Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry thrower.
Weasley kinfolk tree diagram is in the source 's Note at the bottom.


molly Weasley did n't dare help dinner until after the Quidditch match had been completed because even she did n't have got the ability to drop back Weasleys away from Quidditch. Teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the fink out James 's grasp and then everyone was off their brooms and sitting at the large crowd of tables in record book prison term. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetite. Albus was certainly quite thirsty and in a very expert humor as he had been on Teddy 's team.

Albus and blush wine sat next to each other in the middle of the group of tabular array and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Percy due to his habit of talking politics during dinner party, something that even bored rose. The two of them looked at each early 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 especial as he served himself some carrots,"something 's going to happen. I guarantee it. It 's been too smooth 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 alike vista. More similar than I expected anyway ..."

Leave it to Percy to try and discover something damage with the Ministry when all was alright, Albus thought. He reached over Rose to grab a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping portion onto his photographic plate.

"What do you think, Harry ?"Sir Henry Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting next to him."Any inspiration in the Auror section that I may not take heard about ?"

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

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

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

"fountainhead, it 's an election class,"Harry Hotspur pointed out."things never stay calm during election years. company announcements come first week of Sept and after that things will be chaotic around the Ministry. load of employment to do. Let me narrate you, when I run for Minister-"

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

"I would vote for you, Percy,"Molly assured him."You would progress to a wonderful minister of religion. But this dinner is supposed to be about the minor. James ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. year ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must simmer down down a bit and study."

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

"Well, as a topic of fact."Hotspur stood up."I have a rather charge up announcement to make and I feel I must secernate my family first, before the remainder of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for spectacular burden."I will be formally announcing on Mon, September second that I will be running for minister for Apr 's election."

There was absolute quiet for about five minute 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, Bill, and Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her foreland slightly and then jumped up from her chair, running towards Harry Hotspur and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

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

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

"And you 're a fine good one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being government minister. You just do n't give birth the dream Percy does,"molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

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

Albus was personally stunned. He of course of study had been on the receiving end of many a Percy fustian 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 Harry Hotspur running. His family was noted enough without having an actual rector in it.

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

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

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

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

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

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"Boys,"Arthur warned."Harry Hotspur 's rightfield. If he wants to run for Minister he can without any of us making it unmanageable for him. You do n't have to vote for him, but I wo n't have you arguing during dinner. You 'll disconcert your mum."

Everyone resumed their seats but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Sir Henry Percy running for Minister. They just continued to do so in scurvy vox. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a ass near Percy.

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

"Not certain,"Percy replied."Hartwell 's not running again, if that 's what you 're getting at. He 's had enough. But I 've got his supporting. After all, I am the senior Undersecretary for the Drafting and redaction of police force to the Minister."

So that 's what Percy 's statute title was, Albus thought. He had no thought if that was a position that had a lot of top executive or not, but apparently it was enough to receive living for a Minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"GA shouted from a short ways down the tabular array."I figure this is as undecomposed a time as any to tell you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

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

"Moving out. You know, leaving the nest. I 've got a flat with a ally closer to the pitch. 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 want to make yourself attend like a syndicate man, so you 're not going to desire to consider me your unbalanced daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd ameliorate set forth thinking of me as your daughter who 's the newest reserve Keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll fathom improve to the press."

Sir Henry Percy stared at her with his mouthpiece agape. He shook his head slightly and resumed eating, without another discussion to Sakartvelo. Georgia looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that little argument.

Albus turned to blush wine and grinned. Georgia certainly knew how to fix Harry Hotspur 's running for Minister work to her advantage.

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

"Not yet."blush wine shook her headway."Her mum might have wanted her to hold back 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 quiet about it,"Albus answered.

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

"You 're robbing a savings bank ?"James shouted.

"Of course not,"Rose replied."It 's none of your business."

Albus and Rose did n't risk talking about Lubar for the rest of the evening. sure, the residual of their family knew about what had happened but neither of them wanted to talk about their hypothesis with any of them.

The rest of the evening was rather out of character for usual Weasley syndicate dinner. All the previous eld'dinners 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 gear time would get a fair bit of attention, but this year Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attention was focused on Walker Percy. The adult were talking politics and Albus 's previous cousins were placing bet on whether he 'd win or not.

John Rowlands was the first off to leave as he had to go back to Romania the following morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their year in Roumania and had returned to England permanently the previous month. Victoire and Teddy left shortly after that since they both had to form the next day.

Percy was still discussing military campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his full cousin were minuscule and he had to pretend he was interest in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was sentence to leave. For the inaugural time in his life, he was actually glad to allow and get back to Grimmauld position. The before school dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to hold fun all together before school started, and this clip it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some stroke of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the Potters before, Saint James the Apostle had packed his torso the night before they left for shoal. Albus was sure that some sort of apocalypse was going to get in soon because Percy running for parson and the Potters arriving early for the Hogwarts Express were two events that cypher ever thought would happen. 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 early, so the Potters went through without him. Rose and her folk were already there of class, so Albus said a quick goodbye to his parents before getting on the caravan to find Rose. With any chance his friends would n't be there yet and he could talk to develop alone. Usually there was zip he would n't tattle to his friends about, but the strange feeling he had had about his kin was something he only wanted to talk to Rose about.

rose was alone in a compartment about halfway down the wagon train, reading one of her new schoolbook. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't have the slightest idea what any of the symbols in it meant. He chose the posterior next to her and waited for her to be done meter reading whatever it was she was deciphering.

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

"James packed last night,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is prosperous if Henry James packs before than five transactions before you leave."

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

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three old age, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the same time. I know they 're really stupid when it comes to dueling but I think they 're impertinent than anyone 's giving them acknowledgment for. thing are going to alter, Al. The populace 's getting scarier,"pink wine said quietly.

Albus swallowed hard. That was in the back of his nous of trend, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to babble 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-german sat quietly for a moment before she continued."I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner party at Gran and granddaddy '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,"Rose interrupted."And Eddie and the twin have n't even started yet. Plus it 's not like we even talked about shift, Victoire, John Rowlands, and Georgia. We talked about Harry Hotspur for Merlin 's interest !"

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

"I do n't have intercourse. I do n't think things will modify political-wise but I think it 's going to be really weird for Empire State of the South and Bradley and Cedric. Even the Twin will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most important soul in the wizarding world has got to be stressful."

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

"Percy would n't endure a chance."

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

"Things never stay the Saami, Al,"Rose said.

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

"I think we 'll just give to deal with your slaying, John, because that scratch is not getting any higher,"Rose replied.

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

"Nothing,"pink wine said quickly.

"I 'll enjoin you once lustrelessness 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 musical composition of parchment out of his bag."smell, it 's my Hogsmeade permission gaucherie !"

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

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

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

"Not going to put to work,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the former side of rosiness."You ca n't get into someone else 's park way 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 take just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,"trick told Kaden.

Kaden shrugged."All rightfield, everyone 's here. evidence us what you and Rose were talking about before any of us got here."

"Fine."Albus took a abstruse breath."Well, my Uncle Percy 's running game for Minister."

"Seriously ?"John replied.

"Cool !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"flatness 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 blush wine both burst out laughing."Because that 's the last thing he 'd ever need to do. He would n't want anymore might than he 's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is kind of mightiness hungry,"Albus replied.

"Do you roll in the hay who he 's running against ?"Amanda asked.

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

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

"It 's our family,"blush wine said quietly."Uncle Percy is so focused 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 felicitous with her Quidditch playing just to make himself seem like a family man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's stupid,"John Lackland said."Georgia 's not going to like that."

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

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

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

"You, Rose, and lustrelessness are n't the simply one of us who have family in politics,"Amanda said.

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

"I never said the Ministry of legerdemain, John. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle 's the ground minister."

Albus continued to stare at her. Amanda was always rather tranquility and rarely talked about her category. He always figured that was because she was so subdued and never guessed that it might be because her mob was just as influential in the Muggle world as his was in the wizarding humans.

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

"So if Percy winnings ...,"Albus began, his part trailing off.

"He 'll meet my Uncle Mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, Georgia does have it all figured out. If word gets out that Walker Percy and her rowed about her Quidditch playing, it 's going to get along off wrong in the press and misplace him votes. So, he 'll hold back it to himself and will be in the forepart row of every single one of her lucifer, pretending to be a Brobdingnagian Kenmare Kestrals fan."

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

"It 's political sympathies from the other face. The world wants people in big businessman to feature a sealed image."

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

"My cousin Leanne went a little wild at university her first gear year, our first year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a pic of her and put it on the natural covering of some tabloid, but that was the lonesome one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not wish Empire State of the South 's partying. She 's got Quidditch skills and is using them to give an honest living,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't want the public to bonk he 's not felicitous with her calling choice so he 's going to cause himself face like a devoted father."

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

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

"It 's true, Albus,"Matt said."Amanda 's completely right. It 's the altogether reason why my dad got sacked. The world did n't like that I was a lycanthrope, which is part of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, cipher wanted him in government 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 Matt mentioned that. And now the same matter was happening with his kinsperson. Percy was going to sham and while that did n't really directly effect him, how long would it exact before the public did n't like the image he and the sleep of his cousin-german were presenting ?


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

Here 's the Weasley-Potter Family Tree !

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

Charlie-Katherine ( crone )
Stanley- 19
Heather- 7th twelvemonth
Mark- 6th class
Eddie- 8

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

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

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

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

*All in Gryffindor*


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was no mention of politics or minister throughout the oddment of the train trip-up. Amanda did n't say anything else about her uncle being the prime rector and how it had affected her mob, but Albus was still really curious about it. How had she managed to keep that a mystery for three yr ? judging by pink wine 's reaction, she did n't even know about it. Matt had n't even managed to keep it a secret that he was a loup-garou for a class. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the Best occult keeper in their group.

The talking lightened considerably as they made their way to Hogwarts, soon turning to the familiar spirit subject field of Quidditch and then to fantasizing about the new Defense instructor. whoremonger was hoping for someone who let them do whatever they wanted whereas Rose wanted someone who would actually instruct, and not teach like Balladanis had. Albus did n't really worry, so long as the new teacher did n't care to harm his student, physically or emotionally.

As the wagon train neared Hogsmeade station, Albus and his friends changed into their gown and prepared to pass the train for the bumpy carriage ride up to the school. The journeying was now so unremarkable that they did so with little chatter and transferred to the carriages with none of the fanfare of the former two age. They were fourth years now and Hogwarts was familiar territory. As twenty-five percent years, they were well on their way to being the older pupil of the schooling.

The Great antechamber was filled with laugh and excitement as the students found their tush at their house tabular array. Albus and his friend quickly found hindquarters together at the Gryffindor table and all five glanced up to the staff board to find the new face that would be their Defense teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar face they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

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

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

There were two new wizards sitting at the tabular array. One was deep in conversation with Professor Kendrick and the other was glancing around at the room, his eyes never resting on the Sami matter or person for more than a few mo. The former was wearing what looked to be Ministry robes, which made Albus wonder if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from last year standing off to the face in his usual bit. The irregular new wizard was dressed in bare black gown and had nearly no hair atop his head, but instead had a large beard and mustache, as if he was trying to counterbalance.

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

"That 's not a commodity signaling,"John replied."What 's the Ministry doing here on the first gear day ?"

"It 's not necessarily a bad affair,"rose pointed out."Maybe they just want to construct trusted everything is back to convention after the competition net year."

St. John opened his mouthpiece to answer but was silenced by the doors opening and professor Patil entering with the new kickoff years. They looked daunt and tiny, far minor than the premature year 's first years. It was weird how they seemed to get low every year.

As with the late year, Albus did n't pay any attention to anyone 's sorting unless their last name was potter or Weasley. This year, of row, there was only Angie entering Hogwarts from Albus 's magnanimous family. She ran up to the three-legged-stool with as lots enthusiasm as the relaxation of the menage had and jammed the hat onto her head.

It remained there for all of three mo before shouting"Gryffindor !"Angie ran from the pot to the charge yell of the Gryffindors, her brother Fred 's whistling ringing over the rest. Everyone at Hogwarts would have bet money on Angie being a Gryffindor, but everyone still liked to cheer.

For once Albus wished that Kendrick would name announcements before the fete was served just so he could feel out why there were two new wizard at the faculty table, but like usual, Kendrick waited until after the feast. Thus, the continuance of the feast was spent speculating.

"The Ministry 's sent someone to watch,"William James said confidently."look at the preceding three years. Every single one at least one of Al and his supporter have gotten kidnapped by insane wizards. Clearly the Ministry does n't think the teacher can protect us enough."

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

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

"That 's preposterous,"a seventh-year girl replied."He 's probably just the new defense lawyers teacher."

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

"Slughorn 's prospicient lost twin ?"Kaden suggested."Seriously, plane his beard and he 'll bet just like Slughorn."

"Maybe Kendrick just wanted to ask in someone to the Welcome fete,"Amanda pointed out."It could be as simple as that."

Albus doubted it. zip was ever simpleton when it came to life story at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed the like geezerhood, the puddings disappeared and Kendrick stood to give his common start of condition speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I give a warm up welcome to our new first years and Bob Hope you have enjoyed your first Hogwarts feast. I 'll remind everyone that the timber is out of bounds as well as the Whomping Willow. Those wishing to try out for their House Quidditch squad can give their name calling to their nous of house. Now, you may receive noticed that there are two new staff extremity this year even though only one status is vacant. The first is simple to excuse and the indorsement is a little more complicated.

"First, I would like to welcome prof Elliot Young to Hogwarts. Professor Pres Young is going to be taking over the Defense teacher position."Kendrick gestured to the man with the whiskers, while scattered applause was received from the students and early professors.

"Professor ancient if you ask me,"whoremaster muttered.

"Many of you may be aware and quite a lot of you I 'm sure are not mindful that this is an election year for the Ministry of Magic. Tomorrow the nominee running for Minister of deception will make their oral communication announcing their candidacy, which will get a seven month campaign period. At the beginning of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the winner shall be announced. The fact that this is an election year is a wonderful educational opportunity and I was n't about to let it cash in one's chips us by. Therefore I have decided to add another socio-economic class to the syllabus. It will forgather once a week and in it you will learn the ins and outs of our political system and its history.

"This is Professor Richard Embry."Kendrick gestured to the bloke sitting next to him, who then stood up."He is from the Ministry and has agreed to teach this new year that we have designed. The class will appear on your schedules that you will receive tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as classes begin brilliantly and early in the morning. Prefects, please escort the outset years to the vulgar rooms."

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

The common room was abuzz with discussion about the new professors when they arrived. to the highest degree of the younger educatee had gone to bed, but the older students were making no movement to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up sheet for Quidditch try-outs on the placard board while Heather watched. Albus predicted that the two of them would act Sir Thomas More like co-captains since there was no way heather mixture was going to let Fred make all of the team decisions this class.

"So now we have another class,"John muttered as they sat down at a tabular array near the ardour."More prep. more than exams."

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

"But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to take away a course of instruction about government ?"trick asked.

"Never,"Albus replied.

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

"Yeah, it 's not like there 's going to be an O.W.L. for it,"Rose said."Can you believe that we 'll be taking O.W.L.s next class ?"

bathroom groaned."Do we really have to utter about them already ?"

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

"Well, I think I 'm going to call on in,"Rose said as she stood up."Classes jump tomorrow."

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

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


"well, we 've got one of the new teacher today,"John said at breakfast the take after dawn."We start off the day with Herbology and then have Defense right hand before lunch."

"When do we have that politics year ?"matte asked as he scooped a cumulus of oatmeal onto his plate.

"Tomorrow, right field before dinner,"St. John replied."Merlin, that would 've been discharge time if we did n't deliver that crashing class."

"It could be fun, John,"rosiness said.

"I have n't got it until Fri forenoon,"Kaden lamented."I think it will be fun. Muggle political science are boring but magical makes everything better."

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

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

Albus glanced at his docket."Yes."They had had potions with the Slytherins every class now. Surely that could n't be accidental. Albus would birth preferred they have no course of instruction with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in Defense the previous year. The last-place thing he and matte needed was more tangency with Scorpius Malfoy.

"Good news is that we 've got defence with the Hufflepuffs this twelvemonth,"Amanda pointed out.

"Bet Kendrick did that on purpose after last twelvemonth,"John said."He 'd cause to be an idiot to establish us that class with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in agreement. After the scene that had developed between Albus, John, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in Defense class together again. Albus was grateful. He 'd spend the last few weeks of his one-third twelvemonth avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to avoid him for the remainder of his Hogwarts vocation. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling squad.

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

Everyone was slightly wary of the new defending team professor and thus the place in the rear of the way were in high demand. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had August 6 beforehand and had a much shorter walk, so they claimed all of the far tail end. Albus, Matt, and John had the misfortune of having to sit at one of the movement tabular array and all three boys were on edge.

The professor ambled into the room just as class was scheduled to start. He had a very orotund pot of sheepskin, which he set on the desk before beginning to call roll.

"I am Professor Cy Young,"he began after he finished with roll."And welcome to fourthly year Defense Against the Dark nontextual matter. This year we will focus on Dark execration, hexes, and ecumenical magic spell, all of which are detailed out in your schoolbook. You can take your books out now if you have n't already done so."

Albus rummaged in his bag and set his book on the table. Professor Lester Willis Young picked up the mint of parchment and began passing it out to the students. Albus feared that it was a quiz, as he glanced down at its fill-in-the-blank questions and abruptly result questions.

"Please read the low gear chapter of your book and fill in the worksheet by the end of the class,"Young said as he walked back to his desk. He said nil more and began to read what appeared to be a novel while stroking his byssus.

Albus glanced at John and matt, unsure of whether Young would yell at him if he spoke in whispers to his ally. Actually, Young might not even hear him. He did appear to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Loretta Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the first base day of class. Would n't a reproof make Thomas More sense ? Albus could n't remember a time when a professor had n't lectured on the first day of class.

Everyone else seemed thoroughly confused as well. For the next five arcminute everyone sent each other confused looking at and glimpse before finally cracking open their school text, having realized that Young was n't going to do anything besides scan his novel.

Albus began to study the first chapter, which was dreadfully wearisome. It was about the most mundane of Dark hexes, if a Dark hex could be considered mundane. The chapter did n't even cite unforgivable hex, which while horrible, were far more occupy than the basic principles of what made a maledict nighttime.

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

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

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

"Still, it was horribly boring,"Albus replied.

"Honestly, I 'm well-chosen it 's boring after dealing with Balladanis last class,"Matt said.

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

"An Anamatek would probably finish him off,"John replied."I do n't think he could handle one."

"Not many multitude could,"Albus pointed out.

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

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

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

"What time is it happening ?"Albus asked.

"One,"Georgia replied."Which means we 're already going to be later than Dad wants. It 'll be in the even Prophet."

"There is no way Georgia 's going to be able-bodied to pretend everything is all right between her and Uncle Percy for the whole election,"Rose said once Georgia and her buddy had left."She looked peeved already and he has n't even announced he 's running yet."

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

"Wish we could go watch,"pink wine said."I bet our parents are there."

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

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

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


Albus did n't see Tom Bradley or Cedric until dinner. He had been hoping to overtake one of them in between classes, but either their agenda did n't permit them to baffle itinerary or the announcement had gone until dinner party. The noise in the Great manse was n't any louder than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he was n't quite indisputable how much the remainder of the educatee cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor table, all of Albus 's cousins were clustered at one end of the table, their heads leaned in to one another.

"expression like a kinfolk get together or something,"Albus said.

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

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

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

"Otherwise we 'd just have to tell the story over and over again,"Omar Nelson Bradley muttered.

"wellspring, go on,"Fred encouraged.

"It was basically a huge illusion political party with a crowd of boring spoken communication,"Thomas Bradley began."A crew of Ministry people and their married woman or husbands and Dad was the shopping center of tending, of track. Everyone knew he was running even though he had n't made his official promulgation yet. It did n't get occupy until Dad and the witch he 's running against made their announcement-"

"Dad 's was pretty boring,"Cedric cut in."Talked about how he 's seen the Ministry through so many changes and how we need strong leaders to celebrate the magical community together and loyal. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of trend. Then everyone clapped politely and the foe stood up."

"The witch who 's actually endure feeling like she was a mortarboard in a former life. Her nozzle is as pointy as a nose can get and she 's got this streamlined shameful tomentum that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a bunch of people who she introduced as her campaign team,"Bradley said."But it was her speech that got the crowd riled up. She kept putting mess in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding world was a strong united front man but she talked about how break are forming and the Ministry is slipping and alteration is needed again. She made all these subtle acknowledgment of how the Aurors are n't as on top of affair and how if we do n't do something the magical cosmos will come apart."

"That 's ridiculous !"Fred said."The magical world is fine."

"I thought they were just making their announcements that they were running,"blush wine said."delivery do n't commence yet."

"Neither of them are going to blow an opportunity to get balloting,"Scots heather pointed out."So do you two have to make anymore appearances ?"

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

"And the oracle wants to do a huge article on our family,"Cedric added."They 're doing one on the beldame, too."

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

"Patricia Laurentis,"Cedric replied."She 's some sort of consultant to the current minister. Her title 's just as confusing and long as Dad's."

"Weird that both the candidates were working under the flow Minister,"rose said.

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

"Me too,"Bradley said as he stood up."Patil probably wo n't be pleased that I missed the first lesson."

Cedric and Bradley left, leaving the rest of the cousins to let the cat out of the bag about what they had just been told. Albus mostly listened while pushing his food around his plate. What he had learned about Patricia Laurentis unnerved him a little and it was mostly because portion of him thought she was right. Things were n't as thoroughgoing as his Uncle Percy thought. Willinson was still on the light and not to mention the military issue with Lubar was still unresolved.

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

"Maybe Uncle Harry Hotspur is the right person to be government minister,"Heather said quietly."The Ministry has been working the like way since the final Battle, has n't it ? And there have n't been anymore Voldemorts trying to reach power."

"But things ca n't always appease the Saami,"Rose pointed out.

"Do you really think the Ministry needs to deepen that often ?"heather asked.

"I do n't have a go at it,"Rose said quietly."I just do n't think citizenry are as united as Uncle Percy thinks."

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

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

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

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

"I 'm not denying that, but he did have a point. In an election year everything matter. Uncle Hotspur 's aligned his beliefs with the flow Minister 's, which means if he 's elected he 's going to continue doing matter the same way. The Ministry has n't caught Willinson for good in the three twelvemonth they 've been searching and he 's slipped out of their grasp legion prison term. It 's not going to be difficult for that Laurentis lady to convert hoi polloi we need to commute tactics, even if her tactics are n't great either."

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

"I 've talked to Amanda more than you have,"Rose replied."She knows how all of this body of work, and it 's really not that dissimilar in the Muggle world."

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

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

Albus did n't reply. He knew that his Uncle Percy 's political views were slightly unlike than the rest of his family 's, but they were still quite interchangeable. If what Rose was saying was true, that meant that his unanimous house needed to open their eyes and Albus was n't sure how he felt about that.


A/N : Sorry about the late update. There were some internet site issues. See the meeting place for more particular about that. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"You know, this politics grade is taking away from our liberate periods,"whoremonger said the following aurora at breakfast. He shook his head as he loaded his plate luxuriously with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for pink wine 's reply about how they needed to take reward of any get wind chance, even if they meant lupus erythematosus free people time, but it did n't come. Albus turned to look at her, thinking she might be ill. She was n't. Instead she was piling her own plate high with eggs and toast. Albus raised his supercilium at her.

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

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

"I kind of agree with him."Rose shrugged.

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

pink wine pushed his hand away."blockage it, Al. I 'm not saying I wo n't savour the course of instruction. I 'm just saying that we 're fourth years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the time we can get to hit the books. Not that John would use the time to analyse, mind you."

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

"I think it 'll be a nice change,"Matt put in."Something different. Notice they gave us History of magic on two consecutive mornings. question who the imbecile was who did that."

"Same one who always gives us classes with the Slytherins, I 'll bet,"John Lackland said."Double Potions this morning and I 'd bet my right arm and both my legs we 'll be with the Slytherins."

"Why not both your arms and legs ?"Amanda asked.

"On the off-chance that I 'm haywire, I 'll ask some sorting of limb to get around with,"John the Divine answered.

"I only had one form with the Slytherins last class,"Kaden said."You lot must have terrible hazard. I 'd better be off. Defense this morning."

"Good luck. That prof is weird,"lavatory said.

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

Albus, mat, Rose, and Amanda waited for John Lackland to finish his pile of eggs before setting off for the donjon. When they arrived the threshold was already open and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpio Malfoy was sitting at one of the front board, looking rather smug. Albus averted his eyes and continued to the back of the classroom, where he sat down in between matte and trick.

"Wonder what he 's so happy about,"Albus muttered as the rest of the educatee entered the room.

"I do n't acknowledge. But I do n't like it,"privy said.

Slughorn chose that here and now to waddle into the way so Albus and St. John the Apostle could not carry on their conversation."Welcome, welcome ! Ahh, my two ducky theatre together again ! What luck. Well, well, welcome to fourth year Potions. This is the twelvemonth that affair get difficult since you 'll be sitting your O.W.L.s next year ..."

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

"... Since today is a duple social class I thought we 'd set about brewing the first potion in your schoolbook and see where your science lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to read your text books over the summertime !"

Albus glanced at rosebush, who was sitting next to Amanda at one of the figurehead mesa. She seemed to sit up higher in her seat.

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

John set off to go with Janie Creevey who lacked a mate while Albus and Matt set up a cauldron at their table.

"Remember your gloves,"Slughorn announced."If you touch the complete product your hand will immediately freeze."

"Does it seem odd to you that we have to concoct a Freeze result with fire ?"Matt asked as he stuck his sceptre under the cauldron to light the flame.

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

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

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

"I wonder if it 's possible for this potion to explode,"Matt mused as he tossed a few patch of chopped Beta vulgaris rubra into the cauldron."

"wellspring, I suppose we 'll determine out,"came a drawling voice from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few bottles he must have gotten from the supply W.C.."I 'm trusted you two will cope it, if it 's possible."

"Shut it, Malfoy,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

lustrelessness let out a laugh."Yeah, right. If anything he 's finally realized you 're a better dueler than he is and he 's got to watch out. speech production of which, you think you 're going to be captain of your dueling squad this year ?"

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

With everything else that was going on that twelvemonth, the last thing Albus needed was to be captain of his dueling squad, but he did not desire Malfoy as maitre d'hotel either. He 'd subscribe to the extra work if just to keep open Malfoy from being in charge. Malfoy needed great power like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flame thrower.

Albus and Matt did not blow up their potion by the end of the class. In fact, their potion had the Saami eubstance that it was supposed to and while it was slightly indelicate, it did cope to suspend the quill Slughorn stuck in it. Rose and Amanda won the chocolate, which was no surprise to anyone.

rose and Amanda shared their chocolate with the son as they walked up to the Great Hall for dejeuner. Albus and matt told the fille and John about Malfoy 's outlandish behavior and Rose told them that they should just be happy he 's backing down, rather than canvass his motives.

The Great Charles Francis Hall was buzzing with action when they entered it a few mo later. Albus sat down at the Gryffindor tabular array and no sooner had he grabbed a curl did Heather toss a copy of the prophesier onto his home.

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

"This morning 's Prophet. The owls were late delivering it. Something about a storm in London,"Heather explained.

Albus set down his bowl and opened the paper. There on the front page was a film of his Uncle Walker Percy, smiling astray, in luxuriant robe, shaking hands with a very tall woman, who was also smiling wide and wearing refine gown. Above the picture was the statute title,"prospect for Minister of Magic Announced."

By this full point Rose and Matt had crowded on either side of Albus, while Amanda and Saint John the Apostle hovered behind him, all trying to read the article. Albus 's center traveled down the page so he could do the same.

In forepart of the entire Ministry of magic trick,
Minister hopefuls Percy Ignatius Weasley and
Patricia Leigh Laurentis announced their
candidature on September 3rd, 2029. Both
candidate work under Minister Hartwell, yet
are running against each other for inverse
political party.

Weasley, Senior Undersecretary for the
drafting and Editing of practice of law, has been
chosen to run for the Merlinus party,
which is the party that flow Minister
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, elder
Advisor to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
official has been chosen to run for the
Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim Party.

A large gang turned out for the proclamation,
which is only the get-go of many appearing
by both candidate. The for the first time debate is
scheduled for Sep 8th, at the
Ministry of Magic.

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

"Guess so,"Albus replied.

"She looks a slight like this maths instructor I had before I came to Hogwarts,"Amanda said."She was a shuddery noblewoman. I remember once I forgot to do my preparation so I spent the entire break of day in the loo before mortal came looking for me."

"You can secernate they both hate each other,"matte said as he gestured to the image."certain they 're shaking script and acting nice but clearly they both want to hex each other."

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

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

"Maybe,"Rose said."It just seems fishy. Her swap party and hinting at all these radical variety. It just seems like something big is going to happen."

Albus could n't help but have the same feeling. But all he could do was hope that his uncle won the election and Laurentis would not have the chance to change everything.

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

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

August 6 seemed to drag by since it was the same as it was every twelvemonth. Professor Patil explained about that year 's curriculum and how they needed to pop thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased workload. It was all rather monotonous and all Albus wanted to do was get to politics since it was something new.

Finally Transfiguration was over and Albus and his supporter hurried to the fifth floor to the classroom where politics was held. They slowed down when they reached the way as none of them wanted to be the first of all to enter.

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

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

lav let out an audible sigh of relief and Albus pushed the door receptive as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the back, and the professor was nowhere in sight. Rose immediately claimed a desk in the front and Amanda chose one next to her, while Albus and the early son headed to the group of Hufflepuffs in the back.

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

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

John the Divine shrugged."wellspring it 's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably wo n't even have this class next twelvemonth. So why would there be homework ?"

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

The rest of the socio-economic class filed in, filling in the seats that remained in the middle of the classroom. As the Alexander Graham Bell rang, prof Embry entered, walking with an air that this course of instruction would be all work and no play.

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

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to stride the duration of the classroom."I understand that most of you know absolutely aught about political relation and assume that the rector of magic is born the rector and law of nature just magically come into beingness. A select few of you,"his eyes rested on Albus, and then on lustrelessness, and on two Hufflepuff girls,"have parents in the Ministry and may have slightly more knowledge than the rest, but that would be rather generous of me to assume.

"Hogwarts has not put much interest in political Education Department before now, something that I feel is lacking in today 's educational activity and wish to rectify this class. The curriculum will include chronicle of how our government came to be the way it is today as well as how the governing is currently run."

The year let out a collective grown at the tidings history. Albus glanced at rosebush, who was on the boundary of her seat.

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

Embry let out a short gag."With prof Binns ? If I may be frank, that man died before nearly of the story happened. Along with that, he 'll put a rock to sleep."Embry chuckled. No one in the form dared to express joy."I 'm going to give you a proper history of our modern governing, starting with a brief overview of what the political science was like before the reign of Voldemort and a more comprehensive overview of what it is like today.

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

Embry flicked his wand and stacks of Holy Writ flew out of a nearby closet. They landed softly in front man of the students. Albus glanced down and read the title. politics and governance in Modern Wizarding U.K. by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the cupboard it had come out of.

"Very secure. Now, get out parchment and quills. I 'm not going to let the rest of this course of study stop go to waste,"Embry said as he tapped his wand on the panel. Notes immediately appeared on it.

Embry lectured for the remainder of the class about how the initiatory government activity was formed in U.K.. It was incredibly dry. The only reason Albus stayed awake was because he had to take notes. Literally had to. Embry caught a Gospel According to John not taking notes and threatened him with hold this Saturday if he did n't start.

"That 's all for today,"Embry said after the chime rang."future form we 'll fast forward in time and learn about the politics pre-Voldemort. translate the first-class honours degree chapter for homework and come up with three thoughtful questions to dumbfound to the rest of the class. Dismissed."

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

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

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

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

"But we will one day,"Amanda pointed out."And to be reliable, I 'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, John. Muggles get political relation classes in school day. It makes sensation that we should, too."

"She 's got a stage, first mate,"mat said."Who has the power in your country matters. If you elect the wrong people, things can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their leaders, either. We do n't even get to do that fully. The place that Albus 's dad has and my dad bear ? In the United DoS, those are elected emplacement. Not here."

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

"How do you lot even know this poppycock ?"John asked as they drew near to the Gryffindor common room.

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

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

Albus grinned sheepishly."conjecture so."

John groaned."This is mad. Why could n't I have picked normal friends ?"

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

******


The rest of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus 's sentiment. Everyone, bookman and teachers, fell back into their usual Hogwarts subprogram and by the time Fri arrived Albus had a stack of homework as high as his bed and was more than cook for a few days off. But when he saw the notice table in the park way when he got back from magical spell on Friday good afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

Fred had scheduled Quidditch practice on Sabbatum at eight in the morning.

"Eight !"Albus exclaimed."In the break of day ? Is he thoroughly insane ? It 's the 1st week back ! Even Peach State was n't disturbed enough to do that."

"Tough luck, mate,"John said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby sofa."VIII in the morning. Let 's see, I 'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, Matt ? What will you be doing at eight in the sunrise ? Flying through the rainwater ? Trudging through the mud to the pitch ?"

"Course not."matt grinned."I 'll be cozy in bed, having an puzzle aspiration where I 'm playing for the Cannons. In perfective conditions of course."

"The Cannons are the sole team you 'd ever give birth hope of playing for,"John replied.

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

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

"You !"Albus shouted as he got up."Why in the name of everything Merlin owns did you schedule practice at eight in the morning on a Saturday ? Not everyone 's a 7th year taking four classes. We ca n't all sleep in every bloody day."

Fred shrugged."Had to. sales pitch is booked self-colored all weekend except for Sabbatum morning and evening. All the other houses are having try-outs. We ca n't even have got our Keeper try-outs until succeeding weekend because of it."

"Why not the evening then ?"

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

"Then why have practice at all ? We do n't require to train anyone new until we get a new steward,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's been a totally summer. We 're rust-brown. We 've got to depart training early. I want that Quidditch trophy."

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

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

Albus spent the relief of the eventide fuming about practice and cursing Fred under his breather, until Rose suggested they all go to the elbow room after dinner. Albus reluctantly agreed, knowing that if they went to the room he 'd be up half the nighttime and would only get a few hours'slumber.

In the end he was glad rose wine suggested it. They spent the evening playacting Gobstones and Exploding cracking and listening to St. John and Kaden think up new mode to prank the Slytherins, and more specifically, Scorpius Malfoy. Eventually, Albus decided to call it a night and headed back to his student residence, leaving his protagonist to continue discussing whether it would be better to turn Malfoy 's hair red or purple.

Only a few unforesightful 60 minutes later Albus found himself sneaking quietly out of his dorm at an time of day of day that was only think to be seen on weekdays. He grabbed his broom and went to meet his teammates in the common room.

No one looked happy. St. James the Apostle was nodding off on the couch while Ryan attempted to tie his shoes without opening his eyes. Heather 's hair was sticking up at odd angles while she tried to tame it into a ponytail. Bradley was sulking in an armchair. Even Fred looked a piffling worse for wear. But they trudged through the castle, only seeing Peeves loosening a few door hinges and Filch 's cat skulking behind a wooing of armour.

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

Without going up to his student residence to deepen, Albus headed into the Great Hall hoping there would be something good for lunch. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his friend halfway down the Gryffindor board and after stowing his Scots heather underneath the work bench, he sat down and grabbed the close dish.

"You could at to the lowest degree shower number 1, Al,"rose said."You stink."

"Too starved,"Albus replied.

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

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

"Are you going to have to go to every debate ?"Rose asked.

"Hope not,"Albus replied in between collation."You do n't give birth to go ?"

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

"This says I have to wear thin preen robes,"Albus muttered.

"At least you can tell us if anything good happens,"mat said.

"And what about you ? Your dad 's high in the Ministry. Why are n't you going ?"Albus asked, despairing to find soul else who could keep him company.

"He already told me over the summertime that I 'll only have to go to ones at Hogwarts. And then whatever company the candidate will throw for the officials. Does n't reckon an election should have practically effect on my life sentence,"lusterlessness explained.

"Lucky,"Albus replied.

Albus made the to the highest degree of the rest of the day. He and his friends took homework down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beech tree while they sat by the border of the lake and dangled their animal foot in. Kaden swore the Giant calamari tried to eat his foundation, but nobody believed him. rose wine and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the bound of the timberland, insisting that none of the boys follow.

Kaden pulled a Fanged Frisbee out of his bag once the girls left and the boys began tossing it around. This was great fun until the Frisbee decided it had had sufficiency of being thrown and took out a section of Kaden 's hair, leaving his header bleeding rather profusely and Albus, John, and Matt having to step on it him to the infirmary wing. By the time Kaden 's head had been bandaged up and all four had received a lecture on the dangers of Fanged Frisbees ( ma'am Pomfrey somehow figured out that that was the cause ) it was clock time for Albus to head back to Gryffindor tower to get ready for the debate.


A/N : Sorry for the lack of a May update. shoal was insane. But I only have a twelvemonth left ! I 'm now home for the summer and am having issues getting my Internet to cooperate with HPFF. Things take a long time to debase and I can not respond to reviews. I will still say every recap, but responses will take a while since I have to be at the library to reply to them.

Since I last updated I 've had some emergence with mass plagiarizing my stories. I really hate that I have to tell you blackguard this, but it is against the rules to take anyone 's stories from here and put them on other sites. It 's also against the dominion to take plot, fictional character, etc without permission. I do not give my license for anyone to take my plots or characters. I 'm really happy that you guys like my news report, but please do n't take aim them.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


If there was one thing Albus hated it was getting dressed up for Ministry case. He had always been slightly uncomfortable with his dad 's fame and Ministry office because he hated the attending. Saint James the Apostle had always been the type who would bask in the aid, enjoying when all the Ministry official proclaimed how big he was getting and how he was sure to be the star of Gryffindor 's Quidditch team. Lily was rather unbiased towards it. She never really expressed emotion about the tending one way or another. She enjoyed getting dressed up but once they were at whatever party, she would go off and do her own thing. Albus just did not like it. He did not like getting his cheeks pinched by old madam and did not like random the great unwashed telling him how tall he was getting. As he got Old, he did not like it any more.

But it was a fact of aliveness and so Albus found himself once again forcing himself into a set of emerald leafy vegetable dress robes. They were wrinkled, but he did n't know any sort of ironing charm so he let them be. It 's not like anyone would be focused on him anyway. This was his Uncle Percy 's night and it seemed like this stallion year was going to be his Uncle Percy 's class.

Albus tamed his hair with a bit of water and then met James I, Lily, Bradley, and Cedric in the common elbow room. James looked suave and perfectly comfortable in his low-spirited dress robes, whereas Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric looked like they were being force fed stinky fish in their matching gray gown. Lily was wearing a violet frock and as usual, did n't seem to have an opinion about going to the debate.

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

"Yeah, Mum sent us a letter this break of day,"Lily explained."I guess Dad thinks we should be at the first base one."

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

The rest of the trip-up to Kendrick 's study was unsounded. When they arrived they saw that Kendrick was in apparel robe as well and was apparently escorting them to the Ministry and would stay to watch the debate. He handed them each a bit of Floo powder and let them go first.

Albus stepped into the Floo after James and soon found himself in the Ministry of magic trick 's incoming hall. The place was far placid than it was the live on metre he had been there, the following class, when he went with matte to evidence his dad about Lubar being at Hogwarts.

Kendrick led them to the elevation and down to the lawcourt rooms."The entirely place big enough to accommodate everyone witnessing the disputation. Even still, it 's an invitation only event. It 's being broadcasted over the wireless, however. Kendrick stopped in front of Margaret Court room ten and opened the doorway. The room was about half full. Albus spotted his female parent 's bright red fuzz in the first of all row of seating area. He followed Kendrick down the stairs.

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

It soon became obvious that the left side of the front row of the seating was reserved for Walker Percy 's sept. They were joined by all of Albus 's aunts and uncles, as well as Victoire, slip, and Francis Edgar Stanley. In fact the entirely one of his older cousin-german that was not there was Gabriella. Albus wanted to ask Victoire where she was but she was too far away.

Albus assumed that the first row on the right side was reserved for Laurentis 's family, although Albus did n't tell apart a single one of the people in that row. He turned around and focused on the people filing in. He recognized a few of them including matte 's parents and a few early Ministry official he 'd met before. Matt 's parents sat down behind Albus 's parents, future to prof Kendrick. Albus briefly wished that lusterlessness had been forced to go, but quickly erased that thought because what kind of supporter would wish their best friend had to wait on a political debate ?

The chatter in the elbow room immediately subsided when parson Hartwell entered followed by a few of his closest advisers. Behind them were Hotspur and Laurentis, both wearing Ministry robes. Hartwell and his advisor sat along a table at the forepart of the room while Percy and Laurentis stood behind podiums, also at the front of the room. The pastor spoke with his advisers briefly while Harry Hotspur and Laurentis smiled and waved at the crowd. Then one of the consultant rose from his seat.

He was a portly man, whose robes stretched very tightly across his center. He was completely denudate and had no beard, but a very wide mustache. Aiming his baton at his own throat, he muttered a magic spell and then set his scepter down.

"Welcome,"his voice boomed over the audience,"to the first disputation of the 2020 election for Minister of thaumaturgy. Our two candidates, Sir Henry Percy Ignatius Weasley and Patricia Leigh Laurentis, unite us tonight for an introductory argument on a mixed bag of issues. My gens is Wendell York and I am the head of the Department of Magical Transportation and will serve as moderator for tonight 's debate. I will pose the topic and each nominee will get five instant to answer, then two minutes for a rebutter.

"The start theme is how our world is concealed from Muggles. Do you intend the current Ministry is doing an decent job ? What changes would you evoke ? Mr. Weasley, you may go first."

Albus yawned. Why could n't it be an exciting topic like catching Dark magician ? Or at least something relevant to his life, like the deficiency of ripe vindication professors at Hogwarts. Now that would be a debate he 'd be interested in. Albus turned towards Percy and realized he had n't even been paying attention to often of his uncle 's response.

"... flow practice of law do a satisfactory job of concealing our world from Muggles. Magic sightings by Muggles are low in number and when they do occur Obliviators do an splendid job of altering the memories of our Muggle neighbors ..."Harry Hotspur droned on.

Albus turned to James River who rolled his eyes. Could they have come up with a more slow subject ? Albus seriously doubted it. Except perhaps cauldron bottom thickness, which was a written report Percy had done when he first started at the Ministry, according to Harry. Albus glanced at his dad. He was paying aid, but in that certain way of paying attention that meant he was really bored but was trying to fake it. Even Corrine looked slightly bored.

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

"I disagree with Mr. Weasley,"Laurentis began."One sighting of our kind by Muggles is too many. Each fourth dimension a Muggle arrest sight of an act of magic puts our intact world at risk of exposure, and not only Britain 's wizarding world. We have a obligation to the world that we celebrate our thaumaturgy under wrapping. According to terminal year 's statistic we were in the top five countries in damage of numbers of sightings. That 's not well ..."

Laurentis went on and on about diverse laws that could be enacted to see that Muggles did not see Acts of magic until Wendell York cut her off. He then let Percy hold his two minute rebuttal, during which he went on about how it was an impossible goal to try, to achieve no magic sightings by Muggles. Laurentis 's rebuttal was basically just a re-statement of her previous debate.

Albus tuned much of the argument out, focusing instead on what he wanted to do during the electric current schooling yr. He was a twenty-five percent year, which meant he was no longer one of the untested kids. He 'd been on the Quidditch team for two years and now he was hoping he 'd be able to deliver some say in how practices went and how matches were played. Then there was the Dueling nightspot. Each of the eight team had a captain and the chieftain were fourth old age. professor, mostly Neville, picked the maitre d'hotel. Albus knew it would be down to either him or Scorpius and as much as he did not really require the duty of being captain, he did not require Scorpius to have power over him. He would use that to his advantage.

The debate wore on and Albus continued to not pay care until he heard the Scripture 'education'and 'Hogwarts'. That got his attending. It was Laurentis 's turn to go first.

"I think educational reform is the best way to go. Hogwarts has been ran the same way for generation and while no one can deny that master Kendrick runs a wonderful school, we also can not ignore that alteration could be made to benefit the students. The world is a constantly changing place and education need to keep up in guild for our students to be better get up.

"The family pick for example. It is my reason that a new class has been added this yr about politics, which I think is greatly beneficial to student. But other than that the same classes are offered now as have been offered for decennium. New classes need to be phased in while old ones that either no farseeing interest students need to be phased out. Obviously I am not talking about pith classes such as Potions and Charms, but electives.

"instructor also need to be kept up to date with recent finding in their fields. They should not be teaching the same entropy I or my opposition learned at Hogwarts. They should be teaching the newest valid entropy available-"

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

"My opponent brings up an interesting point, but even she admits that Headmaster Kendrick is running an excellent schoolhouse. I believe that some government regulation is necessary, example being cobbler's last year 's incident with prof Balladanis, but we as authorities functionary do not have the preparation nor experience needed to properly run a school. I, as well as my opposer, would be kidding ourselves if we believed we could do a effective job running Hogwarts than Professor Kendrick.

"Just as professors most likely believe it best to leave law making and the running of the country to those such as my opponent and I, I believe it safe to leave the running of Hogwarts to Professor Kendrick and the other prof. In finish, I believe that Hogwarts is finely as is and if the headmaster thought he needed political science assistance bringing about change in curriculum he would ask."

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

"I in no way stated that I am trying to run Hogwarts. Nor do I think I would do a skillful job of it than Professor Kendrick. I am merely stating that the bookman would do good from more government intervention. If the Ministry had been more involved with teacher selection, for good example, we could receive possibly avoided hiring professor Balladanis in conclusion year."

"Mr. Weasley."

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

Both Hotspur and Laurentis were red in the face. Albus was surprised a Ministry shop public debate could get so fire up. He craned his head and turned around in order to see what Kendrick 's reaction to all this was, but found that Kendrick was hiding his emotions far better than either Harry Hotspur or Laurentis. It also seemed that everyone in the room was paying rhapsodic attention, including James and Lily. The only two people who were n't were Samantha and Lindy.

There was one concluding question about law making that Albus did n't really understand, nor did he care to infer. He was far more interested in the Hogwarts question. Hotspur 's disputation was far comfortably, in his opinion. Hogwarts was OK the way it was. Why did Laurentis wishing to change everything ? What sort of changes was she talking about, anyway ? He supposed the issue would be explored more specifically at the education themed disputation which was scheduled to demand place at Hogwarts the following month. But one thought process that Albus could not get out of his head was that if Laurentis won, what would chance to Hogwarts ?
******


"The solely change I want to see at Hogwarts is to a lesser extent homework and fewer exams,"john said as he walked with Albus and the residual of their friends to the Great Hall.

A week had passed since the get-go public debate and scholar were still talking about the possible modification to Hogwarts. A very large broad Thomas Nelson Page spread had appeared in the Daily seer the day after the disputation, proclaiming that Laurentis wished to switch Hogwarts. This had both students and professors up in implements of war and things were only beginning to tranquillize down. The professor had been on bound the previous week, snapping at students for zippo and assigning special preparation. This resulted in the students being very dysphoric. Albus did not quite understand why everyone was letting it affect them so much. It 's not the likes of Laurentis had won. Yet.

It was early on Sabbatum morning and Albus and his friends were heading to the Great anteroom for the first Junior 's Dueling baseball club meeting of the year. Albus 's nervus were on end. It was at this starting time meeting that the maitre d' would be announced.

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

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

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

"If he 's captain, tournaments are going to be dire,"bathroom countered."Plus, I 'm Al 's friend."

The Great Hall was in mint Chaos, as it always was during the first meeting of the yr. Two teams were congregated at each table and much to Albus 's disdain, his team was holding court at the Slytherin tabular array. He weaved his way through the confused second age who had yet to be assigned a squad and stood next to his team. Scorpius was seated across the board from him.

"wellspring, Potter, ready to be under my captaincy ?"Scorpius greeted him.

"I could say the Same to you,"Albus replied."What makes you so sure enough you 'll get it ?"

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

"silence, quiesce everyone !"Neville shouted.

Albus turned away from Scorpius and swallowed the desire to make a come back and paid attention to Neville instead. Professor Patil stood adjacent to him. Albus supposed the new Defense professor had not had a desire to help with the Dueling Club. Somehow, Albus was not surprised.

"Thank you,"Neville said."First I 'd wish to denote that Professor Patil has graciously agreed to help me sponsor this year 's Dueling Club. As a monitor, all team must let a professor nowadays during practice session and it is up to the team skipper to coordinate pattern time and situate a professor to sit in. The prof does not have to be myself or Professor Patil. However, this twelvemonth we are allowing 7th year Dueling Club members to supervise as well. So as an alternative, you may ask a seventh class to supervise.

"start edict of patronage is this year 's indorse geezerhood. I 've already assigned you to squad and shall now take off the list."

Albus let his mind wander while Neville read off the list. The only instant years he knew were his sister, and she was assigned to lusterlessness 's team, as well as Victor Hugo, who was assigned to lavatory and Kaden 's squad. A craw of shy looking second years had congregated at his own team 's position and he smiled at them, encouraging them to take hindquarters next to the Old students. There were five of them. Two male child and three girls. Three Ravenclaws, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff. No Gryffindors, but Albus could exist with that.

"And now, what I am sure all the fourth years have been waiting for, captain announcements ! Let me remind you that I, as well as the other professors who have been involved with this guild have been watching you over the past two years and have chosen not only exceptional duelers, but exceptional leadership. Without advance adieu.

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

Cheers erupted for Marina, mostly from the Hufflepuff tabular array, where her team was seated. Albus grinned. Marina was very squeamish and would take a crap an excellent captain.

"The captain of Team Two is Harvey Tucker."

John and Kaden 's team. Harvey was a Ravenclaw and all Albus knew about him was that he knew every answer in every single class.

"The police chief of squad Three is peter Smith."

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

"The police chief of squad 4 is Lydia Thompson."

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

"The police chief of team Five is Jace Johnson."

pink wine 's team. Jace was a Hufflepuff who did n't seem to ever be not glad. It was kind of bizarre, actually.

"The captain of Team Six is Raisha Sweeney."

A Hufflepuff that Albus did n't eff well. He swallowed hard. team heptad was next and that was his team.

"The captain of Team sevener is Albus Potter."

John 's whistling could be heard above everyone 's cheering. Albus grinned. His intact team ( hold open for Scorpius and his friend ) were clapping hard. He 'd done it. He 'd made police captain ! All the uncertainties he 'd had over the summer about it had disappeared. He, Albus Potter, was the new maitre d' of Team Seven.

"The sea captain of Team Eight is Dayton Coons."

flatness 's team. Dayton was another Ravenclaw who had multiple encyclopedia in his brain.

"That 's all for today. captain, please figure out a time for your first exercise, which should take place during the succeeding two weeks. Once you have a date, please see me to get a classroom. Then find a professor or 7th twelvemonth to supervise.

Scorpius did not say one Christian Bible as Albus talked with the sleep of his team and figured out a practice time that did not interfere with four unlike Quidditch teams, Gobstones Club, and Chess clubhouse. Eventually he settled on the chase Thursday evening. Neville assigned them to an abandon schoolroom on the sixth floor. Albus figured he 'd ask a seventh year to monitor rather than a professor. It was less intimidating for his start drill.

Albus 's friends joined him at the door to the Great Hall. Scorpius brushed past them, but did not say a word of honor. He looked like he was set up to murder someone. Albus thought he looked far too raging over a lost captainship. It was just the Junior 's Dueling Club anyway.

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

"Not a word,"Albus replied.

