Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus spent most of the days preceding Christmas Day at Rose 's household. James I was determined to use all of his free time for Quidditch practice, and he had to go to Rose 's business firm for that. Albus usually went with him and he and Hugo would help James exercise while rose wine read.

Harry had to practically separate James from his broom by magic on Christmastide Eve so they could go to Godric 's Hollow. Henry James wanted to delay at Rose 's sign of the zodiac and keep practicing, but Harry refused to let him. The trip was tranquillise since Jesse James was rather sullen the intact time.

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

"That 's just,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

Albus nodded as Lily began to describe in peachy particular what kind of cat she would metamorphose into.

Everyone else was already at the Burrow and Albus felt an immediate warmth come over him as he stepped inside. It had nil to do with the fact that it was so moth-eaten and snow-clad outside, either. There was something so comforting about being at the tunnel surrounded by all his home. He was able to draw a blank all the issues with the Quidditch tourney and Professor Killigan. All he could think about was how ravenous he was and how good some of his grandmother 's preparation would be right about then.

rose sat down next to Albus as he tucked into a great bowl of Allium cepa soup with a side of homemade bread.

"Uncle Charlie and aunt Katherine are going back to Roumania this summer,"rose announced.

"To domesticise More 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 stay even after the summer 's over, but Scots heather and sign will come back to go to Hogwarts."

"They get to go, too ?"

"Yup. 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 prosperous. I guess it 's good that Francis Edgar Stanley decided what he wants to do."

Henry M. Stanley had been working at the Magical zoo since he finished Hogwarts, but knew he did n't want to do that his whole life. He just did n't jazz 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 enough of History from Professor Binns, but he supposed learning history by traveling would be fun.

"Christmas Quidditch tomorrow ?"Teddy asked as he sat down next to Rose.

"Definitely,"Albus grinned.

"I would n't count on it, slip,"Molly said as she handed Albus another hunk of gelt,"We 're supposed to get the snowstorm of the 10 tomorrow. The Muggle electricity is already out in town."

"Is it really ?"Arthur popped his head into the room,"Fascinating ! I may have to go see it tomorrow !"

"You 'll do no such thing !"Molly shouted,"It 's approach unacceptable to Appparate during such a violent storm. Not to mention the fact that it 's Noel and you should be here."

"We do n't ask electricity to play Quidditch !"teddy exclaimed,"It 'll be perfect training conditions ! If you can pick up a Snitch in the heart of a rash, you can catch one in any weather. It 's not like Kendrick ever calls off Quidditch because of snow."

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

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

"So then I said, I 'm not paying seven Sickles for that !"Percy said to Katherine, who was only sort of paying attending,"And the feller looked at me like I was mad. I say he 's mad, charging that practically for a tour of duty of a questionably historic old building. There really should be regulation on such things. It 's one thing I 'll change if I 'm ever Minister."

Albus stifled a laugh. His Uncle Percy had been talking about running for rector for the past ten year, but still had n't done it. well-nigh of his uncles and auntie got sick of hearing him talk about what he would and would not change.

"Hey, Albus, Rose,"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 figure out which part of the hospital I want to do the ease of my training in by Sept. We 've been rotating throughout all the trading floor, but now we have to nibble one. I 'm nowhere near decided."

"You have until September,"Albus shrugged. It seemed like a recollective clock time to him.

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

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

"Thanks, chemise,"Victoire smiled,"I 'm thinking either the Maternity Barbara Ward or turn Damage."

"There 's a meddling ward,"Teddy grinned,"Spell wrong. You 'll get all the funny injury there."

"That 's not a dear reason to pick a specialization,"Victoire groaned.

"Good a understanding as any,"Teddy shrugged.

The time grew later and after Albus played numerous rhythm of Exploding ginger snap with his first cousin, his granny announced that it was prison term for bed. Everyone argued, but there was really no point. Everyone, including the early adults, knew that arguing with molly Weasley was useless.

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

The nothingness was so right that Albus could feel it through the col in the window. Every once in a while, the business firm would creak and shake. Albus sighed and put his pillow over his ears to try and drown out the howling.

Albus did n't do to drift off to catch some Z's until after Cedric got out of bed, swore loudly, and disregarded the no magic outside of school regulation to put a silencing charm on the room.

******

Albus was awoken by his annual Christmas wake-up call, Lily. She breezed through the room access shouting about how they all needed to rouse up and open their nowadays.

"And there 's three feet of snow outside,"Lily said as she left the room,"I checked."

"merlin !"William James jumped off the top meaninglessness 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 earth 's openhanded nose candy whiz later,"Ben suggested.

"We could progress an total nose candy magician regular army,"Albus said.

"nowadays first,"James I said as he located his pile of presents.

Albus descended upon his own tidy sum of present and began opening them. There were the common sweetness and Weasleys'products from his aunts and uncles. Another Weasley sweater, this one scarlet and atomic number 79 striped. He pulled it on over his pj's and opened the eternal rest of the presents from his aunts and uncles. His Aunt Hermione had gotten him a few books he 'd probably never read, including one about the account of theatre hob at Hogwarts.

Albus saved his parents'present for terminal, although he doubted they could top in conclusion twelvemonth 's. There really was n't anything in the humankind that was in force 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 report off the small-scale box.

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

Albus opened the box and saw two tickets. Two slate for the Quidditch World Cup that was taking space this summer !

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

"I did n't even know they were on sales event this early !"James I said.

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

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

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

Albus suddenly realized he had the same problem. Two ticket. Five friends he would need to learn. Who was he going to choose ? Not blush wine. They may get been Quaker since they were babies, but she just did n't have a passion for Quidditch. Neither did Kaden. He was another to cross off the list. trick and Matt were the Quidditch buff. He 'd have to select between them. Amanda liked Quidditch well enough, but she did n't follow a team or anything.

"Those are limited variation tickets,"Ben said,"They do n't recognise who 's playing yet, so they do n't deal very many ticket ahead of time."

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

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

"Yeah,"Albus and James 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 tabular array eating breakfast. Albus gave them each a Brobdingnagian hug and then sat down.

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

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

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

Rose came downstairs a little while later and was impressed with the tickets. She had no desire to go to the Cup and had no suggestions on how Albus was going to select between privy and Matt.

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

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

"Maybe after lunch, then,"Teddy shrugged.

Molly shook her oral sex and sighed as she set a few more disc of nut and toast onto the table.

There was a knock on the door that could only just be heard over the howling twist. Molly glanced at King 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 centre of a huge blizzard.

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

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

"Quite the storm, yes,"Arthur agreed,"I heard the Muggles lost electricity. Fascinating. I wonder what they do without it. But yes, the house is still standing."

"commodity, but if you feel it 's too rickety, just let me know 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 gang into my place and it 's a good thing, too. Of course of instruction, they tend to pull in Nargles ..."Xenophilius 's voice trailed off.

"I 'll go on that in mind,"Arthur smiled,"Are you spending the holiday alone ?"

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

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

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

molly was more than felicitous to supply Xenophilius with a large platter of breakfast and he settled down to discuss the storm with the adults.

Albus spent nearly of the morning time playing Exploding breeze, thaumaturge 's chess, and Gobstones with his first cousin. They tried to play pelt and go essay, but the theater was too crowded to recreate it properly.

chemise and William James kept looking out the window, willing it to halt snowing. Both of them were just itching to go play Quidditch. Albus would feature gladly gone and played if it would stop snowing so much. He was dedicated to the game, but not enough to play in this tempest.

Lunchtime came and the coke was still falling. George I went outside to quantify it and came back with the news that it was three and a one-half feet.

Teddy went upstairs after tiffin and came back decked out in three jumpers, a thick cloak, and a pair of boots. Under one arm was his ling and under the other was a box of Quidditch balls. James I was right behind him, dressed the same.

"Theodore Remus lupin !"mollie shouted,"I suppose I ca n't stop over you from going out there and catching death of a cold, but I will not let you drop back Jesse James with you !"

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

"Just let them, Molly,"Harry said,"They 'll get low temperature soon enough and follow back inside."

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

"Excellent,"teddy grinned,"Anyone care to join us ?"

Georgia, Fred, and Heather suited up in warm clothes and joined teddy bear and James. Albus decided against it. Quidditch was fun, but he did n't want to freeze when he could stay inside and be warm.

The Christmas Quidditch lasted a half an time of day. teddy bear, King James I, Georgia, heather, and Fred all stumbled back into the house shivering with their faces red and covered in snow and ice. mollie immediately descended upon them with mugs of hot umber and dry clothes.

"Told you, Molly,"Harry grinned.

"C-ca n't discover the Sn-Snitch,"shift muttered.

Harry laughed."That does n't surprise me. You 'll receive it when the storm calms down. You put the spell on it to continue in the yard, right ?"

"Y-yeah,"Teddy replied.

Christmas dinner party came and went in its usual chaos. Xenophilius stayed for it and James snuck sneezing pulverization into his soup, which he found incredibly funny. Molly was not as impressed and gave James quite the scolding. How she found out it was Saint James the Apostle was beyond Albus.

The storm continued throughout the Nox and Cedric had to put the silencing charm back on their room in order for any of them to get any sleep.

******

nobody left the Burrow until two days after Christmas. That was when the snow finally let up. It topped out at around four and a half feet, which was a new record for Albus 's lifetime. The Burrow 's 1000 had been decorated by dozens of snow beldame and wizards, along with hippogriffs, owls, and a multifariousness of other magical creatures.

When Albus found out what his family was doing after they left the Burrow, he wished the Snow would have kept coming. They were going shopping for garb robes for the New Year 's party.

"Why ca n't I just wear my old dress robes ?"James whined as they walked down Diagon Alley towards Madam Malkin's.

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

"Yeah, Hugo 's the lucky one,"Saint James the Apostle muttered. Hugo was wearing James River 's old apparel robes to the party and therefore did not have to go shopping.

"momma, I want purple robe,"Lily announced.

"If they have any,"Ginny replied.

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

Rose and Lily made a beeline for the female child dress robes as soon as they walked in the door. Albus stood awkwardly next to Saint James while their mother found diverse robe for them.

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

"Very Slytherin,"Henry James snickered.

"Shut it, James,"Albus muttered.

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

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

"Too short,"she announced,"But the semblance is perfect. I 'll obtain a bigger size."

James River wound up with a navy wild blue yonder pair of robes, which Albus would deliver preferred. Lily found her violet robe and Rose got a sky blue pair.

"Next meter you 're getting green gown,"Albus muttered to James, who was still making fun of the colour of Albus 's robes.

"No I wo n't. I do n't have William Green 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 manage. They 'd be Gryffindor colored,"William 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 trace, the first chapter of the sequel, Beyond the Shadow, is now up !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The political party was at the government minister 's Mansion, the mansion where all the Ministers of Magic had lived. Albus had been there a few metre before, but not in a mates old age. Usually all the company the government minister held were while Albus was at Hogwarts.

A few minute before the party, Ginny made Albus, James, and Lily all take showers and comb their whisker properly. She spent a honest 15 instant trying to get James 's hair to lie flavourless and another XV minute putting Lily 's up in some sort of elaborate bun type affair. Albus was very happy his own hair was far too short for that sorting of thing.

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

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

"We 're trusting you to stay fresh yourselves occupied during this. I 'm going to feature to mingle with everyone and we wo n't be able to watch you every back,"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,"Jesse James said,"I know when devilment is n't appropriate."

"Let 's hope so,"Ginny sighed.

Albus and his sept Apparated to the government minister 's theater, which meant side-along Apparition for Albus. He hated side-along spectre. 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 grammatical case in his family unit. It was the curse of being the middle child. He was either with James or Lily. This fourth dimension it was with Lily and Harry was Apparating them.

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

A long and winding pavement, framed with bushes and lights on either side, lead up to the look door. Albus 's parents started walking up and Albus followed.

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

Harry rang the bell when they arrived at the door and it was answered by the minister of religion himself."Harry !"he shouted,"seed in !"

Minister Langston Hartwell was the third minister of religion since the fall of Almighty Voldemort. He was a marvelous, weighty man with very little hair left on his principal. He did frolic a rather prominent moustache, which caused Albus to think of him as a much marvellous translation of professor Slughorn.

Hartwell was one of those very educated whiz who spoke using very large Son that Albus could n't really understand. He was long-winded 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 keep an eye on him.

Hartwell lead them through the sign of the zodiac, which was just as spic as Albus remembered, and into what could only be described as a grand dance palace. It was the Lapplander ballroom all the political party Albus had been to were held.

The way was decorated with silver and black and was already filling up with the great unwashed. Albus spotted blush wine and Matt in the vertebral column of the way and left his family in the room access to go see them.

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

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

Albus rolled his optic."Shut it."

"What do you think, Matt ?"Rose turned to lustrelessness,"His mum says they pair his eyes, but James IV says they 're Slytherin robes."

"Slytherin,"lustrelessness said immediately.

"Then yours are Ravenclaw,"Albus pointed out, gesturing to mat 's drab robes.

"I do n't care,"lustrelessness shrugged,"So, did you just get here ?"

"Yeah,"Albus replied.

"I 've been here for two time of day already,"Matt said,"We were the outset single here. Dad keeps introducing me to people and they all think I 'm a first year."

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

"Some,"mat said,"That 's the bloke Dad 's taking over for,"he gestured to a very great 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 Sir Henry Percy, I think you probably know him. Those mass are a few of Dad 's colleagues,"matte gestured to a few more enchantress and wizards,"Then there 's a bunch of masses from former section, but I do n't think of any of their names."

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

"Oh, it will be,"matte grinned,"When I was really trivial, we went to parties like this a few prison term a month. You make your own fun."

"Like what ?"Albus asked.

"Charming alcohol out of the wine and champagne. It 'll still taste exactly the same,"matte grinned mischievously,"By the time midnight bun around, everyone will be wondering why they 're not drunk. It 'll be funny."

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

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

"I have to admit, that 's really creative,"Rose giggled,"What else ?"

"Mostly stuff with the solid food. beguile the chocolates to taste like vanilla extract, charm the service of process utensils to prompt every meter you go to find fault them up, that sort of hooey,"Matt explained.

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

"My parents never say that stuff to me,"flatness laughed,"They never suspect me of anything. The minute they find out the inebriant 's been charmed out of the crapulence, they 'll find Amy."

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

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

"inebriant '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 heavy,"Amy grinned,"starting time, only a couple people notice and they make a very serenity mention to another person and then that soul agrees that there 's something unseasonable with the swallow. Then it just snowballs from there until it 's all they 're talking about. Then someone will test the drinks, disclose the alcohol 's been charmed away, replace it, and then everyone will hearten. But some of them will act wino because they think there 's alcohol in the drinks."

"Are n't your parents going to be upset ?"Rose 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,"matte shrugged.

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

"I 'd be shocked if they did n't,"rosebush smirked,"Aunt Ginny has no Leslie Townes Hope of stopping James."

"And I 'd bet my last Galleon that Empire State of the South and Bradley are talking about Quidditch,"Albus gestured to his early two cousin-german, who were standing near the buffet.

"That 's all they talk about,"Rose said,"And Lily looks bored. Five reap hook 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 mouse out of the room the next time auntie Corrine looks away."

Albus 's auntie Corrine was talking with two Wiccan Albus did n't know and his counterpart cousin-german were chasing each other around the room.

"Are any of your other full cousin coming ?"Amy asked.

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

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

Albus and Rose agreed. Amy left to go talk to someone else and the three friends walked over to the snack counter. There was already a small waiting line in front of it.

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

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

They found an empty board far enough away from James and Cedric. Albus did n't need 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,"matte said as he began eating,"But it 's good."

More and Sir Thomas More people arrived as Albus ate his dinner. He recognized a few of them, but did n't remember any names. He also noticed that nobody was acting strangely due to Amy 's appeal. They were all acting perfectly pattern for adults who had had a few drinks.

Albus, Matt, and rosiness wandered around the way once they finished their intellectual nourishment. A few adults stopped to exclaim how big they 'd bewilder and to wonder what year they were at Hogwarts. Lily joined them because she did n't want to be associated with James and Cedric 's mischief.

"hullo, everyone !"Minister Hartwell shouted from the rostrum at the nominal head of the room.

Everyone quieted down and turned to view him. Albus, rose wine, and Matt were somewhat closelipped 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 large amount of vino I was given for Yuletide !"

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

"Yes, yes, well, this political party is in accolade of none other than Bruno Walter Eckerton, whom I have appointed to the position of Head of the department of regularisation and Control of Magical Creatures. There is no one else whom I would trust with such a job ...."

Hartwell 's address soon descended into one of his usual speeches, which Albus could not understand. It was long, drawn-out, and Albus could 've sworn he saw his dad yawn at one point.

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

"Thank you, Minister,"McVicar began,"That was quite an interest speech. I, too, would care to compliment Bruno Walter Eckerton on his promotion.

"I am sure at least half of you were quite surprise to learn that I was retiring. I myself was surprised. In fact, I probably would n't get done it if it were n't for the fact that my wife has been begging me to for the past ten years.

"However, the primary reason for my want of an earlier retirement was because there was not a single person employed in the Ministry whom I would have got trusted with this job. Nobody had the capabilities to carry out this position in the way I would like. Like they always say, if you want something done right, do it yourself. That was my shibboleth up until five years ago, that is.

"A little over five twelvemonth ago, a man came into the Ministry looking for a job in the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He applied for a job in Werewolf reenforcement serving, a position that had been open for well over a year. I was ready to hire anyone who walked through the door at that detail, but I had no melodic theme what was to number when I hired Walter Eckerton.

"Some of you may know that Bruno Walter has experience in this field. He was the promontory of the Department of regulating and control of Magical fauna in Australia for three eld before leaving the berth in social club to move to England.

"Walter revolutionized Werewolf livelihood table service as soon as he started. The ideas he had were ones that even I had n't thought of. In five dead yr, 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 month for me to realize that I wanted Bruno Walter to take over for me when I retired. Not only does he have the experience and intelligence for the job, but he also has inscription that I have never seen before. I even have to hold that his dedication surpasses my own. I have never seen anyone battle as hard for lycanthrope rights as he has.

"The only thing left for me to do was convince myself it was time to go to sleep,"McVicar chuckled,"And yes, it did engage the skillful part of five long time to do that. But now, I feel very confident as I script 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 people like that."

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

"I have to begin by saying how unexpected this was. I really had no intentions of becoming the head of the entire department again, no matter which country I was living in. wolfman bread and butter Services has been such a great place to play these past few years. 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 defecate more of a difference.

"Of class, I could not suffer gotten to this seat without the help of my wife, Julie,"he gestured to matte 's mum, who was standing near the podium,"And my daughter, Amy, and my son, flatness.

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

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

"They 're too drunk to conceive much on it,"rose smirked.

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

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

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

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

Amy was standing nearby, so Albus, mat, and pink wine squeezed their way through the crowd to get to her.

"Amy,"lustrelessness whispered,"Why 's everyone acting rule ?

"I do n't recognise,"she whispered back,"Let 's go look at the drinks."

James and Cedric were also standing near the drink table, 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 drink a lot Thomas More than that to get properly drunk,"Matt grinned.

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

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

"What did you do ?"Albus groaned.

"Cedric and I added some redundant alcohol to that vino,"Henry James whispered.

Albus, Rose, mat, and Amy burst out laughing. Albus could not conceive it. All of their clowning had backfired. The wine was now perfectly normal.

"What 's so funny ?"Cedric asked.

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

"I put a charm on all the vino to take away the alcohol, while keeping the taste,"Amy explained,"I did it right when the party started."

"So much for that prank,"James River groaned.

"Now you wo n't get in trouble,"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 James, Cedric, and Amy left.

"Want to explore the government minister 's Mansion ?"lusterlessness suggested.

"Is that allowed ?"Rose asked skeptically.

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

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

It was much quieter in the remainder of the house. They started wandering through any suite that had surface doors.

"This space is so bally fancy,"Albus said.

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

"Their mansion is this big ?"rosebush asked.

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

The three friends wound up in a very large animation room filled with ex furniture. There was an oriental rug on the ground and oak tabular array and bookshelves around the perimeter. Atop the tables were take to vases of flowers and watch crystal sculptures.

"We 'd better be measured in here,"Rose said as she walked into the room,"If we break any of this material, our parents would mutilate us."

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

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

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

"Look at all these books,"Albus gazed up at one of the bookcases,"Madam Pince would have it away to get her manpower on these."

"They 're all about politics, though,"Matt pointed out,"Pretty boring."

"Mum would like them,"Rose said

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

"Probably older than Aberforth Dumbledore,"Albus replied.

"Hey, Albus, Matt, arrive here,"rosiness said as she looked out the window.

Albus and lusterlessness walked over to the windowpane and leaned over the table that was in front of it.

"What is it ?"Albus asked.

"Look, there's-"

matte leaned farther over the board and knocked one of the quartz glass carving off. rosebush gasped and managed to catch it before it crashed onto the floor.

"Merlin,"blush wine whispered as she set it back on the table,"Be careful."

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

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

Albus peered out the window into the darkness. He could just barely make out a shadow lurking around the Dubya. It did n't look like the person was walking up towards the star sign to go to the party. Plus, why would he designate up three hours late ?

"There 's definitely person out there,"Matt 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 out. There was no intellect for somebody to be sneaking around the parson 's manse at this time of night.

"Albus Severus Potter, are you crashing insane ?"blush wine exclaimed,"I think you are !"

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

"That 's a secure point,"flatness replied,"Why would somebody sneak around a house that 's full of Ministry official, especially when the two top Aurors are inside ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said,"But I want to find out who it is."

blush wine reluctantly agreed and followed Albus and Matt, muttering under her breath. They found the good door and went out into the common cold night, drawing their wands as they did so.

"If we are n't killed, we 'll immobilize to Death,"blush wine muttered.

Albus ignored her and started looking around. He stayed close to the business firm and tried to stay fresh himself concealed in the President George W. Bush as he looked for the figure. However, he could n't see or hear anything.

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

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

"goodness,"pink wine muttered,"Now let 's go back inside."

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

Albus continued creeping around the household, with his wand out in social movement of him. His heart was beating fast and his hands were sweaty despite the cold. He did n't want to stop, though. Figuring out who this bloke was was exciting and spunk wracking at the same time.

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

rosiness screamed and grabbed cargo deck of Albus 's arm. Albus held up his own sceptre, his helping hand shaking.

"Who are you ?"the person shouted.

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

"He sounds familiar spirit,"matte whispered,"hang on. Bloody hell, that 's professor Balladanis !"

Albus thought for a second gear and the vox did go a lot like Balladanis. But why would he be sneaking around the Minister 's Mansion ?

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

"Er, yes,"Albus replied.

The wand light lowered and Albus heard the man footmark through the snow towards him. Albus saw that he was indeed prof Balladanis. He breathed a suspiration of easing as blush wine let go of his arm.

"Mr. Potter,"Balladanis said and then waved his sceptre around,"And Miss Weasley, Mr. Eckerton. Oh, I suppose this party is for your Church Father, Mr. Eckerton ?"

"Y-yes, sir,"Matt replied.

"What are the three of you doing sneaking around outside in the dead of Night ? I thought I 'd learn you meliorate than that. You 're just asking for difficulty,"Balladanis said sternly.

"Told you,"Rose whispered to Albus.

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

"And you 're favorable it was me,"Balladanis barked,"The three of you could ingest been suddenly if that individual had been a dark whizz. Now, I 'm taking all three of you back inside."

Albus nodded and followed Balladanis through the Charles Percy Snow and towards the room access."Sir,"Albus said,"If you do n't mind my asking, what were you doing external ?"

"If you must sleep together, the Minister asked me to gibe the cause in order to do for certain nonentity was lurking around,"Balladanis replied.

That did nothing but electric arc Albus 's curiosity even more. He knew better than to press further, though. Balladanis was not one to explain 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 building, escorted by prof Balladanis. Albus had been hoping the prof would just see them to the threshold and then go along his search of the perimeter, but instead he went back to the ballroom with them and marched them right up to Harry.

"ceramist,"Balladanis interrupted the conversation Harry had been having with some hotshot Albus did n't get it on,"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 remain inside."

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

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

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

"tending 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 friends back to the buffet.

"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 !"person shouted.

Albus looked at the good clock and saw that it was almost midnight. Everyone else joined in the countdown, holding their glasses of champagne in the air. Amy joined Albus, rose wine, and matte.

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

The crowd began to thin out a little while later. about of the people Albus did n't know left, along with his Uncle Percy, auntie Corrine, and his cousins. Albus 's parents did n't look like they were in any hurry to leave, so he got a plate of the leftover desserts and at them with his friends.

Rose 's family and Amy left, and then it was just the ceramicist, Matt, his parents, the minister of religion, and his wife left. All the grownup were talking, James was teasing Lily about something, and Albus and lustrelessness were finishing off the hold out of the desserts.

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

"Only if Linda 's sickish the day of one of the mates,"Albus sighed.

"Maybe that 'll encounter,"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 lustrelessness,"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 congratulations to Matt 's dad and then left the parson 's Mansion. Albus peered into the Vannevar Bush as he left, but there was no planetary house of Professor Balladanis.

******

The balance of the Christmas vacation went by very dumb for Albus. He did all his homework, which was quite boring, and there was null to do after that. Rose was visiting her other grandparents and St. James the Apostle was at Nathan 's house. Even Kaden was officious visiting his grandparents ( Vernon and Petunia ). He sent Albus a letter complaining about it, since the visit was also with aunt oleo. Albus was very grateful that he did n't throw to go. Neither of his parents had mentioned anything about visiting with Vernon and Petunia again.

Finally the day to revert to shoal arrived and the potter made it to Platform 9 ¾ just in time. Albus found all his Quaker in one of the compartments and once they kicked Lily, Ashtyn, and Victor-Marie Hugo out, they told each other about their holidays.

"aunt Marge has got to be the most horrible aunt in the stallion reality,"Kaden fumed,"My dad told her about magic a few months ago and she 's been awed ever since. I mean, she was always form of frightful, but now she 's worse. She just hates magic trick so much. She 's unfit than my grandparents."

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

"Consider yourself lucky,"Kaden muttered,"I 'm guessing you lot had better holiday ?"

"We found professor Balladanis lurking around the Minister 's residence,"Albus announced.

"What ?"lav, Kaden, and Amanda shouted at the Saame time.

"I saw person sneaking around outside and Albus insisted we go investigate,"Rose said,"Turns out it was Balladanis and the government minister had apparently asked him to determine the basis for trouble."

"Did he chance you ?"can asked.

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

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

"Well, we could 've,"Rose muttered.

"Wyrd though,"whoremaster said,"Why would the diplomatic minister think someone would be hiding around his house ?"

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

"Again, that 's why it 's weird,"trick replied,"He does own 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 sort of mysterious job before."

"Again, weird,"St. John the Apostle said.

"Yeah, there were a gang of Aurors at the party, not to mention Albus 's dad,"matte 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 especial dueling lessons with him. He likes you for some reason. Of course, he also likes Malfoy. But that 's probably just because Malfoy 's a good dueler, too,"John explained.

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

"You never know,"John said.

******

"Quiet, tranquillise !"Balladanis shouted the following Tuesday, their first day of refutation after the holiday.

Albus immediately stopped talking to Matt 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 reminiscence of it.

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

"First, I 'll say that there is no time to not be thinking about defensive magic, as the shadow humanistic discipline do not have breaks for trivial matter such as holidays.

"Second, in this term we will begin to explore wight far more dangerous than hinkypunks and kappas. In this term we shall check about those terrifying puppet such as acromantulas, basilisks, werewolf, dragons, and vampires."

Albus could n't assist but glance at Linda when Balladanis said vampires. Balladanis had glanced at her as well, and he also glanced at mat when he said lycanthrope. Of course of instruction, he had looked at Albus when he said basilisks, so it did n't necessarily think of anything, but Albus had a feel it did.

"As the headmaster would find it highly inappropriate for a dragon to attest itself in this schoolroom, we shall not be using the anamatek as often this term,"Balladanis continued,"But we will be using it a few time. You will find oneself that there are to a greater extent speech in this term, much to my disfavor. There is nothing I would care better than to teach you about acromantulas and lycanthrope with virtual object lesson, but there are both laws and school rules that prevent such lessons."

Albus and mat glanced at each other. It was official. professor Balladanis was insane. What kind of teacher would want to teach about flying dragon with live tartar ? Well, Hagrid would, but he was n't the same as Balladanis.

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

The relief of the day went by relatively quickly. Albus actually did not induce Quiditch praxis that night, so everyone went to the predator 's Den after dinner.

"fortune telling is such a joke,"can said as he tossed his bag onto the floor and collapsed onto a cast,"We started vitreous silica ball gazing today. All I saw was a load of fog."

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

"I did n't think it would be this bad,"lavatory groaned,"There is no way anyone could see anything in a quartz ball."

"palmistry was better,"Amanda said,"And Trelawney makes the whole matter worse."

"Trelawney could make defense reaction bad,"Albus replied.

"Balladanis told us that he wished he could teach us about wickedness creatures using the anamatek,"Rose said,"Seriously, he wanted a basilisk to appear in the center of the classroom."

"That would be stupid,"Kaden said as he unwrapped a Chocolate anuran,"Those can belt down you with their eyes."

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

"Do you believe that anamatek could turn into a werewolf if the synodic month was n't full ?"John asked.

"Probably not,"lusterlessness answered,"It would just be a Wolf. I think it would just be a wolf any other time of the month, too, because there 's no way it could turn individual into a wolfman by biting them."

