Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus managed to sit up good before the hexes started flying. Realizing that he dropped his scepter when Lubar and Jarrett hexed him, he groped about for it on the flat coat. Not finding it, he crawled behind a nearby bush and watched.

Jarrett did n't stick around long. He sent one pathetic Stunner at Harry, who easily deflected it, and disappeared on the spot. Harry immediately disarmed Lubar before he could do the same.

Once Lubar was defenseless, Albus left the safety of the George Bush and shakily stood up. He reached the fire and was able-bodied to see who the early two adept next to Harry were. What he saw made him dizzy with shock all over again.

The shorter of the two was Matt 's dad. He was staring stony faced at Lubar. Albus had never seen anyone spotlight at anyone else with such hatred and loathing as Matt 's dad glared at Lubar. And that included when his Uncle Ron talked about the Malfoys, or his mum when somebody mentioned Vernon and Petunia Dursley.

It was the other superstar that nearly caused Albus to slip by out in shock. He was none other than professor Balladanis. What in the gens of Merlin was he doing there ? It looked like he was actually with Harry and Matt 's dad. But why ? Did n't lusterlessness 's dad hate Balladanis ?

"Eckerton, what a pleasant surprise,"Lubar smirked.

"Lubar, if we were n't in the presence of an Auror and a Presuler I 'd rip you limb from arm, Muggle style,"Mr. Eckerton growled.

Albus was slightly stunned by Mr. Eckerton 's alternative of words, but remembering what Matt had told him at the beginning of the year, all surprise left him.

"Lucky for me ceramist and Balladanis are here, then,"Lubar replied and snatched Washburn 's wand off the ground.

Harry, Mr. Eckerton, and Balladanis all sent unlike spells at Lubar at the same time, but it was too tardily. He was already gone. Mr. Eckerton swore loudly.

"Two ai n't bad,"Balladanis muttered as he gestured to Washburn and Quinton, the latter of whom was still conscious but not completely cognizant of his surroundings.

"That 's the glaring deviation between you and I,"Mr. Eckerton muttered as he moved swiftly past Quinton and Washburn to reach Matt.

"Dad !"Albus shouted.

Harry looked up from Kaden 's unconscious mind word form and raced towards Albus. Albus threw his subdivision around his dad and the two of them hugged each other tightly.

"Al, thank merlin,"Harry said.

"Dad, what 's Balladanis doing here ?"Albus asked immediately,"And Lubar, what 's going to take place to him ? And Willinson ?"

"I 'll explain it all once we get you back to Hogwarts,"Harry assured him.

Balladanis had a house appreciation on both Washburn and Quinton and was fiddling with a broken plastic cup. A few seconds later, all three of them disappeared.

Harry turned to Mr. Eckerton, who was standing up with matt in his branch."Can you take John, too ? I 'll get Kaden and Al will descend with me."

Mr. Eckerton nodded and grabbed hold of John 's arm before pulling his own broken plastic cup out of his pocket. They disappeared.

Harry pulled Kaden up and took Albus 's arm. Albus was still thoroughly put off, but did not hold time to ask his dad anymore interrogative before feeling the familiar jerk behind his naval that signified he was traveling by Portkey.

Albus landed with a thud in the middle of the hospital Wing. The question of how they managed to Portkey inside the Hogwarts grounds was the least pressing head on his mind.

Looking around, Albus saw that the others had arrived as well. Mr. Eckerton was laying both mat and John on the nearest beds while ma'am Pomfrey was shouting and gathering potions.

"feel at the state of them !"the nursemaid exclaimed,"Always this lot, too ! You 're a bad influence on them, Harry, I swear !"

Harry looked slightly sheepish as he set Kaden down on the bed next to Matt 's and then turned to Albus.

"I 've got to speak with Professor Kendrick and go to the Ministry-"he began.

"But Dad !"Albus interrupted,"What was Balladanis doing there ?"

"I promise I 'll recount you all of that and More,"Harry replied,"But I need to tell everyone you and the others are ok. When I get back, I 'm going to want you to tell me everything that happened."

"But-"

"No buts !"gentlewoman Pomfrey cut in,"Bed, Albus, bed ! You need rest !"

Albus, who had barely registered the fact that his forefront was bleeding and he was still quite dizzy, felt that the last thing he needed was rest. He needed to know what was going on.

"I 'll explain once you 've gotten some sleep,"Harry assured him.

Albus muttered under his breath and got into bed. Once Madam Pomfrey had given him a Sleeping tipple, Harry left, leaving Albus to unsuccessfully try to fight off the nap he knew was coming.

******

The hospital ward was quiet when Albus woke up. It was completely dark outside, although Albus did n't stimulate the slender clue as to what day it was. bathroom, matte, and Kaden were either still unconscious or sound asleep. Albus was betting on the latter since brothel keeper Pomfrey was no where to be seen.

Mr. Eckerton was still there and he had been joined by his wife. Both of them were nodding off in chairwoman next to Matt 's bed. It did n't look like Mr. Eckerton had even left. He was wearing the same Ministry robes he had been wearing before.

Albus sat up and put his hired man to his head. There was a patch on the back of it. Another patch was wrapped around his ripe arm, although he could n't think when he had injured it. Besides that, he just felt worn-out.

The door to the ward opened, letting in a little flood of light from the corridor. A figure stepped inside and began walking towards Albus 's bed.

"Hey, Al,"they said.

"Dad,"Albus replied, recognizing his father,"Are you going to assure me about Balladanis now ?"

"Yes,"Harry chuckled,"Perhaps we ought to go to the room of Requirement."

Albus shook his head, remembering something he had been debating for the retiring twelvemonth. He had waited long enough. It was time.

"No,"Albus said,"I know someplace better."

Without saying a word, Albus got out of bed and result his dad out the door and up to the fifth floor corridor. Harry did not ask a single question as Albus pulled the arm down on the appropriate knight and turned to confront the opposite wall.

Albus located the paw photographic print and touched his paw to them, turning it into a doorhandle. He opened the door and stepped inside. Harry followed, letting out a gasp as he did.

"Remember that map from last year ?"Albus asked as he shut the door.

Harry nodded, apparently at a red for words.

"There was more to it. Instructions on how to get into this room. It was theirs, the Marauders'. Their secret common room,"Albus said quietly.

Harry did n't respond. Instead he walked slowly around the room. Albus stood near the room access and waited. He was n't sure how long he stood there, watching as his dad investigated the room that had once belonged to his grandfather.

"This,"Harry began,"This is just incredible, Al. How long have you known about it ?"

"About a yr,"Albus said quietly.

"And you spend time here ?"Harry asked.

"Probably more than we do in the commons room,"Albus answered.

"Then it is the sodding berth to talk,"Harry said as he sat down on one of the couches.

Albus sat down next to him."So why was Balladanis there ?"

"I 'll tell you that,"Harry said,"But first of all I want you to explain to me what happened."

Albus took a deep breath and told his dad everything. Starting with when they saw Lubar in the palace and ending with throwing the Resurrection Lucy Stone into the Outback. He explained how they had first gone to a timber in Australia, how they had Portkeyed to the Outback, the dementors, the almost Patronus he had managed to make, the duel, the fact that the Resurrection Stone did n't turn to bring Voldemort back.

"Why did n't it wreak ?"Albus asked,"I mean, I 'm glad it did n't, but why ?"

Harry thought for a few hour and then looked at Albus."There are a few reasons that might explain it. The Resurrection Stone brings back multitude we love, but it does not lend them back completely. It 's almost as if their soul is coming back."

"Like a ghost ?"

"Not exactly,"Harry said,"But similar. It 's possible that since Voldemort split his someone so many times, he ca n't be brought back with the Stone. The rock may need the individual to be entire to work."

Albus nodded."That makes sense."

"It could also be that only loved I can be brought back with the Stone. Washburn and the Willinsons did not be intimate Voldemort ; they did not know him. They wanted to convey him back for their own docket,"Harry explained.

"Is there any way to ascertain out which it is ?"Albus asked.

"No, I do n't think so,"Harry said,"Especially now that the Stone is once again gone. Which is something I 'm very thankful that you did."

"Well, I figured you left it out in the Forbidden Forest for a reason,"Albus shrugged.

"Yes, yes I did,"Harry replied,"I think it best if nobody had that Stone."

Albus nodded."Yeah, that makes sense. But what was Balladanis doing there ?"

Harry laughed."You 're not going to let that go, are you ?"

"Nope, you said you 'd tell apart me,"Albus said.

"I will,"Harry replied,"Albus, do you know what a Presuler is ?"

"Yes,"Albus nodded,"And I know that Balladanis is one."

"You do ?"Harry looked impressed.

"He told me during one of those dueling example he gave me,"Albus explained.

"Well, that makes my account easier,"Harry said,"A picayune over a year ago, shortly after Quinton kidnapped Kaden, the Ministry decided to hire a Presuler to help find Washburn and Jarrett Willinson."

"Seriously ?"Albus gaped at him.

"Yes,"Harry muttered,"The Minister believed the Aurors needed some help."

Albus thought he heard bit of disrespect in his dad 's voice.

"When I realized that Washburn and the Willinsons were most potential working with Ralph Lubar, I had to reach Balladanis and let him be intimate. He came with us, and I have to let in that he was very helpful. We would not suffer found you as fast if he was n't there,"Harry explained.

"But why was he teaching here ?"Albus asked.

"The Minister, Professor Kendrick, and I believed it would be just strategy to have him stationed at Hogwarts, where we all believed Washburn and the Willinsons would give back to. Balladanis agreed,"Harry said,"Of track, none of us realized that Balladanis would not be able-bodied to handle teaching.