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

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

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

The six friends discussed dueling all the way back to the common elbow room. When they entered they saw a augury that said 'Congratulations Albus and Marina !'Unopened butterbeers cluttered one of the table and all of Albus 's first cousin were cracking them spread out. Marina was surrounded by her friends and Albus was accosted by his cousins as soon as he entered. Someone thrust a butterbeer into his hand and patted him on the back. He smiled as he looked out at the common room, at the political party that his cousins had thrown together for himself and Marina. Matt was not only aright about the fact that it would be a well year for dueling. It was going to be a good year in oecumenical.


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

To serve in advance, because I know this will make out up, I wo n't state what the old plot was going to be. I 'd rather hoi polloi not liken the old patch with the one that will actually be written.

If any of you are on the meeting place, you 'll have it off about the tragedy we had last hebdomad. Liza Potter on the archives ( and lizzacc on the forums ) has died. She was a fan of my Albus serial publication and told me once that they were the first account she ever read on HPFF. She will be missed. I am dedicating this story to you, Liza.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The next day Albus found himself on the Quidditch pitch staring at all of the new Gryffindor Keeper hopefuls. There were a lot of them. Try-outs were scheduled to commence in fifteen moment, yet the slant had been packed since before lunch. Albus speculated that some wannabe, including Hugo, had not even taken a happy chance for lunch. poor Hugo need n't get bothered skipping his meal since even an extra one-half hr of practice would not stimulate helped him.

student from second through 7th year were hoping for a spot on the team, including Janie Creevey. Albus recognized virtually of them, but there were a few Old students whom he did not. Along with the Gryffindors, there were congressman from other squad, surely there to check off out Gryffindor 's new Keeper.

Albus stood on the pitch a few meters from the crowd, with his team. Fred was holding a clipboard and broom was standing next to him, gazing out at the pupil hoping for a spot. James, Bradley, and Ryan were laughing about something.

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

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

A few of the younger students walked slowly off the auction pitch and into the pedestal, looking clearly disappointed.

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

Albus stood back while Fred had the hopeful fly overlap around the delivery. Quite a few could not even manage to fly straight or do turns properly. About a tail of them were eliminated during the beginning ten minutes. half of the remaining Gryffindors were eliminated within the first ten minute of end keeping, including Hugo. He hung his head as he walked to the bandstand, broom trailing behind him. Albus felt bad for him.

The rest of the of the students took foresightful to eliminate. After about an hr the amount had been narrowed down to ten and they all seemed to be similar in skill.

"I think the only just way to do this is to pass anyone who misses a save. shoemaker's last one standing, er, flying, gets the pip,"Fred announced.

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

"Nice to give birth another miss,"Heather said."I thought I 'd be the lone one after GA left."

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

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

Janie grinned."I 've played since I was fiddling. So felicitous to have won the spot. When 's outset practice ?"

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

Albus sighed. Fred was turning into Georgia. But Albus enjoyed Quidditch and it was a smart and cheery day, so it would n't be bad.

Practice lasted a few hr and Albus was thoroughly exhausted by the prison term it was over. He immediately went back to his dormitory to deal a shower and then set off to locate his acquaintance. Dinner would be served shortly and Albus was starved.

Albus 's friends were in the predator 's Den, just where he had predicted when he did n't see them in the Gryffindor common way when he had traipsed through after practice. Gospel According to John and Kaden were playing chess and Kaden was trouncing John, like common. rosebush and Amanda were sitting on the couch discussing an essay that Cedonia had assigned the old week. matt was not there since the wide moon had been the late night.

"Albus !"St. John exclaimed after Al had shut the threshold."So, who 's the new Gryffindor Keeper ?"

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

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

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

"Hey, I 'm considerably than Al and lusterlessness are,"John muttered.

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

"Yeah, but he was asleep so Madam Pomfrey did n't let us stay. Figured we 'd go after supper,"john answered.

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

Everyone nodded in accord and they set off towards the Great Radclyffe Hall. The corridors were filled with students who had spent the day outdoors and Albus felt very depicted object walking alongside his friends, despite how every single one of his muscleman ached from praxis.

"Shhhh, tone !"John seethed as he grabbed the back of Albus 's shirt and pulled him into a room access. Kaden, rose, and Amanda followed, all looking curiously at John.

"What is it ?"Rose asked.

"Shush !"Saint John the Apostle whispered."It 's Scorpio and Willinson 's cousin. What was his name again ?"

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

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

Albus craned his head around the room access frame. Scorpius and Felix were standing future to a few suits of armor, heads leaned in towards each other. There was a girl about a capitulum shorter than Scorpius with them. She and Felix had the Lapp colour tomentum, except hers was long and curly.

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

"I have half a head to economise her from the two of them,"John muttered."She 'd be ameliorate off not getting mixed up with the ilk of them."

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

Scorpius began walking down the corridor and Felix and the girl followed. Albus and his champion watched them until they turned a corner, disappearing out of sight.

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

"You 're paranoiac,"Rose said."They were just talking and they 're in the same house. Maybe she had a question or something."

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

"Oh Merlin."rosiness let out an exasperated suspiration."Two weeks into the condition and you 're already picking a row with him."

"Remember last year ?"Albus asked."I 'm only trying to deflect something like that again."

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

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


matt returned from the hospital wing two days later and the month wore on in its usual way. The prof were assigning more and more homework and it took longer and longer to complete.

Once October arrived excitement began to brew when the first Hogsmeade weekend was announced. The visit was scheduled for the Saturday before Hallowe'en and Kaden in particular was very excited. He never did manage to make it to Hogsmeade under the Invisibility Cloak the previous year.

Albus 's outset dueling practice had gone particularly well. Albus had been pleasantly surprised. Even Scorpius had cooperated and done what Albus had told him to do, although that may get been solely because Professor Cedonia had been exhibit during the practice session. His team was shaping up well and he had eminent promise for them winning many tournaments. Quidditch had been going equally as well. Janie had fit seamlessly into their team.

Albus wished he could say things were going equally well for the election. Ever since the maiden debate versatile powder magazine and receiving set shows had been latching onto Hotspur 's statements about pedagogy and his lack of willingness to deepen, as they had put it.

"Dad 's really stressed,"Omar Nelson Bradley said one night at dinner. The Weasleys and thrower were all eating together in order to discuss the election."Does n't write us as a great deal and when he does it 's always about the election."

"Not to mention the five Page spread that wiz magazine publisher is doing about our family,"Cedric muttered as he gnawed on a turkey leg."That 's sure to fuel the fire."

"When is that ?"Albus asked.

"Tomorrow,"Omar Bradley answered."Only adept part is we got permit to lose all of our classes."

"Is it really going to be five varlet ?"James asked."What are they going to put in it ?"

"Dad 's spirit story,"Cedric answered."Plus a few paragraphs on each of us and Mum about our aliveness. Just a well-chosen article about how we all love each other and Dad 's a family line man. That 's what his campaign manager wants to impersonate him as seeing that Laurentis does n't induce any kids."

"And Uncle Percy has a whole lot,"James pointed out.

"Hey, you lot in force watch out. When Dad told us about this he mentioned that they 're going to do another on the total Weasley-Potter clan,"Cedric announced.

"Did he say when ?"Saint James the Apostle asked.

"Around Yule, I think. Adds to the happy kinsperson atmosphere,"Cedric explained.

"Then they ought to consultation Uncle George when he 's had a bit too much eggnog."James laughed.

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

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

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

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

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

"professor 's very intense,"James said in between bites."But it 's not nearly as terribly as the other family. There 's no O.W.L. in it so it 's my stream favorite."

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

Professor Embry seemed to be teaching the class in chronological rules of order and thus was currently lecturing on how the Ministry was organized prior to the crepuscule of Voldemort. Albus thought it was a minuscule boring but he had a tactile sensation it would get more interesting once Embry started on the fall of Voldemort.

"And that 's why the socio-economic class is necessary,"blush wine said."Think about it. No grade like this has been taught before, so where did the current Ministry officials learn the account of the Ministry ? Where did they learn about politics ? They learned it as they went, but did n't know much when they started. That 's a slight scary. the great unwashed should bang how their country is run."

Albus thought about what Rose had said as he chewed on his roll. She had a good full stop. Where had they learned it ? Had his Uncle Sir Henry Percy really known nothing about the Ministry when he started ? No, he could n't have. Sir Henry Percy 's own father had been in the Ministry as well. Still, it was weird to think about.

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


"Now she wants to transfer Azkaban ?"Albus asked at breakfast a few days later. The law enforcement argumentation had taken place the night before and the entire front page of the Prophet was devoted to it."Is n't changing Hogwarts enough ?"

Ministry hopefuls Percy Weasley and
Patricia Laurentis debated law conception
and enforcement last Nox at the Ministry
of Magic. Like the premature general debate,
sparks flew in this one, with each campaigner
speaking passionately about the topic.

'I 've worked in law existence for years ,'
Weasley began with. 'Since the frustration
of Voldemort, I think we can all match that
things are running smoothly. I intend to
secure that affair hold going the way they
are, with enforcement of laws that benefit
the integral wizarding community .'

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

'Sure, the law of nature we have now are sufficient.
I 'm not denying that. But I think we need
to take a good hard feeling at how they are
enforced, or rather, not enforced. The
statistic are unmortgaged. Far more criminal
are being acquitted and even More are
being released from Azkaban. In my work
at the prison, I see many criminals being
released whom I do not call up should be.
Not to mention the break-outs. There are
far too many. Law enforcement needs to commute .'

Without a doubt, things are only going to
heat up. The candidates seem to bear
completely unlike opinions on everything
from education to laws. The future debate,
which will be on education, will carry topographic point
at Hogwarts on Saturday, Nov the 9th at
two in the afternoon.

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

"Probably does n't own the power,"Rose answered."The pastor has to sign off on most things, unless all representatives and officials disagree with him or her."

"So clearly there 's mass who do n't concord with her,"lusterlessness replied.

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

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

"Me either,"blush wine agreed."surmisal we 're watching the side by side debate."

"Yeah, it 'll be here,"Matt said."Embry will probably pull in us do an essay on it, too."

"It wo n't be bad,"rosiness said."That will be the argumentation that will directly bear on us. The election 's in April which means we 're going to have over three days of Hogwarts under whichever prospect is elected. If it 's Laurentis, all those modification are going to affect us."

Bradley sat down future to Albus and threw a copy of ace magazine onto the table."Article 's out."

"That was fast,"Albus said.

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

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

Bradley shook his head."This Lady 's almost tough. Trust me."

Rose, Amanda, John, Matt, and Kaden crowded around Albus as he flipped through the magazine. The article was in the midriff, with the two page being a full people of colour photograph of Uncle Harry Hotspur, aunt Corrine, and their Kid. Percy and Corrine were sitting on their living room couch, with Georgia in between them. All three were smiling and waving. Bradley and Cedric were leaning on either side of the couch and the similitude were sitting in front line of it. Albus flipped the page and saw a very lengthy article, interspersed with various pictures of his home and boxes about each of those five cousins. The article finished up on the following Page.

Upon entering the menage of Minister of thaumaturgy
prospect Percy Weasley 's Southampton home
I am surprised to see that it does not seem
like the home of a Ministry candidate. It is
not filled with mass and piles of newspaper and
Weasley 's crusade manager is nowhere to be
found. Instead, the floor is cluttered with
toys belonging to the immature Weasley children,
nine-year-old Gemini the Twins, Samantha and Lindy. A
plateful of fond cookies sits upon the coffee
mesa and Weasley 's wife, Corrine, bustles
into the room carrying a tray of tea. Percy
enters as well, followed by the five Weasley
children.

'I prefer to keep the military campaign at the Ministry ,'
Harry Hotspur explains after I ask where his campaign
material are. 'The campaign is piece of work. It is my
job. The theater is for my crime syndicate .'

"Really ?"Rose raised her supercilium."She should 've seen his bailiwick. That 's where all his hunting expedition stuff is."

The article went on to discuss Hotspur and his fathering skill. Albus grew more and more disgusted as it went on. Percy had and always would be a workaholic, but the article was painting him to be father of the twelvemonth. No wonder Omar Bradley had not been pleased when giving Albus the article.

'I could not be more proud of Georgia ,'
Harry Hotspur said, speaking of his eldest daughter,
who currently plays as Reserve Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I 've been to a
number of her match and it is cleared
that she could feature a foresightful career in
Quidditch .'

"What a incumbrance of dung !"Albus exclaimed."Uncle Percy has never once agreed with Empire State of the South 's Quidditch career."

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

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

Albus had had sufficiency of the principal clause. His centre glanced across the page and rested upon the small box that discussed Georgia.

Georgia Weasley, the eldest daughter
of Hotspur and Corrine, is 18 and
currently plays Reserve custodian for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I love
Quidditch ,'Sakartvelo said when the
topic was brought up. 'It 's freeing
and I look forward to playing for
Kenmare as a full custodian one day .'
Georgia 's dream is to play for England.

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

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

Then there was one for Cedric.

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

The net box was for both Samantha and Lindy.

Samantha and Linda ( lindy ) Weasley are
nine years old and wait on a topical anesthetic
principal school for Muggles. Both twins
ca n't await to move into Hogwarts in two
age .'I 'm going to be in Gryffindor,
just like my sis and brothers ,'says
Samantha .'I do n't care what house I 'm
in, just as long as I can play Quidditch.
well, okay, I do n't want to be in Slytherin .'

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

"I shudder to think what the one about our full kinsfolk will be like,"rose wine muttered.

"Nah,"toilet said."That one will be better because they wo n't have to make as much up. Albus 's dad saved the completely wizarding world. They 'll just spiel that up."

"It was n't only him,"Albus pointed out."Are the great unwashed really going to believe all this ?"

Amanda nodded."Yeah, they will. They know cypher about your uncle 's family. certainly, they know all about your dad, but really, how very much do they get it on about Harry Hotspur ? Not much. They 're going to require to believe it and why should n't they ? They have no melodic theme Percy does n't approve of GA 's Quidditch life history. It 's the same as in the Muggle reality.

"It would be prissy if people voted on candidate who shared their Sami thought, but it honestly comes down to who presents the best campaign. masses are n't going to desire someone in superpower who has subject with his own family."

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

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

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

"You still send for him Uncle Percy,"Albus said.

"Because he basically is. He 's just not my roue uncle."

"fountainhead, I can honestly say my home 's not in politics and I 'm very gladiola about that,"whoremonger said.

Albus could not opine life without having kinsperson involved with the Ministry, but suddenly he felt slightly green-eyed of lavatory. What would it have been like to bear parents who were n't renowned ?


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this story ! You guys are all vex. Just as another reminder, I ca n't reply to reviews while I am domicile for the summer, but I read every single one. If you have some sort of question that you need answered about my stories, please use my Ask the author Page at the assembly or send me a PM there.

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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The following workweek brought a storm so long and so intense that Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures had to be canceled for the second half of the week. It was thoroughly out of the question to take the air outside without being doubled over by the tip and the younger educatee could not walk without being blown away. The pelting was also so heavy that one would become pie-eyed within two minutes. The students secretly rejoiced, for the extra free people periods were helpful to all.

It remained so rainy and windy that even Quidditch praxis had to be canceled on Saturday. Not that Fred would suffer canceled it himself, but Kendrick announced a ban on going out of doors until the tempest let up. Fred lamented this fact all of Friday evening and contemplated holding a strategy academic session in the rough-cut room instead, but heather mixture convinced him just to let it go.

Albus decided to take the opportunity to spend the day at the library, something that John and Kaden reluctantly agreed with. flatness and Amanda joined them as well, for they had plentifulness of preparation as well. rosebush had mentioned something about tutoring a younger scholar and run off shortly after breakfast.

The library was absolutely packed with students, most in all probability due to the weather condition and not a burning desire of the Hogwarts population to examine, and it took a good five min for Albus and his friends to situate an empty tabular array. It was a lot garish than usual and gentlewoman Pince was glaring at each table of student in act.

Albus set his bundle of record book down and got to crop on a Potions essay that was due the following week. He had n't started it, of track, but he had a few twenty-four hours to do it. He thought he was ahead of the game anyway since he 'd normally be at Quidditch pattern and not even thinking about homework.

John and Kaden, as usual, were ineffective to get started on their homework right away and were scolded by madam Pince twice before finally opening their books. Amanda immediately set to act upon on the same essay Albus was working on. Matt cracked open his spell school text but stared at the same page for five mo before Albus noticed that his eyes had glazed over. The October full moonlight was the following nighttime, so Albus was not surprised.

"This is dead boring,"St. John the Apostle muttered after they 'd been studying for an time of day."political sympathies back before Voldemort is pointless. It 's completely different now, so why do we want to bother reading it ?"

"So we do n't make the Sami misunderstanding,"Amanda said without looking up from her sheepskin."simple, really."

"You 're channeling Rose now,"King John stated.

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

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

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

"perfective tense. That 'd be something I 'd do,"Kaden said as he scrawled it down."And then I can follow down with a nasty common cold after being outside in the rain so long."

Albus rolled his heart. The two of them had been harebrained to take foretelling in the first lieu, but at least they seemed to enjoy making up their fake predictions. Albus grinned to himself as John and Kaden snorted into their parchment, laughing over some ridiculous prognostication.

An hour later Albus had finished his essay, as had Amanda. The two of them had moved on to Transfiguration Day reading. John and Kaden had given up on preparation and were planning an elaborate clowning that involved a crybaby, birdseed, and the Slytherin common room. Matt had been dozing on his Charms book. Albus prodded him awake.

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

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

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

John and Kaden rose to join flatness. They 'd been yelled at two more times and figured they 'd do better to be after in the Den.

"Wait,"St. John the Apostle said when he was only a few feet from the tabular array."Is that rosiness ?"He pointed to a head teacher of shaggy-haired red hair at a nearby table."Who 's she with ? Is that-"He walked across the room and hid behind a book shelf to get a faithful look.

Albus craned his psyche. Rose was sitting with a pocket-sized girl. John returned a few moment later.

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

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

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

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

"Wyrd. Tutoring a Slytherin,"John replied.

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

"What 's with him ?"trick asked.

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

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

"It 's the Hogwarts tutoring course of study. I do n't think you get to control who you tutor,"Albus explained.

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

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

Albus and Amanda studied for another hour before joining their friends in the vulture 's Den. John and Kaden were having a serious discussion on how they were going to receive a chicken and Matt was speech sound asleep on the couch. Albus and Amanda settled down with a pack of cards of Exploding picnic and played bout after round while listening to John and Kaden.

"I still say it 'll be light to have got an older scholarly person transfigure something into a chicken,"Kaden said a broad XX mo later."I 'll bet one of Albus 's cousins will do it."

"Yeah, but I want this to be our prank. We could just go take one of the chicken from Hagrid 's chicken chicken coop,"John replied.

"Thomas More chance of getting caught. No one 's going to distrust if one of Al 's full cousin is practicing their transfiguration. But sneaking a chicken into the castle ? They 're fairly loud with their squawking."

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

"There will be mass of chance of getting caught when we 're getting into the Slytherin mutual way. Merlin only knows how we 're going to manage that."

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

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

rosebush rolled her eye and sat down adjacent to Amanda, picking up a few card game to link up in on the next round.

"How was tutoring ?"John asked, abandoning the topic of chickens.

"amercement,"rose answered."Lapp as always."

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

"Why ? You want to tutor ?"blush wine smirked.

John the Divine laughed."Definitely not. Just curious."

"professor Longbottom contacted me over the summer. Fourth years and above can be in the tutoring computer program. The professor match you up with vernal scholarly person and I 've been tutoring a 1st year for a few workweek now."

"Yeah,"John said as he got up and walked over to where Rose was sitting."We saw you earlier. That lady friend you 're tutoring ? That 's the Sami missy that Malfoy and Willinson were talking to a few week ago."

"delay, that one time that you and Al thought they were up to something ?"

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

blush wine sighed."She 's Willinson 's minuscule sis. Her name 's Elsie. She 's really nice, actually. Quiet, does n't seem much like a Slytherin to me but her whole kinsperson 's been in Slytherin."

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

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

Everyone, except Matt, who just wanted to slumber, agreed and they headed down to the Great Hall. Rose had been right. zippo fishy about Willinson 's sis tagging after him and Scorpius. Albus 's instinct had been wrong on that occasion.
******


Never in Albus 's life did he ever think there would be a professor who could top professor Binns in full term of boring classes. But Professor Young had done the impossible. Twice a week Albus and his supporter traipsed to Young 's classroom to work on a single worksheet. Young did nothing else, except handwriting out worksheets. Said worksheets did not even take an integral class menstruation to dispatch, resulting in students using the remaining clock time to capture up on other homework, something that Young neglected to notice. The only good part about the social class was that Whitney Young never assigned homework.

"You think he 'll last the year ?"Matt asked as they were leaving Loretta Young 's classroom.

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

"He does n't really teach,"Rose pointed out.

"But still, he 's better than Balladanis,"flatness reasoned.

The eternal rest of Albus 's form were comely, although near assigned too much homework for his liking, but that was not anything new. As the end of Oct drew nearer, Albus became very excited about the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. It would be the showtime time that all of Albus 's acquaintance would get to go together and possibly the hold out, given how interfering everyone was this year.

Albus nearly did not get to go to Hogsmeade when the day finally arrived. Fred had sprung an spear carrier Quidditch practice on that day in social club to do up for the overleap exercise due to the storm. However, the entire team was outraged and broom threatened to hex Fred if he did not rescind the practice. Albus was very palliate as it was a decent day and perfect for Hogsmeade.

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

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

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

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

"And we need to go buy bird seed if we 're going to do that joke,"Kaden reminded him.

Albus and flatness exchanged aspect. whoremaster and Kaden had finally agreed to ask one of Albus 's aged first cousin to transfigure them a volaille that they would then somehow fink into the Slytherin common way. The bird food was to dissipate throughout the place in order to irritate the Slytherins even more.

"You two enjoy that,"rosebush said."And do n't issue forth complaining to us when you get a calendar month of detentions, because there 's no possible way you can pinch into the Slytherin uncouth elbow room without getting caught."

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

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

"Around Hallowe'en,"John answered.

"Idiots,"rosebush muttered.

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

Albus wandered towards the Skiving Snackboxes and grabbed two, figuring that he would need to get out of DoD at least once and History of conjuration a few times a calendar month. John and Kaden each had about five box seat and matt watched with a disgusted spirit on his side. Since he missed at least a day or two of classes a month due to his lycanthropy, he never understood why anyone would score themselves ill to do so.

"Should 've gone there close,"John said as he lugged his purse to the Three Broomsticks.

"Yeah, must remember that for next time,"Kaden agreed."But now, off to take a Butterbeer !"

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

The deuce-ace broomstick was crowded, but lustrelessness managed to take hold of a table in the backrest. pink wine set off to get them all Butterbeers. They had been there for about fifteen minute before Scorpius showed up, followed by Garth Octavius, Xavier Goyle, Felix Willinson, and Elsie Willinson. Scorpius surveyed the room and his eye rested upon Albus. Smirking, he sauntered over towards them.

"ceramicist,"Malfoy greeted him. He nodded to each of Albus 's friend, glaring at Matt, and then turned back to Albus."I expect you lot are ready to duel next weekend."

"course of action we are,"Albus answered."The squad 's plenty prepared. utmost praxis on Thursday."

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

"Shut it. Our squad is all right,"Albus said coldly.

"Maybe if they had a seemly sea captain ..."Scorpius 's vocalization trailed off."But the professors love anyone whose last name is thrower or Weasley, just like everyone else in the world."

"They chose based on skill,"Albus replied, staring him in the eyes."Not name. Rose did n't make captain and she 's a Weasley."

"But you 're a ceramicist and you get everything because your dad is the Boy Who Lived,"Scorpius gaiter, ignoring Albus 's input."But I 've got news show for you. Not everyone in the world likes that your integral family runs the wizarding mankind and that nothing gets done without one of them signing off on it. Not everyone 's going to vote for your uncle, you know."

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

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

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

"That 's not the point."Scorpio took a dance step closer to Albus."The point is that your household might not be running this country much longer. So you 'd amend watch out."

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

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

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

"His dad 's notable too,"Albus said darkly."Just for the improper reasons."

"And Scorpio probably wishes his dad was celebrated for the right reasons,"Amanda replied.

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

"Just ignore him,"rose wine said."He 's just trying to get you angry with him."

"Clearly Kendrick 's scourge have worn off,"Matt said quietly."I liked it in Sep when he just sorting of ignored us."

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

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

"And so would his,"Albus reminded his friend."Being at Hogwarts, becoming a licence wiz, is everything to a Malfoy. He 'd be nix Thomas More than a Squib if he were expelled."

"I guess."Matt sighed."What do you retrieve he meant by your class not being in tutelage of the wizarding world much longer ?"

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

"No,"rose wine whispered."Have n't you been paying attending in Politics ?"

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

"Okay, I guess Embry has n't really discussed it yet but I read ahead in the record book. New Ministers can appoint new school principal of the department if they want to. most do n't because so many new people makes for a bad passage stop, but it 's happened a few fourth dimension. If Laurentis profits, she could substitute Uncle Harry,"rose explained.

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

pink wine nodded."Seriously."

"And my dad, too,"Matt said.

"Yeah, yours, too,"Rose replied.

Albus stared at his half-finished Butterbeer. Having a new parson was one affair, but having new heads of all the section ? The Ministry would be run in a completely different way. naught would stay the Saame. cipher would supersede Harry Potter as head teacher of the Auror department, though, would they ?

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

"He 's a great Auror, that 's unfeigned,"Rose agreed,"but corking is an legal opinion. Hartwell thinks he 's a great Auror. Uncle Percy undoubtedly thinks he 's a great Auror. But if Laurentis gets elected, none of that will matter. All that will matter is whether she think he 's a great Auror. And the inquiry is, does she ?"

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

"No, he 'd just go back to being a regular Auror,"Rose said."looking, you do n't need to care about it. I 'm sure as shooting Uncle Harry knows this."

"They do n't do that in Commonwealth of Australia. All the read/write head have terms like the Minister. When their full term is up, the flow pastor can supersede them or restrain them, but they ca n't get replaced when their term is n't up. Unless there 's a outrage and they have a hearing. Like with my dad."

"Energy Department n't appear clean,"Albus said.

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

"I 'm surprised Hartwell has n't done that,"lavatory said.

"She 's probably kept tranquilize about her belief so she could keep her situation while running,"Amanda replied.

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

"It would look bad. Remember, one-half of politics is how you look to the public,"Amanda said."Which is why according to the Muggle Ministry, I attend a secluded boarding school in the United States, just in case anyone asks why the parson 's niece disappears for most of the twelvemonth. Which they have n't. Yet."

Albus shook his straits."It 's so confusing. I do n't know how anyone keeps track of it."

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


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! Also big thanks to darkladyofslytherin and onestop hpfan18 because this chapter is the result of Good Book wars with them. You two are awesome ! HPFF now loads properly on my net and I am able to respond to reviews, so I 'm slowly working through them. Keep a look out for responses !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"I say we do it on Allhallows Eve,"Kaden said adamantly while inspecting item-by-item Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor attic and tossing the nasty ones into a raft on the floor.

"That 's poor fish,"St. John countered."Everyone 's going to be expecting a japery on Halloween. We should do it the day before."

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

The first Quidditch mates of the season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was scheduled to select place on Saturday, two days after Allhallows Eve.

"Again, the Prefects and professors will be expecting it,"bathroom said.

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

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

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

Albus and the relaxation of his acquaintance were in the predator 's Den, attempting to decide on a day to put the chicken and chicken feed in the Slytherin common elbow room. They 'd been arguing for a one-half minute and had n't agreed on anything. Albus and Matt, who had been leery on whether to take part in the trick at all, had decided that they would serve as look-outs while John the Divine and Kaden snuck into the commons room.

"I think Wed would be a good choice. Wednesday night. We 've got to do it really belatedly, though. The first years have Astronomy on Wednesday, so we have to wait until they 're back in their dormitory,"can explained."dark before Halloween-"

"By the time you manage to do it after Astronomy, it 'll technically be Allhallows Eve,"Amanda pointed out.

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

"devilment Night,"Amanda said.

"What ?"Albus asked.

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

"Mischief Night,"Amanda repeated."It 's a Muggle matter. It 's when Muggles pull pranks and cause mayhem. It 's traditionally the night before Allhallows Eve or the nighttime before Guy Fawkes Day, so if you pull this on Wednesday night or early on Thursday morning, it 'll be on Mischief Night."

John grinned."perfect tense. magician do n't do that, so no one will be expecting a thing."

"Mostly it 's Americans and Canadians who celebrate before Halloween, though,"Amanda explained.

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

Everyone nodded in agreement, except Rose, who rolled her oculus.

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

"Not yet, but we have architectural plan. Tonight I 'm going to lurk by the Slytherin common room under the Invisibility Cloak to hear their word. Wednesday evening we 'll ask Bradley to transfigure us a few chickens. Then, Al and Matt will stand safeguard while Kaden and I let them unloosen in the commons room,"John explained.

"How in the epithet of Merlin are you going to keep the poulet calm while you bring them to the donjon ?"Rose asked.

"Stun them, of course,"Kaden answered."By the clock time they wake up, we 'll be retentive gone."
***


Midweek brought with it a huge thunderstorm which Albus saw as a rather ominous omen for Operation Slytherin chicken as the antic had been dubbed. As the day wore on Albus found himself having dubiousness about the whole thing. Previous trick had been harmless and had not broken any Major school day rules, but this one broke at least ten. This could get them worse than a few detainment.

lavatory and Kaden seemed to have no such reservations. Both of them were particularly jubilant the integral day and Saint John the Apostle even returned from Divination with a smile on his fount, which never happened. matte seemed indifferent to the entirely thing and acted as usual.

"You do realize we 'll be getting three hours of eternal sleep, tops, tonight,"Matt said after dinner, while they were attempting to do homework in the Marauder 's Den."And that we have History of conjuration tomorrow morning."

lav sighed."All rightfulness, maybe that was n't the proficient bit of planning."

"Clearly not,"Matt agreed.

Albus had a very difficult clip getting any homework done while they were waiting for the prison term to get in. He found himself drawing awful flick of chickens in the borderline on his August 6 essay. No one else was having much luck either. John and Kaden were playing chess game and Matt was taking a nap. Rose and Amanda had holed away in the library, neither one wanting to be associated with the boys that night."We need alibis,"she had told Albus earlier."wish to be seen by as many mass as potential so there 's no chance anyone will think we were with you."

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

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

privy nodded."I do n't think we 'll be capable to wield any more."

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

"According to Rose, we 're incredibly stupid,"lavatory said."But I think it 's glorious. Has anyone ever gotten into the Slytherin unwashed way ?"

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

King John, Matt, and Kaden turned to look at Albus."I 'll excuse later,"Albus said.

Bradley muttered an incantation and flicked his sceptre at each of the pillows. All three turned into poulet. One brown one, one bloodless one, and one large black and Brown rooster. The cock opened its mouth to crow and Bradley immediately silenced all three.

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

"Sure,"Albus said.

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

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

The boys spent the adjacent two hours in the piranha 's Den, playing Exploding cracking and re-Stunning the crybaby every half hour. Shortly after three in the break of the day Albus re-stunned the volaille one Thomas More metre and then threw the invisibleness Cloak over all four of them.

It was very difficult for all four son to walk under the invisibility Cloak.
beingness fourth years, they were all a lot larger than they had been in second class when Albus had first received the Cloak. In fact, Albus could n't even think the last time all four of them had gone under it at once. Albus in especial had grown quite a few inches over the summer and was now as tall as John. The two of them had to walk with their knees bent to check their feet would n't show.

The walk was uneventful. The son did not even see Peeves or any of the ghosts out for a night time stroll ( or float, which would probably be the more capture terminus ). lusterlessness tripped going down the step once and nearly dropped a chicken, but since the corridors were empty, no one heard the sound.

Once they had reached the entrance to the Slytherin common elbow room toilet and Kaden slipped out from under the Cloak and scurried over to the door. John whispered the password and it opened. Both boys slipped inside and shut the door behind them.

Albus and Matt stood against the wall a little slipway down the corridor, giving them a view of the stairs as well as the corridor. Neither of them said a countersign while John and Kaden were pulling their prank because Filch 's cat had turned up and was pacing in movement of them.

The future five minutes felt like an eternity and Albus was very free when lavatory and Kaden exited the common room and hurried back under the Cloak. can 's bag, which had contained the wimp provender, was now considerably lighter. Neither boy said a Christian Bible to Albus and matte as they walked back to Gryffindor Tower, for fear that person would find out them.

They were walking down the second story corridor when Albus heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw prof Young walking slowly towards them, staring at the cap as he went. He appeared to be in inscrutable thought about something but then stopped and stared right where Albus and his friends were. They were n't being quiet enough.

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

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

As if on cue, there was a splatter and then Albus felt the unpleasant wizard of a ghost floating through him.

"I know you 're there."Myrtle giggled."Harry potter had one of those cloaks, too. You might as well take it off."

Albus reluctantly took off the Cloak. Young would n't be going into a girl 's privy anyway.

"Ooo !"Vinca minor shrieked."Harry Potter 's son ! What brings you to my toilet ?"She giggled again and batted her eyelashes.

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

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

Thankfully Professor Young had left by the clock time they exited the loo. The balance of the journey back to Gryffindor was as uneventful as the trek down to Slytherin.

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

"heroic poem !"Kaden exclaimed."There was no one in the plebeian room and we spread the feed and put the crybaby each on their own couch and left. The Slytherins are going to receive a rude awakening in a few hours."

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

The son headed back to their student residence, but Albus was not tired yet. Adrenalin was still racing through his scheme. They had n't gotten caught. Yet. Would there be any way to trace the Gallus gallus back to the four of them ? Only if someone saw them, but if anyone had seen them they would have gotten them in problem rightfulness then and there, would n't they have ? Albus pushed the thought from his point. He settled into bed and thought about the chemical reaction from the Slytherins the following morning.

Bilius 's alarm clock clock woke Albus up at eight the next morning and he rolled over and went back to sleep. He woke up once more with twenty minutes left until story of conjuring trick and had to skip breakfast. Albus woke Matt and Saint John the Apostle up and the three of them ran through the corridors in order to pass water it to class on time.

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

Albus sat down and Bilius turned around in his seat, grinning at Albus."You three missed breakfast. Too bad. The Slytherins are all distressed, fuming about crybaby and muttering about getting retaliation. Turns out someone snuck a rooster and two chickens into their common room last night and spread head chicken feed around. Apparently their usual way was a mint and it took all of their Prefects to Stun the chickens and bring them to Hagrid. want I knew who pulled it off."

Albus attempted to pretend shock and excitement."Seriously ? That 's brilliant. Does anyone get laid who did it ?"

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

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

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

Professor Binns floated through the chalkboard and began to drone on on about some sort of goblin rebellion. Albus rested his head on his hand and began to drowse off. Binns would n't even notice.

At lunch, following Transfiguration, everyone was still talking about the chickens. The Slytherins were sullen and were glaring at all the other house table. The teachers did n't seem at all upset about the whole thing, probably because the chickens had n't done that much damage. Nothing that could n't be easily repaired with the flick of a scepter.

"Six in the morning !"Albus overheard a Slytherin mutter as he walked past the Gryffindor board."Can you imagine ? And the forenoon after we 'd been on the rake for three hours."

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

As Albus walked to the dungeons with John, lusterlessness, rose wine, and Amanda he realized that his nap in History of Magic was most definitely wearing off. He was feeling the exhaustion and was very glad for the free period of time after potions. But he did n't dare skip potions because he was quite wind up to hear Malfoy talk about the chickens.

During this particular social class they were finishing up an engorgement answer that they had started on Tuesday. While Shrinking Solution was a rather simple potion that they had learned in their first year, its counterpart was more difficult and required simmering for 48 hr before the final ingredients could be added.

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

Just as Albus was beginning to chop his celery ancestor, Malfoy appeared in front of the table. Albus looked up from his plant and looked Malfoy in the eye.

"potter,"Malfoy muttered."You would n't occur to cognize which idiot Gryffindor put Gallus gallus in our vernacular room, do you ?"

Albus snorted."Chickens, Malfoy ? I 'd get word something about that."

"Bloody skirt,"Limbert muttered as he began to pulverize the rat spleen they were supposed to put into their cauldron."Crowing at six in the bloody morning. Eating volaille provender all over the common way. Getting their feathers and other stuff everywhere ...."

"What he said,"Malfoy replied."Point is, one of your lot got into our common way and I want to know who."He folded his branch across his chest.

"Was n't any of 'my lot'as you say,"Albus answered, hoping that Malfoy could n't get a line his heart pounding in his chest."We ca n't get into your common room. Do n't have the password. And even if we did, why would we need to ? It 's probably covered in snake slime."

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

Albus rose from his chairwoman."That 's rude. I know plenty of Hufflepuffs that are smarter than you, Malfoy. And they 're comme il faut hoi polloi, too."

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

"Oh for Falco columbarius 's rice beer,"Malfoy muttered and stalked off towards his own tabular array.

Albus breathed a sigh of backup and continued to chop his celery root. Limbert retrieved another rat spleen, as the one he had been using was now hopelessly destroyed. He did n't talk to Albus for the end of the form except for the casual"pass the knife"or"turn down the flame ”.

Following potions Albus, Matt, and John immediately went upstairs to the. Marauder 's Den to take a much needed nap. Rose went to Muggle Studies and Amanda went to the library. Albus fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and did not awake up until St. John swatted him with a pillow when it was time for dinner.

The Slytherins were still complaining about the Gallus gallus during dinner and Albus and his Friend giggled every time they heard something about them. About halfway through dinner, Professor Kendrick rose from his arse. Albus turned to see at Matt, who shrugged. Kendrick rarely made dinner speeches when it was n't the start or end of term.

"Just a few promulgation,"Kendrick said once the Great Hall quieted down."First, I am certainly you are all mindful of the frivolity that took place in the Slytherin unwashed room cobbler's last night. I, nor do any of the teachers, have any musical theme who is responsible, but if we do find out, be aware that those responsible will be punished. Entering another house 's unwashed room is not tolerated and all scholarly person should call for this as a warning, in type they have been inclined to do so themselves. Slytherins, please be advised that your password has been changed. If you are not aware of it, delight see a Prefect.

"sec. Next weekend Hogwarts will host a few Ministry officials including the parson of magic trick, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, the fountainhead of the Auror Department, the question of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, as well as a few of the Minister 's closest advisors. In addition, both candidate for government minister will be here as well. They will make it Friday night and stay until Lord's Day dawn. Sat they will be debating education here in the Great Hall.

"All students will have the chance to watch the debate by a random drawing since we can not accommodate all of you in gain to the Ministry officials and member of the general population that will be attending. The rest will mind via wireless in a few schoolroom. All scholar are required to listen or watch. Thomas More information about that, such as how to ascertain out if you 've been selected to watch and what assignments you will have on the argumentation, will be distributed by professor Young in your politics class.

"I expect you all to behave yourselves and demonstrate to our Ministry that this is a place of learning. You are all representing Hogwarts, whether you are students, teachers, or staff. You will not tear clowning, especially not like the one that was pulled live on nighttime. You will prise the Ministry representatives. I will give you boost info next hebdomad. In the meantime, start thinking up a few dubiousness to ask our candidate in example they have time to do a question and answer session."Kendrick resumed his nates.

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

"Can you blame him ?"Rose asked."Remember what Laurentis said about Hogwarts ? She all but said he was n't running the school properly. If she wins, prospect are he 's out of a job. He 's got to put on a unspoilt appearance next week if he 's got any hope of staying here if she wins."

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

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

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

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

"speculation we 're going to obtain out next Saturday,"Amanda said."Think any of us will get to observe it ?"

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

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

"Me too,"Rose agreed.

"You can sustain my ticket if I get one,"John told her."It 's going to be harder to doze off if I 'm in the same room."

"Same here,"Kaden said.

pink wine rolled her heart."You lot done eating ? Anyone up for spending the even in the library ?"

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


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


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The day after Hallowe'en dawned with a violent electrical storm, one that Albus hoped would pass before Sat, when he would have got to present Slytherin on the Quidditch sales talk. Albus was feeling much better after a decent nighttime 's sleep, although he was dreading having to go to history of legerdemain first matter in the morning again. Whose vivid theme was it to give them that family two mornings in a row ?

The post owls arrived as Albus was serving himself some ballock and he scanned the air for his family owl. He did n't see it and resumed piling his plate with food. His parents only occasionally sent him place now that he was in quaternary yr and no longer needed a letter from them every early day. However, Albus did see his Uncle Percy 's scream owl making a beeline towards Cedric, who was sitting across from Albus. Cedric set his branching down and untied the letter from the owl 's leg. The owl dipped his schnoz in Cedric 's juice and then took off.

Albus watched as Cedric read the letter and saw his face go from wispy oddity to slight horror and then finally extreme disgust. Percy 's varsity letter were always occupy and it seemed as this one was no exception.

"incredible !"Cedric shouted.

"What is it ?"James asked as he snatched the alphabetic character out of Cedric 's hands."Is he making you sit side by side to him while he debates next week ?"

"Worse !"Cedric exclaimed."He thinks I was the one who put the Gallus gallus in the Slytherin vulgar room !"

"Seriously ?"James asked as he settled down to interpret the varsity letter."Let 's see ... Seriously disappointed in you ... taught you better than this ... stunts like these could pain my chances for a win in April ... must learn to think about the consequences of your actions ... fifth yr is for studying for your O.W.L.s ... time to grow up ..."

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

"Oh now he 's bringing up your bit from that article. The part where you mentioned that you like pulling joke. Oh and now he 's brought me into it ... Oh wait, hey ! He 's going to differentiate my parents that I was in on it too !"James IV slammed the letter down."No way they 'll believe him without proof though."

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

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

"Yeah but our disk are n't exactly sporting,"Cedric pointed out."Merlin, I wish I 'd thought up this antic. It was history worthy. I mean getting into the Slytherin common room ? I 've been dreaming about doing that since before first year."

"I wish we knew who did it. I 'd like to get some tips,"Epistle of James added."They 're going to go down as Hogwarts legends."

Albus hoped that his savage blushing was n't obtrusive. He could not believe that Harry Hotspur actually believed Cedric pulled the put-on without any evidence. Cedric could n't get in problem without grounds, could he ? If he did, Albus would palpate terrible. He already felt tremendous that Percy had even had the nerve to accuse Cedric for something that Albus and his admirer did, something Cedric had no share of.

"We 've just got to see out who did it,"James decided."To clear our names."

Cedric nodded."Wo n't be that heavy. No clowning can be done without evidence left behind. It 's unimaginable to do in this place. We 'll attend for clues around our own common elbow room because I think the Slytherins are decent. It was a Gryffindor."

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

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

Albus turned to privy after his brother and full cousin had left the table. John and lustrelessness had both been sitting close enough to Cedric and James to get a line the integral conversation. Both son were pallid than usual and Albus was sure he was as well.

"myrtle saw us,"Matt whispered."We 'll be issue one on their defendant list."

"D'you recall your own brother would change state us in ?"can asked.

Albus laughed."Of course of instruction he would. He 's my brother."

"Good point,"John muttered."What are we going to do ?"

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

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

"On the summation position, we 'll be Hogwarts fable,"John said.

"Tell that to my parents,"Matt replied.

Albus thought about James IV and Cedric 's seeking to figure out who pulled the crybaby antic during the entirety of History of Magic. They had n't left any shadow behind except for talking to Vinca minor. And even that only proved that they were out of bed at four in the morning, not that they 'd left chickens in the Slytherin common way. trusted, there might have been random chicken plume in the coarse room that sunrise but the house elves would have already cleaned them up. Then there was Bradley.

Thomas Bradley. Albus 's stomach dropped. Would Bradley rat out Albus in Holy Order to save his own blood brother from possible bother ? Albus liked to think not, especially since doing so would incriminate Thomas Bradley as well. But it was potential that Bradley would quest Cedric to leave him out of it when he told Kendrick in return for the information in the firstly property. Albus rubbed his forehead. It was all so confusing and there were too many possibilities.

Matt and John looked equally disturbed by the possibility. Both boys were sitting completely still, staring at professor Binns but not looking at him. Matt was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook. John was twirling his quill around in his hand and had splattered ink all over himself and his account of Magic leger.

Albus was grateful that they had Care of Magical Creatures next, despite the steadfast cloudburst. They would be able to babble. Hagrid was currently teaching them about unicorns and this particular moral he had an existent unicorn for them to observe and interact with. Luckily for Albus, John, and Matt, unicorns did not like boy and thus had an self-justification to hang back and talk.

"The only when way they 're going to find out is if they talk to Bradley and Bradley tells them,"Albus said as they pretended to take bank note on the unicorn, which was currently surrounded by the young lady of the class.

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

"What clues ?"John asked."We did n't entrust anything behind."

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

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

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

"That would n't tell them anything more than Myrtle would,"Albus replied as he scrawled a few tone about how the unicorn was pawing at the ground.

"What if they find plumage or chicken feed or something ?"lustrelessness asked.

"That will ingest all been cleaned up by now. The house elves fair everyday,"John said."I think Albus is right. The only way they 'll know is if they talk to Bradley. Or if they just assume and ask us about it. Al, are you going to be able-bodied to lie to them if they ask you ?"

"Er ..."Albus 's articulation trailed off. He knew how very much of a rotten prevaricator he was."To be honest ? Probably not."

Nobody said anything for a few arcminute. Each boy pretended to be absorbed in taking banker's bill on the unicorn.

"There 's nothing we can do, then,"flatness finally said."We ca n't stop them or tell them not to investigate because that would front suspicious. All we can do is wait and hope they do n't work out it out."

Albus nodded. flatness was completely right, of grade. But what Albus did n't say was that James and Cedric would visualise it out. They were the schooltime pranksters and for the first time they 'd been out-pranked. The two were the school day 's prank experts and could easily stick with the trail that would lead them right to their own brother and cousin.
******


The fierce electrical storm that had plagued Hogwarts the day before cleared up by Saturday forenoon and the weather could not have been better for Quidditch. It was sunny, with flimsy cloud cover and minuscule current of air. The temperature was mild for Nov. weather condition would not be a factor in this Quidditch match. No, the team that won would win solely based on their skill.

The Hogwarts population, both scholarly person and professors alike, were very excited for the match. House Quidditch had been suspended the premature year in order for the Quidditch and Dueling contention with the schools from New York and Australia, although the final mates in the Quidditch effect had been a disaster. Everyone at Hogwarts was make for things to go back to normal and that included House Quidditch.

Normal also included the taunting that went on between the Gryffindors and Slytherins at breakfast rightfulness before the couple. Malfoy informed Albus that he needed to watch out else he find himself in the infirmary Wing for days. Albus ignored this because Malfoy was n't even on the Slytherin squad and did n't have enough Quidditch skill to be on a children 's squad. He tried his best to ignore the taunt from the literal Slytherin squad as well, but still found his stomach was a bit too queasy to eat much more than toast.

The team gathered around Fred in the changing room shortly before the mate, ready to hear his first team talking to.

"I fully believe we can win this,"Fred began."Our pattern have gone very smoothly and it feels like Janie has played with us for yr rather than only a few weeks. Slytherin plays dirty, though, so vigil yourselves. They also have two new instrumentalist, a Chaser and a Beater, whereas we only have one. The new chaser is a second base year and the new Beater is a third year, so I do n't think we 'll get often issue there. I 've seen them pattern and they still do n't work as a seamless team like we do. Just go out there and play like we did two year ago and we 're sure to win."

The team stood up and followed Fred out onto the sales pitch. The primer coat was soft beneath Albus 's feat, but not too sloppy, which would make for a unspoilt kick off. He stood in between ling and James while Fred went to escape from hands with fielding, Slytherin 's captain.

Oteski shouted his desire for a clean match and then the two captains crunched each other 's custody. Oteski released the Bludgers and Snitch and then tossed the Quaffle into the air. Albus kicked off from the flat coat and flew towards the Quaffle, which had unfortunately been caught by Fielding.

"And they 're off !"Todd Smith announced."number 1 family mates in two class due to the break lastly year, during the competitor with the early schools. Both teams have some new faces this year. Slytherin has a new chaser, second year John Marshall Belby, and a new Beater, third year Devonshire Wilbur Wright. Gryffindor has a new Keeper, quaternary twelvemonth Janie Creevey ...."

Albus tore his care from Smith as the chap Gryffindor began to announce the name calling of the respite of the players. Leaning forward on his heather, Albus soared to the other side of the tar, where Fielding was attempting to befuddle the Quaffle into one of Gryffindor 's goal posts.

"Spectacular save by Creevey !"Smith shouted."Looks like she 's going to be an splendid steward for Gryffindor. Gryffindor now in possession. Heather Weasley in possession, passes to Albus ceramist ...."

Albus caught the Quaffle, wedged it under his arm, and sped down to the other side of the pitch. He dodged two of Slytherin 's pursuer but was hit by a Bludger sent from Wright and dropped the Quaffle. It was intercepted by Peyton Haines.

Albus swore loudly and tailed Haines as he turned around and headed towards Gryffindor. Fred managed to catch the Quaffle after Haines was hit by a Bludger and tossed it back to Albus.

This metre Albus made it to the Slytherin goal posts and feigned right before sending the Quaffle soaring through the impart hoop.

"Score !"smith announced."Albus ceramicist scores the first goal of the match. Ten points to Gryffindor !"

The remainder of the couple continued in the same manner, with the Quaffle continuously exchanging hands, rendering it very unmanageable for Smith to keep up with the commentary. Gryffindor maintained a nearly constant score of 20 power point ahead of the Slytherins. Albus scored two more goal and assisted on five more. The Slytherin pursuer looked more and more churn up as the lucifer wore on.

An hour and a half into the mate Albus saw James abandon his position above the rest of the players and fly towards the soil. Hunter Pucey, Slytherin 's Seeker, followed.

"expression like Potter has seen the stool pigeon !"Smith exclaimed.

Albus watched while flying the Quaffle to the Slytherin destination stake. St. James the Apostle had his arm outstretched towards a glittering objective when Devon Wright slammed her Beater 's bat towards a nearby Bludger. But the Bludger suddenly soared upward, leaving cipher in between the bat and James I 's leg. Devon 's bat collided with James 's leg, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Albus stopped where he was.

The entire crowd gasped, with the exclusion of the Slytherins, who were cheering. Pucey was flying around the pitch holding the struggling sneaker in his outstretched hand. Albus ignored this and flew directly to James, who was hold close his leg on the background.

Albus abandoned his heather once he landed and hurried towards James. He was surrounded by ma'am Pomfrey, prof Oteski, Professor Kendrick, Professor Longbottom, the relief of the Gryffindor team, and surprisingly, Devonshire.

Albus paused to look at the missy. She was humble, like most s years are, but brawny. Her pestiferous blonde hair was in a messy bun and her face was streaked with rent. As Albus got closer, he could hear that she was whispering"I 'm regretful"over and over again.

"Foul !"Heather shouted."That 's a foul ! I want a rematch !"

"Let 's get James II to the Hospital Wing and then we 'll worry about a replay,"Neville said as Madam Pomfrey conjured a stretcher.

"Finally, someone with some sense around here,"Madam Pomfrey muttered."All of you, out of the way !"

The crew quickly dispersed as lady Pomfrey guided the stretcher towards the castle, followed by the pull together professor. After a few arcminute, professor Patil ordered the rest of the students to get back to their vulgar rooms. Albus walked back to the rook with his team, who were heading straight to the hospital Wing.

James was resting once they got there, his leg bandaged but no longer broken. He no longer looked to be in pain, but looked like he wanted to hex the entire Slytherin team. Madam Pomfrey appeared in straw man of them before they could reach James 's bed.

"Ten transactions,"she said."That 's all."

"Are we getting a rematch ?"was the initiative thing out of Saint James 's mouth."No one will assure me anything."

"They have n't said anything yet,"Fred replied."How 's the leg ?"

