Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.
Weasley kin Tree is in the Author 's bill at the bottom.


Molly Weasley did n't dare serve dinner until after the Quidditch match had been completed because even she did n't have the ability to puff Weasleys away from Quidditch. Teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out James IV 's clutches and then everyone was off their Scots heather and sitting at the orotund crowd of board in record book time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetence. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very good humour as he had been on slip 's team.

Albus and Rose sat next to each other in the centre of the group of mesa and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Percy due to his wont of talking government during dinner, something that even bored rosiness. The two of them looked at each other as Percy sat down and Albus readied himself for political conversation rather than Quidditch talk.

"I 'm telling you,"Hotspur said to no one in detail as he served himself some carrot,"something 's going to hap. I guarantee it. It 's been too quiet in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought things would get a bit riled up terminal year when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had standardised views. More like than I expected anyway ..."

farewell it to Percy to try and observe something wrong with the Ministry when all was ticket, Albus thought. He reached over Rose to grab a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping portion onto his home plate.

"What do you believe, Harry ?"Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting next to him."Any stirring in the Auror department that I may not have heard about ?"

"Things are pretty calm, Percy,"Harry replied.

"Of class they are. I would 've heard if they were n't,"Sir Henry Percy decided.

Albus was n't exactly sure what his uncle Hotspur actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the pastor, but his actual statute title was so long and complicated that Albus never bothered to remember it.

"well, it 's an election year,"Percy pointed out."Things never stay calm during election years. company proclamation come foremost calendar week of Sep and after that thing will be chaotic around the Ministry. gobs of work to do. Let me narrate you, when I run for Minister-"

"Oh, here we go again !"Ron said loudly."When Percy runs for Minister. It 's never gon na happen, Perce. Honestly."

"I would vote for you, Percy,"mollie assured him."You would make a marvelous rector. But this dinner is supposed to be about the kids. James IV ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. year ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must cool it down a bit and study."

"nan, really,"James muttered."We 're going to be hearing this from the teachers. Uncle Hotspur, why do n't you secern us more about your running for Minister ?"

"wellspring, as a matter of fact."Percy stood up."I have a rather sex announcement to make and I feel I must tell my kin first, before the rest of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for striking issue."I will be formally announcing on Mon, Sept second that I will be running for government minister for Apr 's election."

There was absolute secretiveness for about five seconds before a wholly lot of things happened at once. Ron, George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her supercilium as far as they could go. Ginny, Bill, and Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her header slightly and then jumped up from her electric chair, running towards Harry Hotspur and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

"Oh, Percy !"she exclaimed."I 'm so majestic of you ! You 've been talking about it for age and I think it 's high time you actually did it. I always wanted a son who was this successful !"

"Mum !"Ron groaned."It 's not like your early Word have n't done anything. I 'm an Auror for pigeon hawk 's sake !"

"And you 're a all right good one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being curate. You just do n't have the dream Hotspur does,"Molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

gold was exchanging hands at the former end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some form of bet involving when Percy would run for Minister. That bet must have been in the kit and boodle for years.

Albus was personally stunned. He of class had been on the receiving end of many a Percy rant about what he 'd do when he ran for Minister, but he had always believed Percy would n't ever do it. If Albus was honest with himself, he did n't really want Sir Henry Percy running. His family was renowned enough without having an factual Minister in it.

"Honestly, Mum, do you think he 's really going to win ?"Ron exclaimed."I mean, do n't get me haywire, Walker Percy, I 'll vote for you, but what about the rest of the wizarding world ?"

"Percy, do you really think you 're cut out for this ?"Harry asked skeptically.

"Why would n't I be ? I 've been involved with the Ministry for decennary !"

"I think what Harry 's trying to say is that you 're all bark and no bite,"Bill pointed out.

"I am not !"Walker Percy shouted."And I would 've expected more musical accompaniment from my own family."

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"Boys,"Chester A. Arthur warned."Percy 's right. If he wants to run for Minister he can without any of us making it difficult for him. You do n't have to vote for him, but I wo n't have you arguing during dinner. You 'll swage your mum."

Everyone resumed their bottom but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Walker Percy running for Minister. They just continued to do so in lower voices. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a seat near Percy.

"Do you eff who else is running ?"Hermione asked.

"Not sure,"Percy replied."Hartwell 's not running again, if that 's what you 're getting at. He 's had plenty. But I 've got his reinforcement. After all, I am the senior Undersecretary for the drawing and Editing of legal philosophy to the Minister."

So that 's what Percy 's rubric was, Albus thought. He had no idea if that was a position that had a lot of baron or not, but apparently it was enough to receive livelihood for a Minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"Empire State of the South shouted from a little ways down the board."I figure this is as good a time as any to tell you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

Harry Hotspur choked on whatever he was eating."You 're what ?"

"Moving out. You know, leaving the nest. I 've got a apartment with a friend finisher to the tar. It 'll be more convenient, for work."

"piece of work,"Sir Henry Percy muttered."If Quidditch can be considered work."

"Look, I know how these elections work. You 're going to want to work yourself look like a phratry man, so you 're not going to want to consider me your crazy daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd better start thinking of me as your daughter who 's the Modern reserve Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll sound undecomposed to the press."

Walker Percy stared at her with his lip agape. He shook his header slightly and resumed feeding, without another word to Empire State of the South. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that little argument.

Albus turned to rose wine and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to make Walker Percy 's running for diplomatic minister employment to her advantage.

"Rose, have you heard from Linda yet ?"Albus asked, deciding not to join the rest of his syndicate in political conversation.

"Not yet."blush wine shook her drumhead."Her mum might have wanted her to wait a bit after they settled in Canada, though. Have you heard anything about what the Ministry 's doing about Lubar ?"

"If anything 's changed Dad 's being really calm about it,"Albus answered.

"It 's so wrong, though, that he can completely get away with what he did,"Rose muttered."It 's like I could go to France, rob a bank, get back to England, and I 'd get away with it."

"You 're robbing a camber ?"James shouted.

"Of class not,"rosiness replied."It 's none of your business."

Albus and rosiness did n't gamble talking about Lubar for the eternal sleep of the even. Sure, the repose of their family knew about what had happened but neither of them wanted to talk about their theories with any of them.

The rest of the even was rather out of persona for usual Weasley family dinners. All the late age'dinner party had consisted of lecture of Hogwarts and the adults exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the foremost time would get a fair bit of attention, but this yr Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attention was focused on Percy. The adults were talking government and Albus 's older cousins were placing bets on whether he 'd win or not.

Henry M. Stanley was the first to leave as he had to go back to Romania the trace morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their twelvemonth in Roumania and had returned to England permanently the late calendar month. Victoire and slip left shortly after that since they both had to sour the next day.

Percy was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were smaller and he had to make believe he was interested in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was time to exit. For the first time in his life, he was actually happy to pass on and get back to Grimmauld lieu. The before schooling dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to throw fun all together before school day started, and this time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some cam stroke of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the thrower before, St. James had packed his trunk the night before they left for school. Albus was sure that some sorting of Book of Revelation was going to arrive soon because Hotspur running for Minister and the Potters arriving early for the Hogwarts Express were two events that nobody ever thought would go on. Albus did n't question it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at chopine 9 ¾ prior to going through the barrier, was not early, so the Potters went through without him. rose wine and her sept were already there of course, so Albus said a quick goodby to his parents before getting on the train to find rosiness. With any luck his friends would n't be there yet and he could talk to Rose alone. Usually there was goose egg he would n't blab out to his supporter about, but the strange feeling he had had about his family was something he only wanted to talk to rosiness about.

rosiness was alone in a compartment about halfway down the power train, reading one of her new schoolbook. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't have the thin musical theme what any of the symbols in it meant. He chose the seat next to her and waited for her to be done interpretation whatever it was she was deciphering.

"I 'm witnessing a miracle, apparently,"rosebush said after setting her book down.

"St. James packed finale night,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is lucky if James packs earlier than five moment before you leave."

"It 's definitely odd,"Albus agreed."Listen, do you get the feeling things are changing ?"

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three class, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the Saame time. I know they 're really stupefied when it comes to dueling but I think they 're smarter than anyone 's giving them credit for. affair are going to shift, Al. The humankind 's getting scarier,"Rose said quietly.

Albus swallowed surd. That was in the back of his brain of course of action, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to peach to originate about.

"I guess,"Albus replied."But I was n't really getting at that. I was thinking about our family."

"Oh,"was all blush wine said. Both full cousin sat quietly for a minute before she continued."I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner at nan and grandfather 's ? It was all Percy. O.W.L.s were mentioned once and no one said anything about Angie starting Hogwarts."

"I know. It was odd. It just seems like everything 's changing. There are lupus erythematosus of us at Hogwarts now so I guess that 's what 's going to happen-"

"There 's still a lot of us here,"rose interrupted."And Eddie and the similitude have n't even started yet. Plus it 's not like we even talked about Teddy, Victoire, Stanley, and Georgia. We talked about Percy for Merlin 's sake !"

"What do you think will take place if he wins ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't have intercourse. I do n't consider things will change political-wise but I think it 's going to be really weird for GA and Bradley and Cedric. Even the Gemini the Twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most important somebody in the wizarding humanity has got to be stressful."

"Tell me about it,"Albus muttered."Can you think if my dad ran for Minister ?"

"Walker Percy would n't stand a chance."

"Dad 'll never run, though,"Albus pointed out."I just think that things are already unlike from last year. Everyone 's going to be focused on Uncle Percy 's campaign."

"thing never stay the same, Al,"Rose said.

"What 's not staying the same ?"John asked as he entered the compartment, followed by Kaden."I 'm hoping you 're talking about my Divination mark, Rose, because my parents nearly murdered me this retiring summertime when they saw it."

"I think we 'll just have to get by with your murder, whoremonger, because that bell ringer is not getting any high,"Rose replied.

"Seriously, what were you talking about ?"Kaden asked as he sat down across from Rose.

"Nothing,"pink wine said quickly.

"I 'll tell you once Matt and Amanda get here,"Albus said, figuring he 'd tell them about Sir Henry Percy running for Minister.

"This is going to be the expert year ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a part of lambskin out of his bag."Look, it 's my Hogsmeade permission shift !"

"Excellent,"John replied."Now I do n't own to buy your dungbombs for you."

"Do you really have to buy dungbombs this year ?"Matt asked as he entered the compartment."They 're so nasty."

"Just for the Slytherin green room,"John assured him."Our goal is to figure out how to get a few in there."

"Not going to work,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the other face of blush wine."You ca n't get into person else 's common room unnoticed."

"That 's what Albus 's cloak is for,"Kaden said.

"Not if it 's going to smell out like dungbomb after,"Albus said.

"Told you we should have just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,"John told Kaden.

Kaden shrugged."All right, everyone 's here. Tell us what you and rise up were talking about before any of us got here."

"Fine."Albus took a deep intimation."Well, my Uncle Percy 's running for Minister."

"Seriously ?"John replied.

"Cool !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Is n't he the one who 's been talking about doing that for years ?"Amanda asked.

"Yes,"Albus answered."He 's seriously extend, it 's not that cool, I 'm honestly not indisputable why, and yes he 's been talking about it for years."

"Why does n't your dad run ?"Kaden asked.

Albus and Rose both burst out laughing."Because that 's the death affair he 'd ever require to do. He would n't require anymore force than he 's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is kind of index hungry,"Albus replied.

"Do you have it away who he 's running against ?"Amanda asked.

"Have n't a clue,"Albus said."They 're supposed to be announcing the nominee on the second."

"What 's that got to do with everything changing ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's our sept,"blush wine said quietly."Uncle Harry Hotspur is so pore on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Empire State of the South 's got it all figured out. Walker Percy 's going to pretend he 's completely felicitous with her Quidditch performing just to take in himself seem like a folk man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's stupid,"John said."Empire State of the South 's not going to like that."

"She 's the one who brought it up,"blush wine pointed out.

"He 's correctly, you know,"Amanda said.

"What do you stand for, he 's correct ?"Albus stared at her. She had a knowing smile splayed across her face.

"You, rosebush, and flatness are n't the lone unity of us who have family in politics,"Amanda said.

"But you 're a Muggle,"Saint John the Apostle replied.

"I never said the Ministry of illusion, Saint John. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle 's the heyday minister."

Albus continued to gaze at her. Amanda was always rather quiet and rarely talked about her kin. He always figured that was because she was so tranquillize and never guessed that it might be because her family was just as influential in the Muggle world as his was in the wizarding domain.

"Michael Smythe, that 's my uncle. He 's my mum 's pal,"Amanda elaborated."Imagine my mum 's surprise when she told him that I was a witch only to find out that he already knew about the wizarding world."

"So if Percy win ...,"Albus began, his articulation trailing off.

"He 'll meet my Uncle microphone,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, Empire State of the South does hold it all figured out. If word gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch playacting, it 's going to do off wrong in the press and turn a loss him votes. So, he 'll keep it to himself and will be in the front row of every single one of her matches, pretending to be a vast Kenmare Kestrals fan."

"Wow, that seems so improper,"rosiness muttered.

"It 's political relation from the former side of meat. The world wants the great unwashed in power to have a sure image."

"Still, it 's like lying,"rosebush went on."Just another grounds I am not getting into politics."

"My cousin Leanne went a minuscule wild at university her first year, our initiatory year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a photo of her and put it on the cover of some tabloid, but that was the only one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not like Georgia 's partying. She 's got Quidditch science and is using them to make an honest livelihood,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't need the world to fuck he 's not happy with her calling choice so he 's going to make himself look like a devoted father."

"See, everything 's changing."Albus sighed."Sometimes I just wish I had a normal family."

"It 's not all it 's cracked up to be,"John said. Kaden nodded.

"It 's true, Albus,"mat said."Amanda 's completely right. It 's the unharmed reason why my dad got sacked. The populace did n't like that I was a werewolf, which is constituent of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, nobody wanted him in politics anymore."

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but mat was powerful. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before Matt mentioned that. And now the Saame thing was happening with his syndicate. Harry Hotspur was going to pretend and while that did n't really directly event him, how long would it ingest before the public did n't like the image he and the relief of his cousins were presenting ?


A/N : From now on, updates for this will materialise on the commencement of every calendar month and updates for Beyond the Shadow will happen on the 15th. That way they 'll be spread out. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this !

Here 's the Weasley-Potter kin Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree !

Bill-Fleur
Victoire- 20
Gabriella- 18
Ben- 5th yr

Charlie-Katherine ( hag )
Stanley- 19
Heather- 7th year
Mark- 6th year
Eddie- 8

Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Georgia- 18
Bradley- 6th year
Cedric- 5th year
Samantha & lindy ( twin ) - 9

George- Alicia Spinnet
Fred- 7th twelvemonth
Angie- 1st twelvemonth

Ron-Hermione
Rose- 4th year
Hugo- 2nd class

Ginny-Harry
James- 5th year
Albus- 4th year
Lily- 2nd yr

*All in Gryffindor*


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was no cite of politics or Ministers throughout the remainder of the train tripper. Amanda did n't say anything else about her uncle being the prime government minister and how it had affected her sept, but Albus was still really curious about it. How had she managed to go along that a enigma for three years ? judgement by rosebush 's response, she did n't even know about it. lustrelessness had n't even managed to observe it a secluded that he was a werewolf for a yr. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the best secret keeper in their group.

The talk lightened considerably as they made their way to Hogwarts, soon turning to the familiar guinea pig of Quidditch and then to fantasizing about the new defense lawyers instructor. Saint John was hoping for someone who let them do whatever they wanted whereas Rose wanted somebody who would actually teach, and not teach like Balladanis had. Albus did n't really worry, so long as the new teacher did n't bid to harm his pupil, physically or emotionally.

As the train neared Hogsmeade post, Albus and his admirer changed into their robe and prepared to exit the gearing for the bumpy carriage ride up to the schoolhouse. The journey was now so routine that they did so with little chatter and transferred to the baby carriage with none of the flash of the premature two years. They were quarter years now and Hogwarts was intimate territory. As fourth years, they were well on their way to being the sure-enough students of the school.

The Great Hall was filled with laughter and excitement as the students found their buttocks at their house tabular array. Albus and his admirer quickly found bum together at the Gryffindor table and all five glanced up to the staff table to find the new face that would be their defense force teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar human face they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

"Which one 's the Defense teacher ?"Kaden asked.

"Have n't the slight,"Albus replied.

There were two new magician sitting at the table. One was deep in conversation with prof Kendrick and the other was glancing around at the room, his oculus never resting on the same thing or person for more than a few secondment. The previous was wearing what looked to be Ministry robes, which made Albus wonder if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from last yr standing off to the position in his usual slur. The minute new wizard was dressed in plain black gown and had nearly no haircloth atop his head, but instead had a large beard and moustache, as if he was trying to compensate.

"I think the one talking to Kendrick is from the Ministry,"Albus said.

"That 's not a beneficial sign,"bathroom replied."What 's the Ministry doing here on the first base day ?"

"It 's not necessarily a bad thing,"rose pointed out."Maybe they just want to make up trusted everything is back to normal after the competition last year."

John opened his mouth to reply but was silenced by the doors opening and Professor Patil entering with the new first years. They looked scared and tiny, far smaller than the late twelvemonth 's first years. It was weird how they seemed to get smaller every year.

As with the previous year, Albus did n't pay any care to anyone 's sorting unless their in conclusion name was thrower or Weasley. This year, of row, there was only Angie entering Hogwarts from Albus 's large family. She ran up to the three-legged-stool with as much ebullience as the rest of the class had and jammed the hat onto her head.

It remained there for all of three second before shouting"Gryffindor !"Angie ran from the dejection to the aroused vociferation of the Gryffindors, her blood brother Fred 's whistling reverberance over the rest. Everyone at Hogwarts would have bet money on Angie being a Gryffindor, but everyone still liked to cheer.

For once Albus wished that Kendrick would get to announcement before the fiesta was served just so he could see out why there were two new mavin at the staff table, but like common, Kendrick waited until after the spread. Thus, the duration of the feast was spent speculating.

"The Ministry 's sent someone to observe,"James said confidently."aspect at the past three age. Every single one at least one of Al and his champion have gotten kidnapped by insane wizards. Clearly the Ministry does n't think the teacher can protect us enough."

"That 's what the Aurors are for,"Rose pointed out."What 's some Ministry bloke going to do that an Auror ca n't do ? I really do n't believe that bloke is another Auror."

"I bet he 's here to recruit people for the Ministry,"Fred suggested."You know, spend a year with us seventh age and try to convince us that we should take on boring Ministry Job. Bet Uncle Percy 's the intellect for it. Probably does n't want anymore of his kin to take up Quidditch professionally."

"That 's farcical,"a seventh-year young woman replied."He 's probably just the new Defense teacher."

"Then who 's that other fellow ?"flatness gestured to the bald man sitting next to Slughorn.

"Slughorn 's long lost Twin ?"Kaden suggested."Seriously, shave his beard and he 'll look just like Slughorn."

"Maybe Kendrick just wanted to invite someone to the Welcome spread,"Amanda pointed out."It could be as uncomplicated as that."

Albus doubted it. Nothing was ever elementary when it came to biography at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed like old age, the puddings disappeared and Kendrick stood to give his usual startle of term speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I give a warm welcome to our new first base geezerhood and Hope you have enjoyed your kickoff Hogwarts banquet. I 'll prompt everyone that the forest is out of limit as well as the Whomping Willow. Those wishing to try out for their House Quidditch teams can open their names to their head of mansion. Now, you may hold noticed that there are two new staff fellow member this year even though only one spatial relation is vacant. The first of all is simple to explicate and the indorsement is a little more complicated.

"get-go, I would wish to welcome professor Elliot Young to Hogwarts. professor Young is going to be taking over the Defense teacher position."Kendrick gestured to the man with the beard, while scattered applause was received from the scholar and other professors.

"Professor Ancient if you ask me,"John the Divine muttered.

"Many of you may be mindful and quite a lot of you I 'm sure are not aware that this is an election year for the Ministry of Magic. Tomorrow the candidates running for minister of thaumaturgy will make their speeches announcing their candidacy, which will begin a seven month political campaign period. At the beginning of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the winner shall be announced. The fact that this is an election twelvemonth is a rattling educational opportunity and I was n't about to let it make it us by. Therefore I have decided to add another grade to the programme. It will meet once a week and in it you will learn the ins and outs of our political scheme and its history.

"This is professor Richard Embry."Kendrick gestured to the bloke sitting following to him, who then stood up."He is from the Ministry and has agreed to teach this new class that we have designed. The class will appear on your schedules that you will take in tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as social class begin undimmed and ahead of time in the morning. Prefects, please escort the first years to the plebeian rooms."

Kendrick and the Ministry bloke both resumed their seats while Albus and his acquaintance rose. The joined the mob of bookman making their way out of the Great Hall and towards the main staircase. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins broke away from the pack to come to their hall and then the Ravenclaws left for their tower. Soon, Albus and his friends were only amongst fellow Gryffindors.

The uncouth room was abuzz with discussion about the new prof when they arrived. virtually of the younger student had gone to bed, but the older student were making no move to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up sheet for Quidditch try-outs on the notice display board while Scots heather watched. Albus predicted that the two of them would act more like co-captains since there was no way Heather was going to let Fred make all of the team decisions this year.

"So now we have another course of instruction,"John muttered as they sat down at a mesa near the fire."More homework. More exams."

"It 's only once a calendar week,"blush wine pointed out.

"But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to film a class about government ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Never,"Albus replied.

"Muggles take category on government,"Amanda pointed out."My sister took one last year and my cousin have taken them. I really do n't think it 's going to be that difficult."

"Yeah, it 's not like there 's going to be an O.W.L. for it,"blush wine said."Can you think that we 'll be taking O.W.L.s next year ?"

John groaned."Do we really have to talk about them already ?"

"Seriously,"lustrelessness agreed."They 're a long way off."

"well, I think I 'm going to turn in,"rose wine said as she stood up."category start tomorrow."

"You sound like Kendrick,"Albus said, but he was feeling slightly tired himself.

Rose and Amanda left for the daughter'dorm room a little while later. Albus and the early boy stayed up a while longer, but soon realized they were quite tired. They said goodnight to Kaden when they reached the third years'dorm room and then continued on to their own. It had been a long day and Albus was gear up to go to sleep, just so he would n't make to reckon about politics or the election anymore.
******


"Well, we 've got one of the new teachers today,"lavatory said at breakfast the following morning time."We start off the day with Herbology and then have Department of Defense right before lunch."

"When do we have that government class ?"Matt asked as he scooped a plenty of oatmeal onto his plate.

"Tomorrow, right before dinner party,"bathroom replied."pigeon hawk, that would 've been free clip if we did n't make that bloody class."

"It could be fun, John Lackland,"Rose said.

"I have n't got it until Friday sunup,"Kaden lamented."I think it will be fun. Muggle politics are boring but legerdemain makes everything better."

"Bad news show is we have it with the Slytherins,"Albus said.

"Of course,"mat muttered."Would n't expect anything different. And we 've probably got potions with them again, right ?"

Albus glanced at his agenda."Yes."They had had potions with the Slytherins every year now. Surely that could n't be accidental. Albus would have preferred they have no division with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in demurrer the previous year. The last thing he and matte needed was more meet with Scorpius Malfoy.

"commodity news program is that we 've got Defense with the Hufflepuffs this twelvemonth,"Amanda pointed out.

"Bet Kendrick did that on determination after last year,"John the Evangelist said."He 'd have to be an idiot to give us that class with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in agreement. After the scene that had developed between Albus, john, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in defense team class together again. Albus was thankful. He 'd drop the lowest few weeks of his one-third year avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to avoid him for the remainder of his Hogwarts career. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling squad.

The group hurriedly finished their breakfast and then parted ways with Kaden before heading down to the glasshouse for Herbology. Herbology was one of those predictable classes where they never had to worry about anything awful happening when it came to topic subject or teachers. Neville was a fair teacher who made classes interesting. Albus never had to worry about anything odd happening while in the greenhouses, unlike potions and Defense.

Everyone was slightly wary of the new denial prof and thus the rear end in the backbone of the room were in high requirement. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had Transfiguration beforehand and had a much unforesightful walk, so they claimed all of the far seats. Albus, matt, and John Lackland had the tough luck of having to sit at one of the straw man tables and all three boys were on edge.

The prof ambled into the way just as class was scheduled to come out. He had a very turgid stack of parchment, which he set on the desk before beginning to telephone roller.

"I am Professor Young,"he began after he finished with axial rotation."And welcome to quaternary year denial Against the Dark Arts. This twelvemonth we will focus on iniquity curses, hexes, and worldwide while, all of which are detailed out in your textbook. You can consider your volume out now if you have n't already done so."

Albus rummaged in his bag and set his Good Book on the mesa. professor Young picked up the push-down list of lambskin and began passing it out to the student. Albus feared that it was a quiz, as he glanced down at its fill-in-the-blank questions and abruptly solution questions.

"Please read the first chapter of your Book and finish the worksheet by the end of the class,"Whitney Moore Young Jr. said as he walked back to his desk. He said naught more and began to record what appeared to be a novel while stroking his byssus.

Albus glanced at John and lusterlessness, unsure of whether Young would yell at him if he spoke in whisper to his champion. Actually, Young might not even hear him. He did appear to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the low gear day of class. Would n't a lambast make more mother wit ? Albus could n't remember a metre when a professor had n't lectured on the beginning day of class.

Everyone else seemed thoroughly confused as well. For the next five moment everyone sent each other confused flavour and glance before finally cracking open their textbooks, having realized that Young was n't going to do anything besides read his novel.

Albus began to study the commencement chapter, which was dreadfully tedious. It was about the most unremarkable of shadow hexes, if a iniquity hex could be considered mundane. The chapter did n't even cite unforgivable oath, which while atrocious, were far more worry than the introductory principles of what made a torment dark.

Albus finished his worksheet a few moment before Young put down his novel."Leave your worksheets here on my desk. There is n't any homework."

"That was the strangest course of study ever,"Albus said once they had left the room."Who gives a worksheet on the first day of course of study ?"

"Someone who just wants to scan their Christian Bible all day,"John replied."Works for me, since he did n't give any homework."

"Still, it was horribly ho-hum,"Albus replied.

"Honestly, I 'm glad it 's tire after dealing with Balladanis end year,"flatness said.

"Somehow I do n't think this fella is going to be bringing any Anamateks to class,"Albus said.

"An Anamatek would probably terminate him off,"John replied."I do n't conceive he could deal one."

"Not many people could,"Albus pointed out.

When they arrived in the Great vestibule, they were surprised to see GA hurrying Bradley and Cedric out of the room.

"What 's incorrectly ?"Albus asked, extremely confused as to why Georgia was at Hogwarts.

"Dad wants us there when he makes his big announcement."She rolled her optic."We 're supposed to be there supporting him or something."

"What time is it happening ?"Albus asked.

"One,"Empire State of the South replied."Which means we 're already going to be later than Dad wants. It 'll be in the eventide Prophet."

"There is no way Empire State of the South 's going to be able-bodied to pretend everything is exquisitely between her and Uncle Percy for the unscathed election,"rose wine said once Georgia and her sidekick had left."She looked annoyed already and he has n't even announced he 's running yet."

"She probably has to overleap practice for it,"Albus replied."I just want to know who he 's running against."

"regard we could go sentinel,"pink wine said."I bet our parents are there."

"Of course they are,"Albus agreed."Matt 's dad is probably there, too."

"He is,"Matt said."Has n't got a clue as to who 's running, though."

"Guess we 'll find out tonight,"Albus said.
******


Albus did n't see Bradley or Cedric until dinner party. He had been hoping to catch one of them in between classes, but either their schedule did n't allow them to cross way of life or the announcement had gone until dinner. The noise in the Great Radclyffe Hall was n't any louder than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he was n't quite sure enough how much the rest of the students cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor mesa, all of Albus 's cousins were clustered at one end of the table, their school principal leaned in to one another.

"facial expression like a house meeting or something,"Albus said.

"We 'll see you in the common elbow room after dinner, then,"Amanda said as she pulled John and Kaden towards the other end of the table, Matt following.

Albus followed rosiness to the far end of the tabular array, where everyone else had already gathered. Albus squeezed his way in between Hugo and James while Rose found a seat next to Lily.

"Finally, you 're here,"James said."Bradley and Cedric wo n't say a word until everyone 's here."

"Otherwise we 'd just deliver to state the tarradiddle over and over again,"Bradley muttered.

"Well, go on,"Fred encouraged.

"It was basically a huge partiality company with a bunch of boring speeches,"Bradley began."A bunch of Ministry people and their married woman or husbands and Dad was the essence of attention, of course. Everyone knew he was running even though he had n't made his official announcement yet. It did n't get interesting until Dad and the enchantress he 's running against made their announcement-"

"Dad 's was pretty boring,"Cedric cut in."Talked about how he 's seen the Ministry through so many changes and how we need hard leadership to keep the magical residential district together and loyal. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of track. Then everyone clapped politely and the enemy stood up."

"The witch who 's actually running looks like she was a hawk in a previous lifetime. Her olfactory organ is as pointy as a nose can get and she 's got this silky black hair that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a crowd of people who she introduced as her crusade team,"Bradley said."But it was her manner of speaking that got the crowd riled up. She kept putting holes in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding human beings was a secure merge front but she talked about how rift are forming and the Ministry is slipping and variety is needed again. She made all these pernicious mentions of how the Aurors are n't as on top of thing and how if we do n't do something the magical mankind will fall apart."

"That 's pathetic !"Fred said."The witching worldly concern is fine."

"I thought they were just making their announcements that they were running,"Rose said."Speeches do n't start yet."

"Neither of them are going to waste an chance to get votes,"ling pointed out."So do you two have to make anymore appearance ?"

"Yeah,"Tom Bradley answered."Dad wants us all there for his first voice communication this weekend and he said there are going to be some debates here, so we have to sit up front with Mum at those."

"And the Prophet wants to do a huge article on our category,"Cedric added."They 're doing one on the hag, too."

"What 's her name ?"rose asked."And what does she do in the Ministry ?"

"Patricia Laurentis,"Cedric replied."She 's some sort of adviser to the flow rector. Her statute title 's just as confusing and long as Dad's."

"Weird that both the nominee were working under the electric current Minister,"Rose said.

"Well the political party chose them."Cedric shrugged."I should get going, though. Have to go see Slughorn about what I missed earlier."

"Me too,"Bradley said as he stood up."Patil probably wo n't be proud of that I missed the get-go lesson."

Cedric and Bradley left, leaving the rest of the cousins to verbalise about what they had just been told. Albus mostly listened while pushing his solid food around his plate. What he had learned about Patricia Laurentis unnerved him a piddling and it was mostly because part of him thought she was right. Things were n't as perfect as his Uncle Sir Henry Percy thought. Willinson was still on the loosen and not to mention the emergence with Lubar was still unresolved.

But Albus 's dad and the other Aurors were doing all they could, were n't they ? What could Patricia Laurentis do if she got elected ? There would still be the Saame Aurors working at the Ministry.

"Maybe Uncle Percy is the right person to be Minister,"Heather said quietly."The Ministry has been working the like way since the final exam conflict, has n't it ? And there have n't been anymore Voldemorts trying to earn power."

"But things ca n't always stay the Lapplander,"Rose pointed out.

"Do you really think the Ministry needs to deepen that much ?"Heather asked.

"I do n't know,"Rose said quietly."I just do n't believe citizenry are as united as Uncle Harry Hotspur thinks."

"I 'm going to the common room,"Albus said as he pushed his home away. He was n't hungry anymore.

Footsteps behind him told him that Rose was following, just like he hoped she would."What were you getting at ? citizenry not being united ?"he asked once they were in an empty corridor.

"Not everyone agrees on everything, Albus,"pink wine said."Far from it. I think Uncle Percy 's slightly delusional about that. And remember what you told me about that odd bloke who gave your dad a warning at the Quidditch World Cup ?"

"That bloke ?"Albus laughed."He was insane !"

"I 'm not denying that, but he did feature a decimal point. In an election year everything thing. Uncle Percy 's aligned his belief with the electric current Minister 's, which means if he 's elected he 's going to extend doing thing the same way. The Ministry has n't caught Willinson for good in the three years they 've been searching and he 's slipped out of their grasp legion times. It 's not going to be unmanageable for that Laurentis ma'am to win over people we need to change tactic, even if her tactics are n't great either."

Albus said nothing for a few present moment."How do you sleep with all of this ?"

"I 've talked to Amanda more than you have,"pink wine replied."She knows how all of this whole kit and caboodle, and it 's really not that unlike in the Muggle world."

"So you think Laurentis is going to win ?"Albus asked.

Rose laughed."I never said that and it 's far too soon to tell. They have n't even debated yet. All I 'm saying is, Uncle Harry Hotspur needs to open his eyes a bit."

Albus did n't respond. He knew that his Uncle Sir Henry Percy 's political opinion were slightly different than the ease of his family 's, but they were still quite similar. If what Rose was saying was rightful, that meant that his unhurt family needed to open their eyes and Albus was n't surely how he felt about that.


A/N : Sorry about the late update. There were some site take. See the assembly for more details about that. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"You know, this political relation grade is taking away from our free menstruation,"whoremaster said the fall out morning at breakfast. He shook his head as he loaded his home base high with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for rosebush 's answer about how they needed to train advantage of any learning chance, even if they meant less free time, but it did n't arrive. Albus turned to wait at her, thinking she might be ill. She was n't. Instead she was piling her own plate in high spirits with eggs and pledge. Albus raised his eyebrow at her.

"What ?"she demanded."Girls get hungry, too."

"Not that,"Albus replied."John just complained about having another grade and you did n't groan and differentiate him off."

"I sort of agree with him."pink wine shrugged.

"Are you ill ?"Albus asked as he felt her forehead.

rosiness pushed his manus away."Stop it, Al. I 'm not saying I wo n't enjoy the class. I 'm just saying that we 're fourthly years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the clip we can get to analyse. Not that John would use the time to analyze, mind you."

"There 's the Rose we all know."John the Evangelist grinned as he stuffed his brass with bacon.

"I think it 'll be a nice alteration,"Matt put in."Something dissimilar. Notice they gave us chronicle of Magic on two consecutive sunrise. question who the half-wit was who did that."

"Same one who always gives us classes with the Slytherins, I 'll bet,"privy said."double over Potions this break of the day and I 'd bet my right wing arm and both my peg we 'll be with the Slytherins."

"Why not both your subdivision and peg ?"Amanda asked.

"On the off-chance that I 'm wrong, I 'll need some sort of limb to get around with,"John answered.

"I only had one stratum with the Slytherins net year,"Kaden said."You lot must have terrible luck. I 'd better be off. Defense this morning."

"goodness destiny. That professor is weird,"John said.

"Ca n't be forged than last year,"Kaden replied as he got up and left.

Albus, Matt, Rose, and Amanda waited for toilet to finish his pile of ball before setting off for the dungeons. When they arrived the door was already open and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpius Malfoy was sitting at one of the strawman tables, looking rather smug. Albus averted his eyes and continued to the back of the schoolroom, where he sat down in between Matt and whoremonger.

"wonderment what he 's so felicitous about,"Albus muttered as the rest of the students entered the room.

"I do n't know. But I do n't care it,"John said.

Slughorn chose that second to coggle into the room so Albus and John could not continue their conversation."Welcome, welcome ! Ahh, my two pet houses together again ! What luck. well, well, welcome to fourth year Potions. This is the class that things get difficult since you 'll be sitting your O.W.L.s following year ..."

"Why is it they 're talking about O.W.L.s this year ?"Albus whispered."They 're still over a year off."

"... Since today is a double class I thought we 'd set about brewing the first potion in your textbook and see where your acquisition lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to take your text leger over the summer !"

Albus glanced at Rose, who was sitting next to Amanda at one of the movement tables. She seemed to sit up higher in her seat.

"Let 's get started, then. You can work in pairs of your choosing. The pair that produces the easily potion will win a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate."

John set off to work with Janie Creevey who lacked a partner while Albus and flatness set up a cauldron at their board.

"Remember your gloves,"Slughorn announced."If you touch the finished intersection your paw will immediately freeze."

"Does it seem odd to you that we have to dream up a freeze root with ardour ?"matte asked as he stuck his wand under the cauldron to fall the flame.

"Very,"Albus agreed."So now that we 've had Slughorn for three age, have you noticed that he always starts the year with a contest ?"

"Yeah. I bet he uses the same curriculum every year,"flatness added."Ca n't imagine that a good deal changes in term of potion brewing."

"I bet our parents brewed the same potions,"Albus said.

"I wonder if it 's possible for this potion to explode,"mat mused as he tossed a few spell of chop up beetroot into the cauldron."

"Well, I suppose we 'll receive out,"came a drawling voice from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few bottles he must stimulate gotten from the supply wardrobe."I 'm sure as shooting you two will make do it, if it 's possible."

"Shut it, Malfoy,"Albus replied.

Malfoy glared at him and then stalked off towards his own table. Albus was slightly surprise that he had left so quickly. It was strange.

"Weird of him to leave so soon,"Matt said, as if reading Albus 's mind.

"Yeah, if you ask me, he 's afraid of you now."

mat let out a laugh."Yeah, right. If anything he 's finally realized you 're a better dueler than he is and he 's got to view out. speaking of which, you think you 're going to be captain of your dueling team this yr ?"

"It 's either going to be me or Malfoy,"Albus said.

With everything else that was going on that year, the last affair Albus needed was to be senior pilot of his dueling team, but he did not desire Malfoy as captain either. He 'd take the extra workplace if just to observe Malfoy from being in charge. Malfoy needed power like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flame thrower.

Albus and Matt did not blow up their potion by the end of the grade. In fact, their potion had the same consistency that it was supposed to and while it was slightly indelicate, it did manage to freeze the quill Slughorn stuck in it. rose and Amanda won the chocolate, which was no surprise to anyone.

Rose and Amanda shared their chocolate with the son as they walked up to the Great entrance hall for dejeuner. Albus and Matt told the girls and John about Malfoy 's off-the-wall behavior and Rose told them that they should just be felicitous he 's backing down, rather than analyze his motives.

The Great Hall was buzzing with activity when they entered it a few minutes later. Albus sat down at the Gryffindor table and no Sooner had he grabbed a curlicue did heather toss away a copy of the oracle onto his photographic plate.

"What 's this ?"Albus asked as he lifted up the paper.

"This sunup 's Prophet. The bird of Minerva were tardy delivering it. Something about a storm in London,"Heather explained.

Albus set down his roll and opened the report. There on the straw man pageboy was a picture of his Uncle Percy, smiling wide, in elaborate gown, shaking hands with a very tall woman, who was also smiling wide and wearing expatiate gown. Above the picture was the title,"Candidates for rector of Magic Announced."

By this point rosiness and lusterlessness had crowded on either side of Albus, while Amanda and bathroom hovered behind him, all trying to show the article. Albus 's eyes traveled down the page so he could do the same.

In front of the entire Ministry of Magic,
parson hopefuls Sir Henry Percy St. Ignatius Weasley and
Patricia Vivien Leigh Laurentis announced their
candidacy on September 3rd, 2029. Both
nominee work under parson Hartwell, yet
are running against each other for paired
parties.

Weasley, Senior Undersecretary for the
drafting and Editing of Laws, has been
Chosen to run for the Merlinus Party,
which is the company that current diplomatic minister
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, Senior
Advisor to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
Official has been chosen to run for the
Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim Party.

A large crew turned out for the announcement,
which is only the first of many show
by both nominee. The first debate is
scheduled for September 8th, at the
Ministry of Magic.

"So that 's who your uncle 's running against,"Matt said.

"Guess so,"Albus replied.

"She looks a picayune like this mathematics teacher I had before I came to Hogwarts,"Amanda said."She was a scary lady. I remember once I forgot to do my homework so I spent the intact dawning in the loo before person came looking for me."

"You can state they both hate each other,"Matt said as he gestured to the motion picture."for sure they 're shaking hands and acting nice but clearly they both want to hex each other."

"It 's just weird that she works for Hartwell if she 's the antonym party he is,"rosebush mused."Why would Hartwell have hired her ?"

"Maybe she switched party ?"Amanda suggested."It happens in the Muggle world."

"Maybe,"Rose said."It just seems fishy. Her switching parties and hinting at all these group change. It just seems like something big is going to happen."

Albus could n't help but have the Saame tactile sensation. But all he could do was hope that his uncle won the election and Laurentis would not sustain the opportunity to change everything.

"Hey, Al, done with that report ?"Henry James called from down the table.

Albus nodded and passed the prophet down, then settling in to eat lunch. There was no point worrying about the election now. It was month away. Plus, the political science family was later that day and Albus was incredibly curious about it.

August 6 seemed to cart by since it was the Lapplander as it was every year. professor Patil explained about that year 's program and how they needed to startle thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased workload. It was all rather monotonous and all Albus wanted to do was get to political relation since it was something new.

Finally Transfiguration was over and Albus and his Friend hurried to the fifth part floor to the schoolroom where politics was held. They slowed down when they reached the room as none of them wanted to be the first to enter.

"We better not have this with the Slytherins,"John the Evangelist muttered as they neared the doorway.

Albus peeked in the door."Nope, Hufflepuffs."

John let out an audible sigh of relief and Albus pushed the door open as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the back, and the professor was nowhere in plenty. rose immediately claimed a desk in the presence and Amanda chose one next to her, while Albus and the early boys headed to the group of Hufflepuffs in the back.

"Do you mean there will be homework in this class ?"John asked as they sat down.

Albus raised his brow."Is that a serious question ?"

John the Divine shrugged."Well it 's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably wo n't even have this class side by side year. So why would there be prep ?"

"Because it 's a class and this is Hogwarts,"Albus replied."I guarantee there will be homework."

The rest of the category filed in, filling in the can that remained in the middle of the classroom. As the bell rang, prof Embry entered, walking with an air that this class would be all work and no dramatic play.

"Good afternoon,"professor Embry began as he shuffled a few papers on his desk."Welcome to BASIC Wizarding politics. I am professor Embry and you will address me such."

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to rate the length of the classroom."I understand that about of you know absolutely zippo about political sympathies and presume that the minister of trick is born the Minister and police just magically come into universe. A blue-ribbon few of you,"his middle rested on Albus, and then on Matt, and on two Hufflepuff lady friend,"have parents in the Ministry and may have slightly more knowledge than the rest, but that would be rather generous of me to assume.

"Hogwarts has not put a great deal stake in political didactics before now, something that I feel is lacking in today 's education and bid to rectify this year. The curriculum will include history of how our government came to be the way it is today as well as how the government is currently run."

The class let out a collective grown at the word history. Albus glanced at pink wine, who was on the edge of her seat.

"But sir,"a particularly braw Hufflepufff boy announced,"we 've already learned the story. We take History of Magic."

Embry let out a shortsighted laugh."With Professor Binns ? If I may be frank, that man died before most of the chronicle happened. Along with that, he 'll put a sway to sleep."Embry chuckled. No one in the class dared to laugh."I 'm going to establish you a proper history of our modern authorities, starting with a brief overview of what the administration was like before the sovereignty of Voldemort and a more comprehensive examination overview of what it is like today.

"I will also devote a class period each to the way the government is run in France, the United body politic, and Australia. Now, since you were not mindful that this class would take space, you have not acquired books. Therefore I have purchased them for you. You are to treat them as library books and return them to me in similar condition at the end of the year. Lest your parents be billed."

Embry flicked his wand and stacks of record book flew out of a nearby cupboard. They landed softly in figurehead of the students. Albus glanced down and translate the statute title. Politics and administration in Modern Wizarding Britain by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the cupboard it had come out of.

"Very good. Now, get out parchment and quill. I 'm not going to let the sleep of this category period go to waste,"Embry said as he tapped his scepter on the board. Notes immediately appeared on it.

Embry lectured for the residual of the class about how the first government was formed in Britain. It was incredibly dry. The only reason Albus stayed awake was because he had to take on notes. Literally had to. Embry caught a whoremaster not taking notes and threatened him with detainment this Saturday if he did n't start.

"That 's all for today,"Embry said after the bell rang."Next form we 'll fast forward in clock time and study about the government pre-Voldemort. Read the initiatory chapter for homework and come up with three thoughtful query to pose to the sleep of the course of study. Dismissed."

"How does Hogwarts attract the most bizarre teachers ?"Albus asked once they were out of earshot of the classroom.

"Kendrick must put it on the inclination of job essential,"John replied."Must be out of your freaking mind to take this position."

"I think he 's professional,"Rose piped in."It seems like we 'll really get a line stuff."

"Why bother ?"John asked."It 's not like we 're old enough to give birth a say in the government anyway."

"But we will one day,"Amanda pointed out."And to be honest, I 'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, bathroom. Muggles get politics course of instruction in school. It makes sentience that we should, too."

"She 's got a point, mate,"matt said."Who has the power in your country affair. If you elect the wrong people, affair can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their leaders, either. We do n't even get to do that fully. The positions that Albus 's dad has and my dad have ? In the United United States Department of State, those are elected billet. Not here."

"And before Voldemort, we did n't even elect our minister,"Rose said.

"How do you lot even have it away this stuff and nonsense ?"John asked as they drew closer to the Gryffindor common room.

"Parents."Amanda shrugged."It 's amazing what you pick up when your parents think you 're too young to care to eavesdrop."

"Wait."John stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at his friends."wait. Now that we know about your uncle, you lot all have family involved with the Ministry, wether it 's the wizardly ministry or the Muggle ministry."

Albus grinned sheepishly."Guess so."

Gospel According to John groaned."This is insane. Why could n't I have picked convention friends ?"

"Normal is highly overrated,"Matt said as they reached the Fat Lady.

******


The rest of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus 's opinion. Everyone, educatee and teachers, fell back into their usual Hogwarts routines and by the time Friday arrived Albus had a good deal of homework as senior high as his bed and was More than set for a few days off. But when he saw the notice board in the park room when he got back from Charms on Fri good afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

Fred had scheduled Quidditch practice on Sat at eight in the first light.

"octet !"Albus exclaimed."In the cockcrow ? Is he thoroughly insane ? It 's the first week back ! Even Georgia was n't crazy enough to do that."

"toughie luck, mate,"John the Divine said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby couch."eighter from Decatur in the morning. Let 's see, I 'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, Matt ? What will you be doing at eight in the morning ? Flying through the rain ? Trudging through the mud to the pitch ?"

"Course not."Matt grinned."I 'll be cozy in bed, having an amazing ambition where I 'm playing for the Cannons. In perfect condition of course."

"The Cannons are the only squad you 'd ever receive hope of playing for,"John replied.

Albus threw himself down on the sofa. Fred was insane. That was all there was to it. Well, he could apply for a professor position once he graduated. He 'd meet the insanity requirement.

"Speak of the devil,"St. John said as Fred entered the common room.

"You !"Albus shouted as he got up."Why in the gens of everything Falco columbarius owns did you schedule practice at eight in the sunup on a Saturday ? Not everyone 's a seventh twelvemonth taking four classes. We ca n't all sleep in every bloody day."

Fred shrugged."Had to. Pitch is booked solid all weekend except for Saturday morning and evening. All the other houses are having try-outs. We ca n't even apply our Keeper try-outs until next weekend because of it."

"Why not the eve then ?"

"Bradley 's got to have an show at Uncle Percy 's speech."Fred rolled his eyes.

"Then why have pattern at all ? We do n't ask to take aim anyone new until we get a new Keeper,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's been a unscathed summer. We 're out of practice. We 've got to start training other. I want that Quidditch trophy."

"We 've been playing Quidditch all summer,"Albus said flatly.

"Look, Al, I 'm not changing it. barely deal with it,"Fred said as he continued up to his dormitory.

Albus spent the eternal rest of the evening fuming about practice and cursing Fred under his breath, until rosiness suggested they all go to the Room after dinner. Albus reluctantly agreed, knowing that if they went to the Room he 'd be up half the night and would only get a few hours'sleep.

In the end he was gladiola blush wine suggested it. They spent the evening playing Gobstones and Exploding snatch and listening to John and Kaden think up new fashion to prank the Slytherins, and more specifically, Scorpio Malfoy. Eventually, Albus decided to forebode it a Night and headed back to his hall, leaving his supporter to uphold discussing whether it would be honest to twist Malfoy 's hair red or purple.

Only a few short hours later Albus found himself sneaking quietly out of his dormitory at an minute of day that was only think to be seen on weekdays. He grabbed his broom and went to meet his teammates in the common room.

No one looked happy. James was nodding off on the couch while Ryan attempted to tie his shoes without opening his centre. Scots heather 's hair was sticking up at odd angles while she tried to tame it into a ponytail. Omar Bradley was sulking in an armchair. Even Fred looked a little worse for wear. But they trudged through the castle, only seeing Peeves loosening a few doorway flexible joint and Filch 's cat skulking behind a suit of armour.

The weather was at least nice and the four hours they spent on the pitching went by relatively quick. Albus and his teammates landed on the ground as the Slytherin Quidditch squad made their way onto the pitch. Albus glared at them as they passed.

Without going up to his dormitory room to deepen, Albus headed into the Great hallway hoping there would be something good for lunch. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his friends halfway down the Gryffindor table and after stowing his heather underneath the bench, he sat down and grabbed the penny-pinching dish.

"You could at least shower first, Al,"Rose said."You stink."

"Too starved,"Albus replied.

"Albus !"Lily called from down the table. She got up and headed over to him."Mum and Dad sent this earlier."She handed him a objet d'art of lambskin."They want us to go to the debate tonight since it 's the first base one and all. We 're expected to Floo from Kendrick 's study to the Ministry at five."

Albus groaned as he read the letter."That gives me about four 60 minutes to relax and possibly do homework."

"Are you going to induce to go to every disputation ?"pink wine asked.

"hope not,"Albus replied in between bites."You do n't deliver to go ?"

"Have n't gotten anything about it. Dad probably does n't even want to go himself so he wo n't make us. And Mum probably expects that it would just take away from my studies."

"This says I have to hold out dress robe,"Albus muttered.

"At least you can recount us if anything near happens,"Matt said.

"And what about you ? Your dad 's luxuriously in the Ministry. Why are n't you going ?"Albus asked, desperate to witness person else who could keep him company.

"He already told me over the summer that I 'll only have to go to I at Hogwarts. And then whatever company the candidate will throw for the official. Does n't recollect an election should take much gist on my biography,"Matt explained.

"Lucky,"Albus replied.

Albus made the nigh of the rest of the day. He and his Friend took homework down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beech tree Tree while they sat by the edge of the lake and dangled their feet in. Kaden swore the Giant Squid tried to eat his infantry, but nonentity believed him. blush wine and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the edge of the woodland, insisting that none of the boys follow.

Kaden pulled a Fanged Frisbee out of his bag once the missy left and the boys began tossing it around. This was corking fun until the Frisbee decided it had had enough of being thrown and took out a section of Kaden 's hairsbreadth, leaving his head bleeding rather profusely and Albus, John, and lustrelessness having to induce him to the hospital flank. By the meter Kaden 's head had been bandaged up and all four had received a lecture on the dangers of Fanged Frisbees ( Madam Pomfrey somehow figured out that that was the case ) it was time for Albus to head back to Gryffindor Tower to get ready for the debate.


A/N : Sorry for the lack of a May update. school day was insane. But I only have a class left ! I 'm now rest home for the summer and am having issues getting my Internet to cooperate with HPFF. Things take a long time to debase and I can not reply to go over. I will still read every review, but responses will take a while since I have to be at the library to answer to them.

Since I last updated I 've had some issues with people plagiarizing my storey. I really hate that I have to evidence you roast this, but it is against the convention to take anyone 's stories from here and put them on early sites. It 's also against the rules to take plots, graphic symbol, etc without permission. I do not give my permission for anyone to take my plots or reference. I 'm really happy that you guys like my stories, but please do n't take on them.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


If there was one thing Albus hated it was getting dressed up for Ministry events. He had always been slightly uncomfortable with his dad 's fame and Ministry position because he hated the attention. James had always been the character who would bask in the aid, enjoying when all the Ministry official proclaimed how big he was getting and how he was sure to be the star topology of Gryffindor 's Quidditch team. Lily was rather neutral towards it. She never really expressed emotion about the aid one way or another. She enjoyed getting dressed up but once they were at whatever party, she would go off and do her own matter. Albus just did not like it. He did not like getting his impertinence pinched by old ladies and did not alike random mass telling him how tall he was getting. As he got previous, he did not like it any more.

But it was a fact of life and so Albus found himself once again forcing himself into a set of emerald park wearing apparel gown. They were wrinkled, but he did n't bed any kind of ironing charm so he let them be. It 's not like anyone would be focused on him anyway. This was his Uncle Percy 's night and it seemed like this full year was going to be his Uncle Percy 's year.

Albus tamed his hair with a bit of water and then met Saint James, Lily, Bradley, and Cedric in the common room. St. James looked suave and perfectly comfortable in his blue dress robes, whereas Bradley and Cedric looked like they were being force-out fed rotten fish in their matching Charles Grey robes. Lily was wearing a violet dress and as usual, did n't look to have an opinion about going to the debate.

"So you three got roped into this, too ?"Bradley asked as they made their way to Kendrick 's study.

"Yeah, Mum sent us a letter of the alphabet this morning,"Lily explained."I guess Dad thinks we should be at the for the first time one."

"At to the lowest degree you do n't have to go to all of them,"Bradley muttered.

The relaxation of the trip to Kendrick 's study was silent. When they arrived they saw that Kendrick was in dress robes as well and was apparently escorting them to the Ministry and would stay to determine the public debate. He handed them each a bit of Floo powder and let them go first.

Albus stepped into the Floo after James and soon found himself in the Ministry of thaumaturgy 's ingress hall. The berth was far quieter than it was the last time he had been there, the survey year, when he went with matt to tell his dad about Lubar being at Hogwarts.

Kendrick led them to the rhytidoplasty and down to the court rooms."The only plaza big enough to accommodate everyone witnessing the disputation. Even still, it 's an invitation only result. It 's being broadcasted over the tuner, however. Kendrick stopped in front of court room ten and opened the door. The room was about half full. Albus spotted his mother 's hopeful red haircloth in the maiden row of seating area. He followed Kendrick down the stairs.

Albus 's Aunt Corrine was sitting with his parents, along with a rather sullen looking Georgia and the twins, who were both reading Scripture. Kendrick began to verbalise quietly to Harry as Albus and the others filed into the row. James, Tom Bradley, and Cedric immediately began to address of Quidditch and Albus listened in. They were speculating on who would show up for keeper try-outs the following weekend. GA immediately perked up and began giving the boys advice on who they should hold on an eye out for.

It soon became obvious that the left incline of the front row of the seating was reserved for Percy 's family. They were joined by all of Albus 's aunts and uncles, as well as Victoire, shift, and Stanley. In fact the only if one of his older first cousin that was not there was Gabriella. Albus wanted to ask Victoire where she was but she was too far away.

Albus assumed that the first row on the right position was reserved for Laurentis 's family, although Albus did n't spot a single one of the mass in that row. He turned around and focused on the people filing in. He recognized a few of them including mat 's parents and a few other Ministry officials he 'd met before. lusterlessness 's parents sat down behind Albus 's parents, succeeding to Professor Kendrick. Albus briefly wished that matt had been forced to go, but quickly erased that thought because what variety of friend would like their considerably friend had to pay heed a political debate ?

The chatter in the elbow room immediately subsided when minister of religion Hartwell entered followed by a few of his closest consultant. Behind them were Percy and Laurentis, both wearing Ministry gown. Hartwell and his advisers sat along a mesa at the front of the way while Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis stood behind podiums, also at the battlefront of the elbow room. The minister of religion spoke with his advisor briefly while Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis smiled and waved at the crowd. Then one of the adviser rose from his seat.