"This is all quite close, Al. I 'd opt you did n't tell anyone. I will be telling Matt, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden, because I feel they have the right field to know, but I do n't want anyone else knowing about it."

"What about blush wine and Amanda ?"Albus asked.

"I suppose I 'll tell them as well, otherwise Kaden is sure to secernate them,"Harry said.

"What 's going to happen to Lubar ?"Albus asked,"Is Balladanis going to be after him now ?"

"No,"Harry shook his head,"That 's going to be tricky place. Lubar is n't a Brits citizen. We ca n't do a matter while he 's in Australia. It 's up to the Australian Ministry to either put him on trial or generate him to us to put on trial. And since he 's one of their officials, we 're not for certain they 'll do either."

"But that 's not fair !"Albus stood up angrily,"Look what he did ! Look what he 's done !"

"I know,"Harry sighed,"I 'd like nothing more than to give him a life-long Erolia minutilla in Azkaban, but unfortunately the laws do n't work that way."

"He and Balladanis get along anyway,"Albus said,"Balladanis probably would n't want to go after him."

"I do n't love about that,"Harry said,"Balladanis likes masses to pay for what they 've done. However, being a Presuler and having no Ministry affiliation, he does not sustain to lead a guinea pig if he 's offered it."

"He told me I 'd make a good Presuler,"Albus said quietly as I sat back down,"Malfoy, too."

Harry sighed."What do you think about that ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus shrugged,"I mean, I like dueling, but I do n't really want to decide what I want to do right now."

"You do n't have to,"Harry replied,"And I do n't desire to tell you what to do, but I am going to narrate you something.

"Being a Presuler is a hard job and often a unfrequented one. You have no coworkers. You work with various Ministries, but rarely get to know anyone. You travel a lot, which can attain it difficult to have a family. It 's not an well-heeled route to go down. Not one I 'd select for myself."

Albus had n't even thought about that. He did n't recall he 'd want to rarely ever see his protagonist and family.

"There 's hatful of early things you could do that would put your dueling attainment to use,"Harry told him,"And you 're only 13 so no pauperism to resolve now."

"I know, I do n't plan to,"Albus replied.

"Well, you should probably get back to the hospital Wing before Madam Pomfrey card you 're gone,"Harry smirked,"And thanks again for showing me the room."

Harry stood up and gave his son a hug. They left the room and walked back to the Hospital Wing, both lost in their thoughts.

******

As it turned out, lady Pomfrey had already noticed that Albus was missing. When he returned to the Hospital wing with his dad, she was running about the Montgomery Ward shouting at the top of her lungs. Matt, John, and Kaden were all awake, staring at her.

"There you are !"she shrieked,"Where have you been ?"

"Er,"Albus began.

"I had to lecture to him in individual,"Harry answered for him.

"You should receive asked me first !"Madam Pomfrey exclaimed as she ushered Albus back into bed,"He needs residual !"

"I 'm his founder,"Harry said incredulously.

"I do n't care if you 're the Minister of Magic !"gentlewoman Pomfrey replied,"I 'm the one with the nursing degree !"

"How long has she been shouting ?"Albus whispered to Matt as he got back in bed.

"Fifteen minutes or so,"matte answered.

Madam Pomfrey returned to her desk and Harry strode over to where the Eckertons were sitting.

"Could I have a password in private ?"Harry asked Mr. Eckerton and then turned to Madam Pomfrey."Do I require your permission for that ?"he grinned.

"Very amusing,"Madam Pomfrey muttered.

Albus drifted back to sleep a small while later and when he next woke up it was light out and Madam Pomfrey was bringing them all breakfast trays.

"Er, what day is it ?"Albus asked as Madam Pomfrey set his tray down.

"It 's Sunday, dear, but it 's afternoon,"Madam Pomfrey replied,"I figured you 'd opt to have breakfast."

"Only Sunday ?"Albus asked. It felt like it had been far more than twenty-four hour since he had met up with Lubar before the Quidditch match.

"Time zone alteration are unmanageable to adjust to,"madam Pomfrey explained,"Commonwealth of Australia 's quite a few time of day ahead of us."

Albus nodded and dug into his breakfast. Suddenly he was ravenous. When he thought about it, it must sustain been at least a day since he 'd eaten anything.

"I wonder how the Quidditch lucifer went,"Kaden mused as he shoved goner in his mouth.

Albus choked on his eggs. He 'd forgotten about the match !"I doubt we won,"he sighed.

"Is your dad going to secernate us why Balladanis was with him when he came to save us ?"John asked,"I mean, he 's had plenty of time."

"He will,"Albus said,"He already told me. You lot were asleep."

The doors to the Hospital annexe banged outdoors and Rose and Amanda came running in. Madam Pomfrey made a move to get up from her desk, but then sat back down, shaking her head.

"William Tell us what happened !"Rose demanded as she skidded to a arrest in social movement of Albus 's bed,"When did you get back ? Where did you go ?"

"Who won the Quidditch match ?"Albus asked.

"Quidditch ? Quidditch ?"Rose groaned,"I 'm not saying a word of honor about Quidditch until the four of you tell me what in the name of Merlin 's saggy left-"

"Miss Weasley !"Madam Pomfrey shouted,"If you do n't turn down your voice, you 'll have to will !"

"Sorry,"blush wine turned back to Albus,"But you lot have got to recite us what happened !"

Albus launched into the entire tale, which took the better percentage of a half hour to distinguish. Neither Rose or Amanda interrupted once during the unanimous thing. Both of them looked absolutely shocked by the fourth dimension Albus concluded.

"But, but why was Balladanis there ?"Rose asked.

"My dad 's going to recite you,"Albus said,"He 's already told me. He 'll probably enjoin the rest of you today."

"Merlin, Albus,"Rose sighed,"How a good deal difficulty can you get into ?"

"It 's not my fault,"Albus shrugged,"Now can you tell us about the match ?"

pink wine exchanged coup d'oeil with Amanda, who sighed."It was quite the lucifer, let me recite you,"Amanda said.

"Nobody won, Al,"Rose said.

"What ?"John interrupted,"How can nobody win ?"

"About xlv second into the catch, Fred and Heather ran onto the pitch-"

"The match lasted that long ?"Matt asked.

"Yes,"Rose said,"I do n't lie with why. Anyway, Fred and Heather ran right up to Ludo Bagman and started talking to him. Nobody could hear what they were saying. Then traveling salesman blew his whistle and they went into a time-out.

"roadman left the pitch and had a really long talk with all the schoolmaster and captains. Then Kendrick announced that the lucifer was called off and told everyone to recall to their common rooms.

"Everyone was really furious of course. Amanda and I were already worried because you lot had n't shown up yet. We thought something bad had happened and that was why they called it off."

"Why did they call it off ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"I 'm getting to that,"rose wine said,"We got back up to Gryffindor and everyone was gathered around Fred and Calluna vulgaris. Linda was n't there, and neither were any of her teammates who were Gryffindors.

"We pushed our way to the front of the crew and find out what Fred and ling were talking about. They were claiming that Australia had been cheating the whole time-"

"well, they were,"Matt muttered.

"I know,"Rose agreed,"And apparently so did Fred and Calluna vulgaris. I 'm for certain they figured it out just recently or else they would 've told someone Oklahoman. They found out Linda 's a vampire and now the total school knows."

"How did they figure it out ?"Albus asked, completely shocked. Linda hid her clandestine quite well. Fred and Heather were sixth years, they would n't have heard Balladanis 's vampire lecture."

"They 've been trying to project it out all year,"Rose explained,"And since they 're chic, they figured it out."

"But what about the match ?"Albus asked.

"I think they 're going to scrub the tournament, Albus,"Rose said quietly.

"natural the tournament ?"Albus gasped,"Cancel the tournament ? ! They ca n't do that ! We 've spent the whole yr on that tournament ! Do you know how much time I 've spent on the Quidditch pitch this yr ? Sir Thomas More time than I 've spent in socio-economic class, probably ! And now they 're going to delete the bloody tournament ?"

"I do n't roll in the hay, Al,"Rose said shortly,"And if they do it 's not my fault."

"Sorry,"Albus mumbled,"It 's just a little aggravating."

"I know,"rosiness replied.

"Where 's Linda ?"Matt asked.

"Gone,"blush wine sighed,"Without a word. I have n't seen her or any of the Australians since the match. Killigan 's gone, too."

"Wow,"Matt replied,"Ca n't say I blame her, though."

"I guess,"Rose said,"Anyway, they 'll probably make an announcement about the tournament at dinner."


A/N : Thanks to my Beta, Dancer of Starlight as well as all of the awing hoi polloi who have read and reviewed this ! There is only one more chapter left !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Harry returned to order everyone else about Balladanis later on in the afternoon. brothel keeper Pomfrey flavorless out refused to let any of them leave the Hospital Wing, so she agreed to lock the threshold and go to her study while Harry explained. mat 's dad was there as well.

Harry told them everything he had told Albus, although he left out the parts about why it was not all that advisable to become a Presuler. Everyone was completely shocked to learn that Balladanis had been hired to help charm Washburn and the Willinsons.

Unfortunately, Harry also brought news of Lubar. news program that was not all that welcome.

"As of right hand now, he 's completely exempt and in the clear,"Harry sighed,"The Australian Ministry refuses to deliver him, and they wo n't prosecute him in Australia either. To them, it 's like nothing 's happened."

Albus noticed that Mr. Eckerton looked positively tempestuous with this. Harry looked quite wild as well, but it did not come close to how Mr. Eckerton looked.

"We 're not going to sacrifice up,"Harry said,"We 'll keep negotiating with them."

Mr. Eckerton had also apparently been told about the Hallows. When Harry had spoken with him the previous Nox, it had been about the Hallows. Albus remembered back to his first year, when matt had told them about his dad 's Lester Willis Young grownup ambition of locating the Hallows. Harry must 've trusted him now.

