What do we do now ? ``

`` What do you mean we 're locked out ? '' matte groaned, `` It was just unlocked a couple hours ago ! ``

`` I know it was, '' Albus replied anxiously, `` Filch must 've locked it ! ``

`` We ca n't stay out here all Nox ! '' mat 's voice cracked, `` We 'll block ! ``

Albus swallowed hard as scare filled his body. What were they going to do now ? Albus had been worrying mostly about getting out of the castle and into the burrow without getting caught that the thought of being locked out had n't even crossed his psyche. I mean, what were the chances of the doors being unlocked when they left and locked when they came back ? But what would they do ? They could n't stay out here, it was freezing and would hoodwink soon. All three of them were shivering. `` Any prospect either of you knows how to conjure a Patronus ? '' Albus asked, thinking of the solely way he knew to reach Rose and Amanda.

`` Are you mad ? '' John asked. `` We 're only second age. ``

`` Well, have you got any bright melodic theme on how to recite Rose and Amanda we 're locked out ? ``

John the Divine thought for a min before answering, `` You could wear into the broom shed and steal a broom. Then fly it up to Gryffindor column. ``

`` Now you 're mad. I 'll get seen by person. What if one of the professors is looking out their window ? Or one of the student ? ``

`` Wear the invisibility Cloak, '' Gospel According to John replied.

`` Then you two will get seen. And if I 'm wearing the Cloak then pink wine and Amanda wo n't see me. ``

`` Oh, right, '' can sighed. `` How about Hagrid ? ``

`` Then we 'll get in bother, '' Albus reminded him, although unless they did n't think of something else soon, they would have to go to Hagrid's.

`` Well, we 've got to call up of something soon. He 's got to get away from the Sun Myung Moon, '' John gestured to lusterlessness who was leaning against the room access and breathing heavily.

`` The moonshine 's almost covered by clouds, '' Albus pointed out, `` But then we 'll throw to worry about being snowed on. ``

`` Wonderful, '' lavatory groaned. `` Maybe we can curl up up in piles of snow like wolves do and restrain warm that way. ``

`` Very funny, '' Albus said flatly. He was really starting to get worried now. What would materialise if they did go to Hagrid 's ? They 'd surely get in trouble, but how much ? Would they just get hold or would it be worse ? Points would be taken away for sure, and that would not go over well with the early Gryffindors.

`` Hey, wait ! '' John 's font brightened a bit, `` What about the Shrieking Shack ? We could just go back there and spend the Nox. Then we 'll abstract back in tomorrow break of day after Filch has unlocked the doors again. ``

`` That 's ... that 's, '' Albus thought about this for a moment. `` Not actually a bad idea. We 'll be inside and we wo n't get caught. ``

Gospel According to John grinned. `` Let 's go, '' he poked Matt in the side.

`` What ? '' lusterlessness opened his eyes.

`` We 're going back to the hutch, '' John explained.

`` Great, '' Matt said sarcastically, `` I get to drop another night there. You two could n't arrive up with a dissimilar idea ? ``

`` Nope, '' John the Divine answered, `` I 'd say it was pretty vivid myself, so unless you 've got a better one, we 're going. ``

lusterlessness sighed, `` Oh, okay. But we 're not making a habit of this. ``

`` Me and Albus are n't, '' John laughed, `` But you already do. ``

`` Oh, shut it, '' Matt groaned, `` Let 's just go. ``

Albus could n't assist but sense a flyspeck bit excited about spending the night in the shanty. It would definitely be the risky thing he had ever done, as far as breaking rules was concerned. He also felt nervous about it. What if they did get caught ? What if pink wine and Amanda started to get worried and told person about their program ? Albus pushed that thought out of his mind. pink wine would n't do that, would she ? She would if she thought they were in trouble. But they were n't in that big of worry. The three of them would spend the nighttime in the shack and that would be that. When aurora came they would sneak back into the castle and no one would be the wiser. This might actually be sort of fun ; it was thrilling and a tad bit dangerous. Something the marauder would have done. Who knows, maybe they even had done it on occasion.

The trip back to the shack, though exhausting, was uneventful. trick, like Albus, had a look of excitement in his eyes when the three of them entered the shack once more. mat looked like he did n't give care where they were, as long as there was some piazza he could sleep.

`` This is fairly cool, '' John grinned, `` Spending the night in Hogsmeade. ``

`` It 's going to be frigidness, though, '' Matt shivered, `` There are n't any heating spell in here. ``

`` Warmer than outside, '' Albus commented as he stowed the cloak back in his robes. `` Are there any lights in here ? ``

`` Nope, '' matte replied. `` We 'll just have to save our wand lit. ``

`` What do you want to do now ? '' John asked with a look of mischief on his face, `` So many possibilities in this place .... ''

`` How about we go to bed ? '' Matt suggested sarcastically.

Albus, although excited about spending the dark in the shack, was extremely wear out and all he wanted to do was sleep. `` Are there any beds here ? ``

`` One, '' Matt answered. He led Albus and John up the stairs and into the simply bedroom. There was one boastfully bed and a wardrobe, both surprisingly still intact. `` They 're charmed to be perdurable, '' Matt answered Albus 's questioning look.

John hopped onto the bed and started jumping on it. `` Now we 're talking ! This bed is splendid for jumping. ``

`` Ca n't say I 've ever tried it before, '' mat joined him on the bed and started jumping as well. `` You 're right, it is quite a skillful for jumping. ``

Albus jumped up with them and agreed. The bed was good for jumping. Even better than James 's. Saint James the Apostle, Albus, and Lily had spent many hour jumping on James 's bed, always to be interrupted and yelled at by their female parent. The boys continued jumping on the bed and goofing off for a couple minute. Albus smirked to himself as he remembered a tarradiddle his Aunt Hermione had told him about monkeys jumping on a bed.

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

`` Just wondering who 'll be the first to fall off and give out his head, '' Albus laughed.

`` What ? '' John asked and Matt started to express joy as well.

`` It 's a Muggle write up, '' Albus explained and proceeded to tell bathroom the story of the monkeys.

`` It 's amazing what Muggles come up with for stories, '' John shook his headland and jumped off the bed, landing on his feet like a cat. `` I do n't think any of us are going to break our heads. ``

`` Mine smell like it 's broken, '' Matt announced as he jumped off the bed. He did n't set ashore as gracefully as John and fell on his arm. `` Ow ! ``

Albus jumped down next to him. `` You ok ? ``

`` Yeah, '' matt pointed his lit wand at his arm. `` No pedigree. ``

`` commodity, '' John replied.

`` We should probably go to bed now, '' Albus suggested, `` We 've got to be up early so we can sneak back in before a lot of people wake up. ``

`` There 's Thomas More cover in the press, '' matt yawned as he got back on the bed and curled up beneath the blanket that was already on the bed.

Albus and John each grabbed a couple blanket and got into the bed alongside matt. It was a well matter the bed was so big, Albus thought. It was much bounteous than the four-poster beds in Gryffindor.

`` He 's already departed, '' John commented as he lay down.