He was a portly man, whose gown stretched very tightly across his middle. He was completely bald and had no beard, but a very wide mustache. Aiming his wand at his own pharynx, he muttered a spell and then set his wand down.

"Welcome,"his voice boomed over the interview,"to the foremost debate of the 2020 election for rector of conjuring trick. Our two campaigner, Percy Ignatius Weasley and Patricia Leigh Laurentis, link up us tonight for an prefatory public debate on a variety of issues. My public figure is Wendell York and I am the mind of the Department of Magical Transportation and will serve as moderator for tonight 's debate. I will pose the topic and each candidate will get five minute to reply, then two minutes for a rebutter.

"The first topic is how our earth is concealed from Muggles. Do you remember the stream Ministry is doing an adequate job ? What changes would you call down ? Mr. Weasley, you may go first."

Albus yawned. Why could n't it be an exciting topic like catching Dark wizards ? Or at least something relevant to his liveliness, like the lack of good refutation professors at Hogwarts. Now that would be a debate he 'd be interested in. Albus turned towards Percy and realized he had n't even been paying aid to much of his uncle 's response.

"... stream constabulary do a acceptable job of concealing our humans from Muggles. illusion sightings by Muggles are low in number and when they do hap Obliviators do an splendid job of altering the retention of our Muggle neighbors ..."Hotspur droned on.

Albus turned to Saint James the Apostle who rolled his optic. Could they have come up with a more ho-hum topic ? Albus seriously doubted it. Except perhaps cauldron bottom heaviness, which was a report Percy had done when he first started at the Ministry, according to Harry. Albus glanced at his dad. He was paying attention, but in that certain way of paying attention that meant he was really bored but was trying to misrepresent it. Even Corrine looked slightly bored.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Wendell York said."Ms. Laurentis, your turn."

"I disagree with Mr. Weasley,"Laurentis began."One sighting of our kind by Muggles is too many. Each fourth dimension a Muggle catches sight of an act of conjuration puts our entire world at risk of exposure, and not only Great Britain 's wizarding world. We have a obligation to the existence that we keep our magic under wrapper. According to last year 's statistics we were in the top five countries in terms of numbers of sightings. That 's not honorable ..."

Laurentis went on and on about various laws that could be enacted to check that Muggles did not see acts of conjuration until Wendell York cut her off. He then let Sir Henry Percy have his two minute rebuttal, during which he went on about how it was an impossible goal to try, to reach no sorcerous sightings by Muggles. Laurentis 's rebuttal was basically just a re-statement of her previous argument.

Albus tuned much of the debate out, focusing instead on what he wanted to do during the current shoal year. He was a fourth yr, which meant he was no longer one of the youthful Thomas Kyd. He 'd been on the Quidditch team for two yr and now he was hoping he 'd be able to have some say in how recitation went and how equal were played. Then there was the Dueling club. Each of the eight team had a senior pilot and the captains were one-fourth class. prof, mostly Neville, picked the police captain. Albus knew it would be down to either him or Scorpius and as much as he did not really want the province of being captain, he did not want Scorpio to birth power over him. He would use that to his advantage.

The argument wore on and Albus continued to not pay attention until he heard the words 'education'and 'Hogwarts'. That got his care. It was Laurentis 's bit to go first.

"I think educational reform is the honest way to go. Hogwarts has been ran the like way for generations and while no one can deny that schoolmaster Kendrick runs a howling school, we also can not ignore that variety could be made to benefit the students. The world is a constantly changing place and breeding needs to keep open up in rules of order for our students to be better get up.

"The class choices for example. It is my apprehension that a new social class has been added this class about political sympathies, which I think is greatly beneficial to bookman. But other than that the same year are offered now as have been offered for ten. New course of study need to be phased in while old one that either no thirster interest students need to be phased out. Obviously I am not talking about effect classes such as Potions and spell, but elective.

"instructor also need to be kept up to date with recent findings in their field of view. They should not be teaching the same data I or my resister learned at Hogwarts. They should be teaching the newest valid information available-"

"Thank you, Ms. Laurentis, but your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

"My opposition brings up an interesting stop, but even she admits that Headmaster Kendrick is running an splendid school. I believe that some government regulation is necessary, example being hold up twelvemonth 's incident with prof Balladanis, but we as governance officials do not take in the training nor experience needed to properly run a school day. I, as well as my opposite, would be kidding ourselves if we believed we could do a better job running Hogwarts than Professor Kendrick.

"Just as professors most likely believe it easily to allow for law making and the run of the res publica to those such as my opposition and I, I believe it best to bequeath the track of Hogwarts to Professor Kendrick and the other prof. In conclusion, I believe that Hogwarts is fine as is and if the headmaster thought he needed government assistance bringing about alteration in curriculum he would ask."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"the moderator said."Ms. Laurentis, your rebuttal."

"I in no way stated that I am trying to run Hogwarts. Nor do I think I would do a serious job of it than prof Kendrick. I am merely stating that the educatee would benefit from more government intervention. If the Ministry had been more imply with teacher pick, for example, we could let possibly avoided hiring Professor Balladanis concluding year."

"Mr. Weasley."

"My opponent is speculating. There is no way for anyone to say whether government officials would have found Professor Balladanis to be an inappropriate prof during his interview. In fact, I would tilt towards the inverse, considering that neither I or my opponent have ever hired a prof before."

Both Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis were red in the face. Albus was surprised a Ministry shop at debate could get so heated. He craned his promontory and turned around in ordering to see what Kendrick 's chemical reaction to all this was, but found that Kendrick was hiding his emotions far considerably than either Percy or Laurentis. It also seemed that everyone in the room was paying rapturous attention, including King James and Lily. The only two people who were n't were Samantha and lindy.

There was one terminal question about law fashioning that Albus did n't really sympathise, nor did he care to translate. He was far more interested in the Hogwarts question. Walker Percy 's argument was far better, in his opinion. Hogwarts was fine the way it was. Why did Laurentis want to shift everything ? What sort of changes was she talking about, anyway ? He supposed the matter would be explored more specifically at the education themed debate which was scheduled to take post at Hogwarts the following month. But one thought process that Albus could not get out of his top dog was that if Laurentis won, what would occur to Hogwarts ?
******


"The only if change I want to see at Hogwarts is less homework and fewer examination,"John said as he walked with Albus and the rest of their friends to the Great Hall.

A week had passed since the maiden argumentation and students were still talking about the potential variety to Hogwarts. A very large wax Sir Frederick Handley Page spread had appeared in the Daily prophet the day after the debate, proclaiming that Laurentis wished to change Hogwarts. This had both bookman and professors up in subdivision and thing were only beginning to steady down. The prof had been on edge the previous week, snapping at scholar for nothing and assigning extra prep. This resulted in the students being very unhappy. Albus did not quite understand why everyone was letting it affect them so much. It 's not like Laurentis had won. Yet.

It was early on Saturday dawn and Albus and his admirer were heading to the Great Charles Martin Hall for the first Junior 's Dueling nightspot get together of the year. Albus 's nerves were on end. It was at this first group meeting that the captains would be announced.

"If Scorpius gets captain I 'm going to murder something,"lavatory muttered as they entered the Great Hall.

"You 're not even on his team,"Rose said.

"I am and I could n't brook it if he won,"Amanda pointed out.

"If he 's police chief, tournaments are going to be terribly,"John countered."Plus, I 'm Al 's friend."

The Great Hall was in people chaos, as it always was during the first meeting of the year. Two teams were congregated at each table and much to Albus 's disdain, his team was holding motor inn at the Slytherin board. He weaved his way through the broken second days who had yet to be assigned a team and stood next to his team. Scorpius was seated across the table from him.

"Well, Potter, ready to be under my captainship ?"Scorpius greeted him.

"I could say the Lapplander to you,"Albus replied."What makes you so trusted you 'll get it ?"

"I 'm the better dueler, obviously."Scorpius smirked.

"Quiet, smooth everyone !"Neville shouted.

Albus turned away from Scorpius and swallowed the desire to take a crap a seminal fluid back and paid attention to Neville instead. Professor Patil stood future to him. Albus supposed the new DoD professor had not had a desire to assist with the Dueling Club. Somehow, Albus was not surprised.

"Thank you,"Neville said."first-class honours degree I 'd care to announce that professor Patil has graciously agreed to help me sponsor this year 's Dueling Club. As a monitor, all team must suffer a professor present during practice and it is up to the team captain to ordinate practice times and turn up a prof to sit in. The professor does not throw to be myself or Professor Patil. However, this year we are allowing seventh year Dueling Club members to supervise as well. So as an choice, you may ask a seventh class to supervise.

"First monastic order of business is this year 's mo geezerhood. I 've already assigned you to team and shall now read off the list."

Albus let his mind wander while Neville read off the leaning. The solely second years he knew were his babe, and she was assigned to lusterlessness 's team, as well as Hugo, who was assigned to John and Kaden 's team. A craw of shy looking bit long time had congregated at his own team 's smirch and he smiled at them, encouraging them to take seats next to the older scholarly person. There were five of them. Two boys and three girls. Three Ravenclaws, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff. No Gryffindors, but Albus could exist with that.

"And now, what I am sure all the fourth twelvemonth have been waiting for, skipper announcements ! Let me prompt you that I, as well as the other professor who have been involved with this club have been watching you over the past two yr and have chosen not only exceptional duelers, but olympian leaders. Without further adieu.

"The captain of squad One is Marina Jordan-Bell."

Cheers erupted for Marina, mostly from the Hufflepuff table, where her squad was seated. Albus grinned. Marina was very nice and would arrive at an excellent captain.

"The police captain of squad Two is William Harvey Tucker."

John the Evangelist and Kaden 's team. William Harvey was a Ravenclaw and all Albus knew about him was that he knew every resolution in every unity class.

"The captain of team Three is St. Peter Smith."

A Hufflepuff. His father had attended school with Albus 's parents and they had n't liked him much.

"The captain of Team Four is Lydia Thompson."

A rather snobby Slytherin whom was often seen with Scorpio. Scorpius grinned and clapped loudly for her.

"The captain of Team Five is Jace Johnson."

rosebush 's team. Jace was a Hufflepuff who did n't look to ever be not happy. It was form of bizarre, actually.

"The captain of Team Six is Raisha Sweeney."

A Hufflepuff that Albus did n't love well. He swallowed hard. Team Seven was adjacent and that was his team.

"The maitre d' of team Seven is Albus Potter."

John 's whistling could be heard above everyone 's cheering. Albus grinned. His entire squad ( save for Scorpius and his friends ) were clapping hard. He 'd done it. He 'd made captain ! All the uncertainty he 'd had over the summer about it had disappeared. He, Albus potter, was the new captain of Team sevener.

"The captain of Team eight is Dayton Coons."

Matt 's squad. Dayton was another Ravenclaw who had multiple encyclopedias in his brain.

"That 's all for today. Captains, please build out a time for your first practice, which should ask place during the future two week. Once you have a engagement, please see me to get a classroom. Then find a prof or 7th year to supervise.

Scorpius did not say one Bible as Albus talked with the rest of his team and figured out a practice time that did not interfere with four dissimilar Quidditch teams, Gobstones golf-club, and chess game Club. Eventually he settled on the following Thursday eve. Neville assigned them to an empty schoolroom on the sixth flooring. Albus figured he 'd ask a seventh year to supervise rather than a professor. It was less intimidating for his get-go practice.

Albus 's friends joined him at the doorway to the Great Hall. Scorpius brushed past them, but did not say a word. He looked like he was cook to remove person. Albus thought he looked far too angry over a lost captainship. It was just the Jnr 's Dueling golf club anyway.

"Did Malfoy say anything to you ?"John asked on their way back to Gryffindor.

"Not a Logos,"Albus replied.

"Do n't think about him,"Rose said."What 's the degree ? You made captain and that 's all that matters."

Albus grinned."Most of the captains are pretty decent, too. I mean Lydia 's kind of irritating, but the repose are n't bad."

"It 's going to be a unspoiled year for dueling, that 's for sure,"Matt agreed.

The six friends discussed dueling all the way back to the common room. When they entered they saw a sign that said 'Congratulations Albus and Marina !'Unopened butterbeers cluttered one of the tables and all of Albus 's cousin were cracking them undetermined. Marina was surrounded by her friends and Albus was accosted by his full cousin as soon as he entered. someone thrust a butterbeer into his hand and patted him on the rear. He smiled as he looked out at the rough-cut room, at the party that his cousin-german had thrown together for himself and Marina. Matt was not only right about the fact that it would be a good twelvemonth for dueling. It was going to be a good year in general.


A/N : So I bet you 're all confused about the name change ! Well, I 've been doing some thinking and a plot change was needed. The chapters that are already posted wo n't be affected. The alteration only affects what I have n't written yet. But the old title was n't going to knead with the new plot of land, so I had to change it. I like the new one bettor anyway. And do n't worry, Percy will still run for rector. Actually, the new plot focuses more on that.

To respond in approach, because I know this will come up, I wo n't tell what the old secret plan was going to be. I 'd rather people not liken the old plot of ground with the one that will actually be written.

If any of you are on the forums, you 'll know about the calamity we had finale workweek. Liza Potter on the archives ( and lizzacc on the assembly ) has died. She was a fan of my Albus serial publication and told me once that they were the for the first time stories she ever read on HPFF. She will be missed. I am dedicating this story to you, Mugil liza.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The next day Albus found himself on the Quidditch sales pitch staring at all of the new Gryffindor Keeper aspirer. There were a lot of them. Try-outs were scheduled to begin in fifteen proceedings, yet the pitch had been packed since before lunch. Albus speculated that some hopefuls, including Hugo, had not even taken a fault for lunch. Poor Victor-Marie Hugo need n't have bothered skipping his meal since even an extra half hour of practice would not have helped him.

student from minute through 7th class were hoping for a fleck on the squad, including Janie Creevey. Albus recognized most of them, but there were a few older students whom he did not. Along with the Gryffindors, there were representatives from former squad, surely there to condition out Gryffindor 's new Keeper.

Albus stood on the pitch a few cadence from the bunch, with his team. Fred was holding a clipboard and Heather was standing next to him, gazing out at the scholarly person hoping for a spot. Epistle of James, Bradley, and Ryan were laughing about something.

"silence, please, everyone !"Fred shouted. The Gryffindors immediately settled down. A few flew back down to the ground and dismounted, some not very gracefully."Thank you. We only need a custodian this year. And if you ca n't celebrate, you 're not going to get on the team. If you 're hoping to get in as Keeper and then take another 's daub when they graduate, you might as well not consume your time."

Wow, Albus thought to himself, Fred was channeling both GA and Samantha Meyers. Usually he would joke around at try-outs, but Albus supposed since he was now in charge, things had changed.

A few of the jr. educatee walked slowly off the sales talk and into the stand, looking clearly disappointed.

"All right then, I 'm going to have you fly around the pitch to evaluate your introductory flying skills. If you 're not up to par on that, you 'll be eliminated. Then we 'll move on to guarding the end posts."

Albus stood back while Fred had the hopefuls fly circle around the sales talk. Quite a few could not even get by to fly straight or execute turns properly. About a quarter of them were eliminated during the first ten hour. half of the remaining Gryffindors were eliminated within the first-class honours degree ten arcminute of end keeping, including Hugo. He hung his oral sex as he walked to the stands, ling trailing behind him. Albus felt bad for him.

The rest of the of the scholar took thirster to eliminate. After about an hour the measure had been narrowed down to ten and they all seemed to be exchangeable in skill.

"I think the lone fair way to do this is to eliminate anyone who misses a save. Last one standing, er, flying, gets the point,"Fred announced.

It took another one-half hour to finish up the try-outs. To Albus 's surprise, the victor was Janie Creevey. Albus had had no melodic theme that she even played Quidditch until he saw her at the try-outs. She grinned as she dismounted from her broom and accepted the congratulations from the rest of the team.

"Nice to have another girl,"heather said."I thought I 'd be the only if one after Peach State left."

"I thought your cousin Victor Hugo would get picked,"Ryan replied."Who knew he was the only Weasley who ca n't play Quidditch ?"

"have you seen Rose on a broom ?"Albus asked.

Janie grinned."I 've played since I was petty. So happy to own won the bit. When 's first practice ?"

"Right now,"Fred said."We 've got the pitch all afternoon."

Albus sighed. Fred was turning into Sakartvelo. But Albus enjoyed Quidditch and it was a shining and sunny day, so it would n't be bad.

Practice lasted a few hours and Albus was thoroughly exhausted by the time it was over. He immediately went back to his dormitory to take a exhibitioner and then set off to locate his protagonist. Dinner would be served shortly and Albus was starved.

Albus 's ally were in the Marauder 's Den, just where he had predicted when he did n't see them in the Gryffindor rough-cut room when he had traipsed through after practice. John and Kaden were playing chess and Kaden was trouncing Gospel According to John, like usual. rose wine and Amanda were sitting on the couch discussing an essay that Cedonia had assigned the previous week. lusterlessness was not there since the full moonshine had been the previous night.

"Albus !"bathroom exclaimed after Al had shut the threshold."So, who 's the new Gryffindor steward ?"

"You 're never gon na consider it, but Janie Creevey,"Albus answered as he collapsed onto a nearby chair."Apparently she has been playing Quidditch for eld and was just waiting for the custodian side to open."

"Seriously ?"John asked."She never mentioned it all these year that we 've been brewing potions together."

"She 's probably too busy making sure you do n't botch anything up,"Rose replied.

"Hey, I 'm better than Al and mat are,"John muttered.

"Speaking of lustrelessness, have you lot been to see him today ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, but he was asleep so lady Pomfrey did n't let us stick around. Figured we 'd go after supper,"John answered.

"Let 's get going now,"Albus said, standing up."Should be starting soon."

Everyone nodded in agreement and they set off towards the Great G. Stanley Hall. The corridors were filled with scholarly person who had spent the day open air and Albus felt very content walking alongside his friends, despite how every single one of his muscles ached from recitation.

"Shhhh, flavour !"John seethed as he grabbed the back of Albus 's shirt and pulled him into a doorway. Kaden, blush wine, and Amanda followed, all looking curiously at John.

"What is it ?"Rose asked.

"Shush !"St. John the Apostle whispered."It 's Scorpius and Willinson 's cousin. What was his figure again ?"

"Felix,"Kaden muttered."Slimy git."

"Who 's that with them ?"Amanda asked.

Albus craned his chief around the door figure. Scorpio and Felix were standing succeeding to a few suits of armour, heads leaned in towards each other. There was a female child about a principal poor than Scorpio with them. She and Felix had the same color hair, except hers was long and curly.

"She 's a first class. I remember seeing her a the Sorting but I do n't remember her gens,"rose wine answered.

"I have half a mind to save her from the two of them,"Saint John the Apostle muttered."She 'd be in effect off not getting mixed up with the like of them."

"She 's a Slytherin,"Amanda pointed out."She could be just like them for all we know."

Scorpio began walking down the corridor and Felix and the lady friend followed. Albus and his friends watched them until they turned a corner, disappearing out of sight.

"Wyrd,"Albus said as they began walking to dinner once more."I 've never seen Malfoy befriending first years, except for Willinson when he came here."

"You 're paranoid,"rosebush said."They were just talking and they 're in the same household. Maybe she had a question or something."

"He 's Malfoy,"Albus responded."He 's up to something."

"Oh Merlin."Rose let out an exacerbate sigh."Two calendar week into the term and you 're already picking a row with him."

"Remember finis yr ?"Albus asked."I 'm only trying to avoid something like that again."

"Fine. But I 'm not getting involved,"Rose muttered.

Albus walked in silence the rest of the way to the Great foyer. Rose may have got been right. Albus may receive just been being paranoid, but deep down he had a smell that Malfoy and Willinson were n't just talking about homework.
******


matte returned from the hospital wing two days later and the month wore on in its common way. The professor were assigning more and more than homework and it took longer and longer to finish.

Once October arrived turmoil began to brew when the first Hogsmeade weekend was announced. The visit was scheduled for the Saturday before Halloween and Kaden in particular proposition was very excited. He never did manage to make it to Hogsmeade under the invisibility Cloak the late year.

Albus 's inaugural dueling practice had gone particularly well. Albus had been pleasantly surprised. Even Scorpio had cooperated and done what Albus had told him to do, although that may feature been solely because Professor Cedonia had been present during the practice. His team was shaping up well and he had senior high hopes for them winning many tournament. Quidditch had been going equally as well. Janie had fit seamlessly into their team.

Albus wished he could say thing were going equally well for the election. Ever since the first public debate various magazines and wireless shows had been latching onto Percy 's command about teaching and his lack of willingness to commute, as they had put it.

"Dad 's really stressed,"Tom Bradley said one night at dinner. The Weasleys and ceramicist were all eating together in rules of order to discuss the election."Does n't spell us as much and when he does it 's always about the election."

"Not to observe the five Page gap that thaumaturge powder magazine is doing about our kin,"Cedric muttered as he gnawed on a turkey leg."That 's sure to fuel the fire."

"When is that ?"Albus asked.

"Tomorrow,"Bradley answered."Only proficient constituent is we got permit to overleap all of our classes."

"Is it really going to be five Sir Frederick Handley Page ?"James IV asked."What are they going to put in it ?"

"Dad 's life-time story,"Cedric answered."Plus a few paragraphs on each of us and Mum about our lifetime. Just a glad article about how we all love each other and Dad 's a family man. That 's what his campaign manager wants to portray him as seeing that Laurentis does n't consume any kids."

"And Uncle Harry Hotspur has a whole lot,"James II pointed out.

"Hey, you lot secure vigil out. When Dad told us about this he mentioned that they 're going to do another on the entire Weasley-Potter tribe,"Cedric announced.

"Did he say when ?"James asked.

"Around Christmas, I think. Adds to the happy crime syndicate atmosphere,"Cedric explained.

"Then they ought to interview Uncle George when he 's had a bit too a great deal eggnog."William James laughed.

"When 's the following debate, anyway ?"Albus asked."Must be coming up soon."

"This weekend, actually,"Bradley replied."At the Ministry again. I think this one 's focusing on law institution and enforcement or something equally as boring."

"Do we have to go to it ?"Lily asked.

"I do n't think so,"King James I answered."Dad said we just had to go to the ace at Hogwarts from now on."

"Speaking of elections, what does everyone think of that political sympathies class ?"Albus asked.

"Professor 's very intense,"St. James the Apostle said in between raciness."But it 's not nearly as awful as the other form. There 's no O.W.L. in it so it 's my flow favorite."

"Yeah and I think we 're at an advantage,"Cedric said."With our parents being in the Ministry and material. A few of my Friend have absolutely no idea about anything to do with the Ministry so they 're having a hard time."

Professor Embry seemed to be teaching the class in chronological Order and thus was currently lecturing on how the Ministry was organized prior to the fall of Voldemort. Albus thought it was a lilliputian oil production but he had a smell it would get more interesting once Embry started on the fall of Voldemort.

"And that 's why the class is requirement,"Rose said."Think about it. No social class like this has been taught before, so where did the current Ministry functionary learn the history of the Ministry ? Where did they learn about politics ? They learned it as they went, but did n't know much when they started. That 's a little scarey. the great unwashed should know how their land is run."

Albus thought about what rosiness had said as he chewed on his bankroll. She had a good gunpoint. Where had they learned it ? Had his Uncle Hotspur really known nothing about the Ministry when he started ? No, he could n't have. Percy 's own father had been in the Ministry as well. Still, it was eldritch to reckon about.

Albus mostly listened during the residue of dinner. He always felt slightly unsettled when the election was discussed and he was n't trusted why. Nor could he figure out whether he wanted Hotspur to win or not. Either way, life would be drastically different after Election Day, and Albus liked things the way they were.
******


"Now she wants to change Azkaban ?"Albus asked at breakfast a few daylight later. The law enforcement debate had taken place the Nox before and the entire forepart Page of the Prophet was devoted to it."Is n't changing Hogwarts enough ?"

Ministry hopefuls Percy Weasley and
Patricia Laurentis debated law creation
and enforcement last-place night at the Ministry
of Magic. Like the previous cosmopolitan debate,
sparks flew in this one, with each candidate
speaking passionately about the topic.

'I 've worked in law founding for years ,'
Weasley began with. 'Since the frustration
of Voldemort, I think we can all accord that
things are running smoothly. I intend to
ensure that affair keep open going the way they
are, with enforcement of Torah that benefit
the total wizarding biotic community .'

Laurentis took a more radical stance, in
her response to Weasley 's opinions.

'Sure, the laws we have now are sufficient.
I 'm not denying that. But I think we need
to take a near hard looking at how they are
enforced, or rather, not enforced. The
statistics are clear. Far more malefactor
are being acquitted and even more than are
being released from Azkaban. In my work
at the prison, I see many criminals being
released whom I do not think should be.
Not to mention the break-outs. There are
far too many. Law enforcement motive to change .'

Without a uncertainty, things are only going to
oestrus up. The candidates seem to hold
completely different opinion on everything
from pedagogy to laws. The next debate,
which will be on Education, will lead place
at Hogwarts on Sat, Nov the 9th at
two in the afternoon.

"Does n't she run Azkaban ?"mat asked, taking the composition from Albus."So why has n't she changed it already ?"

"Probably does n't have the power,"rose answered."The Minister has to sign off on most matter, unless all representatives and functionary disagree with him or her."

"So clearly there 's people who do n't agree with her,"flatness replied.

"Think they 'll ever correspond with each other ?"Albus asked.

"Doubt it,"Amanda said."It 's like this in the Muggle elections, too. They 're usually complete opposites. What I do n't understand is how she 's working under Hartwell when he and your uncle hold on everything."

"Me either,"rose wine agreed."Guess we 're watching the next debate."

"Yeah, it 'll be here,"matte said."Embry will probably score us do an essay on it, too."

"It wo n't be bad,"Rose said."That will be the public debate that will directly impact us. The election 's in April which means we 're going to have over three years of Hogwarts under whichever campaigner is elected. If it 's Laurentis, all those changes are going to affect us."

Bradley sat down next to Albus and threw a copy of Wizards magazine onto the table."clause 's out."

"That was fast,"Albus said.

"They wanted it to be out right around the debate,"Thomas Bradley muttered."You really ought to take it. It 's awful."

"Rita Skeeter did n't do it, did she ?"Albus asked.

Thomas Bradley shook his head."This lady 's almost forged. confidence me."

Rose, Amanda, John, Matt, and Kaden crowded around Albus as he flipped through the cartridge. The article was in the middle, with the two pages being a full semblance picture of Uncle Percy, Aunt Corrine, and their minor. Percy and Corrine were sitting on their life room couch, with Sakartvelo in between them. All three were smiling and waving. Bradley and Cedric were leaning on either side of the couch and the twins were sitting in straw man of it. Albus flipped the Thomas Nelson Page and saw a very lengthy article, interspersed with various pictures of his kinsfolk and boxes about each of those five first cousin. The article finished up on the conform to varlet.

Upon entering the plate of Minister of conjuring trick
campaigner Percy Weasley 's Southampton home
I am surprise to see that it does not face
like the home of a Ministry candidate. It is
not filled with piles and piles of written document and
Weasley 's campaign manager is nowhere to be
found. Instead, the storey is cluttered with
toys belonging to the youngest Weasley nipper,
nine-year-old twins, Samantha and Lindy. A
plate of affectionate cookies sits upon the coffee
table and Weasley 's wife, Corrine, bustles
into the room carrying a tray of tea. Percy
enters as well, followed by the five Weasley
children.

'I prefer to keep the drive at the Ministry ,'
Percy explains after I ask where his movement
textile are. 'The run is work. It is my
job. The family is for my menage .'

"Really ?"Rose raised her eyebrow."She should 've seen his cogitation. That 's where all his political campaign stuff is."

The article went on to talk about Percy and his fathering science. Albus grew More and more disgusted as it went on. Percy had and always would be a workaholic, but the article was painting him to be father of the yr. No admiration Thomas Bradley had not been pleased when giving Albus the article.

'I could not be more gallant of GA ,'
Percy said, speaking of his eldest girl,
who currently plays as reticence Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I 've been to a
issue of her mates and it is authorise
that she could throw a recollective career in
Quidditch .'

"What a encumbrance of dung !"Albus exclaimed."Uncle Percy has never once agreed with Sakartvelo 's Quidditch career."

"Did he actually say that or was that reporter just saying he did ?"Matt asked.

"Oh he said it,"Bradley, who had taken a seat a short ways down the board, answered."Not that he really thinks it."

Albus had had enough of the primary clause. His optic glanced across the page and rested upon the small box that discussed Georgia.

Georgia Weasley, the firstborn daughter
of Percy and Corrine, is 18 and
currently plays Reserve Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I love
Quidditch ,'Georgia said when the
topic was brought up. 'It 's freeing
and I look forward to playing for
Kenmare as a entire Keeper one day .'
Georgia 's dream is to encounter for England.

Next to Sakartvelo 's box there was one for Bradley.

Bradley Weasley, the eldest son of
Harry Hotspur and Corrine, is currently in
his sixth year at Hogwarts. He plays
Beater on Gryffindor 's Quidditch team.
'I like Quiditch, but I do n't want to
play professionally like Sakartvelo. I
want to work for Gringotts some day .'

Then there was one for Cedric.

Cedric Weasley is in his fifth year
at Hogwarts and is the hoaxer of
the class. 'Every Weasley family
has to have someone who will play the
jokes. It 's like a regulation or something.
I come up with the right approximation when I 'm
with my cousin James [ Potter ] .'Upon
asking Cedric what he wants to do after
Hogwarts, he replied, 'Have n't got a clue.
I think I 'll focalise on getting through
my O.W.L.s first .'

The final box was for both Samantha and Lindy.

Samantha and Linda ( lindy hop ) Weasley are
nine years old and attend a local
primary shoal for Muggles. Both twins
ca n't waitress to move into Hogwarts in two
years .'I 'm going to be in Gryffindor,
just like my sister and blood brother ,'says
Samantha .'I do n't manage what house I 'm
in, just as long as I can wreak Quidditch.
fountainhead, okay, I do n't want to be in Slytherin .'

"That,"Albus began as he set down the magazine,"was the big article I 've ever read in my life."

"I shudder to think what the one about our entire family line will be like,"Rose muttered.

"Nah,"John said."That one will be better because they wo n't birth to take a leak as practically up. Albus 's dad saved the unhurt wizarding world. They 'll just play that up."

"It was n't only him,"Albus pointed out."Are people really going to conceive all this ?"

Amanda nodded."Yeah, they will. They know nothing about your uncle 's syndicate. Sure, they know all about your dad, but really, how much do they bed about Percy ? Not much. They 're going to need to believe it and why should n't they ? They have no idea Walker Percy does n't approve of Georgia 's Quidditch career. It 's the Lapp as in the Muggle world.

"It would be nice if people voted on candidates who shared their Sami panorama, but it honestly comes down to who presents the outflank campaign. People are n't going to want mortal in power who has yield with his own family."

"That 's stunned,"Kaden replied."gladiolus my family line 's not involved with politics."

"My family is your family,"Albus pointed out.

"But I 'm not related to your Uncle Percy."

"You still call him Uncle Sir Henry Percy,"Albus said.

"Because he basically is. He 's just not my line of descent uncle."

"wellspring, I can honestly say my family 's not in politics and I 'm very gladiolus about that,"St. John said.

Albus could not imagine life without having family involved with the Ministry, but suddenly he felt slightly jealous of John. What would it have been like to deliver parents who were n't celebrated ?


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this story ! You bozo are all awesome. Just as another reminder, I ca n't reply to reexamine while I am home base for the summer, but I read every I one. If you have some sort of question that you need answered about my narration, please use my Ask the Author Thomas Nelson Page at the forums or charge me a PM there.

I have another chapter ready to go so that should be up shortly after I return from holiday next week. Hope everyone enjoys Deathly Hallows 2 this week !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The following week brought a storm so long and so acute that Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had to be canceled for the second half of the week. It was thoroughly out of the question to take the air outside without being doubled over by the wind and the youthful scholarly person could not walk without being blown away. The rain was also so heavy that one would get blotto within two minutes. The scholarly person secretly rejoiced, for the supererogatory justify periods were helpful to all.

It remained so showery and windy that even Quidditch praxis had to be canceled on Sat. Not that Fred would get canceled it himself, but Kendrick announced a ban on going out of doorway until the storm let up. Fred lamented this fact all of Friday eventide and contemplated holding a strategy session in the common room instead, but broom convinced him just to let it go.

Albus decided to take the opportunity to spend the day at the library, something that John and Kaden reluctantly agreed with. Matt and Amanda joined them as well, for they had stack of preparation as well. Rose had mentioned something about tutoring a unseasoned student and run off shortly after breakfast.

The library was absolutely packed with scholar, to the highest degree likely due to the atmospheric condition and not a burning desire of the Hogwarts population to analyze, and it took a good five minute of arc for Albus and his friends to locate an discharge table. It was a lot louder than usual and lady Pince was glaring at each board of educatee in twist.

Albus set his pile of books down and got to cultivate on a Potions essay that was due the follow hebdomad. He had n't started it, of trend, but he had a few daytime to do it. He thought he was ahead of the game anyway since he 'd normally be at Quidditch practice session and not even thinking about preparation.

John and Kaden, as usual, were ineffectual to get started on their preparation right away and were scolded by lady Pince twice before finally opening their books. Amanda immediately set to work on the same essay Albus was working on. lusterlessness cracked receptive his appealingness text but stared at the same page for five minutes before Albus noticed that his eyes had glazed over. The October to the full moon was the following night, so Albus was not surprised.

"This is dead boring,"trick muttered after they 'd been studying for an hour."political sympathies back before Voldemort is pointless. It 's completely dissimilar now, so why do we postulate to bother reading it ?"

"So we do n't make the same misunderstanding,"Amanda said without looking up from her parchment."Simple, really."

"You 're channeling rosebush now,"John stated.

"somebody has to when she 's not here,"Amanda said.

"Would you rather do my Divination predictions ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah !"John exclaimed."Let 's see, how about you get blown away by the wind while you 're ignoring Kendrick 's rule against going outside ?"

"perfect. That 'd be something I 'd do,"Kaden said as he scrawled it down."And then I can fare down with a smutty cold after being outside in the pelting so long."

Albus rolled his eyes. The two of them had been insane to take soothsaying in the kickoff home, but at least they seemed to enjoy making up their fake foretelling. Albus grinned to himself as John and Kaden snorted into their parchment, laughing over some ridiculous prediction.

An hour later Albus had finished his essay, as had Amanda. The two of them had moved on to Transfiguration recitation. John and Kaden had given up on homework and were planning an work out harlequinade that involved a poulet, birdseed, and the Slytherin common elbow room. mat had been dozing on his magic spell Bible. Albus prodded him awake.

"How 's Charms ?"Albus asked, grinning.

"Oh, er ..."matt glanced at his book and quickly wiped it with the arm of his robe."Great, really. Think I 'll channelize to the Den, actually."

Albus nodded."I 'll be there in a bit. Want to get some of this reading done."

john and Kaden rose to join Matt. They 'd been yelled at two more times and figured they 'd do best to plan in the Den.

"Wait,"John said when he was only a few feet from the table."Is that pink wine ?"He pointed to a foreland of shaggy red hair at a nearby table."Who 's she with ? Is that-"He walked across the elbow room and hid behind a book ledge to get a closer look.

Albus craned his headland. rose was sitting with a minuscule young woman. John returned a few seconds later.

"I thought so. It 's that girl we saw with Malfoy and Willinson a few weeks ago."

"wait, that Slytherin first year ?"Albus asked. He 'd nearly forgotten about her, finally deciding that Scorpius probably was n't up to anything that involved her.

"Yeah, that 's her all right,"John said."What 's rebel doing with her ?"

"She 's tutoring someone. moldiness be her,"Albus pointed out.

"Weird. Tutoring a Slytherin,"John Lackland replied.

"What 's it matter ?"flatness snapped."No point in standing here watching them. I 'm going to the Den."He hiked his bag up on his shoulder joint and headed for the threshold, not waiting for St. John the Apostle and Kaden.

"What 's with him ?"John asked.

"You know what 's tomorrow. And honestly, what 's it matter if she 's tutoring that girl ?"Albus asked.

"You thought it meant something that she was with Scorpius but this you do n't care about ?"

"It 's the Hogwarts tutoring program. I do n't call back you get to control who you tutor,"Albus explained.

"I suppose."Saint John sighed."Well, see you in a bit."

"See you,"Albus said as John and Kaden left.

Albus and Amanda studied for another minute before joining their friends in the vulture 's Den. John and Kaden were having a serious discourse on how they were going to obtain a poulet and lustrelessness was voice asleep on the couch. Albus and Amanda settled down with a deck of cards of Exploding Snap and played round after round while listening to whoremaster and Kaden.

"I still say it 'll be easier to have an older student transfigure something into a chicken,"Kaden said a full XX minutes later."I 'll bet one of Albus 's cousin will do it."

"Yeah, but I want this to be our prank. We could just go rent one of the crybaby from Hagrid 's chicken henhouse,"lavatory replied.

"More chance of getting caught. No one 's going to surmise if one of Al 's cousins is practicing their metamorphosis. But sneaking a chicken into the rook ? They 're fairly gimcrack with their squawking."

"Where 's the fun in no chance of getting caught ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"There will be plenty of chance of getting caught when we 're getting into the Slytherin common room. Merlin only knows how we 're going to oversee that."

The door opened and rosiness walked in."Why are you lot trying to get into the Slytherin common room ?"

"You do n't want to bang,"Amanda said."One of their pranks."

Rose rolled her eyes and sat down next to Amanda, picking up a few cards to join in on the next round.

"How was tutoring ?"lav asked, abandoning the matter of chickens.

"amercement,"Rose answered."Same as always."

"How did you even get into tutoring ?"John replied.

"Why ? You want to tutor ?"Rose smirked.

whoremonger laughed."Definitely not. Just curious."

"Professor Longbottom contacted me over the summer. Fourth long time and above can be in the tutoring program. The professor match you up with younger scholar and I 've been tutoring a first yr for a few weeks now."

"Yeah,"whoremonger said as he got up and walked over to where rosiness was sitting."We saw you earlier. That daughter you 're tutoring ? That 's the Same girl that Malfoy and Willinson were talking to a few hebdomad ago."

"Wait, that one sentence that you and Al thought they were up to something ?"

"Yeah that time. I was just wondering who she was."

Rose sighed."She 's Willinson 's little sister. Her name 's Elsie. She 's really skillful, actually. Quiet, does n't appear much like a Slytherin to me but her entirely family 's been in Slytherin."

"Oh,"Gospel According to John said."Guess that 's why she was with Willinson and Malfoy. What do you tutor her in ?"

"Bit of everything,"rose answered."You lot desire to go to dinner ?"

Everyone, except matte, who just wanted to sleep, agreed and they headed down to the Great Hall. Rose had been right. Nothing wary about Willinson 's sister tagging after him and Scorpius. Albus 's instincts had been wrong on that occasion.
******


Never in Albus 's lifetime did he ever think there would be a professor who could top prof Binns in terms of boring stratum. But Professor Edward Young had done the inconceivable. Twice a week Albus and his friend traipsed to Young 's classroom to work on a single worksheet. Young did aught else, except script out worksheets. Said worksheets did not even take an total family period to complete, resulting in students using the remaining time to becharm up on other homework, something that Cy Young neglected to notice. The only good part about the class was that Young never assigned preparation.

"You think he 'll last the yr ?"matt asked as they were leaving Young 's classroom.

"Do n't see why not,"Albus answered."Unless Laurentis is elected Minister and deems him disqualify to teach."

"He does n't really learn,"rosiness pointed out.

"But still, he 's comfortably than Balladanis,"lustrelessness reasoned.

The rest of Albus 's classes were becoming, although most assigned too much preparation for his liking, but that was not anything new. As the end of October drew nearer, Albus became very excited about the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. It would be the 1st clock time that all of Albus 's friends would get to go together and possibly the last, given how in use everyone was this year.

Albus nearly did not get to go to Hogsmeade when the day finally arrived. Fred had sprung an extra Quidditch practice on that day in order to throw up for the missed practices due to the storm. However, the entire team was outraged and Heather threatened to hex Fred if he did not rescind the practice. Albus was very relieved as it was a nice day and perfect tense for Hogsmeade.

"I 've got to get a new large number of dungbombs,"Kaden said as they walked down the way from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade."Used them up ages ago."

"That the inner circle I sent you over the summer ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Sure is. Did n't finis too long."

"I need another Skiving Snackbox,"John the Divine announced."And loads of early stuff from Weasleys'."

"And we need to go buy bird cum if we 're going to do that put-on,"Kaden reminded him.

Albus and matte exchanged looking at. John and Kaden had finally agreed to ask one of Albus 's previous cousin to glorify them a chicken that they would then somehow sneak into the Slytherin park room. The birdseed was to scatter throughout the seat in parliamentary procedure to rag the Slytherins even more.

"You two enjoy that,"Rose said."And do n't come complaining to us when you get a month of detention, because there 's no possible way you can cabbage into the Slytherin mutual room without getting caught."

"We 'll take in Albus 's cloak, obviously,"Kaden said.

"When are you going to do it ?"Albus asked.

"Around Allhallows Eve,"John answered.

"Idiots,"rose muttered.

Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes was packed with students. Being the first Hogsmeade weekend, most students had a serious lack of pranking Cartesian product and needed to stock up. George was behind the heel counter ringing up purchase after purchase and waved at Albus as he walked in with his Quaker. They quickly scattered, each heading towards the display that contained what they needed.

Albus wandered towards the Skiving Snackboxes and grabbed two, figuring that he would demand to get out of DoD at least once and History of deception a few meter a month. John and Kaden each had about five boxful and matte watched with a gross out look on his cheek. Since he missed at least a day or two of classes a month due to his lycanthropy, he never understood why anyone would make themselves ill to do so.

"Should 've gone there last,"John said as he lugged his travelling bag to the Three Broomsticks.

"Yeah, must call back that for succeeding meter,"Kaden agreed."But now, off to give birth a Butterbeer !"

Albus smiled. His cousin had had Butterbeer before when mass snuck it back to the Gryffindor green room, but he 'd never had it in Hogsmeade before.

The Three broom handle was crowded, but Matt managed to grab a board in the back. rose set off to get them all Butterbeers. They had been there for about 15 instant before Scorpio showed up, followed by Garth Octavius, Xavier Goyle, Felix Willinson, and Elsie Willinson. Scorpius surveyed the room and his eye rested upon Albus. Smirking, he sauntered over towards them.

"Potter,"Malfoy greeted him. He nodded to each of Albus 's friends, glaring at matt, and then turned back to Albus."I expect you lot are ready to duel succeeding weekend."

"track we are,"Albus answered."The team 's plenty prepared. Last pattern on Thursday."

"I 'll be there,"Scorpius replied."And I 'll be ready to carry the team on Saturday since the rest of our team could n't win a duel against a first year."

"Shut it. Our team is exquisitely,"Albus said coldly.

"Maybe if they had a in good order captain ..."Scorpio 's voice trailed off."But the professors love anyone whose hold up gens is Potter or Weasley, just like everyone else in the world."

"They chose based on accomplishment,"Albus replied, staring him in the eye."Not name. Rose did n't make senior pilot and she 's a Weasley."

"But you 're a ceramist and you get everything because your dad is the Boy Who Lived,"Scorpius spat, ignoring Albus 's comment."But I 've got tidings for you. Not everyone in the world likes that your total household runs the wizarding world and that nothing gets done without one of them signing off on it. Not everyone 's going to vote for your uncle, you know."

"Obviously,"Albus replied."And just so you know my class may be involved with the Ministry but it 's only because they want to aid the great unwashed. And they 're only there because people voted for them."

"No one voted for your dad,"Scorpio muttered. Then he turned to matte."Or yours."

"people voted for Hartwell, who appointed them,"Albus said."And your dad works in the Ministry, too."

"That 's not the point."Scorpius took a gradation closer to Albus."The tip is that your sept might not be running this country much longer. So you 'd better ticker out."

Scorpius turned to leave and his friends followed."My household does n't run the world !"Albus shouted after him.

Albus resumed his bum after Malfoy left, not even realizing that he had rose from it in the first station."He 's just so stupid !"Albus exclaimed."My family does n't run the country."

"He 's just jealous,"Amanda said."You got made maitre d' of our team and he hates that. Your dad 's famous and he 's jealous of that."

"His dad 's famous too,"Albus said darkly."Just for the incorrectly reasons."

"And Scorpius probably wishes his dad was famous for the right reasons,"Amanda replied.

"Do n't see why. Having a famous dad is n't always a good thing,"Albus muttered.

"Just ignore him,"rosiness said."He 's just trying to get you tempestuous with him."

"Clearly Kendrick 's threats have worn off,"Matt said quietly."I liked it in September when he just sort of ignored us."

"It does n't mean he 's going to tell anyone,"rose wine whispered."He 's just looking for a fight."

"It does n't matter what he 's looking for. One slickness of the spit is all it takes and my spirit at Hogwarts is done."

"And so would his,"Albus reminded his supporter."Being at Hogwarts, becoming a certify wizard, is everything to a Malfoy. He 'd be nil more than a Squib if he were expelled."

"I guess."Matt sighed."What do you think he stand for by your family line not being in charge of the wizarding world much longer ?"

"Probably thinks Laurentis is going to win."Albus shrugged."But that wo n't mean much. My dad will still be in charge of the Auror department."

"No,"Rose whispered."Have n't you been paying attending in government ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said, staring at her."What do you mean ?"

"okey, I guess Embry has n't really discussed it yet but I read ahead in the book. New Ministers can nominate new drumhead of the section if they want to. nearly do n't because so many new the great unwashed makes for a bad transition catamenia, but it 's happened a few times. If Laurentis wins, she could replace Uncle Harry,"Rose explained.

"Wait, seriously ?"Albus 's backtalk fell open.

pink wine nodded."Seriously."

"And my dad, too,"Matt said.

"Yeah, yours, too,"Rose replied.

Albus stared at his half-finished Butterbeer. Having a new Minister was one thing, but having new fountainhead of all the department ? The Ministry would be run in a completely unlike way. Nothing would stay the same. Nobody would replace Harry thrower as school principal of the Auror section, though, would they ?

"No."Albus shook his capitulum."No one would supervene upon my dad. He 's a great Auror."

"He 's a great Auror, that 's true,"Rose agreed,"but cracking is an thought. Hartwell thinks he 's a large Auror. Uncle Hotspur undoubtedly thinks he 's a smashing Auror. But if Laurentis gets elected, none of that will matter. All that will count is whether she think he 's a with child Auror. And the dubiousness is, does she ?"

Albus swallowed."But that would mean my dad would be out of a job."

"No, he 'd just go back to being a regular Auror,"pink wine said."face, you do n't need to worry about it. I 'm sure Uncle Harry knows this."

"They do n't do that in Australia. All the heads have term like the parson. When their term is up, the stream Minister can replace them or continue them, but they ca n't get replaced when their term is n't up. Unless there 's a scandal and they have a audition. Like with my dad."

"Does n't seem reasonable,"Albus said.

"It works both way of life. If Uncle Percy wins he 'll get to replace who he wants and he 'll no doubt exchange Laurentis,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm surprise Hartwell has n't done that,"Gospel According to John said.

"She 's probably kept quiet about her vox populi so she could preserve her status while running,"Amanda replied.

"So why does n't he replace her now ?"Saint John asked.

"It would look bad. Remember, half of politics is how you look to the public,"Amanda said."Which is why according to the Muggle Ministry, I attend a seclude boarding school in the United res publica, just in subject anyone asks why the Minister 's niece disappears for to the highest degree of the year. Which they have n't. Yet."

Albus shook his headway."It 's so confusing. I do n't have a go at it how anyone keeps track of it."

"Luckily we do n't have to,"Kaden said."Let 's go to Honeyduke 's. I think we could all use with some chocolate."


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! Also big thanks to darkladyofslytherin and onestop hpfan18 because this chapter is the outcome of Word wars with them. You two are awesome ! HPFF now loads properly on my Internet and I am able to respond to go over, so I 'm slowly working through them. sustain a flavour out for responses !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"I say we do it on Hallowe'en,"Kaden said adamantly while inspecting person Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor noggin and tossing the nasty I into a spate on the floor.

"That 's pudden-head,"John Lackland countered."Everyone 's going to be expecting a prank on Halloween. We should do it the day before."

"Why not Saturday ?"Albus suggested, glancing up from the last minute essay he was working on."Maybe it 'll rattle them enough that they 'll drop off the match."

The first Quidditch equal of the season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was scheduled to take place on Saturday, two days after Halloween.

"Again, the Prefects and professor will be expecting it,"John said.

"Why ?"Albus asked."We 've never pranked them before a catch before, have we ?"

"You know, I really ca n't remember."

"Clearly a star sign you 've pranked them too much,"Rose pointed out.

Albus and the rest of his friends were in the predator 's Den, attempting to decide on a day to put the chickens and chicken provender in the Slytherin mutual room. They 'd been arguing for a half hr and had n't agreed on anything. Albus and lustrelessness, who had been leery on whether to participate in the prank at all, had decided that they would function as look-outs while john and Kaden snuck into the mutual way.

"I think Wednesday would be a good option. Wednesday Night. We 've got to do it really late, though. The for the first time years have Astronomy on Wed, so we have to wait until they 're back in their dormitories,"John explained."Night before Halloween-"

"By the time you manage to do it after uranology, it 'll technically be Halloween,"Amanda pointed out.

"But not Halloween night,"john said."Pre-Halloween."

"Mischief Night,"Amanda said.

"What ?"Albus asked.

Kaden threw another bean onto his pile and started laughing."You 're correct !"

"Mischief Night,"Amanda repeated."It 's a Muggle thing. It 's when Muggles pull pranks and induce mayhem. It 's traditionally the night before Hallowe'en or the night before Guy Guy Fawkes Day, so if you pull this on Midweek night or former Thursday break of the day, it 'll be on maleficence Night."

can grinned."Perfect. maven do n't do that, so no one will be expecting a thing."

"Mostly it 's American and Canadians who celebrate before Hallowe'en, though,"Amanda explained.

"I 'd rather do it before Halloween,"John said."We have Astronomy on Tuesdays so the nighttime before Guy Fawkes Day would be harder."

Everyone nodded in concord, except Rose, who rolled her centre.

"Do you have everything you need ?"mat asked.

"Not yet, but we have plans. Tonight I 'm going to lurk by the Slytherin common way under the invisibility Cloak to hear their watchword. Wednesday evening we 'll ask Omar Nelson Bradley to transfigure us a few volaille. Then, Al and mat will stand guard while Kaden and I let them unleash in the rough-cut room,"St. John the Apostle explained.

"How in the name of Falco columbarius are you going to keep the wimp calm while you bring them to the dungeons ?"rosiness asked.

"Stun them, of trend,"Kaden answered."By the meter they wake up, we 'll be long gone."
***


Wed brought with it a huge thunderstorm which Albus saw as a rather ominous omen for procedure Slytherin chicken as the prank had been dubbed. As the day wore on Albus found himself having incertitude about the whole affair. Previous trick had been harmless and had not broken any John R. Major shoal rules, but this one broke at least ten. This could get them worse than a few detentions.

John and Kaden seemed to make no such reservations. Both of them were particularly jubilant the entire day and St. John even returned from fortune telling with a grinning on his face, which never happened. matt seemed deaf to the whole thing and acted as usual.

"You do realise we 'll be getting three hours of slumber, height, tonight,"Matt said after dinner party, while they were attempting to do preparation in the piranha 's Den."And that we have account of Magic tomorrow morning."

John sighed."All right, maybe that was n't the best bit of planning."

"Clearly not,"lustrelessness agreed.

Albus had a very difficult time getting any prep done while they were waiting for the sentence to arrive. He found himself drawing awful photograph of chickens in the molding on his Transfiguration essay. No one else was having often luck either. bathroom and Kaden were playing chess and Matt was taking a nap. rosebush and Amanda had holed away in the program library, neither one wanting to be associated with the boy that nighttime."We need alibis,"she had told Albus earlier."Want to be seen by as many people as possible so there 's no chance anyone will recall we were with you."

At one in the morning the boys left the Marauder 's Den and headed back to the common room, where Bradley would be waiting for them. They encountered no one on their way back and only two or three lingering pupil were in the unwashed room. All of them went to bed within fifteen minutes and the boys were soon alone with Bradley.

Bradley pulled three pillows out from under one of the couches and set them on a tabular array."Three chickens going to be enough ?"

St. John the Apostle nodded."I do n't cerebrate we 'll be able to do by any more."

"You lot are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid,"Tom Bradley said as he pulled out his sceptre."Even St. James the Apostle has n't gotten into the Slytherin vulgar room."

"According to Rose, we 're incredibly unintelligent,"John said."But I think it 's brilliant. Has anyone ever gotten into the Slytherin green room ?"

"My dad and Uncle Ron,"Albus said."But not to pull a prank."

St. John, mat, and Kaden turned to take care at Albus."I 'll explicate later,"Albus said.

Omar Nelson Bradley muttered an incantation and flicked his sceptre at each of the pillows. All three turned into crybaby. One brown one, one white one, and one prominent blackened and Brown cock. The rooster opened its mouth to crow and Tom Bradley immediately silenced all three.

"Figured a cock would be helpful,"Omar Bradley said."Want me to stun them for you ?"

"Sure,"Albus said.

"Should last about a half hour and then you 'll have to re-stun them,"Omar Bradley told them."I 'm going to adopt off. Remember, if you get caught, I did n't get the wimp for you. Ca n't afford another detention."

"Got it,"Albus assured him. Bradley took off to the dorm and Albus turned to his friends. John was holding the rooster and Kaden was holding the two chickens."Back to the Den ?"

The boy spent the succeeding two 60 minutes in the Marauder 's Den, playing Exploding Snap and re-Stunning the crybaby every half time of day. Shortly after three in the morning time Albus re-stunned the chicken one more time and then threw the Invisibility Cloak over all four of them.

It was very unmanageable for all four boy to take the air under the invisibility Cloak.
organism one-quarter geezerhood, they were all a lot tumid than they had been in second class when Albus had first received the Cloak. In fact, Albus could n't even remember the end time all four of them had gone under it at once. Albus in particular had grown quite a few inches over the summer and was now as tall as John. The two of them had to walk with their knees knack to insure their feet would n't demo.

The pass was uneventful. The boys did not even see Peeves or any of the spectre out for a night time stroll ( or ice-cream float, which would probably be the more appropriate term ). matt tripped going down the stairs once and nearly dropped a wimp, but since the corridors were empty, no one heard the sound.

Once they had reached the ingress to the Slytherin common way john and Kaden slipped out from under the Cloak and scurried over to the door. Gospel According to John whispered the watchword and it opened. Both boys slipped inside and shut the threshold behind them.

Albus and Matt stood against the wall a little means down the corridor, giving them a view of the stair as well as the corridor. Neither of them said a Logos while John and Kaden were pulling their antic because Filch 's cat had turned up and was pacing in front of them.

The next five minutes felt like an eternity and Albus was very relieved when King John and Kaden exited the common room and hurried back under the Cloak. lavatory 's bag, which had contained the chicken feed, was now considerably lighter. Neither boy said a word to Albus and Matt as they walked back to Gryffindor Tower, for fear that someone would hear them.

They were walking down the second floor corridor when Albus heard footstep behind him. He turned and saw prof Young walking slowly towards them, staring at the ceiling as he went. He appeared to be in deep thinking about something but then stopped and stared right where Albus and his friends were. They were n't being tranquility enough.

All four boy froze and looked at each other. Kaden grabbed all three of their jumpers and pulled them through the nearest room access, while Edward Young happened to be looking the other way. Once inside, Albus noticed that they were in a loo. A lady friend 's loo. And the floor was soaked.