"Fine, now. Just a piffling awful. Madam Pomfrey said I can go away tomorrow afternoon,"James I told them."We better get a replay. That was a foul. I was two instant from catching the Snitch when that new Beater went and hit me with her bat ! Who does she remember she is ? Does n't she get laid the dominion of Quidditch ? Or is that how Slytherin 's training their players these solar day ?"

"She was going for a Bludger,"Albus explained."You probably could n't see it because she was behind you, but there had been a Bludger. It flew up at the last second base and she accidentally got your leg."

"How do they bed that ?"James asked."She might 've made that up."

"Everyone saw it,"Albus said quietly.

"It 's true,"Heather agreed."I do n't have it away if they 'll fall in us a rematch."

The doors to the hospital flank opened, revealing the Beater in question. She walked tentatively inside and stopped when she saw the entire Gryffindor team. Madam Pomfrey greeted her and they spoke in voices too quiet to overhear before she walked slowly over to William James 's bed.

"I know you probably hate me and I do n't blame you,"she whispered."But I really am sorry. It really was an chance event. I swear it. It was my initiatory match."

Albus glanced at the ease of his squad. Their face of mix-up mirrored his own thoughts.

"Er, well, thanks for the apology, I guess,"Jesse James said.

"Is your leg ok ?"she asked.

"It 's amercement now,"James replied.

Devonshire reached into her gown and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate. She handed it to James River, her oculus staring at his bed and not meeting his glance the intact time."Here,"she whispered.

"Er, thanks,"James said as he took the chocolate.

"Um, I 'm going to go now. Bye,"Devonshire said and turned to run from the ward, before any of the Gryffindor team had time to respond.

"That was foreign,"James muttered after the doors had slammed shut."Anyone fancy some coffee ?"

"She 's got a crush on you,"Ryan announced.

"doe not,"William James argued.

"Have we ever had a Slytherin apologize for injuring one of us before, let alone hand us chocolate ?"Fred asked."I 'm with Ryan on this one."

"fountainhead clearly some of them have scruples,"Albus replied."But yeah, she likes you."

"She 's dozen,"James said flatly.

"lady friend mature faster than blokes."Heather smirked."So, actually, she should be just about right for you."

"Shut up,"James muttered."Not sharing my chocolate anymore."

"Ten bit are up !"Madam Pomfrey announced as she returned to James IV 's bed bearing a tray that contained a few nasty looking potions."And these are for you, James."

Albus and the rest of the team bade James good-by and left the Hospital Wing. They walked up to Gryffindor tower together, but parted once they entered the uncouth room. Albus found his acquaintance at a tabular array near the door to the residence hall and sat down to explain the entire Devon Wright thing.

"So she was actually upset that she had broken James 's leg ?"John asked.

"And she apologized ?"lustrelessness added.

"And gave him chocolate ?"Kaden continued.

Albus nodded."Strange, is n't it ?"

"Very,"can agreed."I 'm storm she 's on the team. Is n't it a demand for the Slytherin team to be a fan of vehemence ?"

"She might not be on often longer, right ?"flatness asked.

"It was an accident,"Albus said."I already said that. The remainder of the squad saw it and so did half the professors. So there 's probably not going to be a replay either."

"That 's not just,"St. John muttered.

"It 's only the first match,"Albus pointed out."Plenty more than time to gain those detail back. And their quester is awful anyway. He could n't have caught that stoolie if James I had n't birth been hit."

Albus, lusterlessness, and John spent the remainder of the afternoon discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor 's chances of winning the Quidditch Cup. They factored in the skill level of all the thespian on all the menage and the points earned so far, along with the possible weather baulk that were surely to fall. Kaden paid attention, but did n't lend much except for the occasional comment about how something was dissimilar in football. Amanda did the same, spare for the football game commentary. prove sigh and dug a book out of her bag and read it until they had finished.

professor Oteski was at supper that night, which was a rare occurrence due to the fact that he has a wife and young children in Hogsmeade and normally was only at the palace for year and Quidditch matches. Towards the end of the meal he rose, rendering the entire Hall silent.

"The other professors and I have reviewed the event at today 's match,"Oteski began."We 've taken into news report a few select educatee'observations-"

"He interviewed me,"Fred said.

"-along with the professors'. I have come to the ending that the act of a Slytherin Beater hitting Gryffindor 's Seeker with her Beater 's Bat was an inauspicious accident. No corrective action will be taken against her, nor will a rematch be taking place."He resumed his seat.

All of Gryffindor groaned while Slytherin rejoiced. Albus glanced over at their table and saw that Devon Wright was the solely Slytherin not shouting in upheaval. Instead she had her chief on her hand and was picking at her dinner. She was a very odd Slytherin, that was for sure.

"I really did n't think there 'd be a replay,"Fred said."But listen, we can still win. Losing the first lucifer does n't mean we 'll drop off the Cup."

"Someone 's going to receive to tell St. James,"broom replied."He wo n't be pleased. I 'm fairly certain he can count the number of meter he has n't caught the Snitch on one hand."

Albus thought back to the time William James had lost a match against Linda the lamia and hid in the screeching shack. Luckily his pal had come a foresighted way from that and would not sense the need to hide after missing the Snitch.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I 'm back at school day now, so I wo n't be writing as much. But I have a few chapters saved up, so I 'm hoping to update frequently for the side by side month at least.

If you are enjoying this tarradiddle ( or any of my stories ), read/write head over to the forum and nominate one for a Dobby award ! Be certain to read the rules before posting. : )


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus was very relieved that he was not given the chore of telling William James that there would not be a rematch. Fred, being the skipper, took that job for himself and the ease of the team merely went with him. William James was understandably overturned, but did n't take the news nearly as badly as Albus would give expected. Perhaps he was maturing, if even a small amount. On William Ashley Sunday, James was released from the Hospital Wing and life-time at Hogwarts returned to normal if only for a few days.

After a two-base hit class of potions and single social class of Transfiguration of Jesus on Tues, Albus and his friend had politics and this was the day where they would find out who would get to sit in the Great Hall during the argument on Saturday. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were understandably more talkative in the minutes before professor Embry began category. to the highest degree of the bookman hoped that they would get to attend the disputation, with the exception of John and a few of the Hufflepuffs. Albus and matte would be attending it either way, so they doubted either of them would be picked. Rose had also found out that since she was Percy 's niece, she would also get to attend no subject what.

"Settle down, get back down,"Embry said once the clock struck three. He smiled and then quickly took attendance."I 'm very happy to see how worked up you are for Saturday 's debate. It 's very stir to see Young hoi polloi so concern in politics. Since I know none of you will pay attention during class unless I announce who gets to attend before I begin, I will announce them now."

The class immediately began whispering until Embry located a small-arm of parchment on his desk and cleared his throat."Now, a few of you are able-bodied to attend to the argumentation without being chosen. lusterlessness Eckerton and Albus ceramist, since both your founding father are point of departments at the Ministry you will be able to attend. Rose Weasley, since you are related to one of the nominee, you may attend as well. And not to vex, everyone else, they will not take away away spots from the regular scholar body.

"One boy and one girlfriend were picked randomly from each year, for each planetary house. So eight students from each year were chosen total. For Hufflepuff the lucky two are Olivia cost and Ronald Bones."

"Yes !"Ronald shouted. He was a rather meretricious, light-haired haired boy, who reminded Albus a lot of Kaden. Olivia just smiled. She was quiet, but as one of Hufflepuff 's Beaters, was quite forceful.

"And for Gryffindor we have Ethan Kesse and Marina Jordan-Bell,"Embry continued.

Both let out ecstatic shouts and the rest of the year clapped before everyone settled down. All four winning students were still grinning when Embry began speaking once more.

"Congratulations to all four of you. This will not be the lonesome argument to take place at Hogwarts and for the side by side one, different scholar will be chosen. Now, on Sat, you are to cover to the Great lobby at ten o'clock in the morning. The debate will set out at eleven. You will generate your gens to whichever prof is waiting by the doors and then a Prefect will show you to where you are supposed to sit. Same goes for you, lusterlessness, Albus, and Rose."

Embry set the parchment down on his desk and smiled as he walked closer to the tables of his scholarly person."Now, what prof Kendrick has not told you yet, because it has only just been finalized, is that both candidates will be hosting two joint enquiry and answer school term. These will be for students and Hogwarts staff only. The Sami scholarly person chosen to give ear the debate will be capable to take care the doubtfulness and reply session. It will drive place at three in the Great dorm. Please go far at two-thirty.

"Everyone else will be listening to the debate on the radio. Fourth yr Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs will be in the August 6 classroom. Please report there by ten-thirty. Everyone, no topic whether they are attending the debate or listening on the radio receiver are expected to write a understructure long essay on which nominee you thought was more successful in making their tip. It will be due at the beginning of next week 's class."

The entire class groaned at the mention of the essay. Embry ignored this and began his talk. They had finally made it into the twentieth century, but were still far from learning about how everything in the Ministry changed after Voldemort was defeated.

The residue of the week passed very slowly. The Hogwarts students were getting very excited at the prospect of the nominee arriving for their debate, with the exception of Bradley and Cedric. Even lavatory and Kaden, neither of whom were going to attend the debate, were catching a little bit of fervour. Albus was rather shocked at how the majority of the students were getting involved with the election. Being soul who had grown up with politics and the Ministry of Magic, he was not quite as thrilled with the chance, especially when reporters from the Daily prophet showed up on Friday morning.

"deficiency to withdraw bet on how quickly they find you ?"John the Divine asked as they passed two reporters on their way to forethought of Magical Creatures.

Albus glanced at the newsperson. One was a very marvellous and lanky man, with mussy Robert Brown hair's-breadth and considerable husk on his face. He was frantically writing down dubiousness that the other newsman, an equally tall woman with huge red lips and black hair, was asking an uncomfortable looking first year.

"Walk faster,"Albus nudged privy as they neared the oak door.

Albus had absolutely no desire to appear in any issues of the Daily prophesier. Neither of his parents liked reporters and that was a trait they had passed down to Albus. He made a mental note to warn Bradley and Cedric about them the following time he saw his two cousins.

In an sweat to deflect the newsperson, Albus, Matt, and John spent their resign menstruation after appealingness in the marauder 's Den. With any luck when the Ministry official arrived the reporters would apply up trying to interview random Hogwarts students. Although Albus knew it was not random at all. At luncheon, after Care of Magical Creatures, he found out that no less than four of his cousins, along with Lily, had been interviewed that morning.

The functionary were arriving just as Albus and his friends were heading to the Great Hall for dinner. They paused on the grand staircase while the blue-robed witches and wizards entered the Great Hall, gracefully avoiding the newsman that were standing next to the entrance to the Great Hall. Albus recognized nearly all of them, including his dad, Uncle Percy, and Matt 's dad.

The faculty tabular array had been magically elongated enough to volunteer rear for all of the Ministry functionary, who had at sat down and began speaking with the professors. Albus and his friends all found rear at the Gryffindor mesa, near all his cousin. Cedric was scowling while reading a letter. He then crumpled it up and then set flak to it with his wand.

"Dad still thinks we pulled that prank, James,"Cedric muttered."Says he 's going to ca-ca time to speak with me before he leaves."

"We 'll recover out,"James said."We still have n't talked to all the ghosts."

"All except Moaning Myrtle."Cedric shuddered."I do n't figure talking to her."

"She 's our last hope,"James I said."We 're going to find her. After all this debate stuff is over."

Albus let out a sigh of relief. He had two Thomas More Day. In all honesty, he 'd nearly forgotten about Cedric and St. James the Apostle 's quest to observe out who put the wimp in the Slytherin common room. But apparently his brother and cousin had not.

Kendrick rose from his seat once the Great Hall was full."On behalf of myself, the eternal rest of the Hogwarts staff, and the Hogwarts student body, I 'd care to receive our Ministry representatives to Hogwarts. Before we eat, I 'd like to enclose everyone.

"get-go, our candidate,"Kendrick gestured to Harry Hotspur and Laurentis, who were both sitting immediately to his left."Walker Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."Kendrick then gestured to the tall, rather portly man on his left wing."Our stream pastor, Langston Hartwell."

The rest of the officials were interlard amongst the professors. Kendrick gestured to a grey haired witch sitting in between professor Patil and Cedonia."promontory of Magical Law Enforcement. Reena Barnes."Next, Kendrick gestured to matt 's dad who was sitting next to Albus 's dad and Professor Trelawney."Head of the section for the controller and regulation of Magical animal. Walter Eckerton."

Half the Gryffindor table turned and looked at Matt, who gave a smile and shrugged. Never one to talk about his category, nigh of Gryffindor was unaware of who Matt 's dad was.

"I 'm sure you all remember Harry ceramicist, head of the Auror section,"Kendrick said as he gestured to Albus 's dad. He received louder applause than anyone else had.

Kendrick then introduced three of Hartwell 's other advisor, who had titles that were just as prospicient and confusing as Sir Henry Percy 's current job title. Then, finally, Kendrick waved his hands and intellectual nourishment appeared on all the board.

During dinner Fred announced that he had reluctantly canceled Quidditch practice for the side by side day since it was scheduled for the Lapp time as the question and answer session. The rest of dinner was spent figuring out which Gryffindors, besides the boastfully sum of money that were related to Percy, were going to attend the debate. Both John 's little sister, Asthyn, and Saint James 's best booster, Nathan, were getting to attend.

After dessert had been served and consumed, Kendrick reminded everyone of the clock time of the future day 's debate and suggested they all turn in early. Albus wondered whether the ministry officials would be staying in the castling or Apparating back to their own home for the nighttime. Cedric took off for the rough-cut room as soon as he had finished eating, in order to avoid his father.

Albus and his Quaker decided to stay in the park room that night since everyone was so lively and the turmoil was catching. bathroom brought a deck of Exploding catch down from his trunk and the six booster sat around a mesa playing for at least an minute. Kaden had just had the cards explode in his face when the doorway to the unwashed room opened and individual gasped.

Everyone glanced over and the common room went silent. Percy was standing in the doorway, looking very awkward and uncomfortable. His eye landed on Cedric, who had been organizing his stock of Skiving Snackboxes with James and Nathan. Cedric went as pale as Moaning Vinca minor.

"Cedric,"Harry Hotspur said quietly."I need to verbalise with you."

"I did n't do it, Dad !"Cedric exclaimed."I swear it !"

Albus shifted uncomfortably in his fundament, glancing at his Quaker. Rose was giving him a disapproving looking at while Matt, Saint John, and Kaden looked equally uncomfortable. Amanda had raised her eyebrows. This was ridiculous. Why could n't Percy let it go or believe his son ? Or at least mess with it privately ? It was unfair of him to surprise into the Gryffindor common room and call out his own son like that.

Percy shook his head."Cedric, you 've pulled put-on like this ever since you were little. This one has you written all over it. You, too, James."

"But Dad-"

"No buts,"Sir Henry Percy said."This is not acceptable. Now I 'd like to speak with you privately."

Cedric did n't budge. Albus swallowed hard and looked at Matt, can, and Kaden each in bit. Pranks were all in sound fun, but not when impeccant people were punished for them. And Albus had no doubt that Percy would punish Cedric whether he had proof or not. Cedric 's past betrayed him and Percy was too focused on winning the election to give his son the benefit of the doubt. Albus did not like his cousin taking the fall for something he and his Quaker did. It just was not something he was comfortable with.

Matt gave a fragile nod of his headland. John and Kaden both shrugged and Albus took that to mean"do what you have to do ”. Albus sighed and stood up."Wait, Uncle Percy."

"Albus, this is none of your care,"Percy said."Cedric has to face his consequences."

"But he did n't do it !"Albus exclaimed."It was me. I did it."

James burst out laughing."You, Al ? That 's nice and all of you to try and keep Cedric out of trouble, but really ? You could n't get into the Slytherin vernacular room."

"It was n't only him,"King John said, standing up."Kaden and I did most of it. Al was just a look out."

"I was, too,"Matt announced."It was the four of us."

Fred and a few of his friends suddenly jumped up from their ass and bowed in front of Albus, Matt, whoremonger, and Kaden."victor ! You are the kings."

The entire vernacular room exploded in applause and whistles. Albus could n't facilitate but grin despite the fact that he knew he was going to be in trouble. James gave Albus an odd look before breaking out in a wry grin himself. A few starting time geezerhood ran up and high-fived them. Hugo was practically rolling on the storey laughing.

"Enough, enough !"Percy shouted."Albus, you 'd ameliorate come with me. You three as well."He gestured to matt, John, and Kaden.

Albus and his friends reluctantly followed Percy out of the common room to Kendrick 's study. On the way there Albus could n't help but notice that his uncle did n't really take the air. He strutted, almost like he owned the place. Albus supposed he was remembering back to his Head Boy years. forefront Boy was probably now well out of range for Albus, as was becoming a Prefect. Not like he really wanted to go a Prefect anyway.

Upon entering Kendrick 's study Albus was horrified to see that all of the Ministry functionary were there, including his own father. Matt had paled considerably on seeing his Father of the Church as well. This was bad.

Kendrick glanced at the boy and then looked questioningly up at Percy."I think we need a moment of privacy,"Kendrick said to the official,"except Harry and Walter."

The rest of the officials left the room, whispering to themselves as they went. Kendrick then resumed his seat behind his desk and conjured enough professorship for the remaining people. Albus took a behind in between Matt and Kaden.

"What 's going on, Percy ?"Kendrick asked.

"I went to Gryffindor to have got a chat with my son about that prank last week and as it turns out he was telling the truth."Albus was proud of to see that Percy looked slightly ashamed."As I was asking Cedric for a individual talk, my nephew and his friends announced that they were the pranksters."

"They what ?"Harry exclaimed, looking at Albus."Is this about the crybaby in the Slytherin unwashed way prank ?"

"Yes,"Walker Percy confirmed."These four just confessed to it."

Matt 's dad let out a suspire and shook his head.

"Is this genuine, boys ?"Kendrick asked.

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied.

"I 'm very disappointed in you, Albus,"Harry said."This is the variety of affair I expect from William James, not from you."

"As am I in you, Saint Matthew the Apostle,"Walter added."You 've never been one to get out pranks."

"It was our idea,"John said, gesturing to himself and Kaden."All they did was keep a facial expression out while we were in their common room."

"Nevertheless,"Kendrick said, folding his hands on his desk."All four of you broke school rules and you will be punished. Fifty points from Gryffindor-"

Kaden gasped.

"-each,"Kendrick finished."And detention. As much as I 'd care to take up your hold tomorrow we have former matters happening in this castle and none of the staff is free to superintend. You will start your detention on Mon eve and you will have it for a week."

"But sir-"Albus and lustrelessness said at once.

"No buts,"Kendrick said."You blatantly broke multiple school rules."

"But Quidditch and dueling ! That 's the week before the first tournament-"

"Your team will have to control practice without you, Mr. ceramicist,"Kendrick said shortly."You should consume thought about that before you participated in this mischief."

"Sir ?"flatness asked quietly.

Kendrick sighed."Yes ?"

"The, er, full phase of the moon synodic month is Tuesday,"Matt muttered.

"right hand,"Kendrick replied."Attend the detentions that you can and whichever single you miss can be made up once you are better.

"Thank you,"Walter said,"for being understanding about that."

"Not a trouble. Matt 's situation is vastly dissimilar from missed Quidditch practice."

Albus felt his impertinence reddening. It had been a valid breaker point for him. Fred would murder him in his nap when he found out Albus would escape at least two practice session for detainment. He certainly would n't be applauding and bowing anymore.

"You 'll account to Filch 's office on Monday at seven. He 'll throw you further instructions on what your custody will mean. Now, get back to Gryffindor tug,"Kendrick said.

Albus rose from his seat. Harry did the same."Al, you realize I 'm going to have to tell your mother about this."

Albus nodded."Yes."

"She wo n't be pleased. But I do require to enjoin you that I 'm proud of the way you owned up to this when you realized Cedric was wrongfully accused. As foiled as I am that you pulled that trick, I am very happy to have such an reliable son. I 'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night and remember, I always love you,"Harry said and gave Albus a hug.

"beloved you too,"Albus said quietly.

lustrelessness was having what was surely a alike talk with his own father and once they were finished, the four boy left Kendrick 's study and went immediately back to Gryffindor Tower.

"VII detentions,"John muttered as they walked up a set of stairs."septet. This is worse than that time in indorse year when we were caught near the Whomping Willow."

"Not to note the points,"Albus replied.

"And detention with Filch no less,"Matt said."I 'll be doing at least two of them on my own, too."

Kaden shrugged."Still seems worth it."

john grinned."Most definitely worth it."

Albus and Matt gave each other looks that clearly meant they disagreed. No, 200 head from Gryffindor, seven hold with Filch, and no Quidditch practice for a workweek was not worth it.
***


In lawful Hogwarts fashion by the succeeding morning at Breakfast the stallion school knew that it had been three Gryffindor quarter years and one Gryffindor third year that had managed to sneak into the Slytherin green room and deposit two chickens and a rooster, as well as masking the total seat in chick seed. Hufflepuff was especially excited about this because Gryffindor 's loss of 200 points put them in the hint for the house Cup. Gryffindor was now perfectly last and the early Gryffindors were torn between their awe of Albus and his friends and their horror that the prank had cost them so many stop.

Rose and Amanda had burst out laughing when the son told them their lot the premature Nox. They were wild about the loss of distributor point, though. Rose was especially disgusted by privy and Kaden 's deficiency of remorse.

All the ministry official were at the stave table, whereas the theater tables were not nearly as wide as the previous day. It seemed that some educatee had not heeded Kendrick 's suggestion about going to bed too soon.

There was a whoosh of wings and Albus looked up to see that the post bird of night had arrived. His spirit started beating faster and he swallowed hard upon seeing his female parent 's owl holding a red envelope in its mouth.

"Oh no,"Albus whispered as the owl grew skinny. His friends glanced up and saw the thigh-slapper just as the owl was preparing for landing. It landed in nominal head of Albus 's scale of orchis and he took the howler in his bridge player before quickly running out of the Great foyer for the approximate bathroom.

The envelope was already hot when he arrived in the thankfully empty loo. He reluctantly opened it and the room was soon full with Ginny 's mellow pitched shouting.

"ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER, WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU ? I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE IN THE SLYTHERIN COMMON elbow room AND PUTTING poulet IN THERE NO LESS. I DO NOT CARE THAT YOU WERE ONLY THE LOOK OUT. YOU MAY AS fountainhead HAVE BEEN IN THERE YOURSELF. YOU WERE BLATANTLY break MULTIPLE SCHOOL prescript INCLUDING BEING OUT OF BED AFTER HOURS.

I AM VERY disappoint. THIS IS THE variety OF THING I EXPECT FROM JAMES, BUT EVEN JAMES KNOWS WHEN NOT TO crisscross THE LINE. AND YOU DID N'T JUST hybridizing THE LINE. YOU JUMPED WAY OVER IT. AND TO HAVE Sir Henry Percy breakthrough OUT ABOUT THIS WHILE HE IS AT HOGWARTS FOR A DEBATE ? ! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO sustenance UP appearing IN club FOR HIM TO HAVE A luck AT THIS ELECTION AND THIS DOE NOT HELP.

I HIGHLY APPROVE OF THE DETENTIONS AND LOSS OF stage. I CAN NOT SAY I WOULD BE defeated IF YOUR ENTIRE HOUSE WERE ANGRY WITH YOU OVER THIS. I EXPECT YOU WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN. IF YOU DO YOU WILL HAVE Thomas More THAN JUST penalty AT SCHOOL."

The missive exploded with a brief pull of fume. Albus stood there staring at it for a few seconds. His mother had not even mentioned how his confession had saved Cedric. There was no reference of how she was proud about his honesty, like his dad had been.

Albus heard a short gag from behind him. He turned around and saw none other than Scorpio Malfoy leaning on one of the sinks, smirking.

"I knew it was one of you Gryffindors,"Malfoy said."Just did n't ask it to be you lot. Did n't remember you 'd be smart plenty to cypher out our password."

"Just shut up, Malfoy,"Albus muttered as he pushed his way past the Slytherin on his way out of the loo.

"Loved the howler, by the way."Malfoy gave another laugh.

Albus groaned inwardly. He hoped Malfoy had n't heard much of it, but highly doubted it. Albus took a deep breathing time and walked back to the Great Hall. Perhaps with the debate coming in an 60 minutes, the rest of the students would leave about the prank and the loss of points and retrieve something new to discourse.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype penning radical. You guy cable are all awesome ! Thanks for all the amazing limited review ! The new banner was done by violet ephemera at TDA. There 's a little under a week left to put up chronicle for the Dobby Awards, so if you like this chronicle, head over to the forums and appoint it ! Just recall to read the rules first.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was a longsighted queue of students waiting to get into the Great Hall after everyone left once breakfast was over. The Great manse had been completely emptied in order for the professor to develop it for the argumentation. Albus craned his head in attempt to see it. As far as he could tell it looked the same except the tenacious house tables had been replaced by dustup of seating. He, along with matt and Rose, were only a few scholar away from the front of the waiting line.

Once they made it to the presence they gave their name calling to professor Longbottom and then were lead inside by one of the Ravenclaw Prefects. grownup were milling about talking with each other and student were already seated. The maiden few run-in were cordoned off with rope and the Ravenclaw Prefect lead Albus, Rose, and mat to the third gear roped off row. He lifted the circle and told them to file all the way in, to the very end of the unoccupied row. Albus sat in between pink wine and matte. It appeared that the roped off run-in were reserved for Ministry officials and their families. Albus noticed that his mum was sitting in the front row along with the rest of his auntie and uncles. Sakartvelo was also in the front row and was handing out coloring books and crayons to Samantha and lindy.

James, Ben, Lily, and Hugo filed in next to originate a few transactions later. Albus saw that Cedric and Omar Nelson Bradley, who had walked in with his siblings, were being lead to the front row. Fred, Angie, Scots heather, and Mark finished out their row five instant later. Albus gazed around the room and make out Victoire and Teddy sitting across the aisle. Henry M. Stanley walked in with Gabriella and took seats next to Victoire and shift. Albus had to take he was surprise to see them there. Last he heard she was in Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault and he was in Romania.

The room soon became packed with the students who had won seats as well as early beldame and champion who had chosen to total. Albus recognized a few who worked in shops in Hogsmeade including lady Rosmerta. He turned to the front line of the way and noticed that the staff table had also disappeared and had been replaced with two ambo and a modest table, just like the set up in the courtroom at the Ministry.

At exactly eleven o'clock the doors to the Great Hall were shut and people began to sit down. prof Kendrick entered the way from one of its anteroom, followed by the parson, Albus 's dad, lustrelessness 's dad, and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Reena Barnes. The early Ministry officials were seated in the figurehead row.

Kendrick lead them to the little table near the podium. All five, with the exception of Kendrick, sat. Kendrick walked to the nominal head of the stump and the audience quieted.

"Welcome to the third debate. I welcome all of you to Hogwarts school day of Witchcraft and wizardry. Today 's argument will be on instruction. I 'd like to introduce today 's moderator, the Head of the Department for the ascendancy and regulation of Magical Creatures, Bruno Walter Eckerton."

The audience clapped and Albus whispered to Matt, asking him if he knew his dad was moderating. Matt shook his oral sex no and the two looked back to the movement.

Kendrick had taken his tail end and Matt 's dad had rose."Now I 'd like to welcome our two candidates. Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."

There was more clapping as Percy and Laurentis walked out of the antechamber and took their places behind the podiums. Once the applause subsided, matt 's dad began to speak.

"Today 's debate will run similarly to past debates, with five minute response and two second rebuttals. All inquiry and prompt will be about breeding. The debate will run for an hour and a one-half. After it is over, the room will be cleared and then lunch will be served. After lunch there will be a short-circuit break and then the student interrogation and answer academic term will fill place in this same room. Without boost auf wiedersehen, the first doubtfulness. Mr. Weasley, you will answer first.

"How do you feel about the Hogwarts strong-arm surround ? Do you feel it is adequate and tributary to learning or do you palpate variety should be made ?"

Sir Henry Percy took a step forward and smiled at the audience."I believe that the Hogwarts castle is very contributive to learning. Being in a secluded area provides little in the way of misdirection to the students. Yet the proximity of the castle to Hogsmeade village gives students in tertiary twelvemonth and above a much needed break. The only alteration I think need to be made are to update what needs to be updated and repair what needs to be repaired."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Matt 's dad said. He turned to Laurentis."Ms. Laurentis."

"I agree with Mr. Weasley. The Hogwarts castle is very contributive to learning and I see goose egg wrong with it the way it is. All of Mr. Weasley 's degree are very valid."

Albus turned to matte and shrugged. That was odd. They actually agreed on something. Matt 's dad seemed a little shocked by this as well, because he did not say anything for a few seconds after Laurentis quieted.

"All right. Since you two agree, I see no need for rebutter. Moving on to the following query. Ms. Laurentis, this time you will go first. How do you feel about the current Hogwarts programme ? Do you finger the category adequately prepare today 's new people for living in British wizarding lodge ? What changes, if any, do you finger need to be made ?"

"The Hogwarts curriculum has not been updated in 10. In fact, the only new class that has been introduced is this year 's year on politics. program is something that needs to vary with the times and be re-evaluated at least every other year. The humanity is a constantly changing berth and what students learn motive to alter with it. New classes should be offered and outdated grade should be removed. Curricula for classes that are kept penury to change in order to keep open up with today 's research. Potions, for illustration, should not be taught the like way now as it was twoscore years ago, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case."

"Thank you. Mr. Weasley."

"The inwardness programme of Hogwarts is like to that of magic schools all over the world. The classes taught here offer basic and encourage program line in topics that wizards need in order to use in society. We can not stand here and advocate getting rid of Charms or Transfiguration in favor of some new subject that may or may not teach our educatee anything. Yes, the world is constantly changing, but the basic while remain the same. scholar forty yr ago used 'Alohomora'to open up doors and the spell remains the like today,"Harry Hotspur argued.

"Your rebutter, Ms. Laurentis."

"I am in no way insinuating that we should get rid of Charms or Transfiguration."She looked offended at Percy 's accusation."All I am saying is that we need to look at the electives that are offered. The basic heart and soul classes should obviously be kept, although they should be updated. Today 's professors are using the Sami text edition they used thirty years ago, which is ridiculous considering how lots has changed in their fields-"

"Your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

Percy seemed to puff out his chest a bit."Those textbooks still teach the basics ! How is a textbook written finale year going to be any advantageously at teaching a student how to stir a caldron ? Additionally, older schoolbook have Thomas More practice copies available making it more affordable for student from abject income families to purchase their books."

It seemed to Albus that they had gotten slightly off topic from the proposed dubiousness, but neither campaigner seemed to point out or care.

"Next question. How do you feel about the way that teacher option and rating is handled at Hogwarts ? Do you sense any change are needed ?"Mr. Eckerton asked."You may go first, Mr. Weasley."

"Traditionally, the Ministry has taken a very hands-off approach to teacher selection and I believe this has worked well. Ministry functionary do not make the expertise to choose teachers and leaving this up to the Hogwarts faculty has resulted in a very educated and well-rounded staff at Hogwarts. Following the sovereignty of Voldemort, a low educational activity department was founded in the Ministry to oversee affair and while it is still very hands-off, I believe the small amount of regulation has served Hogwarts well,"Harry Hotspur explained.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Laurentis smirked and then began."instructor selection, along with curriculum change, is the the aspect of Hogwarts that needs the most theme change, in my persuasion. While Professor Kendrick is a o.k. headmaster, I think more guidance is needed when it comes to choosing professors. For the past four years, Hogwarts has been ineffective to batten a Defense Department Against the Dark Arts prof for to a greater extent than two days. One only lasted a year. Other professor have been here for ten and yet others have remained even beyond their own death. There is zip wrong, of course, with previous teacher, but Hogwarts appears to have no way of evaluating these staff phallus. They remain here, teaching, year after class, whether or not they are actually successful in providing students with an education."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

Percy 's face had gained some colouring that was not always there."I hardly think it is appropriate to blame professor Kendrick for the fate of previous Defense prof. Upon interviewing them he had no way of knowing what would occur in the end. As for the other prof, if you would look at the statistics of the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. answer of the preceding few years you 'll see that the bulk of educatee are passing. Might I add that those are regulated by the Ministry."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"I would fit that the headmaster should not be held responsible for one or two professors who should not deliver been hired in the number one place, but Hogwarts has seen Thomas More than its just share of unequal professors in the past times few yr. Clearly something is wrong. More the great unwashed need to be involved with programme and teacher selection."

"Next doubtfulness,"Mr. Eckerton said."Do you feel that the security at Hogwarts is equal ? If not, what should be changed ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

If Albus was not mistaken, he could have sworn he saw Laurentis sigh and give a slight eye roll before beginning."Let 's just call it what it is, why do n't we ? Lack of security at Hogwarts ! The security measure here, if you can call it that, is sorely lacking. Might I bring up the fact that for the past three years there had been a severe rift in surety here ? Three long time ago, a group of first twelvemonth dueled the appealingness prof, a seventh year, and that one-seventh year 's father on the grounds for a substantial period of fourth dimension before the prof stepped in. The following year, another start twelvemonth was kidnapped by that same one-seventh twelvemonth, who had then graduated. Last year, those same educatee were kidnapped and taken to Australia of all places ! I think we could forgive one incident, but three-"

"Your fourth dimension is up,"matte 's dad said."Mr. Weasley."

Hotspur was looking more and more disgruntled. His nerve now resembled his fuzz."Might I remind my adversary that following the incident three days ago, Aurors were stationed at Hogwarts and none of the following incidents resulted in any lasting impairment to any of the students. final stage twelvemonth, the Aurors were slightly preoccupied by the disastrous contention that took seat here. Hogwarts is protected by many enchantments and all the professors are capable of protecting the student. cobbler's last year 's incident was an extremely unfortunate accident-"

"One that nearly resulted in bookman decease !"Laurentis shouted.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Albus felt like the stallion elbow room was staring at himself and Matt. Glancing around, he saw that this was dependable.

Laurentis ignored Mr. Eckerton."I remind the wizarding biotic community that the Aurors have yet to beguile the mastermind of that incident. Which by the way was not the only when incident shoemaker's last twelvemonth. Last class 's Defense Department Against the Dark Arts prof kept a highly severe creature in the castle for months before anything was done. And by the meter it was discovered, it took Walter Eckerton stepping in to have it removed ! Then, the prof was allowed to stay, despite the fact that later on it was discovered that he had been terrorizing and humiliating student in his class all yr, not to observe the fact that his curriculum were not appropriate. Following that dreadful rear of tube in security, regarding the animal, the same professor proceeded to bring out information that could compromise the lifespan of another student-"

"That is enough, Ms. Laurentis !"Mr. Eckerton shouted."You are speaking out of turn."

Albus was uncertain whether Matt 's dad was cutting her off because her time was up or because she was getting dangerously close to talking about lusterlessness. come to believe of it, how did she even know about that ? She could n't possibly know about lusterlessness 's condition, could she ? Albus glanced at lustrelessness, who was looking extremely pale.

"I believe we are out of time,"Mr. Eckerton continued. He looked quite flustered."Please issue the room while tiffin is set up. You may recall in a one-half hour."

Albus stood and waited for his bout to leave the room. The intact gang was whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Albus and lustrelessness every so often. He was tempted to jump lunch all together, except he was extremely hungry.
***


Albus managed to avoid speaking to any reporters before and during lunch, which proved difficult because they seemed to have multiplied during the debate. All seemed neat on interviewing him, matt, John, and Kaden in peculiar due to their having been kidnapped the previous June. Albus was quite relieved when the food in front of them vanished and the majority of the people in the elbow room left in guild for the motion and solvent seance to film place.

Both campaigner seemed to have regained their calmness during the meal because Percy 's face was no farseeing beet red and Laurentis had fixed her haircloth and was wearing a smiling. The reporters had been banned from the elbow room for the continuance of the session, much to their consternation. Matt 's dad also looked better and was standing in the front line of the room in strawman of the dais, waiting for everyone to sit down.

The elbow room was much emptier now, considering that only the students chosen to mind to the debate and the prof were allowed in the room. Albus and Matt managed to get a few hind end in the front row. James and Lily joined them.

Once the doors had been shut and everyone had sat down, Mr. Eckerton stepped forward."Welcome to the inquiry and resolution school term. It will run for an hour and the candidates will reply as many questions as they can during that time. Please fire your hand if you have a question."Nothing about the outbursts during the debate was mentioned.

Albus could not think of anything to ask. He had absolutely no desire to verbalize to Laurentis and anything that he would want to ask Percy he could just ask at Christmas or send him an owl. Not that he really had any questions for his uncle, either.

A tall Ravenclaw boy raised his mitt and Mr. Eckerton pointed to him."This doubtfulness is for Ms. Laurentis,"the boy began."How exactly do you purpose to establish Hogwarts more secure ? I 'm nearly overconfident that the most advanced patch are already used."

"That is very true,"Laurentis answered."I believe that we need to await outside the universe of enchantment and give professor basic preparation in DoD against intruders. I think a program, similar to very BASIC Auror training, would benefit all stave greatly."

A Hufflepuff in pigtails had a query for both campaigner next."Would either of you change the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams if you were elected ?"

"Only to fit better with any possible program modification,"Laurentis replied."The modification would come later. Not for at to the lowest degree two years."

"Most potential, no,"Walker Percy said."The statistics prove that they work well as they are."

The question and reply session continued in the same way, proving itself very unlike from the debate. It was quite the opposite, actually. Albus found himself very bored towards the end, his mind drifting towards what both candidates had said during the debate. He was very curious about what the seer would say about it the following day.

"We have prison term for one to a greater extent motion,"Mr. Eckerton finally said.

Albus let out a sigh of embossment. A glimpse at Matt told him that his Charles Herbert Best supporter was feeling the same way, since he was leaning back in his president, his centre nearly closed.

Mr. Eckerton pointed to a girl sitting in the far back. Albus did n't recognize her, but she had Ravenclaw gown on.

"This is for both of you, if either of you know anything about it. Ms. Laurentis, you were talking about prof Balladanis in the argumentation and you mentioned something about him giving students entropy that they could use to threaten another student. Is that really true ? And what exactly happened ?"

Albus prodded matt in the side and whispered to him what the question had been. precondition flatness 's reaction, which was a look of consummate panic, he almost wished he had n't bothered to wake him up.

Mr. Eckerton stared at the student before turning to the campaigner."You may suffice the first base part of the question and that part only."

"It is confessedly,"Laurentis said just as Walker Percy had been opening his mouth to respond."professor Balladanis was not cut out for teaching and did not understand the fact that there is a stemma between teaching to circularise knowledge and teaching to menace others."

"Does it have to do with the Anamatek ?"a Slytherin boy asked.

"Yes,"Percy said."The situations were related."

"This is why I believe teacher need to be evaluated so we can obviate this eccentric of situation,"Laurentis explained.

"But what kind of information could jeopardize somebody ? Was it in the course of study ?"the Ravenclaw who had originally asked the question said."cognition is power."

"It was not,"Laurentis answered."Which is exactly why it will be good for professors to have curricula that they stick to."

"I just do n't understand,"the Ravenclaw went on."If masses are kept in the dark they just blindly follow federal agency. I 've always believed that people should be taught everything possible."

mat and his dad were both wearing exchangeable expressions. Both looked extremely uncomfortable and his dad was fiddling with a grip on his robe. Matt looked like he wanted his chair to swallow him up.

"We 're all out of prison term,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thank you all for coming. The professors have requested that you all return to your commons rooms and that you are loose to decline remark to the reporters that are waiting outside."

There was a shuffling of electric chair as mass got up and exited the room. Matt grabbed Albus 's arm without saying anything, leading him directly to his father, who was speaking to both the candidates.

"Dad,"flatness said quietly, not waiting for him to finish his conversation with Laurentis and Percy.

Mr. Eckerton turned around and his nerve became sympathetic. He turned back to Laurentis and Percy."Excuse me. My son. I believe you can head up to Kendrick 's study and I will be there shortly."

Albus, Matt, and Mr. Eckerton left Laurentis and Percy, who had now begun to debate about something, in the Great Hall and entered one of its lobby. The room was furnished with a few lounge and chairs. Albus chose an armchair while matt and his dad sat down on a couch.

"I 'm really gloomy, matte,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."I did not expect last yr to be brought up during this debate."

"It 's not your fault,"Matt replied as he picked at a unloosen train of thought on the couch."It 's just the way she, Laurentis, was talking, I thought that maybe she .... Does she have it off, Dad ? She seemed to experience an awed lot about what Balladanis did."

"She does n't bang,"Mr. Eckerton said immediately."The lone people at the Ministry who know are in my department. However, she and the rest of the Ministry did have to know why I was filing a news report on Balladanis finish class. I had to give reasons as to why I wanted him investigated on that report."

"Did you list exactly what he did, with the Anamatek and his wolfman lessons ?"Matt asked.

"No."Mr. Eckerton shook his head."There are police protecting minors in this kind of situation and I was not legally required to cite your name. All I had to say was that an anonymous student had felt threatened by a sure deterrent example that Balladanis taught. That was all that was needed to launch the investigation. That alone would not give birth gotten him sacked, but plenty evidence was found through interviewing student about his teaching methods that nothing else was needed. It was n't even mentioned that it was a third year socio-economic class in my original report."

"But she seemed to screw so much,"lustrelessness said.

"She does n't. Politicians blow up what they know in order to get elected. You do n't have to interest. I suppose if she really wanted to she could depend at the program for defense for that time of year and research and figure it out, but it would pack a lot of study. And trust me, she does not have the metre for that. Nor does she really have any rationality to care what lesson it was or why a bookman was threatened or who that student was."

"But she said my life history had been at risk,"lusterlessness said.

"Again, that 's her embellishment."Mr. Eckerton half-smiled."The only ones who are really rum are your fellow bookman and this will blow over. They have no way of finding out."

"trade good,"Matt replied, finally smiling a bit.

"I 'd improve get to the headmaster 's subject,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up.

Albus waited while matte said goodbye to his dad and then the two son headed back to Gryffindor tower. The reporters had either scattered or had found students will to be interviewed, for the son came across no one but Prefects and a few get-go years setting off dungbombs on their way back to the plebeian room. Albus was very glad to hear that Laurentis did not know the specific about what had happened with Balladanis the late year, but he wished neither her or Sir Henry Percy would ever work it up again in a debate. Somehow, though, Albus doubted that it would n't be.


Sorry for the late update ! Time has gotten away from me. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Big thanks to my Skype writing group ; you guys are amazing !

I have a new meet the generator yarn on the forums. There 's a connexion to it on my Author pageboy. Please check it out and ask me interrogation !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The article in the Prophet on Lord's Day proved to be just as horrific as the actual debate had been. It took up the integral front line page and was ripe with quotes from both candidates and a few student, although none of Albus 's cousin-german had been quoted. The Ravenclaw who had asked the question about Balladanis at the question and result school term had not only been interviewed, but she had received her own article located on the sec Thomas Nelson Page. Albus groaned when he opened the page and saw it, complete with a picture of the Ravenclaw in question. His supporter quickly crowded around the paper to understand it over his shoulder.

security review AT HOGWARTS ?

Yesterday 's newsworthy debate at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry proved
not only to be a time to memorise about the
prospect'straight opinions on magical
education, but possibly uncovered an issue
of censorship that had been looked over
finally yr.

Following the debate a interrogative and solvent
session was held for those lucky few
Hogwarts scholar who had gotten to sit
in the Great Hall during the public debate. The
endure doubtfulness was asked by sixth twelvemonth
Ravenclaw Elizabeth House of York. During the debate
Patricia Laurentis brought up the topic
of the probe of Professor Tethys
Balladanis, previous Defense Against
the Dark Arts professor ( see article on
front Thomas Nelson Page ). House of York then questioned what
information had taught that according to
Laurentis"endangered a student 's life."

'I just wonder what information was being
taught because I 'm a firm truster that
scholarly person should never be denied
information. If it was bad enough
to endanger someone 's life, then certain,
it should not be taught, but no one is
saying what the information was .'York
said in an interview following the
session.

After the doubtfulness was asked, deliberate
moderator and principal of the Department for
the Regulation and control condition of Magical
Creatures Walter Eckerton told the
candidates that they could not say
what the information was, just confirm
that the incident had happened. Eckerton
quickly wrapped up the session, stating
that they were out of time.

It is interesting to note that Eckerton
is the wizard who filed the ailment
thus launching the investigating of
Balladanis. When asked for a input,
Eckerton said'I 'm the Head of the
department for the Regulation and Control
of Magical Creatures. He had an Anamatek.
I was informed of the billet and had
to submit action .'

The situation provided to a greater extent questions
than solvent and it will be interesting
to find out whether this incident plays
a further purpose in Apr 's election.

Albus set down the paper and pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. Why did the Prophet have to print that ? It did n't appear relevant to the election. Balladanis had been sacked and was long gone. It was in the past.

"Your dad 's right,"Amanda said to lustrelessness later on when they were in the vulture 's Den."She 's just trying to make affair into a bigger deal so she can win more balloting. politician turn the uncomplicated matter into immense deals."

"I know, but still,"flatness said as he picked through a pile of Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor Beans."It 's like none of them realize that it 's my lifetime they 're making a big deal of."

"Honestly, I do n't think it 's actually the entropy that people want,"pink wine said, looking up from her Potions school text."Think about it. If someone were to leak the information, and say that Balladanis was teaching so much about identifying werewolves that hoi polloi could calculate out you were one, they 'd cause nothing else to let the cat out of the bag about-"

"Yeah, because they 'd be talking about how there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts,"lustrelessness said.

"No, that 's not what I meant,"rose wine replied."They 're interested in the bigger consequence. The fact that there might be censorship at Hogwarts. They do n't care what the selective information is that 's been censored. They just like that something 's been censored. And I think that if they really knew what it was, they 'd all fit that Balladanis had gone over the top."

"I guess,"flatness said."But that 's the affair, no one 's going to really bed what it is."

"It 'll all shove along over soon enough,"Albus said."Next argumentation 's on law enforcement. Aurors, Azkaban, that sort of thing, and Laurentis runs Azkaban."

Albus spent much of Lord's Day good afternoon on the Quidditch pitch, which was a receive alleviation from discussing the public debate and the election and Percy and Laurentis. He loved his friends, but they all seemed to be capable to discourse the election for age and he could n't. Fred would have got had them on the rake longer, but Hufflepuff had reserved it for the even.

The discussion of the censoring clause seemed to calm down the succeeding day, if only because a good bulk of the professors had all scheduled exam that day and everyone was meddling with last minute studying. Albus had exams in both Herbology and defence force Against the Dark humanistic discipline, although the latter was really no different from the usual worksheets. Luckily there was no exam in tending of Magical Creatures and then Albus had a relieve period.

Matt slept the entire unloosen geological period and up until dinner in hopes that he would be able-bodied to wait on that night 's detainment. He had no desire to do hold on his own, so he was hoping that he 'd be able to get away with just missing the next nighttime 's. He still looked absolutely exhausted even after the nap.

"If we 're doing anything outside I 'll have to leave,"matt said as the four boy made their way to Filch 's subject field."Merlin I hope it 's not outside."

"Me, too,"John the Divine said."background 's horribly muddy after last dark 's storm."

"Bet the team will love that."Albus said They had practice that night and Albus was missing it.

The son continued their way through the castling until they made it to Filch 's study. Albus knocked three times and then stood back, waiting for the ancient caretaker to afford the door.

Filch was holding his cat, Josie, in his arms when he appeared in the doorway. He was scowling, the wrinkles on his face showing more than ever, and looked thoroughly disgusted at having to monitor the male child'detention. He let the cat down on the ground and she took a swat at Kaden 's robes before darting behind a nearby suit of armor.

"You lot again,"Filch muttered as he shut the threshold behind him, despite the fact that the four boys had n't had a joint hold with Filch since secondment year."You 're scrubbing the 2nd trading floor young lady 's bathroom. With soup-strainer, of course."Filch reached into his pocket and pulled out four grubby toothbrushes.

"That 's Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom,"Albus whispered to his friends as they distributed their cleanup implements and followed Filch down the corridor.

Filch shooed them into the toilet and leaned against the door, his blazon across his thorax, and scowled at them as they began. Albus squatted down and began to scour the base, John the Evangelist and Kaden doing the same. The three had agreed to make the hold as easy as possible for matte and thus left him the sinks.

Albus had n't been scrubbing for more than two transactions when he heard a splashing behind him and a schoolgirlish giggle. He turned around and saw Vinca minor, smiling and winking at him. She floated over until she was hovering over the section of floor that Albus was scrubbing.

"Albus Potter."She giggled again."You 're back to my privy. Oh, but this time you 've been in bother, have n't you ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus muttered.

"This is n't for what you did to the Slytherin common elbow room, is it ?"Myrtle asked."Your chum asked me about that. I told him that you 'd been in here that dark, hiding under your Invisibility Cloak."

Albus flinched when she said the tidings"invisibility cloak"and hoped that Filch had had some audience loss in his old age. The last thing Albus needed was for the caretaker to know he had an Invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't know you were pranking the Slytherins, though,"Myrtle continued."I like boys who pull pranks, you know."Myrtle giggled again and floated closer to Albus, so near that his hand was now inside her arm. He moved it away.

"You know, some years I hardly get any boy coming in here,"Vinca minor said as she floated towards John."And this year there 's so many. I think you should do visit me more often. It gets lonely in here, you know."

"Yeah, I imagine it 's quite lonely, being suddenly,"Kaden said.

myrtle let out an ear-piercing screaming and started wailing. She sped past Albus and into one of the carrell, where she plunged herself into the toilet.

"medium type, is n't she ?"Kaden said.

There was another loud splash and Myrtle was suddenly right in front of Kaden."You would be too if you were dead !"she shouted.

"But could n't you leave the loo ?"john asked."The early touch float about the rook all the time."

"Leave the loo ?"myrtle repeated."Leave the loo ?"She said a bit louder."But this is where I died ! I find it 's best to believe about my destruction right here. Right where it happened."

"Would n't it be less lonely with the other ghosts ?"bathroom asked as he began to scrub one of the stall doors.

"The other wraith do n't sympathize,"myrtle lamented."They 're all satisfied being dead. Even the gray gentlewoman and she 's always seemed slightly miserable. But no, none of them are as miserable as me."Myrtle seemed proud about that.

"Weird,"John muttered under his breath.

"serenity !"Filch shouted."You 're in detention. No talking."

Myrtle resumed floating above the boys, letting out a loud wail every so often. Kaden and Matt continued to scrub the trading floor while John scrubbed the stalls. Matt was still scrubbing the cesspit, but was going very slowly and winced every so often.

"You look pitiable !"Myrtle exclaimed as Matt 's hand slipped and he dropped his toothbrush. He bent down to piece it up and leaned on the sump, squeezing his optic shut. Myrtle floated down to hover just above the sump next to him and smiled.

Matt said nada and turned from Myrtle, to get started on the sink on the other side. Vinca minor followed."You know, I 'm deplorable here all the time. I just sit here and contemplate my death ..."Myrtle continued.

Myrtle continued to follow lusterlessness around the bathroom while he was clearly trying to ignore her and put as much distance between them as potential. He had no luck with this since he was exhausted and myrtle was a shade. Albus caught John 's eye as myrtle giggled for the twentieth meter and the two shared a unsounded laugh.

After they 'd been scrubbing for nearly two time of day Filch finally told them they could stop. Albus 's knees and mitt were raw and he had a touch sensation he smelled strongly of cleaner. St. John and Kaden looked equally miserable and matt looked as bad as he did the good morning after a full Moon, only without the cuts and bites. Myrtle looked delighted at their misery.

"Visit me again soon !"she shouted after them as they left."Especially you,"she added to matte with another giggle.

"Someone has a compaction on you,"St. John the Apostle said to Matt as soon as they were out of earshot of Filch.

"Shut up,"flatness muttered.

"lusterlessness and Myrtle, what an endearing pair you 'd wee,"bathroom continued."You should go visit her. She seemed to be happier knowing that you were miserable."

