Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent nearly of the Clarence Day preceding Christmas at pink wine 's house. Henry James was determined to use all of his spare time for Quidditch practice, and he had to go to rosebush 's house for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Hugo would help James I practice while Rose read.

Harry had to practically reprint James from his ling by legerdemain on Christmas Eve so they could go to Godric 's hollow. James wanted to detain at Rose 's house and retain practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The trip was calm since James was rather sullen the entire time.

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

"That 's good,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

Albus nodded as Lily began to describe in with child detail what variety of cat she would transform into.

Everyone else was already at the Burrow and Albus felt an straightaway passion come over him as he stepped inside. It had cypher to do with the fact that it was so cold and snowy exterior, either. There was something so comforting about being at the burrow surrounded by all his family. He was able to forget all the issues with the Quidditch tournament and prof Killigan. All he could recollect about was how wolfish he was and how adept some of his gran 's cooking would be proper about then.

rosiness sat down next to Albus as he tucked into a orotund trough of onion soup with a side of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and Aunt Katherine are going back to Roumania this summer,"blush wine announced.

"To chasten to a greater extent dragon ?"Albus asked. His uncle and aunt had n't done that since Stanley started Hogwarts, but they often talked about how they wanted to go back.

"Yeah,"Rose nodded,"They might bide even after the summer 's over, but Scots heather and scratch will come back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

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

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

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

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

"Me, too,"rosiness agreed,"Imagine the history we could learn."

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

"Christmas Day Quidditch tomorrow ?"teddy asked as he sat down future to Rose.

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

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

"Is it really ?"Chester A. Arthur popped his psyche into the room,"Fascinating ! I may own to go see it tomorrow !"

"You 'll do no such thing !"Molly shouted,"It 's nearly unacceptable to Appparate during such a storm. Not to advert the fact that it 's Dec 25 and you should be here."

"We do n't need electricity to play Quidditch !"teddy bear exclaimed,"It 'll be perfective tense training consideration ! If you can see a Snitch in the center of a snowstorm, you can catch one in any weather. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

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

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

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven reap hook for that !"Harry Hotspur said to Katherine, who was only kind of paying attention,"And the fella looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that very much for a tour of a questionably historical old building. There really should be regulations on such things. It 's one matter I 'll change if I 'm ever Minister."

Albus stifled a laugh. His Uncle Percy had been talking about running for Minister for the by ten eld, but still had n't done it. Most of his uncles and aunts got sick of hearing him talk about what he would and would not vary.

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

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

"Exhausting,"Victoire sighed,"And I have to enter out which constituent of the infirmary I want to do the rest of my education in by Sept. We 've been rotating throughout all the base, but now we have to foot one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until September,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a retentive prison term to him.

"I know,"Victoire replied,"But Amy 's known where she wants to fetch up training since we were in quaternary year."

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

"Thanks, shimmy,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the Maternity Ward or go Damage."

"There 's a fussy ward,"teddy bear grinned,"enchantment Damage. You 'll get all the funny injury there."

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

"Good a grounds as any,"Teddy shrugged.

The time grew later and after Albus played legion unit of ammunition of Exploding snatch with his cousins, his grandmother announced that it was time for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no point. Everyone, including the other adult, knew that arguing with molly Weasley was useless.

Albus trudged up the stairs to the highest bedchamber that he shared with James, Ben, and Cedric. He climbed into bed and then realized just how big this impending blizzard was. The flatus was howling louder than he 'd ever heard before.

The idle words was so herculean that Albus could sense it through the gaps in the window. Every once in a piece, the home would creak and stimulate. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his ears to try and swim out the howling.

Albus did n't manage to drift off to sleep until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no magic outside of schooltime principle to put a silencing good luck charm on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his annual Christmastime wake-up call, Lily. She breezed through the door shouting about how they all needed to inflame up and open their present.

"And there 's three human foot of lead by the nose outside,"Lily said as she left the room,"I checked."

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

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

"We could build the world 's biggest Snow superstar later,"Ben suggested.

"We could construct an entire snow thaumaturge army,"Albus said.

"present first,"James said as he located his good deal of presents.

Albus descended upon his own spile of presents and began opening them. There were the usual sweets and Weasleys'production from his aunty and uncles. Another Weasley jumper, this one scarlet and gold striped. He pulled it on over his pajama and opened the rest of the presents from his aunts and uncles. His aunty Hermione had gotten him a few book of account he 'd probably never register, including one about the history of house elves at Hogwarts.

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

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

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

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

Albus opened the box and saw two tag. Two just the ticket for the Quidditch worldly concern Cup that was taking place this summer !

"Whoa !"Albus shouted,"World Cup just the ticket !"

"I did n't even recognize they were on sale this early !"James said.

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

"Hey, I got two tickets,"Epistle of James replied.

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

Albus suddenly realized he had the Sami trouble. Two just the ticket. Five friends he would require to take. Who was he going to choose ? Not Rose. They may have been friends since they were babies, but she just did n't give a passion for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to cross off the list. John and Matt were the Quidditch sports fan. He 'd have to choose between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't come after a team or anything.

"Those are bound edition just the ticket,"Ben said,"They do n't know who 's playing yet, so they do n't sell very many ticket ahead of time."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"They were a gift from the rector,"Harry replied,"The Cup is in Canada this year and he 's good friends with their rector. Got him a lot of rid tickets."

Albus grinned as he began to eat breakfast. Somehow his parents had come close to topping last class 's submit. Now not only was he going to get to see the World Cup, he would get to trip to a different country.

Rose came downstairs a little while later and was impressed with the ticket. She had no desire to go to the Cup and had no trace on how Albus was going to opt between John and Matt.

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

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

"Maybe after tiffin, then,"teddy shrugged.

Molly shook her pass and sighed as she set a few to a greater extent phonograph record of eggs and toast onto the table.

There was a whang on the room access that could only just be heard over the howling wind. Molly glanced at Arthur, who shrugged and got up to see who it was. Albus followed, very curious to see who would visit on Christmas morning in the middle of a huge blizzard.

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

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

"Quite the tempest, yes,"Arthur agreed,"I heard the Muggles lost electrical energy. Fascinating. I wonder what they do without it. But yes, the home is still standing."

"Good, but if you feel it 's too rickety, just let me make love and I 'll go get some of my Jutispy Plants. The leaves do wonders on old construction. Makes them like new. I just put a bunch into my place and it 's a just thing, too. Of grade, they tend to pull in Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's vocalisation trailed off.

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

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

"Then you must stay here a while. Molly 's manipulate far too much food, like usual,"Chester Alan Arthur lead Xeno into the kitchen.

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

mollie was more than well-chosen to provide Xenophilius with a bombastic platter of breakfast and he settled down to discuss the violent storm with the adults.

Albus spent to the highest degree of the morning acting Exploding grab, Wizard 's Chess, and Gobstones with his cousins. They tried to take on hide and go seek, but the house was too crowded to play it properly.

teddy and King James I kept looking out the window, willing it to bar snowing. Both of them were just itching to go manoeuvre Quidditch. Albus would induce gladly gone and played if it would break off snowing so much. He was dedicated to the plot, but not enough to recreate in this storm.

Lunchtime came and the Snow was still falling. George VI went outside to measure it and came back with the news that it was three and a one-half feet.

Teddy went upstairs after lunch and came back decked out in three jump shot, a thick cloak, and a distich of boots. Under one arm was his broom and under the other was a box of Quidditch balls. James was right behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus Lupin !"Molly shouted,"I suppose I ca n't stop you from going out there and catching death of a cold, but I will not let you drag James with you !"

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

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

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

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

Empire State of the South, Fred, and Heather suited up in warm clothes and joined Teddy and James. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't require to freeze out when he could stick inside and be warm.

The Christmas Quidditch lasted a half an hour. Teddy, St. James the Apostle, Georgia, Heather, and Fred all stumbled back into the theater shivering with their faces red and covered in Snow and ice. mollie immediately descended upon them with gull of hot chocolate and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

"C-ca n't line up the Sn-Snitch,"slip muttered.

Harry laughed."That does n't storm me. You 'll find it when the storm calms down. You put the appeal on it to delay in the one thousand, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"Teddy replied.

Christmas dinner came and went in its usual topsy-turvydom. Xenophilius stayed for it and James snuck sneezing pulverization into his soup, which he found incredibly comical. molly was not as impressed and gave James quite the scolding. How she found out it was James was beyond Albus.

The storm continued throughout the night and Cedric had to put the silencing charm back on their way in social club for any of them to get any sleep.

******

Nobody left the Burrow until two days after Yuletide. That was when the snow finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half animal foot, which was a new record for Albus 's lifetime. The burrow 's yard had been decorated by dozens of snow witches and wiz, along with hippogriffs, bird of night, and a variety of other magical creatures.

When Albus found out what his family was doing after they left the tunnel, he wished the nose candy would get kept coming. They were going shopping for dress robes for the New Year 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old wearing apparel gown ?"James whined as they walked down Diagon alleyway towards Madam Malkin's.

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

"Yeah, Hugo 's the lucky one,"James I muttered. Hugo was wearing James 's old dress robes to the political party and therefore did not have to go shopping.

"mum, I want purple robes,"Lily announced.

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

Albus wanted to buy the inaugural couplet of dress robe he found, so long as they were n't pink or purple. The Sooner they were done robes shopping the better.

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

"Here, try these on, Al,"Ginny handed him a pair of emerald jet robes.

"Very Slytherin,"James IV snickered.

"Shut it, James,"Albus muttered.

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

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

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

Henry James wound up with a United States Navy blue twain of gown, which Albus would own preferred. Lily found her over-embellished robe and Rose got a sky dispirited yoke.

"Next time you 're getting cat valium robe,"Albus muttered to James, who was still making fun of the color of Albus 's robes.

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

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

"I do n't like. They 'd be Gryffindor colored,"James laughed.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The party was at the diplomatic minister 's star sign, the home where all the rector of Magic had lived. Albus had been there a few prison term before, but not in a brace years. Usually all the parties the Minister held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few hr before the political party, Ginny made Albus, James, and Lily all take showers and comb out their hair's-breadth properly. She spent a good fifteen transactions trying to get James 's hair to lie flat and another fifteen second putting Lily 's up in some sorting of expatiate bun case matter. Albus was very happy his own hair was far too short for that sort of thing.

Before they left, Albus 's parents sat him, James, and Lily down on the sofa and proceeded to secernate them the prescript for the evening.

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

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

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

"Let 's hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his class Apparated to the parson 's firm, which meant side-along Apparition for Albus. He hated side-along specter. It felt like he could n't breath. It was worse when the person who was Apparating him was also Apparating another person, which was always the instance in his kinsperson. It was the torment of being the middle fry. He was either with James or Lily. This time it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

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

A long and winding sidewalk, framed with crotch hair and igniter on either side, direct up to the front door. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

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

Harry rang the Alexander Bell when they arrived at the door and it was answered by the Minister himself."Harry !"he shouted,"seed in !"

Minister Langston Hartwell was the thirdly pastor since the fall of Lord Voldemort. He was a tall, rotund man with very little fuzz left on his head. He did sport a rather large mustache, which caused Albus to call back of him as a much taller rendering of prof Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very civilize wizards who spoke using very turgid word of honor that Albus could n't really sympathise. He was windy and most of his speeches could be condensed down into a few sentences, according to Harry, that is. He was a very nice man, though.

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

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

The way was decorated with flatware and Shirley Temple and was already filling up with mass. Albus spotted rosiness and Matt in the back of the room and left his family in the doorway to go see them.

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

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

Albus rolled his eyes."Shut it."

"What do you think, Matt ?"rosebush turned to mat,"His mum says they match his centre, but James says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"lusterlessness said immediately.

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

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

"Bet that 's fun,"Albus laughed,"Do you know to the highest degree of these people ?"

"Some,"Matt said,"That 's the bloke Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very expectant wizard,"McVicar."

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

"Dad never thought he would either,"Matt laughed,"Then we 've got your Uncle Percy, I think you probably know him. Those people are a few of Dad 's co-worker,"Matt gestured to a few Thomas More witch and wizards,"Then there 's a bunch of the great unwashed from former section, but I do n't recollect any of their names."

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

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

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the wine and Champagne-Ardenne. It 'll still taste exactly the like,"lusterlessness grinned mischievously,"By the prison term midnight rolls around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not drunk. It 'll be funny."

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

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

"I have to hold, that 's really creative,"rosebush giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the solid food. charm the drinking chocolate to try out like vanilla, charm the service of process utensils to strike every time you go to cull them up, that kind of stuff,"Matt explained.

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

"My parents never say that poppycock to me,"flatness laughed,"They never suspect me of anything. The hour they find out the alcoholic beverage 's been charmed out of the drinks, they 'll obtain Amy."

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

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

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

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

"Oh, it 's great,"Amy grinned,"beginning, only a pair off people notice and they make a very unruffled credit to another person and then that soul agrees that there 's something wrong with the drinks. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will test the swallow, discover the alcoholic beverage 's been charmed away, supercede it, and then everyone will cheer. But some of them will act drunk because they think there 's alcoholic beverage in the drinks."

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

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

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

"You never know,"Matt shrugged.

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

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

"And I 'd bet my last Galleon that Georgia and Bradley are talking about Quidditch,"Albus gestured to his former two first cousin, who were standing near the buffet.

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

"I would n't bet against that,"Albus said,"And Samantha and lindy hop will sneak out of the way the next time aunty Corrine looks away."

Albus 's Aunt Corrine was talking with two witches Albus did n't cognise and his twin cousins were chasing each early around the room.

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

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

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

Albus and rosebush agreed. Amy left to go talk to person else and the three protagonist walked over to the buffet. There was already a small queue in straw man of it.

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

The queue moved quickly and soon Albus was in front end. He grabbed a plate and piled it high with just about everything. There was always the best food at this sort of party.

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

"I do n't even know what half this stuff is,"mat said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

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

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

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

Everyone quieted down and turned to take in him. Albus, blush wine, and mat were somewhat end to the podium.

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

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

"Yes, yes, well, this political party is in honor of none early than Bruno Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the situation of head teacher of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. There is no one else whom I would rely with such a job ...."

Hartwell 's speech soon descended into one of his common delivery, which Albus could not understand. It was long, drawn-out, and Albus could 've sworn he saw his dad oscitance at one point.

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

"Thank you, government minister,"McVicar began,"That was quite an matter to talking to. I, too, would like to congratulate Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am sure at to the lowest degree half of you were quite storm to hear that I was retiring. I myself was surprised. In fact, I probably would n't have done it if it were n't for the fact that my wife has been begging me to for the past times ten geezerhood.

"However, the main reason for my lack of an earlier retreat was because there was not a ace mortal employed in the Ministry whom I would deliver trusted with this job. Nobody had the potentiality to conduct out this position in the way I would care. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my catchword up until five years ago, that is.

"A niggling over five years ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the Department of the Regulation and ascendence of Magical Creatures. He applied for a job in wolfman supporting divine service, a position that had been open for well over a year. I was cook to hire anyone who walked through the door at that period, but I had no idea what was to arrive when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may know that Walter has experience in this field. He was the Head of the Department of regularisation and ascendance of Magical Creatures in Australia for three year before leaving the position in order to strike to England.

"Bruno Walter revolutionized loup-garou Support Services as soon as he started. The ideas he had were ones that even I had n't thought of. In five short years, he has bettered lifespan for those plagued with lycanthropy more than anyone else in the department have in their entire careers.

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

"The but thing left for me to do was convert myself it was clock time to retire,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did deal the better part of five years to do that. But now, I feel very confident as I mitt the reins over to Walter."

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

"I 'll say,"Matt agreed,"And McVicar does n't usually praise hoi polloi like that."

"Well,"lusterlessness 's dad began,"Thanks for your suffrage of confidence, Rob. I certainly hope I can know up to your expectations.

"I have to begin by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no intention of becoming the principal of the intact department again, no matter which country I was living in. loup-garou Support Services has been such a groovy place to sour these past few class. It truly is my passion.

"However, when Langston and Rob approached me about taking over when Rob retired, I found it difficult to say no. In the end, I said yes because I want to bring in more of a difference.

"Of course, I could not give birth gotten to this place without the help of my wife, Julie,"he gestured to lusterlessness 's mum, who was standing near the dais,"And my daughter, Amy, and my son, matte.

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

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

"They 're too rummy to think much on it,"rose smirked.

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

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

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

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

Amy was standing nearby, so Albus, lusterlessness, and Rose squeezed their way through the crowd to get to her.

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

"I do n't sleep with,"she whispered back,"Let 's go facial expression at the drinks."

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

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

"You 'll have to pledge a lot more than that to get properly wino,"lustrelessness grinned.

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

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

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some extra alcoholic beverage to that wine,"James II whispered.

Albus, rosiness, Matt, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not trust it. All of their joke had backfired. The wine was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so funny ?"Cedric asked.

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

"I put a good luck charm on all the wine to remove the alcohol, while keeping the taste,"Amy explained,"I did it right when the political party started."

"So much for that clowning,"James groaned.

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

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

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

"Want to explore the government minister 's star sign ?"Matt suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"rosiness asked skeptically.

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

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

It was often quieter in the remainder of the house. They started wandering through any rooms that had candid doors.

"This office is so blooming fancy,"Albus said.

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

"Their house is this big ?"Rose asked.

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

The three friends wound up in a very heavy living elbow room filled with antiquate furniture. There was an oriental rug on the ground and oak tabular array and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the tables were illusion vessel of flowers and crystal sculptures.

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

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

"Do n't touch it !"rosebush hissed.

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

"feeling at all these Bible,"Albus gazed up at one of the bookcases,"gentlewoman Pince would screw to get her custody on these."

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

"Mum would like them,"Rose said

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

"Probably elderly than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, mat, come here,"blush wine said as she looked out the window.

Albus and flatness walked over to the window and leaned over the mesa that was in straw man of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"flavour, there's-"

mat leaned farther over the table and knocked one of the crystal sculptures off. Rose gasped and managed to pick up it before it crashed onto the floor.

"Merlin,"Rose whispered as she set it back on the tabular array,"Be careful."

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

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

Albus peered out the window into the darkness. He could just barely make out a dark lurking around the bushes. It did n't seem like the soul was walking up towards the house to go to the party. Plus, why would he evidence up three hours late ?

"There 's definitely someone out there,"lusterlessness said.

"Let 's go find out who it is,"Albus said. He did n't have a clue as to who it was, but he wanted to find oneself out. There was no reason for somebody to be sneaking around the rector 's Mansion at this time of night.

"Albus Severus Potter, are you all-fired insane ?"Rose exclaimed,"I think you are !"

"Look, I just want to go see if we can happen out who it is. I 'm not saying we should go duel them. Plus, there 's a whole elbow room full of Ministry officials in sheath whoever is out there is individual bad,"Albus said.

"That 's a good point,"Matt replied,"Why would someone pussyfoot around a house that 's entire of Ministry officials, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

"I do n't make love,"Albus said,"But I want to incur out who it is."

Rose reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and Matt, muttering under her hint. They found the nearest room access and went out into the cold night, drawing their wands as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll freeze to decease,"Rose muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the house and tried to keep himself concealed in the George Bush as he looked for the figure. However, he could n't see or get a line anything.

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

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

"Good,"Rose muttered,"Now let 's go back inside."

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

Albus continued creeping around the star sign, with his wand out in battlefront of him. His heart and soul was beating fast and his hands were sweaty despite the coldness. He did n't need to stop, though. Figuring out who this lad was was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.

"Do n't move !"someone shouted and all of a sudden there was a bright lightness in Albus 's eyes. sceptre light.

rosebush screamed and grabbed grasp of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own wand, his mitt shaking.

"Who are you ?"the individual shouted.

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

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

Albus thought for a indorse and the voice did vocalise a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the Minister 's planetary house ?

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

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The wand lightness lowered and Albus heard the man measure through the snow towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed Professor Balladanis. He breathed a sigh of assuagement as rosiness let go of his arm.

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

"Y-yes, sir,"matte replied.

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

"Told you,"rosebush whispered to Albus.

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

"And you 're lucky it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could have got been utter if that person had been a dark wizard. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

Albus nodded and followed Balladanis through the snow and towards the door."Sir,"Albus said,"If you do n't beware my asking, what were you doing outside ?"

"If you must bed, the diplomatic minister asked me to check the grounds in order of magnitude to induce for certain nobody was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did nothing but arc Albus 's curiosity even more. He knew easily than to iron out further, though. Balladanis was not one to excuse his motives.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

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

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

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

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

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

"Care to explain ?"Harry raised an eyebrow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"10 !"someone shouted.

Albus looked at the nearest clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their specs of champagne in the air. Amy joined Albus, pink wine, and flatness.

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

The crowd began to slim down out a little while later. Most of the multitude Albus did n't bed left, along with his Uncle Percy, aunt Corrine, and his full cousin. Albus 's parents did n't look like they were in any haste to leave, so he got a dental plate of the leftover sweet and at them with his friends.

Rose 's house and Amy left, and then it was just the ceramist, Matt, his parents, the Minister, and his married woman left. All the grownup were talking, St. James was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and mat were finishing off the finally of the desserts.

"Do you think there 's any way for Hogwarts to win the Quidditch tourney ?"flatness asked as he polished off a piece of chocolate cake.

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

"Maybe that 'll occur,"Matt said,"You never know."

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

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

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

Albus waved goodbye and then joined his mum, dad, James, and Lily. They all said extolment to flatness 's dad and then left the pastor 's Mansion. Albus peered into the bush as he left, but there was no star sign of Professor Balladanis.

******

The remainder of the Christmas vacation went by very slow for Albus. He did all his preparation, which was quite tedious, and there was naught to do after that. rose was visiting her other grandparents and James was at Nathan 's menage. Even Kaden was in use visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and Petunia ). He sent Albus a letter complaining about it, since the sojourn was also with aunty Marge. Albus was very grateful that he did n't have to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and genus Petunia again.

Finally the day to deliver to school day arrived and the Potters made it to Platform 9 ¾ just in time. Albus found all his friends in one of the compartments and once they kicked Lily, Ashtyn, and Hugo out, they told each early about their holidays.

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

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

"Consider yourself favourable,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had good holidays ?"

"We found Professor Balladanis lurking around the Minister 's Mansion,"Albus announced.

"What ?"john, Kaden, and Amanda shouted at the same time.

"I saw someone sneaking around external and Albus insisted we go investigate,"Rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the minister of religion had apparently asked him to hold the grounds for trouble."

"Did he find you ?"lavatory asked.

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

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

"Well, we could 've,"pink wine muttered.

"Weird though,"John said,"Why would the government minister think someone would be hiding around his home ?"

"Does n't he have guards around anyway ?"Amanda asked,"The Muggle Minister does."

"Again, that 's why it 's weird,"King John replied,"He does ingest guards."

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

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

"Again, Wyrd,"John Lackland said.

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

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

"Why me ?"Albus asked.

"Because you 've got those special dueling lessons with him. He likes you for some understanding. Of course, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a good dueller, too,"St. John the Apostle explained.

"I 'll try,"Albus sighed,"But I really do n't call up he 'll tell me."

"You never know,"King John said.

******

"Quiet, quiet !"Balladanis shouted the followers Tues, their first-class honours degree day of Defense after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to mat and John and turned to face Balladanis. He was really hoping that the professor would say aught about what happened at the party and so far Balladanis was showing no recollection of it.

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

"first gear, I 'll say that there is no prison term to not be thinking about defensive magic, as the night arts do not contain breaks for trivial things such as holidays.

"Second, in this term we will begin to search creatures far more dangerous than hinkypunks and kappas. In this term we shall larn about those terrifying creatures such as acromantulas, basilisks, lycanthrope, dragons, and vampires."

Albus could n't help but glint at Linda when Balladanis said vampires. Balladanis had glanced at her as well, and he also glanced at mat when he said lycanthrope. Of line, he had looked at Albus when he said basilisks, so it did n't necessarily think anything, but Albus had a look it did.

"As the master would find it highly inappropriate for a Draco to attest itself in this classroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this terminus,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few times. You will find that there are more lectures in this term, much to my dislike. There is nothing I would like better than to teach you about acromantulas and wolfman with practical lessons, but there are both laws and schoolhouse rules that prevent such lessons."

Albus and Matt glanced at each other. It was functionary. prof Balladanis was insane. What kind of teacher would desire to teach about dragons with populate flying lizard ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the same as Balladanis.

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

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

"prophecy is such a joke,"John said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and collapsed onto a lounge,"We started vitreous silica bollock gazing today. All I saw was a shipment of fog."

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

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

"chirology was better,"Amanda said,"And Trelawney makes the whole affair worse."

"Trelawney could take a shit defensive structure bad,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

"Do you think that anamatek could grow into a werewolf if the lunar month was n't wide ?"John the Evangelist asked.

"Probably not,"Matt answered,"It would just be a Hugo Wolf. I think it would just be a skirt chaser any other time of the month, too, because there 's no way it could change by reversal individual into a werewolf by biting them."

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

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

"If you think of it that way, there 's no stage to deliver it wrick into a fake wolfman either,"Rose pointed out.

"Good breaker point, I guess,"toilet muttered.

******

The rest of the week went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch practice Thursday even, and woodwind informed the unhurt team that they 'd fix rusty over the holiday. He also told them that the next mate was in two hebdomad and they 'd be playing New York. If they won, they 'd be in second place.

Albus had a dueling lesson with Balladanis the stick to evening and he had absolutely no idea how he was going to ask what Balladanis 's previous job had been.

Albus arrived at Balladanis 's elbow room before Malfoy and entered to chance Balladanis clearing all of the desks from the midriff of the room.

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

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

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

"This particular charm, when performed correctly, manages to disarm and disorient a person at the Saame time. The sensation is often described as dizziness. Can either of you tell me what why this appealingness would be more useful than a stock disarming spell ?"

"Because it 's well-heeled to duel someone who 's dizzy than person who is n't,"Malfoy said.

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

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

"Another good understanding, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to take the air slowly around the room,"Wizards who are expecting to experience to duel other virtuoso often keep multiple wands on their person. There are go that can be performed on these baton to preserve them attached to your robes or your actual torso, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't overpower easily. However, these spell require constant concentration.