`` Good, '' Albus replied, `` Maybe his headache will go away. upright night. ``

`` 'Night. ``

******

Albus woke up the succeeding aurora to splinter of light shining through the boarded up windows. Boarded up windows ? There were n't boarded up Windows in the student residence. Albus 's eyes shot unfastened and he glanced around at his surround. Oh, right. The remembering of the previous night flooded Albus as he realized that he was in the screech hutch. Albus sat up and yawned. He felt more tired this morning than he had the previous night. One tone at his watch told him why. It was only seven o'clock, he had only gotten about four hours of sleep. Just as well, Albus thought. They had to get back to the castling quickly anyway, if they wanted to creep back in without anyone noticing.

Albus nudged St. John the Apostle awake and winced. He pulled up the sleeve of his robe and saw that the cut from the Whomping willow tree looked thoroughly disgusting. It was probably infected and would require a trip to the hospital wing. Albus shook John with his uninjured arm. `` John, wake up ! ``

`` No, lem me catch some Z's, '' John groaned and turned away from Albus.

`` Get up or we 'll get caught, '' Albus pushed him again.

`` Do n't care, '' John murmured.

`` I 'll advertize you out of bed, '' Albus warned. bathroom muttered something incoherent and did n't motivate. `` You asked for it, '' Albus muttered and rolled John over to the edge of the bed. He gave him one final nudge and John fell off the bound of the bed with a loud thump.

`` What the blaze ? '' lav shouted, sitting up with a stupid look on his face.

`` I told you to get up, '' Albus leaned over the bed and laughed. `` We 've got to get back to the rook or someone 's going to see us come out of the tree. ``

`` Oh, fine, '' john grumbled, `` But I 'm going back to bed once we get back. ``

`` You and me both, '' Albus agreed and got out of bed. He picked up the spare cover and stowed them back in the wardrobe so Madam Pomfrey would n't get suspicious.

`` You going to push him off the bed too ? '' St. John pointed to Matt 's sleeping figure as he stood up.

`` No, '' Albus replied simply.

`` Where 's the justice ? '' John muttered.

Albus grinned and shook Matt awake. `` We 've got to get back to the palace. We 'll slumber more than there. ``

Matt groaned and got out of bed. `` I think I 'd rather just appease here. ``

`` I would n't paint a picture it, '' John responded, `` Albus pushed me off the bed when I did n't get up. Can you believe that ? ``

lusterlessness laughed and looked from John to Albus and back again. `` Yes. ``

The boys left the hutch quickly and started the long journey back to the Whomping Willow. All three of them were dragging and Albus was very glad that he did n't possess any course of study today. He had homework, but he was n't even going to mean about that until he got at least another six hours of sleep. One quick curb of the map told him that the coast was clear before they emerged from the tree.

The three of them donned the invisibility Cloak as soon as Matt was finished warding the tree and they set off for the castle. Since it was still ahead of time, the only one on the evidence was Hagrid. There were several more column inch of C. P. Snow and by the time they boys were back at the castle doorway, their robes were wet and they were shivering. Halfway to the rook, it had started sowing again.

`` Rose and Amanda are in the Great Hall, '' Albus pointed to their two pane on the map. `` But hardly anyone else is, and no one 's in the entree Hall, so I think we 're good. '' Albus pushed the threshold outdoors and the three invisible boys slipped inside. Albus immediately pulled the wet cloak off of them and hid it in his robes. `` We should probably go public lecture to pink wine and Amanda. ``

`` I 've got to go see Madam Pomfrey sometime, '' matt told them, `` My arm still hurts, look. '' He pulled the sleeve of his robes up and showed them his black and low-spirited arm. `` I do n't think it 's broken, but it still hurts. ``

`` My shoulder still hurts, '' Albus replied, `` I guess I 'll hold to go, too. ``

At that moment, Rose and Amanda left the Great Hall and stopped a couple feet away from the boys. John pointed to where they were and Albus turned around. Both girls had a combination of reliever and anger on their faces. rose wine was fuming by the fourth dimension she stomped over to Albus. `` Where. Were. You, '' she demanded.

`` Er, '' Albus mumbled. He never liked being on the receiving end of his cousin-german 's anger.

`` elbow room, now, '' Rose seethed and stalked off towards the stairs with Amanda at her side.

Albus, John, and mat followed wordlessly. All ideas of going to the hospital backstage were driven from Albus 's thinker. Of grade, after seeing pink wine, he would much rather have been bombarded with questions about his shoulder than going to the way with his cousin.

nobody said a Christian Bible until they were in the elbow room. Albus, John, and lustrelessness sat incline by side on the sofa, but rosiness and Amanda remained standing in battlefront of them. `` Explain yourselves ! '' rose shouted.

`` We- '' Albus began.

rose wine cut him off, `` You know what ? I think I 'll tell you about our night first ! We were plenty worried about the three of you sneaking off to the hovel in the midsection of the Night, but it had to be done. What other alternative did we have ? It was safe than the option. How else were you going to get the paw print ? I thought the plan would forge. We had it all set. You three would mouse down there and put the parchment on the level and then sneak back up. simple. '' rose stopped and began to rate around the room.

`` There were all form of matter that could 've gone wrong, '' Amanda picked up where Rose left off. `` Filch, for one. Or one of the teacher. Peeves, even. Or how about when you got onto the grounds ? There are all sorts of animals wandering around at night. Not to mention the Whomping willow itself. ``

`` So what were we supposed to think when you three never showed up ? ! '' blush wine raised her vocalization even in high spirits, if that was possible. `` If you had been caught by Filch or a teacher, you would 've came back to Gryffindor eventually ! BUT YOU NEVER DID ! ``

`` But Rose- '' John pleaded. Albus sent him a warning spirit. He knew it was never trade good to interrupt rose when she was on a rampage.

`` Shut up, privy ! We thought some kind of creature had you ! Or even unsound, that Washburn had come back for the Hallows and found you and nobble you or something ! Then you sneak back into the palace this forenoon, looking like you 've just been at a party or something !

`` You kept us up all dark bedevilment, when you probably just decided to have some fun last Nox. You know I was this skinny to telling Uncle Harry this morning. I wanted to final night, but Amanda convinced me to wait until break of day. Of grade now I wish I had n't waited. Maybe a twosome detention would instruct you not to stay out all night ! ``

`` rose wine, '' Albus said tentatively, `` Just let us explain. ``

`` Go ahead, Albus, '' pink wine glared at him. `` Convince me that what you did last night was n't just folly. ``

`` We got locked out, '' Albus explained, `` The doors to the rook were n't locked when we left, but Filch must 've locked them after we were out of the castle. I tried all the charms you taught me, but none of them worked. So we decided to drop the night in the Shrieking hut. And you 're right on, it was kind of fun. ``

Rose and Amanda stared at him, dumbstruck. Neither of them said a word for the following minute. Albus and the other boys did n't dare say a intelligence either. `` Well, '' Rose said quietly, `` Er, that does explain matter. I 'm, uh, sorry I yelled at you. ``

`` It 's all right field, '' Albus assured her.