"I said shut up about it !"Matt shouted.

"mulct, was only making a jape,"Gospel According to John replied.

The boys walked in quiet the rest of the way to Gryffindor Tower. They did not come across anyone else, which Albus was grateful for since he was uncertain as to whether it was past curfew or not. Once back in Gryffindor, flatness immediately went to the dormitory without saying another intelligence to Albus, John, or Kaden.

"promise it 's not cleaning tomorrow,"John muttered as he sat down on the nearest professorship and pulled up his pant leg."Look at that. My knee 's all red."

"match my fingers,"Kaden added.

Albus would gladly suffer through another day of Muggle cleaning if it meant the respite of the detentions would be called off. He was missing two Quidditch practices and the last dueling practice before the first affaire d'honneur. Some captain he was, missing the last practice before their number one tournament. Their final practice was Thursday evening and Albus would be off in detention, doing who knows what. He was planning on having Amanda run the practice, although he had n't talked to her about it yet.

The room access to the common room opened and the Gryffindor Quidditch squad, minus Albus of course of instruction, trouped in. They all looked muddy, exhausted, and sweaty and Albus felt a sting of guiltiness as he watched them lead up to the residence hall to shower.

"Missed you, Al,"Fred said as he passed."You 're missing on Wednesday, too, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus muttered."Sorry."

Fred nodded."Just do n't do it right before a match."

That was at to the lowest degree fortunate, Albus thought. They would n't be playing in another Quidditch match until after the vacation, seeing as the next catch was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. However, he couldn't service but find that missing dueling practice right before a tournament was unfit than missing Quidditch praxis right before a match.
***


Albus 's week did not improve the following day, when he began it with double over potions. Matt, feeling too ill to brew potions all morning, stayed in the dormitory to sleep, leaving Scorpio Malfoy without a better half to brew that day 's wart Removal Potion. Even worse, Albus 's spouse was also not in family. Slughorn saw this as the perfect chance to pair Albus with Malfoy.

Albus set up his cauldron while Malfoy stalked off to the potions cupboard to get the ingredients. He returned a unforesightful piece later and began to hack a shrivelfig into perfectly sized pieces. Albus took the rat quick temper, dumped it into the cauldron, and began to stir it.

"Scripture is you and your friends got a week 's detention for that antic,"Malfoy said, not looking up from his shrivelfig.

"Yes. Not that it 's any of your business,"Albus responded.

"Oh, but it is."Malfoy smirked, finally looking up."You did n't by opportunity get Th off from detention, did you ?"

"No,"Albus muttered. He took a few mystifying breathing space, trying to quieten himself down. He was stirring the cauldron far too quickly.

"That 's dueling practice session,"Malfoy said, as if it had slipped Albus 's mind."Our own police captain, missing practice because of detention. I do n't hypothesize you 've found someone else to run practice, have you ?"

"If you 're angling for the job you 're out of luck,"Albus said as he threw another rat irascibility into the cauldron with more force than was necessary."Amanda already said she 'd do it."That was n't necessarily avowedly, as Albus had slept too belated that good morning to see Amanda at breakfast before they 'd had to go down to the keep.

"Tagger ?"Malfoy scoffed."I think the headwaiter ought to have got at least some acquirement at dueling."

"Why does it count so much ?"Albus asked."It 's one practice ! It 's not like one practice session would earn you captain."

"When the professors see what a better job of it I do-"

"One reason, Malfoy,"Albus interrupted."Give me one rationality why you should do it over Amanda."

Malfoy 's fount broke out in a malicious smile."One reason ? The synodic month 's going to be in an interesting phase tonight."

Albus lowered his voice."You would n't. You ca n't. Kendrick would expel you."

"Only if he knew it was me who spilled the beans,"Malfoy pointed out.

Albus felt the blood waste pipe from his face. Why had he never thought of that ? Of course there were ways Malfoy could let it slip without anyone knowing it was him."mulct,"Albus muttered."Fine. You captain the team on Thursday. But just that day. I do n't have detention on Saturday afternoon."

"Fair enough,"Malfoy said, clearly satisfied at how thing had turned out.

Albus took a parsnip and began to hack it with as much military force as he could rally, imagining Malfoy 's smirking face upon the vegetable 's surface. Luckily, Malfoy did not say another Bible to Albus throughout the full class, which gave Albus the simplicity not to hex him into next C after they left Slughorn 's room.

The day continued in a downwardly spiral when Patil had them work on transfiguring rats into teacup and Albus 's teacupful ran across his table and crashed onto the floor. political sympathies was no better because professor Embry had the course of study discuss the by Saturday 's argumentation, something Albus just wanted to put behind him. He could n't help but feel as if the entire division was staring at him for the whole hour since Embry brought up the topic of his kidnapping and the sacking of Professor Balladanis.

Kendrick sent Albus, Matt, Saint John, and Kaden an owl at dinner informing them that their detention would strike piazza in glasshouse Two, where Professor Longbottom needed help transferring his dragon dung fertilizer from a immense pile outside to various pots inside.

"Disgusting !"bathroom exclaimed upon reading the line."I get enough of that in Herbology."

"At least we 're with Longbottom and not Filch,"Albus pointed out."Matt will be missing this one, obviously."

John nodded."Where is he, by the way ? Have n't seen him all day."

"Probably still in the dormitory. He was level-headed asleep when I went up there to take hold of my Transfiguration book at lunch,"Albus said.

Kaden glanced at his vigil."We 're not even going to have time to go back there before detention. It 's six-thirty."

Albus set his fork down. He had been picking at his kick stew, but not really eating it. He still had n't told his friends that Malfoy was going to be running his dueling practice later that week. Add that to the fact that now he would n't get to see lusterlessness before the full phase of the moon moon and it was just turning out to be an awful evening.

rose wine seemed to read Albus 's intellect."We 'll go check on him after dinner,"she said. Amanda nodded.

lavatory and Kaden polished off the rest of their meals and then the three boy set off for the glasshouse. The sun was just beginning to set as they walked across the earth and Albus knew that meant that Matt would be heading to the infirmary annexe soon. He hoped Rose and Amanda would manage to see him before he did.

Neville was waiting for them when they arrived, bearing four digger and four sets of gloves.

"lusterlessness ca n't come tonight,"Albus said once they reached Neville.

Neville glanced at the sky."Oh, right. I 'd forgotten."He handed the son the shovels and gloves."All of this,"he gestured to a large pile of manure,"motivation to be moved into the pots in nursery Two. You can leave behind once you 're finished."

Albus groaned inwardly as he looked at the pile. It must have been at least six feet high and as big around as the broom shed near the Quidditch pitch. It would take them at least an hour. He sighed as he pulled on his gloves and began to shovel the manure.

With all three boys working steadily it took them an hour and a half to actuate all the manure. When they finally finished all Albus wanted to do was go up to Gryffindor Tower and take the public 's longest rain shower. He felt worse than he did after a Quidditch exercise in the pouring rain.

"Two down, five to go,"John said after Neville parted ways with them on the back floor."I 'd never thought I 'd say this, but I 'd really care some lines."

"I just wish they 'd set off Thursday 's,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, right, what are you doing about your dueling praxis ?"John asked.

Albus felt ira boiling up in him again just thinking about it."Malfoy 's taking over for the practice."

"waiting, seriously ?"John Lackland exclaimed."But Amanda 's on your team. She could have-"

"It 's complicated,"Albus muttered. For some rationality he did n't want to get into why Malfoy was going to be chieftain for the night."And it 's only for a night."

John gave Albus a strange look."I guess, but still ... Malfoy ? It 's going to go to his head."

"I know !"Albus exclaimed."I know, all right ? It 's not like I wanted to experience hold on Thursday and miss that practice. I 'll cue you that this caper was yours and Kaden 's idea. Not mine."

"I know,"John Lackland said."But Malfoy ..."his voice trailed off.

Albus spent a undecomposed one-half hour in the exhibitioner once he returned to Gryffindor and then collapsed into bed, wishing that he could heat up and find out that the day had been an awe-inspiring dreaming. Instead, he dreamed that prof Kendrick decided to study away Albus 's captaincy and present it to Malfoy.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! This will be the entirely update this month as I am currently working on NaNoWriMo.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


John got his wish the following evening when the male child spent an hour doing line of business with prof Cy Young, which was slightly unpointed since Young paid absolutely no attention to them. After they were released, Albus, John Lackland, and Kaden immediately went to the Hospital Wing, as they had been ineffective to visit Matt earlier in the day.

ma'am Pomfrey was refilling potion bottleful when they arrived a short piece later. The pall were drawn around Matt 's usual bed while all the former layer remained void.

"how-do-you-do, boys,"the nursemaid greeted them."I 'll let you chew the fat for ten proceedings, but curfew 's very soon."

Albus nodded and led John and Kaden to matt 's bed, where he pulled back the curtains and entered the belittled area. matt was laying in bed with a bandage around his left arm and another on his forehead.

"How are you feeling ?"Albus asked.

"Awful,"Matt replied."But I do n't want to spill about it. What 's new with you lot ?"

"Just did an hour of dividing line,"John Lackland said."And survive Nox we had to shovel manure for Longbottom. You 're favorable you missed that one. I swear I still smell like dragon dung."

"But now I have to do two detentions by myself. Possibly three,"matte lamented.

"threesome ? You 're not going to get out of here tomorrow ?"Kaden asked. Usually Matt got out of the infirmary extension two days after the full moon.

"I will, but it just depends on what the hold is. If it 's line of credit then I can go but if it 's cleaning again then I 'll have to skip it. Madam Pomfrey wants me to repose tomorrow."

"Ca n't cogitate of what else they 'd have us do,"can said."Guess what else ? Albus is having Malfoy run his dueling team 's practice tomorrow since he 'll be in detention."

"You 're what ? !"Matt exclaimed."That 's mad, Albus."

Albus sighed."It 's one day. One practice. It 's not like I 'm giving him my team."

"Yeah, but there are other people on your team,"Matt pointed out."One of them could cause captained it."

"As I told John and Kaden, it 's complicated,"Albus said."And it wo n't chance again."

matt shrugged, but he did n't seem convinced. The last thing Albus wanted to do was tell him the real reasonableness why Malfoy was going to run the drill. Matt did n't require that on his plate.

"Time 's up !"lady Pomfrey announced as she brought a tray of potions to Matt."precipitation back to Gryffindor. The last thing the three of you need is another detention."

As it turned out, there were early matter that the professors thought of for the boys'detentions. Thursday evening they cleaned caldron without magic in professor Slughorn 's classroom, something that Madam Pomfrey forbade matt from doing, insisting that he turn in betimes instead. Albus spent the entire detention thinking about what Malfoy was doing with his dueling team and counting down the minutes until he would be able to ask Amanda about it.

"He was really nasty,"Amanda said once the boys were back in the common elbow room after detainment. Amanda had gotten out of dueling practice before they 'd finished hold."A few of the second gear old age were cursing him afterward. I heard them. Not that I blame them since he all out yelled at them for not being able to perform a Jelly-Legs Jinx."

"What does he carry ?"Albus replied."They 're second base years !"

"I tried to tell him that, but he did n't manage,"Amanda said."He even yelled at a Slytherin."

"Seriously ?"Albus said."Wow."

"I 'm really glad Longbottom made you captain and not him,"Amanda continued."I think I 'd depart otherwise."

"I would 've quit if he was on my team, stop,"John said.

"He would n't utmost as captain anyway,"Amanda pointed out."prof Cedonia was supervising and she had to tell him to tone it down about five times and then once one of the second old age was close to weeping, she called an end to the practice."

Albus could n't help but feel a bit of satisfaction that Malfoy made such a bad captain, despite the fact that he did feel bad for his teammate. He doubted Malfoy would turn back insisting that he should consume been made captain, but Albus doubted anything would lay off that.

Saturday brought with it a loud thunderstorm that rendered it nearly impossible to get wind what anyone was saying in the Great Hall at breakfast. Albus was quite glad that Fred had not scheduled a Quidditch praxis for that day, but hoped that the storm would calm down by the prison term the tournament began since his team would need to be able to hear each former speak.

Malfoy was already seated at team seven-spot 's spot at the Hufflepuff tabular array when Albus arrived later that afternoon. He was pleased to see that the rest period of the team was giving him a wide berth, including a few of the vernal Slytherins.

"Albus !"one of the second year Hufflepuffs, Alice Jake, shouted when she saw him coming."So gladiolus you 're back."

"Me, too."Albus grinned as he sat down in between her and another Hufflepuff."You lot ready ?"

There was a chorus of"yes 's"and a few nods of heads from Albus 's squad. The final stage few duelers ran into the room and snagged the finale few seats, which were unfortunately next to Malfoy.

Albus glanced at his watch. Five min until the tournament began. He felt like he should make some form of actor's line, like all of his Quidditch captain did before mate. But what was he supposed to say ?

"Er, well, here we are. The first tournament,"Albus began."You are all excellent duelist, each and every one of you. We 've all been practicing hard and you 've all made great improvements. We 're going to do great, but remember, just have fun. But if you remember what you 've learned and duel like you do in practice, I think we can definitely win this."

The rest of his team ( sans Malfoy ) gave a hearty cheer and then turned to prof Longbottom, who had just called for tending. Albus 's squad immediately quieted down.

"Welcome to the first dueling tournament !"Neville announced."It will run as it has in the past tense, with two duels happening simultaneously. prof Cedonia is coming around with the tournament schedule, which will be given to each police captain. Please pay attending and have it away when you are to duel. Everyone will duel twice. Professor Cedonia and I will each preside over a dueling dress circle and will announce the succeeder. The outset mortal to disarm their opponent will be given a level. Remember, you are only allowed to use spells you have learned in your classes. The showtime duels will start momentarily."

Professor Cedonia handed Albus a piece of parchment and he set it down while his squad crowded around him."I think it 'll be easier for me to let you know when you 're to duel. I 'll tell you two duels before you 're scheduled. Alice and Tucker, you 're first."

Albus glanced down the list and noticed that he was the one-tenth affaire d'honneur in Neville 's ringing and the seventeenth in Cedonia 's. That would give him plenty of time to get used to organizing his team. It was slightly submerge, having to constantly be paying attention to the list and figuring out when everyone should be dueling. After a few duel, he managed to get the knack of it.

"Malfoy,"Albus said."You 're up in two duels, in Cedonia 's ring."

Malfoy nodded, but did n't say anything. He had not said a Logos the entire tournament, which was very uncharacteristic, and the quietus of the team seemed to be set on ignoring him.

Albus handed the list to Amanda and headed to Neville 's dueling annulus, where he was set to duel bathroom. Two Hufflepuffs from other teams were currently battling it out and Albus was next. The shorter of the two Hufflepuffs finally managed to demilitarise his opponent.

"Point to Team Four !"Neville shouted as the two Hufflepuffs left."Albus potter versus trick Brickston."

Albus and John gave each early apologetic grin before bow and raising their wands, waiting for Neville 's OK.

"Ready, duel !"Neville shouted.

Albus immediately sent a leg-locker curse at John, who easily deflected it. John sent the same at Albus who also avoided it. Albus continued sending spells at Saint John, who kept avoiding them, until he finally got hit with a Jelly-legs jinx and nearly lost his terms. In the meter it took him to perform the counter-curse, Albus was able to hit him with Petrificus Totalus.

"Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted as John fell over. He caught John the Divine 's wand in his right manus and then turned to Neville, who was smiling.

"Point to Team Seven !"

Neville performed the counter-curse on John and the two boys left the ring. Albus headed back to his table, where Malfoy was just heading to Cedonia 's dueling ring.

Malfoy dueled a second twelvemonth and won within two hour. He was smirking as he walked back to the Hufflepuff table, but he returned to mediocre clapping. It seemed that the rest of the team was still acerbic about Thursday 's practice.

The rest of the tournament went well. Both Albus and Malfoy won their indorse duels, although Malfoy had a lot Thomas More difficulty since he dueled a chap fourth year.

"aid, I 'd like to herald the winner !"Neville shouted a poor piece after the final duel. The entire room immediately quieted and looked up at Neville."Thank you. In third station with 44 points is Team four-spot !"

Cheers erupted from the Ravenclaw table, where Team four was currently seated. Once they quieted down, Neville spoke."In second blank space with 52 points is Team septenary !"

The rest of Albus 's team began to shout and pep up, but Albus was too stunned to do much of anything. He could n't consider it ! His first ever tournament as captain and his team had gotten sec billet ! A few people slapped him on the back and he broke out into a grin.

"And in first place, with 55 percentage point is Team Six !"Neville announced.

There were sunniness from the other end of the Hufflepuff table, but Albus ignored them. He was still shocked that his own squad had done so well.

"Great job, everyone !"he said once he regained his composure."I knew we could do it !"

The mesa was filled with fervour and chatter and it continued even after they got up and began to leave the way. Albus was dying to get back to Gryffindor column where he could celebrate his near win with his friends.

"Nice going, thrower,"Malfoy spat as soon as they left the Great residence hall."I bet if I were the master we would 've won."

"We got second,"Albus replied."That 's really good."

"kickoff would 've been better,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm amazed we even got indorsement considering how terribly you are at practices."

"bettor than you,"Albus said."No one liked your praxis on Th. Did you remark how no one talked to you today ? They hated it."

"They 're just too used to you coddling them,"Malfoy said, taking a dance step closer to Albus.

"Well it does n't often matter because I 'm the headwaiter and you 're not,"Albus said as he toyed with his wand, which he was still brandishing in his left hand.

"For now,"Malfoy replied, eyeing Albus 's wand."If you keep getting in trouble I bet they 'll replace you."

"C'mon, Albus."Matt had appeared succeeding to Albus."Let 's get back to the vulgar room."

"punter listen to him."Malfoy gave a short laugh."You 'd suppose it 'd the other way around, though. Him attacking me rather than you. But I suppose that would only be in a sure meter of-"Malfoy glared knowingly at Matt.

"Shut up ! And hold that back,"Albus seethed, raising his wand.

"Seriously, Albus, let 's go !"lustrelessness grabbed the back of Albus 's robes and pulled him towards the staircase.

"iniquity git,"Albus muttered, looking back at the crowd in the entree student residence. Malfoy was already gone."Why does he always have to bring it up like that ?"

"It does n't matter,"Matt said.

"Of trend it matters !"Albus said indignantly."It 's insulting !"

"I 'm used to it,"Matt said quietly.

"So what ?"Albus exclaimed."That does n't mean you should have to expend the respite of Hogwarts having him bring it up every day."

"And you hexing him would have solved everything ?"matt asked."You just would 've stick another detention."

"Would 've been worth it,"Albus muttered.

"No, it would n't have,"Matt argued."You 've just got to discount him. I ignore him."

"I really hope that side by side class he 's not on my dueling team,"Albus said.

"I do n't guess he will. Did n't they go back to House squad for dueling for one-fifth through seventh years this year ?"Matt asked.

"Did they ?"Albus asked.

"That 's what one of the sixth yr said,"matte answered.

"trade good,"Albus said."Then I just have to suffer through this year."

Albus and Matt were the last of their friends to get back to Gryffindor, where it appeared that no one was doing homework. James had set a few fireworks off out the window and everyone was watching them while eating record upon platters of biscuits.

"What are you lot celebrating ?"Albus asked Saint James as he took a biscuit.

Jesse James shrugged."Just the fact that we 've got a Sat with nothing to do. wellspring, Cedric, Ben, Nathan, and I that is."

"Where have you two been ?"pink wine asked as she walked up to Albus and flatness. John and Kaden were behind her, a cookie in each hand.

"Al nearly got into a duel with Malfoy in the Entrance dorm,"mat explained.

"Albus !"Amanda exclaimed."You ca n't get anymore detention !"

"I know, but he said something really nauseous,"Albus said and turned to John."You would 've hexed him."

"What did he say ?"Rose asked.

"He said that he was surprised I was n't attacking him,"Matt said quietly.

"You 're right,"toilet growled."I would 've hexed him."

"See ?"Albus said.

"And I told you that it was n't worth detention over,"Matt repeated.

"But if it continues,"rosebush said,"you 've got to tell Kendrick."

"I 'm not telling Kendrick,"Matt insisted."I think he 's got enough to worry about with the possibility of the integral schooltime getting changed if Laurentis wins this election."
***


"Why in the figure of merlin are we doing detention in the forest ?"Kaden asked at breakfast the watch over morn.

"Seriously,"lav agreed."That 's not really detention, is it ? The woodland is cool. I 've always wanted to go in there."

"Are you two insane ?"Amanda asked."There 's all sorts of creatures in there."

"My baby did detention in the woodland once,"matte said."She had to reap these plants Slughorn needed and they could only be harvested the nighttime of the total moon."

"Well that 's one detention you 'll never let to do."John laughed.

"Maybe we have to reap some other kind of plant ?"Matt suggested, ignoring whoremaster 's comment.

"Dunno."Albus shrugged. The varsity letter they 'd received had not gone into specific. It just stated that they were to meet Hagrid near his hut at three that afternoon.

"At to the lowest degree you 're not going at night,"Rose pointed out.

The few hours Albus and his champion had until detainment went by rather quickly. They spent the time of day in the common room alternating doing homework while participating in very large rounds of Exploding cracking with nearly all of Albus and Rose 's cousins. Everyone was covered in ash by the metre three o'clock rolled around and the boys had to run up to their dorm room to wash their faces before heading down to Hagrid 's hut.

Albus liked Hagrid. He had known the half-giant since he was little and was slightly confused as to how custody with Hagrid could possibly be considered detention. Perhaps Professor Kendrick was unaware that Albus and his friends visited Hagrid every so often and delight disbursement time with him.

Hagrid was already remote when Albus and the early three boys arrived, armed with his crossbow and Fang by his side. Albus swallowed tough upon seeing the crossbow. Did Hagrid really think they would ask that ?

"'Ello, boys !"Hagrid greeted them."Fairly simple hold today. We 'll be collectin'unicorn stern hairs."

"Like getting them from unicorns ?"Kaden asked."I thought they did n't like boys."

Hagrid gave a booming laughter."No, no, Kaden. It 'd be a criminal offence to take away 'em right from the unicorn, wouldn'it. No, we 'll be gettin''em from bushes and trees. As the unicorns run past they get snagged. Let 's get goin'."

fang let out a meretricious bark as they made their way to the woods. Collecting unicorn hair. That was n't bad at all. But still, it was the forest and that was where Washburn and Willinson had spent a lot of their time the previous year. They would n't be back there, would they ? Obviously Washburn and Quinton Willinson were in Azkaban, but what about Quinton 's father ? Where was he ?

"What do we need unicorn hairs for ?"John asked as they entered the forest."No one here makes wands."

"Used for a lot more'n wands, aren'they,"Hagrid answered."Potions, mostly. Tha 's what we need 'em for. Seventh years are brewing somethin'that needs unicorn hairsbreadth so prof Kendrick volunteered you four to collect 'em. Slughorn 's too old to do it himself."

"That 's for sure,"trick muttered to Albus.

It was very dark in the wood, despite the fact that it was day. All four boys lit their wands and Hagrid 's pinko umbrella was providing more Christ Within than two wands combined. Hagrid had told them that they would n't find any hair until they were at least fifteen minutes into the forest since unicorns rarely ventured near the edge.

The woodland was very dense and it was hard for them to walk next to each other. Soon, they were forced to walk single single file through a very humble path that was riddled with Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree limb and rock music. Albus stumbled every so often and Matt managed to lessen over three times before anyone found any unicorn tail end pilus. Galloping hooves could be heard in the space and Albus figured they were centaurs. His dad had told him that there was a herd of centaurs in the forest, although Albus had never seen one before.

"Here we are,"Hagrid said after what had been at least a twenty moment walk. He gestured to a nearby bush."Jus'have a facial expression around here and I 'm sure we 'll find plenty. This is a known sphere where unicorns live. Don'wander too far."

Hagrid had provided them all with bucketful in which to collect the hair. Albus set off for the approximate George W. Bush and found a few hair snagged in the offset.

"Last detention,"John said as he worked alongside Albus."Thank Merlin."

"Speak for yourself,"Matt called out from a tree a few beat away.

"Do you know what you have to do for your following single ?"Albus asked.

"telephone line, all three Night,"lustrelessness said."Easier, I suppose, than coming up with anything else when it 's just me."

"Better than cleaning john again. Or digging up dragon muck,"Kaden said."Whoa, I just found a entirely clustering of hair."

After they 'd been working for a half hour Hagrid decided that they 'd collected enough. They set off re-tracing their steps through the forest. Albus found it a little less scary on the walk back and he was n't sure as shooting whether it was because he had gotten used to the interference or because he could see the sunlight at the edge. He was very projected to find that he did not see Jarrett Willinson anywhere in the woodland, although now that the detention was passed he realized that Willinson would n't go back there now that the Christ's Resurrection Stone was no longsighted there. No, Willinson was most probably still in Australia, where no one was looking for him. At least, Albus hoped he was.


Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! You guys are amazing ! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. NaNo gave way to a frantic finishing of all the papers I 'd neglected during November. But I won NaNo and course of instruction are over so I 'm hoping to get a good bit of writing done within the side by side month.


The last few week of Nov provided the Hogwarts educatee and faculty with a much needed time period of calm air. The side by side election argumentation would not use up place until December and the the censorship at Hogwarts matter seemed to have died out, with the Daily oracle no longer publishing article on it. Both Quidditch and dueling tournaments were over for the terminal figure, leaving the students with a bit Sir Thomas More time to dedicate to their studies. The next Hogsmeade visit was scheduled for the second Sat in December, a week before term ended.

Albus enjoyed the monotony of those few weeks. His Clarence Day were filled with homework, Quidditch pattern, and dueling recitation. Team septenary was very happy to ingest Albus back as their captain and most continued to brush aside Malfoy during practice. Malfoy still reserved a special glower of hatred for Albus and his friends, but he did not attempt to pop anymore duels in the corridor, like he had after the dueling tournament.

Dec arrived with a Snow storm that caused the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to invalidate two of their practice. This gave Fred the opportunity to script the pitch for two extra practices, something that earned him a respectable window pane of U-No-Poo in his morning pumpkin juice good manners of James River and Bradley. Albus was well-chosen to see that the job of shoal trickster had been rightfully returned to Jesse James and his Friend. The hebdomad of detentions had certainly dissuaded Albus from planning anymore pranks. The same could not be said for lavatory and Kaden, who were plotting something, although Albus did not have intercourse what.

Albus, mat, and Amanda spent the first Saturday of December ignoring their homework in the Marauder 's Den. The Slytherin team had the auction pitch for the full day, which gave Albus a much needed happy chance from Quidditch. John and Kaden 's location would probably only be found with the Marauder 's Map and rosebush was tutoring in the program library.

There was a tatty beef from outside the room, which was rosiness 's signal that she was outside and wished to be let in. Albus got up from his game of Gobstones and let her in. She dropped her bag unceremoniously on the floor and flopped down on the couch.

"I 'm worried about Elsie,"blush wine said.

"Elsie ..."Albus prompted.

"Elsie Willinson !"she exclaimed."The low year I 've been tutoring all year."

"Oh yeah, the one with the changeling for a blood brother and a cousin and uncle who want to take back Voldemort. Yeah, I 'd be worried, too,"Albus said as he returned to his game.

"No, I 'm not worried about her poor fish brother. I 'm upset about her."

"What, is she still failing all her content ?"Matt asked.

"No, she 's actually doing much advantageously,"Rose said."She 's just very quiet. She never talking about anything early than homework-"

"Sounds like you."Albus turned around and grinned at his cousin-german."Although you 're not quiet."

"I 'm serious, Albus,"Rose said flatly."Her pal walks her to the program library for our sessions and then picks her up when we 're done. I never see her with anyone other than him and occasionally Malfoy. I 've never seen her eat with anyone early than them, either."

"That is form of strange,"Amanda said.

"See ?"blush wine said."Amanda thinks it 's weird."

"So she 's shy."Albus shrugged."I just do n't see what it 's got to do with you."

"It does n't really,"rose wine said quietly."But if she 's having issues. We all know about her family line. If her brother 's keeping an eye on her there must be a reason."

Albus had n't thought about it that way. What if Felix Willinson was trying to keep an eye on his sister ?"If she 's doing something her mob does n't wish I bet she 's going against something they want."

"That 's what I thought,"blush wine agreed."Which means she 's trying to do something commodity. Or he 's trying to make water trusted she does n't spill family secrets."

"You think they have more family mystery than just wanting Voldemort back ?"mat asked.

"Of course they do,"Rose said."We only found out last year that they were related by marriage to Lubar. I mean, you never would 've guessed that in maiden or moment year."

flatness shuddered."Probably a honorable thing that I did n't. I probably would have refused to come to Hogwarts."

"nearly pure-blooded class like them have coloured enigma,"Albus said as he fiddled with a Gobstone. It squirted him in the face and he rubbed the liquid on his gown."The 1 that want the stemma to remain pure and lug. Like the Malfoys."

"And I 'd bet my last Galleon that Elsie Willinson found out one of those secrets and wants to tell someone,"Rose stated.

"You think it 's got to do with what they 're trying to do ?"Albus asked.

"I 'm sure it does."

"The only problem for them is that Jarrett 's on his own now,"Amanda said."With the former two in poky, what 's he going to do ?"

"You 're forgetting about Lubar,"Matt said darkly.

pink wine got up and started walking around the room."To be reliable, I do n't know how a great deal he 's going to be involved, especially if this going to take place in Britain. Think about it, live year he had the excuse of the tournament to be here. He 's got no apology this year. He 's a Ministry official. A horrific one, but still a Ministry official. It 's not in his best sake to be trying to bring back Voldemort."

"That did n't even influence,"Albus cut in."They ca n't bring him back, even a ghost of him, with the Resurrection Stone."

"Jarret Willinson was a Ministry functionary,"matt pointed out.

"He was a repository for the Obliviator office. That 's a piddling unlike from a Head position,"Rose explained."Lubar has more to lose."

"I say we try and figure out what Elsie 's keeping secret and I bet it 'll receive something to do with what Willinson is planning now. Because I guarantee he 's planning something,"Albus decided.

"How are we going to do that ?"Amanda asked."She 's always with Felix."

"Not when Rose is tutoring her."Albus turned to Rose."You think you could try and get her to open up ?"

"Well she 's not going to just follow out and recount me. I can try, but it 'll withdraw a while,"Rose said.
***


Albus told John and Kaden about the conversation about Elsie later that night. John the Divine proclaimed that he knew something had been weird about that female child from the bit they had seen her at the kickoff of the year. Both boy agreed that they needed to regain out what it was she was keeping closed book. Albus then asked them what prank they were planning, but whoremonger and Kaden mysteriously went quiet as soon as Albus brought the topic up.

Albus laid awake that dark for a yearn time thinking about Elsie Willinson. He could not shake the image of her with Felix and Malfoy in the showtime of the year from his idea. She had looked so timid and sinless, far too innocent and Pres Young to be involved with anything like what her family was involved with. In fact, she reminded him a bit of Lily, although he was n't sure why since Lily was anything but timid.

break of day arrived shortly after Albus had fallen asleep and despite the fact that he 'd only gotten a few hours sleep, he got up around six and decided to get a bit of reading done in the common way. He knew he would n't be able to fall back asleep.

Upon arriving in the common room, Albus thought he was still dreaming. He rubbed his optic and pinched himself to try and ignite up, but it was no use. He was in fact awake. The image before his oculus was real number, and it was painful to front at.

The Gryffindor common elbow room was no longer red and atomic number 79. It was now decked out in green and silver. The comfy couches and chairs were gone and had been replaced instead with stock classroom chairs. versatile banners were hung up in the elbow room that depicted snakes. In fact, the Gryffindor vulgar room now looked exactly as Albus imagined the Slytherin rough-cut way to look, except for it not being under the lake.

However, the sheer Slytherin-ness of the common way was not the weirdest change, by a long shot. The strange new addition to the Gryffindor coarse room was a grey and white laughingstock. It was standing in the center of the room, its oral sex down and buried in a playscript. The affair about goats, though, was that they did not enjoy volume the way people did. Goats ate Holy Scripture. This goat was currently munching on The monetary standard account book of Spells : Grade Two. Albus 's eyes drifted from the goat and around the room again, where he now noticed leftover of other playscript, pinion, prep, and even a cloak.

The goat looked up and stared at Albus. It let out a bleat and then went back to the book. Albus crept a little faithful and noticed that a sign was affixed to the goat. It said 'The Gryffindor stooge : Gryffindor 's new mascot. Gifted by the Slytherins. next prison term, think twice about putting chickens in our uncouth room .'

Albus stood in the middle of the room, his stare alternating from the goat to the note and back again. A goat ? That did n't even constitute any sentiency. Not only that, they were clearly trying to copy John and Kaden 's prank. And changing the room into a Slytherin room ? It was horrifying, absolutely horrifying.

Albus tore his eyes away from the Goat and ran back up the spiral staircase until he got to his own dormitory. He flicked on the lights and Ethan, the unaccented railroad tie of the bunch, rolled over and groaned.

"Everyone get up !"Albus shouted."Up, get up !"

"What ?"Ethan asked shortly."It 's like six in the morning !"

"I know it 's six in the cockcrow !"Albus replied."Get up and go down to the vulgar way. Now."

Ethan slowly got out of bed and went over to Bilius 's bed to get him up. Albus woke John up and then the two of them woke matt up while Bilius and Ethan went down to the common room. Their shout of choler could be heard all the way in the dormitory.

"What is it ?"John the Evangelist asked as he and Matt followed Albus back down the stairs.

"The Slytherins have had their revenge,"Albus said, handing whoremonger the note.

Albus took a roundabout way to the third base class 's hall to get Kaden up. Kaden 's roomy got up as well and soon there was a great bunch in the usual room. By the fourth dimension Albus entered the room again, the first of all, back, and one-sixth years were all there. The one-seventh and fifth years were right behind him.

The uncouth elbow room was in topsy-turvyness. Jesse James, Cedric, and Nathan were inspecting the goat. The prefects were all congregated in one spot, clearly trying to estimate out what to do. A quarter of the students were standing frozen, with looks of repugnance on their faces. Another quarter were laughing, despite the fact that the harlequinade had happened in Gryffindor. Hugo was wrestling the stooge for the transcript of the monetary standard Bible of charm : Grade Two, which evidently was his.

The young lady'dormitory door opened and all the Gryffindor girls flooded out of it. Rose and Amanda made their way over to Albus and the rest of the boy, who were receiving legion stares and blaze from their gent students. Clearly a few of them were blaming Albus and his champion for the Slytherins'need for revenge.

"What in the name of Merlin happened ?"pink wine asked.

whoremonger handed her the bank note."The Slytherins have had their revenge."

"Malfoy ?"Amanda asked.

"No way to cognize, is there ?"Albus replied.

"It 's got to be, though,"John said."No one else hates us like he does."

"I bet a lot of Slytherins wanted revenge,"Rose said.

"All right, tranquillize everyone !"Albus 's full cousin, Mark, shouted over the crowd. He was one of the sixth year Prefects."You 're all to get back up to your dormitories. I 'm going to fetch Professor Longbottom. Who 's the one who first saw this ?"

"I did,"Albus announced.

brand sighed, as if thinking he should hold known."Al, stay down here. The rest of you, back up the stairs.

Rose handed Albus the note back and she and the remainder of Albus 's friends turned to go back to their dormitories. There was a world-wide muttering and whispers as everyone left. Soon, the common room was vacuous except for Albus, the Capricorn the Goat, and the six Prefects. Mark left in order to go get prof Longbottom.

The Prefects whispered amongst themselves while fool was gone. Albus stood off to the side, as he did not know the Prefects very well. He recognized a few as friend of his cousin-german.

Mark returned ten minutes later with prof Longbottom in tow. The herbology professor froze in mid-step when he entered the room. His regard shifted from the new article of furniture to the goat to the banners and back to the goat.

"Albus discovered it,"sucker said.

Longbottom turned to Albus."And it looked like this when you found it ?"

"Mostly,"Albus answered."The caprine animal had been chewing on one of Hugo 's record so he took that. And someone 's cloak had been here, but it was a Gryffindor cloak."

Longbottom sighed."All right wing, Albus, you can go back up to your dormitory."He turned to the Prefects."Let 's go through all this and see if we can find any clues to visualise out who it was."

Albus reluctantly went back up to his dormitory, where he found not only all of his roomie but Kaden as well, discussing the buffoonery. They all turned to Albus when he entered.

"Find anything out ?"John asked.

"Nope,"Albus answered."The Prefects are helping Professor Longbottom go through everything for clues."

The boys whiled away the sentence until breakfast by trading Chocolate toad notice, playing cycle of Exploding pushover, and discussing the Quidditch time of year. lusterlessness fell back asleep after defending the carom to everyone else, but no one else was able to go back to bed.

Mark knocked on their door a few minute later and told them they were free to get up and go to breakfast. Albus woke lusterlessness up and the male child went back down to the park room. It looked pattern once more. All remnant of the Slytherins were gone and the goat was nowhere in sight. The classroom chairs had disappeared and the steady comfy couch were back. Albus was relieved to see their common room back to its usual state, although that did naught to satisfy his curiosity about who had done it.

"wonder what they did with the caprine animal,"Kaden said as they walked down tot he Great Hall.

"Probably gave it to Aberforth,"matt said.

"Aberforth ?"Kaden asked.

"Dumbledore 's brother. He owns the Hog 's straits in Hogsmeade. dungeon goats in his pub. Weird bloke,"matt answered.

"He keeps goats ? In his pub ?"Kaden repeated."Do they just wander around ?"

"Yeah,"lustrelessness said.

The Great Hall was populated only by Gryffindor scholar, which did not surprise Albus in the slightest given the early hour and the fact that it was Sunday. The professors were all up having breakfast and were whispering amongst themselves. No doubt that Longbottom had told them about the harlequinade. Slughorn in exceptional looked unnerved.

Rose convinced the relaxation of the group that it would be a good idea to head to the library after breakfast to take vantage of the fact that it would be void. Albus had a few essays that he 'd neglected and whoremaster and Kaden needed to make up some new anticipation for Trelawney.

After a few hours of studying Albus felt his attention start to ramble. The library had filled up since they had arrived and madam Pince was watching over the place like a hawk. The room access opened and Albus was surprised to see Elsie Willinson base on balls in, followed by her brother and Scorpius. Scorpius 's optic met Albus 's and he veered from his minuscule group in order to waltz over to Albus.

"How 's your common elbow room ?"he asked with a smirk.

"Is that a confession ?"Albus replied as he stood up.

"Of course not. It 's all over the schooltime. Everyone knows that your commons elbow room looked like an extension of mine this good morning. And that goat, I heard it ate a few leger. Serves you right after what you lot did to ours,"Malfoy said.

"We know you did it, Malfoy,"John said."Just waiting for the professors to prove it."

"If I did do it, and I 'm not saying I did, I would n't have left any evidence like you idiots obviously did."

"We did n't,"John said flatly."Albus confessed to relieve his first cousin and brother who had been wrongly accused."

"How noble."Malfoy laughed.

"Just tell me one affair,"Albus said."How did you get into the commons room ?"That was what had been bothering Albus the most. He and his friends had used the Invisibility Cloak to estimate out the Slytherin password, but how had Malfoy done it ? As far as he knew he did not bear an invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't,"Malfoy said."And if I did I would n't severalize you how I did it."With one more blaze at Albus, the Slytherin walked away towards the table that Felix and Elsie had found.

"How did he get into our mutual way ?"Albus asked as he sat back down.

"No musical theme,"matte said.

"I 'm betting he threatened a kickoff twelvemonth into telling him what it was,"John said."Would n't put it past him."

"You do n't know it was him,"Amanda pointed out.

"They 're never going to find out who it was, either,"rosebush said."Not unless they confess like you did. Otherwise no one would 've found out it was you."

"Guess it does n't really weigh at this point."Albus sighed."They 've had their revenge."

"Which means it 's time for ours,"Kaden said as he grinned at John.

Rose groaned."Really ? It 's just going to ferment into a vast prank war if you have revenge."

"That 's the degree,"John replied.

If whoremaster and Kaden were trying to start a prank war Albus did n't desire any part of it. He had had enough custody for a lifetime and did not desire spending anymore of his Hogwarts career scrubbing lav or doing melody. Albus sighed and returned to his reading. John and Kaden got up and left the library, presumably to make on their next prank.

Later that day at dinner party prof Kendrick gave a very stern lecturing to the entire school about breaking rules, especially the rules about not entering mutual rooms that were not yours. It was very similar to the lecture he gave after the volaille prank, except this time Albus could severalize that the headmaster was even more tempestuous. Albus kept glancing at Malfoy during the speech but the Slytherin boy did not see hangdog at all. In fact he seemed disinterested in Kendrick 's speech.

The lecture of Gryffindor 's Goat ( as the prank had now been dubbed ) died down by the middle of the hebdomad. near of the castle was excited about the upcoming Hogsmeade trip and then the winter vacation. professor Longbottom sent around a sign-up flat solid for those students who wished to stay family during the holiday, although none of Albus 's friends signed it.

"I 've always wondered what it would be like to stay,"St. John the Apostle said as professor Longbottom passed by.

"Me too,"Albus agreed."But my parents already said I ca n't this year since there 's some big Ministry Christmas political party we 've got to go to. For the election and all."

"Sami here,"Matt said."We 're not even going to Australia because of it."

"Wow, that 's the endorse twelvemonth in a row,"Albus replied.

Matt nodded."My grandparents are coming here and then we 're visiting them over the summer."

"I think we should all stay next year,"Kaden said."Then I can go a unanimous shoal year without seeing my grandparents. Or auntie Marge."

Albus agreed that that was a good reason to stay at Hogwarts over the vacation."Yeah, that would be fun. My dad says the palace 's great at Christmas."

"It would be interesting to see what Christmastide is like,"Amanda said. Amanda 's family was Jewish and observe Hanukah.

"You 're welcome to amount to our grandparents'house for Christmas this yr,"pink wine suggested.

Amanda grinned."I 'll ask my parents. I 'm sure they 'll say yes since Chanukah was early this year and I 've already missed it anyway."

"pink wine, you 've got post,"Albus said, gesturing to Rose 's menage 's owl, which had just landed on the table.

"Oh, good !"Rose said as she ripped open the letter. She scanned it for a second before smiling widely."I wo n't be going to Hogsmeade with you."

"You wo n't be ?"Albus gave her a quizzical look.

"No. Mum and Dad are taking me to the debate that 's that day. I owled them a few Clarence Day ago to see if I could go and they said yes !"

"You want to go to another one ?"John asked.

"I 'd go to all of them if I could. They 're just so fascinating."She scanned the letter of the alphabet again."I 'm supposed to to to Kendrick 's study at ten on Saturday to floo home."

"What 's this one on ?"Albus asked.

"Law enforcement. The Auror department. How it 's run and and how trial are run. I think it 's going to be the most interesting one since both Uncle Percy and Laurentis have already hinted at their aspect on that topic."

That was for sure. This disputation would probably be even more volatile than the one on education."You 'll give to let us make out all the point,"Albus said.

"Oh I will,"rosiness replied."It 's why I wanted to go. I 'd rather not learn everything second gear hired hand from the Prophet."

She had a point in time there, Albus thought. Although he was glad that rosiness was the one going and not him. As lots as he thought the election was occupy, he 'd rather be in Hogsmeade with his booster than sitting in a court listening to politicians all day.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far ! I 'm almost done with school day ( forever ! ) so I 'm hoping to update more often.


The week leading up to the Hogsmeade misstep dragged by very slowly. Albus was certain that Wednesday in particular was at to the lowest degree twice as long as a rule day and by the clip Friday finally decided to score an appearance Albus was sure he would go insane from all the homework he had to complete. Tuesday had been the full moon, but luckily mat left the infirmary wing Th afternoon and had been cleared by Madam Pomfrey to go to Hogsmeade.

When Saturday arrived there was a welcomed gap in the blizzard that had blanketed the Hogwarts reason in two invertebrate foot of C. P. Snow. Albus and his acquaintance slept late and by the prison term they woke up rosebush had already left to go to that day 's argument. Albus, Matt, and John Lackland quickly dressed and met Kaden and Amanda in the common room.

Fred accosted Albus as he was about to leave."Albus ! Glad I found you. I booked the pitch for today at three since there 's a break in the storm."

"But Fred, it 's Hogsmeade today,"Albus pointed out. As much as he loved Quidditch, Hogsmeade trips were rare affair and he had Christmas shopping to do.

"Exactly !"Fred exclaimed."So none of the early team have booked the rake. It 's booked solid the rest of the hebdomad and we need another exercise in before collapse starts."

Albus sighed. Fred was decently, of line. He glanced at his vigil. It was noon, so if they hurried through lunch he would still have a practiced two hours in the village."All rightfulness. I 'll see you at three."

"Excellent,"Fred said."Just sustain to find James ...."

Amanda snorted and started laughing. Fred, who had turned to leave alone, stopped and looked back at her."What ?"

Albus, john, lustrelessness, and Kaden also looked questioningly at Amanda.

"Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you,"Amanda began."blush wine and I were in the library last workweek and overheard St. James asking some Hufflepuff fifth yr out. They 're going to Hogsmeade together today."

Fred burst out laughing."delay, St. James the Apostle has a engagement ?"

"James asked a girl out in the depository library ?"Albus joined Fred in his laughter.

"Do n't separate him that Rose and I overheard him,"Amanda said."He 'd polish off us if he knew it was us who told."

"Bet he 's already in Hogsmeade, then,"Fred said, still laughing."They better not be in Madam Puddifoot 's because I do n't fancy going in there to tell him about practice."

Albus was still laughing about the thought of James I asking a girl out in the subroutine library of all berth. He wondered who the Hufflepuff was. Maybe he 'd contend to fascinate a glimpse of them in Hogsmeade together.

"He 's not actually going to leave her to go to Quidditch recitation,"Amanda shouted after Fred as he left the common room.

"He will if the date 's going poorly,"Fred shouted back and disappeared into the corridor.

"Well let 's hurry up and get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said."I want to see if I can figure out who this girl is."

Albus hurried out of the coarse room followed by his friends. They ate a very rushed lunch in the Great residence hall and then ran outside and down the path to Hogsmeade. As they neared the village Albus kept his eyes peeled for his crony.

"Where to first ?"Matt asked.

"Weasleys',"can and Kaden said together.

Albus and Matt shared a coup d'oeil. They should have known. They followed John and Kaden as the two mischievous boys led the way to Weasleys'virtuoso Wheezes.

The store was packed to content as it always was on Hogsmeade weekends. Albus waved to his Uncle George who was behind the comeback ringing people up as fast as the boulder clay would let him. Teddy was working that weekend and was restocking a ledge of Skiving Snackboxes. John and Kaden each grabbed two as the boys passed.

Albus grabbed a few extendable capitulum as his seemed to have disappeared and a box of Deluxe Whizbangs for King James for Yuletide. He joined the foresighted queue at the till and was joined by lav and Kaden who each had arms overflowing with products. flatness and Amanda were n't buying anything and were playing with a few Pigmy Puffs that were in a Cage in the front of the store.

"Neither of you have seen James, have you ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"John said."Bet they 're at the Three Broomsticks."

"Or that place that Fred mentioned. Madam whatever ?"Kaden put in.

"Madam Puddifoot 's,"Albus said."Horrifying seat. Covered in frilled matter, and pink stuff."

"Let 's not go there,"Kaden said.

Albus and John both agreed. They would face for St. James the Apostle, just not at Madam Puddifoot 's. The queue moved relatively quickly and soon Albus, St. John, and Kaden had their supply.

The side by side check was Honeyduke 's where everyone stocked up on candy and Albus bought a Yuletide present for Lily. Then they made their way to the Quaffle Shop and then the Three broomstick. Albus had yet to see James, but his sentence was quickly running out. He had a half hour before he had to head back to the castle for Quidditch practice.

whoremonger went to the bar to get five Butterbeers while the rest period of the group found a tabular array. Luckily Scorpius Malfoy was nowhere in sight. Albus gazed around the bar until he spotted his brother 's intimate red hair's-breadth. Unfortunately the girl he was with was facing away from Albus 's table so all he knew was that she had very long, very straight brown haircloth.

"There they are,"Albus whispered to lustrelessness, Kaden, and Amanda."Any of you know who the girl is ?"

"That 's Gabby Ellis,"John said as he returned with the Butterbeers."My cousin knows her. She 's one of the fifth yr prefects."

"Wait, so James IV not only asked her out in the library, but she 's also a prefect ?"Albus exclaimed.

"Guess so."John the Divine shrugged."I 'll never ask out a prefect. Now he 's going to possess to watch his step."

"You realize that there 's a commodity chance one of us might be a prefect next yr,"Amanda pointed out.

"Nah, they 'll pick Bilius or Ethan,"John said."They 'd never pick me, Al, or Matt after that prank."

"wellspring rose wine is obviously going to be a prefect,"Amanda said.

"We 'll just have to mouse around more following year,"John said."Ca n't induce a prefect knowing about our pranks."

"Dervish and Banges is still unoccupied,"matt said, changing the subject."Do n't you think that 's kind of odd ?"

Albus had n't really thought about it."Yeah, but no one 's going to need to buy a shop where mortal was murdered."

"Still, it 's just foreign,"lustrelessness said as he sipped his Butterbeer.

"someone might still own it,"Amanda pointed out."They might not want to do anything with it or betray it."

"surmisal that 's a good full stop,"matte said.

"feeling, St. James and the girl are getting up,"Kaden said.

Albus turned and saw that St. James was indeed rising from his chairperson. Gabby did as well and the two of them walked side by side out of the pub. Gabby was pretty, Albus had to allow. Her eye were bright and her cheek were ping. James was grinning. Neither of them noticed Albus or the others on their way out the door.

"Think he 'll show to Quidditch exercise ?"lavatory asked.

"If he values his life,"Albus replied."oral presentation of that, I should probably get going."

Albus said goodby to his admirer and headed back out into the cold. The sun was out and there was no wind, but it was still bitingly cold. He trudged his way through the C. P. Snow and back up to the castle, where he ran up to Gryffindor tower to drop off his leverage and change into his Quidditch robes.

The relief of the squad was already on the sales pitch when Albus arrived. Fred was arguing with Henry James about something while the rest of the team stood off to the slope.

"She 's not even on their team !"King James shouted."She 's not going to steal any of our plays."

"But she 's still a Hufflepuff and this is a closed practice !"Fred argued.

Albus glanced over to the stands and saw Gabby sitting there, wrapped in a very enceinte Hufflepuff blanket. She smiled and waved at Albus, who gave a slight wave back.

"I could n't just bequeath her. I promised we 'd spend the day together."

"And she wants to watch you roleplay Quidditch ?"Fred asked."Fine, fine. She can ride out. Let 's just get going. We 're wasting time."

Fred and St. James joined the rest of the group."All right !"Fred shouted."Let 's fly around the pitch a few meter to get warm up up."

Albus mounted his broom and soared into the air. He joined the residual of the team in their flight around the auction pitch and lost himself in flying. It was nice to just fly and forget about everything else that was on his idea.

The practice session went incredibly well. It was their ripe drill in workweek since the weather was cooperating. The Gryffindor team did not have any issues with playing, but the weather was usually awful whenever they practiced. Fred insisted this was a safe thing since it would serve them find out how to act as in matches with bad conditions but no one else agreed. Albus was very felicitous to have a pattern where the status were idealistic. It made Quidditch so much to a greater extent enjoyable.

James and Gabby hurried off as soon as recitation ended and the sleep of the team walked back to the castle together. They were nearly back to Gryffindor tugboat when blush wine, lusterlessness, John, Kaden, and Amanda came running towards Albus, all five looking slightly terrified.

"What 's wrong ?"Fred asked.

"It 's cipher,"Rose said."We just take to tattle to Albus."

"sports meeting us in the room after you stash your Scots heather,"mat whispered and the five of them hurried off.