"If a wizard is hit with the magic spell I am about to teach you, they will lose the concentration necessary to continue their supernumerary wands affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the supererogatory wands."

"Can you teach us that charm to keep extra wands in our robes ?"Malfoy asked.

"Perhaps towards the end of the year. It takes immense denseness and magical energy to simultaneously perform that charm while dueling someone,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will learn the charm to demilitarise and disorientate a soul at the same time.

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

Albus nodded, wishing he had been chosen to perform the new spell first, and faced Malfoy. He held his wand up and muttered 'Protego'under his breathing space. He focused all of his density on holding the shield up.

"Now, Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis muttered.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted.

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

"keep going,"Balladanis said to Malfoy.

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Malfoy shouted again.

The charm hit Albus 's buckler a footling harder this fourth dimension. Albus could find beadwork of sweat forming on his brow.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five times to break through Albus 's shell. When it happened, Albus felt his wand go away his deal and was overcome by a waving of dizziness at the Saami fourth dimension. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the former twelvemonth, only without the fever.

Albus did n't pay any attention to what Malfoy and Balladanis were doing. He felt like he was going to pass out and he had to sit down. He sat down right on the floor and was vaguely mindful of Balladanis standing over him.

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

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

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

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

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

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

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

Much to Albus 's delight, he managed to separate the shield on the one-fourth try. One LE try than Malfoy had needed for Albus.

The charm hit Malfoy in the chest and his wand soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy bent over and fell to the background, much like Albus himself had done.

Balladanis gave Albus one of his rarified smiles and then pulled out his own sceptre. He waved it at Malfoy and Malfoy looked up.

"That was Weird,"Malfoy muttered.

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

Balladanis kept them at it for the amend part of an hr, past when Albus would experience liked to quit. It was exhausting to be hit with that spell sentence after time while trying to hold up a shell charm. Malfoy did n't look to be faring much better and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to intercept after a half hour, but Malfoy closed his mouth, obviously thinking full of it.

The praxis was n't for nothing, though. Albus managed to withstand Malfoy off longsighted and longer each time and although Malfoy was getting better at the cuticle appealingness as well, Albus broke through it a few more than times.

"That 's sufficiency for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must have been the one-tenth time that night,"I 'll see you in course on Tuesday."

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

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

Balladanis gave Albus the strangest face he had ever seen. It was a mixture of wrath, sorrow, and even regret. For a moment, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should have just told John they would n't be able to find out.

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

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

Albus left the elbow room as quickly as he could in his run down State Department, before Balladanis could alter his mind about eventually telling Albus about his previous calling. The paseo back to Gryffindor Tower seemed longer than usual and all Albus wanted to do was collapse into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his friends. All five of them looked blow out of the water and Amanda looked like she was going to be regurgitate. He looked around the rough-cut room and saw that most people looked shocked and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even William James was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

"What happened ?"Albus whispered as he followed them back to their usual mesa.

Rose opened her mouth to utter and then closed her eyes, ineffectual to do so. Albus turned to John and raised his eyebrows.

"You know that blighter who owns Dervish and Banges ?"bathroom asked quietly.

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

"soul killed him,"John said in barely to a greater extent than a whisper.

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to look at all his admirer in bout. Matt nodded ever so slightly and then put his head on his hands.

"moldiness 've just happened,"john said,"They just found him. Madam Rosmerta heard a commotion and Flooed here, to get the Auror on duty. By the time they got back, his shop was a complete mess inside and he was laying dead on the floor. Avada Kedavra. They 're searching Hogsmeade, the forest, the grounds, and the school. Nobody 's allowed out of their common rooms and dormitories."

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

"nobody even came in to enjoin us,"Albus replied, still in shock.

People were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That kind of thing just did n't happen anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. Well, Professor Torro had been killed back before his number 1 year and then that one crone from the Ministry had been killed over Christmas Day, but their grampus had never been found and nothing had happened since.

"Why would anyone kill him ?"matte wondered aloud.

"Why would anyone vote out anyone ?"pink wine replied.

The portrait maw opened and all the whispering stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was prof Longbottom, looking worse for the habiliment. His robe were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the rook and the solid ground,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some quietus. The lookup will be long over by good morning, so you will be free to leave the common room then."

Albus and his acquaintance looked at each early after Longbottom left. They wordlessly went up to their dormitories, Kaden going with Albus instead of to the second years'dorm. cipher said anything as he curled up on the floor with one of Albus 's plain blankets. Albus got into bed and stared at the cap. He had been so use up earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get much rest that night.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight, as well as all the awe-inspiring lecturer and reviewers !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


dejeuner was very subdued the next day. about people had slept quite late since it was a Sabbatum. Every student of Hogwarts had their nose in a copy of the Prophet, be it their own or a Quaker 's. The staff table looked the Lapplander, with every professor either reading the prophesier or whispering with another prof, no doubt about what they 'd read.

Albus was reading GA 's oracle as she had finished with it and made a genial note to start subscribing himself. All of his Quaker were peering over his shoulders. Even Linda was hovering around them, a foot or so away.

HOGSMEADE tradesman MURDERED

A disturbance in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
resident to Hogwarts to receive the Auror on
duty lead to the discovery of the decease
of a shopkeeper.

Leroy Wisander, 42, the ten-year owner of
Dervish and Banges was pronounced drained
on the view by Ministry Aurors yesterday
eve. His shop had been broken into
and it showed mark of a struggle.
Wisander was discovered in the midsection of
destroyed merchandise with his sceptre
laying a few pes away. Aurors confirmed
that he was killed with the killing curse.

An broad search of Hogsmeade, the
afforest, Hogwarts, and its grounds turned
up naught despite the hours Aurors spent
searching. No fingerprints were found on
the scene.

Aurors will be devoting time to finding
Wisander 's killer and a possible motive.

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

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very strong belief and did not waffle
to let others know his opinion. His most
Recent epoch newspaper column have explored the field
of werewolf, lamia, and former so called
'half-breeds'right. Aurors have declined
comment on whether they believe Wisander 's
editorials are a possible motive for his
murder. Wisander 's obituary can be found
on page five.

Albus set the newspaper publisher down and his supporter all resumed their bum. Nobody said a discussion for a few minutes. Albus did n't roll in the hay what to think. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his opinion. However, it did n't exactly say what his notion were. Albus had n't ever read any of his editorial, so he could n't say either.

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

"I have no theme,"Albus replied, looking at his friend whose face was quite blench,"wish to go to the room ?"

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

Albus got up and was followed by all of his friends. John and Kaden each grabbed a stack of toast before leaving. Even rose wine and Amanda went with them instead of going off to hit the books with Linda.

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

nonentity had read them. Not even Rose. Matt sighed and collapsed onto one of the couch."I 've got to find out what they were about. I do n't even have sex which would be substantially, him being for or against wolfman right wing. If he 's for them, that means some cuss is on the loose killing the great unwashed for wanting werewolf rights."

Matt did n't even have to continue for Albus to have it away why that worried him. Matt 's dad was possibly the biggest proponent of werewolf rights in all of Britain and everyone knew it. If someone had been killed just for writing about werewolf right field, what would materialise to person who was actually passing practice of law for them ?

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

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

"Why did mortal killing prof Torro ?"Saint John the Apostle replied,"He was n't even writing any column or anything."

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

"Well, I do n't intend you should occupy until you find out what the editorial are about,"pink wine said to Matt.

"The other alternative is n't much better,"Matt muttered,"If he did n't save editorial for wolfman right wing, then he wrote them against them."

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

"Let 's go to the library,"Rose said as she stood up,"They 'll have old transcript of the Prophet there."

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the program library. When they arrived, they were surprised to find how crowded it was. Usually Saturday were the twenty-four hour period everyone put off their homework and then Sundays were spent in the library.

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

"might not be any left,"John muttered.

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

John the Divine was almost right-hand. There was a very small tidy sum of newspaper publisher left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded tabular array towards the back of the depository library. Albus, Matt, and Rose each took a paper while John, Kaden, and Amanda played tic-tac-toe on a spare bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newsprint, which was about two years old, until he got to the editorial discussion section. In the very middle, in the braggy font, was an editorial by Leroy Wisander.

HEALERS, BREWERS TO BLAME, NOT MINISTRY official

As I was locking up my store live on Night,
I noticed that it was a fully moonshine. I
could not help but think of the poor
people plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

Now, I know what you all are thinking.
Aconitum lycoctonum. The stuff works miracles
if taken correctly. However, it does
no good if it 's sitting in St. Mungo 's
and not being used by hag and
wizards with lycanthropy.

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

And what kind of caper are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
single. The jobs where they make hardly
enough money to pay the rent and buy
food, let entirely purchase a potion that
could alter their sprightliness for the better.

I am absolutely dismay that therapist
and potion brewers charge for this
important potion. They must be making
a prissy profit. They can use the net
to take extravagant vacation while the
poor witch and magician who buy it
struggle to yield it.

There is only so much Ministry officials
can do. straits of wolfman Support Services,
Walter Eckerton, says he would love to
feed away free Wolfsbane, but there just
is n't room for it in the budget.

What do I offer ? I propose that Healers
and potion brewers give it away for free.
They have the abilities to brew it, not
the Ministry. virtually healer claim to love
helping masses, but often it is those who
need it most, such as those with lycanthropy,
are often forced to go without, all because
those with the abilities to brew it like
to consume a little supernumerary spending money.

"Nothing in this one,"Rose said as she shoved hers aside.

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

"Read this,"Albus handed matte his paper,"Wisander even mentions your dad."

lustrelessness took the newspaper publisher and he and Rose began to record it. St. John the Apostle, Amanda, and Kaden peered over as well. Albus sat and waited while they read.

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

Albus nodded and they returned the newspaper publisher and walked as fast as they could second to the marauder 's Den.

"Bloody hell, that bloke must have had so many opposition !"John shouted as soon as they were back.

"I know,"Albus agreed,"And that one 's from two age ago. think what he 's written recently."

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

"He was just trying to budge something up,"Rose replied,"And attend where it got him."

"Healers are n't like that. Most of the ace I 've met would give away liberal Wolfsbane, but it 's more complicated that that. The factor are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to refer how unmanageable it is. There are n't many Healers who can brew it and even well-nigh brewers ca n't brew it,"Matt explained.

"That bloke did n't cognise the one-half of it,"John agreed,"My dad 's a therapist and he 'd have it off to hold away free potions. It just does n't work that way."

"My dad 's linked with that bloke,"Matt said quietly,"And now that he 's principal of the entire department, he 'll be passing more laws. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really good thaumaturge, though,"Albus pointed out to his worried friend,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are gobs of Aurors milling about. And your firm is more protect than any other family I 've seen, well, except the Minister 's Mansion."

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

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

******

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

The clause about Wisander were far more interesting. It seemed that his editorial about Wolfsbane Potion was one of the tamer unity. Each day trivial pieces of his various column were being published. In one, he stated the reasons why werewolves should n't be locked up on wide synodic month. The reasons were quite idiotic, but the Prophet had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampire should be allowed memory access to world to bite. He suggested using prisoners and allowing vampires to suck them dry. Thus helping vampire and reducing prison house price at the Sami time.

"I reckon this bloke was off his rocker,"John announced at breakfast the following Sunday. He had just finished reading an article about how Wisander spent a yr support with a lamia kinship group in Turkey when he was young. They were some of the few the great unwashed actually up at an early hr, as Albus had Quidditch praxis and John the Divine had a first light detention with Filch for putting dungbombs in the toilets in Moaning myrtle 's bathroom the old day.

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

"What are you doing after Quidditch exercise ?"Saint John asked.

"After Quidditch ?"Albus laughed,"You mean, I 'm going to get to bequeath eventually ? Wood wo n't make us drill for the next week ? I thought he was going to keep going until the actual mate on Saturday."

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

"What a shame,"Albus rolled his centre,"Anyway, I 'll probably have to do homework, since practice will go until late. How about you ? Any architectural plan for after detention ?"

"Thought I might gain another detention,"John grinned,"But Kaden 's in use with chess game society this afternoon-"

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

"Know any other Kadens ?"Saint John laughed,"blush wine said they want to teach him how to play properly, you know, like a challenge of sorts."

"I 'll tell blush wine salutary luck with that,"Albus said.

"Yeah, so both Kaden and Rose will be busy with that. Not that blush wine would require to earn detention with me anyway. And Amanda 's doing something with Linda today, prep, I think. And I doubt mat will be up for doing anything,"John continued.

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

"But it 's not as fun,"Gospel According to John sighed,"I guess I 'll just hang around the den with Matt. I can receive a nice one-sided conversation."

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

"Nope, I 'm waiting until you get back for that,"Saint John the Apostle said.

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

There were a few selection words Albus had for practice that day. Long, grueling, and vivid. Ellen Price Wood was in his hunky-dory form as he ordered the team to do drills hour after hr. He seemed to get more and more stressed as the day wore on.

James did a lot of one-on-one training with Teddy and Albus was Sir Thomas More than a lilliputian envious. Teddy was a much more patient role captain than forest was and yelled a whole lot less. Tyler Pike mostly helped Wood.

wood let them suffer a suddenly break for luncheon, making trusted they knew to amount back afterwards. Albus heard the Slytherins on the team talking about skipping out of the rest of practice session, but they were back on the slant at the prison term woodwind instrument told them to be.

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

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

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

Albus trudged back to the castling tired and shivering. He went straight to Gryffindor Tower and took a very long, hot rain shower and then set off to line up his friends.

rosebush, Amanda, and Linda were in the vulgar way, but the boy were n't. Albus figured they were in the Marauder 's Den and set off to take care for them after saying a ready hello to the girls.

John the Evangelist and Kaden were in the middle of a heated game of Exploding Snap when Albus walked into the predator 's Den a few minutes later. John 's typeface was to the full of ash, but Kaden 's was quite clean. There was also a big grinning on his face which contrasted the scowl on John the Divine 's face. matte was laying on the couch facing them, like he had been watching the plot, but he was sound asleep.

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

"Grueling. Natalie Wood 's ten times worse than GA. Five minute we were out there. Five all-fired hours in the cold !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the other couch.

"bettor than scrubbing Moaning myrtle 's bathroom with a toothbrush,"John muttered,"I do n't know what was spoiled, the scrub or listening to Myrtle."

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

"Can you blame us ?"Albus muttered.

"No, not really,"Kaden shrugged.

"How was chess ?"Albus asked.

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

"Albus,"John said as the lineup blew up in his brass again,"Have you done that Defense essay ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

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

Albus groaned again and fished around in his own bag for his Defense book. Balladanis wanted a fundament long essay about basilisks, which were the flow black beast of the hebdomad.

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

"Do you cover the volaille egg under a frog or a frog ?"toilet asked.

"toad frog,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could pluck a rose wine and tell you to do your essay,"John replied.

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

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

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

"Really ?"Kaden sounded surprise,"Why ?"

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

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

Albus managed to get in a somewhat well-heeled location on the couch and wrote his essay with his book and lambskin perched on his knees. It beat sitting at the tabular array ; at least he was able-bodied to class of lie down.

A few hour later both Albus and John had their essays completed. Kaden was still scribbling furiously on whatever homework he was working on.

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

John got up and began to prod matte 's arm. It took a good two minutes for Matt to open his eyes.

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

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

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

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

John returned a minuscule while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the Marauder 's Den afterwards and John and Kaden continued working on their homework while Albus slept on the couch.

******

"Albus, get up !"

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

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

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

"Albus, you 'd better get up now. Wood 's in the common room,"teddy whispered.

That got Albus 's aid. His eyes shot back open and he sat up."What ?"

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

Now Albus was wide awake."Seriously ? What about O'delle ?"Hailey O'delle was the former reserve chaser, a seventh year Slytherin.

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

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

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

Teddy nodded and left. Albus threw on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans before running down to the plebeian room, where he found Oliver forest tempo in front of the evacuate fire.

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

Albus nodded and sat down for what was sure to be a very long speech. Wood paused and then launched into an explanation of tactics, which Albus had already heard during praxis that workweek. He could n't calculate out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. woods could suffer accomplished the Same thing at ten.

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

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

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

"There you are,"matt, who was looking significantly better than he had a few Day ago, said,"What metre did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"Teddy got me up. woods had to tell me I 'm playing pursuer today."

"What ?"Matt shouted,"That 's brilliant !"

"This is great, Albus !"lavatory grinned,"But why ?"

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

Albus went to the Great Hall to eat lunch with his friends, but he was n't really thirsty. He did n't think he had ever been more nervous for a Quidditch match. This was a really crucial peer, as Mrs. Henry Wood had pointed out numerous times. If they won by a broad enough margin, they 'd be in second place.

word had gotten around that Albus was playing in the match and numerous citizenry came over to the Gryffindor table to wish Albus luck.

"Al,"Harry sat down next to Albus.

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

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

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the rest of the Hogwarts team a few minutes later. All his acquaintance wished him upright luck as he left the Hall.

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

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


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

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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

It was a combination of school Quidditch and pro Quidditch. The bunch was louder, the role player more compulsive, and the stakes were higher than a pattern school Quidditch friction match.

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

Albus pushed his broom to fly faster and held the Quaffle tighter to his chest. Then he plunged down to the ground, where nobody else was flying. He was back up high two minutes later when he had reached the New York finish posts. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the left end situation. The Keeper was too ho-hum and the Quaffle soared through.

"thrower of Hogwarts has scored !"Lord Todd Smith shouted,"40-30 Hogwarts !"

King James grinned at Albus as he flew by. Albus smiled to himself and joined Waverly and Reilly, who were waiting for New York 's Keeper to fuddle the Quaffle out. That had been his beginning finish of the match.

The Quaffle continued to replace deal quickly as the catch went on. An hour later there was still no sign of the Snitch and both teams were neck in neck as far as points went. New York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few more destination and he began to unlax a little. The friction match began to feel more like a school catch and less like a professional mate, even though the stake were still in high spirits.

Mrs. Henry Wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least fifty degree when Henry James caught the snitch, or they would n't be able to overpower New House of York as far as boilers suit points went.

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

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

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

The crowd roared and James held the Snitch senior high school above his question. Both teams flew to the ground and Albus saw the trouble looking on Wood 's grimace. They had n't won by decent to be in second place overall.

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

woodwind instrument nodded in agreement, but he still looked disappointed. Albus chose to discount this and helped the rest of the squad to lift James onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the decimal point, the Australian school of sorcery is in initiatory stead. New York and Hogwarts are currently tied for second. The next match will withdraw place at the end of February !"Ian Douglas Smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't fill up with his friends until they were back in the common elbow room. teddy had gone to Hogsmeade and a party was currently underway in the Gryffindor unwashed room. teddy informed everyone that the three early houses were hosting company as well. The students from New York who had been sorted into Gryffindor, including their Seeker, were sulking in a corner.

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

"I think so, too,"Albus agreed,"I kind of wish I could meet in the next match."

"Maybe Fielding will still be upchuck,"John Lackland said.

"Doubt it,"Albus replied,"addition, I 'm certainly O'delle will get first dibs on the following peer if any of the other pursuer get sick."

"At least you got to represent in one match,"pink wine pointed out.

"Anyway, the side by side mates you 'll probably be playing Australia,"mat said.

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

The company continued until dinner clip, when citizenry began to leave as cypher had snuck down to the kitchens to get food. Harry came in to pride Albus and James shortly before Albus and his friends left for dinner. He was also scheduled to patrol the shoal for the remainder of the weekend and wanted to let his fry know.

******

Life at Hogwarts returned to normal shortly after the Quidditch match. The Prophet printed fewer and few articles about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to forget about his death. Everyone except lusterlessness, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

However, the students at Hogwarts were reminded again of the unsolved murder when the side by side Hogsmeade trip arrived two days after Valentine 's Day. A portion of the students were too lovesick to notice the boarded up workshop of Dervish and Banges as they made their way to ma'am Puddifoot's.

Neither Albus, John, or mat were too preoccupied to notice the abandon building, though. The three of them stopped to await at it for a while despite the biting confidential information. Rose and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

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

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

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

Albus did n't think it was a good meter to remind mat that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the Shrieking Shack.

"good period,"Albus said,"But so far they have n't found anything."

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

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

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

Albus, mat, and Gospel According to John went to the Three Broomsticks a little while later because all three of them were frozen. They warmed up with Butterbeer and were just thinking about heading back to the castle when Albus heard someone whisper his name behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

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

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

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

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

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do substantiate how stupid this was."

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

"Bloody nether region !"John shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"Matt asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a good metre, but there was a reason I changed my mind and told you not to sneak in today. Most of the teachers come to Hogsmeade for the February tripper. My cousin-german told me. They want to make indisputable no one does anything stupid because they 're in making love or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"lusterlessness asked.

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

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

Kaden 's nerve turned white and his mouth dropped open up. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met face to face with prof Balladanis.

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

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

cipher spoke until they were shut in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis sat down in his chair and looked at Kaden.

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

"They had cypher to do with it,"Kaden said quickly,"Albus was just telling me how dolt I was."

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

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

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

Albus, Matt, and whoremonger could not get out of there quick enough. They walked straight back to the vulgar room, talking about how lucky they had been. It must have looked like all three of them had helped Kaden lift into Hogsmeade. Good matter Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned 15 proceedings later, looking quite distressed. He collapsed onto a chair and stared mutinously at the table.

"custody every Saturday for the next calendar month,"Kaden muttered,"Plus he gave me a talk about how dangerous it was for me to sneak out and if I did it again I 'd get a uncollectible penalty than detainment. Did n't elaborate on that, though."

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

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

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

******

Kaden discovered what his detention was that night. Balladanis decided to have him alphabetise his private library, which was quite extensive. Kaden returned to the Marauder 's Den ranting about the sum of Koran Balladanis had.

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

"That 's telling,"lusterlessness replied.

"compliments he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his detention alphabetizing those books. He almost did n't manage to finish and if that had been the case, Balladanis would have given him a one-fifth detention.

The next full synodic month came and went, as did the next Quidditch lucifer. Albus was beginning to suspect that the full-of-the-moon moons were becoming worsened for mat, although he did n't know why.

New York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch match. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the sneak a half hour in. Wood insisted that this was a unspoilt matter, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to grade a unspoilt amount of goals before Linda caught the Snitch in their following match, they would have More overall points than New York. Wood seemed to birth lost any Hope that James could beat Linda in Seeking, something Saint James the Apostle fumed about on a near day-by-day basis.

marchland arrived and with it a three day rain down storm that left the grounds completely flooded. Both Herbology and forethought of Magical puppet had to lease place inside, which resulted in incredibly drilling lessons. Wood continued to hold up Quiditch practice and Albus returned to the rook completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

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

Balladanis conducted his lessons as if end of term test did not subsist. He changed aught about his lessons except the dark creature they were learning about.

"We 're starting vampires next workweek,"Balladanis announced at the end of class on Thursday,"Please read the chapter on them by Monday."

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

"So,"John said as he flipped through his Department of Defense book the following eve. Albus, matt, whoremonger, and Kaden were in the Marauder 's Den and John was just finishing the chapter on vampires."Look what 's after vampires.

Albus looked through his own volume."wolfman,"he said quietly and then looked at Matt.

"Yeah,"Matt muttered,"It was bound to materialise eventually."

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

matte rolled his eyes."He best. It 'll see leery if I do n't go in for extra help. Speaking of extra assistance, we 're due to go in for it in fifteen minutes."

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

Albus managed to complete his Herbology homework while lav and matte were gone. Then it was time for him to go in for his dueling lessons.

The desks were n't pushed to the face of the schoolroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a Harlan Fisk Stone watershed sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silvery chain of something out of his capitulum and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the drawstring were memories, Albus realized. For a here and now, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to tell him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

"Mr. thrower,"Balladanis said quietly,"come in."

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

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

Albus glanced nervously at Malfoy. Balladanis was n't one for account, but Albus would have appreciated one right then.

"This is a pensieve,"Balladanis said,"It is used to search computer memory. That is exactly what we 're going to do. Albus, tilt forward and put your head into the pensieve. Your eubstance will espouse. Scorpius, you will follow. I will come after you."

Albus 's heartbeat sped up a small bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a stupid theme ? He did n't even know what he was getting into. But it was just a memory. Nothing could injure him in a computer memory, right ?

Albus took a deep breath and plunged his face into the pensieve. He had never been in one before. He landed on the hard grass and looked around.

It was dusk and very quiet. There was a little house in the distance, atop of a bouldered James Jerome Hill. In fact, the completely region was mostly rocky. Albus had landed on the one lone piece of pasturage in the whole place. It did n't look like any shoes in Britain.

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

"Follow me,"Balladanis said quietly.

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

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

"Ellas,"Balladanis replied.

This did nothing but increase Albus 's curiosity. Why were they in Hellenic Republic of all billet ? But he did n't ask. It did n't appear like Balladanis was in an explaining mood, judgment by his short, one Good Book answer to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the small house. The only noise was their footsteps. There were n't even any owls hooting or frump barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

The business firm must have been their finish. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the die down wooden fence surrounding it. The sign of the zodiac reminded Albus of the Shrieking Shack, only diminished. It was kind of wiped out down and did n't look like a place that would be good to live in.

someone lived there, though. A light was on upstairs. It remained on for a few more minutes and then individual turned it off.

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

They watched the woods for a half an hour before anything happened. Then five hooded fig practically flew out of the forest. They were at the home before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His facial expression was hardened.

All was silence for two minutes. The trope entered the household, but did not turn on any lights. Then the shriek started. Albus jumped at the sound of the outset one.

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

His prof 's face showed nothing. zero but the same hardened look he had seen on it so many times. Malfoy on the other bridge player, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The screaming was coming from two different people. There was a high-pitched one that must experience been coming from a charwoman, and a lower one that must consume been coming from a man.

Then, they stopped. number 1 the cleaning lady, then the man. The hooded figure of speech left the house as quickly as they had entered and returned to the forest.

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

They ran from the menage, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew cheeseparing, Albus could see that the person was a boy who looked no elder than Albus himself. His aspect was etched with a sadness Albus had never seen before. It was too drab to state, but Albus was sure enough there were tears running down his face.