`` But Albus ? '' blush wine began, `` You could 've just gone to the Owlery and sent me a quick note telling me that you were locked out. Then we would 've at least make love what was going on. ``

Albus, St. John, and Matt turned to look at each early. Albus felt his nerve turning red. Of course ! Why had n't he thought of that ? The entirely means of communication Albus had thought of was a Patronus. But the answer was there all along, a round-eyed owl. He could take in just made a quick trip to the owlery before they went back to the Shack.

`` We 're idiots, '' bathroom muttered softly.

`` Yes, but you 're our idiots, '' pink wine laughed. `` Now, are you going to recite us about your little risky venture ? ``

Albus, John, and matt spent the future half hour relaying every item of their trips to the screech shack the former night. Rose and Amanda both found it very nurse, especially the part about Albus pushing whoremonger off the bed.

After they were done telling the level, all five of them went to the hospital wing so Albus and lusterlessness could get their injury healed. dame Pomfrey was sitting at her desk when they arrived and the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward was completely deserted of other patients. She took one spirit at the Gryffindors and came bustling out from behind the desk. `` You lot again ? What have you gotten yourselves into this metre ? ``

`` Just these two, '' John pointed at Albus and Matt.

dame Pomfrey took one intemperate look at lustrelessness and announced, `` You were outside finish night. Was someone giving you detention ? ``

`` Er, no. ``

ma'am Pomfrey looked at him for a few s longer and sighed, `` Go sit down on a bed, both of you. ``

Albus and Matt sat down on one of the beds and ma'am Pomfrey returned a few moment later with a tray laden with potions. She told flatness to drink them all, which he did. `` My arm 's all bruised, too, '' flatness pulled up his sleeve, `` I tripped over a book. ``

ma'am Pomfrey clucked her tongue and pulled out her wand. She had his arm healed in an instant. `` I trust you 'll get some sleep today ? Or do I have to ready you stay here ? ``

`` I 'll sleep, I promise, '' Matt replied quickly.

`` What about you ? '' the nurse turned to Albus.

`` Hurt my shoulder, '' Albus answered, not elaborating on the subject. He pulled up his arm to reveal his injured shoulder.

ma'am Pomfrey studied it for a moment, then she cleaned it. Albus winced as the potion she used on it stung. The nursemaid looked at the injury for a little while longer and she looked from Albus to lustrelessness and back again. `` I know how you got that, '' she replied.

`` Er, '' Albus stuttered. Great, after all that, they were still going to get in trouble.

`` Whatever you boys did concluding night, do n't do it again, '' Madam Pomfrey said sternly, looking Albus and then flatness in the eye, `` I wo n't order Professor Longbottom this time, or your father, '' she said to Albus, `` But next time I will. ``

Albus breathed a sigh of backup as Madam Pomfrey healed his shoulder with one Gustavus Franklin Swift wave of her wand. He 'd get no fuss keeping his word to the nanny. There was no way that he was going to repeat close Night. Well, unless they needed to for the map. But he 'd try hard not to get hit by the Whomping willow tree next time.

`` You 're all set, '' lady Pomfrey announced, `` Now go get some sleep, both of you. ``

Albus nodded as he stood up. He would suffer no problem doing that. He was practically falling asleep as he walked. The group went back to the common room and the boys immediately headed for their residence hall. Albus changed into his jammies and climbed into his warm four-poster bed, feeling very satisfied that they had n't been caught at all.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, Denas, Alex, Luke, smirkyhaha, Moonylupin, and hermionieforever for their recap !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


By the time Albus woke up it was already dinner time, which was good because he was starving. whoremonger and matte woke up shortly after Albus did. All three of them were feeling a great deal better now that they 'd puzzle a decent amount of money of sleep.

`` ready to do that again ? '' John asked as he was putting on his horseshoe.

Despite the fact that Albus did have fun on their risky venture last dark, he did not want to reprize it. `` Are you mental ? '' Albus glared at him.

`` Kidding, kidding, '' whoremonger laughed.

`` You do realize that we 'll have to go get the paw print, '' Matt reminded them.

Albus and John looked at each other. The Sojourner Truth was, Albus really had n't thought about that. `` Er, ca n't you just bring with you back to the rook ? ``

`` I 'm usually unconscious mind, '' matt replied, `` But I can try. ``

Albus really hoped Matt would be able to get the paw print. What were the chances that they 'd be capable to sneak down to the shack again and not get caught ? Surely Filch would n't forget to lock the doors twice. Plus, what would hap if they get locked out again ?

`` Albus ! '' a loud voice shouted as soon as Albus, John, and lusterlessness descended into the commons way. Kaden came running over to them with his common feeling of excitement in his eyes.

`` Hey, Kaden, '' Albus greeted him. `` We 're just going to dinner. ``

`` Me, too. I 'll go with you, '' Kaden fell into pace alongside Albus. `` Where have you lot been all day anyway ? ``

`` Uh, sleeping upstairs, '' Albus replied.

`` Really ? '' Kaden asked skeptically, `` Because I asked rose wine if you were in your dormitory and she said you were n't. ``

`` I assure you we were, '' Albus laughed.

`` Hmm, well, I wonder why she told me you were n't. ``

`` Who knows ? She 's a lady friend, they do strange thing, '' John said.

`` Why were you sleeping, though. It 's the day. ``

`` We were tired, '' Matt answered simply.

`` Why ? ``

`` Stayed up tardy doing homework last nighttime, '' can lied, `` We 've got a ton of it and there 's still more to do tonight. It 's what happens after world-class year. They bombard you with even more homework. ``

`` speculation I 've got that to look forward to, '' Kaden sighed, `` Oh, well. ``

The boy did spend their stallion evening doing all the homework they had n't done the nighttime before. Kaden stared at them the unhurt clock time, no uncertainty thinking of next yr, when he would give to spend his whole weekend doing homework. Albus felt kind of bad that they told him that and he was now kind of dreading his second year, but he 'd find out soon enough that that was n't true. What else could they have told him, though ? They could n't say a word about the new map until Rose found the charm to keep him quiet about it.

******

The day of the full phase of the moon Moon came quickly and Albus could n't concentrate on any of his year. He could only call up about the map, and how they would be one whole step closer to revealing it after tonight. He would also soon make out if another trip to the shack was going to be necessary. Of course, it may be that Thomas More than one More head trip would be needed, if they did n't get the footprint tonight. There was the possibility that all the parchment would be destroyed. Albus did n't want to mean about that, though. He just clung to the estimate that they would be capable to get a paw mark tonight and that flatness would be able to make for it back the adjacent morning.

Matt skipped his afternoon course of instruction and spent the time sleeping in the Room of prerequisite. Once Albus and the others had finished dinner party and snuck out of the Great Hall before Kaden noticed, they went up to the way. They did n't have much meter before matt had to go to the hospital flank and all four of them wound up taking him there.

`` Now that I know how long that burrow is, I feel even no-count for him, '' John said quietly on their way to the commons room.

`` I know what you mean, '' Albus replied, `` I do n't know how he does it. He could barely get to the hospital wing. ``

`` Hi, guys ! '' Kaden shouted once they entered the common way. Albus, bathroom, Rose, and Amanda went over to the table Kaden was sitting at, which was strewn with parchment and rule book, and sat down. `` Where 's Matt ? '' Kaden asked.

`` Sick in the infirmary wing, '' Albus told him.