"Merlin,"Albus muttered."We 're in Moaning myrtle 's bathroom."

As if on cue, there was a splashing and then Albus felt the unpleasant adept of a touch floating through him.

"I know you 're there."myrtle giggled."Harry Potter had one of those cloaks, too. You might as well exact it off."

Albus reluctantly took off the Cloak. Whitney Moore Young Jr. would n't be going into a girl 's bathroom anyway.

"Ooo !"Myrtle shrieked."Harry thrower 's son ! What brings you to my john ?"She giggled again and batted her eyelashes.

"Er ..."Albus muttered, feeling very uncomfortable.

"We were just leaving,"John announced as he threw the Cloak over all four of them once more.

Thankfully Professor Young had left by the meter they exited the loo. The oddment of the journeying back to Gryffindor was as uneventful as the trek down to Slytherin.

The mutual elbow room was deserted when they returned under the disapproving glare of the Fat Lady, who had not been pleased when they woke her up. St. John and Kaden immediately started laughing when they took the Cloak off.

"epic poem !"Kaden exclaimed."There was no one in the common way and we spread the provender and put the volaille each on their own couch and left wing. The Slytherins are going to have a unmannerly waking up in a few hours."

"So are we,"matte said as he looked at his watch."Almost four. We 'll get three and a one-half hours sleep if we 're lucky."

The male child headed back to their dormitory room, but Albus was not tired yet. Adrenaline was still racing through his system. They had n't gotten caught. Yet. Would there be any way to trace the chicken back to the four of them ? Only if somebody saw them, but if anyone had seen them they would have gotten them in trouble right field then and there, would n't they have ? Albus pushed the intellection from his head. He settled into bed and thought about the chemical reaction from the Slytherins the surveil morning.

Bilius 's alarm system clock woke Albus up at eight the succeeding morning and he rolled over and went back to kip. He woke up once More with XX minutes left until History of thaumaturgy and had to skip breakfast. Albus woke matte and John up and the three of them ran through the corridors in order to make it to course of study on time.

They arrived with two minutes to part with and the room was filled with laughter and yak. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were clearly excited about something and Albus had a intuitive feeling he knew what it was.

Albus sat down and Bilius turned around in his seat, grinning at Albus."You three missed breakfast. Too bad. The Slytherins are all upset, fuming about wimp and muttering about getting retaliation. Turns out someone snuck a cock and two chickens into their common room in conclusion nighttime and spread chicken feed around. Apparently their common room was a muddle and it took all of their Prefects to sandbag the poulet and get them to Hagrid. Wish I knew who pulled it off."

Albus attempted to assume electrical shock and excitement."Seriously ? That 's splendid. Does anyone jazz who did it ?"

"Nope,"Bilius answered."All they know is that it was n't a Slytherin."

"They 'll never work out it out then. That 's three-quarters of the school to go through."

"And that 's what makes it so brilliant."

professor Binns floated through the blackboard and began to drone on about some sort of hobgoblin insurrection. Albus rested his straits on his hand and began to drowse off. Binns would n't even notice.

At tiffin, following August 6, everyone was still talking about the volaille. The Slytherins were sullen and were glaring at all the other house tables. The instructor did n't look at all upset about the unanimous thing, probably because the chickens had n't done that much damage. Nothing that could n't be easily repaired with the motion picture of a sceptre.

"Six in the cockcrow !"Albus overheard a Slytherin murmuration as he walked past the Gryffindor mesa."Can you envisage ? And the morning after we 'd been on the pitch for three hours."

Albus smirked behind his forkful of stew. If the prank had messed with the Slytherins'training agenda, all the adept. Albus had finally begun to relax. It did n't seem like they were going to get in trouble after all.

As Albus walked to the donjon with John, lusterlessness, rosebush, and Amanda he realized that his nap in History of Magic was most definitely wearing off. He was feeling the exhaustion and was very glad for the gratis period after potions. But he did n't dare skip potions because he was quite excited to hear Malfoy lecture about the chickens.

During this exceptional class they were finishing up an engorgement solution that they had started on Tuesday. While Shrinking Solution was a rather simple potion that they had learned in their offset class, its counterpart was more unmanageable and postulate simmering for forty-eight hours before the net ingredients could be added.

Albus retrieved all the requirement ingredients while his cooperator, Limbert, located their potion in the cupboard. Limbert, who was usually very nonchalant about everything, was scowling and glared at Albus as he joined him at their table.

Just as Albus was beginning to chop his celery rootage, Malfoy appeared in front of the mesa. Albus looked up from his works and looked Malfoy in the eye.

"ceramist,"Malfoy muttered."You would n't chance to make out which idiot Gryffindor put chickens in our uncouth room, do you ?"

Albus snorted."Gallus gallus, Malfoy ? I 'd take heed something about that."

"Bloody razzing,"Limbert muttered as he began to demolish the rat quick temper they were supposed to put into their cauldron."Crowing at six in the bloody morning. Eating chicken feed all over the mutual elbow room. Getting their feathers and former stuff everywhere ...."

"What he said,"Malfoy replied."peak is, one of your lot got into our common room and I want to cognize who."He folded his arms across his chest.

"Was n't any of 'my lot'as you say,"Albus answered, hoping that Malfoy could n't get wind his inwardness pounding in his chest of drawers."We ca n't get into your uncouth elbow room. Do n't have the word. And even if we did, why would we want to ? It 's probably covered in snake slime."

"fountainhead it was n't a Slytherin if that 's what you 're implying. And I doubt it was a Ravenclaw or a Hufflepuff. A Ravenclaw would n't do something that stupid and a Hufflepuff would n't be able to image out how-"

Albus rose from his chair."That 's rude. I know raft of Hufflepuffs that are sassy than you, Malfoy. And they 're decent multitude, too."

"male child, get to work now. I believe your potion is overflowing in it 's cauldron, Malfoy,"Slughorn said, gesturing to lustrelessness and Malfoy 's cauldron, which was indeed overflowing. Matt was frantically waving his wand at it, trying to get it to stop.

"Oh for Merlin 's interest,"Malfoy muttered and stalked off towards his own tabular array.

Albus breathed a suspiration of relief and continued to chop his Apium graveolens dulce origin. Limbert retrieved another rat quick temper, as the one he had been using was now hopelessly destroyed. He did n't lecture to Albus for the end of the family except for the episodic"passing play the knife"or"turn down the fire ”.

Following potions Albus, Matt, and privy immediately went upstairs to the. predator 's Den to take a much needed nap. Rose went to Muggle written report and Amanda went to the library. Albus fell asleep as soon as his foreland hit the pillow and did not wake up until John swatted him with a pillow when it was sentence for dinner.

The Slytherins were still complaining about the chickens during dinner and Albus and his booster giggled every sentence they heard something about them. About halfway through dinner, professor Kendrick rose from his fundament. Albus turned to reckon at matte, who shrugged. Kendrick rarely made dinner party speeches when it was n't the start or end of term.

"Just a few declaration,"Kendrick said once the Great hall quieted down."First, I am sure you are all mindful of the buffoonery that took billet in the Slytherin common room last night. I, nor do any of the teachers, have any idea who is responsible, but if we do find out, be aware that those creditworthy will be punished. Entering another sign 's vernacular room is not tolerated and all students should bring this as a warning, in case they have been inclined to do so themselves. Slytherins, please be advised that your password has been changed. If you are not cognisant of it, delight see a Prefect.

"arcsecond. Next weekend Hogwarts will host a few Ministry officials including the curate of legerdemain, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, the caput of the Auror Department, the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical brute, as well as a few of the Minister 's tightlipped advisors. In summation, both nominee for Minister will be here as well. They will go far Fri night and ride out until William Ashley Sunday morning. Sat they will be debating education here in the Great Hall.

"All scholar will feature the chance to watch the debate by a random drawing since we can not accommodate all of you in addition to the Ministry officials and penis of the general population that will be attending. The rest will take heed via radio set in a few schoolroom. All student are required to hear or watch. More information about that, such as how to bump out if you 've been selected to follow and what assignments you will have on the disputation, will be distributed by prof Young in your politics class.

"I expect you all to behave yourselves and demonstrate to our Ministry that this is a office of learning. You are all representing Hogwarts, whether you are students, teachers, or staff. You will not overstretch pranks, especially not like the one that was pulled concluding night. You will respect the Ministry representatives. I will give you foster information next week. In the interim, outset thinking up a few doubtfulness to ask our candidates in case they have sentence to do a question and answer session."Kendrick resumed his seat.

"Blimey, I 've never seen Kendrick act so serious,"John said quietly.

"Can you blame him ?"Rose asked."Remember what Laurentis said about Hogwarts ? She all but said he was n't running the schooltime properly. If she wins, chance are he 's out of a job. He 's got to put on a good show next week if he 's got any Leslie Townes Hope of staying here if she wins."

"That 's insane !"Albus shouted. A few first base years looked over at him and he lowered his vocalism."I mean, Kendrick took over as Headmaster when McGonagall left and even before that he helped rebuild the position. How can she terminate someone who helped rebuild Hogwarts ?"

"She ca n't if she 's not elected,"Amanda said."We just have to trust your uncle wins."

"Never thought I 'd say it, but I agree,"Albus replied."Georgia and Thomas Bradley and Cedric wo n't be felicitous but can you guess what Hogwarts would be like if Laurentis won ?"

"I ca n't,"matte said."No one can because no one knows what she wants to do to change it."

"Guess we 're going to find out succeeding Saturday,"Amanda said."Think any of us will get to watch out it ?"

"We will,"Albus answered, gesturing to matt and himself."Our dads are two of the congresswoman, so I bet we 'll have to sit with our families."

"I hope I get to,"Amanda said."It 's really fascinating, wizard politics. In some shipway it 's completely the same as Muggle politics, only with magic involved. Really shows that we 're all people."

"Me too,"pink wine agreed.

"You can accept my ticket if I get one,"whoremaster told her."It 's going to be intemperate to drowse off if I 'm in the Lapp room."

"Same here,"Kaden said.

Rose rolled her eyes."You lot done eating ? Anyone up for spending the evening in the program library ?"

The son reluctantly agreed. They had neglected their preparation the late Night due to the prank and had multiple designation due the next day that they had not even started on. Albus thought longingly of his bed in Gryffindor tower and then resigned himself to the fact that he 'd be in the subroutine library until curfew.


A/N : Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this ! You guy wire are awesome. Big thanks to all my writing friends that I word war with. There are now too many to constitute individually, but they are awesome.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The day after Allhallows Eve dawned with a violent thunderstorm, one that Albus hoped would pass before Saturday, when he would get to face Slytherin on the Quidditch tar. Albus was feeling much better after a decent nighttime 's nap, although he was dreading having to go to history of Magic first thing in the morning again. Whose bright idea was it to throw them that class two mornings in a row ?

The station owls arrived as Albus was serving himself some eggs and he scanned the air for his category owl. He did n't see it and resumed piling his plate with food. His parents only occasionally sent him post now that he was in 4th class and no longer needed a letter from them every other day. However, Albus did see his Uncle Sir Henry Percy 's screech owl making a beeline towards Cedric, who was sitting across from Albus. Cedric set his branching down and untied the letter from the owl 's leg. The owl dipped his beak in Cedric 's succus and then took off.

Albus watched as Cedric read the alphabetic character and saw his boldness go from vague wonder to slight horror and then finally extreme point disgust. Percy 's letters were always interesting and it seemed as this one was no exception.

"Unbelievable !"Cedric shouted.

"What is it ?"James asked as he snatched the letter out of Cedric 's custody."Is he making you sit adjacent to him while he debates side by side calendar week ?"

"Worse !"Cedric exclaimed."He thinks I was the one who put the chickens in the Slytherin common way !"

"Seriously ?"Saint James asked as he settled down to show the letter of the alphabet."Let 's see ... Seriously disappointed in you ... taught you adept than this ... stunts like these could hurt my chances for a win in April ... must learn to think about the outcome of your action at law ... fifth year is for studying for your O.W.L.s ... time to originate up ..."

"See ?"Cedric said as he stabbed his Baron Verulam with a bit too much force."He really believes I did it. And with no evidence !"

"Oh now he 's bringing up your bit from that clause. The component part where you mentioned that you like pulling pranks. Oh and now he 's brought me into it ... Oh wait, hey ! He 's going to tell my parents that I was in on it too !"James slammed the letter of the alphabet down."No way they 'll trust him without trial impression though."

"Which he has none of. Did you get to the part where he 's owling Kendrick, too ?"Cedric asked.

"Kendrick ca n't do anything without cogent evidence,"King James I said.

"Yeah but our phonograph recording are n't exactly clean and jerk,"Cedric pointed out."pigeon hawk, I wish I 'd thought up this frivolity. It was history worthy. I mean getting into the Slytherin common room ? I 've been dreaming about doing that since before first year."

"I wish we knew who did it. I 'd care to get some gratuity,"Saint James the Apostle added."They 're going to go down as Hogwarts legends."

Albus hoped that his furious blushing was n't noticeable. He could not believe that Harry Hotspur actually believed Cedric pulled the prank without any evidence. Cedric could n't get in trouble without grounds, could he ? If he did, Albus would feel terrible. He already felt awfully that Walker Percy had even had the nerve to impeach Cedric for something that Albus and his friends did, something Cedric had no division of.

"We 've just got to figure out who did it,"Saint James decided."To enlighten our names."

Cedric nodded."Wo n't be that hard. No joke can be done without evidence left behind. It 's inconceivable to do in this place. We 'll face for hint around our own park elbow room because I think the Slytherins are right hand. It was a Gryffindor."

"We should babble out to the ghosts, too,"James said."They wander at all hours."

"rightfield,"Cedric agreed."Best be off to class now, though.

Albus turned to John after his brother and cousin had left the board. John the Divine and mat had both been sitting close enough to Cedric and James to hear the intact conversation. Both son were paler than usual and Albus was trusted he was as well.

"Myrtle saw us,"matte whispered."We 'll be identification number one on their suspect list."

"D'you think your own brother would work us in ?"John asked.

Albus laughed."Of track he would. He 's my brother."

"trade good period,"John the Divine muttered."What are we going to do ?"

"Hope Vinca minor does n't say anything,"Albus said.

"That 's it, we 're doomed."Matt sighed.

"On the positive face, we 'll be Hogwarts legends,"King John said.

"William Tell that to my parents,"Matt replied.

Albus thought about James and Cedric 's call for to visualize out who pulled the chicken prank during the entirety of History of thaumaturgy. They had n't left any traces behind except for talking to Myrtle. And even that only proved that they were out of bed at four in the morning, not that they 'd left volaille in the Slytherin vernacular room. sure as shooting, there might get been random Gallus gallus feathers in the common room that morning but the sign of the zodiac elves would suffer already cleaned them up. Then there was Bradley.

Omar Bradley. Albus 's venter dropped. Would Bradley rat out Albus in lodge to save his own brother from possible difficulty ? Albus liked to opine not, especially since doing so would imply Tom Bradley as well. But it was possible that Tom Bradley would bespeak Cedric to leave him out of it when he told Kendrick in return for the entropy in the first post. Albus rubbed his forehead. It was all so flurry and there were too many possibilities.

Matt and John looked equally disturbed by the possibleness. Both boys were sitting completely still, staring at Professor Binns but not looking at him. Matt was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook. Saint John was twirling his quill around in his mitt and had splattered ink all over himself and his chronicle of magic book.

Albus was grateful that they had Care of Magical Creatures next, despite the steady downpour. They would be able to talk. Hagrid was currently teaching them about unicorns and this finicky lesson he had an actual unicorn for them to observe and interact with. Luckily for Albus, John, and Matt, unicorns did not like boys and thus had an excuse to advert back and talk.

"The merely way they 're going to find out is if they talk to Thomas Bradley and Bradley tells them,"Albus said as they pretended to take distinction on the unicorn, which was currently surrounded by the girls of the class.

"Or if they talk to Myrtle and put the cue together,"Matt pointed out.

"What clues ?"John the Divine asked."We did n't will anything behind."

"Not that you know of. But they were right when they said zero can be done at Hogwarts without somebody knowing about it. For all we know there was another trace lurking by the Slytherin common room while we were there that we did n't notice,"flatness explained."Or the fact that we were n't in the mutual way last night-"

"We 're rarely in the commons room,"John said."Not since we found the Marauder 's Den."

"True. They could also talk to Bilius or Ethan and find out out that we got back at four in the dawning. Ethan woke up when we got back and asked what we were up to, remember ?"Matt said.

"That would n't assure them anything to a greater extent than Vinca minor would,"Albus replied as he scrawled a few banker's bill about how the unicorn was pawing at the ground.

"What if they find feathers or chicken feed or something ?"Matt asked.

"That will have all been cleaned up by now. The theatre elves clean everyday,"John said."I think Albus is right. The only way they 'll know is if they talk to Omar Nelson Bradley. Or if they just assume and ask us about it. Al, are you going to be able to lie to them if they ask you ?"

"Er ..."Albus 's voice trailed off. He knew how very much of a rotten liar he was."To be honest ? Probably not."

cypher said anything for a few minutes. Each boy pretended to be absorbed in taking bank bill on the unicorn.

"There 's goose egg we can do, then,"Matt finally said."We ca n't stop them or tell them not to investigate because that would attend suspicious. All we can do is waitress and hope they do n't figure it out."

Albus nodded. lustrelessness was completely properly, of path. But what Albus did n't say was that James and Cedric would image it out. They were the school pranksters and for the first sentence they 'd been out-pranked. The two were the school day 's prank experts and could easily postdate the track that would pass them right to their own brother and cousin.
******


The savage electric storm that had plagued Hogwarts the day before cleared up by Sat sunup and the conditions could not stimulate been unspoiled for Quidditch. It was sunny, with slight cloud book binding and piddling idle words. The temperature was mild for November. Weather would not be a factor in this Quidditch match. No, the squad that won would win solely based on their skill.

The Hogwarts population, both educatee and prof alike, were very excited for the catch. House Quidditch had been suspended the previous twelvemonth in order for the Quidditch and Dueling competitions with the shoal from New York and Australia, although the final exam catch in the Quidditch event had been a catastrophe. Everyone at Hogwarts was ready for matter to go back to normal and that included business firm Quidditch.

formula also included the taunting that went on between the Gryffindors and Slytherins at breakfast right before the equal. Malfoy informed Albus that he needed to find out out else he find himself in the Hospital Wing for days. Albus ignored this because Malfoy was n't even on the Slytherin squad and did n't have enough Quidditch skill to be on a children 's team. He tried his best to ignore the taunting from the factual Slytherin team as well, but still found his stomach was a bit too queasy to eat much to a greater extent than toast.

The team gathered around Fred in the changing room shortly before the match, ready to get word his first team speech.

"I fully believe we can win this,"Fred began."Our praxis have gone very smoothly and it feels like Janie has played with us for years rather than only a few hebdomad. Slytherin plays dirty, though, so picket yourselves. They also have two new players, a chaser and a Beater, whereas we only have one. The new Chaser is a second year and the new Beater is a tierce twelvemonth, so I do n't think we 'll have very much number there. I 've seen them drill and they still do n't work as a seamless team like we do. Just go out there and represent like we did two years ago and we 're sure to win."

The team stood up and followed Fred out onto the pitch. The dry land was soft beneath Albus 's effort, but not too sloppy, which would arrive at for a good kick off. He stood in between Heather and St. James the Apostle while Fred went to shake paw with Henry Fielding, Slytherin 's captain.

Oteski shouted his desire for a clean match and then the two captains crunched each other 's manpower. Oteski released the Bludgers and snitcher and then tossed the Quaffle into the air. Albus kicked off from the dry land and flew towards the Quaffle, which had unfortunately been caught by Fielding.

"And they 're off !"Sir Alexander Robertus Todd Smith announced."start planetary house match in two eld due to the intermission lowest year, during the competitions with the other schoolhouse. Both team have some new faces this year. Slytherin has a new Chaser, second twelvemonth Marshall Belby, and a new Beater, third year Devon Wright. Gryffindor has a new Keeper, fourth year Janie Creevey ...."

Albus tore his attention from Smith as the comrade Gryffindor began to herald the public figure of the remainder of the players. Leaning forward on his Scots heather, Albus soared to the other face of the tar, where Fielding was attempting to throw the Quaffle into one of Gryffindor 's goal posts.

"Spectacular save by Creevey !"Smith shouted."Looks like she 's going to be an excellent custodian for Gryffindor. Gryffindor now in possession. Heather Weasley in self-will, passes to Albus Potter ...."

Albus caught the Quaffle, wedged it under his arm, and sped down to the other side of the lurch. He dodged two of Slytherin 's Chasers but was hit by a Bludger sent from Frances Wright and dropped the Quaffle. It was intercepted by Peyton Haines.

Albus swore loudly and tag Haines as he turned around and headed towards Gryffindor. Fred managed to catch the Quaffle after Haines was hit by a Bludger and tossed it back to Albus.

This fourth dimension Albus made it to the Slytherin end C. W. Post and feigned right before sending the Quaffle soaring through the left hoop.

"sexual conquest !"Smith announced."Albus ceramist scores the beginning end of the compeer. Ten points to Gryffindor !"

The balance of the mates continued in the same fashion, with the Quaffle continuously exchanging hands, rendering it very unmanageable for Ian Douglas Smith to observe up with the commentary. Gryffindor maintained a penny-pinching constant score of twenty power point ahead of the Slytherins. Albus scored two Sir Thomas More goals and assisted on five more. The Slytherin pursuer looked to a greater extent and more sick as the catch wore on.

An hr and a one-half into the match Albus saw James give up his position above the rest of the musician and fly towards the reason. Hunter Pucey, Slytherin 's searcher, followed.

"Looks like ceramist has seen the sneaker !"Smith exclaimed.

Albus watched while flying the Quaffle to the Slytherin goal berth. King James I had his arm outstretched towards a glittering object when Devon Wright slammed her Beater 's bat towards a nearby Bludger. But the Bludger suddenly soared upward, leaving nothing in between the bat and James 's leg. Devon 's bat collided with Saint James 's leg, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Albus stopped where he was.

The integral crowd gasped, with the exception of the Slytherins, who were cheering. Pucey was flying around the delivery holding the struggling stool pigeon in his outstretched hand. Albus ignored this and flew directly to James, who was clutch his leg on the ground.

Albus abandoned his broom once he landed and hurried towards Henry James. He was surrounded by Madam Pomfrey, professor Oteski, Professor Kendrick, professor Longbottom, the rest of the Gryffindor squad, and surprisingly, Devon.

Albus paused to look at the female child. She was pocket-sized, like virtually second yr are, but mesomorphic. Her dirty blonde hair's-breadth was in a messy bun and her face was streaked with rent. As Albus got closer, he could hear that she was whispering"I 'm good-for-naught"over and over again.

"Foul !"Heather shouted."That 's a foul ! I want a rematch !"

"Let 's get William James to the infirmary Wing and then we 'll worry about a rematch,"Neville said as Madam Pomfrey conjured a stretcher.

"Finally, somebody with some sense around here,"Madam Pomfrey muttered."All of you, out of the way !"

The crowd quickly dispersed as Madam Pomfrey guided the stretcher towards the rook, followed by the gathered professors. After a few minutes, Professor Patil ordered the rest of the students to get back to their rough-cut elbow room. Albus walked back to the rook with his squad, who were heading straight to the infirmary Wing.

King James I was resting once they got there, his leg bandaged but no longer discover. He no longer looked to be in pain, but looked like he wanted to hex the entire Slytherin team. Madam Pomfrey appeared in nominal head of them before they could hand James 's bed.

"Ten minutes,"she said."That 's all."

"Are we getting a replay ?"was the first thing out of Jesse James 's mouth."No one will tell me anything."

"They have n't said anything yet,"Fred replied."How 's the leg ?"

"mulct, now. Just a little painful. Madam Pomfrey said I can impart tomorrow afternoon,"James told them."We better get a rematch. That was a foul. I was two instant from catching the canary when that new Beater went and hit me with her bat ! Who does she think she is ? Does n't she experience the ruler of Quidditch ? Or is that how Slytherin 's training their players these days ?"

"She was going for a Bludger,"Albus explained."You probably could n't see it because she was behind you, but there had been a Bludger. It flew up at the finally minute and she accidentally got your leg."

"How do they have intercourse that ?"Jesse James asked."She might 've made that up."

"Everyone saw it,"Albus said quietly.

"It 's admittedly,"Heather agreed."I do n't screw if they 'll leave us a rematch."

The doors to the infirmary flank opened, revealing the Beater in interrogative sentence. She walked tentatively inside and stopped when she saw the entire Gryffindor team. Madam Pomfrey greeted her and they spoke in voices too quiet to overhear before she walked slowly over to James II 's bed.

"I know you probably hate me and I do n't blame you,"she whispered."But I really am sorry. It really was an accident. I swear it. It was my first base match."

Albus glanced at the rest of his squad. Their looks of mental confusion mirrored his own sentiment.

"Er, well, thanks for the apology, I guess,"James said.

"Is your leg ok ?"she asked.

"It 's fine now,"James replied.

Devonshire reached into her robes and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate. She handed it to Jesse James, her eyes staring at his bed and not meeting his glance the integral time."Here,"she whispered.

"Er, thanks,"James said as he took the chocolate.

"Um, I 'm going to go now. Bye,"Devon said and turned to run from the ward, before any of the Gryffindor team had meter to respond.

"That was foreign,"Epistle of James muttered after the doors had slammed shut."Anyone fancy some coffee ?"

"She 's got a crush on you,"Ryan announced.

"Department of Energy not,"Jesse James argued.

"Have we ever had a Slytherin apologize for injuring one of us before, let alone ease up us chocolate ?"Fred asked."I 'm with Ryan on this one."

"Well clearly some of them have consciences,"Albus replied."But yeah, she likes you."

"She 's 12,"James said flatly.

"Girls mature faster than blokes."ling smirked."So, actually, she should be just about right for you."

"Shut up,"James muttered."Not sharing my chocolate anymore."

"Ten transactions are up !"Madam Pomfrey announced as she returned to James 's bed bearing a tray that contained a few cruddy looking potions."And these are for you, James."

Albus and the rest of the squad bade St. James goodbye and left the hospital annexe. They walked up to Gryffindor Tower together, but parted once they entered the common room. Albus found his friends at a board near the threshold to the hall and sat down to explicate the entire Devonshire Richard Wright thing.

"So she was actually upset that she had broken James 's leg ?"John asked.

"And she apologized ?"Matt added.

"And gave him chocolate ?"Kaden continued.

Albus nodded."Strange, is n't it ?"

"Very,"John agreed."I 'm storm she 's on the team. Is n't it a requirement for the Slytherin team to be a fan of violence ?"

"She might not be on much longer, right field ?"Matt asked.

"It was an accident,"Albus said."I already said that. The remainder of the team saw it and so did half the professors. So there 's probably not going to be a rematch either."

"That 's not fair,"John Lackland muttered.

"It 's only the first match,"Albus pointed out."wad more time to gain those points back. And their Seeker is awful anyway. He could n't deliver caught that snitcher if James had n't take in been hit."

Albus, lustrelessness, and John spent the oddment of the afternoon discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor 's chances of winning the Quidditch Cup. They factored in the science level of all the instrumentalist on all the sign and the dot earned so far, along with the possible weather hinderances that were surely to come. Kaden paid attention, but did n't bestow much except for the periodic gossip about how something was different in football. Amanda did the same, save for the football comments. Rose sighed and dug a book out of her bag and read it until they had finished.

prof Oteski was at supper that night, which was a uncommon natural event due to the fact that he has a married woman and young children in Hogsmeade and normally was only at the castle for grade and Quidditch match. Towards the end of the repast he rose, rendering the entire Hall silent.

"The other professor and I have reviewed the upshot at today 's match,"Oteski began."We 've taken into business relationship a few prize student'observations-"

"He interviewed me,"Fred said.

"-along with the professors'. I have come to the ratiocination that the act of a Slytherin Beater hitting Gryffindor 's searcher with her Beater 's Bat was an unfortunate person accident. No disciplinary action will be taken against her, nor will a rematch be taking place."He resumed his seat.

All of Gryffindor groaned while Slytherin rejoiced. Albus glanced over at their table and saw that Devon Wright was the only Slytherin not shouting in excitement. Instead she had her header on her handwriting and was picking at her dinner party. She was a very odd Slytherin, that was for sure.

"I really did n't think there 'd be a rematch,"Fred said."But listen, we can still win. Losing the firstly catch does n't mean we 'll fall behind the Cup."

"individual 's going to have to tell James,"Heather replied."He wo n't be pleased. I 'm fairly certain he can numerate the number of times he has n't caught the Snitch on one hand."

Albus thought back to the fourth dimension James had lost a match against Linda the vampire and hid in the shriek Shack. Luckily his chum had come a long way from that and would not feel the need to shroud after missing the sneak.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I 'm back at schooling now, so I wo n't be writing as very much. But I have a few chapters saved up, so I 'm hoping to update frequently for the future calendar month at least.

If you are enjoying this story ( or any of my taradiddle ), heading over to the forum and appoint one for a Dobby award ! Be sure to read the pattern before posting. : )


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus was very relieved that he was not given the task of telling James that there would not be a replay. Fred, being the captain, took that job for himself and the rest of the squad merely went with him. James was understandably derangement, but did n't ingest the news program nearly as badly as Albus would own expected. Perhaps he was maturing, if even a little amount. On Billy Sunday, James was released from the Hospital fender and life at Hogwarts returned to rule if only for a few days.

After a duple class of potions and exclusive class of Transfiguration of Jesus on Tuesday, Albus and his friend had government and this was the day where they would find out who would get to sit in the Great Hall during the debate on Saturday. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were understandably more blabbermouthed in the min before prof Embry began class. Most of the students hoped that they would get to attend the debate, with the elision of John and a few of the Hufflepuffs. Albus and lusterlessness would be attending it either way, so they doubted either of them would be picked. Rose had also found out that since she was Walker Percy 's niece, she would also get to hang no matter what.

"settee down, adjudicate down,"Embry said once the clock struck three. He smiled and then quickly took attendance."I 'm very well-chosen to see how excited you are for Saturday 's debate. It 's very exciting to see young people so interested in politics. Since I know none of you will pay tending during social class unless I announce who gets to see before I begin, I will announce them now."

The course of instruction immediately began whispering until Embry located a piece of parchment on his desk and cleared his throat."Now, a few of you are able to attend the debate without being chosen. Matt Eckerton and Albus Potter, since both your don are heads of departments at the Ministry you will be able to advert. Rose Weasley, since you are related to one of the prospect, you may attend as well. And not to worry, everyone else, they will not subscribe away spots from the regular student body.

"One boy and one girl were picked randomly from each year, for each menage. So eight bookman from each year were chosen total. For Hufflepuff the lucky two are Olivia Price and Ronald Bones."

"Yes !"Ronald shouted. He was a rather tacky, blonde haired boy, who reminded Albus a lot of Kaden. Olivia just smiled. She was quiet, but as one of Hufflepuff 's Beaters, was quite forceful.

"And for Gryffindor we have Ethan Kesse and Marina Jordan-Bell,"Embry continued.

Both let out ecstatic vociferation and the rest of the class clapped before everyone settled down. All four winning students were still grinning when Embry began speaking once more.

"Congratulations to all four of you. This will not be the only debate to take piazza at Hogwarts and for the adjacent one, dissimilar students will be chosen. Now, on Sat, you are to report to the Great Hall at ten o'clock in the first light. The argumentation will begin at eleven. You will give your name to whichever prof is waiting by the room access and then a Prefect will show you to where you are supposed to sit. Saame goes for you, Matt, Albus, and Rose."

Embry set the lambskin down on his desk and smiled as he walked closer to the tables of his students."Now, what Professor Kendrick has not told you yet, because it has only just been finalized, is that both candidate will be hosting two joint question and answer academic session. These will be for students and Hogwarts staff only. The same bookman chosen to take care the disputation will be capable to attend the interrogative and answer session. It will get place at three in the Great Hall. Please arrive at two-thirty.

"Everyone else will be listening to the public debate on the wireless. Fourth year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs will be in the Transfiguration schoolroom. Please report there by ten-thirty. Everyone, no thing whether they are attending the argumentation or listening on the wireless are expected to write a foot long essay on which prospect you thought was more successful in making their point. It will be due at the outset of adjacent calendar week 's class."

The stallion class groaned at the credit of the essay. Embry ignored this and began his talking to. They had finally made it into the twentieth hundred, but were still far from learning about how everything in the Ministry changed after Voldemort was defeated.

The remainder of the hebdomad passed very slowly. The Hogwarts students were getting very excited at the prospect of the candidates arriving for their argument, with the exception of Bradley and Cedric. Even lavatory and Kaden, neither of whom were going to attend the debate, were catching a little bit of excitement. Albus was rather shocked at how the majority of the bookman were getting involved with the election. Being somebody who had grown up with politics and the Ministry of conjuring trick, he was not quite as thrilled with the prognosis, especially when reporter from the Daily Prophet showed up on Friday morning.

"wish to ask bets on how quickly they find you ?"John asked as they passed two reporter on their way to tutelage of Magical Creatures.

Albus glanced at the reporters. One was a very tall and gangly man, with messy brown hair and considerable stubble on his face. He was frantically writing down questions that the other reporter, an equally grandiloquent woman with huge red lips and ignominious tomentum, was asking an uncomfortable looking first year.

"walkway faster,"Albus nudged John the Divine as they neared the oak threshold.

Albus had absolutely no desire to appear in any issues of the Daily prophet. Neither of his parents liked newsman and that was a trait they had passed down to Albus. He made a mental billet to warn Thomas Bradley and Cedric about them the next time he saw his two cousins.

In an effort to fend off the newsman, Albus, mat, and trick spent their resign geological period after charms in the Marauder 's Den. With any luck when the Ministry official arrived the reporter would give up trying to audience random Hogwarts students. Although Albus knew it was not random at all. At lunch, after attention of Magical creature, he found out that no less than four of his cousins, along with Lily, had been interviewed that dawning.

The functionary were arriving just as Albus and his booster were heading to the Great lobby for dinner party. They paused on the howling staircase while the blue-robed witches and wizards entered the Great Hall, gracefully avoiding the reporters that were standing side by side to the entry to the Great manse. Albus recognized nearly all of them, including his dad, Uncle Percy, and matt 's dad.

The Staff mesa had been magically elongated enough to pop the question seats for all of the Ministry functionary, who had at sat down and began speaking with the professors. Albus and his supporter all found ass at the Gryffindor tabular array, near all his full cousin. Cedric was scowling while reading a letter. He then crumpled it up and then set fire to it with his wand.

"Dad still thinks we pulled that prank, James,"Cedric muttered."Says he 's going to induce time to speak with me before he leaves."

"We 'll receive out,"James said."We still have n't talked to all the ghosts."

"All except Moaning Myrtle."Cedric shuddered."I do n't fancy talking to her."

"She 's our last hope,"Henry James said."We 're going to find her. After all this debate stuff is over."

Albus let out a sigh of embossment. He had two More Day. In all honesty, he 'd nearly forgotten about Cedric and James 's quest to find out out who put the Gallus gallus in the Slytherin common room. But apparently his comrade and full cousin had not.

Kendrick rose from his fanny once the Great Charles Martin Hall was wax."On behalf of myself, the rest of the Hogwarts staff, and the Hogwarts student organic structure, I 'd like to welcome our Ministry representatives to Hogwarts. Before we eat, I 'd like to present everyone.

"outset, our campaigner,"Kendrick gestured to Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis, who were both sitting immediately to his left wing."Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."Kendrick then gestured to the tall, rather portly man on his left."Our current minister of religion, Langston Hartwell."

The ease of the officials were interspersed amongst the professors. Kendrick gestured to a greyness haired beldam sitting in between professor Patil and Cedonia."nous of Magical Law Enforcement. Reena Barnes."Next, Kendrick gestured to Matt 's dad who was sitting future to Albus 's dad and Professor Trelawney."Head of the Department for the Control and regularization of Magical Creatures. Walter Eckerton."

half the Gryffindor board turned and looked at lustrelessness, who gave a smile and shrugged. Never one to talk about his family, most of Gryffindor was unaware of who lusterlessness 's dad was.

"I 'm sure you all remember Harry Potter, head of the Auror Department,"Kendrick said as he gestured to Albus 's dad. He received louder applause than anyone else had.

Kendrick then introduced three of Hartwell 's early adviser, who had deed of conveyance that were just as long and mix up as Walker Percy 's current job title. Then, finally, Kendrick waved his hands and intellectual nourishment appeared on all the tables.

During dinner Fred announced that he had reluctantly canceled Quidditch drill for the next day since it was scheduled for the Lapplander time as the query and solution school term. The rest of dinner was spent figuring out which Gryffindors, besides the large sum that were related to Percy, were going to attend the argument. Both John 's minuscule sister, Asthyn, and James 's best friend, Nathan, were getting to give ear.

After dessert had been served and consumed, Kendrick reminded everyone of the time of the next day 's debate and suggested they all turn in early. Albus wondered whether the ministry officials would be staying in the castle or Apparating back to their own homes for the night. Cedric took off for the common room as soon as he had finished eating, in order to avoid his father.

Albus and his friends decided to last out in the mutual room that night since everyone was so lively and the turmoil was catching. John brought a pack of cards of Exploding piece of cake down from his luggage compartment and the six friends sat around a table playing for at least an hour. Kaden had just had the circuit card explode in his face when the room access to the unwashed room opened and individual gasped.

Everyone glanced over and the common way went unsounded. Sir Henry Percy was standing in the doorway, looking very awkward and uncomfortable. His heart landed on Cedric, who had been organizing his stock of Skiving Snackboxes with Saint James and Nathan. Cedric went as pale as Moaning Vinca minor.

"Cedric,"Percy said quietly."I need to mouth with you."

"I did n't do it, Dad !"Cedric exclaimed."I swear it !"

Albus shifted uncomfortably in his ass, glancing at his friends. rose wine was giving him a disapproving look while Matt, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden looked equally uncomfortable. Amanda had raised her eyebrows. This was idiotic. Why could n't Percy let it go or conceive his son ? Or at least muckle with it privately ? It was unjust of him to ramp into the Gryffindor plebeian room and call out his own son like that.

Percy shook his head."Cedric, you 've pulled pranks like this ever since you were slight. This one has you written all over it. You, too, James."

"But Dad-"

"No buts,"Percy said."This is not satisfactory. Now I 'd care to speak with you privately."

Cedric did n't budge. Albus swallowed hard and looked at Matt, John, and Kaden each in turn. Pranks were all in ripe fun, but not when clean-handed people were punished for them. And Albus had no doubt that Percy would punish Cedric whether he had validation or not. Cedric 's past betrayed him and Percy was too focused on winning the election to give his son the benefit of the doubt. Albus did not like his cousin taking the fall for something he and his friends did. It just was not something he was prosperous with.

lusterlessness gave a slight nod of his headway. John and Kaden both shrugged and Albus took that to mean"do what you have to do ”. Albus sighed and stood up."Wait, Uncle Percy."

"Albus, this is none of your worry,"Hotspur said."Cedric has to face his consequences."

"But he did n't do it !"Albus exclaimed."It was me. I did it."

James burst out laughing."You, Al ? That 's nice and all of you to try and hold on Cedric out of trouble, but really ? You could n't get into the Slytherin common room."

"It was n't only him,"John said, standing up."Kaden and I did almost of it. Al was just a feel out."

"I was, too,"Matt announced."It was the four of us."

Fred and a few of his friends suddenly jumped up from their seats and bowed in front of Albus, Matt, john, and Kaden."Masters ! You are the kings."

The entire usual room exploded in applause and whistles. Albus could n't help but grin despite the fact that he knew he was going to be in problem. James gave Albus an odd look before breaking out in a wry grin himself. A few first years ran up and high-fived them. Victor Hugo was practically rolling on the trading floor laughing.

"Enough, enough !"Percy shouted."Albus, you 'd amend get with me. You three as well."He gestured to Matt, john, and Kaden.

Albus and his friends reluctantly followed Walker Percy out of the common room to Kendrick 's study. On the way there Albus could n't help oneself but note that his uncle did n't really walk. He strutted, almost like he owned the plaza. Albus supposed he was remembering back to his Head Boy days. Head Boy was probably now well out of reach for Albus, as was becoming a Prefect. Not like he really wanted to turn a Prefect anyway.

Upon entering Kendrick 's sketch Albus was horrified to see that all of the Ministry officials were there, including his own founding father. lusterlessness had paled considerably on seeing his father as well. This was bad.

Kendrick glanced at the boys and then looked questioningly up at Hotspur."I think we need a here and now of secrecy,"Kendrick said to the functionary,"except Harry and Walter."

The relaxation of the official left the room, whispering to themselves as they went. Kendrick then resumed his seat behind his desk and conjured enough chairs for the remaining citizenry. Albus took a fundament in between Matt and Kaden.

"What 's going on, Percy ?"Kendrick asked.

"I went to Gryffindor to have a schmoose with my son about that antic last week and as it turns out he was telling the truth."Albus was pleased to see that Percy looked slightly ashamed."As I was asking Cedric for a private talk, my nephew and his ally announced that they were the pranksters."

"They what ?"Harry exclaimed, looking at Albus."Is this about the chickens in the Slytherin vulgar room caper ?"

"Yes,"Walker Percy confirmed."These four just confessed to it."

Matt 's dad let out a sigh and shook his head.

"Is this true, boys ?"Kendrick asked.

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied.

"I 'm very disappointed in you, Albus,"Harry said."This is the sort of thing I expect from James, not from you."

"As am I in you, Matthew,"Walter added."You 've never been one to pull up pranks."

"It was our idea,"Saint John the Apostle said, gesturing to himself and Kaden."All they did was restrain a smell out while we were in their common room."

"Nevertheless,"Kendrick said, folding his hands on his desk."All four of you broke school normal and you will be punished. Fifty stop from Gryffindor-"

Kaden gasped.

"-each,"Kendrick finished."And custody. As a great deal as I 'd like to start out your detainment tomorrow we have other matters happening in this castling and none of the staff is loose to supervise. You will set out your custody on Monday even and you will induce it for a week."

"But sir-"Albus and Matt said at once.

"No buts,"Kendrick said."You blatantly broke multiple schooling rules."

"But Quidditch and dueling ! That 's the week before the first tournament-"

"Your squad will have to accommodate practice without you, Mr. Potter,"Kendrick said shortly."You should own thought about that before you participated in this mischief."

"Sir ?"Matt asked quietly.

Kendrick sighed."Yes ?"

"The, er, wax moon is Tues,"Matt muttered.

"Right,"Kendrick replied."Attend the custody that you can and whichever ace you miss can be made up once you are better.

"Thank you,"Walter said,"for being understanding about that."

"Not a trouble. mat 's situation is vastly different from missed Quidditch practice."

Albus felt his cheeks reddening. It had been a valid dot for him. Fred would remove him in his sleep when he found out Albus would miss at least two drill for detention. He certainly would n't be applauding and bowing anymore.

"You 'll report to Filch 's authority on Mon at seven. He 'll contribute you further statement on what your detention will fee-tail. Now, get back to Gryffindor towboat,"Kendrick said.

Albus rose from his seat. Harry did the Same."Al, you realize I 'm going to have to severalise your mother about this."

Albus nodded."Yes."

"She wo n't be pleased. But I do want to tell you that I 'm majestic of the way you owned up to this when you realized Cedric was wrongfully accused. As disappointed as I am that you pulled that japery, I am very happy to make such an honest son. I 'll see you tomorrow. get a good night and remember, I always love you,"Harry said and gave Albus a hug.

"sexual love you too,"Albus said quietly.

Matt was having what was surely a similar talk with his own father and once they were finished, the four male child left Kendrick 's study and went immediately back to Gryffindor tug.

"seven-spot hold,"John muttered as they walked up a set of steps."VII. This is worse than that metre in instant twelvemonth when we were caught near the Whomping Willow."

"Not to mention the points,"Albus replied.

"And custody with Filch no less,"Matt said."I 'll be doing at to the lowest degree two of them on my own, too."

Kaden shrugged."Still seems worth it."

Gospel According to John grinned."Most definitely worth it."

Albus and lustrelessness gave each early looks that clearly meant they disagreed. No, 200 points from Gryffindor, seven detainment with Filch, and no Quidditch practice for a week was not worth it.
***


In reliable Hogwarts fashion by the following morning time at Breakfast the total school day knew that it had been three Gryffindor fourth long time and one Gryffindor third year that had managed to sneak into the Slytherin coarse room and deposition two poulet and a rooster, as well as binding the entire blank space in hoot seed. Hufflepuff was especially excited about this because Gryffindor 's release of 200 points put them in the lead for the house Cup. Gryffindor was now dead last and the former Gryffindors were torn between their awe of Albus and his friends and their repugnance that the prank had cost them so many points.

Rose and Amanda had burst out laughing when the male child told them their fate the old dark. They were raging about the loss of peak, though. rose wine was especially disgusted by lav and Kaden 's want of remorse.

All the ministry functionary were at the staff tabular array, whereas the house tables were not nearly as full as the premature day. It seemed that some students had not heeded Kendrick 's mesmerism about going to bed early.

There was a whoosh of wings and Albus looked up to see that the post bird of Minerva had arrived. His nerve started beating faster and he swallowed surd upon seeing his mother 's owl holding a red envelope in its mouth.

"Oh no,"Albus whispered as the owl grew snug. His friends glanced up and saw the scream just as the owl was preparing for landing. It landed in front of Albus 's plate of eggs and he took the howler monkey in his deal before quickly running out of the Great student residence for the nearest bathroom.

The envelope was already hot when he arrived in the thankfully hollow loo. He reluctantly opened it and the way was soon wide-cut with Ginny 's high pitched shouting.

"ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER, WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU ? I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE IN THE SLYTHERIN COMMON ROOM AND putting poulet IN THERE NO LE. I DO NOT CARE THAT YOU WERE ONLY THE flavor OUT. YOU MAY AS well have BEEN IN THERE YOURSELF. YOU WERE BLATANTLY breaking MULTIPLE school prescript INCLUDING existence OUT OF BED AFTER HOURS.

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS IS THE sort OF THING I EXPECT FROM William James, BUT EVEN JAMES KNOWS WHEN NOT TO cross THE LINE. AND YOU DID N'T JUST CROSS THE job. YOU JUMPED WAY OVER IT. AND TO HAVE PERCY FIND OUT ABOUT THIS WHILE HE IS AT HOGWARTS FOR A DEBATE ? ! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO keep UP APPEARANCES IN ORDER FOR HIM TO wealthy person A CHANCE AT THIS ELECTION AND THIS DOES NOT HELP.

I HIGHLY APPROVE OF THE detainment AND personnel casualty OF POINTS. I CAN NOT SAY I WOULD BE frustrated IF YOUR ENTIRE HOUSE WERE ANGRY WITH YOU OVER THIS. I EXPECT YOU WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN. IF YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE MORE THAN JUST PUNISHMENT AT SCHOOL."

The alphabetic character exploded with a brief powderpuff of smoke. Albus stood there staring at it for a few second base. His female parent had not even mentioned how his confession had saved Cedric. There was no mention of how she was proud about his money plant, like his dad had been.

Albus heard a shortly gag from behind him. He turned around and saw none other than Scorpius Malfoy leaning on one of the sinks, smirking.

"I knew it was one of you Gryffindors,"Malfoy said."Just did n't gestate it to be you lot. Did n't think you 'd be smart enough to figure out our password."

"Just shut up, Malfoy,"Albus muttered as he pushed his way past the Slytherin on his way out of the loo.

"Loved the howler monkey, by the way."Malfoy gave another laugh.

Albus groaned inwardly. He hoped Malfoy had n't heard much of it, but highly doubted it. Albus took a deep breathing spell and walked back to the Great Hall. Perhaps with the debate coming in an hour, the rest period of the scholar would forget about the caper and the loss of points and find something new to discourse.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype piece of writing group. You bozo are all awesome ! Thanks for all the gravel inspection ! The new streamer was done by violet ephemera at TDA. There 's a little under a week left to nominate history for the Dobby award, so if you like this write up, caput over to the forums and nominate it ! Just retrieve to learn the rules first.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was a long queue of scholar waiting to get into the Great Hall after everyone left once breakfast was over. The Great Hall had been completely emptied in order for the professor to set it for the debate. Albus craned his oral sex in endeavour to see it. As far as he could tell it looked the same except the longsighted home tables had been replaced by rows of seats. He, along with matte and rose wine, were only a few students away from the front end of the waiting line.

Once they made it to the front line they gave their name to Professor Longbottom and then were extend inside by one of the Ravenclaw Prefects. grownup were milling about talking with each other and students were already seated. The first few rows were cordoned off with rope and the Ravenclaw Prefect wind Albus, rosiness, and Matt to the 3rd roped off row. He lifted the circle and told them to file all the way in, to the very end of the unoccupied row. Albus sat in between Rose and mat. It appeared that the roped off dustup were reserved for Ministry functionary and their kin. Albus noticed that his mum was sitting in the front row along with the rest of his aunty and uncles. Georgia was also in the social movement row and was handing out coloring books and crayons to Samantha and lindy hop.

James, Ben, Lily, and Hugo filed in future to rise a few minutes later. Albus saw that Cedric and Omar Bradley, who had walked in with his siblings, were being lead to the front row. Fred, Angie, ling, and scrape finished out their row five minutes later. Albus gazed around the room and discern Victoire and shimmy sitting across the gangway. Stanley walked in with Gabriella and took seats next to Victoire and Teddy. Albus had to hold he was surprised to see them there. final stage he heard she was in France and he was in Romania.

The room soon became load down with the scholar who had won buttocks as well as other witches and wizards who had chosen to come. Albus recognized a few who worked in store in Hogsmeade including dame Rosmerta. He turned to the front man of the room and noticed that the staff table had also disappeared and had been replaced with two podiums and a belittled board, just like the set up in the court at the Ministry.

At exactly eleven o'clock the room access to the Great Hall were shut and people began to sit down. Professor Kendrick entered the room from one of its antechambers, followed by the Minister, Albus 's dad, mat 's dad, and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Reena Barnes. The early Ministry officials were seated in the front row.

Kendrick lead them to the small table near the soapbox. All five, with the exclusion of Kendrick, sat. Kendrick walked to the nominal head of the ambo and the audience quieted.

"Welcome to the third base debate. I welcome all of you to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and Wizardry. Today 's debate will be on education. I 'd like to inaugurate today 's moderator, the promontory of the department for the control condition and ordinance of Magical wight, Walter Eckerton."

The audience clapped and Albus whispered to Matt, asking him if he knew his dad was moderating. lustrelessness shook his head no and the two looked back to the figurehead.

Kendrick had taken his keister and mat 's dad had rose."Now I 'd like to welcome our two nominee. Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."

There was Thomas More hand clapping as Percy and Laurentis walked out of the antechamber and took their places behind the pulpit. Once the clapping subsided, flatness 's dad began to speak.

"Today 's debate will run similarly to past debates, with five minute responses and two moment rebuttal. All questions and prompting will be about education. The debate will run for an hour and a half. After it is over, the room will be cleared and then lunch will be served. After lunch there will be a short break and then the student question and resolution seance will aim place in this same way. Without further adieu, the kickoff question. Mr. Weasley, you will answer first.

"How do you feel about the Hogwarts physical environment ? Do you experience it is adequate and contributing to learning or do you feel alteration should be made ?"

Sir Henry Percy took a footprint forward and smiled at the audience."I believe that the Hogwarts castle is very contributing to learning. Being in a sequestrate arena provides little in the way of distraction to the pupil. Yet the law of proximity of the palace to Hogsmeade village gives students in third year and above a much needed falling out. The solely modification I think need to be made are to update what needs to be updated and reanimate what needs to be repaired."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"mat 's dad said. He turned to Laurentis."Ms. Laurentis."

"I agree with Mr. Weasley. The Hogwarts castling is very contributive to learning and I see nothing awry with it the way it is. All of Mr. Weasley 's points are very valid."

Albus turned to Matt and shrugged. That was odd. They actually agreed on something. Matt 's dad seemed a little shocked by this as well, because he did not say anything for a few second after Laurentis quieted.

"All right. Since you two agree, I see no need for rebutter. Moving on to the next question. Ms. Laurentis, this prison term you will go first. How do you feel about the current Hogwarts programme ? Do you find the classes adequately prepare today 's young people for living in British wizarding society ? What changes, if any, do you sense need to be made ?"

"The Hogwarts curriculum has not been updated in decades. In fact, the solitary new socio-economic class that has been introduced is this year 's class on political relation. course of study is something that needs to change with the prison term and be re-evaluated at to the lowest degree every former class. The world is a constantly changing place and what students learn needs to change with it. New year should be offered and outdated course of instruction should be removed. Curricula for classes that are kept needs to change in social club to proceed up with today 's research. Potions, for example, should not be taught the same way now as it was 40 years ago, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case."

"Thank you. Mr. Weasley."

"The core curriculum of Hogwarts is similar to that of wizard schoolhouse all over the Earth. The classes taught here offer BASIC and get ahead instruction in matter that wizards need in order to function in beau monde. We can not put up here and advocate getting rid of Charms or Transfiguration in party favour of some new subject area that may or may not instruct our students anything. Yes, the human beings is constantly changing, but the canonical spells remain the Lapp. scholarly person forty year ago used 'Alohomora'to open threshold and the spell remains the Sami today,"Hotspur argued.

"Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis."

"I am in no way insinuating that we should get rid of appealingness or Transfiguration."She looked offended at Percy 's charge."All I am saying is that we need to seem at the elective that are offered. The staple heart socio-economic class should obviously be kept, although they should be updated. Today 's professor are using the same textbook they used thirty years ago, which is derisory considering how much has changed in their fields-"

"Your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

Hotspur seemed to blow up out his chest a bit."Those textbooks still teach the basics ! How is a textbook written last year going to be any better at teaching a student how to stir a caldron ? Additionally, older school text have to a greater extent apply written matter available making it more affordable for students from miserable income category to buy their books."

It seemed to Albus that they had gotten slightly off theme from the proposed question, but neither candidate seemed to notice or care.

"Next query. How do you feel about the way that teacher selection and evaluation is handled at Hogwarts ? Do you feel any changes are needed ?"Mr. Eckerton asked."You may go first, Mr. Weasley."

"Traditionally, the Ministry has taken a very hands-off approach to teacher selection and I believe this has worked well. Ministry functionary do not take the expertise to choose teacher and leaving this up to the Hogwarts staff has resulted in a very educated and all-round stave at Hogwarts. Following the reign of Voldemort, a diminished education department was founded in the Ministry to oversee affair and while it is still very hands-off, I believe the small sum of money of regularisation has served Hogwarts well,"Hotspur explained.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Laurentis smirked and then began."instructor selection, along with curriculum change, is the the aspect of Hogwarts that needs the most radical change, in my opinion. While prof Kendrick is a fine headmaster, I think more guidance is needed when it comes to choosing prof. For the retiring four days, Hogwarts has been unable to fix a Defense Against the dark prowess professor for Sir Thomas More than two long time. One only lasted a year. Other professors have been here for decades and yet others have remained even beyond their own death. There is nada improper, of trend, with older teachers, but Hogwarts appears to have no way of evaluating these faculty members. They remain here, teaching, yr after yr, whether or not they are actually successful in providing student with an education."

"Your rebutter, Mr. Weasley."

Harry Hotspur 's face had gained some color that was not always there."I hardly think it is appropriate to blame professor Kendrick for the fortune of previous Defense professors. Upon interviewing them he had no way of knowing what would encounter in the end. As for the other professors, if you would look at the statistics of the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. consequence of the past few class you 'll see that the absolute majority of students are passing. might I add that those are regulated by the Ministry."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"I would fit in that the Headmaster should not be held responsible for one or two professors who should not make been hired in the first topographic point, but Hogwarts has seen Sir Thomas More than its fair share of inadequate professor in the past times few years. Clearly something is wrong. More people need to be involved with curriculum and instructor selection."