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


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

Albus glanced nervously at his prof as he thought of questions he was just burning to ask. In fact, there was nothing about the fit he had just witnessed that did n't cause Albus rum. Everything about it had been confusing.

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

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

It happened in a break open second. Albus looked at his prof and immediately thought back to the face of the boy in the scene. That was why he looked comrade. The boy was Balladanis. Then, Balladanis shifted slightly and the alikeness was gone. But Albus knew it. That setting had been from Balladanis 's childhood.

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

Albus and Malfoy sat down quickly at the table in straw man of Balladanis 's desk. They were sitting right next to each other and Albus did n't care. At the second, finding out what that scenery was was more important than staying away from Malfoy.

"A few workweek ago you asked me what I did before I started teaching here, Mr. ceramicist,"Balladanis began,"I have always had the intention of telling you, of telling both of you. I was merely waiting for the right import. I feel that that moment is now."

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

"There is a reasonableness why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my grade what I did before teaching. The reason is that you two are incredible duellist. Both of you have accomplishment beyond your long time that I have never seen before, and believe me, I have seen wad of exceptional duellist in my time. This may be a safe time to tell you how rare it is to feature two such skilled duellist in the same year at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to look at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the start of some form of house I speech or something.

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

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

"dorsum to what I was going to tell you,"Balladanis said,"That scenery that I just showed you, in case you have not figured it out yet, took place while I was a boy of only thirteen. It was the summer before my third year at school.

"I grew up in Greece, in that very house we just saw. My parents, although they loved me deeply, were very pitiable and could barely afford to put nutrient on the table. I think they were thankful when I went away to school, the lone ground being that they would n't have to interest about me getting plenty to eat.

"I had two blissfully innocent and fun geezerhood at the Grecian schooltime of magic trick. I returned plate during summers full moon of stories about my friends and all the mischief-making we 'd begin into."

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

"Everything changed the summer before my third year. It changed on the Night you just witnessed. A coven of vampire entered my house that night. They attacked my parents and drank them dry. I hid in a cupboard, too scared to do anything. Then, once the lamia left, I fled. I ran until I could not run anymore. I wound up at the sign of the zodiac of one of my friends. His parents took me in, but matter were obviously never the Saame. I changed on that night."

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

"I returned to school day that September hardened. Nothing was fun anymore. naught was suspect. It was then that I decided to devote my biography to ridding the world of such iniquity. Vampires, dark necromancer, lycanthrope, anyone and anything that murders viciously."

Albus could n't facilitate but glare at Balladanis when he mentioned werewolves. Balladanis seemed to notice this and gave Albus the slender of smiles.

"However, I did realize that not all vampire, werewolves, giants, and other beings are inherently evil. Not all of them want to vote out. It was for this reason that I did not wish to be employed by the Hellenic language Ministry. The Hellene Ministry prefers to deal with witching creatures as a whole and not make out between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very turgid population of vampires.

"olibanum, becoming an Auror was out of the question. Instead, I chose to enter a more closemouthed profession. One that you will not regain brochure on when you get vocation advice from your caput of house. One that no one except me is going to suggest to you. Yet it is one that I believe the two of you are quite suited for."

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

"I am a Presuler,"Balladanis said,"I am certainly neither of you have heard of one. A Presuler is somewhat like an Auror, in that we seek out dark sensation and dark legerdemain. However, we not only essay out sorry virtuoso and dark deception, we seek out night and unsafe wight as well.

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

Balladanis was right in that Albus had never heard of a Presuler before. The thought intrigued him, though. A tightlipped kind of Auror who did not knead for the Ministry.

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

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

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

"That is one matter that is between myself and prof Kendrick,"Balladanis replied.

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

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

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

The rough-cut room was nearly discharge when Albus climbed through the portrait golf hole. It must give birth been really recently, since it was Friday night. Albus really did n't know what metre it was.

"There you are !"Rose shouted,"Merlin, you 've been gone for hours !"

"What did he have you doing ?"flatness asked.

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

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

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

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

Eventually Albus fell into a restless nap, but his aspiration were plagued by what he had seen in the pensieve.

******

"pigeon hawk, Albus, get up !"

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

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

"He 's like you are after wide moons."

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

"Yeah, we want to screw what happened survive night."

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

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

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

The daughter and Kaden met them in the Marauder 's Den after Albus, Gospel According to John, and flatness had lunch. John kept pestering Albus all through lunch, wanting to know why Linda could n't take heed about it, but Albus said nothing. He was n't even surely if he was allowed to tell his friends about this, but Balladanis had n't really interdict him.

"Albus, what in the figure of merlin happened last night ?"rose wine asked as soon as they were all in the predator 's Den.

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

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

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

"Sorry,"John muttered.

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

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

"Not that majuscule, to be honorable,"Albus said,"Probably would sustain been expert if it was a better retentiveness.

"Anyway, he took us without any explanation of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down business firm in Greece. sort of looked like a pocket-sized more decrepit rendering of the screaming Shack."

"In Ellas ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the house for what seemed like minute and then these material body broke into it and we heard this awful scream. Then the human body left. Then this bloke who was about our age came running out with this horrible scare off look on his face. Then we left."

"What does that have anything to do with what Balladanis does for a living ?"privy asked.

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

Nobody said anything for a long sentence. Albus looked at his acquaintance and they all wore equal looks of shock.

"And you watched it ?"mat asked.

"From a distance,"Albus replied.

"pigeon hawk, no wonder Balladanis is so blinking insane,"whoremonger let out a low whistle.

"He decided to devote his life sentence to ridding the mankind of evil, whether it be vampires, dismal wizards, or other dark wight,"Albus continued.

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

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

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

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

"Only one that kill citizenry,"Albus assured his lycanthropic friend.

"All wolfman have the capability of killing people, Albus,"matte said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

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

"shot this is why you did n't want Linda to hear about this,"can said.

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

"Who knows ?"Rose shrugged,"I doubt we 'll ever notice out."

"Oh, I 've got to tell you what he said after he told us all of this,"Albus took a trench hint,"He thinks Malfoy and I should become Presulers."

"Seriously ?"mat asked.

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

"You do n't possess to love. You 're only long dozen. And Albus, do n't decide anything until you 've read about this. Do n't just go on what Balladanis is saying. I think we 've finally discovered why he 's so passionate about fighting the nighttime artistic creation, but it might cloud his judgement sometimes,"Rose warned.

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

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

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

"Because that 's not suspect or anything,"John rolled his eyes,"There 's still something singular about Balladanis."

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

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

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be well-fixed said than done, especially since denial class was soon devoted to learning about lamia. Balladanis seemed to teach that particular unit with much more enthusiasm than usual, a feat that nonentity thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than usual, but most just attributed it to the fact that he was blinking insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about lamia was thrust Albus already knew due to what lusterlessness had told them earlier in the school class. It was still fairly interesting, though. Albus found that the more severe the animate being they were learning about, the more interest it was. Not to note the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every bookman was thankful for.

However, partway through their second week devoted to vampires, the anamatek 's trunk reappeared in the defense team classroom. There was an audible groan from every bookman who stepped into the room.

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

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

"That would n't be any better. We 're doing loup-garou next,"Gospel According to John reminded him,"And lusterlessness said that matter could n't turn into an actual werewolf. Speaking of Matt, he 's lucky he 's missing this."

"I think he 'd say otherwise,"Albus replied. The total moon had been the previous dark.

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

"He 's genial,"King John muttered.

Balladanis drew his scepter and pointed it at the trunk. It snapped open and out stepped a very blench man with chiseled feature article. He did n't move, but merely stared out at all the students.

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

It reappeared in the back of the classroom, but it had not Apparated. The vampire had moved so truehearted that Albus had missed it in the blink of an eye.

"They 're spry,"Balladanis continued,"They 're ripe looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are dead. The alternative is not with child, either. From the mo their teeth break your skin, you begin to transform into a vampire as well. You will become one if they do not give suck you dry. There is no way to stop it, no potion to counteract it.

"Vampires search at night when their vision is still excellent, but when human vision is compromised. However, that is not the only when reason. Does anyone know the other ?"

Rose raised her hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, young woman Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"lamia are in center allergic to the sun,"rosebush explained,"When the sunlight hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them concern and makes them feel sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a uncommon grinning,"There is no potion to counterbalance the effects of the sun on vampires. Therefore they tend to inhabit sphere that see lupus erythematosus sun and arena of dense forest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United nation, portion of Canada, and role of USSR. However there is also a significant vampire population in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his wand at the lamia again and it retreated back into the trunk. Everyone breathed a corporate sigh of fill-in. The example continued until the toll rang. Balladanis made no citation of moving onto the next unit, nor had he assigned the usual end of the unit essay.

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

"You missed an fantabulous denial lesson today,"John said once madam Pomfrey had gone back into her field of study after leaving to see who had entered her ward.

"Was it any unlike from the usual unity ?"lustrelessness asked tiredly. He looked ready to come down asleep at any moment.

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

"He what ?"Matt shouted, although since his representative was hoarse it was n't very loud,"We 're still doing lamia, are n't we ?"

"Yeah, he had it turn into a vampire,"John said,"We did n't have to crusade it. He just used it to point how debauched vampires were and what they looked like."

"That is weird,"matte replied,"He assign the vampire essay yet ?"

"Nope,"John shook his fountainhead,"I think we 're in for a few more days of vampires."

"Well, the thirster we spend on vampires, the more than clip we have before we start werewolves,"Matt said quietly,"I really hope he does n't spend as practically meter on them as he has on vampires."

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

"Thank Merlin for that,"Matt yawned.

"You 're tired,"Rose said,"We should leave."

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

"'Night,"flatness said.

They left the Montgomery Ward just as madam Pomfrey was coming out of her study, presumably to state them to pass on and yield lustrelessness more potions. Albus and his Friend headed straight for the commons way, where they got started on all the homework that had been piled on them that day.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's cousin had begun to call for up bets on how long Balladanis was going to spend teaching the 3rd old age about vampires. Fred was sure as shooting he 'd spend the residuum of full term, but Omar Bradley was convinced he 'd move onto the succeeding unit partway through April. None of the third years were actually participating in these bets because they were all afraid Balladanis would ascertain out.

The vampire social unit was still well underway when the next Quidditch catch came along. This one was the instant Hogwarts versus Aussie School of necromancy match, which meant Ellen Price Wood was in his prime when it came to recitation. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing suite since he spent Sir Thomas More of his time on the Quidditch Pitch than in the Gryffindor usual room.

Albus awoke the day of the match to John 's loud swearing instead of teddy bear, which told him that he did not consume to play during that match. He could n't facilitate but palpate slightly disappointed. Figuring there was no point in going back to sleep, he got up and asked John what happened.

"Tripped over lustrelessness 's bloody cauldron,"John muttered, holding onto his right animal foot,"Why ca n't he just put that stupefied affair away ?"

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

bathroom muttered something undistinguishable and shoved his cauldron under his bed. He went into the bathroom while Albus woke flatness up. The three of them met Kaden in the common room a little while later and then went down to the Great Hall to get something to eat.

A few minute later the boy were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the match to begin. Rose and Amanda were with them.

"marvel how long it 'll take Linda to happen the Snitch this fourth dimension,"Albus mused.

"I 'm betting on ten minutes,"St. John said,"Hey, commend that time we eavesdropped on Killigan ?"

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

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

"She probably wo n't this time, either,"Matt put in,"I mean, think about it, if James could fly that fasting, would he really slow down to a normal fastness ?"

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

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

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

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

******

Two calendar week into April, Bradley along with quite a few early older Gryffindors, were able to cash in on their bet about Balladanis. Fred and a few others grumbled loudly about it as they handed over Galleons to the winners.

Balladanis had assigned the farseeing awaited essay on vampire on Thursday, officially making the lamia unit the longest whole they had done. They had spent an entire month and a half on it. The essay seemed to rival this length, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a half feet.

Albus, Matt, and King John saved their essays for the last possible minute, settling down to work on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly voiceless essay because Balladanis had given them so much information on the subject. It was just a very long essay to write. rose wine and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't aid but be slightly envious of them because doing the essay with an real vampire would make it the easiest essay ever.

"Bet Linda 's sword lily this social unit 's over,"Albus said as they worked on their essays in the Marauder 's Den Mon evening.

"She is,"Rose answered,"She hated every minute of those deterrent example. Ca n't say I blame her."

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

"trey feet,"Rose answered.

privy groaned."Do you think Balladanis will discover if mine 's three in short ?"

"Yes,"Rose said,"If there 's any essay he 'll be extremely picky about, it 'll be this one."

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

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

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

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

"Finished,"Albus announced.

"Excellent,"John said as he grabbed Albus 's essay,"I 'll replicate bits of yours."

"You know,"Albus said quietly,"nobody found out about Linda being a vampire even after we 've spent a month and a half on them. I do n't mean anyone 's going to find out you 're a werewolf just because we 're learning about them."

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

"flavour on the shiny side,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the werewolf essay, you 're sure to get a 100."

"I do n't really care about the essay,"Matt said flatly.

Both flatness and John the Evangelist managed to finish their essays before curfew and they returned to Gryffindor tower, and they soon went to bed. Albus did n't think Matt slept much, though. He heard him tossing and turning all night.

Albus, Matt, and John got a late start since John had misplaced his lamia essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was trusted how it go there ), the three son rushed down to the Great Hall to grab pieces of toast before running to Defense.

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

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

Balladanis began his usual tempo in front line of the classroom. He stopped in front of blush wine and Linda 's table and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would begin with loup-garou history,"he announced,"Nobody is sure when the first werewolf came about, but they have existed in nearly every wizarding culture. Not only that, but even antediluvian Muggle civilisation have lycanthropy in their histories.

"Hundreds of years ago, before the Muggle sphere of psychology came about and prospicient before Muggles had any understanding of the human mind, they tried to crap sense of the great unwashed whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to ascribe the insanity to the moon. Over the days, the myth of werewolves came about. Thus, werewolf have had a significant role in Muggle stories. In reality, the masses Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from schizophrenic psychosis or bouts of insanity."

Albus frantically tried to drop a line everything down. He knew absolutely zilch about the Muggle view of lycanthropy. He glanced at flatness and saw that he was n't writing anything down, but his hand was shaking.

"Muggles of course know cipher about very werewolves,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created werewolves have little in common with the real thing.

"lycanthrope are plagued with the illness lycanthropy. Does anyone know what that means ?"

Rose was the only one who raised her hired man. Balladanis nodded to her."It comes from the Greek words 'lykos'and 'anthropos',"rose wine explained,"Lykos means wolf and anthropos substance man."

"Very practiced,"Balladanis replied,"Lycanthropy refers to the disease and those who have it are called loup-garou.

"loup-garou have been shunned by wizarding smart set for as hanker as chronicle has told us about them. In recent years, there has been much surmisal about whether this is necessity or even a skillful idea. However, it is difficult to shift the intellect of the majority when we have been taught to avoid loup-garou and eschew them from wizarding society for so long.

"It has not been for no ground that this general prejudice has came about. When in wolf form, werewolves can not control their actions and thus snipe lost the great unwashed. This has long been construed as lycanthropes wanting to attack the great unwashed, wanting to infect them with the frightful disease.

"This can not be farther from the case when it comes to most werewolf. virtually do not wish well to attack others. Within the past hundred twelvemonth, lycanthrope have begun locking themselves up on the full-of-the-moon lunar month in order of magnitude to avoid attacking others. However, there is one significant drawback to this for the werewolf. Does anyone know this ?"Balladanis 's heart rested on matt, but he continued staring down at his vacuous parchment.

Rose and Linda raised their deal. This time Balladanis called on Linda."When werewolves do n't have anybody to lash out, they attack themselves,"Linda said,"They do n't have a choice and they often wind up really injured because of it."

Balladanis took Linda 's thought further, but Albus did n't get a line what he said because matte had knocked over Albus 's ink. He looked incredibly spooky and Albus was glad that the class was almost over. He quickly cleaned up the ink and tried to pay attending to the residue of the lecture.

"We 'll cull up side by side category with what happens before, during, and after good moonlight for a somebody with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the bell rang,"If you have not study the werewolf chapter, please do so for next time. Mr. Eckerton, if you could please come see me."

Matt looked, if it was possible, even more nervous at this prospect. The relaxation of the class left and Albus tried to put away his things as slowly as possible, but Balladanis shooed him, along with John, out of the room.

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

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

"What do you require, Malfoy ?"Albus asked, knowing perfectly well what he wanted.

"Oh, zippo. Just a very illuminating lesson. I 've learned so often,"Malfoy replied and then sauntered off down the corridor.

"Merlin,"John muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll know after next lesson. He 's onto it, that 's for trusted,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"John replied,"That 's a nice way of putting it. The unharmed school day 's going to know in two daytime, after the future class."

"What are we going to do ?"Albus groaned,"If we tell him what Malfoy said, he 's going to be too scared to do anything. I mean, did you see him during this lesson ?"

"Yeah,"John nodded,"We ca n't tell him. Whatever Malfoy 's going to do, he 's going to do it whether lustrelessness knows about it or not."

"I agree,"Albus nodded,"We wo n't tell."

"What are you two talking about ?"Matt appeared behind them, looking no wagerer than he had before.

"Nothing,"John said,"What did Balladanis want ?"

"Told me I did n't sustain to go to the excess help during this whole unless I wanted to,"matt told them.

"What are you going to do ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"I do n't bonk,"mat said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll look suspicious if I do n't, but I really ca n't take many more example like that. Merlin, Th 's lesson is going to be awful."

Albus saw no stage in denying that. Matt did n't take in a clue as to how atrocious it would be. They said zilch more about it the solid way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so happy about having ridiculously long Quidditch practices as he was Tues and Wednesday evenings. He was perfectly felicitous to spend all his free time on the Quidditch tar and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so difficult for him to preserve what Malfoy said away from matt. He wanted nothing more than to warn his friend about it, even though he knew that would attain nada. All it would do was piss Matt worry even more and then act even more queasy during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's mind off of what would happen after Malfoy 's distrust were confirmed. It would n't be anything like when Albus found out or even when Kaden found out. No, Malfoy was going to use this to his advantage. Albus was nearly one hundred percent sure Malfoy would announce it to all of Slytherin. Then, Logos would spread and the entire school day would bump out. pigeon hawk only knew what would befall when educatee'parents found out.

Albus knew that werewolf rights had come a retentive way since shift 's dad was in schoolhouse, but he also knew that nigh people would not be happy if their tike were going to school with a werewolf, especially one that did not withdraw wolf's bane. Not to mention the subject field day the press would have with it. Matt 's dad had just become heading of the section for the regulating and Control of Magical Creatures for Merlin 's rice beer. It would be a repeat of what had happened when mat and his family had lived in Australia.

Not to mention what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a flimsy chance that Malfoy found out about the passage under the Whomping Willow. He had nearly had a scare attack. What would take place if Malfoy found out he was a werewolf ?

It did not help that the wide moon was that Friday. Matt barely spoke during the brief times that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch. He sat in the predator 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, Wood 's long Quidditch pattern took Albus 's brain off of all of that, but they did not kibosh Th from arriving and preferably than Albus would sustain liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and privy exchanged unquiet glances as Malfoy walked in with a very smug look on his face. Albus was so center on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's luggage compartment was back in front of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked john in the side.

"What ?"John seethed. Albus gestured to the body."merlin 's beard,"St. John the Apostle exclaimed,"I do n't even need to know what he 's going to do with that."

"Quiet down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll extend our loup-garou discussion today by talking about what happens to a loup-garou when the moon waxes.

"Werewolves, in a alike way to vampire, are somewhat allergic to the moonlight when the moon waxes. For the few Nox before the genuine full moon, when exposed to moonlight loup-garou will feel ill. The Moon gives them headaches and when exposed long enough, causes them to lose consciousness."

Albus did n't get to writing any of this downhearted, as he knew maiden hand what happened when a werewolf was exposed to too much moonshine shortly before the to the full lunar month. Instead he stole quick glances at Malfoy and lusterlessness. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing quick glances at lustrelessness himself. Matt was staring down at his parchment and Albus was for sure he was trying to ignore everything Balladanis said. He was blanch and ill, but Albus was n't sure if that was because of the moral or because the full moon was the next day.

"Lycanthropes are often too ill to go about their daily activities the day of the full moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the actual transformation, I wish to bear witness you what a soul with lycanthropy looks like the day of the fully moon."

For a brief endorsement, Albus thought Balladanis was going to call Matt to the forepart of the room, but then realized that as a professor, Balladanis must take promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the luggage compartment and a small man stepped out of it. His pallor looked exactly like flatness 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces caliber scar and had a sickly aspect to them.

Balladanis began to speak about what the anamatek looked like, but Albus paid no care. Instead he looked to Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the anamatek for a minute or so with blow and then he glanced at Matt. Finally, he met Albus 's gaze and Albus saw the fully grown smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's face. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The balance of the lesson passed by in a form of fog for Albus. He and John had exchanged glimpse and the look on John 's expression told him he had noticed Malfoy 's actualisation as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's speech, but he did n't work it.

The moral seemed to cart on and speed by at the same fourth dimension. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the same time he did not want to have it off what was going to happen after.

"Next lesson will concentre on Wolfsbane Potion and the effects it has had on lycanthrope rights,"Balladanis announced at the end of the deterrent example,"course of study dismissed."

Albus and John the Evangelist looked at each other. Albus did n't jazz what to do. Should he face up Malfoy ? Or should he tell Matt what happened ? Matt seemed oblivious to the whole thing.

They silently decided just to provide the classroom and decide what to do after. Rose and Amanda had left with Linda with absolutely no idea what had happened.

Malfoy was waiting for them outside the room and Albus was not for certain if this was a good or a bad thing. He had the sudden itch just to hex Malfoy proper then and there.

"Another enlightening object lesson,"Malfoy smirked,"Oh, Eckerton, feeling a bit ill ?"

"None of your job,"Matt muttered. Albus and can both stepped a bit closer to him and Albus clenched his script around his wand.

"Bet you 'll be feeling even high-risk tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that sentence of the month, is n't it ? Tomorrow Night ?"

That got Matt 's attention. His principal snapped up and he glared at Malfoy. Then he turned around and looked from Albus to John with the most panicked looking at on his look Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun broad moonlight, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just flash enough for Matt, Albus and John to hear.

matte did n't say anything. He shook his mind and then ran. He pushed through the crowd, much to the disfavor of the students who were trying to get to class, and disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Albus suddenly felt more hatred for Malfoy than ever. Not only had he worked out matte 's secret, but he had used it to scare him. In meat, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the worst things he could experience done.

Ignoring all the other student who were going to class, Albus pulled out his wand and had it against Malfoy 's pectus in two seconds.

"If you tell anyone,"Albus growled,"I will personally make certain you 're so indistinguishable that even your own parents wo n't recognize you."

"Is that a menace, Potter ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to write it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to recover out just how much better I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the like time.

"Expelliarmus !"can shouted.

The crowd moved away so that there was a round of looker-on surrounding the duel. Albus ignored them. It was just him, John, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected John 's disarming patch and shot another magic spell at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's carapace and hit a nearby portrait. The portrayal 's occupant shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbour 's frame.

Albus concentrated on his shield appeal and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling example, Albus watched as his buckler held up while the hex shot at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a tickling jinx at John.

This one hit trick and he collapsed onto the flooring in a fit of giggles. Albus scene another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his face. Malfoy 's nozzle started bleeding and he rounded on Albus.

"What is going on out here ?"Balladanis shouted.

Albus did n't take down his wand and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't raise off anymore hexes either. Albus let his cuticle down and noticed that the crowd had dispersed. whoremonger was still rolling around on the ground.

Balladanis pointed his wand at John and John immediately stopped giggling and stood up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three boys followed Balladanis into his bailiwick. Albus looked nervously at toilet. Of all the professors to catch them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of course, the one good thing about this was that Malfoy could n't herald matte 's lycanthropy to the total schooling while Balladanis was lecturing them.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and can sat as far away as possible from Malfoy in Balladanis 's cogitation. Balladanis just stared at them before speaking.

"I can not begin to tell you how disappoint I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. ceramist and Mr. Malfoy. I am trusted I taught you substantially than this. The two of you especially should love how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling accomplishment and what sort of responsibility lies with them. I have half a idea to lay off our preparation sessions. However, I am willing to hear all sides of this chronicle before laying out any sorting of punishment. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to class and Potter pulled out his wand and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to defend myself,"Malfoy said.

Albus had to try hard not to snort. He and John looked at each former and bathroom rolled his eyes.

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, if you please."

Albus took a oceanic abyss breath. He was going to tell the story. The totally fib."Malfoy was threatening Matt, sir,"Albus began.

"Mr. Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked,"I did not see him anywhere."

"He left after Malfoy threatened him,"Albus continued,"You see, Malfoy has figured something out about Matt, after listening to your talking to on werewolves."

Balladanis 's eyes widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that dependable, Mr. Malfoy ?"

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the right wing to get laid if I 'm in school with a werewolf."

Malfoy said 'werewolf'with disgust and it made Albus want to hex him once more.

"Mr. Eckerton has the right field to keep his checkup issues to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His health is none of your job whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After flatness left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go separate the unharmed school about lusterlessness 's lycanthropy,"Albus explained,"And I guess we just wound up dueling."

"Just wound up dueling ?"Malfoy scoffed,"You had your wand on me."

"You sent the first hex,"Albus muttered.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Brickston ?"Balladanis asked.

"No,"John the Divine replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

"Very well,"Balladanis replied,"I see this matter goes much boost than a duel. All three of you will welcome four nights'detention starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten degree from your several houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the master. There are things more important to discuss than detentions,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew full well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and lav said aught as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's subject area. Malfoy walked a few base behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's survey since his first class, when he went to talk to Dumbledore 's portrayal. The place had n't changed in the tenuous. Everything seemed to be in the exact same place. Both Dumbledore and Snape were awake and in their portraits.

Kendrick was behind his desk writing something when they entered. He looked up curiously at them. Albus, Gospel According to John, and Malfoy stood near the door while Balladanis strode forward.