`` Oh, '' Kaden said, `` Because of that disease I was n't supposed to enjoin anyone about ? ``

`` rightfulness, '' Albus confirmed. His first cousin could be so dumb sometimes. Albus pulled out a few of his record and tried to decoct on his homework. Kaden kept babbling on and on about some potion that he was going to be brewing the next day, which he was very mad about. Albus tried to tune him out, but he could n't. Albus had a intuitive feeling even if Kaden was n't running a cyclosis comment about his potions social class he still would n't be able to reduce. His unscathed judgement was consumed with opinion about the map. He sighed and closed his Word of God. None of his prep was due tomorrow anyway. `` I do n't really feel like doing homework tonight. ``

`` I never do, '' St. John the Apostle muttered and continued writing his DADA essay that was due the adjacent day.

`` Hey, Kaden ? '' Albus suddenly got an idea that would occupy both his and Kaden 's evening. `` Ever played chess game ? ``

`` Yeah. My mum teach me. ``

`` Ever played Wizard 's Chess ? '' Albus grinned at him.

`` What ? '' Kaden 's face lit up, `` Wizards have their own chess ? ``

`` Sure do, '' Albus replied, `` I 'll instruct you. Be right back. '' Albus ran up to his dormitory and rummaged around in his trunk until he found a chess game control board, his chessman, and an old set of chessmen for Kaden. When he got back, Kaden was looking even more mad than when Albus left him.

`` What are we going to do ? '' Kaden asked excitedly.

`` Play chess. It 's pretty practically like Muggle chess, but with some divergence. You think how to bring Muggle chess ? ``

`` Yeah. ``

`` Well, with whiz 's Bromus secalinus everyone has their own chessmen. These are mine, '' Albus held up his Caucasian chessmen. `` You 'll see why when we play. You can use this fifth wheel set. I think it used to belong to my Uncle Percy. '' Albus handed Kaden the set of black chessmen.

`` Are you any good at Bromus secalinus ? '' Kaden asked, `` Because I 'm not. ``

`` I 'm all right. Not as good as James, and not nearly as good as Rose. My Uncle Ron, Rose 's dad, is the Best at it. No one 's ever able to tucker him. ``

`` Do we just set them up like normal ? ``

`` Yeah, '' Albus replied as he set up his own pieces. `` White goes first. Oh, and you do n't actuate your pieces. Just differentiate the opus which space to impress to. ``

`` order them ? '' Kaden repeated, `` What do you mean, tell them ? ``

`` Just watch, '' Albus put down his final piece and muttered instructions for his cat's-paw to proceed two public square ahead.

`` Whoa ! '' Kaden stared in awe as the white pawn moved by itself. `` They 'll do that if I tell them, too ? ``

`` They 're supposed to. But they might not need to since they 're not used to you. Try it. ``

Kaden told one of his pawn to move forward two squares and it did so without hesitation. Kaden was completely shocked by this. `` This is way better than regular chess. ``

The game continued for a few more moment and then one of Kaden 's pawn wound up in the path of Albus 's rook. Albus commanded the palace forward and it completely smashed Kaden 's pawn.

`` Whoa ! '' Kaden shouted so loudly that half the common room turned around to look at him. `` Your castle killed my instrument ! That 's mental ! How do you use them again ? ``

`` There 's a magic spell to revivify them, '' Albus explained.

`` Will my composition shoot down yours ? ``

`` Yup. ``

A few tour later, Kaden got the chance to purchase order one of his small-arm to kill one of Albus 's. Kaden 's face was full of glee as his bishop smashed one of Albus 's pawns. The game continued and Albus started to get the feeling that Kaden just liked watching the man destroy each other. This became especially ostensible when Kaden only had his king, a knight, his rook, and three pawn left. Albus was only missing one castle, both bishops, and five or so pawns. Kaden 's chessman were not very happy about this and his magnate and knight actually got into what appeared to be a heated argument about whether or not they were going to go forward to listen to Kaden. Eventually, his king flat out refused to move and Albus won by nonremittal. Nevertheless, it was one of the most amusing biz of chess Ablus had ever played. John the Evangelist, Amanda, and even rosiness gave up on their preparation and watched the hold out part of the game.

`` I think you need your own chess piece, '' Albus told Kaden as he repaired the broken objet d'art. `` I 'm not sure if these will be willing to listen to you anymore. ``

`` Well it 's no wonder, '' blush wine commented, `` All he did was secern them to walk right into decease traps. ``

`` It 's funny to see them get crushed, '' Kaden explained.

`` Maybe side by side time you 'll actually try and win, '' Rose smirked.

`` Maybe, '' Kaden shrugged. `` I think I 'll ask for chess piece for Xmas. ``

`` That would be a good estimation, '' Albus replied. `` I only hope that you treat them better than these unity. ``

******

Albus did n't catch some Z's very well that night and he was very tired the next morning. All he could think about was the paw print and whether or not their program worked. Luckily Albus only had two classes that day and then he would be able-bodied to go see Matt.

`` We 're going to the hospital wing after this, right ? '' privy whispered to Albus during a mind numbing chronicle of Magic object lesson. Binns was currently droning on about the history of the captivity of House hob. rosebush was the only one paying aid, although Albus had no theme why she bothered. Both of them already knew everything about the story of House Elves, having been lectured about it by Rose 's mother.

`` Yeah, '' Albus said back, `` Do you want tiffin first ? ``

`` Of course of instruction I do. This is me you 're talking about. But let 's make it fast. ``

`` I should n't have bothered asking, '' Albus laughed.

`` How much prospicient until this is over ? '' Amanda turned around and looked at Albus. She was sitting at the desk in forepart of him and John, with Rose.

Albus glanced at his watch. `` Fifteen minutes. But it 'll palpate like thirty. ``

`` Why do we need to know about firm Elves anyway ? '' John asked

`` They 're an crucial part of wizarding history ! '' Rose replied impatiently and returned to her notes.

`` It 's boring, though, '' Gospel According to John responded and flicked a slice of parchment at the Hufflepuff seance at the desk next to him. `` We should learn about something more excite. Like the giant Wars. ``

`` Binns 'll have even that drilling, '' Albus pointed out.

`` Anything 's effective than this. ``

`` Even the account of cauldrons and their effects on wizarding society ? '' Amanda laughed. That example, which had taken place the premature year, had been the bad one yet. Albus was sure everyone, including Rose, had fallen asleep during it.

`` Never mind, '' John groaned. `` I do n't even want to recollect about that one. Or the 14 inch essay we had to write on it. ``

`` Mr. Beeton, Mr. Pewter, and young lady Torker, '' Binns said monotonously, `` Is there something you 'd like to share with the social class ? ``

`` No, sir, '' John replied.

`` good, good, '' Binns continued, `` And in 1866, Brits House Elves started to give birth contact with the American House pixy, which resulted in a kind of house Elf wholeness .... ''

`` Kill me now, '' John muttered.

`` Five more minutes ... '' Albus sighed.

`` I think Binns was around during all this House Elf material, '' Amanda whispered.

St. John the Apostle snorted, `` That 's probably why he likes history. He was there when it happened. ``

`` This is tough than maths in Muggle school, '' Amanda told them.