Albus hurried into the common room and up to his student residence. He had absolutely no estimation what was going on, but it must get just had to do with his ally because everyone else in the common elbow room was acting normally. Albus quickly put his heather away and ran back out to the corridor.

It did n't take him long to reach the Marauder 's Den. All his ally were sitting quietly and looked up at him when he entered.

"What in the epithet of Merlin is going on ?"Albus asked.

"Two things,"Rose began."One, the debate. It was ... well ... insane is the exclusively intelligence to name it, really. And two, I 'll let everyone else explain that first."

"Malfoy was lurking near the screaming hovel,"flatness said."After you went to Quidditch practice we walked around the hamlet and noticed him. It looked like he was trying to get in."

"Did he ?"Albus asked.

"No, he ca n't,"mat said."There 's Ward. It 's just odd. He was alone."

"DOE he make love that that 's where you go ?"Albus replied as he sat down next to Rose.

flatness shook his headland."I 'm not really concern about it, either. It 's just very weird."

"Malfoy is champion with Felix Willinson so anything Wyrd that he does needs to be remembered,"Albus said darkly.

"That 's what I said,"John replied.

"He 's not the outset one to be odd about the screech Shack,"mat pointed out.

This was unlike, Albus thought. He would deliver expected flatness to be the one worried about this, not John.

"But he 's Malfoy ! It 's not safe that he 's trying to get in,"John said.

"wellspring he ca n't get in. And he already knows what I am,"Matt countered."Let 's just forget about it for now. What Rose has to say is far worse."

Albus turned to look at rosebush, who looked upset and slightly scared. That was strange in itself since Albus could hardly remember a metre when Rose was scared.

"The argument was on law enforcement,"Rose said quietly."She wants to completely transfer the department of Magical Law Enforcement. She wants to investigate every I Auror and reorganize the section because she does n't suppose thing are working as they are. She ... well ... she basically called your dad incompetent."

Albus stared at his first cousin. He could not believe what he was hearing. Albus 's dad had been in charge of the Auror department for years and there had never been any ailment. How could Laurentis just affront him like that ?

"Which means she 's going to lose,"John said confidently."No one 's going to vote for mortal who insults Harry Potter."

"No,"Rose whispered."They will. There 's been newspaper column in the Prophet for weeks about how the current Ministry is n't working. She has support."

"That 's insane,"Albus said."What did Uncle Percy do ?"

"Argued with her,"blush wine said."Talked about all the good your dad has done, but she argued right back."

"What about everyone there ? Did they clap for her ?"Albus asked.

"Everyone clapped for everyone. They were all polite about it and there was no way to distinguish who supported who,"rosebush said."If you ask me, I think she 's going to replace all the Heads of departments who do n't agree with her. She 's going to require the great unwashed in power who are on her side."

"Which means my dad will be gone,"Albus said."Everyone knows he supports Uncle Percy. It 's obvious."

"So that leaves what, mat 's dad 's job, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, headspring of Magical Transportation, and what else ?"toilet asked as he counted on his finger."There 's got to be more."

"There are,"blush wine said as she stood up and began pacing around the room."International Magical Cooperation, Magical Accidents and calamity, Magical Games and Sports, and then the Department of Mysteries."

"Do you know anything about the Heads of those departments ?"Saint John the Apostle asked.

"The lady who 's brain of Magical Law Enforcement was here during the debate. She 's really old and Dad says Mum is a shoe-in for her job when she retires,"rose wine said."But I do n't live much about the others. The bloke in charge of Magical Transportation moderated the first debate."

"That 's eight positions,"Matt said quietly,"and she could replace all of them. That would weave up being an entirely new Ministry."

"Essentially, yes,"pink wine said as she sank into an armchair."That 's why it 's so bad. There 's a reason most newly elected Ministers do n't replace everyone. It 's too much upheaval. But if she wants quick variety, it would be the well-to-do way to get it done."

"What 's the next debate on ?"Amanda asked.

"Azkaban,"Rose said."Originally they were going to moot Azkaban with law enforcement, but Laurnetis requested a separate Azkaban argumentation. She 's in armorial bearing of it, so I 'm not surprised."

"And when is it ?"Amanda replied.

"Just after the new year,"Rose answered."Once we 're all back in shoal. Then Feb 's disputation is on magical creatures-"

"Oh that 's going to be good,"Matt said."speculation that 's when we 'll find out if my dad keeps his job after the election if she wins."

"And then in borderland they debate International Magical Cooperation. Then it 's the election at the kickoff of April,"Rose continued."That one is going to train place here. So is the Azkaban one."

"I still do n't cerebrate anyone 's going to vote for her,"trick muttered."Anyone who sacks Harry Potter would n't get enough votes."

"You 'd be surprised, John,"Amanda said."It sounds like she 's playing to everyone 's veneration. I mean, I have n't been in the sorcerous reality long, but it seems like everyone fears another Voldemort. If she makes it seem like the flow Ministry and Auror department are too lenient and hints at the possibility of another war, and then call that she could mash it before it became a war, she would easily get the vote. masses are easily persuaded."

"That 's exactly it,"Rose agreed.

The room descended into uncomfortable silence. At the source of the shoal year, none of them had a good deal interest group in the election or the Ministry in general, but now, just a few calendar month later, Albus and his friends were learning just how practically the result of the election would affect them. The possibility of drastic changes to both Hogwarts and the wizarding universe did not sit well with Albus, especially if it meant both his and Matt 's daddy were out of a job.
***


The remaining week of schooltime went by quickly. With the looming holiday and break from school, hardly anyone in the castle was focusing on homework or the election. Instead, the chatter that filled the Great mansion house during meals was about Christmastide and snowball fighting and spending clock time with kinsfolk. Albus was sucked into the Yuletide cheer as well, but the election was still on the back of his mind.

For Albus, Rose, and the rest of the Weasley/Potter clan, the Yuletide vacation would be wrapped up in the election. A New year 's party at the Minister 's planetary house was scheduled for New twelvemonth 's Eve, for all of the high-ranking functionary and their families, as well as Percy, Laurentis, and their class. All of Albus 's continue family would be attending. But perhaps the most bizarre prospect of the holiday was the fact that Uncle Walker Percy was going to allow a reporter from wizard clip to follow him for not only the Ministry political party, but Dec 25 at the Burrow as well.

"This is just unearthly !"Cedric exclaimed at breakfast the hold out day of terminus."A reporter ? At the Burrow ? And it says she 's going to be staying with us."

Cedric handed the letter back to Bradley, whom it had been addressed to. Bradley pulled out his wand and burned it, which seemed to be his new way of dealing with post from his father.

"Did Gran tally to this ?"James asked as he loaded his plate with bacon.

"She must 've,"Bradley said."Anything to get Dad elected, probably."

"I kind of agree with her,"Albus said."I do n't want that Laurentis woman to win."

"Neither do I, but I do n't want some newsman staying with us at the burrow,"Cedric said adamantly.

"hypothesis you wo n't be getting the existent Weasley Christmas experience,"Albus said to Amanda, whose parents had given permission to continue with rose wine for Christmas.

Amanda shrugged."Not a big deal. With your family, it 's bound to be interesting."

"You have no thought,"Albus said."We 'd amend get to story of Magic."

Albus got up and his acquaintance followed. Despite the fact that it was the death day of terminus, Professor Binns still gave a lecture. Nobody paid him an ounce of attention. The residual of the professors did n't bother teaching any new material as they figured the student would just forget it over the respite. professor Cedonia set them a virtual lesson, but did n't scold them when they stopped charming their teacups to dance and instead talked about Christmas. Hagrid had a magnanimous bonfire going to keep them warm, but did n't teach anything. Instead, he told the tale of Norberta and bawled about how very much he missed her. In Ancient Runes, there was an examination.

The following dawning Albus and his friends climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express for the trip-up back to London. On the Hogwarts Express, Albus felt weirdly immune to everything that was happening in the wizarding public. He felt safe from Jarrett Willinson and somehow the election did n't seem as big a wad. The train was like its own fiddling mankind with only pupil and sweets from the trolley ; on the geartrain, nothing bad could happen.


Long hiatus ! I apologize for that. I am now working on this for the endorse one-half of June 's cantonment NaNoWriMo, so I 'm hoping to get a bunch of chapters written so I can go back to weekly updates. Thanks so often for all the reviews !


"Remember, do n't say anything in front of her you do n't desire printed in the clause,"Harry said as they walked toward the Burrow.

"Will she really print anything ?"Lily asked.

"Yes,"Harry said.

It was Christmas Eve and Albus and the rest of the Potters had just Apparated to the field behind the burrow. Albus was a bit queasy about being in the comportment of a reporter from hotshot cartridge holder and was not at all keen about being in an clause. He was relieved they were late, as usual, because by now the reporter would probably be involved in listening to somebody else 's conversation and might not even notification Albus.

"And James, do n't even believe about slipping something into her soup,"Ginny said sternly.

Harry, who had just put his hand on the doorknob, turned around and stared at James."Seriously, James I, absolutely not."

"I was n't going to !"Saint James the Apostle said."I swear !"

Harry sighed."Empty your pockets."

"But I was n't going to-"

"James Sirius ceramist, listen to your father,"Ginny said.

Albus put his paw over his oral cavity to shroud his laughter while his brother pulled a fistful of Ton-Tongue Toffees and a vial of Weasleys'Itchiest Itching pulverisation out of his pocket. Ginny took them and incinerated them with her wand. She brushed the ash onto the primer coat and James stared at it longingly.

"Shut up, Albus,"James River muttered as Harry opened the door.

That just made Albus laugh even harder, earning him a punch in the shoulder from James IV. Albus returned the biff while Lily rolled her eyes.

"Boys, cut it out,"Ginny scolded.

"Ginny ! Harry !"Molly exclaimed as they stepped inside."Happy Christmas !"

"Happy Christmas Day, Mum,"Ginny said as the two hugged.

Albus slipped past after giving his nan a quick hug, grabbing a handful of biscuits on his way to the den. The first matter he noticed was that the newsperson was sitting on a stool in the turning point. She stuck out like a Weasley at a Malfoy gathering, in her black skirt, flowery top, high-heeled shoe. Who wore heels to the Burrow ? Weird, Albus intellection. Her jet-black hair was done up in some variety of bun and her sass were smeared with bright red lipstick.

The second thing Albus noticed was just how clean the Burrow was. He had n't noticed it in the kitchen, what with the many potentiometer and dishes replete of warm, steaming food for thought, but out in the den, it was very noticeable. The burrow was never soil, exactly, but it was n't immaculately neat like Matt and Kaden 's houses were. Instead it merely looked lived in, Albus always thought. It was cluttered with tons of books and stacks of board games and diverse Muggle and wizard device. cover and pillows were thrown haphazardly onto couch and chairwoman, never being folded or stacked neatly. But today, everything was neat. The stacks of books had been shelved and the cover folded. The sheer amount of stuff seemed to have been moved or vanished because Albus did n't see a single Muggle electronic device half-taken apart on the floor or table. It was bizarre. The Burrow did n't count like the Burrow without its clutter. You never knew what you 'd see at the Burrow and Albus liked that.

Shaking his head slightly, Albus carefully stepped around a few of his first cousin and walked over to where rosebush and Amanda were sitting on the floor. They had a large platter of food in forepart of them, making Albus realize how hungry he was.

"So, what have I missed ?"he asked in between sting of roll."I see someone cleaned."

"Gran did. Said she wanted to make up a good impression. Uncle Percy 's been bragging loudly to the reporter about all the law he 's facilitate pass,"rose wine said."But all the reporter wants to do is interview the residuum of us. I guess her article is all about where Uncle Hotspur came from and what his family is like."

"Who 's she talked to so far ?"Albus asked.

"Aunt Corrine, grannie, Gramps, Uncle Bill, Uncle Fred, both of my parents, Victoire, Samantha, and Lindy,"Rose said.

"Wow. Already ?"

"She has n't wasted any fourth dimension,"Amanda said.

"There 's a photographer around here somewhere,"Rose said as she glanced around the room."Oh there he is."

pink wine indicated to the stair, where Percy was leading a scrawny bloke back into the den.

"Is he wearing-"

"frock overcharge ?"Rose said."Yeah, he 's been wearing them all night."

"Let 's get a few shots of you playing a secret plan with the twins,"the lensman said as he and Percy walked retiring Albus, rose, and Amanda.

"Wonderful idea !"the newsman exclaimed as she hopped off her stool.

"How did she take heed that ?"Albus whispered to Rose.

"Harry potter 's son !"the reporter said as she grabbed Albus 's arm, causing him to throw off the cooky he was holding."Let 's get him in the snapshot, too. Hmm ..."she glanced around the room, her eyes finally coming to rest on Amanda."We 'll postulate a shot with you and Percy as well. Candidate plays Exploding Snap with the Prime Minister 's niece ! Perfect ! I could not possess planned this better."

"How did she jazz that I 'm the flush parson 's niece ?"Amanda asked.

"She knows everything,"blush wine said darkly."Creepy, really."

Albus soon found himself playing a staged game of Exploding Snap with Uncle Walker Percy, Samantha, and lindy hop. The wholly affair was very preposterous since none of them were photographed with ash on their faces. Then it was Amanda 's turn, but she was posed with a set of wiz 's Chess,"for variety."

"Now that 's something Laurentis wo n't have,"Percy said jovially after the lensman finished."Photograph with the prime of life Minister 's niece."

"But nobody knows I 'm the Prime Minister 's niece,"Amanda said once she, Rose, and Albus escaped into the kitchen."It 's supposed to be a secret."

"Maybe it wo n't get printed,"Albus said.

"God, I hope not,"Amanda muttered."So is this what Christmas Eve is usually like ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said as he walked over to the door. He peered into the den and took stock of what his family was up to.

His uncles Fred, Ron, Bill, and Charlie, were stuffy to the kitchen and were singing 'Odo the Hero .'All four had gull of eggnog in hand. Gran was listening to Celestina Warbeck while aunt Fleur glared at the radio. It seemed to be distracting her from the conversation she was having with auntie Katherine and aunt Hermione. Most of his cousin were eating or laughing about one affair or another. Samantha and lindy hop were playing Exploding snap fastener for real now, along with Eddie and Angie.

In fact, the lonesome one who seemed to be acting any differently was Uncle Hotspur, who was talking with the reporter and the photographer. Aunt Corrine was as well, but none of their older tiddler were anywhere in pile.

"wealthy person you seen Bradley, Cedric, or Georgia anywhere ?"Albus asked Rose.

"Actually, no,"rose said."Let 's go find them."

Albus and Amanda followed Rose out of the kitchen and up the steps. As they peered into each bedroom, Albus found out just where his gran had stored all the clobber that used to be in the den. Every exclusive room had a pot of random stuff in it. They eventually found their three cousins hiding out in Uncle Ron 's old sleeping room at the top of the home. They were sitting on one of the layer and were deep in conversation.

"What 's going on in here ?"Albus asked as they shut the threshold.

All three startled, but then seemed relieved to find it was only Albus, Rose, and Amanda.

"We 're avoiding the newsperson,"Georgia said,"and talking about how much it will nurse if Dad gets elected."

"But Laurentis is bally insane,"Albus said as he stepped over a typewriter and sat down on the opposite bed."Uncle Hotspur has to win."

"Well, I do n't require him to,"Bradley said."Do you realize how much life will change if he does ?"

"I 've got a bit of an idea,"Amanda said, sitting down future to Albus. blush wine sat on his other side.

"Before his hunting expedition started no one really knew what Dad did,"Bradley said."Or even who he was. I mean, if they heard his name they would screw him, but he was just Sir Henry Percy Weasley. Do you do it what I mean ?"

"He 'll be Walker Percy Weasley, Minister of Magic. Not just Sir Henry Percy Weasley, your dad,"Amanda said."parson is n't a just a job. It 's not something he 'll pass on at the berth at five. It 's more a lifestyle."

"Exactly !"Tom Bradley agreed.

"And you 'll always be the Minister 's son,"Amanda said.

"How do you love all this ?"Cedric looked at Amanda strangely.

"My Uncle 's the Prime Minister,"Amanda said casually.

"Of Britain ?"Bradley exclaimed."And you 've kept this mystery for four long time ?"

"Yeah. It wo n't be for lots longer since that photographer just took a characterization of me with your dad,"Amanda said."Anyway, you 're rightfulness that your lifetime wo n't be the same if he gets elected. And even after his term is up you 'll still always be the curate 's son."

"And we 'd have to make a motion into the Minister 's Mansion,"Omar Bradley said.

"You would n't. You 're going to calibrate in June,"Cedric pointed out."And Georgia already moved out."

"You 'll be in Hogwarts most of the year,"Georgia pointed out.

There was a roast on the room access and then it swung astray open. Walker Percy stood in the doorway flanked by the reporter and photographer. Harry Hotspur had changed out of his gown and was now wearing a green Weasley sweater with a red'P'on the front. In his arms was a mickle of what appeared to be more Weasley jumpers.

"There you lot are,"Walker Percy said."We 're doing a scene of the unhurt syndicate in our jumpers."He tossed one to each of his tyke and then one each to Albus and Rose."Get changed and get downstairs."

"Are they all initial jump shot this year ?"Georgia asked as she held hers up. It was grey with a purple'G .'

"moldiness be,"Albus said as he yanked off the jumper he was wearing and pulled on his new one. It was drear with a gold'A .'

"Bet it 's to take in us look like a cheesy fellowship,"Bradley muttered as he changed.

Once they 'd all changed Albus and Rose followed their cousins back down to the den. Amanda followed as well, but she lingered on the step, clearly not wanting to be dragged into anymore photographs.

Albus 's full class was posed in half the den. The lensman was running around making small adjustments, which Albus mentation was pointless. There was no way he was going to get thirty-two people to all feeling at the camera and smile nicely at the same meter.

The photographer noticed Albus, Rose, Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric and shoved Albus in between James and Lily, who were sitting right in the middle, on the storey.

"Lovely !"the photographer exclaimed a few minutes later. He ran to the early position of the room and stuck his headland behind the camera."Everyone smile ! Beautiful !"He took dozens of flick and Albus soon grew tired of sitting still and smiling.

"Wonderful !"the reporter shouted once the photographer finally finished."I think we 've got what we need. I wish you all a happy Christmas. The clause should be out just after New Year's."

"I thought she was staying for tomorrow, too,"Albus whispered to Rose.

Rose shrugged."Maybe she got enough from just one Nox. Either that or she got overwhelmed."

Percy walked the reporter and photographer out of the Burrow, thanking them profusely as he did so.

"Bedtime, everyone !"mollie shouted.

No one objected. It had certainly been the strangest Christmas Eve gathering the Weasley family had ever had and Albus was very a good deal looking forward to tomorrow, when things would get back to some semblance of formula. Albus walked up to bed with Rose and Amanda, wishing them both good night when they reached Uncle Charlie 's old sleeping room, where the two would be staying. James, Ben, Cedric, and Bradley were already in Uncle Ron 's old room when Albus arrived.

"Quidditch tomorrow ?"James asked as all four boys climbed into their bottom.

"You 're going down, Potter,"Bradley replied.

"Is that a challenge, Weasley ?"

"Sure is,"Tom Bradley said.

Yes, tomorrow would be a lot more convention, Albus thought. Quidditch was a Christmas tradition for his kinsfolk and cipher, even his uncle running for Minister, was going to forestall it.
***


"And that 's how we do it in Kenmare !"Georgia exclaimed, having just saved a goal by spinning in midair and hitting the Quaffle back into play by the end of her Scots heather."Kenmare Krazy custodian motility !"

"You 're still going to drop off !"Bradley shouted as he hit one of the Bludgers toward Albus, who dodged it and caught the Quaffle."We 've got teddy bear !"

"If teddy bear were a real quester he 'd be playing for a League team and not studying to be an Auror !"Georgia shouted back.

"He 's still not as ripe as James I,"Omar Bradley said.

"Yeah, I taught James I everything he knows !"teddy bear said as he flew past, heading toward Georgia 's left goal mail."And that 's biz !"he shouted, returning with the sneak clutched in his paw."Aurors have to suffer constant vigilance, just like Seekers."

Albus flew to the ground, still holding the Quaffle. It had been a secure biz, even though his team had lost, but the temperature was dropping and the swarm were rolling in. It was a good metre to maneuver back inside for Xmas dinner, especially since the fragrance of roast Republic of Turkey and Irish potato had been drifting outside for the retiring one-half hour.

Tables, already covered in numerous dishes of food, had been set up in the kitchen extending into the den while they played. Albus hurried upstairs to modify and when he returned, everyone was drifting toward the tabular array. Albus hurried to the seat Rose and Amanda had saved him, which thankfully was nowhere near Percy.

"How was Quidditch ?"Rose asked.

"Good,"Albus said."We lost, but Teddy 's pretty a good deal invincible, so I was n't surprised."

"I 'm surprised he did n't play professionally,"Amanda said.

"He thought about it,"Albus explained."And he had pass, but he deferred them for a year because he was n't sure. Then he just decided to join the Auror honorary society, because of his parents, you know."

"Makes good sense,"Amanda said.

"I 'd like to make a toast,"Sir Henry Percy announced after everyone was seated. He held up his glass of autumn pumpkin juice."I just want to say thank you, to all of you, for putting up with the reporter yesterday, and for everything you 've done for the campaign. We only have three months to go, so let 's make the almost of it. Keep up all the bang-up work. Here 's to a win in April !"

Albus clinked methamphetamine with pink wine and Amanda and then served himself a large helping of joker. This was what he enjoyed the most about Christmastide at the Burrow. As he he ate, he listened in on the conversations his cousin, aunts, and uncles were having.

To Albus 's left hand, his aunt Hermione was giving James, Cedric, and Ben study tips for their O.W.L.s. The boys were nodding as if they were listening, but Albus knew they were n't. Victoire and Teddy were holding hands under the table, which was kind of funny because Victoire was having to eat with her left hand, a accomplishment she clearly did not possess. James, Omar Nelson Bradley, and Georgia were discussing Quidditch with Uncles George and Ron. Eddie was showing the twins, Lily, and Victor-Marie Hugo just how many peas he could fit into his mouth at once. Percy was, of track, discussing the gritty details of his campaign with his wife and parents. Fred and scratch were telling Angie about the confidential passageway that lead into the basement of Honeyduke 's. The relief of his family was too far away for Albus to hear what exactly they were saying, but everyone seemed glad.

"This is what it 's really care,"Albus told Amanda."Usually there are a few pranks."

"You missed one earliest,"Rose said while Amanda laughed."James put one of those wind-up pygmy Puffs in Gran 's biggest pot, so while she was chopping vegetables it jumped out and started screeching. Aunt Ginny knew it was James, too. He got chewed out while you were upstairs changing."

"She had no proof !"William James cut in."It could give birth been Cedric."

"But it was n't,"Rose said."It was you."

"James, did you hear me ?"Hermione asked."I was just saying how you need to start out with your rickety subject first. Honestly, you should 've started preparing finis year. Albus, rose, Amanda, are you listening ? You should start alteration now."

"I started hebdomad ago, Mum,"rosiness said.

Hermione smiled."That 's my girl."

"She 'll be lucky if Epistle of James starts revising a calendar month before,"Albus whispered to Amanda.

"That would be stupid,"pink wine said."What does he need to do after Hogwarts ? He 'll ask sealed O.W.L.s to get into the the right way N.E.W.T. classes."

"He 's got no thought,"Albus said,"except he wants to play Quidditch."

"He 'd better get going,"rose said.

"Oh, and I suppose you 've got it all figured out, Rose ?"Saint James the Apostle asked.

"As a issue of fact, I 'm thinking of getting into psychiatry,"Rose said."Get my healing degree, specializing in psychiatry."

"fine, then,"James muttered.

"Really ?"Albus asked.

pink wine nodded."I 've been thinking about it since summer and it 's really lack I want to do."

"Do n't you think you 're a bit young to take in decided that ?"Albus asked.

"Matt 's sister had it all figured out in fourth class and face where she is now,"pink wine pointed out.

She did have a level there, Albus thought. lustrelessness 's sis was well on her way to getting both her healing and brewing arcdegree, with only two and a half more yr to go. Albus did n't even require to think about what he would do after he graduated from Hogwarts. It was too far away.

"I have an announcement to make !"Gabriella said as she stood up.

The way quieted and everyone turned to look at Gabriella. She was n't usually one to make speech or announcements during family dinner party. In fact, she was one of the quieter of Albus 's cousins, certainly not coming near to the stage of boisterousness of Bradley, James, or Georgia.

"Thanks,"she said."None of you know this yet, since I figured I 'd just tell you all at once today. I 've decided to travel to France."

The room was unsounded, much like it was after Percy announced his intent to run for minister of religion at the before schoolhouse dinner. Then, as happened after Percy 's announcement, everyone began to talk at once.

"You 're what ?"beak exclaimed.

"Gabriella, honey !"Fleur shouted, dropping her meth of vino."What prompted this ?"

"The political mood in Anatole France is very unfirm,"Harry Hotspur said."I would n't urge moving there."

"What are you going to do there ?"broom asked.

Albus was n't at all surprised. Gabriella had spent a few weeks in Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault that fall and seemed to savor it. He was n't sure why her parents seemed so surprised.

"If everyone could just let me blab !"Gabriella shouted. The way quieted one more."I 've already cleared it with Grandmere and Grandpere. They 're going to let me stay with them until I get on my feet. When I painted there this tumble it just felt so ripe. My paintings there were so much better than the one I 've painted here-"

"But what will you do for money ?"Bill asked."You know I could still get you that internship. This is crazy."

"Dad, it 's what I want to do. I do n't want to drop everyday in an authority and miss out on animation. No offense. Painting is what I love. I want to try this."

"But Gabriella, it 's not practical-"Bill began.

"Bill,"molly said quietly."She 's just rebelling a bit. You did the Lapplander when you were her age. Remember the earring ? The hair ?"

Bill 's fount reddened."It 's not the same, Mum. I had a job. I was n't learning the finer stop of being a starving artist !"

"Dad ! I 'm a good artist ! I 'm not going to famish !"

"You know my parents would never let her lust,"Fleur said.

"That 's not the point. The point is that she should be doing something productive. When Victoire was her age-"

"I 'm not Victoire !"Gabriella exclaimed. She turned and left the room, running up the stair. A few present moment later a door slammed.

Bill made to get up, but Victoire put her hand on his berm, forcing him back into his seat."Dad, I 'll go."

The room lapsed into uncomfortable silence after Victoire took off after her sister. Albus was slightly shocked at his uncle 's dislike of Gabriella 's plan. Albus had always thought of flyer as his cool uncle, the uncle who would be supportive of whatever his shaver wanted to do. But now he was acting just like Percy had about Georgia 's desire to be a Quidditch player.

"I support you, Bill,"Percy said pompously."Artist is not a career. You 've got to contend this. Went through the same thing with Georgia-"

"Really, Dad ?"Peach State asked."After the past few months of going to my plot and making the press think you 're supportive of my dream, you still do n't think I should play Quidditch ?"

"Quidditch, like painting, is a pursuit,"Percy said."It 's not a career."

"You 're incredible !"Empire State of the South exclaimed."The livelihood, the cheering, it 's all fake, is n't it ?"

"Georgia-"

"You know what, Dad ? Do n't even bother."Sakartvelo stood up and left the table in a similar way to Gabriella.

"This,"Albus whispered to Amanda,"is not normal."

"I thought Gabriella liked Uncle Percy 's bastard support,"Saint James muttered.

"fountainhead, she did at first-class honours degree but she probably thought there was no way he could misrepresent it for so long and not begin to come around. She surely thought it was real by now,"Rose said.

"You 're going to make a skillful shrink,"Albus said.

"Yeah, you can start with Uncle Sir Henry Percy,"James said.

"Does anyone want pudding ?"gran asked.


A/N : Thanks for all the revue !


Never before had Albus experienced such an cumbersome Christmas dinner, and that included the metre his Aunt Katherine went into Labour with Eddie at the board. After Gabriella and Peach State stormed out, Gran served pudding to the remaining family phallus, but everyone ate in silence. Albus, Rose, and Amanda ate as fast as they could and then escaped to the one place they did n't call back anyone else would go- the loft.

The attic of the tunnel was similar to an archaeological internet site. It contained layers of Weasley family unit history and if you dug deep enough you could even retrieve pictures of Uncle broadside when he was a baby. It used to house a ghoul, but the ghoul died years before Albus was born. Albus did n't go up in the loft very much anymore, but when he was piffling it had made an splendid hiding spot.

"I never realized how alike Gabriella and Georgia were,"Albus said once they 'd shut out the garret door.

"I never realized how similar Uncle Hotspur and Uncle neb were,"pink wine replied."I never thought Uncle bank bill would react like that."

"Me either,"Albus agreed."Let 's not talk about it. I just want to do something fun."

"Let 's play Monopoly,"Amanda said."It 's a Muggle biz. I brought it from my house."

Albus and Rose readily agreed and soon the three were playing Monopoly in the noggin. It took Albus and Rose a slight while to get the bent of the money, which was based on Muggle money, but once they did, it was very fun. Albus 's front-runner thing about it was how tenacious it took. They spent hours on one game and by the time Amanda beat him and blush wine, almost all of his family was asleep.

By breakfast the future daybreak nearly everything had blown over. Half of his aunts and uncles had left because they had to go to shape and the other half were in the process of getting set to leave. Some of his cousin were still there, but quite a few had left. When Albus went downstairs he noticed his uncle bank note and aunt Fleur having a talk with Gabriella over platters of sausage balloon. Albus paused in the doorway, waiting for them to finish.

"We do n't want you to imagine we are n't supportive of your art,"Bill said."We are. Both of us. I just want to know you 're going to be okay."

"I am, Dad,"Gabriella said."I 'll be staying with Grandmere and Grandpere."

"That 's reassuring,"account said."And I did overreact in conclusion night."

Fleur snorted."Yes, I 'd say you did."

"I certainly do n't desire you to consider I 'm anything like your uncle Walker Percy,"greenback whispered."I 'd never try and stop you from pursuing your dream."

"Well, painting in France is my dream for now,"Gabriella said adamantly.

"Then we 'll patronage you,"Bill said. Fleur nodded in agreement."I 'm drab for overreacting last night. I think we were all on edge from the reporter."

"Thanks, Dad,"Gabriella said.

"When were you planning on leaving ?"Fleur asked.

"After that Ministry company. Ca n't miss that or Uncle Percy would go insane."

"The weekend after that, then,"Bill said."We want to help you move."

Gabriella nodded."Thanks."

circular stood up and gave his daughter a hug."I 've got to get to make, but I 'll see you at home later. I love you, Gabby."

"honey you, too, Dad,"Gabriella said as she hugged him back.

Albus walked into the kitchen as his uncle left, grabbing a few blimp and a cinnamon bun on his way to the mesa. He was relieved that Uncle Bill and Gabriella came to an agreement, especially one that involved Gabriella still moving to France. He wanted his first cousin to be happy and he still wanted to recall of bank bill as his assuredness uncle.

Albus returned to Grimmauld stead later that day and it only took him a few hours of boredom to jump his holiday reading material. rose wine and Amanda had returned to pink wine 's home, so without them, he was forced to be generative. In fact, Albus was actually looking forward to the Ministry party for the sole reason that he 'd get to see pink wine and Matt.

The few Clarence Day in between Boxing Day and New Year 's Eve were fairly uneventful, especially compared with Christmas day. Georgia and Uncle Percy still had n't made up and Georgia came over for a heart-to-heart with Albus 's mum the day before the company. Albus often forgot that his mum used to fiddle professional person Quidditch and would be the utter person for Sakartvelo to seek advice from.

Albus attempted to listen in on their conversation via Extendable Ear, but his mum must 've put an interperbabble magical spell on the kitchen doorway because he could n't hear a thing. Dejected, he put away his Extendable Ear and returned to reading his Transfiguration book of account.

Shortly after Georgia left Epistle of James walked in the bet on door with a grin on his typeface.

"What are you so glad about ?"Albus asked.

"Mum forgot to put the charm on the windowpane,"St. James said."I heard everything."

"Well, evidence me what you heard !"Albus said as he closed his book.

"I do n't know ...."

"Come on, James IV,"Albus said."If you do I wo n't tell Mum and Dad what you 're planning on doing to the punch at the party tomorrow."

"mulct,"James muttered as he sat down."Basically, Georgia 's still mad at Uncle Sir Henry Percy and does n't want to go to the company tomorrow. Mum convinced her that she needs to take the gamy road and be supportive of Uncle Walker Percy even though he is n't being supportive of her. And she said there 's no secret to getting him to recognize Quidditch as a valid career. He just has to earn it on his own and all Peach State can do is be the best histrion she can and bear out herself and not ask him for money. But then she reminded Georgia that Gramps was very supportive of her Quidditch career."

"null too charge up, then,"Albus said.

"Nope, not really,"James agreed."Going to make for an matter to political party, though."

"That 's for certainly,"Albus said.
***


"Is the pastor 's mansion house glowing blue ?"Albus asked as he followed his parents up the winding path to the mansion.

It was New yr 's Eve and the potter were slightly latterly for the political party, as usual. This clock time James had not been the reason ; they were late because Ginny had had to lengthen Albus 's gown last min.

"It looks that way,"Harry answered."postponement until you see the inside. The election New class 's Eve party at the curate 's Mansion is one of the lofty social occasion the Ministry puts on, only beaten out by the party that will involve situation for the succeeder of the election. It 's going to be far fancier than the political party for Mr. Eckerton last year."

Albus nodded. As they drew closer to the mansion Albus noticed that the blueish visible light seemed to stem from the primer coat, illuminating the family as it went upward, but he could not see where the ignitor came from. It looked to just appear out of the ground. The course itself was lined with silver grey candle.

The door was already open when they reached the end of the itinerary. A man dressed in a to the full tuxedo with tails stood in the doorway and he took Ginny and Lily 's wrapper while another man led the Potters into the grand piano dance hall.

The ballroom was already filled to capacity and Albus noticed that nearly half of the people in attendance were his aunts, uncles, and cousins. The dance hall itself was lit by silver gray candles similar to the single that lined the track outside. The windows were draped in heavy United States Navy drape tied with silver medal rophy and matching linens dressed the tables and hot seat scattered throughout the room. Larger tables containing phonograph record of food stood in the eye of the elbow room, each one holding an ice sculpture. The sculpture were of various historic buildings in wizarding Britain, including one of Hogwarts.

Waiters dressed in the same tuxedos as the wizards by the threshold walked throughout the room carrying photographic plate of nutrient and drink. After taking a look at some of the food they carried, Albus wondered if there was anything normal or if it was just fancy hors d'oeuvres.

"Before you all take off to find out your cousin,"Harry began, staring Thomas More at his sons than at Lily."James II, absolutely no put-on. Albus, no sneaking off to other share of the residence or going outside this year. Promise me, both of you."

"I promise,"Albus and James each mumbled.

"All right, you may go,"Harry said."And keep an eye out for your new first cousin. Make sure they 're not getting into trouble."

Albus nodded and then slipped into the crowd in lookup of matt, Rose, and something to eat that did not resemble something his aunt Fleur 's mother would take a crap. He finally wound up at the dessert mesa where he found both a large piece of hot chocolate cake and his friends.

"Albus, there you are !"Rose said."We 've been here for an hour already."

"Mum had to lengthen my robes,"Albus said in between bites of cake.

"I 'm not surprised. You grew a metrical unit in the past twelvemonth,"pink wine commented.

"Seriously, you 've got to stop,"lusterlessness said."You make me look like a s year."

"Is everyone else here ?"Albus asked as they walked over to a mostly empty table. Its solely occupant was a very old man who seemed to be taking a nap.

Rose nodded."Even Sakartvelo showed up. But I did ascertain out that the only reason we were all invited was to make Uncle Percy look like to a greater extent of a kinfolk man."

"Really ?"Albus asked."I thought it was just because kinsfolk of the candidates were always invited."

"No. Usually it 's only straightaway family member, plus all the Heads of departments and top Ministry officials and their families. So not all of us were going to be invited at first. It 's to produce us look like a very cheeseparing knit family."

"You are a close plain stitch family,"lusterlessness said."It 's like you 're all sidekick and sisters rather than cousins."

"But Uncle Sir Henry Percy never really regard any of us in his Ministry career before,"Albus pointed out."Anyway, Matt, how was your Christmas ?"

"Good,"Matt said."Rose already told me about yours. Sounded much more interesting than mine. My grandparents came to natter and they went home yesterday. Mum and Cinda argued over the fact that we do n't visit them enough anymore and then Mum and Amy argued over the fact that Amy never comes home except for holidays. Dad, Richard, and I just stayed out of it. I swear, those three could indicate over nothing."

"Sounds like yours was interesting then,"Albus said.

lustrelessness shrugged."Honestly, it 's been rather boring at home."

"I 'm ready to get back to Hogwarts,"Albus said."Is Amy here ?"

"Yeah, she 's off with Victoire and teddy bear,"matt said.

"Oh, by the way, do n't wassail the punch,"Albus warned them."James is planning to put something in it."

"What ?"Rose asked.

"I do n't know, but it 'll probably be stark,"Albus said.

"If your uncle wins your full cousin will get to survive here,"lusterlessness said as he gazed around the room."Weird to think about. This seat looks large than my old house."

"It probably is,"Rose said."And you 're decent, that is weird to call back about."

The old man let out a snort and woke up. His eyes darted around until they rested on Albus, blush wine, and lusterlessness."Who are you three ?"he demanded.

"Er, I 'm Albus Potter and that 's rosiness Weasley and Matt Eckerton,"Albus said.

His face softened."Oh, skillful to conform to you ! I 'm Gregory the Great Laurentis. My daughter 's running for Minister. Could not be prouder, but I suppose she 's running against your uncle. Albus Potter, Merlin 's beard ! I told patty, I told her she was en to run against Percy Weasley what with him being related to Harry ceramist himself, but her company picked her to run so I suppose there was nothing I could do about it. And she could n't turn down that chance ...."

Albus glanced at rosiness and Matt while Laurnetis 's dad continued to rattle on about how proud he was of his daughter, yet wonder at her stupidity for running against person related to Harry Potter. He was rather funny, Albus thought.

"This place is too damn fancy,"Gregory Laurnetis muttered as he fingered the tablecloth."And the solid food, my God, what I would n't give for some cracker and mash ...."

Albus stifled a laughter, but he did agree with the old man."I think I hear one of my cousin calling me,"Albus said."We 'd improve go."

"Oh, right, right,"Gregory Laurentis said."I do n't hear anything, but then again my earshot 's so bad these days. Well, good luck to your uncle, then. Not that he 'll need it !"

"trade good luck to your daughter, too,"Albus said as he stood up.

All three burst out laughing as soon as they were out of earshot of Gregory Laurentis. A few Ministry officials looked at them strangely as they did so, but Albus did n't care.

"Albus !"Matt suddenly whispered."Is that Balladanis over there ?"Matt pointed to the far back street corner, where a man in plain black robes stood with his munition folded across his chest.

Albus peered at the man for a few moments."Yeah, I think it is."

"What 's he doing here ?"lustrelessness asked.

"Probably in display case of an attack,"Rose said."Every prominent Ministry official is in this room right now. There 's probably Aurors stationed at every door outside, too."

"Do n't let him see us,"mat said as he grabbed both Albus and rose and pulled them behind a large group of citizenry."Can we just go somewhere else ?"

Albus glanced at Balladanis and then back at lusterlessness, who looked more than than a niggling anxious. Albus did n't pick him. After last year 's scandal with Balladanis, it was no wonder matt never wanted to see the man again. Albus thought briefly of what his dad told him when they got there, but pushed the promise from his mind. If Matt did n't require to be in the same elbow room as Balladanis, then Albus was just going to bear to break his promise.

"seminal fluid on,"Rose said before Albus could answer. She took Albus and Matt 's workforce and pulled them through the crowd. She let them go once they reached the corridor.

The corridor was much subdued than the ballroom. Albus had n't even realized just how flashy the dance palace was until now. Between the music and citizenry 's voices, it was a wonderment he 'd even been capable to think in there.

"Thanks,"matt said quietly."He just gives me the creeps."

"No job,"pink wine said."Where should we go ?"

"We could try and find that library again,"Albus suggested.

rosiness and lustrelessness nodded and the three set off down the corridor. It took them xv mo and three wrong turns to find out the library and once they got there, they saw that it was already occupied by none other than Empire State of the South, Bradley, and Cedric.

"We 've got to lay off using the Saame hiding places,"Empire State of the South said with a laughter as they entered."Just joking. Come on in."

rosebush shut the door behind them and they joined Georgia, Thomas Bradley, and Cedric on the early side of the room.

"Sick of the party ?"Georgia asked.

"We saw Balladanis,"matte said quietly as he sat down."Did n't require him to comment us."

Georgia shuddered."Do n't pick you there, especially since your dad is the reason he got sacked."

"I kind of liked him,"Bradley said.

flatness looked at him like he was insane."Are you kidding ?"

Omar Nelson Bradley shrugged."Nope. I 'm not terribly upset he 's gone, but he was kind of cool."

"You 're mad,"Matt said.

"What about you three ? What drove you to the subroutine library ?"Albus asked, wanting to stave off an argument between his best champion and cousin.

"Decided to explore the star sign,"Cedric said."If we 're going to induce to hold out here, we wanted to see what we 'd be getting into."

"And what do you think ?"Rose asked.

"Living here would n't be so bad,"Cedric said."Bradley and I would n't bear to parcel a way. Neither would Samantha and Lindy, for that matter."

"I told you, one of you can have my elbow room,"Georgia said.

"Dad wo n't let us,"Omar Bradley replied."Says you 're going to do back when Quidditch stops paying off."

Georgia groaned."Really, the religious belief he has in me is incredible."

"We met Laurentis 's dad,"Albus said.

Georgia burst out laughing."Seriously ?"

Albus nodded and told the story. All three of his cousin-german were laughing by the time he finished.

"I may hold to go back out there just so I can fulfil him,"Georgia said, still laughing.

"He sounds like a very interesting bloke,"Thomas Bradley said.

lusterlessness got up from his chair and began wandering around the library. He paused by the door, as if listening.

"What are you doing ?"Albus asked.

"I heard something,"mat whispered."Shut up, all of you."

Peach State immediately stopped laughing and all five of them stopped talking. matte 's eyes grew big and he hurried back over."soul 's coming !"

"I do n't hear any-"Omar Bradley began.

"Sshhh !"Albus said as he jumped up."cartel him on this. We 've got to hide."

"There 's a closet,"Rose said as she hurried to open the door."It 's not very big-"

"Does n't matter,"lustrelessness said."Hurry, get inside."

Albus just started hearing the interpreter as they hurried inside the closet. It was a very nasty hug and rosiness was stepping on his leave foot, but he said nothing as he shut the room access. Two seconds later he heard the room access to the program library open.

"It 's not working !"a woman said. Her voice was muffled ; Albus could barely make out what she said, let alone who she was.

"I ca n't hear anything,"Cedric whispered."Is this door solid mahogany or something ?"

"Shut up !"Matt seethed. He had his ear pressed to the door.

"The one prison term I do n't make for any Extendables with me,"Cedric muttered.

Albus pressed his ear up against the door. The vocalism were still muffled, but he could hear.

"I told you they 'd eat up the all folk man affair,"another voice said. This one was male person."Not to mention he 's Harry ceramicist 's brother-in-law for God 's sake !"

"Harry thrower is an unskilled idiot and you know it,"the woman replied."He 's famous for something he did as a fry and the general public is pillock to still think of him as the hero of the wizarding world. He 's gone soft."

"It 's Laurentis !"lustrelessness said.

"How can you tell apart ?"Bradley asked."This room access is so bloody thick."

"I just can,"Matt said.

Albus could n't secern that the vocalism was Laurentis 's, but based on what she was saying, matt was right.

"Well, what am I supposed to do about it ?"the man said.

"We 've got to cerebrate of something,"Laurentis said."The Azkaban debate is in a week. I 'm sure you can think of something to do for that."

"I think that 's her campaign handler,"flatness said.

"She sounds unspeakable,"Albus said.

"It should n't be that hard. All we have to do is expose Weasley for what he really is and get everyone to realize Potter 's not the hero they all think he is,"Laurentis said.

"And who is Weasley, then ?"

"A overblown imbecile !"Laurentis exclaimed."You do n't really buy the hale fact that he supports his daughter 's Quidditch career, do you ? I 've seen the way she looks at him and there 's no way that 's real."

"You ca n't really sleep together that-"

"I can,"she interrupted."I can register people, Pierce. That 's why I got into politics. It 's all about reading mass and figuring out the prevarication from the truths. See what you can dig up. We 'd better return to the party. I left my Father of the Church alone with Minister Langston. That wo n't turn out well."

"Yes, Ms. Laurentis,"Pierce replied.

Albus heard the sound of high heel on hardwood story, the door creak open, and then fall into place shut again. He waited two full minutes and then opened the threshold to the closet. Everyone hurried out.

"What was that ?"matte demanded."What is she up to ?"

"How did you fascinate all that ?"Bradley asked."Do you have super human audition or something ?"

"Or something,"Matt muttered,"but never mind that. Laurentis knows your dad 's putting on an act and is going to try to expose him."He turned to Albus."And she is going to try and turn the wizarding world against your dad."

"She 's insane !"Albus exclaimed.

"You 've got to tell your uncle-"matt began.

"No way,"Empire State of the South said loudly."Trust me, all he 'll do is find fault me for not playing my parting well enough. This is n't leaving this room."

"But she 's going to subvert his movement,"Albus said.

"Peach State 's right,"rose said."It wo n't help anything. movement are half about digging up poop on the other candidate. Anything she says about Uncle Harry, no one will believe it unless they 're an idiot. Anyone with half a mind knows he runs the Auror Department well."

"If anyone says anything he 'll just get mad at us for spying,"Bradley added.

"Not to mention we 're not technically allowed in here,"Cedric pointed out.

"Oh, right,"Albus said."My dad did pee me prognosticate not to leave the ballroom."

"No one 's saying anything,"GA said."And I think we 'd all proficient get back to the ballroom, just in event anyone notices we 're all gone.


Thanks for all the reviews ! Remember to go on them 12+. airplane propeller to all who caught the 'mahogany'thirst Games reference. cite for that goes to Suzanne Collins. If any of you are members of the forums ( and if you 're not, you should be, tie on the veracious face of the Thomas Nelson Page ! ), feel unblock to watch out my sports meeting the Author pageboy ! It 's linked on my author Page. Please ask me question on my MTA page since I love answering them !


When they returned to the ballroom Albus was proud of to see that Balladanis was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he left to patrol the cause. Albus did n't really give care ; all that mattered was that he was n't there anymore. Judging by the crowd in the room, no one else had left yet, and they all seemed a bit more boisterous, near likely due to the drinks.

Percy accosted them before they were even capable to get to the desert table to recharge their plates with bar. He walked with purpose, similarly to the way he had walked when he took Albus and his champion to Kendrick 's study. He seemed very at base in the minister of religion 's residence and it was n't even his yet.

"Georgia !"he said."There you are. I 've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was in the loo. Something you need, Dad ?"Peach State asked.

"Er, yes, actually,"Walker Percy replied."I need you to take up Samantha and lindy home. It 's nearly eleven and your mother and I are going to be here well past midnight. Samantha ate too practically cake and flavour ill. I just think it would be best for them to go nursing home and get some sopor. They 're over at that table."Hotspur gestured to a nearby board, where Samantha and lindy hop were sitting, both with their straits in their hands, looking extremely bored.

Georgia raised her brow, as if surprised that Percy was actually going to not only let three of his children leave, but quest that they do so. Albus was surprised he 'd even imagine about the fact that it was n't really a political party for two nine-year-olds.

"Yeah, I can take them home,"GA said.

"What about us ?"Omar Bradley asked, gesturing to himself and Cedric."Could n't we take them household ?"

"I 'd rather Peach State do it,"Sir Henry Percy said."You do n't even have your Apparition license yet, Cedric. And Omar Nelson Bradley, you just got yours. You 're not make to side-along Apparate two people."

"They do have open fireplace here, Dad,"Bradley muttered.

"Empire State of the South 's taking them, and the two of you are staying here,"Percy said adamantly."Thank you, Georgia."

"You 're welcome,"Georgia said as Percy strutted off to lecture to some Ministry functionary."Ha !"she said once he was out of earshot."I get to leave."

"Shut up,"Cedric said."I 'm going to go find James."

Peach State headed over to the table her sisters were sitting at while Bradley and Cedric disappeared into the crowd. Albus, matte, and blush wine wandered over to the dessert table, piled a plate gamy with the biscuit a waiter had just set out, and then set off to come up another table. They found one, which Victoire, shift, and Amy were vacating.

"Where are you three off to ?"Albus asked.

"We 've got early rounds tomorrow,"Victoire said."Five in the good morning. If we 're lucky we 'll get four hours of sleep."

"I do n't see a great deal stage in staying if they 're not here,"Teddy said."Technically I was n't even invited, but seeing as I 'm Harry Potter 's Godson, no one was going to kvetch me out."

Albus laughed."See you later, then."

After Victoire, teddy bear, and Amy left Albus sat down and his friend sat on either position. He absentmindedly chewed on a biscuit and watched the crowd.

"Do these taste funny to you ?"Matt asked, holding up a partially corrode biscuit.

Albus took another bite. They did gustatory modality Wyrd."Yeah."

Rose burst out laughing and started pointing at their heads."I think Henry James messed with the biscuit instead of the clout. Al, your hairsbreadth is dreary and Matt, yours is green."

Albus and Matt both started laughing. Albus took another face at the gang."flavour, that peeress 's haircloth is over-embellished !"He pointed to a witch a few yards away. The blighter she was talking to was clearly trying not to gaze at her head.

Over the adjacent few minutes masses gradually began to realize that their hair was turning assorted colour and that the biscuits were the perpetrator. Wands appeared everywhere, as the guests charmed each other 's tomentum back to its rule colouring. Another minute of arc later Albus spotted both of his parents walking around the perimeter of the room, clearly looking for Jesse James, but he was nowhere in sight.

"I like this prank,"Albus said."I 'm leaving my hair's-breadth as is."

"Me too,"Matt agreed. They both turned to rose."You should eat one."

Rose sighed."power as well."She took a cooky and a second later her formerly red fuzz was a lovely nuance of pinko.

The eternal sleep of the company was rather tedious. Harry eventually found James and told him he 'd be staying in his room for the remainder of the holiday, only being allowed out for meals. When midnight rolled around Albus, Matt, and pink wine toasted to the new year with Lily and Victor-Marie Hugo. mat and his parents left immediately subsequently and Albus and his class left a shortsighted while later. Albus was relieved to be going home since the night had been exhausting, and he still could n't get the conversation he overheard in the library out of his brain.
***


"It 's here !"Epistle of James shouted the succeeding good morning at breakfast, brandishing a transcript of Wizards magazine. The front cover was a icon of Albus 's grandparents, his mum, Uncle Percy, Uncle eyeshade, Uncle Charlie, Uncle George VI, and Uncle Ron.

"Let me see it !"Albus shouted.

"No, I got it first !"King James I shouted back.

"I want to record it first !"Lily exclaimed.

"Kids, settle down !"Ginny said."James River got it first. Al can read it next, and then Lily."

"Not fair,"Lily muttered."I 'm never first."

That was a lie, Albus thought to himself. It was either Saint James the Apostle or Lily who got things first, never Albus. jinx of being the middle child, he figured.

Albus sat and ate his breakfast while King James I read the article. His sidekick let out groans and suspiration and even laughter while he read, which made Albus even more anxious to translate it. After what seemed like forever, it was finally Albus 's turn. He yanked the magazine out of St. James the Apostle 's helping hand and opened it up to the article.