"Next question,"Mr. Eckerton said."Do you feel that the security at Hogwarts is passable ? If not, what should be changed ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

If Albus was not mistaken, he could possess sworn he saw Laurentis sigh and impart a slight eye bowl before beginning."Let 's just scream it what it is, why do n't we ? lack of security department at Hogwarts ! The security department here, if you can address it that, is sorely lacking. mightiness I bring up the fact that for the past three class there had been a terrible breach in security department here ? Three years ago, a group of get-go years dueled the spell professor, a 7th year, and that seventh yr 's Fatherhood on the ground for a significant full point of time before the prof stepped in. The keep up yr, another inaugural year was kidnapped by that same seventh year, who had then graduated. finish yr, those same scholar were kidnapped and taken to Australia of all places ! I think we could forgive one incident, but three-"

"Your time is up,"Matt 's dad said."Mr. Weasley."

Hotspur was looking more and to a greater extent disgruntled. His fount now resembled his hair."power I remind my opponent that following the incidental three twelvemonth ago, Aurors were stationed at Hogwarts and none of the next incidents resulted in any lasting damage to any of the scholarly person. Last twelvemonth, the Aurors were slightly preoccupied by the disastrous competition that took seat here. Hogwarts is protected by many enthrallment and all the professors are capable of protecting the scholarly person. lowest year 's incident was an extremely unfortunate accident-"

"One that nearly resulted in student deaths !"Laurentis shouted.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Albus felt like the total room was staring at himself and matt. Glancing around, he saw that this was true.

Laurentis ignored Mr. Eckerton."I remind the wizarding residential area that the Aurors have yet to capture the genius of that incident. Which by the way was not the only incident live on year. Last year 's United States Department of Defense Against the shadow Arts professor kept a highly dangerous animal in the castle for months before anything was done. And by the meter it was discovered, it took Walter Eckerton stepping in to have it removed ! Then, the professor was allowed to ride out, despite the fact that later on it was discovered that he had been terrorizing and humiliating bookman in his class all year, not to mention the fact that his curricula were not appropriate. Following that atrocious breech in protection, regarding the brute, the same professor proceeded to let out information that could compromise the life-time of another student-"

"That is enough, Ms. Laurentis !"Mr. Eckerton shouted."You are speaking out of turn."

Albus was shy whether Matt 's dad was cutting her off because her time was up or because she was getting dangerously close to talking about flatness. Come to think of it, how did she even know about that ? She could n't possibly eff about Matt 's condition, could she ? Albus glanced at Matt, who was looking extremely pale.

"I believe we are out of time,"Mr. Eckerton continued. He looked quite flustered."Please issue the elbow room while dejeuner is set up. You may return in a one-half hour."

Albus stood and waited for his tour to leave the elbow room. The entire crowd was whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Albus and Matt every so often. He was tempted to skip tiffin all together, except he was extremely hungry.
***


Albus managed to keep off speaking to any reporter before and during lunch, which proved difficult because they seemed to suffer multiplied during the debate. All seemed cutting on interviewing him, Matt, John, and Kaden in peculiar due to their having been kidnapped the late June. Albus was quite relieved when the intellectual nourishment in front of them vanished and the majority of the people in the room left in order for the question and resolution session to ask seat.

Both campaigner seemed to have regained their composure during the meal because Percy 's face was no longer beet red and Laurentis had fixed her tomentum and was wearing a grin. The newsperson had been banned from the elbow room for the duration of the session, much to their dismay. matt 's dad also looked better and was standing in the front of the elbow room in front of the podiums, waiting for everyone to sit down.

The room was much emptier now, considering that only the students chosen to listen to the debate and the professors were allowed in the way. Albus and Matt managed to get a few seating room in the straw man row. James and Lily joined them.

Once the doors had been shut and everyone had sat down, Mr. Eckerton stepped forward."Welcome to the enquiry and answer session. It will run for an hour and the candidates will suffice as many interrogation as they can during that time. Please raise your hand if you have a question."Nothing about the outbursts during the public debate was mentioned.

Albus could not call up of anything to ask. He had absolutely no desire to speak to Laurentis and anything that he would want to ask Sir Henry Percy he could just ask at Christmastide or send him an owl. Not that he really had any questions for his uncle, either.

A grandiloquent Ravenclaw boy raised his hired man and Mr. Eckerton pointed to him."This dubiousness is for Ms. Laurentis,"the boy began."How exactly do you propose to make Hogwarts more secure ? I 'm nearly positive degree that the most kick upstairs tour are already used."

"That is very true,"Laurentis answered."I believe that we need to look outside the world of tour and give professors canonic training in defense force against intruder. I think a program, similar to very basic Auror training, would benefit all faculty greatly."

A Hufflepuff in pigtails had a question for both candidates next."Would either of you change the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams if you were elected ?"

"Only to fit better with any potential curriculum changes,"Laurentis replied."The variety would come later. Not for at least two years."

"Most belike, no,"Hotspur said."The statistics prove that they work well as they are."

The question and answer session continued in the same way, proving itself very different from the debate. It was quite the antonym, actually. Albus found himself very bored towards the end, his creative thinker drifting towards what both candidates had said during the debate. He was very odd about what the oracle would say about it the side by side day.

"We have fourth dimension for one more interrogative sentence,"Mr. Eckerton finally said.

Albus let out a suspiration of relief. A glance at Matt told him that his best acquaintance was feeling the Saame way, since he was leaning back in his president, his optic nearly closed.

Mr. Eckerton pointed to a girl sitting in the far back. Albus did n't discern her, but she had Ravenclaw robe on.

"This is for both of you, if either of you know anything about it. Ms. Laurentis, you were talking about professor Balladanis in the disputation and you mentioned something about him giving students selective information that they could use to scupper another pupil. Is that really genuine ? And what exactly happened ?"

Albus prodded lustrelessness in the side and whispered to him what the question had been. precondition matt 's reaction, which was a tone of utter panic, he almost wished he had n't bothered to arouse him up.

Mr. Eckerton stared at the student before turning to the candidates."You may answer the first gear office of the inquiry and that voice only."

"It is true,"Laurentis said just as Percy had been opening his backtalk to respond."prof Balladanis was not cut out for teaching and did not see the fact that there is a line between teaching to overspread knowledge and teaching to endanger others."

"Does it have to do with the Anamatek ?"a Slytherin boy asked.

"Yes,"Hotspur said."The situations were related."

"This is why I believe instructor need to be evaluated so we can avoid this type of post,"Laurentis explained.

"But what form of information could jeopardize someone ? Was it in the program ?"the Ravenclaw who had originally asked the enquiry said."noesis is power."

"It was not,"Laurentis answered."Which is exactly why it will be honorable for prof to sustain curricula that they stick to."

"I just do n't see,"the Ravenclaw went on."If people are kept in the wickedness they just blindly come after government agency. I 've always believed that masses should be taught everything possible."

Matt and his dad were both wearing similar reflexion. Both looked extremely uncomfortable and his dad was fiddling with a clutches on his robes. Matt looked like he wanted his chair to swallow him up.

"We 're all out of time,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thank you all for coming. The professors have requested that you all return to your common rooms and that you are free to correct commentary to the reporter that are waiting outside."

There was a shuffling of chairs as mass got up and exited the room. Matt grabbed Albus 's arm without saying anything, leading him directly to his don, who was speaking to both the candidates.

"Dad,"matt said quietly, not waiting for him to fetch up his conversation with Laurentis and Walker Percy.

Mr. Eckerton turned around and his face became sympathetic. He turned back to Laurentis and Percy."Excuse me. My son. I believe you can head up up to Kendrick 's bailiwick and I will be there shortly."

Albus, lustrelessness, and Mr. Eckerton left Laurentis and Percy, who had now begun to argue about something, in the Great Hall and entered one of its antechambers. The room was furnished with a few lounge and hot seat. Albus chose an armchair while Matt and his dad sat down on a couch.

"I 'm really sorry, Matt,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."I did not gestate endure year to be brought up during this debate."

"It 's not your fault,"Matt replied as he picked at a loose thread on the sofa."It 's just the way she, Laurentis, was talking, I thought that maybe she .... Does she know, Dad ? She seemed to sleep with an awful lot about what Balladanis did."

"She does n't know,"Mr. Eckerton said immediately."The exclusively the great unwashed at the Ministry who know are in my section. However, she and the eternal rest of the Ministry did let to get laid why I was filing a report on Balladanis survive year. I had to give intellect as to why I wanted him investigated on that report."

"Did you list exactly what he did, with the Anamatek and his lycanthrope lesson ?"flatness asked.

"No."Mr. Eckerton shook his mind."There are laws protecting minors in this sort of situation and I was not legally required to mention your name. All I had to say was that an anonymous bookman had felt threatened by a certain moral that Balladanis taught. That was all that was needed to found the investigating. That alone would not have gotten him sacked, but enough grounds was found through interviewing scholar about his teaching methods that nothing else was needed. It was n't even mentioned that it was a third yr class in my original report."

"But she seemed to know so often,"matte said.

"She does n't. Politicians deck what they know in gild to get elected. You do n't bear to worry. I suppose if she really wanted to she could count at the curriculum for defence reaction for that time of year and inquiry and figure it out, but it would take a lot of work. And trust me, she does not have the clip for that. Nor does she really have any rationality to deal what lesson it was or why a bookman was threatened or who that student was."

"But she said my lifetime had been at jeopardy,"Matt said.

"Again, that 's her embellishment."Mr. Eckerton half-smiled."The only ones who are really curious are your fellow pupil and this will blow over. They have no way of finding out."

"good,"Matt replied, finally smiling a bit.

"I 'd better get to the headmaster 's study,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up.

Albus waited while Matt said goodbye to his dad and then the two son headed back to Gryffindor tug. The reporters had either scattered or had found educatee unforced to be interviewed, for the boys came across no one but Prefects and a few first years setting off dungbombs on their way back to the common elbow room. Albus was very gladiolus to take heed that Laurentis did not roll in the hay the specifics about what had happened with Balladanis the late year, but he wished neither her or Harry Hotspur would ever land it up again in a argument. Somehow, though, Albus doubted that it would n't be.


Sorry for the late update ! sentence has gotten away from me. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Big thanks to my Skype committal to writing chemical group ; you guys are amazing !

I have a new Meet the Author thread on the forums. There 's a link to it on my Author page. Please turn back it out and ask me questions !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The article in the seer on Dominicus proved to be just as outrageous as the existent debate had been. It took up the stallion front page and was ripe with inverted comma from both prospect and a few student, although none of Albus 's cousins had been quoted. The Ravenclaw who had asked the question about Balladanis at the enquiry and answer session had not only been interviewed, but she had received her own article located on the second page. Albus groaned when he opened the Sir Frederick Handley Page and saw it, complete with a picture of the Ravenclaw in interrogative. His admirer quickly crowded around the newspaper publisher to show it over his shoulder.

CENSORSHIP AT HOGWARTS ?

Yesterday 's newsworthy debate at Hogwarts
schoolhouse of witchery and Wizardry proved
not only to be a time to learn about the
candidates'true vox populi on wizardly
education, but possibly uncovered an takings
of censorship that had been looked over
final twelvemonth.

Following the debate a interrogation and answer
session was held for those golden few
Hogwarts students who had gotten to sit
in the Great Hall during the argumentation. The
last interrogative was asked by sixth year
Ravenclaw Elizabeth II York. During the debate
Patricia Laurentis brought up the topic
of the probe of professor Tethys
Balladanis, late Defense Against
the darkness Arts professor ( see clause on
nominal head page ). York then questioned what
data had taught that according to
Laurentis"endangered a student 's life."

'I just inquire what information was being
taught because I 'm a house believer that
pupil should never be denied
information. If it was bad enough
to endanger someone 's living, then sure as shooting,
it should not be taught, but no one is
saying what the information was .'York
said in an interview following the
session.

After the question was asked, fence
moderator and header of the Department for
the Regulation and ascendance of Magical
Creatures Walter Eckerton told the
prospect that they could not say
what the information was, just confirm
that the incident had happened. Eckerton
quickly wrapped up the academic session, stating
that they were out of time.

It is interesting to note that Eckerton
is the wizard who filed the complaint
thus launching the investigation of
Balladanis. When asked for a comment,
Eckerton said'I 'm the Head of the
Department for the regularisation and ascendency
of Magical Creatures. He had an Anamatek.
I was informed of the situation and had
to take action .'

The situation provided more enquiry
than answers and it will be interesting
to find out whether this incident plays
a foster role in Apr 's election.

Albus set down the composition and pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. Why did the seer have to print that ? It did n't seem relevant to the election. Balladanis had been sacked and was long gone. It was in the past tense.

"Your dad 's rightfulness,"Amanda said to Matt later on when they were in the Marauder 's Den."She 's just trying to reach matter into a bighearted hatful so she can win More votes. Politicians turn the simple things into vast deals."

"I know, but still,"lusterlessness said as he picked through a big money of Bertie Bott 's Every feel attic."It 's like none of them realize that it 's my life-time they 're making a big deal of."

"Honestly, I do n't think it 's actually the data that people want,"Rose said, looking up from her Potions text."Think about it. If someone were to leak out the information, and say that Balladanis was teaching so much about identifying werewolves that people could figure out you were one, they 'd have cipher else to talk about-"

"Yeah, because they 'd be talking about how there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts,"Matt said.

"No, that 's not what I meant,"pink wine replied."They 're interested in the bigger effect. The fact that there might be censorship at Hogwarts. They do n't care what the information is that 's been censored. They just like that something 's been censored. And I think that if they really knew what it was, they 'd all agree that Balladanis had gone over the top."

"I guess,"Matt said."But that 's the thing, no one 's going to really have a go at it what it is."

"It 'll all screw up over soon enough,"Albus said."Next debate 's on law enforcement. Aurors, Azkaban, that sort of thing, and Laurentis runs Azkaban."

Albus spent much of Sun afternoon on the Quidditch pitch, which was a receive succour from discussing the public debate and the election and Percy and Laurentis. He loved his supporter, but they all seemed to be able to discuss the election for years and he could n't. Fred would possess had them on the pitch shot thirster, but Hufflepuff had reserved it for the evening.

The discussion of the censorship article seemed to calm down the following day, if only because a good majority of the prof had all scheduled exams that day and everyone was busy with last minute studying. Albus had exams in both Herbology and United States Department of Defense Against the Dark Arts, although the latter was really no different from the usual worksheets. Luckily there was no examination in Care of Magical fauna and then Albus had a destitute period.

lusterlessness slept the entire free menses and up until dinner in Leslie Townes Hope that he would be capable to attend that Nox 's detention. He had no desire to do detention on his own, so he was hoping that he 'd be able to get away with just missing the next night 's. He still looked absolutely exhausted even after the nap.

"If we 're doing anything outside I 'll have to forget,"Matt said as the four male child made their way to Filch 's study."Merlin I hope it 's not outside."

"Me, too,"John said."dry land 's horribly muddy after last Nox 's storm."

"Bet the squad will make love that."Albus said They had practice that night and Albus was missing it.

The boys continued their way through the castle until they made it to Filch 's study. Albus knocked three times and then stood back, waiting for the ancient caretaker to spread the doorway.

Filch was holding his cat, Josie, in his arm when he appeared in the room access. He was scowling, the wrinkles on his aspect showing Sir Thomas More than ever, and looked thoroughly disgusted at having to supervise the boys'detention. He let the cat down on the background and she took a swat at Kaden 's robes before darting behind a nearby suit of armor.

"You lot again,"Filch muttered as he shut the room access behind him, despite the fact that the four boys had n't had a joint hold with Filch since second year."You 're scrubbing the 2nd storey girl 's bathroom. With toothbrushes, of course."Filch reached into his pouch and pulled out four grubby toothbrushes.

"That 's Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom,"Albus whispered to his champion as they distributed their cleaning implements and followed Filch down the corridor.

Filch shooed them into the privy and leaned against the room access, his branch across his chest, and scowled at them as they began. Albus squatted down and began to scrub the floor, John and Kaden doing the Lapplander. The three had agreed to make the detainment as easy as possible for Matt and thus left him the sink.

Albus had n't been scrubbing for to a greater extent than two mo when he heard a splashing behind him and a schoolgirlish giggle. He turned around and saw myrtle, smiling and winking at him. She floated over until she was hovering over the discussion section of base that Albus was scrubbing.

"Albus Potter."She giggled again."You 're back to my toilet. Oh, but this clock time you 've been in trouble, have n't you ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus muttered.

"This is n't for what you did to the Slytherin unwashed room, is it ?"Myrtle asked."Your blood brother asked me about that. I told him that you 'd been in here that night, hiding under your invisibleness Cloak."

Albus flinched when she said the row"invisibleness cloak"and hoped that Filch had had some listening loss in his old age. The last thing Albus needed was for the caretaker to hump he had an Invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't know you were pranking the Slytherins, though,"Myrtle continued."I like boys who pull buffoonery, you know."myrtle giggled again and floated closer to Albus, so close that his hand was now inside her arm. He moved it away.

"You know, some years I hardly get any male child coming in here,"Vinca minor said as she floated towards John."And this year there 's so many. I think you should fare visit me more often. It gets lonely in here, you know."

"Yeah, I imagine it 's quite lonely, being deadened,"Kaden said.

Vinca minor let out an ear-piercing shriek and started wailing. She sped past Albus and into one of the stalls, where she plunged herself into the toilet.

"Sensitive type, is n't she ?"Kaden said.

There was another tawdry splatter and Myrtle was suddenly right in front of Kaden."You would be too if you were perfectly !"she shouted.

"But could n't you leave the loo ?"John asked."The former ghostwriter float about the castle all the time."

"farewell the loo ?"Vinca minor repeated."Leave the loo ?"She said a bit louder."But this is where I died ! I find it 's best to think about my death right here. Right where it happened."

"Would n't it be less lonely with the other trace ?"St. John asked as he began to scour one of the carrell doors.

"The other ghosts do n't understand,"Myrtle lamented."They 're all fulfill being dead. Even the grey ma'am and she 's always seemed slightly abject. But no, none of them are as miserable as me."Vinca minor seemed proud about that.

"Wyrd,"John muttered under his breath.

"Quiet !"Filch shouted."You 're in custody. No talking."

Myrtle resumed floating above the male child, letting out a forte lamentation every so often. Kaden and flatness continued to scrub the trading floor while whoremonger scrubbed the stalls. Matt was still scrubbing the sinks, but was going very slowly and winced every so often.

"You look miserable !"Myrtle exclaimed as flatness 's hand slipped and he dropped his toothbrush. He bent down to pick it up and leaned on the sink, squeezing his eyes shut. myrtle floated down to hover just above the cesspit next to him and smiled.

matte said nothing and turned from myrtle, to get started on the sink on the other side. Vinca minor followed."You know, I 'm miserable here all the sentence. I just sit here and contemplate my death ..."myrtle continued.

myrtle continued to be Matt around the can while he was clearly trying to brush aside her and put as much distance between them as possible. He had no luck with this since he was exhausted and Myrtle was a ghost. Albus caught John the Divine 's eye as Myrtle giggled for the 20th fourth dimension and the two shared a silent laugh.

After they 'd been scrubbing for nearly two hours Filch finally told them they could stop. Albus 's knees and custody were raw and he had a touch he smelled strongly of cleanser. Saint John and Kaden looked equally suffering and Matt looked as bad as he did the morning after a full synodic month, only without the undercut and morsel. Myrtle looked delighted at their misery.

"Visit me again soon !"she shouted after them as they left."Especially you,"she added to lusterlessness with another giggle.

"individual has a press on you,"John said to Matt as soon as they were out of earreach of Filch.

"Shut up,"mat muttered.

"lusterlessness and Myrtle, what an adorable duad you 'd make,"John continued."You should go visit her. She seemed to be happier knowing that you were miserable."

"I said shut up about it !"Matt shouted.

"amercement, was only making a joke,"John replied.

The boys walked in secretiveness the rest of the way to Gryffindor Tower. They did not come across anyone else, which Albus was thankful for since he was unsealed as to whether it was past curfew or not. Once back in Gryffindor, Matt immediately went to the dormitory without saying another Book to Albus, can, or Kaden.

"hope it 's not strip tomorrow,"trick muttered as he sat down on the nearest chair and pulled up his heave leg."Look at that. My human knee 's all red."

"Matches my fingers,"Kaden added.

Albus would gladly suffer through another day of Muggle cleaning if it meant the rest of the hold would be called off. He was missing two Quidditch pattern and the last dueling praxis before the initiatory duel. Some master he was, missing the last practice before their outset tournament. Their final recitation was Thursday eventide and Albus would be off in detention, doing who knows what. He was planning on having Amanda run the drill, although he had n't talked to her about it yet.

The door to the common room opened and the Gryffindor Quidditch team, minus Albus of course, trouped in. They all looked muddy, exhausted, and sweaty and Albus felt a pang of guiltiness as he watched them head up up to the dormitories to shower.

"Missed you, Al,"Fred said as he passed."You 're missing on Wednesday, too, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus muttered."Sorry."

Fred nodded."Just do n't do it right before a match."

That was at least fortunate, Albus thought. They would n't be playing in another Quidditch match until after the holidays, seeing as the following match was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. However, he couldn't help but feel that missing dueling practice right before a tourney was worsened than missing Quidditch exercise right before a match.
***


Albus 's workweek did not amend the pursual day, when he began it with forked potions. matt, feeling too ill to brew potions all morning, stayed in the dormitory to catch some Z's, leaving Scorpius Malfoy without a partner to brew that day 's Wart Removal Potion. Even regretful, Albus 's collaborator was also not in class. Slughorn saw this as the thoroughgoing opportunity to mate Albus with Malfoy.

Albus set up his cauldron while Malfoy stalked off to the potions cupboard to get the component. He returned a shortsighted while later and began to hack a shrivelfig into perfectly sized man. Albus took the rat spleen, dumped it into the cauldron, and began to conjure up it.

"Word is you and your supporter got a hebdomad 's detention for that antic,"Malfoy said, not looking up from his shrivelfig.

"Yes. Not that it 's any of your stage business,"Albus responded.

"Oh, but it is."Malfoy smirked, finally looking up."You did n't by opportunity get Thursday off from detention, did you ?"

"No,"Albus muttered. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down himself down. He was stirring the caldron far too quickly.

"That 's dueling recitation,"Malfoy said, as if it had slipped Albus 's intellect."Our own headwaiter, missing practice because of detention. I do n't presuppose you 've found somebody else to run practice, have you ?"

"If you 're angling for the job you 're out of luck,"Albus said as he threw another rat lien into the cauldron with more force than was necessary."Amanda already said she 'd do it."That was n't necessarily true, as Albus had slept too late that break of day to see Amanda at breakfast before they 'd had to go down to the dungeons.

"tagger ?"Malfoy scoffed."I think the captain ought to have at least some skill at dueling."

"Why does it weigh so much ?"Albus asked."It 's one pattern ! It 's not like one practice session would make you captain."

"When the professor see what a better job of it I do-"

"One reason, Malfoy,"Albus interrupted."Give me one reason why you should do it over Amanda."

Malfoy 's face broke out in a malicious grin."One reason ? The Moon 's going to be in an interesting phase tonight."

Albus lowered his articulation."You would n't. You ca n't. Kendrick would expel you."

"Only if he knew it was me who spilled the dome,"Malfoy pointed out.

Albus felt the stemma drain from his brass. Why had he never thought of that ? Of row there were direction Malfoy could let it dislocate without anyone knowing it was him."Fine,"Albus muttered."amercement. You captain the squad on Thursday. But just that day. I do n't birth detainment on Saturday afternoon."

"Fair enough,"Malfoy said, clearly satisfied at how things had turned out.

Albus took a parsnip and began to chop it with as a lot military unit as he could muster, imagining Malfoy 's smirking aspect upon the vegetable 's surface. Luckily, Malfoy did not say another Son to Albus throughout the entire social class, which gave Albus the simpleness not to hex him into next C after they left Slughorn 's room.

The day continued in a downward spiral when Patil had them work on transfiguring skunk into teacup and Albus 's teacupful ran across his table and crashed onto the floor. political sympathies was no amend because Professor Embry had the course of instruction discuss the past times Saturday 's debate, something Albus just wanted to put behind him. He could n't avail but find as if the intact class was staring at him for the whole minute since Embry brought up the topic of his kidnapping and the sacking of prof Balladanis.

Kendrick sent Albus, lustrelessness, John the Divine, and Kaden an owl at dinner party informing them that their detainment would take lieu in Greenhouse Two, where Professor Longbottom needed help transferring his dragon dung plant food from a huge pile outside to versatile pots inside.

"Disgusting !"Saint John the Apostle exclaimed upon reading the musical note."I get enough of that in Herbology."

"At to the lowest degree we 're with Longbottom and not Filch,"Albus pointed out."flatness will be missing this one, obviously."

John nodded."Where is he, by the way ? Have n't seen him all day."

"Probably still in the dormitory. He was sound asleep when I went up there to grab my Transfiguration book at lunch,"Albus said.

Kaden glanced at his watch."We 're not even going to have time to go back there before detention. It 's six-thirty."

Albus set his branching down. He had been picking at his beef cattle sweat, but not really eating it. He still had n't told his champion that Malfoy was going to be running his dueling pattern later that week. Add that to the fact that now he would n't get to see Matt before the entire Moon and it was just turning out to be an awful evening.

Rose seemed to read Albus 's mind."We 'll go agree on him after dinner,"she said. Amanda nodded.

John and Kaden polished off the rest of their meals and then the three male child set off for the greenhouses. The sun was just beginning to set as they walked across the grounds and Albus knew that meant that matte would be heading to the hospital Wing soon. He hoped rose and Amanda would grapple to see him before he did.

Neville was waiting for them when they arrived, bearing four excavator and four sets of boxing glove.

"flatness ca n't issue forth tonight,"Albus said once they reached Neville.

Neville glanced at the sky."Oh, right. I 'd forgotten."He handed the boy the shovels and mitt."All of this,"he gestured to a orotund spate of manure,"indigence to be moved into the commode in Greenhouse Two. You can leave once you 're finished."

Albus groaned inwardly as he looked at the pile. It must take in been at least six feet luxuriously and as big around as the Scots heather shed near the Quidditch delivery. It would lead them at to the lowest degree an hour. He sighed as he pulled on his boxing glove and began to shovel the manure.

With all three boys working steadily it took them an hour and a one-half to move all the manure. When they finally finished all Albus wanted to do was go up to Gryffindor column and get hold of the world 's longest exhibitor. He felt defective than he did after a Quidditch pattern in the pouring rain.

"Two down, five to go,"John Lackland said after Neville parted ways with them on the second floor."I 'd never thought I 'd say this, but I 'd really like some lines."

"I just wish they 'd cancel Thursday 's,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, right, what are you doing about your dueling praxis ?"whoremaster asked.

Albus felt choler boiling up in him again just thinking about it."Malfoy 's pickings over for the practice."

"Wait, seriously ?"bathroom exclaimed."But Amanda 's on your team. She could have-"

"It 's complicated,"Albus muttered. For some ground he did n't need to get into why Malfoy was going to be captain for the night."And it 's only for a night."

John gave Albus a strange aspect."I guess, but still ... Malfoy ? It 's going to go to his head."

"I know !"Albus exclaimed."I know, all right ? It 's not like I wanted to have detention on Th and miss that practice. I 'll remind you that this prank was yours and Kaden 's idea. Not mine."

"I know,"john said."But Malfoy ..."his voice trailed off.

Albus spent a near half hour in the shower once he returned to Gryffindor and then collapsed into bed, wishing that he could awake up and find out that the day had been an awful dream. Instead, he dreamed that Professor Kendrick decided to take away Albus 's captaincy and give it to Malfoy.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! This will be the but update this calendar month as I am currently working on NaNoWriMo.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


John got his wish the following even when the boys spent an time of day doing lines with prof Young, which was slightly pointless since Young paid absolutely no aid to them. After they were released, Albus, trick, and Kaden immediately went to the Hospital offstage, as they had been unable to visit Matt earlier in the day.

Madam Pomfrey was refilling potion bottle when they arrived a myopic while later. The curtains were drawn around Matt 's usual bed while all the other beds remained abandon.

"how-do-you-do, boys,"the nurse greeted them."I 'll let you call for ten minutes, but curfew 's very soon."

Albus nodded and led John and Kaden to matt 's bed, where he pulled back the curtains and entered the small domain. lustrelessness was laying in bed with a bandage around his left arm and another on his brow.

"How are you feeling ?"Albus asked.

"Awful,"lusterlessness replied."But I do n't desire to talk about it. What 's new with you lot ?"

"Just did an hour of air,"John said."And finale nighttime we had to shovel manure for Longbottom. You 're favourable you missed that one. I swear I still smell like dragon dung."

"But now I have to do two detentions by myself. Possibly three,"matte lamented.

"Three ? You 're not going to get out of here tomorrow ?"Kaden asked. Usually Matt got out of the Hospital backstage two days after the full moon.

"I will, but it just depends on what the hold is. If it 's line of descent then I can go but if it 's cleaning again then I 'll have to hop-skip it. Madam Pomfrey wants me to rest tomorrow."

"Ca n't think of what else they 'd have us do,"John said."guesswork what else ? Albus is having Malfoy run his dueling squad 's practice tomorrow since he 'll be in detention."

"You 're what ? !"matte exclaimed."That 's mad, Albus."

Albus sighed."It 's one day. One practice. It 's not like I 'm giving him my team."

"Yeah, but there are early people on your team,"Matt pointed out."One of them could have captained it."

"As I told John and Kaden, it 's complicated,"Albus said."And it wo n't happen again."

mat shrugged, but he did n't look convinced. The last matter Albus wanted to do was tell him the veridical reason why Malfoy was going to run the recitation. Matt did n't need that on his denture.

"prison term 's up !"madam Pomfrey announced as she brought a tray of potions to lusterlessness."Hurry back to Gryffindor. The lastly affair the three of you need is another detention."

As it turned out, there were early things that the professor thought of for the boys'detainment. Thursday evening they cleaned cauldron without legerdemain in Professor Slughorn 's classroom, something that madam Pomfrey forbade matte from doing, insisting that he turn in early instead. Albus spent the entire detention thinking about what Malfoy was doing with his dueling team and counting down the hour until he would be able to ask Amanda about it.

"He was really filthy,"Amanda said once the son were back in the mutual room after custody. Amanda had gotten out of dueling practice before they 'd finished detention."A few of the mo years were cursing him afterward. I heard them. Not that I blame them since he all out yelled at them for not being able to perform a Jelly-Legs Jinx."

"What does he gestate ?"Albus replied."They 're moment years !"

"I tried to separate him that, but he did n't deal,"Amanda said."He even yelled at a Slytherin."

"Seriously ?"Albus said."Wow."

"I 'm really gladiolus Longbottom made you captain and not him,"Amanda continued."I think I 'd quit otherwise."

"I would 've drop by the wayside if he was on my team, menstruum,"lav said.

"He would n't last as captain anyway,"Amanda pointed out."prof Cedonia was supervising and she had to secern him to tone it down about five fourth dimension and then once one of the endorse years was close to split, she called an end to the practice."

Albus could n't help but feel a bit of satisfaction that Malfoy made such a bad captain, despite the fact that he did finger bad for his teammate. He doubted Malfoy would lay off insistence that he should give been made senior pilot, but Albus doubted anything would stop that.

Sat brought with it a loud electric storm that rendered it nearly inconceivable to pick up what anyone was saying in the Great Charles Francis Hall at breakfast. Albus was quite glad that Fred had not scheduled a Quidditch drill for that day, but hoped that the storm would steady down by the meter the tournament began since his team would require to be able to discover each former speak.

Malfoy was already seated at Team septenary 's spot at the Hufflepuff mesa when Albus arrived later that afternoon. He was delight to see that the rest of the team was giving him a broad berth, including a few of the younger Slytherins.

"Albus !"one of the arcsecond year Hufflepuffs, Alice Jake, shouted when she saw him coming."So happy you 're back."

"Me, too."Albus grinned as he sat down in between her and another Hufflepuff."You lot ready ?"

There was a refrain of"yes 's"and a few nods of headland from Albus 's squad. The last few dueler ran into the room and snagged the concluding few seats, which were unfortunately next to Malfoy.

Albus glanced at his ticker. Five instant until the tourney began. He felt like he should seduce some kind of manner of speaking, like all of his Quidditch master did before lucifer. But what was he supposed to say ?

"Er, well, here we are. The first tournament,"Albus began."You are all splendid duelers, each and every one of you. We 've all been practicing hard and you 've all made great improvements. We 're going to do expectant, but think back, just have fun. But if you remember what you 've learned and duel like you do in practice, I think we can definitely win this."

The eternal rest of his team ( sans Malfoy ) gave a hearty cheer and then turned to prof Longbottom, who had just called for attention. Albus 's team immediately quieted down.

"Welcome to the number 1 dueling tournament !"Neville announced."It will run as it has in the past, with two affaire d'honneur happening simultaneously. professor Cedonia is coming around with the tournament schedule, which will be given to each senior pilot. Please pay attention and cognise when you are to duel. Everyone will duel twice. Professor Cedonia and I will each preside over a dueling circle and will harbinger the success. The showtime person to demilitarize their opponent will be given a pointedness. Remember, you are only allowed to use spells you have learned in your socio-economic class. The first duels will set forth momentarily."

prof Cedonia handed Albus a piece of lambskin and he set it down while his squad crowded around him."I think it 'll be leisurely for me to let you know when you 're to duel. I 'll tell you two duels before you 're scheduled. Alice and Tucker, you 're first."

Albus glanced down the listing and noticed that he was the 10th duel in Neville 's annulus and the seventeenth in Cedonia 's. That would hold him plenty of clip to get used to organizing his team. It was slightly overwhelming, having to constantly be paying tending to the list and figuring out when everyone should be dueling. After a few affaire d'honneur, he managed to get the hang of it.

"Malfoy,"Albus said."You 're up in two affaire d'honneur, in Cedonia 's ring."

Malfoy nodded, but did n't say anything. He had not said a Good Book the integral tournament, which was very uncharacteristic, and the relaxation of the squad seemed to be set on ignoring him.

Albus handed the list to Amanda and headed to Neville 's dueling halo, where he was set to duel privy. Two Hufflepuffs from other teams were currently battling it out and Albus was next. The shorter of the two Hufflepuffs finally managed to unarm his opponent.

"Point to team Four !"Neville shouted as the two Hufflepuffs left."Albus Potter versus privy Brickston."

Albus and King John gave each other apologetic smiles before bowing and raising their wands, waiting for Neville 's okay.

"Ready, duel !"Neville shouted.

Albus immediately sent a leg-locker curse at King John, who easily deflected it. bathroom sent the same at Albus who also avoided it. Albus continued sending spells at bathroom, who kept avoiding them, until he finally got hit with a Jelly-legs jinx and nearly lost his ground. In the fourth dimension it took him to perform the counter-curse, Albus was able to hit him with Petrificus Totalus.

"Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted as John fell over. He caught John 's wand in his rectify helping hand and then turned to Neville, who was smiling.

"Point to team up Seven !"

Neville performed the counter-curse on trick and the two boys left the ring. Albus headed back to his table, where Malfoy was just heading to Cedonia 's dueling ring.

Malfoy dueled a second year and won within two minutes. He was smirking as he walked back to the Hufflepuff table, but he returned to mediocre hand clapping. It seemed that the rest of the team was still acerbic about Thursday 's practice.

The residuum of the tourney went well. Both Albus and Malfoy won their second gear duels, although Malfoy had a lot more difficultness since he dueled a colleague twenty-five percent year.

"attention, I 'd wish to announce the victor !"Neville shouted a unawares while after the concluding affaire d'honneur. The entire elbow room immediately quieted and looked up at Neville."Thank you. In third place with 44 points is Team Four !"

Cheers erupted from the Ravenclaw tabular array, where Team Four was currently seated. Once they quieted down, Neville spoke."In bit property with 52 points is squad VII !"

The relief of Albus 's team began to shout and cheer, but Albus was too stunned to do much of anything. He could n't believe it ! His first gear ever tournament as police captain and his team had gotten minute stead ! A few multitude slapped him on the spine and he broke out into a grin.

"And in beginning place, with 55 points is Team Six !"Neville announced.

There were cheers from the former end of the Hufflepuff table, but Albus ignored them. He was still shocked that his own team had done so well.

"Great job, everyone !"he said once he regained his calmness."I knew we could do it !"

The mesa was filled with excitement and cackle and it continued even after they got up and began to leave the way. Albus was anxious to get back to Gryffindor tower where he could celebrate his most win with his friends.

"Nice going, ceramist,"Malfoy bicker as soon as they left the Great Hall."I bet if I were the captain we would 've won."

"We got second,"Albus replied."That 's really good."

"commencement would 've been better,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm amazed we even got second considering how awful you are at practices."

"better than you,"Albus said."No one liked your praxis on Thursday. Did you notice how no one talked to you today ? They hated it."

"They 're just too used to you coddling them,"Malfoy said, taking a measure closer to Albus.

"well it does n't much affair because I 'm the captain and you 're not,"Albus said as he toyed with his scepter, which he was still brandishing in his left hand hand.

"For now,"Malfoy replied, eyeing Albus 's wand."If you keep getting in trouble I bet they 'll put back you."

"C'mon, Albus."mat had appeared next to Albus."Let 's get back to the common room."

"Better take heed to him."Malfoy gave a shortstop laugh."You 'd cogitate it 'd the former way around, though. Him attacking me rather than you. But I suppose that would only be in a certain time of-"Malfoy glared knowingly at Matt.

"Shut up ! And take that back,"Albus seethed, raising his wand.

"Seriously, Albus, let 's go !"matt grabbed the dorsum of Albus 's robes and pulled him towards the stairway.

"evil git,"Albus muttered, looking back at the crowd in the incoming Hall. Malfoy was already gone."Why does he always have to fetch it up like that ?"

"It does n't matter,"matt said.

"Of class it matters !"Albus said indignantly."It 's insulting !"

"I 'm used to it,"matt said quietly.

"So what ?"Albus exclaimed."That does n't mean you should own to spend the rest of Hogwarts having him bring it up every day."

"And you hexing him would sustain solved everything ?"lusterlessness asked."You just would 've gotten another detention."

"Would 've been worth it,"Albus muttered.

"No, it would n't have,"lustrelessness argued."You 've just got to ignore him. I ignore him."

"I really hope that next year he 's not on my dueling team,"Albus said.

"I do n't think he will. Did n't they go back to house teams for dueling for fifth through 7th years this year ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Did they ?"Albus asked.

"That 's what one of the sixth old age said,"flatness answered.

"Good,"Albus said."Then I just have to suffer through this year."

Albus and matte were the last of their friends to get back to Gryffindor, where it appeared that no one was doing prep. James had set a few fireworks off out the window and everyone was watching them while eating record upon platters of biscuits.

"What are you lot celebrating ?"Albus asked James as he took a biscuit.

James shrugged."Just the fact that we 've got a Saturday with nothing to do. Well, Cedric, Ben, Nathan, and I that is."

"Where have you two been ?"Rose asked as she walked up to Albus and Matt. whoremaster and Kaden were behind her, a biscuit in each bridge player.

"Al nearly got into a affaire d'honneur with Malfoy in the entranceway Hall,"Matt explained.

"Albus !"Amanda exclaimed."You ca n't get anymore hold !"

"I know, but he said something really vile,"Albus said and turned to privy."You would 've hexed him."

"What did he say ?"Rose asked.

"He said that he was surprise I was n't attacking him,"Matt said quietly.

"You 're right,"John growled."I would 've hexed him."

"See ?"Albus said.

"And I told you that it was n't worth detention over,"mat repeated.

"But if it continues,"Rose said,"you 've got to enjoin Kendrick."

"I 'm not telling Kendrick,"matte insisted."I think he 's got enough to worry about with the possibility of the entire school getting changed if Laurentis wins this election."
***


"Why in the figure of Merlin are we doing detainment in the timberland ?"Kaden asked at breakfast the observe morning.

"Seriously,"John agreed."That 's not really hold, is it ? The forest is assuredness. I 've always wanted to go in there."

"Are you two insane ?"Amanda asked."There 's all sorting of fauna in there."

"My baby did detention in the forest once,"matt said."She had to harvest these works Slughorn needed and they could only be harvested the dark of the entire moon."

"Well that 's one detention you 'll never have to do."St. John laughed.

"Maybe we have to harvest some former kind of plant ?"lusterlessness suggested, ignoring John 's commentary.

"Dunno."Albus shrugged. The alphabetic character they 'd received had not gone into specific. It just stated that they were to meet Hagrid near his hut at three that afternoon.

"At least you 're not going at Nox,"pink wine pointed out.

The few hours Albus and his friends had until detention went by rather quickly. They spent the hours in the common room alternating doing homework while participating in very large unit of ammunition of Exploding Snap with nearly all of Albus and Rose 's cousin. Everyone was covered in ash by the time three o'clock rolled around and the boys had to run up to their hall to wash their faces before heading down to Hagrid 's hut.

Albus liked Hagrid. He had known the half-giant since he was little and was slightly confused as to how detention with Hagrid could possibly be considered detention. Perhaps Professor Kendrick was incognizant that Albus and his friends visited Hagrid every so often and enjoyed disbursal meter with him.

Hagrid was already outside when Albus and the other three boys arrived, armed with his crossbow and Fang by his position. Albus swallowed hard upon seeing the crossbow. Did Hagrid really think they would need that ?

"'Ello, boys !"Hagrid greeted them."Fairly simple-minded detention today. We 'll be collectin'unicorn tail hairs."

"Like getting them from unicorns ?"Kaden asked."I thought they did n't like boys."

Hagrid gave a prospering laugh."No, no, Kaden. It 'd be a criminal offence to select 'em right from the unicorn, wouldn'it. No, we 'll be gettin''em from bush and trees. As the unicorns run past they get snagged. Let 's get goin'."

Fang let out a loud barque as they made their way to the forest. Collecting unicorn fuzz. That was n't bad at all. But still, it was the timber and that was where Washburn and Willinson had spent a lot of their time the previous year. They would n't be back there, would they ? Obviously Washburn and Quinton Willinson were in Azkaban, but what about Quinton 's father ? Where was he ?

"What do we need unicorn hairs for ?"John asked as they entered the forest."No one here makes wands."

"Used for a lot more'n sceptre, aren'they,"Hagrid answered."Potions, mostly. Tha 's what we need 'em for. seventh year are brewing somethin'that needs unicorn hairs so professor Kendrick volunteered you four to compile 'em. Slughorn 's too old to do it himself."

"That 's for indisputable,"John muttered to Albus.

It was very morose in the woodland, despite the fact that it was day. All four boys lit their wands and Hagrid 's pink umbrella was providing more short than two wands combined. Hagrid had told them that they would n't find any hair until they were at least XV minutes into the forest since unicorns rarely ventured near the edge.

The wood was very dense and it was difficult for them to walk next to each early. Soon, they were forced to walk ace file through a very minor itinerary that was riddled with tree branches and tilt. Albus stumbled every so often and lustrelessness managed to come down over three times before anyone found any unicorn tail hair. Galloping hooves could be heard in the aloofness and Albus figured they were centaurs. His dad had told him that there was a herd of centaurs in the forest, although Albus had never seen one before.

"Here we are,"Hagrid said after what had been at least a twenty min walk. He gestured to a nearby bush."Jus'have a smell around here and I 'm sure we 'll line up plenty. This is a known area where unicorns live. Don'wander too far."

Hagrid had provided them all with buckets in which to collect the tomentum. Albus set off for the nearest bush and found a few hairs snagged in the branches.

"finish detention,"John said as he worked alongside Albus."Thank Merlin."

"Speak for yourself,"Matt called out from a tree a few meters away.

"Do you know what you have to do for your next ace ?"Albus asked.

"Lines, all three nights,"flatness said."Easier, I suppose, than coming up with anything else when it 's just me."

"Better than cleaning bathrooms again. Or digging up flying dragon dung,"Kaden said."Whoa, I just found a whole cluster of hair."

After they 'd been working for a one-half hour Hagrid decided that they 'd collected enough. They set off re-tracing their step through the forest. Albus found it a little lupus erythematosus scary on the walk back and he was n't for certain whether it was because he had gotten used to the noises or because he could see the sunlight at the edge. He was very relieved to find that he did not see Jarrett Willinson anywhere in the timberland, although now that the detention was passed he realized that Willinson would n't go back there now that the Resurrection of Christ Harlan Fiske Stone was no longer there. No, Willinson was most likely still in Commonwealth of Australia, where no one was looking for him. At least, Albus hoped he was.


Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! You guy are awesome ! Sorry for the deficiency of updates lately. NaNo gave way to a frantic finishing of all the papers I 'd neglected during Nov. But I won NaNo and classes are over so I 'm hoping to get a good bit of writing done within the next calendar month.


The lastly few weeks of November provided the Hogwarts pupil and staff with a much needed period of calm. The following election argument would not require place until December and the the censorship at Hogwarts subject seemed to have died out, with the Daily Prophet no longer publishing clause on it. Both Quidditch and dueling tournament were over for the term, leaving the students with a bit more clock time to dedicate to their report. The side by side Hogsmeade visit was scheduled for the second Saturday in Dec, a week before term ended.

Albus enjoyed the monotony of those few calendar week. His days were filled with homework, Quidditch practice session, and dueling practice. team VII was very well-chosen to have Albus back as their captain and most continued to ignore Malfoy during practice session. Malfoy still reserved a special glare of hatred for Albus and his friends, but he did not attempt to bulge anymore duel in the corridor, like he had after the dueling tournament.

December arrived with a Charles Percy Snow tempest that caused the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to cancel two of their practices. This gave Fred the opportunity to Word the delivery for two extra practices, something that earned him a healthy Elvis of U-No-Poo in his morning pumpkin succus good manners of James and Bradley. Albus was happy to see that the job of schoolhouse prankster had been rightfully returned to James and his friends. The week of detainment had certainly dissuaded Albus from planning anymore pranks. The same could not be said for John and Kaden, who were plotting something, although Albus did not fuck what.

Albus, Matt, and Amanda spent the first Saturday of December ignoring their homework in the Marauder 's Den. The Slytherin team had the pitch for the full day, which gave Albus a much needed break from Quidditch. trick and Kaden 's placement would probably only be found with the marauder 's Map and rosiness was tutoring in the library.

There was a cheap squawk from outside the room, which was rosiness 's sign that she was out of doors and wished to be let in. Albus got up from his game of Gobstones and let her in. She dropped her bag unceremoniously on the storey and flopped down on the couch.

"I 'm worried about Elsie,"Rose said.

"Elsie ..."Albus prompted.

"Elsie Willinson !"she exclaimed."The first year I 've been tutoring all year."

"Oh yeah, the one with the cretin for a crony and a full cousin and uncle who want to play back Voldemort. Yeah, I 'd be worried, too,"Albus said as he returned to his plot.

"No, I 'm not worried about her pudden-head chum. I 'm upset about her."

"What, is she still failing all her subjects ?"mat asked.

"No, she 's actually doing practically better,"pink wine said."She 's just very quiet down. She never talk of the town about anything other than homework-"

"auditory sensation like you."Albus turned around and grinned at his cousin."Although you 're not quiet."

"I 'm serious, Albus,"Rose said flatly."Her brother walks her to the depository library for our sessions and then picks her up when we 're done. I never see her with anyone early than him and occasionally Malfoy. I 've never seen her eat with anyone former than them, either."

"That is variety of strange,"Amanda said.

"See ?"Rose said."Amanda thinks it 's weird."

"So she 's shy."Albus shrugged."I just do n't see what it 's got to do with you."

"It does n't really,"rosiness said quietly."But if she 's having issues. We all know about her family. If her brother 's keeping an eye on her there must be a reason."

Albus had n't thought about it that way. What if Felix Willinson was trying to keep open an eye on his sister ?"If she 's doing something her family does n't like I bet she 's going against something they want."

"That 's what I thought,"Rose agreed."Which means she 's trying to do something respectable. Or he 's trying to have sure she does n't spill family secrets."

"You think they have more kinsperson secrets than just wanting Voldemort back ?"Matt asked.

"Of form they do,"Rose said."We only found out conclusion year that they were related by matrimony to Lubar. I mean, you never would 've guessed that in foremost or sec year."

Matt shuddered."Probably a good thing that I did n't. I probably would have refused to come to Hogwarts."

"virtually pure-blooded crime syndicate like them have moody secret,"Albus said as he fiddled with a Gobstone. It squirted him in the case and he rubbed the liquid state on his gown."The ones that want the line of descent to remain everlasting and block. Like the Malfoys."

"And I 'd bet my net Galleon that Elsie Willinson found out one of those secrets and wants to tell someone,"rosiness stated.

"You think it 's got to do with what they 're trying to do ?"Albus asked.

"I 'm certainly it does."

"The only job for them is that Jarrett 's on his own now,"Amanda said."With the other two in jail, what 's he going to do ?"

"You 're forgetting about Lubar,"Matt said darkly.

pink wine got up and started walking around the room."To be honest, I do n't sleep with how much he 's going to be involved, especially if this going to subscribe to place in Britain. Think about it, last twelvemonth he had the excuse of the tournament to be here. He 's got no apology this year. He 's a Ministry official. A horrid one, but still a Ministry official. It 's not in his best interest to be trying to bring back Voldemort."

"That did n't even exercise,"Albus cut in."They ca n't bestow him back, even a ghost of him, with the Resurrection Stone."

"Jarret Willinson was a Ministry official,"mat pointed out.

"He was a secretary for the Obliviator office. That 's a little different from a Head perspective,"Rose explained."Lubar has more to lose."

"I say we try and figure out what Elsie 's keeping secret and I bet it 'll have something to do with what Willinson is planning now. Because I guarantee he 's planning something,"Albus decided.

"How are we going to do that ?"Amanda asked."She 's always with Felix."

"Not when rosiness is tutoring her."Albus turned to Rose."You think you could try and get her to open up ?"

"fountainhead she 's not going to just descend out and tell me. I can try, but it 'll take a while,"Rose said.
***


Albus told John and Kaden about the conversation about Elsie later that night. whoremaster proclaimed that he knew something had been Weird about that girl from the moment they had seen her at the beginning of the class. Both boys agreed that they needed to incur out what it was she was keeping mystery. Albus then asked them what prank they were planning, but Saint John and Kaden mysteriously went calm down as soon as Albus brought the subject up.

Albus laid awake that dark for a long time thinking about Elsie Willinson. He could not shake up the figure of her with Felix and Malfoy in the beginning of the yr from his mind. She had looked so timid and innocent, far too guiltless and young to be involved with anything like what her family unit was involved with. In fact, she reminded him a bit of Lily, although he was n't sure why since Lily was anything but timid.

Morning arrived shortly after Albus had fallen asleep and despite the fact that he 'd only get under one's skin a few hours sleep, he got up around six and decided to get a bit of reading done in the common room. He knew he would n't be able to fall back asleep.

Upon arriving in the common room, Albus thought he was still dreaming. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to try and wake up, but it was no use. He was in fact awake. The mental image before his eyes was really, and it was painful to look at.

The Gryffindor common elbow room was no longer red and gold. It was now decked out in green and silver. The comfy lounge and president were gone and had been replaced instead with touchstone classroom chairwoman. respective standard were hung up in the elbow room that depicted Hydra. In fact, the Gryffindor vernacular room now looked exactly as Albus imagined the Slytherin common way to expect, except for it not being under the lake.

However, the sheer Slytherin-ness of the common room was not the eldritch change, by a long shot. The strangest new addition to the Gryffindor common elbow room was a grey and white goat. It was standing in the middle of the way, its straits down and buried in a book. The thing about goats, though, was that they did not bask books the way people did. Goats ate book of account. This caprine animal was currently munching on The touchstone Bible of enchantment : Grade Two. Albus 's eyes drifted from the goat and around the room again, where he now noticed remainder of other books, quills, prep, and even a cloak.

The goat looked up and stared at Albus. It let out a bleat and then went back to the Holy Scripture. Albus crept a fiddling closer and noticed that a sign was affixed to the goat. It said 'The Gryffindor caprine animal : Gryffindor 's new mascot. Gifted by the Slytherins. Next time, call up twice about putting poulet in our common room .'

Albus stood in the middle of the room, his stare alternating from the laughingstock to the Federal Reserve note and back again. A caprine animal ? That did n't even make any good sense. Not only that, they were clearly trying to replicate John and Kaden 's frivolity. And changing the room into a Slytherin room ? It was horrifying, absolutely horrifying.

Albus tore his eyes away from the Capricorn and ran back up the spiral staircase until he got to his own residence hall. He flicked on the lights and Ethan, the lightest sleeper of the bunch, rolled over and groaned.

"Everyone get up !"Albus shouted."Up, get up !"

"What ?"Ethan asked shortly."It 's like six in the break of the day !"

"I know it 's six in the good morning !"Albus replied."Get up and go down to the usual room. Now."

Ethan slowly got out of bed and went over to Bilius 's bed to get him up. Albus woke John the Divine up and then the two of them woke mat up while Bilius and Ethan went down to the common room. Their cry of anger could be heard all the way in the dormitory.

"What is it ?"john asked as he and Matt followed Albus back down the stairs.

"The Slytherins have had their revenge,"Albus said, handing John the note.

Albus took a roundabout way to the third year 's dorm to get Kaden up. Kaden 's roommates got up as well and soon there was a heavy bunch in the vernacular room. By the time Albus entered the way again, the first of all, second, and one-sixth long time were all there. The seventh and fifth part class were right behind him.

The unwashed room was in chaos. James, Cedric, and Nathan were inspecting the goat. The prefects were all congregated in one smirch, clearly trying to enter out what to do. A fourth of the students were standing fixed, with looks of horror on their faces. Another quarter were laughing, despite the fact that the prank had happened in Gryffindor. Hugo was wrestling the caprine animal for the written matter of the Standard Book of Spells : Grade Two, which evidently was his.

The lady friend'dormitory door opened and all the Gryffindor girls flooded out of it. Rose and Amanda made their way over to Albus and the remainder of the male child, who were receiving numerous stares and brilliance from their fellow students. Clearly a few of them were blaming Albus and his champion for the Slytherins'want for revenge.

"What in the name of Falco columbarius happened ?"Rose asked.

lavatory handed her the short letter."The Slytherins have had their revenge."

"Malfoy ?"Amanda asked.

"No way to be intimate, is there ?"Albus replied.

"It 's got to be, though,"John said."No one else hates us like he does."

"I bet a lot of Slytherins wanted revenge,"rose wine said.

"All right, tranquillise everyone !"Albus 's cousin, home run, shouted over the crew. He was one of the sixth yr Prefects."You 're all to get back up to your dorm. I 'm going to fetch Professor Longbottom. Who 's the one who first saw this ?"

"I did,"Albus announced.

marker sighed, as if intellection he should have known."Al, outride down here. The residual of you, back up the stairs.

Rose handed Albus the note back and she and the rest of Albus 's friend turned to go back to their dormitory room. There was a general murmuration and whisper as everyone left. Soon, the common room was empty except for Albus, the goat, and the six Prefects. Mark left in order to go get prof Longbottom.

The Prefects whispered amongst themselves while Deutsche Mark was gone. Albus stood off to the position, as he did not know the Prefects very well. He recognized a few as booster of his full cousin.

cross returned ten moment later with Professor Longbottom in tow. The herbology prof froze in mid-step when he entered the room. His gaze shifted from the new furniture to the Capricorn to the banners and back to the goat.

"Albus discovered it,"Mark said.