"We have a problem,"Balladanis said,"These three have been dueling."

"I trust you to manus out hold, Tethys,"Kendrick replied,"I am interfering at the moment."

"It 's not the dueling,"Balladanis said,"It 's what they were dueling about."

"And what would that be ?"Kendrick asked.

"Mr. Malfoy has discovered that mat Eckerton is a werewolf,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. Potter and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his quill and looked up."I 'll take this from here. I believe you have a moral to teach."

"I believe I do,"Balladanis replied and left the room.

Kendrick conjured a few chairs and gestured for the three boys to join him at his desk. Albus sat down in the eye chair and waited for Kendrick to begin. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying rapturous attention.

"Well, well,"Snape said,"Deja vu."

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. Potter, perhaps you can secernate me if anyone else knows about lusterlessness 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"Rose Weasley, Amanda tagging program, and Kaden Dursley."

"I knew that Dursley kid knew something,"Malfoy muttered.

"Not now, Mr. Malfoy,"Kendrick said,"I 'll demand to verbalize with them, as well as lusterlessness. I imagine they 're all in class."

"Sir,"Albus interrupted,"I do n't reckon matte 's in class."

"You may be right,"Kendrick sighed,"Do you have any idea where he might be ?"

"Yes,"Albus answered.

"Very well. Please go find him,"Kendrick said,"And Mr. Brickston, please go find the others."

Albus nodded and he and John left the study. Albus went straight to the Marauder 's Den while St. John the Apostle went to the keep as Rose and Amanda would be in potions.

matt was sitting on his bed in the piranha 's Den, staring at the wall and not moving a muscle.

"I suppose Malfoy 's told everyone,"lustrelessness said without turning to count at Albus. His vox was hollow.

"No,"Albus replied,"He has n't had the chance. John and I dueled him after you left. Balladanis gave us all four nights of custody and took distributor point away."

"He 'll tell everyone soon,"Matt replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to finish schoolhouse. That 's not even the worst function. It 's going to be all over the Prophet. My dad 's going to mislay his job again. We 'll probably deliver to move to New York."

He finally turned around and looked at Albus. He no longer looked anxious. He looked absolutely terrified, yet sad at the same time.

"Why did Balladanis consume to be such a near instructor ?"Matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sort of awful teacher then maybe Malfoy would n't possess found out. He 's just so thorough ! He left nothing out ! Even the way he described the transformation. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that dullard anamatek !"flatness sat up and looked at Albus,"That thing looked just like me, only older. No wonder Malfoy found out."

"You 're not going to get kicked out,"Albus assured him.

"How do you live ?"lusterlessness shouted,"How do you really know ? I know Teddy 's dad got to stay after Snape found out, but this is different. That was when Dumbledore was here ! Everyone says Dumbledore was barking mad. Kendrick is n't. Kendrick 's perfectly sane and he 's not going to want to lot with this."

Albus did n't really get laid what to say to that. Everything lusterlessness said was straight. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. nobody could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his study. He wants to talk to all of us. Me, John, pink wine, Amanda, and Kaden."

"I do n't want to go up there,"matt said,"I never want to see Malfoy again. I just want to last out here. merlin, my chief is killing me."

"I think you have to go,"Albus said quietly.

"I know,"Matt groaned and got up off the bed,"This just is n't fair. I hate it. I hate this whole thing. I do n't need to be a bloody werewolf anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how miserable mat was at that moment. Albus had never once heard him complain about being a loup-garou. Not when he was too tired to do anything because of the full phase of the moon Sun Myung Moon or when he was laid up in the hospital annexe for twenty-four hours afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's study. Albus muttered the word, that he had overheard Balladanis say, to the gargoyle and they ascended into the study.

Everyone else was already there and they all turned to Albus and Matt when they walked in. Matt froze in place and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"ingest a seat,"Kendrick gestured to the two empty electric chair, one of which was next to Malfoy's.

Albus took the seat following to Malfoy 's, but did n't wait at him. Matt took the early one.

"First, I want to assure you that you do not ingest to pull up stakes Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to Matt,"nobody else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

mat did n't look reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My father wo n't agree with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your founder has no say whatsoever in which students I admit to this schooling,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I target out that his position is not very high."

"Matt,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"Does anyone else know ?"Matt shook his headway."And did you secern the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. mat nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

lusterlessness seemed unable to verbalise. After a few moments of silence, Kendrick turned to Albus."How long have you known, Mr. Potter ?"

"Two years,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this interrogation with Rose, John, and Amanda, who all gave the Sami solution as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus charm. He shared one horrified glance with rosiness and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His mouthpiece was agape and he looked a picayune panic-stricken.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"mulct,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"prof, Sir,"rose wine began,"We sort of put this appealingness on Kaden, so he would n't differentiate anyone. He can only utter about it with us. He wo n't be able-bodied to say a thing about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's answer, but before the headmaster could say a give-and-take, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus appealingness,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"pink wine answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an incredible witch, young woman Weasley."

"Too smart for her own good, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the amazing exploit, missy Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you tell me how long Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a yr,"Rose said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some affair to discuss with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Eckerton in private. The rest of you may go to the Great Hall. I believe there is still a half hour or so left of lunch."

Albus did n't really require to leave without finding out what was going to befall to Malfoy, but he knew Matt would tell him.

lustrelessness never showed up in the Great Hall for lunch, nor did he go to ancient Runes or Charms. Albus could not concentrate on either of those classes and was very felicitous when spell was over and he was able to leave.

Wood was not very happy that Albus had acquired four detentions. In fact, he was livid. He spent twenty minutes telling Albus how he should n't be picking fights with other students so close to the future Quidditch match, especially in front of teachers'classrooms. The talk had only ended when Albus told him he was late for Charms. Albus had run into Wood in in between ancient runic letter and Charms.

"What do you suppose Balladanis is going to make us do ?"toilet asked as they walked towards the Marauder 's Den.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus replied,"But whatever it is, it 's going to be bad since we have to do it with Malfoy."

"True,"St. John the Apostle agreed.

Rose, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go rule mat before they went to dinner. They had to expect a while for the corridor to clear out before they were actually able to get into the room, though.

flatness was fast numb on the couch when they entered."right thing he does n't have detention tonight,"bathroom pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

King John gently shook lusterlessness 's shoulder joint until he cracked his eyes open."Wake up,"John said,"Or you 'll leave out dinner."

"I 'm not hungry,"lusterlessness muttered.

"What 's Kendrick doing about Malfoy ?"Albus asked as he sat down on the other end of the couch.

"He should put that charm on him,"Kaden announced,"The one you lot put on me."

"I wish he would,"Matt sighed,"All he did was tell Malfoy how important it was not to advert anything. He said telling his founder would do nothing. Then he told him that if he ever did tell anyone, he would look expulsion for revealing another student 's aesculapian info. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did promise he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? sure enough, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't take it back. I 'd still have to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't opine he 's going to severalize anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy household, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified wizard. Malfoy wo n't want that."

"I guess you 're right hand,"Matt sighed,"It 's just so strange, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you need to go eat dinner ?"

"No,"Matt shook his head,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to send off an owl to my parents, let them hump about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. John and I have got detention tonight."

"Oh, right. Good luck with that,"Matt replied.

******

Balladanis 's custody was a bit anticlimactic. Albus had been expecting him to conceive up some really originative and taxing detainment, but instead he assigned them melody. Lines were possibly the most boring detention ever thought up, but they were preferable to cleaning the lav or something.

"ceramist, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten minutes,"Your dueling object lesson is canceled for tomorrow night due to your detention. Detention will be at nine, after my excess help session, something I 'll ask you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said cypher more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three male child, which Albus did n't really heed. He just wanted to get his lines done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on replete moonshine, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a lycanthrope used to learn here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the expert Defense instructor any of our parents ever had."

"Quiet !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was grateful for Balladanis 's scolding. Malfoy stopped asking questions and went back to his communication channel. Albus sighed and went back to his own. How far was Malfoy going to go ? Why could n't he just be satisfied with having worked out Matt 's arcanum ?

A half hour into their job writing, when Albus was contemplating switching hands despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his right hand, there was a smash on the door. Albus looked up and saw prof Kendrick standing in the doorway, along with none former than matte 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to John. John had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last thing they needed was for Balladanis to think of they were there and tell them to get out so he could take in whatever conversation he was about to have in private.

"Tethys,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Bruno Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John. flatness 's dad knew Balladanis ? How ? Matt had never mentioned that before.

"That 's his dad ?"Malfoy whispered.

"Shush !"Albus said again.

"I wish to talk to you about what happened earlier today,"Matt 's dad said quietly.

"What about it, Eckerton ?"Balladanis asked.

"My son told me about your lessons,"Mr. Eckerton said,"How, informative they are."

"I teach my students what they 'll need to do it in gild to defend themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"Merlin, showing them exactly what a werewolf looks like before a transformation with an anamatek ? Do you realize how dangerous those are ?"

"Of track,"Balladanis said, raising his representative a bit,"You 're not the alone expert on magical wight. I have perfect control over my anamatek."

"Nobody has perfect control condition over an anamatek !"Mr. Eckerton said.

"The master has already told me I 'm not allowed to use it anymore, so you really do n't demand to be lecturing me about this,"Balladanis seethed.

"Oh, it 's not only that,"Mr. Eckerton stepped a bit closer to Balladanis,"It 's how much you taught the third gear years about loup-garou. The details about their transformations, how to clean one out of the cosmopolitan universe, what happens before, during, and after translation. Your lesson was far to a greater extent detail than a 3rd year text book."

"You 'd chance that all my object lesson are like that,"Balladanis replied,"Text books do not give enough details."

"I think giving enough item about identifying a werewolf so that a third year would be able to sour out that someone not even in their Same sign is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should receive been a bit more cautious with your lesson."

"withholding information from an integral class because of one student is not a safe method of teaching,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be dangerous for that one scholar,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the groovy good for the keen figure, are we ?"

"There are times when that is a skilful philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll agree to dissent, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your example are putting my son in danger anymore, you may detect that the Ministry is inquiring into your teaching practices."

"I 'll teach however I like,"Balladanis muttered.

Mr. Eckerton ignored this and turned to the three boys, none of whom were writing lines any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the table Albus, Gospel According to John, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded hello to Albus and John before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the schoolmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the need to reiterate that there will be consequences if you make public my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"good,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the palace tomorrow to search your subject area and classroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his breath as Matt 's dad left the room with Professor Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with John. He wanted nothing more than to pull up stakes, so he could spill the beans about what had just happened.

"That 's sufficiency for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow dark at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his rush to get up. He ran out of the room as fast as he could with John following. Malfoy made no move to try and talk to them again, so they headed straight to the predator 's Den.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and whoremaster burst into the Marauder 's Den a little while later to happen that lustrelessness and Kaden were the only ones there. matt 's boldness was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the eye of a game of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four wins for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the cards,"Oh, Albus, John ! How was your hold ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down side by side to Matt,"Matt, did you know your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talk to Kendrick. I went with him."

"Well, do you know where he went after ?"John the Divine asked.

"household, I guess,"Matt shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our detention,"John said.

"He what ?"Matt replied.

"Yeah, it was really odd,"Albus said,"He came in with Kendrick and Kendrick introduced him to Balladanis. Only Balladanis said 'we 've met'. You never told us your dad knew Balladanis."

"I never knew,"matte shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really angry,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too a great deal about how to fancy out if soul 's a werewolf and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how dangerous it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"lustrelessness said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the reasons he came here, to tell Kendrick about it. Kendrick 's making him get rid of it."

"Yeah, that 's what your dad said,"Albus replied,"He 's coming back to inspect Balladanis 's elbow room tomorrow to build sure enough he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's teaching puts you in danger again, the Ministry 's going to investigate him."

"It 's really not a honorable idea to get on my dad 's bad side,"Matt said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to teach however he wanted,"Albus explained,"Honestly, he did not look happy that your dad was there. I think something happened between the two of them."

"But what ?"Matt asked,"Dad 's never mentioned him before."

"Think he 'd recite you if you asked ?"John wondered.

"Probably,"Matt said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd better not separate anyone you 're a loup-garou,"John said,"He looked pretty chilling, too. I do n't think Malfoy 's going to tell apart anyone."

******

It did not drive very long for word to spread that Balladanis had gotten in trouble for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the following cockcrow at breakfast, as a few honest-to-goodness students had bet on how long he would have it. Somehow everyone knew that flatness 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the old night and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had defense that good morning and reported to Albus at lunch that Balladanis was even stern than usual and seemed incredibly angry. That did not bode well for Albus 's detention that evening.

"He 's sheer scary,"Kaden said as he piled steak and kidney pie onto his plate,"Yelled at one of the Ravenclaws in my class for spilling her ink. She was nearly in bust. But I 'd hate to be in your family, Albus, he 's going to be barbarous. I mean, it 's pretty a great deal because of lustrelessness that he got in trouble."

Matt had gone up to the Marauder 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in luncheon. Albus knew that Kaden was veracious. Balladanis was going to take this out on lustrelessness, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't know why he cares so a good deal,"John Lackland shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could have just taken that thing away. He 's lucky he just had to take it back to his house or whatever."

"I do n't mean he likes the administration,"Albus said,"That 's the feeling I got after listening to him peach about what he did before teaching here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"Well, I think it 's a good mind for the Ministry to make up him take that thing household,"trick said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a mantiger next."

Kaden went to class after lunch while Albus and John went up to the predator 's Den with rosiness and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"John asked as he gestured to matte, who was asleep in his bed.

"question it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"merlin, I just want to cognise what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"John groaned.

"You 're so impatient,"rose wine commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to wake him up,"toilet muttered.

The remainder of the good afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his detention later and john complained loudly about how he had to go to the extra help session about werewolves when he already knew so much about them.

Albus woke flatness up shortly before dinner party and he looked much worse than he usually did the day of replete Moon. They all escorted him to the hospital annexe, where Madam Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to leave the hospital wing, the threshold opened and in walked Matt 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to crack if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

John nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"John whispered.

"He 's not going to assure us now,"Albus muttered back,"feel at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to Matt 's bed and talking to dame Pomfrey in quieten whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detainment for zippo. He entered the room before Malfoy and privy was already doing his lines. Balladanis said absolutely null to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a little while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not blab out either. He did not ask anything about Matt and did n't even annotate that the full moon was that night.

Balladanis let them leave at half past times ten. Albus and John the Evangelist found Kaden in the vulture 's Den and spent the remaining time left until Astronomy playing Exploding Snap and Wizard 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to have this course with the Slytherins ?"Gospel According to John groaned as they made their way to the astronomy column,"If Malfoy does n't relieve oneself a single comment about the good moon, I 'll eat an entire cauldron."

"I 'm going to hold you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't recall you 'll have to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his telescope up next to Albus 's. Professor polo spent ten second telling them that they were to plot the position of March, genus Venus, the moon, and a handful of whizz before turning them misplace to actually do so.

"The synodic month is so bright,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... full ...."

Albus looked at John the Divine."Looks like I wo n't be eating my cauldron tonight,"John muttered.

"Just shut it, Malfoy,"Albus said.

"Is n't his dad the Head of the Department for the Regulation and ascendancy of Magical beast ? Yeah, he must be, because he 's the one who made Balladanis get rid of the anamatek. Ca n't say I 'm really upset about that,"Malfoy said quietly,"But how ironic."

"Just terminate talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, make out on, Potter. Even you have to appreciate the irony,"Malfoy said.

"will you just shut up,"Albus seethed.

"placidity over there,"Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one more time before going back to his telescope. The relaxation of the moral passed without anymore comment from Malfoy and Albus was quite happy when he was able to return to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in starting time yr,"Albus sighed,"Remember when Madam Pomfrey locked the hospital wing ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"rose wine said.

"Well, she did n't lock us out this meter,"lavatory pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his Friend had slept late on Sabbatum morning and after grabbing a quickly bite to eat, had gone to inflict Matt in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had n't let them in. They were currently in the Marauder 's Den, trying to figure out why.

"She always lets us in,"toilet groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad nighttime,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"rose wine wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the broad moons have been worse the past few calendar month ?"Albus asked,"He 's been taking longer to recover."

"I wish he 'd just let us turn Animagi,"St. John muttered.

"John, I honestly do n't think you could become an Animagus,"Rose replied,"You 'd wreathe up with a permanent tail affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"John grinned,"Always thought it would be cool to have a tail."

"You 're not helping,"Albus sighed,"What are we going to do ?"

"I think all we can do is just keep going back to the hospital wing,"John shrugged,"Until Madam Pomfrey lets us in."

Their crusade proved futile, though. They went to the hospital annex twice that afternoon and then flop before Albus and John had to go to hold. Madam Pomfrey told them 'no'each sentence.

Billy Sunday, the last day of Albus and whoremaster 's hold, was the same. Madam Pomfrey was quite bloodless when they showed up for the third time that day.

"nix 's changed !"she shouted,"Come back tomorrow evening ! I 'll leave the lot of you detention if you come back any earliest than that !"

With that, she strode back into the Barbara Ward and slammed the door."Can she even give detainment ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and Saint John broke away from the group to make out their utmost detention. Balladanis gave them personal line of credit, just like he had the past three Night. Albus sat quietly completing them, very thankful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two password to him since Astronomy.

"You may end,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an minute and a half.

Albus threw his pinion down and leaned back in his chair. Finally, it was over.

"I hope you learned something,"Balladanis said, which shocked Albus. He had been expecting Balladanis to remain his silence."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the upshot will be much more spartan than detention and lost points.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should go forward giving you superfluous lessons. I have decided to hold you one more prospect. Lessons will continue this Fri at their pattern time. However, if either of you disregard my rules again, I will no longer hold them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in class on Tuesday."

"Falco columbarius, I 'm sword lily that 's over,"Saint John the Apostle muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be awful in division, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't concentrate at all in his form the next day. All he wanted to do was go to the hospital wing and incur out how lustrelessness was, but Madam Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

rosiness and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, John, and Kaden near the infirmary wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very induce dinner due to Albus 's Quidditch practice at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the door to the infirmary backstage, half expecting gentlewoman Pomfrey to squall at them again. He walked quietly inside, followed the the others. ma'am Pomfrey was sitting at her desk and she visibly sighed when she noticed them.

"Go ahead,"she gestured to the only occupied bed, which had the curtains pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the curtains back. flatness looked exhausted and there was a rather large bandage wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd fare visit me,"Matt gave them a half smile.

"We 've been trying !"St. John said,"lady Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"lustrelessness smirked,"I 've heard her cry at you. It 's kind of amusing."

"Well, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't ma'am Pomfrey let us get visit ?"

"Because I did n't wake up until yesterday afternoon,"mat answered.

"But that was-"lavatory began.

"Nearly two solar day later ?"Matt cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"Rose asked.

"A caboodle of things, really,"flatness sighed,"First, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always tough when I 'm worried about something. Second, I hit my head really concentrated at some point that Nox. It still hurts. one-third, the transformations in general are getting tough, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's mind. Albus and all his friends were obviously getting senior and that brought plenty of changes, but he had n't even thought about how the Wolf would change when matt got older.

"So, are all of the entire moons going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"lustrelessness shook his head and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really cognise what 'll materialise in the future, but this one was just a combination of bad things."

"That 's dependable, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to forget ?"

"Tomorrow night at the former,"flatness sighed,"Although that means I 'll escape Defense."

"Wish I could miss Defense,"John muttered,"speech production of Defense, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"lav, he just woke up yesterday,"Rose pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"mat said,"But he came to see me earlier and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"John grinned,"And ?"

"And,"lustrelessness said,"He told me all about it. He told me Balladanis was a Presuler and was really surprised that I already knew.

"Apparently, back when my dad had just been appointed Head of the Department for the Regulation and controller of Magical Creatures in Australia, he hired Balladanis to capture a band of lamia who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too well-situated on them."

"What did he do to them ?"John asked.

"Sent them to prison house. I think they got 20 twelvemonth. Balladanis thought they should have gotten life sentences. Dad and Balladanis got into this huge argument at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Australian Ministry did n't hire him after that,"Matt explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would agree on punishment. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"Matt replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issues. Oh, and he wanted me to warn you not to heed to everything Balladanis says during those dueling lesson you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a different side of Balladanis during the past week."

******

Tuesday dawning dawned quickly and Albus trudged to defensive measure with John. Neither of them really knew what class would be like, but judging from what he heard about recent defense force family in the common room, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug self now that detention was over. He sat side by side to Goyle wearing a smirk on his face. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the way a few minute later. He waved his verge at the door and it slammed shut with a bang garish enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell twins, who had been sitting stuffy to it, to jump.

"laissez passer your homework questions forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the table in battlefront of him and waited for Balladanis to roll up it. He paused in social movement of the table in front of Albus's.

"potter,"he began,"You can tell Eckerton that his prep is later and therefore I will not accept it. If he wished to get credit for it, he could take graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him spotlight from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the preparation unceremoniously onto his desk and then turned back to his students.

"Wolfsbane potion,"he barked,"Was created by a man by the name of King Oliver Belby. He finished the world in 1991. For most werewolves, the potion was a lifeguard. Who can explain what it does ?"

Nobody, not even Rose and Linda, raised their hired hand. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't name on him.

"cypher ?"he said,"Pity. wolfbane potion renders a loup-garou harmless during replete moonshine. The wolfman turns into a Wolf, but a harmless one. One that will just catch some Z's until the moon sets and will not have the itch to burn and kill.

"The potion is a lifesaver to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to show you what a lycanthrope would face like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the castle,"Balladanis said with venom,"Therefore you will have to go without the visual. It seems that certain parents, Ministry officials, and the headmaster do not approve of my methods of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't call it suffering,"John Lackland muttered.

"quiet, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to contribute to the class."

"No, sir,"John replied.

"Good,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore appearances in this schoolroom and your educational activity is going to suffer for it. Nothing, and I repeat nothing can replace hands on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the telephone line at having what was in heart a live manticore in battlefront of him. There were some times when reading sufficed.

The deterrent example continued with Balladanis talking about Wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't exercise for all werewolves and Albus found his mind drifting. All in all, the lesson had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his brief rant about his anamatek being banned from the palace, he had been pretty normal. Normal for Balladanis, that is.

"Next lesson will be the finale on lycanthrope,"Balladanis announced at the end of course of instruction,"We will discover about lycanthropy 's event on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. mat would be out of the hospital wing by then. Why could n't Balladanis just finish the werewolf unit already ?

"He wo n't be back next yr,"John muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just wonder who we 're going to get instead."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"spot your wager here !"Fred shouted the next day as he walked around the common room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrait hole with Sakartvelo and James River after a particularly difficult Quidditch practice session. Sir Henry Joseph Wood was getting them prepared for the match against New York, which was to take office in a footling over a week.

"Sakartvelo, Epistle of James, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"precaution to place a bet ?"

"What are you taking stakes about ?"Georgia asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on stuff, your mum is bound to find out."

"She wo n't care,"Fred shrugged. He was probably right. Albus 's Aunt Alicia was the least nonindulgent out of all of his aunt. She 'd probably identify a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just better hope grandma does n't happen out,"Georgia smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't blame him. molly Weasley would probably send him a howler if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And Heather and I are taking bets on how much yearner Balladanis is going to last. tutelage to take up a conjecture ?"

"I suppose,"Sakartvelo said as she pulled out some gold,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a week. I heard he had three first years in tears today."

"He nearly had half of my class in binge,"Fred said as he took Georgia 's gold,"Jesse James, Al ?"

"tercet Galleons says he 's gone in two weeks,"James said as he tossed Fred some gold and then left to go get hold his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his oral sex.

"lawsuit yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his walk around the uncouth room,"wager here, place your bets !"

Albus found his ally crowded around their usual board in the common elbow room. Linda was with them. All three girls were working on prep. John and Kaden were trading coffee Frog cards.

"Fred 's going to get himself in trouble,"Rose muttered as Albus sat down,"You did n't bet anything, did you ?"

"No,"Albus shook his forefront,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten Sickles he wo n't last the year,"John said.

"You should know exactly when he 'll leave, what with your taking foretelling,"rose wine smirked.

"divination 's a caper,"John muttered,"I ca n't wait to discharge it after fifth year."

"Told you so,"Rose grinned,"Sick of making up stuff ?"

"It 's just so pointless,"John groaned,"We 're still doing lechatelierite balls. I just tell her that I see myself dying anytime she asks and it keeps her happy."

"That 's why I 'm not taking Divination,"Kaden announced,"Bloody waste of a class."

Kaden had chosen his category for next year a few twenty-four hour period prior. He decided on Care of Magical Creatures, ancient rune, and Arithmancy.

"Easy homework, though,"John sighed,"I just keep reminding myself about that."

"What 's got well-situated prep ?"matt asked as he sat down in the chair future to John the Divine 's. He looked a bit better than he had the old day, but still worn out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"trick asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in time for defensive structure tomorrow,"matte groaned,"I 'm tempted to use a Fainting Fancy to get out of it."

"I think half the starting time years are going to do that on Friday,"Kaden said,"I overheard them talking. Apparently Balladanis completely flipped out on one of them today, all over one incomplete homework inquiry. Made her cry."

"That 's what Sakartvelo was saying,"Albus replied,"shuffle me want to use a Fainting Fancy. Two workweek. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd hand him."

******

John filled his sac with puking Pastilles before he set off to Defense the next morning. Albus did n't disoblige. His curiosity always trumped his dislike for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and have it off exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"Werewolves,"Balladanis said as soon as the bell rang,"When the term is used, most hoi polloi conjure up images of lonely adults, condemned to a measly sprightliness that revolves around the moon.

"However, there is a unhurt radical of wolfman that are mostly overlooked. Children. Ah, yes, children do get attacked by werewolves. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too belatedly. Even few survive the initial transformation. lycanthrope transformation, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few tiddler are firm enough to hold it through."

Balladanis paused and began to footstep the room."Parents are faced with a decision after their minor is bitten. They have three selection. phone number one, they can deal with it. Deal with the monthly transformations and try and make up life as formula as possible for the child. Number two, they can vacate their child. Force them to live with a baseless pack of loup-garou, to uprise up to kill. However, there is a third option. Does anyone concern to guess as to what it is ?"