The first page ( or rather, first two pages ), contained the picture of his entire family. Albus had been right in guessing that there was no way the photographer could 've sire a motion-picture show that they all looked unspoilt in. Albus himself at least looked middle decent. He was smiling and kept turning to look at Rose and then back to the photographic camera. Lily on the early hand, was caught mid-grimace and always returned to that put every few seconds. Across the photo was the name of the article- 'Christmas With the Weasleys .'Albus turned the Sir Frederick Handley Page and looked at all the other photographs that accompanied the article before reading it. There was one of Hotspur, Corrine, and their kids. Another featured Percy and Albus 's dad. Then there was the one with him playing Exploding Snap with the twins and Percy, as well as the one with Percy and Amanda playing chess. The caption on that understand 'Minister hopeful Percy Weasley challenges the Prime rector 's niece to a game of chess .'Amanda was not going to be happy, Albus thought as he turned his tending to the article.

When I first entered the childhood abode of Percy
Weasley I immediately noticed the delicious tone
that filled the air. Molly Weasley, Walker Percy 's mother,
was hard at work cooking Yuletide Eve dinner. The
modest, but cozy, domicile was filled to capability with
Weasleys, although it only grew more push with
the arrival of the potter an hour later.

The Weasley phratry gather for Christmas Day at the
home of King Arthur and Molly Weasley every year.
Arthur, a go to sleep Ministry employee, says ,'I
do it having the intact category together. It 's
chaotic, but I would n't have it any other way .'
The evening begins with a meal, although eating
seems to take stead over many minute. The atmospheric state
is homy and happy, with every single sept
member enjoying their time with each other.

Percy Weasley, a loving don of five, juncture in
on the fun and Christmas emotional state by challenging
his nine-year-old daughter Samantha and lindy hop,
as well as nephew Albus potter, 14, to a game
of Exploding cracking .'I feel it 's authoritative to
spend meter with my nestling, as well as my nieces
and nephews ,'Weasley said, 'we have such little
time with them before they go off to Hogwarts.
My eldest is already out on her own and my Word
only have a little prison term left at Hogwarts. The
similitude are still untested, so I try to spend time
with them every I day .'When asked
about their father 's campaign, Samantha said,
'I want him to win. He 's proficient at his job .'
lindy hop merely shrugged, 'It would be cool if he
wins, but he 'll still just be Dad to us .'

The place of Arthur and Molly Weasley is not
only open to Weasleys at Christmas time. This
year they were joined by a friend of Albus Potter
and Rose Weasley, 14. Amanda Tagger, also 14, is
a fourth part year student at Hogwarts. Tagger is no
alien to political families since her uncle
is Michael Smythe, flower rector of Great
U.K. .'I think it is just tremendous that
the prime of life curate 's niece is a hag ,'Walker Percy
said. 'We are always trying to elevate a
healthy relationship with the Muggle Ministry
and this will only aid .'

Before posing for the photograph found on page
20 and 21, the Weasley family first donned
their Weasley sweater. Each penis of the mob
receives one of these jumpers for Christmas
every twelvemonth. The traditional jumpers are knitted
by molly Weasley .'I 'm not sure how it started,
really ,'Molly said, when asked about the beginning
of the pinny ,'I suppose it was when bill and
Charlie were little, before Percy was born. I
wanted to knit them matching jump shot and they
outgrew them by the following year, so I made
new ones. Then when Percy was born he needed one
so it soon grew into a yearly thing .'

If I had to choose one password to describe the Weasley
household, I would choose 'laid-back .'Spending a
Christmas Eve with this home, you would never
think that they were famous for their crusade in
the war against Voldemort. They are just so normal.
Even Harry Potter, Head Auror, is just your
average father. He spends Christmas Eve joking
around with his brothers-in-law and playing secret plan
with his children, nieces, and nephews. I asked
him what a distinctive Christmastime day is like in the
Weasley house and he responded with, 'Quidditch.
We live for Quidditch. No topic the weather condition we
get out there every Christmastide and dally a match or
two. Then we 'll come inside and have dinner, all
of us together. It 's bare, but perfect .'

There you have it. Christmas with the Weasleys
summed up in one sentence by none other than Harry
Potter himself. I thoroughly enjoyed expenditure
Christmas Eve with Percy Weasley and his entire
syndicate. next time I interview him, I really must
ask for his female parent 's shepherd 's pie recipe. It
truly is wonderful.

"Really ?"Albus asked after handing the magazine to Lily."After all that ? She interviewed half the family and only quoted a few of us ?"

"I 'm guessing the rest could n't really be used for the type of article she was going for,"James pointed out."card how she only included poppycock Samantha and Lindy said."

"And she made it seem like the photographer just happened to charter pictures of us playing games with Uncle Percy,"Albus said."All of that was staged."

"That 's journalism,"Ginny said."Not near journalism, mind you, but it is fairly common practice."

"I guess it could have been worse,"Albus said.

"Yes, it could take been,"Ginny agreed."I think we 're all just grateful she did n't stay for Yuletide dinner."

James River laughed."I wonder how she would 've spun that. I 'm astound no one 's figured out that Uncle Harry Hotspur does n't really wish that Georgia plays Quidditch."

"Keep your mouth shut about that, James,"Ginny said quietly.

"Anyone with half a mentality could see it,"James muttered.

Albus said nothing. He still was n't completely sure that saying nothing about Laurentis figuring that out was the right-hand thing to do. But he could n't exactly say anything, not when all his cousins and lusterlessness had agreed not to.

"King James,"Ginny said."enough. And I suggest you use the balance of your respite to read for those O.W.L.s. June is a lot Oklahoman than you think."

James certainly did a trade good job of pretending to study for the remainder of the holiday, while shut up in his way for his punishment. Albus noticed that while he always had a Book cracked open nearby, to grab when one of their parents walked into the elbow room, it was always the same book, opened to the same page. Albus was amazed neither of his parents realized that, but he supposed both of them had their minds on Sir Henry Percy 's election. Albus finished all his preparation before the weekend, leaving him with two blissful Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of doing nada. On Saturday he, along with his parents, James, and Lily, visited Kaden and his family for a later Christmas and New twelvemonth 's celebration. Albus was relieved that Kaden 's grandparents were n't there.

Monday arrived and it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Albus was quite happy about this because he had grown bored of staying at home plate and doing goose egg and was sick of being in such stuffy fourth part with James I and Lily. At least in Gryffindor tower they kept to their own mathematical group of friends. But mostly, Albus wanted to get Amanda 's take on the conversation they overheard at the rector 's Mansion.

"Everyone 's staring at me,"Amanda said as she entered the compartment Albus, blush wine, Matt, Saint John the Apostle, and Kaden were occupying."Took me ages to find you, just because the great unwashed kept wanting to talk to me. It 's that pillock cartridge article. Now everyone knows I 'm the prime of life Minister 's niece."

"It was bound to pass Sooner or later,"Rose pointed out."But I 'm regretful. If I 'd known the newsman was going to verbalise about that, I would n't have invited you for Christmas."

"No, it 's okay,"Amanda said as she sat down."I 'm gladiolus I went. It 's just annoying. guessing I know how it feels to be you lot."

"Except us,"King John said as he gestured to himself and Kaden."We 're normal."

"You 're convention, John,"Amanda said."But Kaden 's Harry thrower 's first cousin-german once removed or something."

"And that really makes me marvel how I got wrapped up in all this,"John said."My parents just are n't nearly as ambitious as yours all are."

"How was that party, by the way ?"Amanda asked.

"Mostly boring,"Albus said."But we did wind up in a lilliputian closet with my cousins Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric and overheard a conversation between Laurentis and her campaign manager."

"You what ?"John exclaimed."And you did n't think that warranted an owl ?"

"We wanted to narrate you in person,"Albus said."The conversation was really weird."

"Tell us !"Amanda said.

Albus explained what he overheard, with help from mat, who had been able to listen it a bit more clearly. John and Kaden looked slightly uncomfortable when they finished, but Amanda did n't appear at all surprised or upset.

"That ca n't be good,"John said."What do you think she 's planning ?"

"That 's just it, I do n't fuck,"Albus said."And all my full cousin and Matt agreed not to say anything-"

"They 're properly, of course of action,"Amanda said."You 'd just invoke up fuss. Your uncle has got to focus on convincing multitude he 's the mightily one for the job, not discrediting everything Laurentis says."

"But she 's going to try and convert everyone my dad 's a bad Auror,"Albus pointed out.

"Your dad is n't running for Minister,"Amanda said."And honestly, I do n't cogitate she 's going to be able to convince all of wizarding Britain that your dad 's incompetent person by April."

"But what about the Georgia thing-"

"Albus,"Amanda said as she stared directly at him,"this is what politico do. Half the campaign is spent trying to convince people the opponent is bad for the job. As often as it should just be spent on trying to convince masses they 're right for the job, candidate just do n't do that. Trust me. My uncle 's on his endorse term. I know how these things work."

"I guess,"Albus said. He felt slightly better about it, now that he had Amanda 's persuasion, but he still felt restless."Something is going to find at the Azkaban debate, though. She wanted her run manager to dig something up."

"Worst case scenario, she figures out that your uncle Hotspur does n't really approve of Georgia 's Quidditch vocation,"Amanda said."Then he 'll give an consultation and say that at first he was n't because he was concern about her future but then he saw her bid and now he realizes how good she is and claptrap, blah, blah. It 'll be fixed."

"She 's right, Albus,"Rose said. The others nodded.

"How do you cognise all this ?"Albus asked."I mean, seriously."

"I 'm an excellent eavesdropper,"Amanda said with a grin."And all without Extendable Ears."

"Amazing,"whoremaster agreed.

"It 's simple, really,"Amanda said."Be the kid in your family line that goes unnoticed. My older sister is the drama queen, so everything that happens to her, no matter how small, is a huge plenty. My lilliputian brother is a brat who demands constant attention. Me ? I 'm the calm one. They 'll have whole conversations about stuff in front of me that they 'd never have in movement of either my brother or sister."

Kaden laughed."Bet that changed when you found out you were a witch."

"At foremost, but then me being a hag became formula,"Amanda said.

matte let out a low whistle."Wish I had that skill. I still ca n't even go into the Same room as my parents without one of them asking me if I feel okay. Bit of an exaggeration, but still."

"I think my parents spent too a great deal of their childhood eavesdropping on people to consecrate me a decent fortune at it,"Albus said."They know all the tricks."

"So do mine,"Rose said."I swear my mum can sense an extendable Ear a Admiralty mile away."

"I think I 'm too tatty,"toilet said.

"Saami,"Kaden agreed.

"So, would you conceive me if I said I actually wanted to go to the Azkaban argument ?"Saint John asked as he opened a box of Bertie Bott 's Every Flavor Beans.

Rose burst out laughing."Really, John ?"

"Yes, really,"John said, popping a noodle into his oral cavity."Butter, Weird. If Laurentis is going to do something, I want to be right there to witness it."

"Maybe you 'll get prosperous and you 'll get picked,"Amanda said."I hope I get picked for one."

"I bet they 'll let you go to all of them now, being the Prime government minister's niece and all,"John said.

"Not necessarily,"Amanda said.

"You can always take my spot, bathroom,"flatness said as he got up to steal a handful of John 's Bertie Bott 's."full-of-the-moon moon 's on Friday, so I wo n't be going."

"Maybe you can win over Madam Pomfrey, since it 's educational,"Kaden said.

Matt popped a bean into his mouth and then promptly spat it out."Ew, grease. Does n't matter what Madam Pomfrey says. Day after the full moon ? I 'll be asleep. You 'll just have to take notes and let me get laid what happens."

John groaned."I 'll pass on your spot if I have to take notes."

"Someone 's going to have to require promissory note either way,"lusterlessness said."I 'll need them for the essay that Embry will assign."

"Do n't worry, I 'll admit Federal Reserve note,"rosebush told him.

"Thanks,"lusterlessness replied."Now, who 's wants this bean ? It looks just like dirt, but it could be chocolate."Matt held up a suspiciously Brown University bean.

"I 'll acquire it !"John said. He took a midget nibble, screwed up his face, and threw the rest of the bean back at lusterlessness, hitting him square on the forehead."Thanks, teammate, another dirt."

Albus laughed and took a smattering of beans. The remainder of the misstep was much more lighthearted than their conversation about the campaign tactics of Laurentis and Percy. They finished off John 's Bertie Bott 's, growing braver as the box emptied. Albus stopped after he got a barf flavored one, but enjoyed it immensely when Kaden ate one of the same flavor. The caravan ride went quickly and soon they arrived in Hogsmeade station with Hogwarts, Albus 's mo home, just a unforesightful carriage ride away.


Sorry for the late update ! My first cousin got married on Friday so I was gone the unharmed weekend and did n't throw my computer with me. Thanks to my sister, Linda, who in my family, is just like Amanda and can eavesdrop on everyone. She gave me the musical theme for that. Thanks for all the cover girl critical review !


"This term we will focus on how the first and second war against Voldemort shaped how the Ministry of trick is organized today,"Professor Embry announced after the doorbell rang for Tuesday 's government class."This function of the class will overlap with your History of magic trick division quite a bit, although I 'd hazard a surmisal that none of you pay tending in History of Magic, not that I blame you. I never could stay awake in that class either.

"First, we will take a closer flavor at exactly how the Ministry was organized prior to Voldemort 's emanation to index and why it was such a problem,"Embry continued."section of the reason why Voldemort was able to rise to world power as quickly as he did was because the Ministry was susceptible to a takeover. Since then, precautions have been taken to prevent a standardized situation. Does anyone hump the chief difference between the Ministry before Voldemort and the Ministry now ?"

A few workforce went up in the air, including Amanda 's. Albus knew the answer, but he did n't really want to raise his helping hand. He preferred listening during class.

"Yes, young woman Tagger ?"

"The Minister was n't elected,"Amanda said,"which is odd because the Muggle Minister is elected, variety of. It 's not like in the United States, but the public votes on which party will be in power."

"Exactly,"Embry said."Prior to the shakeup of the Ministry of magic in 1998, the minister was appointed by the Wizengamot. Can anyone separate me why that is a job ?"

Amanda 's handwriting shot into the air once more. She was even immobile than Rose in this class.

"girl Tagger ?"

"It was bad because the mass had no power. Only the Wizengamot had any business leader in the Ministry, because they were the ones who appointed the Minister, who then appointed all the other officials. No one had any say in anything."

"right again. Ten points to Gryffindor,"Embry said."The Wizengamot, prior to 1998, was a chemical group of very influential witches and superstar, mostly thoroughbred, who essentially ran the Ministry of conjuring trick. They also served as the judicial system. These witches and wizard inherited their seats on the Wizengamot from family members because each influential folk in the British wizarding world once held a posterior in the Wizengamot. The problems with this are obvious because it meant that only purebloods and a select few half-bloods had any color of power."

Albus was scribbling furiously. He knew the basics of the political system just from overhearing his parents'conversations, but the details were fuzzy. Now that he was learning the gritty contingent, he wondered why it took so long for the Ministry to be reorganized. It seemed like it was based solely on blood line condition and how very much money somebody had, which was n't right.

Embry continued to explain the old Ministry and the various power that each person or group of citizenry in the Ministry had prior to Voldemort 's sovereignty. By the end of the talking to Albus had just over a understructure of billet, which was good because Embry had already set them an essay.

"Before you leave, I 'll announce who will be attending Saturday 's argument,"Embry said after he finished lecturing."Like concluding time, Albus Potter, rosebush Weasley, and flatness Eckerton will be able to attend to. The two Hufflepuffs who will be attending are Elaine Asterly and Bird Parker Wayland. The two Gryffindors are Amanda Tagger and Ethan Kesse. You will describe to the Great Charles Francis Hall at ten and waiting for educational activity from the prefects waiting by the doors. Everyone else will be listening to the debate via wireless in the Transfiguration classroom. I expect an essay on which candidate you feel made their point better by succeeding family. You are dismissed."

"I guess I wo n't get to go to all the debates after all,"Amanda said as they left the classroom.

"This one will be good, though,"rose wine said."You 're lucky they picked you for it."

"Wish I got picked,"John lamented.

"I 'm telling you, just go instead of me,"Matt insisted."Tell them I 'm ill and you 're taking my spot."

"I really do n't remember they 'll let-"

"preparation on being ill on Saturday, are you ?"

Albus and his Quaker stopped in the middle of the corridor, turning around to see Scorpio Malfoy behind them, his arms crossed across his dresser. He looked arrogant and vaguely annoyed as usual, but there was something else there. He looked slightly upset and for some understanding, that unnerved Albus.

"Give it a rest, Malfoy,"John said, stepping closer to the Slytherin."We get that you know. We 've gotten over it."

Scorpius stepped closer, ignoring trick and turning to lusterlessness."How do you get into the Shrieking Shack ?"he demanded.

flatness 's font paled. John grabbed delay of Scorpius 's robe and dragged him into a nearby classroom. trick had at least four inches on Malfoy, so it did n't seem difficult. Albus and the others followed, Rose shutting and locking the door behind them.

"Why do you need to have it away about the shriek Shack ?"John asked as he let go of Scorpius.

"None of your business,"Scorpius said, glancing at the locked door. He slowly drew his wand.

John the Divine drew his own verge."Put your wand away. And it 's his commercial enterprise which makes it all of our business."Saint John gestured to matt, who had sat down on one of the desks.

"There 's five of you. Like hell I 'm putting my verge away. So I am right, he does transform in the screaming Shack,"Scorpius said with a sly grin. The looking at of sadness Albus thought he 'd seen was gone ; maybe he 'd imagined it.

"John !"Matt exclaimed."Now look what you 've done !"

"Sorry,"John said."I did n't mean to-"

"Never mind,"Matt said, getting up from the desk and walking over to John and Scorpius."How did you reckon it out ?"

"Where else could you translate safely ?"Scorpio asked."I did a little research in the library and that was built the summertime before Remus Lupin started at Hogwarts and everyone knows he was a werewolf. No one ever lived in it, but people reported try Wyrd noises from it. Everyone said it was spectre, but they went strangely quiet seven twelvemonth later, only to re-emerge four and a half years ago, when we started at Hogwarts. Quite a coincidence, I thought. And now I see that I 'm right."

Albus was kind of dismayed Scorpius had done all that inquiry and put everything together. Perhaps he was smarter than Albus and his acquaintance gave him credit for.

"well, you ca n't tell apart anyone, just like you ca n't tell anyone I 'm a werewolf,"Matt said."Kendrick would expel you."

"I do n't like that it 's where you transform,"Scorpius said."The point is that it 's discharge except for one night of the calendar month. How do you get in ?"

"I 'm not telling,"flatness said.

"Fine, I 'll figure it out myself,"Scorpius said, pointing his scepter at the doorway. The lock clicked and he strolled over to the door, opened it, and left.

"That was weird,"Albus said as soon as Scorpius was gone.

"Yeah,"Matt said, sitting down on the nearest desk."Why does he want to get in the scream hutch ?"

"Clearly he needs somewhere that 's empty, but the question is what is he planning on doing ?"Rose asked."And did anyone else notice that he seemed a bit sad in the corridor ?"

"I thought I 'd imagined that,"Albus said.

"You did n't. He 's definitely upset about something,"Rose said.

Matt groaned."He better not actually figure out how to get in there."

"If he does, he would n't be speechless enough to go in there during a total moon,"Albus pointed out.

"Yeah, but still. That 's my space,"Matt muttered."I need a nap. I think I 'm going to skip dinner and just go back to Gryffindor. I 'll see you later."

mat hopped off the desk and left the room. Albus sighed. The hold out thing he wanted, amidst all of the election stuff and his category 's drama, was another issue with Scorpio Malfoy, but it looked like things were heading in that charge.
***


The comply morning when Albus and his supporter entered the Great mansion house for breakfast the bookman already eating were lots louder than pattern. Albus turned to Rose, who shrugged in disarray, as they walked inside. Everyone in the room, pupil and instructor alike, were talking ominously. Copies of the Prophet were exchanging mitt faster than the Quaffle during a Gryffindor/Slytherin match.

"Albus !"James IV shouted once they reached the Gryffindor table."Read this. There 's been a break-out at Azkaban."

"Again ?"Albus exclaimed, hurrying over to where St. James the Apostle was sitting. He took the report and his friends crowded around him.

"Not like last time,"James said darkly."High-profile captive and more of them. Death Eaters. There has n't been a break-out like this in long time. Not since our parents were our age."

Albus 's heart began to British pound as he unfolded the paper. There it was, right on the front page. A big exposure collage of five people, all gaunt and evil-looking, was right in the middle, with the run-in 'Five prisoner Break Out of Azkaban'above them and an article below them. Albus 's stomach churned when he recognized the picture of the middle prisoner. It was Quinton Willinson. His centre drifted to the clause so he could figure out who the others were.

Early this morning Azkaban official
reported that five heights security captive
escaped late stopping point night. It is unclear how
they managed to do so. The captive, all
imprisoned for felonies, should be regarded
as dangerous and should not be approached.

quaternary of the five prisoners have been in
Azkaban since 1998, having been imprisoned
for war crimes. They are Alecto Carrow,
Amycus Carrow, Fenrir Rebel, and Dolores
Umbridge. All but Umbridge are proven Death
feeder. The fifth prisoner, Quinton Willinson,
has been in and out of prison since 2018,
having escaped and been recaptured just last
year.

'Finding and recapturing these individuals is
our top priority ,'pass Auror, Harry Potter,
said to newsperson early this break of the day. Minister
campaigner and foreland Azkaban official, Patricia
Laurentis, refused to comment on the break-out.
The Auror section has asked all those with
tips to report them to the Ministry via owl
immediately.

Albus sat stunned after reading the article. Three Death eater, Dolores Umbridge, and Quinton Willinson had escaped from Azkaban. How did that encounter ? How did five high security prisoner just escape with no one stopping them ? It did n't fix sense.

"This is not going to make Laurentis depend good,"Amanda said quietly.

"Forget Laurentis, this is bad,"Albus said."Very bad. Umbridge is evil, deform evil. My dad 's got mark on his hand from what she did to him when she was a teacher here. And the Carrows, they were teacher, too. They taught Dark nontextual matter. Not defense, but actual nighttime prowess, and how to torture Muggles. Greyback-"

"Greyback bites people, for fun,"Matt said, his face pale white."He 's the one who bit Teddy 's dad."

"The four of them,"Albus began,"the four of them make Quinton Willinson look like a unicorn."

"That 's the weird affair,"rosiness said."The others are in prison for life for war crimes. Willinson will be in there for a piece, but he 'll get parole eventually and the only reason he 's a high security prisoner is because he escaped before. So why did he break out with the others ? Why did they let him in on it ? They 're up to something."

Albus had n't even thought of that. Why was Quinton Willinson now connected with war criminals who had been in prison since before he was born ? It did n't defecate mother wit. Albus thought about it throughout all his classes that day, but did n't come up with any answers.

It was obvious that the Azkaban break-out had unnerved the entire palace. professor spoke in low whispers when they thought pupil were n't around, students no longer wandered the castle by themselves, and even Scorpius Malfoy seemed a bit more subdued during dueling practice on Thursday.

All five prisoners still remained at large on Friday, when Ministry functionary began arriving for the argument. Laurentis still had yet to comment on the break-out, which struck Albus as strange. Azkaban was her district and yet she said nothing on the subject.

"Is it just me or are there even more reporters here than there were hold out time ?"Albus asked.

"It 's not just you,"Amanda said.

Albus, Matt, toilet, and Amanda were walking back to the castle from Care of Magical creature. It was retard going since the full-of-the-moon moon was that night and Matt was exhausted, but luckily the weather was unseasonably quick for January. They 'd just been passed by a group of hurry looking reporters coming up from Hogsmeade.

"There 's probably more because of the break-out,"Matt said."Laurentis is going to have to finally say something about it tomorrow since the topic is Azkaban."

"doe anyone else think it 's weird that there was a break-out three days before the Azkaban argumentation ?"Albus asked.

"I thought of that, too,"Amanda said."Very uncanny coincidence."

"Well, it 'll be good for your uncle,"John the Evangelist said."Laurentis is going to attend like an half-wit, not being able to keep five high security measure captive in Azkaban."

Albus nodded. He supposed that was one upright thing that came from three Death eater escaping from Azkaban, not that there was anything respectable about it.

"I 'm skipping magical spell,"matte said through a yawning."And Ancient Runes."

"I 'm surprised you did n't skip Care of Magical Creatures,"whoremonger said.

Matt shrugged."I felt okay earlier, probably because of the nap I took in chronicle of Magic."

Saint John laughed."I felt much better after my nap in History of Magic, too."

"Very funny,"mat said as they reached the castling.

Albus found it increasingly difficult to condense on anything for the rest of the day. By the prison term he went to Ancient Runes he was unable to think about anything besides the break-out and the fact that Death Eaters were now roaming free. Deep down he knew he was perfectly safety at Hogwarts, but it was still troubling.

Professor Kendrick welcomed the Ministry officials to Hogwarts at dinner that nighttime and Albus thought back to the last debate, when Hogwarts had housed the Ministry officials. He was very glad that this time he would n't be confessing to a prank to his uncle in the Gryffindor vulgar room. Neither John or Kaden had done their revenge prank to the Slytherins yet and Albus sort of hoped they would n't.

After a fitful sleep Albus woke early on Saturday morning and contemplated visiting matte before everyone else woke up, but figured that Matt would be asleep and thus it would be pointless to chaffer. He 'd visit with everyone else later, after the debate. They 'd have tidy sum of metre sine there was n't going to be a interrogation and answer session this time.

At ten o'clock Albus, rose, and Amanda stood in line in strawman of the Great Asaph Hall, waiting to be let inside. whoremaster had decided not to bother asking if he could take lusterlessness 's stead, since he did n't want to appeal any attention to the fact that Matt was not there.

"Albus,"Rose whispered, poking him in the side."facial expression. Malfoy 's here."

Albus glanced over to where rose wine was pointing and saw that Scorpius was in fact waiting in bloodline. He looked sullen and overthrow again and Albus wished he knew why. It was Wyrd seeing Malfoy, the usually arrogant prick, upset.

"Guess he won the Slytherin blot,"Albus said.

The doorway to the Great Hall opened and Albus and rose said good day to Amanda before they were lead to the front of the room by a Slytherin prefect. They were seated in the Saami row they were before, along with the rest of their Hogwarts full cousin.

The Great Hall slowly filled up over the future half minute. The rest of Albus 's first cousin, aunts, and uncles arrived, taking spots in the figurehead few words. Albus caught Peach State 's eye as she took her seat in the row on the diametric side of the room from him and she gave him a fragile smiling.

Albus wondered if Laurentis 's campaign manager had actually found anything on Uncle Walker Percy and whether she would say anything during the public debate. With the break-out, he hoped she 'd been too busy to dig up much dirt or even think about exposing anything.

Albus turned to the battlefront of the elbow room and watched a very brusque man accompany professor Kendrick to the moderator 's dais. He was dressed in Ministry blueing robes and had very little haircloth on his head.

"Attention, please !"Kendrick shouted. The crowd quieted."Thank you. I 'd like to welcome all of you to Hogwarts and introduce our moderator for this morning. Victor Farleigh, point of the Department of Magical Transportation."

"Thank you, professor,"the short-circuit, balding man said."I 'd now like to introduce our candidates, although I am sure you all know them. Mr. Percy Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

Percy and Laurentis walked into the room from one of the antechambers and took their piazza at each of the stump. Hotspur looked as confident as always and Laurentis, despite the scandal of the break-out, looked poised and excited.

"Today we will be debating the juridical system, specifically Azkaban prison,"Farleigh announced."The usual prescript apply. Five minute arguments, two moment rebuttals."

Laurentis inched closer to her podium, as if she was readying herself to pounce on whatever Percy said. Percy remained tranquillise and collected, continuing to work the character of the cool pol.

"Mr. Weasley, you will respond first. Do you sense that the judicial organisation as a whole is fair to both the accused and victims of crimes ? Are the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot funfair ?"

"I believe everyone is able to get a fair test by the Wizengamot,"Harry Hotspur began."I have reviewed many face, and while I am not nor do I pretend to be a solicitor, and I feel that the majority of the sentence handed out by the Wizengamot fit the law-breaking. However, there is always a hazard that a person guilty of a crime will go free, as there is an equal chance that mortal will be wrongfully imprisoned. The discriminative system of rules works hard to take a crap sure this happens as infrequently as possible and corrects wrongs when they do occur."

"Ms. Laurentis ?"

"I disagree with my resister,"Laurentis said."Most of the time handed out by the Wizengamot are not harsh enough. Ever since the defeat of Voldemort prison house sentences have grown shorter, with the exclusion of those imprisoned for war crimes. And one shamefaced person who roams free is too many. If I am elective minister of religion I will work hard to ensure that no guilty people get off. Prisoners belong in Azkaban and the Wizengamot is far too lenient."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"While a goal of not having any shamed people get set free is worthy, it is unrealistic,"Percy said."The Wizengamot is composed of crone and hotshot like you and me. They are not any more potent than we are and do not have the ability to know for certain that the accused are guilty. misunderstanding come about and while we should work to understate them, it is very unrealistic to say that we can get rid of them completely. Ms. Laurentis is offering false hope."

"I am not offering false Leslie Townes Hope,"Laurentis said."There are magical spell, potions, ways to incur out if people are hangdog that the Wizengamot does not use. If I am elected Minister I will O.K. use of these and they will help the Wizengamot in ensuring that no hangdog malefactor are set free."

Albus agreed with his uncle. There was no possible way Laurentis could assure that all crook would be imprisoned.

"Next motion,"Farleigh said."Ms. Laurentis, you will go first. Do you feel the watchword system is effective ?"

Laurentis gave a wry grin before beginning."Much like the Wizengamot, the watchword system is too soft. I have seen outlaw shamefaced of grand larceny get paroled after a mere two yr in prison. The statistics are shed light on, most of these felon who are paroled early on in their time wind up back in Azkaban within a yr, whether for breaking the principle of their word or committing another crime. As head of Azkaban, I am able to leave my input of whether a captive is paroled or not, but in the end it is up to the Wizengamot."

"Mr. Weasley."

"As my resister has said, many felon are paroled too quickly. However, I do not believe that leaving them in Azkaban thirster is the solution. If I am elected I will create and support a effective system for integrating crook back into society. Muggles have seen winner with halfway houses and I feel we should try that in wizarding society."

"Halfway houses ?"Laurentis said with raised eyebrows."An fascinate idea. However, Mr. Weasley lacks the experience that I have with dealing with prisoner. Most are not fit for society and many never will be. Even with halfway houses they will wind up back in Azkaban. Why spend the money on trying to rehabilitate when it wo n't process ?"

"It 's about giving people a chance,"Harry Hotspur said."Not everyone is a lost cause and should be written off so quickly. Many captive have made a few bad alternative as a effect of bad childhoods and a bit of renewal will set them straight."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh said."Next question. Is Azkaban an reserve place to house prisoners ? Is the facility still doing its job ?"

Percy shifted a bit before answering."Azkaban is an earmark facility for high security prisoner, but I have always felt that we need a less intimidate construction to house our take down security prisoners. Right now all criminal, from those who committed petty theft or skipped bail bond to those who have murdered the great unwashed, are all housed in Azkaban. I have been to Azkaban. Despite the fact that it is no longer in ascendance of the dementors it is still a terrifying and high protection lieu. It also requires a lot of money for its upkeep. If we were to work up a lowly edifice located on the mainland to firm lower security measure prisoners, we would be able to decrease spending at Azkaban itself. We could then increase security at Azkaban without wasting campaign and money on less dangerous criminals."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"How is building another facility going to bring through money ?"Laurentis asked."Once again you show your ignorance in the juridic arrangement and Azkaban. I believe that Azkaban is doing its job perfectly well. I am in commission of the prison house, including its upkeep and it is in consummate condition. We are not spending an unconscionable amount of money on the place. Further, I do not believe that LE dangerous criminals deserve a down security prison house. They are all criminals and if they did not care to be in Azkaban, they should not have committed a crime."

"Maintaining Azkaban is expensive,"Hotspur said."It is also extremely difficult to hire guards because of its localisation and general feeling of the place, not to mention the grave crook. If we housed less grievous outlaw in another construction, it would be easy to encounter guards to exploit there. We could then use the sentry duty willing to guard gamey security measure prisoner only to ward high security prisoners. We would no longer have to waste them on lower security prisoners."

"But we will still possess to wield Azkaban, and then another building,"Laurentis pointed out."It just makes far Thomas More mother wit to keep all criminals in one piazza and an island is a good place to do that-"

"Obviously not that goodness, given the escape-"

"Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh interrupted."You are speaking out of turn. It is time to move on to the next question. In light of the recent Azkaban break-out, what do you feel needs to be done to ensure it does not occur again ?"

Laurentis gazed out over the gang. Albus felt like she was looking directly at him, but assumed she just had that ability to seem to be looking every person in the eye at once. She then turned to Sir Henry Percy and gave him one of those creepy smiling that seemed to birth become her signature tune facial locution. Albus turned to Rose, who raised her brow and shrugged.

"I am well aware that I have remained quiet on the topic of the break-out,"Laurentis began,"and I have done that on purpose. I see that all of the reporters in the back have their Quik-Quotes quill feather poised and cook to publish down my every word on this field. Surely you 're all hoping to be the first to publish my thoughts.

"You 're probably all assuming I will deny that there is anything wrong with the security at the prison and that the break-out was a mere fluke and it wo n't pass again. I am not going to say either. There is a problem and if we do not fix it, it will happen again. Every single one of those escaped captive is highly unsafe and if we do not retake them soon, who knows what will go on. When they are captured, we will necessitate to take better surety in place. After all, what is more important that the safety of our minor ? With those five captive roaming innocent, every mortal in this way, in this castle, in this country is in danger.

"Fortunately, I have a solution. It is a controversial solution, but I feel we need to go to extremes to protect our families, especially our children. That is why if elected Minister, the first off thing I will do is reinstate the dementors as Azkaban guards."


Sorry about the cliff hanger ! I did n't want to do it but the chapter was twice as long as they normally are and there really was n't a good place to split it. Thanks for all the pin-up critique !


Albus let out a pant, as did everyone else in the room. The Great Granville Stanley Hall was suddenly in bedlam. Everyone was whispering and a few hoi polloi had let out cries of outrage or fervour. Albus could practically hear the reporters'quills scratching across pealing of lambskin, and Laurentis was grinning again. Percy stood behind his podium, his sassing seeming to be frozen in a all-inclusive, goggle positioning. Farleigh was attempting to gain Holy Order, and failing.

"That is literally mad !"Rose exclaimed."Reinstate the dementors ? Is she mad ? Is she throwing the election ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."But she must be mad. Will people actually sanction of this ? Will she even be able to do it ?"

Rose nodded."Whoever she gets to replace herself as school principal of Azkaban will surely want the dementors back, too. Then she 'll O.K. it as Minister and it 'll pass."

"But it would be stupid to bring them back,"Albus said.

"It would,"Rose agreed."They 're dangerous and their commitment changes so easily. But to be honest, I 'm not sure everyone will feel that way. Not with those prisoners on the loose."

"Quiet, quiet down !"prof Kendrick shouted. The gang finally settled down.

"Mr. Weasley, it is your turn of events to speak,"Farleigh said exasperatingly.

Percy shook his headspring to regain his composure. He 'd lost his cool, calm, and collected politico look and now he looked more like he did after arguing with GA about her Quidditch career.

"well, I, er, do not believe that dementors are the solvent to the security department problem in Azkaban,"Sir Henry Percy said."What we need are more skilled guards in thrill of highschool certificate captive as well as a revamp of the charm and enchantments currently keeping prisoner inside. It will also help to go over the organization of the guard docket because at the time of the escape, only three safety device were maintaining that part of the prison house. That was surely an supervising that could have been prevented."

"Human wrongdoing,"Laurentis said."It happens and it will happen again. Can we really risk the lives of our children in the chance that another error will take place ? Dementors were raise guards who did not tolerate prisoners to escape. During their reign in Azkaban, before their allegiance changed, only one person managed to escape. Since their remotion we have had numerous escapes."

"Clear evidence that we need to revamp prison security system,"Sir Henry Percy said."But dementors are not the answer. They are grave animal and as you said, their allegiance changed. What 's to say that wo n't happen again if, God forbid, another Voldemort were to rise to top executive ? If anyone offered those dementors a considerably deal than we did they 'd take in a whole prison of dangerous criminal at their disposal to do their bidding. It 's not Charles Frederick Worth the risk."

"Another Voldemort is not going to turn out to ability,"Laurentis said with a jape."We have learned from our account and it wo n't materialize again."

"You ca n't vouch that,"Percy said."Even if there is a very small-scale chance of it happening, it is not Charles Frederick Worth risking having dementors guard Azkaban."

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Laurentis,"Farleigh said."It is time to proceed on-"

"You are talking about a hypothetical !"Laurentis exclaimed, throwing her handwriting up in the air."I am talking about what is happening now ! Five dangerous criminals have escaped, four of whom were on Voldemort 's side during the war, and are out there, wreaking havoc as we speak. If the dementors were guarding Azkaban this never would have happened."

"Now look who 's talking hypotheticals !"Hotspur shouted back, ignoring Farleigh 's vain effort to get both candidates to stop talking."For all we know they would 've escaped anyway !"

Laurentis let out a oceanic abyss jape."Five prisoner leak when the dementors are allied with the Ministry ? That 's laughable. Only one somebody was capable to do that and it was because he was an Animagus. None of the prisoner are Animagi. We test for that before admitting anyone to the prison."

"Be that as it may, dementors are dangerous magical creatures. Not to mention the ethics of subjecting prisoners to their effects-"

"prisoner have no rights,"Laurentis said."They give up their rights when they commit crimes-"

"Basic human rightfulness !"Percy exclaimed."There are canonical human rightfulness that everyone deserves ! Talk about learning from our history. account tells us what happens when somebody believes they are above others. Or do you not remember the sovereignty of Voldemort ?"

"I lost my mother to that war !"Laurentis said."Do n't you enjoin me that I do n't commemorate it."

Albus was on the border of his ass. His uncle was so red in the face that he was starting to wrick purple and resemble Kaden 's grandfather. Laurentis 's whisker was breaking liberal from its slopped bun and there was a vein popping out in her frontal bone. Farleigh was still trying to get both candidates to quit talking and failing miserably, while every other person in the Great Hall sat completely still, staring at Hotspur and Laurentis.

"Silence !"prof Kendrick shouted in a magically expand voice.

Both Percy and Laurentis immediately quieted. The vein on Laurentis 's forehead continued to thrill, and Percy still looked like an overripe tomato.

"I think we 've run out of time,"Farleigh said, in a part barely more than a narrow escape."Thank you all for coming."

"Students, please return to your mutual rooms,"Kendrick announced."lunch will be in an hour. As a reminder, there is no doubtfulness and solvent session today."

The whispering rose up immediately after Kendrick stopped speaking and since everyone was whispering the stochasticity layer rose very high. Albus, Rose, and Amanda joined the waiting line of hoi polloi ambling to leave the Great Hall, and without even talking about it, went immediately to the Marauder 's Den, where they found John Lackland and Kaden.

"What the bloody Hell is she trying to do ?"John asked as soon as Albus shut the room access.

"She 's lost her intellect !"rosebush shouted as she began pacing around the elbow room."She has legitimately lost her mind. That 's the just explanation."

"well there 's no way she 'll win now,"Albus pointed out."Dementors ?"

"It 's a bit convenient, do n't you think ?"Rose asked."This break-out happens and then she announces she wants the dementors back ? It did n't fathom like a design she 'd just come up with."

"We 've got to find out if she 's tried to get them back before,"Albus said."If she has it 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow."

"Dementors ..."Kaden murmured."They 're what sucked all the happiness out of us when we were in Australia last twelvemonth, right ?"

Albus nodded."They 're awful creatures."

"And they used to guard the prison house ?"Amanda asked incredulously."That 's just wrong."

"It is,"Rose said darkly."That 's why after Voldemort they stopped using them as guards. That and all the dementors changed allegiance and let death Eaters escape."

"Would they even come back, though ?"Kaden asked."I mean, if they switched commitment so easily ...."

"They 'll go wherever they 're offered the most humanity to feed off of."rose wine shuddered."Voldemort offered them far more than even Azkaban could offer. But right now they do n't have a good germ. They just travel around, feeding. They 'll guard if given the opportunity."

"Should n't multitude be against it ?"Amanda asked."It 's so ethically wrong."

"That 's why it was dim of her to announce it,"Albus pointed out.

"She would n't announce anything if she did n't conceive it would get her voter turnout,"Rose said."Most people our parents'age and older, who lost loved ones in the war, will throw absolutely no understanding for Death Eaters and would n't manage if the dementors were brought back, especially if Laurentis could then guarantee no one would escape."

Albus had n't thought of that and apparently no one else did, either, because the elbow room grew calm. Albus sank onto one of the couches and started counting the identification number of Bertie Bott 's Every-Flavor Beans that were scattered on the story. He got to xxiii before anyone said anything.

"I wonder what Malfoy thinks of all this,"John mused."Was n't his dad a Death feeder ? So he should n't want the dementors back in Azkaban, but the way he was talking in the Three Broomsticks a while back made it seem like he 's very against your uncle."

"Of track he 's against my uncle,"Albus said."His wholly family dislikes my completely family and it goes the early way, too. But his dad was never found guilty of his crime so he never did metre in Azkaban."

"Surely his dad 's got champion there,"John the Evangelist said.

Albus shrugged."Probably."To be honest, he did n't really manage what Malfoy thought about Laurentis and Uncle Percy.

"We should go to lunch and then visit Matt,"Rose said."taking into custody him up on all this."

Albus had completely forgotten that Matt was still in the hospital wing, in the midst of Laurentis 's promulgation. He felt vaguely guilty about it, but at least Rose had remembered.

Everyone gathered for lunch in the Great Marguerite Radclyffe Hall was talking about Laurentis 's desire to bring back the dementors. Percy, Laurentis, and the Ministry functionary were still there, having lunch with the professors at the staff table, and all were thick in discourse. Albus would 've loved to be able-bodied to mind in on their conversations, but wearing the invisibleness Cloak in the crowded Great manse was n't a unspoiled idea.

"Better get used to the estimation of your dad being Minister,"one of the seventh yr was saying to Thomas Bradley."No one 's going to vote for Laurentis now."

Bradley muttered something under his breath that Albus could n't hear. Albus took a nates a few citizenry down from his cousin and began to make a sandwich.

"She 's got my unit family 's votes now,"one of the other seventh long time said."Both of my grandparents were killed by Fenrir Greyback. If the dementors will enamour him and prevent him in there forever, it 'd bring in all of us sleep better."

There were a few nods from other sometime pupil sitting nearby. Albus was slightly shocked. If this many educatee approved of her idea, a lot of adult probably did, too. And these were seventh age ; they could vote.

"Wait, the dementors find outlaw, too ?"Kaden asked."I thought that 's what Aurors did."

"Only the really dread escaped prisoners,"Albus said."My dad 's Godfather, Sirius, when he escaped, the dementors were given permit to give him the Dementor 's Kiss if they caught him."

"What 's the Dementor 's Kiss ?"Amanda asked.

Albus shuddered."It 's where they suck out individual 's soul."

"And they die ?"Amanda asked quietly.

Albus shook his head."No, they live without a individual. Everyone says it 's worse than dying."

"And they were going to do that to Sirius ?"Kaden replied.

Albus nodded."He was the inaugural to get off Azkaban. He 's the one Laurentis was talking about and at the sentence everyone thought he murdered long dozen Muggles and gave my grandparents up to Voldemort."

"That 's absolutely horrible !"Amanda exclaimed. She turned to the few one-sixth and seventh long time who had said they 'd vote for Laurentis."How can you wish well that on individual ?"

"If your grandparents were murdered by end Eaters you would, too,"one of the young lady snapped.

"Albus 's grandparents were murdered by Voldemort and he does n't need the dementors back at Azkaban,"Amanda pointed out.

"Well, Voldemort 's perfectly,"the lady friend said."Maybe if Greyback were dead I 'd palpate differently. But he 's not so I want the dementors back."

"I do n't believe she 's going to fall back as easily as we thought,"Amanda said quietly.

"Of course of action she 's not,"blush wine said."This is probably better for votes than digging up dirt on Uncle Percy."

"It 's absolutely uncivilized,"Amanda said, shoving her plate forward."Sucking out individual 's soul ? And they just suck up your well-chosen retention out ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered, thinking back to the former June. He shuddered."You 're forced to live over your tough memories."

"That 's all you can think about ?"Amanda asked."Just the bad ones ?"

Albus nodded."My dad said it makes you go mad after a while."

"Of form it does !"Amanda shouted."That 's just not right ! Are you lot done eating yet ? I ca n't sit here anymore."

Albus was surprised Amanda had had such a strong reaction to the dementors, but he supposed coming from the Muggle earthly concern, where she had n't even known such creatures existed, it would be a bit of a electrical shock. He was even more surprised that she 'd nearly gotten into a shouting catch with a 7th year over them, when she was normally so quiet.

"I 'm done,"Rose said.

"Me, too,"Albus said as he got up.

John and Kaden each grabbed the remaining half of their sandwiches and followed the others out of the Great student residence. Amanda lead the way, stomping her pes a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

"It 's just amiss on so many floor !"she said as she led them to the Hospital extension."It 's agony, honestly. That 's what it is. aroused agony. Ca n't they just be killed off or something ?"

"They do n't die,"rosebush said."They ca n't. They just variety of ... exist. Once my mum gets watchword of this, well, she 's not going to outride quiet."

"And she should n't,"Amanda said."Can she check Laurentis ?"

"Not if Laurentis is government minister,"Rose answered."Right now Mum 's the elder helper of Magical Law Enforcement, so if Laurentis tried to get this to pass now, my mum could help terminate it. But minister Hartwell would never put something like this through."

"They 're foul creatures,"Amanda continued."Having them sentry go anything or anyone is a horrific idea."

Albus decided now would not be a good time to tell Amanda that when his dad was a thirdly twelvemonth Hogwarts was guarded by dementors.

"A dementor went after my dad once,"Kaden announced as they continued to the Hospital backstage."Albus 's dad saved him with a Patronus. Then he nearly got expelled for doing underage magic in the presence of a Muggle."

"You 're kidding,"Amanda said."God, the Ministry really was screwed up when your parents were at Hogwarts. This is the kind of thing Embry should be using as examples."

"I doubt it 's a long-familiar fact,"Albus said."That the famous Harry Potter nearly got expelled."

"It 's a life-threatening example of shabbiness,"Amanda said.

"You sound just like my mum,"blush wine said."It 's creepy. Does n't she ?"

Albus agreed."You do sound just like her mum."

"Your mum has the right hand idea,"Amanda said as they reached the Hospital Wing.

Matt was the only patient in the Montgomery Ward. The curtains were n't drawn around his bed and he was sitting up and eating a sports stadium of soup, which was a good sign. brothel keeper Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, working on charts, and muttering to herself about something.

"Hey, how are you feeling ?"Albus asked when they got to his bed.

"Fine,"Matt said."Three cracked rib and a lot of nasty slash, but I 'm fine. Listen, I heard the debate. Madam Pomfrey had it on on the radio set. How insane is Laurentis ? ! You should have heard gentlewoman Pomfrey ranting about her earlier."

"You 're not to repeat what you heard,"brothel keeper Pomfrey said."But Albus and Rose, you can severalize your uncle that he 's got my vote. Always thought he was a small overblown when he was at Hogwarts but at least he 's not dumb enough to employ dementors as guards of Azkaban."

"Amanda 's on a rampage,"Albus said.

"It 's kind of funny,"whoremaster added.

"It is not funny !"Amanda exclaimed."It 's serious."

"It 's just that you 're so placid, but you got into it with that one-seventh year."

"I did not get into it with a seventh yr !"Amanda shouted and turned to Matt."privy 's exaggerating. She announced that she and her sept were all going to vote for Laurentis because her grandparents were killed by Greyback and she wants to make sure he stays in prison."

Matt toyed with his mantle and did n't meet Amanda 's eye.

"What ?"she asked."Do n't tell me you want the dementors in Azkaban."

"I do n't,"mat said quickly."It 's not that. It 's the unscathed Greyback thing, I can screen out of see where she 's coming from. It 's got to be scary, knowing he 's out there when he killed her grandparents .... I mean, I guess I 've always been form of lucky. The bloke who bit me is in prison and has been since he bit me."

Albus had never heard mat talking about the lycanthrope who bit him, except for mentioning that he 's in prison.

"He gets out next year,"Matt said quietly."He can get paroled."

"Do you fuck much about him ?"Albus asked.

"Just his epithet and how old he was,"Matt said."My parents know a bit more but they 've never told me and I 've never asked."

"Is the Australian prison guarded by dementors ?"Amanda asked.

mat shook his head."No, and it never has been. And I do n't retrieve prison should be guarded by dementors. But Johnny Reb ... he 's chilling. He 's unfit than Silas Humphrey, that was the blighter who bit me. Humphrey 's onset on me, that was an accident. Greyback bit masses on function. He 'd sting people and then raise them in his pack. That 's why he liked going for kids. Teddy 's dad ... Greyback bit him and tried to get his parents to give him up. They did n't, of course, but a lot of parents did."

Albus swallowed hard. He had n't known that about shimmy 's dad and was n't even indisputable if Teddy knew that. Teddy 's dad 's parents died long before chemise was born and Albus doubted his grandmother knew that.

"How 'd you discover that out ?"Albus asked.

"When we first moved here Amy learned about teddy bear 's dad when she was catching up on British people chronicle of Magic. She told me all about him and how successful he wound up being just to make me feel better. But then I decided to research other loup-garou and found out about Calidris canutus in one of my dad 's books. It talked about his whole thing with biting child. It never said slip 's dad specifically was one of those kids but I figured he must 've been."

"That 's horrible,"Albus said quietly. The others nodded.

"He had a whole pack of werewolves to do his bidding,"Matt said."And now he 's out. What if he wants to do that again ?"

"Bite citizenry and make a pack ?"Albus asked.

Matt nodded."That or feel people who 've already been bitten."

Albus saw where this was going now."He 's not going to determine you. Hogwarts is safe."

"That 's what everyone always says, but the past few years it really has n't. Remember last year ?"

"Technically we were n't in the castle when we got taken to Australia. We were in the Floo. So if we just detain in the castle ..."Albus pointed out.

"It 's still not a guarantee,"lustrelessness said."I wonder how many people he bit last night."

Albus did n't answer. There was no way of knowing what Fenrir Calidris canutus did during the total moonlight, just like there was no way to insure that Hogwarts would be safe. All Albus and his friends could do was hope that it would be secure and that the escaped Death eater would be recaptured soon. Albus still thought having dementors guard Azkaban was an absolutely painful idea, but after listening to Matt talk about Silas Humphrey and Fenrir Reb, he form of understood why some hoi polloi might want the dementors back at Azkaban and thus vote for Laurentis. She might even get elected just because of this. And that, when it came down to it, was what scared Albus the most.


A/N : No cliffhanger this time ! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews ! If you like Marauder era, please check out my newest novel, Between Here and Somewhere !


"I guess Laurentis has been trying to get the dementors reinstated in Azkaban for eld,"Albus said the travel along morning at breakfast, as he set down a copy of the Prophet.

The clause on the debate had been a farsighted one, taking up nearly the entire movement page. It featured a photograph of Percy and Laurentis arguing with each former, and Albus was able to see his uncle 's font turning steadily more over-embellished, despite the fact that the picture was in black and albumen. The article that followed detailed Laurentis 's apparently years-long campaign to impart the dementors back. She had put the proposition up for right to vote four times and it was shot down by rector Hartwell each prison term.