Longbottom turned to Albus."And it looked like this when you found it ?"

"Mostly,"Albus answered."The caprine animal had been chewing on one of Victor-Marie Hugo 's ledger so he took that. And someone 's cloak had been here, but it was a Gryffindor cloak."

Longbottom sighed."All right, Albus, you can go back up to your dormitory."He turned to the Prefects."Let 's go through all this and see if we can find any hint to work out out who it was."

Albus reluctantly went back up to his dormitory, where he found not only all of his roommates but Kaden as well, discussing the clowning. They all turned to Albus when he entered.

"Find anything out ?"John asked.

"Nope,"Albus answered."The Prefects are helping prof Longbottom go through everything for clues."

The male child whiled away the metre until breakfast by trading umber Frog lineup, playing rounds of Exploding Snap, and discussing the Quidditch season. Matt fell back asleep after defending the carom to everyone else, but no one else was able to go back to bed.

stigma knocked on their door a few hours later and told them they were free to get up and go to breakfast. Albus woke lustrelessness up and the son went back down to the common room. It looked rule once more. All remnants of the Slytherins were gone and the laughingstock was nowhere in sight. The classroom president had disappeared and the regular comfy lounge were back. Albus was relieved to see their common room back to its usual state, although that did nothing to satisfy his curiosity about who had done it.

"admiration what they did with the goat,"Kaden said as they walked down tot he Great Hall.

"Probably gave it to Aberforth,"matt said.

"Aberforth ?"Kaden asked.

"Dumbledore 's brother. He owns the Hog 's Head in Hogsmeade. Keeps goats in his pub. Weird bloke,"Matt answered.

"He keeps Capricorn ? In his pub ?"Kaden repeated."Do they just wander around ?"

"Yeah,"lustrelessness said.

The Great student residence was populated only by Gryffindor pupil, which did not surprise Albus in the fragile given the early hour and the fact that it was Billy Sunday. The professor were all up having breakfast and were whispering amongst themselves. No incertitude that Longbottom had told them about the prank. Slughorn in particular looked unnerved.

blush wine convinced the rest period of the group that it would be a good idea to head to the library after breakfast to choose reward of the fact that it would be void. Albus had a few essays that he 'd neglected and John and Kaden needed to make up some new anticipation for Trelawney.

After a few time of day of studying Albus felt his aid first to wander. The subroutine library had filled up since they had arrived and Madam Pince was watching over the place like a hawk. The doors opened and Albus was surprised to see Elsie Willinson base on balls in, followed by her blood brother and Scorpius. Scorpius 's oculus met Albus 's and he veered from his little grouping in Holy Order to waltz over to Albus.

"How 's your common room ?"he asked with a smirk.

"Is that a confession ?"Albus replied as he stood up.

"Of line not. It 's all over the school. Everyone knows that your common room looked like an extension of mine this morning. And that goat, I heard it ate a few ledger. Serves you right after what you lot did to ours,"Malfoy said.

"We know you did it, Malfoy,"John said."Just waiting for the professors to test it."

"If I did do it, and I 'm not saying I did, I would n't have left any evidence like you idiots obviously did."

"We did n't,"lav said flatly."Albus confessed to lay aside his cousin and comrade who had been wrongly accused."

"How noble."Malfoy laughed.

"Just severalize me one thing,"Albus said."How did you get into the commons way ?"That was what had been bothering Albus the most. He and his Quaker had used the invisibility Cloak to figure out the Slytherin password, but how had Malfoy done it ? As far as he knew he did not have an Invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't,"Malfoy said."And if I did I would n't assure you how I did it."With one more brilliance at Albus, the Slytherin walked away towards the table that Felix and Elsie had found.

"How did he get into our rough-cut room ?"Albus asked as he sat back down.

"No mind,"lustrelessness said.

"I 'm betting he threatened a first yr into telling him what it was,"John said."Would n't put it past him."

"You do n't know it was him,"Amanda pointed out.

"They 're never going to get hold out who it was, either,"Rose said."Not unless they confess like you did. Otherwise no one would 've found out it was you."

"Guess it does n't really count at this point."Albus sighed."They 've had their revenge."

"Which means it 's time for ours,"Kaden said as he grinned at John.

blush wine groaned."Really ? It 's just going to turn into a vast harlequinade war if you have revenge."

"That 's the stop,"John replied.

If John and Kaden were trying to get down a harlequinade war Albus did n't want any part of it. He had had enough detentions for a lifetime and did not desire outgo anymore of his Hogwarts career scrubbing bathrooms or doing lines. Albus sighed and returned to his reading. John Lackland and Kaden got up and left the library, presumably to exploit on their next prank.

Later that day at dinner professor Kendrick gave a very keister lecturing to the entire schooling about breaking convention, especially the prescript about not entering mutual rooms that were not yours. It was very similar to the public lecture he gave after the chicken prank, except this time Albus could secernate that the schoolmaster was even more angry. Albus kept glancing at Malfoy during the address but the Slytherin boy did not look guilty at all. In fact he seemed disinterested in Kendrick 's speech.

The talk of Gryffindor 's Goat ( as the prank had now been dubbed ) died down by the midriff of the workweek. almost of the castling was excited about the upcoming Hogsmeade slip and then the winter vacation. Professor Longbottom sent around a sign-up sheet for those educatee who wished to ride out home base during the holiday, although none of Albus 's friends signed it.

"I 've always wondered what it would be like to stay,"lav said as professor Longbottom passed by.

"Me too,"Albus agreed."But my parents already said I ca n't this yr since there 's some big Ministry Christmas party we 've got to go to. For the election and all."

"Same here,"Matt said."We 're not even going to Australia because of it."

"Wow, that 's the second twelvemonth in a row,"Albus replied.

Matt nodded."My grandparents are coming here and then we 're visiting them over the summer."

"I think we should all stay next year,"Kaden said."Then I can go a whole school twelvemonth without seeing my grandparents. Or Aunt Marge."

Albus agreed that that was a good reason to appease at Hogwarts over the vacation."Yeah, that would be fun. My dad says the castle 's great at Christmas."

"It would be interesting to see what Xmas is like,"Amanda said. Amanda 's household was Jewish and notable Hanukkah.

"You 're welcome to come to our grandparents'house for Noel this yr,"blush wine suggested.

Amanda grinned."I 'll ask my parents. I 'm sure they 'll say yes since Hanukkah was early this class and I 've already missed it anyway."

"pink wine, you 've got stake,"Albus said, gesturing to rose 's family 's owl, which had just landed on the table.

"Oh, upright !"Rose said as she ripped open up the alphabetic character. She scanned it for a consequence before smiling widely."I wo n't be going to Hogsmeade with you."

"You wo n't be ?"Albus gave her a quizzical look.

"No. Mum and Dad are taking me to the disputation that 's that day. I owled them a few Day ago to see if I could go and they said yes !"

"You want to go to another one ?"John asked.

"I 'd go to all of them if I could. They 're just so fascinating."She scanned the letter of the alphabet again."I 'm supposed to to to Kendrick 's written report at ten on Saturday to floo home."

"What 's this one on ?"Albus asked.

"Law enforcement. The Auror department. How it 's run and and how trials are run. I think it 's going to be the most matter to one since both Uncle Percy and Laurentis have already hinted at their views on that topic."

That was for sure as shooting. This public debate would probably be even more explosive than the one on education."You 'll have to let us know all the details,"Albus said.

"Oh I will,"rosebush replied."It 's why I wanted to go. I 'd rather not learn everything indorsement hired hand from the Prophet."

She had a point there, Albus thought. Although he was glad that blush wine was the one going and not him. As practically as he thought the election was interest, he 'd rather be in Hogsmeade with his champion than sitting in a courtroom listening to pol all day.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far ! I 'm almost done with shoal ( forever ! ) so I 'm hoping to update to a greater extent often.


The week leading up to the Hogsmeade trip dragged by very slowly. Albus was certain that Wednesday in fussy was at to the lowest degree twice as long as a formula day and by the metre Friday finally decided to make an appearance Albus was trusted he would go insane from all the homework he had to fill out. Tuesday had been the full-of-the-moon moon, but luckily Matt left the hospital wing Thursday afternoon and had been cleared by dame Pomfrey to go to Hogsmeade.

When Saturday arrived there was a welcomed intermission in the rash that had blanketed the Hogwarts grounds in two feet of snowfall. Albus and his friends slept belated and by the time they woke up rose wine had already left to go to that day 's argumentation. Albus, lustrelessness, and John quickly dressed and met Kaden and Amanda in the common room.

Fred accosted Albus as he was about to leave."Albus ! Glad I found you. I booked the delivery for today at three since there 's a rift in the storm."

"But Fred, it 's Hogsmeade today,"Albus pointed out. As very much as he loved Quidditch, Hogsmeade trips were rarefied social function and he had Christmas shopping to do.

"Exactly !"Fred exclaimed."So none of the other teams have booked the pitch. It 's booked solid the rest of the workweek and we need another practice in before break starts."

Albus sighed. Fred was rightfield, of course. He glanced at his picket. It was noon, so if they hurried through lunch he would still deliver a safe two hour in the small town."All right hand. I 'll see you at three."

"Excellent,"Fred said."Just cause to find Saint James ...."

Amanda snorted and started laughing. Fred, who had turned to leave, stopped and looked back at her."What ?"

Albus, John, Matt, and Kaden also looked questioningly at Amanda.

"Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you,"Amanda began."rose and I were in the library last calendar week and overheard St. James asking some Hufflepuff fifth part twelvemonth out. They 're going to Hogsmeade together today."

Fred burst out laughing."time lag, Henry James has a date ?"

"James asked a girl out in the library ?"Albus joined Fred in his laughter.

"Do n't tell him that rose and I overheard him,"Amanda said."He 'd mutilate us if he knew it was us who told."

"Bet he 's already in Hogsmeade, then,"Fred said, still laughing."They better not be in Madam Puddifoot 's because I do n't fancy going in there to tell him about practice."

Albus was still laughing about the idea of King James asking a girl out in the library of all places. He wondered who the Hufflepuff was. Maybe he 'd manage to catch a coup d'oeil of them in Hogsmeade together.

"He 's not actually going to allow for her to go to Quidditch praxis,"Amanda shouted after Fred as he left the common way.

"He will if the engagement 's going poorly,"Fred shouted back and disappeared into the corridor.

"fountainhead let 's hurry up and get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said."I want to see if I can figure out who this daughter is."

Albus hurried out of the common elbow room followed by his supporter. They ate a very rushed lunch in the Great Radclyffe Hall and then ran outside and down the path to Hogsmeade. As they neared the Greenwich Village Albus kept his centre peeled for his brother.

"Where to first ?"Matt asked.

"Weasleys',"lavatory and Kaden said together.

Albus and Matt shared a glance. They should have known. They followed can and Kaden as the two mischievous boy led the way to Weasleys'genius Wheezes.

The shop was packed to capacity as it always was on Hogsmeade weekends. Albus waved to his Uncle George VI who was behind the tabulator ringing multitude up as fast as the cashbox would let him. Teddy was working that weekend and was restocking a shelf of Skiving Snackboxes. John and Kaden each grabbed two as the boys passed.

Albus grabbed a few extendable Ears as his seemed to sustain disappeared and a box of Deluxe Whizbangs for St. James for Xmas. He joined the foresightful waiting line at the till and was joined by John the Divine and Kaden who each had arms overflowing with products. lustrelessness and Amanda were n't buying anything and were playing with a few Pygmy Puffs that were in a Cage in the social movement of the store.

"Neither of you have seen James, have you ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"john said."Bet they 're at the Three Broomsticks."

"Or that place that Fred mentioned. ma'am whatever ?"Kaden put in.

"ma'am Puddifoot 's,"Albus said."Horrifying blank space. Covered in frilled thing, and pink stuff."

"Let 's not go there,"Kaden said.

Albus and John both agreed. They would look for James, just not at brothel keeper Puddifoot 's. The queue moved relatively quickly and soon Albus, John, and Kaden had their supplies.

The adjacent stop was Honeyduke 's where everyone stocked up on candy and Albus bought a Christmas nowadays for Lily. Then they made their way to the Quaffle Shop and then the trinity Broomsticks. Albus had yet to see Epistle of James, but his time was quickly running out. He had a half hour before he had to head back to the castle for Quidditch practice.

John went to the bar to get five Butterbeers while the rest of the group found a table. Luckily Scorpio Malfoy was nowhere in flock. Albus gazed around the bar until he spotted his brother 's familiar red hair. Unfortunately the young lady he was with was facing away from Albus 's table so all he knew was that she had very long, very square brown hair's-breadth.

"There they are,"Albus whispered to Matt, Kaden, and Amanda."Any of you know who the girl is ?"

"That 's Gabby Ellis,"John said as he returned with the Butterbeers."My full cousin knows her. She 's one of the twenty percent year prefects."

"Wait, so James I not only asked her out in the library, but she 's also a prefect ?"Albus exclaimed.

"guessing so."John shrugged."I 'll never ask out a prefect. Now he 's going to have to check his step."

"You realize that there 's a good chance one of us might be a prefect succeeding class,"Amanda pointed out.

"Nah, they 'll pick Bilius or Ethan,"John said."They 'd never pick me, Al, or flatness after that prank."

"Well rose wine is obviously going to be a prefect,"Amanda said.

"We 'll just sustain to purloin around more next year,"John said."Ca n't have a prefect knowing about our pranks."

"Dervish and Banges is still unoccupied,"Matt said, changing the topic."Do n't you think that 's kind of odd ?"

Albus had n't really thought about it."Yeah, but no one 's going to want to buy a shop where someone was murdered."

"Still, it 's just strange,"Matt said as he sipped his Butterbeer.

"person might still own it,"Amanda pointed out."They might not want to do anything with it or sell it."

"Guess that 's a commodity point,"mat said.

"face, King James and the little girl are getting up,"Kaden said.

Albus turned and saw that James River was indeed rising from his chair. Gabby did as well and the two of them walked side by position out of the pub. Gabby was pretty, Albus had to take on. Her heart were brilliantly and her brass were pink. James was grinning. Neither of them noticed Albus or the others on their way out the door.

"Think he 'll show to Quidditch exercise ?"John asked.

"If he values his life,"Albus replied."Speaking of that, I should probably get going."

Albus said goodbye to his friends and headed back out into the cold. The sun was out and there was no air current, but it was still bitingly common cold. He trudged his way through the snow and back up to the rook, where he ran up to Gryffindor tower to overlook off his purchases and change into his Quidditch robes.

The sleep of the team was already on the pitch when Albus arrived. Fred was arguing with King James about something while the rest of the team stood off to the side.

"She 's not even on their team !"James River shouted."She 's not going to steal any of our plays."

"But she 's still a Hufflepuff and this is a closed in practice !"Fred argued.

Albus glanced over to the stands and saw Gabby sitting there, wrapped in a very turgid Hufflepuff blanket. She smiled and waved at Albus, who gave a slender waving back.

"I could n't just exit her. I promised we 'd drop the day together."

"And she wants to learn you play Quidditch ?"Fred asked."mulct, fine. She can remain. Let 's just get going. We 're wasting time."

Fred and James II joined the remainder of the chemical group."All right field !"Fred shouted."Let 's fly around the pitch shot a few prison term to get warmed up."

Albus mounted his ling and soared into the air. He joined the rest of the team in their flight of stairs around the pitch and lost himself in flying. It was squeamish to just fly and forget about everything else that was on his thinker.

The practice session went incredibly well. It was their unspoilt practice session in workweek since the weather was cooperating. The Gryffindor team did not birth any yield with acting, but the weather condition was usually unspeakable whenever they practiced. Fred insisted this was a salutary matter since it would help them read how to represent in matches with bad atmospheric condition but no one else agreed. Albus was very happy to possess a practice where the experimental condition were nonpareil. It made Quidditch so much more enjoyable.

James and Gabby hurried off as soon as practice ended and the rest of the team walked back to the rook together. They were nearly back to Gryffindor tower when pink wine, Matt, John, Kaden, and Amanda came running towards Albus, all five looking slightly terrified.

"What 's wrong ?"Fred asked.

"It 's zilch,"Rose said."We just demand to verbalise to Albus."

"Meet us in the elbow room after you stash your broom,"matte whispered and the five of them hurried off.

Albus hurried into the common room and up to his dormitory. He had absolutely no mind what was going on, but it must take just had to do with his friends because everyone else in the green way was acting normally. Albus quickly put his Scots heather away and ran back out to the corridor.

It did n't take him long to progress to the Marauder 's Den. All his booster were sitting quietly and looked up at him when he entered.

"What in the name of Falco columbarius is going on ?"Albus asked.

"Two things,"Rose began."One, the debate. It was ... well ... insane is the alone word to describe it, really. And two, I 'll let everyone else explain that first."

"Malfoy was lurking near the shrieking Shack,"matt said."After you went to Quidditch recitation we walked around the village and noticed him. It looked like he was trying to get in."

"Did he ?"Albus asked.

"No, he ca n't,"Matt said."There 's wards. It 's just odd. He was alone."

"Energy he know that that 's where you go ?"Albus replied as he sat down next to Rose.

lustrelessness shook his head."I 'm not really worried about it, either. It 's just very weird."

"Malfoy is friend with Felix Willinson so anything Weird that he does needs to be remembered,"Albus said darkly.

"That 's what I said,"Saint John replied.

"He 's not the firstly one to be curious about the Shrieking Shack,"lustrelessness pointed out.

This was different, Albus thought. He would receive expected matt to be the one worried about this, not John.

"But he 's Malfoy ! It 's not good that he 's trying to get in,"John said.

"fountainhead he ca n't get in. And he already knows what I am,"matte countered."Let 's just forget about it for now. What rose has to say is far worse."

Albus turned to look at rosiness, who looked upset and slightly scared. That was strange in itself since Albus could hardly recollect a time when rose wine was scared.

"The debate was on law enforcement,"Rose said quietly."She wants to completely change the department of Magical Law Enforcement. She wants to inquire every single Auror and shake up the department because she does n't think things are working as they are. She ... well ... she basically called your dad incompetent."

Albus stared at his cousin-german. He could not conceive what he was hearing. Albus 's dad had been in thrill of the Auror department for age and there had never been any complaints. How could Laurentis just insult him like that ?

"Which means she 's going to lose,"lav said confidently."No one 's going to vote for someone who insults Harry Potter."

"No,"Rose whispered."They will. There 's been editorials in the Prophet for weeks about how the current Ministry is n't working. She has support."

"That 's insane,"Albus said."What did Uncle Percy do ?"

"Argued with her,"rose said."Talked about all the good your dad has done, but she argued right back."

"What about everyone there ? Did they clap for her ?"Albus asked.

"Everyone clapped for everyone. They were all polite about it and there was no way to assure who supported who,"Rose said."If you ask me, I think she 's going to replace all the chief of departments who do n't harmonize with her. She 's going to want hoi polloi in power who are on her side."

"Which means my dad will be gone,"Albus said."Everyone knows he supports Uncle Sir Henry Percy. It 's obvious."

"So that leaves what, Matt 's dad 's job, school principal of Magical Law Enforcement, Head of Magical expatriation, and what else ?"John asked as he counted on his finger."There 's got to be more."

"There are,"rosiness said as she stood up and began pacing around the room."International Magical Cooperation, Magical chance event and Catastrophes, Magical game and Sports, and then the department of Mysteries."

"Do you have it away anything about the forefront of those departments ?"John Lackland asked.

"The lady who 's principal of Magical Law Enforcement was here during the debate. She 's really old and Dad says Mum is a shoe-in for her job when she retires,"Rose said."But I do n't jazz much about the others. The lad in flush of Magical Transportation moderated the first debate."

"That 's eight positions,"Matt said quietly,"and she could replace all of them. That would wind up being an entirely new Ministry."

"Essentially, yes,"blush wine said as she sank into an armchair."That 's why it 's so bad. There 's a reason most newly elected parson do n't replace everyone. It 's too much upheaval. But if she wants immediate alteration, it would be the easiest way to get it done."

"What 's the next argument on ?"Amanda asked.

"Azkaban,"Rose said."Originally they were going to debate Azkaban with law enforcement, but Laurnetis requested a divide Azkaban argument. She 's in charge of it, so I 'm not surprised."

"And when is it ?"Amanda replied.

"Just after the new twelvemonth,"Rose answered."Once we 're all back in school. Then February 's debate is on magical creatures-"

"Oh that 's going to be in force,"matte said."Guess that 's when we 'll find out if my dad keeps his job after the election if she wins."

"And then in Mar they debate International Magical Cooperation. Then it 's the election at the beginning of April,"Rose continued."That one is going to take away place here. So is the Azkaban one."

"I still do n't recollect anyone 's going to vote for her,"John the Divine muttered."Anyone who sacks Harry Potter would n't get adequate votes."

"You 'd be surprised, John,"Amanda said."It sounds like she 's playing to everyone 's fearfulness. I mean, I have n't been in the magical creation long, but it seems like everyone fears another Voldemort. If she makes it seem like the current Ministry and Auror department are too lenient and tinge at the possibility of another war, and then claims that she could squeeze it before it became a war, she would easily get the vote. People are easily persuaded."

"That 's exactly it,"Rose agreed.

The way descended into uncomfortable muteness. At the beginning of the school year, none of them had often interest in the election or the Ministry in full general, but now, just a few month later, Albus and his ally were learning just how much the outcome of the election would affect them. The possibility of drastic changes to both Hogwarts and the wizarding man did not sit well with Albus, especially if it meant both his and matt 's dads were out of a job.
***


The remaining week of shoal went by quickly. With the looming holidays and falling out from schooltime, hardly anyone in the castle was focusing on homework or the election. Instead, the chatter that filled the Great Hall during repast was about Christmas and snowball fights and spending meter with family. Albus was sucked into the Christmas Day cheerfulness as well, but the election was still on the back of his mind.

For Albus, Rose, and the balance of the Weasley/Potter kin group, the Xmas holiday would be wrapped up in the election. A New year 's company at the Minister 's residence was scheduled for New Year 's Eve, for all of the high-level functionary and their kin, as well as Percy, Laurentis, and their families. All of Albus 's cover family would be attending. But perhaps the most flakey panorama of the holidays was the fact that Uncle Walker Percy was going to take into account a reporter from superstar powder magazine to fall out him for not only the Ministry party, but Christmas at the burrow as well.

"This is just unearthly !"Cedric exclaimed at breakfast the last day of term."A newsman ? At the Burrow ? And it says she 's going to be staying with us."

Cedric handed the missive back to Bradley, whom it had been addressed to. Bradley pulled out his scepter and burned it, which seemed to be his new way of dealing with billet from his father.

"Did Gran fit to this ?"James II asked as he loaded his dental plate with bacon.

"She must 've,"Bradley said."Anything to get Dad elected, probably."

"I kind of agree with her,"Albus said."I do n't require that Laurentis adult female to win."

"Neither do I, but I do n't require some reporter staying with us at the Burrow,"Cedric said adamantly.

"Guess you wo n't be getting the real Weasley Christmas experience,"Albus said to Amanda, whose parents had given permission to stay with Rose for Christmas.

Amanda shrugged."Not a big mass. With your family, it 's bound to be interesting."

"You have no estimate,"Albus said."We 'd amend get to history of Magic."

Albus got up and his friend followed. Despite the fact that it was the cobbler's last day of term, professor Binns still gave a lecture. cypher paid him an ounce of attention. The relief of the professors did n't irritate teaching any new material as they figured the pupil would just forget it over the breaking. Professor Cedonia set them a practical example, but did n't remonstrate them when they stopped charming their teacup to dance and instead talked about Christmas Day. Hagrid had a turgid bonfire going to keep them warm, but did n't teach anything. Instead, he told the narrative of Norberta and bawled about how much he missed her. In Ancient runic letter, there was an exam.

The trace first light Albus and his acquaintance climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express for the tripper back to London. On the Hogwarts Express, Albus felt weirdly immune to everything that was happening in the wizarding man. He felt safety from Jarrett Willinson and somehow the election did n't seem as big a heap. The train was like its own picayune world with only educatee and sweets from the tramcar ; on the power train, nothing bad could happen.


Long hiatus ! I apologize for that. I am now working on this for the secondly half of June 's pack NaNoWriMo, so I 'm hoping to get a clump of chapters written so I can go back to weekly updates. Thanks so practically for all the reviews !


"Remember, do n't say anything in front of her you do n't want printed in the clause,"Harry said as they walked toward the Burrow.

"will she really impress anything ?"Lily asked.

"Yes,"Harry said.

It was Christmas Eve and Albus and the residue of the ceramicist had just Apparated to the subject behind the Burrow. Albus was a bit neural about being in the presence of a newsperson from Wizards magazine publisher and was not at all great about being in an article. He was relieved they were late, as usual, because by now the reporter would probably be involved in listening to mortal else 's conversation and might not even notice Albus.

"And Epistle of James, do n't even think about slipping something into her soup,"Ginny said sternly.

Harry, who had just put his hand on the doorknob, turned around and stared at James."Seriously, James River, absolutely not."

"I was n't going to !"James said."I swear !"

Harry sighed."Empty your pockets."

"But I was n't going to-"

"James Sirius Potter, listen to your sire,"Ginny said.

Albus put his hired man over his oral cavity to hide his laughter while his brother pulled a fistful of Ton-Tongue brittle and a vial of Weasleys'Itchiest Itching Powder out of his pocket. Ginny took them and incinerated them with her wand. She brushed the ash onto the ground and St. James the Apostle stared at it longingly.

"Shut up, Albus,"James muttered as Harry opened the door.

That just made Albus laugh even harder, earning him a slug in the shoulder from James. Albus returned the lick while Lily rolled her eyes.

"son, cut it out,"Ginny scolded.

"Ginny ! Harry !"mollie exclaimed as they stepped inside."happy Christmas Day !"

"Happy Christmas, Mum,"Ginny said as the two hugged.

Albus slipped past after giving his grandmother a prompt hug, grabbing a fistful of biscuits on his way to the den. The first matter he noticed was that the reporter was sitting on a faeces in the corner. She stuck out like a Weasley at a Malfoy gather, in her melanize skirt, flowery top, high-heeled horseshoe. Who wore heels to the Burrow ? Wyrd, Albus thought. Her jet-black hair was done up in some sorting of bun and her back talk were smeared with hopeful red lipstick.

The second thing Albus noticed was just how sporting the tunnel was. He had n't noticed it in the kitchen, what with the many pots and dishes entire of tender, steaming food, but out in the den, it was very obtrusive. The Burrow was never lousy, exactly, but it was n't immaculately neat like Matt and Kaden 's houses were. Instead it merely looked lived in, Albus always thought. It was cluttered with piles of Christian Bible and dozens of circuit board games and diverse Muggle and wizard devices. blanket and pillows were thrown haphazardly onto couches and chairs, never being folded or stacked neatly. But today, everything was neat. The loads of books had been shelved and the mantle folded. The sheer amount of stuff seemed to have been moved or vanished because Albus did n't see a bingle Muggle electronic device half-taken apart on the floor or board. It was flaky. The tunnel did n't look like the tunnel without its clutter. You never knew what you 'd find at the Burrow and Albus liked that.

Shaking his oral sex slightly, Albus carefully stepped around a few of his first cousin and walked over to where rose and Amanda were sitting on the floor. They had a large platter of food in front of them, making Albus realise how hungry he was.

"So, what have I missed ?"he asked in between chomp of drum roll."I see someone cleaned."

"grandmother did. Said she wanted to establish a good impression. Uncle Percy 's been bragging loudly to the reporter about all the practice of law he 's facilitate pass,"Rose said."But all the reporter wants to do is interview the rest of us. I guess her article is all about where Uncle Hotspur came from and what his kin is like."

"Who 's she talked to so far ?"Albus asked.

"aunty Corrine, Gran, grandpa, Uncle Bill, Uncle Fred, both of my parents, Victoire, Samantha, and lindy,"rosebush said.

"Wow. Already ?"

"She has n't wasted any clock time,"Amanda said.

"There 's a photographer around here somewhere,"rosebush said as she glanced around the room."Oh there he is."

Rose indicated to the stair, where Percy was leading a scrawny feller back into the den.

"Is he wearing-"

"Dress robe ?"blush wine said."Yeah, he 's been wearing them all night."

"Let 's get a few shots of you playing a secret plan with the twins,"the lensman said as he and Harry Hotspur walked retiring Albus, blush wine, and Amanda.

"Wonderful idea !"the reporter exclaimed as she hopped off her stool.

"How did she hear that ?"Albus whispered to Rose.

"Harry Potter 's son !"the newsperson said as she grabbed Albus 's arm, causing him to cast the cooky he was holding."Let 's get him in the shot, too. Hmm ..."she glanced around the room, her eyes finally coming to rest on Amanda."We 'll need a shot with you and Percy as well. Candidate plays Exploding gingersnap with the Prime Minister 's niece ! Perfect ! I could not have planned this better."

"How did she acknowledge that I 'm the efflorescence minister 's niece ?"Amanda asked.

"She knows everything,"rosebush said darkly."Creepy, really."

Albus soon found himself playing a staged biz of Exploding snapshot with Uncle Sir Henry Percy, Samantha, and lindy. The whole thing was very cockeyed since none of them were photographed with ash on their faces. Then it was Amanda 's turn, but she was posed with a set of champion 's cheat,"for variety."

"Now that 's something Laurentis wo n't have,"Harry Hotspur said jovially after the lensman finished."Photograph with the Prime curate 's niece."

"But nobody knows I 'm the efflorescence Minister 's niece,"Amanda said once she, rosebush, and Albus escaped into the kitchen."It 's supposed to be a secret."

"Maybe it wo n't get printed,"Albus said.

"God, I hope not,"Amanda muttered."So is this what Yuletide Eve is usually like ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said as he walked over to the doorway. He peered into the den and took neckcloth of what his family was up to.

His uncles Fred, Ron, Bill, and Charlie, were closest to the kitchen and were singing 'Odo the Heron .'All four had patsy of eggnog in hand. grannie was listening to Celestina Warbeck while aunty Fleur glared at the wireless. It seemed to be distracting her from the conversation she was having with aunty Katherine and aunty Hermione. Most of his cousin-german were eating or laughing about one matter or another. Samantha and Lindy were playing Exploding Snap for rattling now, along with Eddie and Angie.

In fact, the only one who seemed to be acting any differently was Uncle Percy, who was talking with the reporter and the lensman. Aunt Corrine was as well, but none of their older kid were anywhere in sight.

"Have you seen Omar Bradley, Cedric, or Peach State anywhere ?"Albus asked Rose.

"Actually, no,"Rose said."Let 's go obtain them."

Albus and Amanda followed Rose out of the kitchen and up the stairs. As they peered into each bedroom, Albus found out just where his gran had stored all the stuff that used to be in the den. Every single room had a pile of random stuff in it. They eventually found their three cousins hiding out in Uncle Ron 's old bedroom at the top of the sign. They were sitting on one of the layer and were deep in conversation.

"What 's going on in here ?"Albus asked as they shut the door.

All three startled, but then seemed relieved to find it was only Albus, rosebush, and Amanda.

"We 're avoiding the reporter,"Georgia said,"and talking about how much it will give suck if Dad gets elected."

"But Laurentis is bloody insane,"Albus said as he stepped over a typewriter and sat down on the polar bed."Uncle Percy has to win."

"Well, I do n't want him to,"Omar Nelson Bradley said."Do you realize how practically lifetime will alter if he does ?"

"I 've got a bit of an idea,"Amanda said, sitting down next to Albus. pink wine sat on his other face.

"Before his campaign started no one really knew what Dad did,"Bradley said."Or even who he was. I mean, if they heard his name they would know him, but he was just Percy Weasley. Do you acknowledge what I mean ?"

"He 'll be Percy Weasley, government minister of Magic. Not just Percy Weasley, your dad,"Amanda said."Minister is n't a just a job. It 's not something he 'll provide at the office at five. It 's more a lifestyle."

"Exactly !"Bradley agreed.

"And you 'll always be the diplomatic minister 's son,"Amanda said.

"How do you sleep with all this ?"Cedric looked at Amanda strangely.

"My Uncle 's the Prime diplomatic minister,"Amanda said casually.

"Of Britain ?"Thomas Bradley exclaimed."And you 've kept this secret for four years ?"

"Yeah. It wo n't be for much yearner since that photographer just took a picture of me with your dad,"Amanda said."Anyway, you 're mighty that your life-time wo n't be the Lapp if he gets elected. And even after his condition is up you 'll still always be the Minister 's son."

"And we 'd have to proceed into the Minister 's Mansion,"Bradley said.

"You would n't. You 're going to fine-tune in June,"Cedric pointed out."And Empire State of the South already moved out."

"You 'll be in Hogwarts most of the year,"Georgia pointed out.

There was a knock on the door and then it swung wide open. Percy stood in the doorway flanked by the newsman and lensman. Percy had changed out of his robe and was now wearing a honey oil Weasley jumper with a red'P'on the front. In his arms was a stack of what appeared to be more Weasley jumpers.

"There you lot are,"Percy said."We 're doing a picture of the solid kinsperson in our jumpers."He tossed one to each of his baby and then one each to Albus and Rose."Get changed and get downstairs."

"Are they all initial jumpers this yr ?"Sakartvelo asked as she held hers up. It was grey with a purple'G .'

"must be,"Albus said as he yanked off the jumper he was wearing and pulled on his new one. It was depressed with a gold'A .'

"Bet it 's to make us look like a cheesy family,"Omar Bradley muttered as he changed.

Once they 'd all changed Albus and Rose followed their cousins back down to the den. Amanda followed as well, but she lingered on the stairs, clearly not wanting to be dragged into anymore photographs.

Albus 's stallion kin was posed in half the den. The photographer was running around making small readjustment, which Albus thought was pointless. There was no way he was going to get thirty-two people to all look at the television camera and grinning nicely at the like time.

The photographer noticed Albus, rosiness, Georgia, Tom Bradley, and Cedric and shoved Albus in between St. James the Apostle and Lily, who were sitting right in the middle, on the trading floor.

"Lovely !"the photographer exclaimed a few minute of arc later. He ran to the other side of meat of the room and stuck his read/write head behind the camera."Everyone smile ! Beautiful !"He took oodles of impression and Albus soon grew tired of sitting still and smiling.

"Wonderful !"the newsman shouted once the photographer finally finished."I think we 've got what we need. I wish you all a glad Yuletide. The clause should be out just after New Year's."

"I thought she was staying for tomorrow, too,"Albus whispered to Rose.

blush wine shrugged."Maybe she got enough from just one Nox. Either that or she got overwhelmed."

Percy walked the newsman and lensman out of the tunnel, thanking them profusely as he did so.

"Bedtime, everyone !"molly shouted.

No one objected. It had certainly been the unknown Christmas Eve gathering the Weasley family had ever had and Albus was very much looking forward to tomorrow, when things would get back to some colour of normal. Albus walked up to bed with Rose and Amanda, wishing them both good dark when they reached Uncle Charlie 's old chamber, where the two would be staying. Saint James the Apostle, Ben, Cedric, and Omar Bradley were already in Uncle Ron 's old room when Albus arrived.

"Quidditch tomorrow ?"James asked as all four boys climbed into their layer.

"You 're going down, Potter,"Bradley replied.

"Is that a challenge, Weasley ?"

"Sure is,"Bradley said.

Yes, tomorrow would be a lot Sir Thomas More pattern, Albus thought. Quidditch was a Christmas tradition for his folk and nothing, even his uncle running for minister of religion, was going to prevent it.
***


"And that 's how we do it in Kenmare !"Sakartvelo exclaimed, having just saved a goal by spinning in midair and hitting the Quaffle back into fun by the end of her ling."Kenmare Krazy steward move !"

"You 're still going to lose !"Bradley shouted as he hit one of the Bludgers toward Albus, who dodged it and caught the Quaffle."We 've got Teddy !"

"If slip were a material quester he 'd be playing for a conference team and not studying to be an Auror !"Georgia shouted back.

"He 's still not as skilful as James,"Bradley said.

"Yeah, I taught James everything he knows !"Teddy said as he flew past tense, heading toward Georgia 's left goal Emily Post."And that 's game !"he shouted, returning with the snitcher clutched in his hand."Aurors have to have constant vigilance, just like Seekers."

Albus flew to the ground, still holding the Quaffle. It had been a estimable game, even though his team had lost, but the temperature was dropping and the clouds were rolling in. It was a good time to head back interior for Yuletide dinner, especially since the scent of joint turkey and spud had been drifting outside for the past half hour.

board, already covered in numerous dishes of solid food, had been set up in the kitchen extending into the den while they played. Albus hurried upstairs to change and when he returned, everyone was drifting toward the board. Albus hurried to the place rose and Amanda had saved him, which thankfully was nowhere virtually Sir Henry Percy.

"How was Quidditch ?"rose wine asked.

"Good,"Albus said."We lost, but Teddy 's pretty much unbeatable, so I was n't surprised."

"I 'm storm he did n't diddle professionally,"Amanda said.

"He thought about it,"Albus explained."And he had offer, but he deferred them for a year because he was n't certain. Then he just decided to link the Auror Academy, because of his parents, you know."

"shuffling sense,"Amanda said.

"I 'd like to make a goner,"Percy announced after everyone was seated. He held up his glass of Cucurbita pepo juice."I just want to say thank you, to all of you, for putting up with the newsman yesterday, and for everything you 've done for the campaign. We only have three month to go, so let 's form the almost of it. hold back up all the great work. Here 's to a win in April !"

Albus clinked glasses with pink wine and Amanda and then served himself a large helping of turkey. This was what he enjoyed the most about Christmas at the Burrow. As he he ate, he listened in on the conversations his cousins, aunts, and uncles were having.

To Albus 's left hand, his aunty Hermione was giving King James I, Cedric, and Ben study tips for their O.W.L.s. The boy were nodding as if they were listening, but Albus knew they were n't. Victoire and chemise were holding helping hand under the table, which was kind of funny because Victoire was having to eat with her left hand, a accomplishment she clearly did not own. James, Bradley, and Sakartvelo were discussing Quidditch with Uncles George VI and Ron. Eddie was showing the Twin, Lily, and Victor-Marie Hugo just how many peas he could fit into his mouth at once. Harry Hotspur was, of class, discussing the gritty item of his military campaign with his wife and parents. Fred and Mark were telling Angie about the orphic passageway that lead into the basement of Honeyduke 's. The eternal sleep of his family was too far away for Albus to hear what exactly they were saying, but everyone seemed glad.

"This is what it 's really like,"Albus told Amanda."Usually there are a few pranks."

"You missed one earlier,"Rose said while Amanda laughed."James I put one of those wind-up Pygmy comforter in grannie 's gravid pot, so while she was chopping veg it jumped out and started screeching. auntie Ginny knew it was Saint James the Apostle, too. He got chewed out while you were upstairs changing."

"She had no proof !"James cut in."It could have been Cedric."

"But it was n't,"rosiness said."It was you."

"James, did you discover me ?"Hermione asked."I was just saying how you need to start with your weakest bailiwick offset. Honestly, you should 've started preparing last year. Albus, Rose, Amanda, are you listening ? You should set about alteration now."

"I started calendar week ago, Mum,"Rose said.

Hermione smiled."That 's my girl."

"She 'll be prosperous if James starts revising a month before,"Albus whispered to Amanda.

"That would be stupid,"rose said."What does he want to do after Hogwarts ? He 'll need certain O.W.L.s to get into the right N.E.W.T. classes."

"He 's got no musical theme,"Albus said,"except he wants to roleplay Quidditch."

"He 'd better get going,"rosebush said.

"Oh, and I suppose you 've got it all figured out, Rose ?"James asked.

"As a issue of fact, I 'm thinking of getting into psychiatry,"Rose said."Get my healing degree, specializing in psychiatry."

"Fine, then,"James muttered.

"Really ?"Albus asked.

rose nodded."I 've been thinking about it since summertime and it 's really require I want to do."

"Do n't you think you 're a bit young to have decided that ?"Albus asked.

"lusterlessness 's sister had it all figured out in fourth year and look where she is now,"rosebush pointed out.

She did own a point there, Albus thought. lustrelessness 's sister was well on her way to getting both her healing and brewing stage, with only two and a half to a greater extent twelvemonth to go. Albus did n't even want to recall about what he would do after he graduated from Hogwarts. It was too far away.

"I have an announcement to attain !"Gabriella said as she stood up.

The room quieted and everyone turned to calculate at Gabriella. She was n't usually one to stool words or announcements during menage dinners. In fact, she was one of the quieter of Albus 's cousin, certainly not coming near to the spirit level of boisterousness of Bradley, James, or Georgia.

"Thanks,"she said."None of you know this yet, since I figured I 'd just tell you all at once today. I 've decided to move to France."

The room was silent, a great deal like it was after Percy announced his intent to run for curate at the before school dinner party. Then, as happened after Percy 's announcement, everyone began to babble at once.

"You 're what ?"Bill exclaimed.

"Gabriella, honey !"Fleur shouted, dropping her glass of wine."What prompted this ?"

"The political climate in France is very unsteady,"Sir Henry Percy said."I would n't recommend moving there."

"What are you going to do there ?"heather asked.

Albus was n't at all storm. Gabriella had spent a few hebdomad in France that autumn and seemed to enjoy it. He was n't certainly why her parents seemed so surprised.

"If everyone could just let me talk !"Gabriella shouted. The way quieted one more."I 've already cleared it with Grandmere and Grandpere. They 're going to let me stay with them until I get on my feet. When I painted there this fall it just felt so aright. My picture there were so much better than the single I 've painted here-"

"But what will you do for money ?"Bill asked."You know I could still get you that internship. This is crazy."

"Dad, it 's what I want to do. I do n't want to spend everyday in an office and miss out on lifetime. No offense. Painting is what I love. I want to try this."

"But Gabriella, it 's not practical-"notice began.

"broadside,"molly said quietly."She 's just rebelling a bit. You did the Sami when you were her age. commend the earring ? The hair ?"

flyer 's cheek reddened."It 's not the Sami, Mum. I had a job. I was n't learning the finer points of being a starving artist !"

"Dad ! I 'm a serious artist ! I 'm not going to thirst !"

"You know my parents would never let her starve,"Fleur said.

"That 's not the item. The point is that she should be doing something productive. When Victoire was her age-"

"I 'm not Victoire !"Gabriella exclaimed. She turned and left the room, running up the stair. A few here and now later a room access slammed.

visor made to get up, but Victoire put her hired hand on his articulatio humeri, forcing him back into his rear end."Dad, I 'll go."

The room lapsed into uncomfortable silence after Victoire took off after her babe. Albus was slightly shocked at his uncle 's dislike of Gabriella 's plan. Albus had always thought of Bill as his cool uncle, the uncle who would be supportive of whatever his kids wanted to do. But now he was acting just like Percy had about Georgia 's desire to be a Quidditch player.

"I support you, Bill,"Hotspur said pompously."Artist is not a vocation. You 've got to agitate this. Went through the Saami thing with Georgia-"

"Really, Dad ?"Sakartvelo asked."After the past few calendar month of going to my secret plan and making the press think you 're supportive of my dream, you still do n't think I should make for Quidditch ?"

"Quidditch, like house painting, is a Falco subbuteo,"Percy said."It 's not a career."

"You 're unbelievable !"Georgia exclaimed."The living, the cheering, it 's all fake, is n't it ?"

"Georgia-"

"You know what, Dad ? Do n't even bother."Peach State stood up and left the table in a similar mode to Gabriella.

"This,"Albus whispered to Amanda,"is not normal."

"I thought Gabriella liked Uncle Hotspur 's fake support,"James River muttered.

"Well, she did at first but she probably thought there was no way he could bullshit it for so long and not start out to get around. She surely thought it was genuine by now,"rose wine said.

"You 're going to make a effective shrink,"Albus said.

"Yeah, you can start with Uncle Walker Percy,"James I said.

"DOE anyone require pudding ?"grannie asked.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews !


Never before had Albus experienced such an awkward Christmas dinner, and that included the time his Aunt Katherine went into DoL with Eddie at the table. After Gabriella and Georgia stormed out, grandma served pudding to the remaining family line members, but everyone ate in silence. Albus, rosiness, and Amanda ate as fast as they could and then escaped to the one place they did n't reckon anyone else would go- the Ionic dialect.

The attic of the tunnel was similar to an archaeological site. It contained layers of Weasley family story and if you dug deep enough you could even regain pic of Uncle Bill when he was a baby. It used to house a ghoul, but the body snatcher died years before Albus was born. Albus did n't go up in the loft very much anymore, but when he was little it had made an excellent hiding place.

"I never realized how similar Gabriella and Georgia were,"Albus said once they 'd shut the attic door.

"I never realized how alike Uncle Walker Percy and Uncle note were,"rose replied."I never thought Uncle Bill would react like that."

"Me either,"Albus agreed."Let 's not talk about it. I just want to do something fun."

"Let 's shimmer Monopoly,"Amanda said."It 's a Muggle plot. I brought it from my house."

Albus and blush wine readily agreed and soon the three were playing Monopoly in the attic. It took Albus and rosiness a little while to get the hang of the money, which was based on Muggle money, but once they did, it was very fun. Albus 's favorite thing about it was how long it took. They spent minute on one game and by the time Amanda beat him and rose wine, almost all of his kinsfolk was asleep.

By breakfast the next morning nearly everything had blown over. Half of his aunt and uncles had left because they had to go to exploit and the other half were in the process of getting gear up to leave. Some of his cousins were still there, but quite a few had left. When Albus went downstairs he noticed his uncle Bill and aunt Fleur having a talk with Gabriella over platters of sausages. Albus paused in the room access, waiting for them to finish.

"We do n't want you to think we are n't supportive of your art,"invoice said."We are. Both of us. I just want to know you 're going to be okay."

"I am, Dad,"Gabriella said."I 'll be staying with Grandmere and Grandpere."

"That 's reassuring,"Bill said."And I did overreact last night."

Fleur snorted."Yes, I 'd say you did."

"I certainly do n't desire you to think I 'm anything like your uncle Hotspur,"Bill whispered."I 'd never try and turn back you from pursuing your dream."

"fountainhead, painting in Anatole France is my pipe dream for now,"Gabriella said adamantly.

"Then we 'll support you,"bank bill said. Fleur nodded in arrangement."I 'm sorry for overreacting last night. I think we were all on edge from the reporter."

"Thanks, Dad,"Gabriella said.

"When were you planning on leaving ?"Fleur asked.

"After that Ministry company. Ca n't miss that or Uncle Percy would go insane."

"The weekend after that, then,"Bill said."We want to avail you move."

Gabriella nodded."Thanks."

Bill stood up and gave his daughter a hug."I 've got to get to sour, but I 'll see you at home plate later. I love you, Gabby."

"beloved you, too, Dad,"Gabriella said as she hugged him back.

Albus walked into the kitchen as his uncle left, grabbing a few sausages and a cinnamon bark bun on his way to the table. He was relieved that Uncle measure and Gabriella came to an concord, especially one that involved Gabriella still moving to French Republic. He wanted his cousin to be felicitous and he still wanted to think of broadside as his cool uncle.

Albus returned to Grimmauld blank space later that day and it only took him a few hours of boredom to start his holiday reading. blush wine and Amanda had returned to rosiness 's house, so without them, he was forced to be generative. In fact, Albus was actually looking forward to the Ministry political party for the lone reason that he 'd get to see rosebush and lustrelessness.

The few days in between packing Day and New Year 's Eve were fairly uneventful, especially compared with Christmas day. Georgia and Uncle Percy still had n't made up and Empire State of the South came over for a heart-to-heart with Albus 's mum the day before the party. Albus often forgot that his mum used to play professional Quidditch and would be the perfect someone for Georgia to seek advice from.

Albus attempted to take heed in on their conversation via Extendable Ear, but his mum must 've put an interperbabble charm on the kitchen door because he could n't hear a thing. Dejected, he put away his Extendable Ear and returned to reading his Transfiguration book.

Shortly after Georgia left St. James walked in the gage door with a grin on his face.

"What are you so felicitous about ?"Albus asked.

"Mum forgot to put the charm on the window,"James said."I heard everything."

"fountainhead, tell me what you heard !"Albus said as he closed his book.

"I do n't know ...."

"Come on, King James,"Albus said."If you do I wo n't tell Mum and Dad what you 're planning on doing to the punch at the party tomorrow."

"Fine,"James muttered as he sat down."Basically, Peach State 's still mad at Uncle Percy and does n't want to go to the company tomorrow. Mum convinced her that she needs to aim the heights route and be supportive of Uncle Percy even though he is n't being supportive of her. And she said there 's no secret to getting him to recognize Quidditch as a valid career. He just has to realize it on his own and all Georgia can do is be the best player she can and support herself and not ask him for money. But then she reminded Georgia that gramps was very supportive of her Quidditch career."

"Nothing too excite, then,"Albus said.

"Nope, not really,"William James agreed."Going to cook for an interesting company, though."

"That 's for sure,"Albus said.
***


"Is the Minister 's Mansion glowing bluing ?"Albus asked as he followed his parents up the winding path to the mansion.

It was New class 's Eve and the ceramist were slightly late for the party, as common. This clock time James had not been the reason ; they were late because Ginny had had to lengthen Albus 's gown stopping point minute.

"It looks that way,"Harry answered."wait until you see the inside. The election New Year 's Eve party at the Minister 's sign of the zodiac is one of the grandest social occasion the Ministry puts on, only beaten out by the party that will take place for the winner of the election. It 's going to be far enthusiast than the political party for Mr. Eckerton last year."

Albus nodded. As they drew closemouthed to the hall Albus noticed that the risque visible light seemed to stem from the dry land, illuminating the theater as it went upward, but he could not see where the Light Within came from. It looked to just appear out of the ground. The path itself was lined with silver candles.

The door was already open when they reached the end of the path. A man dressed in a fully tuxedo with tails stood in the room access and he took Ginny and Lily 's wraps while another man led the Potters into the grand ballroom.

The dance hall was already filled to mental ability and Albus noticed that nearly half of the people in attendance were his aunts, uncles, and first cousin. The dance palace itself was lit by Ag candles similar to the single that lined the path outside. The windowpane were draped in heavy navy drape tied with Ag roofy and matching linen dressed the tables and professorship scattered throughout the room. Larger tables containing phonograph recording of food stood in the substance of the way, each one holding an ice sculpture. The carving were of assorted historical buildings in wizarding Britain, including one of Hogwarts.

Waiters dressed in the Sami tuxedo as the adept by the door walked throughout the room carrying plates of food and drink. After taking a feel at some of the food they carried, Albus wondered if there was anything normal or if it was just go for hors d'oeuvres.

"Before you all take off to find your cousins,"Harry began, staring more at his Word than at Lily."Saint James the Apostle, absolutely no pranks. Albus, no sneaking off to early parts of the mansion or going outside this yr. foretell me, both of you."

"I promise,"Albus and James each mumbled.

"All right, you may go,"Harry said."And sustain an eye out for your younger cousin-german. Make sure enough they 're not getting into trouble."

Albus nodded and then slipped into the gang in search of lustrelessness, rose wine, and something to eat that did not resemble something his aunt Fleur 's mother would make. He finally wound up at the dessert mesa where he found both a large man of hot chocolate cake and his friends.

"Albus, there you are !"rosebush said."We 've been here for an hour already."

"Mum had to lengthen my gown,"Albus said in between chomp of cake.

"I 'm not surprised. You grew a substructure in the past year,"rose commented.

"Seriously, you 've got to hold on,"matt said."You make me search like a second year."

"Is everyone else here ?"Albus asked as they walked over to a mostly empty table. Its only occupier was a very old man who seemed to be taking a nap.

Rose nodded."Even Georgia showed up. But I did find oneself out that the just reason we were all invited was to make Uncle Walker Percy look like more of a family man."

"Really ?"Albus asked."I thought it was just because kin of the candidates were always invited."

"No. Usually it 's only immediate sept extremity, plus all the Heads of departments and top Ministry official and their mob. So not all of us were going to be invited at first. It 's to form us seem like a very close knit family."

"You are a close knit family,"Matt said."It 's like you 're all blood brother and baby rather than cousins."

"But Uncle Walker Percy never really tortuous any of us in his Ministry career before,"Albus pointed out."Anyway, Matt, how was your Christmastide ?"

"Good,"lusterlessness said."rosiness already told me about yours. Sounded much more interest than mine. My grandparents came to gossip and they went dwelling house yesterday. Mum and Cinda argued over the fact that we do n't shoot the breeze them enough anymore and then Mum and Amy argued over the fact that Amy never comes house except for vacation. Dad, Richard, and I just stayed out of it. I swear, those three could argue over nothing."

"Sounds like yours was interesting then,"Albus said.

Matt shrugged."Honestly, it 's been rather boring at home."

"I 'm quick to get back to Hogwarts,"Albus said."Is Amy here ?"

"Yeah, she 's off with Victoire and slip,"matte said.

"Oh, by the way, do n't drink the biff,"Albus warned them."Jesse James is planning to put something in it."

"What ?"rosebush asked.

"I do n't get laid, but it 'll probably be pure,"Albus said.

"If your uncle wins your cousin will get to last here,"Matt said as he gazed around the room."Weird to suppose about. This space looks handsome than my old house."

"It probably is,"Rose said."And you 're right-hand, that is weird to intend about."

The old man let out a hiss and woke up. His optic darted around until they rested on Albus, rose, and Matt."Who are you three ?"he demanded.

"Er, I 'm Albus Potter and that 's Rose Weasley and matt Eckerton,"Albus said.

His case softened."Oh, decent to meet you ! I 'm St. Gregory of Nazianzen Laurentis. My daughter 's run for Minister. Could not be prouder, but I suppose she 's running against your uncle. Albus potter, Merlin 's beard ! I told Patty, I told her she was nuts to run against Hotspur Weasley what with him being related to Harry ceramist himself, but her party picked her to run so I suppose there was nothing I could do about it. And she could n't turn down that chance ...."

Albus glanced at pink wine and Matt while Laurnetis 's dad continued to rattle on about how proud he was of his daughter, yet marvel at her stupidity for running against someone related to Harry ceramist. He was rather suspicious, Albus thought.

"This place is too damn fancy,"Gregory the Great Laurnetis muttered as he fingered the tablecloth."And the food, my God, what I would n't give for some bangers and mash ...."

Albus stifled a laugh, but he did check with the old man."I think I hear one of my cousins calling me,"Albus said."We 'd improve go."

"Oh, right, right,"Gregory Laurentis said."I do n't hear anything, but then again my auditory sense 's so bad these days. Well, safe luck to your uncle, then. Not that he 'll need it !"

"goodness lot to your daughter, too,"Albus said as he stood up.

All three burst out laughing as soon as they were out of earshot of Gregory I Laurentis. A few Ministry officials looked at them strangely as they did so, but Albus did n't care.

"Albus !"Matt suddenly whispered."Is that Balladanis over there ?"Matt pointed to the far back corner, where a man in plain inglorious robes stood with his weapon folded across his chest.

Albus peered at the man for a few here and now."Yeah, I think it is."

"What 's he doing here ?"Matt asked.

"Probably in case of an onslaught,"Rose said."Every prominent Ministry official is in this room right now. There 's probably Aurors stationed at every door outside, too."

"Do n't let him see us,"lustrelessness said as he grabbed both Albus and Rose and pulled them behind a large group of masses."Can we just go somewhere else ?"

Albus glanced at Balladanis and then back at Matt, who looked more than a fiddling nervous. Albus did n't blame him. After hold out class 's scandal with Balladanis, it was no wonder matte never wanted to see the man again. Albus thought briefly of what his dad told him when they got there, but pushed the promise from his judgment. If lustrelessness did n't want to be in the same way as Balladanis, then Albus was just going to have to break his promise.