Albus reached over to his bedside table, where ma'am Pomfrey had placed the invisibility Cloak the premature nighttime. He wordlessly handed it to Mr. Eckerton, who carefully took it with a look of awe on his face.

"Merlin 's beard,"he muttered,"It 's the Cloak."

"That it is,"Harry said quietly.

"Unbelievable,"Mr. Eckerton whispered as he fingered it.

He spent a few mo trying the Cloak on before handing it back to Albus."I can not believe I 've finally solved the grammatical case of the Hallows,"he said to Harry,"This is vex. I would make out to parcel the tale with my brother. Perhaps I could enclose you to him at the populace Cup this summer."

Harry nodded."That would be fine. Perhaps I will eventually differentiate him as well."

******

Albus wanted zip more than to be allowed out of the infirmary annexe in time to go to dinner that night. He was sure prof Kendrick would make some form of announcement about the tournament and he did not require to miss it.

After a to the full ten minutes of begging on his division ( helped out by lusterlessness, St. John the Apostle, and Kaden ), ma'am Pomfrey told him he was in no fit state to leave the Barbara Ward. Albus thought this was cockeyed because he felt fine. So what if his arm was still bandaged and in a sling ? That should n't give up him from eating dinner with the rest of the school.

Instead, Albus was forced to eat a quiet meal in the hospital Wing and wait anxiously for rose wine and Amanda to tell apart him what Kendrick said.

The girls showed up right after dinner party ended. Albus immediately asked them what Kendrick had said.

"tournament 's canceled,"Rose sighed as she sat down on the end of Albus 's bed,"The kids from New York are staying to land up out the year, but the tournament 's canceled. I expect it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"Merlin !"Albus shouted,"Why 'd they have to cancel it ? Could n't they just disqualify Commonwealth of Australia ?"

"No,"blush wine shook her read/write head,"To do that Hogwarts would have to recreate New House of York in another final."

"Why do n't they do that ?"John asked.

"Too close to exams,"rosiness shrugged,"It 'll mess up everyone 's studying."

"That 's poor fish,"Albus fumed.

"If it makes you feel better, I 'm pretty sure Hogwarts would 've won if Australia had n't take been here,"Rose pointed out,"And Kendrick gave one hundred house stage to everyone who was on the Quidditch and dueling teams."

"Yeah, well, all the houses had people on the team, so that does n't really avail,"Albus muttered.

"wellspring,"Rose grinned,"I know one matter that 'll urge on you up."

"What ?"Albus asked, even though there was aught that could root on him up.

"There were Quidditch watch at that match,"rose wine told him,"And even though the mate was disastrous, they did find someone they wanted to draft."

"Who ?"Albus asked, slightly intrigued.

"Georgia !"Rose exclaimed,"She 's been drafted to play for Kenmare Kestrals as soon as she graduates !"

"That 's brilliant !"Albus replied. Rose had been right, that did recreate him up. There was no one he thought who belonged on a professional Quidditch team More than Georgia.

"Yup, she 's their young substitute keeper,"rose wine said,"She says Uncle Percy 's not impressed. He wanted her to work at the Ministry. She does n't care what he thinks, though."

"Uncle Hotspur 's got plenty of other kids to puzzle out at the Ministry,"Albus shrugged. He could never see Georgia working in government.

"Kenmare ?"whoremonger said incredulously.

"Yeah, seriously ?"Matt grimaced.

"They 're nearly as bad as the Cannons,"John groaned.

"She 's just glad to be on a team,"Rose shrugged,"She 's always supported Puddlemere, but she thinks if she 's on any team, she 'll be capable to work her way up to a better one."

"Merlin, I hope so,"lav shrugged.

"Is she the merely one who got drafted ?"Albus asked.

"Only one I know for sure of,"rosebush said,"I heard a rumor that Anna Reilly got taken on by the Balycastle Bats, but I do n't know for sure."

Albus nodded, feeling slightly better about the tournament. It was n't pointless now that he knew his cousin had been taken on by a professional Quidditch team because of it. However, that did n't strike all the disappointment away.

******

brothel keeper Pomfrey reluctantly let the boys leave the next day after breakfast. She did n't really birth a choice since exams began that day. Albus felt perfectly fine and was quite happy to leave the stead.

rose handed him a copy of the Prophet as soon as he and the other boys reached the common room. Albus took it, well-chosen that he had a few min before his first exam to read the article that was inevitably there.

AUSTRALIAN school CHEATS- TOURNAMENT CANCELED

After a startling uncovering made by two Hogwarts
bookman, the Quidditch and Dueling tournament
involving Hogwarts, the Adirondack Academy of
Magic, and the Aussie school of Sorcery
has been canceled.

The tourney 's final Quidditch match was
interrupted this past tense Saturday by two Hogwarts
6th geezerhood, Fred Weasley and Heather Weasley,
both 17, who claimed that the Australian team
had been cheating throughout the entire
tournament.

A few months ago, allegations were brought upon
the Australian team after their searcher, Linda
Morales, 14, flew at an exceptionally riotous speed.
An investigation found goose egg. The tourney
continued.

Fred and heather Weasley accused Linda Morales
of being a vampire. Vampires are outlawed
from playing on professional Quidditch squad due
to the unjust advantage they have.

The lucifer was immediately stopped while all three
headmaster questioned the Weasleys and Morales.

headmaster Addiar Killigan of the Aboriginal Australian
School of black magic admitted to allowing Morales
to be the Seeker of his team in order to win the
tournament. The Aboriginal Australian team was immediately
disqualified from the tournament.

Killigan, Morales, and the relief of the Australians
participating in the tournament left Hogwarts latterly
on Saturday, declining to talk with any of our
reporters.

tourney functionary as well as the other two
headmasters have decided to cancel the tournament,
and not declaring a winner.

'It is too bad that the tournament turned out
this way ,'Fabius Kendrick told reporters, 'Perhaps
we can try it again in a few years .'

"Killigan is an idiot,"Albus said.

"Look at the next article,"pink wine replied.

QUINTON WILLINSON binding IN AZKABAN, JOINED BY WASHBURN

While the net Quidditch match was ending in tragedy
at Hogwarts shoal of Witchcraft and genius, Harry
potter 's mediate small fry, Albus, 13, was dealing with his
own battle.

Albus Potter, as well as cousin Kaden Dursley, 12, and
friends Saint Matthew the Apostle Eckerton and John Lackland Brickston, both 14,
were kidnapped by Quinton and Jarrett Willinson, and
Jameson Washburn. The three convicts were helped by
Ralph Lubar, headway of the Department of the Regulation
and ascendence of Magical creature in Australia.

The four Hogwarts students were taken to Australia
where Harry Potter and Walter Eckerton found them.
It is indecipherable what the convicts were after, as well as
why Lubar was involved.

Quinton Willinson and Jameson Washburn were caught and
sent to Azkaban. Lubar and Jarrett Willinson escaped.
Aurors are currently looking for Willinson and the
Ministry is negotiating with the Australian Ministry
about what to do with Lubar.

All four boys have recovered from the trial by ordeal and are
currently taking their end of the twelvemonth interrogatory
at Hogwarts. Harry thrower has declined comment.

"fountainhead, that 's not a very illuminating article,"Albus said as he tossed the composition onto a nearby table.

"I do n't think they can account much,"blush wine said,"The Australian Ministry may be asking them to keep quiet about Lubar in coming back for giving him some sort of punishment.

"It wo n't matter,"lusterlessness said,"They 're not going to do anything to him."

Albus was forced to push Lubar into the back of his judgment as test began. They were all significantly unvoiced than the previous class 's had been, but he was sure he at least passed all of them.

There were short clause in the Prophet about Lubar everyday, but they all said the same thing. Australia refused to extradite him. Matt was not at all surprised by this, but it infuriated Albus to no end.

The week after examination was a unknown one for Albus. There was nil left field for them to do. No studying, no homework, no Quidditch. rosebush and Amanda went back to spending all their time with the boys, like it had been before Linda had arrived.

Things were dissimilar, though. Both Rose and Amanda were a lot subdued than they used to be. Albus was sure they missed Linda, and he had no estimation whether she had said goodbye to them, or even if she 'd had the chance.

lustrelessness was lost in his own sentiment most of the time, rendering him quieter than ever. He often went stallion eventide without saying two Logos to anyone, something that usually only happened around full lunar month. However, the side by side full phase of the moon lunar month was n't until after they left Hogwarts.

Albus was for sure this was because of what had happened in Commonwealth of Australia. He never talked about it, but Albus knew that getting kidnapped by Lubar again had scared the daylights out of him.

John and Kaden remained as boisterous as ever and did not seem to be fazed by what had happened in Australia. They spent their workweek pulling pranks and playing dateless game of Exploding cracking that Albus occasionally joined in on.

Albus himself was quieter. His mind was racing with mentation of Lubar and Balladanis. None of the articles ever mentioned Balladanis, but he knew that was because Balladanis 's job had to stay on a closed book. He wished more than anything that Lubar would get thrown in prison house, whether it was Azkaban or Australia 's prison.

******

The string ride back to London was subdued, the entirely stochasticity being John and Kaden 's Exploding child's play identity card. Albus and matte both gazed out the window, mesmerized by the loss landscape.

"Linda sent me a letter final dark,"Rose said, breaking the silence.

Albus lifted his head up and looked at her."What about ?"

"She told us she was sorry, and wanted me to recite you that she was sorry about the tournament,"Rose told him,"She 's on the run with her mum now. They 're thinking of moving to a unlike country."