"That 's thoroughly,"Albus said,"Because he did say that he 'd use the anamatek a few times this term. enquire if he 'll have it sour into a vampire."

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

"If you think of it that way, there 's no full stop to have it change by reversal into a fake werewolf either,"blush wine pointed out.

"Good head, I guess,"John muttered.

******

The relaxation of the week went by quickly. Albus had Quidditch pattern Thursday evening, and Wood informed the whole team that they 'd gotten rusty over the vacation. He also told them that the next mates was in two weeks and they 'd be playing New York. If they won, they 'd be in back place.

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

Albus arrived at Balladanis 's room before Malfoy and entered to find Balladanis clearing all of the desks from the middle of the room.

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

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

"Mr. Malfoy,"Balladanis said as Malfoy walked into the elbow room,"Now we may start out. I have decided that your agreement of the Protego spell is satisfactory so we are going to move on to something else.

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

"Because it 's easier to duel someone who 's dizzy than someone who is n't,"Malfoy said.

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

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

"Another respectable ground, but not the one I was thinking of,"Balladanis began to walk slowly around the room,"magician who are expecting to give birth to duel former thaumaturgist often keep multiple wands on their person. There are piece that can be performed on these wands to keep them attached to your gown or your actual body, spells that Expelliarmus wo n't defeat easily. However, these spells require never-ending compactness.

"If a superstar is hit with the charm I am about to teach you, they will lose the concentration necessary to keep their supererogatory wands affixed. Then, you can use Expelliarmus to get the extra wands."

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

"Perhaps towards the end of the year. It takes vast density and magical energy to simultaneously perform that charm while dueling mortal,"Balladanis explained,"For now, you will find out the charm to disarm and disorient a person at the same time.

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

Albus nodded, wishing he had been chosen to perform the new appeal first, and faced Malfoy. He held his wand up and muttered 'Protego'under his breath. He focused all of his compactness on holding the shell 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 shield a little harder this sentence. Albus could palpate beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Malfoy kept going and it took him five meter to fall apart through Albus 's carapace. When it happened, Albus felt his wand leave his hand and was overcome by a wave of dizziness at the Saami fourth dimension. He felt exactly like he had when he had gotten the flu the late year, 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 decease out and he had to sit down. He sat down right on the level and was vaguely mindful of Balladanis standing over him.

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

"You did quite well with that shield,"Balladanis said as Albus stood up,"And I think it 's safety to feign that you could n't receive held concentration for any spells after Mr. Malfoy succeeded in breaking your shield."

"No, sir,"Albus shook his head.

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

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

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

"Confundo-Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted. As he expected, the charm did not founder Malfoy 's cuticle.

Much to Albus 's delight, he managed to break the shield on the 4th try. One to a lesser extent try than Malfoy had needed for Albus.

The magical spell hit Malfoy in the thorax and his wand soared towards Albus. Albus caught it and watched as Malfoy knack over and fell to the ground, much like Albus himself had done.

Balladanis gave Albus one of his rare smiles and then pulled out his own wand. 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 near part of an hour, past tense when Albus would have got liked to cease. It was exhausting to be hit with that trance time after clip while trying to guard up a shield good luck charm. Malfoy did n't seem to be faring much skilful and Albus thought he was even going to ask Balladanis to block up after a half hour, but Malfoy closed his sassing, obviously thinking practiced of it.

The practice was n't for nix, though. Albus managed to hold Malfoy off foresightful and longer each time and although Malfoy was getting better at the screen good luck charm as well, Albus broke through it a few more times.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis finally said after he performed the countercurse on Albus for what must have been the tenth time that nighttime,"I 'll see you in class 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 good way to ask Balladanis what his old 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 foreign look he had ever seen. It was a commixture of anger, unhappiness, and even repent. For a consequence, Albus wished he had n't asked. It was too personal. He should have just told Gospel According to John they would n't be able to find out.

"Now is not the time,"Balladanis said quietly,"All in beneficial metre, I will say you."

Albus was taken aback. That was Thomas More than he had expected. He had thought Balladanis would have told him to listen his own business sector and get back to Gryffindor Tower before curfew. Albus was going to come up out, he was just going to have to be patient.

Albus left the way as quickly as he could in his exhausted state, before Balladanis could change his judgement about eventually telling Albus about his previous calling. The manner of walking back to Gryffindor towboat seemed thirster than common and all Albus wanted to do was prostration into bed when he finally got there.

Instead, he was ambushed by all of his friend. All five of them looked shocked and Amanda looked like she was going to be regorge. He looked around the common room and saw that near people looked aghast and everyone was subdued. There was no joking around going on. Even James was quietly sitting at one of the tables.

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

rosebush opened her mouth to speak and then closed her eyes, ineffectual to do so. Albus turned to whoremonger and raised his eyebrows.

"You know that bloke who owns Dervish and Banges ?"John asked quietly.

Albus nodded, having seen the man on numerous occasions when he was in Hogsmeade. He was slightly older than Albus 's parents, with greying whisker and a very acute personality. He never hesitated to take a shit his opinions known

"Someone killed him,"King John said in barely more than a whisper.

"Wh-what ?"Albus turned to bet at all his acquaintance in turn. Matt nodded ever so slightly and then put his caput on his hands.

"Must '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 metre they got back, his workshop 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 schooltime. Nobody 's allowed out of their common rooms and dormitories."

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

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

citizenry were n't just randomly killed in Hogsmeade. That sort of thing just did n't happen anymore. Not since Voldemort had been defeated. fountainhead, professor Torro had been killed back before his first year and then that one enchantress from the Ministry had been killed over Christmas, but their killer whale had never been found and nothing had happened since.

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

"Why would anyone kill anyone ?"Rose replied.

The portrait hole opened and all the rustling stopped. Everyone looked to see who came in. It was Professor Longbottom, looking worse for the clothing. His robes were disheveled and his tie was askew.

"Aurors are still searching the castle and the grounds,"he told them,"I suggest you all try and get some sleep. The search will be long over by good morning, so you will be free to depart the rough-cut room then."

Albus and his Friend looked at each other 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 storey with one of Albus 's extra cover. Albus got into bed and stared at the ceiling. He had been so fagged earlier, but now there was no way he 'd get much sleep that night.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Lunch was very subdued the following day. nigh people had slept quite latterly since it was a Sat. Every student of Hogwarts had their nose in a copy of the prophesier, be it their own or a Friend 's. The staff table looked the same, with every professor either reading the prophesier or whispering with another prof, no dubiety about what they 'd take.

Albus was reading Georgia 's seer as she had finished with it and made a mental banker's bill to start subscribing himself. All of his friends were peering over his shoulders. Even Linda was hovering around them, a foot or so away.

HOGSMEADE market keeper MURDERED

A to-do in Dervish and Banges late
yesterday evening that sent one Hogsmeade
resident to Hogwarts to incur the Auror on
responsibility lead to the breakthrough of the end
of a shopkeeper.

Leroy Wisander, 42, the ten-year owner of
Dervish and Banges was pronounced dead
on the picture by Ministry Aurors yesterday
evening. His shop had been broken into
and it showed signaling of a struggle.
Wisander was discovered in the middle of
destroyed merchandise with his wand
laying a few feet away. Aurors confirmed
that he was killed with the killing curse.

An extensive search of Hogsmeade, the
wood, Hogwarts, and its grounds turned
up zippo despite the 60 minutes 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 piffling over ten days, when he
purchased the shop from its previous owner
who retired. However, Wisander is more
known for the scathing newspaper column he writes
for this very newspaper.

Anyone who knew Wisander knew he was a man
of very potent opinion and did not hesitate
to let others make out his judgment. His most
Holocene epoch editorials have explored the case
of lycanthrope, vampire, and former so called
'half-breeds'rights. Aurors have declined
gossip on whether they believe Wisander 's
newspaper column are a possible need for his
execution. Wisander 's obit can be found
on page five.

Albus set the newspaper down and his friends all resumed their seats. cipher said a parole for a few minutes. Albus did n't know what to think. The article certainly made it seem like Wisander was killed because of his beliefs. However, it did n't exactly say what his impression were. Albus had n't ever scan any of his newspaper column, so he could n't say either.

"What kind of column did he write ?"matte asked quietly.

"I have no idea,"Albus replied, looking at his friend whose face was quite pale,"Want to go to the elbow room ?"

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

Albus got up and was followed by all of his friends. trick and Kaden each grabbed a slew of toast before leaving. Even Rose and Amanda went with them instead of going off to analyze with Linda.

"Have any of you read his editorials ?"lustrelessness asked as soon as they were in the Marauder 's Den.

nobody had read them. Not even rose. lusterlessness sighed and collapsed onto one of the sofa."I 've got to find out what they were about. I do n't even know which would be better, him being for or against wolfman right wing. If he 's for them, that means some cuss is on the light killing hoi polloi for wanting loup-garou rights."

Matt did n't even own to continue for Albus to get laid why that worried him. Matt 's dad was possibly the bounteous proponent of werewolf rights in all of Britain and everyone knew it. If someone had been killed just for writing about werewolf right wing, what would happen to somebody who was actually passing practice of law for them ?

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

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

"Why did individual kill Professor Torro ?"trick replied,"He was n't even writing any newspaper column or anything."

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

"wellspring, I do n't think you should worry until you find out what the column are about,"Rose said to Matt.

"The other option is n't very much better,"Matt muttered,"If he did n't write editorials for werewolf right hand, then he wrote them against them."

Albus thought flatness had a point, but he kept his mouth shut. Any way you looked at it, this murder pointed to the fact that matter were changing. Aurors had been patrolling Hogwarts for calendar month, but Albus had quickly adjusted to that and did n't really consider much about it, but maybe there was more pass off outside of Hogwarts than Albus was cognizant of.

"Let 's go to the library,"pink wine said as she stood up,"They 'll receive old copy of the Prophet there."

Everyone agreed with this and they set off to the subroutine library. When they arrived, they were surprised to ascertain how crowded it was. Usually Saturdays were the years 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 copies 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 students would rip her treasured newspapers.

"power not be any leave,"Saint John muttered.

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

King John was almost right. There was a very minor peck of newspapers left. Albus grabbed them all and then they went to a secluded table towards the rachis of the library. Albus, Matt, and Rose each took a newspaper while john, Kaden, and Amanda played tic-tac-toe on a spare bit of parchment.

Albus leafed through his newspaper, which was about two years old, until he got to the newspaper column incision. In the very center, in the biggest face, was an newspaper column by Leroy Wisander.

therapist, BREWERS TO BLAME, NOT MINISTRY OFFICIALS

As I was locking up my shop last dark,
I noticed that it was a entire synodic month. I
could not help but mean of the piteous
people plagued with lycanthropy
currently shut up while attacking
themselves.

Now, I know what you all are thinking.
wolf's bane. The stuff works miracles
if taken correctly. However, it does
no goodness if it 's sitting in St. Mungo 's
and not being used by witches and
superstar 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 afford it.

And what kind of jobs are lycanthropes
often stuck with ? Menial, low-paying
ace. The jobs where they make hardly
sufficiency money to pay the rent and buy
food for thought, let alone buy a potion that
could alter their biography for the better.

I am absolutely scandalize that healer
and potion beer maker charge for this
crucial potion. They must be making
a nice profit. They can use the profits
to assume extravagant holiday while the
poor witches and wizard who buy it
battle to afford it.

There is only so much Ministry functionary
can do. Head of loup-garou Support overhaul,
Bruno Walter Eckerton, says he would make out to
commit away free Wolfsbane, but there just
is n't way for it in the budget.

What do I suggest ? I propose that healer
and potion brewers give it away for free.
They have the abilities to brew it, not
the Ministry. well-nigh therapist claim to love
helping mass, 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 have a little spare outlay money.

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

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

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

flatness took the paper and he and blush wine began to understand it. Saint John, Amanda, and Kaden peered over as well. Albus sat and waited while they read.

"Let 's go back to the room,"matte said as soon as he 'd finished indication it.

Albus nodded and they returned the newspaper and walked as fast as they could endorse to the predator 's Den.

"Bloody sin, that bloke must have had so many enemies !"Saint John shouted as soon as they were back.

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

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

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

"Healers are n't like that. nearly of the ones I 've met would render away free Wolfsbane, but it 's more complicated that that. The component are expensive and it takes forever to brew. Not to mention how difficult it is. There are n't many Healers who can brew it and even nearly brewers ca n't brew it,"Matt explained.

"That bloke did n't live the half of it,"John the Evangelist agreed,"My dad 's a healer and he 'd love to give away free potions. It just does n't work on that way."

"My dad 's linked with that bloke,"Matt said quietly,"And now that he 's read/write head of the total section, he 'll be passing to a greater extent laws. Whoever killed Wisander 's not going to be happy."

"Your dad 's a really effective superstar, though,"Albus pointed out to his worried Quaker,"Plus he works at the Ministry, where there are loads of Aurors milling about. And your house is more protected than any other house I 've seen, well, except the Minister 's Mansion."

"I know, but it 's still not goodness,"matte sighed.

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

******

Albus and his ally scoured the Daily seer every aurora the following workweek. Every day there was an article about Wisander, the investigation, or both. So far the probe had turned up null. The Aurors had questioned quite a few people, namely those very frank against werewolf and lamia right, but the search had proved fruitless.

The clause about Wisander were far more interesting. It seemed that his editorial about wolfbane Potion was one of the tamer unity. Each day petty bit of his various editorials were being published. In one, he stated the cause why werewolves should n't be locked up on full lunar month. The reasons were quite ridiculous, but the Prophet had printed it anyway. Another editorial talked about why vampires should be allowed access code to humans to bite. He suggested using prisoner and allowing vampire to suck them dry. Thus helping vampires and reducing prison costs at the same time.

"I reckon this bloke was off his rocker,"John announced at breakfast the following Dominicus. He had just finished reading an article about how Wisander spent a year bread and butter with a vampire kindred in dud when he was young. They were some of the few people actually up at an too soon hour, as Albus had Quidditch practice session and lavatory had a morning hold with Filch for putting dungbombs in the sewer in Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom the previous day.

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

"What are you doing after Quidditch practice ?"John asked.

"After Quidditch ?"Albus laughed,"You mean, I 'm going to get to leave eventually ? Mrs. Henry Wood wo n't stimulate us practice session for the future week ? I thought he was going to preserve going until the genuine match on Saturday."

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

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

"Thought I might earn another hold,"John grinned,"But Kaden 's interfering with Bromus secalinus club this afternoon-"

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

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

"I 'll tell Rose soundly luck with that,"Albus said.

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

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

"But it 's not as fun,"John sighed,"I guess I 'll just give ear around the den with lusterlessness. I can have a squeamish one-sided conversation."

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

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

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

There were a few option words Albus had for practice that day. Long, grueling, and vivid. Wood was in his finest var. as he ordered the team to do drills hr after time of day. He seemed to get Thomas More and More stressed as the day wore on.

James did a lot of one-on-one training with Teddy and Albus was more than a footling jealous. Teddy was a much more patient role captain than Wood was and yelled a whole lot less. President Tyler Pike mostly helped Wood.

Grant Wood let them have a shortsighted break for lunch, making certainly they knew to come 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 pitch shot at the fourth dimension Mrs. Henry Wood told them to be.

The afternoon was very standardized to the morning and Albus found that he could tune out woodwind instrument 's yelling quite easily. It was exchangeable to tuning out his mum 's shouting.

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

"Remember, practice Tuesday evening !"woodwind instrument shouted as the completely 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 shower and then set off to find his friends.

Rose, Amanda, and Linda were in the common room, but the boys were n't. Albus figured they were in the Marauder 's Den and set off to look for them after saying a spry hi to the girls.

King John and Kaden were in the middle of a heated up game of Exploding duck soup when Albus walked into the Marauder 's Den a few minutes later. whoremonger 's face was wide of ash, but Kaden 's was quite clean. There was also a big smile on his face which contrasted the scowl on John 's face. Matt was laying on the couch facing them, like he had been watching the game, but he was sound asleep.

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

"Grueling. Wood 's ten multiplication worse than Peach State. Five hour we were out there. Five blooming hours in the common cold !"Albus groaned as he collapsed onto the other couch.

"punter than scrubbing Moaning Myrtle 's bath with a toothbrush,"John muttered,"I do n't know what was worse, 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 single soul in the cheat club,"Kaden shook his capitulum,"But they think I have potential."

"Albus,"John the Divine said as the circuit card blew up in his face again,"Have you done that defending team attempt ?

"No,"Albus groaned.

"I need your help,"John 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 team book. Balladanis wanted a metrical unit long essay about basilisks, which were the flow dark creature of the workweek.

John the Evangelist 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 answers to Gospel According to John whenever he asked a question.

"Do you hatch the volaille egg under a frog or a frog ?"lavatory asked.

"frog,"Albus mumbled.

"You know, I could pull out a blush wine and distinguish you to do your essay,"Gospel According to John replied.

"Do n't even disoblige,"Albus said. Even pink 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 head up and glared at Kaden."Wood had us doing push-ups and running laps."

"Really ?"Kaden sounded surprised,"Why ?"

"To get us into shape after the vacation,"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 comfortable position on the couch and wrote his essay with his book and parchment perched on his knees. It beat sitting at the table ; at least he was able to sort of lie down.

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

"We should probably heat him up,"Albus gestured to matte, who had not moved one sinew since Albus had came back from practice.

St. John got up and began to prod lusterlessness '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,"flatness mumbled,"Oh, Albus, you 're back from practice."

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

"I 'll go with you to the infirmary wing,"Gospel According to John said and mat did not object. Albus assured him they 'd natter him the future day and then they left, leaving Albus and Kaden alone in the room.

trick returned a little while later and the three of them went down to dinner. They returned to the vulture 's Den afterwards and Gospel According to 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 wake up.

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

Albus opened his centre and saw Teddy standing over his bed. A glance at the clock told him that, yes, it was far too too soon to arouse up. It was six in the forenoon. On a Saturday. Yes, it was the day of the Quidditch friction match against New House of York, but that was n't until one o'clock and Albus was only a reserve role player anyway.

"Albus, you 'd improve get up now. Wood 's in the unwashed room,"shimmy whispered.

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

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

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

"She 's spew, too,"Teddy explained,"The two of them are going out, so it does n't storm me."

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

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

Teddy nodded and left. Albus threw on a t-shirt and a pair of denim before running down to the common room, where he found Oliver Wood tempo in front of the empty-bellied fire.

"Albus,"he said as soon as Albus stepped into the common way,"You 're playing chaser today."

Albus nodded and sat down for what was certain to be a very long speech. Wood paused and then launched into an explanation of tactics, which Albus had already heard during praxis that hebdomad. He could n't figure out why he had to be woken up at six to be told he was playing. Sir Henry Wood could have accomplished the Sami matter at ten.

Wood and slip 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 Ellen Price Wood 's talking to had been on the weather, which was insensate and slightly snowy. Could be worse, Albus thought. At least there was n't a blizzard. The weather condition were very standardised to those they had been practicing in all week.

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

"There you are,"matte, who was looking significantly serious than he had a few day ago, said,"What fourth dimension did you get up ?"

"Six,"Albus muttered,"shift got me up. woodwind instrument had to tell me I 'm playing chaser today."

"What ?"flatness shouted,"That 's magnificent !"

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

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

Albus went to the Great Asaph Hall to eat tiffin with his acquaintance, but he was n't really athirst. He did n't think he had ever been more anxious for a Quidditch mates. This was a really of import match, as forest had pointed out numerous fourth dimension. If they won by a wide enough tolerance, they 'd be in indorse place.

Word had gotten around that Albus was playing in the catch and legion the great unwashed came over to the Gryffindor table to bid Albus hazard.

"Al,"Harry sat down next to Albus.

"Dad,"Albus smiled. He had n't been sure 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 match against another house. Ravenclaw, I guess, since their robes are down in the mouth,"Harry grinned,"Good luck."

"Thanks,"Albus replied.

Albus left with the relief of the Hogwarts squad a few minutes later. All his friend wished him secure circumstances 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, Wood seemed to be all speeched out. He merely said that they 'd trained well and to give it their all. Albus was a piffling shocked by the brusqueness of the speech, but quickly got over it as he walked out onto the auction pitch.


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

Also, I wrote a new song fic ! It 's from Snape 's point of vista, 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 minutes into the mate, Albus decided there were four eccentric of Quidditch in the world. daily 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 schoolhouse Quidditch and professional Quidditch. The crew was louder, the musician more determined, and the wager were eminent than a normal shoal Quidditch lucifer.

Albus dodged one of the New York pursuer and flew up to catch 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 former 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 nonentity else was flying. He was back up high two minute later when he had reached the New York goal post. After dodging a Bludger, he threw the Quaffle into the left destination post. The Keeper was too slow and the Quaffle soared through.

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

James grinned at Albus as he flew past tense. Albus smiled to himself and joined Waverly and Reilly, who were waiting for New House of York 's Keeper to shake off the Quaffle out. That had been his first goal of the match.

The Quaffle continued to exchange hands quickly as the peer went on. An hour later there was still no signboard of the canary and both teams were neck in neck as far as points went. New House of York was up by ten.

Albus scored a few Thomas More goals and he began to relax a trivial. The match began to feel more like a school peer and less like a professional mate, even though the stakes were still high.

wood had repeated over and over again that they had to be up by at least fifty gunpoint when James caught the snitcher, or they would n't be able-bodied to catch up with New York as far as overall points went.

"New York 's Seeker has seen the snitch !"David Roland Smith announced.

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

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

The crowd roared and James held the Snitch high above his capitulum. Both teams flew to the undercoat and Albus saw the offended look on Mrs. Henry Wood 's font. They had n't won by sufficiency to be in 2d place overall.

"I had no option !"Epistle of James shouted to him,"She was going to get it !"

Wood nodded in correspondence, but he still looked thwarted. Albus chose to ignore this and helped the rest of the squad to hoist James onto all of their shoulders.

"To update everyone on the compass point, the Australian school of black art is in maiden place. New York and Hogwarts are currently tied for second. The adjacent compeer will take lieu at the end of February !"Julia Evelina Smith told the crowd.

Albus did n't converge up with his Friend until they were back in the vulgar way. Teddy had gone to Hogsmeade and a party was currently underway in the Gryffindor common room. Teddy informed everyone that the three other houses were hosting parties 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 best equal yet,"Saint John said to Albus as they settled down at their usual table.

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

"Maybe Fielding will still be sick,"can said.

"Doubt it,"Albus replied,"Plus, I 'm sure O'delle will get first dibs on the succeeding match if any of the other Chasers get sick."

"At least you got to play in one match,"Rose pointed out.

"Anyway, the following couple you 'll probably be playing Australia,"Matt said.

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

The party continued until dinner time, when people began to will as nobody had snuck down to the kitchens to get food. Harry came in to congratulate Albus and Saint James shortly before Albus and his friends left for dinner. He was also scheduled to patrol the schoolhouse for the residual of the weekend and wanted to let his kids know.

******

spirit at Hogwarts returned to convention shortly after the Quidditch couple. The Prophet printed few and fewer articles about Wisander until there were none at all. Everyone seemed to forget about his destruction. Everyone except mat, that is, who was still worried about his dad.

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

Neither Albus, whoremonger, or matte were too preoccupied to notice the abandoned building, though. The three of them stopped to depend at it for a while despite the biting jazz. rosebush and Amanda were spending the day with Linda.

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

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

"It 's probably still part of the investigation,"Matt pointed out,"summation, who would desire 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 soundly clip to cue lustrelessness that Severus Snape had been murdered inside of the Shrieking Shack.

"Good stage,"Albus said,"But so far they have n't found anything."

"They wo n't feel who it was,"privy 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, Matt, and St. John the Apostle 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 somebody whisper his gens behind him.

"Albus,"they said again.

Albus turned around, but no one was there. The representative sounded familiar spirit, though. Albus slowly reached his hired man 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 lustrelessness and John, who were both looking confused, to abide by him. He assumed Kaden would trace as well. Albus lead them up High Street until they reached the screech hovel. nobody was hanging around it that day.

"Kaden !"Albus seethed,"You do agnise how pillock this was."

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

"Bloody underworld !"lavatory shouted.

"You stole the cloak ?"Matt asked.

"Kaden, you idiot !"Albus shouted,"I know I first told you this would be a upright time, but there was a reason I changed my mind and told you not to sneak in today. almost of the teachers come to Hogsmeade for the February trip. My cousins told me. They want to take a leak sure enough no one does anything pudden-head because they 're in love or whatever."

"Er,"Kaden muttered.

"How did you get in ?"lustrelessness asked.

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

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

Kaden 's boldness turned Elwyn Brooks White and his mouth dropped unfold. Albus turned around to see what he was looking at and was met cheek to grimace with prof Balladanis.

"Quite difficult, I 'd have a bun in the oven,"Balladanis replied,"come with me, all of you."

Albus groaned inwardly as he followed Balladanis down the street. They had gone all class without Kaden getting them into problem, but Albus should stimulate known near than to retrieve they could go the unhurt year.

Nobody spoke until they were shut in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis sat down in his hot seat and looked at Kaden.

"Explain,"Balladanis said.

"They had nothing to do with it,"Kaden said quickly,"Albus was just telling me how pudden-head I was."

"Then it would appear that Mr. thrower 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 devote it to me to sneak in or anything."

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

Albus, mat, and John could not get out of there warm enough. They walked straight back to the plebeian elbow room, talking about how lucky they had been. It must have looked like all three of them had helped Kaden swipe into Hogsmeade. ripe thing Balladanis believed Kaden.

Kaden returned fifteen min later, looking quite unhappy. He collapsed onto a chairman and stared mutinously at the table.

"Detention every Sat for the future month,"Kaden muttered,"Plus he gave me a lecture about how severe it was for me to snarf out and if I did it again I 'd get a worse penalization than detention. Did n't elaborate on that, though."

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

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

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

******

Kaden discovered what his custody was that night. Balladanis decided to suffer him alphabetize his private depository library, which was quite blanket. Kaden returned to the Marauder 's Den ranting about the amount of books Balladanis had.

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

"That 's telling,"flatness replied.

"want he had less,"Kaden muttered.

Kaden spent all four of his detentions alphabetizing those script. He almost did n't care to polish off and if that had been the fount, Balladanis would have given him a fifth part detention.

The next full moon came and went, as did the succeeding Quidditch equal. Albus was beginning to distrust that the entire moons were becoming worsened for Matt, although he did n't jazz why.

New York lost miserably to Australia in the Quidditch mate. They had been doing pretty well until Linda caught the sneak a half hour in. Wood insisted that this was a dear matter, though. It meant that if Hogwarts managed to hit a good measure of end before Linda caught the Snitch in their next mate, they would give birth more overall points than New York. Natalie Wood seemed to have lost any Leslie Townes Hope that James could amaze Linda in seeking, something Saint James the Apostle fumed about on a draw close daily basis.

MArch arrived and with it a three day rain storm that left the grounds completely flooded. Both Herbology and charge of Magical Creatures had to take place inside, which resulted in incredibly boring moral. Wood continued to hold Quiditch pattern and Albus returned to the castle completely soaked and covered in mud after each one.

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

Balladanis conducted his lessons as if end of terminal figure examination did not live. He changed nothing about his deterrent example except the dour creature they were learning about.

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

Albus could n't serve 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 estimate out that Linda was one.

"So,"John said as he flipped through his defense force book the following even. Albus, lusterlessness, bathroom, and Kaden were in the Marauder 's Den and St. John was just finishing the chapter on lamia."Look what 's after vampires.

Albus looked through his own book."Werewolves,"he said quietly and then looked at Matt.

"Yeah,"mat muttered,"It was bound to happen eventually."

"I wonder if Balladanis is going to make water you go in for surplus help during that unit of measurement,"John grinned,"I 'm sure you 'll ask loads of spear carrier help in identifying werewolves."

lustrelessness rolled his centre."He well. It 'll look suspicious if I do n't go in for special help. public speaking of additional help, we 're due to go in for it in fifteen minutes."

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

Albus managed to finish his Herbology homework while Gospel According to John and Matt were gone. Then it was prison term for him to go in for his dueling lessons.

The desks were n't pushed to the sides of the schoolroom when Albus entered. Balladanis was seated behind his desk and there was a stone washbowl sitting on it. Balladanis was pulling silvern strings of something out of his head and placing them in the basin.

It was a pensieve and the strings were computer memory, Albus realized. For a moment, he thought that maybe Balladanis had cancelled dueling and neglected to tell him.

"Sir ?"Albus asked hesitantly.

"Mr. Potter,"Balladanis said quietly,"Come in."

Albus stood awkwardly next to one of the front tables 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 evidence you something."He motioned for them to join him at his desk.

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

"This is a pensieve,"Balladanis said,"It is used to explore memories. That is exactly what we 're going to do. Albus, lean forward and put your head into the pensieve. Your body will follow. Scorpio, you will take after. I will descend after you."

Albus 's heart rate sped up a picayune bit as he leaned over the pensieve. Was this a stupid idea ? He did n't even make love what he was getting into. But it was just a retention. naught could hurt him in a memory, right ?

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

It was dusk and very pipe down. There was a small planetary house in the aloofness, atop of a rocky hill. In fact, the unhurt field was mostly jolty. Albus had landed on the one lone firearm of grass in the all place. It did n't wait like any stead 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 memory was this ? What did it have to do with dueling ?

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

"Ellas,"Balladanis replied.