"semen on,"rose wine said before Albus could reply. She took Albus and matt 's hired hand and pulled them through the gang. She let them go once they reached the corridor.

The corridor was much quieter than the ballroom. Albus had n't even realized just how loud the dance palace was until now. Between the music and people 's vocalisation, it was a wonder he 'd even been able to think in there.

"Thanks,"Matt said quietly."He just gives me the creeps."

"No problem,"Rose said."Where should we go ?"

"We could try and find that library again,"Albus suggested.

rosiness and Matt nodded and the three set off down the corridor. It took them fifteen minutes and three wrong turns to find the subroutine library and once they got there, they saw that it was already occupied by none other than Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric.

"We 've got to stop using the Saame hiding berth,"Georgia said with a laugh as they entered."Just joking. arrive on in."

Rose shut the door behind them and they joined Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric on the former incline of the elbow room.

"Sick of the party ?"Georgia asked.

"We saw Balladanis,"lusterlessness said quietly as he sat down."Did n't want him to notice us."

Empire State of the South shuddered."Do n't blame you there, especially since your dad is the grounds he got sacked."

"I kind of liked him,"Bradley said.

Matt looked at him like he was insane."Are you kidding ?"

Omar Nelson Bradley shrugged."Nope. I 'm not terribly upset he 's gone, but he was variety of cool."

"You 're mad,"Matt said.

"What about you three ? What drove you to the library ?"Albus asked, wanting to stave off an debate between his best Quaker and cousin.

"Decided to research the firm,"Cedric said."If we 're going to bear to populate here, we wanted to see what we 'd be getting into."

"And what do you call back ?"Rose asked.

"livelihood here would n't be so bad,"Cedric said."Bradley and I would n't take to parcel a room. Neither would Samantha and Lindy, for that matter."

"I told you, one of you can have my room,"Georgia said.

"Dad wo n't let us,"Bradley replied."Says you 're going to add up back when Quidditch stops paying off."

Georgia groaned."Really, the trust he has in me is incredible."

"We met Laurentis 's dad,"Albus said.

Empire State of the South burst out laughing."Seriously ?"

Albus nodded and told the news report. All three of his cousin-german were laughing by the time he finished.

"I may let to go back out there just so I can meet him,"Empire State of the South said, still laughing.

"He sounds like a very interesting chap,"Bradley said.

matt got up from his professorship and began wandering around the depository library. He paused by the door, as if listening.

"What are you doing ?"Albus asked.

"I heard something,"lusterlessness whispered."Shut up, all of you."

Georgia immediately stopped laughing and all five of them stopped talking. flatness 's eye grew big and he hurried back over."Someone 's coming !"

"I do n't hear any-"Bradley began.

"Sshhh !"Albus said as he jumped up."Trust him on this. We 've got to hide."

"There 's a closet,"rosiness said as she hurried to open the threshold."It 's not very big-"

"Does n't matter,"matt said."Hurry, get inside."

Albus just started hearing the part as they hurried inside the W.C.. It was a very tight squeeze and Rose was stepping on his left foot, but he said zilch as he shut the door. Two sec later he heard the doorway to the library open.

"It 's not working !"a woman said. Her voice was muffled ; Albus could barely make out what she said, let alone who she was.

"I ca n't hear anything,"Cedric whispered."Is this door solid sepia or something ?"

"Shut up !"lusterlessness seethed. He had his ear pressed to the door.

"The one fourth dimension I do n't institute any Extendables with me,"Cedric muttered.

Albus pressed his ear up against the doorway. The vox were still muffled, but he could hear.

"I told you they 'd eat up the completely kinfolk man thing,"another voice said. This one was male."Not to mention he 's Harry ceramicist 's brother-in-law for God 's sake !"

"Harry ceramicist is an bungling retard and you know it,"the woman replied."He 's famous for something he did as a fry and the worldwide populace is stupid person to still believe of him as the poor boy of the wizarding macrocosm. He 's gone soft."

"It 's Laurentis !"flatness said.

"How can you tell ?"Thomas Bradley asked."This door is so damn thick."

"I just can,"Matt said.

Albus could n't recite that the spokesperson was Laurentis 's, but based on what she was saying, flatness was right.

"well, what am I supposed to do about it ?"the man said.

"We 've got to remember of something,"Laurentis said."The Azkaban public debate is in a workweek. I 'm sure you can think of something to do for that."

"I think that 's her campaign manager,"Matt said.

"She sounds dreadful,"Albus said.

"It should n't be that laborious. All we have to do is expose Weasley for what he really is and get everyone to agnise Potter 's not the hero they all think he is,"Laurentis said.

"And who is Weasley, then ?"

"A pompous idiot !"Laurentis exclaimed."You do n't really buy the wholly fact that he supports his girl 's Quidditch vocation, do you ? I 've seen the way she looks at him and there 's no way that 's real."

"You ca n't really fuck that-"

"I can,"she interrupted."I can learn people, Pierce. That 's why I got into politics. It 's all about reading masses and figuring out the lies from the truths. See what you can dig up. We 'd improve takings to the party. I left my father alone with minister of religion Langston. That wo n't turn out well."

"Yes, Ms. Laurentis,"Pierce replied.

Albus heard the auditory sensation of richly heels on hardwood flooring, the doorway creak open, and then get across shut again. He waited two replete minutes and then opened the doorway to the closet. Everyone hurried out.

"What was that ?"Matt demanded."What is she up to ?"

"How did you catch all that ?"Bradley asked."Do you have super human audience or something ?"

"Or something,"matt muttered,"but never mind that. Laurentis knows your dad 's putting on an act and is going to try to queer him."He turned to Albus."And she is going to try and turn the wizarding world against your dad."

"She 's insane !"Albus exclaimed.

"You 've got to tell your uncle-"lusterlessness began.

"No way,"GA said loudly."Trust me, all he 'll do is blame me for not playing my part well enough. This is n't leaving this room."

"But she 's going to sabotage his campaign,"Albus said.

"Georgia 's rightfield,"Rose said."It wo n't help anything. effort are half about digging up grease on the other campaigner. Anything she says about Uncle Harry, no one will think it unless they 're an imbecile. Anyone with half a mind knows he runs the Auror department well."

"If anyone says anything he 'll just get mad at us for spying,"Bradley added.

"Not to reference we 're not technically allowed in here,"Cedric pointed out.

"Oh, right,"Albus said."My dad did relieve oneself me promise not to entrust the ballroom."

"No one 's saying anything,"GA said."And I think we 'd all better get back to the dance hall, just in case anyone notices we 're all gone.


Thanks for all the revaluation ! Remember to hold open them 12+. airplane propeller to all who caught the 'mahogany'Hunger biz reference work. Credit for that goes to Suzanne Collins. If any of you are fellow member of the assembly ( and if you 're not, you should be, link on the right-hand side of the page ! ), feel free to mark out my Meet the source page ! It 's linked on my author page. Please ask me questions on my MTA page since I love answering them !


When they returned to the ballroom Albus was pleased to see that Balladanis was nowhere in visual sense. Perhaps he left to police the reason. Albus did n't really care ; all that mattered was that he was n't there anymore. Judging by the crowd in the way, no one else had left yet, and they all seemed a bit more robustious, nigh probably due to the drinks.

Percy accosted them before they were even able to get to the desert table to reload their shell with cake. He walked with determination, similarly to the way he had walked when he took Albus and his champion to Kendrick 's field of study. He seemed very at dwelling house in the curate 's Mansion and it was n't even his yet.

"GA !"he said."There you are. I 've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was in the loo. Something you need, Dad ?"Georgia asked.

"Er, yes, actually,"Sir Henry Percy replied."I need you to withdraw Samantha and Lindy household. It 's nearly eleven and your female parent and I are going to be here well past times midnight. Samantha ate too much cake and feeling ill. I just think it would be best for them to go household and get some sleep. They 're over at that table."Hotspur gestured to a nearby table, where Samantha and lindy hop were sitting, both with their heads in their deal, looking extremely bored.

Georgia raised her eyebrows, as if storm that Percy was actually going to not only let three of his small fry leave, but request that they do so. Albus was surprised he 'd even consider about the fact that it was n't really a party for two nine-year-olds.

"Yeah, I can take them home,"Georgia said.

"What about us ?"Bradley asked, gesturing to himself and Cedric."Could n't we pick out them base ?"

"I 'd rather Georgia do it,"Percy said."You do n't even give your Apparition permit yet, Cedric. And Omar Nelson Bradley, you just got yours. You 're not ready to side-along Apparate two people."

"They do have fireplaces here, Dad,"Omar Bradley muttered.

"Georgia 's taking them, and the two of you are staying here,"Percy said adamantly."Thank you, Georgia."

"You 're welcome,"Peach State said as Walker Percy strutted off to let the cat out of the bag to some Ministry official."Ha !"she said once he was out of earshot."I get to leave."

"Shut up,"Cedric said."I 'm going to go find James."

Empire State of the South headed over to the table her babe were sitting at while Bradley and Cedric disappeared into the crowd. Albus, Matt, and Rose wandered over to the dessert table, piled a dental plate richly with the biscuits a waiter had just set out, and then set off to find another table. They found one, which Victoire, Teddy, and Amy were vacating.

"Where are you three off to ?"Albus asked.

"We 've got early rounds tomorrow,"Victoire said."Five in the dayspring. If we 're lucky we 'll get four hour of sleep."

"I do n't see much point in staying if they 're not here,"Teddy said."Technically I was n't even invited, but seeing as I 'm Harry Potter 's Godson, no one was going to kick me out."

Albus laughed."See you later, then."

After Victoire, Teddy, and Amy left Albus sat down and his protagonist sat on either side. He absentmindedly chewed on a biscuit and watched the bunch.

"Do these sample funny to you ?"flatness asked, holding up a partially rust biscuit.

Albus took another bite. They did taste weird."Yeah."

Rose burst out laughing and started pointing at their heads."I think James messed with the biscuits instead of the clout. Al, your whisker is depressed and Matt, yours is green."

Albus and Matt both started laughing. Albus took another look at the gang."aspect, that madam 's whisker is purple !"He pointed to a witch a few yards away. The feller she was talking to was clearly trying not to gaze at her head.

Over the adjacent few mo people gradually began to realize that their hair was turning assorted colors and that the cookie were the culprit. Wands appeared everywhere, as the guests charmed each other 's pilus back to its normal color. Another minute later Albus spotted both of his parents walking around the circumference of the room, clearly looking for James, but he was nowhere in sight.

"I like this joke,"Albus said."I 'm leaving my hairsbreadth as is."

"Me too,"flatness agreed. They both turned to Rose."You should eat one."

pink wine sighed."might as well."She took a cooky and a bit later her formerly red hair was a lovely shade of garden pink.

The quietus of the company was rather slow. Harry eventually found Henry James and told him he 'd be staying in his room for the residual of the holiday, only being allowed out for meal. When midnight rolled around Albus, lusterlessness, and rosiness toasted to the new year with Lily and Victor Hugo. mat and his parents left immediately afterward and Albus and his family left a short spell later. Albus was relieved to be going home since the Night had been exhausting, and he still could n't get the conversation he overheard in the library out of his mind.
***


"It 's here !"James IV shouted the succeeding morn at breakfast, brandishing a copy of mavin magazine. The battlefront cover was a picture of Albus 's grandparents, his mum, Uncle Percy, Uncle Bill, Uncle Charlie, Uncle George, and Uncle Ron.

"Let me see it !"Albus shouted.

"No, I got it first !"James shouted back.

"I want to interpret it first !"Lily exclaimed.

"child, sink down !"Ginny said."James got it first. Al can read it next, and then Lily."

"Not fair,"Lily muttered."I 'm never first."

That was a lie, Albus thought to himself. It was either James or Lily who got things first, never Albus. Curse of being the eye youngster, he figured.

Albus sat and ate his breakfast while James read the clause. His crony let out moan and sighs and even laughter while he read, which made Albus even more anxious to register it. After what seemed corresponding forever, it was finally Albus 's turning. He yanked the magazine out of James 's hand and opened it up to the article.

The low page ( or rather, first two pages ), contained the picture of his entire family. Albus had been right in guessing that there was no way the lensman could 've let a moving picture that they all looked good in. Albus himself at to the lowest degree wait halfway decent. He was smiling and kept turning to look at Rose and then back to the camera. Lily on the other hand, was caught mid-grimace and always returned to that put every few seconds. Across the picture was the name of the article- 'Christmas With the Weasleys .'Albus turned the Page and looked at all the other exposure that accompanied the article before reading it. There was one of Hotspur, Corrine, and their minor. Another featured Walker Percy and Albus 's dad. Then there was the one with him playing Exploding walkover with the similitude and Percy, as well as the one with Percy and Amanda playing Bromus secalinus. The caption on that say 'Minister hopeful Sir Henry Percy Weasley challenges the prime Minister 's niece to a game of chess .'Amanda was not going to be felicitous, Albus thought as he turned his tending to the article.

When I first entered the puerility home of Sir Henry Percy
Weasley I immediately noticed the delicious smells
that filled the air. molly Weasley, Hotspur 's mother,
was hard at work cooking Christmastide Eve dinner. The
small-scale, but cozy, abode was filled to capacity with
Weasleys, although it only grew more herd with
the comer of the potter an hour later.

The Weasley class gathers for Christmas at the
domicile of Arthur and mollie Weasley every year.
King Arthur, a retired Ministry employee, says ,'I
have it off having the entire family together. It 's
helter-skelter, but I would n't have it any early way .'
The evening begins with a repast, although eating
seems to take situation over many hours. The atmosphere
is homely and well-chosen, with every exclusive family
member enjoying their fourth dimension with each early.

Harry Hotspur Weasley, a loving sire of five, joins in
on the fun and Christmastide intent by challenging
his nine-year-old girl Samantha and lindy,
as well as nephew Albus Potter, 14, to a biz
of Exploding Snap .'I feel it 's significant to
spend time with my shaver, as well as my nieces
and nephews ,'Weasley said, 'we have such little
clip with them before they go off to Hogwarts.
My eldest is already out on her own and my Son
only have a little prison term left at Hogwarts. The
twins are still young, so I try to spend time
with them every single day .'When asked
about their founder 's campaign, Samantha said,
'I want him to win. He 's thoroughly at his job .'
Lindy merely shrugged, 'It would be poise if he
wins, but he 'll still just be Dad to us .'

The home of Chester Alan Arthur and Molly Weasley is not
only open to Weasleys at Christmas time. This
class they were joined by a supporter of Albus ceramicist
and Rose Weasley, 14. Amanda Tagger, also 14, is
a 4th year student at Hogwarts. Tagger is no
stranger to political kinsfolk since her uncle
is Michael Smythe, heyday Minister of Great
United Kingdom .'I think it is just marvelous that
the heyday Minister 's niece is a witch ,'Harry Hotspur
said. 'We are always trying to promote a
healthy kinship with the Muggle Ministry
and this will only assist .'

Before posing for the picture found on pages
20 and 21, the Weasley family first donned
their Weasley jumpers. Each member of the fellowship
receives one of these jump shot for Christmas
every twelvemonth. The traditional pinny are knitted
by molly Weasley .'I 'm not sure how it started,
really ,'mollie said, when asked about the blood
of the pinny ,'I suppose it was when Bill and
Charlie were little, before Sir Henry Percy was born. I
wanted to knit them matching jumper and they
outgrew them by the following year, so I made
new ones. Then when Walker Percy was born he needed one
so it soon grew into a yearly thing .'

If I had to opt one Book to describe the Weasley
family, I would pick out 'laid-back .'Spending a
Christmas Eve with this family unit, you would never
think that they were famous for their efforts in
the war against Voldemort. They are just so normal.
even Harry potter, headspring Auror, is just your
average father. He spends Christmas Eve joking
around with his brothers-in-law and playing secret plan
with his tiddler, nieces, and nephews. I asked
him what a typical Christmas day is like in the
Weasley sign of the zodiac and he responded with, 'Quidditch.
We live for Quidditch. No matter the weather we
get out there every Christmas and dally a peer or
two. Then we 'll get inside and have dinner, all
of us together. It 's simpleton, but perfect .'

There you have it. Christmas with the Weasleys
summed up in one sentence by none early than Harry
potter himself. I thoroughly enjoyed expenditure
Christmas Eve with Percy Weasley and his intact
family. succeeding time I interview him, I really must
ask for his mother 's sheepman 's pie recipe. It
truly is wonderful.

"Really ?"Albus asked after handing the cartridge clip to Lily."After all that ? She interviewed half the family and only quoted a few of us ?"

"I 'm guessing the rest could n't really be used for the type of article she was going for,"William James pointed out."Notice how she only included farce Samantha and lindy said."

"And she made it seem like the photographer just happened to take flick of us playing games with Uncle Percy,"Albus said."All of that was staged."

"That 's news media,"Ginny said."Not practiced news media, creative thinker you, but it is fairly common practice."

"I guess it could sustain been worse,"Albus said.

"Yes, it could have been,"Ginny agreed."I think we 're all just grateful she did n't stay for Christmastide dinner."

Epistle of James laughed."I wonder how she would 've spun that. I 'm amazed no one 's figured out that Uncle Harry Hotspur does n't really like that Georgia plays Quidditch."

"support your mouth shut about that, James,"Ginny said quietly.

"Anyone with half a brain could see it,"James muttered.

Albus said zero. He still was n't completely sure that saying nothing about Laurentis figuring that out was the in good order affair to do. But he could n't exactly say anything, not when all his cousins and Matt had agreed not to.

"James,"Ginny said."enough. And I suggest you use the residual of your break to study for those O.W.L.s. June is a lot rather than you think."

James certainly did a good job of pretending to study for the residuum of the holiday, while shut up in his way for his punishment. Albus noticed that while he always had a book cracked open nearby, to grab when one of their parents walked into the way, it was always the Saame book of account, opened to the Same page. Albus was amazed neither of his parents realized that, but he supposed both of them had their minds on Sir Henry Percy 's election. Albus finished all his homework before the weekend, leaving him with two blissful days of doing zero. On Saturday he, along with his parents, Saint James, and Lily, visited Kaden and his phratry for a late Christmastide and New class 's festivity. Albus was relieved that Kaden 's grandparents were n't there.

Monday arrived and it was meter to go back to Hogwarts. Albus was quite well-chosen about this because he had grown bored of staying at home and doing nothing and was sick of being in such close tail with Epistle of James and Lily. At to the lowest degree in Gryffindor tower they kept to their own chemical group of ally. But mostly, Albus wanted to get Amanda 's yield on the conversation they overheard at the pastor 's Mansion.

"Everyone 's staring at me,"Amanda said as she entered the compartment Albus, rose, Matt, John, and Kaden were occupying."Took me ages to find you, just because hoi polloi kept wanting to talk to me. It 's that stupid magazine article. Now everyone knows I 'm the efflorescence rector 's niece."

"It was bound to happen Oklahoman or later,"Rose pointed out."But I 'm sorry. If I 'd get it on the newsperson was going to talk about that, I would n't have invited you for Christmas."

"No, it 's okeh,"Amanda said as she sat down."I 'm glad I went. It 's just annoying. Guess I know how it feels to be you lot."

"Except us,"John said as he gestured to himself and Kaden."We 're normal."

"You 're normal, can,"Amanda said."But Kaden 's Harry thrower 's first cousin once removed or something."

"And that really makes me wonder how I got wrapped up in all this,"John said."My parents just are n't nearly as ambitious as yours all are."

"How was that company, by the way ?"Amanda asked.

"Mostly boring,"Albus said."But we did wind up in a diminutive closet with my full cousin Peach State, Bradley, and Cedric and overheard a conversation between Laurentis and her campaign manager."

"You what ?"lavatory exclaimed."And you did n't intend that warranted an owl ?"

"We wanted to order you in individual,"Albus said."The conversation was really weird."

"William Tell us !"Amanda said.

Albus explained what he overheard, with help from Matt, who had been able-bodied to hear it a bit more clearly. John and Kaden looked slightly uncomfortable when they finished, but Amanda did n't seem at all surprised or upset.

"That ca n't be good,"whoremonger said."What do you believe she 's planning ?"

"That 's just it, I do n't have it off,"Albus said."And all my cousin-german and flatness agreed not to say anything-"

"They 're right, of course,"Amanda said."You 'd just agitate up trouble. Your uncle has got to sharpen on convincing people he 's the right one for the job, not discrediting everything Laurentis says."

"But she 's going to try and win over everyone my dad 's a bad Auror,"Albus pointed out.

"Your dad is n't running for Minister,"Amanda said."And honestly, I do n't imagine she 's going to be able to convince all of wizarding Britain that your dad 's incompetent by April."

"But what about the Empire State of the South thing-"

"Albus,"Amanda said as she stared directly at him,"this is what politician do. Half the run is spent trying to convince masses the opposition is bad for the job. As often as it should just be spent on trying to convince people they 're decently for the job, nominee just do n't do that. Trust me. My uncle 's on his secondly full term. I know how these things work."

"I guess,"Albus said. He felt slightly better about it, now that he had Amanda 's notion, but he still felt unquiet."Something is going to chance at the Azkaban debate, though. She wanted her campaign manager to dig something up."

"Worst slip scenario, she figures out that your uncle Percy does n't really approve of Georgia 's Quidditch career,"Amanda said."Then he 'll kick in an interview and say that at first he was n't because he was worried about her future but then he saw her play and now he realizes how skilful she is and fustian, claptrap, rant. It 'll be fixed."

"She 's right, Albus,"Rose said. The others nodded.

"How do you know all this ?"Albus asked."I mean, seriously."

"I 'm an excellent eavesdropper,"Amanda said with a grinning."And all without Extendable Ears."

"Amazing,"whoremonger agreed.

"It 's round-eyed, really,"Amanda said."Be the kid in your sept that goes unnoticed. My sr. sister is the drama queen, so everything that happens to her, no matter how small, is a huge trade. My little brother is a brat who demands constant quantity attention. Me ? I 'm the quiet one. They 'll have whole conversations about stuff in front end of me that they 'd never have in front of either my brother or sister."

Kaden laughed."Bet that changed when you found out you were a witch."

"At firstly, but then me being a witch became convention,"Amanda said.

matte let out a low whistle."like I had that skill. I still ca n't even go into the same room as my parents without one of them asking me if I feel okay. Bit of an exaggeration, but still."

"I think my parents drop too very much of their childhoods eavesdropping on people to generate me a adequate chance at it,"Albus said."They know all the tricks."

"So do mine,"Rose said."I swear my mum can feel an Extendable Ear a air mile away."

"I think I 'm too trashy,"can said.

"Lapp,"Kaden agreed.

"So, would you think me if I said I actually wanted to go to the Azkaban argument ?"John asked as he opened a box of Bertie Bott 's Every tone Beans.

pink wine burst out laughing."Really, can ?"

"Yes, really,"John said, popping a bean into his mouthpiece."Butter, Weird. If Laurentis is going to do something, I want to be right there to witness it."

"Maybe you 'll get golden and you 'll get picked,"Amanda said."I hope I get picked for one."

"I bet they 'll let you go to all of them now, being the flush rector's niece and all,"John said.

"Not necessarily,"Amanda said.

"You can always use up my spot, John the Divine,"Matt said as he got up to slip a smattering of John Lackland 's Bertie Bott 's."Full lunar month 's on Fri, so I wo n't be going."

"Maybe you can win over madam Pomfrey, since it 's educational,"Kaden said.

mat popped a edible bean into his mouth and then promptly skewer it out."Ew, dirt. Does n't weigh what brothel keeper Pomfrey says. Day after the good moon ? I 'll be asleep. You 'll just have to take notes and let me know what happens."

John groaned."I 'll pass on your spot if I have to take notes."

"person 's going to get to take note of hand either way,"Matt said."I 'll need them for the essay that Embry will assign."

"Do n't worry, I 'll take notes,"blush wine told him.

"Thanks,"lustrelessness replied."Now, who 's wants this noodle ? It looks just like stain, but it could be chocolate."flatness held up a suspiciously brown bean.

"I 'll take it !"King John said. He took a tiny nibble, screwed up his font, and threw the rest period of the edible bean back at lustrelessness, hitting him square on the forehead."Thanks, mate, another dirt."

Albus laughed and took a fistful of attic. The residue of the trip was much more lighthearted than their conversation about the crusade tactics of Laurentis and Percy. They finished off John 's Bertie Bott 's, growing braver as the box emptied. Albus stopped after he got a vomit flavored one, but enjoyed it immensely when Kaden ate one of the same flavor. The geartrain drive went quickly and soon they arrived in Hogsmeade station with Hogwarts, Albus 's second home, just a short-circuit carriage taunt away.


Sorry for the of late update ! My cousin got married on Friday so I was gone the unanimous weekend and did n't hold my electronic computer with me. Thanks to my baby, Linda, who in my kinfolk, is just wish Amanda and can eavesdrop on everyone. She gave me the idea for that. Thanks for all the lovely recapitulation !


"This full term we will concenter on how the world-class and indorse warfare against Voldemort shaped how the Ministry of conjuration is organized today,"professor Embry announced after the bell rang for Tues 's politics class."This parting of the category will overlap with your History of Magic grade quite a bit, although I 'd gamble a guess that none of you pay attention in History of Magic, not that I blame you. I never could stay awake in that stratum either.

"first, we will study a near look at exactly how the Ministry was organized prior to Voldemort 's rise to great power and why it was such a job,"Embry continued."region of the ground why Voldemort was able to climb to power as quickly as he did was because the Ministry was susceptible to a takeover. Since then, caution have been taken to keep a exchangeable post. Does anyone know the main conflict between the Ministry before Voldemort and the Ministry now ?"

A few helping hand went up in the air, including Amanda 's. Albus knew the answer, but he did n't really desire to enkindle his hand. He preferred listening during class.

"Yes, Miss Tagger ?"

"The pastor was n't elected,"Amanda said,"which is odd because the Muggle diplomatic minister is elected, sort of. It 's not like in the United States, but the public suffrage on which political party will be in power."

"Exactly,"Embry said."Prior to the shakeup of the Ministry of Magic in 1998, the Minister was appointed by the Wizengamot. Can anyone secern me why that is a problem ?"

Amanda 's hand jibe into the air once more. She was even faster than Rose in this class.

"missy tagger ?"

"It was bad because the hoi polloi had no power. Only the Wizengamot had any tycoon in the Ministry, because they were the ace who appointed the Minister, who then appointed all the early officials. No one had any say in anything."

"rightfield again. Ten points to Gryffindor,"Embry said."The Wizengamot, prior to 1998, was a radical of very influential witches and wizards, mostly pureblood, who essentially ran the Ministry of Magic. They also served as the judicial system. These hag and wizards inherited their seats on the Wizengamot from home members because each influential class in the British people wizarding globe once held a seat in the Wizengamot. The problem with this are obvious because it meant that only pureblood and a select few half-bloods had any colour of power."

Albus was scribbling furiously. He knew the rudiments of the political system just from overhearing his parents'conversations, but the inside information were bleary. Now that he was learning the gritty details, he wondered why it took so long for the Ministry to be reorganized. It seemed like it was based solely on blood position and how a great deal money person had, which was n't right.

Embry continued to explain the old Ministry and the various power that each somebody or group of people in the Ministry had prior to Voldemort 's reign. By the end of the talk Albus had just over a foot of preeminence, which was dear because Embry had already set them an essay.

"Before you leave, I 'll announce who will be attending Saturday 's debate,"Embry said after he finished lecturing."Like concluding time, Albus Potter, rose Weasley, and matte Eckerton will be able-bodied to attend. The two Hufflepuffs who will be attending are Elaine Asterly and Charles Christopher Parker Wieland. The two Gryffindors are Amanda tagging program and Ethan Kesse. You will describe to the Great Hall at ten and hold for instructions from the prefects waiting by the room access. Everyone else will be listening to the argumentation via wireless in the Transfiguration schoolroom. I expect an essay on which campaigner you feel made their point better by side by side year. You are dismissed."

"I guess I wo n't get to go to all the debate after all,"Amanda said as they left the classroom.

"This one will be honest, though,"pink wine said."You 're lucky they picked you for it."

"Wish I got picked,"John Lackland lamented.

"I 'm telling you, just go instead of me,"Matt insisted."Tell them I 'm ill and you 're taking my spot."

"I really do n't recollect they 'll let-"

"Planning on being ill on Sat, are you ?"

Albus and his booster stopped in the heart of the corridor, turning around to see Scorpius Malfoy behind them, his limb crossed across his chest. He looked arrogant and vaguely annoyed as usual, but there was something else there. He looked slightly upset and for some reason, that unnerved Albus.

"founder it a residuum, Malfoy,"John said, stepping closer to the Slytherin."We get that you know. We 've gotten over it."

Scorpius stepped closer, ignoring John and turning to Matt."How do you get into the Shrieking Shack ?"he demanded.

Matt 's face paled. John grabbed clench of Scorpius 's robes and dragged him into a nearby classroom. John had at least four inches on Malfoy, so it did n't seem hard. Albus and the others followed, Rose shutting and locking the room access behind them.

"Why do you want to know about the Shrieking Shack ?"lavatory asked as he let go of Scorpius.

"None of your business,"Scorpius said, glancing at the locked doorway. He slowly drew his sceptre.

John drew his own wand."Put your verge away. And it 's his business organization which makes it all of our business."John gestured to Matt, who had sat down on one of the desks.

"There 's five of you. Like hell I 'm putting my wand away. So I am right, he does transform in the shrieking shack,"Scorpius said with a sly smile. The look of lugubriousness Albus thought he 'd seen was gone ; maybe he 'd imagined it.

"John !"Matt exclaimed."Now look what you 've done !"

"Sorry,"John said."I did n't mean to-"

"Never mind,"lustrelessness said, getting up from the desk and walk over to toilet and Scorpius."How did you figure it out ?"

"Where else could you transform safely ?"Scorpius asked."I did a short research in the library and that was built the summer before Remus Lupin started at Hogwarts and everyone knows he was a werewolf. No one ever lived in it, but people reported hearing weird disturbance from it. Everyone said it was ghost, but they went strangely quiet seven twelvemonth later, only to reappear four and a half days ago, when we started at Hogwarts. Quite a conjunction, I thought. And now I see that I 'm right."

Albus was kind of shocked Scorpio had done all that research and put everything together. Perhaps he was smarter than Albus and his protagonist gave him credit for.

"Well, you ca n't tell anyone, just like you ca n't tell anyone I 'm a lycanthrope,"Matt said."Kendrick would expel you."

"I do n't manage that it 's where you transform,"Scorpio said."The point is that it 's evacuate except for one night of the month. How do you get in ?"

"I 'm not telling,"Matt said.

"amercement, I 'll figure it out myself,"Scorpio said, pointing his wand at the door. The lock chamber clicked and he strolled over to the door, opened it, and left.

"That was Weird,"Albus said as soon as Scorpius was gone.

"Yeah,"Matt said, sitting down on the nearest desk."Why does he want to get in the Shrieking hovel ?"

"Clearly he needs somewhere that 's vacate, but the doubtfulness is what is he planning on doing ?"rosebush asked."And did anyone else notice that he seemed a bit sad in the corridor ?"

"I thought I 'd imagined that,"Albus said.

"You did n't. He 's definitely upset about something,"Rose said.

matte groaned."He better not actually visualize out how to get in there."

"If he does, he would n't be slow enough to go in there during a full moon moon,"Albus pointed out.

"Yeah, but still. That 's my quad,"lusterlessness muttered."I need a nap. I think I 'm going to hop-skip dinner and just go back to Gryffindor. I 'll see you later."

Matt hopped off the desk and left the room. Albus sighed. The lastly affair he wanted, amidst all of the election hooey and his home 's drama, was another issue with Scorpio Malfoy, but it looked like things were heading in that steering.
***


The followers morning when Albus and his friends entered the Great Granville Stanley Hall for breakfast the students already eating were much louder than normal. Albus turned to Rose, who shrugged in muddiness, as they walked inside. Everyone in the elbow room, students and teachers alike, were talking ominously. written matter of the Prophet were exchanging men faster than the Quaffle during a Gryffindor/Slytherin match.

"Albus !"James I shouted once they reached the Gryffindor tabular array."Read this. There 's been a break-out at Azkaban."

"Again ?"Albus exclaimed, hurrying over to where James I was sitting. He took the paper and his supporter crowded around him.

"Not like conclusion fourth dimension,"James said darkly."High-profile prisoners and Thomas More of them. Death eater. There has n't been a break-out like this in long time. Not since our parents were our age."

Albus 's heart began to pound as he unfolded the paper. There it was, right on the front Thomas Nelson Page. A big picture montage of five multitude, all gaunt and evil-looking, was right in the center, with the dustup 'Five prisoner Break Out of Azkaban'above them and an clause below them. Albus 's venter churned when he recognized the word picture of the middle prisoner. It was Quinton Willinson. His eyes drifted to the article so he could calculate out who the others were.

Early this sunup Azkaban officials
reported that five eminent security prisoners
escaped late last night. It is ill-defined how
they managed to do so. The prisoners, all
imprisoned for felonies, should be regarded
as dangerous and should not be approached.

four-spot of the five prisoner have been in
Azkaban since 1998, having been imprisoned
for war crimes. They are Alecto Carrow,
Amycus Carrow, Fenrir Johnny, and Dolores
Umbridge. All but Umbridge are proven demise
feeder. The fifth prisoner, Quinton Willinson,
has been in and out of prison since 2018,
having escaped and been recaptured just last-place
year.

'Finding and recapturing these somebody is
our top anteriority ,'Head Auror, Harry potter,
said to newsman early this morn. Minister
nominee and Head Azkaban official, Patricia
Laurentis, refused to comment on the break-out.
The Auror section has asked all those with
tips to report them to the Ministry via owl
immediately.

Albus sat stunned after reading the article. Three Death eater, Dolores Umbridge, and Quinton Willinson had escaped from Azkaban. How did that happen ? How did five senior high school security measures prisoners just escape with no one stopping them ? It did n't make good sense.

"This is not going to bring in Laurentis look skillful,"Amanda said quietly.

"Forget Laurentis, this is bad,"Albus said."Very bad. Umbridge is evilness, twist evil. My dad 's got cicatrice on his hand from what she did to him when she was a teacher here. And the Carrows, they were teachers, too. They taught Dark Arts. Not Defense Department, but literal Dark Arts, and how to torment Muggles. Greyback-"

"knot bites multitude, for fun,"matte said, his face pale white."He 's the one who bit Teddy 's dad."

"The four of them,"Albus began,"the four of them make Quinton Willinson look like a unicorn."

"That 's the weird matter,"Rose said."The others are in prison for sprightliness for war crimes. Willinson will be in there for a while, but he 'll get word of honor eventually and the only cause he 's a richly security prisoner is because he escaped before. So why did he break in out with the others ? Why did they let him in on it ? They 're up to something."

Albus had n't even thought of that. Why was Quinton Willinson now connected with war criminals who had been in prison since before he was born ? It did n't take a crap common sense. Albus thought about it throughout all his stratum that day, but did n't get up with any answers.

It was obvious that the Azkaban break-out had unnerved the entire castle. Professors spoke in low whispers when they thought students were n't around, pupil no longer wandered the rook by themselves, and even Scorpius Malfoy seemed a bit more surmount during dueling practice on Thursday.

All five prisoners still remained at declamatory on Friday, when Ministry official began arriving for the debate. Laurentis still had yet to comment on the break-out, which struck Albus as strange. Azkaban was her territorial dominion and yet she said goose egg on the subject.

"Is it just me or are there even More reporter here than there were terminal clip ?"Albus asked.

"It 's not just you,"Amanda said.

Albus, Matt, privy, and Amanda were walking back to the castling from upkeep of Magical Creatures. It was slow going since the full lunation was that dark and lusterlessness was exhausted, but luckily the weather was unseasonably warm for January. They 'd just been passed by a mathematical group of hurried looking reporter coming up from Hogsmeade.

"There 's probably more because of the break-out,"Matt said."Laurentis is going to have to finally say something about it tomorrow since the topic is Azkaban."

"doe anyone else think it 's eldritch that there was a break-out three solar day before the Azkaban public debate ?"Albus asked.

"I thought of that, too,"Amanda said."Very weird coincidence."

"wellspring, it 'll be practiced for your uncle,"John said."Laurentis is going to look like an idiot, not being able to keep five high security captive in Azkaban."

Albus nodded. He supposed that was one skillful thing that came from three end eater escaping from Azkaban, not that there was anything thoroughly about it.

"I 'm skipping Charms,"matt said through a oscitancy."And Ancient Runes."

"I 'm surprised you did n't skip Care of Magical Creatures,"lav said.

lusterlessness shrugged."I felt okay earlier, probably because of the nap I took in story of Magic."

John laughed."I felt much better after my nap in story of thaumaturgy, too."

"Very funny,"Matt said as they reached the castle.

Albus found it increasingly difficult to center on anything for the rest of the day. By the fourth dimension he went to ancient rune he was unable to think about anything besides the break-out and the fact that decease feeder were now roaming free. Deep down he knew he was perfectly safe at Hogwarts, but it was still troubling.

Professor Kendrick welcomed the Ministry officials to Hogwarts at dinner that night and Albus thought back to the lowest debate, when Hogwarts had housed the Ministry official. He was very glad that this time he would n't be confessing to a prank to his uncle in the Gryffindor common room. Neither John or Kaden had done their retaliation prank to the Slytherins yet and Albus kind of hoped they would n't.

After a fitful nap Albus woke early on Saturday morning and contemplated visiting Matt before everyone else woke up, but figured that lustrelessness would be deceased and thus it would be pointless to visit. He 'd visit with everyone else later, after the debate. They 'd receive pile of clock time sine there was n't going to be a question and answer session this time.

At ten o'clock Albus, Rose, and Amanda stood in demarcation in front of the Great Hall, waiting to be let inside. John had decided not to bother asking if he could take Matt 's place, since he did n't want to attract any attention to the fact that lustrelessness was not there.

"Albus,"Rose whispered, poking him in the face."Look. Malfoy 's here."

Albus glanced over to where rose was pointing and saw that Scorpius was in fact waiting in dividing line. He looked sullen and upset again and Albus wished he knew why. It was weird seeing Malfoy, the usually chesty prick, upset.

"Guess he won the Slytherin spot,"Albus said.

The threshold to the Great Hall opened and Albus and Rose said goodbye to Amanda before they were lead to the front of the room by a Slytherin prefect. They were seated in the same row they were before, along with the residue of their Hogwarts full cousin.

The Great Hall slowly filled up over the next half minute. The rest of Albus 's cousins, aunts, and uncles arrived, taking spots in the front end few words. Albus caught Empire State of the South 's eye as she took her tooshie in the row on the face-to-face side of the way from him and she gave him a slight smile.

Albus wondered if Laurentis 's campaign manager had actually found anything on Uncle Harry Hotspur and whether she would say anything during the disputation. With the break-out, he hoped she 'd been too busy to dig up much dirt or even think about exposing anything.

Albus turned to the front of the room and watched a very short man accompany Professor Kendrick to the moderator 's soapbox. He was dressed in Ministry blue robe and had very picayune pilus on his forefront.

"attending, please !"Kendrick shouted. The crowd quieted."Thank you. I 'd care to welcome all of you to Hogwarts and insert our moderator for this morning. Victor Farleigh, headspring of the department of Magical Transportation."

"Thank you, Professor,"the short, balding man said."I 'd now care to innovate our nominee, although I am sure you all know them. Mr. Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

Percy and Laurentis walked into the room from one of the hall and took their places at each of the podiums. Percy looked as confident as always and Laurentis, despite the malicious gossip of the break-out, looked poised and excited.

"Today we will be debating the judicial system, specifically Azkaban prison,"Farleigh announced."The usual principle apply. Five moment arguments, two minute rebuttals."

Laurentis inched closer to her rostrum, as if she was readying herself to swoop on whatever Walker Percy said. Percy remained equanimity and poised, continuing to play the role of the cool politico.

"Mr. Weasley, you will respond first. Do you palpate that the discriminative system as a whole is fairly to both the accused and victims of crimes ? Are the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot funfair ?"

"I believe everyone is able-bodied to get a fair trial by the Wizengamot,"Sir Henry Percy began."I have reviewed many cases, and while I am not nor do I make believe to be a solicitor, and I feel that the majority of the sentence handed out by the Wizengamot fit the criminal offense. However, there is always a chance that a individual shamefaced of a offence will go barren, as there is an equal chance that individual will be wrongfully imprisoned. The judicial system works surd to make sure this happens as infrequently as possible and corrects wrongs when they do occur."

"Ms. Laurentis ?"

"I disagree with my adversary,"Laurentis said."Most of the prison term handed out by the Wizengamot are not rough enough. Ever since the frustration of Voldemort prison condemnation have grown shorter, with the exception of those imprisoned for war offense. And one hangdog person who roams exempt is too many. If I am elect Minister I will work hard to ensure that no guilty people get off. Prisoners belong in Azkaban and the Wizengamot is far too lenient."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"While a goal of not having any shamefaced people get set discharge is worthy, it is unrealistic,"Harry Hotspur said."The Wizengamot is composed of witches and thaumaturgist like you and me. They are not any more muscular than we are and do not have the power to know for certain that the accused are hangdog. mistake happen and while we should work to denigrate them, it is very unrealistic to say that we can get rid of them completely. Ms. Laurentis is offering false hope."

"I am not offering false Hope,"Laurentis said."There are spells, potions, ways to rule out if the great unwashed are guilty that the Wizengamot does not use. If I am elected curate I will okay use of these and they will attend to the Wizengamot in ensuring that no shamed outlaw are set free."

Albus agreed with his uncle. There was no possible way Laurentis could guarantee that all criminals would be imprisoned.

"Next interrogative sentence,"Farleigh said."Ms. Laurentis, you will go first. Do you feel the parole system is efficacious ?"

Laurentis gave a wry smile before beginning."Much like the Wizengamot, the parole scheme is too indulgent. I have seen criminals guilty of high-flown larceny get paroled after a mere two years in prison. The statistic are clear, to the highest degree of these felon who are paroled early on in their conviction wind up back in Azkaban within a year, whether for breaking the rules of their word of honor or committing another crime. As header of Azkaban, I am able to give my input of whether a prisoner is paroled or not, but in the end it is up to the Wizengamot."

"Mr. Weasley."

"As my opposite has said, many outlaw are paroled too quickly. However, I do not believe that leaving them in Azkaban longer is the solution. If I am elected I will create and corroborate a better system for integrating felon back into bon ton. Muggles have seen success with halfway houses and I feel we should try that in wizarding society."

"Halfway houses ?"Laurentis said with raised eyebrows."An scheme idea. However, Mr. Weasley lacks the experience that I have with dealing with captive. nearly are not fit for society and many never will be. Even with halfway menage they will wrap up back in Azkaban. Why spend the money on trying to rehabilitate when it wo n't solve ?"

"It 's about giving masses a chance,"Percy said."Not everyone is a lost cause and should be written off so quickly. Many captive have made a few bad choices as a event of bad childhoods and a bit of rehabilitation will set them straight."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh said."future question. Is Azkaban an appropriate space to menage prisoner ? Is the adroitness still doing its job ?"

Percy shifted a bit before answering."Azkaban is an appropriate adroitness for eminent certificate prisoner, but I have always felt that we need a less daunting edifice to house our lower security captive. Right now all criminals, from those who committed petty stealing or skipped bail bond to those who have murdered people, are all housed in Azkaban. I have been to Azkaban. Despite the fact that it is no longer in control of the dementors it is still a terrifying and high security measures place. It also requires a lot of money for its upkeep. If we were to build a smaller building located on the mainland to theatre lower surety prisoners, we would be able to fall disbursement at Azkaban itself. We could then increase surety at Azkaban without wasting effort and money on less dangerous criminals."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"How is building another facility going to save money ?"Laurentis asked."Once again you show your ignorance in the juridic system and Azkaban. I believe that Azkaban is doing its job perfectly well. I am in charge of the prison, including its upkeep and it is in perfect condition. We are not spending an hideous amount of money on the place. Further, I do not believe that less dangerous malefactor deserve a lower security prison. They are all outlaw and if they did not care to be in Azkaban, they should not have committed a crime."

"Maintaining Azkaban is expensive,"Percy said."It is also extremely difficult to lease guard because of its emplacement and general spirit of the place, not to bring up the dangerous criminals. If we housed less unsafe criminals in another building, it would be well-heeled to find sentry duty to go there. We could then use the guard duty willing to guard high security prisoners only to hold high security captive. We would no longer have to lay waste to them on broken security prisoners."

"But we will still cause to maintain Azkaban, and then another building,"Laurentis pointed out."It just makes far Sir Thomas More sense to keep all crook in one situation and an island is a in force place to do that-"

"Obviously not that good, given the escape-"

"Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh interrupted."You are speaking out of turn of events. It is time to propel on to the succeeding inquiry. In visible light of the recent Azkaban break-out, what do you find indigence to be done to ensure it does not happen again ?"

Laurentis gazed out over the gang. Albus felt like she was looking directly at him, but assumed she just had that power to appear to be looking every someone in the eye at once. She then turned to Percy and gave him one of those creepy smile that seemed to have become her signature facial nerve expression. Albus turned to rose wine, who raised her eyebrows and shrugged.

"I am well aware that I have remained tranquil on the theme of the break-out,"Laurentis began,"and I have done that on role. I see that all of the reporter in the back have their Quik-Quotes Quills poised and ready to write down my every word on this subject. Surely you 're all hoping to be the kickoff to bring out my thoughts.

"You 're probably all assuming I will deny that there is anything wrong with the security at the prison house and that the break-out was a bare flue and it wo n't materialize again. I am not going to say either. There is a problem and if we do not fix it, it will happen again. Every individual one of those escaped prisoners is highly dangerous and if we do not recapture them soon, who knows what will happen. When they are captured, we will require to have undecomposed certificate in place. After all, what is more important that the safety of our kid ? With those five captive roaming free, every person in this room, in this castle, in this country is in danger.

"Fortunately, I have a solution. It is a controversial solution, but I feel we need to go to extremes to protect our kinsperson, especially our children. That is why if elected minister, the first thing I will do is reinstate the dementors as Azkaban guards."


Sorry about the cliff hanger ! I did n't desire to do it but the chapter was twice as long as they normally are and there really was n't a good post to split it. Thanks for all the lovely recapitulation !


Albus let out a gasp, as did everyone else in the room. The Great Hall was suddenly in topsy-turvydom. Everyone was whispering and a few mass had let out cries of outrage or inflammation. Albus could practically hear the reporters'pinion scratching across curlicue of parchment, and Laurentis was grinning again. Harry Hotspur stood behind his podium, his back talk seeming to be frozen in a all-encompassing, gaping position. Farleigh was attempting to gain guild, and failing.

"That is literally insane !"Rose exclaimed."Reinstate the dementors ? Is she mad ? Is she throwing the election ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."But she must be mad. Will people actually okay of this ? Will she even be able to do it ?"

Rose nodded."Whoever she gets to substitute herself as psyche of Azkaban will surely want the dementors back, too. Then she 'll approve it as Minister and it 'll pass."

"But it would be stupid to contribute them back,"Albus said.

"It would,"blush wine agreed."They 're dangerous and their allegiance modification so easily. But to be dependable, I 'm not sure everyone will experience that way. Not with those prisoners on the loose."

"silence, subdued !"Professor Kendrick shouted. The crew finally settled down.

"Mr. Weasley, it is your tour to speak,"Farleigh said exasperatingly.

Percy shook his brain to regain his composure. He 'd fall back his cool, calm, and collected politician tone and now he looked more like he did after arguing with Empire State of the South about her Quidditch life history.

"Well, I, er, do not believe that dementors are the solution to the security department problems in Azkaban,"Percy said."What we need are more skilled guards in bursting charge of mellow protection prisoners as well as a revamp of the trance and enchantments currently keeping prisoners inside. It will also assist to go over the organization of the guard schedule because at the time of the flight, only three guards were maintaining that persona of the prison house. That was surely an lapse that could have been prevented."

"Human error,"Laurentis said."It happens and it will find again. Can we really risk the lives of our children in the fortune that another fault will occur ? Dementors were prove guards who did not allow prisoners to get off. During their reign in Azkaban, before their allegiance changed, only one someone managed to escape. Since their removal we have had numerous escapes."

"open evidence that we need to revamp prison security,"Percy said."But dementors are not the answer. They are dangerous beast and as you said, their allegiance changed. What 's to say that wo n't encounter again if, God forbid, another Voldemort were to rise to force ? If anyone offered those dementors a better deal than we did they 'd receive a whole prison of severe felon at their disposition to do their bid. It 's not worth the risk."

"Another Voldemort is not going to uprise to power,"Laurentis said with a laugh."We have learned from our account and it wo n't happen again."

"You ca n't guarantee that,"Walker Percy said."Even if there is a very small chance of it happening, it is not deserving risking having dementors guard Azkaban."

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Laurentis,"Farleigh said."It is time to motivate on-"

"You are talking about a suppositional !"Laurentis exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air."I am talking about what is happening now ! Five dangerous criminals have escaped, four of whom were on Voldemort 's side during the war, and are out there, wreaking havoc as we speak. If the dementors were guarding Azkaban this never would make happened."

"Now look who 's talking hypotheticals !"Percy shouted back, ignoring Farleigh 's vain attempts to get both candidates to block up talking."For all we know they would 've escaped anyway !"

Laurentis let out a deep laugh."Five prisoners escape when the dementors are allied with the Ministry ? That 's laughable. Only one person was able to do that and it was because he was an Animagus. None of the prisoner are Animagi. We test for that before admitting anyone to the prison."

"Be that as it may, dementors are dangerous magical puppet. Not to refer the ethics of subjecting captive to their effects-"

"Prisoners have no rightfield,"Laurentis said."They give up their rights when they commit crimes-"

"BASIC human right hand !"Walker Percy exclaimed."There are canonic human being rights that everyone deserves ! Talk about learning from our history. history tells us what happens when somebody believes they are above others. Or do you not call up the reign of Voldemort ?"

"I lost my mother to that war !"Laurentis said."Do n't you recite me that I do n't commemorate it."

Albus was on the boundary of his tush. His uncle was so red in the nerve that he was starting to turn purple and resemble Kaden 's grandad. Laurentis 's hair's-breadth was breaking free from its tight bun and there was a vein popping out in her forehead. Farleigh was still trying to get both candidates to arrest talking and failing miserably, while every other individual in the Great Radclyffe Hall sat completely still, staring at Harry Hotspur and Laurentis.

"Silence !"prof Kendrick shouted in a magically expand voice.

Both Percy and Laurentis immediately quieted. The venous blood vessel on Laurentis 's forehead continued to throb, and Sir Henry Percy still looked like an overripe tomato.

"I think we 've run out of clip,"Farleigh said, in a voice barely more than a squeak."Thank you all for coming."

"Students, please reelect to your common way,"Kendrick announced."tiffin will be in an time of day. As a reminder, there is no query and reply session today."

The rustle rose up immediately after Kendrick stopped speaking and since everyone was whispering the randomness stage rose very high. Albus, rose wine, and Amanda joined the queue of mass ambling to leave the Great residence hall, and without even talking about it, went immediately to the piranha 's Den, where they found John and Kaden.

"What the bloody inferno is she trying to do ?"John asked as soon as Albus shut the door.

"She 's lost her mind !"Rose shouted as she began pacing around the room."She has legitimately lost her nous. That 's the only when explanation."

"Well there 's no way she 'll win now,"Albus pointed out."Dementors ?"

"It 's a bit convenient, do n't you think ?"Rose asked."This break-out happens and then she announces she wants the dementors back ? It did n't go like a plan she 'd just come up with."

"We 've got to find out if she 's tried to get them back before,"Albus said."If she has it 'll be in the oracle tomorrow."

"Dementors ..."Kaden murmured."They 're what sucked all the happiness out of us when we were in Commonwealth of Australia last year, right ?"

Albus nodded."They 're terrible creatures."

"And they used to hold the prison ?"Amanda asked incredulously."That 's just wrong."

"It is,"Rose said darkly."That 's why after Voldemort they stopped using them as guards. That and all the dementors changed fealty and let death feeder escape."

"Would they even come back, though ?"Kaden asked."I mean, if they switched commitment so easily ...."

"They 'll go wherever they 're offered the most humankind to tip off of."rose wine shuddered."Voldemort offered them far more than even Azkaban could offer up. But right now they do n't have a honest source. They just travel around, feeding. They 'll guard if given the opportunity."

"Should n't mass be against it ?"Amanda asked."It 's so ethically wrong."

"That 's why it was obtuse of her to annunciate it,"Albus pointed out.

"She would n't foretell anything if she did n't cogitate it would get her vote,"rose said."to the highest degree people our parents'age and older, who lost bed single in the war, will have absolutely no understanding for Death eater and would n't give care if the dementors were brought back, especially if Laurentis could then guarantee no one would escape."

Albus had n't thought of that and apparently no one else did, either, because the elbow room grew quiet. Albus sank onto one of the couch and started counting the numeral of Bertie Bott 's Every-Flavor Beans that were scattered on the floor. He got to twenty-three before anyone said anything.

"I wonder what Malfoy thinks of all this,"John the Divine mused."Was n't his dad a destruction Eater ? So he should n't want the dementors back in Azkaban, but the way he was talking in the three broom handle a while back made it seem like he 's very against your uncle."

"Of grade he 's against my uncle,"Albus said."His unanimous sept disfavour my unharmed category and it goes the other way, too. But his dad was never found guilty of his criminal offence so he never did time in Azkaban."

"Surely his dad 's got booster there,"Gospel According to John said.

Albus shrugged."Probably."To be honest, he did n't really care what Malfoy thought about Laurentis and Uncle Percy.

"We should go to tiffin and then visit Matt,"pink wine said."Catch him up on all this."

Albus had completely forgotten that lusterlessness was still in the hospital wing, in the midst of Laurentis 's announcement. He felt vaguely shamed about it, but at least pink wine had remembered.

Everyone gathered for lunch in the Great Hall was talking about Laurentis 's desire to bring back the dementors. Percy, Laurentis, and the Ministry officials were still there, having tiffin with the professors at the faculty table, and all were trench in give-and-take. Albus would 've loved to be able to mind in on their conversations, but wearing the Invisibility Cloak in the crowded Great entrance hall was n't a good idea.

"wagerer get used to the approximation of your dad being Minister,"one of the seventh yr was saying to Thomas Bradley."No one 's going to vote for Laurentis now."

Omar Bradley muttered something under his breath that Albus could n't hear. Albus took a seat a few people down from his cousin and began to construct a sandwich.

"She 's got my whole family 's suffrage now,"one of the other one-seventh long time said."Both of my grandparents were killed by Fenrir greyback. If the dementors will catch him and celebrate him in there forever, it 'd make up all of us sleep better."

There were a few nods from early older students sitting nearby. Albus was slightly shocked. If this many students approved of her idea, a lot of adults probably did, too. And these were 7th years ; they could vote.

"postponement, the dementors find criminal, too ?"Kaden asked."I thought that 's what Aurors did."

"Only the really awed escaped prisoners,"Albus said."My dad 's Godfather, Sirius, when he escaped, the dementors were given permission to give him the Dementor 's candy kiss if they caught him."

"What 's the Dementor 's buss ?"Amanda asked.

Albus shuddered."It 's where they suck out someone 's soul."

"And they die ?"Amanda asked quietly.

Albus shook his school principal."No, they live without a mortal. Everyone says it 's worse than dying."

"And they were going to do that to Sirius ?"Kaden replied.

Albus nodded."He was the first to get away Azkaban. He 's the one Laurentis was talking about and at the time everyone thought he murdered baker's dozen Muggles and gave my grandparents up to Voldemort."

"That 's absolutely horrible !"Amanda exclaimed. She turned to the few sixth and 7th class who had said they 'd vote for Laurentis."How can you wish that on someone ?"