Nobody raised their script. Balladanis looked at his class until his centre rested on Matt. A very creepy smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, care to tell apart us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to bet at Matt throughout the deterrent example, stole a promptly glance at him. He was staring at the desk, quill feather in hired man, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"Matt stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The third option is to put the child down. Not a pleasant selection, but one that a few parents select anyway. This option used to be readily suggested by therapist, but has now become quite controversial. It is not suggested very often anymore.

"Parents who choose the first option, to go along to kick upstairs their child, are in for a very knotty life. Werewolf youngster are difficult to stir. It is a huge alteration for parents and sibling if there are any. The bite affects the totally family. It changes lives, it can rip families apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects tike and Albus looked again at matt. His script was shaking even harder and his case was as Caucasian as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a look with john and John reached into his pocket. He slid a vomit Pastille across the board towards Albus and then slid one to Matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to shove it into his mouth. lav and Matt did the same. Albus clutched his stomach as the sweet began to subscribe affect.

"Lycanthropic children rarely, if ever, get to attend school,"Balladanis droned.

"Sir !"John shouted,"I do n't feel so well. May I go to the Hospital Wing ?"

"I do n't find too well either,"Albus added.

"Shut it, you two,"Balladanis shouted,"And no you may not go to the-"

Balladanis was cut off by the sound of all three boys vomiting at the Saame fourth dimension. Albus leaned over his table and vomited right onto the trading floor. The family erupted into shouts and Balladanis tried to celebrate order.

"Fine !"he seethed,"Get to the Hospital offstage, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the urge to vomit again as he ran for the room access. Matt and St. John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the Sweet into their oral cavity as soon as they shut the door behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's immorality !"John shouted,"How could he teach that ?"

"Not here,"Matt muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the marauder 's Den."As I was saying,"lav began,"What is wrong with that feller ?"

"I think a lot of thing,"Albus muttered,"He 's a raving lunatic."

"He 's only doing it because you 're in the socio-economic class,"John said to Matt as he paced around the elbow room,"None of what he said today is actually in the Word. I mean, did you learn the playscript ? There 's not much in there that Balladanis has actually taught !"

"He hates me because my dad made him get rid of his stupid anamatek,"Matt muttered.

"But it started before that,"Albus pointed out,"He wants to pee you miserable because of what your dad did with those vampire years ago."

"It 's just not fair,"lusterlessness groaned,"I mean, did you listen to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it true ?"

"Yes,"Matt said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the therapist did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more demented than he had when he ate the Puking Pastille. How could a Healer, someone whose job it was to make people sound, actually suggest that to a small fry 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"John asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle mariner hexed him at the Lapp clock time,"Matt gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own infirmary bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really wish to fulfill your Uncle Jack,"John grinned,"He sounds like a great bloke."

"He is,"mat smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a while ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"lavatory sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"matt said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to stimulate to do anything."

"triplet Clarence Shepard Day Jr.,"John said after lustrelessness left,"I give Balladanis three more days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't waste any clip,"Rose said to Matt as she unfolded her copy of the Prophet the next first light at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and read the paper over rose 's shoulder.

HOGWARTS PROFESSOR TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The section of Magical Education received an inquiry
late yesterday afternoon, requesting an investigation
of Hogwarts Defense Against the iniquity artistry prof,
Tethys Balladanis. The inquiry was submitted by none
other than the newly appointed Head of the Department
for the rule and command of Magical Creatures,
Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

Professor Aplysia Balladanis has been teaching Defense at
the school since September, when he replaced fountainhead Auror
Harry Potter. Potter had taught the bailiwick for two
years and wished to focalize solely on his Auror career,
resulting in his resignation at the end of final school
year.

The at hand investigation comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this calendar week Walter Eckerton visited Hogwarts
after receiving a tip that Balladanis was holding an
anamatek in his classroom. This proved to be true and
Eckerton ordered him to take out it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's will power, so all he had to
do was hit it from school premises. Eckerton told
reporters that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the professor
repeatedly put students in peril and humiliated them
in front of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told newsperson,
'I 'm filing this inquiry as a parent, not as a Ministry
functionary. first base and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigation will start today and be carried out
by functionary from the department of Magical pedagogy,
a department that was set up for this purpose after
the downfall of Maker Voldemort. official will shoot the breeze
the school and interview both students and faculty as
a part of their investigation.

Tethys Balladanis will cover to instruct Defense Against
the Dark Arts during this time.

"He 's still going to teach ?"John said incredulously after he finished reading the article.

"I 'm not going to vindication anymore,"matte said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't stop him from teaching until they do the investigating,"rosiness explained,"Only Kendrick can stop him from teaching at the moment."

"Then why does n't Kendrick do that ?"Albus asked as he looked up at the staff table.

Kendrick was talking with Neville and there was a copy of the prophet egg laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't make love,"Rose said quietly,"But Defense is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"mat said adamantly.

For once, pink wine did not chasten him about skipping class. Albus could n't blame him. He himself was half tempted to skip, but he knew his curiosity would get the undecomposed of him.

"Somehow, I do n't think you 'll have the chance to skip,"Rose muttered,"We do n't consume defense team until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"John grinned,"Now I wo n't have to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"blush wine replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"Look, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the staff table.

"May I have your attention !"Kendrick shouted and the chatter in the manse immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or heard about the article on the front Sir Frederick Handley Page of the Prophet.

"Ministry officials will be visiting the schooltime today and tomorrow to deal their investigation. They will be selecting student to interview. If you are selected, I advise you to serve their questions truthfully.

"As of right now, Professor Balladanis is still your instructor, therefore you need to care for him with regard and attend his classes. This is, at the moment, an investigation and nothing more. Now, you 'd best be off to class."

"Albus,"rosiness whispered as they made their way out of the Great lobby to History of magic,"You 're not going to that dueling lesson tonight, are you ?"

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged. He had n't really thought about it until then.

"I do n't think you should,"Rose told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't need to go, but he also did n't desire to find out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't show up that evening.

Nobody fell asleep during History of Magic. It must feature been a new record, one that was previously set back when Binns was still alive. However, the lack of weariness was not due to Binns 's talk. No, that was just as boring as common. The students remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The classroom was filled with the hushed susurration of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw third gear years and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six students in the castle who knew the specific reason why matt 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, rose, lavatory, Amanda, Kaden, and Matt himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not eff that it had been Balladanis 's lecture on lycanthropic children that pushed Mr. Eckerton to submit the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the schoolhouse put the incrimination on the anamatek, even though flatness 's dad had come out and said that was n't the really reason. The prophesier had only glazed over the reasons, not getting into specific. The Hogwarts students wanted particular. They wanted to know what had pushed matt 's dad to submit an inquiry when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The reasons the scholar fabricated ranged from plausible to exorbitant. A few 7th years, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his extra help academic session and perhaps utilize Matt as an example of soul who did not possess the acquirement to defeat sour wizards. conflate that with an overprotective parent ( what the seventh age claimed mat 's dad to be, which was not actually an magnification ), and the investigation was born. They believed that the investigation would burn out over and within two weeks everything would be back to normal, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited first yr were the on the opposite side of the spectrum. They believed that Balladanis had let a Chimera loose in his classroom while teaching the Gryffindor and Slytherin third years. Apparently they overlooked the fact that nobody had turned up bruise after class and the fact that Balladanis would have been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

Matt had become somewhat of a renown inside the Hogwarts walls. There was n't a single person, animation, ghost, or portrait, who did n't love it was his dad who launched the inquiry. He was stopped no less than six metre on the way from History of Magic to Herbology by people wanting to have sex the point of the question. It was something Albus could recount Matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"pigeon hawk, when will they learn that I do n't require to talk about it !"Matt groaned as they made their way back to the rook after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second years had just run up to matte, demanding to make out why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just stand up on the Gryffindor mesa and make an annunciation during dejeuner,"John suggested.

"Definitely not,"Matt said,"I 'm just glad we do n't have course of instruction this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, facial expression, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking people striding up towards the castle. There were two witch and a wizard.

"Probably,"can said,"I wonder who they 're going to interview ?"

"Ten Galleons says they consultation me,"lustrelessness replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those private lessons."

"Let 's just hope they do n't consultation those two Ravenclaws,"John said.

Albus, lusterlessness, and John continued their trek to the Great student residence, where they ate a very fast lunch. None of them wanted to stay very long since everyone was still asking flatness about the inquiry. After they finished, the boy went to Gryffindor column to deposit their bags before going to the Marauder 's Den to put off their homework.

The common room was mostly empty when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the table.

"Do n't you three have class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got vindication and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's nix you can do to make me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your year where Balladanis made soul cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't care if we get detention either. Oh, and John, you 'd better not secernate Mum."

"I wo n't,"John said,"The three of us used Puking Pastilles to get out of refutation yesterday."

"You should have just skipped from the beginning,"Ashtyn told them.

"wellspring, you three bask your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, conceive me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The son quickly stowed their purse in their dormitory and set off for the Maruader 's Den. Albus climbed out of the portrait hole and ran straight into Gabriella.

"There you are, Al !"Gabriella exclaimed,"I 've been looking for you. Kendrick wants to see you in his study. Oh, hang on."Gabriella consulted the piece of lambskin she was holding."He wants to see Matt, too."

"Looks like you two are getting interviewed,"trick said as Gabriella went into the common room.

"Guess so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving individual moral with Balladanis, he probably would have been interviewed. It was one of those things that happened when your father was the most far-famed wizard in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"can replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his oculus,"Loads."

Albus and Matt left for Kendrick 's subject while John continued towards the Marauder 's Den. Albus had no idea what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that Saint John would be bored within fifteen minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's Apr mug 's Day Prank ! The staff really outdid themselves this year. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this narrative !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing next to the gargoyle that concealed the entrance to Kendrick 's study. It was apparently his job to mumble the password to the gargoyle to allow all the student being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and matt ascended into the subject and found three other students waiting in battlefront of Kendrick 's closed threshold. A very bore looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in sixth or one-seventh twelvemonth, Scorpio Malfoy, and much to Albus 's discouragement, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the grounds earlier.

Albus was not at all surprised to see Scorpius Malfoy there. After all, he had private lessons with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to ignore Malfoy 's presence and leaned against the paries to get the long wait.

What had been the stage in sending them all to Kendrick 's subject area at the same prison term ? They were obviously only interviewing one person at a clip. Why could n't they have just summoned Albus later, when there were less people waiting ?

Kendrick 's door opened and a pale-faced Gryffindor for the first time year walked out. She hurried out of the bailiwick and one of the Ministry official motioned for the Ravenclaw to enter.

The Ravenclaw was in Kendrick 's subject field for about fifteen minutes. Then it was Malfoy 's turn. He took a bit more time, but finally came out and left without so much as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the mean clock time, two more than scholar had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the pursuer from the Slytherin Quidditch team. The former was a young Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must have been at to the lowest degree an hour, Albus was finally called into the room.

Kendrick was not in his study. Only the three investigator were. Albus was now able-bodied to see them up close. The one who had called him into the room was quite tall and wore a menacing glare. Her robe were perfectly pressed, without a unity crease, and her hair was pulled into a tight bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The other hag was the complete opponent. She was short and quite a bit overweight. Her frizzy brown hair stuck up at all sorts of odd angles and she had a diminished twain of looking glass perched on her nose.

The remaining investigator was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a flight feather in hand. He looked a bit bored by the integral thing. He was gazing about the way and had the look of someone who was n't quite paying attention.

Two citizenry who were paying rhapsodic attention, or should he say portraiture, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The tall witch gestured for Albus to claim a tail in front of the desk. Albus did so.

"My figure is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lothringen Smyth,"the improbable enchantress gestured to the unforesightful enchantress,"And that is herbaceous plant Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No wonder he was so world-weary, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please res publica your full name, age, year, and theatre for the record,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his eyebrows. Would n't they already know all of that information ?

"It 's protocol, dear,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus thrower, XIII, third year, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can tell us what goes on in an average deterrent example with prof Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"Well, he comes in and William Tell us all to halt talking. Then he 'll collect the homework. Oh, and you have to get the homework in on fourth dimension, no issue what. He does n't take later workplace, even if you 've got a serious excuse. You could be sick in the hospital fender and he would n't take late homework.

"Then he 'll teach us a new spell or about some new creature. Then we 'll have to perform the spell."

"What happens if you do n't perform it properly ?"Smyth asked.

"He makes you do it again, and again, until you get it,"Albus answered,"If you do n't get it, he makes you go to extra assist sessions."

"Has this caused distress to any of the students in your class ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my course of instruction, but I 've heard of other students crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"rich person you attended any extra assistant sessions ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"Professor Balladanis has never told me I had to."

"I understand you have been given dueling lessons by him, however,"Torenzo said,"Can you tell us a bit about them ? What do they consist of ?"

"nearly times he just teaches me new spells, spells that are harder than the ones we learn in course of instruction. Scorpius Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each other with the spells,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he take you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his chairman,"One time he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by vampire,"Albus said after a legal brief hesitation. He doubted Balladanis would be felicitous about this, but Kendrick had said to be truthful.

Both Torenzo and Smyth looked horrified. Cletus was writing away furiously on the parchment. Snape was smirking and Dumbledore 's face had seemed to harden.

"We did n't actually see it,"Albus said quickly,"We stood outside the house as it happened. Balladanis 's parents were in the theatre. Then we watched Balladanis, in the retention, run away from the menage. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't differentiate you ahead of time ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his top dog,"He just told us to go in the pensieve."

"Did he explain why he wanted you to see this ?"Torenzo asked.

"Yeah. He wanted to show us why he became a Presuler,"Albus said.

"He told you he 's a Presuler ?"Torenzo raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, he thinks me and Malfoy should turn Presulers,"Albus explained.

"Very well,"Torenzo said as she walked towards Albus,"I have one final question. Would you feel comfortable if Professor Balladanis continued to teach here ?"

Albus thought about it for a consequence. Balladanis was certainly a motivated teacher and one Albus could memorise a lot from. But on the other hand, he was n't the kind of necromancer Albus felt comfortable around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please return to your common room. You are not to speak of this audience to anyone until after the investigating is completed."

Albus got up from the electric chair and Torenzo followed him out of the room. She called Matt in as Albus left. Albus muttered a quiet 'good luck'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just assure us ?"whoremonger lamented as the boy sat around the Marauder 's Den after dinner. rosebush and Amanda were currently in the girls'dorm room with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry witches said we could n't lecture about the interview."

"But how would they know ?"John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the whole school about it."

"Neither will I,"Kaden added.

Albus snorted."I 'll tell you about it after Balladanis is sacked, or is n't sacked. I do n't remember it 's going to take recollective for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"matte said adamantly and then turned to John,"You 're not going to his extra helper session tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid twenty Galleons,"Saint John replied,"wellspring, ok, maybe if I was paid twenty Galleons, but not for less than ten. What about you, Albus ? Going to go to your dueling example ?"

Albus shrugged. He still had n't decided. What he really wanted to know was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz down to the dungeons, lighter into the Slytherin common room, and ask.

"No idea,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"flatness said,"If you go, I 'm going to start worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you want to go ?"John gave Albus a strange look.

"I might find oneself out something about how the investigation is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

John the Evangelist opened his mouth to reply, but instead turned to the door. A forte squawking noise had seemed to breathe from it.

"Did you hear that ?"John asked.

Albus nodded and got up from his seat. He walked over to the threshold and paused adjacent to it. The squawking interference was repeated.

One thing Albus loved about the piranha 's Den was that it was always very quiet. No racket could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard haphazardness from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the threshold and instead of the bizarre bird he had expected to see, rose was standing there with her wand out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never hail to the door."

"blush wine ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"Rose said hurriedly,"I had to get you to issue forth out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the common room. I told him I 'd incur you."

Albus turned around and told matte, John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the way, that he would be back soon. He had no idea what his dad wanted, but it must birth been important for him to go to the castle on a day he did n't have to police it.

Harry was sitting in one of the squashy armchairs in front of the fire when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, to the highest degree probably about Quidditch judgment by their extravagant use of paw gesture, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portrait hole.

"Let 's talk outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrait trap and down the corridor a petty ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"Nothing,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"well, I 'm no longer a teacher here, so I wo n't say a Book about you causing hassle, if that 's what you were doing,"Harry told him,"But anyway, what I wanted to ask you is whether you were planning on going to Professor Balladanis 's dueling lesson tonight ?"

That seemed to be the question of the evening, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the decisiveness is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would advise you not to go. Professor Balladanis is under a considerable amount of stress, of which you do n't know the one-half of. I 'd say the chance are gamey that he may occupy out this stress on you and Scorpius."

"Do you know if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no musical theme,"Harry answered,"But I tend to think he won't."

"I do n't consider I will either,"Albus said.

"A Stephen Samuel Wise decision,"Harry smiled.

Harry said good Night to Albus and then Albus went back to the predator 's Den. Kaden was in the middle of showing Matt and Gospel According to John how to make a proper report airplane.

"What did your dad want ?"John asked without looking up from the parchment he was folding.

"To secernate me it was n't a good idea to go to Balladanis 's object lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the empty couch.

"And ?"lustrelessness asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"goodness,"matte replied.

"You know what was Wyrd, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of emphasis, most of which I do n't have sex about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Wyrd,"Kaden shook his head,"I 'll be happy when he 's sacked."

"We do n't know for for sure that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to fight a beautiful adult female,"John smirked,"Remember his boggart ?"

"His boggart !"Albus shouted,"I ca n't believe I did n't put that together sooner. It was n't a beautiful woman ; it was a vampire. It 's so obvious now that we know what happened to his parents, too."

"Yeah, that does seem fairly obvious,"Matt agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his emphasis ?"

"Probably nothing,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"John began,"This is the beginning Friday we 've had to ourselves."

"You 're right,"Albus said,"What should we do ?"

"Let 's go down to the kitchens,"Kaden said.

"And expend the night here,"mat added,"We hardly ever do that."

They did just that. The boys snuck down to the kitchens and were given as many sweets and pudding as they could run by the theatre elves. Then they stayed up previous eating all of it and playing diverse plot. Albus was even able to blank out about Balladanis for a while, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry functionary remained a permanent fixture at Hogwarts throughout the residuum of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of students mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including John 's cousin Isabelle, one of the chaser on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and Gabriella.

prof Balladanis did not depict up at a single meal. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. Nobody saw him, which raised the question of whether he was even still in the castle.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a chance to micturate their decision. Albus was to a greater extent than a petty nervous about going to Defense on Tuesday and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday morning that all the Hogwarts pupil knew a finding of fact had been reached. prof Kendrick rose partway through the repast, something that only happened when something important happened. He was flanked by the two beldam from the Ministry. The hotshot was no longer there.

The Hall immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's impending announcement, since there had not been a single mention of Balladanis in that morn 's Prophet.

"A decision has been reached about Professor Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"lady Torenzo will inform you of it. The Prophet has kindly agreed not to bring out the article about it just yet, as I wished to inform you of it first."

"He 's sacked,"John muttered,"Otherwise he 'd be at breakfast."

"Good point,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the scholar with a electroneutral flavour on her look."Upon extensive investigation of Professor Balladanis 's pedagogy method and exhaustive interviews of selected students, the Ministry has seen it fit to absent him from his teaching stead here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor Balladanis packed his things late last dark and no long resides in the castle. prof Kendrick will inform you about what will materialise with Defense classes for the remainder of the yr. I would like to give thanks all of you for your cooperation during this time."

Torenzo sat back down and continued eating her breakfast like zilch had happened. The Great Hall immediately erupted into whispers, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts classes will not take place until further notice. I will try and procure a worthy replacement for Professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, please use the prison term to take for your approaching examination,"Kendrick said and then resumed his rear. He began to peach with Torenzo and the students vox rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"Matt exclaimed,"Best news I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Empire State of the South shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Merlin !"James groaned,"Why 'd they make to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to exchange bridge player throughout the Gryffindor table as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you think Kendrick 'll find a replacing ?"whoremonger asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to commence with."

"gladiolus I did n't do that werewolf essay,"John grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't bump a renewal,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd suffer one less exam."

"That would be brilliant,"John the Evangelist replied.

The air in the castle for the balance of the day was incredibly eudaemonia. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few student asked Matt to give thanks his dad for them. It seemed that the only students upset by it were those who had lost bets because of it.

Argus Filch was another who was dysphoric. The ecumenical excitement of the castling caused him more work. Peeves destroyed the Defense classroom in solemnisation ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), James and his friends set off a few Weasley firework, and then there was the universal plenty that was associated with scholarly person celebrating by playing outside in the mirky grass. Plus, Moaning Myrtle flooded her bathroom when a few scholar told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not agree. For some odd reason it reminded her of her death.

One person who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the castling with a big smile on her face. Albus could only attribute this to the fact that Balladanis had taught so extensively about vampires. But he never taunted her the way he 'd taunted Matt. Perhaps that was because his biggest fear was vampires.

There was even a political party in the Gryffindor coarse room that Nox. rosebush thought it was a little ridiculous, to celebrate the sacking of a teacher, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an excellent affair to celebrate.

"Just opine,"John the Divine said,"We do n't ever have to listen to him go on and on about how bad the dark nontextual matter are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"lusterlessness added,"I could 've gone my all life without seeing one of those."

"What do you imagine he 's doing now ?"Rose mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some office far, like Madagascar or somewhere."

"Yeah,"matt agreed,"I bet he 's not even in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd trouble to cleave around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the night to avoid anyone seeing him."

"Wish we could 've seen him leave,"John grinned mischievously,"Would 've been nice to pay him a right send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"Rose muttered,"Maybe now you lot can reduce on test. And maybe the castle will get back to normal."

"Normal ?"Albus raised his brow,"This stead will never be normal. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Sabbatum. It 's the close match before the final."

"When 's the final ?"Rose asked.

"Beginning of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, whoremaster, mat, and Kaden all sent scathing looks at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New York in this match,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Sir Henry Joseph Wood is in full grade this week. I 'm practicing every dark starting tomorrow."

"King Oliver Wood is insane,"Rose muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch lurch,"lav grinned,"I would make out to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can submit my place."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Despite the fact that he did not have Defense Against the Dark artwork the next morning, Albus was down in the Great lobby bright and early because he wanted to read rose 's Daily oracle. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's sack was one matter, reading it in the vaticinator was entirely different.

rose was already there when Albus, Matt, and Saint John the Apostle sat down at the Gryffindor table. Amanda and Linda were on either side of her and all three young lady were reading the article. Albus drummed his finger's breadth impatiently on the table while he waited for them to be finished. Finally, rose handed him the paper without saying a tidings and Albus read it, with lusterlessness and John Lackland looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS TEACHER REMOVED FROM perspective BY MINISTRY

In an event that causes much of the wizarding universe to remember
back to Voldemort 's reign, Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark
Arts teacher, genus Tethus Balladanis, has been removed from his
side by the Ministry of magic trick 's department of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's reign, DoD teachers rarely lasted more
than a twelvemonth at the school, a mystery story that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two old age
ago, Hogwarts had had only one Defense teacher since that
fateful May day.

professor Torro taught at Hogwarts for age until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three years ago. He was
replaced by Head Auror, Harry thrower, who is rumored to
have only taken the position after nobody else agreed to
fill it.

Harry Potter left the position this past tense fall and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two days ago, when he was removed
from his posture. Approximately a week and a one-half ago, a
complaint was lodged by Head of the Department for the
Regulation and restraint of Magical Creatures, Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The complaint included abrasive teaching methods, the use of an
anamatek as a commandment tool, singling pupil out for deficiency of
skill, and embarrassing students in movement of their peers.

An investigation by Ministry functionary ensued and included
the interviewing of select bookman and staff. The department
concluded their investigating late Dominicus evening and inform
both Balladanis and master Fabius Kendrick of their decision.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
decision. When asked for a statement on the issue, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the news, Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very happy
with the determination and that the investigation was concluded in
a well timed mode. I am not glad that it came to this, but I
feel that nil should be put ahead of children 's guard .'

Hogwarts students will not attend Defense classes until a alternate
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd stick your dad in there somehow,"John announced once they 'd finished reading.

"There was n't anything in there that we did n't already make out,"Albus muttered,"I was hoping Balladanis would 've said something or we 'd find out what happened when he left the castle."

"Maybe he really did go quietly,"Matt shrugged,"Maybe he wanted to get back to his anamatek."

"I wonder where he lives,"Amanda mused,"Think he lives in England ?"

"doubtfulness it,"Rose answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

Life soon returned to convention for the Hogwarts students, as it often does after something shake up happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the article was published, but soon there was nothing left to say and the scholarly person focused on the upcoming Quidditch equal, which was simple days away.

Albus had an sluttish time forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch practice. He was out on the sales pitch every evening and was soon hearing Wood 's commands in his chief as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed normal. Albus was almost gladiola that the year was drawing to an end because once the tournament was over, he would n't let to deal out with Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus pull in that Gryffindor would have a new captain the next twelvemonth since Peach State was graduating. Albus was sure as shooting it would be either Fred or Scots heather, but he was n't sure which.

Albus trudged into the Great Hall on Thursday morning sorely wishing that John the Evangelist had n't woken him up. They did n't hold a grade first matter, so why 'd he bother doing that ? Albus was already running on footling sleep.

"I 'm going to wake you up at five in the morning this Saturday,"Albus muttered to John as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"John grinned,"I need you to serve me finish that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the ground for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't prove helper you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"whoremaster muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not feature accidentally set fervor to her Potions notes last nighttime,"whoremaster said.

"And I should have to suffer because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you grapple that anyway ?"

"It was n't an accident,"flatness put in,"St. John the Apostle and Kaden were tinkering with those tops military posture dung bombs last night in the predator 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the tabular array right where Rose 's musical note were. The muck bombs exploded and Rose 's notes caught fire."

"See, an accident !"Saint John the Apostle exclaimed.

"No, foolishness,"Matt said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't indicate going in the Marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't have got meter to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch practice again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this week ?"William James asked.

"I do n't know, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"James River pointed to the staff table.