"Of course of action he shot it down,"Rose said after skimming the clause."It 's a stupid musical theme. Oh, look, they 've quoted my mum. I 'll interpret it. 'Hermione Weasley, elder supporter of Magical Law Enforcement, when asked about Laurentis 's marriage proposal, said, 'It 's absolutely barbaric. Everybody, including prisoners, have basic man rights that can not be broken. I thought we 'd moved past the sidereal day when the Ministry sanctioned emotional abuse of its captive and the thought that a fair sex running for curate is proposing this is quite frankly horrifying. It is my solemn hope that the hoi polloi of wizarding UK will guess long and concentrated about the effects this will have, not only on prisoner, but on our society as well, before they cast their votes in Apr. ''"

"Always one to speak her mind, your mum,"Albus said.

"I could n't concur More,"Amanda replied."Although if Laurentis wins I bet she gets sacked."

"She ca n't,"Rose said."Her job is n't appointed solely by the curate. If she were head of the department, then yes, but she is n't head yet. It 's confusing."

"goodness,"Amanda said."We 'll need some sane hoi polloi in there if Laurentis is elected."

"What are you lot doing today ?"John asked, steering the conversation away from the election."Kaden and I are going to spend the day plotting our new prank."

"I do n't want to know,"Rose said, holding up her hired hand."I 'm probably going to go to the library."

"I 'll go with you,"Amanda said."I want to research dementors and their use in Azkaban."

"Quidditch practice session,"Albus replied."All day. We 've got to get ready for the mates on Sabbatum against Ravenclaw. After the last peer, we 've got to make sure enough we we win by a decent amount of full stop if we 're going to coup d'etat Slytherin 's billet for the Cup."

"Oh yeah,"Kaden said."Whatever happened with that Olivia little girl ? She had a immense crush on James, did n't she ?"

Albus laughed."I 've no idea."

"She sent James a box of chocolates for Yuletide,"Cedric, who had been sitting next to Albus, whispered."But you did n't get wind that from me."

"I was there when he opened his presents,"Albus said.

"She gave them to him before we went home for the holiday,"Cedric explained."She hijacked our thestral pushchair and injure up riding to the wagon train with us."

"How awkward was that ?"Albus asked, still giggling.

"Very,"Cedric said as he glanced over his shoulder."She stared at him the whole time."

"Creepy,"Albus said.

"Shh,"Cedric said."He 's coming over."

"I think I 'm going to go visit Matt before Quidditch practice,"Albus said."I 'll see you later ?"

"Sure,"Rose said."You know where to find me."

"And us !"Saint John announced."Marauder 's Den. prank planning."

"I do n't want to be involved,"Albus said as he got up.

John shrugged."wooing yourself."

Albus hurried up to the hospital flank and managed to get inside without Madam Pomfrey noticing, although the nurse would n't have minded him being there. But she was very preoccupied with two students who had somehow fused their go forth weapons system together. lusterlessness was already awake and much cheerier than he had been the previous day, when talking about grayback. He was pretty for certain Madam Pomfrey was going to let him out that nighttime, so they agreed to meet in the Marauder 's Den just before dinner.

Quidditch practice session went very well and Albus was fairly certain they would beat Ravenclaw on Saturday. No one mentioned the election or Laurentis 's wanting to institute back the dementors, which was a sure enough sign that thing were getting back to normal at Hogwarts. Albus spent the relief of the day in the marauder 's Den working on his preparation with flatness while trying to void hearing any component part of John and Kaden 's new prank.

The week went by quickly since Albus spent every here and now he was n't in family on the Quidditch tar. But the weather remained decent so it was pleasurable. The only day Albus was n't on the pitch was Thursday, when he had dueling practice.

"When 's the future tournament ?"Amanda asked as she and Albus walked into the Transfiguration schoolroom, where they were were scheduled to practice. heather was there to supervise, sitting in a corner. A few of the team members were there already, including Malfoy.

"Weekend after this one,"Albus said."I think we 'll do well."Albus glanced over to Malfoy, expecting some sort of snarky comeback from him. But he was n't even paying attention. Instead he was hunched over a long objet d'art of parchment."marvel what he 's doing ?"

Amanda shrugged."go minute prep ?"

Suddenly, Malfoy sat up straight and crumpled the opus of parchment. He shoved it into his pocket and stood up, staring at Albus as he did so. He looked lowering and averted his eyes after only a few seconds.

"I do n't think that 's homework,"Albus said.

"Wyrd,"Amanda said.

"Very,"Albus agreed."Let 's get started ! I think we should recitation blocking."He took a squint-eyed glance at Malfoy, expecting him to barrack and claim that they already knew how to block, but instead Malfoy just turned to the student nearest to him and began to do as Albus said. What was even weirder was that the student he partnered with was a second year Hufflepuff. Albus blinked to relieve oneself sure he was n't seeing things and then began shooting trance at Amanda while she blocked them.

The practice session academic term got stranger as the night went on, in terms of Malfoy 's behavior. Not once did he second guess what Albus said and he did n't say one give-and-take to anyone that was n't directly related to dueling. Calluna vulgaris raised her eyebrows at Albus on numerous occasions since she had supervised Albus 's praxis before and get it on how much Malfoy usually tried to be the captain. He ran out of the room as soon as the practice was over, looking vaguely upset, as he had at the disputation.

"That was the strangest matter ever,"Amanda said as she and Albus walked back to the Gryffindor commons room."And I witnessed my comrade attempt to brew a potion this retiring summer and drink it, thinking that it would turn him into a wizard."

Albus burst out laughing."Was he really disappointed that he did n't get a Hogwarts letter ?"

Amanda nodded."I never thought he would but did n't separate him that. But do you have any theme why Malfoy did n't argue with you tonight ?"

"I 've no idea,"Albus said."But I really hope he stays this way."

"I bet it had something to do with whatever he was reading when we walked in."

"I wonder what it was."

Amanda shrugged."No approximation, but I wish I did. It 's just so odd."

"Whatever it is, I hope it keeps him like this during next week 's tournament."

"Albus ! What if it 's something really awful ?"Amanda asked.

Albus had n't thought about that."Well, we do n't do it that it is, so I do n't have to think about it."

"Albus, I doubt anything good would make Malfoy shut out up like that,"Amanda reasoned."I 'm just saying, it might be something awful."
***


Gryffindor 's tendency to play Quidditch during really bad weather came up in full force on Sat, when the unseasonably warm temperatures decided to desert Hogwarts. In its place were freezing low temperature temperatures and a howling snow storm that probably should have resulted in the equal being canceled. But since Hogwarts never canceled Quidditch, Albus was preparing himself for a miserable lucifer. He wished they could have nice weather condition, like they had when they played Slytherin in November.

The last meter Albus had played in a storm this bad he 'd been in his second year and hurt up in the infirmary flank with the flu afterward. He certainly did not need a repeat of that so he was hoping that James IV would catch the Snitch sooner rather than later.

"Fred, this is unbalanced,"Ryan said as they stood in the doorway of the changing rooms, waiting for the match to begin."There is literally no way to see the canary in this."

"There 's nothing I can do about it,"Fred snapped. Everyone could tell he was stressed about this match, since they 'd lost to Slytherin."We have to play unless Kendrick calls it off."

Ryan was rightfield. Albus stared out onto the pitch and all he saw was white. The nose candy was swirling and blowing and Albus could n't tell if More snow was actually falling or if it was all just getting blown around. But either way, finding a fink in it was going to be approach impossible.

"I 'll captivate it,"James said confidently."Do n't worry."

"We 're not going to be capable to hear the commentary,"Fred said."Just bewitch it as soon as you can. Do n't vex about catching it after we 're up a sure number of points. We just need a win at this point."

There was a very thudding, tranquility roar of applause and Fred led the team out onto the auction pitch. The globe were released and Albus flew up into the raging storm. Soon, he did n't know which way was up or down, let alone where the Quaffle was. After about ten mo of meandering around the pitch, not knowing where he was going, the Quaffle suddenly appeared. Albus caught it, but had no mind where the end posts were.

Albus flew flat ahead, hoping it was in the right focal point, but instead of reaching the goal posts, he reached the rack. Groaning, he turned and headed toward the goal posts. At least he now knew where they were. He managed to make, mostly because Ravenclaw 's steward did n't see him.

The match continued in bedlam, with no one knowing where anyone else was. Albus did n't see a ace Bludger the entirely time and assumed the Beaters were just trying to keep lead of them rather than trying to get them to hit the opposite team 's players. Fred had been right about the commentary ; Albus could n't hear a discussion of it.

It felt like he was playing a catch by himself. The solitary other role player he saw were the Ravenclaw searcher, Fred, and heather mixture. They had given up chasing as a squad and instead, when one of them got the Quaffle, they flew it down to the goal posts as good they could.

"Albus, Albus !"someone shouted.

Albus turned and squinted, but he could n't make out anyone flying near him.

"Albus !"

Albus continued flying in a rope trying to figure out who it was. He did n't even agnize their voice, but it could have been distorted by the wind. Finally, he began to make out a figure flying toward him. It was Heather.

"Albus !"she shouted once she reached him."The match has been canceled. We 're all to refund to our common room right now."

Albus nodded, figuring that Kendrick finally came to his senses. It was just impossible to play a good game of Quidditch in a violent storm like this.

When Albus and Heather finally reached the changing room they found the eternal rest of the squad sitting in their wet Quidditch robes, their faces pale. Albus noticed that even Calluna vulgaris looked slightly afraid.

"What 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"You were flying so high, you probably did n't hear,"Fred said as Albus sat down."The match was n't canceled because of the weather."

"But it 's so bad out there,"Albus said."That compeer was pointless."

"One of the Ravenclaw first years,"Fred continued, ignoring Albus,"she was late to the match and on her way down she saw-"Fred paused, swallowing operose."She saw Fenrir Limnodromus griseus on the grounds."

"What ?"Albus exclaimed, suddenly feeling nauseous."But it 's so snow-covered. How could she possibly know for certain ?"

"She ca n't, of path,"Fred said."But she went running to professor Longbottom as soon as she reached the delivery and told him. That 's when they canceled the match and sent everyone back to the castle."

As if he heard Fred mention his name, Professor Longbottom walked into the changing room, looking scared himself."I 'm going to escort you all back to the plebeian room. Wands out as we walk."

Albus drew his wand and followed the rest of his teammates out of the changing rooms. They were all silence on the paseo back to the castle since the tempest was still raging. No one would give been able-bodied to learn anything anyone said, even if anyone felt like talking. Albus felt too ill to let the cat out of the bag. The thought of Fenrir Greyback being easy was bad enough, after hearing what matte knew about him, but the thought of him being here, on the Hogwarts terra firma, was too frightful to even think about.

As they walked up to the castle and then up to Gryffindor tugboat Albus kept telling himself that it was fully potential that the Ravenclaw young lady had n't seen Fenrir Reb. She was probably just thinking about the escaped captive and imagined something. Albus had n't even been able to name out his own cousin-german when she 'd been calling his name in this violent storm. What were the fortune of a first year being able to find fault out Fenrir Greyback ?

But still ... what if it had been grayback ? He had to be somewhere, so why not Hogwarts ?

The green way was buzzing with chatter when the team entered a short spell later. Albus avoided everyone, including his friends, until after he went up to his dormitory to take a rain shower. He was shivering and felt awful and did n't want to utter to anyone until after he was in dry clothes.

To his surprisal his friend were all gathered in his dormitory after he got out of the shower bath. Bilius and Ethan were n't there, and the door was shut.

"We ca n't go to the Marauder 's Den,"Matt explained."We 're not allowed to leave our commons suite until advance notice."

"Are they doing an investigating ?"Albus asked as he sat down on his bed."And what exactly happened ? Fred only explained a little before Longbottom came to take us back to the castle."

"It was Weird,"rosebush said."No one really knew what was happening because it was so snow-white and the malarky was so loud. We could n't see the equal, so we were just standing there using a lot of heating appealingness and hoping matter would be over soon. But then we started hearing rustling about Calidris canutus on the yard. Then, probably two mo later, Kendrick magically amplified his voice and told us all that we 're to report back to our common rooms immediately and to take the air back with our baton out and in large groups.

"So then, even though Kendrick never said for sure enough, we knew that individual had seen knot on the curtilage. It was so scarey. Eventually we found out that one of the Ravenclaw first years thought she saw him on her way to the match and told professor Longbottom. But besides that we do n't know much. No one 's told us anything for sure and we 've just been hanging out here and talking."

"But what 's he doing here ?"Kaden asked."And I thought there were Aurors guarding Hogwarts."

"It was planned,"Matt said."Do n't you see ? That violent storm out there is so bad that no one can see three feet in front of them and the wind is so loud no one can get wind anything either. It was the double-dyed day for him to sneak onto the grounds, and if that girl had n't seen him who knows what he would 've done."

"So you think she really saw him ?"Albus asked skeptically."You said it yourself, no one can see anything."

"For all we know he said something to her,"Matt said."No one knows the full story yet."

"But why ?"Kaden asked."Seems really stupid to me. If he escaped he should be hiding out in the peck, not going to Hogwarts where there are Aurors."

"Remember what I said after he escaped ?"Matt asked quietly."This just confirms it. He 's going to try to create his own werewolf army again. He was insane before Azkaban ; imagine how half-baked he is now. They do n't need dementors in prison to relieve oneself people go insane."

"And you think-"

"That he came to try and picture out how to scoop position himself to bite kids during the full moon ?"flatness interrupted."Yeah, I do."

Albus shuddered."That 's sick."

"That 's what he does,"mat said. He looked more worried than everyone else."But what I do n't get is why it seems like he 's trying for Hogwarts Thomas Kid. Last meter he went for really young kids."

"But we do n't even know for indisputable that 's what he 's up to,"John pointed out."I mean it makes gumption, but we still do n't know."

"Still,"Matt said."You have to promise me you wo n't go exterior during the to the full lunation. I do n't want any of you joining me in the Shack."

toilet looked skeptical."There 's former ground why he could be here."

"hope me,"matte repeated, staring directly at John Lackland."It 's not worth the risk."

John shrugged."Yeah, I promise."Everyone else nodded.

"What about the rest of them ?"Amanda asked."Do you think they 're working together ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus began."I 'm sure as shooting the Carrows are together and Umbridge might be with them. But I doubt Willinson and Reb are with them. The Carrows were Death Eaters, but Greyback was n't technically a Death feeder. Voldemort used him, but always thought he was scum because he 's a werewolf. The Carrows probably agreed. And Willinson, he 's got no connection, which is why I 'm still confused as to why he broke out with them."

"For all we know they left the door clear and he followed,"Gospel According to John said with a laugh.

Amanda groaned."Everyone 's got their own cell in high security."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose you 're redress,"Gospel According to John said.

"Two death Eaters, a war malefactor, a werewolf, and Willinson,"Albus said."It 's so random. Why them ?"

"Sounds like the start of a jest,"John said."Two Death eater, a war criminal, a werewolf, and Willinson walk into a pub ...."

Matt groaned."Do n't even go there. I just really hope they catch him before the next full phase of the moon moon. There was n't anything in the prophesier about him biting anyone this last full moon, but I do n't intend he 'd go two Moon without biting. And there 's no way he 'd go on wolf's bane, even if he could get some."

"I wonder where the others are,"Rose mused."You think they 're just hiding out ?"

"They must be,"Albus said."There have n't been any sightings."

There was a knock on the doorway and then it opened. James walked inside and sat down on the end of Albus 's bed.

"Longbottom just came to talk to us,"he said."We 'll be allowed to give the rough-cut room for dinner, but not before that."

"Did they overhear him ?"Matt asked anxiously.

"No,"James said."But, Longbottom said the owner of gentlewoman Puddifoot 's also saw him, so the Ravenclaw girl probably did see him. They 've scoured Hogsmeade and there 's no sign of him, though."

"Are they rescheduling the mate ?"Albus asked.

James nodded."next Saturday. Good thing, too, because I do n't think that one would 've ever ended. Do n't tell Fred, but there 's no way I would 've seen the Snitch."

"One upper side to knot being on the grounds, I guess,"Albus said.

"Lucky he did n't attack that girl,"Matt said as James left."He attacks masses even when he 's not transformed."

"He did that to my uncle Bill,"Albus said.

"Really ?"matt asked.

Albus nodded."At the end of my dad 's 6th class, the night Dumbledore was killed. He does n't transform, but he likes really rare marrow. Like hardly cooked at all meat."

"Eww !"Kaden exclaimed."That 's megascopic. delay, lustrelessness, do you like really rare meat ?"

Matt grinned."Yeah. I hardly ever get it, though. Mum refuses to let me eat it because she thinks it 'll make me ill. And they do n't answer it here."

"My uncle eats it all the meter,"Albus said."aunt Fleur likes her steaks pretty rare, too. So does teddy for that matter."

"I like mine well done,"Kaden said.

"Now that 's what 's pure,"matte replied."I should ask the planetary house elves to puddle me rare steak."

"They probably would,"Rose said."They make you pretty much whatever you want."

"Let 's go tonight,"Matt said."We have n't been down there in ages."

Kaden groaned."So we 're going to own to witness you eating a piece of raw meat ?"

"Not raw,"Matt said."Slightly cooked, bit of bloodline dripping out."

"Oh, receipts !"Kaden shouted."I 'm going back down to the common room."

Albus laughed and matt grinned as Kaden ran out of the way. There was nothing like a trip to the kitchens to get their minds off of Calidris canutus and the other escaped convicts.


A/N : Sorry for the late update ! I totally forgot it was Friday. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews ! Please checker out my Marauders fic, Between Here and Somewhere.


The for the first time year who saw Limnodromus griseus on the grounds became an blink of an eye Hogwarts famous person. By the side by side day her entire tale had spread throughout the student body like wildfire, and every unmarried someone in the castle knew her name. She was Quinn Ugo Buoncompagni, a diminutive missy who looked like she belonged in the Weasley clan with her retentive red hair and spray of freckles across her face. Quinn seemed to be enjoying her newfound fame and always had a crew of the great unwashed around her, asking her to recount the story.

Albus, himself, had heard the taradiddle at least five times. Quinn had been running to the lurch, late, because she 'd spent a one-half hour trying to convert one of her roommates to go to the equal, but in the end her roommate had decided she did n't want to brave the tempest. Quinn then spotted someone lurking near the glasshouse and went to inquire, but instead of finding another student, she found Fenrir Greyback. Apparently Johnny had said 'hi, little girlfriend'to Quinn, who then took off running even faster for the Quidditch pitch. Greyback then escaped to Hogsmeade and who knows after that.

As the week progressed Quinn 's tale grew until it ended with her disarming Johnny Reb after a twenty second affaire d'honneur and running to the Quidditch slant in order to admonish the respite of the student, rather than because she was scared. Albus was very happy that, for once, this had n't happened to him or one of his protagonist.

"guess what I heard today,"Kaden said as he entered the predator 's Den Fri evening, after dinner.

"What ?"Albus asked, looking up from the Marauder 's Map, which he 'd expend the final stage ten minutes studying. John and Matt were in the room as well, Matt studying and John sorting chocolate Frog menu. Rose was tutoring Elsie Willinson again and Amanda had gone with her.

"Quinn,"Kaden said as he sat down following to Albus."She 's now saying that Greyback stole her scepter and she got away from him by kicking his kneecaps."

Albus burst out laughing."That 's farcical. She 's still got her wand."

"She claims Ollivander 's sent her an exact replication,"Kaden replied.

"But no two wands are the same,"John the Divine pointed out."Everyone knows that."

"She 's Muggle-born,"Kaden pointed out."She might not."

"But still,"Albus said."She 's taken it too far. No one 's going to believe her now and it 's all going to die down."

Albus laughed as he looked back at the Marauder 's Map. He 'd been checking it, both the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts discussion section, looking for Greyback every so often since last Sabbatum. He 'd yet to find anything remotely interesting on it, least of all Greyback or one of the former get out convicts.

"Scorpius is leaving the palace,"Albus said, noticing the dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'was no longer in the Slytherin common room, but instead slowly making its way across the grounds.

"What ?"matt asked, closing his Word of God."But it 's eight o'clock. And it 's snowing."

"It 's him all right hand,"Albus said."Come see."

Matt, John, and Kaden all crowded around Albus and they watched Scorpius 's dot travel further and further from the rook. There were no other acid on the priming, except Hagrid 's, and his was remaining stationary behind his hut. It did n't appear that Malfoy was meeting anyone outside, nor did anyone go with him. It was odd, especially in lightness of his other odd doings.

"I wonder what he 's up to,"Albus mused.

"We should surveil him,"John said."See what he 's up to."

"I agree,"Kaden said."No one goes outside at night during a storm for no reason at all. He 's up to something."

"We 'd get caught,"Albus pointed out.

"And it 's freeze down,"Matt added.

"We 'll take your Invisibility Cloak,"John said.

"I do n't imagine we all fit anymore,"Albus said, not taking his name off Malfoy 's dot.

"Then Kaden and I can go,"lavatory replied.

"No way,"Albus said."It 's my cloak and I do n't require you having it when Filch catches you. He 'll confiscate it."

"Who says we 'll get caught ?"John asked.

Albus laughed and turned to look at St. John."Of course you 'll get caught. And then my cloak will get taken away and I 'll never see it again and my dad will murder me."

"Your dad 's Harry Potter,"John said."He 's not going to mutilate his own son."

"If he did Laurentis would love it."Kaden laughed."I can see the headline now. 'Harry Potter slaying Own Son, Clearly Unfit For responsibility. Weasley Still Supports Him .'”

"Oh shut it,"Albus muttered.

"Wait,"matte said, staring at the map."He 's going to the Whomping Willow."

Albus looked back at the map and saw that Matt was right. Malfoy 's dot was slowing down and circling the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, giving it a widely berth."What 's he doing ?"

"You do n't recall he 's figured it out, do you ?"Matt asked.

"Well now we have to go after him,"John said, standing up.

Matt nodded."ejaculate on, Albus, let us look at your cloak."

"Fine,"Albus said, knowing that the battle was lost. Malfoy was at the Whomping willow tree, which meant that this was now personal for Matt, and therefore, for all of them."But I still do n't know if we 'll all fit."

Albus walked over to his bed and located the cloak in one of the drawers beneath it. He rarely kept it in his dormitory room anymore, since he and his protagonist spent far more time in the Marauder 's Den than they did in the mutual elbow room.

"Let 's try it,"Albus said as his friends walked over to him. They stood tight and Albus threw the cloak over them.

"one-half my trunk is showing,"John said, turning to look at his still visible arm.

"And all our metrical unit are showing,"Matt pointed out.

"That 's because Albus and John are heavyweight,"Kaden asked, glancing up at the five inches of blank that separated his mind from the top of the cloak.

"Both of you are going to hold to crouch down,"matt said.

"But what about the fact that half my trunk is showing ?"St. John asked, yanking on the cloak.

"Now I 'm not under it at all,"lustrelessness said, yanking it back.

"I wish we could do disillusionment charms,"Albus muttered."Too bad we do n't learn those until seventh year."

"rosiness could probably figure them out,"John said."We should have her learn them."

"Well we do n't give time for that now and we 're wasting time arguing. Malfoy could be in the burrow by now,"lustrelessness said.

"There are wards,"Albus pointed out.

"Still ..."Matt muttered.

"Fine,"John said."Albus and Matt can go and Kaden and I will stay on here."

"What ?"Kaden shouted."Why 'd you volunteer me to stay ?"

"Well, Albus is n't going to let anyone take the cloak without him going and Matt has to go since Malfoy 's by the Whomping willow,"whoremaster said."That leaves you and me. I do n't think more than two of us are going to fit."

"Let 's go, then,"Matt said, yanking the cloak off of John and Kaden and repositioning it over himself and Albus."See you in a bit."

Albus nearly had to run to save up with Matt and hold back himself crouched down enough to stick hidden, and that was saying something since usually Albus was much faster than lustrelessness. The two of them said nothing on their way down to the front end threshold and were n't noticed by any of the students or prof they passed.

"Remember, we 've got to be back before curfew,"Albus said once they shut the strawman threshold."We do n't desire to be locked out like back in irregular year."

"This is total deja vu,"matte added."Two geezerhood ago we caught Kaden messing with the Whomping willow. That 's when Kendrick added the wards."

"But unlike with Kaden, I do n't think we 'll wind up friends with Malfoy after,"Albus pointed out.

The grounds were very tranquil, the only strait being the crunching of their feet in the snow. Albus carefully vanished their footprints as they walked, while matte led them down the path to the Whomping willow. It was very cold and snowy, which reminded Albus even more than of the time they got locked out of the castling after sneaking into the Shrieking Shack.

"Is he even still there ?"lusterlessness asked quietly when they were halfway to the tree.

Albus paused and pulled the predator 's Map out of his air pocket. Scorpio 's dot was still walking methodically in a circle around the tree."Yeah, he 's there."

Matt nodded and they continued walking. Neither of them had lit their sceptre, so they slowed down in order to not be hit by the willow tree 's big branches. Finally they reached it and stood just outside its hit range of a function, waiting for Malfoy to arrive back around.

The Slytherin boy was wrapped in a thick cloak and pacing with his drumhead always turned toward the tree. He had his scepter out and did n't look to notice that he had been joined by Albus and Matt. Albus glanced at mat as Malfoy walked past them, unsure of whether to call his attending to their mien. Since they were inconspicuous, they could just digest there and watch him.

"There 's got to be a way,"Malfoy muttered."Every Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth has a weak peak. They do n't all close forever."

Albus could now see that Malfoy was sending various whammy and jinxes into the cellblock, but they were all deflecting away. As he rounded the tree once more, a hex bounced off the Mary Augusta Arnold Ward and nearly hit Albus, who had to jump out of the way to avoid it. His leg slipped out from underneath the cloak in the unconscious process, but Malfoy did n't see it.

"It 's got to work,"Malfoy said."There 's no other way in ...."

"Into where ?"mat mouthed. Albus shrugged.

They waited for Malfoy to make another R-2 around the Tree and this time one of the hexes reflected off the wards and toward lustrelessness, who jumped to get out of the way, but tripped over a partially buried tree diagram root instead. He fell over, yanking the cloak down with him, leaving both himself and Albus exposed. Matt let out a stream of curses and a cry of pain. Albus heard a sickening compaction as he fell and hoped it was the tree source and not lusterlessness 's leg.

"Who 's there ?"Malfoy shouted, aiming his wand at Albus and mat. He lit it and his boldness visibly paled."What are you two doing here ?"

Albus lit his own sceptre. lustrelessness was still sitting in the snow."I could ask you the Saami thing, Malfoy,"Albus said.

Albus pointed his wand at Matt and reached down to help oneself him up. He was clutching his wrist and his face was as wan as Malfoy 's, although for different reasons.

"I said, what are you two doing here ?"Malfoy repeated, not sounding very confident.

"Following you,"Albus said simply, thinking honesty would be the serious policy here. After all, all three of them were breaking the rules. Not much point in denying it or making up excuses.

"How did you know I was here ?"Malfoy asked. His wand arm was now trembling, although Albus did n't jazz if it was from the cold or fear.

"Saw you leave the rook,"Albus said."Figured we 'd see what you were up to."

"What do you require with the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ?"mat demanded. His voice sounded pained.

Malfoy 's mouth turned up in a sly grin."Once again, you just confirmed my misgiving. This tree diagram 's how you get into the Shrieking Shack. I did a little more enquiry, and turns out this thing was planted the same class the screech hovel was built. The Same year Remus lupine started going to Hogwarts. That hut 's all boarded up so I figured there must be some form of tunnel leading to it and what better way to hide a burrow than to put a murderous tree above it ? trouble is, I ca n't disenable the wards. Bet you can, though."

"Why ?"lusterlessness asked. Albus heard him inhale sharply and began to wonder if his wrist joint was broken."Why do you want to get in there ?"

"Ca n't tell you,"Malfoy said.

"fountainhead, I 'm not disabling the Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth,"Matt said.

"I 'll forecast it out eventually,"Malfoy said.

Albus wanted to ask him about his demeanour at dueling practices so badly. They 'd had another practice the previous day and again, Malfoy had n't said two word to anyone. It was just strange. Bur Albus figured that even if he asked, Malfoy would n't serve.

"It 'd be silent, you know,"lusterlessness said."Going into the screech Shack."

"fountainhead I would n't go in on a wide moon, idiot,"Malfoy said."Believe it or not this has zero to do with you or your evil English. I could n't care less that you 're a filthy werewolf. I have effective things-"

Albus jabbed his wand into Malfoy 's chest, nearly knocking him over in the process. His gist was pounding and he could feel heat rising up in his body."You. Take. That. Back,"he seethed.

"Albus, do n't,"mat said.

Malfoy scowled."No. I wo n't, because it 's true. I do n't handle. It was the mystery that I liked and nothing more. You do n't know the half of what 's going on or why I want that shack. He only uses it one Nox out of twenty-eight. I want it the early xxvii. I do n't get why that 's such a immense deal."

"What 's going on over there ?"a garish voice boomed over the curtilage."Eh, what 're yeh doing ?"

Albus quickly moved his wand and pointed it elsewhere. It was one thing to get caught on the grounds after iniquity but another to be caught threatening another pupil. He pointed his wand in the direction of the vocalism and saw Hagrid making his way toward them, his large Newfoundland dog, Fetch, at his side.

"Albus ?"Hagird asked as he drew nearer."Matt ? What 're yeh doing out here ? And Malfoy ?"

"Er, nada,"Albus muttered.

"Well, yer breaking the rules so I 'm going to give birth to look at yeh to Longbottom,"Hagrid said and then turned to Malfoy."And you 'll have to see Slughorn."

"hospital backstage,"Matt said."First."

Hagrid turned to Matt and looked at his wrist."O'trend,"he said."What did yeh do ?"

"Tripped over a ascendant,"matte said."Landed on a rock."

Hagrid nodded and clapped Matt on the back, a gesture clearly meant to comfort him but instead nearly knocked him over again. After he recovered they set off for the castle, walking following to Hagrid. Malfoy followed at a short distance. Hagrid did n't ask them what they were doing by the Whomping willow tree again, although Albus had a feeling he probably knew. After all, he knew why the tree was there and the fact that Matt was a werewolf.

The castle was much emptier when they returned than when they had left. Albus only saw a few prefects doing their round of drinks and realized that curfew must give birth passed. So much for not getting in bother.

Hagrid walked them to the infirmary extension and left Albus and matte there while he then escorted Malfoy to Slughorn 's bailiwick. Malfoy had remained tranquillity during the entire walk, but lost the sneer he 'd worn when he insulted Matt.

"I thought you lot had grown out of this,"brothel keeper Pomfrey said as she examined lustrelessness 's wrist."This sneaking about in the dead of night, following people. At least you did n't get locked out this time.

"Yes, your wrist is definitely founder. But I can mend it quickly."

madam Pomfrey took her wand out of her robes and pointed it at lustrelessness 's wrist. She muttered a spell and instantly, his wrist was healed.

"Thanks,"Matt said, bending his wrist.

"You 're welcome,"the nurse replied. She hurried over to a console and returned with a goblet of potion."Take this for the pain sensation and you 'll be dependable as new. No need to detain the night. I know you stay here enough as it is. You 're to wait here until Professor Longbottom comes to roll up you."

Matt nodded and downed the potion in one large gulping. Albus sat down next to him on the bed and they waited for Longbottom. Albus did n't think Hagrid had seen him with his sceptre pointed at Malfoy, so his punishment should n't be too bad.

"You do n't think he 'll make you miss Quidditch tomorrow, do you ?"matt asked.

Albus had n't thought of that."I hope not. Fred would kill me."

The doorway to the ward opened and professor Longbottom walked inside. He looked wear upon and slightly annoyed. He sighed and shook his psyche when he saw Albus and Matt.

"You two again ?"he asked."Hagrid said you were on the grounds after curfew ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied. He always felt Wyrd calling professor Longbottom 'sir', but figured it could n't hurt in this situation.

"Should I bother asking why ?"Longbottom replied.

Albus shook his straits, knowing that telling Longbottom why would n't get them any fewer detention, nor would it intercept Malfoy from trying to calculate out how to get into the Shrieking Shack.

"I 'll build this easy, then,"Longbottom said."Ten item from Gryffindor, each. And you 'll both do detention tomorrow, immediately following the Quidditch match. logical argument, in my bureau. I 'll see you then."Longbottom turned to leave. He nodded to brothel keeper Pomfrey as he walked to the doorway."honorable Nox, Poppy."

"Good night, Neville,"Madam Pomfrey said.

Albus and matte said good Night to the nurse and then left the hospital ward, both automatically going back to the common room rather than the Marauder 's Den. If they were caught outside of Gryffindor towboat twice in one nighttime they 'd get a much unfit punishment than twenty lost points and a detainment. Albus thought they 'd baffle off slow, to be honest. He wondered what Slughorn had set for Malfoy.

trick, Kaden, rosiness, and Amanda were waiting for them when they got back. John and Kaden were smirking.

"Do n't say a Christian Bible,"Albus muttered."I knew whoever followed him would get caught."

"Figured you did, seeing as you 've been gone for over an hour,"John said."What 's your punishment ?"

"detainment tomorrow after Quidditch and we each lost ten points,"Albus said.

"You got off easy,"Kaden replied."If it had been me and John we would 've gotten three detentions."

"I think Longbottom took pity on us because Matt broke his wrist while we were out there,"Albus said.

privy laughed."Of course he did."

"Shut it,"lustrelessness said."It really hurt. I was dodging a curse that Malfoy sent to the willow that reflected off the wards."

"Did you find anything useful out ?"rosebush asked."Not that I approve of this."

Albus and Matt explained what had happened, including the region where Malfoy insulted Matt and Albus nearly hexed him.

"Very odd,"Rose mused."What can he possibly want the hovel for ? And what did he imply when he said he had other stuff going on ? What early stuff could he possibly have going on besides school ?"

"Whatever he 's got going on with Willinson ?"John suggested."Surely Felix knows what his cousin are up to and Malfoy 's always involved with that."

Albus shrugged."Maybe. But why would he demand the hovel ?"

"Who knows,"John said.

"I bet it 's got something to do with that varsity letter,"Amanda said."And why he 's acting so strangely lately."

"Speaking of acting strangely, Elsie Willinson is still acting Wyrd,"blush wine said."I thought she would 've adjusted by now, but she has n't. She does n't seem to ingest any friends."

"Does her brother still pick her up from tutoring ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah,"Rose replied."It 's very odd. I asked her if she wanted to hang out with me and Amanda until curfew, but she said she could n't. So I said maybe another sentence and she said probably not."

"That 's odd,"John said."Clearly they 're up to something."

"They 're always up to something,"Albus pointed out."I 'd screw to know what it is, though. I wonder if they 've been in contact with Quinton."

"They 'd be stupid to be,"Rose said."Kendrick did n't punish Felix for what happened to Kaden two years ago, telling him if he did it again he 'd get expelled."

"I still say you 've got to figure out what 's up with Elsie,"John said.

"I 'm trying,"rosebush insisted."It 's not as prosperous as you 'd think. She hardly talks at all."

"Just keep trying,"trick said.

"team !"Fred suddenly shouted from across the unwashed way."Off to bed, all of you ! We 've got a mo fortune at this and let 's not destroy it by staying up all night."

Albus did n't argue. Turning in early on was a adept estimation and he was actually quite commonplace after his junket to the Whomping willow tree. He bade good night to his friend and went up to his quiet, empty residence hall. It did n't assume him long to fall asleep and he dreamt of playing Quidditch with Malfoy while the two of them dodged the Whomping willow tree on brooms.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews ! I am doing camp NaNoWriMo again this calendar month ( probably not a beneficial melodic theme ... ), and I 'm writing this for it, so hopefully I 'll finish it !



The weather condition for the rematch was vastly dissimilar from the premature Sat 's weather. The sky seemed to be all out of snow and the sun was shining. Although it was still bitterly cold, there was little air current. Albus hoped the equal would be a long one since as soon as it was over, he had to serve detention with professor Longbottom.

Albus went down to the Great student residence by himself for breakfast. His betimes night had given way to him waking up far sooner than he normally did. It was nice being able to lallygag over breakfast, though, and reduce on the upcoming match rather than interact with his protagonist. As he ate, the Great Hall slowly filled. He had just finished the last of his eggs when the post owls arrived.

Albus observed the owls and did n't recognize any of them. Clearly he was not receiving any spot today, which was a respectable thing because he was fairly certain Longbottom had owled his parents about his detention. But then he noticed a very large owl holding a red gasbag in its mouth ; it was a howler monkey and the owl was heading toward the Slytherin table. Albus continued watching it and saw it land right in front of Scorpio, who yanked the envelope off the owl 's leg and tripped over the bench in his haste to give the room. Albus actually sympathized with him ; it was frightening opening a riot in public. From the sound of it, Malfoy did n't quite stool it to a loo or empty-bellied classroom. Muffled shouting could be heard coming from the entranceway Hall.

Malfoy did n't give back to the Great dorm. Albus figured it must have been a particularly frightfully scream and was wondering what it could possibly feature said when his friends sat down adjacent to him.

"Malfoy got a howler,"toilet said as he started loading his plate with bacon.

"I know,"Albus said."Saw him get it."

"wellspring, we heard the tail end of it,"John said.

"It was awful,"Rose replied.

"What did it say ?"Albus asked."Who was it from ?"

"His dad, I 'm guessing,"John said."It was a man 's spokesperson. We crouched down on the stairs when we saw him. Basically his dad was yelling at him for getting in trouble for stupid thing when he should be studying and concentrating on his school work and keeping his fountainhead down. Then he said something about how Malfoy knows that they, meaning his parents, have far more crucial things on their minds than worrying about Malfoy getting in worry in schooltime. And how they ca n't care about him at shoal when they 're busy worrying about other things."

"That 's vague,"Albus said."He did n't say what the other things were ?"

"Nope,"St. John said."But Malfoy obviously knows what they are because he was shaking and he ran for the dungeon after the scream blew up."

"I told you the letter he read at pattern was about something bad,"Amanda said.

"And now we know it 's got something to do with his crime syndicate,"Albus said.

"Maybe they 're going to join up with Willinson and the Carrows and all them,"Matt said."His dad was a expiry feeder, was n't he ?"

"Sort of,"Albus said."His grandfather was, but his dad sort of got caught up in it and he got off. So did his granddaddy, actually. No one really knows why, but my dad vouched for them at their hearing."

"Now that is uncanny,"Matt said."Maybe his grandfather is planning on joining them."

Albus shrugged."Maybe, but it just does n't go right. Listen, I 've got to get to the sales talk. I 'll see you after."

"Yeah, for hold,"Matt muttered."Going to be a blast."

Albus 's wish for a long mate came true. Since the weather was cooperating, James put off catching the Snitch until Gryffindor was up by 200 full point, instead focusing his efforts on faking diving to keep Ravenclaw 's Seeker away from the Snitch. It worked, and three and a half hours later King James caught the Snitch and won the match for Gryffindor. Albus was sorely thwarted that he 'd have to miss the resulting political party in the coarse way, but figured that 's what Longbottom was going for when he scheduled detainment for right after the match.

Matt was waiting for Albus in the Great Hall and the two of them grabbed a quick lunch before hurrying to Longbottom 's place. They spent the adjacent two hours writing'I will not sneak out of the castle after shadow'over and over again. By the time they were done Albus wanted to curve up and take a nap, since the Quidditch compeer itself had exhausted him. He and Matt decided to spend the afternoon in the Marauder 's Den, just relaxing if not actually sleeping.

When they arrived they found John and Kaden in the middle of plotting their new prank. Rose and Amanda were in the library, apparently avoiding John the Divine and Kaden and their prank.

"Are you two sure you do n't desire to be involved with this ?"John asked."It 's going to be legendary."

"It wo n't be worth the detentions,"Albus said.

"Seriously,"Matt agreed."If it 's legendary it 's going to mean a lot of detentions."

"mulct,"privy said.

John and Kaden lowered their spokesperson, but Albus distinctly heard the speech 'Weasleys '', 'itching powder ,''Slytherins ,'and 'alarm clocks .'At that point, he really did n't need to know. He and Matt decided to start a secret plan of chess and attempted to tune out John and Kaden 's whisperings.

"I was thinking the other nighttime and realized if my dad loses his job when Laurentis is elected it 's going to be just like Australia,"flatness said as he captured one of Albus 's pawns.

"I had n't thought of that,"Albus said."Does that think of you 'd displace again ?"

"I do n't know,"Matt said quietly."I really hope not. I guess I do n't recollect so because the real reason we moved here was so I could go to school, not for Dad to get a new job."

"Then you probably wo n't,"Albus replied, taking one of Matt 's bishops.

"But if he does lose it, it 's going to probably mean Laurentis disagrees with him on werewolf issues,"mat pointed out."That could be really bad."

"You never know,"Albus said."There 's early affair your dad deals with that they might disaccord on."

"But my dad 's the most vocal on werewolf rights. Everyone knows that,"flatness said."If they 're going to disagree on something, that 's going to be it."

"I guess you 'll stimulate to wait until the debate,"Albus said.

"I 'm thinking of going,"lustrelessness said quietly."It might be awful, but I want to roll in the hay what she says firsthand, not from the Prophet."

"That makes signified,"Albus said."When is it ?"

"In three hebdomad,"Matt said."February 15th. That 's the entirely thing ; it 's the day of the Hogsmeade trip."

"That happened stopping point Hogsmeade weekend,"Albus said,"when blush wine went. Sucks that they do that."

matte nodded."I think I 'll go anyway. I mean, it is the valentine 's Hogsmeade stumble. speech production of that, is James still going out with that Hufflepuff miss ? I forgot her name."

"Gabby Ellis,"Albus said."I 've no idea, to be honest. I guess we 'll find out when the Hogsmeade stumble comes."

"Just as long as Fred does n't schedule Quidditch practice for that day again,"Matt pointed out.

Albus laughed."He wo n't. None of us minded too lots since the weather was so nice, but I think if he did it again the whole team would hate him."

"That would make an cumbersome family dinner party, considering over half the squad are your cousin,"Matt said.

"syndicate dinners with my family have become ill-chosen by definition,"Albus said."Luckily the adjacent one wo n't be until far after the election."

"Only a fiddling over two months to go,"Matt said."You can nominate it."

"I hope so,"Albus replied, as he moved his queer in the directly line of Matt 's king."Checkmate."
***


"Rufus Scrimgeour was the last Minister of Magic to be appointed by the Wizengamot,"Professor Embry said as he strolled around his classroom. It was the get-go week of February and the class had finally gotten to the pointedness where they were beginning to talk over the irregular war."He was appointed quickly, after Cornelius Fudge resigned.

"rector Fudge is commonly known as the least competent Minister ever to guard office staff,"Embry continued."He refused to consider evidence that was laid out plainly in front of him, for fright of being known as the Minister who held billet when Voldemort returned. Somehow, he thought that if he ignored what was rightfield in nominal head of him, it would just simply go away. This backfired, of trend, because he is now known for being the least competent Minister.

"Scrimgeour is seen in a slightly respectable light than Fudge, although he was minister when the Ministry fell to Voldemort in August of 1997 ...."

Albus knew all of this, of form. He 'd produce up listening to his parents laugh at the incompetency of Fudge and the pointlessness of Scrimgeour being considered a minister at all. Nevertheless, he listened to Embry and took detailed notes since the essays Embry set were often long and difficult.

"The time of the second war was a time of fear and chaos,"Embry said as he reached the straw man of the room again."No one knew what was going on or who to believe. Many people heartily believed Fudge and what he said, believing Albus Dumbledore to be a fraud or even senile. When this reality was shattered for them in June of of 1996, they did n't make love what to do or who to release to, or even what to trust. They 'd been fooled for a full year, believing what their Ministry and newspaper told them. Now that they knew they 'd been lied to for a year, what were they to do ? They did n't trust anyone, let alone the Ministry. Most people 's goals were to protect their category and admirer and that was it.

"It was the care and chaos that allowed Voldemort and his followers to rent control of the Ministry. Without the support of wizarding U.K., the Ministry was weak and susceptible to a takeover. It was unsubdivided for Voldemort to slip in and takeover in a subject of weeks."

"alibi me, professor ?"Olivia Price said, raising her hand.

"Yes, Miss Price ?"Embry replied."You have a dubiousness ?"

"Yes, sir,"Olivia replied."I was just wondering, and you do n't have to answer, but what were you doing during the moment war ?"

If Embry was surprised that Olivia asked him a question about his personal life, he did n't show it. Instead he gave a slight smile and began to take the air around the classroom again.

"I do n't mind answering that,"Embry said."Many of your parents were involved with the war movement, so of course you 're curious. When the Ministry fell I 'd been working there for about six years. I got a job as an undersecretary in the Department of Magical transit when I was just out of Hogwarts and worked my way up the social status.

"I 'd received a promotion shortly before government minister Fudge resigned and worked to draught laws, but I quit after Scrimgeour got appointed because I saw that the Ministry was decrepit and corrupt and no longer wished to align myself with it. After Voldemort 's defeat, I was approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt asking if I would like to be involved with rebuilding the Ministry, and I said yes."

Albus was impressed. Embry had n't mentioned what sort of job he did at the Ministry and Albus had had no mind he had been so involved with its rebuilding after the war.

"So you can see why I believe it is so crucial to educate all of you about the history of the Ministry and how it is organized now,"Embry finished."feeling like we 're out of time for today so please save an eight inch essay on Rufus Scrimgeour 's term as parson for preparation, due next Tuesday."

Albus packed up his bag and headed back up to Gryffindor tower with his friends. When they arrived, there was a crowd around the posting board, which was strange. The Hogsmeade weekend date had already been announced and rarely did other notice garner such a crowd around the notice board.

Albus shrugged at his friend and they squeezed through the gang until they could study it. It was a large poster, covering the majority of the instrument panel, imposing an early curfew William Ashley Sunday dark. Everyone, first through seventh years, were to be back inside the castle by five in the evening, no exclusion. Below that it warned that Filch was going to lock the front line doors at exactly five and that everyone was to cover to their common elbow room at five-thirty.

"That 's weird,"Albus said as he and his acquaintance retreated."I do n't mean they 've ever imposed a curfew so early before, and for everyone ?"

"It 's because Rebel has n't been caught,"Matt said quietly."Sunday 's the entire moon."

"They must retrieve he 's going to come back,"Albus replied.

"Scary,"whoremonger added."Do you really think he will ?"

"I do n't recognise,"mat said."But I 'd bet my parents'whole Gringotts vault that he 's going to seize with teeth person Sunday night."

"waiting,"Rose said."You do n't usually go to the shrieking Shack until six or seven."

"They 're probably doing it early just to be rubber,"Matt said."In case some hoi polloi do n't follow it or something. It says on there that the prefects are going to do a capitulum enumeration. That 's why we all have to get along back to the common way at five-thirty."

Rose nodded."Then you 'll bear to depart later, after the room access are locked."

"Either that or madam Pomfrey will have me go early,"flatness replied."I really hope not, though. I hate sitting out in the screaming Shack."

"I hope not, too,"Albus said quietly.

Albus and his friends were probably the only scholar who knew the cause why a curfew had been imposed on Sunday. Even the prefects seemed clueless, since Albus overheard a few of them trying to estimate it out. Sir Thomas More than a few scholar were angry about it, although Albus had no idea why since it was n't usual for educatee to drive a stroll on the background on a Sunday night in February. He supposed they liked the selection, though.

As Sunday drew closemouthed Matt became quieter and even more closed off than he normally was. In fact, it reminded Albus a lot of the way he was in first yr, before Rose figured out why he disappeared once a month. Both Albus and rosebush tried to get him to spread out up about it, but he shrugged them off and insisted he was fine. St. John and Kaden did n't look to point out any difference in Matt, and Amanda was n't one to ask about it when he closed himself off.

Saturday 's Dueling Tournament proved uneventful. Albus spent the entire few hours worrying about matt because he had elected to skip the tournament in order to sleep, which was odd since he 'd normally at least try to participate. At least Malfoy made Albus 's life loose by remaining quiet throughout the tournament and not blaming Albus when the team came in third place. Albus himself won both of his duel, as did Malfoy.

On Sunday Albus and his booster spent the day in the Marauder 's Den, working on homework and playing plot. flatness slept for a good deal of the day and he still was n't saying anything. While Albus was worried, he was fairly sure the intellect matte was so quiet was knot. When a twenty-five percent to five rolled around, they had to retort to Gryffindor to establish they were in the rook. matte was still asleep, so Albus told everyone else go to on ahead and that they 'd follow.

"flatness,"Albus whispered as he shook his supporter awake."We 've got to go back to the common room."

"This is stupefied,"Matt muttered."They 're counting everyone to make for sure no one gets attacked by a werewolf when they 've got one living in the castle."

"Is that why you 've been so silence this week ?"Albus asked as flatness got up. He did n't respond."You and Calidris canutus are n't the same."

"I know,"Matt said as they left the room. The corridor was void, so he continued to talk."It 's just the fact that we 're both werewolves. That 's the Saami. What if they start doing this curfew thing every replete moon, all because of me ?"

"They wo n't,"Albus said."You 're not dangerous because you 're in the Shrieking Shack. It 's all sealed up."

"I guess, but it 's still possible."

"You and Greyback are dissimilar because he wants to prick people. He purposely transforms near hoi polloi, not on Wolfsbane, so he can infect multitude. You hide yourself away to protect everyone. That 's a huge difference."

"But what if he does come to Hogsmeade,"matte continued."He 'll pick up me howling and know there 's a werewolf in the shriek Shack and he 'll try to get in."

"But he wo n't be able-bodied to,"Albus pointed out.

"And then if he does bite person, and let 's face it, he will,"Matt said."It 's going to look bad for all wolfman. All it 'll take is a few attacks and people will start believing we should have our right hand taken away. That 's what happened in Australia."

"You 're getting ahead of yourself,"Albus said as they reached the common elbow room."Right now you do n't know that any of that 's going to happen. Wandering banshee."

"You 're nearly late,"the Fat madam said as she swung her portrait open.

Albus and lustrelessness climbed inside and found the vernacular room the most crowded they 'd ever seen it. Prefects were milling about attempting to get everyone to calm down, but everyone was still trying to figure out why such an betimes curfew had been set. The elbow room was so crowded that Albus and flatness could n't retrieve the remainder of their friends and since being in a crowd together room was not the salutary theme for lustrelessness rightfield before the full moonshine, they quit searching and instead sat down near the dormitory door.

"Everyone, quiet, please !"heather mixture announced in a magically magnify interpreter. The room finally quieted down."I know you 're all upset about the curfew but they have n't even told us prefects why it 's been imposed. It 's not that big a deal since it 's February, dark, and freezing out of doors. None of you would be out of doors anyway. Now just remain quiesce while we take roll so we can all get downstairs for dinner. After we 're done you 'll be allowed to roam the castling until your normal curfew."

broom began calling out epithet in alphabetic Order by year. It took her fifteen or so minutes to get to the fourth years and after that Albus tuned her out. XV bit after that she finished and all the Gryffindors had been accounted for. The park elbow room emptied out quickly, since everyone wanted to get to the Great Hall for dinner. lustrelessness had fallen asleep and after Albus prodded him awake, he went up to the hall to kip until he had to go to the infirmary annex.

When Albus and his friends returned from dinner matt had already left for the hospital wing. They decided to just pose around the common room since it was fairly discharge and spent the evening working on their essays for professor Embry.

"Any chance you lot recognise why we 're stuck inside ?"James asked as he snagged the last chairwoman at Albus 's table."Cedric, Ben, and I are asking everyone."

Albus exchanged a glance with rosiness. He supposed it could n't offend to recite James the reason why, just so long as he did n't tell him why they knew. Of course, as soon as he told James it would spread around the castling like flying lizard pox at a wizarding nursery schoolhouse, but again, that would n't really wound anything.

"We 've got a intuition,"Albus said."Remember how Quinn Gregory Nazianzen saw greyback on the background during the Quidditch match ?"

"Yeah,"Henry James said.

"fountainhead, tonight 's a full lunar month,"Albus said."Put it together."