"To go to school ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Rose shook her foreland,"She 's been through school a mates prison term already. She was n't even a student at the Australian school. Killigan pretty much forced her into playing quester for them. He 's a really cruddy bloke. They have to get out now, though, because everyone knows."

"Where will they go ?"Albus asked, surprised that he was actually feeling sorry for Linda.

"No idea,"Rose shrugged,"She said she 'd owl me when they find out."

"This solid year has been so messed up,"lav sighed,"I hope side by side year 's better."

"Me, too,"Matt agreed.

"We 've got the reality Cup to await forward to, though,"Albus smiled.

"Oh, yeah !"John grinned,"Owl me as soon as you find out when we 're leaving for it."

"Definitely,"Albus said,"Your Sister 's going, too. Lily told me she 'd invited her. Hugo 's not really happy about that."

"Neither am I,"John muttered,"I do n't require Ashtyn going."

"wellspring, I 'd prefer Lily not go, but it 's the Cup ! Nothing can really ruin it,"Albus said.

"Good point,"King John agreed.

"Let me roll in the hay when the Cup is,"Kaden said.

"Why ? So you can convince your parents to engage you ?"John smirked.

"No,"Kaden laughed,"So I can know when to invite you lot to my menage. My dad said he 'd take on us camping."

"Excellent !"John grinned,"Camping like Muggles ?"

"Yep,"Kaden replied,"sustenance in tents, no electricity, no conjuration either since we 're all underage."

"There is no way my parents will let me go,"Matt said quietly.

"Why not ?"Kaden asked.

"I went camping when I was five,"Matt answered,"That was the clock time I got bitten."

"Oh,"Kaden looked a short taken aback,"Sorry."

"It 's ok,"matt shrugged,"Just do n't go during a full moonshine. I do n't want any of you having to join me in the screech hutch following year."

"I 'll go,"Albus said. He 'd never been camping before, let alone camping like a Muggle. He did feel bad that Matt would n't get to go, but he sort of thought flatness would n't want to go anyway.

The rest of the stumble was spent arguing about Quidditch and Albus felt like things were sort of returning to normal. It was almost nice to hear John and matt arguing about the carom again and Kaden arguing about football.

The train arrived in capital of the United Kingdom and Albus found his parents waiting for him on the platform. After saying auf wiedersehen to his admirer, Albus left the station with his family feeling that just maybe life would be convention from then on. Well, maybe the summer would be at least be pattern. Albus could n't get his hope up too high.


A/N : Hard to believe it 's finished ! Thanks to Dancer of Starlight for betaing and thanks to all of the awesome citizenry who have read and reviewed this ! You guys are so lovely and amazing !

I am working on the 4th floor but it 'll be a while before the firstly chapter is up. I 'm thinking I 'll update every former week at first, interchange workweek with Beyond the Shadow. In the mean time, if you want something new to study, I suggest checking out Remember the carom, which is a collab I worked on cobbler's last year and is now currently being updated. It 's all about the Chudley Cannons and their ruination. It 's under the username The Golden Snitches and is also in my favorite storey so you can line up it that way.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.

Note : This is the fourthly story in a serial. I suggest reading them in Order, but it 's not necessary.



"Ouch, that was my foot !"

"Shush ! You 're going to wake up them up !"

"It 's your error for stepping on my foot !"

"They 're heavy crosstie, do n't worry."

Albus Severus potter sighed to himself as he and two of his best ally neared the collapsible shelter. John, whose foot had been trample upon, was carrying a spray can of welt cream, and Kaden, the one who had stepped on Saint John the Apostle 's ft, was brandishing a heavy owl plume. It had been Kaden 's idea to draw in a clowning on his nine-year-old sister, Bethany, while she slept, and lav had been all too eager to enter. Albus personally thought it was stupe to prank someone whose parents were in the same tent, but Kaden had assured him that both of his parents could sleep through anything.

It was their third and final night of camping with Kaden 's family which was in Kaden 's opinion, the perfective tense clip to pull a prank. After three days of being on their best behavior, the male child had successfully lured Dudley and Christina Dursley into a assumed sense of security system. wellspring, a fictive sense of security measures when it came to them and Bethany, that is. The boys had pranked each other constantly throughout the head trip. Albus had been pushed into the lake three fourth dimension already, been snuck up upon in the woods twice, and had a epistaxis nougat hidden in his dinner party. He had gotten revenge by stealing both Kaden and John the Divine 's canoe paddles, leaving them stranded in the middle of the lake for a half hour.

"Happy natal day, by the way,"Albus said.

"Is it midnight already ?"Kaden asked.

A twig snapped behind them and Albus jumped."What do you three think you 're doing ?"individual shouted in a creepy tone.

Kaden shrieked and John jumped backwards, bumping into Kaden and causing both of them to decrease over. John 's finger's breadth slipped and the whisk ointment came shooting out, covering both of them in the sugary means. They were both shouting profanity and Albus smirked despite the fact that his nitty-gritty was still hammering. Who was that ? He turned and saw none other than Bethany, standing with her arms folded across her chest of drawers, glaring at all three of the boys.

"And just what were you planning on doing with that whipped cream ?"she demanded.

"Nothing,"Kaden muttered."What are you doing out here ?"

"coming back from the john,"Bethany replied."And I know you were planning on squirting that on my hand and then tickling my nose with a plumage. Honestly, you 're so predictable."

With one last glower at her Brother, Bethany stalked off to the tent she shared with her parents, went inside it, and zipped it closed. Albus turned to his two gummy champion and burst out laughing. They were both sitting on the ground covered in a mixture of whipped cream and filth that was just visible by the luminousness of Albus 's Verbascum thapsus. The two rarely had a prank blowback on them like that.

"Bloody short sister,"Kaden muttered as he scrubbed the whipped pick off in the bathroom a few minute later.

"Yeah,"John agreed as he tried to get the flog cream out of his tomentum by sticking his head in the sump."Why do they have to be such a annoyance ?"

"I think it 's their job,"Albus mused."Lily would 've done the same thing."

"You two are lucky you 've only got one,"St. John pointed out."Try living with three."

"I 've got enough cousins to take a crap up for it,"Albus said.

"mat 's the lucky one, then,"John said as he pulled his brain out of the sink and escape from the water out."He has n't got any little babe or little cousins."

"wishing he would 've came with us,"Kaden said as they left the bathroom.

"We never could 've convinced him,"bathroom replied."Remember his aspect when you invited us ?"

"Do you blame him ?"Albus said."I mean, it was probably a night like this when, you know, when it happened."

The night was very quiet. The male child made the only noise as they walked back to the camping area. The only light visible was the light from Albus 's torch. He let out an nonvoluntary shudder. It probably had been a dark just like this one. No admiration he had n't wanted to go camping again.

"Only, you know,"Kaden said as he looked up at the sky."There would 've been a moon."

Albus smiled. Leave it to Kaden to point out the obvious. Yes, there would 've been a moonlight. Currently the moon was in its new Sun Myung Moon phase and was not seeable in the sky.

The boy made it back to their collapsible shelter and climbed into their sleeping bags. Albus was n't in the least bit timeworn, so he did n't rile turning off his torch. Gospel According to John pulled out a pack of Exploding Snap cards, figuring that since it was the drained of Nox, no Muggles would notice.

"What should we do tomorrow ?"toilet asked.

"Canoeing ?"Albus suggested.

The other two boys glared at him."Only if you promise not to slip our paddles,"John muttered.

"What ? It was n't a bad swimming. And you asked for it by putting that epistaxis nougat in my food."

"It was coldness !"Kaden shouted indignantly.

"It 's summer ; it 's supposed to be refreshing,"Albus pointed out.

"Well, it 's my natal day, so I say we hike up to that field and play football,"Kaden decided.

Albus and privy both groaned loudly, but knew they 'd be spending their utmost day playing football with Kaden. It was his birthday after all, so it was only average that he find fault the day 's activities. Albus only wished that they did n't admit football.
******


The two hebdomad that separated the camping trip-up and the Quidditch macrocosm Cup seemed to drag on forever. They reminded Albus of history of illusion and he was sure that length of fourth dimension was longer than two weeks, but his calendar told him otherwise. Nothing particularly exciting happened during that brace of 14 days ; the high spot being three Hogwarts letters being delivered to Number 12 Grimmauld station. All three missive contained Quran inclination and to cypher 's surprise, James I 's did not contain a Prefect 's badge. Cedric and Ben had not received the badge either, but James 's Friend Nathan had. Epistle of James supposed Neville had to clean someone and Nathan was the least mischievous of the fifth year Gryffindor boys.

The most exciting news show of the two workweek arrived at Albus 's first cousin Fred 's house informing him that he had been made Quidditch captain for Gryffindor. James IV was quite excited about this since while Fred was fanatical about Quidditch, he was n't nearly as bad as Georgia. Heather was disappointed, but Fred assured her she would be his second-in-command.

Speaking of Georgia, she had begun her grooming with the Kenmare Kestrals shortly after graduation and planned to be active into a flat last to their pitch shot very soon. Apparently Percy had been dropping not-so-subtle confidential information about getting her an internship at the Ministry instead of playing professional Quidditch and she was sick of it. It was still a touchy subject with both Harry Hotspur and Georgia, so much so that Albus was n't even sure if Georgia was going to go to the one-year before schooling Weasley dinner. Albus thought it was rather stupid of Percy to be arguing about it since it was Empire State of the South 's life and she was undecomposed at Quidditch.

Albus spent virtually of the two workweek at rosiness 's house, although it was not pink wine whom he was spending time with. Hugo was planning on trying out for the useable Keeper berth on Gryffindor 's squad and needed Albus to throw Quaffles at him while he tried to protect the goals. Unfortunately Hugo was not very serious, but he was improving, even if it was at a very slow rate. Victor-Marie Hugo was also quite sore with Lily over her choosing Ashtyn to drive to the Cup, which somehow caused him to desire to practice Quidditch nearly twenty-four/seven.