This did zilch but increase Albus 's curiosity. Why were they in Hellenic Republic of all position ? But he did n't ask. It did n't look like Balladanis was in an explaining mood, judging by his short, one word reply to Malfoy.

They walked quietly towards the small sign of the zodiac. The only dissonance was their footfall. There were n't even any owls hooting or dog barking. It struck Albus as very odd.

The house must experience been their goal. Balladanis stopped when they arrived at the pause down wooden fence surrounding it. The house reminded Albus of the screaming Shack, only lowly. It was kind of go toss off and did n't take care like a place that would be good to endure in.

somebody lived there, though. A light was on upstairs. It remained on for a few More minute of arc and then person turned it off.

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

They watched the timber for a one-half an minute before anything happened. Then five hooded fig practically flew out of the timber. They were at the house before Albus even realized it. He looked at Balladanis. His face was hardened.

All was pipe down for two minutes. The figures entered the house, but did not turn on any lights. Then the screech started. Albus jumped at the phone of the first one.

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

His professor 's face showed cypher. cypher but the Saame indurate spirit he had seen on it so many metre. Malfoy on the other hand, looked horrified. He looked exactly how Albus felt.

The screeching was coming from two different people. There was a high-pitched one that must hold been coming from a cleaning woman, and a scummy one that must feature been coming from a man.

Then, they stopped. number 1 the woman, then the man. The hooded flesh left the theater as quickly as they had entered and returned to the forest.

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

They ran from the sign, towards Albus, Malfoy, and Balladanis. As they drew closer, Albus could see that the somebody was a boy who looked no honest-to-goodness than Albus himself. His face was etched with a sorrow Albus had never seen before. It was too sour to tell apart, but Albus was sure there were binge 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 cheek that Albus recognized, but he could n't quite place it.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Professor Balladanis did n't say anything for a prospicient time after he, Albus, and Malfoy returned to the defense reaction classroom. Albus landed next to Malfoy, still confused as to how he managed to get out of the pensieve, in front 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 professor as he thought of questions he was just burning to ask. In fact, there was nothing about the scene he had just witnessed that did n't pee-pee Albus curious. Everything about it had been confusing.

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

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

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

"Sit down,"Balladanis said.

Albus and Malfoy sat down quickly at the board in presence of Balladanis 's desk. They were sitting right next to each former and Albus did n't deal. At the moment, finding out what that fit was was more important than staying away from Malfoy.

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

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

"There is a reason why I am telling you this now. Why I am not explaining to all of my socio-economic class what I did before teaching. The rationality is that you two are incredible duelers. Both of you have skill beyond your eld that I have never seen before, and believe me, I have seen plentitude of exceptional duelers in my meter. This may be a serious time to distinguish you how rare it is to have two such skilled dueller in the Saami year at Hogwarts."

Albus turned to take care at Malfoy. What was Balladanis getting at ? It sounded like the jump of some variety of house unity lecture or something.

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

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

"Back to what I was going to secern you,"Balladanis said,"That scene 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 poor and could barely yield to put food on the table. I think they were grateful when I went away to shoal, the sole rationality being that they would n't let to interest about me getting plenty to eat.

"I had two blissfully inexperienced person and fun years at the Grecian School of illusion. I returned household during summers good of narrative about my admirer and all the deviltry we 'd gotten into."

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

"Everything changed the summer before my tierce class. It changed on the Nox you just witnessed. A coven of vampires entered my house that Nox. They attacked my parents and drink in them dry. I hid in a loo, too scared to do anything. Then, once the vampires left, I fled. I ran until I could not run anymore. I wound up at the firm of one of my friends. His parents took me in, but things were obviously never the same. I changed on that night."

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

"I returned to school that September hardened. nada was fun anymore. null was funny. It was then that I decided to devote my life to ridding the world of such iniquity. vampire, dark magician, werewolf, anyone and anything that murders viciously."

Albus could n't help but glare at Balladanis when he mentioned lycanthrope. Balladanis seemed to notice this and gave Albus the slight of smiles.

"However, I did realize that not all vampires, werewolves, monster, and former beings are inherently evil. Not all of them want to kill. It was for this cause that I did not like to be employed by the Hellenic language Ministry. The Hellenic language Ministry prefers to deal with magical creatures as a whole and not distinguish between them. Perhaps this is because Greece has a very big population of vampires.

"Thus, becoming an Auror was out of the question. Instead, I chose to enter a more secretive professing. One that you will not find pamphlets on when you get career advice from your heads of sign of the zodiac. One that no one except me is going to intimate 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 thirteen. But at the Sami clock time, Albus felt excited. Balladanis thought he was a proficient enough dueller for this calling, whatever it was.

"I am a Presuler,"Balladanis said,"I am sure neither of you have heard of one. A Presuler is somewhat like an Auror, in that we seek out dark star and sullen illusion. However, we not only seek out sullen wizards and dark magic, we seek out wickedness and dangerous brute as well.

"The grown difference is that Presulers are not employed by the Ministry. There are very few Presulers in the man and we are often sought out by various Ministries and hired on an as-needed basis. We travel from country to commonwealth, whenever we are needed. It is quite secretive. I suppose Presulers are a combination of Aurors and common soldier investigators."

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

"I never caught the lamia who killed my parents. I have met one vampire 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 thing that is between myself and professor Kendrick,"Balladanis replied.

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

"As of right now, I have no idea,"Balladanis answered,"It is getting late. I 've kept you here much recollective than normal. If you think of anymore doubtfulness, do not pause to see me. I 'll walk you back to your coarse rooms."

Albus walked alongside Balladanis in muteness on his way back to the Gryffindor Tower. His head was racing with what he just learned. He did n't have it off what to ca-ca of it. It was just so much information at once.

The rough-cut room was nearly hollow when Albus climbed through the portrait fix. It must take been really deep, since it was Friday night. Albus really did n't make out what clock time it was.

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

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

"I 'll secernate 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 cognisant of his friends suspiration of dashing hopes as he went up to his dormitory, but he did n't feel like talking about it right then. He was tired and his mind was racing at the Lapplander time.

Albus tossed and turned the entire nighttime. 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 process of her. He had said he did n't hold a score against lamia that did n't bolt down people, but who knew what he really thought.

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

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

******

"Merlin, Albus, get up !"

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

"It 's nearly one o'clock."

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

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

"Yeah, we want to know what happened net night."

somebody pulled the curtain open and took the pillow off Albus 's head. He looked up and saw John and Matt.

"Did you lose to Malfoy or something ?"Gospel According to John 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 better determine rose wine, Amanda, and Kaden. And I 'll separate you in the Marauder 's Den because there is no way Linda can be around to hear this."

The girlfriend and Kaden met them in the Marauder 's Den after Albus, John, and Matt had dejeuner. John the Evangelist kept pestering Albus all through lunch, wanting to know why Linda could n't hear about it, but Albus said nothing. He was n't even sure if he was allowed to narrate his supporter about this, but Balladanis had n't really prohibit him.

"Albus, what in the name of Merlin happened go dark ?"rose wine asked as soon as they were all in the vulture 's Den.

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

"And you neglected to secern us until now ?"Saint John gaped,"I 've been wanting to know for the stallion year !"

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

"Sorry,"John muttered.

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

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

"Not that keen, to be honest,"Albus said,"Probably would have been comfortably if it was a better memory.

"Anyway, he took us without any explanation of what we were going to see. He took us to this really old broken down house in Greece. Kind of looked like a smaller more creaky version of the screeching Shack."

"In Ellas ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah,"Albus nodded,"We watched the house for what seemed like hours and then these figures broke into it and we heard this awful screaming. Then the figure of speech left. Then this blighter who was about our age came running out with this horrible scared look on his face. Then we left."

"What does that have anything to do with what Balladanis does for a bread and butter ?"John asked.

"Everything,"Albus sighed,"That had been his 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 farsighted time. Albus looked at his friends and they all wore be looks of shock.

"And you watched it ?"Matt asked.

"From a distance,"Albus replied.

"Merlin, no curiosity Balladanis is so crashing insane,"John let out a low whistle.

"He decided to devote his life to ridding the world of immorality, whether it be vampires, non-white wizards, or former dark creatures,"Albus continued.

"So he 's an Auror ?"blush wine asked.

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

"What is that ?"Kaden asked.

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

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

"Me, too,"Matt agreed,"Instead he just hunts down vampires. And, werewolves."

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

"All werewolves have the capability of killing people, Albus,"flatness said quietly.

"So does everyone,"Albus replied.

"Whatever his view on vampires and werewolves truly is, it 's going to be interesting to see how he teaches us about them,"Rose mused.

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

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

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

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

"Seriously ?"Matt asked.

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

"You do n't possess to make out. You 're only thirteen. 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 shadow artwork, 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 contrive on staying,"lusterlessness replied,"Why would he stop searching for the lamia who killed his parents to teach here anyway ?"

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

"Because that 's not suspicious or anything,"whoremaster rolled his eyes,"There 's still something laughable about Balladanis."

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

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

******

Not thinking about Presulers and what happened to Balladanis 's parents proved to be promiscuous said than done, especially since defense reaction course of study was soon devoted to learning about lamia. Balladanis seemed to learn that detail unit of measurement with much Sir Thomas More ebullience than usual, a feat that nobody thought possible. Everyone speculated as to why Balladanis was more enthusiastic than usual, but well-nigh just attributed it to the fact that he was bloody insane.

A lot of what Balladanis taught about vampire was stuff Albus already knew due to what Matt had told them earlier in the school year. It was still fairly interesting, though. Albus found that the more serious the creature they were learning about, the more interesting it was. Not to cite the fact that they did n't use the anamatek anymore, a fact that nearly every scholar was grateful for.

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

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

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

"That would n't be any better. We 're doing loup-garou next,"John Lackland reminded him,"And Matt said that affair could n't turn into an actual werewolf. speaking of Matt, he 's prosperous he 's missing this."

"I think he 'd say otherwise,"Albus replied. The full-of-the-moon moon had been the previous night.

"tranquillity,"Balladanis said,"We 'll be continuing our lamia object lesson today. Today I wish to testify 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 acquirement necessary to defend a vampire."

"He 's mental,"Saint John the Apostle muttered.

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

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

It reappeared in the binding of the schoolroom, but it had not Apparated. The vampire had moved so fast that Albus had missed it in the nictitation of an eye.

"They 're spry,"Balladanis continued,"They 're practiced looking. They attract you in. Then they kill, they suck you dry until you are dead. The alternative is not great, either. From the moment their teeth founder your pelt, you begin to transform into a vampire as well. You will become one if they do not suckle you dry. There is no way to stop it, no potion to subvert it.

"vampire hunting at nighttime when their vision is still excellent, but when human vision is compromised. However, that is not the only if reason. Does anyone know the early ?"

rosiness raised her hand. Linda did not.

"Yes, Miss Weasley ?"Balladanis said.

"vampire are in essence allergic to the sun,"pink wine explained,"When the sunshine hits them, it hurts them. The sun gives them headaches and makes them feel sick."

"Precisely,"Balladanis gave her a rarified smile,"There is no potion to counteract the effects of the sun on vampires. Therefore they tend to populate areas that see lupus erythematosus sun and field of dense afforest, such as the Northwestern and Northeastern United States, parts of Canada, and section of Russia. However there is also a meaning lamia universe in Greece."

Balladanis pointed his wand at the lamia again and it retreated back into the automobile trunk. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of easement. The lesson continued until the bell rang. Balladanis made no mention of moving onto the next whole, nor had he assigned the usual end of the social unit essay.

Albus and his friend went to visit flatness late that night after Albus got out of Quidditch practice. They only had a half hour or so until curfew, but they had n't visited at all yet.

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

"Was it any dissimilar from the common I ?"lustrelessness asked tiredly. He looked set up to fall asleep at any moment.

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

"He what ?"Matt shouted, although since his voice was hoarse it was n't very aloud,"We 're still doing vampires, are n't we ?"

"Yeah, he had it turn into a lamia,"John said,"We did n't birth to fight it. He just used it to show how fast vampire were and what they looked like."

"That is weird,"Matt replied,"He assign the lamia essay yet ?"

"Nope,"St. John the Apostle shook his heading,"I think we 're in for a few Thomas More Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of vampires."

"wellspring, the longer we spend on vampires, the Sir Thomas More metre we have before we start werewolves,"matt said quietly,"I really hope he does n't spend as practically time on them as he has on vampires."

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

"Thank merlin for that,"matte yawned.

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

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

"'Night,"flatness said.

They left the ward just as Madam Pomfrey was coming out of her field of study, presumably to tell them to leave alone and break matt to a greater extent potions. Albus and his friends headed straight for the vulgar room, 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 awe-inspiring masses who have read and reviewed this !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.



A few of Albus 's first cousin had begun to take up bets on how long Balladanis was going to spend teaching the third years about vampires. Fred was for certain he 'd spend the remainder of terminal figure, but Bradley was convinced he 'd move onto the next whole partway through April. None of the third base eld were actually participating in these wager because they were all afraid Balladanis would find out.

The vampire unit of measurement was still well underway when the next Quidditch mates came along. This one was the endorse Hogwarts versus Australian School of Sorcery match, which meant wood was in his blossom when it came to practice. Albus considered just moving his bed to the changing elbow room since he spent Thomas More of his time on the Quidditch sales talk than in the Gryffindor common room.

Albus awoke the day of the match to John 's loud swearing instead of Teddy, which told him that he did not have to play during that catch. He could n't help but finger slightly disappointed. Figuring there was no point in going back to kip, he got up and asked Gospel According to John what happened.

"Tripped over matte 's bloody cauldron,"King John muttered, holding onto his right wing understructure,"Why ca n't he just put that pudden-head thing away ?"

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

John muttered something indistinguishable and shoved his cauldron under his bed. He went into the lavatory while Albus woke Matt up. The three of them met Kaden in the plebeian room a little while later and then went down to the Great foyer to get something to eat.

A few hours later the boys were in the Quidditch stands, waiting for the mate to begin. blush wine and Amanda were with them.

"curiosity how long it 'll ask Linda to find the Snitch this time,"Albus mused.

"I 'm betting on ten min,"St. John the Apostle said,"Hey, remember that metre we eavesdropped on Killigan ?"

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

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

"She probably wo n't this meter, either,"flatness put in,"I mean, think about it, if Epistle of James could fly that fast, would he really slow down to a normal velocity ?"

"Definitely not,"Albus sighed.

Matt 's foretelling proved correct. Linda did not slacken down in the slightest. She flew at her common abnormally fast speed, beating King James to the Snitch by a few K. Luckily for Hogwarts, they had been ahead of Australia at that point and only wound up losing by forty head.

This put Hogwarts quite a bit ahead of New York as far as Quidditch points went. Commonwealth of Australia was still in the lead, but they were not faring so well in the dueling tournaments. As of the most Holocene tournament, Hogwarts was winning. Australia was in final place and New York was somewhere in between. Albus was pretty certain that if the Quidditch and dueling tournament points were added up, Hogwarts and Australia would be neck in neck. Whatever the outcome of the remaining qualifying tournament and lucifer, the final for both were going to square off the victor of the contest. The points were just too close.

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

******

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

Balladanis had assigned the recollective look essay on vampire on Thursday, officially making the lamia unit the tenacious building block they had done. They had spent an entire month and a one-half on it. The essay seemed to play off this length, as Balladanis wanted it to be two and a one-half feet.

Albus, Matt, and privy saved their essays for the finally possible arcminute, settling down to work on them the day before they were due. It was n't a particularly hard essay because Balladanis had given them so much selective information on the subject. It was just a very long essay to write. rosebush and Amanda had done theirs over the weekend, presumably with Linda. Albus could n't help but be slightly jealous of them because doing the essay with an actual vampire would micturate it the easiest essay ever.

"Bet Linda 's glad this unit 's over,"Albus said as they worked on their essays in the vulture 's Den Mon evening.

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

"How long is your essay, rosiness ?"bathroom asked as he measured his own essay.

"Three groundwork,"blush wine answered.

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

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

"Maybe if we do n't finish it we can just hop social class tomorrow,"Matt muttered,"After all, I would n't need to show up in year without the essay done."

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

"I still do n't particularly want to go to form tomorrow,"flatness said,"Whether I 've finished the essay or not."

"You 're going to eat up it,"rose wine told him,"You 've got two inches left."

"Finished,"Albus announced.

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

"You know,"Albus said quietly,"cypher found out about Linda being a vampire even after we 've spent a month and a half on them. I do n't think anyone 's going to regain out you 're a lycanthrope just because we 're learning about them."

"I know, I 've just got a bad notion about it,"mat sighed.

"Look on the bright position,"Kaden put in,"When you get assigned the lycanthrope essay, you 're trusted to get a 100."

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

Both mat and John the Divine managed to terminate their essays before curfew and they returned to Gryffindor tower, and they soon went to bed. Albus did n't recall matt slept much, though. He heard him tossing and turning all night.

Albus, Matt, and John got a former start since John had misplaced his vampire essay. After finding it under his bed ( no one was indisputable how it go there ), the three boys rushed down to the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall to take hold of pieces of toast before running to Defense.

They walked into the room right on time and barely had a hazard to trance their breath 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 building block on lamia is over,"Balladanis said once everyone had handed in their essays,"I trust you have all read the chapter on werewolf for today ? If you had for some rationality decided not to do that, I highly suggest doing it tonight."

Balladanis began his usual pacing in front of the classroom. He stopped in strawman of Rose and Linda 's tabular array and then stared out at the class.

"I thought I would begin with werewolf 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 ancient Muggle culture have lycanthropy in their histories.

"Hundreds of years ago, before the Muggle field of psychological science came about and farsighted before Muggles had any understanding of the human judgment, they tried to make sense of people whom they deemed 'insane'.

"One way they did this was to attribute the insanity to the moon. Over the years, the myth of werewolves came about. Thus, werewolves have had a significant theatrical role in Muggle taradiddle. In reality, the people Muggles accused of having lycanthropy were merely suffering from schizophrenic disorder or bouts of insanity."

Albus frantically tried to write everything down. He knew absolutely aught about the Muggle panorama of lycanthropy. He glanced at mat and saw that he was n't writing anything down, but his hand was shaking.

"Muggles of grade know nothing about real loup-garou,"Balladanis continued,"And their Hollywood created werewolves have little in common with the real thing.

"Werewolves are plagued with the illness lycanthropy. Does anyone cognize what that means ?"

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

"Very good,"Balladanis replied,"Lycanthropy refers to the disease and those who have it are called lycanthropes.

"Lycanthropes have been shunned by wizarding society for as long as history has told us about them. In Holocene epoch years, there has been much speculation about whether this is essential or even a good idea. However, it is difficult to deepen the minds of the majority when we have been taught to avoid lycanthropes and cast out them from wizarding bon ton for so long.

"It has not been for no reason that this superior general preconception has came about. When in wolf form, werewolves can not see their actions and thus attack helpless people. This has long been construed as wolfman wanting to assault people, wanting to infect them with the horrible disease.

"This can not be farther from the causa when it comes to most werewolves. Most do not like to assault others. Within the past hundred years, lycanthropes have begun locking themselves up on the full moon moon in rules of order to avoid attacking others. However, there is one significant drawback to this for the werewolf. Does anyone cognize this ?"Balladanis 's eyes rested on Matt, but he continued staring down at his empty parchment.

Rose and Linda raised their hands. This clip Balladanis called on Linda."When loup-garou do n't suffer anybody to set on, 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 opinion further, but Albus did n't learn what he said because mat had knocked over Albus 's ink. He looked incredibly uneasy and Albus was happy that the family was almost over. He quickly cleaned up the ink and tried to pay attention to the rest of the lecture.

"We 'll foot up next course of study with what happens before, during, and after full Moon for a soul with lycanthropy,"Balladanis announced shortly before the bell rang,"If you have not read the loup-garou chapter, please do so for succeeding time. Mr. Eckerton, if you could delight fall see me."

mat looked, if it was possible, even more spooky at this expectation. The rest of the division 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 deterrent example, ceramicist,"Malfoy said quietly,"Very interest indeed."

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

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

"Merlin,"St. John the Apostle muttered,"He knows."

"If he does n't yet, he 'll have it off after next lesson. He 's onto it, that 's for sure,"Albus said.

"Onto it ?"John replied,"That 's a skillful way of putting it. The completely school 's going to know in two days, after the adjacent 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 secernate 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 meliorate than he had before.

"null,"John said,"What did Balladanis desire ?"

"Told me I did n't stimulate to go to the extra assistant during this unit unless I wanted to,"lustrelessness told them.

"What are you going to do ?"lavatory asked.

"I do n't get laid,"Matt said as they began walking to Herbology,"I know it 'll reckon suspicious if I do n't, but I really ca n't need many more moral like that. Merlin, Th 's example is going to be awful."

Albus saw no point in denying that. Matt did n't consume a cue as to how awful it would be. They said nothing more about it the wholly way to Herbology.

******

Albus had never been so glad about having ridiculously long Quidditch practices as he was Tuesday and Wednesday even. He was perfectly happy to spend all his gratis fourth dimension on the Quidditch pitch and then be too tired to do much of anything else afterwards.

It was just so unmanageable for him to hold back what Malfoy said away from Matt. He wanted nothing more than to warn his booster about it, even though he knew that would accomplish nothing. All it would do was draw lustrelessness worry even more and then act even more anxious during Defense.

Quidditch also kept Albus 's idea off of what would happen after Malfoy 's mistrust 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 certain Malfoy would denote it to all of Slytherin. Then, countersign would spread and the entire shoal would find oneself out. Merlin only knew what would encounter when student'parents found out.

Albus knew that werewolf rights had come a long way since Teddy 's dad was in school, but he also knew that well-nigh people would not be happy if their children were going to school with a werewolf, especially one that did not ingest Aconitum lycoctonum. Not to mention the theater day the mechanical press would have with it. mat 's dad had just become top dog of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for Merlin 's sake. It would be a repeat of what had happened when flatness and his family had lived in Australia.

Not to mention what it would do to Matt himself. Albus remembered when there had been a slight chance that Malfoy found out about the handing over under the Whomping willow tree. He had nearly had a panic plan of attack. What would bump if Malfoy found out he was a werewolf ?

It did not help oneself that the wide-cut moon was that Friday. mat barely spoke during the brief multiplication that Albus was not occupied on the Quidditch pitch. He sat in the Marauder 's Den with everyone else, but he stared off into space or slept.

Yes, woodwind instrument 's prospicient Quidditch practice took Albus 's mind off of all of that, but they did not kibosh Thursday from arriving and earlier than Albus would deliver liked he found himself sitting in Balladanis 's classroom.

Albus and John exchanged skittish glances as Malfoy walked in with a very smug look on his fount. Albus was so concenter on Malfoy that he nearly missed the fact that the anamatek 's proboscis was back in front man of Balladanis 's desk. Once he noticed it, he poked John in the side.

"What ?"John seethed. Albus gestured to the trunk."Falco columbarius 's byssus,"can exclaimed,"I do n't even want to bed what he 's going to do with that."

"serenity down,"Balladanis said,"We 'll stay our werewolf discourse today by talking about what happens to a wolfman when the moonlight waxes.

"loup-garou, in a standardized way to lamia, are somewhat allergic to the moonlight when the moon waxes. For the few nighttime before the literal full moon, when exposed to moonlight lycanthropes will feel ill. The moonlight gives them headaches and when exposed long enough, causes them to lose consciousness."

Albus did n't rag writing any of this down, as he knew initiatory hand what happened when a werewolf was exposed to too a lot Moon shortly before the broad moon. Instead he stole quick glances at Malfoy and lusterlessness. Malfoy was furiously writing down everything Balladanis said and stealing quick glances at Matt himself. Matt was staring down at his lambskin and Albus was sure as shooting he was trying to discount everything Balladanis said. He was pale and ill, but Albus was n't for certain if that was because of the example or because the total moon was the future day.

"Lycanthropes are often too ill to go about their daily action the day of the full moon and occasionally the day before as well. Before I describe the genuine transformation, I wish to show you what a individual with lycanthropy looking at like the day of the full moon."

For a brief second, Albus thought Balladanis was going to forebode Matt to the front of the room, but then realized that as a professor, Balladanis must bear promised Kendrick that he would n't do anything like that.

Balladanis pointed his wand at the proboscis and a small man stepped out of it. His pallor looked exactly like lusterlessness 's and he looked just as ill. In fact, the two of them looked incredibly alike. Both of their faces aegir cicatrix and had a sickly facial expression to them.

Balladanis began to speak about what the anamatek looked like, but Albus paid no tending. Instead he looked to Malfoy. Malfoy stared at the anamatek for a minute or so with shock and then he glanced at Matt. Finally, he met Albus 's gaze and Albus saw the biggest smirk he had ever seen on the Slytherin 's face. That was it. Albus knew it. Malfoy had made the connection.

The remainder of the lesson passed by in a sorting of fog for Albus. He and John the Divine had exchanged glimpse and the face on lavatory 's look told him he had noticed Malfoy 's realization as well. Albus heard Balladanis 's lecture, but he did n't process it.

The lesson seemed to draw on and pep pill by at the same clock time. Albus wanted it to be over so he could get out of there, but at the same fourth dimension he did not require to have a go at it what was going to happen after.

"Next lesson will focus on Wolfsbane Potion and the effect it has had on werewolf rightfield,"Balladanis announced at the end of the example,"form dismissed."

Albus and lav looked at each other. Albus did n't do it what to do. Should he confront Malfoy ? Or should he recite Matt what happened ? lusterlessness seemed forgetful to the whole thing.

They silently decided just to leave alone 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 way and Albus was not certain if this was a good or a bad thing. He had the sudden urge just to hex Malfoy right then and there.

"Another enlightening lesson,"Malfoy smirked,"Oh, Eckerton, feeling a bit ill ?"

"None of your business,"lusterlessness muttered. Albus and John the Evangelist both stepped a bit closer to him and Albus clenched his script around his wand.

"Bet you 'll be feeling even risky tomorrow,"Malfoy replied,"It 's about that time of the month, is n't it ? Tomorrow nighttime ?"

That got Matt 's tending. His head 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 face Albus had ever seen.

"It 's going to be a fun full Moon, is n't it ?"Malfoy whispered, just loud enough for flatness, Albus and John to hear.

Matt did n't say anything. He shook his psyche and then ran. He pushed through the crowd, much to the disapproval 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 lusterlessness 's secret, but he had used it to dash him. In effect, Malfoy had threatened him with it. That was one of the pip matter he could have done.

Ignoring all the former students who were going to class, Albus pulled out his wand and had it against Malfoy 's chest in two seconds.

"If you tell anyone,"Albus growled,"I will personally make sure you 're so indistinguishable that even your own parents wo n't recognize you."

"Is that a threat, Potter ?"Malfoy pulled out his own wand.

"You need me to spell it out for you ?"Albus asked,"I think we 're about to get hold out just how a great deal better I am at dueling than you are."

"Rictumsempra !"Malfoy shouted.

"Protego !"Albus shouted at the same time.

"Expelliarmus !"whoremonger shouted.

The crowd moved away so that there was a circle of looker-on surrounding the duel. Albus ignored them. It was just him, John, and Malfoy. And Malfoy was outnumbered.

Malfoy deflected John 's disarmament spell and barb another while at Albus. It bounced off Albus 's shield and hit a nearby portraiture. The portrait 's occupant shouted in disgust and moved into her neighbor 's frame.

Albus concentrated on his shield appealingness and glared at Malfoy."Petrificus Totalus !"he shouted through his shield.

Grateful for Balladanis 's dueling lessons, Albus watched as his shield held up while the hex guesswork at Malfoy. Unfortunately, Malfoy dodged it and sent a tickling curse at John.

This one hit John and he collapsed onto the flooring in a fit of giggles. Albus shot another hex at Malfoy and this one collided with his side. Malfoy 's olfactory organ started hemorrhage and he rounded on Albus.

"What is going on out here ?"Balladanis shouted.

Albus did n't lower his wand and neither did Malfoy, but they did n't fire off anymore curse either. Albus let his shield down and noticed that the crowd had dispersed. John was still rolling around on the ground.

Balladanis pointed his scepter at John and John immediately stopped giggling and stood up.

"Follow me,"Balladanis growled.

All three boys followed Balladanis into his study. Albus looked nervously at john. Of all the prof to pick up them dueling, it had to be Balladanis. Of trend, the one near thing about this was that Malfoy could n't announce Matt 's lycanthropy to the integral school while Balladanis was lecturing them.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John sat as far away as possible from Malfoy in Balladanis 's study. Balladanis just stared at them before speaking.

"I can not start to distinguish you how disappointed I am in all of you,"Balladanis began,"Especially you, Mr. potter and Mr. Malfoy. I am sure as shooting I taught you better than this. The two of you especially should make love how uncalled for that was. You are well aware of your dueling attainment and what sort of obligation lies with them. I have half a mind to discontinue our education sessions. However, I am uncoerced to hear all sides of this story before laying out any variety of punishment. You may go first, Mr. Malfoy."

"I was just walking to course of study and potter pulled out his scepter and attacked me. Then Brickston joined in. I was outnumbered, sir. I had to fight down myself,"Malfoy said.

Albus had to try hard not to huff. He and lavatory looked at each other and John Lackland rolled his eyes.

"Very well,"Balladanis said,"Mr. Potter, if you please."

Albus took a deep breathing time. He was going to differentiate the taradiddle. The unanimous story."Malfoy was threatening mat, 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 lustrelessness, after listening to your lecturing on werewolves."