Albus looked up and saw that his dad was talking with Neville. Except he was n't wearing his Auror robes, he was just wearing normal robe. Albus glanced back at James who shrugged.

"May I have your attention ?"Kendrick announced,"Thank you. I just wish to inform you all that Harry Potter has kindly agreed to study over defensive structure classes for the remainder of term. Because of this, defence force classes will restart today."

"good thing I woke you up,"John grinned.

"Guess you wo n't be able to end that essay,"Albus shot back.

"Merlin,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he worry that much. He 'd already had his dad Edward Teach for two years and it had n't been bad at all. Plus, his dad was a far better teacher than Balladanis.

Albus walked with flatness and St. John to refutation. rose was still not speaking to John and she walked with Amanda and Linda a small ways ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't turn into what happened earlier in the year.

The intact class erupted in applause as soon as Harry entered the elbow room and Albus noticed that this caused him to blush. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"fountainhead, I did not conceive I 'd be back here. I do own to proceed with the curriculum, so I must ask that you complete the werewolf essay for next Thursday. However, it only has to be one invertebrate foot of parchment."

There was a collective groan from the entire class."Great,"St. John the Apostle muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that gruelling,"matte rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be prison term consuming,"John replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a month and a one-half of term left and I ca n't just let you hold this time to mess around."

The class was the most enjoyable vindication year the third years had had in quite a while. Harry lectured for the entirety of the family, but it was n't boring. Albus did not mind in the slightest that his dad was going to be finishing out the term.

******

By the time Sabbatum arrived, virtually no one in the rook was talking about prof Balladanis. Quidditch was on the cutting edge of everybody 's minds and the tensions ran higher than they had all year. The outcome of this match would check who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly worried. Hogwarts had already beaten New York once and they could easily do it again. The entire team was in in effect health and none of the surrogate were needed. Albus was perfectly content to sit in the outdoor stage with his friends and just follow the match, rather than have to play in it.

It was a warm spring day with a slight jazz and cloud back, everlasting playing term. Sir Henry Wood had spoke of the weather during the premature night 's practice, telling the team that a large storm had been predicted for that day. Luckily it had not appeared yet.

The match commenced with a lot of shouting and cheering from the crowd. Hogwarts scored five finish within the first-class honours degree xv minutes of the mate and New York scored two. The teams remained neck opening in neck for the remainder of the match, until James pulled out of a dive clutching the golden sneak in his left wing hand.

The crowd erupted into cheers and James was soon hoisted onto the shoulder joint of some of the older students.

"I have an announcement to make !"professor Kendrick shouted over the crowd,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the final Quidditch peer, scheduled to take place on the number 1 of June !"

The usual after Quidditch political party ensued in the common way and everyone rehashed their favorite region of the mates. No one talked about the final match, although Albus was sure it was in the spine of everyone 's minds. Australia seemed unimaginable to beat.

Once the turmoil from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts scholarly person seemed to realize that test were quite draw close. The library soon became a popular place to be and fifth and one-seventh years in particular could be seen there all hr of the day.

As the middle of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a quiet commons elbow room in the evenings, much like her sister had two years prior. Albus and his friends spent more fourth dimension in the Marauder 's Den after that, usually without rose wine, Amanda, and Linda. The three girls seemed to like the quietness of the common room.

Rose did forgive John for messing up her notes, but she became more tense and snappish as exam drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a sort of end of terminus custom with Rose.

Defense lessons took a drastic turn of events for the salutary. Albus and all of his Quaker got arrant marks on their werewolf essays, to the surprise of no one. After that, the course of study bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, Merlin !"John shouted at breakfast one Fri in the middle of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as defense force teacher or something.

"England did n't make it into the World Cup net,"John sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did make it ?"Albus grabbed the paper from John, suddenly remembering the slate he 'd fuck off for Christmas. He had n't picked who he was going to invite to go with him. Actually, he had n't even told his friends about the tickets.

"Portugal and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,"John groaned,"Russia ! They 've got a rubbish Quidditch squad !"

"Obviously not,"blush wine smirked,"Albus, did you pick who you 're going to take when you go to the Cup ?"

"Wait, what ?"John gaped at Albus,"You got ticket ?"

"Er, yeah, for Christmas,"Albus said.

"And you did n't tell me !"John exclaimed.

"Well, I only got one spear carrier and I did n't jazz how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and Matt. Mind you, if you hate Russia, I 'll just cull Matt,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Russia,"whoremonger said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to pick then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't stimulate to,"Matt said as he sat down next to Albus.

"Nice to see you awake,"John grinned. Albus and John had attempted to stir up mat up before they went down to the Great residence and had no hazard. The full synodic month was the future day, so Albus had n't even been sure as shooting if Matt was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad metre of the month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"Matt shook his head,"It 's just that my dad got tickets, so you can just break your extra one to John."

"Oh,"Albus grinned,"That makes things easy."

"Where is the Cup ?"Amanda asked.

"Canada,"Rose replied.

"How are we getting there, Albus ?"john asked,"Are we going to look at a Muggle plane ?"whoremaster looked excited at that prospect.

"No idea,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's drilling,"privy said.

"Wish I could go,"Kaden sighed.

"Why, do n't you not like Quidditch ?"Gospel According to John asked.

"It 's ok,"Kaden shrugged,"I just want to try out a Portkey."

"You 're unearthly, Kaden,"trick laughed.

"So are you. airplane are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"Matt said,"I 'd take a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for examination and Quidditch practice, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squeeze in time to visit Matt in the hospital wing on William Ashley Sunday, but only briefly before he went to Wood 's day long Quidditch practice.

The conform to weekend was the final mate of the Junior 's Dueling Club, something Albus had been forced to pretermit due to Quidditch practice. After begging Wood and a bit of avail from slip, Albus was able-bodied to attend the final. Albus 's team won, much to the pleasure of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with prof Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a Word to Albus, or any of his friends. Malfoy remained mysteriously tranquillize around the total moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or matte. It was foreign, but not something any of the boy were going to complain about it.

Three days before the Quidditch final exam, the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall was filled with whispering voice that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. copy of the prophesier were being passed back and Forth River and quite a few educatee looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked Rose as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"Rose whispered, her case completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the near copy of the prophesier. matt and John crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN BREAKOUT

functionary have reported that three captive
broke out of Azkaban previous last night. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban precaution
have refused to mouth with reporters, and the
Ministry does not wish to give away info
at this time.

The public figure of the miss prisoner have been
released and anyone with info reguarding
any of them are asked to get through the Ministry.

The Prophet then gave detailed information about all three of the head for the hills prisoners. Albus only recognized Willinson. The former two had been imprisoned for Sir Thomas More petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an idiot !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"rosiness said.

Any Hope Albus had of getting homework done that hebdomad was gone. He was golden he was capable to concentrate on Quidditch practice. Willinson was out of Azkaban. He was galavanting about England, doing whatever he pleased. That in itself was not necessarily that bad, due to Willinson 's stupidity. If he somehow met up with his father and Washburn, then it could be quite bad.

What worried Albus the most was the fact that he would be after the Hallows, all of which still resided somewhere in or around Hogwarts. Willinson was bound to come back, especially now that he was out of prison.

******

Before Albus knew it, the night before the Quidditch final arrived and Wood called the squad into the changing room after ending practice.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to superintend this team,"woodwind instrument said as he began to pace in front end of them,"There were difficulties in the beginning,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the team,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a team wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a group of scholarly person from all four houses can come up together and play together on the like team. I am not for sure this could throw been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a long way over the class. You 've all made huge betterment in your skill. Quite a few of you are seventh years and I am very happy to tell apart you that there will be scouts from a couple Quidditch teams watching tomorrow 's mates. I have high hopes for the lot of you, when it comes to Quidditch.

"I can not say whether we will win tomorrow. Australia is good, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and give it your best. Now, I think you should all wrench in other and eat a proper breakfast tomorrow before the lucifer. Teddy, Tyler, anything to add ?"Ellen Price Wood turned to the boys.

Teddy and John Tyler both shook their question and Wood turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. right night."

Wood, slip, and Tyler stayed behind to discuss maneuver while the squad left. Albus and James were the last two to leave. Empire State of the South had left with the former one-seventh yr, excitedly discussing the medical prognosis of scouts.

"You think Georgia 's going to sign with one of the professional team ?"Albus asked James as they walked back to the castle.

"I 'd be surprised if she did n't,"King James said,"I just hope it does n't spite her chances when we lose."

"We might not fall behind,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to misplace,"King James I muttered,"Linda 's too good of a Seeker."

Albus said aught. He wished he could just tell James I that Linda was a vampire. It would be so much easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own thoughts. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a loud crack in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a branch breaking,"Saint James answered.

"It was too aloud,"Albus said as he looked into the forest,"It sounded like individual Apparating in there."

"I do n't think you can Apparate in the timber,"Saint James the Apostle pointed out,"And it did n't sound that loud. You 're just tired from all the Quidditch practice."

"I guess,"Albus said as he and St. James kept walking,"But what if it was someone Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too much, Al,"James groaned,"This place is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here full time now. You 'd deliver to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is dazed enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"James laughed,"If he 's stunned enough to do that, he 's going to get take hold of and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be pillock, but he did manage to kidnap Kaden the premature spring, and he had been on the run for a twelvemonth prior to that. He may be a rubbish dueler, but he was certainly good at not getting caught for the most part.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The atmosphere in the Great Hall the future dayspring was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts squad was sitting together at the Ravenclaw mesa, surrounded by students from all four sign of the zodiac. Teddy and Tyler seemed to be in the midst of it and were loudly discussing tactics.

The Australian team was sitting together at the Hufflepuff board, with a large distance between them and the Hufflepuffs. A small bunch of Australian had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to join the rest of the Hogwarts team at the Ravenclaw table. Nobody was ineffective to playact that day, so Albus 's days on the team were pretty much over. To be honest, he was kind of relieved. There was just so much pressure.

"I think this tournament has been good for Hogwarts,"rose wine mused,"feel at everyone. cypher seems to care who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to rule once the match is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"Rose shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't bonk, rose,"matt said,"I do n't think one year can change centuries of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"Rose said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't conceive this has helped external magical cooperation,"whoremonger gestured to the Australian team. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"contender rarely does that,"Rose muttered.

"wellspring, they 'll all be going home soon,"Matt said cheerfully.

rosiness shot him a dirty flavour and then looked up at the faculty board. Albus 's regard followed. The faculty table was quite overcrowded that morning. There were scouts from Quidditch teams, Ministry functionary including Albus 's Uncle Percy, and a potpourri of people from Australia and New York.

"Look at that witch,"John Lackland pointed to a very grandiloquent, beautiful crone with sick white skin and farseeing wickedness hair.

"She 's Linda 's female parent,"rosebush told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"Rose whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"John the Divine said without taking his centre off the witch.

There was a loud cheer from the Ravenclaw tabular array and the Hogwarts team began to leave the Hall. Their entourage followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at diverse tables.

The Australian squad followed shortly. The agitation only seemed to increase now that the squad had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few minutes later masses began to go out for the pitch. The gang at the faculty table left first and the bookman followed.

"Albus,"bathroom said as they got up from the table,"I 've got a few pairs of omnioculars in my trunk. I want to see it up close when Linda catches that Snitch."

"Let 's go get them, then,"Albus replied.

rosebush rolled her centre."sports meeting us down at the pitch."She and Amanda turned towards the door as the boy ran up the grand staircase.

"Why did n't you just lend them to breakfast ?"Matt asked.

"Forgot,"toilet said.

The castle was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor towboat. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

Saint John the Apostle had to empty out his entire bole in order to see the omnioculars. He had four brace and handed one to each of the boys.

"Let 's go,"Albus said,"We 're going to miss the get-go of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running in the corridors prescript as he made his way through the castle. There was n't anyone to rebuke him anyway. The footsteps behind him told him his admirer were n't far behind.

Albus turned a street corner and ran smack into something. He fell down onto his back and looked up, only to see that it was someone. Not just anyone either. Albus had collided with lustrelessness 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would experience manifested itself into what Albus was most afraid of. At that import, it probably would have been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to look at his friends.

matte had turned white and looked far more afraid than Albus had ever seen him before, including when he had faced the boggart and when Malfoy had found out about his lycanthropy. John was looking from Matt to the man, an obvious horror on his typeface. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his booster, pulling them into the nearest schoolroom. He slammed the door and pulled out his verge, putting every lockup magical spell he knew onto the knob.

lustrelessness collapsed onto the nearest chair and put his head in his workforce."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the inferno is he doing here ?"toilet ranted,"He 's got no concern here !"

"Why 's he in the castle anyway ?"Albus began to yard around the room,"If he 's here to observe the Quidditch equal, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to check the Quidditch ?"John the Evangelist said darkly.

"Who the bloody Hades is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at lusterlessness before looking at Kaden. lusterlessness did n't look to have heard Kaden 's question.

"His figure 's Lubar. He 's the Head of the department for the Regulation and Control of Magical tool in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the reason why lusterlessness had to move here, amongst former things."

"He 's a sick and twisted evil git,"John muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the door and peered out the small window at the top. Lubar was no longer in sight.

"I 've g-got to go to the Ministry,"Matt said,"I 've got to t-tell my dad. L-Lubar, he ca n't be here."

Albus paced back and forth in figurehead of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? Brooms ? No, that would take too long. They 'd have to use the Floo Network, but none of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to let to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll abstract into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

matt nodded."You guy cable do n't have to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you mental ?"John exclaimed,"That bloke out there is probably worse than Willinson. We 're not letting you do this alone."

Albus nodded in agreement before waving his verge and undoing the locking charms. He cautiously looked out into the corridor before leaving. It was empty.

Much to Albus 's relief, both the Cloak and the map were right where he 'd left them. He shoved them into his robes and ran back to the classroom. Matt, John, and Kaden were all talking quietly. Matt did n't face any less frightened, but at least he did n't seem to be in cushion anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"bathroom said immediately,"I 'm magniloquent so I 'll take up the most room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the best liar."

Albus could n't fence there. Both he and Matt were horrible liar and Kaden still had n't gotten over his inability to keep secrets.

"You take the map, then,"Albus handed the map to John,"We 've got to get to the one-eyed Wiccan statue on the third gear floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, lustrelessness, and Kaden, and the three of them followed St. John the Apostle out of the elbow room. The corridor was still empty, much to Albus 's relief.

John set a very fast pace and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would give away his presence. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the least amount of noise possible.

The son made it down the two flights of stair necessary to get to the third floor and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and choke up it into his sac. With a quick tap of his verge, he statue 's swelling opened and the son climbed inside.

Albus lit his sceptre and took off down the small passage. Matt, John, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"trick asked as they ran,"Does n't he know what he did ?"

"Yes,"mat answered,"I do n't remember Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't reckon he came here to see you ?"Albus asked lusterlessness,"I mean, remember when Killigan saw us that one meter and he seemed so interested in finding you ?"

"Of path I do,"Matt muttered,"And it really would n't surprise me if that 's why he 's here. But I 'm betting there 's another reason."

"What did he do ?"Kaden repeated, a bit louder.

"Why else would he be here ?"Albus asked,"The equal ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"flatness replied,"I do n't eff for sure, but it seems too coincidental for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he want to see you ?"

flatness stopped running and wheeled around to seem at Kaden."It 's a foresighted write up. Lubar 's got a grievance against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Commonwealth of Australia for six years,"lustrelessness paused,"He passed a lot of law of nature against lycanthrope and I wound up having to transform with a bunch of former werewolves. It was bad."

lustrelessness resumed walking and did n't elaborate on the subject. Kaden did n't ask him to.

"What 's your dad going to do about it ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"lusterlessness shrugged,"Maybe talk to Kendrick or something."

There was no doubtfulness in Albus 's mind that Matt 's dad would be able-bodied to get Lubar to depart Hogwarts, possibly even leave the country. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this year, but now he knew that you did not require to be on his bad side. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The passage finally began to rise until it came to an abrupt occlusion at a knotty wooden door. Albus pressed his ear to the doorway, but heard nothing. He carefully pushed it subject, wincing as it creaked.

sightedness nonentity in the computer memory room beyond, Albus beckoned his friend forward. The room was dimly lit, enough for Albus to see a huge amount of boxes littering the floor. On the far wall he could see a fireplace.

The boys climbed over the various boxes and stood in front of the fireplace. Albus located a small sack of Floo Powder and then lit a attack. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into someone 's study at the Ministry. We 're going to have got to go to the Atrium,"Albus told them,"I 'll go first, you follow."Albus took a handful of powder and then handed the bag to Matt.

He tossed the pulverisation into the fire and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of Magic !"

Albus stumbled out of a unlike fireplace second base later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, save for a few wizard striding towards the lifts, clearly too interfering to notice Albus.

mat landed rather ungracefully on the floor. He picked himself up, brushing stray ash off his robes.

"Place is deserted,"Matt said as he looked around.

"It 's a Saturday,"Albus pointed out,"Energy your dad study Saturdays ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"At to the lowest degree mornings."

St. John the Apostle was following to maltreat out of the fervidness, doing so more elegantly than Matt had. He stood in front of the fire, staring around at the Atrium. His eyes rested on the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more picture than I imagined,"John said.

"Bloody nether region !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"lustrelessness said quickly,"But we have n't got time to explore. Let 's go."

Albus followed Matt towards the desk in the front line of the Atrium. There was an old sensation leafing through a copy of the Quibbler, unmindful to his surroundings. Albus almost thought they 'd be able to pinch around him, but he looked up just as they were about to pass.

"Where do you think you 're going ?"he asked and then his eyes rested on Albus,"Albus Severus Potter. Why are n't you in schoolhouse ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a little unnerve that the man knew who he was.

lustrelessness stepped in front of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the school principal of the Department for the Regulation and mastery of Magical wight. It 's kind of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your sceptre up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed suit. They waited impatiently as the old wizard tested their wands and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the stage of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can order whose wand did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the lift arrived, the boys piled in and matt pushed the number four. Nobody said anything as the rhytidoplasty creaked its way to the one-quarter floor.

Matt took off at a run down the corridor after they left the face lifting. Albus had never been to this particular floor. It looked rather similar to the Magical Law Enforcement 's level, with nondescript readiness of stunt man doors on one side.

Matt skidded to a halt in front of the only if threshold that was single and banged his helping hand loudly on it. When there was no resolution after a few seconds, he banged again.

"Hold your hippogriffs !"called a representative from the inside,"I 'm coming, I'm-"flatness 's dad said as he opened the door.

Mr. Eckerton seemed to stop dead at the sight of his son and the other three boy. He gaped at them for a moment before shaking his head.

"Matt ?"he asked and rubbed his center, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in school ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and John, Kaden ?"

His centre rested on matte again."flatness ? What 's wrong ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the boys into his study. He shut the door quietly behind them.

The study reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were heavy windows on the side opposite the room access, although the setting outside was not real, nor was the aristocratical rainfall that was pattering onto it.

There was a large leather covered chair behind the huge oak desk and a few humble chair in front of it. Along the former two walls were ledge with encumbrance of Holy Writ. about of them were about various magical creatures.

Albus, Matt, and John took the seats that were in front of the desk while Kaden wandered around the subject looking at things. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the front of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"mat said in barely more than a voicelessness,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch final,"mat said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody Hades !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his fist loudly against his desk,"Did Professor Kendrick allow this ?"

"I do n't have it off,"matt replied,"B-but everyone else was at the match and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's expression hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with prof Balladanis earlier in the terminus."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to get a word with prof Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his cogitation and down towards the ski tow. whoremaster 's walking speed was nothing compared to flatness 's dad 's. The boys had to run to hold up.

"Where did you Floo from ?"Mr. Eckerton asked once they were in the lift.

"Honeyduke 's,"Albus answered.

"We 'll Floo there now,"Mr. Eckerton replied.

The wizard at the welcome desk looked at them curiously as they rushed towards the fireplace, but did n't say anything.

Mr. Eckerton handed Albus a bit of Floo Powder and gestured for him to go first. Albus stepped into the fire and shouted,"Honeyduke 's !"

Albus began to spin around faster and faster. He saw glance of people 's houses, shops in Diagon Alley, and a variety of other home he did not recognize. Then, out of one of the fireplace, came a hired hand. Everything seemed to slow down, but Albus was n't sure if it actually did or not.

The hand grabbed him. Albus fought against it, but it was too warm. All of a sudden he was laying on a dust-covered wooden level, one that was not at all like the one in Honeyduke's.

Albus coughed and stood up. His heart was beating fast. What had happened ? Why was n't he in Honeyduke 's ? Where was he ? Whose hired hand was that ?

Albus grappled for his wand and shakily held it up. He lit it and looked around the room, seeing no one.

"Nice to see you, ceramist,"a cold voice said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching future to the open fireplace with his hand inside of it, was Lubar. He looked even more creepy in the dank room than he did in Hogwarts.

The fireplace glowed green and Lubar yanked his arm out of it. St. John the Apostle came tumbling out of the flack and scrambled too his pes, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breath and stuck his manus in the fire again.

"What the ?"lav whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody perdition !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the elbow room. It looked vaguely familiar, but Albus could n't put his digit on it. The window were boarded up, but it was definitely not the screaming Shack. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo web anyway.

The fireplace glowed cat valium yet again, this prison term sending Kaden onto the level. This earned another yell from Lubar, who stuck his hand in the ardour again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his human foot and stood next to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid eyes on Lubar.

Albus wanted goose egg more than to run from the room, but he did not acknowledge where the building was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stun him or something.

Green light filled the elbow room as the open fireplace glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that lustrelessness would be the one to next fall out of the flames. Mere seconds later, that misgiving was confirmed.

mat coughed and scrambled to his feet. He gasped when he saw Lubar and ran over to Albus.

Lubar, finally satisfied, doused the fire and lit his wand, which illuminated his sinister face. He began to pace slowly in presence of them.

"Well, well, you went crying to Daddy just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do love when things work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could sense Matt shaking adjacent to him. He gripped his wand hard, debating whether to try and disarm Lubar.

"Any idea where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. lovely shop, pity about the owner. Yes, a real shame."

Lubar did n't seem at all overthrow about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"well, let 's not consume our metre here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few people who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his fingers three prison term and Albus heard footsteps on the stairs.

Three adept descended the stairs and strode into the elbow room. They lit their baton at the same prison term and Albus gasped when the lighter showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three masses Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As serious a dueler he was, he was up against four fully characterize necromancer. Three of them did not possess the science to duel, but Albus had no idea what Lubar was subject of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a adorable reunion. Unfortunately we have n't got prison term to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his wand pointed at his neck. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his father had John. Matt, seeing his Quaker restrained, made a run for the nearest window.

"Not so fast, Danton True Young lycanthrope,"Lubar caught him by the rachis of his robes and wrapped one of his subdivision around his middle.

Lubar reached into his gown with his loose hand and pulled out an old tea kettle. He held it out to the former three men and each one put a unblock hand on it. Albus knew what was going to happen right before it did. He shared a frightened glance with Matt before feeling a saccade behind his belly button.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : I decided to do part of this chapter from Harry 's point of sentiment. It begins in his stage of aspect and then switches back to Albus 's. asterisk indicate where the point of view switches.


"Spectacular relieve by GA Weasley !"the observer shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into play. It was immediately taken into possession by Hogwarts, and all three Chasers threw it back and Forth River as they flew to the Aussie end of the pitch.

"Score ! Hogwarts has scored against Commonwealth of Australia, bringing the summate to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as flash as the students. One affair he loved about the Quidditch tournament was that he did n't consume to try and conceal his excitement when Hogwarts scored. During home matches, he had to try and pretend he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As happy as Harry was about the Hogwarts Chasers being very skilled, he did not own hope that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's Seeker, Linda morale, was the unspoilt searcher Harry had ever seen outside of professional Quidditch. He knew that his son, James, was right, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his finger on it. Her amphetamine on a broom just did n't seem innate. pro Quidditch instrumentalist would down for her speed.

"I 'm surprised she has n't found the stoolie yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the pitch shot. James was doing the Sami,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the sleep of the stave who were sitting around him. nigh of them were quite reserved. Nobody seemed to be showing the enthusiasm Harry was. He did n't wish. Harry did n't portion their feeling that teachers could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few professor stood up and then sat back down again as someone squeezed their way past them. Harry craned his head and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't cognize the man well. They 'd met on occasion at the Ministry, although Harry had a tone he 'd be seeing more of him now that he was mind of the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about Bruno Walter Eckerton was more on a personal than professional level. Harry had never met a father who was more protective of his son than Walter Eckerton, although he did have proficient cause. Never a more pay father, either.

Walter continued his way past the other professors until he stopped in front of Harry. Harry was even Sir Thomas More shocked to see the expression on his brass. Worry was etched in every part of his face, bringing out the crinkle, but there was anger in his eyes.

"Bruno Walter,"Harry shook his hand as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Walter muttered,"I need a word in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be rectify back and he followed Bruno Walter out of the stands. They continued walking until they were a short distance away from the pitch and then Bruno Walter stopped.

"The boys have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"Wait, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and Matt ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the pass of the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the modification of subject."Yes, not a very tolerant fella, is he ?"

Bruno Walter 's face hardened."That 's a nice way of putting it. The feller is sick and twisted and he 's got a grudge against me. Very prospicient storey and I have n't got metre to tell it. Short version is that when lustrelessness was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to translate in a building with early lycanthrope, older wolfman. Nearly killed him. It was decent before we moved. For whatever reason, Lubar decided to visit Hogwarts today, possibly under the pretense of attending the Quidditch match.

"The son saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. matte 's absolutely terrified of him, which is why they came to me. I came back with them. They Flooed before I did, but when I arrived at Honeyduke 's they were n't there. I 've already spoken with the proprietor of the shop as well as a few early Hogsmeade residents. No one 's seen them. We 've got to line up them."

Harry 's middle sank."You do n't conceive Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not grievous, is he ?"

"To Matt, yes, but I have n't the slightest estimation as to why he 'd require the other boys,"Walter said.

"Even if he did only require mat, he 'd feature to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him ask Matt sitting down,"Harry replied, and started walking briskly towards Hogsmeade,"Let 's go. I 'll get every available Auror on this."