By the time the day finally arrived to leave for the Cup, Albus was getting quite sick of of throwing Quaffles at Hugo and was even nursing a sore arm. He was very grateful for the break that going to the Cup would cater. Albus 's syndicate was scheduled to get at the campsite near the rake the day before the match, which was not bad at all. Some people had to make it as much as a week beforehand.

"When is Matt getting there ?"John asked Albus as they sat in Albus 's way, packing for the head trip. John the Divine had arrived the previous day and somehow all of his material had been scattered throughout Albus 's way despite his only having been there for twenty-four hours.

"He 's already there, I think,"Albus answered, remembering the letter of the alphabet Matt had sent him the premature week.

"Did n't you say everyone who goes to the Cup has to camp ?"can asked as he inspected a sock to determine whether it was his or not."How come his parents will go to the Cup but they would n't let him camp with us ?"

"He 's not bivouac,"Albus said, deciding that the sock John had was his and snatched it away, stuffing it in his bag."His uncle liveliness in New York, so they 're staying there and Apparating to the Cup rightfield before."

"Oh,"John replied."I thought international phantasma was illegal."

"Not from the United States to Canada and back,"Albus explained."If you Apparate to the border, they let you Apparate into Canada if you 've got the in good order identification."

"Are any of your former cousins going ?"John asked.

"I think Peach State 's going with her teammates, but other than her, no. Saint James the Apostle picked Nathan because he did n't want to select between Cedric and Ben."

"Is Victor-Marie Hugo still angry with Lily ?"John asked."Ashtyn said he was n't speaking to either of them."

"Yeah,"Albus nodded as he rubbed his sore arm."And because of it he 's had me practicing with him for the past two weeks."

"Is he going to be Gryffindor 's next keeper ?"

"Only if the rest of the multitude who try out play Quidditch like Matt and Kaden do,"Albus answered.

"So I 'm guessing the new steward wo n't be a Weasley ?"

"Nope, I do n't think so.

"Are you boys prepare ?"Harry asked as he popped his oral sex into the room.

"Just about,"Albus said as he stuffed one last shirt into his bag and zipped it closed."How far do we have to go to reach the Portkey ?"

"Not far, just outside of capital of the United Kingdom,"Harry replied."There 's an phantasm and Floo post nearby, so we wo n't have to walk much."

A few transactions later the potter were congregated in the seance room, along with John, Ashtyn, and Nathan. Everyone was going to Floo because Harry and Ginny could n't side-along Apparate six kids between the two of them. Harry had been right ; the Portkey was only a dead ways away from the fantasm and Floo station, and in no clip they were standing in a small clearing searching for the Portkey. Lily was the one who found it, hiding behind one of the lone bushes. It was an old deflated football that looked to have teeth crisscross in it.

"When 's it leaving ?"Lily asked.

"In about five minutes,"Harry said as he checked his vigil."Remember, Lake Ontario, Canada, is five hours behind us, so when we get there it will be around 11 o'clock in the morning."

Nobody else had been assigned to this particular Portkey, so five bit later the ceramicist, whoremonger, Ashtyn, and Nathan disappeared from the field. Albus thought the journey lasted much farsighted than a convention Portkey trip, but that made sense since they were going all the way to Canada.

They landed in another small clearing and once Albus steadied himself, he could see a fleet of tents in the space. Directly in front of them was a pocket-sized wooden building that bore a sign that read 'Lakeside Park- tenting Office'. He looked around for a lake, but did n't see one.

"If we find the lake, we can go canoeing,"Albus said.

"Yeah, and perhaps we 'll get a decent defense team teacher this year,"bathroom replied."There 's no bloody way I 'm canoeing with you ever again."

"And maybe you wo n't put tight sweets in my food anymore."

"Ca n't hit any hope,"John grinned.

Albus and John followed everyone else towards the little wooden building. Once inside, Albus noticed that it was being manned by a very discombobulate looking Muggle, who was staring off into space. He did n't even seem to notice when they walked in.

"Memory charm,"Harry whispered to the male child. He walked up to the bloke and set a opus of newspaper publisher down on the desk."campsite reservation for Potter. Two nights."

"Potter, ceramicist,"the bloke muttered as he began to type on something that Albus was pretty sure was called a data processor."You 're site 43. Be measured, head you, there 's a lot of odd people camping this week."

"Thanks,"Harry replied.

campground 43 did n't seem to be anywhere near the piddling wooden building so Albus and the others had to walk through most of the camping sphere to get hold their site. A hour into the walk Albus realized why the Muggle in the building needed so many remembering charms. It did n't seem like anybody was trying to conceal thaumaturgy. The Cup was between Soviet Russia and Italy and it was very obvious who was rooting for whom.

The Italians had red, gullible, and white collapsible shelter, some of which had the factual flag intent on the sides. One group had a caldron stewing over a gullible and red fire and there was a wizard pouring alimentary paste into it.

"Who cooks pasta on a camping trip ?"Harry muttered as they passed."No wonder that bloke thinks something funny 's going on."

The Russians were n't any better since their collapsible shelter were also adorned with flags and some had even littered the surrounding flat coat with magical fake snow. Since it was at least seventy-five grade, Albus thought that was slightly strange.

Albus only saw a few early masses he knew. Damien and Kate Waverly from the Ravenclaw Quidditch squad were at camping area number 35 and he also saw a Hufflepuff whom he recognized but did n't think back the gens of. about of the hoi polloi appeared to be Russian, Italian, Canadian River, or American. Albus figured that was since the Cup was so far away from U.K.. Most British masses would n't go see the Cup in Canada if they did n't really support Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or Italy. Albus did n't support either squad, but his dad had gotten free tickets.

After passing a contingency of Russians, Albus noticed a few people who looked oddly familiar. He paused to watch them for a bit or so and then realized that they were the Quidditch team from the Adirondack honorary society of Magic.

"St. James the Apostle,"Albus said as he poked his brother."Look, the New House of York Quidditch team."

The New Yorkers had noticed Albus and James as well. They abandoned their attack and strolled over to the walkway.

"You came a long way for the Cup,"the tallest of the lot said. Albus recognized him as one of the Beaters.

"My dad had slate,"Albus replied.

"Oh, right,"the boy said, craning his neck opening to see Harry, who was a few meters away."Your dad 's Harry ceramist. Learned about him in history of Magic a few eld ago."

"Shame about the match,"King James I said, clearly wanting to head the conversation away from Harry."That Aussie headmaster is ill-gotten cheater."

"Sure is,"the boy replied."It sucks."

"I wish they would 've let us dally each other,"James said mutinously."Exams ? Really ? That was a stupefied excuse."

"I 'll say,"he agreed."Hey, you 'll never guess who else is here."

"Who ?"St. James the Apostle asked.

"Linda, you know, the vampire,"the boy said excitedly."Saw her a few hours ago, but she turned the early way when she saw me."

Albus exchanged looks with King John, and the two of them silently agreed to go looking at for Linda as soon as they could sneak away from James, Nathan, Lily, and Ashtyn, plus Albus 's parents.

The New Yorkers went to eat tiffin and Albus and the others continued their trek to campsite 43. It was situated in a little clearing of trees, side by side to a group of Canadian wizards and a rather rowdy group of Italians. Harry and Ginny had the tent up in no fourth dimension with help from Nathan, who was Muggle-born. James and Nathan each made a quick sandwich and then went off to explore. Lily and Ashtyn begged to be allowed to do the same, but both Harry and Ginny insisted that they stay at the encampment.

"Can we go explore ?"Albus asked as he polished off his lunch.

"I suppose so,"Ginny said."But be deliberate, and be back in time for dinner."

"We will,"Albus assured her.

Albus and John set off down the path, both keeping an eye out for Linda."This office is huge,"John said."How in the name of Merlin are we going to chance her ?"

"I have n't the slightest idea, but I suppose if we keep walking we might find her,"Albus replied."Maybe we 'll find that lake as well."

"I am not canoeing with you."

"suit yourself."

Albus and lav did not receive the lake, but after walking around the campsites for about an hour, they eventually came upon Linda. She was at a smallish camping area that contained a dingy collapsible shelter that actually looked like it could go to a Muggle. Linda was reading a book at the snap table while another witch was bent over a fire and she turned when she heard the male child make it. She was quite beautiful, with farseeing dark hair's-breadth like Linda's.

"Can I help you ?"she asked. Her stress was not Australian and Albus could n't aim it.

Linda looked up and her eyes rested upon Albus. She got up from the table and walked over to the boys.

"Do you do it them ?"the former hag asked.

"They 're from Hogwarts,"Linda replied. The witch raised her eyebrows."It 's delicately,"Linda said."I 'll be back soon."

Albus was very surprised that Linda so willingly decided to walk with them and he shared a tone with John before they set off along the route. All three were unruffled for about ten minutes before Linda spoke.

"I just want you to screw that I 'm no-account about the lucifer,"she said quietly."I did n't want to do it. I do n't even normally go to schoolhouse. It 's rather pointless since I 've been through school three times already. The master insisted I play and said if I did n't he 'd get some variety of law passed to crap my animation miserable."

"It 's not your fault,"Albus said."The Australian headmaster is a git. We 've known that for years."

"Oh, your supporter Matt ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered.

"Is he here ?"Linda asked.

"He 's going to the Cup but he 's staying at his uncle 's sign of the zodiac in New York."

muteness fell upon them once again until John spoke a few minutes later."So what are you doing now ?"