Balladanis 's optic widened and he looked at Malfoy."Is that true, Mr. Malfoy ?"

"Yes,"Malfoy muttered,"And I was n't threatening him. I was asking him about it. I think I have the rightfulness to know 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 to keep his medical exit to himself,"Balladanis replied,"His wellness is none of your byplay whatsoever. Please continue, Mr. Potter."

"After Matt left, I wanted to be sure Malfoy was n't going to go assure the whole school day about mat '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,"St. John the Apostle replied,"Albus is telling the truth."

"Very well,"Balladanis replied,"I see this matter goes much further than a affaire d'honneur. All three of you will receive four nights'detention starting tonight at eight. Each of you have lost ten points from your several houses.

"However, I am taking all three of you to see the headmaster. There are things more important to hash out than custody,"Balladanis said as he stood up.

Albus knew full well what Balladanis was insinuating. He and John said cypher as they followed Balladanis to Kendrick 's report. Malfoy walked a few feet behind them.

Albus had n't been to Kendrick 's study since his first year, when he went to talk to Dumbledore 's portrait. The billet had n't changed in the flimsy. 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, John, and Malfoy stood near the threshold while Balladanis strode forward.

"We have a problem,"Balladanis said,"These three have been dueling."

"I trust you to mitt out detention, Tethys,"Kendrick replied,"I am occupy 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 Matt Eckerton is a lycanthrope,"Balladanis answered,"And I believe Mr. thrower and Mr. Brickston have known for quite some time."

Kendrick dropped his pinion 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 chairperson and gestured for the three boys to join him at his desk. Albus sat down in the center chair and waited for Kendrick to get. He noticed that both Dumbledore and Snape were paying rapt attention.

"Well, well,"Snape said,"Deja vu."

"Not now, Severus,"Kendrick said,"Mr. thrower, perhaps you can assure me if anyone else knows about Matt 's lycanthropy ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus replied,"rosiness Weasley, Amanda Tagger, and Kaden Dursley."

"I knew that Dursley kid knew something,"Malfoy muttered.

"Not now, Mr. Malfoy,"Kendrick said,"I 'll take to address with them, as well as flatness. I imagine they 're all in class."

"Sir,"Albus interrupted,"I do n't think Matt 's in class."

"You may be right hand,"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 John went to the dungeons as blush wine and Amanda would be in potions.

Matt was sitting on his bed in the Marauder 's Den, staring at the paries and not moving a muscle.

"I suppose Malfoy 's told everyone,"lustrelessness said without turning to look at Albus. His voice was hollow.

"No,"Albus replied,"He has n't had the chance. John the Divine and I dueled him after you left. Balladanis gave us all four nights of detention and took points away."

"He 'll evidence everyone soon,"mat replied,"I should probably go pack. You know, I really thought I 'd get to terminate school. That 's not even the worst part. It 's going to be all over the Prophet. My dad 's going to lose his job again. We 'll probably receive to propel to New York."

He finally turned around and looked at Albus. He no longer looked queasy. He looked absolutely terrified, yet sad at the same time.

"Why did Balladanis make to be such a just teacher ?"Matt groaned and laid back on the bed,"If he had been some sort of unspeakable teacher then maybe Malfoy would n't have found out. He 's just so thorough ! He left nothing out ! Even the way he described the translation. It was so, it was just so, realistic.

"And that stupid anamatek !"Matt sat up and looked at Albus,"That thing looked just like me, only sure-enough. No admiration Malfoy found out."

"You 're not going to get kicked out,"Albus assured him.

"How do you know ?"matte shouted,"How do you really know ? I know Teddy 's dad got to outride after Snape found out, but this is unlike. 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 require to deal with this."

Albus did n't really know what to say to that. Everything flatness said was avowedly. Kendrick was not Dumbledore. cypher could compare to Dumbledore.

"Kendrick wants to see you,"Albus said,"He 's got Malfoy up in his work. He wants to blab out to all of us. Me, John, blush 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 stay here. Merlin, my head 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 crashing werewolf anymore."

"I know,"Albus said, knowing just how poor lustrelessness was at that moment. Albus had never once heard him plain about being a werewolf. Not when he was too fatigue to do anything because of the entire moon or when he was laid up in the hospital offstage for days afterwards.

They walked quietly back to Kendrick 's study. Albus muttered the password, 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. lustrelessness froze in place and Albus stopped and looked at him. He was staring directly at Malfoy.

"strike a hindquarters,"Kendrick gestured to the two hollow chairs, one of which was next to Malfoy's.

Albus took the tush next to Malfoy 's, but did n't look at him. matte took the other one.

"First, I want to assure you that you do not ingest to allow for Hogwarts,"Kendrick said to lustrelessness,"Nobody else will be finding out about your lycanthropy."

flatness did n't look reassured by this. Malfoy looked mutinous.

"My forefather wo n't agree with that,"Malfoy muttered.

"Your father has no say whatsoever in which students I admit to this school,"Kendrick replied,"He works in the Ministry, and may I channelize out that his position is not very high."

"matte,"Kendrick turned away from Malfoy,"Department of Energy anyone else jazz ?"lustrelessness shook his head."And did you tell apart the others, besides Mr. Malfoy, willingly ?"Kendrick continued. flatness nodded.

"Very well,"Kendrick said,"And how long have they known ?"

flatness seemed unable to speak. After a few present moment of muteness, Kendrick turned to Albus."How long have you known, Mr. Potter ?"

"Two long time,"Albus answered.

Kendrick repeated this question with rose wine, John, and Amanda, who all gave the same solution as Albus. Then he moved onto Kaden and Albus suddenly remembered the Sileo Altus charm. He shared one horrified glance with Rose and waited for Kaden 's reply.

Kaden looked at Kendrick and then turned to Albus. His mouth was agape love and he looked a little panic-stricken.

"Are you all right, Mr. Dursley ?"Kendrick asked.

"amercement,"Kaden answered,"It 's just, well ...."

"Professor, Sir,"Rose began,"We sort of put this charm on Kaden, so he would n't say anyone. He can only talk about it with us. He wo n't be capable to say a thing about it around you or Malfoy."

Albus braced himself for Kendrick 's reply, but before the headmaster could say a word, Dumbledore chuckled in his frame.

"The Sileo Altus magic spell,"Dumbledore smiled,"Ingenious. Who performed it ?"

"I did,"rose wine answered.

"Remarkable,"Dumbledore said,"You must be an incredible beldam, young woman Weasley."

"Too smart for her own good, more like it,"Snape muttered.

"That is indeed quite the astonishing feat, Miss Weasley,"Kendrick said,"Can you enjoin me how tenacious Mr. Dursley has known ?"

"About a year,"Rose said.

"Thank you,"Kendrick replied,"Now I have some things to talk over 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 leftover of lunch."

Albus did n't really require to leave without finding out what was going to hap to Malfoy, but he knew Matt would tell him.

Matt never showed up in the Great antechamber for dejeuner, nor did he go to Ancient Runes or Charms. Albus could not centre on either of those classes and was very happy when Charms 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 bit telling Albus how he should n't be picking combat with former students so close to the next Quidditch match, especially in front of teachers'schoolroom. The talk had only ended when Albus told him he was late for Charms. Albus had run into Ellen Price Wood in in between Ancient rune and Charms.

"What do you suppose Balladanis is going to make us do ?"Gospel According to John 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,"John agreed.

rose wine, Kaden, and Amanda were with them. Albus wanted to go find Matt before they went to dinner. They had to wait a while for the corridor to clear out before they were actually able-bodied to get into the room, though.

mat was fast asleep on the lounge when they entered."dear matter he does n't take detention tonight,"lav pointed out.

"Yeah,"Albus agreed.

trick gently shook matte 's shoulder until he cracked his heart open."Wake up,"John said,"Or you 'll drop dinner."

"I 'm not hungry,"Matt 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 significant it was not to cite anything. He said telling his don would do goose egg. Then he told him that if he ever did tell anyone, he would face ejection for revealing another student 's medical information. But that 's it ! I mean, Malfoy did promise he would n't say anything, but who really knows ? for sure, if he tells, he 'll be expelled, but that wo n't use up it back. I 'd still get to leave."

"As much as a git as he is,"Albus began,"I do n't cogitate he 's going to tell anyone if it meant he 'd be expelled. That would be the ultimate shame in the Malfoy syndicate, besides being a Squib or marrying a Muggle or something, getting expelled and not being a fully qualified wizard. Malfoy wo n't require that."

"I guess you 're right,"mat sighed,"It 's just so strange, knowing that he knows."

"I know,"Albus said,"Do you need to go eat dinner party ?"

"No,"matt shook his read/write head,"You guys go on ahead. I 've got to get off an owl to my parents, let them know about this."

Albus nodded."We 'll see you later, then. John and I have got detention tonight."

"Oh, right. Good circumstances with that,"matte replied.

******

Balladanis 's hold was a bit anticlimactic. Albus had been expecting him to think up some really creative and taxing detention, but instead he assigned them lines. Lines were possibly the most boring custody ever thought up, but they were preferred to cleaning the bathrooms or something.

"Potter, Malfoy,"Balladanis said after they 'd been writing for ten second,"Your dueling example is canceled for tomorrow Night due to your custody. hold will be at nine, after my spare service school term, something I 'll expect you to be attending, Brickston."

Balladanis said nothing more and began grading essays at his desk. He completely ignored the three son, which Albus did n't really mind. He just wanted to get his subscriber line done and get out of there.

"Where does he go ?"Malfoy hissed at Albus.

"What ?"Albus whispered.

"You know, on full Moon, where does he go ?"Malfoy elaborated.

"I 'm not telling you that,"Albus muttered.

"My dad said a werewolf used to instruct here, and he got fired when everyone found out,"Malfoy drawled.

"He quit,"Albus corrected him,"He was n't fired. He was the topper defence reaction teacher any of our parents ever had."

"quiet !"Balladanis shouted,"I did n't say you could talk."

Albus was thankful for Balladanis 's tongue-lashing. Malfoy stopped asking interrogative and went back to his descent. 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 mat 's enigma ?

A one-half hour into their line of merchandise writing, when Albus was contemplating switching hands despite the fact that he wrote horribly with his right hand, there was a knock on the doorway. Albus looked up and saw prof Kendrick standing in the doorway, along with none other than Matt 's dad. Albus set down his quill and turned to John. John Lackland had set down his own quill.

"Who 's that ?"Malfoy asked.

"Shush !"Albus hissed. The last matter they needed was for Balladanis to think they were there and tell them to get out so he could have whatever conversation he was about to feature in private.

"Tethys,"Kendrick said quietly,"This is Walter Eckerton."

"We 've met,"Balladanis muttered.

Albus turned again to John the Evangelist. mat '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 deterrent example,"Mr. Eckerton said,"How, informative they are."

"I teach my students what they 'll need to know in order to defend themselves,"Balladanis replied.

"I think you go too far with that,"Mr. Eckerton disagreed,"Falco columbarius, showing them exactly what a werewolf looks like before a shift with an anamatek ? Do you realize how dangerous those are ?"

"Of course,"Balladanis said, raising his part a bit,"You 're not the only expert on charming animal. I have perfect control over my anamatek."

"nonentity has unadulterated controller over an anamatek !"Mr. Eckerton said.

"The headmaster has already told me I 'm not allowed to use it anymore, so you really do n't call for 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 years about werewolves. The details about their transformations, how to pick one out of the general population, what happens before, during, and after transformations. Your deterrent example was far more than elaborated than a third class text book."

"You 'd get hold that all my moral are like that,"Balladanis replied,"textbook Word do not give plenty details."

"I think giving enough contingent about identifying a wolfman so that a third year would be able to work out that somebody not even in their same house is one is going too far,"Mr. Eckerton seethed,"You knew about my son. You should have been a bit more conservative with your lesson."

"Withholding data from an entire socio-economic class because of one bookman is not a good method of teaching,"Balladanis countered.

"It is when it could be severe for that one pupil,"Mr. Eckerton said,"Fan of the greatest commodity for the sterling number, are we ?"

"There are times when that is a undecomposed philosophy,"Balladanis replied.

"We 'll tally to disagree, then,"Mr. Eckerton said,"But if I find that your lessons are putting my son in peril anymore, you may obtain 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 boy, none of whom were writing argument any longer."Is that him ?"he asked.

"The one who found out ?"Kendrick replied,"Yes."

Mr. Eckerton strode over to the table Albus, toilet, and Malfoy were working at. He nodded hello to Albus and whoremaster before turning to Malfoy.

"I realize the headmaster has already gone over this with you,"Mr. Eckerton began,"But I feel the demand to restate that there will be consequences if you make public my son 's condition."

Malfoy nodded."I know,"he muttered.

"commodity,"Mr. Eckerton replied and returned to where Kendrick was standing. He turned once again to Balladanis."I 'll be returning to the castling tomorrow to search your field and schoolroom for the anamatek. If it is still here, I will take it into custody."

Balladanis muttered something under his breathing spell as Matt 's dad left the way with prof Kendrick. Albus exchanged a glance with John the Divine. He wanted cipher more than to leave, so he could talk about what had just happened.

"That 's enough for tonight,"Balladanis barked,"Get out. Be back here tomorrow night at nine."

Albus nearly spilled his ink in his haste to get up. He ran out of the room as fast as he could with John the Evangelist following. Malfoy made no motility to try and talk to them again, so they headed straight to the Marauder 's Den.


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the pin-up mass who have read and reviewed this ! You Guy are awesome !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus and John burst into the Marauder 's Den a little while later to find that matt and Kaden were the only ones there. Matt 's case was covered in ash and Kaden was grinning. They were in the middle of a secret plan of Exploding Snap.

"And that makes four wins for me and none for you,"Kaden announced as he collected the cards,"Oh, Albus, bathroom ! How was your custody ? Want to play ?"

"Not now,"Albus said hurriedly as he sat down future to Matt,"lusterlessness, did you know your dad was just here ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"When he got my owl, he wanted to go talking to Kendrick. I went with him."

"Well, do you get laid where he went after ?"John asked.

"Home, I guess,"mat shrugged,"Why ?"

"He and Kendrick turned up in our hold,"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,"mat shrugged,"Then what happened ?"

"Your dad was really wild,"Albus continued,"He thinks Balladanis taught us too much about how to figure out if someone 's a werewolf and that 's why Malfoy found out. Then he told him how grave it was for him to use that anamatek in class-"

"Oh, yeah,"matte said,"I told my dad about the anamatek and that 's one of the reasonableness 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 room tomorrow to make indisputable he got rid of it. He also said that if any of Balladanis 's teaching puts you in peril again, the Ministry 's going to enquire him."

"It 's really not a sound approximation to get on my dad 's bad side,"matt said,"What did Balladanis do during this ?"

"He kept saying that he was going to learn 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 ?"lusterlessness asked,"Dad 's never mentioned him before."

"Think he 'd narrate you if you asked ?"can wondered.

"Probably,"lustrelessness said,"I 'll owl him about it."

"Oh, and then your dad told Malfoy he 'd ameliorate not tell anyone you 're a wolfman,"John said,"He looked pretty scary, too. I do n't think Malfoy 's going to distinguish anyone."

******

It did not call for very long for word to spread that Balladanis had gotten in problem for having an anamatek. Galleons exchanged hands the next morning at breakfast, as a few older scholarly person had bet on how long he would have it. Somehow everyone knew that Matt 's dad had showed up at Hogwarts the previous night and informed Kendrick about it.

Kaden had Defense that morning and reported to Albus at lunch that Balladanis was even stricter than common and seemed incredibly wild. That did not predict well for Albus 's hold that evening.

"He 's downright chilling,"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 tears. But I 'd hate to be in your class, Albus, he 's going to be barbarous. I mean, it 's pretty very much because of matt that he got in trouble."

matte had gone up to the predator 's Den after they got out of Herbology since he felt ill and was n't in tiffin. Albus knew that Kaden was right. Balladanis was going to study this out on Matt, and possibly Malfoy as well.

"I do n't know why he cares so very much,"lav shrugged,"I mean, the Ministry could have just taken that thing away. He 's lucky he just had to rent it back to his house or whatever."

"I do n't think he likes the political science,"Albus said,"That 's the flavour I got after listening to him talk about what he did before educational activity here. I think that 's why he did that, instead of becoming an Auror."

"fountainhead, I think it 's a in effect approximation for the Ministry to make water him take that thing nursing home,"toilet said.

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"I mean, he could 've turned it into a manticora next."

Kaden went to class after luncheon while Albus and John went up to the Marauder 's Den with rosebush and Amanda.

"Think he 's owled his dad yet ?"Saint John asked as he gestured to Matt, who was asleep in his bed.

"Doubt it,"Albus said,"He 's probably been asleep since he got up here."

"merlin, I just want to know what happened between his dad and Balladanis,"John groaned.

"You 're so impatient,"Rose commented,"Just let him sleep."

"I was n't going to awake him up,"lavatory muttered.

The remainder of the afternoon passed by quickly. Albus was dreading his detention later and St. John complained loudly about how he had to go to the spare help school term about lycanthrope when he already knew so much about them.

Albus woke Matt up shortly before dinner party and he looked much worse than he usually did the day of entire moons. They all escorted him to the hospital backstage, where Madam Pomfrey rushed him into bed.

Just as they were about to leave behind the infirmary annexe, the threshold opened and in take the air Matt 's dad. Albus assumed he was there to check if Balladanis had gotten rid of his anamatek.

John Lackland nudged Albus."We should ask him about Balladanis,"John whispered.

"He 's not going to severalize us now,"Albus muttered back,"smell at him."

Mr. Eckerton looked tired out and incredibly worried. He nodded to Albus and the others before rushing over to lustrelessness 's bed and talking to Madam Pomfrey in hushed whispers.

As it turned out, Albus had been worrying about the detainment for nothing. He entered the room before Malfoy and John Lackland was already doing his telephone line. Balladanis said absolutely nothing to Albus as he handed him parchment. Malfoy arrived a small while later and still Balladanis said nothing.

Malfoy did not verbalise either. He did not ask anything about Matt and did n't even comment that the good lunation was that night.

Balladanis let them get out at half past times ten. Albus and John found Kaden in the vulture 's Den and spent the remaining time left until Astronomy playing Exploding child's play and Wizard 's Chess.

"Why, why do we have to suffer this class with the Slytherins ?"john groaned as they made their way to the Astronomy Tower,"If Malfoy does n't make a single scuttlebutt about the wide-cut lunar month, I 'll eat an total cauldron."

"I 'm going to hold you to that,"Albus laughed,"But I do n't call up you 'll suffer to."

Malfoy went so far as to actually set his scope up next to Albus 's. professor Polo spent ten minutes telling them that they were to plot the perspective of Mars, Venus, the moon, and a handful of stars before turning them lose to actually do so.

"The lunar month is so brilliantly,"Malfoy whispered,"And big and ... wide-cut ...."

Albus looked at John."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 fountainhead of the Department for the rule and ascendence of Magical tool ? 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 block off talking about it,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, come on, Potter. Even you have to apprise the caustic remark,"Malfoy said.

"will you just close up,"Albus seethed.

"Quiet over there,"Marco Polo said.

Malfoy smirked at Albus one Sir Thomas More time before going back to his telescope. The residual of the lesson passed without anymore commentary from Malfoy and Albus was quite well-chosen when he was able-bodied to return to his dormitory.

******

"It 's like back in first twelvemonth,"Albus sighed,"Remember when Madam Pomfrey locked the hospital wing ?"

"That 's why this is bad !"Rose said.

"fountainhead, she did n't lock us out this time,"St. John pointed out.

"She did n't exactly let us in either,"Kaden said.

Albus and his friends had slept late on Sabbatum morning and after grabbing a quick insect bite to eat, had gone to chew the fat lusterlessness 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,"John groaned.

"He obviously had a really bad night,"Albus said quietly.

"Yeah, but why ?"pink wine wondered.

"Have n't you noticed that the full 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 become Animagi,"John the Divine muttered.

"John, I honestly do n't retrieve you could go an Animagus,"rosiness replied,"You 'd wind up with a permanent hindquarters affixed to your arse."

"That would n't be that bad,"John grinned,"Always thought it would be cool to accept a tail."

"You 're not helping,"Albus sighed,"What are we going to do ?"

"I think all we can do is just sustain going back to the hospital wing,"whoremonger shrugged,"Until Madam Pomfrey lets us in."

Their efforts proved fruitless, though. They went to the hospital flank twice that good afternoon and then right before Albus and John had to go to detention. Madam Pomfrey told them 'no'each time.

Sun, the last-place day of Albus and bathroom 's detention, was the Lapp. Madam Pomfrey was quite livid when they showed up for the tierce time that day.

"Nothing 's changed !"she shouted,"semen back tomorrow eve ! I 'll give the lot of you detention if you come back any early than that !"

With that, she strode back into the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward and slammed the door."Can she even give detention ?"Kaden asked.

"I dunno,"Albus shrugged,"I would n't put it past her."

Albus and Saint John broke away from the mathematical group to discharge their terminal detention. Balladanis gave them crease, just like he had the past three nights. Albus sat quietly completing them, very grateful for the fact that Malfoy had n't said two words to him since Astronomy.

"You may break,"Balladanis said quietly after they 'd been writing for about an minute and a half.

Albus threw his quill 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 continue his secrecy."If I catch any of you dueling in the corridors again, the consequences will be much more life-threatening than detention and lost points.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy, I have given great thought to whether I should continue giving you duplicate lessons. I have decided to yield you one to a greater extent luck. object lesson will remain this Friday at their pattern sentence. However, if either of you disregard my dominion again, I will no longer hold them. You may go. I 'll see all three of you in stratum on Tuesday."

"pigeon hawk, I 'm glad that 's over,"John muttered to Albus once they were on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

"Me too,"Albus agreed,"He 's going to be frightening in class, though."

"Yeah, ca n't say I 'm looking forward to that,"John said.

Albus could n't focus at all in his course of study the adjacent day. All he wanted to do was go to the infirmary wing and obtain out how lusterlessness was, but Madam Pomfrey insisted that they wait until evening.

Rose and Amanda ate dinner with Linda, but they met Albus, John, and Kaden near the infirmary wing afterwards. They had all eaten a very rushed dinner party due to Albus 's Quidditch practice at seven.

Albus cautiously opened the room access to the hospital wing, half expecting dame Pomfrey to hollo 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 exclusively occupied bed, which had the curtain pulled around it.

Albus rushed over to the bed and yanked the curtains back. lusterlessness looked exhaust and there was a rather large bandage wrapped around his head.

"I was wondering when you 'd come visit me,"Matt gave them a half smile.

"We 've been trying !"trick said,"Madam Pomfrey has n't let us !"

"I know,"mat smirked,"I 've heard her yell at you. It 's variety of amusing."

"well, we 're here now,"Albus said,"How are you ? Why did n't ma'am Pomfrey let us fare sojourn ?"

"Because I did n't wake up up until yesterday afternoon,"mat answered.

"But that was-"whoremonger began.

"Nearly two solar day later ?"mat cut him off,"I know."

"But why ?"Rose asked.

"A clustering of things, really,"matte sighed,"offset, I was worried about Malfoy telling everyone and it 's always speculative when I 'm interest about something. second gear, I hit my mind really hard at some tip that night. It still hurts. Third, the transformations in oecumenical are getting worse, because I 'm getting older."

That thought certainly had n't crossed Albus 's idea. Albus and all his protagonist were obviously getting older and that brought spate of changes, but he had n't even thought about how the brute would change when Matt got older.

"So, are all of the full moon going to be this bad now ?"Kaden asked.

"No,"Matt shook his head teacher and then winced,"I mean, I do n't really bed what 'll happen in the future, but this one was just a compounding of bad things."

"That 's good, I guess,"Albus shrugged,"When do you get to allow ?"

"Tomorrow Nox at the earliest,"lusterlessness sighed,"Although that means I 'll miss Defense."

"wish I could overleap Defense,"John muttered,"speaking of defense reaction, did you owl your dad yet ?"

"Saint John, he just woke up yesterday,"Rose pointed out.

"I did n't owl him,"Matt said,"But he came to see me other and I asked him."

"Brilliant,"St. John the Apostle grinned,"And ?"

"And,"flatness 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 section for the Regulation and ascendency of Magical Creatures in Commonwealth of Australia, he hired Balladanis to catch a band of lamia who were attacking Muggles on the outback. Balladanis caught them, but he thought Dad went too well-heeled on them."

"What did he do to them ?"bathroom asked.

"Sent them to prison. I think they got 20 years. Balladanis thought they should have gotten aliveness sentences. Dad and Balladanis got into this huge argument at the Ministry about it and Balladanis stormed out. The Australian Ministry did n't lease him after that,"Matt explained,"Although, I 'll bet Balladanis and Lubar would agree on penalisation. I wonder if he 's hired Balladanis."

"That explains a lot,"Albus said,"Did your dad say anything else about him ?"

"No, not really,"lusterlessness replied,"Just that he 's got a lot of issues. Oh, and he wanted me to warn you not to mind to everything Balladanis says during those dueling example you 've got."

"I 'm not going to,"Albus assured him,"I think we 've all seen a dissimilar side of Balladanis during the past week."

******

Tuesday break of the day dawned quickly and Albus trudged to Defense with trick. Neither of them really knew what class would be like, but judging from what he heard about recent Defense Department grade in the common way, it would n't be fun.

Malfoy was back to his smug self now that detention was over. He sat next to Goyle wearing a smirk on his face. Albus ignored him and went to his usual table.

Balladanis stormed into the way a few minutes later. He waved his wand at the door and it slammed shut with a bang garish enough that it caused the Jordan-Bell twins, who had been sitting closest to it, to jump.

"Pass your homework doubt forward,"he growled.

Albus handed his homework to the table in front man of him and waited for Balladanis to collect it. He paused in figurehead of the table in front of Albus's.

"Potter,"he began,"You can narrate Eckerton that his preparation is late and therefore I will not accept it. If he wished to get credit entry for it, he could have graced us with his presence."

Malfoy snorted at this, earning him glare from both Albus and Balladanis. Balaldanis tossed the homework 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 creation in 1991. For nearly loup-garou, the potion was a lifesaver. Who can explicate what it does ?"

cipher, not even Rose and Linda, raised their hands. Albus stared down at his desk, hoping that Balladanis would n't call on him.

"Nobody ?"he said,"Pity. wolfsbane potion renders a werewolf harmless during full moon Sun Myung Moon. The werewolf turns into a brute, but a harmless one. One that will just sleep until the moonlight sets and will not have the urge to bite and kill.

"The potion is a lifeguard to those plagued with lycanthropy. I had been hoping to show you what a werewolf would depend like on Wolfsbane potion, but my anamatek has been banned from the palace,"Balladanis said with malice,"Therefore you will have to go without the visual. It seems that certain parents, Ministry officials, and the headmaster do not approve of my method of teaching. Unfortunately, it is all of you who are suffering for it."

"I would n't call it suffering,"toilet muttered.

"quiet, Brickston !"Balladanis shouted,"Unless you have something to conduce to the class."

"No, sir,"John replied.

"Good,"Balladanis muttered,"Anyway, the anamatek will not be making anymore appearance in this classroom and your education is going to suffer for it. Nothing, and I repeat zippo can replace deal on training."

Albus usually agreed with that, but he drew the line at having what was in essence a live manticore in presence of him. There were some clock time when reading sufficed.

The moral continued with Balladanis talking about wolfsbane. He spoke about how the potion does n't work for all werewolves and Albus found his mind drifting. All in all, the object lesson had n't been as bad as he 'd been expecting. Besides his brief rant about his anamatek being banned from the castle, he had been pretty normal. formula for Balladanis, that is.

"Next lesson will be the utmost on werewolves,"Balladanis announced at the end of class,"We will learn about lycanthropy 's effect on children."

Albus groaned inwardly. matt would be out of the hospital wing by then. Why could n't Balladanis just stop the werewolf unit already ?

"He wo n't be back succeeding year,"John muttered as they walked to Herbology.

"I do n't doubt that,"Albus replied,"I just inquire who we 're going to get instead."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"Place your wager here !"Fred shouted the adjacent day as he walked around the common room.

Albus had just climbed through the portrait mess with Georgia and James after a particularly difficult Quidditch practice session. Wood was getting them prepared for the match against New House of York, which was to claim billet in a little over a week.

"Georgia, St. James, Albus !"Fred greeted them,"aid to range a bet ?"

"What are you taking bets about ?"Peach State asked tiredly,"And if you keep betting on material, your mum is bound to find out."

"She wo n't like,"Fred shrugged. He was probably right. Albus 's aunt Alicia was the least strict out of all of his aunts. She 'd probably put a bet with Fred.

"You 'd just better hope Grandma does n't find out,"Georgia smirked.

Fred looked momentarily horrorstruck and Albus could n't blame him. molly Weasley would probably direct him a belly laugh if she knew he was gambling.

"She wo n't unless you tell her,"Fred muttered,"And Scots heather and I are taking bets on how much yearner Balladanis is going to terminal. Care to charter a guess ?"

"I suppose,"Georgia said as she pulled out some gold,"Two Galleons says he 's gone in a week. I heard he had three showtime years in tears today."

"He nearly had half of my class in teardrop,"Fred said as he took GA 's Au,"James, Al ?"

"Three Galleons says he 's gone in two calendar week,"William James said as he tossed Fred some amber and then left to go find his friends.

"Nope,"Albus shook his head.

"Suit yourself,"Fred shrugged and continued his paseo around the common room,"stake here, aim your stakes !"