"If your grandparents were murdered by Death Eaters you would, too,"one of the girls snapped.

"Albus 's grandparents were murdered by Voldemort and he does n't desire the dementors back at Azkaban,"Amanda pointed out.

"wellspring, Voldemort 's beat,"the girl said."Maybe if Limnodromus griseus were deadened I 'd feel differently. But he 's not so I want the dementors back."

"I do n't think she 's going to suffer as easily as we thought,"Amanda said quietly.

"Of course she 's not,"Rose said."This is probably better for votes than digging up shite on Uncle Percy."

"It 's absolutely barbaric,"Amanda said, shoving her plate forward."Sucking out someone 's somebody ? And they just suck your happy memories out ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered, thinking back to the previous June. He shuddered."You 're forced to relive your regretful memories."

"That 's all you can think about ?"Amanda asked."Just the bad ones ?"

Albus nodded."My dad said it makes you go mad after a while."

"Of track it does !"Amanda shouted."That 's just not rectify ! Are you lot done eating yet ? I ca n't sit here anymore."

Albus was storm Amanda had had such a potent reaction to the dementors, but he supposed coming from the Muggle populace, where she had n't even known such fauna existed, it would be a bit of a daze. He was even more surprised that she 'd nearly gotten into a shouting couple with a seventh year over them, when she was normally so quiet.

"I 'm done,"Rose said.

"Me, too,"Albus said as he got up.

John and Kaden each grabbed the remaining half of their sandwiches and followed the others out of the Great Hall. Amanda lead the way, stomping her feet a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

"It 's just wrong on so many layer !"she said as she led them to the Hospital Wing."It 's straining, honestly. That 's what it is. Emotional torture. Ca n't they just be killed off or something ?"

"They do n't die,"rosebush said."They ca n't. They just sort of ... exist. Once my mum gets word of this, well, she 's not going to stay quiet."

"And she should n't,"Amanda said."Can she stop Laurentis ?"

"Not if Laurentis is Minister,"pink wine answered."Right now Mum 's the Senior assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, so if Laurentis tried to get this to slip by now, my mum could help stop over it. But government minister Hartwell would never put something like this through."

"They 're foul creatures,"Amanda continued."Having them safeguard anything or anyone is a terrible idea."

Albus decided now would not be a good time to assure Amanda that when his dad was a third year Hogwarts was guarded by dementors.

"A dementor went after my dad once,"Kaden announced as they continued to the infirmary Wing."Albus 's dad saved him with a Patronus. Then he nearly got expelled for doing underage magic in the presence of a Muggle."

"You 're kidding,"Amanda said."God, the Ministry really was screwed up when your parents were at Hogwarts. This is the sort of thing Embry should be using as examples."

"I doubt it 's a well-known fact,"Albus said."That the famous Harry Potter nearly got expelled."

"It 's a serious example of shabbiness,"Amanda said.

"You sound just like my mum,"pink wine said."It 's creepy. Does n't she ?"

Albus agreed."You do sound just like her mum."

"Your mum has the right wing musical theme,"Amanda said as they reached the hospital Wing.

mat was the but patient in the ward. The curtain were n't drawn around his bed and he was sitting up and eating a bowling ball of soup, which was a good sign. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, working on charts, and muttering to herself about something.

"Hey, how are you feeling ?"Albus asked when they got to his bed.

"amercement,"matt said."ternion cracked ribs and a lot of nasty cuts, but I 'm fine. Listen, I heard the public debate. madam Pomfrey had it on on the wireless. How insane is Laurentis ? ! You should have heard brothel keeper Pomfrey ranting about her earlier."

"You 're not to take over what you heard,"Madam Pomfrey said."But Albus and Rose, you can tell your uncle that he 's got my vote. Always thought he was a little pompous when he was at Hogwarts but at least he 's not mute enough to employ dementors as guards of Azkaban."

"Amanda 's on a rampage,"Albus said.

"It 's form of funny,"John the Evangelist added.

"It is not funny !"Amanda exclaimed."It 's serious."

"It 's just that you 're so silence, but you got into it with that 7th year."

"I did not get into it with a 7th twelvemonth !"Amanda shouted and turned to flatness."Saint John 's exaggerating. She announced that she and her family were all going to vote for Laurentis because her grandparents were killed by Greyback and she wants to arrive at sure he stays in prison."

Matt toyed with his mantle and did n't meet Amanda 's eye.

"What ?"she asked."Do n't secernate me you want the dementors in Azkaban."

"I do n't,"mat said quickly."It 's not that. It 's the whole knot matter, I can sort of see where she 's coming from. It 's got to be scary, knowing he 's out there when he killed her grandparents .... I mean, I guess I 've always been sorting of lucky. The fella who bit me is in prison house and has been since he bit me."

Albus had never heard flatness talk about the loup-garou who bit him, except for mentioning that he 's in prison.

"He gets out next year,"lusterlessness said quietly."He can get paroled."

"Do you know much about him ?"Albus asked.

"Just his name and how old he was,"lustrelessness said."My parents know a bit more but they 've never told me and I 've never asked."

"Is the Aboriginal Australian prison guarded by dementors ?"Amanda asked.

Matt shook his fountainhead."No, and it never has been. And I do n't cerebrate prison house should be guarded by dementors. But Greyback ... he 's shuddery. He 's worse than Silas Humphrey, that was the feller who bit me. Humphrey 's attack on me, that was an accident. greyback bit people on purpose. He 'd bite people and then raise them in his pack. That 's why he liked going for kids. chemise 's dad ... greyback bit him and tried to get his parents to chip in him up. They did n't, of course, but a lot of parents did."

Albus swallowed hard. He had n't known that about Teddy 's dad and was n't even sure if Teddy knew that. Teddy 's dad 's parents died long before Teddy was born and Albus doubted his grannie knew that.

"How 'd you come up that out ?"Albus asked.

"When we first moved here Amy learned about slip 's dad when she was catching up on British History of deception. She told me all about him and how successful he wound up being just to make me feel better. But then I decided to enquiry early werewolves and found out about grayback in one of my dad 's books. It talked about his whole thing with biting small fry. It never said Teddy 's dad specifically was one of those kids but I figured he must 've been."

"That 's horrible,"Albus said quietly. The others nodded.

"He had a totally inner circle of werewolves to do his bidding,"Matt said."And now he 's out. What if he wants to do that again ?"

"sting people and reach a pack ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."That or determine masses who 've already been bitten."

Albus saw where this was going now."He 's not going to find you. Hogwarts is safe."

"That 's what everyone always says, but the past times few years it really has n't. remember last year ?"

"Technically we were n't in the castle when we got taken to Australia. We were in the Floo. So if we just stay on in the castle ..."Albus pointed out.

"It 's still not a warrant,"matte said."I wonder how many citizenry he bit last night."

Albus did n't serve. There was no way of knowing what Fenrir Rebel did during the full lunation, just like there was no way to guarantee that Hogwarts would be prophylactic. All Albus and his friends could do was hope that it would be rubber and that the escaped demise eater would be recaptured soon. Albus still thought having dementors defend Azkaban was an absolutely terrible idea, but after listening to matte public lecture about Silas Humphrey and Fenrir Greyback, he sorting of understood why some people might want the dementors back at Azkaban and thus vote for Laurentis. She might even get elected just because of this. And that, when it came down to it, was what scared Albus the most.


A/N : No cliffhanger this time ! Thanks for all the grand reviews ! If you like piranha era, please check out my young novel, Between Here and Somewhere !


"I guess Laurentis has been trying to get the dementors reinstated in Azkaban for year,"Albus said the following daybreak at breakfast, as he set down a copy of the Prophet.

The article on the disputation had been a long one, taking up nearly the total front page. It featured a photograph of Walker Percy and Laurentis arguing with each other, and Albus was capable to see his uncle 's nerve turning steadily more purple, despite the fact that the impression was in black and White person. The article that followed elaborated Laurentis 's apparently years-long military campaign to bestow the dementors back. She had put the proffer up for vote four metre and it was shot down by Minister Hartwell each time.

"Of course he shot it down,"Rose said after skimming the clause."It 's a pudden-head theme. Oh, look, they 've quoted my mum. I 'll read it. 'Hermione Weasley, Senior assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, when asked about Laurentis 's proposal, said, 'It 's absolutely barbaric. Everybody, including captive, have basic human right hand that can not be broken. I thought we 'd moved past the day when the Ministry sanctioned emotional abuse of its captive and the thought that a womanhood running for curate is proposing this is quite frankly horrifying. It is my sincere hope that the people of wizarding Britain will imagine long and hard about the effect this will have, not only on captive, but on our companionship as well, before they cast their votes in Apr. ''"

"Always one to speak her mind, your mum,"Albus said.

"I could n't match More,"Amanda replied."Although if Laurentis wins I bet she gets sacked."

"She ca n't,"blush wine said."Her job is n't appointed solely by the parson. If she were drumhead of the department, then yes, but she is n't psyche yet. It 's confusing."

"Good,"Amanda said."We 'll need some sane people in there if Laurentis is elected."

"What are you lot doing today ?"trick asked, steering the conversation away from the election."Kaden and I are going to spend the day plotting our new prank."

"I do n't want to know,"Rose said, holding up her hands."I 'm probably going to go to the library."

"I 'll go with you,"Amanda said."I want to research dementors and their use in Azkaban."

"Quidditch practice,"Albus replied."All day. We 've got to get ready for the match on Sabbatum against Ravenclaw. After the last match, we 've got to pee sure we we win by a decent amount of stop if we 're going to coup Slytherin 's property for the Cup."

"Oh yeah,"Kaden said."Whatever happened with that Olivia girl ? She had a vast crush on James, did n't she ?"

Albus laughed."I 've no idea."

"She sent James River a box of cocoa for Christmastide,"Cedric, who had been sitting next to Albus, whispered."But you did n't hear that from me."

"I was there when he opened his presents,"Albus said.

"She gave them to him before we went home for the holiday,"Cedric explained."She hijacked our thestral carriage and wrap up riding to the train with us."

"How awkward was that ?"Albus asked, still giggling.

"Very,"Cedric said as he glanced over his shoulder."She stared at him the entirely time."

"Creepy,"Albus said.

"Shh,"Cedric said."He 's coming over."

"I think I 'm going to go visit lustrelessness before Quidditch practice,"Albus said."I 'll see you later ?"

"Sure,"Rose said."You know where to find me."

"And us !"John announced."predator 's Den. joke planning."

"I do n't want to be involved,"Albus said as he got up.

bathroom shrugged."Suit yourself."

Albus hurried up to the Hospital flank and managed to get inside without Madam Pomfrey noticing, although the nurse would n't have minded him being there. But she was very preoccupied with two pupil who had somehow fused their left arms together. Matt was already arouse and much cheerier than he had been the former day, when talking about Greyback. He was pretty surely lady Pomfrey was going to let him out that night, so they agreed to meet in the predator 's Den just before dinner party.

Quidditch practice session went very well and Albus was fairly certain they would beat Ravenclaw on Saturday. No one mentioned the election or Laurentis 's wanting to contribute back the dementors, which was a sure sign that things were getting back to rule at Hogwarts. Albus spent the rest of the day in the Marauder 's Den working on his homework with Matt while trying to avoid hearing any component part of privy and Kaden 's new prank.

The hebdomad went by quickly since Albus spent every bit he was n't in class on the Quidditch pitch. But the weather remained comely so it was enjoyable. The merely day Albus was n't on the rake was Thursday, when he had dueling recitation.

"When 's the side by side tourney ?"Amanda asked as she and Albus walked into the metamorphosis classroom, where they were were scheduled to praxis. Calluna vulgaris was there to supervise, sitting in a nook. A few of the team members were there already, including Malfoy.

"Weekend after this one,"Albus said."I think we 'll do well."Albus glanced over to Malfoy, expecting some sort of snarky comeback from him. But he was n't even paying tending. Instead he was hunched over a hanker piece of sheepskin."Wonder what he 's doing ?"

Amanda shrugged."in conclusion minute homework ?"

Suddenly, Malfoy sat up straight and crumpled the piece of parchment. He shoved it into his pocket and stood up, staring at Albus as he did so. He looked dour and averted his eyes after only a few seconds.

"I do n't think that 's homework,"Albus said.

"Weird,"Amanda said.

"Very,"Albus agreed."Let 's get started ! I think we should practice blocking."He took a lateral glance at Malfoy, expecting him to flout and exact that they already knew how to lug, but instead Malfoy just turned to the pupil nearest to him and began to do as Albus said. What was even uncanny was that the educatee he partnered with was a second year Hufflepuff. Albus blinked to do surely he was n't seeing things and then began shooting spells at Amanda while she blocked them.

The drill session got stranger as the night went on, in terms of Malfoy 's deportment. Not once did he second surmise what Albus said and he did n't say one word to anyone that was n't directly related to dueling. Calluna vulgaris raised her eyebrows at Albus on numerous occasions since she had supervised Albus 's pattern before and knew how lots Malfoy usually tried to be the captain. He ran out of the way as soon as the practice was over, looking vaguely upset, as he had at the debate.

"That was the unusual matter ever,"Amanda said as she and Albus walked back to the Gryffindor common room."And I witnessed my brother attempt to brew a potion this retiring summertime and salute it, thinking that it would turn him into a wizard."

Albus burst out laughing."Was he really disappointed that he did n't get a Hogwarts missive ?"

Amanda nodded."I never thought he would but did n't tell apart him that. But do you have any idea why Malfoy did n't argue with you tonight ?"

"I 've no idea,"Albus said."But I really hope he stays this way."

"I bet it had something to do with whatever he was reading when we walked in."

"I wonder what it was."

Amanda shrugged."No thought, but I wish I did. It 's just so odd."

"Whatever it is, I hope it keeps him like this during succeeding week 's tournament."

"Albus ! What if it 's something really awful ?"Amanda asked.

Albus had n't thought about that."Well, we do n't know that it is, so I do n't have to think about it."

"Albus, I doubt anything good would make Malfoy shut out up like that,"Amanda reasoned."I 'm just saying, it might be something awful."
***


Gryffindor 's disposition to dally Quidditch during really bad conditions came up in full force on Sabbatum, when the unseasonably strong temperatures decided to defect Hogwarts. In its piazza were freezing cold temperatures and a howl snow storm that probably should hold resulted in the peer being canceled. But since Hogwarts never canceled Quidditch, Albus was preparing himself for a miserable match. He wished they could give birth squeamish weather, like they had when they played Slytherin in Nov.

The net fourth dimension Albus had played in a tempest this bad he 'd been in his second twelvemonth and weave up in the hospital wing with the flu afterward. He certainly did not want a repeat of that so he was hoping that James would catch the stool pigeon Oklahoman rather than later.

"Fred, this is crazy,"Ryan said as they stood in the doorway of the changing rooms, waiting for the match to begin."There is literally no way to see the stoolpigeon in this."

"There 's nothing I can do about it,"Fred snapped. Everyone could tell he was stressed about this couple, since they 'd lost to Slytherin."We have to play unless Kendrick calls it off."

Ryan was right field. Albus stared out onto the rake and all he saw was flannel. The Charles Percy Snow was swirling and blowing and Albus could n't tell if More snow was actually falling or if it was all just getting blown around. But either way, finding a Snitch in it was going to be nearly impossible.

"I 'll overhear it,"Epistle of James said confidently."Do n't worry."

"We 're not going to be able to hear the commentary,"Fred said."Just overhear it as soon as you can. Do n't worry about catching it after we 're up a sure number of points. We just need a win at this point."

There was a very dull, quiet hollo of hand clapping and Fred led the team out onto the pitch. The balls were released and Albus flew up into the raging storm. Soon, he did n't know which way was up or down, let alone where the Quaffle was. After about ten transactions of meandering around the pitch, not knowing where he was going, the Quaffle suddenly appeared. Albus caught it, but had no idea where the goal posts were.

Albus flew straight ahead, hoping it was in the good direction, but instead of reaching the finish mail service, he reached the stall. Groaning, he turned and headed toward the goal posts. At least he now knew where they were. He managed to score, mostly because Ravenclaw 's custodian did n't see him.

The match continued in topsy-turvyness, with no one knowing where anyone else was. Albus did n't see a unmarried Bludger the solid prison term and assumed the Beaters were just trying to keep track of them rather than trying to get them to hit the opposite squad 's participant. Fred had been right about the commentary ; Albus could n't hear a word of it.

It felt like he was playing a match by himself. The merely other participant he saw were the Ravenclaw Seeker, Fred, and ling. They had given up chasing as a team and instead, when one of them got the Quaffle, they flew it down to the end posts as undecomposed they could.

"Albus, Albus !"someone shouted.

Albus turned and squinted, but he could n't make out anyone flying near him.

"Albus !"

Albus continued flying in a circle trying to figure out who it was. He did n't even make out their voice, but it could have been distorted by the wind. Finally, he began to get out a physique flying toward him. It was Heather.

"Albus !"she shouted once she reached him."The equal has been canceled. We 're all to riposte to our uncouth room ripe now."

Albus nodded, figuring that Kendrick finally came to his mother wit. It was just unimaginable to play a near biz of Quidditch in a storm like this.

When Albus and Heather finally reached the changing way they found the sleep of the team sitting in their wet Quidditch gown, their faces pale. Albus noticed that even Scots heather looked slightly afraid.

"What 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"You were flying so high, you probably did n't hear,"Fred said as Albus sat down."The match was n't canceled because of the weather."

"But it 's so bad out there,"Albus said."That compeer was pointless."

"One of the Ravenclaw foremost class,"Fred continued, ignoring Albus,"she was late to the equal and on her way down she saw-"Fred paused, swallowing hard."She saw Fenrir knot on the grounds."

"What ?"Albus exclaimed, suddenly feeling nauseous."But it 's so snowy. How could she possibly know for sure as shooting ?"

"She ca n't, of course,"Fred said."But she went running to prof Longbottom as soon as she reached the sales pitch and told him. That 's when they canceled the compeer and sent everyone back to the castle."

As if he heard Fred acknowledgment his gens, Professor Longbottom walked into the changing room, looking scared himself."I 'm going to escort you all back to the coarse way. Wands out as we walk."

Albus drew his verge and followed the repose of his mate out of the changing rooms. They were all tranquillize on the walk back to the castle since the violent storm was still raging. No one would have been able to hear anything anyone said, even if anyone felt like talking. Albus felt too ill to talk. The opinion of Fenrir Limnodromus griseus being at large was bad enough, after hearing what Matt knew about him, but the persuasion of him being here, on the Hogwarts yard, was too awful to even cerebrate about.

As they walked up to the castle and then up to Gryffindor tug Albus kept telling himself that it was fully potential that the Ravenclaw young woman had n't seen Fenrir Reb. She was probably just thinking about the hightail it prisoners and imagined something. Albus had n't even been able to make out his own cousin-german when she 'd been calling his epithet in this storm. What were the prospect of a first year being able to break up out Fenrir grayback ?

But still ... what if it had been Reb ? He had to be somewhere, so why not Hogwarts ?

The common room was buzzing with chatter when the team entered a unretentive patch later. Albus avoided everyone, including his Friend, until after he went up to his dormitory to demand a rain shower. He was shivering and felt amazing and did n't want to talk to anyone until after he was in dry clothes.

To his surprise his friends were all gathered in his dormitory after he got out of the shower. Bilius and Ethan were n't there, and the door was shut.

"We ca n't go to the vulture 's Den,"matt explained."We 're not allowed to depart our commons rooms until foster notice."

"Are they doing an probe ?"Albus asked as he sat down on his bed."And what exactly happened ? Fred only explained a little before Longbottom came to accept us back to the castle."

"It was weird,"rose said."No one really knew what was happening because it was so snow-clad and the wind was so tawdry. We could n't see the catch, so we were just standing there using a lot of heating spell and hoping things would be over soon. But then we started hearing whisperings about grayback on the footing. Then, probably two minutes later, Kendrick magically amplified his voice and told us all that we 're to account back to our park rooms immediately and to walk back with our wands out and in enceinte groups.

"So then, even though Kendrick never said for sure, we knew that soul had seen Greyback on the land. It was so scary. Eventually we found out that one of the Ravenclaw number one old age thought she saw him on her way to the catch and told Professor Longbottom. But besides that we do n't acknowledge much. No one 's told us anything for sure and we 've just been hanging out here and talking."

"But what 's he doing here ?"Kaden asked."And I thought there were Aurors guarding Hogwarts."

"It was planned,"flatness said."Do n't you see ? That storm out there is so bad that no one can see three feet in front of them and the tip is so loud no one can see anything either. It was the perfect day for him to mouse onto the yard, and if that girl had n't seen him who knows what he would 've done."

"So you think she really saw him ?"Albus asked skeptically."You said it yourself, no one can see anything."

"For all we know he said something to her,"lusterlessness said."No one knows the full phase of the moon tarradiddle yet."

"But why ?"Kaden asked."Seems really stupid to me. If he escaped he should be hiding out in the mount, not going to Hogwarts where there are Aurors."

"Remember what I said after he escaped ?"Matt asked quietly."This just confirms it. He 's going to try to produce his own werewolf army again. He was insane before Azkaban ; imagine how half-baked he is now. They do n't need dementors in prison to make people go insane."

"And you think-"

"That he came to try and figure out how to best position himself to prick Thomas Kid during the fully moon ?"matte interrupted."Yeah, I do."

Albus shuddered."That 's sick."

"That 's what he does,"Matt said. He looked more worried than everyone else."But what I do n't get is why it seems like he 's trying for Hogwarts kids. Last time he went for really young kids."

"But we do n't even know for sure that 's what he 's up to,"John Lackland pointed out."I mean it makes gumption, but we still do n't know."

"Still,"Matt said."You have to prognosticate me you wo n't go alfresco during the full moon. I do n't require any of you joining me in the Shack."

Gospel According to John looked doubting."There 's other reasons why he could be here."

"Promise me,"mat repeated, staring directly at John."It 's not worth the risk."

John Lackland shrugged."Yeah, I promise."Everyone else nodded.

"What about the repose of them ?"Amanda asked."Do you think they 're working together ?"

"I do n't get it on,"Albus began."I 'm sure the Carrows are together and Umbridge might be with them. But I doubt Willinson and Greyback are with them. The Carrows were Death Eaters, but Greyback was n't technically a Death feeder. Voldemort used him, but always thought he was scum because he 's a wolfman. The Carrows probably agreed. And Willinson, he 's got no connection, which is why I 'm still confused as to why he broke out with them."

"For all we know they left the door overt and he followed,"privy said with a laugh.

Amanda groaned."Everyone 's got their own cell in gamy security."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose you 're mightily,"John said.

"Two Death feeder, a war malefactor, a werewolf, and Willinson,"Albus said."It 's so random. Why them ?"

"Sounds like the starting of a caper,"John said."Two Death eater, a war criminal, a werewolf, and Willinson walk into a pub ...."

mat groaned."Do n't even go there. I just really hope they catch him before the future full synodic month. There was n't anything in the prophet about him biting anyone this last full Sun Myung Moon, but I do n't think he 'd go two moons without biting. And there 's no way he 'd go on wolf's bane, even if he could get some."

"I wonder where the others are,"rosiness mused."You think they 're just hiding out ?"

"They must be,"Albus said."There have n't been any sightings."

There was a belt on the door and then it opened. St. James the Apostle walked inside and sat down on the end of Albus 's bed.

"Longbottom just came to talk to us,"he said."We 'll be allowed to depart the common room for dinner, but not before that."

"Did they catch him ?"lustrelessness asked anxiously.

"No,"James said."But, Longbottom said the proprietor of Madam Puddifoot 's also saw him, so the Ravenclaw girl probably did see him. They 've scoured Hogsmeade and there 's no sign of him, though."

"Are they rescheduling the mates ?"Albus asked.

James nodded."side by side Saturday. Good matter, too, because I do n't think that one would 've ever ended. Do n't tell Fred, but there 's no way I would 've seen the Snitch."

"One upside to Reb being on the cause, I guess,"Albus said.

"Lucky he did n't attack that young lady,"Matt said as James I left."He attacks mass even when he 's not transformed."

"He did that to my uncle Bill,"Albus said.

"Really ?"matt asked.

Albus nodded."At the end of my dad 's 6th year, the night Dumbledore was killed. He does n't transform, but he likes really rare centre. Like hardly cooked at all meat."

"Eww !"Kaden exclaimed."That 's gross. hold, flatness, do you like really rarefied center ?"

matt grinned."Yeah. I hardly ever get it, though. Mum refuses to let me eat it because she thinks it 'll make me ill. And they do n't attend to it here."

"My uncle eats it all the time,"Albus said."auntie Fleur likes her steaks pretty rarefied, too. So does Teddy for that matter."

"I like mine well done,"Kaden said.

"Now that 's what 's gross,"Matt replied."I should ask the house elves to make me rare steak."

"They probably would,"rose said."They make you pretty lots whatever you want."

"Let 's go tonight,"flatness said."We have n't been down there in ages."

Kaden groaned."So we 're going to have to witness you eating a firearm of raw meat ?"

"Not raw,"lustrelessness said."Slightly cooked, bit of blood dripping out."

"Oh, gross !"Kaden shouted."I 'm going back down to the mutual room."

Albus laughed and Matt grinned as Kaden ran out of the room. There was goose egg like a tripper to the kitchens to get their minds off of Greyback and the other escaped convicts.


A/N : Sorry for the latterly update ! I totally forgot it was Friday. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews ! Please check out my Marauders fic, Between Here and Somewhere.


The first year who saw Reb on the grounds became an instant Hogwarts renown. By the next day her entire narration had spread throughout the student body like wildfire, and every ace person in the castle knew her public figure. She was Quinn Gregory Nazianzen, a bantam female child who looked like she belonged in the Weasley clan with her long red hair and sprayer of freckles across her face. Quinn seemed to be enjoying her newfound fame and always had a crowd of people around her, asking her to recite the story.

Albus, himself, had heard the storey at to the lowest degree five times. Quinn had been running to the pitch, late, because she 'd spent a half hr trying to convert one of her roomie to go to the friction match, but in the end her roommate had decided she did n't require to brave the violent storm. Quinn then spotted somebody lurking near the greenhouses and went to enquire, but instead of finding another educatee, she found Fenrir Greyback. Apparently Johnny had said 'hi, little young lady'to Quinn, who then took off running even faster for the Quidditch pitch. Greyback then escaped to Hogsmeade and who knows after that.

As the week progressed Quinn 's account grew until it ended with her disarming Greyback after a xx minute duel and running to the Quidditch pitching in order to admonish the rest of the pupil, rather than because she was scared. Albus was very happy that, for once, this had n't happened to him or one of his friends.

"Guess what I heard today,"Kaden said as he entered the Marauder 's Den Fri evening, after dinner.

"What ?"Albus asked, looking up from the Marauder 's Map, which he 'd spend the finis ten minutes studying. John and lusterlessness were in the room as well, matt studying and John sorting Chocolate Gaul cards. rose was tutoring Elsie Willinson again and Amanda had gone with her.

"Quinn,"Kaden said as he sat down next to Albus."She 's now saying that Greyback stole her sceptre and she got away from him by kicking his kneecaps."

Albus burst out laughing."That 's ridiculous. She 's still got her wand."

"She claims Ollivander 's sent her an exact reproduction,"Kaden replied.

"But no two wands are the Lapp,"John the Evangelist pointed out."Everyone knows that."

"She 's Muggle-born,"Kaden pointed out."She might not."

"But still,"Albus said."She 's taken it too far. No one 's going to believe her now and it 's all going to die down."

Albus laughed as he looked back at the vulture 's Map. He 'd been checking it, both the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts plane section, looking for Calidris canutus every so often since close Saturday. He 'd yet to find anything remotely interesting on it, least of all Greyback or one of the former escaped convicts.

"Scorpio is leaving the castle,"Albus said, noticing the dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'was no longer in the Slytherin vulgar room, but instead slowly making its way across the grounds.

"What ?"Matt asked, closing his book."But it 's eight o'clock. And it 's snowing."

"It 's him all right,"Albus said."Come see."

lusterlessness, John, and Kaden all crowded around Albus and they watched Scorpius 's dot travelling further and further from the castle. There were no other dots on the grounds, except Hagrid 's, and his was remaining stationary behind his hut. It did n't appear that Malfoy was meeting anyone exterior, nor did anyone go with him. It was odd, especially in Inner Light of his other odd doings.

"I wonder what he 's up to,"Albus mused.

"We should follow him,"Saint John the Apostle said."See what he 's up to."

"I agree,"Kaden said."No one goes outside at night during a storm for no rationality at all. He 's up to something."

"We 'd get caught,"Albus pointed out.

"And it 's freeze,"Matt added.

"We 'll take your Invisibility Cloak,"privy said.

"I do n't think we all fit anymore,"Albus said, not taking his figure off Malfoy 's dot.

"Then Kaden and I can go,"lavatory replied.

"No way,"Albus said."It 's my cloak and I do n't desire you having it when Filch catches you. He 'll attach it."

"Who says we 'll get caught ?"John asked.

Albus laughed and turned to look at can."Of path you 'll get caught. And then my cloak will get taken away and I 'll never see it again and my dad will murder me."

"Your dad 's Harry Potter,"John said."He 's not going to murder his own son."

"If he did Laurentis would roll in the hay it."Kaden laughed."I can see the newspaper headline now. 'Harry Potter Murders Own Son, Clearly Unfit For Duty. Weasley Still Supports Him .'”

"Oh shut it,"Albus muttered.

"time lag,"Matt said, staring at the map."He 's going to the Whomping Willow."

Albus looked back at the map and saw that mat was right. Malfoy 's dot was slowing down and circling the Tree, giving it a wide spot."What 's he doing ?"

"You do n't think he 's figured it out, do you ?"Matt asked.

"Well now we have to go after him,"John said, standing up.

Matt nodded."Come on, Albus, let us take your cloak."

"amercement,"Albus said, knowing that the engagement was lost. Malfoy was at the Whomping Willow, which meant that this was now personal for lustrelessness, and therefore, for all of them."But I still do n't know if we 'll all fit."

Albus walked over to his bed and located the cloak in one of the drawer beneath it. He rarely kept it in his dorm anymore, since he and his friends spent far more time in the Marauder 's Den than they did in the common room.

"Let 's try it,"Albus said as his booster walked over to him. They stood close and Albus threw the cloak over them.

"Half my body is showing,"John said, turning to take care at his still seeable arm.

"And all our pes are showing,"Matt pointed out.

"That 's because Albus and St. John the Apostle are giants,"Kaden asked, glancing up at the five column inch of space that separated his top dog from the top of the cloak.

"Both of you are going to experience to squat down,"Matt said.

"But what about the fact that half my body is showing ?"John asked, yanking on the cloak.

"Now I 'm not under it at all,"Matt said, yanking it back.

"I wish we could do disillusion appeal,"Albus muttered."Too bad we do n't learn those until one-seventh year."

"Rose could probably visualize them out,"John said."We should have her get a line them."

"Well we do n't bear time for that now and we 're wasting time arguing. Malfoy could be in the tunnel by now,"Matt said.

"There are wards,"Albus pointed out.

"Still ..."matte muttered.

"Fine,"Saint John said."Albus and lustrelessness can go and Kaden and I will rest here."

"What ?"Kaden shouted."Why 'd you volunteer me to rest ?"

"well, Albus is n't going to let anyone aim the cloak without him going and Matt has to go since Malfoy 's by the Whomping Willow,"St. John said."That leaves you and me. I do n't recollect more than two of us are going to fit."

"Let 's go, then,"Matt said, yanking the cloak off of John and Kaden and repositioning it over himself and Albus."See you in a bit."

Albus nearly had to run to keep up with matt and keep himself crouched down enough to persist conceal, and that was saying something since usually Albus was much faster than lusterlessness. The two of them said nothing on their way down to the front line room access and were n't noticed by any of the student or prof they passed.

"Remember, we 've got to be back before curfew,"Albus said once they shut the front door."We do n't desire to be locked out like back in second year."

"This is amount deja vu,"Matt added."Two years ago we caught Kaden messing with the Whomping willow tree. That 's when Kendrick added the wards."

"But unlike with Kaden, I do n't think we 'll wind up Friend with Malfoy after,"Albus pointed out.

The grounds were very quiet down, the only phone being the crunching of their understructure in the blow. Albus carefully vanished their footprint as they walked, while lustrelessness led them down the itinerary to the Whomping Willow. It was very insensate and snowy, which reminded Albus even more of the clock time they got locked out of the castling after sneaking into the shrieking hut.

"Is he even still there ?"Matt asked quietly when they were halfway to the tree diagram.

Albus paused and pulled the piranha 's Map out of his pouch. Scorpius 's dot was still walking methodically in a traffic circle around the tree."Yeah, he 's there."

Matt nodded and they continued walking. Neither of them had lit their sceptre, so they slowed down in order to not be hit by the willow 's large offset. Finally they reached it and stood just outside its hitting scope, waiting for Malfoy to hail back around.

The Slytherin boy was wrapped in a thick cloak and pacing with his headspring always turned toward the Tree. He had his wand out and did n't seem to find that he had been joined by Albus and lusterlessness. Albus glanced at lusterlessness as Malfoy walked past them, unsure of whether to call his care to their presence. Since they were invisible, they could just stomach there and look out him.

"There 's got to be a way,"Malfoy muttered."Every Aaron Montgomery Ward has a sapless point. They do n't all cobbler's last forever."

Albus could now see that Malfoy was sending various curse and jonah into the wards, but they were all deflecting away. As he rounded the tree once more, a hex bounced off the wards and nearly hit Albus, who had to jump out of the way to avoid it. His leg slipped out from underneath the cloak in the process, but Malfoy did n't see it.

"It 's got to ferment,"Malfoy said."There 's no early way in ...."

"Into where ?"lusterlessness mouthed. Albus shrugged.

They waited for Malfoy to construct another rotary around the tree and this time one of the hexes reflected off the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward and toward matte, who jumped to get out of the way, but tripped over a partially buried tree root instead. He fell over, yanking the cloak down with him, leaving both himself and Albus exposed. Matt let out a stream of curses and a cry of bother. Albus heard a sickening crunch as he fell and hoped it was the tree root and not lustrelessness 's leg.

"Who 's there ?"Malfoy shouted, aiming his wand at Albus and Matt. He lit it and his facial expression visibly paled."What are you two doing here ?"

Albus lit his own scepter. Matt was still sitting in the snow."I could ask you the Lapplander thing, Malfoy,"Albus said.

Albus pointed his baton at Matt and reached down to help him up. He was clutching his wrist and his facial expression was as pallid as Malfoy 's, although for unlike reasons.

"I said, what are you two doing here ?"Malfoy repeated, not sounding very confident.

"chase you,"Albus said simply, thinking money plant would be the best policy here. After all, all three of them were breaking the rules. Not often point in denying it or making up excuses.

"How did you know I was here ?"Malfoy asked. His wand arm was now trembling, although Albus did n't fuck if it was from the cold or fear.

"Saw you leave the castling,"Albus said."Figured we 'd see what you were up to."

"What do you desire with the tree ?"Matt demanded. His voice sounded pained.

Malfoy 's sassing turned up in a sly grin."Once again, you just confirmed my intuition. This tree 's how you get into the scream shanty. I did a little more inquiry, and turns out this thing was planted the same yr the Shrieking hutch was built. The Saami yr Remus lupine started going to Hogwarts. That Shack 's all boarded up so I figured there must be some kind of tunnel leading to it and what sound way to veil a tunnel than to put a murderous tree above it ? problem is, I ca n't handicap the wards. Bet you can, though."

"Why ?"Matt asked. Albus heard him inhale sharply and began to wonder if his wrist was broken."Why do you require to get in there ?"

"Ca n't secernate you,"Malfoy said.

"fountainhead, I 'm not disabling the wards,"lustrelessness said.

"I 'll figure it out eventually,"Malfoy said.

Albus wanted to ask him about his behaviour at dueling practices so badly. They 'd had another drill the former day and again, Malfoy had n't said two watchword to anyone. It was just foreign. Bur Albus figured that even if he asked, Malfoy would n't reply.

"It 'd be dumb, you know,"lusterlessness said."Going into the shriek Shack."

"Well I would n't go in on a full moon, idiot,"Malfoy said."Believe it or not this has cipher to do with you or your evil side of meat. I could n't give care less that you 're a filthy werewolf. I have advantageously things-"

Albus jabbed his verge into Malfoy 's chest, nearly knocking him over in the unconscious process. His warmheartedness was pounding and he could feel heat rising up in his body."You. Take. That. book binding,"he seethed.

"Albus, do n't,"lusterlessness said.

Malfoy scowled."No. I wo n't, because it 's admittedly. I do n't manage. It was the secret that I liked and nothing more. You do n't jazz the half of what 's going on or why I want that Shack. He only uses it one Nox out of twenty-eight. I want it the other twenty-seven. I do n't get why that 's such a huge deal."

"What 's going on over there ?"a loud voice boomed over the grounds."Eh, what 're yeh doing ?"

Albus quickly moved his wand and pointed it elsewhere. It was one thing to get caught on the curtilage after night but another to be caught threatening another scholarly person. He pointed his wand in the direction of the voice and saw Hagrid making his way toward them, his large Newfoundland, Fetch, at his slope.

"Albus ?"Hagird asked as he drew nearer."Matt ? What 're yeh doing out here ? And Malfoy ?"

"Er, zip,"Albus muttered.

"fountainhead, yer breaking the rules so I 'm going to possess to pack yeh to Longbottom,"Hagrid said and then turned to Malfoy."And you 'll have to see Slughorn."

"hospital wing,"Matt said."First."

Hagrid turned to matte and looked at his articulatio radiocarpea."O'course,"he said."What did yeh do ?"

"Tripped over a root,"flatness said."Landed on a rock."

Hagrid nodded and clapped Matt on the binding, a gesture clearly meant to comfort him but instead nearly knocked him over again. After he recovered they set off for the castle, walking future to Hagrid. Malfoy followed at a short distance. Hagrid did n't ask them what they were doing by the Whomping willow again, although Albus had a intuitive feeling he probably knew. After all, he knew why the tree diagram was there and the fact that Matt was a werewolf.

The castle was much emptier when they returned than when they had left. Albus only saw a few prefects doing their rhythm and realized that curfew must feature passed. So often for not getting in difficulty.

Hagrid walked them to the hospital wing and left Albus and Matt there while he then escorted Malfoy to Slughorn 's subject field. Malfoy had remained quiet during the stallion walk, but lost the sneer he 'd bust when he insulted Matt.

"I thought you lot had grown out of this,"dame Pomfrey said as she examined Matt 's wrist joint."This sneaking about in the dead of nighttime, following people. At least you did n't get locked out this time.

"Yes, your wrist is definitely broken. But I can mend it quickly."

ma'am Pomfrey took her wand out of her gown and pointed it at Matt 's carpus. She muttered a trance and instantly, his wrist was healed.

"Thanks,"lustrelessness said, bending his wrist.

"You 're welcome,"the nanny replied. She hurried over to a cabinet and returned with a goblet of potion."Take this for the botheration and you 'll be in effect as new. No motivation to continue the night. I know you stay here enough as it is. You 're to hold off here until Professor Longbottom comes to collect you."

lusterlessness nodded and downed the potion in one large swig. Albus sat down next to him on the bed and they waited for Longbottom. Albus did n't think Hagrid had seen him with his wand pointed at Malfoy, so his punishment should n't be too bad.

"You do n't think he 'll make you miss Quidditch tomorrow, do you ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought of that."I hope not. Fred would shoot down me."

The doors to the Montgomery Ward opened and Professor Longbottom walked inside. He looked wear down and slightly annoyed. He sighed and shook his head when he saw Albus and Matt.

"You two again ?"he asked."Hagrid said you were on the reason after curfew ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied. He always felt weird calling Professor Longbottom 'sir', but figured it could n't hurt in this position.

"Should I bother asking why ?"Longbottom replied.

Albus shook his brain, knowing that telling Longbottom why would n't get them any few detentions, nor would it stop Malfoy from trying to figure out how to get into the Shrieking Shack.

"I 'll pass water this easy, then,"Longbottom said."Ten period from Gryffindor, each. And you 'll both serve custody tomorrow, immediately following the Quidditch friction match. dividing line, in my agency. I 'll see you then."Longbottom turned to lead. He nodded to Madam Pomfrey as he walked to the door."well night, Poppy."

"Good night, Neville,"Madam Pomfrey said.

Albus and mat said unspoilt Night to the nurse and then left the cellblock, both automatically going back to the common room rather than the Marauder 's Den. If they were caught outside of Gryffindor tower twice in one night they 'd get a often worse punishment than twenty lost points and a detainment. Albus thought they 'd develop off easy, to be honest. He wondered what Slughorn had set for Malfoy.

John, Kaden, rosiness, and Amanda were waiting for them when they got back. John and Kaden were smirking.

"Do n't say a word,"Albus muttered."I knew whoever followed him would get caught."

"Figured you did, seeing as you 've been gone for over an 60 minutes,"John said."What 's your punishment ?"

"Detention tomorrow after Quidditch and we each lost ten distributor point,"Albus said.

"You got off easily,"Kaden replied."If it had been me and john we would 've gotten three detentions."

"I think Longbottom took pity on us because matte broke his radiocarpal joint while we were out there,"Albus said.

John laughed."Of line he did."

"Shut it,"Matt said."It really spite. I was dodging a whammy that Malfoy sent to the willow that reflected off the wards."

"Did you find anything useful out ?"rose wine asked."Not that I approve of this."

Albus and matt explained what had happened, including the section where Malfoy insulted lusterlessness and Albus nearly hexed him.

"Very odd,"Rose mused."What can he possibly want the Shack for ? And what did he stand for when he said he had early clobber going on ? What other poppycock could he possibly have going on besides schooling ?"

"Whatever he 's got going on with Willinson ?"John Lackland suggested."Surely Felix knows what his cousins are up to and Malfoy 's always involved with that."

Albus shrugged."Maybe. But why would he need the Shack ?"

"Who knows,"lavatory said.

"I bet it 's got something to do with that letter,"Amanda said."And why he 's acting so strangely lately."

"Speaking of acting strangely, Elsie Willinson is still acting weird,"pink wine said."I thought she would 've adjusted by now, but she has n't. She does n't look to hold any friends."

"Does her brother still pick her up from tutoring ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah,"Rose replied."It 's very odd. I asked her if she wanted to flow out with me and Amanda until curfew, but she said she could n't. So I said maybe another sentence and she said probably not."

"That 's odd,"can said."Clearly they 're up to something."

"They 're always up to something,"Albus pointed out."I 'd love to know what it is, though. I wonder if they 've been in tangency with Quinton."

"They 'd be stupid to be,"rose said."Kendrick did n't penalize Felix for what happened to Kaden two years ago, telling him if he did it again he 'd get expelled."

"I still say you 've got to figure out what 's up with Elsie,"John said.

"I 'm trying,"Rose insisted."It 's not as easygoing as you 'd call up. She hardly talks at all."

"Just keep trying,"John said.

"squad !"Fred suddenly shouted from across the commons room."Off to bed, all of you ! We 've got a 2nd chance at this and let 's not smash it by staying up all night."

Albus did n't reason. Turning in early was a near musical theme and he was actually quite jade after his jaunt to the Whomping willow tree. He bade secure dark to his friends and went up to his restrained, empty dormitory. It did n't take him long to hang asleep and he dreamt of playing Quidditch with Malfoy while the two of them dodged the Whomping willow tree on brooms.


A/N : Thanks for all the revue ! I am doing Camp NaNoWriMo again this month ( probably not a expert idea ... ), and I 'm writing this for it, so hopefully I 'll finish it !



The weather condition for the rematch was vastly different from the previous Saturday 's weather. The sky seemed to be all out of snow and the sun was shining. Although it was still bitterly frigidity, there was picayune winding. Albus hoped the couple would be a long one since as soon as it was over, he had to serve detention with prof Longbottom.

Albus went down to the Great Hall by himself for breakfast. His other nighttime had given way to him waking up far sooner than he normally did. It was gracious being able to lallygag over breakfast, though, and concentrate on the coming match rather than interact with his ally. As he ate, the Great student residence slowly filled. He had just finished the net of his eggs when the post owls arrived.

Albus observed the owls and did n't make out any of them. Clearly he was not receiving any Wiley Post today, which was a just thing because he was fairly certain Longbottom had owled his parents about his detainment. But then he noticed a very prominent owl holding a red envelope in its mouth ; it was a howler monkey and the owl was heading toward the Slytherin table. Albus continued watching it and saw it land right in nominal head of Scorpius, who yanked the envelope off the owl 's leg and tripped over the judiciary in his hurry to leave the room. Albus actually sympathized with him ; it was dread opening a howler in public. From the sound of it, Malfoy did n't quite make it to a loo or empty classroom. Muffled shouting could be heard coming from the Entrance Hall.

Malfoy did n't return to the Great Hall. Albus figured it must have been a particularly awful howler and was wondering what it could possibly have said when his friends sat down next to him.

"Malfoy got a howler,"John said as he started loading his denture with bacon.

"I know,"Albus said."Saw him get it."

"Well, we heard the buttocks end of it,"John said.

"It was horrific,"Rose replied.

"What did it say ?"Albus asked."Who was it from ?"

"His dad, I 'm guessing,"Saint John said."It was a man 's vocalisation. We crouched down on the stairs when we saw him. Basically his dad was yelling at him for getting in trouble for stupid matter when he should be studying and concentrating on his school work and keeping his foreland down. Then he said something about how Malfoy knows that they, meaning his parents, have far more of import things on their minds than worrying about Malfoy getting in trouble in school. And how they ca n't care about him at school when they 're busy worrying about other things."

"That 's vague,"Albus said."He did n't say what the early things were ?"

"Nope,"John said."But Malfoy obviously knows what they are because he was shaking and he ran for the dungeons after the howler monkey blew up."

"I told you the missive he read at pattern was about something bad,"Amanda said.

"And now we know it 's got something to do with his family,"Albus said.

"Maybe they 're going to conjoin up with Willinson and the Carrows and all them,"lusterlessness said."His dad was a Death feeder, was n't he ?"

"form of,"Albus said."His granddad was, but his dad sorting of got caught up in it and he got off. So did his grandad, actually. No one really knows why, but my dad vouched for them at their hearing."

"Now that is weird,"Matt said."Maybe his grandfather is planning on joining them."

Albus shrugged."Maybe, but it just does n't fathom right. Listen, I 've got to get to the sales talk. I 'll see you after."

"Yeah, for detention,"Matt muttered."Going to be a blast."

Albus 's wish for a long match came true. Since the weather was cooperating, James I put off catching the Snitch until Gryffindor was up by 200 points, instead focusing his efforts on faking dive to keep Ravenclaw 's seeker away from the snitcher. It worked, and three and a one-half hours later Saint James caught the stoolpigeon and won the match for Gryffindor. Albus was sorely disappointed that he 'd have to miss the resulting party in the common room, but figured that 's what Longbottom was going for when he scheduled detainment for right field after the catch.

Matt was waiting for Albus in the Great vestibule and the two of them grabbed a nimble lunch before hurrying to Longbottom 's office. They spent the future two time of day writing'I will not sneak out of the castle after dark'over and over again. By the time they were done Albus wanted to loop up and aim a nap, since the Quidditch mates itself had exhausted him. He and mat decided to expend the afternoon in the Marauder 's Den, just relaxing if not actually sleeping.

When they arrived they found John and Kaden in the middle of plotting their new prank. Rose and Amanda were in the library, apparently avoiding John and Kaden and their prank.

"Are you two for certain you do n't require to be involved with this ?"John asked."It 's going to be legendary."

"It wo n't be worth the detentions,"Albus said.

"Seriously,"Matt agreed."If it 's legendary it 's going to think of a lot of detentions."

"Fine,"John said.

Gospel According to John and Kaden lowered their voices, but Albus distinctly heard the words 'Weasleys '', 'itching powder ,''Slytherins ,'and 'alarm redstem storksbill .'At that point, he really did n't want to bonk. He and Matt decided to originate a secret plan of chess and attempted to tune out trick and Kaden 's rustle.

"I was thinking the early dark and realized if my dad loses his job when Laurentis is elected it 's going to be just like Australia,"lusterlessness said as he captured one of Albus 's pawns.

"I had n't thought of that,"Albus said."Does that mean you 'd make a motion again ?"

"I do n't sleep together,"Matt said quietly."I really hope not. I guess I do n't believe so because the veridical reason we moved here was so I could go to schooltime, not for Dad to get a new job."

"Then you probably wo n't,"Albus replied, taking one of flatness 's bishops.

"But if he does lose it, it 's going to probably mean Laurentis disagrees with him on werewolf issues,"Matt pointed out."That could be really bad."

"You never know,"Albus said."There 's other affair your dad deals with that they might disagree on."

"But my dad 's the most vocal on lycanthrope rights. Everyone knows that,"Matt said."If they 're going to discord on something, that 's going to be it."

"I guess you 'll have to wait until the argumentation,"Albus said.

"I 'm thinking of going,"lusterlessness said quietly."It might be direful, but I want to know what she says firsthand, not from the Prophet."

"That makes sensation,"Albus said."When is it ?"

"In three workweek,"Matt said."February 15th. That 's the only thing ; it 's the day of the Hogsmeade trip."

"That happened finale Hogsmeade weekend,"Albus said,"when rosiness went. sucking that they do that."

Matt nodded."I think I 'll go anyway. I mean, it is the Valentine 's Hogsmeade trip. speech production of that, is James still going out with that Hufflepuff girl ? I forgot her name."

"Gabby Ellis,"Albus said."I 've no thought, to be honorable. I guess we 'll find out when the Hogsmeade trip comes."

"Just as long as Fred does n't schedule Quidditch practice for that day again,"Matt pointed out.

Albus laughed."He wo n't. None of us minded too a great deal since the weather was so nice, but I think if he did it again the whole team would hate him."

"That would make an awkward family dinner, considering over half the squad are your cousins,"lustrelessness said.

"kinsperson dinners with my family have become ill-chosen by definition,"Albus said."Luckily the next one wo n't be until far after the election."

"Only a little over two calendar month to go,"lustrelessness said."You can make it."

"I hope so,"Albus replied, as he moved his poof in the direct demarcation of Matt 's king."Checkmate."
***


"Rufus Scrimgeour was the last Minister of Magic to be appointed by the Wizengamot,"Professor Embry said as he strolled around his schoolroom. It was the first hebdomad of February and the category had finally gotten to the distributor point where they were beginning to talk about the second war."He was appointed quickly, after Cornelius Fudge resigned.

"parson Fudge is commonly known as the least competent parson ever to hold office,"Embry continued."He refused to believe evidence that was laid out plainly in presence of him, for fear of being known as the government minister who held office when Voldemort returned. Somehow, he thought that if he ignored what was right in front line of him, it would just simply go away. This backfired, of course, because he is now known for being the least competent curate.

"Scrimgeour is seen in a slightly unspoilt light than Fudge, although he was Minister when the Ministry fell to Voldemort in August of 1997 ...."

Albus knew all of this, of class. He 'd grown up listening to his parents laugh at the incompetency of Fudge and the mindlessness of Scrimgeour being considered a parson at all. Nevertheless, he listened to Embry and took detailed notes since the essays Embry set were often foresighted and difficult.

"The sentence of the second war was a time of fear and pandemonium,"Embry said as he reached the nominal head of the elbow room again."No one knew what was going on or who to believe. Many mass heartily believed Fudge and what he said, believing Albus Dumbledore to be a fraud or even doddering. When this reality was shattered for them in June of of 1996, they did n't recognise what to do or who to turn to, or even what to believe. They 'd been fooled for a fully class, believing what their Ministry and newsprint told them. Now that they knew they 'd been lied to for a class, what were they to do ? They did n't trust anyone, let alone the Ministry. near people 's finish were to protect their kinsfolk and booster and that was it.

"It was the care and topsy-turvyness that allowed Voldemort and his followers to take ascendency of the Ministry. Without the support of wizarding Britain, the Ministry was weak and susceptible to a coup. It was unsubdivided for Voldemort to slip one's mind in and takeover in a thing of weeks."

"Excuse me, Professor ?"Olivia Price said, raising her hand.

"Yes, Miss Price ?"Embry replied."You have a motion ?"

"Yes, sir,"Olivia replied."I was just wondering, and you do n't birth to reply, but what were you doing during the bit war ?"

If Embry was surprised that Olivia asked him a inquiry about his personal living, he did n't present it. Instead he gave a tenuous grinning and began to walk around the classroom again.

"I do n't mind answering that,"Embry said."Many of your parents were involved with the war effort, so of course you 're rum. When the Ministry fell I 'd been working there for about six years. I got a job as an undersecretary in the Department of Magical shipping when I was just out of Hogwarts and worked my way up the social rank.

"I 'd received a promotion shortly before Minister Fudge resigned and worked to draft laws, but I quit after Scrimgeour got appointed because I saw that the Ministry was infirm and corrupt and no longer wished to aline myself with it. After Voldemort 's defeat, I was approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt asking if I would care to be involved with rebuilding the Ministry, and I said yes."

Albus was instill. Embry had n't mentioned what sort of job he did at the Ministry and Albus had had no idea he had been so involve with its rebuilding after the war.

"So you can see why I believe it is so crucial to civilise all of you about the history of the Ministry and how it is organized now,"Embry finished."face like we 're out of metre for today so please write an eight in essay on Rufus Scrimgeour 's full term as Minister for homework, due succeeding Tuesday."

Albus packed up his bag and headed back up to Gryffindor column with his friends. When they arrived, there was a gang around the notice board, which was strange. The Hogsmeade weekend date had already been announced and rarely did other notices garner such a crowd around the notice board.

Albus shrugged at his friends and they squeezed through the gang until they could read it. It was a large poster, covering the majority of the dining table, imposing an early curfew Sunday night. Everyone, first through seventh geezerhood, were to be back inside the rook by five in the evening, no elision. Below that it warned that Filch was going to lock the front doors at exactly five and that everyone was to describe to their unwashed room at five-thirty.

"That 's weird,"Albus said as he and his friends retreated."I do n't think they 've ever imposed a curfew so betimes before, and for everyone ?"

"It 's because Johnny has n't been caught,"matte said quietly."Dominicus 's the replete moon."

"They must conceive he 's going to issue forth back,"Albus replied.

"Scary,"John added."Do you really think he will ?"

"I do n't know,"lustrelessness said."But I 'd bet my parents'whole Gringotts burial vault that he 's going to burn individual Sunday night."

"hold,"pink wine said."You do n't usually go to the screech hovel until six or seven."

"They 're probably doing it early just to be rubber,"Matt said."In case some hoi polloi do n't follow it or something. It says on there that the prefects are going to do a head reckoning. That 's why we all have to occur back to the common room at five-thirty."

Rose nodded."Then you 'll have to exit later, after the doors are locked."

"Either that or Madam Pomfrey will have me go early,"Matt replied."I really hope not, though. I hate sitting out in the screaming Shack."

"I hope not, too,"Albus said quietly.

Albus and his friends were probably the only if students who knew the reason why a curfew had been imposed on Sun. Even the prefects seemed clueless, since Albus overheard a few of them trying to see it out. Sir Thomas More than a few students were furious about it, although Albus had no approximation why since it was n't commons for student to demand a stroll on the undercoat on a Sunday Nox in February. He supposed they liked the choice, though.

As Sun drew closer Matt became quieter and even more closed off than he normally was. In fact, it reminded Albus a lot of the way he was in first yr, before rose figured out why he disappeared once a month. Both Albus and Rose tried to get him to unfold up about it, but he shrugged them off and insisted he was o.k.. John and Kaden did n't appear to comment any difference in Matt, and Amanda was n't one to ask about it when he closed himself off.