"My mother and I are living here, in Canada. Another province, though, one that 's even less inhabited than this one. We ca n't survive in Australia after that Quidditch calamity. The master blamed me for everyone finding out what I am. Said I did n't hide it well enough."

"That 's insane,"lavatory replied.

It was strange, Albus thought, how the late year none of the son had really liked Linda because they were afraid she would reveal that matt was a werewolf, yet she was being blackmailed by Killigan the unscathed time. Now, she seemed nice.

The conversation moved from Killigan to the upcoming match and who they thought would win. Linda, like Albus and John, was rooting for Italy and they all agreed that Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic did n't abide a chance. They circled the campground and made it back to Linda 's campsite. Her mother was talking with a wizard who was camping in the next site over.

"Tell Rose and Amanda that I 'll owl them soon,"Linda said."Mum did n't want me to owl anyone until we 'd successfully obtain away from Killigan. But she thinks he 's given up and we should be safe in Canada."

"Ok,"Albus said."Maybe we 'll see you at the match tomorrow."

Linda bade them goodbye and joined her mum. She turned and smiled at Albus and John as they left to go back to their campsite.



A/N : And so the one-quarter taradiddle begins ! I 'm hoping to update this once a month. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed the previous history !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Neither of the boys slept much that night. This was partly due to excitement about the mates and partly due to the fact that Harry and Ginny sent Lily and Ashtyn to the boys'collapsible shelter after the two of them refused to decide down. Albus, John, James, and Nathan complained loudly about the addition of the female child in their tent, but Harry and Ginny were inexorable. William James and Nathan decided to secern scary write up in a vain attempt to frighten Lily and Ashtyn back into the adult'tent, but both girls were now too old to get that scared.

The succeeding day was standardised to the previous day and Albus and John spent it trying to find the lake, but had no fate. John Lackland was lamenting the fact that the campground was called"Lakeside"when there clearly was no lake around so often that Albus wished there was a lake just so he could push John into it. Both boys begged Harry and Ginny to let them go to New House of York to see lustrelessness, but had no luck. Harry and Ginny said they could see lusterlessness later that Nox at the match.

Dusk finally arrived and people began to trek through the woodwind to the auction pitch. Albus did n't ingest the slightest idea how far away it was, but it seemed farther than the manner of walking from the Whomping willow tree to the screeching Shack or from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. Once they finally did get, it seemed amazing that Muggles did n't notice it. The delivery was vast ; that was the only parole for it. There were more witches and whiz congregated in one lieu than Albus had ever seen in his living and more were coming up behind him.

John the Evangelist had brought two twain of his omnioculars but the mathematical group had to finish while James I, Nathan, and Lily each purchased a pair. Ashtyn had stolen a pair of John 's, apparently without him knowing. Ginny quickly steered them all away from a couple wizards who were taking bet.

A immature genius standing near the entree asked to see their tickets and then chair them higher and higher in the stands until they reached one of the top boxes. There were XIV chairwoman lined up in two row, six of which were already occupied. lustrelessness and his parents took up half of those chairman ; in the other three sat two wizards and a Wiccan Albus did not know.

"lustrelessness !"Albus shouted. He and lav immediately took the two seats to mat 's right wing while Harry and Ginny greeted his parents.

"Albus, John !"Matt replied."This is brilliant !"

"Yeah it is ! looking at how eminent up we are !"John said excitedly."C. H. Best seats ever !"

"Oh, this is my Uncle Jack,"lustrelessness said, gesturing to one of the wizards Albus did n't make out. He looked a lot like mat 's dad, only with less grey pilus and far few furrow."Uncle seafarer, this is Albus and John."

"So you 're the ones who keep getting lusterlessness into trouble."knave grinned.

"That 's More Kaden and King John than Albus,"Matt pointed out.

"Hey, Albus was the one who got Kaden and I stranded in a lake a few hebdomad ago,"John muttered.

"What ? !"Matt exclaimed.

"He stole our canoe boat paddle. We had to swim back."

"This was after St. John the Apostle and Kaden pushed me into the lake multiple times,"Albus said.

"Makes sense to me."matt shrugged.

About a half hour later, during which Albus was introduced to the other beldam and wiz in their box ( Canadian Ministry functionary ) and then promptly forgot their name calling, the peer finally began.

The Russian mascots were up first. Albus, after hearing about the leprechauns and Veelas at the World Cup his parents attended, was quite looking forward to the mascots. Unfortunately, he was disappointed in the Russian mascots. Or should he say 'mascot .'There was only one. The entire Russian team walked onto the pitch accompanied by what looked like a very slow, very hairy goat.

"What the bloody hell is that ?"John asked as he got up and put his omnioculars to his middle."It 's a goat !"

Albus and Matt followed John and watched the goat. With the omnioculars, Albus could see that the goat 's fur was greying giving it a very old look.

"Looks as old as Aberforth Dumbledore,"mat muttered.

"Probably belongs to him,"john pointed out.

"Let 's give a warm welcome to Murphy the moufflon !"the commentator shouted."Murphy has been with the Russian Quidditch team for nearly twenty days and is beloved by the entire team. tater has been trained to do a variety of tricks ...."

The reviewer droned on as murphy slowly climbed through what looked like a goal post not on the stake and caught a Quaffle in his lip. Albus thought the wholly show was sort of odd and the murmuring in the box by the remainder of its resident told him his opinion was shared.

"What in the gens of Merlin is a mouflon ?"James asked.

"It 's a wild sheep,"Lily explained."Although this one is obviously not wild. In fact, it seems sort of awful to make him execute thaumaturgy like that at his age."

The Italian mascots were the arrant opposite. As soon as the Russian squad left the slant with murphy the Mouflon, a very large number of wizard dressed in what looked like armored robe stepped onto the subject field. As they stepped aside, they revealed a cage containing three chimeras.

"Bloody hell !"John exclaimed.

"How can they bring chimeras into a Quidditch match for Merlin 's sake ?"Ginny shouted."They 're dangerous !"

"They 're being handled by professional Chimaera handlers,"Mr. Eckerton explained."And the Canadian Head of the department for Regulation and control of Magical Creatures is here. They had to crystalize it with all the Ministries of Major rural area first."

All the disappointment about the mouflon disappeared when Albus saw the handlers taking the chimeras out. Each one was attached to a duncical metal chain and controlled by two manager. They roared and lunged at each other and at the respective officials and ref standing on the sidelines.

Albus 's eyes were glued to his omnioculars during the entire performance, which must not give lasted more than than ten minutes. During those ten minutes the chimaeras tried to defeat no less than five of the handlers and had scared one of the reader into the changing rooms. Meanwhile the observer was keeping up a steady stream of Chimera information and account. Apparently chimaeras had a retentive history in Rome.

The adults in the elbow room ( with the potential exclusion of Jack ) let out a corporate suspiration of succor when the chimaera were put back in their batting cage and moved to the sidelines while King James I, Nathan, Albus, Saint John the Apostle, and Matt groaned. Even Ashtyn and Lily seemed slightly disappointed with their disappearance.

However, Albus soon nearly forgot about the Chimera ( it was unsufferable to completely bury about them as they roared every time a player got near them ) since the match started right after they left. The commentator announced the figure of the players, but Albus could n't keep open any of them straight because they were flying far too fast. This Quidditch was intense, far more intense than any of the League compeer he had been to.

The Quaffle exchanged hands faster than the commentator could say the public figure of the Chasers and the Bludgers were being sent after player after player. The quester were staying out of the way, which seemed like a upright thought to Albus since one of the Italian pursuer was injured only xv minutes into the match.

St. James the Apostle kept up his own running commentary as well, much to the annoyance of Albus and everyone else. He constantly named the bid and critiqued the way the Russian Seeker sat on his broom.

"Shut it, James,"Albus finally said."He 's the one playing in the Cup, not you. He can sit on his broom however he likes."

"He 's not going to pick up the Snitch with that military strength,"Saint James muttered before looking through his omnioculars.

As it turned out, James was right. An hour later the Italian seeker pulled into a dive and came back up with the struggling winged orchis in his grasp. The entire box stood up and cheered, especially John who did n't like Soviet Union 's Quidditch team. Albus did n't espouse either team, but he supposed if he had had to choose, he would 've chosen Italia. Italy won with 520 points. Russian Federation had 430. Both squad had played incredibly well.

"I knew it !"James shouted as they made their way back to the campground."I knew he would n't catch that Snitch ! A Seeker ca n't sit up so straight on his Calluna vulgaris and expect to catch the stoolpigeon !"

Albus ignored him. James I would be bragging about this for the future two month.

"You should come stay with me in New House of York,"matt said as they reached the campground.

"Can we Mum ?"Albus asked."Please ?"

"I do n't think that 's going to exploit, Al,"Ginny replied."They 're flying back on an airplane and you two do n't have tickets."

"Aw, Merlin,"Albus groaned."I guess we 'll see you on the train, then."

"Yeah, definitely,"lustrelessness replied.

Albus and St. John said auf wiedersehen to Matt and watched as he left with his parents to go Apparate back to the border.

It was very late, but the campground was far too gimcrack for anyone to get to sleep. The Italians were celebrating and even the Russians seemed to be very brassy and boisterous, despite their loss. Instead of going to bed, Harry lit another campfire and everyone sat around it, roasting whatever dessert they had over the fire and discussing the match.

"And when that mouflon got onto the pitch shot !"Nathan shouted."And the Chimaera went nut case ? I thought they were going to scat !"

"Did n't stop the instrumentalist, though,"William James pointed out."That was when one of the Russian Chasers got hit by that Bludger. He could have dodged that if he had been paying more attention to the match and less to the chimaeras."

"I think I 'd sooner pay aid to a possible Chimera escape valve than a Bludger,"Ashtyn muttered.