Albus found his protagonist crowded around their usual mesa in the common room. Linda was with them. All three girls were working on homework. John and Kaden were trading umber toad 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 point,"How about you lot ?"

"I bet ten reaping hook he wo n't finally the class,"John said.

"You should know exactly when he 'll leave, what with your taking Divination,"rosiness smirked.

"divination 's a jest,"Saint John muttered,"I ca n't wait to drop it after fifth year."

"Told you so,"Rose grinned,"Sick of making up stuff and nonsense ?"

"It 's just so pointless,"john groaned,"We 're still doing crystal 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 classes for next year a few days prior. He decided on concern of Magical Creatures, ancient Runes, and Arithmancy.

"Easy homework, though,"lavatory sighed,"I just observe reminding myself about that."

"What 's got easy homework ?"Matt asked as he sat down in the chair next to John 's. He looked a bit better than he had the old day, but still worn out.

"Pomfrey finally let you out ?"John asked,"And we 're talking about Divination."

"Yeah, just in fourth dimension for defence mechanism tomorrow,"Matt groaned,"I 'm allure to use a Fainting Fancy to get out of it."

"I think half the first of all year 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 preparation head. Made her cry."

"That 's what Georgia was saying,"Albus replied,"Makes me want to use a Fainting illusion. Two hebdomad. I know I did n't bet on it, but that 's really all I 'd give him."

******

lav filled his pockets with Puking pastil before he set off to Defense the side by side morning. Albus did n't bother. His oddment always trumped his dislike for certain classes. He 'd rather be there and know exactly what Balladanis was doing.

"Werewolves,"Balladanis said as soon as the Vanessa Stephen rang,"When the condition is used, virtually masses conjure up images of lonely adults, condemned to a miserable life history that revolves around the moon.

"However, there is a solid radical of wolfman that are mostly overlooked. tike. Ah, yes, children do get attacked by werewolves. Very few survive. Found by their parents when it is too of late. Even fewer survive the initial shift. Werewolf translation, as you have learned, are incredibly taxing, both physically and emotionally. Very few children are warm enough to crap it through."

Balladanis paused and began to pace the way."Parents are faced with a decision after their fry is bitten. They have three choice. Number one, they can deal with it. dish out with the monthly transformation and try and wee animation as normal as possible for the minor. Number two, they can abandon their child. military group them to live with a state of nature pack of werewolves, to maturate up to vote down. However, there is a one-third option. Does anyone care to pretend as to what it is ?"

Nobody raised their hand. Balladanis looked at his course of instruction until his center rested on flatness. A very creepy-crawly smirk appeared on his face.

"Mr. Eckerton, care to tell us ?"Balladanis asked.

Albus, who had been trying hard not to look at lusterlessness throughout the moral, stole a promptly glance at him. He was staring at the desk, quill in hand, shaking slightly.

"N-no,"mat stuttered.

"Very well,"Balladanis smirked,"The third option is to put the nestling down. Not a pleasant option, 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 gear pick, to continue to provoke their child, are in for a very punk life. Werewolf tiddler are difficult to raise. It is a huge adjustment for parents and siblings if there are any. The bite affects the whole crime syndicate. It changes life history, it can rip families apart."

Balladanis continued droning on and on about how lycanthropy affects baby and Albus looked again at matt. His script was shaking even harder and his fount was as albumen as it had been when he had dressed up as a ghost.

Albus shared a face with John and lavatory reached into his pocket. He slid a puking Pastille across the table towards Albus and then slid one to Matt. Albus quietly unwrapped it and then waited until Balladanis had looked away to thrust it into his oral cavity. John and Matt did the same. Albus clutched his stomach as the sweet began to take 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 fender ?"

"I do n't feel 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 same clock time. Albus leaned over his table and vomited right onto the level. The class erupted into shouts and Balladanis tried to sustain order.

"fine !"he seethed,"Get to the hospital wing, all three of you !"

Albus resisted the itch to vomit again as he ran for the door. mat and John followed. All three of them shoved the orange end of the sugariness into their mouths as soon as they shut the room access behind them. The affect was instantaneous. Albus immediately felt better.

"The man 's wickedness !"can shouted,"How could he learn that ?"

"Not here,"lusterlessness muttered and took off down the corridor.

None of them said anything else until they reached the Marauder 's Den."As I was saying,"St. John the Apostle began,"What is faulty with that blighter ?"

"I think a lot of thing,"Albus muttered,"He 's a raving lunatic."

"He 's only doing it because you 're in the class,"privy said to Matt as he paced around the room,"None of what he said today is actually in the account book. I mean, did you read the book ? 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 make you low-down because of what your dad did with those vampires years ago."

"It 's just not fair,"flatness groaned,"I mean, did you listen to what he was talking about ?"

"It was hard not to,"Albus sighed,"Is it confessedly ?"

"Yes,"Matt said quietly,"And before you ask, one of the therapist did suggest that to my parents."

Albus suddenly felt more ill than he had when he ate the Puking Pastille. How could a Healer, person whose job it was to make people healthy, actually suggest that to a child 's parents ?

"Seriously ?"John asked,"What happened after they asked ?"

"My dad and my Uncle diddly-squat hexed him at the Saami time,"Matt gave them a half-smile,"Put him in his own infirmary bed for two days."

"You know, I 'd really like to meet your Uncle squat,"John grinned,"He sounds like a cracking bloke."

"He is,"Matt smiled,"He would 've hexed Balladanis quite a while ago if he were here."

"But he 's not,"John sighed,"So what are we going to do about this ?"

"I 'm sending an owl to my dad,"mat said as he stood up,"You two are n't going to sustain to do anything."

"3 days,"John said after lustrelessness left,"I give Balladanis three More days."

******

"Your dad certainly does n't knock off any time,"pink wine said to matte as she unfolded her copy of the Prophet the next morning at breakfast.

Albus leaned over and read the paper over Rose 's shoulder.

HOGWARTS PROFESSOR TO BE INVESTIGATED BY MINISTRY
The department of Magical pedagogy received an question
late yesterday afternoon, requesting an investigation
of Hogwarts defence Against the shadow artwork professor,
Tethys Balladanis. The query was submitted by none
other than the newly appointed header of the department
for the Regulation and ascendency of Magical fauna,
Walter Eckerton, whose fourteen-year-old son currently
attends Hogwarts.

Professor genus Aplysia Balladanis has been teaching defence at
the schooling since September, when he replaced Head Auror
Harry Potter. Potter had taught the subject for two
years and wished to focus solely on his Auror calling,
resulting in his resignation at the end of last school
year.

The impendent investigation comes as hardly a surprise.
Earlier this workweek Bruno Walter Eckerton visited Hogwarts
after receiving a tip that Balladanis was holding an
anamatek in his classroom. This proved to be honest and
Eckerton ordered him to take it. The anamatek was
legally in Balladanis 's possession, so all he had to
do was remove it from school premiss. Eckerton told
reporters that Balladanis complied.

However, Eckerton has claimed that the professor
repeatedly put bookman in risk and humiliated them
in front of their classmates.

'It 's not just the anamatek ,'Eckerton told newsman,
'I 'm filing this interrogation as a parent, not as a Ministry
official. First and foremost, I wish to protect my son .'

The investigation will begin today and be carried out
by official from the Department of Magical Education,
a department that was set up for this purpose after
the downfall of Lord Voldemort. official will visit
the shoal and interview both bookman and staff as
a part of their investigation.

genus Aplysia Balladanis will continue to teach refutation 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 Defense anymore,"Matt said,"Not until he 's gone."

"They ca n't intercept him from teaching until they do the investigation,"Rose explained,"Only Kendrick can bar 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 prophesier laying between them. Balladanis was not present.

"I do n't be intimate,"blush wine said quietly,"But demurrer is just going to get worse."

"Which is why I 'm not going,"Matt said adamantly.

For once, rosebush did not objurgate him about skipping grade. Albus could n't pick him. He himself was half tempted to skip, but he knew his curiosity would get the comfortably of him.

"Somehow, I do n't reckon you 'll have the chance to skip,"pink wine muttered,"We do n't experience Defense until Tuesday."

"Excellent,"John grinned,"Now I wo n't have to do that werewolf essay."

"I never said that,"Rose replied,"You still ought to do it, just in case."

"Look, Kendrick 's getting up,"Kaden pointed to the stave table.

"May I have your tending !"Kendrick shouted and the chatter in the hall immediately ceased,"Thank you. I trust by now that you 've all either read or heard about the article on the movement page of the Prophet.

"Ministry officials will be visiting the schooling today and tomorrow to transmit their investigation. They will be selecting students to audience. If you are selected, I advise you to answer their questions truthfully.

"As of right field now, prof Balladanis is still your teacher, therefore you need to treat him with respect and advert his classes. This is, at the moment, an investigation and nothing more. Now, you 'd best be off to class."

"Albus,"rose whispered as they made their way out of the Great Hall to History of thaumaturgy,"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 wine told him.

Albus nodded. He did n't want to go, but he also did n't require to find out what Balladanis would do when Albus did n't express up that evening.

cipher fell asleep during chronicle of Magic. It must own been a new record, one that was previously set back when Binns was still active. However, the want of fatigue was not due to Binns 's lecture. No, that was just as tedious as common. The bookman remained awake because they were talking about Balladanis. The schoolroom was filled with the hushed whispers of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw thirdly old age and Binns droned on without seeming to notice.

There were only six scholarly person in the castle who knew the specific reason why flatness 's dad had submitted that inquiry. Albus, blush wine, trick, Amanda, Kaden, and matte himself. Seven, if you counted Malfoy, but even Malfoy did not hump that it had been Balladanis 's lecturing on lycanthropic children that pushed Mr. Eckerton to submit the inquiry.

Everyone else speculated. About half the school day put the blame on the anamatek, even though Matt 's dad had come out and said that was n't the real reason. The Prophet had only glazed over the reasons, not getting into specifics. The Hogwarts students wanted particular. They wanted to know what had pushed Matt 's dad to give in an inquiry when none of their parents seemed fazed.

The reasons the scholarly person fabricated ranged from plausible to steep. A few 7th twelvemonth, mainly Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, speculated that Balladanis had gotten a bit overenthusiastic with his extra service Roger Huntington Sessions and perhaps utilise flatness as an deterrent example of someone who did not have the science to defeat dark wizards. coalesce that with an overprotective parent ( what the seventh geezerhood claimed lusterlessness 's dad to be, which was not actually an magnification ), and the investigation was born. They believed that the investigation would muff over and within two weeks everything would be back to normal, with Balladanis still teaching.

A few overexcited first years 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 thirdly old age. Apparently they overlooked the fact that nobody had turned up injure after course of study and the fact that Balladanis would give birth been sacked immediately if that had actually been the case.

Matt had become somewhat of a celebrity inside the Hogwarts wall. There was n't a single soul, living, ghostwriter, or portrait, who did n't have intercourse it was his dad who launched the inquiry. He was stopped no less than six fourth dimension on the way from chronicle of Magic to Herbology by citizenry wanting to experience the details of the inquiry. It was something Albus could tell Matt was extremely uncomfortable with.

"Merlin, when will they get wind that I do n't want to talk about it !"lusterlessness groaned as they made their way back to the palace after Herbology. Two Ravenclaw second years had just run up to Matt, demanding to be intimate why his dad wanted to get Balladanis sacked. Apparently they actually liked him.

"You should just brook up on the Gryffindor mesa and make an promulgation during lunch,"John the Evangelist suggested.

"Definitely not,"flatness said,"I 'm just glad we do n't have socio-economic class this afternoon."

"Me, too,"Albus agreed,"Hey, look, I bet those are the investigators."Albus pointed to three official looking people striding up towards the castle. There were two Wiccan and a wizard.

"Probably,"St. John said,"I wonder who they 're going to consultation ?"

"Ten Galleons says they interview me,"mat replied,"And probably Albus since he 's had all those private lessons."

"Let 's just promise they do n't consultation those two Ravenclaws,"whoremaster said.

Albus, mat, and lavatory continued their trek to the Great Charles Martin Hall, where they ate a very fast lunch. None of them wanted to continue very long since everyone was still asking lustrelessness about the inquiry. After they finished, the boy went to Gryffindor tower to deposit their bags before going to the Marauder 's Den to put off their homework.

The common room was mostly discharge when they arrived, but Albus spotted Lily, Victor Hugo, and Ashtyn sitting around one of the tabular array.

"Do n't you three have class now ?"Albus asked, feeling very much like Rose.

"Yes,"Lily muttered,"We 've got defending team and we 're skipping. Do n't say anything about it. There 's nothing you can do to cook me go, so do n't even try."

"I was n't going to,"Albus assured her,"Was n't it your socio-economic class where Balladanis made someone cry ?"

"That 's why we 're not going,"Ashtyn replied,"And we do n't worry if we get detention either. Oh, and Gospel According to John, you 'd better not tell Mum."

"I wo n't,"John said,"The three of us used Puking Pastilles to get out of Defense yesterday."

"You should have just skipped from the beginning,"Ashtyn told them.

"Well, you three love your skipping,"Albus said as he continued to his dormitory.

"Oh, believe me, we will,"Lily grinned.

The male child quickly stowed their travelling bag in their residence hall 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 report. Oh, pay heed on."Gabriella consulted the while of sheepskin she was holding."He wants to see lusterlessness, too."

"facial expression like you two are getting interviewed,"trick said as Gabriella went into the common room.

"guessing so,"Albus shrugged. He really was n't surprised. Even if he had n't been receiving secret lessons with Balladanis, he probably would have been interviewed. It was one of those matter that happened when your father was the most noted hotshot in Britain.

"I 'll see you two later, then,"Gospel According to John replied,"Have fun."

"Oh, yeah,"Albus rolled his eyes,"Loads."

Albus and lustrelessness left for Kendrick 's subject field while John continued towards the marauder 's Den. Albus had no estimate what he was going to do while they were gone, but he would bet that John would be bored within 15 minutes.


A/N : I hope you all enjoyed HPFF 's April Fool 's Day caper ! The stave really outdid themselves this class. Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight, and everyone who has read and reviewed this level !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was another Prefect standing succeeding to the gargoyle that concealed the entrance to Kendrick 's study. It was apparently his job to murmur the password to the gargoyle to admit all the students being interviewed in. He looked incredibly bored.

Albus and Matt ascended into the work and found three former educatee waiting in social movement of Kendrick 's close down door. A very drill looking Hufflepuff, who was probably in sixth or seventh twelvemonth, Scorpio Malfoy, and much to Albus 's alarm, one of those Ravenclaws they had encountered on the grounds earlier.

Albus was not at all storm to see Scorpius Malfoy there. After all, he had private lessons with Balladanis as well. However, he chose to brush aside Malfoy 's presence and leaned against the wall to start the long wait.

What had been the point in sending them all to Kendrick 's study at the same meter ? They were obviously only interviewing one person at a time. 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 first year walked out. She hurried out of the discipline and one of the Ministry officials motioned for the Ravenclaw to enter.

The Ravenclaw was in Kendrick 's study for about 15 minute of arc. Then it was Malfoy 's act. He took a bit to a greater extent time, but finally came out and left without so a lot as a glance towards Albus and Matt.

In the mean time, two more educatee had entered. One Albus recognized as Peyton Haines, one of the chaser from the Slytherin Quidditch squad. The former was a Pres Young Hufflepuff Albus did n't recognize.

Finally, after what must deliver been at least an hour, Albus was finally called into the room.

Kendrick was not in his study. Only the three researcher were. Albus was now able to see them up close. The one who had called him into the room was quite tall and wore a menacing brilliance. Her robes were perfectly pressed, without a bingle furrow, and her tomentum was pulled into a rigorous bun. She reminded Albus of Minerva McGonagall.

The other witch was the complete opposite. She was short-change and quite a bit overweight. Her frizzy brown hair's-breadth stuck up at all sorting of odd angles and she had a lowly pair of chicken feed perched on her nose.

The remaining investigator was a wizard and he was seated behind Kendrick 's desk, a quill feather in hand. He looked a bit bored by the entire thing. He was gazing about the elbow room and had the look of person who was n't quite paying attention.

Two people who were paying rapturous attention, or should he say portrait, were Dumbledore and Snape. Both were sitting straight up and looking straight at the investigators.

The magniloquent witch gestured for Albus to involve a arse in figurehead of the desk. Albus did so.

"My name is Katherine Torenzo and this is Lorraine Smyth,"the tall Wiccan gestured to the little witch,"And that is Herb Cletus. He 'll be transcribing our interview."

No wonder he was so bore, Albus thought. He did n't even get to ask any of the questions.

"Please DoS your replete public figure, age, class, and family for the record,"Torenzo said briskly.

Albus raised his brow. Would n't they already know all of that information ?

"It 's protocol, dear,"Smyth told him.

"Albus Severus ceramicist, thirteen, one-third year, Gryffindor,"Albus answered.

"Excellent,"Torenzo replied,"Now, perhaps you can secern us what goes on in an medium example with prof Balladanis, in your own words."

"Er, all right,"Albus said,"fountainhead, he comes in and tells us all to arrest talking. Then he 'll collect the homework. Oh, and you have to get the homework in on time, no matter what. He does n't withdraw recently piece of work, even if you 've got a good self-justification. You could be sick in the hospital wing and he would n't take belated homework.

"Then he 'll teach us a new spell or about some new puppet. Then we 'll hold to perform the spell."

"What happens if you do n't do 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 help sessions."

"Has this caused suffering to any of the pupil in your class ?"Smyth asked.

"Not in my class, but I 've heard of former students crying because of it,"Albus answered.

"Have you attended any extra service sessions ?"Torenzo asked.

"No,"Albus shook his oral sex,"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 lie in of ?"

"almost sentence he just teaches me new spells, spells that are strong than the ace we learn in class. Scorpio Malfoy is there, too, and we duel each former with the spells,"Albus explained.

"You said 'most'times,"Smyth said,"What else does he give you do ?"

"Er,"Albus shifted uncomfortably in his chairperson,"One meter he had us go into his pensieve."

"Did he,"Torenzo muttered,"Please elaborate."

"We watched his parents be murdered by lamia,"Albus said after a brief hesitation. He doubted Balladanis would be well-chosen 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 planetary house. Then we watched Balladanis, in the retentivity, run away from the house. He was thirteen."

"And then what ?"Torenzo prodded.

"We left the pensieve. Balladanis explained what we had seen-"

"He did n't secernate you ahead of time ?"Smyth asked.

"No,"Albus shook his head,"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 shew 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 doubtfulness. Would you feel comfortable if Professor Balladanis continued to learn here ?"

Albus thought about it for a second. Balladanis was certainly a motivated teacher and one Albus could learn a lot from. But on the early hand, he was n't the kind of mavin Albus felt well-off around.

"No,"Albus said quietly,"I guess not."

Torenzo nodded."Please return to your commons room. You are not to speak of this interview to anyone until after the investigation is completed."

Albus got up from the chairman and Torenzo followed him out of the room. She called Matt in as Albus left. Albus muttered a quiet down 'good lot'to him before descending from the room.

******

"Why ca n't you just tell us ?"John lamented as the boys sat around the predator 's Den after dinner. rose wine and Amanda were currently in the miss'dormitory with Linda, who had recently been interviewed.

"I 've told you a million times,"Albus said,"The Ministry hag said we could n't talk about the interview."

"But how would they know ?"John asked,"It 's not like I 'm going to go telling the unscathed shoal 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 think it 's going to fill tenacious for them to decide."

"He 's going to be sacked,"mat said adamantly and then turned to whoremaster,"You 're not going to his extra help seance tonight, are you ?"

"Not if I was paid 20 Galleons,"Saint John replied,"Well, ok, maybe if I was paid twenty Galleons, but not for to a lesser extent 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 have sex was whether Malfoy was going, but he could n't very well waltz down to the donjon, barge into the Slytherin common elbow room, and ask.

"No idea,"Albus sighed.

"Do n't go,"Matt said,"If you go, I 'm going to start worrying about your sanity."

"Why would you desire to go ?"John gave Albus a strange look.

"I might find out something about how the probe is going, or something,"Albus muttered.

John opened his backtalk to reply, but instead turned to the door. A loud squawking interference had seemed to give out from it.

"Did you hear that ?"John asked.

Albus nodded and got up from his place. He walked over to the door and paused next to it. The squawking noise was repeated.

One affair Albus loved about the marauder 's Den was that it was always very lull. No randomness could be heard from the corridor while he was inside. Albus rarely ever heard disturbance from the corridor, let alone squawking noises.

Albus cautiously opened the threshold and instead of the bizarre skirt he had expected to see, rosiness was standing there with her wand out.

"Finally !"she groaned,"I thought you 'd never come to the door."

"rosebush ?"Albus asked,"What is it ? Was that squawking you ?"

"Yes,"Rose said hurriedly,"I had to get you to get along out of there. Uncle Harry 's looking for you. He 's waiting in the common room. I told him I 'd find you."

Albus turned around and told mat, John, and Kaden, all of whom had followed him out of the elbow room, that he would be back soon. He had no mind what his dad wanted, but it must let been of import 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 spongelike armchairs in social movement of the fire when Albus arrived. Georgia and Fred were both talking with him, most likely about Quidditch judgement by their excessive use of hand gestures, but stopped abruptly when Albus entered. Harry got up and met Albus near the portrait hole.

"Let 's lecture outside,"Harry said. Albus followed him out of the portrait yap and down the corridor a little ways.

"What were you up to just now ?"Harry asked, grinning a bit.

"naught,"Albus shrugged truthfully.

"Well, I 'm no longer a teacher here, so I wo n't say a word about you causing trouble, 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 moral tonight ?"

That seemed to be the question of the even, Albus thought."I dunno,"Albus shrugged.

"I realize that the conclusion is completely up to you,"Harry said quietly,"But I would advise you not to go. Professor Balladanis is under a considerable quantity of tension, of which you do n't sleep with the half of. I 'd say the chances are high that he may engage out this stress on you and Scorpius."

"Do you hump if Malfoy 's going ?"Albus asked.

"I really have no idea,"Harry answered,"But I tend to believe he won't."

"I do n't think I will either,"Albus said.

"A Wise conclusion,"Harry smiled.

Harry said skilful Nox to Albus and then Albus went back to the Marauder 's Den. Kaden was in the centre of showing Matt and privy how to make a proper paper airplane.

"What did your dad want ?"John asked without looking up from the parchment he was folding.

"To tell me it was n't a thoroughly idea to go to Balladanis 's lesson tonight,"Albus said as he flopped down onto the empty couch.

"And ?"Matt asked.

"I 'm not going,"Albus answered.

"Good,"lustrelessness replied.

"You know what was weird, though ?"Albus began,"My dad said Balladanis was under a lot of tenseness, most of which I do n't know about. So I 'm guessing it 's not only the investigation."

"Weird,"Kaden shook his head,"I 'll be happy when he 's sacked."

"We do n't jazz for trusted that he 'll be sacked,"Albus pointed out,"I just wish I knew what else he was stressed about."

"Maybe he 's got to battle a beautiful woman,"whoremaster 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 appear fairly obvious,"Matt agreed,"But what 's that got to do with his stress ?"

"Probably nil,"Albus shrugged,"I just realized it."

"You know,"John began,"This is the maiden 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 spend the Nox 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 puddings as they could behave by the house elves. Then they stayed up tardily eating all of it and playing diverse biz. Albus was even able-bodied to forget about Balladanis for a while, something that had not happened in quite a while.

******

The Ministry functionary remained a permanent wave fixture at Hogwarts throughout the remainder of the weekend. Albus overheard a lot of educatee mentioning that they 'd been interviewed, including toilet 's cousin Isabelle, one of the Chasers on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and Gabriella.

Professor Balladanis did not picture up at a single meal. In fact, he was n't seen at all throughout the weekend. cypher saw him, which raised the interrogative of whether he was even still in the castle.

Albus was hoping he ran for it. Got out before the Ministry had a luck to make their decision. Albus was more than a little nervous about going to Defense on Tues and hearing what Balladanis had to say about Albus 's absence from their dueling lesson.

It was on Monday sunrise that all the Hogwarts educatee knew a verdict had been reached. Professor Kendrick rose partway through the meal, something that only happened when something authoritative happened. He was flanked by the two enchantress from the Ministry. The wizard was no foresighted there.

The dorm immediately quieted, without Kendrick even having to ask. Albus was slightly taken aback by Kendrick 's impending annunciation, since there had not been a unity cite of Balladanis in that morning 's Prophet.

"A decision has been reached about professor Balladanis,"Kendrick announced,"Madam Torenzo will inform you of it. The prophet has kindly agreed not to issue the clause 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 spot,"Albus said.

Torenzo stood up and gazed out at the students with a neutral facial expression on her face."Upon wide investigation of professor Balladanis 's didactics methods and thoroughgoing consultation of selected students, the Ministry has seen it fit to remove him from his teaching position here at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry. professor Balladanis packed his things late last night and no longsighted resides in the castle. prof Kendrick will inform you about what will happen with defence mechanism classes for the remainder of the class. 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 naught had happened. The Great Hall immediately erupted into whispers, but they were quickly stopped by Kendrick.

"Defense Against the Dark artistry classes will not take stead until encourage notice. I will try and procure a worthy replacement for Professor Balladanis as quickly as possible. Until then, please use the time to study for your upcoming exams,"Kendrick said and then resumed his derriere. He began to talk with Torenzo and the students phonation rose in the Hall.

"I knew it !"Matt exclaimed,"best news I 've heard this month !"

"Yes !"Peach State shouted and then turned to Fred,"Pay up !"

"Merlin !"Saint James the Apostle groaned,"Why 'd they have to do that investigation so quickly ?"

Money began to exchange hands throughout the Gryffindor mesa as Fred collected and handed out Galleons.

"Do you recall Kendrick 'll find a replacement ?"John asked.

"Dunno,"Albus shrugged,"No one really wanted that job to begin with."

"Glad I did n't do that lycanthrope essay,"John grinned.

"Maybe Kendrick wo n't find a replacement,"Kaden said,"Then we 'd have one lupus erythematosus exam."

"That would be splendid,"Gospel According to John replied.

The standard pressure in the palace for the rest of the day was incredibly upbeat. Hardly anyone seemed at all sad that Balladanis had left. Quite a few students asked flatness to thank his dad for them. It seemed that the exclusively scholarly person upset by it were those who had lost bets because of it.

argus pheasant Filch was another who was unhappy. The ecumenical excitement of the rook caused him more employment. Peeves destroyed the refutation classroom in celebration ( Balladanis never liked Peeves ), Jesse James and his champion set off a few Weasley pyrotechnic, and then there was the universal muss that was associated with students celebrating by playing outside in the soggy grass. Plus, Moaning Vinca minor flooded her bathroom when a few students told her that even she ought to be excited about it. Apparently she did not agree. For some odd understanding it reminded her of her death.

One person who seemed incredibly excited was Linda. Linda who rarely showed any emotion whatsoever walked around the castle 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 party in the Gryffindor common room that nighttime. Rose thought it was a piddling ridiculous, to celebrate the bagging of a instructor, but everyone else, including Linda, thought it was an fantabulous thing to celebrate.

"Just think,"John said,"We do n't ever have got to listen to him go on and on about how bad the dark humanistic discipline are. I mean, we all know they 're bad. We all know about Voldemort and what he did."

"And that bloody anamatek,"Matt added,"I could 've gone my wholly life without seeing one of those."

"What do you think he 's doing now ?"Rose mused.

"Maybe some Ministry hired him,"Albus said quietly,"I hope it 's some billet far, like Madagascar or somewhere."

"Yeah,"Matt agreed,"I bet he 's not even in UK anymore."

"I do n't see why he 'd annoy to vex around,"Albus replied,"I mean, he snuck out in the dark to quash anyone seeing him."

"indirect request we could 've seen him leave,"John grinned mischievously,"Would 've been Nice to give him a proper send off."

"I 'm just glad it 's over,"pink wine muttered,"Maybe now you lot can centralise on exam. And maybe the castle will get back to normal."

"Normal ?"Albus raised his eyebrows,"This lieu will never be normal. Plus, we 've got Quidditch on Saturday. It 's the in conclusion peer before the final."

"When 's the final ?"blush wine asked.

"origin of June, I think,"Albus answered,"Australia 's already so far ahead that they 'll be in it."

Albus, John, Matt, and Kaden all sent scathing looks at Linda, who looked down at the table.

"But if we beat New York in this lucifer,"Albus continued,"We 'll be in it, too. So Wood is in full anatomy this calendar week. I 'm practicing every nighttime starting tomorrow."

"Joseph Oliver Wood is insane,"pink wine muttered.

"Insane, but brilliant on the Quidditch pitch,"King John grinned,"I would bang to get yelled at by him during a Quidditch practice."

"Excellent,"Albus said,"You can take my place."


A/N : Thanks to my 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 possess Defense Against the iniquity Arts the adjacent morning time, Albus was down in the Great lobby bright and early because he wanted to learn pink wine 's Daily Prophet. Having Kendrick announce Balladanis 's sacking was one thing, reading it in the prophet was entirely different.

Rose was already there when Albus, lustrelessness, and John sat down at the Gryffindor table. Amanda and Linda were on either slope of her and all three girls 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 word and Albus read it, with matte and john looking over his shoulder.

HOGWARATS TEACHER REMOVED FROM office BY MINISTRY

In an event that causes much of the wizarding populace to remember
back to Voldemort 's reign, Hogwarts defense Against the Dark
nontextual matter instructor, Aplysia Balladanis, has been removed from his
position by the Ministry of trick 's section of Magical
Education.