`` I hate maths, '' toilet agreed, `` I 'm gladiolus we do n't get to take them here. Mum taught me some and it was horrible. ``

`` I take it you two wo n't be doing Arithmancy side by side year, '' Albus grinned. He was not planning on taking that grade either.

`` No way, '' John shook his head, `` I 'll bet Kaden would like it, though. ``

`` He likes everything, '' Albus laughed, `` He probably even likes this class. ``

`` He does. He told me the early day, '' Amanda announced.

`` Likes everything except Quidditch, '' John sighed, `` There 's something wrong with that kid. ``

`` Twelve inch essay about the company for the furtherance of Elfish eudaimonia for adjacent year, '' Binns droned a min before the class was over.

The moment the bell rang, Albus and his friends shot up out of their chairs and ran out the room access. `` This 'll be cake, '' Albus laughed, `` An essay on Spew ! ``

`` It 's S.P.E.W. ! '' Rose laughed as she caught up with him.

`` Good, you can do mine ! '' John told him.

`` Sorry, one oil production essay per night, yours would put me over my bound, '' Albus faked an apologetic look. `` Oh, come on, you know all about Spew. ``

`` I know, it 's just not how I 'd wish to spend my time. ``

`` Mine either, '' Amanda agreed, `` But I 'll do it over the weekend, probably. ``

`` Let 's go eat, '' Albus suggested, `` Then we can go see matt. ``

The Gryffindors joined the sea of students that were flooding into the Great anteroom. Luckily, Kaden was eating at one end of the Gryffindor mesa and Albus and the others were capable to shovel down food for thought at the opposite end without him noticing them. Once they were done with their hurried lunch, they ran up to the infirmary wing. `` I hope he was able to get the paw print, '' Albus whispered as they pushed open the doors.

`` Me, too. I do n't fancy walking through that tunnel again, '' lav agreed.

The curtains were pulled around Matt 's common bed at the far end of the ward. cypher was in any of the early beds. Madam Pomfrey was interfering preparing potions when the mathematical group of Gryffindors walked in. She heard them enter and went over to greet them. `` Oh, it 's you lot. I figured you 'd be showing up soon. He 's sleeping right now, I 'm afraid you 'll ingest to hold back. ``

`` Please, lady Pomfrey ? '' Albus pleaded, `` We wo n't ride out long, I promise. ``

`` Yeah, we 'll be quiet, too, '' John commented, `` You can shed us out if we 're not. ``

`` You know the ruler, '' the nurse replied sternly, `` If he 's sleeping you have to descend back later. ``

`` I 'm not asleep ! '' a gruff voice came from behind the curtains.

`` Now you 've woken him up ! '' Madam Pomfrey walked briskly over to the bed and opened the curtains, `` You know he needs to rest ! ``

`` well, he 's awake now, so we can stay, '' Albus said as he walked over to the bed. Everyone else followed him.

`` Fine, '' Madam Pomfrey reluctantly agreed, `` Only for a short-circuit piece. '' She left them alone and went back to her potions.

`` Sorry for waking you up, '' Albus said as he closed the curtains again. `` How are you ? ``

`` I 'm all right, '' Matt replied. He looked much like he usually did after a good Sun Myung Moon, with various bandages all over. `` You did n't wake me up, though. I was pretending to be asleep. ``

`` Why ? '' Rose asked.

`` You 'll never guess who was here. ``

`` Who ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Kaden. ``

`` What ? Did he follow to see you ? '' Albus told Kaden not to go sojourn matt unless he said it was ok, but with Kaden there was no telling what he 'd do.

`` Not intentionally, I do n't think. Felix Willinson 's potion exploded in year and he and Kaden got covered in it. Willinson got the brunt of it and while Kaden was waiting for his turn to get antidote, he kept asking who was in my bed. ma'am Pomfrey would n't tell him, but I think he knew it was me. He knows I went here finis night. dame Pomfrey came to give way me potion while they were here and Kaden saw me. Then he asked if he could see me, so I pretended to be asleep. ``

`` So Willinson knew you were here ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Yeah, he 's going to tell Malfoy. ``

`` Malfoy already knows you 're here since you were n't in metamorphosis this sunrise, '' rose pointed out.

`` True. I guess it really does n't count then. ``

Albus was just itching to know if Matt had managed to get the paw print. He had thought Matt would convey it up right away, but the Kaden thing must 've made him forget about it. `` Did you get the print ? '' Albus whispered.

`` You 're in destiny, '' Matt smiled, `` I did care to get it and stow it in my cloak before I passed out. It 's right there, '' he gestured to the cloak sitting on the bedside table.

Albus grabbed the cloak and pulled out a rather deplumate piece of lambskin. But in the middle was a very magnanimous paw print consisting of a mixture of ink, mud, and blood. `` Whoa, that 's pretty big. And variety of gross, too, '' Albus grinned and stuck it in his bag. `` perfect. ``

`` One John L. H. Down, three to go, '' John the Evangelist commented. `` We 're almost there. ``

`` And the other three are a bit sluttish. '' Albus was feeling very near about their programme now. The gruelling paw mark was done and soon they would have the early three.

`` And the charm is working much better now, '' pink wine announced, `` I started to get the hang of it last dark. I 'll probably have it done before Dec 25. ``

`` Excellent, '' Albus grinned, `` Then we can start looking for that good luck charm to keep Kaden from blabbing. ``

`` When do you get to leave ? '' Amanda asked.

`` Either tomorrow evening or Friday sunrise, probably, '' Matt told them, `` But if I leave tomorrow I have to skip astronomy. ``

`` What a disgrace, '' privy faked a flavour of sadness.

`` I know. I 'll definitely be suffering while you four spend an hour looking at stars. ''

`` We 'll be trusted to get all the homework for you, '' rosebush told him.

`` Oh do n't worry about it, '' mat laughed. `` What did I miss in class yesterday and today ? ``

`` Not much, '' Albus began, `` We re-potted mandrakes again in Herbology. We started transfiguring spoonful into forks in metamorphosis. And we learned all about the history of House imp in History of Magic. It was one of the most deadening class yet. ``

`` Sounds like it, '' Matt agreed.

`` Was not, '' Rose argued.

`` What are you lot going to do tonight while I 'm stuck here ? ``

`` Albus and I have dueling drill, '' Amanda said. `` The next duel is Sat. ``

`` Oh, right, I 'd completely forgotten about that, '' Albus confessed. He had been so caught up in getting the lycanthrope photographic print for the map that the dueling golf club had slipped his mind.

`` Looks like it 'll just be you and me tonight, pink wine, '' King John grinned at her.

`` And Kaden, '' Rose smirked, `` Ca n't forget him. ``

`` You should gainsay him to a chess match, '' John decided, `` It 'll be fun to keep an eye on. ``

`` I 'll get him in two minutes two-dimensional, '' rose laughed.

`` Kaden plays wizard 's chess ? '' lustrelessness asked.