"Are you the leading expert on Chasing now, too ?"Albus asked James.

"I 'm just trying to thrive my noesis of the other positions because I 'm going to be Gryffindor 's captain next yr after Fred graduates."

Albus snorted."What makes you so sure ?"

"I 've been on the squad since minute year, I 'll be the oldest next year, and I 'm a well leader,"James replied.

"They do n't always pick the oldest,"Albus pointed out."And Thomas Bradley and Ryan are older than you."

"What, you think you 'll get it ?"James I asked incredulously.

"boy,"Ginny warned.

"I do n't want it,"Albus said.

"No point in you getting it,"John chimed in."After all, you 're going to be Prefect following year."

James laughed."Yeah, that 'll happen."

"You 're not one to talk, James,"Ginny said."notification your missive did not comprise a Prefect 's badge this year."

"wellspring, yeah, because Kendrick would be stupid to make me a Prefect,"James said."But he 'd be stupefied to make you-"

William James was interrupted by a gimcrack chap that sounded like mortal Apparating or a branch breaking. Lily shrieked and Harry stood with his wand out. There was a rustling in the woodwind instrument behind them and a design lumbered out.

He stepped forward and the light from the fire illuminated his face, which was old and wrinkled. There was barely a hair on his head and he walked with an obvious limp. Adorned in a very old, very disgusting looking brownish cloak, he did not come out to sustain showered in Holocene epoch history.

"'Arry thrower,"he croaked. His voice did n't sound like it had been used in late history, either. His accent was not Canadian, nor was it British people or Aboriginal Australian."A word."

"wand out where I can see it,"Harry replied.

"Don''ave a verge,"he muttered.

"Make it quick, then,"Harry said, his own wand still pointed at the stranger.

"Yer in trouble, ceramicist,"he said."An'not just 'bout what 'appened two calendar month ago."

He sounded a bit like Hagrid, Albus thought, except this chap seemed to let cypher but that in common with the friendly half-giant.

"Oh, no."The bloke smiled slightly."Election year, ai n't it ? Oh, yes, you 've more to interest 'bout than that Willinson bloke."

"Who are you ?"Harry asked.

"Not important,"he said and turned to go back into the wood."Good fate, potter,"he said before disappearing completely.

"That was weird,"lavatory said."How in the name of Merlin can an election be bad for you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus agreed."Are you running for minister or something ?"

Harry laughed."Definitely not. I reckon that bloke is off his rocker. I would n't worry about it."

Ginny insisted they get to bed shortly after the strange bloke left since they had to get up early the side by side morn to catch their Portkey. Albus laid awake thinking about the stranger long after John Lackland, James, and Nathan fell asleep. His dad may have said not to vex about it, but is n't that what all Father of the Church say when they do n't want their son to worry about something, even if it is worthy of worry ?
******


Early was an understatement for the time they had to get up the next break of day. Ginny was waking them up when the sun was barely above the horizon. Apparently everyone had to leave the camping area before Muggles checked in, which meant everyone in the entire campground was rushing about resulting in worldwide pandemonium. Eventually the potter managed to site their Portkey and get back to London. When they arrived it was five hours later because of the time change, yet all Albus wanted to do was crawl back in bed, which is exactly what he did. privy fell asleep right on Albus 's floor without any sort of blanket or pillow.

john spent two Sir Thomas More days at Albus 's house, during which they went to Diagon Alley, along with Kaden, and spent most of their metre speculating on who the new defence teacher would be. Harry told them that he would not be returning, much to their displeasure, but he was sure Kendrick would find a suitable refilling. Albus was not too certain about this since Kendrick 's last replacement turned out to be insane yet still capable of catching evil virtuoso. John left the day of the annual before school Weasley family dinner party because his family was going to chitchat his first cousin, much to John the Evangelist 's dismay.

The before schooltime dinner was one of two times that Albus 's full extended family got together for a meal. The relaxation of the year everyone was either in school or too busy to undertake the event. However, Albus 's grandma, mollie, insisted that they all spend an evening together before all the kids went off to shoal. Albus loved it because there was always delicious intellectual nourishment and multiple games of Quidditch. Albus was not sure how much longer everyone would attend, though, now that his older cousins were graduating and getting jobs. Victoire was still in Healer training and shimmy was in Auror training. Stanley was in Roumania studying Dragon, just as his founder had done. Georgia of course was in use with breeding for the Kenmare Kestrals and Albus was sure as shooting it would n't be long until she was playing for England. Gabriella, much to her parents'alarm, said she did not know what she wanted to do with her life and was spending her days painting image of the sea in front of their bungalow rather than working at the internship Bill had secured for her at Gringotts. The following twelvemonth, Fred and ling would graduate and it would n't be long after that to a greater extent of the Weasley full cousin were out of Hogwarts than were in Hogwarts. Angie, Fred 's slight sister, was just starting Hogwarts that year.

This was not the year that people began to not be able to depict up, though. Each and every member of the Weasley and potter families were going to be there, else face the wrath of Molly Weasley. Albus almost felt sorry for the first of his first cousin to suffer to work on the day the dinner party was scheduled. It certainly would n't be him because he still had more than half his Hogwarts career left.

Dinner, of course, was a comparative term. People started showing up at the burrow shortly after lunch clip and did not pass on until ten or eleven at nighttime. Albus 's parents chose to show up around two, so that Ginny could help Molly with the cooking. When they arrived they found that Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Katherine, and their Thomas Kid were already there. Fleur and Katherine were helping in the kitchen while flyer and Charlie set up tables in the backyard. Arthur was tinkering with some sort of Muggle twist in the den.

James immediately hailed Ben and the two of them disappeared up to one of the sleeping accommodation, no doubt to plan some kind of joke. Scots heather was in the backyard, already on a Calluna vulgaris, with Eddie trailing after her on an old broom that was lagging. Gabriella and grade were sitting in the den pretending to listen to President Arthur 's commentary on whatever he was taking apart. Albus, who really had aught to do until blush wine arrived, wandered around the theater and yard with Lily, until his mother hailed him to hack Daucus carota sativa, the Muggle way of course.

Everyone else arrived while he was chopping, except for Victoire who did n't get off body of work until five. With what must have been at least five pounds of cultivated carrot finally chopped, Albus escaped outside, where most everyone else was congregating.

Percy was donned in very image midnight blue sky robe which struck Albus as very odd since everyone else was wearing casual robes or Muggle clothes. But Hotspur was always slightly odd.

"Why 's Uncle Harry Hotspur dressed up ?"Albus asked Rose, who had just appeared by his side.

"No idea,"blush wine said."But he 's quite excited about something and he wo n't tell apart anyone else what it is."

"He probably came up with some new type of cauldron bottom,"Georgia muttered.

Albus turned around to see Sakartvelo, still in practice Kestral robes, with her limb crossed glaring at her father."He 's still not keen on the Quidditch thing, is he ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"Georgia replied."cypher he says is going to change my head, though. I 've even gotten a flat with one of the other histrion. I 'm moving out tomorrow, but he does n't know it yet. I do n't get it. He 's more than angry about this than Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur are about Gabriella not interning at Gringotts."

"I do n't see what 's faulty with a Quidditch career,"Albus agreed."I mean, so long as you 're soundly. And you are."

"Thanks, Albus. He just does n't get Quidditch, and in two years he 's going to hold to deal with it all again when Bradley graduates."

"You think Omar Bradley 's going to get into Quidditch, too ?"pink wine asked.

"No mind, but I know he does n't want to get into the Ministry. He hates government,"Georgia explained."And merlin knows Cedric would never do work in the Ministry. He causes far too much trouble."

"I suppose he can go for Samantha or Lindy will try for a Ministry career,"rosebush joked, pointing to the two superposable red-haired daughter playing tag with Eddie, who had abandoned his broom.

"He better not,"Empire State of the South muttered."They 're too young to give his dreams forced upon them. They 're not even in Hogwarts yet."

"How is training ?"Albus asked, changing the subject.

Georgia 's heart lit up."Oh it 's terrific ! I mean, I have n't gotten to play in a genuine lucifer yet but it 's really something to be able-bodied to play Quidditch every day of your life-time and get paid for it. One of the Beaters, the girl I 'm getting a matte with, says I 'm a shoe-in for a permanent keeper locating once their custodian gets drafted for England. There 's been talk that he will be and I would n't be surprised since he 's the best player on the team."

"Oi, Empire State of the South !"James shouted as he crossed the yard, followed by Ben and Cedric."Want to get a lucifer going ?"

"Definitely !"Georgia replied."Interested, Al ?"

"Sure,"Albus answered.

Albus set off towards the house to place his broom, which he had brought, the whole clip thinking how lucky he was that Harry would support whatever career he chose to get into. He liked his Uncle Percy well enough, but he could n't opine being told he should n't do what he most wanted to do with his animation.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I will be responding to all of your lovely reviews soon.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry thrower.
Weasley menage tree is in the Author 's notation at the bottom.


mollie Weasley did n't dare do dinner party until after the Quidditch match had been completed because even she did n't hold the ability to drag Weasleys away from Quidditch. shimmy secured a win for his squad by practically stealing the sneaker out James 's clutch and then everyone was off their brooms and sitting at the large crowd of mesa in disc time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite hungry and in a very good mood as he had been on chemise 's team.

Albus and Rose sat next to each former in the middle of the chemical group of mesa and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. too soon experience had taught them never to sit near Percy due to his habit of talking government during dinner party, something that even bored rose wine. 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,"Percy said to no one in peculiar as he served himself some carrot,"something 's going to go on. I guarantee it. It 's been too quiet in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought things would get a bit riled up last year when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had similar views. More alike than I expected anyway ..."

leave it to Sir Henry Percy to try and receive something wrong with the Ministry when all was fine, Albus thought. He reached over Rose to grab a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping parcel onto his plate.