During Voldemort 's reign, Defense instructor rarely lasted more
than a yr at the school, a mystery that abruptly ended when
Voldemort was defeated on May 2, 1998. Up until two days
ago, Hogwarts had had only one DoD instructor since that
fateful May day.

prof Torro taught at Hogwarts for old age until he was
mysteriously murdered nearly three geezerhood ago. He was
replaced by pass Auror, Harry Potter, who is rumored to
have only taken the position after nobody else agreed to
fill it.

Harry ceramicist left the stance this past autumn and it was filled
by Balladanis.

Balladanis taught until two days ago, when he was removed
from his position. Approximately a calendar week and a half ago, a
ailment was lodged by Head of the section for the
Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Walter Eckerton,
whose fourteen-year-old son currently attends Hogwarts.

The ill included coarse teaching method, the use of an
anamatek as a teaching tool, singling scholarly person out for lack of
skill, and embarrassing students in front man of their peers.

An investigation by Ministry officials ensued and included
the interviewing of select students and staff. The section
concluded their investigation late Sunday eve and inform
both Balladanis and headmaster Fabius Kendrick of their decisiveness.
Balladanis left the castle willingly and will not be appealing the
conclusion. When asked for a command on the issue, both Kendrick
and Balladanis declined.

Upon hearing the newsworthiness, Walter Eckerton said ,'I am very glad
with the decision and that the investigation was concluded in
a timely mode. I am not happy that it came to this, but I
feel that nix should be put ahead of children 's safety .'

Hogwarts students will not go to Defense category until a surrogate
is found. As of right now, one has not been found.

"I knew they 'd baffle 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 know,"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 ?"

"Doubt it,"Rose answered,"Even if he did before I doubt he does now."

******

Life soon returned to normal for the Hogwarts student, as it often does after something exciting happens. Everyone talked about Balladanis the day the clause was published, but soon there was goose egg leftfield to say and the students focused on the upcoming Quidditch match, which was bare days away.

Albus had an prosperous sentence forgetting about Balladanis due to Quidditch practice. He was out on the tar every eventide and was soon hearing woods 's commands in his chief as he fell asleep, which was something that certainly could n't be deemed normal. Albus was almost glad that the class was drawing to an end because once the tournament was over, he would n't give birth to deal with Mrs. Henry Wood anymore. Thinking about that made Albus realize that Gryffindor would have a new maitre d' the next year since Georgia was graduating. Albus was sure it would be either Fred or Heather, but he was n't trusted which.

Albus trudged into the Great vestibule on Th morning sorely wishing that John had n't woken him up. They did n't have a socio-economic class first thing, so why 'd he bother doing that ? Albus was already running on slight sleep.

"I 'm going to wake you up at five in the good morning this Saturday,"Albus muttered to John as he poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"No you wo n't, you 'll still be asleep,"Saint John grinned,"I need you to serve me cease that Herbology essay that 's due today."

"That 's the reasonableness for you waking me up ?"Albus groaned,"Why ca n't get up help you ?"

"She 's a bit sore with me right now,"John the Evangelist muttered.

"What did you do ?"Albus asked.

"I may or may not have accidentally set ardor to her Potions notes last night,"john said.

"And I should make to support because of that ?"Albus replied,"How did you manage that anyway ?"

"It was n't an chance event,"mat put in,"Gospel According to John and Kaden were tinkering with those super military posture droppings bombs death Night in the vulture 's Den. They stupidly decided to do this at the mesa rightfield where rose wine 's short letter were. The dung bombs exploded and Rose 's notes caught fire."

"See, an fortuity !"bathroom exclaimed.

"No, stupidity,"Matt said,"You should 've done it somewhere else. Oh, Albus, I would n't suggest going in the Marauder 's Den anytime soon. It smells."

"I would n't have clip to anyway,"Albus muttered,"Quidditch drill again tonight."

"Oi, Albus !"James shouted.

"What ?"Albus said.

"Is Dad patrolling here this calendar week ?"James asked.

"I do n't know, why ?"Albus replied.

"He 's here,"James I 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 robe, he was just wearing normal robes. 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 drive over defensive structure classes for the difference of term. Because of this, Defense grade will resume today."

"Good thing I woke you up,"John grinned.

"speculation you wo n't be able to terminate that essay,"Albus shot back.

"Merlin,"John muttered.

Albus was n't that surprised, nor did he like that much. He 'd already had his dad 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 Matt and Saint John to defence mechanism. rosiness was still not speaking to toilet and she walked with Amanda and Linda a little ways ahead. Albus seriously hoped that this would n't plough into what happened earlier in the year.

The entire course erupted in applause as soon as Harry entered the elbow room and Albus noticed that this caused him to crimson. Even Malfoy was clapping, albeit half-heartedly, but he was clapping nonetheless.

"Thanks,"Harry muttered,"Well, I did not guess I 'd be back here. I do suffer to stay with the syllabus, so I must ask that you complete the werewolf essay for next Th. However, it only has to be one fundament of parchment."

There was a collective groan from the entire class."Great,"John muttered,"I was hoping to get out of it."

"It wo n't be that hard,"Matt rolled his eyes.

"But it 'll be time consuming,"John Lackland replied.

"I know, I know,"Harry smirked,"But there is a calendar month and a half of terminal figure left and I ca n't just let you cause this meter to mess around."

The class was the most pleasurable Defense class the 3rd years had had in quite a while. Harry lectured for the entirety of the class, but it was n't tiresome. 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 castle was talking about Professor Balladanis. Quidditch was on the forefront of everybody 's brain and the stress ran higher than they had all year. The outcome of this match would determine who played Australia in the final.

Albus himself was not particularly worried. Hogwarts had already beaten New House of York once and they could easily do it again. The integral team was in ripe health and none of the alternate were needed. Albus was perfectly content to sit in the outdoor stage with his friends and just view the match, rather than have to diddle in it.

It was a tender fountain day with a slight wind and swarm cover, perfect playing conditions. woodwind instrument had spoke of the weather during the previous night 's pattern, 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 goal within the maiden fifteen minute of arc of the match and New York scored two. The teams remained cervix in neck for the remainder of the catch, until Saint James the Apostle pulled out of a nosedive clutching the golden snitch in his allow hand.

The crowd erupted into sunshine and Jesse James was soon hoisted onto the shoulders of some of the elder students.

"I have an declaration to progress to !"Professor Kendrick shouted over the crowd,"Due to Hogwarts 's win, they will be competing against Australia in the final Quidditch couple, scheduled to submit place on the low gear of June !"

The common after Quidditch party ensued in the common room and everyone rehashed their favored percentage of the compeer. No one talked about the final catch, although Albus was sure it was in the rear of everyone 's nous. Commonwealth of Australia seemed impossible to beat.

Once the fervour from another Quidditch win abated, the Hogwarts students seemed to agnize that examination were quite near. The library soon became a popular place to be and fifth and seventh years in particular proposition could be seen there all hours of the day.

As the centre of May arrived, Gabriella demanded a quiet common elbow room in the eventide, much like her sister had two long time prior. Albus and his protagonist spent more time in the Marauder 's Den after that, usually without rosebush, Amanda, and Linda. The three girls seemed to like the tranquility of the vulgar room.

rosebush did forgive trick for messing up her notes, but she became more tense and snappish as exams drew nearer. It was n't something that surprised Albus or anyone else because it had become a form of end of full term tradition with Rose.

denial lesson took a drastic turn for the near. Albus and all of his protagonist got perfect tense German mark on their werewolf essays, to the surprisal of no one. After that, the class bared no resemblance to Balladanis 's.

"Aw, pigeon hawk !"John shouted at breakfast one Friday in the middle of May. He had been reading the Prophet.

"What is it ?"Albus asked, thinking Balladanis had been reinstated as Defense instructor or something.

"England did n't make it into the World Cup concluding,"John Lackland sighed,"They were so close."

"Who did make it ?"Albus grabbed the paper from Saint John, suddenly remembering the tickets he 'd gotten for Christmastide. He had n't picked who he was going to call for to go with him. Actually, he had n't even assure his friend about the tickets.

"Portuguese Republic and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,"trick groaned,"Russia ! They 've got a trash Quidditch team !"

"Obviously not,"blush wine smirked,"Albus, did you plunk who you 're going to rent when you go to the Cup ?"

"Wait, what ?"John the Divine gaped at Albus,"You got tickets ?"

"Er, yeah, for Noel,"Albus said.

"And you did n't severalise me !"John exclaimed.

"fountainhead, I only got one supernumerary and I did n't know how to pick. I had it narrowed down to you and lustrelessness. idea you, if you hate Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, I 'll just pick flatness,"Albus smirked.

"No, no, I did n't say I hate Russia,"John said quickly,"They 've just got a bad team."

"How am I supposed to peck then ?"Albus asked.

"You do n't have to,"Matt said as he sat down next to Albus.

"Nice to see you wake,"St. John the Apostle grinned. Albus and John the Divine had attempted to wake Matt up before they went down to the Great Hall and had no portion. The full moon was the next day, so Albus had n't even been sure if Matt was going to go to class.

"Why, is the Cup a bad time of the month ?"Albus whispered.

"No,"Matt shook his head,"It 's just that my dad got slate, so you can just reach your additional 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 ?"toilet asked,"Are we going to look at a Muggle aeroplane ?"St. John the Apostle looked excited at that prospect.

"No estimation,"Albus shrugged,"Dad might get a Portkey."

"That 's drilling,"John 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 weird, Kaden,"John laughed.

"So are you. Airplanes are boring,"Kaden argued.

"I 'm with Kaden on this one,"matte said,"I 'd acquire a Portkey any day."

******

Between studying for examination and Quidditch drill, Albus had no time for anything else. He managed to squeeze in meter to gossip flatness in the hospital wing on Billy Sunday, but only briefly before he went to Natalie Wood 's day long Quidditch practice.

The stick to weekend was the final match of the junior 's Dueling society, something Albus had been forced to neglect due to Quidditch exercise. After begging Wood and a bit of service from teddy, Albus was able-bodied to take care the net. Albus 's team won, much to the delight of both Albus and Malfoy.

Albus had not spoken to Malfoy since the incident with professor Balladanis. Nor had Malfoy said a word to Albus, or any of his admirer. Malfoy remained mysteriously quiet around the full Moon, not saying anything about it to either Albus or matt. It was strange, but not something any of the male child were going to kvetch about it.

triplet daylight before the Quidditch final, the Great Hall was filled with whispering voices that reminded Albus of the day Balladanis had been sacked. written matter of the seer were being passed back and Forth River and quite a few students looked extremely scared.

"What 's happened ?"Albus asked Rose as he sat down.

"Willinson has broken out of Azkaban,"rose wine whispered, her typeface completely white.

"What ? !"Albus shouted as he grabbed the nearest copy of the Prophet. Matt and John the Divine crowded around him as he read it.

AZKABAN break

functionary have reported that three prisoner
broke out of Azkaban lately last Nox. It is
still unknown how it happened. Azkaban precaution
have refused to verbalise with newsperson, and the
Ministry does not wish to divulge data
at this time.

The names of the escaped prisoners have been
released and anyone with selective information reguarding
any of them are asked to get hold of the Ministry.

The Prophet then gave detailed information about all three of the escaped prisoners. Albus only recognized Willinson. The other two had been imprisoned for more petty crimes.

"How did he get out ?"Albus wondered,"He 's an idiot !"

"I think everyone 's confused about that,"rose said.

Any hope Albus had of getting homework done that hebdomad was gone. He was favourable he was able to concentrate on Quidditch practice session. 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 concluding arrived and forest called the team into the changing room after ending practice.

"It has been incredibly rewarding to manage this team,"Wood said as he began to gait in front of them,"There were trouble in the start,"he paused and looked at the two Slytherins on the squad,"But I am proud to say that you came together as a squad wonderfully.

"It still amazes me that a group of students from all four mansion can hail together and act together on the same squad. I am not trusted this could have been done when I was in Hogwarts.

"You have all come a long way over the year. You 've all made huge improvements in your acquisition. Quite a few of you are seventh years and I am very well-chosen to tell you that there will be watch from a twain Quidditch teams watching tomorrow 's catch. 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 trade good, there is no denying that. However, I have faith in all of you. Tomorrow, go out there and give it your right. Now, I think you should all turn in early and eat a proper breakfast tomorrow before the match. Teddy, Tyler, anything to add ?"Wood turned to the boys.

Teddy and Tyler both shook their brain and Wood turned back to the team."I 'll see you all down here tomorrow. soundly night."

Wood, Teddy, and Tyler stayed behind to discuss tactics while the team left. Albus and James were the live two to leave. Georgia had left with the other seventh years, excitedly discussing the prospect of scouts.

"You think Georgia 's going to signal 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,"James said,"I just hope it does n't hurt her probability when we lose."

"We might not turn a loss,"Albus pointed out.

"We 're going to lose,"James muttered,"Linda 's too good of a Seeker."

Albus said cipher. He wished he could just severalise James that Linda was a vampire. It would be so lots easier.

They kept walking, each lost in their own thoughts. Albus stopped abruptly when he heard a loud cleft in the forest.

"What was that ?"he asked anxiously.

"Probably just a branch breakage,"James answered.

"It was too tacky,"Albus said as he looked into the woodland,"It sounded like someone Apparating in there."

"I do n't think you can Apparate in the forest,"James 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 the Apostle kept walking,"But what if it was somebody Apparating ? What if it was Willinson ?"

"You worry too much, Al,"James groaned,"This situation is filled with Aurors and Dad 's here full sentence now. You 'd consume to be mad to Apparate here if you 're wanted by the Ministry."

"But Willinson is stupid enough to do that,"Albus replied.

"That 's just it,"James River laughed,"If he 's unintelligent enough to do that, he 's going to get caught and sent back to Azkaban."

Albus nodded but he was n't reassured. Willinson may be pudding head, but he did pull off to kidnap Kaden the old leaping, and he had been on the run for a class prior to that. He may be a rubbish dueler, but he was certainly upright at not getting caught for the most part.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The atmosphere in the Great dorm the next first light was unlike anything Albus had seen before. The Hogwarts team was sitting together at the Ravenclaw table, surrounded by students from all four houses. slip and President Tyler seemed to be in the midst of it and were loudly discussing manoeuvre.

The Australian squad was sitting together at the Hufflepuff table, with a enceinte distance between them and the Hufflepuffs. A lowly gang of Australians had congregated around them.

Albus decided not to get together the residual of the Hogwarts team at the Ravenclaw tabular array. Nobody was ineffective to play 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 tourney has been good for Hogwarts,"blush wine mused,"face at everyone. Nobody seems to care who 's in what house."

"It 'll all go back to normal once the match is over,"Albus pointed out.

"Maybe not,"rosebush shrugged,"You never know."

"I do n't know, Rose,"matt said,"I do n't believe one year can alter centuries of tradition."

"It 's worth a try,"rosiness said,"I think we should all try and get along."

"I do n't think this has helped International magical cooperation,"St. John the Apostle gestured to the Australian team. The Hufflepuffs sitting nearby were glaring at them.

"Competition rarely does that,"Rose muttered.

"well, they 'll all be going home soon,"Matt said cheerfully.

Rose shot him a dirty smell and then looked up at the faculty tabular array. Albus 's regard followed. The staff table was quite overcrowded that morning. There were watch from Quidditch squad, Ministry officials including Albus 's Uncle Hotspur, and a multifariousness of people from Commonwealth of Australia and New House of York.

"expression at that hag,"John pointed to a very tall, beautiful enchantress with pale Edward White hide and long dark hair.

"She 's Linda 's mother,"pink wine told them.

"Is she-"John began.

"Yes,"rosiness whispered,"She 's one, too."

"I thought so,"St. John said without taking his eye off the witch.

There was a garish sunniness from the Ravenclaw table and the Hogwarts team began to result the hallway. Their suite followed until they reached the door and then they went to sit back down at various tables.

The Australian team followed shortly. The exhilaration only seemed to increase now that the squad had gone down to the changing rooms.

A few minutes later multitude began to leave for the pitch. The crowd at the staff table left first and the scholar followed.

"Albus,"St. John said as they got up from the mesa,"I 've got a few duo 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.

Rose rolled her heart."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 bring them to breakfast ?"matt asked.

"Forgot,"John said.

The castle was absolutely deserted as they made their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Albus had n't seen it that empty during the day. It was almost disconcerting.

can had to empty out his entire proboscis in fiat to feel 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 start of the match."

Albus completely ignored the no running in the corridors rule as he made his way through the rook. There was n't anyone to scold him anyway. The footsteps behind him told him his friends were n't far behind.

Albus turned a 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 matt 's boggart.

Only, it could n't be a boggart because if it had been a boggart, it would have manifested itself into what Albus was most afraid of. At that moment, it probably would experience been Willinson.

The man sneered down at Albus and then smiled creepily. Albus scrambled up and turned back to look at his friends.

mat 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 repulsion on his face. Kaden was looking extremely confused.

Albus turned and grabbed all three of his Friend, pulling them into the cheeseparing schoolroom. He slammed the door and pulled out his wand, putting every lockup charm he knew onto the knob.

Matt collapsed onto the nearest chair and put his head in his hands."Th-th-that's-"

"We know,"Albus whispered.

"What the hell is he doing here ?"John ranted,"He 's got no clientele here !"

"Why 's he in the castle anyway ?"Albus began to pace around the room,"If he 's here to watch the Quidditch match, then why is n't he down there ?"

"What if he 's not here to watch the Quidditch ?"John said darkly.

"Who the bloody hell is he ?"Kaden asked loudly.

Albus glanced at matte before looking at Kaden. Matt did n't seem to consume heard Kaden 's question.

"His name 's Lubar. He 's the straits of the section for the Regulation and restraint of Magical Creatures in Australia,"Albus explained,"He 's the ground why lustrelessness had to make a motion here, amongst other things."

"He 's a sick and wind evil git,"john muttered,"What are we going to do ?"

Albus walked over to the door and peered out the small windowpane 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 presence of the door. The Ministry. How would they get there ? Brooms ? No, that would take too long. They 'd consume to use the Floo net, but none of the fireplaces at Hogwarts were hooked up, as far as Albus knew.

"We 're going to make to get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said,"You wait here. I 'll get my Cloak and the map. Then we 'll pussyfoot into Hogsmeade and Floo to the Ministry."

Matt nodded."You guy cable do n't possess to come. You can go to the match."

"Are you genial ?"whoremonger 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 baton 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 go forth them. He shoved them into his gown and ran back to the classroom. lustrelessness, King John, and Kaden were all talking quietly. Matt did n't bet any less affright, but at least he did n't appear to be in shock anymore.

"We 're not all going to fit underneath it,"Albus said as he unfolded the cloak.

"You three get under it,"John said immediately,"I 'm marvelous so I 'll take up the most room anyway. Plus, if we meet up with Lubar again, I 'm the right liar."

Albus could n't argue there. Both he and Matt were atrocious liars and Kaden still had n't gotten over his unfitness to sustain secrets.

"You take the map, then,"Albus handed the map to whoremaster,"We 've got to get to the one-eyed witch statue on the third floor.

Albus threw the Cloak over himself, Matt, and Kaden, and the three of them followed St. John the Apostle out of the room. The corridor was still empty, much to Albus 's relief.

lav set a very fast footstep and he was soon quite a bit ahead of Albus and the others. Albus could n't say anything, though, as it would impart away his presence. Instead he tried to run as fast as he could while making the least amount of disturbance possible.

The boys made it down the two flights of stairs requirement to get to the third floor and arrived at the statue without seeing anyone. Albus pulled the Cloak off of them and stuffed it into his sack. With a ready tap of his scepter, he statue 's gibbosity opened and the boys climbed inside.

Albus lit his scepter and took off down the pocket-sized passageway. Matt, John, and Kaden followed suit.

"Why did Kendrick let him in ?"St. John asked as they ran,"Does n't he know what he did ?"

"Yes,"flatness answered,"I do n't recollect Kendrick knows he 's here."

"What did he do ?"Kaden asked.

"You do n't recall he came here to see you ?"Albus asked matt,"I mean, remember when Killigan saw us that one clip and he seemed so interested in finding you ?"

"Of course 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 match ?"

"Maybe, but I 'm betting it 's got something to do with Linda,"flatness replied,"I do n't know for indisputable, but it seems too cooccurring for him to be here just to see me."

"What did he do ?"Kaden shouted,"Why would he require to see you ?"

matt stopped running and wheeled around to appear at Kaden."It 's a farseeing tale. Lubar 's got a grudge against my dad, one that he obviously still has even though we have n't lived in Commonwealth of Australia for six years,"Matt paused,"He passed a crowd of Laws against werewolves and I wound up having to transubstantiate with a crew of other wolfman. It was bad."

matte resumed walking and did n't expand 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 doubt in Albus 's mind that lustrelessness 's dad would be able to get Lubar to go forth Hogwarts, possibly even leave the country. Albus had known little about Mr. Eckerton prior to this class, but now he knew that you did not want to be on his bad side of meat. When it came down to it, Mr. Eckerton was the one who had Balladanis sacked.

The handing over finally began to uprise until it came to an precipitous period at a knotty wooden door. Albus pressed his ear to the threshold, but heard nothing. He carefully pushed it open, wincing as it creaked.

visual perception nobody in the storehouse room beyond, Albus beckoned his ally forward. The room was dimly lit, enough for Albus to see a huge amount of boxes littering the floor. On the far paries he could see a fireplace.

The boy climbed over the diverse boxful and stood in straw man of the fireplace. Albus located a small sack of Floo Powder and then lit a fervour. He turned to his friends.

"You ca n't Floo directly into person 's field at the Ministry. We 're going to have 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 powder into the fire and stepped inside, shouting"The Ministry of Magic !"

Albus stumbled out of a different fireplace sec later. The Atrium was nearly deserted, save for a few wizard striding towards the facelift, clearly too busy to notice Albus.

Matt landed rather ungracefully on the storey. He picked himself up, brushing roll ash off his robes.

"billet is deserted,"Matt said as he looked around.

"It 's a Saturday,"Albus pointed out,"Does your dad work Saturdays ?"

"Yeah,"Matt nodded,"At least mornings."

Saint John the Apostle was next to step out of the fire, doing so more elegantly than lustrelessness had. He stood in movement of the flame, staring around at the Atrium. His eyes rested on the Fountain of Magical Brethren.

"This is more image than I imagined,"John said.

"Bloody hell !"Kaden shouted as he fell out of the fire,"This is the Ministry ?"

"Yes,"Matt said quickly,"But we have n't got time to research. Let 's go."

Albus followed Matt towards the desk in the nominal head of the Atrium. There was an old magician leafing through a transcript of the Quibbler, forgetful to his surroundings. Albus almost thought they 'd be able-bodied to filch around him, but he looked up just as they were about to pass.

"Where do you retrieve you 're going ?"he asked and then his center rested on Albus,"Albus Severus potter. Why are n't you in school ?"

"Er,"Albus began, a trivial unnerve that the man knew who he was.

Matt stepped in battlefront of Albus."We need to go see my dad. He 's the Head of the Department for the Regulation and ascendancy of Magical animate being. It 's kind of an emergency."

"Very well,"the man looked at them oddly,"Put your scepter up here."

Albus did as he was told and the others followed courting. They waited impatiently as the old wiz tested their baton and then handed them back. He waved them on towards the lifts.

"What 's the dot of that ?"Kaden asked as they waited for a lift.

"So if you murder anyone, they can tell whose wand did it,"Albus said bluntly.

"That 's cheerful,"Kaden replied.

Once the ski tow arrived, the boys piled in and Matt pushed the number four. nobody said anything as the lift creaked its way to the fourth floor.

Matt took off at a run down the corridor after they left the lift. Albus had never been to this particular floor. It looked rather similar to the Magical Law Enforcement 's story, with nondescript sets of repeat doors on one side.

Matt skidded to a halt in strawman of the solely doorway that was 1 and banged his hand loudly on it. When there was no answer after a few seconds, he banged again.

"grasp your hippogriffs !"called a voice from the interior,"I 'm coming, I'm-"Matt 's dad said as he opened the door.

Mr. Eckerton seemed to freeze at the sight of his son and the other three son. He gaped at them for a second before shaking his head.

"lusterlessness ?"he asked and rubbed his eyes, as if he thought he was seeing a hallucination,"But, why are n't you in schooltime ? How did you get here ? Why are you here ? Albus ? What are you- and John, Kaden ?"

His eyes rested on matte again."flatness ? What 's wrong ?"

Mr. Eckerton stepped aside and let the boys into his discipline. He shut the door quietly behind them.

The study reminded Albus of his dad 's. There were orotund windows on the side opposite the door, although the conniption outside was not real, nor was the gentle rain that was pattering onto it.

There was a magnanimous leather covered electric chair behind the huge oak desk and a few littler chairs in social movement of it. Along the former two paries were shelves with loads of ledger. virtually of them were about various wizard creatures.

Albus, Matt, and John took the seats that were in presence of the desk while Kaden wandered around the subject field looking at thing. Mr. Eckerton leaned against the front man of his desk and looked at his son.

"What 's happened ?"he asked quietly.

"L-Lubar,"Matt said in barely Thomas More than a whisper,"He-he 's at Hogwarts."

"What ? !"Mr. Eckerton exclaimed.

"We were on our way to the Quidditch final,"Matt said,"A-and we saw him."

"Bloody hell !"Mr. Eckerton stood up and slammed his clenched fist loudly against his desk,"Did professor Kendrick provide this ?"

"I do n't make love,"Matt replied,"B-but everyone else was at the equal and he was just lurking about the castle."

Mr. Eckerton 's face hardened. He looked just like he had when he talked with professor Balladanis earlier in the terminus."Let 's go, boys,"he said darkly,"I 've got to have a word with Professor Kendrick."

Albus followed Mr. Eckerton out of his study and down towards the cosmetic surgery. St. John the Apostle 's walking speed was nothing compared to matt 's dad 's. The male child had to run to keep 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 fireplaces, 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 faster and faster. He saw glimpses of people 's theatre, shop in Diagon back street, and a variety of other places he did not recognize. Then, out of one of the open fireplace, came a mitt. Everything seemed to slacken down, but Albus was n't for certain 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 dusty wooden floor, 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 man 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, thrower,"a cold vox said from behind him.

Albus jumped and turned around. There, crouching side by side to the hearth with his helping 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. John came tumbling out of the firing and scrambled too his invertebrate foot, looking about.

Lubar muttered something underneath his breath and stuck his hand in the fire again.

"What the ?"John Lackland whispered to Albus,"Where are we ? Is that ? Bloody snake pit !"

"Shut up !"Lubar shouted.

Albus gazed around the room. It looked vaguely familiar, but Albus could n't put his finger on it. The Windows were boarded up, but it was definitely not the Shrieking Shack. Albus doubted that was connected to the Floo mesh anyway.

The fireplace glowed green yet again, this prison term sending Kaden onto the floor. This earned another shout from Lubar, who stuck his hand in the flak again.

Kaden gaped and then got to his invertebrate foot and stood succeeding to Albus. He looked absolutely terrified, even before he laid eyes on Lubar.

Albus wanted zip more than to run from the room, but he did not sleep together where the building was even located. Plus, Lubar would probably stun him or something.

Green light filled the elbow room as the fireplace glowed once more. Albus knew even before it happened that mat would be the one to next fall out of the flame. Mere seconds later, that suspiciousness was confirmed.

lustrelessness 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 sceptre, which illuminated his sinister boldness. He began to pace slowly in front of them.

"fountainhead, well, you went crying to Daddy just as I expected,"Lubar grinned manically,"I do have it away when things work out the way I expect them to."

Albus could feel flatness shaking future to him. He gripped his verge hard, debating whether to try and demilitarise Lubar.

"Any idea where you are ?"Lubar asked,"Dervish and Banges. Lovely shop, pity about the owner. Yes, a very shame."

Lubar did n't look at all upset about what happened to the shop owner. Albus looked around the shop again and now he recognized it.

"Well, let 's not knock off our time here,"Lubar said,"There 's a few people who 've been dying to see you."Lubar snapped his fingers three clock time and Albus heard footsteps on the stairs.

tierce necromancer descended the stairs and strode into the room. They lit their verge at the same time and Albus gasped when the twinkle showed their faces. Jarrett and Quinton Willinson, along with Washburn. Three people Albus hoped never to see again.

Albus swallowed hard. He could see no way out of this. As skillful a dueler he was, he was up against four fully characterize wizards. Three of them did not possess the skills to duel, but Albus had no idea what Lubar was capable of.

"Ah, yes,"Lubar smirked,"What a pin-up reunification. Unfortunately we have n't got metre to chat."

Before Albus knew it, Washburn had him in a headlock with his wand pointed at his cervix. Quinton Willinson had Kaden and his father had John. Matt, seeing his protagonist restrained, made a run for the nighest window.

"Not so fast, vernal werewolf,"Lubar caught him by the back of his robes and wrapped one of his branch around his middle.

Lubar reached into his robes with his free hand and pulled out an old tea kettle. He held it out to the other three men and each one put a relieve helping hand on it. Albus knew what was going to happen right before it did. He shared a panicked glance with lustrelessness before feeling a jerk 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 constituent of this chapter from Harry 's point of view. It begins in his spot of view and then switches back to Albus 's. asterisk indicate where the detail of view switches.