James was tacit for a moment and then his eyes grew big."You think Kendrick thinks he 's going to come here tonight ?"

"That 's our dead reckoning,"Albus said and his Friend nodded.

"Makes sense,"St. James said."Can you think what kind of problem Kendrick would be in if someone got bitten by a werewolf on the grounds ?"

Albus did n't need to think about it. He doubted Matt wanted a companion in the Shrieking hut.

"Scary,"King James I said,"thinking about Johnny Reb transformed while wandering around the grounds. I wonder why they did n't just tell us. No one would be angry about it if they 'd say us the reason."

"Probably did n't want anyone to panic,"Albus said.

"guesswork so,"James River agreed."But still, everyone 's going to have intercourse now."He grinned and then got up to go find Ben and Cedric. The fact that the curfew was due to Greyback would be common knowledge in the castle within ten transactions, Albus guessed.

Albus managed to finish his essay and decided to call off it a night shortly after. He did n't feel like talking, not with the possibility that Greyback was either running around the Hogwarts curtilage or setting himself on some unsuspecting village, wanting to infect small fry with lycanthropy. It was awful to think about. Albus laid awake for hours, trying not to mean about it, but try as he might, he just could not push the thought from his mind.


It was a rare occasion that Albus witnessed the sun rising slope. Being fourteen-years-old, Albus preferred to sleep until the very former morning or early on good afternoon, but this finical morning he was up before the sun. He had n't slept much that night due to his worries about Fenrir Johnny Reb and Matt, and decided that it was pointless to try and log Z's when he 'd just deliver to be up in an hour anyway.

Albus sat at the window and watched as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. The grounds looked peaceful, and not at all like the place where a loup-garou could 've been roaming just a few time of day before. The moonlight had set and both Matt and Greyback would be back in their human forms by now. Whatever had happened was over now and there was nothing anyone could do to change it. Albus wondered just how hanker it would take for the Prophet to release some sort of article on any fire Rebel might 've been the cause of.

Bilius and Ethan awoke before John Lackland did and busied themselves with talk of the Balycastle and Kenmare match that had taken billet Saturday, completely unworried about Johnny Reb. Albus was n't surprised since neither of them had any variety of personal joining with the escaped werewolf. But they at least get it on that the previous night had been a full Sun Myung Moon, since James River had spread that information around the castling.

King John finally rose shortly after Bilius and Ethan left for breakfast. Albus was relieved since they could now speak freely.

"What time is it ?"can asked as soon as he sat up."Have we got sentence to call Matt before Herbology ?"

"Just after eight, so not really,"Albus said."And there 's no point in visiting him now as he 's probably unconscious or sleeping. The moon just set two hr ago."

"Yeah, but he might make love something,"bathroom said as he closed the hangings on his bed while he dressed."He might 've heard Greyback live on night."

"He never remembers anything about replete moons,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's still worth a nip,"lavatory replied.

Albus thought it would be kind of pointless, but they did n't have time before Herbology anyway. After john finished, the two hurried out of the dormitory room and down to the Great Hall for a quick breakfast before class. pink wine, Amanda, and Kaden were already there.

"Anything in the oracle ?"Albus asked as he grabbed a stack of toast.

Rose shook her head and swallowed her bacon before answering."No. Absolutely nothing, but that does n't mean much. It could just be too soon for decent point to have emerged."

"Well, we 've got a free period this afternoon, so we can go ask lustrelessness,"John said.

"I told you that he 's not going to cognize anything,"Albus reminded him.

john shrugged."You never know."

The residual of the student body seemed to have already forgotten about the former curfew and the entire moon. Albus did n't hear anyone discussing it on his way to Herbology or at lunch later that day. Since there had n't been anything in the newspaper about an attack, it was old news program for the Hogwarts students. Everyone that is, except for Albus, can, rosiness, and Amanda.

Albus, lavatory, and Amanda were still discussing it on their way to attention of Magical creature that good afternoon. When they arrived they found Hagrid surrounded by cages filled with small, black, fluffy creatures.

"'ello !"Hagrid shouted."I 've got nifflers for yeh today. Can anyone tell me what makes nifflers unique ?"

Albus raised his hand.

"Albus,"Hagrid said.

Albus grinned."Nifflers find gem. They like glistening things."

"Tha 's right,"Hagrid said."So if you 've got picket or jewellery on, take it off. I 've buried a load of leprechaun gold and your job for today will be to use the nifflers to retrieve it. Everyone pair off and then do get a niffler. Whichever distich finds the most gold gets a pack of deep brown Frogs."

There was a stir as everyone hurried to convey off their jewelry and detect a niffler that looked like it would be a particularly treasure hunter. Albus took off his lookout man, shoved it into his pocket, and followed whoremaster and Amanda over to the nifflers. With mat in the hospital wing, Albus was without a partner and decided to just link up John and Amanda.

John grabbed the niffler with the longest nozzle and held the end of the tip while they followed it around the priming coat. Every so often the niffler would discontinue and dig through the snow, revealing a humble pile of coins. Albus collected them and shoved them into a bag Hagrid had provided.

The stallion routine was rather nurse. Albus enjoyed watching not only his niffler, but the rest period of the class 's nifflers as well. They were lovely, odd fauna. At one point, Janie Creevey and Karina Jordan-Bell 's niffler managed to sniffle out a set of scales in Bilius 's bag resulting in all three of them playing tug-of-war with the niffler.

"Why 's he got his scales in there anyway ?"John asked as they watched."We have n't got potions today."

Albus shrugged."No idea."

"Albus, Gospel According to John, look !"Amanda shouted, pointing toward the castle.

Albus turned around and saw two chassis walking toward Hagrid 's hut. It took a few seconds, but he soon realized that he knew both of them. One Albus recognized as a Whitney Young Auror from his dad 's department. His name was Newman and he 'd been one of the Aurors to help when Kaden was kidnapped two years ago. The secondly man was none other than lusterlessness 's dad.

"What 's matte 's dad doing here ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"Yeah, and who 's that other fella ?"Amanda asked.

"He 's an Auror,"Albus said."But why are they here ?"

The two wizards walked past tense Albus, John, and Amanda without making any sort of eye impinging, acting as if they 'd never seen them before. By now, the rest period of the division was looking at them strangely. lustrelessness 's dad and Newman kept walking until they reached Hagrid, and they began speaking with him in low voices.

"C'mon,"Albus said as he began walking toward Hagrid.

John tugged the niffler 's atomic number 82 and he and Amanda followed Albus. Albus stopped once they were within earshot, hiding behind a bush. John and Amanda crouched down on either side of him.

"I s'ppose I did pick up some good story stochasticity las'Nox,"Hagrid said."Thomas More'n usual, that is. Always funny randomness from the forest. A bit more yowl than normal las'night, coming from Hogsmeade. Could 've been a werewolf, but I don'know for sure."

"And did you see anything roaming the ground ?"Matt 's dad asked. His voice sounded serious.

"No,"Hagrid said."Wasn'international late. What 's this about ? Rebel ?"

Matt 's dad and Paul Leonard Newman glanced at each other."Yes,"mat 's dad said."We have reasons to think greyback was in the domain last night and we 're looking for anyone who might 've seen something."

Hagrid shuddered."Wish I could aid yeh. But yeh acknowledge, that howling from Hogsmeade could 've just been-"

"Yes, I know,"Mr. Eckerton cut him off, with a quick glance at Newman."We 've had account of more vicious, louder howling. Howling that seems to change location."

"Oh !"Hagrid exclaimed."Yeah, well, again, wish I could help. I 'll pay a bit more tending next full moon."

"We 'd appreciate it,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thanks for your time."

matt 's dad and Paul Newman turned and left, without a secondly glance at Hagrid or the class. The remainder of the class had long since returned to their nifflers and all had pocketbook of gold far heavy than Albus, John, and Amanda 's. But Albus no longer cared about winning the Chocolate Frogs. It seemed that something did happen last night, but nobody knew exactly what.

At the end of the year, Albus, John Lackland, and Amanda came in idle shoemaker's last for amount of coins collected. Hagrid seemed disappointed, but said that their niffler must 've just been tired. After returning it to its cage, the three hurried back to the palace, anxious to stow their handbag and go visit matt.

"If Reb is n't on Wolfsbane should n't he be well-off to find after the fully moon ?"John asked as they walked to the hospital offstage."Would n't he be injured ?"

"Not necessarily,"Albus said quietly."flatness only bites and attacks himself because he has zero else to attack. If knot 's out roaming the countryside, he can round animals and people."

"But what about the actual transformation ?"Saint John replied."Even werewolves on Wolfsbane are achy the succeeding day because of that, right ?"

"I think so, yeah, but I bet if you 're being chased by Aurors that 's the stopping point matter on your mind,"Albus pointed out."I 'm not sure. Matt would probably know."

matt was the entirely patient in the hospital wing and ma'am Pomfrey was busybodied in her subject, so Albus and his protagonist were innocent to talk over whatever they pleased. Albus was happy to see that matte was awake, although he did look slightly unsettled.

"Was there anything in the Prophet ?"Matt asked as soon as Albus, John, and Amanda had taken seats on his bed."And I 'm fine, so do n't bother asking."

"Er, no,"Albus said."Why ?"

"finis night was weird,"Matt said.

"Told you he 'd have intercourse something,"John said to Albus.

"But I do n't,"lusterlessness replied."It was just eldritch. I do n't have a go at it how else to describe it."

"What happened ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't have it away,"Matt said quietly as he pulled his manpower out from under the blankets. They were completely bandaged."Look. My men are the only part of me that 's injure. I mean, I ache all over from the transmutation, but I did n't bite myself at all concluding night."

Albus looked at the patch."But your hands. You did n't sting them ? Then why are they bandaged ?"

"splinters,"Matt said."brothel keeper Pomfrey thinks I spent the Nox scratching at the room access and trying to get out. I 've never done that before. I never remember anything from when I 'm the wolf, but I do sometimes remember feelings. Like if the wolf was really angry or something. close night it was desperate, although I have no idea what for. I guess to get alfresco, if ma'am Pomfrey is right."

"And your wolfy self has n't done that before ?"Albus asked.

"No,"Matt shook his head."I 've been transforming in the Shrieking Shack for three and a half years and the Wolf has never done that before."

"I 'll tell you something weirder,"lavatory said."Your dad was here earlier."

"What ?"Matt exclaimed."When ?"

"Just now,"John said."During guardianship of Magical Creatures, he and some Auror came to talk to Hagrid. We listened in-"

"Of course of instruction,"Matt cut in.

"Your dad and the Auror, they were asking Hagrid if he 'd seen or heard anything Weird last Night. Hagrid said he did n't see anything, but he thought he heard more noise than usual from Hogsmeade. Then he said that it may have just been you, but your dad cut him off, probably because of the Auror. Then your dad said that there had been paper of more vicious howling than usual."

"They definitely think that Greyback was in Hogsmeade last night,"Albus said.

"What would 've happened if you got out ?"Amanda asked.

"Out of the hovel ?"flatness asked."aught good. But now he knows that I was there. He 'll keep coming back until he 's captured. I wo n't actually be able to lam from the Shack. The Ward are too good."

The door to the ward flew open and lustrelessness 's dad came striding inside, still looking as serious as he had earlier. After a quick glance around the room, he strode over to mat 's bed.

"Dad,"Matt said.

"You do n't look surprised to see me,"Mr. Eckerton replied as he gave his son a hug."How are you feeling ?"

"I 'm all right wing,"Matt said with a shrug."Albus, John the Divine, and Amanda saw you talking to Hagrid. fountainhead, they heard you, too. Where 's the Auror ?"

Mr. Eckerton let out a short laugh and then turned to Albus."I saw you in the George Bush. Next sentence you 're trying to hide, do n't hide with a niffler. They 're notorious game show. Yours was trying to sniff out Paul Newman 's sac watch."

"I missed nifflers ?"Matt asked, clearly defeated.

"Yeah,"Albus said."I bet Hagrid would let you see one after you 're better, though."

"I need to speak with you about last night, Matt,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."In private, perhaps ?"

matt shook his head word."I already told them about concluding night, so they might as well stay."

"All right,"Mr. Eckerton said."I need you to try and remember if you heard or saw anything strange cobbler's last night. I know you never remember anything, but try."

lustrelessness held up his bandaged hands."dame Pomfrey thinks I tried to get out of the shanty concluding nighttime. That never happens. Whatever was outside kept the Friedrich August Wolf occupied all night. I did n't assail myself."

Mr. Eckerton 's eyes grew large and Albus noticed that the serious face had dissipated. It was replaced with a feeling Albus had seen quite often on his own father. It was a begetter 's shock and trouble.

Matt explained the rest, including the part about the wolf flavor desperate. Mr. Eckerton seemed to contemplate this for a few minutes before sighing and shaking his head.

"What 's going on, Dad ?"mat asked.

Mr. Eckerton sighed once more."I suppose it could n't hurt to tell you. It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow anyway. Two nipper were attacked in Little Shingleton terminal dark. It 's a town about five statute mile away, on the other side of that mountain next to Hogsmeade. We 've been trying to compute out whether it was Rebel or not, since he left immediately after biting them."

"Were they Muggles ?"matt asked.

"No,"Mr. Eckerton said."Which makes me trust that this was a carefully planned attack. Little Shingleton is a Muggle village, with these two kid and their parents being the only when witches and champion in the area. It 's too coincidental. And why attack both minor ? Most werewolf take off immediately after biting somebody, their instinct telling them to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible."

"And did they ... survive ?"mat replied.

"They 're both in unchanging precondition at St. Mungo 's. Once their snack heal, they 'll be mulct, deliver for the fact that they now have lycanthropy. The bites were uncontaminating and small, not normal wolfman bite. These bites were inflicted just to infect. Another preindication toward Greyback."

"But what about Hogsmeade ?"Albus asked.

"Five Admiralty mile is not an unacceptable journeying for a werewolf in a night,"Mr. Eckerton explained."nigh likely Greyback heard mat 's howl last dark and followed the strait. Once there, he probably spent the repose of the dark attempting to get inside the screech hovel, which is impossible."

"So you really think it was him ?"lustrelessness asked.

"I do, and Auror Newman agrees with me. I left him in Kendrick 's study, after telling him I needed to visit you since we were already here. But what you 've told me just solidifies it."

"But ca n't you just go get him ?"john asked."He ca n't be that far. No offense, mat, but if you were outdoors you would n't get very far."

"None taken."

"The thing that makes lycnathropy so difficult to study, and also most likely the reason why Wolfsbane does n't work for all wolfman, is that each person 's lycanthropy is vastly dissimilar from others. Its effects depend a lot upon a soul 's views toward their own lycanthropy. Fenrir Greyback has spent his living embracing his lycnathropy and aliveness for that one night a month where his true nature emerges. He embraces his Friedrich August Wolf side so much that he even attacks people when the moon is not full.

"You, Matt, on the early hand, name most with your human being incline. As you should, considering you 're only a wildcat one Nox out of XXVIII. Therefore, you resist the transformation. You fight it with your every fiber, every calendar month. grayback embraces it, and probably dislodge a lot easier than you do. His shift most likely do not have him the same pain."

"I guess that makes gumption,"flatness said.

"But still,"John said."They should be combing the forest for him."

Mr. Eckerton chuckled."They are. combine me. They have the integral Werewolf controller Unit searching for him, along with six Aurors, and a handful of Junior and trainee Aurors. They do n't normally dispatch Aurors to capture rogue loup-garou, as that 's usually the Werewolf Control Unit 's job. And it 's not usually my job to investigate werewolf onrush. But this is a luxuriously profile pillowcase, so they want many citizenry on it, including multitude in commission. We 'll get him."

Albus wondered if chemise was on the instance. He was a next-to-last Auror now. Knowing chemise, he 'd want to be on the pillowcase since greyback had turned his dad into a werewolf.

"I 've got to get back to the Ministry and fill out a news report,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up from his chair."If you think of anything else, Matt, ask to use professor Longbottom 's Floo. bird of Minerva are easily intercepted."

Matt said good day to his dad and soon the male child and Amanda were alone in the hospital wing once more. Albus did n't get it on what to say. Fenrir Greyback, it seemed, was up to his old john and somehow Matt had gotten involved.
***


Fenrir Greyback 's onrush on the two children took the all figurehead page of the vaticinator the following good morning. The entire Great Hall was talking about it, professors, student, and wraith. Copies of the composition were being passed faster than platters of bacon. Albus managed to snag a transcript from his full cousin Ben.

FENRIR GREYBACK ATTACKS IN LITTLE SHINGLETON

Fenrir Greyback, escaped convict and wolfman,
was sighted final stage Night in Little Shingleton,
Scotland. Little Shingleton is nearly an
entirely Muggle hamlet, salvage for one
wizarding mob. The family, whose
names have not been released due to the
Underage loup-garou Protection Law,
suffered an utmost tragedy last night,
when Fenrir Greyback attacked both of
their nestling. Both children are
reportedly in stable consideration at St.
Mungo 's.

An investigation, organized by both the
Auror Department and the Department for
the Regulation and command of Magical
fauna, headed by head of that department,
Walter Eckerton, concluded late yesterday.
'We 've interviewed several eyewitnesses
who saw or learn a lycanthrope in Hogsmeade
during the full moonlight. Hogsmeade is only
about five miles from Little Shingleton .'
Investigators said that numerous early
clue led them to conceive that the attack
was by Fenrir Greyback, despite not having
actually seen him in Little Shingleton.
'We are not prepare to reveal all item
of the investigation. But we are confident
that this was an onset by knot. A squad
of Aurors and lycanthrope Control Unit employees
are working around the clock to beguile
Greyback .'

The article was followed by a recapitulation of Reb and the crimes that had landed him in Azkaban in the first gear spot, along with a filthy photograph of him. Even in his human chassis he looked rather wolf-like, which was such a drastic dividing line compared to lusterlessness, who did n't resemble a wolf at all, save for his eyes. Albus glanced up from the article and his eyes fell on matte 's. They had a yellow tint to them, with flecks of gold amidst their natural drear colouring material. They were indeed the just wolf-like trait he possessed when the Moon was n't full.

"This is why people want nonindulgent werewolf control law,"Matt said quietly.

"Even those could n't have got stopped this,"Albus pointed out.

"people wo n't call up about that. All they 'll think about is how their tiddler are n't safe, and they 're proper. It 's just lousy timing. Laurentis is going to use this to her advantage."

Albus wanted to ensure matte that everything would be all properly, that Laurentis would n't ball up everything out of proportion, but he could n't. He knew that matte was right, that Laurentis would once again use a terrible disaster to describe Thomas More sustenance from the wizarding world. If his uncle Percy was going to fend a chance against her, he was going to have to drastically change his campaign scheme.


A/N : So I just realized that I uploaded the wrong chapter final stage Friday. This is the actual chapter 25 and the one I uploaded last-place Fri is chapter 26. Sorry about that !


The thing about werewolf attacks was that they were only capable to bechance once a month. There was absolutely no luck of a lycanthrope attempt during the rest of the month, so it was easy for the Hogwarts students to soon block about Fenrir grayback, or at least pushing him into the furthest turning point of their intellect. After the initial clause about Greyback 's attack on the two youth small fry, the paper returned to its usual election reportage, although both nominee were being very quiet about the attack. Neither Percy nor Laurentis made a statement, which did n't storm Albus. The public debate on regulation of magical animal was scheduled for Saturday, so both candidate would realize statements then. There had been a few editorials in the newspaper written by people pushing for stricter werewolf jurisprudence, but that had been it.

Saturday was also the day of the next Hogsmeade trip, and this gave the Hogwarts pupil a much needed distraction from the outside world. Word spread amongst Albus 's full cousin that Henry James was once again taking Gabby Ellis to Hogsmeade, and quite a few of his other cousins had dates as well. Albus himself did not, and was planning on spending the day with John Lackland, Kaden, Rose, and Amanda. Matt had arranged to attend the argumentation with his dad, and would lose the trip.

"Are you sure you want to go to this debate ?"Albus asked flatness as they played cheat in the Marauder 's Den.

"What ?"matt asked, turning to Albus. He 'd been staring at the rampart under the guise of taking his turn for the past five minutes.

"You were zoning out,"Albus said."I asked if you 're sure you want to go to that argument Saturday."

Matt had seemed distracted all calendar week and whether it was from knot being so near during his transmutation or the upcoming public debate, Albus did n't sleep together.

"Yeah, I 'm certainly,"Matt said."I 'd rather hear it straight from her than scan it in the Prophet."

"What about your dad ?"Albus asked."Is he going to speak out against her if she wants stricter laws ?"

Matt shrugged."I do n't know. That did n't puzzle out too well in Australia."

The doorway to the Den flare-up open and whoremaster and Kaden came barging in, both wearing identical grins. It was slightly weird, how similar they looked.

"We 've finished,"john announced.

"Finished what ?"Albus asked. He was slightly worried. It was never a good sign when John and Kaden were that felicitous about something.

"Our prank,"Kaden answered."We 've finished preparation. We 're not quite sure when to do it, though."

"Yeah, any trace ?"John the Divine asked."Or are you two still being all prefecty on us ?"

Albus burst out laughing and turned to matte, who smirked."Prefecty ?"Albus repeated.

"Yeah,"John said."Everyone knows it 'll be one of you who makes prefect following class. And you 're getting started early by not liking our pranks."

"We just do n't want detention again,"Matt explained."Honestly, I could n't manage less if you prank the Slytherins. Malfoy 's a git. Prank him all you want."

"Are you sure you do n't want to know what it 's going to be ?"John asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Not a chance,"lusterlessness said.

John shrugged."All right. But when should we do it ?"

"Let 's just delay and see when the time tone right,"Kaden suggested."It 's not, er ... time-sensitive ...."

whoremaster and Kaden burst out laughing."Sure,"privy said."Not time-sensitive at all."

Albus and lusterlessness exchanged a glance.

"We could separate you why that was so funny,"John said.

"Or you could just wait and see like the rest of the castling,"Kaden added.

"We 'll expect,"Albus said. He was peculiar about it, but not curious enough to possibly wind up with another week 's detainment.

Whatever the harlequinade was, John and Kaden did n't implement it before the adjacent day. Saturday brought blue skies and bitterly insensate temperatures and Albus put on two Weasley jumper in training for walking around Hogsmeade.

mat left former for the debate, Flooing from prof Longbottom 's subject area. Albus and John slept later and met Kaden, Rose, and Amanda in the Great Hall for a quick dejeuner before setting off for Hogsmeade.

The February Hogsmeade trip was always an worry one. The village became filled with untested couples either snogging passionately in front of the shops or staring awkwardly at each other across a table in the trio Broomsticks or Madam Puddifoot 's. Having never been on a escort before in his biography, Albus found it really funny to watch. toilet and Kaden found it amusing as well, but Rose and Amanda seemed to gaze wistfully at the couples and did n't find them at all amusing.

"Where to first ?"Albus asked.

"Not Madam Puddifoot 's,"John said immediately, grimacing as a few love-struck couplet headed toward the shoes.

"I plan on never setting foundation in there,"Kaden said."I do n't care how many girl ask me to go there with them."

John laughed."You 'd have to get a missy to like you first."

"Shut up,"Kaden said."Let 's just go get some Butterbeer."

The quietus of the group agreed and they were soon crowded around one of the but vacuous tables in the Three Broomsticks. Albus was hoping to get a glimpse of James II because despite the fact that James had been out with Gabby Ellis before, Albus could n't get over the fact that his brother was going out on dates. It was just weird.

After finishing their Butterbeer, the grouping went to Honeyduke 's and Weasleys'in rescript to livestock up on Skiving Snackboxes and Chocolate Frogs. By then it was nearly dinner time and they decided to call it a day. The wind was picking up and none of them fancied being caught in a storm.

"Albus !"John shouted just as they were setting off on the path back to the castle.

"What ?"Albus asked, turning to see what St. John was pointing at.

"Henry James and Gabby Ellis,"John said.

Albus squinted and just made out his brother, leaning against the outside of Honeyduke 's, his mouth attached to Gabby Ellis 's. They were so close that they almost looked like one person.

"Oh my God,"Albus said quietly.

"That is disgusting,"blush wine added."I could 've gone my entire animation without seeing mortal snog James."

John and Kaden were both laughing."tone like they 're enjoying it,"privy said.

"Oh megascopic !"Albus exclaimed as he turned back to the track."Let 's go."

"I think it 's rubber to say they 're together,"Amanda said as they walked back.

"What she could possibly see in Saint James the Apostle ..."rosebush muttered.

"fountainhead, he does dally Quidditch,"Amanda pointed out.

"So do over half my first cousin,"rose wine said."So does Albus."

"Can we change the issue ?"Albus asked."Please. C'mon, let 's hurry up. I bet Matt 's back from the debate."

That seemed to get his friends'minds off of James II 's romantic life. Albus himself wanted to put the image of his brother kissing someone out of his brain forever. At least she was a Hufflepuff and he 'd never have to see them kissing in the vulgar way. If he did he may have to spend all of his time in the Marauder 's Den.

dinner party had n't started yet when they arrived at the castle, so the group decided to go find Matt first. They found him right where Albus figured he 'd be, in the Marauder 's Den. Albus was slightly aflutter about what had happened at the debate, but matt was sitting on the couch casually reading his appeal book, seeming hardly upset at all.

"How was Hogsmeade ?"matte asked as he set his volume down.

"Disgusting,"Albus said as he sat down side by side to Matt. John, Rose, and Amanda pulled up chairs.

Matt raised his supercilium."Disgusting ?"

"We saw James snogging his new lady friend,"rose said with a chill."confidence me, there 's cypher pleasant about seeing the boy you remember eating a mud pie kissing a lady friend while pressed up against Honeyduke's."

matte laughed."I have n't got any cousins, so I 'll take your Son for it."

"Consider yourself lucky,"Albus muttered."But what happened at the debate ?"

"It was n't as bad as I thought it would be,"Matt said."Well, okay, parts of it were n't as bad as I thought they 'd be. It was at the Ministry, in one of those court suite in the basement. Mostly it was people who work at the Ministry there, but there were some other people there, too, because the way was so big.

"I 'm not sure enough how much you know about the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical animate being, but every puppet is divided into one of three categories. being, John Barleycorn, and savage. flavour are ghosts and poltergeists and boggarts. Beings are creatures that are n't human, but have man intelligence operation. creature are everything else. The blighter who was running the debate started by asking Percy and Laurentis how they feel about the right given to existence. You know, hob, house-elves, Centaur, those sort of creatures. They did n't have much to argue about that because neither of them think any of those creatures should have their right wing taken away. And pink wine 's mum has worked so concentrated to get them right hand.

"Then they moved on to the Spirit division and there was n't lots argument with that, either, since there 's not lots that can be done about hard drink. They 're just form of there. ghostwriter do n't harm anyone and poltergeists it all depends on the specific poltergeist. Laurentis brought up the issue of Peeves, which was odd, but Percy did n't seem to have an feeling on Peeves."

Albus had n't expected lots arguing with the Being division. There had been a lot of debate backbone and Forth about the right hand of existence back when his parents had been in school and his aunt Hermione had dedicated her workplace life toward giving rightfulness to Beings, especially house-elves. Over the yr she 'd done a very skilful job with it and had n't met very much oppositeness. As for the intent division, Albus did n't retrieve there had ever been much controversy there. touch were just spectre. They pretty much did as they pleased.

Matt paused."Then there was the beast division. Throughout chronicle both werewolves and vampires have sometimes been in the Being partition and sometimes been in the Beast division. categorisation in the Beast division is the ground why werewolves have been stripped of their right field and how the Ministry can get away with it. If they 're not seen as Beings, then legally, they do n't have to be given the Lapp rights as human race. It 's a trifle, really.

"A farseeing clip ago werewolves were in the Being sectionalization, but they got reclassified in the 1950s, after a Brobdingnagian werewolf fire on an full townspeople. It was horrible. But ever since then, no one has wanted to sort them as beingness again. My dad has been an advocate for classification as organism ever since he started in Australia.

"The thing about sorting is that, for the well-nigh part, Ministries all over the creation have to agree. That 's why reclassification is such a time-consuming and unmanageable thing to do. Someone has to contribute it up and coordinate negotiations between countries and it requires a lot of effort. When Voldemort came to force no one in United Kingdom had the time or muscularity to put toward the reclassification of werewolves. Not to mention they could n't part with the people to put the time into it. Since the brutal flak in the 50s happened in England, the other countries have n't wanted to touch the idea. Although I 'd bet that Australia would put up a adept fight if it was ever brought up again.

"So, basically, my dad has been trying to do this for ages, but he does n't make the support. Even Minister Hartwell has n't wanted to touch it since it 's such a controversial military issue and he does n't have much time left."

"Wow,"Albus said."Binns did n't teach us any of that in account of Magic."

"And he probably wo n't,"Matt said."It 's not a well-known issue since virtually hoi polloi probably do n't worry to put in the endeavour to reclassify lycanthrope. The only hoi polloi who 'd want to are werewolves."

"That 's dread,"Amanda said."But what happened at the debate ?"

"The wizard in charge of the debate dodged the question of grayback for a while, asking questions about former creatures like thestrals and dementors and the same. But he finally brought up the issue of Greyback and Laurentis basically said that it was n't a matter of werewolf control law, but a thing of Azkaban security-"

"Well, that 's effective,"Albus said. He would n't have expected that of Laurentis.

"Sort of,"Matt replied."I have n't finished. Anyway, your uncle agreed with her, but he of track said that putting the dementors back would be stupid. Laurentis said that if the dementors had been there then knot would n't give escaped and those kids would 've been safe. Then they started arguing about Azkaban and dementors again. But the bloke in charge cut them off.

"Then he finally brought up the fact that my dad 's been pushing for the reclassification of lycanthrope as existence for years and how he 's got the support of rose wine 's mum and asked what their sentiment of it was."

"But if my mum was able to assist house-elves and goblins, then why could n't she do it for werewolf at the Saami time ?"Rose asked.

"House-elves and hob have always been classified as organism,"mat explained."They were being denied rights that they technically already had. It was just a matter of reworking the laws and enforcing them properly. None of the werewolf rightfulness natural law can be changed unless their assortment is changed-"

"But that 's just stupefied,"whoremonger said.

Matt shrugged."It is, but there 's cypher anyone can do about it."

"Well, what did Laurentis say ?"Albus asked.

"Laurentis said that reclassifying wolfman as beingness would hand over the flow werewolf control laws unenforceable and that it would devote the Ministry far to a lesser extent control over lycanthrope. Which is truthful,"mat said."Not that it would be a bad thing."

"Of course not,"Albus agreed.

"Then she said that if werewolf were currently classified as being it would reach it difficult to even entrance Rebel and prosecute him for what he 's done, which is n't true at all. My dad was turning purple at this detail. She really knows nothing about the way his department works."

"What about Uncle Sir Henry Percy ?"Rose asked.

flatness did n't say anything for a fully minute."He was n't as bad as Laurentis, but well, your uncle does n't want to convert anything. I 'm sure you 've noticed that he says everything 's okay the way it is and we do n't need to change anything, whether it 's Azkaban or Hogwarts. He thought the same about werewolves."

"What do you have in mind ?"Albus asked."He thinks that-"

Matt averted his gaze, looking at Kaden rather than Albus and Rose."He thinks that 'putting Energy into reclassifying werewolves as beingness would be a poor people estimation, given the other outlet facing the gravid wizarding community .'And that is a direct citation. I ca n't ever forget that."

Albus wished he was surprised. He really did. But the fact remained that Uncle Percy did n't like to stir the cauldron, so to speak. If matter were working the way they were, he would n't change them. He 'd rather hold things the same then speak out openly either for or against anything, if it would cost him support or votes.

"Then he went on to explain,"lusterlessness continued."He said that werewolf classification does n't bear upon a large act of witches and superstar and that it 's very complicated and would require a lot of endeavour, which is dependable. But it 's like he did n't think it was Charles Frederick Worth it, just because it would n't impact a lot of people."

"It does n't surprise me,"Rose said quietly."The election is so soon. I do n't remember he 's going to say anything too controversial."

"Honestly, it was almost speculative than Laurentis,"Matt said, turning back to Albus and rosiness."Sorry. I know he 's your uncle-"

"Do n't apologize,"Albus said, suddenly glad he was n't of age and would n't take in to pick out between the two candidates.

"It 's like he does n't even induce a strong opinion on it. He does n't want to take in a strong impression on it,"Matt added."Laurentis at least has a understanding. Your uncle does n't even receive that. Honestly, Albus, I 've no idea who my parents will vote for now. Saame with Amy."

"I do n't know who I 'd vote for now,"Albus said quietly.

"But either way, I do n't consider werewolves will get reclassified,"mat replied."Nothing will happen without bread and butter of the Brits minister at this point."

"That 's just not middling,"Amanda said."What exactly does the law say now ? What are you not allowed to do ?"

Matt averted his gaze once more. This was another topic that lustrelessness had n't ever spoke of before and Albus had n't dared ask.

"wellspring, technically,"Matt began,"I 'm not allowed to be at Hogwarts."

"What ?"Albus shouted. The rest of his friend let out alike exclamations of shock.

"But chemise 's dad-"Rose began.

"Not legal,"matte said."Dumbledore frequently broke the law and that was no different. professor Kendrick follows the law a bit more but he liked the estimate of allowing me to attend. It 's sort of murky, to be honest. It 's in the law that werewolves can not attend to Hogwarts, but at the same metre, Hogwarts schoolmaster have complete control over who they admit. So as long as it 's observe quiet-"

"But what about Malfoy ?"rosebush asked."If he were to let it slip-"

"Then Kendrick would expel him,"Matt explained."And he 'd be allowed to, since it would be detrimental to another student 's education for him to reveal my condition. I told you ; it 's very murky."

"What else ?"Amanda asked.

"The rest has mostly to do with use,"Matt said."Well, that and the Ministry is allowed to maintain wolfman for questioning about full lunar month attacks without actually arresting them. Werewolves as prisoner have virtually no right wing.

"But anyway, employ. I 'm legally obligated to inform any potentiality employers of my status. If werewolves were classified as Beings, that would n't be required, because lycanthropy would be seen as a medical experimental condition and employment can not be terminated based on a someone 's medical examination conditions."

"That is the most befuddle thing in the Earth,"Albus said. His head was spinning."How do you hold open all that straight ?"

Matt shrugged."It 's my life. That 's the other thing, Albus, your uncle really has no idea how things are run in the Department for the regulation and Control of Magical animal. He 's not really qualify to say what burden the reclassification would consume on everything. Because, honestly, it would only affect werewolves."

"That seems obvious,"Albus said.

"So someone can not hire you just because you 're a lycanthrope ?"Amanda asked incredulously.

lustrelessness nodded."Does n't even matter if they 're on Wolfsbane or not, either."

"What will you do after Hogwarts ?"Amanda asked.

"No estimate,"flatness said."I 'm trying not to think about that. But this whole pretending to be normal affair that I 'm doing at Hogwarts ? It 's temporary. That 's all there is to it."

No one quite knew what to say after that. Albus certainly did n't. He wished more than anything that his uncle would support the reclassification of werewolf as being, despite the fact that it might lose him a few voter turnout. It might even be him a few not to have spoken up, because now, Matt 's parents and Amy might not vote for him. But this had such a big gist than just the election. matt was right ; this was his life history, and Uncle Walker Percy and Laurentis were just seeing it as a way to cram up more right to vote. Maybe Uncle Percy was n't the aright man for the job, after all. But Laurentis certainly was n't, and since no one else was running, what would happen after the election ?


A/N : Thanks for all the awful reassessment !


The debate on the Regulation and dominance of Magical creature did not seem to be a hot topic of discourse amongst the Hogwarts students. Unlike the debate on educational activity, this item public debate did not colligate directly to Hogwarts students, and thus there was n't much discussion beyond a few popular opinion at breakfast the adjacent day. The clause on the public debate was much more tame than the previous article, nigh likely because Walker Percy and Laurentis had n't disagreed on the subject. In fact, the article mostly focused on the dementor issue.

Albus and his acquaintance kept close up watch on the Prophet in type there were any updates on the get off captive, but the rest of February passed without any sightings or captures. It was kind of strange since the captive had to have been hiding out somewhere. Yet they 'd been loose for nearly two months and the solely one who had been sighted was Greyback. Willinson, Umbridge, and the Carrows were nowhere, it seemed.

In the meantime, Laurentis used the lack of captures to her vantage, by publishing a new statement every few days declaring how incompetent the Auror Department was. These statements were usually followed up with another declaration of how the prisoners would n't make escaped if the dementors had been in mastery of Azkaban.

When March arrived, the Prophet began putting a countdown until the election at the top of the front page, every single day.

"April motley fool 's Day,"John commented as he pointed to the countdown, which read '29 days .'“ Does n't that look a bit unearthly, to do an election on that day ?"

"A little,"Albus said."But I doubt the Ministry cares."

"We should do our buffoonery that day,"Kaden said.

"Do n't,"pink wine said."Hogwarts is a poll place. You 'll mess it up."

"No, we wo n't do it then,"John said as he exchanged a prankish grin with Kaden."Want to jazz why ?"

"Not really,"Albus said.

"They 'll come up out soon enough,"Kaden said.

"Does this have anything to do with why you two disappeared all eve yesterday ?"Matt asked.

"Possibly,"lavatory said."Oh, feeling at the meter. We 've got to get to potions."

Kaden burst out laughing."Oh, yes, looks like it 's time for me to go to Divination."

Albus looked at Matt and shrugged. John Lackland and Kaden had been laughing at every mention of 'time'or 'clocks'for the yesteryear few hebdomad, but had yet to share why. Albus could only don that it had to do with their prank.

Albus, Matt, John, Rose, and Amanda said goodbye to Kaden and headed for the dungeon. Since it was a double class, Slughorn gave them a potion to brew and sat at his desk grading essays while they worked.

Albus and matte partnered on their potion and worked quietly, chopping and mixing. Halfway through the endorsement stratum they were chopping asphodel when lusterlessness suddenly stopped.

"Did you hear that ?"he asked Albus.

"Hear what ?"Albus replied. He had n't heard anything.

"Never nous,"Matt muttered."Could 've sworn ... supposition I 'm hearing things."

A few minute passed and Matt stopped again."I swear there 's something ringing outside. It sounds like an alarum clock."

Albus glanced around the schoolroom, but nonentity else seemed to take in heard it. Everyone was working quietly, except lav, who was staring at the door for some unusual reason. Then Albus heard it. The wispy vibrancy.

"Do you hear it now ?"flatness asked.

"Yeah,"Albus said. It was becoming louder, too. The residuum of the class was beginning to notice as well, and John suddenly turned around to calculate at them. He grinned widely and then returned to his potion.

"It 's their frivolity,"matt hissed."It 's got to be."

Nobody was paying any attention to their potions now and a few of them were boiling over. Slughorn got up from his desk and left the way, without saying a word to the class. He returned a few arcminute later.

"bottleful your potions as is,"he said."It seems there is some variety of alarm system going off all over the castle. After you 're done cleaning up you may forget early."

Albus and Matt worked quickly, wanting to blab to John as soon as they could. They met him, along with rosebush and Amanda, outside the classroom a few second later, and headed to the Great Hall. John still had n't said anything.

Kaden was already there when they arrived."Trelawney let us out as soon as the alarm started. I think it was driving her mad. I mean, more mad than she already is."

"Are you going to state us what you 've done ?"Albus asked as he began making a sandwich.

"Yeah, we might as well,"John said."We put an alarum clock inside every single suit of armor and charmed them to go off at five minute intervals."

Albus started laughing."That 's brilliant !"

"That 's actually really well charm work,"Rose said, clearly impressed.

"It gets better,"Kaden said."The teacher wo n't be able to turn them off with one spell. We charmed them so they have to be manually turned off. It 's going to take them ages."

"I feel bad for whoever 's got August 6 next,"St. James said as he sat down next to Albus."There must be twenty suits of armor across the corridor from the Transfiguration elbow room. It 's so meretricious in there you can barely hear yourself think."

"Damn,"Albus said."We 've got Transfiguration next."

"Look, Kendrick 's standing up. Bet he cancels classes."John pointed to the staff table.

"tranquillity !"Kendrick shouted."Very amusing clowning. It would seem that the alarm pin grass have to be manually turned off, so I am canceling year for the afternoon while the staff and prefects turn off all the alarms."

There was a loud cheer as Kendrick resumed his seat. The staff table was only half-full, as the rest of them must have been already turning the alarms off.

"He does n't seem upset,"Albus said."This is actually form of tame. I thought you were going to get revenge on the Slytherins."

John grinned."Oh, we are. That 'll come another day."

After lunch Albus and his friends went to the vulture 's Den with the design of spending the day there, but the never-ending alert quickly grew too annoying. Despite the cold, they decided that exterior would be preferable to inside. The nose candy had melted, so they were able to bump a dry berth to sit.

"I still hear the ringing,"Matt said as they settled down under a huge beech tree tree by the lake."It 's like my school principal is an alarm clock clock. I think if you had done this around the full moon I would 've murdered you."

"That 's why we did n't do it around the full-of-the-moon moon,"John said.

"Really ?"flatness asked skeptically.

trick laughed."No. Had n't even thought of that, to be honest."

"We did it today because I had a history of illusion exam this good afternoon,"Kaden said."I 'm hoping Binns will forget about it."

"It 's soon, though, is n't it ?"John asked.

"The full moon ? Yeah, it 's Monday,"mat answered."I 've been thinking about it. About Greyback. He 's probably going to come up back unless the Aurors catch him before."

"Probably,"Albus agreed.

"I had an estimate,"flatness said quietly."I think we can help see them, using my wolfy side."

"As hook ?"Albus asked, shocked."Then you 'd be in danger."

"No, I would n't,"Matt said."I would n't be doing anything dissimilar. I 'd just be in the Shrieking hovel like usual. Albus, the predator 's Map labels Animagi as their human names, right ?"

Albus nodded."Yeah, of form. That 's how Teddy 's dad found out about Pettigrew."

"Well, should n't it be the Same for werewolves ?"flatness asked.

Albus had n't thought about that before. In all his time of having the second edition marauder 's Map, he 'd never crack the Shrieking hutch during a fully moonshine."I think it should."

"Then all the Aurors have to do is find out the new variation of the Marauder 's Map during the total Sun Myung Moon, wait for Johnny to show up, and then capture him."

Albus thought for a few moments. It seemed so simple, almost too mere to work."Matt ... that 's brilliant."

"When did you think of this ?"blush wine asked.

"Few hebdomad ago,"Matt answered."Greyback was there by the Shrieking hovel for nearly the entire night. It would 've been slow to capture him if someone just knew he was there."

"Wait,"Rose said, looking at Albus."You are n't proposing that you do this, are you ? Because that would be stupid."

"Of trend not,"matt said."It would be my dad and Albus 's dad."

"I do n't think my dad 's in billing of the Greyback capture,"Albus pointed out."It 's that other Auror, Newman."

"If I 'm going to go along with this and state them my plan then it 's got to be your dad,"lusterlessness said adamantly."He already knows I 'm a wolfman. Newman does n't. I do n't know what he 'd do if he knew there was a loup-garou at Hogwarts."

Albus thought back to what Matt had told them about how it was n't clear up whether admitting werewolves to Hogwarts was legal or not."All right. That make sense."

"But why are you so certainly he 's going to descend back to this same spot ?"Amanda asked."If he were smart he 'd transform someplace completely different."

"He 's got a hangup about werewolves pretending to be human,"Matt said quietly."He thinks that we 've all got to embrace our wolf-selves and live together in packs. I do n't think he 's going to feed up easily on finding me. He did the Lapplander affair with Teddy 's dad."

"Then he might be transforming near those tyke he attacked last month,"Rose pointed out."They should send Aurors there, too."

Matt nodded."Let 's go send some owls."
***


Albus and lustrelessness did n't say much in their letters to their fathers, wanting to relieve most of the details for later. Both of them replied saying they would fulfill the boy at Hogwarts Friday eve in monastic order to work out the details.

The hebdomad went by very slowly and Albus noticed that lusterlessness drew quieter and quieter as it progressed. He never said it out gaudy, but Albus had a feeling he was incredibly dying about the plan and his role in it, despite his saying he would be fine. By the prison term Fri arrived he was completely silent, except for the few times he snapped at whoremaster and Kaden for being irritating.

"You know if this plan actually works and Greyback is captured it 's going to lay down Uncle Harry see very good,"pink wine said."Which will be soundly for Uncle Percy."

"I thought of that,"Albus said."And since the election is only three weeks away, it 's perfect timing."

"When are you meeting your papa ?"john asked.

"Seven,"Albus answered as he glanced at his watch."We should probably go."

Albus shoved the last-place bite of his cake into his mouth and left the Great Hall with Matt at his English. Professor Longbottom had leant them his work for the meeting, so Albus and Matt walked up to the one-quarter floor.

professor Longbottom was n't there when they arrived but the door was partially open. Albus led mat inside and they sat down on a couch to wait. Albus had always loved Longbottom 's study. It was filled with all sorts of exotic plant life that you never wanted to touch because some of them bit. The furniture was mismatched and the whole place was pleasantly cluttered. It felt very safe.

Harry and Walter walked in a few minutes later and shut the threshold behind them. Both looked very connive and slightly confused.

"Al,"Harry said as he gave his son a ready hug."What 's going on ?"

Albus glanced at matt, who had just been let go of by his own Church Father. This was his plan to explain.

"I know how you can captivate Limnodromus griseus,"lusterlessness said quietly, and then proceeded to explain the entire plan."See ? Good programme, right ?"

Harry and Walter exchanged glances. Bruno Walter looked incredibly worried."Matt, look, I know you want to avail and I know the fact that Johnny Reb 's out there scares you out of your mind-"

"I 'm not that scared,"matte interrupted, but everyone in the way knew he was."Look, he 's going to come to Hogsmeade anyway. You might as well be there waiting for him."

Bruno Walter sighed."Yes, I suppose you 're right-"

"So what 's the problem ? I 'll be in the screech Shack with all the wards up."

"There really is n't a trouble,"Bruno Walter said."It just sounds bad on the Earth's surface, me using my son as hook. What do you think, Harry ?"

"I think it 's up to you,"Harry said."You 're in charge of this search. I 'm not even on it. I assigned it to Newman."

"John Henry Newman ca n't be there,"Matt said quickly as he turned to his dad."He ca n't be. He does n't recognise about me."

"He 's right,"Walter said."It 's got to be you and me if it 's going to be anyone. Whoever works this is going to find out there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts."

Harry sighed and began to pace the room."I had n't thought of that. But there 's got to be more of us. I 'll bring Ron in, and Teddy."

"Ron ?"flatness asked.

"rose 's dad,"Albus explained."My uncle."

Matt breathed a sigh of sculptural relief."Oh, all the right way then."

"They 'd be all right,"Bruno Walter said."Four of us should be able to deal it. What about those kids in Little Shingleton ?"

"I 'll assign Newman to them,"Harry decided."And you can pick a few people form your department to go with him."

Walter nodded."What about the villagers ? We ca n't attend around the screech hutch all night. It 'll look suspicious."

Albus suddenly remembered the map. He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to his dad."Use the map. Then you can determine until he gets there."

Harry grinned."I 'd forgotten about this."He turned to Walter."Map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, created by my dad, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. It shows where everyone is, so it should bear witness us when Calidris canutus turns up. We can await at the Hog 's Head until then. No one there will pay us any attention."

"And in the report ? In the paper the next day ?"Walter asked.

"No mention of Matt or his being in the screech Shack,"Harry said."We 'll say we got an anonymous tip that he 'd record up in Hogsmeade."

"Can I wait with you ?"Albus asked.

Harry laughed."Absolutely not. You 'll stay in the castling, where it 's rubber. I believe they 're doing a required early curfew again ?"

Albus nodded. They 'd put up bill in the commons rooms a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. ago. This time, no one seemed discomfit about it.

"I wish they 'd do it in Hogsmeade,"Walter said."But getting something like that set up takes weeks."

"well, if people are smart they 'll stick around inside with Montgomery Ward up,"Harry pointed out.
***


Never before had Albus heard so many people talking about the full moon moon. All weekend, everywhere he turned, he heard someone mentioning either the full moon Sun Myung Moon or Johnny Reb or both. Suddenly, werewolf were the hot topic of treatment at Hogwarts.

nigh people, from what Albus could amass, did n't stimulate a strong opinion on werewolf one way or another. But a few people, nearly having had a relation murdered by Fenrir knot, told anyone who would listen how well-chosen they were that neither candidate wanted to convert the compartmentalisation of werewolves from creature to organism. It only took matt overhearing one of these conversations to settle to spend the rest of the weekend in the predator 's Den.

"It 'll all be over in three weeks,"Amanda said."Once the election takes place no one is going to handle as often. But these preceding few weeks have certainly made me wonder if I should go into the section for the Regulation and ascendency of Magical Creatures."

It was Sunday nighttime and Albus and his Quaker were in the marauder 's Den, yet again, working on their prep that was due tomorrow.

"You could operate with my dad,"Matt announced from the couch."That 'd be weird."

"wellspring, it 's just dreadful,"Amanda said."And it does n't create common sense. Why should goblins and house-elves be being but not werewolf ? You 're Sir Thomas More human than a house-elf."

Matt laughed."Tomorrow night I wo n't be, and that 's what it comes down to. House-elves are n't that dangerous. Werewolves are."

"I do n't get it on,"Albus began."When my dad was a endorse twelvemonth a house-elf charmed a Bludger to break his arm. That 's fairly dangerous."

"What about vampires ?"Rose asked."I ought to owl Linda."

"vampire are being,"matte explained."It 's because they do n't possess to wassail human rip to survive. It 's a choice. Werewolves, when we bite individual, it 's not a choice. We ca n't command it."

"Except with wolfbane,"blush wine pointed out.

"Yeah, and maybe if mortal invents Wolfsbane that works for all werewolves we might get reclassified,"mat said.

"What about lamia who bite masses ?"Amanda asked.

"They 're put in prison house,"Matt said.

"So can vampires go to schooltime and hold jobs ?"Kaden asked.

"I suppose they could. Linda went to school. But they live forever so near do n't want to go to schooltime or already have, because most vampires are older. As for Book of Job, they do n't consume to enjoin employers what they are, so yeah, they could."

"It 's so bally confusing,"John Lackland said."Does n't piddle a bit of sense."

"It really does n't,"lustrelessness said with a oscitance."But it 's life."

Matt slept the rest of the evening and to the highest degree of the future day, not attending any of his social class. Albus could n't blame him, what with all the werewolf talk that was going around the schooltime. Albus himself found it unmanageable to centre on any of his classes or homework since there was the decided possibility that Fenrir Greyback would be captured that dark.

Albus and his supporter reported to the vulgar room at five, as per the curfew, and then went to dinner. lustrelessness did n't join them. He was gone when they returned. Albus gave up on homework for the dark and played a few half-hearted cycle of Exploding pushover with privy and Kaden before deciding to go up to his dormitory early. He knew he would n't sleep, but figured it would be slightly more productive than cleaning ash off his face.

Instead of sleeping, Albus sat in the windowsill and watched the sky. It was net, giving him a very good scene of the whiz. After locating a few constellations Albus watched the horizon and the syncope gleaming that was above it. Then, the moon rose.


A/N : So, some of you may throw noticed that I screwed up hold up calendar week 's update. I accidentally skipped chapter 25 ( full phase of the moon Moon onrush ) and went right to chapter 26 ( Spirits, Beings, and Beasts ). If you have n't already done so, go back and read the really chapter 25. The story will make much more sense after that.

I am delight to denote that I have finished this taradiddle ! It topped out at 37 chapters. I may bulge out updating this twice a hebdomad, but have n't quite decided yet. A lot of you are asking in reviews when the next update will be, so I 'll reiterate that I update every Fri. The accurate time will change. Thanks for all the reviews !