"What do you guess, Harry ?"Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting future to him."Any stirrings in the Auror department that I may not own heard about ?"

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

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

Albus was n't exactly certain what his uncle Sir Henry Percy actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the minister of religion, but his real title was so tenacious and complicated that Albus never bothered to call back it.

"Well, it 's an election year,"Walker Percy pointed out."affair never stay quiet during election years. Party promulgation come first week of Sept and after that affair will be chaotic around the Ministry. Loads of work to do. Let me recount you, when I run for Minister-"

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

"I would vote for you, Percy,"Molly assured him."You would shit a howling minister. But this dinner party is supposed to be about the kids. James ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. year ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must chill out down a bit and study."

"Gran, really,"James River muttered."We 're going to be hearing this from the instructor. Uncle Walker Percy, why do n't you severalize us more about your running for Minister ?"

"Well, as a matter of fact."Percy stood up."I have a rather energise promulgation to make and I feel I must tell my family line first, before the rest of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for dramatic issue."I will be formally announcing on Monday, September second that I will be running for pastor for April 's election."

There was out-and-out silence for about five seconds before a whole lot of things happened at once. Ron, George, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her eyebrows as far as they could go. Ginny, account, and Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her head slightly and then jumped up from her chair, running towards Walker Percy and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

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

"Mum !"Ron groaned."It 's not like your other sons have n't done anything. I 'm an Auror for Merlin 's rice beer !"

"And you 're a fine good one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being Minister. You just do n't have the ambition Walker Percy does,"Molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

Gold was exchanging hands at the other end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some sort of bet involving when Walker Percy would run for Minister. That bet must have been in the works for years.

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

"Honestly, Mum, do you remember he 's really going to win ?"Ron exclaimed."I mean, do n't get me ill-timed, Sir Henry Percy, I 'll vote for you, but what about the rest of the wizarding world ?"

"Harry Hotspur, 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 decades !"

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

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

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"son,"Arthur warned."Harry Hotspur 's right. If he wants to run for parson he can without any of us making it unmanageable for him. You do n't suffer to vote for him, but I wo n't let you arguing during dinner. You 'll disturb your mum."

Everyone resumed their rear but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Harry Hotspur running for Minister. They just continued to do so in get down vocalization. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a seat near Percy.

"Do you love 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 decent. But I 've got his accompaniment. After all, I am the Senior Undersecretary for the drafting and redaction of Laws to the Minister."

So that 's what Hotspur 's title was, Albus thought. He had no theme if that was a position that had a lot of powerfulness or not, but apparently it was enough to obtain backing for a Minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"GA shouted from a little room down the table."I figure this is as good a time as any to tell apart 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 savorless with a admirer closer to the rake. It 'll be more convenient, for work."

"Work,"Hotspur muttered."If Quidditch can be considered work."

"Look, I know how these elections work. You 're going to require to earn yourself face like a household man, so you 're not going to want to debate me your disturbed daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd meliorate start thinking of me as your daughter who 's the New modesty Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll sound better to the press."

Harry Hotspur stared at her with his back talk love feast. He shook his head slightly and resumed eating, without another give-and-take to Georgia. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that lilliputian argument.

Albus turned to Rose and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to make Harry Hotspur 's running for Minister work to her reward.

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

"Not yet."rose wine shook her school principal."Her mum might have wanted her to hold off 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 lull about it,"Albus answered.

"It 's so improper, though, that he can completely get away with what he did,"rose wine 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 bank ?"James shouted.

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

Albus and Rose did n't lay on the line talking about Lubar for the relief of the eve. trusted, the ease of their sept knew about what had happened but neither of them wanted to talk about their theories with any of them.

The rest of the eve was rather out of character for usual Weasley family dinners. All the previous twelvemonth'dinner had consisted of talking of Hogwarts and the adults exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the first prison term would get a fair bit of attention, but this year Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the tending was focused on Percy. The adults were talking politics and Albus 's honest-to-goodness cousins were placing stakes on whether he 'd win or not.

Stanley was the commencement to impart as he had to go back to Romania the pursue morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their yr in Romania and had returned to England permanently the previous month. Victoire and shift left shortly after that since they both had to puzzle out the adjacent day.

Percy was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousins were pocket-size and he had to act he was matter to in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was sentence to leave. For the first time in his lifetime, he was actually happy to leave and get back to Grimmauld shoes. The before school dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to have fun all together before schooling started, and this metre it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some CVA of hazard or miracle that had never descended upon the thrower before, James had packed his luggage compartment the night before they left for school. Albus was sure as shooting that some sort of Apocalypse was going to get in soon because Percy running for Minister and the Potters arriving early for the Hogwarts limited were two events that nobody ever thought would take place. Albus did n't question it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at Platform 9 ¾ prior to going through the barrier, was not betimes, so the Potters went through without him. Rose and her fellowship were already there of form, so Albus said a promptly goodbye to his parents before getting on the train to ascertain Rose. With any fortune his friends would n't be there yet and he could speak to prove alone. Usually there was zippo he would n't talk to his friends about, but the foreign feeling he had had about his house was something he only wanted to lecture to rosiness about.

Rose was alone in a compartment about halfway down the train, reading one of her new text edition. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't have the thin idea what any of the symbolic representation in it meant. He chose the rump next to her and waited for her to be done reading whatever it was she was deciphering.

"I 'm witnessing a miracle, apparently,"rose said after setting her ledger down.

"James packed last Night,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is favourable if James II packs in the beginning than five bit before you leave."

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

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

Albus swallowed hard. That was in the back of his intellect of class, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to blab out to Rose about.

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

"Oh,"was all rose wine said. Both cousin sat quietly for a minute before she continued."I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner at Gran 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 less of us at Hogwarts now so I guess that 's what 's going to happen-"

"There 's still a lot of us here,"pink wine interrupted."And Eddie and the twin have n't even started yet. Plus it 's not like we even talked about teddy, Victoire, Stanley, and Sakartvelo. We talked about Harry Hotspur for Merlin 's sake !"

"What do you recall will happen if he wins ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't make out. I do n't cogitate things will change political-wise but I think it 's going to be really weird for Peach State and Bradley and Cedric. Even the twin will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most of import person in the wizarding domain has got to be stressful."

"Tell me about it,"Albus muttered."Can you imagine 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 affair are already different from last yr. Everyone 's going to be focused on Uncle Percy 's campaign."

"affair never stay the same, Al,"blush wine 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 wine, because my parents nearly murdered me this past summer when they saw it."

"I think we 'll just have to deal with your murder, John, because that mark is not getting any higher,"pink wine replied.

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

"Nothing,"Rose said quickly.

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

"This is going to be the best year ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a piece of parchment out of his bag."flavour, it 's my Hogsmeade permission slip !"

"Excellent,"John the Evangelist replied."Now I do n't let 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 plebeian room,"John assured him."Our destination is to fancy out how to get a few in there."

"Not going to make for,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the early face of Rose."You ca n't get into individual else 's park room unnoticed."

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

"Not if it 's going to smell 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. secernate us what you and Rose were talking about before any of us got here."

"Fine."Albus took a deep breath."wellspring, my Uncle Percy 's run for Minister."

"Seriously ?"John replied.

"Cool !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"Matt asked.

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

"Yes,"Albus answered."He 's seriously running, it 's not that cool, I 'm honestly not sure 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 last thing he 'd ever want to do. He would n't want anymore index than he 's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is variety of exponent hungry,"Albus replied.

"Do you know who he 's running against ?"Amanda asked.

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

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

"It 's our family,"Rose said quietly."Uncle Percy is so center on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Georgia 's got it all figured out. Percy 's going to pretend he 's completely happy with her Quidditch playing just to make himself seem like a category man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's stupid,"can said."GA 's not going to care that."

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

"He 's right hand, you know,"Amanda said.

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

"You, rose wine, and Matt are n't the only I of us who have family in politics,"Amanda said.

"But you 're a Muggle,"john replied.

"I never said the Ministry of Magic, John. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle 's the prime quantity minister."

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

"Michael Smythe, that 's my uncle. He 's my mum 's brother,"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 wins ...,"Albus began, his voice trailing off.

"He 'll fill my Uncle Mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, Peach State does deliver it all figured out. If Holy Scripture gets out that Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch performing, it 's going to come off wrongly in the press and lose him suffrage. So, he 'll keep it to himself and will be in the breast row of every single one of her friction match, pretending to be a vast Kenmare Kestrals fan."

"Wow, that seems so wrong,"Rose muttered.

"It 's political sympathies from the other incline. The public wants people in exponent to feature a certain image."

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

"My full cousin Leanne went a lilliputian unwarranted at university her first gear yr, our get-go 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 covert of some tabloid, but that was the only one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not same Georgia 's partying. She 's got Quidditch skills and is using them to ca-ca an honest bread and butter,"rose wine pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't want the world to know he 's not happy with her life history choice so he 's going to induce himself look like a devoted father."

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

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

"It 's true, Albus,"Matt said."Amanda 's completely right. It 's the whole reason why my dad got sacked. The public did n't like that I was a werewolf, which is part of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, nonentity wanted him in politics anymore."

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but Matt was right. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before lusterlessness mentioned that. And now the same thing was happening with his family. Percy was going to dissemble and while that did n't really directly effect him, how long would it study before the public did n't like the image he and the respite of his cousins were presenting ?


A/N : From now on, updates for this will fall out on the first-class honours degree of every month and updates for Beyond the darkness will materialize on the 15th. That way they 'll be spread out. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this !

Here 's the Weasley-Potter Family tree diagram !

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

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

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

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

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

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

*All in Gryffindor*