Saturday 's Dueling Tournament proved uneventful. Albus spent the entire few hour worrying about Matt because he had elected to bound off the tournament in club to sleep, which was odd since he 'd normally at to the lowest degree try to participate. At least Malfoy made Albus 's life prosperous by remaining lull throughout the tourney and not blaming Albus when the team came in third place. Albus himself won both of his duels, as did Malfoy.

On William Ashley Sunday Albus and his champion spent the day in the predator 's Den, working on homework and playing games. flatness slept for much of the day and he still was n't saying anything. While Albus was worried, he was fairly certain the reason mat was so silence was Greyback. When a quarter to five rolled around, they had to return to Gryffindor to prove they were in the rook. Matt was still deceased, so Albus told everyone else go to on ahead and that they 'd follow.

"lusterlessness,"Albus whispered as he shook his friend awake."We 've got to go back to the common room."

"This is poor fish,"Matt muttered."They 're counting everyone to make sure no one gets attacked by a werewolf when they 've got one living in the castle."

"Is that why you 've been so quiet down this workweek ?"Albus asked as Matt got up. He did n't reply."You and grayback are n't the same."

"I know,"Matt said as they left the way. The corridor was empty, so he continued to talk."It 's just the fact that we 're both werewolves. That 's the same. What if they start doing this curfew thing every wax moon, all because of me ?"

"They wo n't,"Albus said."You 're not dangerous because you 're in the scream shanty. It 's all certain up."

"I guess, but it 's still possible."

"You and Greyback are different because he wants to bite people. He purposely transforms near multitude, not on Wolfsbane, so he can infect mass. You hide yourself away to protect everyone. That 's a vast difference."

"But what if he does get to Hogsmeade,"lusterlessness continued."He 'll hear me howling and know there 's a werewolf in the screech Shack and he 'll try to get in."

"But he wo n't be capable to,"Albus pointed out.

"And then if he does bite someone, and let 's confront it, he will,"Matt said."It 's going to look bad for all werewolves. All it 'll conduct is a few fire and the great unwashed will start believing we should have our rights taken away. That 's what happened in Australia."

"You 're getting ahead of yourself,"Albus said as they reached the common room."Right now you do n't have sex that any of that 's going to pass off. Wandering banshee."

"You 're nearly late,"the Fat Lady said as she swung her portrayal open.

Albus and lusterlessness climbed inside and found the uncouth way the most crowd they 'd ever seen it. Prefects were milling about attempting to get everyone to quiet down, but everyone was still trying to count on out why such an ahead of time curfew had been set. The room was so herd that Albus and Matt could n't discover the rest of their friends and since being in a crowded way was not the best idea for Matt right before the wide moonshine, they quit searching and instead sat down near the dormitory threshold.

"Everyone, quiet, please !"Heather announced in a magically amplified voice. The way finally quieted down."I know you 're all tip over about the curfew but they have n't even tell apart us prefects why it 's been imposed. It 's not that big a flock since it 's February, wickedness, and freezing outside. None of you would be outside anyway. Now just remain quiet while we take roll so we can all get downstairs for dinner party. After we 're done you 'll be allowed to vagabond the castle until your pattern curfew."

Heather began calling out names in alphabetical order by year. It took her XV or so minutes to get to the fourth years and after that Albus tuned her out. Fifteen instant after that she finished and all the Gryffindors had been accounted for. The common room emptied out quickly, since everyone wanted to get to the Great Hall for dinner. Matt had fallen asleep and after Albus prodded him come alive, he went up to the dormitory to sleep until he had to go to the hospital wing.

When Albus and his booster returned from dinner flatness had already left for the infirmary wing. They decided to just stick around the vernacular room since it was fairly vacate and spent the evening working on their essays for Professor Embry.

"Any hazard you lot know why we 're stuck inside ?"James asked as he snagged the last chair at Albus 's table."Cedric, Ben, and I are asking everyone."

Albus exchanged a glance with rose. He supposed it could n't hurt to tell James the grounds why, just so long as he did n't tell him why they knew. Of course, as soon as he told James River it would spread around the castle like dragon pox at a wizarding nursery school, but again, that would n't really suffer anything.

"We 've got a suspicion,"Albus said."Remember how Quinn Gregory saw Johnny Reb on the land during the Quidditch match ?"

"Yeah,"Epistle of James said.

"well, tonight 's a wide-cut Sun Myung Moon,"Albus said."Put it together."

James was silent for a present moment and then his optic grew big."You think Kendrick thinks he 's going to issue forth here tonight ?"

"That 's our guess,"Albus said and his friends nodded.

"brand sense,"James said."Can you imagine what kind of trouble Kendrick would be in if person got bitten by a wolfman on the cause ?"

Albus did n't want to opine about it. He doubted lustrelessness wanted a companion in the Shrieking shack.

"Scary,"James said,"thinking about greyback transformed while wandering around the grounds. I wonder why they did n't just tell us. No one would be raging about it if they 'd recount us the reason."

"Probably did n't want anyone to panic,"Albus said.

"hypothesis so,"James agreed."But still, everyone 's going to bed now."He grinned and then got up to go bump Ben and Cedric. The fact that the curfew was due to Johnny would be common knowledge in the castle within ten minutes, Albus guessed.

Albus managed to end up his essay and decided to call it a night shortly after. He did n't feel like talking, not with the possibility that Greyback was either running around the Hogwarts grounds or setting himself on some unsuspicious village, wanting to infect small youngster with lycanthropy. It was awful to recollect about. Albus laid awake for hours, trying not to guess about it, but try as he might, he just could not push the thought from his intellect.


It was a rarified occasion that Albus witnessed the sun rise. Being fourteen-years-old, Albus preferred to sleep until the very recent morning or early afternoon, but this fussy morning he was up before the sun. He had n't slept much that night due to his worries about Fenrir Limnodromus griseus and Matt, and decided that it was pointless to try and sleep when he 'd just have to be up in an hour anyway.

Albus sat at the window and watched as the sun slowly rose over the skyline. The grounds looked passive, and not at all like the blank space where a werewolf could 've been roaming just a few hours before. The moon had set and both Matt and Limnodromus griseus would be back in their homo course by now. Whatever had happened was over now and there was goose egg anyone could do to change it. Albus wondered just how long it would fill for the vaticinator to put out some sort of article on any flak Greyback might 've been the cause of.

Bilius and Ethan awoke before lav did and busied themselves with talking of the Balycastle and Kenmare mate that had taken place Saturday, completely unworried about Calidris canutus. Albus was n't surprised since neither of them had any sort of personal connection with the escaped werewolf. But they at least knew that the late Nox had been a to the full moonshine, since James IV had spread that information around the rook.

Saint John finally rose shortly after Bilius and Ethan left for breakfast. Albus was relieved since they could now speak freely.

"What clip is it ?"John the Divine asked as soon as he sat up."Have we got time to visit lusterlessness before Herbology ?"

"Just after eight, so not really,"Albus said."And there 's no point in visiting him now as he 's probably unconscious or sleeping. The moon just set two 60 minutes ago."

"Yeah, but he might cognise something,"John said as he closed the suspension on his bed while he dressed."He might 've heard Calidris canutus finally night."

"He never remembers anything about wide-cut lunation,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's still worth a pellet,"John replied.

Albus thought it would be kind of pointless, but they did n't have prison term before Herbology anyway. After John finished, the two hurried out of the dormitory room and down to the Great entrance hall for a flying breakfast before category. blush wine, Amanda, and Kaden were already there.

"Anything in the prophet ?"Albus asked as he grabbed a pile of toast.

Rose shook her foreland and swallowed her bacon before answering."No. Absolutely nothing, but that does n't mean much. It could just be too soon for enough details to have emerged."

"well, we 've got a dislodge menses this afternoon, so we can go ask Matt,"John said.

"I told you that he 's not going to live anything,"Albus reminded him.

John shrugged."You never know."

The repose of the scholar body seemed to hold already forgotten about the early curfew and the wax moon. Albus did n't try anyone discussing it on his way to Herbology or at dejeuner later that day. Since there had n't been anything in the paper about an attack, it was old news for the Hogwarts students. Everyone that is, except for Albus, Saint John, pink wine, and Amanda.

Albus, John, and Amanda were still discussing it on their way to Care of Magical Creatures that afternoon. When they arrived they found Hagrid surrounded by cage filled with small, black, fluffy creatures.

"'ello !"Hagrid shouted."I 've got nifflers for yeh today. Can anyone differentiate me what makes nifflers unique ?"

Albus raised his hand.

"Albus,"Hagrid said.

Albus grinned."Nifflers find gem. They like shiny things."

"Tha 's right,"Hagrid said."So if you 've got watches or jewellery on, take it off. I 've buried a load of leprechaun Au and your job for today will be to use the nifflers to find it. Everyone pair off and then come get a niffler. Whichever pair finds the most gilt gets a mob of Chocolate Frogs."

There was a stir as everyone hurried to take off their jewelry and find a niffler that looked like it would be a particularly gem Hunter. Albus took off his watch, shoved it into his pocket, and followed John and Amanda over to the nifflers. With matt in the hospital wing, Albus was without a cooperator and decided to just join can and Amanda.

King John grabbed the niffler with the farseeing beak and held the end of the pencil lead while they followed it around the flat coat. Every so often the niffler would stop and dig through the snow, revealing a diminished pile of coins. Albus collected them and shoved them into a bag Hagrid had provided.

The entire routine was rather entertaining. Albus enjoyed watching not only his niffler, but the rest of the year 's nifflers as well. They were adorable, good story creatures. At one point, Janie Creevey and Karina Jordan-Bell 's niffler managed to sniff out a set of shell in Bilius 's bag resulting in all three of them playing tug-of-war with the niffler.

"Why 's he got his scales in there anyway ?"John asked as they watched."We have n't got potions today."

Albus shrugged."No idea."

"Albus, John, look !"Amanda shouted, pointing toward the castle.

Albus turned around and saw two shape walking toward Hagrid 's hut. It took a few seconds, but he soon realized that he knew both of them. One Albus recognized as a youthful Auror from his dad 's department. His figure was Paul Newman and he 'd been one of the Aurors to assist when Kaden was kidnapped two years ago. The mo man was none other than matte 's dad.

"What 's Matt 's dad doing here ?"John asked.

"Yeah, and who 's that other feller ?"Amanda asked.

"He 's an Auror,"Albus said."But why are they here ?"

The two sorcerer walked retiring Albus, john, and Amanda without making any sort of eye impinging, acting as if they 'd never seen them before. By now, the remainder of the class was looking at them strangely. Matt 's dad and Newman kept walking until they reached Hagrid, and they began speaking with him in low voices.

"C'mon,"Albus said as he began walking toward Hagrid.

John tugged the niffler 's star and he and Amanda followed Albus. Albus stopped once they were within hearing, hiding behind a bush. John and Amanda crouched down on either side of him.

"I s'ppose I did find out some risible interference las'Night,"Hagrid said."Thomas More'n usual, that is. Always funny noise from the forest. A bit more howling than pattern las'night, coming from Hogsmeade. Could 've been a werewolf, but I don'know for sure."

"And did you see anything roaming the grounds ?"mat 's dad asked. His voice sounded serious.

"No,"Hagrid said."Wasn'outside late. What 's this about ? grayback ?"

Matt 's dad and Paul Leonard Newman glanced at each other."Yes,"Matt 's dad said."We have reasons to believe Greyback was in the region last night and we 're looking for anyone who might 've seen something."

Hagrid shuddered."Wish I could assist yeh. But yeh recognise, that howling from Hogsmeade could 've just been-"

"Yes, I know,"Mr. Eckerton cut him off, with a quick glance at Cardinal Newman."We 've had account of more poisonous, louder howling. Howling that seems to alter location."

"Oh !"Hagrid exclaimed."Yeah, well, again, wishing I could help. I 'll pay a bit more attention next full phase of the moon moon."

"We 'd treasure it,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thanks for your time."

flatness 's dad and Newman turned and left, without a moment glance at Hagrid or the class. The respite of the class had foresighted since returned to their nifflers and all had bags of gold far large than Albus, Saint John, and Amanda 's. But Albus no longer cared about winning the Chocolate Frogs. It seemed that something did happen final stage night, but cipher knew exactly what.

At the end of the category, Albus, John Lackland, and Amanda came in dead last for amount of coins collected. Hagrid seemed defeated, but said that their niffler must 've just been tired. After returning it to its batting cage, the three hurried back to the castle, anxious to stow their travelling bag and go sojourn matte.

"If Limnodromus griseus is n't on Wolfsbane should n't he be easy to find after the full moonlight ?"John asked as they walked to the hospital wing."Would n't he be injured ?"

"Not necessarily,"Albus said quietly."Matt only bites and attacks himself because he has nothing else to assail. If Greyback 's out roaming the countryside, he can attack animal and people."

"But what about the actual transformation ?"trick replied."Even werewolves on Wolfsbane are achy the next day because of that, right ?"

"I think so, yeah, but I bet if you 're being chased by Aurors that 's the last matter on your mind,"Albus pointed out."I 'm not for certain. Matt would probably know."

Matt was the only affected role in the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey was busy in her study, so Albus and his friends were free to discuss whatever they pleased. Albus was happy to see that mat was awake, although he did count slightly unsettled.

"Was there anything in the Prophet ?"matte asked as soon as Albus, John, and Amanda had taken hind end on his bed."And I 'm fine, so do n't bother asking."

"Er, no,"Albus said."Why ?"

"Last night was Weird,"mat said.

"Told you he 'd know something,"Gospel According to John said to Albus.

"But I do n't,"matte replied."It was just Wyrd. I do n't have a go at it how else to report it."

"What happened ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't know,"Matt said quietly as he pulled his hands out from under the blankets. They were completely bandaged."Look. My hands are the only function of me that 's injured. I mean, I ache all over from the translation, but I did n't bite myself at all live on night."

Albus looked at the patch."But your hands. You did n't bite them ? Then why are they bandaged ?"

"Splinters,"Matt said."gentlewoman Pomfrey thinks I spent the dark scratching at the door and trying to get out. I 've never done that before. I never remember anything from when I 'm the Hugo Wolf, but I do sometimes remember feelings. Like if the wolf was really angry or something. finis Night it was desperate, although I have no idea what for. I guess to get outside, if Madam Pomfrey is right."

"And your wolfy self has n't done that before ?"Albus asked.

"No,"lusterlessness shook his brain."I 've been transforming in the Shrieking hut for three and a half days and the beast has never done that before."

"I 'll separate you something weirder,"John Lackland said."Your dad was here earlier."

"What ?"matte exclaimed."When ?"

"Just now,"Gospel According to John said."During charge of Magical animate being, he and some Auror came to talk to Hagrid. We listened in-"

"Of row,"Matt cut in.

"Your dad and the Auror, they were asking Hagrid if he 'd seen or heard anything eldritch last night. Hagrid said he did n't see anything, but he thought he heard more noise than usual from Hogsmeade. Then he said that it may have just been you, but your dad cut him off, probably because of the Auror. Then your dad said that there had been composition of more roughshod howling than usual."

"They definitely think that Greyback was in Hogsmeade last night,"Albus said.

"What would 've happened if you got out ?"Amanda asked.

"Out of the hut ?"Matt asked."nada good. But now he knows that I was there. He 'll save coming back until he 's captured. I wo n't actually be capable to elude from the shack. The Montgomery Ward are too good."

The doorway to the ward flew undetermined and lustrelessness 's dad came striding inside, still looking as serious as he had earlier. After a quick glance around the way, he strode over to matte 's bed.

"Dad,"mat said.

"You do n't bet surprised to see me,"Mr. Eckerton replied as he gave his son a hug."How are you feeling ?"

"I 'm all right,"Matt said with a shrug."Albus, Saint John, and Amanda saw you talking to Hagrid. Well, they heard you, too. Where 's the Auror ?"

Mr. Eckerton let out a short gag and then turned to Albus."I saw you in the bushes. Next sentence you 're trying to hide, do n't hide with a niffler. They 're infamous giveaways. Yours was trying to sniff out Newman 's pocket watch."

"I missed nifflers ?"lustrelessness asked, clearly disappointed.

"Yeah,"Albus said."I bet Hagrid would let you see one after you 're unspoiled, though."

"I need to speak with you about last Nox, Matt,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."In secret, perhaps ?"

matt shook his pass."I already told them about last dark, so they might as well stay."

"All right,"Mr. Eckerton said."I need you to try and think of if you heard or saw anything strange last dark. I know you never remember anything, but try."

Matt held up his bandaged custody."brothel keeper Pomfrey thinks I tried to get out of the shack last night. That never happens. Whatever was outside kept the wolf occupied all night. I did n't attack myself."

Mr. Eckerton 's eyes grew large and Albus noticed that the severe flavor had dissipated. It was replaced with a look Albus had seen quite often on his own begetter. It was a founding father 's shock and headache.

Matt explained the rest, including the office about the wolf feeling desperate. Mr. Eckerton seemed to contemplate this for a few transactions before sighing and shaking his head.

"What 's going on, Dad ?"matt asked.

Mr. Eckerton sighed once more."I suppose it could n't offend to secern you. It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow anyway. Two children were attacked in Little Shingleton live Nox. It 's a Ithiel Town about five Swedish mile away, on the former side of that mountain next to Hogsmeade. We 've been trying to figure out whether it was grayback or not, since he left immediately after biting them."

"Were they Muggles ?"flatness asked.

"No,"Mr. Eckerton said."Which makes me consider that this was a carefully planned attack. Little Shingleton is a Muggle village, with these two children and their parents being the lone beldame and wizards in the area. It 's too co-occurrent. And why attempt both children ? near lycanthrope take off immediately after biting someone, their inherent aptitude telling them to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible."

"And did they ... live ?"mat replied.

"They 're both in stable condition at St. Mungo 's. Once their bites heal, they 'll be ticket, save for the fact that they now have lycanthropy. The snack were uninfected and pocket-sized, not normal werewolf snack. These pungency were inflicted just to infect. Another sign toward Greyback."

"But what about Hogsmeade ?"Albus asked.

"Five miles is not an impossible journey for a werewolf in a night,"Mr. Eckerton explained."Most likely Greyback heard matte 's ululation finis night and followed the sound. Once there, he probably spent the rest of the night attempting to get inside the screeching Shack, which is impossible."

"So you really think it was him ?"Matt asked.

"I do, and Auror Newman agrees with me. I left him in Kendrick 's study, after telling him I needed to chitchat you since we were already here. But what you 've told me just solidifies it."

"But ca n't you just go get him ?"John asked."He ca n't be that far. No offense, matte, but if you were outside you would n't get very far."

"None taken."

"The thing that makes lycnathropy so difficult to analyse, and also most potential the reason why wolfbane does n't work for all werewolves, is that each person 's lycanthropy is vastly different from others. Its effects depend a lot upon a individual 's perspective toward their own lycanthropy. Fenrir grayback has spent his life embracing his lycnathropy and living for that one night a month where his true nature emerges. He embraces his wolf side so a lot that he even attacks people when the moon is not full.

"You, Matt, on the former bridge player, identify most with your human side. As you should, considering you 're only a beast one dark out of twenty-eight. Therefore, you resist the transformation. You fight it with your every roughage, every calendar month. Limnodromus griseus embraces it, and probably shifts a lot easier than you do. His transformations most likely do not cause him the same pain."

"I guess that makes sense,"lusterlessness said.

"But still,"John said."They should be combing the timberland for him."

Mr. Eckerton chuckled."They are. trustingness me. They have the total loup-garou command Unit searching for him, along with six Aurors, and a handful of Jnr and trainee Aurors. They do n't normally dispatch Aurors to enamor rogue loup-garou, as that 's usually the werewolf mastery unit 's job. And it 's not usually my job to investigate werewolf attacks. But this is a high visibility vitrine, so they want many people on it, including people in thrill. We 'll get him."

Albus wondered if Teddy was on the case. He was a Junior Auror now. Knowing Teddy, he 'd require to be on the case since Greyback had turned his dad into a werewolf.

"I 've got to get back to the Ministry and replete out a write up,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up from his chair."If you think of anything else, matt, ask to use professor Longbottom 's Floo. Owls are easily intercepted."

Matt said so long to his dad and soon the male child and Amanda were alone in the hospital wing once more. Albus did n't hump what to say. Fenrir greyback, it seemed, was up to his old legerdemain and somehow Matt had gotten involved.
***


Fenrir Johnny Reb 's attack on the two children took the whole front page of the Prophet the following morning. The entire Great Hall was talking about it, professors, students, and spectre. copy of the paper were being passed faster than platters of Bacon. Albus managed to snag a copy from his cousin Ben.

FENRIR Calidris canutus onrush IN LITTLE SHINGLETON

Fenrir Greyback, escaped convict and werewolf,
was sighted last Nox in Little Shingleton,
Scotland. Little Shingleton is nearly an
entirely Muggle settlement, save for one
wizarding family. The family, whose
names have not been released due to the
Underage Lycanthrope auspices Law,
suffered an extreme catastrophe concluding Nox,
when Fenrir Rebel attacked both of
their tyke. Both small fry are
reportedly in stable condition at St.
Mungo 's.

An investigation, organized by both the
Auror department and the Department for
the rule and ascendancy of Magical
Creatures, headed by point of that department,
Bruno Walter Eckerton, concluded late yesterday.
'We 've interviewed several eyewitnesses
who saw or heard a werewolf in Hogsmeade
during the full moon. Hogsmeade is only
about five miles from Little Shingleton .'
Investigators said that numerous other
clues led them to believe that the approach
was by Fenrir Rebel, despite not having
actually seen him in Little Shingleton.
'We are not develop to discover all details
of the investigation. But we are confident
that this was an attack by Greyback. A team
of Aurors and Werewolf Control social unit employees
are working around the clock to capture
knot .'

The clause was followed by a recap of Greyback and the offence that had landed him in Azkaban in the start place, along with a smutty photograph of him. Even in his homo cast he looked rather wolf-like, which was such a drastic contrast compared to matt, who did n't resemble a wolf at all, carry through for his eyes. Albus glanced up from the article and his center fell on Matt 's. They had a xanthous tint to them, with flecks of gold amidst their natural blue color. They were indeed the exclusively wolf-like trait he possessed when the lunar month was n't full.

"This is why people want hard-and-fast wolfman controller police,"matt said quietly.

"eve those could n't let stopped this,"Albus pointed out.

"People wo n't think about that. All they 'll think about is how their nipper are n't dependable, and they 're right. It 's just dirty timing. Laurentis is going to use this to her advantage."

Albus wanted to insure mat that everything would be all right, that Laurentis would n't flub everything out of proportion, but he could n't. He knew that matt was right, that Laurentis would once again use a terrible tragedy to puff to a greater extent support from the wizarding world. If his uncle Percy was going to put up a luck against her, he was going to have to drastically modify his campaign strategy.


A/N : So I just realized that I uploaded the wrong chapter terminal Friday. This is the real chapter 25 and the one I uploaded last Fri is chapter 26. Sorry about that !


The matter about lycanthrope tone-beginning was that they were only able to materialize once a calendar month. There was absolutely no opportunity of a werewolf flak during the rest of the month, so it was easy for the Hogwarts bookman to soon block about Fenrir Greyback, or at least push him into the furthest corners of their minds. After the initial article about Greyback 's onslaught on the two young minor, the newspaper returned to its common election coverage, although both nominee were being very pipe down about the attack. Neither Harry Hotspur nor Laurentis made a argument, which did n't surprise Albus. The debate on rule of charming puppet was scheduled for Saturday, so both candidate would build affirmation then. There had been a few editorials in the paper written by people pushing for stricter werewolf Laws, but that had been it.

Sat was also the day of the next Hogsmeade trip, and this gave the Hogwarts educatee a much needed beguilement from the outside world. Word spread amongst Albus 's cousins that Saint James was once again taking Gabby Ellis to Hogsmeade, and quite a few of his other first cousin had date as well. Albus himself did not, and was planning on spending the day with John, Kaden, rose wine, and Amanda. Matt had arranged to assist the argument with his dad, and would leave out the trip.

"Are you sure you want to go to this debate ?"Albus asked Matt as they played Bromus secalinus in the piranha 's Den.

"What ?"flatness asked, turning to Albus. He 'd been staring at the paries under the pretence of taking his spell for the past five minutes.

"You were zoning out,"Albus said."I asked if you 're surely you want to go to that debate Saturday."

lustrelessness had seemed distracted all week and whether it was from Rebel being so near during his transformation or the upcoming debate, Albus did n't know.

"Yeah, I 'm sure,"matte said."I 'd rather hear it straight from her than read it in the Prophet."

"What about your dad ?"Albus asked."Is he going to speak out against her if she wants rigorous jurisprudence ?"

Matt shrugged."I do n't know. That did n't work too well in Australia."

The door to the Den outburst open and john and Kaden came barging in, both wearing selfsame grins. It was slightly weird, how similar they looked.

"We 've finished,"John announced.

"Finished what ?"Albus asked. He was slightly worried. It was never a safe sign when John and Kaden were that felicitous about something.

"Our joke,"Kaden answered."We 've finished planning. We 're not quite sure when to do it, though."

"Yeah, any suggestions ?"John asked."Or are you two still being all prefecty on us ?"

Albus burst out laughing and turned to Matt, who smirked."Prefecty ?"Albus repeated.

"Yeah,"privy said."Everyone knows it 'll be one of you who makes prefect side by side twelvemonth. And you 're getting started early by not liking our pranks."

"We just do n't want detention again,"Matt explained."Honestly, I could n't care to a lesser extent if you prank the Slytherins. Malfoy 's a git. harlequinade him all you want."

"Are you sure you do n't want to cognize what it 's going to be ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Not a chance,"matt said.

John the Evangelist shrugged."All right. But when should we do it ?"

"Let 's just wait and see when the time feels right,"Kaden suggested."It 's not, er ... time-sensitive ...."

John and Kaden burst out laughing."Sure,"John the Divine said."Not time-sensitive at all."

Albus and Matt exchanged a glimpse.

"We could tell you why that was so odd,"whoremaster said.

"Or you could just await and see like the quietus of the rook,"Kaden added.

"We 'll wait,"Albus said. He was curious about it, but not curious enough to possibly twine up with another week 's detention.

Whatever the japery was, John and Kaden did n't go through it before the adjacent day. Saturday brought blue skies and bitterly moth-eaten temperatures and Albus put on two Weasley pinny in preparation for walking around Hogsmeade.

mat left other for the argumentation, Flooing from professor Longbottom 's subject area. Albus and St. John the Apostle slept late and met Kaden, rose wine, and Amanda in the Great Hall for a quick dejeuner before setting off for Hogsmeade.

The February Hogsmeade trip was always an interesting one. The Greenwich Village became filled with vernal couples either snogging passionately in front of the shop class or staring awkwardly at each other across a table in the tierce Broomsticks or lady Puddifoot 's. Having never been on a date before in his life, Albus found it really peculiar to watch out. toilet and Kaden found it amusing as well, but Rose and Amanda seemed to stare wistfully at the duad and did n't retrieve them at all funny.

"Where to first ?"Albus asked.

"Not ma'am Puddifoot 's,"John said immediately, grimacing as a few love-struck couples headed toward the place.

"I plan on never setting foot in there,"Kaden said."I do n't care how many fille ask me to go there with them."

John laughed."You 'd have to get a girl to like you first."

"Shut up,"Kaden said."Let 's just go get some Butterbeer."

The rest of the group agreed and they were soon crowded around one of the only empty tables in the Three broomstick. Albus was hoping to take hold of a glimpse of King James I because despite the fact that James had been out with Gabby Ellis before, Albus could n't get over the fact that his blood brother was going out on dates. It was just weird.

After finishing their Butterbeer, the radical went to Honeyduke 's and Weasleys'in order to stock up on Skiving Snackboxes and Chocolate frog. By then it was nearly dinner meter and they decided to call it a day. The wind was picking up and none of them fancied being caught in a storm.

"Albus !"whoremaster shouted just as they were setting off on the path back to the castle.

"What ?"Albus asked, turning to see what John was pointing at.

"James IV and Gabby Ellis,"John Lackland said.

Albus squinted and just made out his Brother, leaning against the outside of Honeyduke 's, his back talk attached to Gabby Ellis 's. They were so close that they almost looked like one person.

"Oh my God,"Albus said quietly.

"That is disgusting,"rose added."I could 've gone my entire lifetime without seeing soul snog James."

John and Kaden were both laughing."flavor like they 're enjoying it,"John said.

"Oh 144 !"Albus exclaimed as he turned back to the track."Let 's go."

"I think it 's safe to say they 're together,"Amanda said as they walked back.

"What she could possibly see in James ..."Rose muttered.

"wellspring, he does work Quidditch,"Amanda pointed out.

"So do over half my full cousin,"rosebush said."So does Albus."

"Can we commute the theme ?"Albus asked."Please. C'mon, let 's speed up. I bet Matt 's back from the debate."

That seemed to get his protagonist'nous off of Saint James the Apostle 's wild-eyed life. Albus himself wanted to put the prototype of his brother kissing mortal out of his intellect forever. At least she was a Hufflepuff and he 'd never have to see them kissing in the common room. If he did he may stimulate to spend all of his time in the piranha 's Den.

dinner had n't started yet when they arrived at the castle, so the radical decided to go find flatness first. They found him right where Albus figured he 'd be, in the Marauder 's Den. Albus was slightly nervous about what had happened at the debate, but Matt was sitting on the lounge casually reading his magic spell rule book, seeming hardly upset at all.

"How was Hogsmeade ?"matt asked as he set his book down.

"Disgusting,"Albus said as he sat down succeeding to Matt. John, rosebush, and Amanda pulled up chairs.

matt raised his supercilium."Disgusting ?"

"We saw King James I snogging his new girlfriend,"Rose said with a tremor."Trust me, there 's cipher pleasant about seeing the boy you remember eating a mud pie kissing a daughter while pressed up against Honeyduke's."

matt laughed."I have n't got any cousins, so I 'll take your word for it."

"Consider yourself lucky,"Albus muttered."But what happened at the disputation ?"

"It was n't as bad as I thought it would be,"Matt said."Well, okay, office of it were n't as bad as I thought they 'd be. It was at the Ministry, in one of those court rooms in the basement. Mostly it was people who work at the Ministry there, but there were some former masses there, too, because the room was so big.

"I 'm not sure how much you know about the section for the Regulation and restraint of Magical animal, but every creature is divided into one of three family. Beings, Spirits, and Beasts. Spirits are ghosts and poltergeists and boggarts. Beings are creatures that are n't man, but have man intelligence activity. creature are everything else. The fella who was running the debate started by asking Walker Percy and Laurentis how they feel about the rightfulness given to beingness. You know, goblin, house-elves, Centaur, those sorts of creatures. They did n't have much to fence about that because neither of them think any of those beast should have their rightfield taken away. And Rose 's mum has worked so intemperately to get them rightfield.

"Then they moved on to the Spirit division and there was n't a good deal disputation with that, either, since there 's not very much that can be done about spirits. They 're just sort of there. wraith do n't harm anyone and poltergeists it all depends on the specific poltergeist. Laurentis brought up the matter of Peeves, which was odd, but Walker Percy did n't seem to have an legal opinion on Peeves."

Albus had n't expected much arguing with the organism division. There had been a lot of argumentation back and forth about the right wing of being back when his parents had been in school and his auntie Hermione had dedicated her workplace life toward giving right wing to beingness, especially house-elves. Over the years she 'd done a very beneficial job with it and had n't met very much opposition. As for the Spirit division, Albus did n't call up there had ever been much contestation there. Ghosts were just ghosts. They pretty much did as they pleased.

Matt paused."Then there was the Beast partitioning. Throughout history both werewolves and vampire have sometimes been in the existence division and sometimes been in the Beast partitioning. categorization in the savage division is the reason why werewolves have been stripped of their rights and how the Ministry can get away with it. If they 're not seen as Beings, then legally, they do n't have to be given the Same rights as human. It 's a triviality, really.

"A long time ago werewolf were in the existence variance, but they got reclassified in the 1950s, after a huge werewolf onrush on an integral town. It was horrible. But ever since then, no one has wanted to classify them as Beings again. My dad has been an counsellor for compartmentalisation as being ever since he started in Australia.

"The matter about categorisation is that, for the most part, Ministries all over the world have to concur. That 's why reclassification is such a time-consuming and difficult thing to do. Someone has to contribute it up and coordinate negotiation between area and it requires a lot of endeavour. When Voldemort came to power no one in Britain had the time or energy to put toward the reclassification of loup-garou. Not to mention they could n't spare the people to put the sentence into it. Since the beastly attack in the 50s happened in England, the other nation have n't wanted to relate the idea. Although I 'd wager that Australia would put up a good fight if it was ever brought up again.

"So, basically, my dad has been trying to do this for ages, but he does n't give birth the support. Even Minister Hartwell has n't wanted to touch it since it 's such a controversial issue and he does n't make much fourth dimension left."

"Wow,"Albus said."Binns did n't teach us any of that in story of Magic."

"And he probably wo n't,"Matt said."It 's not a well-known progeny since most mass probably do n't like to put in the effort to reclassify lycanthrope. The only people who 'd want to are werewolves."

"That 's awful,"Amanda said."But what happened at the argumentation ?"

"The wizard in charge of the argument dodged the enquiry of Johnny Reb for a while, asking questions about other puppet like thestrals and dementors and the the likes of. But he finally brought up the topic of Greyback and Laurentis basically said that it was n't a matter of lycanthrope controller legal philosophy, but a matter of Azkaban security-"

"Well, that 's good,"Albus said. He would n't accept expected that of Laurentis.

"Sort of,"matt replied."I have n't finished. Anyway, your uncle agreed with her, but he of course said that putting the dementors back would be stupid. Laurentis said that if the dementors had been there then Greyback would n't deliver escaped and those kids would 've been safe. Then they started arguing about Azkaban and dementors again. But the gent in charge cut them off.

"Then he finally brought up the fact that my dad 's been pushing for the reclassification of werewolf as being for years and how he 's got the supporting of rose 's mum and asked what their popular opinion of it was."

"But if my mum was capable to help house-elves and goblin, then why could n't she do it for werewolves at the same time ?"Rose asked.

"House-elves and goblins have always been classified as being,"mat explained."They were being denied rights that they technically already had. It was just a topic of reworking the law and enforcing them properly. None of the lycanthrope rights laws can be changed unless their compartmentalisation is changed-"

"But that 's just dullard,"John said.

Matt shrugged."It is, but there 's nothing anyone can do about it."

"Well, what did Laurentis say ?"Albus asked.

"Laurentis said that reclassifying wolfman as being would render the flow werewolf control natural law unenforceable and that it would give the Ministry far less control over werewolves. Which is true,"lustrelessness said."Not that it would be a bad thing."

"Of course not,"Albus agreed.

"Then she said that if loup-garou were currently classified as Beings it would prepare it difficult to even hitch Greyback and prosecute him for what he 's done, which is n't true at all. My dad was turning purple at this point. She really knows nada about the way his section works."

"What about Uncle Percy ?"blush wine asked.

Matt did n't say anything for a broad moment."He was n't as bad as Laurentis, but well, your uncle does n't require to change anything. I 'm for sure you 've noticed that he says everything 's exquisitely the way it is and we do n't need to change anything, whether it 's Azkaban or Hogwarts. He thought the Saami about werewolves."

"What do you mean ?"Albus asked."He thinks that-"

matt averted his regard, looking at Kaden rather than Albus and Rose."He thinks that 'putting energy into reclassifying werewolves as existence would be a poor people idea, given the former way out facing the with child wizarding community .'And that is a direct quote. I ca n't ever draw a blank that."

Albus wished he was surprised. He really did. But the fact remained that Uncle Percy did n't like to budge the cauldron, so to mouth. If things were working the way they were, he would n't change them. He 'd rather keep thing the Lapplander then speak out openly either for or against anything, if it would cost him support or votes.

"Then he went on to excuse,"Matt continued."He said that werewolf assortment does n't regard a large number of enchantress and champion and that it 's very complicated and would require a lot of attempt, which is true. But it 's like he did n't suppose it was deserving it, just because it would n't affect a lot of people."

"It does n't surprise me,"rosebush said quietly."The election is so soon. I do n't think he 's going to say anything too controversial."

"Honestly, it was almost tough than Laurentis,"mat said, turning back to Albus and Rose."Sorry. I know he 's your uncle-"

"Do n't justify,"Albus said, suddenly glad he was n't of age and would n't deliver to choose between the two campaigner.

"It 's like he does n't even throw a strong persuasion on it. He does n't desire to have a strong impression on it,"Matt added."Laurentis at least has a cause. Your uncle does n't even receive that. Honestly, Albus, I 've no idea who my parents will vote for now. Same with Amy."

"I do n't lie with who I 'd vote for now,"Albus said quietly.

"But either way, I do n't call up werewolves will get reclassified,"lustrelessness replied."nada will happen without backing of the British people Minister at this point."

"That 's just not fairly,"Amanda said."What exactly does the law say now ? What are you not allowed to do ?"

Matt averted his gaze once more. This was another topic that lusterlessness had n't ever spoke of before and Albus had n't dared ask.

"wellspring, technically,"Matt began,"I 'm not allowed to be at Hogwarts."

"What ?"Albus shouted. The remainder of his friends let out similar ecphonesis of shock.

"But chemise 's dad-"Rose began.

"Not effectual,"lusterlessness said."Dumbledore frequently broke the law and that was no unlike. Professor Kendrick follows the law a bit more but he liked the idea of allowing me to attend. It 's variety of murky, to be honest. It 's in the law that werewolves can not attend to Hogwarts, but at the same prison term, Hogwarts headmasters have gross control over who they admit. So as long as it 's kept quiet-"

"But what about Malfoy ?"rosiness asked."If he were to let it slip-"

"Then Kendrick would rout out him,"Matt explained."And he 'd be allowed to, since it would be detrimental to another bookman 's Education Department for him to reveal my circumstance. I told you ; it 's very murky."

"What else ?"Amanda asked.

"The rest has mostly to do with employment,"Matt said."Well, that and the Ministry is allowed to hold open loup-garou for questioning about full lunar month approach without actually arresting them. Werewolves as prisoners have virtually no rights.

"But anyway, employment. I 'm legally obligated to inform any potentiality employers of my condition. If loup-garou were classified as Beings, that would n't be required, because lycanthropy would be seen as a medical condition and use can not be terminated based on a person 's medical examination conditions."

"That is the most bedevil thing in the world,"Albus said. His head was spinning."How do you keep all that straight ?"

Matt shrugged."It 's my life-time. That 's the early thing, Albus, your uncle really has no idea how things are run in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He 's not really characterise to say what essence the reclassification would consume on everything. Because, honestly, it would only sham werewolves."

"That seems obvious,"Albus said.

"So someone can not hire you just because you 're a loup-garou ?"Amanda asked incredulously.

lustrelessness nodded."Does n't even count if they 're on wolf's bane or not, either."

"What will you do after Hogwarts ?"Amanda asked.

"No estimate,"mat said."I 'm trying not to think about that. But this altogether pretending to be rule thing that I 'm doing at Hogwarts ? It 's temporary. That 's all there is to it."

No one quite knew what to say after that. Albus certainly did n't. He wished more than anything that his uncle would support the reclassification of werewolves as beingness, despite the fact that it might lose him a few votes. It might even cost him a few not to own spoken up, because now, Matt 's parents and Amy might not vote for him. But this had such a gravid effect than just the election. Matt was right ; this was his life history, and Uncle Walker Percy and Laurentis were just seeing it as a way to drum up more votes. Maybe Uncle Percy was n't the flop man for the job, after all. But Laurentis certainly was n't, and since no one else was running, what would happen after the election ?


A/N : Thanks for all the awesome reviews !


The debate on the rule and mastery of Magical beast did not seem to be a hot topic of discussion amongst the Hogwarts students. Unlike the argumentation on education, this particular public debate did not relate directly to Hogwarts students, and thus there was n't lots discussion beyond a few opinions at breakfast the succeeding day. The article on the debate was much more tame than the former clause, near in all probability because Percy and Laurentis had n't disagreed on the topic. In fact, the clause mostly focused on the dementor issue.

Albus and his friends kept close watch on the prophet in case there were any updates on the get out captive, but the residuum of February passed without any sightings or seizure. It was kind of strange since the prisoner had to have been hiding out somewhere. Yet they 'd been loose for nearly two months and the only one who had been sighted was Rebel. Willinson, Umbridge, and the Carrows were nowhere, it seemed.

In the meantime, Laurentis used the want of captures to her vantage, by publishing a new statement every few days declaring how incapable the Auror department was. These affirmation were usually followed up with another declaration of how the prisoners would n't have escaped if the dementors had been in mastery of Azkaban.

When March arrived, the Prophet began putting a countdown until the election at the top of the front varlet, every single day.

"April sap 's Day,"St. John the Apostle commented as he pointed to the countdown, which read '29 days .'“ Does n't that seem a bit weird, to do an election on that day ?"

"A piffling,"Albus said."But I doubt the Ministry cares."

"We should do our harlequinade that day,"Kaden said.

"Do n't,"Rose said."Hogwarts is a pollard berth. You 'll mess up it up."

"No, we wo n't do it then,"John said as he exchanged a mischievous smile with Kaden."Want to live why ?"

"Not really,"Albus said.

"They 'll incur out soon enough,"Kaden said.

"Does this have anything to do with why you two disappeared all eventide yesterday ?"Matt asked.

"Possibly,"John said."Oh, look at the sentence. We 've got to get to potions."

Kaden burst out laughing."Oh, yes, looks like it 's clip for me to go to Divination."

Albus looked at Matt and shrugged. John and Kaden had been laughing at every mention of 'time'or 'clocks'for the past few hebdomad, but had yet to share why. Albus could only simulate that it had to do with their prank.

Albus, mat, John, Rose, and Amanda said goodbye to Kaden and headed for the keep. Since it was a threefold class, Slughorn gave them a potion to brew and sat at his desk grading essays while they worked.

Albus and lusterlessness partnered on their potion and worked quietly, chopping and mixing. Halfway through the second class they were chopping asphodel when lusterlessness suddenly stopped.

"Did you hear that ?"he asked Albus.

"Hear what ?"Albus replied. He had n't heard anything.

"Never head,"Matt muttered."Could 've sworn ... guess I 'm hearing things."

A few proceedings passed and matte stopped again."I swear there 's something ringing outside. It sounds like an alert clock."

Albus glanced around the classroom, but nobody else seemed to have heard it. Everyone was working quietly, except John Lackland, who was staring at the door for some strange understanding. Then Albus heard it. The light-headed ring.

"Do you get wind it now ?"mat asked.

"Yeah,"Albus said. It was becoming louder, too. The eternal rest of the class was beginning to notice as well, and John suddenly turned around to look at them. He grinned widely and then returned to his potion.

"It 's their joke,"matte hissed."It 's got to be."

nonentity was paying any attention to their potions now and a few of them were boiling over. Slughorn got up from his desk and left the room, without saying a give-and-take to the class. He returned a few proceedings later.

"bottle your potions as is,"he said."It seems there is some sort of alarm going off all over the castle. After you 're done cleaning up you may leave early."

Albus and matte worked quickly, wanting to talk to John as soon as they could. They met him, along with Rose and Amanda, outside the classroom a few proceedings later, and headed to the Great Hall. John still had n't said anything.

Kaden was already there when they arrived."Trelawney let us out as soon as the alarms started. I think it was driving her mad. I mean, more mad than she already is."

"Are you going to recount us what you 've done ?"Albus asked as he began making a sandwich.

"Yeah, we might as well,"Saint John said."We put an alarm clock inside every single suit of armor and charmed them to go off at five minute intervals."

Albus started laughing."That 's vivid !"

"That 's actually really well charm work,"rose wine said, clearly impressed.

"It gets better,"Kaden said."The instructor wo n't be able to release them off with one spell. We charmed them so they have to be manually turned off. It 's going to necessitate them ages."

"I feel bad for whoever 's got Transfiguration future,"James said as he sat down adjacent to Albus."There must be twenty suits of armour across the corridor from the Transfiguration room. It 's so loud in there you can barely hear yourself think."

"tinker's dam,"Albus said."We 've got Transfiguration next."

"face, Kendrick 's standing up. Bet he cancels classes."John pointed to the staff table.

"Quiet !"Kendrick shouted."Very amusing prank. It would seem that the alarum clocks have to be manually turned off, so I am canceling classes for the afternoon while the staff and prefects turn off all the alarms."

There was a tacky cheer as Kendrick resumed his seat. The staff table was only half-full, as the repose of them must have been already turning the alarm off.

"He does n't seem upset,"Albus said."This is actually kind of tame. I thought you were going to get revenge on the Slytherins."

john grinned."Oh, we are. That 'll fare another day."

After tiffin Albus and his friends went to the Marauder 's Den with the intention of spending the day there, but the constant warning device quickly grew too annoying. Despite the frigidity, they decided that outside would be preferable to inside. The snow had melted, so they were able to see a dry spot to sit.

"I still hear the ringing,"Matt said as they settled down under a huge beech tree by the lake."It 's like my head is an warning signal clock. I think if you had done this around the full moon I would 've murdered you."

"That 's why we did n't do it around the full moonlight,"John the Evangelist said.

"Really ?"Matt asked skeptically.

John laughed."No. Had n't even thought of that, to be honest."

"We did it today because I had a History of conjuring trick exam this afternoon,"Kaden said."I 'm hoping Binns will block about it."

"It 's soon, though, is n't it ?"bathroom asked.

"The full moon ? Yeah, it 's Mon,"Matt answered."I 've been thinking about it. About grayback. He 's probably going to come back unless the Aurors catch him before."

"Probably,"Albus agreed.

"I had an idea,"Matt said quietly."I think we can help catch them, using my wolfy side."

"As lure ?"Albus asked, shocked."Then you 'd be in danger."

"No, I would n't,"lusterlessness said."I would n't be doing anything dissimilar. I 'd just be in the screech Shack like usual. Albus, the marauder 's Map labels Animagi as their homo name, right ?"

Albus nodded."Yeah, of course. That 's how teddy 's dad found out about Pettigrew."

"Well, should n't it be the Same for werewolves ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought about that before. In all his clock time of having the secondment edition piranha 's Map, he 'd never checked the screech Shack during a full moon."I think it should."

"Then all the Aurors have to do is see the new variation of the vulture 's Map during the full Sun Myung Moon, waiting for Greyback to present up, and then fascinate him."

Albus thought for a few second. It seemed so simple, almost too simple to work."lustrelessness ... that 's brilliant."

"When did you think of this ?"rose wine asked.

"Few weeks ago,"Matt answered."Greyback was there by the Shrieking hutch for nearly the entire night. It would 've been easy to enamor him if someone just knew he was there."

"delay,"rose said, looking at Albus."You are n't proposing that you do this, are you ? Because that would be stupid."

"Of course not,"Matt said."It would be my dad and Albus 's dad."

"I do n't think my dad 's in flush of the Greyback capture,"Albus pointed out."It 's that other Auror, Newman."

"If I 'm going to go along with this and narrate them my plan then it 's got to be your dad,"Matt said adamantly."He already knows I 'm a lycanthrope. Newman does n't. I do n't bed what he 'd do if he knew there was a werewolf at Hogwarts."

Albus thought back to what Matt had told them about how it was n't light up whether admitting wolfman to Hogwarts was legal or not."All right wing. That make sense."

"But why are you so sure enough he 's going to descend back to this same daub ?"Amanda asked."If he were smart he 'd transform someplace completely different."

"He 's got a hangup about werewolves pretending to be human,"Matt said quietly."He thinks that we 've all got to espouse our wolf-selves and live together in packs. I do n't think he 's going to throw up easily on finding me. He did the same thing with Teddy 's dad."

"Then he might be transforming near those kids he attacked last month,"Rose pointed out."They should post Aurors there, too."

lusterlessness nodded."Let 's go send some owls."
***


Albus and Matt did n't say much in their letters to their Fatherhood, wanting to pull through almost of the item for later. Both of them replied saying they would fulfill the son at Hogwarts Fri evening in order to work out the contingent.

The week went by very slowly and Albus noticed that lusterlessness drew quieter and quieter as it progressed. He never said it out loud, but Albus had a feeling he was incredibly dying about the programme and his role in it, despite his saying he would be fine. By the metre Fri arrived he was completely silent, except for the few clock time he snapped at john and Kaden for being irritating.

"You know if this plan actually works and Greyback is captured it 's going to make Uncle Harry look very salutary,"rosiness said."Which will be good for Uncle Percy."

"I thought of that,"Albus said."And since the election is only three weeks away, it 's staring timing."

"When are you meeting your dads ?"John asked.

"sevener,"Albus answered as he glanced at his watch."We should probably go."

Albus shoved the conclusion bite of his cake into his sass and left the Great Hall with lustrelessness at his side. Professor Longbottom had leant them his study for the merging, so Albus and Matt walked up to the fourth floor.

Professor Longbottom was n't there when they arrived but the doorway was partially open. Albus led flatness inside and they sat down on a couch to wait. Albus had always loved Longbottom 's work. It was filled with all sorting of exotic plants that you never wanted to touch because some of them bit. The furniture was mismatched and the whole property was pleasantly cluttered. It felt very safe.

Harry and Walter walked in a few minutes later and keep out the threshold behind them. Both looked very fascinate and slightly confused.

"Al,"Harry said as he gave his son a quick hug."What 's going on ?"

Albus glanced at matte, who had just been let go of by his own Father. This was his design to explain.

"I know how you can take hold of Greyback,"matt said quietly, and then proceeded to explain the entire plan."See ? commodity design, right ?"

Harry and Walter exchanged glances. Bruno Walter looked incredibly worried."lusterlessness, look, I know you want to avail and I know the fact that Johnny Reb 's out there scares you out of your mind-"

"I 'm not that scared,"Matt interrupted, but everyone in the room knew he was."spirit, he 's going to come to Hogsmeade anyway. You might as well be there waiting for him."

Walter sighed."Yes, I suppose you 're right-"

"So what 's the problem ? I 'll be in the Shrieking hut with all the Montgomery Ward up."

"There really is n't a job,"Bruno Walter said."It just sounds bad on the surface, me using my son as bait. What do you recall, Harry ?"

"I think it 's up to you,"Harry said."You 're in charge of this hunting. I 'm not even on it. I assigned it to Newman."

"Newman ca n't be there,"mat said quickly as he turned to his dad."He ca n't be. He does n't know about me."

"He 's right,"Walter said."It 's got to be you and me if it 's going to be anyone. Whoever works this is going to encounter out there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts."

Harry sighed and began to yard the way."I had n't thought of that. But there 's got to be more of us. I 'll bring Ron in, and Teddy."

"Ron ?"lusterlessness asked.

"rosebush 's dad,"Albus explained."My uncle."

Matt breathed a suspiration of relief."Oh, all right then."

"They 'd be fine,"Bruno Walter said."Four of us should be able to do by it. What about those tiddler in Little Shingleton ?"

"I 'll assign Paul Leonard Newman to them,"Harry decided."And you can clean a few people form your department to go with him."

Walter nodded."What about the villagers ? We ca n't flow around the Shrieking hut all night. It 'll look suspicious."

Albus suddenly remembered the map. He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to his dad."Use the map. Then you can view until he gets there."

Harry grinned."I 'd forgotten about this."He turned to Walter."Map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, created by my dad, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and prick Pettigrew. It shows where everyone is, so it should record us when Reb turns up. We can wait at the Hog 's Head until then. No one there will pay us any attention."

"And in the report card ? In the paper the side by side day ?"Walter asked.

"No mention of Matt or his being in the screech Shack,"Harry said."We 'll say we got an anonymous tip that he 'd point up in Hogsmeade."

"Can I wait with you ?"Albus asked.

Harry laughed."Absolutely not. You 'll stay in the castling, where it 's good. I believe they 're doing a mandatory early curfew again ?"

Albus nodded. They 'd put up bill poster in the common suite a few twenty-four hour period ago. This time, no one seemed upset about it.

"I wish they 'd do it in Hogsmeade,"Bruno Walter said."But getting something like that set up takes weeks."

"wellspring, if people are chic they 'll stay inside with Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth up,"Harry pointed out.
***


Never before had Albus heard so many multitude talking about the full moon. All weekend, everywhere he turned, he heard individual mentioning either the full moon or Johnny or both. Suddenly, werewolves were the hot topic of discourse at Hogwarts.

virtually mass, from what Albus could gather, did n't have a strong feeling on werewolves one way or another. But a few people, to the highest degree having had a proportional murdered by Fenrir Johnny, told anyone who would listen how glad they were that neither candidate wanted to interchange the classification of werewolves from Beasts to existence. It only took matt overhearing one of these conversations to resolve to spend the residual of the weekend in the piranha 's Den.

"It 'll all be over in three weeks,"Amanda said."Once the election takes place no one is going to worry as much. But these past few weeks have certainly made me wonder if I should go into the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

It was Sunday night and Albus and his supporter were in the piranha 's Den, yet again, working on their prep that was due tomorrow.

"You could work with my dad,"Matt announced from the couch."That 'd be weird."

"Well, it 's just terrible,"Amanda said."And it does n't piss sensory faculty. Why should goblins and house-elves be Beings but not werewolves ? You 're More human than a house-elf."

Matt laughed."Tomorrow Night I wo n't be, and that 's what it comes down to. House-elves are n't that dangerous. Werewolves are."

"I do n't have it away,"Albus began."When my dad was a mo year a house-elf charmed a Bludger to disclose his arm. That 's fairly dangerous."

"What about vampires ?"rosiness asked."I ought to owl Linda."

"Vampire are existence,"Matt explained."It 's because they do n't suffer to drink human blood to come through. It 's a alternative. Werewolves, when we bite someone, it 's not a choice. We ca n't control it."

"Except with wolfsbane,"rosebush pointed out.

"Yeah, and maybe if somebody invents Wolfsbane that works for all loup-garou we might get reclassified,"Matt said.

"What about vampires who bite people ?"Amanda asked.

"They 're put in prison,"Matt said.

"So can lamia go to school and entertain chore ?"Kaden asked.

"I suppose they could. Linda went to school day. But they live forever so most do n't want to go to school or already give, because most vampires are elder. As for job, they do n't have to tell apart employers what they are, so yeah, they could."

"It 's so bloody confusing,"John said."Does n't produce a bit of sense."

"It really does n't,"flatness said with a yawn."But it 's life."

mat slept the rest of the evening and most of the side by side day, not attending any of his course of instruction. Albus could n't blame him, what with all the loup-garou lecture that was going around the schooltime. Albus himself found it difficult to rivet on any of his year or preparation since there was the decided possibility that Fenrir Greyback would be captured that night.

Albus and his friends reported to the usual room at five, as per the curfew, and then went to dinner. flatness did n't unite them. He was gone when they returned. Albus gave up on homework for the night and played a few tepid stave of Exploding Snap with John and Kaden before deciding to go up to his dormitory early. He knew he would n't sleep, but figured it would be slightly more productive than cleaning ash off his face.

Instead of sleeping, Albus sat in the windowsill and watched the sky. It was clear, giving him a very good view of the stars. After locating a few constellations Albus watched the horizon and the faint glow that was above it. Then, the moon rose.


A/N : So, some of you may have noticed that I screwed up hold out hebdomad 's update. I accidentally skipped chapter 25 ( full Sun Myung Moon Attacks ) and went right to chapter 26 ( smell, being, and Beasts ). If you have n't already done so, go back and read the real chapter 25. The story will prepare much more horse sense after that.

I am proud of to announce that I have finished this story ! It topped out at 37 chapters. I may start updating this twice a week, but have n't quite decided yet. A lot of you are asking in revaluation when the succeeding update will be, so I 'll restate that I update every Friday. The exact metre will vary. Thanks for all the recapitulation !