******

Albus tried as hard as he could to dislodge himself from Washburn 's compass as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the locating was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instant, but this time there was a significant lag. Albus had time to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The second clue that their destination was far away was the fact that it was very coloured when Albus finally landed on the ground. Not dark like an impend storm either. Dark as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his feet. Loud thumps around him told him that his friends had landed as well.

The primer coat was damp and severe and the leafage around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some form of timber. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar tree that seemed to debase towards the starry sky.

There was no moonshine to illuminate the woodland. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yards away from the boys and were whispering to each former. All four had lit their wands, but it was n't enough wand light to give Albus a good view of his surroundings.

flatness, John, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their wands out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't dare illumination it.

"Why is it dark ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the Hell are we ?"can asked.

"We 're in Commonwealth of Australia,"lustrelessness said in awe, as if he was just coming to footing with that fact.

"We Portkeyed across an ocean ?"Kaden gasped.

When Albus thought about it, it made sense. Lubar was from Australia, so why should n't he claim them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't give sense was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could recount, the four necromancer seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the existence. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old house ?"can asked.

"How should I know ?"Matt snapped,"Australia 's a huge country !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could hide there,"toilet muttered.

"You would n't want to,"Matt said,"My stupid cousin owns it now."

"You have a cousin ?"Albus asked.

"Not of import,"Matt said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying care,"John whispered, gesturing to where the four star stood huddled in a circle,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right there,"matte pointed to the tea kettle, which was a few feet away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the tally of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to pick it up when it soared up into the air. Albus looked up and saw Lubar sneering at him, with the Portkey in his hand.

"That wo n't do,"Lubar said as he stowed the Porkey in his cloak. He turned to the other three men."They 're trying to get away."

"What do you wait ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you realize how a good deal more difficult this is going to be now ? We only needed Potter ! But no, you had to go and importune on bringing that werewolf kid as well."

"You would n't even have managed this if it were n't for me !"Lubar growled,"So do n't go telling me what I should and should n't have done."

"Well, now we 've wound up with two additional 1 as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're kids, how a good deal difficulty can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't know this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the reason we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your incredible imbecility,"Lubar said.

Albus was very intrigued. Lubar was arguing with them as if he knew them well. Had Lubar really been working with them all along ?

What did they need him for anyway ? What had Willinson meant when he said 'we only needed Potter'?

"Shut it, Lubar,"Jarrett said.

"I 'll say what I like,"Lubar replied,"This is my George H.W. Bush, not yours."

"You own the forest now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a thing of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to Matt,"So many days have passed. Tell me, what is it like pretending to be something you 're not ?"

To Albus 's surprise, it was John and not Matt who went flying at Lubar. Lubar disarmed whoremonger with a lazy wave of his scepter, leaving John stunned in battlefront of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better dueler than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing lav 's sceptre, Lubar turned back to matte, who was shakily holding his wand up.

"It does n't matter what country you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the same thing no matter where you live. The laws do n't convert what you are. Pretend as a good deal as you like, but it wo n't change a thing."

Now Albus wanted to go after Lubar. The anger was boiling up inside of him and he did n't intend he had ever felt more angry in his entire biography, and that included every encounter he had had with Scorpius Malfoy. Malfoy was like a fluffy kitten compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. John was already wandless. It would do them no estimable if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to wait, to wait until he could catch them off guard.

"What about your male parent ? I hear he 's the caput of the section in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"Guess it 's just a affair of clock time until the Same affair happens. You 'll ingest to fly again."

Matt was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his mentality, trying to enter out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for Falco columbarius 's interest !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping things ? Did we really risk Portkeying a bunch of kids to Australia just to waste meter taunting one of them ?"

"repose !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"Excuse me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the name of Falco columbarius do you hump them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his intimation, waiting for Lubar to put some kind of jinx or bane on Kaden. Sometimes his cousin was quite dense. It seemed obvious to Albus that this was a time not to ask questions.

To Albus 's surprise, Lubar smiled. It was a writhe sort of smiling, but a grin nonetheless.

"I think that 's a honest question,"Lubar said."My first cousin married this retard,"Lubar pointed at Jarrett.

"You 're married ?"Kaden gaped at Jarrett, causing Albus to moan. Why would n't Kaden just shut up ?

"Not for much longer,"Jarrett muttered,"Can we please just get on with this ?"

"Patience, cousin,"Lubar said as he began to walk slowly around the early three,"We mus n't do this hastily. Haste is the reason you three have failed prior to tonight."

Fail at what ? What were they going to do ? The solely thing Albus could consider of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their architectural plan, they would n't let taken them to Australia.

Albus glanced nervously at Matt, who still looked scared out of his mind. Something was still telling Albus not to try and duel the men. Lubar seemed impudent, much chic than the early three, and that scared Albus more than anything else. There was a big deviation between dueling somebody who was smartness and dueling someone who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a short spell later. Harry had briefly questioned the owners of Honeyduke 's, but they had not seen any of the boys.

Harry and Walter ran towards the lifts at top speed, not pausing to answering the questioning stare of the chap at the welcome desk. The lifts could not go fast enough for the two men. Harry nearly pulled the doors open when they finally arrived at Magical Law Enforcement 's floor.

The Auror office staff was slightly more lively than the rest of the Ministry, but not much. Three Aurors were inside, two of whom hastily shoved away a pile of Exploding grab cards and stood up upon seeing Harry arrive. The former Auror, a rather unforesightful but stocky crone, shoved the book she was reading in the draftsman, and joined the other two.

"Potter, sir !"the crone said,"We thought you were at Hogwarts today !"

"I was,"Harry said darkly and explained the situation.

The three Aurors looked gruesome as they waited for Harry to give them pedagogy.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the adept,"Brighton,"he looked at the witch,"Get started with an all-embracing search of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't busy with anything else. Tiburon and Oswald are on duty in Hogsmeade today, inform them of the situation."

Dabney and Brighton nodded before dashing out of the room. Harry turned to the remaining Auror."Lewster, you will be searching the Forbidden Forest as soon as soul else arrives."

Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. An enormous silvery stag flew out of his wand and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the way and Harry leaned against the closest desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard stride in the corridor. He looked up at the door just as Ron was running through, followed by half a dozen other Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a upset tone.

Harry rehashed the entire situation again. Ron 's face paled."What about pink wine, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his head word,"It was just the boys."

"Thank Merlin,"Ron whispered,"But Harry, what about Willinson ? D'you think he 's got anything to do with this ?"

"It 's crossed my head,"Harry muttered,"But I have n't got a clue as to how Lubar would know him."

"With dark wizards, you just never know,"Ron pointed out.

"I know,"Harry nodded,"Ron, lead the search of the Forbidden Forest. Lewster 's going with you. And take in Daniel and Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the room, followed by Lewster and two early thaumaturge. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The rest of you can search the castle and grounds. Be discrete. I do not like to interrupt the Quidditch match unless it is absolutely necessary,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the room and Harry turned to Bruno Walter. He slowly shook his oral sex. Why was it always Albus ? This was the 3rd year he had gotten into trouble. Albus 's old age at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd break go Floo home plate and secernate Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to fall apart."

Harry nodded as Walter left the way. Ginny. Harry snapped his psyche up. She was going to be watching the match, but was going to be late. She 's probably there now, Harry thought. She 'd be looking for him.

Harry slowly left the elbow room. How was he going to order his wife that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't take a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go amiss ? We 're halfway across the world from the Aurors that are looking for this lot !"

"Once again you have proved your stupidity,"Lubar replied,"Do you realize who we 've taken halfway across the world ? Harry potter 's son ! You have n't a clue as to how matter work in the Ministry !

"I can assure you that at this very minute, the integral Auror department is looking for them. Harry ceramicist 's probably got every Auror on this eccentric. It wo n't bring them long to pull in that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to Matt,"He 's got the most meddling parents in the world. They 'd sooner vote down everyone in the world before letting something happen to him. Very irritating. They wo n't pillow until they find him. Not to advert the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry official. We 've got two small fry of two of the most prominent Ministry officials of Britain. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be thrifty !"

"Well, you 're the one who wanted to shoot the werewolf, too,"Jarrett growled.

"And you 're the one who insisted we take ceramist 's son !"Lubar shouted,"Why do we even need him ?"

"We just do !"Jarrett shouted back.

"If both of you idiots had n't wanted to bring the kids, we could 've done this unhurt thing without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the Saami time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't experience a opportunity to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only hope that the wizards would have enough to reason about.

"Are we going to do it here ?"Jarrett asked,"Or go to the house ?"

"Have you learned nothing ?"Lubar shouted,"When they find out that we 're here, the for the first time place they 'll look is the house."

"Got any better mind ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a arcanum trivial shack somewhere in this area ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. stack of places to hide, not very populate. perfect place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice grip again. Matt was once again in the grip of Lubar, and John and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very fiddling about the Aboriginal Australian outback, just that it was n't suitable for practically human being inhabitation. However, the one piece of information he did fuck about it was that it was where most of the dementors that used to guard Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat pop place for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two seconds to realize what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sensation of side-along Apparition.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the previous chapter, this one goes back and forth between Albus 's and Harry 's perspectives.


Albus stumbled as he landed, breaking barren of Jarrett 's grasp. He tripped over a rock 'n' roll and landed face first in the Sand. Spitting the grittiness out of his oral cavity, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too dark to see anything but the outline of mountains in the space. The outback seemed very empty-bellied and very repose. There was a very small thump of George Walker Bush and tree nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see much else in the way of flora aliveness.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a desert berth in his life. There was absolutely nothing around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't stimulate gotten very far. As dangerous as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would have no chance of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to live that Albus and the others would n't run away. He neglected to use any sort of ropes to tie them up or put any magical spell around them. Instead, he walked a suddenly space in the direction of the mountains and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to surveil them.

"What are we going to do ?"Saint John the Apostle seethed,"Has anyone got any idea where we are ?"

"The outback 's immense,"lusterlessness replied,"I bet we 're right in the middle of it. The nearest civilization 's probably miles away."

"So we 're done for,"John groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No thought,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not get to find out."

"Do you really think your dads are going to be able to observe us ?"whoremonger asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's right,"Albus said,"The unit Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll find us."

"DOE shove like this happen every year ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, last twelvemonth I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll happen adjacent year ?"

"Hopefully naught,"Albus said.

"If there is a following year,"John muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the boys,"I did n't tell apart you to blab out !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the distance,"There 's multitude gathering over there ! We 've got to go somewhere else !"

Albus looked towards where Jarrett was pointing and his heart leapt a bit. There was a small gathering of flesh a few yards away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"Calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just vampires. They wo n't get at us. I know that coven. They know safe than to mess with me. I 'll make life pretty miserable for them if they do."

"cutting deals with vampire now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's Hope sank once again. Lubar seemed more befuddle than ever. He cut bargain for vampires but passed restrictive laws on loup-garou ? It did n't make sense.

The men lowered their interpreter again and Albus wished he had a few extendable capitulum with him. He did n't defy talk to his Friend, just sent them anxious glances every now and then.

A coldness wind blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the kind of cold that chilled him to the bone. Hoping that it was n't going to rain down, or C ( was n't it winter in Commonwealth of Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no cloud, but what Albus saw was much worse than clouds.

Five or six cloaked figures were slowly circling above them. Although he had never before seen one, Albus recognized them as dementors immediately. Despite the dark, Albus could clearly make out their forms. As they got closer, he could even discover their rale breath.

The world in figurehead of him began to drown. He felt like he was going to elapse out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the happiness out of him. Albus was left with all his distressed thoughts.

His dad was n't going to find them. They would be stuck on the Australian outback until Lubar and the others did what they were going to do. Then who knew what would bump ?

"No, no, no !"flatness shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to look towards his friend. Matt was kneeling on the ground, shaking violently. Both John and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of course the dementors would feign lusterlessness the spoilt. He had gone through matter that Albus, Gospel According to John, and Kaden could n't even imagine. It probably did n't help that Lubar was actually present tense, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his scepter out of his robe. He 'd hear the incantation for the Patronus appeal before and figured it was worth a shot. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his wand at the sky. nothing happened.

A happy thought ! How could he have forgotten that ? It was difficult to reckon of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to matte shouting on the ground.

When the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his sceptre to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the incantation while using assorted well-chosen store. nada was happening, but Matt 's shouting was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the ground. It looked like Matt had passed out.

Thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his sceptre at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his scepter and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few seconds. He had sort of done a Patronus magical spell !

"Bloody nether region,"John the Evangelist whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"someone shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar track at them with his wand pointed at the dementors. A silvery squirrel was floating ahead of him and the dementors scattered as it reached them.

Albus 's foggy Einstein immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his wand in his robes before Lubar thought to disarm him.

"farewell him,"Lubar growled at trick and Kaden, who were knack to the ground trying to get flatness to inflame up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a bloody brilliant place to come."

Lubar paid no care to Washburn 's comment. His middle were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very peculiar look. Albus took a spooky dance step back, but Lubar did not avert his regard. Albus immediately closed his mind.

******

"Potter, sir !"

Harry, who had been walking up High Street in Hogsmeade with Ginny, turned around and saw Lewster striding towards him. Harry stopped, hoping he had some ripe news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the centaurs,"Lewster said,"They saw three wizards in the woodland a few time of day ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my survive Galleon the other two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the centaurs know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the forest base for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't surprise him. The Resurrection of Christ Stone was someplace in the woodland."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his top dog,"And the centaur are pretty sure they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can witness out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't recall that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no doubt in my mind,"Harry answered,"It 's just a matter of finding them. Listen, I 've got to go research Dervish and Banges. I 've got this hunch about the place. Seems like the perfect berth for Washburn to pick out them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go see the end of the match. I wo n't note anything to James and Lily yet."

"Good,"Harry said,"I 'll be in impact soon."He kissed her lightly on the forehead."We 're going to witness him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"Stay safe."

Ginny turned around to walk back to the Hogwarts grounds while Harry picked up the rate and walked the abruptly aloofness to Dervish and Banges.

The building looked utterly abandoned. The window were still boarded up, the grass overgrown around it. It certainly did n't look like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his wand, he crept cautiously to the threshold. He carefully pulled the control board off of it and quietly wrenched the doorway open. Without lighting his sceptre, he walked inside.

The situation had the smell of a recent fire in the fireplace. mortal had been there. However, there was not a sound from anywhere in the building. Harry lit his wand and saw that it was deserted.

After a thorough check of the integral edifice, in which Harry found no living tool, he returned to the main room. The open fireplace was filled with nearly dead ember and there was a lowly big money of Floo powder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an incantation that would recite him where the concluding person to use the fireplace had Flooed from. He waited for the incantation to process, his pith pounding.

Soft red smoke emitted from his sceptre, curling together to form the Book 'Ministry of trick .'Harry breathed a sigh of moderation. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a uncertainty, Harry knew that Albus and the other male child had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The only question was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, Potter ?"Lubar asked.

"Thirteen,"Albus replied, still a bit nervous as to why Lubar was looking at him like that. It reminded him of how Balladanis had looked at him during the second dueling tournament.

"And they teach the Patronus Charm to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his point, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may get taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the first prison term I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't severalise me you were skilled at Defensive magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is ceramist 's aptitude for Patronuses really relevant to what we 're doing ?"

"It matters if they decide to try and hex us !"Lubar snapped,"I think it might be comfortably if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his wand harder. He glanced at matte, who was still unconscious. John did n't ingest his scepter. Kaden was n't very honorable at dueling. It would be up to him, to Albus, if this came to a duel.

"The only when one who 's got any accomplishment is potter,"Jarrett said,"The early three are n't going to be difficult."

"fine,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to mouth to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few yard away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where lustrelessness had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing spell or two."lusterlessness, mat,"he whispered,"Wake Island up."

After a hour or two, Matt 's centre fluttered open and he sat up."What happened ?"he asked, looking around confusedly.

"You passed out,"Albus told him,"When the dementors were here."

"But Albus cast a Patronus !"privy said excitedly.

"You what ?"lustrelessness gaped at him.

"It was just argent mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his interest,"flatness shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The other three male child shook their heads."Figures,"Matt muttered.

"You need some umber or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"power,"Kaden began fishing around in his pockets. He produced a deep brown frog and handed it to flatness, who took it without saying a word.

"Listen,"Albus said,"Whatever it is that they want to do here, they 're doing it soon. Do you think you can get up ?"

matt nodded and Albus helped him to his metrical foot. Lubar and the others were walking towards them again. Albus slowly pulled his wand out of his gown and held it to his side of meat, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a pile of wood and set fire to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the male child. Albus was now clearly able to see the twisted look on Lubar 's cheek.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"Fire 's going to draw in attention !"

Lubar laughed."Fire 's going to ensure that those lamia stay away and we 've got to see what we 're doing !"

Albus glanced towards where the vampire had been congregating. They were currently walking farther away from Albus and the others. Thinking back to Linda 's boggart, he remembered that lamia are destroyed by fervidness. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his bridge player, but Albus could n't hold out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you know what this is, thrower ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to vocalize too nervous.

"It 's the Resurrection Edward Durell Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly conceal his pant as he peered closer at Jarrett 's outstretched hired man. There was a very small-scale stone sitting in it. The Christ's Resurrection pit. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three objects he had been after for years. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to sound confident.

"ancient conjuring trick is a beautiful thing, potter,"Jarrett answered,"There are long forgotten spells, turn that work very nicely with long forgotten magical objects such as this Stone. It was merely a matter of finding the correct spell, getting to the Forbidden woods, and putting it to use. Quite dim-witted now that I look back on it."

"Only because you did n't do any of the work,"Lubar muttered,"It was I who found the spell !"

"The former Hallows will prove to be easygoing to incur with the help of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the sound of that. The Isidor Feinstein Stone itself did one thing and that was bring back the liveliness of citizenry who had passed on. How would that help Jarrett get the other Hallows ?

The invisibleness Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his gown. He really hoped Jarrett would n't realize that.

"Another affair that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot tending who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the fire and strode closer to Albus. Albus took a step back as his heart started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, Potter. You should be afraid,"Jarrett 's gaze swept over all four boys,"You should all be afraid."

"Quit taunting them and just do it,"Washburn said impatiently.

"With this rock,"Jarrett said a bit louder,"I will bring back Lord Voldemort."

******

Harry burst out of Dervish and Banges, not caring that he had blasted the door completely off its hinges as he did so. He had to find Bruno Walter. He had to encounter Bruno Walter and then go to the Ministry. The open fireplace did not show foretoken that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop. That left either Apparition or a Portkey, both of which would throw left traces that he 'd need the Department of Magical conveyance for.

Harry rounded a corner as he ran towards Honeyduke 's and nearly ran headlong into a witch. He stepped back and saw it was Ginny. She wore a strange facial expression of disarray and electrical shock, ruffle with amalgamate fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a problem,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the match over ? How badly did we lose by ?"

"Only a hundred point in time,"Ginny said,"But we might not have actually lost. Listen, did you know Australia 's quester is a vampire ?"

"Wait, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to wrap his mind around that fact while still focusing his mind on Albus.

"I 'll explicate after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"right,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a trail. soul was in Dervish and Banges. They Flooed there from the Ministry ; I 'm sure it was Al and the others. I 've got to find oneself Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not sure where that will guide us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be careful,"Ginny said as she gave him a kiss,"And bring him back."

"I will,"Harry said as he kissed her back,"I 'll see you soon."

"Harry !"

Harry turned and saw Walter striding out of Honeyduke 's. With one last spirit at Ginny, Harry met Walter half-way.

"We 've got to get to the Ministry,"Harry said immediately, and explained about what he had found at Dervish and Banges and what Lewster had learned from the centaurs.

Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the spot. They reappeared a little while later in a small phantom bedchamber in the Ministry.

Passing the bewilder looking security guard for the third gear time that day, Harry and Walter ran to the lift. Neither of them said a word as the lift clattered to the department of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, relieve for one very bored looking beldame sitting at a desk.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her feet off the desk,"Something I can do for you ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"I need to know if anyone 's Disapparated from Dervish and Banges in Hogsmeade. Or used a Portkey from that Lapp location. And if you 're able to, I need to fuck where they went."

"Of course, Mr. Potter, of course of instruction,"the crone said as she got up. She disappeared into another room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the nearest chairwoman. Bruno Walter sat down in the neighboring one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll line up them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Bruno Walter replied,"However, that is not the only thing I am apprehensive about. The last sentence Matt had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for month afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not know much about therapy, except that wizards did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must have been bad.

"Do you take care if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not certainly if he was overstepping some form of boundary.

Walter did not talk for several seconds."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't have to explain."

"I will,"Walter said quietly,"Shortly after flatness was bitten, I became the top dog of the department for the regularization and ascendence of Magical Creatures in Commonwealth of Australia. cipher outside of the section knew about his term, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my erstwhile position of mind of the Werewolf restraint unit, and was quite jealous that I was given the Head location. He could not get over the fact that I was given it, even when my own son had lycanthropy.

"It was a grudge he held against me for many years, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it slip that matte was a lycanthrope. A bit of legislation had been passed that required all lieu of transformation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected mat 's and it failed on a technicality. Ministry centerfield were set up for werewolves to transform in, together. mat was required by law to transform there since his prophylactic elbow room did not pass. I refused to birth him metamorphose there. The papers were all over it. I lost my job. Lubar was appointed to the headway position.

"More legislating was passed. A law that stated that Ministry officials could physically force werewolves into the transformation inwardness. On the day of the full moon, Lubar Flooed into our firm and took Matt to the center field. By the prison term I figured out which center it was, the moon had risen. It was too late.

"Matt spent workweek in St. Mungo 's. By that time we were nearly ready to act here. He was so traumatized, it took months for him to get over it. To be honest, I do n't think he 's fully over it.

"The only understanding Lubar did it was to try and get to me. That 's why he 's so sick and twisted,"Walter finished as he put his drumhead in his hands,"I swore I 'd never let him near lustrelessness again. Swore I 'd kill him if he went near lustrelessness again.

Walter gave an odd sort of jest."Listen to me, I 'm telling the principal of the Auror Department that I 'd commit murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go pull through the boys,"Harry said, still processing what Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so loath to let flatness out of their sight, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One thing that Harry could tell was that Walter blamed himself for everything that had happened. Honestly, Harry was n't surprised. If something like that had happened to St. James the Apostle, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your shift,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't have mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no good to harp on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my brother said when flatness was in St. Mungo 's,"Walter said wryly.

"Mr. Potter !"the witch came bustling out of the room she had gone into, brandishing a piece of sheepskin, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the sheepskin. His centre scanned the parchment. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few myopic minute ago. That in itself did not shock Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Commonwealth of Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Bruno Walter, who had visibly paled at the word,"They 're in Australia."


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome people who have read and left such adorable reviews !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the previous chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so firmly that he could Apparate. Why did you own to be xvii to get your Apparition license anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical Department of Transportation, he would change that law. Apparition would 've enabled him to get out of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to make for back Lord Voldemort with the Resurrection Stone.

Albus could not retrieve being more scared in his life. This was far unfit than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two age ago, far regretful than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the previous twelvemonth. Lord Voldemort was far scary than Lubar, Washburn, and the Willinsons combined.

What would Voldemort look like when Jarrett brought him back ? Harry had said the Stone could n't actually work people back to sprightliness. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a ghost. But would he be able to do magic, to perform the swearing and curse he did when he was alive ?

Albus held his breathing place as he watched Jarrett change by reversal the Edward Durell Stone over in his helping hand. Albus had no idea how it worked, but judging by how quiet all of the adult were, Jarrett was trying to use it.

Over and over again Jarrett turned the stone. He did it for so yearn that Albus had to let out his breath. The excited glimmer on Jarrett 's grimace slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it puzzle out ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you positive this is the right pit ?"

"Of trend I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the Stone,"The trance said it was !"

"Well, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a sigh of relief. Either they had the wrong stone or for whatever reason, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the stone over in his hand. On the third base bout, a unusual sorting of mist appeared in forepart of him. Albus 's heart sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to all the way and a figure was standing in forepart of Lubar. The figure of speech was not Almighty Voldemort, though. Albus had no idea who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This individual was a woman, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging rum coup d'oeil. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the figure, his face contorted with something Albus could only take up was sadness.

"M-mother ?"Lubar said as he stepped closer to the woman.

"You idiot !"Jarrett shouted,"That 's not Voldemort !"

"I know that !"Lubar snapped and the looked back to the woman, who was apparently his mother,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the woman replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his friends, who were all staring in muddiness at Lubar. matte in particular was giving Lubar a very foreign look. Apparently the Harlan F. Stone was the Resurrection Stone and it did indeed work, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's female parent agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very majestic of you, son."

Albus had to extend his mouth to conceal his snort. What kind of mother could be lofty of what Lubar had done ?

"I 've tried,"Lubar said,"I swore I would after, after what happened."

"You have,"Lubar 's mum replied,"You 've done me proud."

"Oh for pigeon hawk 's sake !"Jarrett shouted as he ran towards Lubar.

Lubar seemed to suffer forgotten that there were other people around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Isidor Feinstein Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's mother began to fade as soon as Jarrett took the Isidor Feinstein Stone. Running towards her, Lubar held out his workforce trying to keep her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's female parent completely disappeared, Lubar had his scepter out and was holding it up at Jarrett. Jarrett had taken out his own wand, but neither man was hurling jonah. Washburn and Quinton had taken a few whole step back.

"You arse !"Lubar shouted,"That was my mother !"

"I know !"Jarrett replied,"That 's why I did it ! We 're trying to bring back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not insult my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his wand.

Jarrett fell to the ground, completely ineffective to actuate. Lubar stood over him with his sceptre directed at his chest.

"My mother was a pin-up person,"Lubar growled,"You 're sickish to be speaking ill of the dead like that."

Albus did n't really think Lubar should be talking about who is sick and who is n't. Nor did he intend his mother was particularly lovely. Never before had Albus thought he 'd hold with Jarrett Willinson on anything, but when it came to Lubar 's female parent, he did.

"bettor they hex each other than us, right ?"John the Divine muttered.

"good point,"Albus replied.