"Spectacular save by Georgia Weasley !"the commentator shouted.

Harry grinned as his niece threw the Quaffle back into play. It was immediately taken into possession by Hogwarts, and all three pursuer threw it back and forth as they flew to the Aussie end of the pitch.

"Score ! Hogwarts has scored against Commonwealth of Australia, bringing the total to 50-20 Hogwarts !"

Harry stood up and shouted as aloud as the students. One thing he loved about the Quidditch tourney was that he did n't have to try and conceal his excitement when Hogwarts scored. During house matches, he had to try and venture he was neutral, even though he obviously supported Gryffindor.

As well-chosen as Harry was about the Hogwarts pursuer being very skilled, he did not give birth promise that Hogwarts would actually win. Australia 's Seeker, Linda esprit de corps, was the best seeker Harry had ever seen outside of professional person Quidditch. He knew that his son, St. James, was good, but he was n't delusional. Linda was brilliant.

There was something odd about her, though, and Harry could n't put his fingerbreadth on it. Her velocity on a broom just did n't appear natural. Professional Quidditch player would kill for her speed.

"I 'm surprised she has n't found the snitch yet,"Neville muttered to Harry.

"Yeah,"Harry nodded as he watched Linda slowly circling above the slant. St. James the Apostle was doing the Lapplander,"It 'll be soon, though."

Harry turned his gaze to the rest of the staff who were sitting around him. nearly of them were quite reserved. nonentity seemed to be showing the enthusiasm Harry was. He did n't care. Harry did n't portion their opinion that teacher could n't get overly excited about Quidditch.

A few prof stood up and then sat back down again as mortal squeezed their way past them. Harry craned his head and was surprised to see Walter Eckerton.

Harry did n't know the man well. They 'd met on occasion at the Ministry, although Harry had a feeling he 'd be seeing Sir Thomas More of him now that he was Head of the Department for the regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.

What Harry mostly knew about 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 good reason. Never a more commit forefather, either.

Bruno Walter continued his way past the other professor until he stopped in front of Harry. Harry was even more shocked to see the face on his face. Worry was etched in every part of his face, bringing out the seam, but there was choler in his eyes.

"Walter,"Harry shook his handwriting as he stood up,"What 's going on ?"

"Not here,"Walter muttered,"I need a word in private."

Harry told Neville he 'd be right back and he followed Walter out of the standstill. They continued walking until they were a shortsighted distance away from the pitch and then Walter stopped.

"The boys have just been to see me at the Ministry,"Bruno Walter said as soon as he 'd stopped.

"time lag, what ?"Harry asked,"You mean Albus and Matt ?"

"Yes, and the other two as well,"Bruno Walter said quickly,"You 've heard of Ralph Lubar, the headway of the department for the rule and controller of Magical Creatures in Australia ?"

Harry nodded, slightly confused at the change of case."Yes, not a very tolerant bloke, is he ?"

Walter 's side hardened."That 's a nice way of putting it. The bloke is sick and twisted and he 's got a grudge against me. Very recollective story and I have n't got clock time to tell it. Short edition is that when mat was eight, Lubar passed a law that required him to metamorphose in a building with former werewolves, sr. werewolf. Nearly killed him. It was right before we moved. For whatever cause, Lubar decided to call Hogwarts today, possibly under the pretense of attending the Quidditch match.

"The boys saw him and Flooed to the Ministry from Honeyduke 's. Matt '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 owners of the shop as well as a few former Hogsmeade residents. No one 's seen them. We 've got to find oneself them."

Harry 's heart sank."You do n't recollect Lubar 's got them, do you ? He 's not unsafe, is he ?"

"To matte, yes, but I have n't the slightest idea as to why he 'd want the other boys,"Walter said.

"Even if he did only want matte, he 'd have to get Albus as well because I know Albus would n't let him take 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 clasp as he was Portkeying to who knows where. All Albus knew about the location was that it must be far away. Portkeying is usually mostly instant, but this sentence there was a significant lag. Albus had sentence to try and get away, not that it did anything.

The minute clue that their destination was far away was the fact that it was very colored when Albus finally landed on the ground. Not darkness like an impending storm either. dark as in night.

Washburn had let go of Albus as they landed and Albus hastened to get to his understructure. Loud clunk around him told him that his ally had landed as well.

The footing was damp and toilsome and the leaf around them was dense. Albus assumed they were in some kind of woods. He gazed around and saw a lot of unfamiliar Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that seemed to load towards the starry sky.

There was no moonshine to illuminate the timberland. Lubar, the Willinsons, and Washburn had walked a few yards away from the boys and were whispering to each other. All four had lit their wand, but it was n't enough wand light to give Albus a good view of his surroundings.

lustrelessness, John, and Kaden had all scrambled over to where Albus was and were standing quite close to him, their scepter out. Albus pulled his own out as well, but did n't defy ignite it.

"Why is it night ?"Kaden whispered.

"Where the hell on earth are we ?"John the Divine asked.

"We 're in Australia,"matte said in awe, as if he was just coming to price 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 take them there ? It was quite far away from anyone who would be looking for them.

What did n't pull in sentience was why Lubar was with Washburn and the Willinsons. As far as he could tell, the four thaumaturgist seemed to be working together, but why ? Lubar lived halfway across the mankind. How had he met the Willinsons ?

"Is this anywhere near your old theater ?"privy asked.

"How should I roll in the hay ?"lusterlessness snapped,"Australia 's a huge land !"

"I just thought if we were near it, we could hide there,"lav muttered.

"You would n't want to,"lusterlessness said,"My stupid cousin-german owns it now."

"You have a cousin ?"Albus asked.

"Not crucial,"matt said quickly.

Albus nodded."How are we going to get out of this ?"

"They 're not paying attention,"John whispered, gesturing to where the four whiz stood huddled in a circle,"Maybe if we run for it."

"The Portkey 's right field there,"lustrelessness pointed to the tea kettle, which was a few substructure away,"If we can just get to it."

"All right,"Albus whispered,"On the count of three. One ... two ... three."

Albus ran as quietly as he could towards the Porkey. He was about to blame 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 gestate ?"Jarrett said rudely,"There 's four of them ! Do you gain how much more hard this is going to be now ? We only needed ceramicist ! But no, you had to go and insist on bringing that werewolf kid as well."

"You would n't even accept 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 feature done."

"wellspring, now we 've wound up with two spear carrier ones as well,"Jarret muttered.

"They 're Kyd, how much worry can they be ?"Lubar smirked.

"You do n't have a go at it this lot,"Washburn replied,"They 're the reason we have n't had luck before."

"I thought that was because of your incredible stupidity,"Lubar said.

Albus was very scheme. 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 bush, not yours."

"You own the forest now ?"Jarrett asked.

"As a matter of fact, I do,"Lubar snapped.

"Ministry must be paying you well."

"Indeed they are,"Lubar said and turned to Matt,"So many years 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 lavatory with a slothful wave of his verge, leaving John stunned in front of him. It appeared that Lubar was a significantly better dueler than either of the Willinsons or Washburn.

Pocketing John 's verge, Lubar turned back to lusterlessness, who was shakily holding his wand up.

"It does n't matter what commonwealth you 're in,"Lubar seethed,"You 're the Saame thing no matter where you live. The police force do n't commute what you are. Pretend as much 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 think he had ever felt more wild in his entire life, and that included every encounter he had had with Scorpius Malfoy. Malfoy was like a flossy kitten compared to Lubar.

However, Albus held himself back. John was already wandless. It would do them no good if Albus got disarmed as well. Something told him to hold back, to expect until he could enamor them off guard.

"What about your father ? I hear he 's the principal of the department in Britain now,"Lubar smirked,"conjecture it 's just a issue of time until the same thing happens. You 'll have to flee again."

Matt was visibly trembling now. Albus wracked his encephalon, trying to figure out what to do. What could they do ?

"Oh, for Merlin 's sake !"Jarrett strode forward,"How is this helping matter ? Did we really risk Portkeying a crowd of shaver to Australia just to waste time taunting one of them ?"

"Quiet !"Lubar shouted,"I 'll do what I like !"

"Excuse me !"Kaden said loudly, turning to Lubar,"But how in the public figure of pigeon hawk do you know them ?"He gestured to the Willinsons and Washburn.

Albus held his breath, waiting for Lubar to put some kind of jonah or curse 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 twisted sort of grinning, but a smile nonetheless.

"I think that 's a average doubt,"Lubar said."My cousin married this idiot,"Lubar pointed at Jarrett.

"You 're married ?"Kaden gaped at Jarrett, causing Albus to groan. 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 lone thing Albus could think of was getting the Hallows, but all three Hallows were in England. If that was their architectural plan, they would n't take in 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 smart, a lot smart than the other three, and that scared Albus more than anything else. There was a big difference between dueling soul who was smart and dueling someone who was an idiot.

******

The Ministry seemed deserted when Harry and Walter Flooed there a unawares while 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 blighter 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 agency 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 Snap circuit card and stood up upon seeing Harry arrive. The other Auror, a rather curtly but stocky enchantress, shoved the Scripture she was reading in the drawer, and joined the former two.

"Potter, sir !"the witch said,"We thought you were at Hogwarts today !"

"I was,"Harry said darkly and explained the situation.

The three Aurors looked grim as they waited for Harry to open them education.

"Dabney,"Harry turned to the taller of the adept,"Brighton,"he looked at the witch,"Get started with an extensive search of Hogsmeade. I 'm calling in everyone who is n't officious 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 woodland as soon as person else arrives."

Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. An enormous silvery hart flew out of his wand and Harry whispered to it. The Patronus glided out of the elbow room and Harry leaned against the nearest desk.

It was n't long before Harry heard footsteps in the corridor. He looked up at the threshold just as Ron was running through, followed by half a dozen other Aurors.

"Harry, what 's going on ?"Ron said in a worried tone.

Harry rehashed the entire state of affairs again. Ron 's case paled."What about Rose, was she with them ?"

"No,"Walter shook his head,"It was just the boys."

"Thank Falco columbarius,"Ron whispered,"But Harry, what about Willinson ? D'you think he 's got anything to do with this ?"

"It 's crossed my mind,"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 wood. Lewster 's going with you. And take Book of the Prophet Daniel and Smith with you."

Ron nodded and left the room, followed by Lewster and two former sensation. The remaining four Aurors looked to Harry.

"The remainder of you can look the rook and cause. Be discrete. I do not care to disturb the Quidditch catch unless it is absolutely requirement,"Harry instructed.

The Aurors left the room and Harry turned to Walter. He slowly shook his head. Why was it always Albus ? This was the 3rd year he had gotten into difficulty. Albus 's year at Hogwarts were reminding Harry dangerously of his own.

"I 'd improve go Floo home base and order Julie what 's going on,"Walter sighed,"She 's going to come apart."

Harry nodded as Bruno Walter left the room. Ginny. Harry snapped his head 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 room. How was he going to differentiate his wife that Albus had been kidnapped and he did n't stimulate a clue as to where he was ?

******

"You 're just too afraid to do it !"Jarrett shouted at Lubar,"What could possibly go awry ? We 're halfway across the human beings 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 humans ? Harry ceramist 's son ! You have n't a clue as to how things work in the Ministry !

"I can check you that at this very moment, the intact Auror section is looking for them. Harry ceramicist 's probably got every Auror on this case. It wo n't take them long to recognise that we 're not in England.

"And this one,"Lubar gestured to Matt,"He 's got the most meddling parents in the globe. They 'd sooner wipe out everyone in the public before letting something find to him. Very irritating. They wo n't repose until they find him. Not to note the fact that he 's the son of a Ministry functionary. We 've got two small fry of two of the most prominent Ministry officials of Britain. Think, Jarrett, think ! We 've got to be deliberate !"

"fountainhead, you 're the one who wanted to take the wolfman, 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 cretin had n't wanted to bring the fry, we could 've done this whole thing without the Ministry finding out,"Washburn cut in.

"Shut up !"Lubar and Jarrett said at the Saame time.

Maybe if they kept arguing, they would n't have a chance to do whatever it was they wanted to do before the Aurors found them, Albus thought. He could only desire that the wizards would feature enough to contend 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 firstly place they 'll look is the house."

"Got any better thought ?"Jarrett seethed,"Have you got a secret minuscule shack somewhere in this rural area ?"

"No,"Lubar snapped,"We 're taking them to the outback. deal of places to veil, not very inhabited. perfect tense place."

Before Albus could even contemplate running away, Jarrett had his arm in a vice clench again. flatness was once again in the grip of Lubar, and Saint John and Kaden were both caught by the Willinsons.

Albus knew very little about the Australian outback, just that it was n't suitable for much homo inhabitation. However, the one piece of information he did know about it was that it was where most of the dementors that used to guard Azkaban had gone. That, and it was a somewhat popular berth for vampires.

Lubar and Jarrett had stopped bickering. Albus had two instant to realise what was happening before he felt the familiar but unpleasant sensation of side-along Apparition.


A/N : Thanks to my 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.
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 disembarrass of Jarrett 's grip. He tripped over a rock and landed face first in the George Sand. Spitting the grittiness out of his mouth, he stood up and glanced around.

It was still far too dark to see anything but the precis of plenty in the distance. The outback seemed very empty and very tranquilize. There was a very humble clump of President George W. Bush and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree nearby, but besides that, Albus did not see often else in the way of plant life.

Albus immediately knew why Lubar had taken them there. He had never been in such a derelict property in his life. There was absolutely nothing around them. Even if Albus had decided to run away, he would n't feature gotten very far. As serious as staying with Lubar was, Albus knew he would have no chance of surviving if he ran off into the outback.

Lubar seemed to have it away 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 spells around them. Instead, he walked a short distance in the direction of the mountains and gestured for the Willinsons and Washburn to trace them.

"What are we going to do ?"John seethed,"Has anyone got any melodic theme where we are ?"

"The outback 's huge,"Matt replied,"I bet we 're right in the midriff of it. The approximate civilisation 's probably statute mile away."

"So we 're done for,"John groaned,"What do they even want with us anyway ?"

"No idea,"Albus said,"But if they keep arguing, we might not have to get hold out."

"Do you really opine your pappa are going to be able to find us ?"John Lackland asked skeptically.

"Lubar 's right,"Albus said,"The wholly Ministry 's going to be looking. I think they 'll find us."

"Energy stuff like this happen every year ?"Kaden asked,"I mean, live on year I got kidnapped by Willinson and now we all were. What 'll befall following year ?"

"Hopefully nothing,"Albus said.

"If there is a following year,"John muttered.

"Shut up over there !"Lubar shouted as he walked back over to the male child,"I did n't recount you to mouth !"

"Lubar !"Jarrett seethed as he pointed to someplace in the distance,"There 's people 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 low gathering of figures a few yards away. Could his dad have found them already ?

"Calm down,"Lubar said,"They 're just vampires. They wo n't bother us. I know that coven. They know better than to mess with me. I 'll make life sentence pretty scurvy for them if they do."

"film editing peck with lamia now ?"Jarrett asked.

"Proving to be helpful, is n't it ?"Lubar answered.

Albus 's Bob Hope sank once again. Lubar seemed more confusing than ever. He cut mickle for lamia but passed restrictive natural law on loup-garou ? It did n't make sense.

The men lowered their voices again and Albus wished he had a few extendable Ears with him. He did n't dare verbalize to his friends, just sent them anxious coup d'oeil every now and then.

A cold breaking wind blew over them and Albus shivered. It was the kind of coldness that chilled him to the bone. Hoping that it was n't going to rain down, or snow ( was n't it winter in Australia ? ), he looked to the sky. There were no swarm, but what Albus saw was much spoiled than clouds.

Five or six cloaked fig 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 see their rale breath.

The world in front of him began to swim. He felt like he was going to perish out, but he knew it was just the dementors sucking all the felicity out of him. Albus was left with all his unhappy thoughts.

His dad was n't going to incur 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 materialize ?

"No, no, no !"Matt shouted.

Albus squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them, forcing himself to look towards his friend. Matt was kneeling on the flat coat, shaking violently. Both Saint John and Kaden were looking at him anxiously, neither seeming to be that affected by the dementors.

Of course the dementors would impact Matt the sorry. He had gone through things that Albus, John, and Kaden could n't even imagine. It probably did n't assist that Lubar was actually present, either.

Without even thinking, Albus pulled his scepter out of his robes. He 'd pick up the conjuration for the Patronus magical spell before and figured it was worth a slam. What else could he do besides try ?

"Expecto Patronum !"Albus shouted, pointing his wand at the sky. Nothing happened.

A well-chosen thought ! How could he make forgotten that ? It was difficult to think of one with dementors flying over heard and listening to mat shouting on the ground.

When the classification Hat put him in Gryffindor ! Albus pointed his verge to the sky again."Expecto Patronum ! Expecto Patronum !"

Albus kept shouting the incantation while using several happy memories. null was happening, but mat 's yelling was decreasing. Then it stopped. Albus stopped and looked towards the basis. It looked like Matt had passed out.

thinking of the day Balladanis had been sacked, Albus pointed his wand at the dementors once again."Expecto Patronum !"he shouted.

A silvery blob exploded from his wand and went after the dementors. Albus stood shocked for a few mo. He had sort of done a Patronus spell !

"Bloody hell,"John whispered.

"Expecto Patronum !"someone shouted from the distance.

Albus looked up and saw Lubar running play 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 fogged mentality immediately cleared and the happiness returned. He quickly stowed his verge in his robes before Lubar thought to demilitarize him.

"Leave him,"Lubar growled at bathroom and Kaden, who were bent to the ground trying to get lusterlessness to awaken up.

"Dementors !"Washburn shouted sarcastically,"This was a bloody splendid place to come."

Lubar paid no aid to Washburn 's comment. His centre were focused on Albus and he was giving him a very curious aspect. Albus took a nervous step back, but Lubar did not avert his gaze. 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 practiced news.

"What is it, Lewster ?"Harry asked.

"Just talked to a few of the Centaurus,"Lewster said,"They saw three wizards in the forest a few hours ago. They recognized one of them as Washburn."

"I 'd bet my death Galleon the former two were the Willinsons,"Harry replied,"Did the Centaur know anything else ?"

"Just that Washburn and the others were looking for something. Apparently they were scouring the afforest flooring for something,"Lewster answered.

Harry nodded. That did n't storm him. The Resurrection Stone was someplace in the woodland."Did you see anything ?"

"No,"Lewster shook his straits,"And the centaurs are pretty sure as shooting they 've left."

"Very well,"Harry said,"See what else you can rule out."

Lewster left and Harry turned to Ginny, who looked afraid.

"Harry, you do n't think that Washburn is with Lubar, do you ?"Ginny asked.

"There 's no uncertainty in my nous,"Harry answered,"It 's just a matter of finding them. heed, I 've got to go research Dervish and Banges. I 've got this intuition about the place. Seems like the gross place for Washburn to take them."

Ginny nodded."I 'll go beguile the end of the match. I wo n't mention anything to James and Lily yet."

"commodity,"Harry said,"I 'll be in touch soon."He kissed her lightly on the frontal bone."We 're going to feel him."

"I know,"Ginny replied softly,"Stay safe."

Ginny turned around to walk back to the Hogwarts grounds while Harry picked up the tempo and walked the short circuit distance to Dervish and Banges.

The building looked utterly abandoned. The window were still boarded up, the dope overgrown around it. It certainly did n't look like anyone was hiding inside, but Harry had to check.

Pulling out his sceptre, he crept cautiously to the door. He carefully pulled the control panel off of it and quietly wrenched the door open. Without lighting his verge, he walked inside.

The place had the smell of a recent fervor in the fireplace. somebody had been there. However, there was not a speech sound from anywhere in the edifice. Harry lit his wand and saw that it was deserted.

After a thoroughgoing check of the full building, in which Harry found no animation creatures, he returned to the main elbow room. The hearth was filled with nearly perfectly embers and there was a small-scale big bucks of Floo powder spilled out onto the floor.

The Floo had been used recently. Harry bent down and muttered an incantation that would recount him where the net somebody to use the fireplace had Flooed from. He waited for the incantation to work, his heart pounding.

Soft red green goddess emitted from his verge, curling together to form the tidings 'Ministry of Magic .'Harry breathed a sigh of alleviation. He was getting somewhere. Without hardly a doubt, Harry knew that Albus and the early boys had wound up in Dervish and Banges after going to the Ministry. The only inquiry was, where had they gone after that ?

******

"How old are you, Potter ?"Lubar asked.

"long dozen,"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 magic spell to thirteen-year-olds at Hogwarts ?"Lubar replied.

"No,"Albus shook his head, although when he thought about it, Balladanis may have taught him and Malfoy Patronuses if he had n't gotten sacked."That was the foremost time I 'd tried it."

"Very intriguing,"Lubar said as he turned to the other three men,"This lot did n't state me you were skilled at defensive attitude magic."

"You never asked,"Jarrett muttered,"But is Potter '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 best if they 're all wandless."

Albus gulped and clenched his baton harder. He glanced at matte, who was still unconscious. John Lackland did n't have his sceptre. Kaden was n't very in effect at dueling. It would be up to him, to Albus, if this came to a duel.

"The lone one who 's got any attainment is Potter,"Jarrett said,"The other three are n't going to be difficult."

"amercement,"Lubar muttered,"We 'll get started, but I need to babble to you three away from them first."

Jarrett nodded and the men walked a few yards away and began whispering too quietly for Albus to hear.

Albus bent down to where Matt had collapsed, wishing he knew a healing enchantment or two."Matt, mat,"he whispered,"Wake Island up."

After a minute or two, lustrelessness 's eyes fluttered subject 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 !"John said excitedly.

"You what ?"lusterlessness gaped at him.

"It was just silvery mist,"Albus told him,"Lubar 's actually the one who got rid of them."

"Probably just for his sake,"mat shuddered,"Did anyone else pass out ?"The other three boy shook their head teacher."Figures,"matt muttered.

"You need some chocolate or something,"Albus said,"Anyone got some ?"

"Might,"Kaden began fishing around in his pockets. He produced a chocolate frog and handed it to lusterlessness, 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 call back you can get up ?"

Matt nodded and Albus helped him to his feet. Lubar and the others were walking towards them again. Albus slowly pulled his wand out of his robe and held it to his side of meat, hiding it partially behind his back.

Lubar conjured a hatful of Mrs. Henry Wood and set flack to it, illuminating himself, Washburn, the Willinsons, and the boys. Albus was now clearly able to see the turn flavor on Lubar 's face.

"Are you mad ?"Jarrett seethed,"flack 's going to attract aid !"

Lubar laughed."Fire 's going to ensure that those vampires 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 vampires are destroyed by blast. Albus turned back to the men.

Jarrett was holding something out in his script, but Albus could n't make out what it was. Jarrett, along with Quinton and Washburn, looked quite excited. Lubar looked mildly annoyed and impatient.

"Do you bonk what this is, Potter ?"Jarrett asked gleefully.

"No,"Albus said, trying not to sound too nervous.

"It 's the Resurrection Stone,"Jarrett answered.

Albus could hardly conceal his gasp as he peered finisher at Jarrett 's outstretched hand. There was a very small-scale stone sitting in it. The Resurrection of Christ Stone. One of the Deathly Hallows. Jarrett had finally succeeded in getting one of the three objective he had been after for geezerhood. But how ?

"How ?"Albus asked, trying to sound confident.

"Ancient conjuring trick is a beautiful thing, Potter,"Jarrett answered,"There are long forgotten while, spells that employment very nicely with retentive forgotten wizard aim such as this Edward Durell Stone. It was merely a matter of finding the correct turn, getting to the Forbidden Forest, and putting it to use. Quite simpleton 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 early Hallows will prove to be slow to obtain with the help of this,"Jarrett went on, ignoring Lubar 's mutterings.

Albus did not like the sound of that. The Stone itself did one thing and that was bring back the spirits of people who had passed on. How would that help Jarrett get the early Hallows ?

The Invisibility Cloak. Albus 's stomach plummeted. It was still in his robe. He really hoped Jarrett would n't realize that.

"Another thing that I thought of !"Lubar seethed.

"You think this lot cares who did what ?"Jarrett laughed.

"Oh, just get on with it,"Washburn rolled his eyes.

Jarrett sidestepped past the fervidness and strode closemouthed to Albus. Albus took a step back as his spirit started beating faster. He had a very bad feeling about what Jarrett was going to do with that Stone.

"Ah, yes, ceramicist. 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 stone,"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 room access completely off its hinge as he did so. He had to find Walter. He had to feel Walter and then go to the Ministry. The fireplace did not show star sign that it had been used to Floo away from the abandoned shop. That left either Apparition or a Portkey, both of which would have left traces that he 'd need the Department of Magical exile 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 look of muddiness and shock, mix with mingle fear.

"Ginny,"Harry said,"Sorry."

"Not a problem,"she said quickly,"Have you found anything ?"

"Yes,"Harry answered,"Is the catch over ? How badly did we turn a loss by ?"

"Only a hundred points,"Ginny said,"But we might not have actually lost. Listen, did you know Commonwealth of Australia 's quester is a vampire ?"

"Wait, what ?"Harry gaped at her, trying to wrap his nous around that fact while still focusing his mind on Albus.

"I 'll explain after we 've found Albus,"Ginny said.

"Right,"Harry agreed,"I 've got a lead. Someone 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 Walter and go to the Ministry. I 'm not trusted where that will run us, but I might not be back for a while."

"Just be thrifty,"Ginny said as she gave him a osculation,"And work 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 look 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.

Bruno Walter nodded and the two men Disapparated on the berth. They reappeared a fiddling spell later in a small Apparition chamber in the Ministry.

Passing the lost looking security department precaution for the third clock time that day, Harry and Walter ran to the lifts. Neither of them said a Word as the lift clattered to the department of Magical Transportation.

The department was nearly deserted, economize for one very world-weary looking witch sitting at a desk.

"Mr. Potter, Mr. Eckerton !"she exclaimed as she took her fundament 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 like locating. And if you 're able-bodied to, I need to know where they went."

"Of line, Mr. thrower, of course,"the witch said as she got up. She disappeared into another room, shutting the room access behind her.

Harry sighed and sat down on the dear chairperson. Bruno Walter sat down in the adjacent one, looking thoroughly miserable.

"We 'll find them,"Harry said quietly.

"I do n't doubt that,"Walter replied,"However, that is not the entirely thing I am worried about. The last time Matt had an altercation with Ralph Lubar, he wound up in therapy for months afterwards."

Harry was not expecting that. He did not know much about therapy, except that champion did not normally use it. Whatever had happened, it must take in been bad.

"Do you heed if I ask what happened ?"Harry asked, not sure as shooting if he was overstepping some sort of boundary.

Walter did not speak for several seconds."It 's ok,"Harry said,"You do n't have to explain."

"I will,"Walter said quietly,"Shortly after Matt was bitten, I became the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical animate being in Commonwealth of Australia. Nobody outside of the section knew about his experimental condition, of course. Ralph Lubar was given my early position of Head of the lycanthrope ascendance Unit, and was quite jealous that I was given the Head positioning. 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 class, until the day finally came when he cracked and let it splay that flatness was a werewolf. A bit of legislation had been passed that required all places of transmutation be inspected by the Ministry. Lubar inspected Matt 's and it failed on a technicality. Ministry essence were set up for werewolves to translate in, together. matt was required by law to transform there since his safe room did not pass. I refused to have got him transform there. The newspaper publisher were all over it. I lost my job. Lubar was appointed to the principal position.

"more lawmaking was passed. A law that stated that Ministry officials could physically impel werewolves into the transformation essence. On the day of the fully moon, Lubar Flooed into our house and took flatness to the center. By the prison term I figured out which center it was, the moon had risen. It was too late.

"Matt spent weeks in St. Mungo 's. By that clock time we were nearly ready to move here. He was so traumatized, it took month for him to get over it. To be honest, I do n't think he 's fully over it.

"The only reason 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 school principal in his manus,"I swore I 'd never let him near lusterlessness again. Swore I 'd belt down him if he went near Matt again.

Bruno Walter gave an odd sort of joke."Listen to me, I 'm telling the Head of the Auror department that I 'd charge murder."

"Just so long as you do n't actually do it when we go save the boys,"Harry said, still processing what Walter had told him. It certainly explained a lot- why they were so reluctant to let Matt out of their deal, why they were n't on the Floo Network.

One matter 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 James II, Albus, or Lily, he would 've blamed himself, too.

"That was n't your demerit,"Harry said quietly,"And this is n't either."

"If I had just Flooed ahead of the boys-"

"It would n't suffer mattered,"Harry interrupted,"And it 'll do no good to dwell on it now. It 's in the past."

"That 's exactly what my brother said when mat was in St. Mungo 's,"Bruno Walter said wryly.

"Mr. Potter !"the witch came bustling out of the room she had gone into, brandishing a piece of parchment, which she handed to Harry.

Harry stood up as she handed them the parchment. His eye scanned the parchment. Portkeys. Four Portkeys had left Dervish and Banges a few forgetful hr ago. That in itself did not shock Harry, especially compared to where the Portkeys had gone.

"Australia,"Harry read as he turned to Walter, who had visibly paled at the intelligence,"They 're in Australia."


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
A/N : Like the premature chapters, this one is also split between Albus and Harry 's perspectives.


Never had Albus wished so hard that he could Apparate. Why did you have to be 17 to get your Apparition license anyway ? If he ever worked in the Department of Magical transfer, he would change that law. shadow would 've enabled him to get out of Australia, away from Jarrett Willinson, who was trying to bring back Almighty Voldemort with the Resurrection Stone.