`` Albus taught him stopping point night. You 've got to determine it sometime. It 's hilarious, '' Amanda grinned, `` He likes to see the pieces get smashed so by the end of the game, his pieces refused to take heed to him. ``

`` You know what else we should do ? '' Rose changed the subject, `` Take back Uncle Harry 's cloak now that you do n't have to sneak back into the shack. ``

Albus really did n't want to give back the cloak. He liked it. But he knew he had to. `` I guess. ``

`` We 'll do it after we get kicked out of here, '' lavatory suggested.

`` Which is right now, '' madam Pomfrey pulled back the mantle and set a tray of potions down on the bedside mesa. `` Time for you four to give. He needs to slumber. ``

`` See you tomorrow, hopefully, '' Albus said.

`` Yeah, tomorrow, '' Matt waved.

`` Let 's go put the cloak back, '' blush wine whispered as soon as they 'd shut the room access to the hospital wing.

Albus nodded and started to take the air to his dad 's government agency. The corridors were almost deserted. There were a few pupil wandering around, but no one paid much aid as Albus unlocked the doorway to Harry 's office and contribute his friends inside.

`` spirit like my family, '' John the Divine, who had never been in Harry 's office before, announced, `` A complete tidy sum. My unanimous crime syndicate is messy. ``

`` My mum 's a straight freak. She 'd have a cow if she saw this, '' Amanda laughed.

`` A cow ? '' lavatory gave Amanda a Wyrd look.

`` Guess it 's a Muggle expression. Means she 'd go mad. ``

`` Oh, like 'have a hippogriff'. ``

`` I guess. ``

Albus carefully stepped over the various stuff and went over to the bedroom door. He pushed it open and went inside, with his protagonist following. The trunk was just where it had been the calendar week before and Albus lifted the lid. He pulled the cloak out of his bag and looked at it one more than time before folding it and placing it exactly where he 'd found it. `` well, that 's it. We got away with it. ``

`` Sure did, '' bathroom replied as he gazed around the way. `` Wonder what else we could encounter in here ? ``

`` whoremaster ... '' Albus warned. `` We 're not stealing anything else. ``

`` bet at this ! '' john leaped over a pile of book and picked up a characterisation that was sitting on top of the wardrobe. `` Aww, it 's Albus when he was an ickle toddler. ``

Albus grabbed the picture out of John 's script and looked at it. certainly enough, it was a moving picture of Albus, Saint James, and Lily, right after Lily was born. William James, who must have been three or four, was holding a tiny child with a vauntingly total of red haircloth. Albus, who was two, was holding Lily 's script and making her wave.

`` You were an lovely little kid, Albus, '' trick smirked. `` So was James. ``

`` I 'm certainly you were, too, '' Albus said as he put the picture back. `` Now let 's get out of here before my dad gets back. ``


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight. Thanks as well to Denas, XDNLxtlz99, sinwillys822, Luke, hermionieforever, Moonylupin, drownzer, and Aleks for the followup !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Saturday was soon upon them and with it came a howling lead by the nose storm. Albus was very happy that there was a dueling tournament and not a Quidditch match. He had played Quidditch in blow before, but never in conditions that prevented him from seeing his own workforce in forepart of him. Today 's storm was so bad that Kendrick forbade anyone from going outside, but he need n't deliver bothered since no one wanted to go outside in the first place.

After lunch, half the school migrated into the dueling room and waited for the tourney to commence. Albus and Amanda said good day to their Quaker and sat down at the tabular array they had been at the late tournament.

`` Hi Albus, hi Amanda ! '' Kate greeted them energetically.

`` Hi Kate ! '' Albus grinned. He sat down at the entirely remaining nates, which happened to be side by side to Malfoy. Amanda had managed to snag a seat adjacent to Kate. `` Malfoy, '' Albus said politely.

`` potter, '' Malfoy muttered.

The tourney commenced much as it had the former clip, only this time everyone knew what they were doing and it went smoother. There was still a lot of sitting around time and Albus was very happy that Amanda was on his squad so he had somebody to talk to. So far, there were still latent hostility between the Slytherins and everybody else. Kendrick 's program to receive everyone get along was not working.

After about a half hour, it was finally Albus 's spell to duel. Malfoy had just completed his first duel and flap his Ravenclaw opponent. Albus congratulated him as he went up to the dueling field. He was up against a Hufflepuff 3rd year. Albus and the other boy bowed and the two of them started dueling. The Hufflepuff sent two jinxes at Albus, but Albus blocked them both. Albus hit the boy with a trip jinx and then disarmed him. The whole thing took about a minute.

`` Point to monkey ! '' Neville announced.

`` goodness job, Albus ! '' Kate and Amanda said in unison once Albus returned to his seat.

`` Thanks. ``

`` Hardly counts, '' Malfoy commented, `` You dueled a bloody Hufflepuff. A kickoff yr could 've beat that one. ``

`` Shut up, Malfoy. You 'll duel a Hufflepuff eventually and I doubt you 'll say the Saame thing. ``

`` Your short Friend is up, '' Malfoy pointed to the dueling area that Harry was presiding over.

Albus looked up and saw that lusterlessness was about to duel one of the former Hufflepuffs.

`` I 'll bet that Hufflepuff beats him, '' Malfoy laughed, `` He does n't look that good. ``

Albus personally thought matt looked all right, considering he had just gotten out of the Hospital flank the day before.

`` Where 's he been anyway ? ``

`` He was regorge. ``

`` Oh, right, '' Malfoy grinned, `` With that disease he 's got. The one your stupid cousin told me about. If there 's anyone who should 've been a Hufflepuff, it 's that first cousin of yours. ``

`` Do n't scream him stupid. And the Hat knows better than you do about where to put him, '' Albus snapped. He did n't distinguish Malfoy that he had thought Kaden would have been a Hufflepuff.

`` Whatever you say. I wonder if your cousin 's got anymore entropy that I 'd care to know. ``

`` Do n't go near my cousin, '' Albus growled.

`` Cut it out, you two ! '' Kate interrupted. `` In typeface you have n't realized by now, you 're on the same team. ``

Albus glared at Malfoy and then turned to look on the residue of lustrelessness 's affaire d'honneur. It took him a piece, but flatness did eventually nonplus the Hufflepuff. He looked worn out, but felicitous. `` Told you he could outsmart him, '' Albus muttered.

`` Lucky shot, '' Malfoy whispered back.

Albus and Malfoy did n't talk to each early for the rest of the tournament. Both boys won their adjacent duel, Malfoy against a Slytherin and Albus against a Ravenclaw. Amanda lost her first duel and won her instant. John won his firstly and lost his second. Matt lost his secondly one and Rose managed to win both of hers. But despite their best efforts, none of their squad won the tournament. It did n't really matter though because the item were so close. The final tourney was still very up in the air and any of the team had a chance of making it.

******

The remaining twenty-four hours until the end of term went by very fast for Albus. Albus was especially excited about the Christmas Day vacation this year because it meant that Albus and his protagonist would acquire two more of the paw prints needed for the map. pink wine had just perfected the transfer charm and had already started searching for the magical spell to prevent Kaden quiet. After Yule, the lone thing left to do would be to get the rat print. Albus thought it was quite funny story that the smallest and theoretically leisurely mark to get was taking the farseeing. can had yet to wangle to enamour a rat during potions division and was getting frustrated about it.