"Can we please just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the impression that that 's what we were here for, not to insult each other 's mothers."

Lubar turned his verge on Washburn."Have you anything to say about my mother ? fountainhead, do you ?"

Washburn hastily pulled out his own wand."Er, no, she seemed quite lovely."

"Good,"Lubar said manically,"Keep it that way, or you 'll end up like him."Lubar gestured to Jarrett, who was still laying paralyzed on the earth, his eye darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll need you to reduplicate that Portkey,"Harry said to the witch, who nodded and left the room again.

"Walter,"Harry began,"I am nearly one hundred percent sure that Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, as well as Jameson Washburn are working with Lubar. I am nearly positive that they are with the boy in Australia."

"right,"Bruno Walter agreed,"The evidence surely points that way."

"There is something about that investigation that hardly anyone in the Ministry knows,"Harry lowered his vocalisation,"Nearly a class ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror department needed some supporter with capturing the other two. The pastor hired a Presuler."

Bruno Walter let out a low whistle and then actualisation dawned on his font."wait, you do n't mean-"

"Tethys Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the make-believe of teaching Defense Against the night Arts."

"Bad estimate on the Minister 's region,"Walter muttered.

"It was my idea to station him at Hogwarts,"Harry replied,"But I did not get laid that he would be such an awful teacher."

"I wo n't check it against you,"Bruno Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a piece of this investigation, I have to touch him and he will consume to go with us to Commonwealth of Australia. I understand that you have had your dispute, but-"

"If he helps to happen Matt, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. ceramist, Mr. Eckerton,"the witch returned holding a misshapen plastic container, which she handed to Harry."If I can be of anymore aid, let me know."

"That 's it for now,"Harry said as he took the container,"Thanks."

******

Albus stood freeze down as the four men dueled each other. Completely unsure of what to do, yet very well-chosen that they seemed to have momentarily forgotten about the boys, Albus just stood there watching. Matt, John, and Kaden did the same, although John looked more than a bit apprehensive, to the highest degree likely due to his lack of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to take the Stone from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not contract kindly to this and hexed Washburn. In the mean time, the knockout had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing hexes at each other while dodging the fire. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would misstep and burn their weapon system or something. Or even estimable, maybe one or more of them would sink their wand into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely bad for wearing. All three of them were sporting hurt. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's left wing arm was being held at an odd angle.

Lubar seemed fine and even though it appeared that the other three were siding against him, he was coming off better. Albus had to admit that he was very skilled at dueling.

Lubar shot a jet of red visible radiation at Washburn, who went flying over the fire and landed with a sickening thud in social movement of the boy. He did not move. Albus looked down and saw a small stone next to Washburn 's chief. He bent and picked it up. It was the Christ's Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all encourage towards him. Three baton were pointed at his chest, being held by three people with maniacal gleams in their eyes.

Albus gulped and held up his own baton, his arm shaking slightly. Matt and Kaden had done the Lapp. John tried to hide behind Matt, but was unsuccessful since he was a good head taller than him.

"hired man it over, Potter,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant look at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Stone into the pocket of his gown and held his wand up high-pitched.

******

"Balladanis."

"Eckerton."

Harry watched as the two men stared at each other. Balladanis had Flooed to the Ministry shortly after receiving Harry 's Patronus. Harry had filled him in on what was going on, but the man had n't taken his eyes off of Walter the stallion time.

"We have n't got time for this,"Harry muttered and held out the plastic container,"Let 's just go."

Walter agreed immediately and laid his handwriting on the Portkey. Balladanis did so as well, with a little hesitation.

With a familiar jerk behind his naval, Harry disappeared from the Ministry. The Portkey trip was a bit foresightful than I Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his foundation and held out his sceptre as he adjusted to the surround. It was slope Shirley Temple Black and after he lit his wand, Harry knew they were in the middle of a forest.

The forest was disappointingly quiet. The only sounds were those of animal and the episodic whispering of tree, brought about by the wind. Not a single sound caused Harry to think that there were hoi polloi about, let alone his son.

"Spread out and search,"Harry announced. The place may seem deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the wizards said a Bible as they combed the area. Harry left no Harlan Stone unturned as he looked for the humble ghost of grounds of where his son had gone. If only it was n't night. Wands did n't furnish nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a trace of anything that showed anyone had been in that area of the forest, let alone where they had gone afterwards. Ralph Lubar was good at this, that was for sure. Harry swore as he returned to the Saami station he had started from.

Walter returned a few minute later, looking even more anxious than he did before."Nothing,"he muttered,"Not a rip piece of cloak or a bingle Knut. They did n't abide here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the background with his shoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to hark back.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a small alloy pawn in his mitt and an strange kind of charge up smirk on his face. He skidded to a stoppage in front of Harry, holding out the instrument. Harry recognized it as an phantasm sensor. They were quite rarefied. The British people Ministry only owned one, for the entire Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Bruno Walter muttered,"Any estimation where ?"

"A oecumenical idea, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Bruno Walter 's sarcastic feeling,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am aware,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his men on the metal instrument. It would be able-bodied to pass them to the relative area they needed to go.

Walter put his hand on the instrument as well and with an exceptionally cheap crack, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The ground was dusty and sandy and there was hardly any works life in sight. In the length there were tall mountains and cloaked trope floated above them. Harry suppressed a chill and gripped his sceptre tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a hollo bonfire blazed in the distance. Harry glanced at it suspiciously and then looked back to Walter and Balladanis, both of whom were more familiar with the area.

"Only lamia and dementors ever venture out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to run the diminished mathematical group towards the flickering lighting in the distance.

******

"Hand it over, ceramicist,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to give his verge more steady. His scepter arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't seem to be able to obtain it steady. His heart was thumping hard in his chest. Albus was trusted everyone was capable to hear it. However, he did not need to collapse up the Stone. That was one thing he was trusted of. The but way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put past times him.

"Maybe you should just give it to him,"John whispered,"I mean, it did n't mold to get Voldemort back."

"No,"Albus seethed, surprised that John had suggested it. He probably would n't have if he still had his wand.

"Do you really want to have to duel me, Potter ?"Lubar stepped a bit closer,"There 's three of us and four of you, one of which does n't have a wand. Not well odds, if you ask me."

"And do you see that those two are horrible duelers ?"Albus replied.

"I have noticed,"Lubar smirked,"But they 're fully qualified ; you are not. I 'm going to get that Stone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his wand and sent a jet of orange tree light at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a buckler charm, concentrating on making it big enough to harbor him and his friends. It worked and the orange twinkle bounced harmlessly off the shield and hit the ground.

"Stay behind me, John,"Albus muttered,"flatness and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever spells you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his shield up while casting other turn, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling lessons. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to keep the shield up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's cuticle, but he quickly recovered and began sending hex after hex, nonverbally, at Albus and whoremonger. Concentrating hard, Albus sent a Stunner at Lubar, but he flicked his scepter and it shot off into the length, hitting one of the lone George W. Bush, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a glance at Matt and Kaden. Matt was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was kind of pathetic as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus feel better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus appeal at each other and missing every time.

The shield emitting from Albus 's sceptre faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his concentration, but the carapace was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to get off any spells through the shield now.

"Your shield is weakening, potter,"Lubar smirked as he sent another smasher at Albus, which shook the cuticle.

"Merlin !"Quinton shouted to the right of them. He was hopping on one human foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some variety of hex, although Albus was n't sure enough what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his wand at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the ground. Albus gasped and his shield disappeared.

"Albus !"John the Divine shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the shield back up before Lubar shot a hex at toilet, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be promiscuous just to pass me the gem ?"Lubar asked as he sent a sweetheart at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and lusterlessness were still dueling. Both were sporting a few injuries, but nothing too serious. Neither seemed to suffer noticed that John and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a trip curse, which gave him a few seconds to catch his intimation while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a gash across his left cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the side and the spell hit a nearby rock. Lubar resumed his nonverbal spells and Albus continued deflecting them and dodging them, too exhausted to try and hit Lubar with any other jinxes.

"You ca n't keep dodging them forever, ceramicist !"Lubar grinned manically.

"Watch me,"Albus said defiantly.

Albus of grade knew that Lubar was right. The betting odds had not really changed. John and Kaden were both out of the combat and while King John was easily the secure dueler after Albus, his absence did not put Albus greatly behind. Washburn was out as well and both Willinsons were injured. Quinton was currently on his human knee panting, not in any physical body to continue dueling. Matt was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both amazed and delighted by.

No, Albus was not trying to overcome Lubar. He knew that would n't be potential. Albus was merely biding for time. He tried to figure out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged charm. It must have been at least three or four hours, although the blue Australian sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the moon had been out so he could have monitored its trip across the sky.

How long would it take his dad to find them ? tenacious than normal, Albus thought. They were in the middle of a foreign res publica, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, potter, and you do n't require to see me when I 'm roiled !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red visible radiation at Albus.

Before Albus even had time to register what sort of hex it was, Matt gave a screaming of pain to Albus 's right hand and collapsed to the ground. Jarrett wasted no sentence and pointed his wand at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a second to digest the fact that he was now utterly alone, facing two fully grown wizards. The two sensation pip very jets of amobarbital sodium light at Albus and he managed to pull up a sapless shield.

The military force hit him like a dozen Bludgers to the belly. He lost his footing and landed flatcar on his back, his head hitting a particularly sharply rock.

"I told you not to fight, Potter,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the Harlan Fisk Stone,"Albus said, forcing away the dizziness. He reached into his robe and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to grab the Stone.

With all the violence Albus could summon, he threw the Harlan Fisk Stone as far as he could to the rightfield. In the duskiness, it disappeared in a split second gear and Albus did n't even hear it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"Wands where I can see them !"mortal shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his brain slightly and caught a glimpse of his dad, along with a few other wizards. He breathed a suspiration of rest. They were saved.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up right before the whammy started flying. Realizing that he dropped his verge when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the ground. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby bush and watched.

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

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

The shorter of the two was lustrelessness 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone glare at anyone else with such hatred and loathing as Matt 's dad glared at Lubar. And that included when his Uncle Ron talked about the Malfoys, or his mum when individual mentioned Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

It was the other hotshot that nearly caused Albus to pass out in shock. He was none early than prof Balladanis. What in the name of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and Matt 's dad. But why ? Did n't Matt 's dad hate Balladanis ?

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

"Lubar, if we were n't in the bearing of an Auror and a Presuler I 'd rip you limb from limb, Muggle elan,"Mr. Eckerton growled.

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's choice of row, but remembering what flatness had told him at the outset of the class, all surprisal left him.

"Lucky for me Potter and Balladanis are here, then,"Lubar replied and snatched Washburn 's scepter off the ground.

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent different go at Lubar at the like sentence, but it was too deep. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still conscious but not completely aware of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring difference between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past tense Quinton and Washburn to give Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

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

"Al, thank pigeon hawk,"Harry said.

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

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

Balladanis had a firm storage area on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a broken credit card cup. A few secondment later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with Matt in his munition."Can you ingest John, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will come with me."

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

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly confused, but did not accept meter to ask his dad anymore questions before feeling the familiar jerk behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thud in the middle of the hospital annexe. The interrogation of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts solid ground was the least pressing question on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both flatness and John on the nearest beds while madam Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

"Look at the state of them !"the nurse exclaimed,"Always this lot, too ! You 're a bad influence on them, Harry, I swear !"

Harry looked slightly shamefaced as he set Kaden down on the bed next to Matt 's and then turned to Albus.

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

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

"I promise I 'll severalise you all of that and more,"Harry replied,"But I need to tell everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to need you to enjoin me everything that happened."

"But-"

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

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his head was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the finish thing he needed was eternal rest. He needed to know what was going on.

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

Albus muttered under his breathing time and got into bed. Once brothel keeper Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping swig, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight down off the sleep he knew was coming.

******

The ward was quiet when Albus woke up. It was completely non-white outside, although Albus did n't make the flimsy clue as to what day it was. John, lustrelessness, and Kaden were either still unconscious or vocalise asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since dame Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in professorship next to lusterlessness 's bed. It did n't look like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the same Ministry robes he had been wearing before.

Albus sat up and put his hand to his principal. There was a bandage on the book binding of it. Another patch was wrapped around his right arm, although he could n't recollect when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt beat.

The door to the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth opened, letting in a small-scale flood of light from the corridor. A shape stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

"Dad,"Albus replied, recognizing his begetter,"Are you going to tell me about Balladanis now ?"

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

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

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

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and top his dad out the door and up to the fifth part floor corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate knight and turned to face the opposite wall.

Albus located the paw print and touched his mitt to them, turning it into a doorknob. He opened the door and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from lowest twelvemonth ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a loss for words.

"There was more to it. command on how to get into this elbow room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their secret mutual way,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't respond. Instead he walked slowly around the room. Albus stood near the door and waited. He was n't surely how long he stood there, watching as his dad investigated the way that had once belonged to his grandfather.

"This,"Harry began,"This is just incredible, Al. How long have you known about it ?"

"About a year,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend time here ?"Harry asked.

"Probably more than we do in the commons room,"Albus answered.

"Then it is the complete property to verbalize,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

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

"I 'll state you that,"Harry said,"But first I want you to explain to me what happened."

Albus took a deep breath and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the castle and ending with throwing the Resurrection Harlan Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a forest in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to throw, the duel, the fact that the Resurrection of Christ Stone did n't shape to bestow Voldemort back.

"Why did n't it make for ?"Albus asked,"I mean, I 'm glad it did n't, but why ?"

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

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's potential that since Voldemort split his psyche so many times, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The Stone may call for the mortal to be intact to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved ones can be brought back with the stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not love Voldemort ; they did not be intimate him. They wanted to impart him back for their own agenda,"Harry explained.

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

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

"Well, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden timberland for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

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

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

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

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

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you make out what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling lessons he gave me,"Albus explained.

"fountainhead, that makes my account easier,"Harry said,"A little over a year ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to engage a Presuler to help receive Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

"Yes,"Harry muttered,"The Minister believed the Aurors needed some help."

Albus thought he heard bit of contempt in his dad 's voice.

"When I realized that Washburn and the Willinsons were most in all probability working with Ralph Lubar, I had to contact Balladanis and let him know. He came with us, and I have to accommodate that he was very helpful. We would not have found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

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

"The government minister, professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be good scheme to have him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would repay to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of trend, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able to handle teaching.

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

"What about Rose and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

"I suppose I 'll tell them as well, otherwise Kaden is certainly to tell them,"Harry said.

"What 's going to happen to Lubar ?"Albus asked,"Is Balladanis going to be after him now ?"

"No,"Harry shook his psyche,"That 's going to be crafty office. Lubar is n't a British citizen. We ca n't do a matter while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial run or have him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their functionary, we 're not sure they 'll do either."

"But that 's not middling !"Albus stood up angrily,"Look what he did ! Look what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like nothing More than to sacrifice him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the natural law do n't work that way."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Being a Presuler is a heavily job and often a alone one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can form it hard to have a family. It 's not an easy path to go down. Not one I 'd choose for myself."

Albus had n't even thought about that. He did n't consider he 'd need to rarely ever see his Friend and family.

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

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

"wellspring, you should probably get back to the Hospital flank before dame Pomfrey notices you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

Harry stood up and gave his son a hug. They left the elbow room and walked back to the hospital Wing, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, dame Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the infirmary Wing with his dad, she was running about the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward shouting at the top of her lungs. Matt, John Lackland, and Kaden were all awake, staring at her.

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

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to sing to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

"You should own asked me first !"dame Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs relief !"

"I 'm his father,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't like if you 're the curate of Magic !"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing degree !"

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

"fifteen bit or so,"matte answered.

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

"Could I have a word in private ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to Madam Pomfrey."Do I need your permission for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"Madam Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to sleep a little while later and when he next woke up it was light out and Madam Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

"Er, what day is it ?"Albus asked as dame Pomfrey set his tray down.

"It 's Sunday, dear, but it 's afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd prefer to receive breakfast."

"Only Sun ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than two dozen hours since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

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

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was ravenous. When he thought about it, it must have been at to the lowest degree a day since he 'd eaten anything.

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

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

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

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

The threshold to the hospital Wing banged open and rosebush and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a move to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

"Tell us what happened !"Rose demanded as she skidded to a stay in movement of Albus 's bed,"When did you get back ? Where did you go ?"

"Who won the Quidditch catch ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"blush wine groaned,"I 'm not saying a parole about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the name of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"Miss Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't depress your voice, you 'll have to leave !"

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

Albus launched into the entire tale, which took the better part of a half hr to severalise. Neither rose or Amanda interrupted once during the whole affair. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the time Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"Rose asked.

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

"pigeon hawk, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How a great deal hassle can you get into ?"

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

rosiness exchanged glances with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the match, let me differentiate you,"Amanda said.

"Nobody won, Al,"Rose said.

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

"About forty-five min into the match, Fred and Calluna vulgaris ran onto the pitch-"

"The friction match lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"Rose said,"I do n't know why. Anyway, Fred and heather mixture ran right up to Ludo travelling salesman and started talking to him. cypher could hear what they were saying. Then Bagman blew his tin whistle and they went into a time-out.

"Bagman left the pitch and had a really long talk with all the headmasters and master. Then Kendrick announced that the friction match was called off and told everyone to come back to their green rooms.

"Everyone was really angry of line. Amanda and I were already worried because you lot had n't shown up yet. We thought something bad had happened and that was why they called it off."

"Why did they call it off ?"John asked.

"I 'm getting to that,"Rose said,"We got back up to Gryffindor and everyone was gathered around Fred and heather mixture. Linda was n't there, and neither were any of her teammate who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the front end of the crew and heard what Fred and Calluna vulgaris were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"Well, they were,"Matt muttered.

"I know,"blush wine agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and Calluna vulgaris. I 'm for certain they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told somebody Sooner. They found out Linda 's a vampire and now the full school knows."

"How did they cipher it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her hugger-mugger quite well. Fred and heather were 6th years, they would n't have heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

"They 've been trying to figure it out all year,"rosiness explained,"And since they 're smart, they figured it out."

"But what about the peer ?"Albus asked.

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

"natural the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole yr on that tournament ! Do you lie with how much time I 've spent on the Quidditch pitching this year ? More time than I 've spent in division, probably ! And now they 're going to set off the bloody tournament ?"

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

"Sorry,"Albus mumbled,"It 's just a little aggravating."

"I know,"Rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

"Gone,"pink wine sighed,"Without a news. I have n't seen her or any of the Aboriginal Australian since the match. Killigan 's gone, too."

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

"I guess,"rose wine said,"Anyway, they 'll probably crap an annunciation about the tourney at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my genus Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the amazing mass who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one Thomas More chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to tell everyone else about Balladanis later on in the good afternoon. Madam Pomfrey flat out refused to let any of them leave the infirmary Wing, so she agreed to lock the threshold and go to her study while Harry explained. lustrelessness 's dad was there as well.

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

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. news program that was not all that welcome.

"As of right now, he 's completely give up and in the exonerated,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to extradite him, and they wo n't prosecute him in Australia either. To them, it 's like nix 's happened."

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

"We 're not going to give up,"Harry said,"We 'll hold negotiating with them."

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous nighttime, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first year, when Matt had told them about his dad 's young grownup dream of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside table, where gentlewoman Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the late dark. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

"Merlin 's beard,"he muttered,"It 's the Cloak."

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

"Unbelievable,"Mr. Eckerton whispered as he fingered it.

He spent a few minutes trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the display case of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is get. I would have a go at it to share the story with my brother. Perhaps I could bring out you to him at the reality Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be fine. Perhaps I will eventually recount him as well."

******

Albus wanted nothing more than to be allowed out of the infirmary extension in metre to go to dinner that Nox. He was sure professor Kendrick would make some kind of announcement about the tourney and he did not want to miss it.

After a full ten minute of begging on his part ( helped out by mat, John, and Kaden ), Madam Pomfrey told him he was in no fit nation to exit the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth. Albus thought this was ridiculous because he felt okay. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a sling ? That should n't stop him from eating dinner party with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a quiet meal in the Hospital wing and wait anxiously for rose wine and Amanda to separate him what Kendrick said.

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

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

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

"No,"rosebush shook her head,"To do that Hogwarts would have to wager New York in another final."

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

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

"That 's stupe,"Albus fumed.

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

"Yeah, well, all the house had people on the squad, so that does n't really serve,"Albus muttered.

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

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was cipher that could cheer him up.

"There were Quidditch talent scout at that lucifer,"rose wine told him,"And even though the match was disastrous, they did find someone they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"Rose exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to roleplay for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

"That 's brilliant !"Albus replied. pink wine had been right, that did cheer him up. There was no one he thought who belonged on a professional Quidditch squad more than Georgia.

"Yup, she 's their newest military reserve keeper,"Rose said,"She says Uncle Walker Percy 's not strike. He wanted her to work at the Ministry. She does n't care what he thinks, though."

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

"Kenmare ?"John said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"Matt grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the Cannons,"john groaned.

"She 's just felicitous to be on a team,"Rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any squad, she 'll be able to work her way up to a better one."

"Merlin, I hope so,"John shrugged.

"Is she the solely one who got drafted ?"Albus asked.

"Only one I know for sure of,"Rose said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle Bats, but I do n't fuck for sure."

Albus nodded, feeling slightly better about the tournament. It was n't pointless now that he knew his cousin had been taken on by a professional Quidditch team because of it. However, that did n't take all the dashing hopes away.

******

Madam Pomfrey reluctantly let the male child leave the next day after breakfast. She did n't really have a selection since exams began that day. Albus felt perfectly fine and was quite felicitous to provide the place.

Rose handed him a transcript of the Prophet as soon as he and the other son reached the vernacular room. Albus took it, well-chosen that he had a few minutes before his start exam to read the article that was inevitably there.

Australian school CHEATS- tournament CANCELED

After a startling discovery made by two Hogwarts
student, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack honorary society of
trick, and the Australian school of Sorcery
has been canceled.

The tourney 's final Quidditch mates was
interrupted this past Saturday by two Hogwarts
one-sixth years, Fred Weasley and Heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the stallion
tournament.

A few months ago, allegement were brought upon
the Australian team after their Seeker, Linda
Morales, 14, flew at an exceptionally firm speed.
An investigation found nothing. The tourney
continued.

Fred and Calluna vulgaris Weasley accused Linda Morales
of being a vampire. Vampires are outlawed
from playing on professional person Quidditch teams due
to the unjust vantage they have.

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

Headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Australian
School of necromancy admitted to allowing Morales
to be the seeker of his team in order to win the
tournament. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, Morales, and the rest of the Australian
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts late
on Saturday, declining to speak with any of our
reporters.

tournament officials as well as the early two
headmasters have decided to cancel the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

'It is too bad that the tournament turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told reporters, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few age .'

"Killigan is an imbecile,"Albus said.

"Look at the next article,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON BACK IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the last Quidditch match was ending in calamity
at Hogwarts schoolhouse of witchcraft and genius, Harry
Potter 's middle child, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus ceramicist, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and John Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, Head of the Department of the Regulation
and Control of Magical tool in Australia.

The four Hogwarts student were taken to Australia
where Harry ceramist and Bruno Walter Eckerton found them.
It is ill-defined what the convicts were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four boys have recovered from the ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the yr examen
at Hogwarts. Harry thrower has declined comment.

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

"I do n't suppose they can report much,"rose said,"The Aboriginal Australian Ministry may be asking them to hold back quiet about Lubar in issue for giving him some sort of punishment.

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

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

There were short article in the seer about Lubar everyday, but they all said the same matter. Australia refused to extradite him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The week after exams was a strange one for Albus. There was nothing left for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. Rose and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the boys, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

Things were different, though. Both Rose and Amanda were a lot quieter than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no theme whether she had said good-bye to them, or even if she 'd had the hazard.

matt was lost in his own view nigh of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went entire evenings without saying two words to anyone, something that usually only happened around full moons. However, the next full moon moon was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was sure this was because of what had happened in Australia. He never talked about it, but Albus knew that getting kidnapped by Lubar again had scared the daylights out of him.

bathroom and Kaden remained as knockabout as ever and did not seem to be fazed by what had happened in Australia. They spent their week pulling pranks and playing endless plot of Exploding snatch that Albus occasionally joined in on.

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

******

The train ride back to John Griffith Chaney was subdued, the only noise being whoremonger and Kaden 's Exploding child's play add-in. Albus and matte both gazed out the windowpane, mesmerized by the pass landscape.

"Linda sent me a letter of the alphabet shoemaker's last night,"blush wine said, breaking the silence.

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

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to tell you that she was distressing about the tournament,"rose wine told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a different country."

"To go to school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her oral sex,"She 's been through school a couple times already. She was n't even a pupil at the Aboriginal Australian shoal. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing searcher for them. He 's a really foul gent. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

"Where will they go ?"Albus asked, surprised that he was actually feeling sorry for Linda.

"No theme,"Rose shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

"This all class has been so messed up,"John sighed,"I hope next yr 's better."

"Me, too,"mat agreed.

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

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

"Definitely,"Albus said,"Your Sister 's going, too. Lily told me she 'd invited her. Victor-Marie Hugo 's not really well-chosen about that."

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

"wellspring, I 'd favour Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! zippo can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"Good breaker point,"lavatory agreed.

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

"Why ? So you can convince your parents to take you ?"John smirked.

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

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

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"Living in collapsible shelter, no electricity, no magic either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"Matt said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"lusterlessness answered,"That was the time I got bitten."

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

"It 's ok,"Matt shrugged,"Just do n't go during a full moon synodic month. I do n't require any of you having to join me in the Shrieking hovel next year."

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

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

The train arrived in Jack London and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the political platform. After saying so long to his friends, Albus left the station with his family feeling that just maybe life would be normal from then on. wellspring, maybe the summer would be at least be convention. Albus could n't get his hopes up too high.


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

I am working on the twenty-five percent news report but it 'll be a while before the first chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every other hebdomad at first, alternating calendar week with Beyond the Shadow. In the mean value time, if you want something new to scan, I suggest checking out Remember the Cannons, which is a collab I worked on hold out year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley Cannons and their ruin. It 's under the username The Golden Snitches and is also in my favorite stories so you can find oneself it that way.