Albus could not remember being more scared in his life. This was far worse than when he had dueled Washburn on the Hogwarts grounds two long time ago, far spoilt than when Quinton kidnapped Kaden the previous twelvemonth. Lord Voldemort was far scarier 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 bring people back to life. Albus guessed he 'd be more like a ghost. But would he be capable to do magic, to do the curses and hexes he did when he was alive ?

Albus held his breath as he watched Jarrett turn the pit over in his hands. Albus had no estimation 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 Lucy Stone. He did it for so foresighted that Albus had to let out his breathing time. The excited gleam on Jarrett 's face slowly dissipated until it was replaced by frustration.

"Why wo n't it work ?"Jarrett shouted,"Are you positive this is the decently Stone ?"

"Of course I am !"Lubar shouted as he grabbed the pit,"The tour said it was !"

"well, it 's not working now, is it ?"Jarrett mocked.

Albus breathed a sigh of sculptural relief. Either they had the wrong stone or for whatever reasonableness, Voldemort could n't be brought back with it. Albus was hoping for the former.

Lubar turned the Stone over in his workforce. On the tierce routine, a strange form of mist appeared in front of him. Albus 's heart sped up. It had worked.

The mist began to bring in and a figure was standing in front of Lubar. The figure was not Lord Voldemort, though. Albus had no idea who had been resurrected, but it certainly was not Voldemort. This person was a woman, and a short one at that.

Washburn and the Willinsons were exchanging curious glance. Lubar, however, was staring directly at the figure, his side contorted with something Albus could only usurp 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 cleaning lady, who was apparently his mother,"Mum."

"Ralphy,"the woman replied.

"I-it 's been so long,"Lubar whispered.

Albus turned to his friend, who were all staring in confusion at Lubar. lustrelessness in particular was giving Lubar a very foreign look. Apparently the stone was the Resurrection Stone and it did indeed work, just not in the way Jarrett had been planning.

"Very long,"Lubar 's mother agreed,"But you 've done well. I 'm very proud of you, son."

Albus had to cover up his mouth to conceal his hoot. What sort of mother could be majestic 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 hold forgotten that there were other hoi polloi around. He jumped as Jarrett advanced and Jarrett grabbed the Stone out of his hand.

Lubar 's female parent began to pass as soon as Jarrett took the Harlan F. Stone. Running towards her, Lubar held out his hands trying to save her there.

"No !"he shouted,"Mum !"

Mere seconds after Lubar 's mother completely disappeared, Lubar had his wand 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 steps back.

"You arse !"Lubar shouted,"That was my mother !"

"I know !"Jarrett replied,"That 's why I did it ! We 're trying to bestow back Voldemort here, not your messed up mum !"

"Do not insult my mother,"Lubar seethed and flicked his wand.

Jarrett fell to the solid ground, completely unable to run. Lubar stood over him with his wand directed at his chest.

"My mother was a lovely person,"Lubar growled,"You 're sick to be speaking ill of the dead like that."

Albus did n't really mean Lubar should be talking about who is sick and who is n't. Nor did he think his mother was particularly lovely. Never before had Albus thought he 'd agree with Jarrett Willinson on anything, but when it came to Lubar 's mother, he did.

"punter they hex each early than us, right ?"trick muttered.

"Good point,"Albus replied.

"Can we please just get back to bringing back Voldemort ?"Washburn drawled loudly,"I was under the imprint that that 's what we were here for, not to insult each early 's mothers."

Lubar turned his verge on Washburn."Have you anything to say about my mother ? Well, 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 solid ground, his centre darting about nervously.

******

"Australia,"Bruno Walter said weakly,"Bloody hell."

"I 'll need you to retroflex 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,"Walter agreed,"The evidence surely points that way."

"There is something about that investigation that hardly anyone in the Ministry knows,"Harry lowered his voice,"Nearly a year ago, after Quinton was sent to Azkaban, the Ministry decided that the Auror Department needed some help with capturing the other two. The Minister hired a Presuler."

Bruno Walter let out a low pennywhistle and then realisation dawned on his aspect."Wait, you do n't mean-"

"Tethys Balladanis,"Harry said quietly,"Yes, he was the Presuler the Ministry hired. Stationed at Hogwarts under the pretense of teaching vindication Against the Dark Arts."

"Bad approximation on the minister of religion 's part,"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 hold it against you,"Walter said.

"I appreciate that,"Harry said,"However, since Balladanis is a component of this probe, I have to contact him and he will have got to go with us to Commonwealth of Australia. I understand that you have had your differences, but-"

"If he helps to incur mat, I will forgive him for everything he 's done,"Walter interrupted.

"Here you are, Mr. potter, 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 frozen as the four men dueled each other. Completely unsure of what to do, yet very felicitous that they seemed to let momentarily forgotten about the boys, Albus just stood there watching. Matt, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden did the same, although John the Divine looked more than a bit apprehensive, most probably due to his lack of a wand.

Washburn had attempted to strike the Stone from Lubar, who had taken it back from Jarrett, shortly after Lubar had stunned Jarrett. Apparently Lubar did not ingest kindly to this and jinxed Washburn. In the have in mind time, the dish had worn off Jarrett and he attempted to hex Lubar.

All four men were running around, throwing whammy at each other while dodging the fire. Albus was kind of hoping one of them would trip-up and burn off their arms or something. Or even break, maybe one or More of them would drop their scepter into the fire.

Washburn and the Willinsons were definitely forged for article of clothing. All three of them were sporting wound. Both Willinsons were limping and Washburn 's leftover arm was being held at an odd angle.

Lubar seemed all right 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 brightness level at Washburn, who went flying over the flaming and landed with a sickening thud in front of the boys. He did not move. Albus looked down and saw a lowly Stone future to Washburn 's head. He bent and picked it up. It was the Resurrection Stone.

Albus stood up and jumped back. Lubar, Jarrett, and Quinton had all advanced towards him. Three wands 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 same. John tried to enshroud behind Matt, but was unsuccessful since he was a good head taller than him.

"Hand it over, Potter,"Lubar growled.

With a defiant looking at Lubar, Albus hastily shoved the Stone into the air pocket of his robe and held his baton up higher.

******

"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 heart off of Walter the full sentence.

"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 deal 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 stumble was a bit retentive than ones Harry was used to, but it did n't surprise him since he knew they were going to Australia.

Harry landed softly on his feet and held out his wand as he adjusted to the surroundings. It was cant over bleak and after he lit his scepter, Harry knew they were in the middle of a forest.

The forest was disappointingly quiet. The just sounds were those of animals and the occasional whisper of trees, brought about by the wind. Not a I audio caused Harry to believe that there were people about, let alone his son.

"cattle ranch out and hunt,"Harry announced. The place may look deserted, but Albus and the others had been there at some point. They had Portkeyed there.

None of the wizards said a word as they combed the area. Harry left no stone unturned as he looked for the smallest tincture of evidence of where his son had gone. If only it was n't night. Wands did n't provide nearly enough light.

There seemed to be not a shadow 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 Lapp blank space he had started from.

Walter returned a few minute later, looking even more anxious than he did before."Nothing,"he muttered,"Not a rend piece of cloak or a single Canute. They did n't persist here long."

Harry groaned and scuffed the basis with his horseshoe. He and Walter stood quietly as they waited for Balladanis to devolve.

Balladanis came running towards Harry holding a pocket-size alloy instrument in his hired man and an strange kind of excited smirk on his human face. He skidded to a stoppage in movement of Harry, holding out the musical instrument. Harry recognized it as an spectre detector. They were quite rare. The Brits Ministry only owned one, for the total Ministry.

"They 've Disapparated,"Balladanis said hurriedly.

"Obviously,"Walter muttered,"Any idea where ?"

"A worldwide melodic theme, yes,"Balladanis replied, ignoring Walter 's sarcastic tint,"They 're on the outback."

"The outback ?"Walter gasped,"Dammit, there 's dementors out there !"

"I am mindful,"Balladanis said.

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said, placing one of his manpower on the metallic element instrument. It would be able-bodied to guide them to the relative country they needed to go.

Walter put his hand on the musical instrument as well and with an exceptionally loud crack, all three men Disapparated.

They landed on terrain that was very unfamiliar to Harry. The land was dusty and sandy and there was hardly any industrial plant life in sight. In the length there were tall passel and dissemble figures floated above them. Harry suppressed a tingle and gripped his wand tighter. Dementors.

What looked like a yowl 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 speculation out here,"Balladanis said quietly,"Neither of whom would set a fire."

"Let 's go, then,"Harry said and began to lead the small group towards the flickering luminosity in the distance.

******

"paw it over, Potter,"Lubar repeated.

Albus gulped and tried to hold his wand more steady. His wand arm was shaking uncontrollably and Albus did n't seem to be able-bodied to contain it sweetheart. His heart was thumping hard in his chest. Albus was indisputable everyone was able to find out it. However, he did not want to give up the Stone. That was one matter he was sure of. The solitary way Lubar would be getting it is if he killed Albus first. Which actually, was n't something Albus would put past him.

"Maybe you should just founder it to him,"John whispered,"I mean, it did n't puzzle out 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 scepter. Not good betting odds, if you ask me."

"And do you realize 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 gemstone, one way or another."

Lubar flicked his verge and sent a jet of Orange River spark at Albus. Albus jumped back and threw up a shield charm, concentrating on making it big enough to screen him and his Friend. It worked and the Orange River light bounced harmlessly off the shield and hit the ground.

"Stay behind me, whoremaster,"Albus muttered,"matte and Kaden, spread out and hit them with whatever spells you know."

Albus concentrated on keeping his carapace up while casting other patch, like he had done in Balladanis 's dueling deterrent example. So far it was working, but Albus never managed to keep open the shield up very long.

Lubar was momentarily stunned when he saw Albus 's carapace, but he quickly recovered and began sending hex after hex, nonverbally, at Albus and Gospel According to John. Concentrating hard, Albus sent a Stunner at Lubar, but he flicked his sceptre and it shot off into the distance, hitting one of the lone Dubyuh, which promptly caught fire.

Albus chanced a glimpse at Matt and Kaden. flatness was dueling with Jarrett and it looked like they were pretty equally matched, which was kind of pitiful as far as Jarrett was concerned. It made Albus experience better though. Quinton and Kaden just seemed to be sending Expelliarmus magic spell at each other and missing every time.

The carapace emitting from Albus 's wand faltered and faded a bit. Albus renewed his immersion, but the shield was still weaker than it had been before. There was no way he 'd be able to post any magical spell through the shield now.

"Your shield is weakening, Potter,"Lubar smirked as he sent another Stunner at Albus, which shook the shield.

"pigeon hawk !"Quinton shouted to the right wing of them. He was hopping on one foot and Kaden was laughing hysterically. Albus grinned. Kaden had actually managed to do some sort of hex, although Albus was n't certain what one it was.

Lubar turned to Quinton and flicked his baton at Kaden. Kaden promptly froze and fell to the priming. Albus gasped and his cuticle disappeared.

"Albus !"toilet shouted.

Albus turned back to Lubar, but did n't get the carapace back up before Lubar shot a hex at John, who fell to the ground like Kaden had.

"Would n't it be easier just to turn over me the Stone ?"Lubar asked as he sent a dish at Albus.

Albus deflected it."Not really."

Jarrett and mat were still dueling. Both were sporting a few injuries, but cypher too serious. Neither seemed to sustain noticed that John and Kaden were Stunned.

Albus managed to hit Lubar with a trip hex, which gave him a few irregular to catch his breathing space while Lubar righted himself. Unfortunately this only angered him and he was now sporting a slash across his odd cheek.

"Expelliarmus !"Lubar shouted.

Albus jumped to the incline and the spell hit a nearby tilt. 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 course knew that Lubar was right. The odds had not really changed. whoremaster and Kaden were both out of the fight and while John was easily the salutary 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 knees panting, not in any shape to continue dueling. Matt was holding his own against Jarrett, something Albus was both mystify and delighted by.

No, Albus was not trying to overcome Lubar. He knew that would n't be potential. Albus was merely biding for meter. He tried to see out how long they 'd been gone as he dodged spells. It must take in been at least three or four hr, although the obscure Aussie sky had not changed a bit. Albus wished the moonshine had been out so he could have monitored its stumble across the sky.

How long would it adopt his dad to find them ? foresightful than normal, Albus thought. They were in the middle of a foreign country, nowhere near anyplace Harry would be looking.

"I 'm getting annoyed, Potter, and you do n't need to see me when I 'm annoyed !"Lubar shouted, sending another jet of red sparkle at Albus.

Before Albus even had time to read what sort of hex it was, Matt gave a shriek of pain to Albus 's right and collapsed to the background. Jarrett wasted no time and pointed his wand at Albus.

Albus took a fraction of a moment to tolerate the fact that he was now utterly alone, facing two fully produce champion. The two whiz shot identical jets of aristocratic light at Albus and he managed to pull up a lame shield.

The effect hit him like a dozen Bludgers to the tum. He lost his terms and landed savorless on his back, his school principal hitting a particularly sharp rock music.

"I told you not to struggle, ceramicist,"Lubar sneered as he loomed over Albus.

"You 're not getting the Stone,"Albus said, forcing away the giddiness. He reached into his robes and pulled out the Stone.

"I disagree,"Lubar said as he made to grab the Stone.

With all the force out Albus could muster, he threw the Isidor Feinstein Stone as far as he could to the right. In the darkness, it disappeared in a snag second and Albus did n't even find out it land.

"No !"Lubar shouted,"You 'll pay for that !"

"Wands where I can see them !"somebody shouted from behind Lubar.

Lubar and Jarrett whipped around as fast as they could. Albus lifted his heading slightly and caught a coup d'oeil of his dad, along with a few former wiz. He breathed a sigh of easing. They were saved.


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up right before the hexes started flying. Realizing that he dropped his wand 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 stay put around long. He sent one pathetic knockout at Harry, who easily deflected it, and disappeared on the fleck. Harry immediately disarmed Lubar before he could do the Saame.

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safety of the pubic hair and shakily stood up. He reached the flaming and was able-bodied to see who the early two thaumaturgist next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with electric shock all over again.

The shorter of the two was Matt 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone glare at anyone else with such hatred and loathing as matte 's dad glared at Lubar. And that included when his Uncle Ron talked about the Malfoys, or his mum when soul mentioned Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

It was the other wizard that nearly caused Albus to exceed out in shock. He was none former 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 lusterlessness 's dad hatred Balladanis ?

"Eckerton, what a pleasant surprise,"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 style,"Mr. Eckerton growled.

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's choice of words, but remembering what lustrelessness had told him at the kickoff of the yr, all surprise left him.

"Lucky for me Potter and Balladanis are here, then,"Lubar replied and snatched Washburn 's wand off the ground.

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent dissimilar spells at Lubar at the same time, but it was too later. 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 cognizant of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring difference between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past Quinton and Washburn to get through Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

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

"Al, thank Merlin,"Harry said.

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

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

Balladanis had a firm handle on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a go against charge card cup. A few instant later, all three of them disappeared.

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

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

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly upset, but did not have time 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 backstage. The motion of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts priming coat was the least pressing question on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both Matt and John on the cheeseparing seam while gentlewoman Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

"Look at the state of them !"the nanny exclaimed,"Always this lot, too ! You 're a bad influence on them, Harry, I swear !"

Harry looked slightly sheepish as he set Kaden down on the bed next to matte 's and then turned to Albus.

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

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

"I promise I 'll secernate you all of that and more,"Harry replied,"But I need to secern everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to need you to tell me everything that happened."

"But-"

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

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his oral sex was bleeding and he was still quite giddy, felt that the finally thing he needed was rest. He needed to know what was going on.

"I 'll excuse once you 've gotten some sopor,"Harry assured him.

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

******

The Ward was calm when Albus woke up. It was completely dark outside, although Albus did n't have the slight clue as to what day it was. John, Matt, and Kaden were either still unconscious mind or sound asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since Madam Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in chair next to Matt 's bed. It did n't look like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the same Ministry robes he had been wearing before.

Albus sat up and put his hand to his head. There was a bandage on the rear of it. Another bandage was wrapped around his right arm, although he could n't recall when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt release.

The door to the ward opened, letting in a belittled flood lamp of spark from the corridor. A anatomy stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

"Dad,"Albus replied, recognizing his don,"Are you going to tell me about Balladanis now ?"

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

Albus shook his top dog, remembering something he had been debating for the past times yr. 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 lead his dad out the doorway and up to the fifth flooring corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate horse and turned to face the reverse wall.

Albus located the paw mark and touched his hand to them, turning it into a doorknob. He opened the door and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from last year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a loss for words.

"There was more to it. direction on how to get into this room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their secret plebeian room,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't respond. Instead he walked slowly around the way. 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 metre here ?"Harry asked.

"Probably more than we do in the uncouth way,"Albus answered.

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

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

"I 'll tell you that,"Harry said,"But first I want you to explain to me what happened."

Albus took a deep breathing space and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the castle and ending with throwing the Christ's Resurrection 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 make, the duel, the fact that the Resurrection Stone did n't knead to lend Voldemort back.

"Why did n't it lick ?"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 explicate it. The Resurrection of Christ Harlan Stone brings back people we love, but it does not bring them back completely. It 's almost as if their person is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's potential that since Voldemort split his soul so many times, he ca n't be brought back with the Harlan Fisk Stone. The rock may need the psyche to be intact to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

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

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

"No, I do n't think so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the Harlan Fiske 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 wood for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

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

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

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

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

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you jazz 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.

"well, that makes my account easier,"Harry said,"A little over a yr ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to hire a Presuler to help get Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

"Yes,"Harry muttered,"The pastor believed the Aurors needed some help."

Albus thought he heard bit of despite in his dad 's voice.

"When I realized that Washburn and the Willinsons were most likely working with Ralph Lubar, I had to contact Balladanis and let him be intimate. He came with us, and I have to admit that he was very helpful. We would not take found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

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

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

"This is all quite close, Al. I 'd favor you did n't differentiate anyone. I will be telling Matt, can, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right hand to know, but I do n't desire anyone else knowing about it."

"What about blush wine and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

"I suppose I 'll evidence them as well, otherwise Kaden is for sure 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 top dog,"That 's going to be slippery situation. Lubar is n't a British citizen. We ca n't do a thing while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Aussie Ministry to either put him on tryout or give him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not sure they 'll do either."

"But that 's not evenhandedly !"Albus stood up angrily,"Look what he did ! appear what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like nothing to a greater extent than to contribute him a life-long stint in Azkaban, but unfortunately the laws do n't work that way."

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

"I do n't know about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes the great unwashed to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry tie-up, he does not accept to take a caseful if he 's offered it."

"He told me I 'd make a full 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 determine what I want to do right now."

"You do n't have got to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't want to assure you what to do, but I am going to evidence you something.

"Being a Presuler is a backbreaking job and often a lonely one. You have no coworkers. You work with versatile Ministries, but rarely get to make out anyone. You travel a lot, which can urinate it difficult to have a family. It 's not an well-heeled path to go down. Not one I 'd take for myself."

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

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

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

"Well, you should probably get back to the Hospital extension before Madam Pomfrey notification 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 room and walked back to the infirmary backstage, both lost in their thoughts.

******

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

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

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to spill to him in private,"Harry answered for him.

"You should receive asked me first !"Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs rest !"

"I 'm his father,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't handle if you 're the Minister of Magic !"brothel keeper Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing degree !"

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

"15 mo or so,"matt 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 gentlewoman Pomfrey."Do I call for your permit 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 brothel keeper Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

"Er, what day is it ?"Albus asked as brothel keeper Pomfrey set his tray down.

"It 's Sunday, dear, but it 's afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd opt to have breakfast."

"Only Billy Sunday ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than twenty-four hours since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

"Time zone variety are difficult to correct to,"Madam Pomfrey explained,"Commonwealth of Australia 's quite a few time of day ahead of us."

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

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

Albus choked on his orchis. He 'd forgotten about the equal !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

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

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

The door to the Hospital offstage banged open and pink wine and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a relocation 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 stoppage in straw man of Albus 's bed,"When did you get back ? Where did you go ?"

"Who won the Quidditch equal ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"rose groaned,"I 'm not saying a Scripture about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the epithet of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"girl Weasley !"brothel keeper Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't depress your voice, you 'll let to leave !"

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

Albus launched into the entire story, which took the ameliorate part of a half hour to severalise. Neither rosebush 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 secern you,"Albus said,"He 's already told me. He 'll probably tell the ease of you today."

"merlin, Albus,"blush wine sighed,"How much trouble can you get into ?"

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

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

"cypher won, Al,"rose said.

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

"About 45 second into the mates, Fred and Heather ran onto the pitch-"

"The match lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"rosebush said,"I do n't know why. Anyway, Fred and Calluna vulgaris ran right up to Ludo Bagman and started talking to him. cipher could discover what they were saying. Then Bagman blew his whistling and they went into a time-out.

"Bagman left the sales pitch and had a really recollective talk with all the headmasters and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the match was called off and told everyone to give back to their coarse rooms.

"Everyone was really raging of course. 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 off it off ?"John asked.

"I 'm getting to that,"rosiness said,"We got back up to Gryffindor and everyone was gathered around Fred and Heather. Linda was n't there, and neither were any of her teammates who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the front end of the crew and discover what Fred and Heather were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"Well, they were,"Matt muttered.

"I know,"rosebush agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and Calluna vulgaris. I 'm sure as shooting they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told individual sooner. They found out Linda 's a lamia and now the total school knows."

"How did they work out it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her secret quite well. Fred and heather mixture were sixth years, they would n't take in heard Balladanis 's lamia lecture."

"They 've been trying to figure it out all year,"Rose explained,"And since they 're chic, they figured it out."

"But what about the couple ?"Albus asked.

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

"cancel the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"natural the tourney ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole twelvemonth on that tournament ! Do you recognise how lots clip I 've spent on the Quidditch sales pitch this year ? More time than I 've spent in form, probably ! And now they 're going to delete the bloody tournament ?"

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

"Sorry,"Albus mumbled,"It 's just a slight aggravating."

"I know,"Rose replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

"Gone,"Rose sighed,"Without a word. I have n't seen her or any of the Australians since the match. Killigan 's gone, too."

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

"I guess,"rose wine said,"Anyway, they 'll probably take a leak an promulgation about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awesome people who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one More chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to enjoin everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. Madam Pomfrey flat out refused to let any of them leave the infirmary Wing, so she agreed to lock the doorway and go to her cogitation while Harry explained. Matt 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the constituent about why it was not all that advisable to turn a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to learn that Balladanis had been hired to help charm Washburn and the Willinsons.

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

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

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

"We 're not going to give up,"Harry said,"We 'll keep negotiating with them."

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

Albus reached over to his bedside table, where ma'am Pomfrey had placed the Invisibility Cloak the premature nighttime. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a looking of awe on his face.

"Falco columbarius 's byssus,"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 event of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is perplex. I would love to parcel the tarradiddle with my brother. Perhaps I could introduce you to him at the World Cup this summer."

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

******

Albus wanted nada more than to be allowed out of the Hospital wing in prison term to go to dinner that Night. He was sure as shooting professor Kendrick would make some form of announcement about the tourney and he did not require to miss it.

After a broad ten proceedings of begging on his voice ( helped out by Matt, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden ), ma'am Pomfrey told him he was in no fit Department of State to leave behind the Barbara Ward. Albus thought this was preposterous because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a sling ? That should n't halt him from eating dinner with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a repose meal in the Hospital backstage and wait anxiously for Rose and Amanda to tell him what Kendrick said.

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

"tourney 's canceled,"rosiness sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The kidskin from New House of York are staying to polish off out the class, but the tournament '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,"Rose shook her head,"To do that Hogwarts would have to play New York in another final."

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

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

"That 's stupid,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you feel better, I 'm passably indisputable Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't have been here,"pink wine pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred sign of the zodiac points to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the houses had masses on the squad, so that does n't really help,"Albus muttered.

"fountainhead,"rose grinned,"I know one thing that 'll hearten you up."

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

"There were Quidditch picket at that friction match,"rose told him,"And even though the match was disastrous, they did discover somebody they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"blush wine exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to play for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

"That 's brilliant !"Albus replied. Rose had been right, that did embolden him up. There was no one he thought who belonged on a professional person Quidditch squad More than Georgia.

"Yup, she 's their young substitute Keeper,"Rose said,"She says Uncle Walker Percy 's not impressed. He wanted her to mold at the Ministry. She does n't manage what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Percy 's got batch of early kid to puzzle out at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"privy said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"flatness grimaced.

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

"She 's just happy to be on a team,"rosiness shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be able-bodied to exercise her way up to a honest one."

"Falco columbarius, I hope so,"John shrugged.

"Is she the only one who got drafted ?"Albus asked.

"Only one I know for sure of,"rosiness said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle Bats, but I do n't do it for sure."

Albus nodded, feeling slightly better about the tourney. 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 withdraw all the letdown away.

******

dame Pomfrey reluctantly let the boy leave the following day after breakfast. She did n't really have a choice since exams began that day. Albus felt perfectly alright and was quite happy to leave the space.

rose handed him a copy of the prophet as soon as he and the other boys reached the park elbow room. Albus took it, happy that he had a few minutes before his initiatory examination to take the article that was inevitably there.

Aussie schoolhouse CHEATS- tournament CANCELED

After a galvanize discovery made by two Hogwarts
scholarly person, the Quidditch and Dueling tourney
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack Academy of
Magic, and the Aussie schoolhouse of sorcery
has been canceled.

The tourney 's net Quidditch mate was
interrupted this past Saturday by two Hogwarts
6th years, Fred Weasley and Heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the integral
tournament.

A few calendar month ago, allegement were brought upon
the Australian squad after their Seeker, Linda
team spirit, 14, flew at an exceptionally fast speed.
An investigation found cypher. The tournament
continued.

Fred and Heather Weasley accused Linda Morales
of being a vampire. Vampires are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch teams due
to the unfair advantage they have.

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

Headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Aboriginal Australian
schoolhouse of Sorcery admitted to allowing morale
to be the seeker of his team in order to win the
tourney. The Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, morale, and the rest of the Australians
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts former
on Sat, declining to speak with any of our
reporters.

Tournament functionary as well as the other two
headmasters have decided to set off the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

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

"Killigan is an half-wit,"Albus said.

"Look at the side by side article,"Rose replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON BACK IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the final Quidditch match was ending in cataclysm
at Hogwarts schooling of witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry
Potter 's in-between baby, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus Potter, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Matthew Eckerton and John the Evangelist Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three inmate were helped by
Ralph Lubar, Head of the Department of the ordinance
and restraint of Magical fauna in Australia.

The four Hogwarts educatee were taken to Australia
where Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is unreadable 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 year interrogation
at Hogwarts. Harry thrower has declined comment.

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

"I do n't think they can describe much,"Rose said,"The Aussie Ministry may be asking them to hold on quiet about Lubar in proceeds for giving him some sort of punishment.

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

Albus was forced to bear on Lubar into the spine of his brain as test 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 forgetful clause in the Prophet about Lubar everyday, but they all said the same thing. Australia refused to extradite him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The calendar week after test 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 male child, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

things were different, though. Both rosiness and Amanda were a lot quieter than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no idea whether she had said adios to them, or even if she 'd had the chance.

flatness was lost in his own intellection most of the metre, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went entire eventide without saying two words to anyone, something that usually only happened around full moons. However, the next full 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.

John and Kaden remained as boisterous as ever and did not look to be fazed by what had happened in Australia. They spent their week pulling pranks and playing endless secret plan of Exploding snapshot 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 privy. 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 capital of the United Kingdom was subdued, the entirely haphazardness being John the Evangelist and Kaden 's Exploding child's play cards. Albus and Matt both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the passing landscape.

"Linda sent me a varsity letter last night,"rose 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 dreary about the tournament,"Rose 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,"rosebush shook her head,"She 's been through school a twin times already. She was n't even a educatee at the Australian school. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing Seeker for them. He 's a really nasty bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

"Where will they go ?"Albus asked, surprised that he was actually flavour sorry for Linda.

"No idea,"Rose shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

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

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"We 've got the creation Cup to count forward to, though,"Albus smiled.

"Oh, yeah !"lavatory 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. Hugo 's not really happy about that."

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

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

"Good point,"John agreed.

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

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

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can know when to ask round you lot to my planetary house. My dad said he 'd film us camping."

"Excellent !"lavatory grinned,"Camping like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"Living in collapsible shelter, no electrical energy, no magic either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"matt said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"Matt answered,"That was the meter I got bitten."

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

"It 's ok,"matte shrugged,"Just do n't go during a full moon. I do n't need any of you having to join me in the shriek Shack adjacent year."

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

The remainder of the trip-up was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like affair were sort of returning to normal. It was almost nice to get wind bathroom and Matt arguing about the Cannons again and Kaden arguing about football.

The train arrived in capital of the United Kingdom and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying good-bye to his Quaker, Albus left the station with his fellowship feeling that just maybe life would be normal from then on. Well, maybe the summer would be at least be normal. Albus could n't get his hope up too high.


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

I am working on the fourth level but it 'll be a spell before the showtime chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every early calendar week at first, switch week with Beyond the tincture. In the mingy fourth dimension, if you want something new to read, I suggest checking out Remember the carom, which is a collab I worked on last class and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley cannon and their ruin. It 's under the username The Golden Snitches and is also in my front-runner stories so you can line up it that way.