`` Every time I see a rat, one of the bloody Slytherins is looking ! '' John vented the eve before their finish day of classes. The group of Gryffindors were in the Room of Requirement, enjoying some peace and quiet while Kaden was being tutored by one of the Ravenclaws.

`` Try luring one over to your desk with cheese or something, '' Amanda suggested, `` Then just bedaze it below the desk. ``

`` Had n't thought of that, '' John muttered, `` I 'd been trying to stupefy them across the room. ``

`` I wonder why anyone would acknowledge that ? '' rosebush said sarcastically.

`` Shut it, Rose. ``

`` wellspring, you 've got plenty of metre to get it, '' Albus reminded him, `` We still have n't got the dog or the grass prints. ``

`` We 'll get them soon, '' rosiness replied, `` Amanda will get the dog and we 'll get the stag, Albus. You can arrive over to my star sign after we leave the tunnel. ``

`` Sounds good, '' Albus agreed, `` I 'm not staying at the Burrow the unhurt holiday anyway. ``

`` Oh, yeah, '' pink wine smirked, `` grandma and granddaddy are going on holiday together. Alone. ``

`` That 's not something I really care to think about, Rose, '' Albus groaned. His grandparents had decided to go to Scotland together a few years after Yuletide and expend new year 's alone. `` Moving on. What are you lot doing for the holiday ? ``

`` The usual, '' can said immediately, `` All my full cousin coming over at various multiplication. Should be crazy as always. ``

`` I 've really got to go to your house sometime, '' Albus grinned, `` You always say your cousins are mad, but I really do n't opine your family is as insane as mine is. ``

`` I 'm sure it is. My great-great granddad is coming this year. He 's hilarious, especially after he 's had a copulate firewhiskeys. ``

`` Your great-great grandpa potable firewhiskey ? '' mat laughed, `` That 's something I 've got to see. ``

`` He sure does. Then he starts telling derisory stories about 'back in my day'. ``

`` Sounds like we should cabbage him up with Auntie Muriel, eh rosebush ? '' Albus winked at his cousin.

`` That would be the funniest matter ever, '' Rose grinned.

`` Your great-great grandad sounds like our Auntie Muriel. She 's 127 and love to confab, '' Albus explained.

`` I wish I had mad relatives, '' Amanda commented, `` My family sounds reasonably pattern compared to yours. ``

`` But you celebrate Hanukkah, so that makes up for it, '' St. John replied, `` I mean, who would n't like eight twenty-four hour period of present tense ? I wish I celebrated both, that would be the undecomposed thing ever. ``

`` Amy has a Muggle friend who celebrates both. But she does n't get presents on every night of Channukah, '' lusterlessness told them.

`` I get small present each night and then one big one on the final stage night, '' Amanda explained.

`` That 's still cool, '' Gospel According to John said, `` So, lusterlessness, do you ingest to go visit your grandparents this year ? ``

`` Ugh, do n't remind me, '' matt groaned, `` Of course of action I do. But only for five days this year. We 're leaving right before new year 's. Amy has to be back at St. Mungo 's a few days before term start. ``

`` That 's good, '' Albus smiled. `` At least you do n't get to be there as long. ``

`` It 'll still be boring. The sole thing to do down there is homework or read. It 's not like I can play Quidditch or anything. ``

`` What day are you coming back ? Maybe you can come over to pink wine 's star sign with me. Then we can play Quidditch, '' Albus offered.

`` The 28th. I 'll ask my parents. ``

`` Great. You should issue forth too, John and Amanda, '' Albus suggested.

`` I 'll ask, I 'm certainly my parents will let me, '' John replied.

`` I can probably only rest a day or so, '' Amanda told them, `` Feast of the Dedication is late this year and starts on Yuletide, so it 'll still be going on on the 28th. I 'll have to be home by the eventide. ``

`` That 'll work out. Maybe we can all get the stag print together, '' Albus said.

`` commodity idea, '' whoremonger grinned and everyone else nodded.

`` I should probably say you now, just in vitrine I do n't get to go to Rose 's house, '' Matt began quietly, `` I 'm not coming back to Hogwarts on the train with everyone else. ``

Albus stared at his acquaintance, who was looking a little forlorn. `` Why not ? Everything ok ? ``

`` I guess. It 's just that I 'm starting that new potion I told you about at the beginning of the condition. The full moon 's on the 9th and someone has to maintain me once I start taking it a few days before. Then I 've got to go to St. Mungo 's the morning after and bide a dyad sidereal day. ``

`` Oh, '' Albus was n't really sure what to say. He wished more than ever that someone would just discover a potion that would forge for him.

`` see on the smart incline, '' john said, `` At least you do n't have to transmute at your grandparents house again. ``

`` And if I have my way I 'll never have to do that again, '' Matt shook his head, `` But let 's talk about something else. Did you see in the prophesier that the cannon almost won that biz against the Fitchburg Finches ? You know, that American team they were playing for exercise. ``

`` Did n't the Finches beat them by 50 points ? '' Albus asked.

`` Yeah, but that 's near ! '' Matt grinned, `` They 're making a comeback, I just know it ! ``

`` wellspring, with a name like 'Finches', what do you expect ? It would n't have surprised me if the shank beat them, '' john laughed, `` Well, maybe a little. But seriously, who names a team the 'Finches'? ``

******

The term ended the next day with a bang, literally. James and a few of his Quaker thought it would be laughable to put a few Weasley fireworks into the suits of armor and tempt them to go off at certain times during the day. After the tenth explosion the instructor gave up trying to instruct anything and just let their students do what they wanted during class, within reason of line. Unfortunately for James River and his ally, prof Cedonia spotted them refilling the armor on the 2nd floor corridor with fresh pyrotechnic and gave them one of her rare custody. For this one, they had to clean every single suit of armor on the second storey corridor that evening. Saint James said it was deserving it, though.

`` We really ought to do up with a few dear caper, '' John the Evangelist decided as they were traveling through the Alfred Hawthorne on the train. `` That 's what the Marauders did, was prank people, so we should, too. ``

Albus shrugged. He really was n't very good at coming up with clowning. That was James 's area of expertise. Plus, if the result of such pranks was cleaning suits of armour, Albus really did n't desire to pull a whole lot of put-on. `` Maybe a few minor ones, that do n't get us in huge worry. ``

`` I 'm sure we could do some of those. There 's loads of material we could do to the Slytherins. ``

`` Yeah, like that one James did before the first dueling tournament, '' flatness laughed.

The rest of the string drive went quickly and soon Albus and his friends found themselves at King 's hybridisation. Albus climbed off the string and saw his parents standing with blush wine 's parents and Lily and Hugo.

But before Albus could go over to see them, John Lackland grabbed his arm and steered him in another direction. `` C'mon, you can converge my great-great grandpa ! ``

Albus saw a very imperfect, completely bald, old man with a long white whiskers standing next to Gospel According to John 's parents. John lead their group over to the three adults.

`` Johnny-Boy ! '' the old man shouted and gave John a blotto hug, `` How 're things at that school ? How is prof Dippet ? ``

`` He died eld ago, Grandpa, like I told you over the summertime. Like I tell you every summer, '' St. John the Apostle stifled a laugh.

`` Oh, right ! Probably all new teachers, a bunch of young'ins I bet ! Back in my day none of the teacher were under 50, and now some of em are 30 ! What has gotten into these new headmasters .... ''

`` granddad, '' bathroom shook his mind, `` The teachers are finely. But I want you to fulfill my champion. This is Matt Eckerton, Albus Potter- ''

`` ceramist ! ? '' John 's great-great grandpa peered into Albus 's eyes and grinned, `` Albus thrower ? well I 'll be. If it is n't Harry Potter 's son ! I remember back in the days of You-know-who and nobody thought he would ever be defeated, and then along comes trivial Harry Potter and pouf ! You-know-who 's gone ! Then he comes back and what should take place again ? Harry Potter makes 'im disappear again and for safe this time ! ``

Albus, who was used to this kind of care but not someone shouting it at the top of their lungs, blushed and tried to brush aside the stares of everyone around him. `` Er, gracious to meet you. ``

`` You, too, '' the old man smiled, `` And who are these female child ? Have you got yourself two girlfriend, Johnny-Boy ? I would n't urge it. I did it once and wound up with no girlfriends after they found out ! ``

`` No, gramps, '' whoremonger laughed, `` They 're just ally. Amanda Tagger and rosebush Weasley. ``

`` Are you sure ? I could see you with the redheaded woodpecker. Just wait cashbox you 're old. ``

`` Just admirer, Grandpa, '' John 's impertinence turned red.

`` He 's like the male version of Muriel, '' Albus whispered to Rose.

`` Muriel ! ? '' John 's gramps shouted. Albus jumped. He had n't expected that the elderly man would be able-bodied to hear him. `` I used to know a Muriel ! Went to schoolhouse with her. Then she married some Weasley. I have n't seen her in decades ! ``

Albus looked at rosiness. What a coincidence. `` Er, Albus and I have an Aunt Muriel Weasley, '' rosiness giggled.

`` Well I 'll be ! I should owl her sometime. ``

`` I 'm sure she 'd get it on that, '' rose wine smiled.

`` We 're going to receive to go now, '' lavatory 's mum announced.

`` See you later, '' John waved.

`` Bye, '' Albus grinned.

`` William Tell your dad I said hi ! '' St. John the Apostle 's great-great grandpa shouted.

******

Albus spent the next few days hanging around Grimmauld position with James River and the respite of his family. Lily was thrilled to have both her Brother and her dad home and she had been demanding to know everything that had gone on the past tense term.

`` That way I 'll have it off everything about Hogwarts before I 'm even there ! '' she said excitedly at breakfast the day before Yuletide Eve. `` You still have n't told me how I 'll get sorted. ``

`` We 're not going to separate you, Lily, '' Ginny smiled as she handed Lily a glass of juice, `` It 's a surprisal. ``

`` That 's not comely, '' Lily whined.

`` nonentity told me or Al how we got sorted, so how is it not fair for you not to know ? '' James asked.

`` I 'm the youngest. I should know everything about Hogwarts because you two have been there for a few years ! And then all the Muggle-born fry will ask me doubt and I 'll be able to answer them. ``

`` You 'll get out soon enough, Lily, '' Ginny assured her.

`` How much longer ? '' Lily asked excitedly.

`` There 's still 9 month. ``

`` That 's forever ! ``

`` She 's going to be a nightmare this summer, '' James whispered to Albus.

`` daybreak, everyone ! '' Harry descended the footstep into the kitchen and pulled up a chair.

`` Hi, Dad, '' Albus greeted him.

`` Hey, Ginny ? '' Harry asked as he grabbed the oracle, `` Have you seen the Marauder 's Map ? ``

Epistle of James choked on his juice and sprayed it across the table at Albus, as he turned burnished red.

`` Ew, take in it ! '' Albus jumped back.

`` You ok, James I ? '' Harry looked at him curiously.

`` Fine. The article on the front of the theme, it 's, er, shocking, '' James blushed some more and pointed to the front of the prophesier, which was facing him.

`` Witch Tries to step-down size of it of Her Ears, Charms Them Off Instead ? '' Harry read.

`` Yes, very shocking. mass ought to be more careful ! '' James sputtered. He gave Albus a looking that Albus interpreted to stand for 'meet me upstairs'. James excused himself and ran out of the room.

`` What 's with him ? '' Harry asked.

`` No musical theme, '' Ginny shrugged.

`` Er, I 've got to go change, '' Albus jumped up and followed James. Harry had noticed that the map was gone ! Now he was going to take in to give it back. Albus was going to miss it, but it would only be a matter of time before he had the other one working.

`` Albus ! '' James pulled him into the drawing room and shut the door. `` He wants the map back ! ``

`` I kind of figured that, '' Albus smirked, `` We 're just going to have to sneak it back into his elbow room. Let 's do it now. ``

`` Wait, Albus ! '' King James I grabbed his arm, `` The thing is, er, well, I ... '' He shuffled from invertebrate foot to foot looking very nervous.

`` What ? ''

`` I, er, ca n't find it ! '' James whispered. `` What am I going to do ? I ca n't have lost it .... ''

Albus started laughing. `` It 's not funny ! '' Jesse James insisted.

`` You did n't lose it ! '' Albus grinned, `` I 've got it. I took it from you calendar month ago and did n't want to give it back. ``

`` You idiot ! '' Saint James shouted, `` Here I thought I 'd suffer it and you stole it from me ! ``

`` It does n't weigh now. We 've got to hand it back anyway. ``

`` You 're giving it back. You 're the one who stole it from me. ``

`` Well you stole it from Dad in the first berth, '' Albus reminded him.

`` Only to get you out of problem ! ``

He had a tip there. If Albus had n't deliver been in Kendrick 's spot the previous year, James never would have taken the map in the first place. `` All right. I 'll just go sneak it into his room. Maybe he 'll think he just forgot to bring it to Hogwarts. ``

`` Let 's Hope so. Go do it now. ``

Albus nodded and ran up to his chamber. He knew his dad would want the map back eventually, he just had n't given it much thought. At least he had n't noticed it was missing at school. Albus threw spread out his trunk and rifled through his school clobber. He still had n't unpack everything or packed a bag for his halt at the tunnel. The map was inside the picture album Albus found over the summer, along with the new map. Hopefully they would n't need the piranha 's Map to decipher the new map. Albus pulled out the map and ran into his parents'room. He shoved the map under a mountain of defensive conjuration Bible and quickly left the room.

`` Done ? '' James asked anxiously when Albus ran back into the drawing room.

`` Yup. I put it under a stack of Good Book, with one niche sticking out. ``

`` perfective. You might want to go shift your shirt now. ``

`` Oh, right hand, '' Albus looked down at his succus splattered T-shirt, `` Thanks for that, by the way. ``

`` No problem, '' James River laughed, `` Come to me for all your juice spraying motivation. ``

`` I 'll do that, '' Albus rolled his eyes as he left the room to change his shirt.


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight ! Thanks as well to sinwillys822, Denas, Moonylupin, wolverine83, Luke, drownzer, smirkyhaha, and Miguel for their reviews !